Somali naming usually goes like this. Your first name, your father's first name and your grandfather's first name. For instance, Khadar (my first name), Muktar (my father's first name) and Osman (my grandfather's first name). And this is why I was saying when you call out for a somali person, always call out their first name. They are more likely to respond to that. And I feel like last names are a way of identifying yourself. But in everyday life, FIRST NAMES are more important then last names. 

In today's episode, we'll take a look some phrases that would help you kick-off mini conversation with any Somali person. 

Always start with "ASALAAMU'ALAYKUM" Peace be upon you. It does not matter if they are a bunch of people or a single person. 

As I have mentioned in the eposide, that greating is timeless any precious. You can use it at any given moment. They would more likey respond with "WA"ALAYKUMASALAAM" "you too". I don't know if you know this but we (Somalis) actually like when non-somali person starts a conversation and we can talk to you all day long. When we start to talk, we go all the way. Not like Hi and Hi and then departing pretty soon. Use thses phrases and make new somali friends. 

See tahay or siddii tahay?  How are you? How are you doing?

Fiican = Good/ Great

Magacaa = What's your name?

Please don't ask too many questions. 

If you are lucky, you can even get their phone numbers and start an endless friendship.

Thank you and remember to support the podcast. Your support is appreciated.

In Today's eposide, we will take a closer look at when Somali langauge was written and why it took so long to put the language into a written form. 

When you have a written language, history will be preserved. Somali language was written in 1972 to 1973 by Said Barre's administration. Although it was a military government and run the government for 21 years. One of the most important thing they have done was "writting the Somali language fo the first time in history". Before our language was written, we used to use Arabic, English, and Italian when it comes to written communication. 

In today's episode, I answer two questions that I was recently asked by one of you guys. 

The difference between "Haystaa and Leeyahay". Well, there is no difference between these because they mean the same thing. 

Some people use "haystaa" instead of Leeyahay. They might say "Waxaan haystaa gaadhi" meaning "I have a car". Some people might prefer using "leeyahay" which literally means the same thing. "I have a car". I mean if someone says "I have a car" and another person says "I got a car" don't they mean the same thing. 

The second question was what is "waa and baa"

You know how English has words that are called "The helping verbs" like "is, are, was, am, were, was and so on" Somali has its own helping verbs too and they are these ones "waa, baa, way, waxay, wuxuu, waxay, and so on. 

Again, I'd like to thank you for asking those awesome questions. If you have any more questions, please let me know!. 

Thank you guys for listening!

In this episode, I teach you how you can give "verbal commands" in Somali.

Hopefully, after this new episode, you will be able to give commands in Somali or at least will know something about it.

In English, it's pretty easy because the base verb is the command already. What do I mean by that?

Look at this!.   Eat is the base verb at the same time isn't it a command when you tell someone "eat this or that" 

you don't do anything to the original verb to make verbal commands in English; however, in Somali, it goes through some changes.

Let's look at this!.  Cabid (Abid)  to drink would change into "cab" just three letters. " Qorid" writing turns into "qor" write! etc.

I hope you've learned something new. Insha Allah I will try to make new episodes in the coming days stay tune.!

HERE WE LEARN SOMALI IDIOMS.

Somali Idioms

1)*  “Niman shaqaysan shaah ma cabo”

Whosoever does not work, won’t even drink a cup of tea

It’s pretty similar to “No pain no gain”

Meaning if you don’t work, then my friend you can’t purchase anything.

A cup of tea isn’t expensive back in Somalia. I don’t know if you know this but we drink tea  pretty much all the time. Early morning, early afternoon, evening you name it. So, this idiom is an encouragement  for people to get to work. Being lazy isn’t gonna do anything. Be productive.

