Directions

1. Hoteelka waa halkee?

   Where is the hotel?

   Usage

   The basic way to ask where a place is. Replace hoteelka with another place.

   Grammar Note

   "Waa halkee?" is the fixed pattern for "where is ...?". The ending -ka on a noun makes it "the ...".

2. Toos u soco

   Go straight ahead

   Usage

   Used when giving or receiving directions to go straight on.

   Grammar Note

   "Toos u soco" is an expression listed in the dictionary: walk on without turning. Soco is the imperative.

3. Bangiga ka dib bidixda u leexo

   Turn left after the bank

   Usage

   Directions using a landmark. Swap bangiga for another building.

   Grammar Note

   The pattern "midigta ama bidixda u leexo" (turn right or left) occurs in the Bible. U marks direction and leexo is the imperative.

4. Halkan midigta u leexo

   Turn right here

   Usage

   Tell a driver or helper where to turn.

   Grammar Note

   Midig is feminine and takes -ta as the definite form, midigta. Bidix (left) works the same way, bidixda.

5. Intee in le'eg ayuu fog yahay?

   How far is it?

   Usage

   For asking how far something is. Name the place first, then ask.

   Grammar Note

   Intee in le'eg means "how much, to what degree" and occurs in the Bible. Yahay is used when the thing asked about is masculine.

6. Jidkani xaggee buu aadaa?

   Where does this road lead?

   Usage

   For asking where a road goes.

   Grammar Note

   Jid is masculine, so the subject marker is buu (he/it). Aad is the verb "go to a destination".

7. Taksi halkan ma ka heli karaa?

   Can I get a taxi here?

   Usage

   Checking whether a taxi can be found at this spot.

   Grammar Note

   Ma ...? makes a yes/no question. Kar means "can" and follows the main verb heli (get).

8. Midig

   Right

   Usage

   A one-word way to give direction, usually with a gesture.

   Grammar Note

   A feminine noun. With the definite article it is midigta.

9. Bidix

   Left

   Usage

   A one-word way to give direction, usually with a gesture.

   Grammar Note

   A feminine noun. With the definite article it is bidixda.

10. Toos

    Straight ahead

    Usage

    Says "straight on" in one word, the same idea as toos u soco.

    Grammar Note

    Toos means "straight, without bending".

11. Dib u noqo

    Go back

    Usage

    When someone took a wrong turn and should return.

    Grammar Note

    Noqo is the imperative of the verb "return to where one came from" and occurs in the Bible. Dib means "back".

12. Jooji

    Stop

    Usage

    To ask a vehicle or a person to stop.

    Grammar Note

    Jooji is the imperative of "stop".

13. Waqooyi

    North

    Usage

    For compass directions. Waqooyi is also written woqooyi.

    Grammar Note

    A masculine noun. The dictionary lists woqooyi as a variant spelling.

14. Koonfur

    South

    Usage

    For compass directions. Koonfur is also written koofur.

    Grammar Note

    A feminine noun. The dictionary lists koofur as a variant spelling.

15. Bari

    East

    Usage

    For compass directions. It names the direction where the sun rises.

    Grammar Note

    A masculine noun. Another word spelled bari exists with a different meaning, so context decides.

16. Galbeed

    West

    Usage

    For compass directions. It names the direction where the sun sets.

    Grammar Note

    A masculine noun.

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