“LEARN TO SPEAK ENGLISH”

Lesson 1
Conversation (wada hadal)

A) Good afternoon (galab wanaagsan). May I see (ma arki karaa)

your passport (baasaaboorkaaga) please (adiga oo raali ah)?
B) Yes (waayahay ama haa), here it is (waa kan), and here’s my visa
(fiisadeydiina waa tan).

A) Thank you (waad mahadsan tahay). You have (waxaad haysataa)

a tourist visa (fiiso dalxiis) for three months (oo saddex bilood
ah).
B) Yes (haa), that’s right (sidaasi waa sax). I plan (waxaan isku
wadaa) to travel some (in aan woxogaa u kala gudbo) in the U.S
(dalka maraykanka dhexdiisa).

A) Where are you going? (halkeed tageysaa?)

B) I’m going (waxaan isku wadaa) to spend some time (in aan
woxogaa joogo) in Atlanta (Atlanta). After that (intaa dabadeed),
I’m going to (waxaan tagi doonaa) Washington (Washington),
Chicago (Chicago), and California (iyo California).

A) All right (waa si fiican). Enjoy your stay! (joogitaankaaga ku

raaxayso!)

Maria goes through (Maariyi waxay maraysaa) Immigrations

(qaybta socdaalka) and Customs (iyo cashuuraha).

B) Hi! (nabad ama waad salaaman tahay). Anything to declare?

(waxba ma sheegi kartaa?)

A) Excuse me? (iga raali ahaw). I don’t understand (maan fahmin)

B) Do you have (ma sidataa) any valuables (waxyaalo qaali ah) or
alcohol (ama khamri) to declare (si aad u sheegto ama u
caddayso)?

1
A) No (maya), nothing at all (haba yaraatee, ma sito).

B) O.K. (waa hagaag). You can go ahead (horaad u socon kartaa).

A) Thank you (waad mahad santahay).

LESSON 2
Conversation (Wada Hadal)

A) Hello (Nabad). I’d like (Waxaan rabaa) to change some money

into U.S. currency (in aan sarrifto ama ku bedesho woxogaa lacag
ah lacagta maraykanka).
B) Certainly (haye, run ahaan). Do you have (Ma waxaad haysataa)
cash (kaash) or traveler’s checks (ama jeegagga dhoofayaasha)?

A) Traveler’s checks (jeegagga dhoofayaasha).

Maria (Maariyi) signs (waxay saxeexeysaa)

the traveler’s checks (jeegaggii dhoofayaasha)

B) Here they are (waa kuwan).

A) May I see (ma arki karaa) your passport (baasaaboorkaaga)

please (adigoo mahadsan)?
B) Of course (haa, run ahaantii).

A) Let’s see (bal aan eego). That adds up to (taasi waxay

noqonaysaa ama gaadheysaa) $1,250.00 ($1,250.00: kun iyo laba
qoqol iyo konton doolar). Would you like it (ma waxaad ku
rabtaa) in any special denomination? (warqad-lacageed gaar ah?)
B) I beg your pardon? (iga raali ahaw: yacni maan fahmin?)

A) How would you like (sideed u rabtaa) your money (lacagtaada)?

In twenties, fifties or hundred dollar bills? (ma warqad-lacageed
labaatan-labaatan doolar ah, konton-konton doolar, ama boqol-
boqol doolar?)

2
B) A hundred dollars in twenties (boqol doolar oo labaatan-labaatan
ah) and the rest (inta hadhayna) in hundred dollar bills (warqad-
lacageed boqol-boqol doolar ah), please (adigoo raali ah).

Maria (Maariyi) gets (waxay qaadanaysaa)

her money (lacagteedii).

LESSON 3
Conversation (Wada Hadal)

A) May I help you (ma ku caawin karaa?)

B) Yes (haa), thanks (waad mahadsantahay). I’m staying (Waxaan
degenahay) at the Peachtree Plaza (fooqa weyn ee la yidhaa
Peachtree) in town (ee magaalada badhtankeeda). What’s (waa
maxay) the best way (sida ugu fiican) to get there (ee aan halkaa
ku gaadhayaa)?

