Language/Somali/Vocabulary/Express-Surprise
Hi Somali learners! 😊
In this lesson, you will learn how to express surprise in Somali. It is important to know how to use such expressions in Somali conversation to show that you are interested and engaged. Expressing surprise is also a great way to keep the conversation going. Let's get started!
Take a moment to explore these relevant pages as you conclude this lesson: Family and Relatives & Greetings.
Common Expressions[edit | edit source]
Here are some useful expressions to express surprise in Somali:
| Somali | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| ha!! | ha!! | Wow! |
| hadaa? | ha-daah? | Really? |
| hadaan soo noqnoqday | ha-da-an so noq noq-day | Unbelievable! |
| maxaa dhacay? | ma-xaa dha-cay? | What happened? |
| Maya!! | May-ya!! | No way! |
| adigu maalin ma iyado | a-di-gu maal-in ma iya-do | You never cease to amaze me! |
Dialogue[edit | edit source]
Here is a dialogue between two friends:
- Person 1: Hadaa, Siciid waxaa siiyay 100,000 dollarka.
(Translation: Really, Siciid gave me $100,000.)
- Person 2: Haakaas? Hadaan soo noqnoqday.
(Translation: Really? Unbelievable!)
- Person 1: Maya! Waxaa had iyo jeer aan ku joognaa masjidkaas.
(Translation: No way! I was at that mosque the other day.)
- Person 2: Adigu maalin ma iyado. Waaba ka farxi jiray inaad soo booqato.
(Translation: You never cease to amaze me. You always surprise me with your activities!)
Cultural Notes[edit | edit source]
Somalis are known for being sociable and expressive people. They use a lot of facial expressions and body language to communicate effectively. A lot of Somali expressions are also accompanied by hand gestures. When expressing surprise, Somalis usually raise their eyebrows and widen their eyes, and put their hands to their mouths. This gesture signifies that the person is genuinely surprised.
Somalis are well-known for their hospitality and generosity. They love to go out of their way to help their guests and friends. It is not uncommon for Somali families to offer visitors food and drinks as a way of showing hospitality. Somali gatherings are also characterized by lively conversation and laughter. Somalis love to express their emotions and engage in meaningful conversations with their friends and families.
To improve your Somali Vocabulary, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
Sources[edit | edit source]
➡ 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. 😎
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Family
- Fruits and Vegetables
- Days of the Week
- Health
- Clothes
- Weather
- Offering or asking for help
- Fruits
- Numbers
- Drinks