Browse Somalia Slang

“Dad” / “Mom.” Used as affectionate address for an older man or woman, or as a sympathetic/affectionate term.

“Uncle/Auntie.” Used not only for actual relatives but to respectfully address older men (adeer) and older women (eedo).

From English “boss,” used as slang to address someone in a friendly manner, like “mate.”

Somali slang for pasta, reflecting the Italian influence. Refers to the pasta dish with tomato sauce that’s a staple in ...

Literally “market kids.” Describes street-smart rascals or troublemaking youth who hang around in the streets.

Stereotypical Somali first names (for men and women respectively) that Somali diasporans sometimes use jokingly to refer...

Somali onomatopoeia (literally “four-eye”) for someone who wears glasses (equivalent to “nerd”).

Diaspora slang. Calling someone “Garoe” (after the city Garoowe) is a light joke implying they are a “villager” or fresh...

A sweet term literally (it’s a type of Somali fudge candy) but used metaphorically to mean something easy or smooth. Can...

A popular Somali greeting meaning “How are you?/What’s the news?” (literally “Inform me about yourself”).

Refer to Islamic attire (jilbaab = full covering, niqo = face veil). Among youth, sometimes feature in jokes or slang ph...

Literally “sweet.” Used as a term of endearment like “sweetheart” or “dear.”

The female equivalent of “waryaa,” meaning “Hey, woman!” Often considered impolite if used toward women.

Khat, the mildly narcotic leaf chewed socially in the Horn of Africa. In Somali slang, jaad (or qaad) is often talked ab...

“Sibling”, but used as a friendly address like “brother/sister.” Everyday term of goodwill.

“I swear to God.” An emphatic expression used constantly for emphasis or to assert truthfulness.

An attention-getting call meaning 'Hey, you!' (addressed to a man). It's a very common Somali interjection to hail someo...