A) You can take (waxaad qaadan kartaa) a cab (tagsi), bus (bas),
limo (limoosiin) or hotel shuttle (ama gaadiidka huteelka).
B) What do you recommend? (maxaad igula talinaysaa?)

A) That depends (waxay ku xidhan tahay kolba sidaad rabto). A cab

(tagsigu) is faster (wuu deg deg badan yahey) but (laakiin) more
expensive (waa qaali). The bus (basku) is cheaper (wuu jaban
yahay) but (laakiin) a little slow (eeyar ayuu socdaa). It would
probably (waxa laga yaabaa) be a good idea (in ay fikrad fiican
tahay) to take (in aad qaadato ama raacdo) your hotel shuttle
(huteelkaaga gaadiidkiisa).
B) All right (way fiican tahay: waa wanaag). Where do I catch it?
(halkeen ka qabsadaa ama ka raacaa?)

A) Just go through those doors (albaabadaa dhex mar) and look for
(dabadeedna eeg eeg) the shuttle sign (calaamadda gaadiidka).
When it comes by (marka gaadiidku yimaaddo), wave (gacanta u
lul) and the driver (dabadeedna dirawalka) will pick you up
(ayaa ku qaadi).

3
B) How much does it cost? (waa immisa kharashkiisu).

A) It’s a courtesy shuttle (waa gaadiid taageero ah), so (markaa) it’s

free (waa bilaash). You can tip (waxaad bakhshiish siin kartaa)
the driver (dirawalka), if you want (haddii aad dooneyso).
B) Thank you for (waad ku mahadsantahay) your help
(caawintaada).
Maria(Maariyi) takes (waxay qaadanaysaa ama raacaysaa) the
shuttle (gaadiidkii) to the hotel (ku socdey huteelka)

LESSON 4
Conversation (Wadal Hadal)

A) Welcome to (ku soo dhawow) the Peachtree Plaza (fooqa weyn

ee Peachtree). Do you have a reservation? (wax ma sii
ballansatay ama qabsatay?)
B) Yes (haa), I do (waan sameeyey sidaa). I’ll be staying (waxaan
joogi doonaa) for two or three days (laba ama saddex cisho).

A) Are you here (ma waxaad halkan u joogtaa) for business (shaqo)
or pleasure? (ama raaxaysi: dalxiis).
B) Could you please speak more slowly? (adiga oo raalli ah, eeyar
maad hadli?)

A) Is this a business trip (socdaalkani ma ku shaqaa) or just a

vacation? (mise waa fasax uun: dalxiis?)
B) Both (labadaba), actually (run ahaantii). My aunt (eedadey) died
recently (ayaa dhawaan ku dhimatay) in Atlanta (Atlanta). I’ve
come (waxaan u imid) to take care of (si aan u dayac tiro) her
estate (guryaheedii).

A) I’m sorry (waan ka xumahay) for your loss (qofkaa aad weydey).
We’ll make (waxaanu ka dhigi doonaa) your stay here
(joogitaankaaga halkan) as worry-free as possible (mid aan war
war lahayn ilaa intii suura gal ah).
B) Thank you (waad mahadsantahay)

4
A) We have (waxaannu haynaa) room 758 (makhsinka nambarkiisu
yahey 758) reserved for you (kaasoo laguu qabtay). Will you be
paying with (maxaad ku bixin doontaa,): cash (kaash) or a credit
card? (mise kaadhka amaahda?).
B) A credit card (kaadhka amaahda). Here it is (waa kan). What’s
the rate? (qiimuhu waa immisa).

A) $129.00 (129.00 doolar) per night (habeenkii). There’s also

(weliba waxa jira) a complimentary continental breakfast
(qureec khafiif ah oo bilaash ah). I need (waxaan u baahanahay) to
make an imprint (in aan sawiro) of your credit card
(kaadhkaaga amaahda).

B) How do I get to (sideen u gaadhaa) my room (makhsinkayga).

A) Take (qaado ama fuul) the elevator (sallaanka socda) on the right
(ee midigta kaa qabta) to the seventh floor (ilaa iyo dabaqadda
toddobaad), and turn (oo u weeco) to your left (dhinaca bidix)
after you exit (markaad ka baxdo) the elevator (sallaanka socda).
The room (makhsinku) will be on your right (midigta ayuu kaa
qaban doonaa). A bellman (waashmaanka ama xammaalka) will
bring up (ayaa keeni) your bags (shandadahaaga).

