Dietary & Allergies

1. Hilib ma cuno.

   I don't eat meat.

   Usage

   Telling people you do not eat meat.

   Grammar Note

   Ma cuno is the negative present of cun (eat). Putting the object first is the normal word order. This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

2. Waxaan ahay muslin; doofaar ma cuno.

   I'm Muslim and I don't eat pork.

   Usage

   Explaining that you avoid pork for religious reasons.

   Grammar Note

   Nearly all Somalis are Muslim, so this is mainly a traveller's way to state their faith. Doofaar is the word for pig (and pork). This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

3. Khamri ma cabbo.

   I don't drink alcohol.

   Usage

   A polite way to refuse alcohol. The vast majority of the population are Muslims.

   Grammar Note

   Khamri is the word for alcoholic drink (in the Bible, "wine"). Ma cabbo is the negative present of cab (drink). This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

4. Caano ma cabbi karo.

   I can't drink milk.

   Usage

   Saying that you cannot take milk. Caano means milk in general, not only cow's milk.

   Grammar Note

   Ma ... karo means "cannot". The verb before it is in its base form (cabbi). This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

5. Ukun ma cuno.

   I don't eat eggs.

   Usage

   Saying you do not eat eggs.

   Grammar Note

   Ukun is egg, used here for the food in general rather than a count. This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

6. Kalluun ma cuno.

   I don't eat fish.

   Usage

   Saying you do not eat fish.

   Grammar Note

   Kalluun is the ordinary word for fish. This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

7. Hilibka lo'da ma cuni karo.

   I can't eat beef.

   Usage

   Saying you cannot eat beef.

   Grammar Note

   Lo' is cattle. Hilibka lo'da means "the meat of cattle", beef. This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

8. Maxaa ku jira cuntadan?

   What's in this food?

   Usage

   Checking what a dish contains.

   Grammar Note

   Maxaa means "what" as subject. Ku jira means "is in", and cuntadan (this food) is the place. This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

9. Cuntadan hilib ma ku jiraa?

   Is there meat in this dish?

   Usage

   Checking whether a dish contains meat.

   Grammar Note

   Ma ku jiraa asks "is there in it?". The item is placed before ma. This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

10. Cuntadan doofaar ma ku jiraa?

    Is there pork in this dish?

    Usage

    Making sure a dish contains no pork.

    Grammar Note

    Doofaar is pig (pork). It is forbidden in Islam, so travellers often check. This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

11. Cuntadan khamri ma ku jiraa?

    Is there alcohol in this dish?

    Usage

    Checking that a dish contains no alcohol.

    Grammar Note

    Khamri is masculine, so the verb takes the jiraa form. This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

12. Cuntadan basbaas ma ku jiraa?

    Is there chili in this dish?

    Usage

    Asking when you cannot eat spicy food.

    Grammar Note

    Basbaas is the hot pepper plant and the pepper added to food. This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

13. Basal ha ku darin.

    Please don't add onion.

    Usage

    Asking the cook to leave out onion.

    Grammar Note

    Ha ... -in is the negative command. Ku darin means "add to". This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

14. Cunto aan hilib lahayn ma haysaa?

    Do you have food without meat?

    Usage

    Asking for a meat-free dish.

    Grammar Note

    Aan ... lahayn ("that does not have") is a relative clause describing cunto. This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

15. Doofaar

    Pork

    Usage

    Word for pointing at something you do not eat.

16. Hilibka lo'da

    Beef

    Usage

    For pointing at a menu item or ingredient.

17. Hilibka digaagga

    Chicken

    Usage

    For pointing at a menu item or ingredient.

18. Kalluun

    Fish

    Usage

    For pointing at a menu item or ingredient.

19. Ukun

    Egg

    Usage

    For pointing at a menu item or ingredient.

20. Caano

    Milk

    Usage

    For pointing at a menu item or ingredient.

21. Sarreen

    Wheat

    Usage

    Word for pointing at wheat when you must avoid it.

22. Khamri

    Alcohol

    Usage

    Word for alcoholic drinks.

23. Basal

    Onion

    Usage

    For pointing at a menu item or ingredient.

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