Immisa jir baa tahay?
To ask "how old are you?" in Somali, use Immisa jir baa tahay?
This phrase is a question used to ask someone about their age.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase Immisa jir baa tahay? literally translates to "How many years are you?"
Which one should you use?
The form Immisa jir baa tahay? is used when asking one person their age, whereas Immisa jir baa tihiin? is used when asking more than one person or when you wish to use a more polite tone.
How does it change in a sentence?
Use Immisa jir baa tahay? for the singular form and Immisa jir baa tihiin? for the plural form.
Did you know?
- In some traditional Somali contexts, age is not always tracked by a calendar date but by significant historical events or nomadic migrations.
- The word jir for 'years' is a close relative to words for 'life' in other languages like Oromo and Rendille.
- In Somali culture, asking Immisa jir baa tahay? of an elder can be seen as intrusive or impolite, as age is often viewed with a reverence for seniority.
Examples in context
- Walaal, immisa jir baa tahay?Brother, how old are you?
Example conversation
Abdirashid and Nimco are meeting for the first time at school.
- AbdirashidNimco, magacaayay waa Abdirashid. Immisa jir baa tahay?Nimco, my name is Abdirashid. How old are you?
- NimcoWaxaan ahay toban jir.I am ten years old.
- AbdirashidAniguna waxaan ahay kun iyo toban jir.And I am eleven years old.
- NimcoWaa hagaag, waan ku barashay.Alright, it was nice meeting you.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries baa, jir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
