How to say "How are you?" in Somali
Omniglot lists Sideed tahay? under How are you?; the Somali Textbook uses the fuller returned question Adigu sideed tahay?
The wording and examples were checked against the listed sources, but a named Somali reviewer has not yet certified dialect, register, and pronunciation. Check important communication with a qualified speaker.
English
How are you?
Somali
Sideed tahay?[2]
Context
How the checked sources present it
Omniglot lists Sideed tahay? under How are you?; the Somali Textbook uses the fuller returned question Adigu sideed tahay?
Singular, plural, and context
Address and number
Check who you are speaking to. Some Somali forms change for one person and a group, while fixed greetings stay the same.
One person
Sideed tahay?[2]
How are you?
This is the compact form listed by Omniglot.
Keep the conversation going
Documented reply
You say
Sideed tahay?
How are you?
A possible reply
Waan fiicanahay.[1]
I am fine.
This reply follows the direct wellbeing question in the textbook dialogue.
Variation
Related documented forms
In conversation
Examples in context
Content provenance
References checked
These references were checked while preparing this learning page. They do not replace review by a named Somali language specialist.
- [1] Somali Textbook, Chapters 1-5 (Zorc and Osman) →
The greeting dialogue includes Adigu sideed tahay? followed by Waan fiicanahay, as well as Iska warran? with Waan ladnahay.
- [2] Useful phrases in Somali (Omniglot) →
The phrase table lists Sideed tahay?, Iska warran?, and Nabad miyaa? under How are you?
More Greetings
Related phrases
View all Greetings phrases →Need a custom sentence?
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