LESSON 5
(A) Action (Conversation)

A) How may I help you? (sideen kuu caawin karaa)

B) I’d like (waxaan rabaa) to make an international call (in aan diro
tilifoon dibadda ah), please (adigoo raalli ah).

A) You can dial directly from your room (si toos ah ayaad
makhsinkaaga uga garaaci kartaa) if you like (haddaad dooneyso).
B) I’m sorry (waan ka xumahay) I don’t understand (ma fahmayo
ama ma garanayo) what to do (wax aan sameeyo).

A) Just hang up (sammaacadda ama gacanta kor u qaad), then

(dabadeedna) dial 011 (garaac 011), your country and city codes

5
 (iyo miftaaxyada waddankaaga iyo magaaladaada) and your
number (iyo nambarkaaga ama qofka aad dooneyso nambarkiisa).
B) O.K. (waa hagaag). Thanks for (waad ku mahadsantahay) your
help (caawintaada).

A) You’re welcome (adaa mudan). Would you like (ma dooneysaa)

to charge (in aad ku dallacdo) the call (kharashka tilifoonka) to
your room (makhsinkaaga) or pay with (mise waxaad ku
bixinaysaa) a credit card? (kaadhka amaahda?).
B) To my room (makhsinkayga ku dallac).

A) All right (waa hagaag). I’ll take care of it for you (aniga ayaa
sidaa kuu samayn). Have a nice evening (galab wanaagsan).

Maria (Maariyi) places (waxay dalbanaysaa) a phone call

(tilifoon).

LESSON 6
(B) Action (Conversation)

A) Hi (nabad), will you be having lunch? (miyaad qadayn doontaa?).

B) Yes (haa), but (laakiin) I’m not very hungry (aad uma
gaajoonayo). It’s too hot (aad bay u kulushahay) outside
(dibaddu).

A) I know (waan garanayaa) what you mean (waxaad u jeeddo). It’s

a scorcher today (maanta maalin aad u kulul oo la gubanayo).

B) I’m not used to (maan caadeysan ama lamaan baran) this kind of
weather (hawada noocan ah). I’m glad (waan ku faraxsanahay)
that everything (in wax walba) is air conditioned (qaboojiye lagu
qaboojiyey) here (halkan).

Maria (Maariya) gets (waxay heshay ama la siiyey) a menu

(warqaddii cuntadu ku qornayd):

6
A) Hi (nabad), my name (magacaygu) is Carl (waa Kaarl) and I’ll
be serving you (aniga ayaana kuu shaqayn doona) today (maanta).
Can I get you (ma kuu keenaa) something (wax) to drink? (aad
cabto?).
B) Just water (biyo bas), please (adigoo raalli ah), with ice (iyo baraf
la socda).

A) Of course (waayahey). I’ll be back in a moment (il bidhiqsi

ayaan ku soo noqon).

Maria (Maariyi) orders (waxay dalbanaysaa) a meal (cunto):

A) Would you like (ma jeceshahay) to hear (in aad maqasho ama
ogaato) about our house specials (waxyaalaha gaarka ah ee aannu
huteelkayagan ku hayno)?

B) I think (waxaan u malaynayaa) I’ll just have (in aan qaadan

doono) a salad (salad), bread (furin), and a glass (iyo kubbaayad)
of white wine (casiir ama sharaab cad oo cinab ah).

A) O.K. (waa hagaag) what kind of wine? (casiirka ama sharaabka

noocee?). Our house wine (casiirka huteelkayagu) is quite good
(aad buu u fiican yahey).

A) Fine (waa hagaag), I’ll have (waxaan qaadan) a glass of that

(kubbaayad kaas ah).
A) I’ll be right back (deg deg baan u soo noqon) with your wine
(anigoo sida casiirkaaga ama sharaabkaaga).

Maria (Maariyi) finishes (waxay dhammaynaysaa) her meal

(cuntadeedii):

A) Would you like (ma jeceshahay ama ma rabtaa) some dessert?

