Aabo / Hooyo

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…

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Lingala) The word for 'love' in Lingala, a language spoken in D.R. Congo. It's often hear…

Umgidi (traditional ceremony)

Shower yemwenga (bridal shower)

Pati yevakomana (bachelor party)

Nhaurirano dzeroora (lobola negotiations)