madow
[mæ̀ˈð̞ɞ́͜ʉ̀]
The Somali word for the color black is madow.
madow is an adjective used to describe things that are black, meaning they absorb all light.
Meaning: absorbing all light (adj)
Which one should you use?
While madow is the default form, the variant madoow is specifically used when modifying masculine nouns.
How does it change in a sentence?
Use madoow for masculine nouns.
Did you know?
- The word madow may be derived from mad, which refers to a specific type of black stone used to spark fire.
- The suffix '-ow' in madow acts as an 'inchoative' marker, which linguistically suggests the state of 'becoming' black rather than just being black.
- Somali speakers may use madow metaphorically to describe something that is hidden, secretive, or mysterious.
Examples in context
- Baabuurka midabkiisu waa madow.The car is black.
- Waxaan rabaa funaanad madow.I want a black t-shirt.
- Qalinka waa madow.The pen is black.
Example conversation
Yasmin and Farah are looking at clothes in a store.
- YasminFarah, ma jeceshahay shaatada madow?Farah, do you like the black shirt?
- FarahHaa, aad baan ugu jecelahay.Yes, I like it very much.
- YasminMa iibsanaysaa hadda?Are you buying it now?
- FarahHaa, waan iibsanayaa.Yes, I am buying it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “black” translations and entries madow, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries madow, CC BY-SA 4.0.