(xalwad ama wax macaan?). We have (waxaan haynaa) a
delicious chocolate cheesecake (keeg shokolaati macaan).
B) I don’t think so (u malayn maayo sidaa). I’m on a diet (cunto
miisaanka ama baruurta ridda ayaan qaataa). Just bring the check
(juwanka uun keen), please (adigoo raalli ah).
7
 LESSON 7
Conversation (Wada Hadal)

A) Good morning (subax wanaagsan), Haskell (Haskell), Cleaver

(Cleaver) and Young (iyo Young).
B) I’d like (waxaan jeclahay) to speak with (in aan la hadlo) Mr.
Young (Mudane Young), please (adigoo raalli ah).

A) who’s calling (ayaa hadlaya), please? (min fadlak).

B) I’m related to (waxaan isku xignaa ama wax isku nahay)
Stephanie Garner (Stephanie Garner). Mr. Young asked me
(Mudane Young wuxuu iga dalbaday) to get in touch (in aan kula
xidhiidho) when I arrived (markaan gaadho) in the U.S.
(Maraykanka).
A) Please hold (yara sug ama tilifoonka yara hay, min fadlak).

Mr. Young (Mudane Young) talks to (wuxuu la hadlayaa)

Maria (Maria)

A) I’m looking forward (waxaan rajaynayaa) to meeting you (in aan

kula kulmo). Can you come by (ma iman karaysaa) tomorrow
(barritoole) at 10 a.m.? (Tobanka aroornimo).
B) Yes (Haa), I think so (sidaas ayaan u malaynayaa ama filayaa).
Where are you located? (Halkeed degentahay ama joogtaa?)

A) Our offices (hafiisyadayadu) are just behind (waxay ka

dambeeyaan uun) the State Capitol building (dhismaha ama
fooqa la yidhaa: The State Capitol). You can walk here from the
hotel (halkan waad uga soo lugayn karaysaa huteelka).
B) What time (goorma) should I leave (ayaan ka soo baxaa ama ka
tagaa) the hotel? (huteelka?)

A) Oh (waa eray la isticmaalo marka uu qofku wax kadis ah ama

layaab leh la kulmo), maybe (laga yaabaa) around (meelahaa)
9:30 (sagaalka iyo badhka). It should only take (waxay

8
 qaadanaysaa oo keliyaata) about twenty minutes (meelahaa 20
daqiiqadood) on foot (oo socod ama lug ah).
B) Thanks (waad mahadsantahay). I’ll see you (waan ku arki doonaa
ama kula kulmi doonaa) tomorrow morning (barri aroorta).

LESSON 8
Conversation (Wada Hadal)

A) How many? (imisa?).

B) One ticket please (Hal tigidh, fadlan.).
A) That will be $6.00 (waxay noqonaysaa lix doolar)

Maria buys a ticket to see a movie (Maria waxay

iibsanaysaa tigidh si ay u daawato filim.).

A) What can I get for you? (Maxaan ku siiyaa?)

B) Popcorn (Salool), a coke (Kooke) and some of those (iyo qaar ka

mid ah) chocolates there (jukulaatada halkaa taalla).
A) You mean (Ma waxaad u jeeddaa) Milk Duds? (Shokolaatada
caanaha laga sameeyey?)
B) Yes (haa), that’s right (waa sax), a box of Milk Duds (Culbad
Milk Duds ah).
A) Do you want Classic Coke (kooke caadi ah), Diet Coke (kooke
khafiif ah), or (mise: ama) Cherry Coke (Kooke faraawilo?)

B) Uh… (waa kalmad la yidhaa marka la yaab), Classic Coke (kooke

caadi ah), I think (Ayaan filayaa)
A) Would you like butter on your popcorn? (ma doonaysaa in
subag lagu daro saloolkaaga?)

B) Yes, thank you (Haa, Mahadsanid).

Maria gets her refreshments

(Maria waxay qaadanaysaa sharaabkeedii).
9
A) Here you go (Waxaad iga dalbatay waa kuwan). That’ll be $4.50,
please (waxay noqonaysaa afar doolar iyo badh, fadlan.).

Maria pays for her refreshments

(Maria waxay bixinaysaa lacagtii sharaabkeeda).

