Money & Exchange

1. Qiimaha waa immisa?

   How much does it cost?

   Usage

   The most common shopping question. Say it while pointing at the item.

   Grammar Note

   Qiimo is a masculine noun meaning price or value. "Waa immisa?" is the set way to ask for a number or amount.

2. Aad buu u qaali yahay

   It is very expensive

   Usage

   In bargaining, to say the price is high.

   Grammar Note

   Aad ... u ... gives the meaning "very". Use yahay for a masculine item and tahay for a feminine one.

3. Qiimaha wax yar yaree, fadlan

   Please lower the price a little

   Usage

   A polite way to bargain.

   Grammar Note

   Yaree is the imperative of "make less, make smaller". Fadlan is an Arabic loanword that makes the request polite.

4. Lacag caddaan ah

   Cash

   Usage

   Useful as an answer when asked how you will pay.

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary lists one meaning of caddaan as money used to buy things, as opposed to goods. Ah follows it like an adjective marker.

5. Rasiid ma i siin kartaa?

   Can I get a receipt?

   Usage

   Asking for a receipt after paying.

   Grammar Note

   Rasiid is a paper showing that money was received. Siin (give) plus kartaa makes the polite request "can you give".

6. Lacagta hadhay i sii, fadlan

   My change, please

   Usage

   Asking for change after paying. Literally "give me the money that remained".

   Grammar Note

   Hadhay is the past of "remain" and here describes "the money that remained". Sii is the imperative "give", and i before it adds "to me".

7. Lacag aad u badan baad iga qaadday

   You charged me too much

   Usage

   A calm way to point out that you were charged too much.

   Grammar Note

   Baad is the focus word baa fused with aad (you). Iga means "from me" and qaadday is the past "took" with you as the subject.

8. Bangigu waa halkee?

   Where is the bank?

   Usage

   For asking where to find a bank.

   Grammar Note

   Bangi is a masculine noun. The subject form is -gu, the same pattern as "Musqushu waa halkee?".

9. Mid kasta wuxuu bixinayaa kiisa

   Everyone pays their own

   Usage

   Used when each person should pay for themselves.

   Grammar Note

   Mid kasta means "each one". Bixi is the verb "pay, give out". Kiisa means "his own one".

10. Dhammaan wada bixi

    Pay it all together

    Usage

    Said when the whole bill is to be paid in one go.

    Grammar Note

    Wada means "together" and goes before the verb. Bixi is the imperative.

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