Shopping

1. Kani waa immisa?

   How much is this?

   Usage

   Point at the item and ask the price. For a feminine item use tani instead of kani. Immisa means "how many / how much" and works for counts and money alike.

   Grammar Note

   A demonstrative as subject changes from kan to kani. The question word immisa does not change for gender or number; the dictionary lists meeqa as the same word.

2. Qiimaha wax yar yaree

   Please lower the price a little

   Usage

   A bargaining opener for markets and stalls. Literally "make the price a little less".

   Grammar Note

   Yaree is the imperative of "make less, make smaller"; wax yar "a little" comes before it as an adverb. The dictionary describes yaree as making something large or numerous smaller.

3. Waa aad u qaali

   It is very expensive

   Usage

   A reply when the price seems high; a common starting point for bargaining.

   Grammar Note

   Aad u before an adjective gives "very" or "too". The adjective qaali stays the same for any noun.

4. Kan baan doonayaa

   I want this one

   Usage

   Used while pointing at the item you choose. For a feminine noun use tan instead of kan (Tan baan doonayaa).

   Grammar Note

   The object kan takes the focus particle baa ("it is this one that I want"); baa fuses with the subject pronoun aan into baan.

5. Ma haysaa cabbirkayga?

   Do you have my size?

   Usage

   Use it when buying clothes or shoes. Showing your size number makes it clearer.

   Grammar Note

   Ma marks a yes/no question. The suffix -kayga "my" attaches to cabbir "measure, size".

6. Keliya waan fiirinayaa

   I am just looking

   Usage

   Said to a persistent seller when you are only browsing and not buying.

   Grammar Note

   Fiirinayaa is the progressive of fiiri "look". Waan is waa fused with aan "I" and is written as one word.

7. Maxaa laga sameeyay?

   What is it made of?

   Usage

   Asks about the material of cloth or crafts. Say it while pointing at the item.

   Grammar Note

   La is the impersonal "one", and with ka "from" it becomes laga; the whole question is "from what is it made?".

8. Fadlan kiish ii sii

   Please give me a bag

   Usage

   Asks for a bag for your purchases. Fadlan "please" can be left out.

   Grammar Note

   Ii sii means "give to me". The object kiish comes first and the verb last, as in most Somali sentences.

9. Rasiid ma doonayo

   I don't need a receipt

   Usage

   Declines a receipt at the till.

   Grammar Note

   A negative sentence is ma plus the negative verb form: affirmative doonayaa becomes doonayo, and no waa or baa is used.

10. Rasiid ii sii

    Please give me a receipt

    Usage

    Asks for a receipt after you pay.

    Grammar Note

    The object rasiid comes first; "ii sii" means "give to me".

11. Waan iibsanayaa

    I'll buy it

    Usage

    Said once you agree on the price and decide to buy.

    Grammar Note

    The progressive of iibso "buy", also used for an immediate decision. Waan is waa fused with aan "I".

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