Language/Somali/Vocabulary/Family

Somali Vocabulary - Family

Hi Somali learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn the Somali vocabulary related to the family. Understanding family terms in Somali is essential for daily communication. It will help you introduce yourself and people you know, as well as understand family relationships. Moreover, learning about Somali culture and customs related to family will give you a better understanding of the Somali people. Let's get started!

With the completion of this lesson, consider investigating these related pages: Clothes, Fruits and Vegetables, Numbers 1 20 & Seasons.

Somali Family System

The Somali people are known to have a patrilineal and patrilocal society where the father or the eldest male family member is the head of the family. This patriarchal system is influenced by Islamic culture and traditions.

In Somali culture, the extended family plays a significant role in the society. Therefore, the Somali family is more than just the nuclear family but composed of parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews, and nieces. Somali people highly value family ties and maintain kinship connections even with distant relatives.

Vocabulary

Here is a list of Somali vocabulary related to family:

Somali	Pronunciation	English
Qoys	/kɔjs/	Family
Aabo	/aːbo/	Father
Hooyo	/hojɔjɔ/	Mother
Wiil / Wiilasha	/wiːl / wiːlaʃa/	Son / Sons
Gabar / Gabaarada	/gabar/ /gabaarada/	Daughter / Daughters
Aabo wanaagsan	/aːbo wanaːgsan/	Kind father
Hooyo wanaagsan	/hojɔjɔ wanaːgsan/	Kind mother
Wiil yar	/wiːl jar/	Young son
Caruurta	/tʃaruːrta/	Children
Ayeeyo / Ayeeyada	/aːjɛjo/ /aːjɛjada/	Grandmother / Grandmothers
Awoowe / Awooweyda	/awoːwɛ/ /awoːwɛjda/	Grandfather / Grandfathers
Cunug / Cunuga	/tʃunug/ /tʃunuga/	Uncle / Uncles
Caasho / Caashada	/tʃaʃo/ /tʃaʃada/	Aunt / Aunts
Lul / Lulada	/lul/ /lulada/	Sister / Sisters
Adeer / Adeerada	/adɛːr/ /adɛːrada/	Brother / Brothers

Learn these words as they will be helpful when communicating with Somali speakers. Moreover, practicing them will improve your fluency.

Here's an example dialogue with Somali family vocabulary:

• Person 1: Salaanta wanaagsan Awooweyda. ("Good morning Grandfather.")
• Person 2: Salaanta wanaagsan wiilkeyga. ("Good morning my grandson.")
• Person 1: Miyaan kuu sheegin? Aabooweyda waan ka arag. ("Have I told you? I saw Grandmother.")
• Person 2: Asxaabtiinna ayay barbar dhalatay. Hooyo waa sidaa loo socota. ("Our friends came yesterday. Mother is like that too.")

Interesting facts

- Somali people believe that children are the source of happiness and fulfillment in life, and they use a proverb that says "ilmo aan caadi aheyn, culimada aan ku dhameystirnay" which means "children who are not well-behaved are the parents' fault, but those who are well-behaved are the result of the parents' education".

- Somali people have a strong affinity for their grandparents, and they respect them as wise and knowledgeable people upon whose life and experiences they can draw wisdom and guidance.

- In Somali culture, children are believed to inherit their characteristics and personality traits from their parents and even grandparents, so their behavior is essential for the family's reputation and prestige.

- One of the essential aspects of Somali culture is hospitality. Somali families are known to be welcoming, and their houses are always open for visitors and guests.

If you want to delve deeper into the Somali culture and learn more words, don't forget to visit Polyglot Club! You can also check our Vocabulary page to expand your knowledge of Somali words and expressions.

Sources

• Somali Family | POLYMATH.ORG
• Somali language - Wikipedia

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