2) * “Quruxi yayna ku hodin”

Don’t judge from appearance

3) “Barasho horteed ha i nicin”

Get to know me, before you reject me

( don’t hate and stereotype something or someone before you get to know)

4)  Waari mayside war hakaa hadho ~You

won’t last so leave a legacy

5). Guri ann hooyo lahayni waa lama degaan

~A home without a mother is like a desert

(mother makes home trustworthy, happier

and lovable; without her, it’s dark, fearful

and very horrible to live in)

Waiter: Welcome to Safari Restaurant” take  a seat please.

Waiter: Ku soo dhawaada Maqaaxida Safaari. Fadhista/fadhiiso fadlan.

Customer: Where is the bathroom?

Customer: Aaway/ musqushii/suuligii?

Waiter: Right behind you sir.

Waiter: gadaashaada mudane

Waiter: Are you with him?

Waiter: Maad la socotaa?

Customer: Yes, he is my husband.

Customer: Haa, waa ninkaygii/saygayii/sawjkaygii

Waiter: Great/wonderful/awesome/

Waiter: si fiican

Waiter: What can I get you?

Waiter: Maxaan kuu keenaa?

Customer: Nothing, I’ll wait

Customer: Waxba waan sugayaa

Customer: Okey

Waiter: haye

(husband comes back)

Customer2: Where is the waiter?

Customer: Aaway/meeyay mudalabkii?

Waiter: Here I am. What I can for you ?

Waiter: waa ika. Maxaan kuu keena?

Customer: Maxaad haysaa/haysaa?

Waiter: Rice, spagheti, and meat

Waiter, Bariis, baasto, iyo hilib

Customer: Noo keen bariis hilib leh

Customer: Bring rice with meat.

Customer1: Wait, wait, you just gonna order without asking me?

Customer: sug, /ukaadi/ miyaad iska dalban adoon i waydiinin.

Husband: Sorry about that honey:

husbandr2: waan ka xumahay qali

Waiter: What can I get you ma’am/madam?

Waiter: Maxaan kuu keena marwo?

Wife: Bring me exactly what my husband ordered?

Wife : IIkeen wuxuu dalbaday ninkaygu?

Husband: Honey, what is wrong  with you?

Husband: Maxaa kaa khaldan/qaldan?

Wife: Nothing, I just wanted talk.

Wife: Waxba, waxaan rabay un in aan hadlo

Waiter: Man, you have the best wife?

Waiter. Ninyahow, waxaad haysataa xaas fiican

Husband: Just bring the food!

Husband: cuntaa un keen.

Waiter: I’ll be right back sir!

Waiter: waan soo noqon mudan!.

Question: If you are waiting for the waiter, aren't you the waiter?

:

Here I have translated it  in a very basic translation. 

Bari baa waxaa is guursaday nin iyo naag duqomo ah

Once upon a time there was   a young man and a young woman who were unintelligent and got married.

Maalin maamaha ka mid ah ayaa ay ri qasheen oo hilbaheedii qaar cuneen  qaarna ku gurteen haan oo ay ku keydsadeen.

One day they slaughtered a goat and ate some of its meat and they put the rest in a big container and stored so they could eat later.

Maalin maalmaha ka mid ah ayaa ay israaceen ninkii iyo afadiisii oo ay xaabo u doonteen keynta si ay wax ugu karsadaan.

One day, they went out together in the forest  to gather firewood to cook the meat.

Iyaga oo keyntii ku sii socda ayaa nin socdaal ahi ka hor yimid oo su’aal weydiiyey oo yiri:

As they were on their journey to forest, there comes a traveller and asked them.

“ Waxa aad ii tilmaantaan cid meelahan deggen haddii aad garanaysaan?”

Can you please tell me if there is anyone living here, if you know?

Way ugu jawaabeen,

“They said, “Take this road, it shall take you to our home

“tubtaa raac aqalkayagii bay ku geynaysaaye;

“Take this road, it shall take you to our home

aqalka ha gelin,

Do not enter the home.

haddaad gasahana haanta ku xiran ha furin.

If you enter, do not open the container