adjectivebasicLetter A

English to Somali dictionary

afraid in Somali

To be afraid of something or fear something

Page type: Learning page
Review: Source reviewed

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Reviewed August 12, 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

ka baq[1][3]

To be afraid of something or fear something

cabsi[2]

Fear, used for the feeling behind being afraid

Useful combinations

Common phrases with afraid

be afraid

baq[1][3]

afraid of

ka baq[1]

I am afraid

waan baqayaa[3]

Real usage

Example sentences

I am afraid of the dark.

fear of something

Mugdiga waan ka baqayaa.[1][4]

I am afraid.

feeling afraid

Waan baqayaa.[3]

Are you afraid?

question

Ma baqaysaa?[3][4]

Grammar

Grammar notes

English adjective, Somali verb phrase

Afraid is an English adjective, but Somali commonly uses the verb phrase baq or ka baq. Put the thing feared before ka baq, as in mugdiga waan ka baqayaa.[1][2][3][4]

Questions

Questions about afraid in Somali

How do you say afraid in Somali?

For afraid in Somali, use baq or ka baq. I am afraid is waan baqayaa, and afraid of something is ka baq.

Evidence

References checked

[1] English-Somali Bilingual Dictionary (NSW Department of Education)
Checked afraid as ka baq, be afraid as baq, and fright as baqdin.
Open source ↗
[2] OpenTran English-Somali Dictionary PDF
Checked afraid as cabsi.
Open source ↗
[3] OpenTran Somali-English Dictionary PDF
Checked baqayaa as I am afraid and baqaysaa as afraid.
Open source ↗
[4] Beginner's Somali Grammar (Morgan Nilsson)
Checked that Somali prepositions attach to verbs and that ma marks yes/no questions.
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