xaggee joogtaa?
The English phrase "where are you?" is translated into Somali as xaggee joogtaa?
This phrase is used to ask someone about their current physical location.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of xaggee (where) and joogtaa (you are staying/located/present).
Which one should you use?
Xaggee joogtaa? is used when addressing one person, whereas xaggee joogtaan? is used for multiple people or to show respect.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form joogtaa is the second-person singular conjugation of the verb joogto (to stay/be present). To ask a group of people or to use a polite form when addressing one person, use xaggee joogtaan? instead of xaggee joogtaa?
Did you know?
- The Somali language uses a 'focus marker' called baad in questions like xaggee baad joogtaa? This particle tells the listener exactly which part of the sentence is the most important information.
- Somali uses different grammatical structures to ask 'where' depending on whether the subject is a human or an inanimate object. You cannot use the same phrasing for a person as you would for a misplaced set of keys.
- The word xaggee is a combination of xag (direction/side) and a question marker, meaning you are literally asking 'at which side/direction'.
Examples in context
- Hodan, xaggee joogtaa?Hodan, where are you?
Example conversation
A phone call between two friends trying to meet up.
- HodanAbdirashid, xaggee joogtaa?Abdirashid, where are you?
- AbdirashidWaxaan joogaa suuqa.I am at the market.
- HodanWaan ku soo raacayaa.I am coming to join you.
- AbdirashidHagaag, si degdeg ah u imaw.Okay, come quickly.
