Welcome to our guide on how to say numbers in Somali! Whether you are planning a trip to Somalia, interested in Somali culture, or simply curious about the language, this guide will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of how to express numbers in Somali, both formally and informally. Additionally, we will touch upon any regional variations that may exist.
Table of Contents
Formal Ways of Expressing Numbers
Formal Somali language typically follows a specific structure when it comes to expressing numbers. Here is a breakdown of the formal way to say numbers from zero to ten, and then every ten from twenty to a hundred:
- 0: Sifir
- 1: Kow
- 2: Laba
- 3: Saddex
- 4: Afar
- 5: Shán
- 6: Lixaad
- 7: Todobaad
- 8: Sideed
- 9: Sagaal
- 10: Toban
- 20: Labaatan
- 30: Sodan
- 40: Afartan
- 50: Láboodan
- 60: Lixdantan
- 70: Tooddoodan
- 80: Sideedatan
- 90: Sagaaladan
- 100: Qiyaamaha
When expressing numbers from eleven to nineteen, the word “toban” (ten) is combined with the respective number from one to nine. For example:
- 11: Kow iyo tobnaad
- 16: Lixaad iyo tobnaad
- 19: Sagaal iyo tobnaad
As you can see, the numbers are formed by connecting “iyo” (and) between the tens component and the units component.
Informal Ways of Expressing Numbers
Informal Somali language often utilizes a simpler and more colloquial way of expressing numbers. Here is a breakdown of the informal way to say numbers from zero to ten, and then every ten from twenty to a hundred:
- 0: Sifir
- 1: Kow
- 2: Laba
- 3: Sadex
- 4: Afeed
- 5: Shán
- 6: Lix
- 7: Toodoba
- 8: Siddeed
- 9: Sagaashan
- 10: Toban
- 20: Labaatan
- 30: Soddan
- 40: Afeedtan
- 50: Lábedan
- 60: Lixdantan
- 70: Toodobbodan
- 80: Siddeedantan
- 90: Sagaashantan
- 100: Qiyaame
Similarly, when expressing numbers from eleven to nineteen, the word “toban” (ten) is combined with the respective number from one to nine. For example:
- 11: Kow iyo tobnaad
- 16: Lix iyo tobnaad
- 19: Sagaashan iyo tobnaad
Note that the informal Somali language tends to be more dynamic and may vary between different regions or dialects. For this reason, the formal way of expressing numbers is often more consistent and widely understood.
Tips and Examples
Here are some tips and additional examples to help you further understand and practice expressing numbers in Somali:
Tip: When expressing larger numbers, the word “ibo” (and) is used between the thousands, millions, billions, etc., and the remaining number components.
- 105: Qiyaamaha iyo bish iyo toban
- 2,367: Labaatan iyo soddan iyo sagaal iyo afar
- 14,202: Kow iyo sagaalatan iyo labaatan iyo siddeed
Remember, practice makes perfect! Don’t be afraid to experiment and practice with numbers to improve your proficiency.
To summarize, we have covered the formal and informal ways of expressing numbers in Somali with a focus on clarity and simplicity. While the formal structure is more consistent and recognized, the informal variations provide insight into the language’s dynamic nature.
Immerse yourself in the beauty of the Somali language and enjoy exploring more about its unique characteristics!
