waad uraysaa
The Somali phrase for "you stink" is waad uraysaa.
This phrase is used to inform someone that their body or their clothes have a bad smell.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb uraysaa is in the present continuous/habitual form.
Did you know?
- The root verb ur refers to any smell, regardless of whether it is pleasant or foul. To specify a good scent, one must add a modifier, as the base phrase is almost always interpreted as negative.
- While an English speaker might use 'you stink' jokingly among friends, saying waad uraysaa in Somali can quickly escalate into a serious social confrontation.
- Using the phrase waad uraysaa toward an elder is a major breach of etiquette and is considered deeply disrespectful regardless of whether the statement is true.
Examples in context
- Waad uraysaa, iska nadiifso.You stink, go clean yourself.
Example conversation
Yasmin is telling Omar to take a shower after working outside.
- YasminOmar, waad uraysaa aad u daran.Omar, you stink very badly.
- OmarMa run baa? Ma uraysaa?Is it true? Do I stink?
- YasminHaa, waad uraysaa, fadlan dhaq jidhkaaga.Yes, you stink, please wash your body.
- OmarHagaag, hadda ayaan qubaynayaa.Okay, I am going to shower now.
