Language Learning

1. Af Soomaali wax yar ayaan baranayaa

   I am learning a little Somali.

   Usage

   How to say you are learning Somali.

   Grammar Note

   Af means 'mouth, language' and Soomaali is 'Somali'. Ayaan is ayaa + aan and highlights 'a little Somali'. This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

2. Mar kale ku celi, si tartiib ah

   Please say that again, slowly.

   Usage

   Asks someone to repeat something more slowly when you did not catch it.

   Grammar Note

   'Ku celi' is the imperative 'repeat' (to one person). Tartiib means slowness, 'without hurry'. This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

3. Macnaha erayga waa maxay?

   What does this word mean?

   Usage

   Asks the meaning of an unknown word. Erey is word and macne is meaning.

   Grammar Note

   'Meaning of A' is macnaha + A. Maxay is 'what', and 'waa maxay' means 'what is it'. This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

4. Tani Ingiriisi ahaan waa maxay?

   What is this in English?

   Usage

   Asks what something is called in English.

   Grammar Note

   Tani is 'this' for feminine things (masculine: kani). 'Ingiriisi ahaan' means 'in English terms'. This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

5. Macallin Soomaali ah ayaan u baahan ahay

   I need a Somali teacher.

   Usage

   What to say when looking for a Somali teacher. Literally 'I need a teacher who is Somali'.

   Grammar Note

   'Soomaali ah' means Somali (person or language). Ayaan focuses 'a teacher' and 'u baahan ahay' means 'I need'. This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

6. Marka aan hadlo qalad badan ayaan sameeyaa

   I make many mistakes when I speak.

   Usage

   A way to warn that you often make mistakes when speaking.

   Grammar Note

   Marka means 'when'. 'Qalad badan ayaan sameeyaa' puts focus on 'many mistakes'. This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

7. Si fiican ayaad u qortaa

   You write very well.

   Usage

   A compliment on someone's writing.

   Grammar Note

   The focus is on 'si fiican' (well). Ayaad is ayaa + aad (you). This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

8. Erayga sidee loo dhawaaqaa?

   How is this word pronounced?

   Usage

   Asks how a word is pronounced. Dhawaaq is saying something aloud.

   Grammar Note

   'Loo dhawaaqaa' is the impersonal form ('how is it pronounced'). Sidee means 'how'. This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

9. Magacaaga ii qor

   Write your name for me.

   Usage

   A request to have someone write their name so you can see the spelling.

   Grammar Note

   Magac is 'name' and -aaga is 'your'. 'Ii qor' means 'write for me'. This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

10. Soomaaligu ma adag yahay?

    Is Somali hard?

    Usage

    Asks a local whether Somali is difficult.

    Grammar Note

    Adag means 'hard, difficult'. A predicate adjective is written apart: ma adag yahay. This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

11. Haddaan qalad sameeyo, i sax

    If I make a mistake, please correct me.

    Usage

    Asks a conversation partner to correct your mistakes.

    Grammar Note

    Haddaan is haddii + aan ('if I'). Sax is the imperative 'correct (the error)'. This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

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