adjectivebasicLetter A

English to Somali dictionary

able in Somali

Can; be able to, used after a verb infinitive

Page type: Learning page
Review: Source reviewed

everydaygrammar

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

karaa/kartaa[1][2][3]

Can; be able to, used after a verb infinitive

awoodo[1][2]

Be able to or have the capacity to

Useful combinations

Common phrases with able

can run

ordi karaa[2][3]

can do

samayn karaa[2][3]

not able to

ma awoodo[1][2]

Real usage

Example sentences

Maryan can run.

ability

Maryan way ordi kartaa.[3]

I can jump over it.

ability

Waan ka dul boodi karaa.[3]

He is not able to drink any more.

negative ability

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

Grammar

Grammar notes

Auxiliary after the infinitive

Somali normally uses karaa/kartaa after a verb infinitive to mean can or be able to. The form changes with the subject, such as karaa, kartaa, or karaan.[1][3]

Questions

Questions about able in Somali

How do you say able in Somali?

For be able to, Somali commonly uses karaa or kartaa after the main verb, as in ordi kartaa for can run.

Evidence

References checked

[1] English-Somali Bilingual Dictionary (NSW Department of Education)
Checked ability/able as awood and can as karaa.
Open source ↗
[2] OpenTran English-Somali Dictionary PDF
Checked able as awoodo, can as karaa, and cannot as ma awoodo.
Open source ↗
[3] Learner's Somali Grammar (Morgan Nilsson, University of Gothenburg)
Checked karaa/kartaa/karaan as can, including Maryan way ordi kartaa and Waan ka dul boodi karaa.
Open source ↗

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