Looking for practical Somali to Afar phrases? This free guide lists 100 essential sentences for travel, study, work, and everyday conversation. Each line shows the Somali phrase first, then the Afar translation (Afar) — so you can scan quickly before a trip, class, or video call.
The phrases are grouped into eight topics: greetings and pleasantries, useful phrases for travellers, everyday conversation, directions and getting around, shopping and dining, emergencies and health, work and business, and time, days and numbers. Use the table of contents to jump straight to greetings, directions, dining, emergencies, or numbers. You do not need perfect grammar to start — short, clear sentences often work better than silence when you are learning Afar.
Tip: pick five Afar phrases from the greetings section and use them in a real message today. Small daily practice beats cramming before a trip.
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Greetings and pleasantries
Hello, goodbye, please, thank you, and polite introductions for meeting new people.
Salaan
Nagaad(nagaad)
Mahadsanid
Galatooma(galatooma)
Subax wanaagsan
Bariis(bariis)
Duhur wanaagsan
Galab(galab)
Habeen wanaagsan
Haal(haal)
Habeen wanaagsan
Haalka habeen(haalka habeen)
Ilaa dambe
Ilaa mar kale(ilaa mar kale)
Nabad gelyo
Nagaad(nagaad)
Magacaa maxay tahay?
Maa magacaa?(maa magacaa)
Magacaygu waa John
Magacaygu waa John(magacaygu waa John)
Sidee tahay?
Iska waran?(iska waran)
Aad ayaan ugu faraxsanahay in aan ku arko
Aad baan ku faraxsanahay(aad baan ku faraxsanahay)
Useful phrases for travellers
Airport, hotel, tickets, and transport phrases for getting around on a trip.
Ma ku hadashaa Ingiriisi?
Inni ingiriisi maahaa?(Inni ingiriisi maahaa?)
Hindi si fiican uma hadlo
Hindi maahaa hinjiru(Hindi maahaa hinjiru)
Ma fahmin
Ani hinfahmi(Ani hinfahmi)
Fadlan si tartiib ah u hadal
Fadlan si maahaa siib(Fadlan si maahaa siib)
Ma ku celin kartaa?
Maahaa inna marra?(Maahaa inna marra?)
Musqusha xaggee buu yaalaa?
Maalin baadhu?(Maalin baadhu?)
Sideen ku gaari karaa xarunta magaalada?
Akkam an magaalatti gahu?(Akkam an magaalatti gahu?)
Bidix u leexo
Boodha kaaf(Boodha kaaf)
Midig u leexo
Boodha mirga(Boodha mirga)
Toos u soco
Si qodhi(Si qodhi)
Immisa ayey tahay lacagta?
Maalin abaal?(Maalin abaal?)
Hal tigidh, fadlan
Tiket tokkon, fadlan(Tiket tokkon, fadlan)
Ma fog tahay halkan?
Maalin faga?(Maalin faga?)
Waan lumay
Ani dhumtu(Ani dhumtu)
Xaggee ka iibsan karaa kaarka SIM?
Maalin SIM kaardhii gurgurta?(Maalin SIM kaardhii gurgurta?)
Everyday conversation
Small talk, feelings, opinions, and common chat phrases for daily life.
Haa
Eeyy(ee-yee)
Maya
Maya(mah-yah)
Malaha
Gara(gah-rah)
Waan ku raacsanahay
Anigu waaq(ah-nee-goo wahk)
Waan ku raacsaneyn
Anigu ma waaq(ah-nee-goo mah wahk)
Taasi waa wax fiican
Tani waa'ee(tah-nee wah-ee)
Maxaad u malaynaysaa?
Ilaa ma waaq?(ee-lah mah wahk)
Ma i caawin kartaa?
Ilaa naxar?(ee-lah nah-khar)
Waxaan u baahanahay caawimaad
Naxar aniga(nah-khar ah-nee-gah)
Sug daqiiqad
Soo'aa(soo-ah)
Waan ka xumahay
Waa'ee aniga(wah-ee ah-nee-gah)
Dhib malahan
Maya dhib(mah-yah dheeb)
Hambalyo
Hambalyo(ham-bahl-yo)
Dhalasho wacan
Bariis gadhay(bah-rees gah-thai)
Safar wanaagsan
Safar amni(sah-far am-nee)
Directions and getting around
Asking where something is, left and right, distances, and finding your way.
Xagee buu tareenka jooga?
Eeyyoo taayka daab?(eyyoo taayka daab)
Xagee buu basaska jooga?
Eeyyoo gaari daab?(eyyoo gaari daab)
Keenka sidee buu yahay?
Keenya kaafaa?(keenya kaafaa)
Goormee ayuu baxayaa?
Waqti maayti?(waqti maayti)
Ma tan saxda ah?
Maayta kaan?(maayta kaan)
Waa halkan u dhow
Ittaa hara(ittaa hara)
Waa halkan fog
Ittaa faar(ittaa faar)
Ma ii muujin kartaa khariidada?
Maafaa naafaa?(maafaa naafaa)
Halkan joog, fadlan
Hara dhaaf, fadlan(hara dhaaf, fadlan)
Immisa waqti ayey qaadaneysaa?
Waqti mee?(waqti mee)
Shopping and dining
Ordering food, asking prices, paying the bill, and shopping at markets or stores.