bax
The Somali phrase for 'go away' is bax.
bax is a verb used to instruct someone to depart or leave a place.
Meaning: to depart or leave a place (verb)
Did you know?
- In certain Somali dialects, using bax to an elder or a person of high status would be considered a profound social insult rather than a mere request to leave.
- The linguistic ancestor of bax relates to the concept of 'avoiding' something, suggesting that to leave is to actively evade a presence.
- The command bax is often used not just for people, but also to shoo away animals or to dismiss an annoying thought or feeling.
Examples in context
- Halkan ka bax.Go away from here.
- Isaga waa inuu baxaa.He must go away.
Example conversation
A woman is telling a man to leave her apartment.
- SagalMustafa, fadlan hadda bax.Mustafa, please go away now.
- MustafaMa hadda ayaan baxayaa?Am I leaving now?
- SagalHaa, halkan ka bax.Yes, go away from here.
- MustafaHagaag, waan baxayaa.Okay, I am leaving.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bax, CC BY-SA 4.0.