How to Say “Animal” in Somali

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xayawaan
The Somali word for animal is xayawaan.
The term xayawaan is used to refer to any living organism that is not a human being.
Meaning: organism other than human (noun)

Did you know?

  • In Somali poetry, calling someone a xayawaan is a grave insult, stripping them of their human dignity and social standing.
  • While xayawaan is the general term, Somali has a highly specialized vocabulary for camels, with different words based on age, sex and health.
  • The letter x in xayawaan represents a voiceless pharyngeal fricative, a sound produced deep in the throat that does not exist in English.

Examples in context

  • Xayawaanku waa qurux badan yahay.
    The animal is beautiful.
  • Ma aragtay xayawaan cusub?
    Did you see a new animal?
  • Xayawaan kasta wuxuu u baahan yahay cunto.
    Every animal needs food.

Example conversation

Sagal and Farah are visiting a zoo.

  1. Sagal

    Fiirso xayawaan kan!
    Look at this animal!
  2. Farah

    Waa maxay xayawaankaas?
    What is that animal?
  3. Sagal

    Waa xayawaan aad u dhifaaq ah.
    It is a very rare animal.
  4. Farah

    Runtii waa uu qurux badan yahay.
    It really is beautiful.

Sources

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Kenneth Jeremiah
Kenneth JeremiahHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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