nounintermediateLetter A

English to Somali dictionary

ability in Somali

karti[2]

Ability, competency, or skill

Page type: Learning page
Review: Source reviewed

everydayeducation

Reviewed August 10, 2026Review record: Codex source audit

This entry has been checked against the references below, but a named Somali reviewer has not yet certified its dialect, register, and natural usage. Verify important communication with a qualified speaker.

Translation

Somali meanings

karti[2]

Ability, competency, or skill

awood[1][2]

Power or capacity to do something

Useful combinations

Common phrases with ability

language ability

karti luqadeed[2]

strong ability

karti xooggan[2]

not able

ma awoodo[1][2]

Real usage

Example sentences

She has ability in languages.

education

Waxay leedahay karti xagga luqadaha.[2]

Sahra can do many things.

ability

Sahra waxa ay samayn kartaa waxyaabo badan.[3]

He is not able to drink any more.

capacity

Ma awoodo in uu sii cabbo.[1][2][3]

Grammar

Grammar notes

Karti and awood

Karti is useful for ability or competency, especially skills. Awood is the broader word for power or capacity, and ma awoodo expresses not able.[1][2][3]

Questions

Questions about ability in Somali

How do you say ability in Somali?

Ability can be karti when you mean skill or competency, and awood when you mean general power or capacity.

Evidence

References checked

[1] English-Somali Bilingual Dictionary (NSW Department of Education)
Checked ability/able as awood and skill as xirfad for the capacity and skill distinction.
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[2] OpenTran English-Somali Dictionary PDF
Checked ability as karti, capability as awoodda, capable as karti leh, and cannot as ma awoodo.
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[3] Learner's Somali Grammar (Morgan Nilsson, University of Gothenburg)
Checked karaa/kartaa as can, the sample Sahra can do many things, and awoodin for not able.
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