School & Education

1. Xafiiska dugsiga waa halkee?

   Where is the school office?

   Usage

   A question for finding the school office when enrolling or asking something.

   Grammar Note

   The definite article follows gender: xafiis (masculine) takes -ka and dugsi (masculine) takes -ga. The possessor follows the noun, so xafiiska dugsiga is literally 'office the-school'. This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

2. Waxaan rabaa inaan magacayga diiwaangeliyo

   I'd like to register my name (enrol).

   Usage

   How to say you want to sign up or enrol at a school or class. Literally 'I want to register my name'.

   Grammar Note

   'Waxaan rabaa inaan + verb' is the basic 'I want to ...' frame. Inaan is in + aan ('that I') and the following verb takes the subjunctive form. This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

3. Jadwalka casharrada ma i tusi kartaa?

   Can you show me the class timetable?

   Usage

   A request to see the class schedule, usable with the office or a teacher.

   Grammar Note

   Ma opens a yes/no question. 'I tusi kartaa' is 'can you show me'. Casharrada is the definite plural of cashar (lesson). This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

4. Kharashka waxbarashada waa immisa?

   How much is the tuition fee?

   Usage

   The basic question for asking about tuition fees.

   Grammar Note

   Waxbarasho (education) is feminine, so its article is -da. The possessor again follows the noun. This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

5. Waxaan u baahan ahay aqoonsiga ardayga

   I need a student ID.

   Usage

   What you say at the office when you need a student ID.

   Grammar Note

   'U baahan ahay' means 'I need'. The thing needed comes first. Aqoonsi is an identity document, and ardayga adds 'of the student'. This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

6. Deeq waxbarasho ma heli karaa?

   Can I get a scholarship?

   Usage

   A question about scholarships. Deeq is a grant or aid and waxbarasho is education.

   Grammar Note

   Deeq waxbarasho is a compound meaning aid for education, i.e. a scholarship. 'Heli karaa' is 'can I get'. This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

7. Macallinkaygu waa kuma?

   Who is my teacher?

   Usage

   A question about who your teacher or class instructor is.

   Grammar Note

   The possessive -kayga (my) attaches to the noun; in subject position it becomes -kaygu. 'Kuma' means 'who'. This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

8. Imtixaanku waa goorma?

   When is the exam?

   Usage

   The basic question for asking the date of an exam.

   Grammar Note

   Goorma means 'when'. Imtixaan (masculine) takes the subject form imtixaanku. This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

9. Maktabaddu waa halkee?

   Where is the library?

   Usage

   A question for finding the library at a school or university.

   Grammar Note

   Maktabad (library) is feminine: the article is -da and the subject form is maktabaddu. This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

10. Arday baan ahay

    I am a student.

    Usage

    How to say you are a student. The same form is used by men and women.

    Grammar Note

    Baan is baa + aan: it puts focus on the preceding arday ('a student is what I am'). Arday has no gender distinction.

11. Buug iyo qalin ayaan u baahan ahay

    I need a book and a pen.

    Usage

    What you say when you need a book and a pen for class or study.

    Grammar Note

    'A iyo B' is 'A and B'. Ayaan is ayaa + aan and puts focus on 'buug iyo qalin'. This sentence is composed from verified words and regular grammar; it is not quoted from a text.

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