Basic Verbs

1. Tag

   To go

   Usage

   Serves as both the command "go!" and the base form of the verb. Put a destination next to it and the meaning gets across.

   Grammar Note

   Somali verbs have no infinitive; dictionaries list the imperative stem. "Waan tagayaa" means "I am going".

2. Imow

   To come

   Usage

   For talking about arriving or asking someone to come. To call someone over, say "Kaalay!" instead.

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary form is Imow, but the command "come!" is the separate word Kaalay (Kaalaya to several people).

3. Cun

   To eat

   Usage

   For inviting someone to eat or asking whether something is fine to eat. "Cun!" is the command "eat!".

   Grammar Note

   A first-conjugation verb. The noun cunto (food) comes from the same root.

4. Cab

   To drink

   Usage

   For checking whether something is drinkable or offering a drink. The same verb also covers smoking a cigarette.

   Grammar Note

   A first-conjugation verb. The dictionary gives two senses: swallowing liquid, and smoking tobacco.

5. Iibso

   To buy

   Usage

   The basic word for stating you want to buy. Point at the item as you say it.

   Grammar Note

   A third-conjugation verb (the -so middle form), carrying the sense of buying for oneself.

6. Arag

   To see

   Usage

   For asking to be shown something and for sightseeing talk. To say "look!" Somali also uses Eeg or Fiiri.

   Grammar Note

   A first-conjugation verb. It has the same form as the noun arag (sight, view), so context tells them apart.

7. Sug

   To wait

   Usage

   For arranging to meet, or explaining that you are queuing. "Sug!" is the command "wait!".

   Grammar Note

   A first-conjugation verb. The person waited for is marked with ku: "Waan ku sugayaa" (I am waiting for you).

8. Waxaan rabaa inaan tago

   I want to go

   Usage

   Add a destination after it to tell a taxi driver or ticket clerk where you are going.

   Grammar Note

   "I want to …" is built as "waxaan rabaa inaan + verb". Inaan means "that I", and the verb takes the matching subject form (tago = that I go).

9. Waxaan rabaa inaan cuno

   I want to eat

   Usage

   Combine it with the name of a dish to order, or use it to say you are hungry.

   Grammar Note

   Cun (eat) becomes cuno to match "I". The same pattern gives inaan cabo (I want to drink) and so on.

10. Kan ayaan rabaa

    I want this one

    Usage

    Point while you say it and the order is complete. For a feminine-gender item, say "Tan ayaan rabaa".

    Grammar Note

    The object comes first, then ayaan (the focus word ayaa fused with the subject aan), then the verb: object + ayaan + verb.

11. Ma rabo

    I don't want it

    Usage

    To refuse a bag, an add-on, or a persistent vendor. If it feels too blunt, put Mahadsanid in front.

    Grammar Note

    Negation changes the verb ending (rabaa becomes rabo); it is not just ma added to an affirmative sentence.

12. Waan raadinayaa

    I'm looking for it

    Usage

    When hunting for a place or an item; show its name, a map or a photo as you say it.

    Grammar Note

    The progressive is stem + -nayaa. Waan is the focus word waa fused with the subject aan (I).

13. Waan haystaa

    I have it

    Usage

    The answer when asked whether you have something. It also works for things you are holding in your hand.

    Grammar Note

    Haystaa is the first-person present of hayso (to hold, have), covering both owning and holding in the hand.

14. Ma haysto

    I don't have it

    Usage

    For saying you have no change or no document.

    Grammar Note

    The negative is ma + a verb with a changed ending (haystaa becomes haysto).

15. Fadlan i caawi

    Please help me

    Usage

    For concrete help, like carrying a bag or filling in a form. I caawi alone, without fadlan, works too.

    Grammar Note

    The object pronoun i (me) sits before the verb. Caawi is the command form.

16. Fadlan ii sheeg

    Please tell me

    Usage

    Opens a request for information: a route, a price, a time.

    Grammar Note

    Ii means "to me" and i means "me"; for the person who receives the information or item, use ii.

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