Sightseeing

1. Xafiiska dalxiiska waa halkee?

   Where is the tourist office?

   Usage

   Asks where to get tourist information.

   Grammar Note

   Two nouns side by side give "the office of tourism". Dalxiis is travelling for pleasure and sightseeing.

2. Waxaan jeclaan lahaa inaan arko xayawaanka duurka

   I would like to see wild animals

   Usage

   A polite way to say you would like to see wildlife.

   Grammar Note

   "Jeclaan lahaa" is the polite "would like". Inaan + subjunctive verb expresses "that I do".

3. Ma sawiri karnaa?

   Can we take photos?

   Usage

   Asks permission to take photos. Always ask before photographing people or government buildings.

   Grammar Note

   Sawiri is the verb "to picture, photograph". Karnaa "we can" is the inclusive "we".

4. Xeebta Liido ma fog tahay?

   Is Lido Beach far?

   Usage

   Asks how far a particular sight is. Liido is a beach name in Mogadishu; swap in any other place.

   Grammar Note

   Xeeb is feminine, so "is far" takes tahay; a masculine noun would take yahay.

5. Waxaan jeclaan lahaa inaan booqdo Berbera

   I would like to visit Berbera

   Usage

   States a town you want to visit. Replace Berbera with any other place name.

   Grammar Note

   Booqo means "to visit (a place or person)"; after inaan it takes the subjunctive form booqdo.

6. Laas Geel waa halkee?

   Where is Laas Geel?

   Usage

   Asks where a sight is. Laas Geel is a rock-art site near Hargeysa; swap in any other place.

   Grammar Note

   Proper names are capitalised. "X waa halkee?" is the pattern for "where is X".

7. Lacagta gelitaanka waa immisa?

   What is the admission fee?

   Usage

   Asks the entrance fee for parks or museums. Literally "the money of entering".

   Grammar Note

   "Lacagta gelitaanka" places two nouns side by side: "the money of entry". Lacag is treated as a mass noun.

8. Lambarka telefoonkaaga waa maxay?

   What is your phone number?

   Usage

   Asks a guide or coordinator for a contact number.

   Grammar Note

   The possessive -kaaga "your" attaches to telefoon. Maxay is the question word "what".

9. Goorma la furaa?

   When does it open?

   Usage

   Asks the opening time of museums, parks or shops.

   Grammar Note

   The impersonal la gives "when does one open it", which means "when does it open".

10. Goorma la xiraa?

    When does it close?

    Usage

    Asks the closing time; the pair of the opening-time question.

    Grammar Note

    Xir "close" with the impersonal la, the counterpart of furaa.

Browse all TravelPhrases languages