Vehicles

1. Baabuur

   Car

   Usage

   The general word for a car. The dictionary defines a motor vehicle on land that carries people and goods.

   Grammar Note

   A masculine noun; the definite form is baabuurka. The dictionary lists gaari as a further word for a car.

2. Bas

   Bus

   Usage

   For city and long-distance buses.

   Grammar Note

   A masculine noun; the definite form is baska. The same spelling bas also has unrelated senses, such as a natural death.

3. Taksi

   Taxi

   Usage

   For calling a taxi or checking the fare before you get in.

   Grammar Note

   A masculine noun. The dictionary also lists the variant spelling tagsi.

4. Diyaarad

   Airplane

   Usage

   For talk about aircraft. The dictionary lists dayuurad as the same word.

   Grammar Note

   A feminine noun; the definite form is diyaarada. The airport is garoonka diyaaradaha.

5. Baaskiil

   Bicycle

   Usage

   For renting a bicycle. The dictionary defines a two-wheeled vehicle without a motor.

   Grammar Note

   A masculine noun; the definite form is baaskiilka.

6. Mooto

   Motorbike

   Usage

   For motorbikes. The dictionary defines a two-wheeled vehicle with a motor.

   Grammar Note

   A feminine noun; the definite form is mootada.

7. Doonni

   Boat

   Usage

   For boats on the sea or a river. The dictionary describes a sailing craft smaller than a ship and larger than a raft.

   Grammar Note

   A feminine noun; the definite form is doonnida. The dictionary also spells it doon, which is spelled like the verb meaning to want.

8. Markab

   Ship

   Usage

   For a large vessel. The dictionary defines a big sea vehicle, some carrying cargo and some used in war.

   Grammar Note

   A masculine noun; the definite form is markabka. A smaller boat is doonni.

9. Ambalaas

   Ambulance

   Usage

   Used when calling an ambulance. The dictionary defines a special vehicle for rushing a seriously ill or injured person.

   Grammar Note

   A masculine noun, borrowed from English ambulance.

10. Tareen

    Train

    Usage

    The general word for a train. The dictionary defines a vehicle of many linked cars.

    Grammar Note

    A masculine noun; the definite form is tareenka.

11. Helikobtar

    Helicopter

    Usage

    For helicopters. The dictionary defines a kind of aircraft that takes off vertically.

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary allows both genders. A loanword from English helicopter, respelled with b because Somali has no p.

12. Gaadiid

    Vehicle

    Usage

    A word for vehicles in general. The dictionary defines anything that can be loaded and moved.

    Grammar Note

    A masculine noun; the definite form is gaadiidka.

13. Wade

    Driver

    Usage

    For the driver. The dictionary defines a person who can drive vehicles.

    Grammar Note

    A masculine noun. The plural is wadayaal.

Browse all TravelPhrases languages