Chapter 9: “Shopping at the Mall”

Conversation (Wada Hadal)

- Are you being helped? (ma lagu caawin karaa?)

- No, I’m not (maya, uma baahni). I’m looking for (waxaan raadinayaa)
gifts (hadiyado) for my children (aan caruutayda u geeyo), possibly
(laga yaabaa) T-shirts (garamaan).

- For a girl (ma gabadh) or a boy (mise wiil)?

- Both (labadaba). I have (waxaan leeyahay) a son (inan: wiil) and a
daughter (iyo babadh).

- What sizes (nambarradee) do you need? (ayaad u baahan tahay?)

- I guess (waxaan u malaynayaa) I’ll need (in aan u baahanahay) a large
(mid weyn) for my son (oo inankayga ah) and a medium (iyo mid
dhexe) for my daughter (oo gabadhayda ah).

- How about the color? (midabka ka warran?)

- I think (waxaan filayaa) I’ll get (in aan qaadan doono) a light green
shirt (garan akhtar khafiif ah) for my daughter (oo gadhayda ah) and a
navy blue one (iyo mid calan _____________) (for my son (oo
inankayga ah).

Are they easy to take care of? (si dhib yar ma loo dhawri karayaa?)
- Yes (haa), they’re machine-washable (makinadda aya lagu aydhi
karayaa) and shouldn’t fade (ma fasakhayaan) or shrink very much
(aadna uma kogayaa).

- Fine (waa hagaag), I’ll take (waxaan qaadan) the two shirts (labada
garan).
10
- How about something for your husband? (odaygaaga maxaad u
qaadi?)
- Not right now (immika maaha). I’m going to look some more
(waxyaalo dheeraad ah ayaan weli raadinayaa). Where’s the fine
jewelry department? (tukaankii dahabluhu ____________ aaway?)
- Right over there (waaka halkaa ku yaal), to the left (dhinaca bidixda).

11
 Chapter 10: “Meeting an Attorney”

Conversation (Wada Hadal)

- Your Aunt Stephanie (eedadaa Stephanie) was a fine lady (islaan

fiican ayay ahayd). She certainly (run ahaantii) thought a lot of you (in
badan ayay ku xusuusatay ama kugu fikirtay). As you may know (sida
laga yaabo in aad ogtahay), she had no direct descendants (may lahayn
dad ay si toos ah u dashay), so (markaa) she wanted (waxay rabtey) to
leave you (in ay kaaga tagto) the bulk of her estate (dhiskeeda ama
hantideeda badankiisa)
- I can’t believe it (ma rumaysan karayo). She didn’t come home to visit
very often (sida badan waddanka may soo booqan jirin).
- Well (waa hagaag), it’s right here (halkan ayay ku taalaa) in her will
(dadaarankeedii). You can claim (waad qaadan karaysaa) your
inheritance (dhaxalkaaga) as soon as you meet (marka aad oofiso ama
buuxiso) the stated requirements (shuruudaha la sheegay ee loo baahan
yahay).
- What requirements? (shuruudahee?)
- After immigrating to the U.S. (markaad maraykanka usu haajirtey
dabadeed), your aunt (eedadaa) fell in love with (waxay jeclaatay) her
adopted country (waddankii ay dooratay). She was especially fond of
(gaar ahaan waxay u jeclayd) Atlanta (Atlaanta), Washington
(Waashintan), Chicago (Jigaagoo), and San Francisco (iyo Saan
Faransiiskoo). She wanted you (waxay kaa doonaysey) to visit (in aad
booqato) some of the places (meelahaa qaarkood) that she enjoyed so
much (kuwaas oo ay aad ugu raaxaysatay ama ka heshay).
- That seems (taasi waxay u eegtahay) easy enough (in ay iska dhib
yartahay). Anything else (wax kale ma jiraa)?
- Here are sealed envelopes with instructions about each place.
When you arrive in Washington, for example, open that one. Then
you’ll know what to do.
- This is all very strange.
12
- Yes, it’s strange, but worth the trouble, I think.
When you finish your "treasure hunt" and return to Atlanta, I’ll give
you your check.
Maria returns to her hotel.

13