Somali Food and Mealtimes: 40 Essential Words and Everyday Phrases

Food is part of everyday conversation, from asking what is for breakfast to offering someone tea. Learn these 30 useful Somali words and 10 phrases, then try them at the table or when ordering a meal.

Illustrated Somali meal with canjeero, rice, sambuus, tea, fruit, water, and stew — A few familiar foods and drinks to start your Somali vocabulary practice.

30 Essential Somali Food and Mealtime Words

Tap a Somali word to open its dictionary entry. Some foods and names have regional or family variations; for example, canjeero and laxoox are both used, with preferences varying across communities.

01cunto — food; meal

02quraac — breakfast

03qado — lunch

04casho — dinner; supper

05biyo — water

06shaah — tea

07qaxwo — coffee

08caano — milk

09hilib — meat

10digaag — chicken

11kalluun — fish

12bariis — rice

13rooti — bread

14canjeero — Somali flatbread; also called laxoox in some communities

15muufo — bread

16baasto — pasta

17sambuus — savory stuffed pastry

18ukun — egg

19khudaar — vegetables; khudrad is also used

20miro — fruit

21moos — banana; muus is also used

22cambe — mango

23subag — butter; ghee

24saliid — oil

25sonkor — sugar

26cusbo — salt

27maraq — soup; stew

28saxan — plate

29qaaddo — spoon; fandhaal is another term

30koob — cup

10 Everyday Phrases for Mealtimes

Somali family sharing tea and a meal around a table — Practice these phrases while sharing food and tea with family or friends.

31. Maxaynu ku quraacanaa?What shall we have for breakfast?

32. Maxaad cuni rabtaa?What would you like to eat?

33. Waxaan rabaa canjeero iyo shaah.I’d like canjeero and tea.

34. Shaah ma rabtaa?Would you like tea?

35. Biyo ma i siin kartaa, fadlan?Could I have some water, please?

36. Maxaa ku jira?What’s in it?

37. Waxaan rabaa inaan dalbado.I’d like to order.

38. Cuntadani waa macaan.This food is delicious.

39. Lacagta inaan bixiyo ayaan rabaa.I’d like to pay the bill, please.

40. Waan dheregsanahay.I’m full.

Put the Words Together

Somali diner speaking with a server while ordering a meal and asking for water — A simple restaurant exchange can combine several of the phrases above.

Use Waxaan rabaa… (“I’d like/I want…”) to make a simple request:

Waxaan rabaa biyo. — I’d like water.

Waxaan rabaa bariis iyo kalluun. — I’d like rice and fish.

Waxaan rabaa koob shaah ah. — I’d like a cup of tea.

To ask about a dish, try Maxaa ku jira? (“What’s in it?”). To offer tea, say Shaah ma rabtaa? (“Would you like tea?”).

A note on variation
Somali pronunciation, spelling choices, and food names can vary by region and household. Treat this list as a practical starting point, and follow the usage of the Somali speakers around you.