bisad
/bɪ̀ˈsɑ́d/
The English word "cat" is translated into Somali as bisad. Wiktionary also lists dinad.
Meaning: domestic species (noun)
Ways to say it
| Somali | IPA |
|---|---|
| bisad | /bɪ̀ˈsɑ́d/ |
| dinad |
The term refers to the domestic species of cat.
How do you pronounce it?
/bɪ̀ˈsɑ́d/
Did you know?
- In Somali culture, the bisad is traditionally viewed as a clean animal, mirroring the high regard for cats in Islamic tradition.
- The Somali word bisad is a direct relative of the Arabic word bissa, meaning it traveled through trade and religious networks into the Somali language.
- In Somali, the word bisad is grammatically feminine even when the speaker is specifically referring to a male cat.
Examples in context
- Bisad ayaa guriga ku jirta.A cat is inside the house.
- Bisad yar ayaa aad u qurux badan.A little cat is very beautiful.
- Ma rabtaa bisad cusub?Do you want a new cat?
Example conversation
Omar and Yasmin are talking about pets.
- OmarYasmin, ma jeceshahay bisad?Yasmin, do you like cats?
- YasminHaa, waxaan rabaa bisad.Yes, I want a cat.
- OmarAniguna waxaan leeyahay bisad.And I have a cat.
- YasminWaa maxay midabkeeda?What color is it?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cat” translations and entries bisad, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bisad, CC BY-SA 4.0.
