kow
/ˈkow/
The English word 'one' can be translated into Somali as kow or mid.
Meaning: cardinal number 1 (num)
Ways to say it
| Somali | IPA |
|---|---|
| kow | /ˈkow/ |
| mid | /ˈmɪ́d/ |
Use kow as a cardinal number when counting items. Use mid to denote 'one' in the sense of 'single' or 'a single one' within a group.
Which one should you use?
The form kow is used as a cardinal number for counting. In contrast, mid is used to denote 'one' in the sense of 'single' or 'a single one' within a group.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form mid is often used in compound words or to indicate a single unit. For example, it appears in phrases like mid mid (one by one) or midkiis (one of them).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkow/
Did you know?
- The word kow has distant relatives in languages like Hausa, where it relates to the word 'kowa' meaning 'everyone'.
Examples in context
- Kow iyo labo waa saddex.One and two are three.
- Ma kow baa?Is it one?
Example conversation
Yasmin and Mustafa are counting items in a box.
- YasminImisa buug ayaa ku jira sanduuqa?How many books are in the box?
- MustafaKow oo kaliya ayaa ku jira, Yasmin.Only one is in there, Yasmin.
- YasminMa kow kaliya baa halkan yaala?Is only one lying here?
- MustafaHaa, kow kaliya ayaa jira.Yes, there is only one.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “one” translations and entries kow, mid, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kow, mid, CC BY-SA 4.0.
