verbbasicLetter C

English to Somali dictionary

close in Somali

To shut or seal

Page type: Learning page
Review: Source reviewed

everydayaction

Reviewed August 16, 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

xidh[3][4]

To shut or seal

xir[1][3][4]

To close or shut; a common spelling and dialectal variant beside xidh

Useful combinations

Common phrases with close

close the door

albaabka xidh[2][3]

closed

xiran[1][2][3]

closing

xirid[1][2][3]

Real usage

Example sentences

Close the door.

everyday instruction

Albaabka xidh.[2][3]

And they completely closed those roads.

textbook passive example

Waxaana gabi ahaan la xiray waddooyinkaas.[1][4]

Close it.

short command

Xidhi.[3]

Grammar

Grammar notes

Xidh and xir variants

Somali sources list both xidh and xir for the verb close or shut. Use these for shutting something; the adjective close meaning near is different and is usually dhow or u dhow.[1][2][3][4]

Questions

Questions about close in Somali

How do you say close in Somali?

For the verb close or shut, Somali uses xidh or xir. If close means near, use dhow or u dhow instead.

Evidence

References checked

[1] English-Somali Bilingual Dictionary (NSW Department of Education)
Checked close/shut as xir, closed as xiran, shut as awd/xir, and near as u dhow for the non-verb contrast.
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[2] OpenTran English-Somali Dictionary PDF
Checked closed as xiran, closing/closure as xirid, door as albaabka, and shut as xidhid.
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[3] OpenTran Somali-English Dictionary PDF
Checked xidh as close, xidhaa as closes, xidhan as closed, xidhi as close it, xidhid as closure, and xiro/xirto as close.
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[4] Learner's Somali Grammar (Morgan Nilsson, University of Gothenburg)
Checked xidh/xir verb paradigms and the sentence Waxaana gabi ahaan la xiray waddooyinkaas, translated as And they completely closed those roads.
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