Laundry

1. Halkan dhar ma la dhaqaa?

   Do you wash clothes here?

   Usage

   A question about whether laundry is done here.

   Grammar Note

   La dhaqaa is the impersonal 'is washed'. Dhaq is the verb for washing with water. This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

2. Waxaan rabaa inaan dharkayga dhaqo

   I want to wash my clothes.

   Usage

   How to say you want to wash your clothes.

   Grammar Note

   Dhar means clothes (collective) and is masculine; the possessive -kayga gives dharkayga ('my clothes'). This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

3. Dharka goorma ayaan heli karaa?

   When can I get the clothes?

   Usage

   A question about when to pick up clothes left for washing.

   Grammar Note

   'Goorma ayaan' focuses the question word 'when'. Heli means 'get, find'. This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

4. Dharkaygu waa wasakhaysan yahay

   My clothes are dirty.

   Usage

   Explains that the clothes you want washed are dirty.

   Grammar Note

   Wasakhaysan ('dirty') is built from wasakh (dirt). A predicate adjective is written apart: waa + adjective + yahay. This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

5. Biyo kulul ha ku dhaqin

   Please do not wash with hot water.

   Usage

   An instruction asking not to wash in hot water.

   Grammar Note

   A negative imperative is ha + verb stem + -in. Ku means 'with', and the means (biyo kulul) comes first. This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

6. Dhaqidda hal shaati waa immisa?

   How much is it to wash one shirt?

   Usage

   A question about the price of washing one item.

   Grammar Note

   Hal is 'one' before a noun. Dhaqid (washing) is a feminine verbal noun, with the article dhaqidda. This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

7. Waan jeclahay inaan dharka gacanta ku dhaqo

   I like washing clothes by hand.

   Usage

   Says you like washing by hand. Literally 'I like to wash clothes with the hand'.

   Grammar Note

   Gacanta ku means 'by hand'. The means goes before the verb. This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

8. Dharku weli waa qoyan yahay

   The clothes are still wet.

   Usage

   Tells that the laundry has not dried yet.

   Grammar Note

   Weli means 'still'. Dhar is masculine, so the subject form is dharku and the predicate verb is yahay. This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

9. Dharku waa engegan yahay

   The clothes are dry.

   Usage

   Says the laundry is dry.

   Grammar Note

   Engegan means 'dry'; the opposite 'wet' is qoyan. This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

10. Saabuunku waa halkee?

    Where is the soap?

    Usage

    Asks where the soap is, for washing clothes or dishes.

    Grammar Note

    Saabuun is masculine, with the subject form saabuunku. This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

11. Dharkan dhaq

    Wash these clothes.

    Usage

    A short instruction asking for the clothes to be washed.

    Grammar Note

    Dhaq is the imperative 'wash' (to one person). The demonstrative -kan ('this') attaches to the noun.

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