English to Somali Common Words and Phrases
This page contains plenty of vocabulary, all presented from English to Somali, to help you learn the basics of the Somali language. You will find several Somali phrases like please and thank you, how are you, do you speak english, and plenty more. There's also basic words like yes and no that will come in very handy when trying to converse.
To help better lay out the information, since it covers a variety of topics, we've chosen to sort the words and phrases into related groupings by subject. Feel free to scroll through the page to learn every translation on the page, or use the quick links below to go directly to the type of translations you are looking for.
Common Words from English to Somali:
Words in bold added during the last update. You can also view this list of common words and phrases from Somali to English.
Quick links:
English to Somali for Yes and No
Please and Thank You from English to Somali
Asking How Are You? from English to Somali
English to Somali for Help!
How Old Are You? from English to Somali
Asking Do You Speak English/Somali?
English to Somali for What is Your Name?
Saying I'm Sorry from English to Somali
English to Somali for Yes and No
Yes and no are two of the most used words in any language. Here is how to say them in Somali.
Yes ➔ Haa
No ➔ Maya
Please and Thank You from English to Somali
Because niceties should never be forgotten, here is how to say please, thank you, and you're welcome in Somali.
Please ➔ Fadlan
Thank you. ➔ Mahadsanid.
Thank you very much. ➔ Wad mahadsantahay.
You're welcome. / You deserve it. ➔ Adigaa mudan.
Asking How Are You? from English to Somali
If you were wondering how to ask or respond to how are you, here are some translations you might find useful.
How are you? / What's up? / What's the news? ➔ Iska waran?
How are you? ➔ Nabad miyaa?
How are you? ➔ Sidee ta'hay?
How are you, friend? ➔ Iska waran saxib?
Good ➔ Nabad
I'm good. ➔ Waa nabad.
I'm fine. ➔ Waan fiicanahay. (fii'anahay)
English to Somali for Help!
For times when you might need assistance, remember these Somali phrases.
Help ➔ Caawi (aawi)
Call the police! ➔ Booliiska soo wac!
How Old Are You? from English to Somali
And if age is the topic at hand, this sentence might come up in conversation.
How old are you? ➔ Immisa jir baad tahay?
Asking Do You Speak English/Somali?
If you need to ask or answer about if someone speaks English or Somali, then this is the section for you.
Do you speak English? ➔ Ingiriisiga ma ku hadashaa?
Do you speak Somali? ➔ Af Soomaaliga maad ku hadashaa?
Yes, I speak English. ➔ Haa, waxaan ku hadlaa ingiriisi.
No, I don't speak English. ➔ Maya, anigu ku ma hadlo ingiriisi.
I don't understand. ➔ Maan fahmin.
I'm sorry, I don't understand. ➔ Waan ka xumahay, ma fahmin.
Please speak slowly. ➔ Tartiib u hadal.
Please, can you repeat that? ➔ Fadlan, ma ku celin kartaa?
English to Somali for What is Your Name?
When you are first meeting someone, you'll probably want to exchange names. Here's how to do so in Somali.
What is your name? ➔ Magacaa?
What is your name? ➔ Magacaagu muxuu yahay?
My name is (name). ➔ Magacaygu (maga'aygu) waa (name).
This is (name). ➔ Kani waa (name).
Saying I'm Sorry from English to Somali
And if apologies are in order, here is a sentence to help you say you're sorry.
I am sorry. ➔ Waan ku xumahay. (humahay)
This list of English to Somali common words and phrases was last updated on May 26, 2025.
Next Up
Somali Greetings and Goodbyes: Learn how to say hello and goodbye in Somali.
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