Nature & Outdoors

1. Waxaan rabaa inaan arko libaax

   I want to see a lion

   Usage

   Telling a guide which animal you hope to see.

   Grammar Note

   Arko is the form of "see" that follows inaan. Replace libaax with another animal name.

2. Maroodigu muxuu cunaa?

   What do elephants eat?

   Usage

   Asking a guide about an animal's diet.

   Grammar Note

   Maroodi is masculine. The singular is used here for elephants in general. Muxuu means "what ... he".

3. Haradan magaceedu waa maxay?

   What is this lake called?

   Usage

   For asking the name of a place.

   Grammar Note

   Haro is feminine and means a large body of fresh water. Magaceedu is "its name" for a feminine noun.

4. Webigan magaciisu waa maxay?

   What is this river called?

   Usage

   For asking the name of a river.

   Grammar Note

   Webi is masculine. Magaciisu is "its name" for a masculine noun; a feminine noun takes magaceedu.

5. Geedkan magaciisu waa maxay?

   What is this tree called?

   Usage

   For asking the name of a tree or plant.

   Grammar Note

   Geed is masculine. Its plural is geedo.

6. Xayawaanka ma sawiri karaa?

   Can I take photos of the animals?

   Usage

   To check whether photographing animals is allowed. Always ask first before pointing a camera at people.

   Grammar Note

   Sawiri is the verb "to make an image". Xayawaan is a masculine noun for animals.

7. Badweynta Hindiya aad bay u qurxoon tahay

   The Indian Ocean is very beautiful

   Usage

   Somalia has a long coast on the Indian Ocean.

   Grammar Note

   Badweyn is feminine, hence bay and tahay. Badweynta Hindiya is the title used by the Somali Wikipedia.

8. Shimbiris waa buurta ugu dheer Soomaaliya

   Shimbiris is the tallest mountain in Somalia

   Usage

   A mountain in the Sanaag region of northern Somalia, for talking about places.

   Grammar Note

   Ugu forms the superlative and goes before the adjective dheer (tall, long). Buur takes the feminine article here.

9. Kayntan xayawaan halis ah ma ku jiraa?

   Does this forest have dangerous animals?

   Usage

   To check with a guide before entering woodland.

   Grammar Note

   Kayn is a place with many trees and is feminine. Halis ah means "dangerous" and follows the noun.

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