Markets & Souvenirs

1. Kuwan waa immisa?

   How much are these?

   Usage

   For asking the price of several items on a market stall. For a single item use Kani waa immisa?

   Grammar Note

   Kuwan is the plural of kan "this one". Waa immisa? asks "how much". This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

2. Qiimaha ma dhimi kartaa?

   Can you lower the price?

   Usage

   An opening line for bargaining. Prices at a market stall are normally negotiable.

   Grammar Note

   Ma … kartaa? means "can you …?"; the verb stays in its stem form dhimi before kartaa. This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

3. Shan kun oo shilin baan bixinayaa

   I will pay five thousand shillings

   Usage

   A counter-offer. Swap shan kun (5,000) for your own amount. The currency word is shilin (the Somali shilling).

   Grammar Note

   baan is the focus word baa plus aan "I". A number is joined to its noun with oo (as in boqol oo nin "a hundred men"). This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

4. Kani gacanta ma lagu sameeyay?

   Is this handmade?

   Usage

   Asks whether an item such as a craft or cloth was made by hand.

   Grammar Note

   The impersonal la plus ku "with" gives a passive "was it made by hand"; sameeyay is the past tense. This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

5. Kani halkan ma lagu sameeyay?

   Is this made here?

   Usage

   Checks whether an item is made locally. Handy when choosing souvenirs.

   Grammar Note

   Halkan "here" goes early in the sentence; ma … lagu sameeyay? asks "was it made". This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

6. Hadiyad ahaan ma ii duubi kartaa?

   Can you wrap it as a gift for me?

   Usage

   A request to have a purchase wrapped as a present.

   Grammar Note

   Ahaan after a noun means "as …"; ii is the pronoun "to/for me". This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

7. Suuqa goorma ayaa la furaa, goorma ayaa la xidhaa?

   When does the market open and when does it close?

   Usage

   Asks the market opening hours. Friday (Jimce) is the prayer day, so it is worth checking the hours.

   Grammar Note

   La furaa / la xidhaa ("one opens / one closes") is the impersonal way to say "opens / closes". The question word goorma takes the focus word ayaa. This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

8. Suuqu miyuu furan yahay?

   Is the market open?

   Usage

   Checks whether the market is open right now.

   Grammar Note

   Suuq is masculine, so it takes miyuu and yahay. Furan is an adjective "open". This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

9. Suuqa waa halkee?

   Where is the market?

   Usage

   The basic question for asking the way to a market.

   Grammar Note

   "Where is X" is X waa halkee?. This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

10. Kan hadiyad baan u iibsanayaa

    I am buying this as a gift

    Usage

    Tells the seller why you are buying; useful before asking for wrapping.

    Grammar Note

    U … iibsanayaa means "buying for …"; the noun hadiyad "gift" simply stands before it. This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

11. Basal

    Onion

    Usage

    A single word to name a vegetable at a stall.

    Grammar Note

    Basal is feminine (definite form basasha).

12. Toon

    Garlic

    Usage

    A single word to name a vegetable at a stall.

    Grammar Note

    Toon is feminine. The same spelling has other meanings, but at a market it means garlic.

13. Basbaas

    Chili

    Usage

    Names the hot chili pepper.

    Grammar Note

    Basbaas is masculine.

14. Sinjibiil

    Ginger

    Usage

    Names ginger, used in cooking and as a remedy.

    Grammar Note

    Sinjibiil is feminine.

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