Greetings and Salutations

Subax Wanaagsan! (Good Morning)

In Somali there are many greetings and salutations and their literal meanings may seem pretty odd to an English speaker.  Below are the typical greetings and salutations, as well as a sample dialogue.

Subax Wanaagsan	Good Morning
Galab Wanaagsan	Good Afternoon
Caweys Wanaagsan	Good Evening
Habeen Wanaagsan	Good Night
Duhur Wanaagsan	Good Noon
Maalin Wanaagsan	Good Day
Nabad ku bari	Good Night [lit: break the day in peace]
Nabad ma ku bariday?	Good Morning [lit: didy ou break the day in peace?]
Iska warran?	How are you?
Waan fiicanahay	I am well
Waa la wanaagsanyahay	I am well [lit: it is well]
Ma nabad baa?	How are you [lit: is it peace?]
Waa Nabad	I am well [lit: it is peace]
Sidee tahay?	How are you?
Maxaad sheegtay?	How are you? [lit:What did you tell?]
Nabad Miyaa?	How are you? [lit: is it peace?]
Assalaamu Calaykum	Peace be with you
Calaykum Assalaam!	Peace be with you (response to Assalaamu calaykum)
Fadlan	Please
Mahadsanid	Thank you
Adgiaa mudan	You're welcome
Magacaa?	What is your name?
Adigana?	And you?
Magacaygu waa	My name is
Barasho Wanaagsan	Nice to meet you
Nabad gelyo	Goodbye

Dialogue:

Bill:    Subax Wanaagsan!

John:  Subax Wanaagsan, iska warran?

Bill:     Waan fiicanahay, adigana?

John:   Waan fiicanahay.  Fadlan magacaa?

Bill:     Magacaygu waa Bill, adigana?

John:   Magacaygu waa John. Barasho wanaagsan. 

Bill:     Barasho wanaagsan.  Mahadsanid.
John:   Adigaa mudan.  Nabad gelyo.
Bill:     Nabad gelyo.


Dialogue:
Bill:  Good Morning!
John:  Good morning, how are you?
Bill:  I am well, and you?
John:  I am well.  Your name, please?
Bill:   My name is Bill, and you?
John:  My name is John.  Nice to meet you.
Bill:  Nice to meet you.  Thank you.
John:  You are welcome.  Good bye.
Bill:   Good bye.