Language/Somali/Vocabulary/Introducing-Yourself
As a Somali language teacher, I know that introducing yourself in Somali is an essential skill to learn. Whether you're traveling to Somalia or meeting Somali people in your hometown, it's important to know how to say hello and give basic personal information.
In this lesson, you'll learn how to introduce yourself in Somali. We'll cover how to say your name, ask someone's name, and share basic personal information. By the end of this lesson, you'll be able to confidently introduce yourself in Somali and start basic conversations.
Finish this lesson and explore these related pages: Weather Vocabulary & Greetings.
Vocabulary
Here are some useful Somali words and phrases for introducing yourself.
| Somali | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Ismii | is-mee | My name is |
| Magacaaga | ma-ga-caa-ga | Your name |
| Waxaan ka dhiganahay... | wa-xaan ka dhi-ga-na-hay | I am from... |
| Waan ahay | waan a-hay | I am |
| Wiil | wee-il | Boy |
| Gabar | ga-bar | Girl |
| Qof | kof | Person |
Introducing Yourself
To introduce yourself in Somali, start by saying "Ismii" followed by your name. For example, if your name is Sarah, you would say "Ismii Sarah."
If you want to ask someone their name, you can say "Magacaaga?" which means "Your name?"
To share where you are from, you can say "Waxaan ka dhiganahay" followed by the name of your country or city. For example, you can say "Waxaan ka dhiganahay America" to say that you are from the United States.
To say "I am a boy" or "I am a girl," you can say "Waan ahay wiil" or "Waan ahay gabar." If you want to say "I am a person," you can say "Waan ahay qof."
Here are some examples of how to introduce yourself in Somali:
- Ismii John. Waxaan ka dhiganahay Canada. (My name is John. I am from Canada.)
- Magacaaga? (What is your name?)
- Ismii Fatima. Waxaan ka dhiganahay Minneapolis. (My name is Fatima. I am from Minneapolis.)
- Waxaan ka dhiganahay dalka Turkiga. (I am from Turkey.)
Remember to always be polite and use proper greetings when introducing yourself in Somali. Saying "Maalin wanaagsan" or "Good day" is always a good way to start a conversation.
Conclusion
Introducing yourself in Somali is a great way to start basic conversations and learn more about Somali culture. By learning these basic words and phrases, you'll be able to confidently greet Somali people and share some basic personal information.
In the next lesson, we'll dive deeper into Somali pronouns and verbs. See you there!
Finished this lesson? Check out these related lessons: Family Members & Relationships.
Other Lessons
- Weather
- Numbers 1 20
- Basic Greetings
- Relationships
- Offering or asking for help
- Food
- Family
- Fruits and Vegetables
- Drinks
- Feelings and Emotions
Sources
- Free Somali Language Quiz - Test Your Language
- Learn Somali - Teach Yourself Somali (Beginners Audio Book) by ...
- Learn Somali (Teach Yourself Somali, Beginners Audio Book ...