saliid
The English word oil translates to Somali as saliid.
The term saliid is used to refer to various types of oil, such as cooking oil, petroleum or crude oil and essential oils.
Meaning: liquid fat (noun)
Did you know?
- In Somali culture, saliid can refer to the traditional practice of oiling the skin and hair for protection against the harsh dry climate of the Horn of Africa.
- When discussing petroleum, Somali speakers might use saliidda dhulka which literally translates to 'the oil of the earth'.
- The word saliid is a direct loan from the Arabic word salīṭ, which specifically refers to 'oil' or 'grease'.
Examples in context
- Waxaan u baahannahay saliid badan.We need a lot of oil.
- Saliiddu waa ay aad u kulushahay.The oil is very hot.
Example conversation
In a kitchen while cooking.
- NimcoMustafa, ma haysaa saliid?Mustafa, do you have oil?
- MustafaHaa, hal dhalo ayaan haystaa.Yes, I have one bottle.
- NimcoFadlan, wax yar ii sii.Please, give me a little.
- MustafaWaa yahay, halkan ka qaado.Okay, take it from here.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “oil” translations and entries saliid, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries saliid, CC BY-SA 4.0.
