Common Somali Words and Phrases
On this page you'll find several basic words and phrases translated from Somali to English. Among these translations, you'll find words like yes and no, please and thank you, and useful phrases like how are you?, I am fine, do you speak English?, and I don't understand.
To learn the translations for these words and others, simply scroll below. Otherwise, if you want to skip directly to a certain section, you can also use the quick links that will take you wherever you want to focus on first.
Common Words and Phrases in Somali:
Words in bold added during the last update. You can also view this list of basic words and phrases from English to Somali.
Quick links:
Somali Words for Yes and No
Saying Please and Thank You in Somali
Asking How Are You? in Somali
Asking for Help in Somali
Somali for Asking Someone's Age
Do you speak English/Somali?
Exchanging Names in Somali
Apologizing in Somali
Somali Words for Yes and No
Haa ➔ Yes
Maya ➔ No
Saying Please and Thank You in Somali
Fadlan ➔ Please
Mahadsanid. ➔ Thank you.
Wad mahadsantahay. ➔ Thank you very much.
Adigaa mudan. ➔ You're welcome. / You deserve it.
Asking How Are You? in Somali
Iska waran? ➔ How are you? / What's up? / What's the news?
Nabad miyaa? ➔ How are you?
Sidee ta'hay? ➔ How are you?
Nabad ➔ Good
Waan fiicanahay (fii'anahay). ➔ I'm fine.
Waa nabad. ➔ I'm good.
Asking for Help in Somali
Caawi (aawi) ➔ Help
Booliiska soo wac! ➔ Call the police!
Somali for Asking Someone's Age
Immisa jir baad tahay? ➔ How old are you?
Do you speak English/Somali?
Af Soomaaliga maad ku hadashaa? ➔ Do you speak Somali?
Ingiriisiga ma ku hadashaa? ➔ Do you speak English?
Haa, waxaan ku hadlaa ingiriisi. ➔ Yes, I speak English.
Maya, anigu ku ma hadlo ingiriisi. ➔ No, I don't speak English.
Maan fahmin. ➔ I don't understand.
Tartiib u hadal. ➔ Please speak slowly.
Exchanging Names in Somali
Magacaa? ➔ What is your name?
Magacaagu muxuu yahay? ➔ What is your name?
Magacaygu (maga'aygu) waa… ➔ My name is…
Apologizing in Somali
Waan ku xumahay (humahay) ➔ I am sorry
This list of basic Somali words and phrases was last updated on April 18, 2025.
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Somali Greetings and Goodbyes: Learn how to say hello and goodbye in Somali.
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