Language/Somali/Grammar/Negation
Hi Somali learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn about negation in Somali. Negation is a very important part of the language and it is essential to understand how to use it correctly.
Negation is used to express the opposite of something. In Somali, there are two ways to express negation: using the negative particle ma and using the negative verb haysan.
Using the Negative Particle ma
The negative particle ma is used to negate verbs, adjectives, and nouns. It is placed before the verb or adjective that is being negated. For example:
| Somali | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| ma akhriyo | ma ah-kree-yo | I don't read |
| ma adag tahay | ma ah-dag tah-hay | It isn't hard |
| ma waxaan ahay | ma wah-san ah-hay | I am not |
When negating nouns, the negative particle ma is placed after the noun. For example:
| Somali | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| wiil ma ah | wil ma ah | He isn't a boy |
| gabar ma ah | ga-bar ma ah | She isn't a girl |
| qof ma ah | kof ma ah | It isn't a person |
Using the Negative Verb haysan
The negative verb haysan is used to negate verbs. It is placed after the verb that is being negated. For example:
| Somali | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| akhriyo haysan | ah-kree-yo hay-san | Don't read |
| hadlo haysan | ha-dlo hay-san | Don't talk |
| qoro haysan | ko-ro hay-san | Don't write |
It is important to note that the negative verb haysan cannot be used to negate nouns or adjectives.
Practice
To improve your Somali Grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