Schedule & Booking

1. Baska goormuu baxayaa?

   When does the bus leave?

   Usage

   The basic question for a departure time.

   Grammar Note

   Bas is masculine, so the subject clitic uu joins the question word: goormuu. Baxayaa is the progressive of bax "to go out, depart".

2. Safarku wuxuu bilaabmayaa sagaalka subaxnimo

   The trip starts at nine in the morning

   Usage

   States when a tour or trip begins. A clock time is the numeral with its article plus the part of the day.

   Grammar Note

   A clock time is the numeral with -ka (sagaalka) followed by the part of the day. Wuxuu is the focus form with a masculine subject.

3. Berri safar ma jiraa?

   Is there a trip tomorrow?

   Usage

   Check whether a bus or car runs the next day.

   Grammar Note

   The time word berri opens the sentence. "Ma ... jiraa" is the fixed way to ask "is there ...".

4. Goorma la booqdaa?

   When can one visit?

   Usage

   Asks when a place can be visited.

   Grammar Note

   La is the impersonal "one". Booqdaa is the present of booqo "to visit".

5. Toban daqiiqo ayaan daahay

   I am ten minutes late

   Usage

   Say how late you are for a meeting. Swap in another number as needed.

   Grammar Note

   The length of time comes first with the focus particle ayaa. Daahay is the past of daah "be late", used for the state of being late.

6. Berri saddexda galabta ayaan ku arkayaa

   See you tomorrow at three in the afternoon

   Usage

   A parting phrase confirming tomorrow's meeting time. The hour is the numeral with its article.

   Grammar Note

   The time expression comes first with the focus particle ayaa. "Ku arkayaa" means "I will see you".

7. Dalxiisku immisa saacadood buu socdaa?

   How many hours does the tour last?

   Usage

   Asks how long a tour takes. Immisa is the question word for "how many".

   Grammar Note

   The noun after immisa is plural (saacadood). Dalxiis is masculine, hence buu.

8. Waan daahay

   I am late

   Usage

   A quick line on arriving late, usually with an apology.

   Grammar Note

   Waa puts focus on the verb and fuses with aan "I" into waan.

9. Fadlan jadwalka baska ii sheeg

   Please tell me the bus timetable

   Usage

   Ask for the timetable. This asks about buses.

   Grammar Note

   Two nouns in a row give "the bus timetable". Ii sheeg is the imperative "tell me".

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