Somali→English

Translate Somali to English the way locals mean it.

Somali speakers often soften, sharpen, or redirect a message with small words and idioms that a textbook reader may take literally.

Going the other way? English to Somali

474 local dialects

AIRTranslate on iPhone choosing between Somali varieties

What locals actually say

War, maxaa kaa galay?

Why do you care?

War is an attention-getter, not a reference to war, while maxaa kaa galay literally asks what has entered you and idiomatically challenges someone’s concern.

Iska daa, waxba ma aha.

Never mind, it’s nothing.

Iska daa literally means leave it, but in conversation it tells someone to drop the subject, and waxba ma aha downplays the problem as unimportant.

Ha iga qoslin!

You’ve got to be kidding!

Although it literally means do not make me laugh, this expression often signals disbelief or rejection rather than a request to stop joking.

Boqolkii shilin xaggee ku dambeeyeen?

Where did that hundred shillings disappear to?

The construction “xaggee ku dambeeyeen” signals puzzled curiosity about where money has ended up.

Halkaa ka sii soco, isgoyska markaad gaadho midig u leexo.

Keep going that way, then turn right when you reach the intersection.

“Ka sii soco” is a colloquial directional construction that signals continuing along the same route.

Cuntadan basbaas baa ka batay, biyo ii soo dhiib.

This food is far too spicy, pass me some water.

“Baa ka batay” signals excess, saying that the chilli has gone beyond a tolerable amount.

Reerka oo dhan caawa ayay noo soo wada socdaan.

The whole family is coming over to our place tonight.

“Reer” refers to the family or household as a group, while “soo wada socdaan” signals that everyone is coming together.

Shaqadii maanta madaxay bay fuushay, berri ayaan dhamaynayaa.

Today’s workload has me under pressure, so I’ll finish it tomorrow.

“Madaxay bay fuushay” is an idiom, literally saying the work has climbed onto my head, which signals feeling overwhelmed.

Notes like these come with every AIRTranslate translation, so you learn why locals phrase it that way as you go.

How Somali differs

Standard Somali (Mogadishu); rich idiom and alliterative flavour where natural.

Sound like a local everywhere, not just here.

Every one of 474 dialects, with voice, camera, a keyboard for any app, and offline packs.

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Localization Notes explaining why locals say it that way