Somali Gender
Welcome to the fifth Somali lesson about gender. This time we will view a list of people, feminine and masculine, followed by grammar rules, finally a list of expressions in Somali to help you practice your daily phrases.
man nin | woman haweeney | husband nin | wife xaas |
boy wiil | girl gabar | father aabe | mother hooyo |
Gender Grammar Rules
In general, gender is used to distinguish between male and female, sometimes referred to as masculine and feminine. For example: my son and daughter are students the noun [son] is masculine, while [daughter] is feminine. The following examples use gender in different ways and places to demonstrate their behavior.
| Grammar + Rules | Somali |
|---|---|
| my son is a student [masculine + noun] | wiilkeygu waa arday |
| her daughter is a student [feminine + noun] | gabadheedu waa ardayad |
| he has a tall brother [adjective + masculine] | wuxuu leeyahay walaal dheer |
| she has a tall sister [adjective + feminine] | waxay leedahay walaasheed dheer |
| his brothers are young [plural masculine + adjective] | walaalihiis waa yaryar yihiin |
| his sisters are young [plural feminine + adjective] | walaalihiis waa yaryar yihiin |
The list below will probably provide more clarification. These are family members (males and females). I think it would be wise to memorize them as part of your important vocabulary list.
son wiil | daughter gabar | brother walaalka | sister walaasha | grandfather awoowe | grandmother ayeeyo | child cunug | children carruur |
Expressions in Somali
Now it's time to practice expressions used in daily conversations. If you're a beginner in learning Somali, then the phrases below are something you would want to know.
| English | Somali |
|---|---|
| What do you mean? | maxaad uga jeeddaa |
| I don't understand | ma fahmin |
| I don't know | ma aqaan |
| What is that called in Somali? | waxaas maxaa lagu dhahaa afkaaga sheeg |
| What is this? | kani waa maxay? |
| What does that word mean in English? | muxuu yahay micnaha eraygaas af ingiriiska? |
| Sorry (if you made a mistake) | waan ka xumahay |
I hope you enjoyed this lesson about the gender in Somali. If you have any question about this lesson please contact me here. Now it's time to check the next lesson below.
| Somali Numbers |
Inspirational Quote: High achievement always takes place in a framework of high expectation. Jack Kinder |