Somali Numbers
Welcome to the sixth Somali lesson about numbers. This time we will learn about cardinal and ordinal numbers, followed by grammar rules, then animal names, finally a conversation in Somali to help you practice your daily phrases.
| Cardinal | Somali | Ordinal | Somali |
|---|---|---|---|
| one | hal | first | kow |
| two | labo | second | labaad |
| three | saddex | third | saddexaad |
| four | afar | fourth | afaraad |
| five | shan | fifth | shanaad |
| six | lix | sixth | lixaad |
| seven | toddobo | seventh | toddobaad |
| eight | sideed | eighth | sideedaad |
| nine | sagaal | ninth | sagaalaad |
| ten | toban | tenth | tobanaad |
| eleven | kow iyo toban | eleventh | kow iyo tobanaad |
| twelve | laba iyo toban | twelfth | laba iyo tobanaad |
| thirteen | saddex iyo toban | thirteenth | saddex iyo tobanaad |
| fourteen | afar iyo toban | once | hal mar |
| fifteen | shan iyo toban | twice | laba mar |
| sixteen | lix iyo toban | Monday | isniin |
| seventeen | toddobo iyo toban | Tuesday | talaado |
| eighteen | siddeed iyo toban | Wednesday | arbaco |
| nineteen | sagaal iyo toban | Thursday | khamiis |
| twenty | labaatan | Friday | jimco |
| seventy one | todobaatan iyo kow | Saturday | sabti |
| one hundred | boqol | Sunday | axad |
Numbers Grammar Rules
Somali cardinal numbers refer to the counting numbers, because they show quantity. For example: I speak two languages. Ordinal numbers on the other hand tell the order of things and their rank: my first language is Somali. The examples below use numbers in different ways and places to demonstrate how they behave in a sentence.
| Grammar + Rules | Somali |
|---|---|
| I have three dogs [number + noun] | waxaan leeyahay saddex ey |
| my daughter has two cats [number + noun] | gabadhaydu waxay leedahay labo bisadood |
| she speaks seven languages [verb + number] | waxay ku hadashaa todobo af |
| my brother has one son [number + singular noun] | walaalkay wuxuu leeyahay hal wiil |
| this is my second lesson [ordinal number + noun] | kani waa darsigeygii labaad |
| did you read the third book? [ordinal number + noun] | ma aqriday buugga saddexaad |
We're not done yet! The following is a list of animals.
cow sac | goat ri' | donkey daayeer | horse faras |
dog ey | cat bisad | mouse jiir | bird shimbir |
Conversation in Somali
Now we finally reach the last part, the practice of the daily conversations. These phrases are used to get to know new people, and break the ice.
| English | Somali |
|---|---|
| Where are you from? | halkee ka timid? |
| I'm from the U.S | maraykankaan ka imid |
| I'm American | maraykan baan ahay |
| Where do you live? | halkee ku nooshahay |
| I live in the U.S | maraykankaan ku noolahay |
| What do you do for a living? | maxaad nolosha ka soo saarataa? |
| I'm a student | arday baan ahay |
Did you enjoy this lesson about numbers in Somali? I hope so, if you have any problem with this lesson contact me with questions you have here. You can now check the next lesson below.
| Somali Phrases |
Inspirational Quote: Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking. William B. Sprague |