nounbasicLetter E

English to Somali dictionary

enemy in Somali

An enemy or opponent

Page type: Learning page
Review: Source reviewed

everydayconflict

Reviewed August 20, 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

cadaw[1][2][3][4]

An enemy or opponent

cadow[1][2][3][4]

noun

An enemy, antagonist, or opponent

Useful combinations

Common phrases with enemy

enemy

cadaw[1][3]

the enemy

cadawga[1][3][4]

enemy of the people

cadowga dadka[1][4]

Real usage

Example sentences

Do not make enemies.

warning

Cadaw ha samaysan.[1]

The enemy is near.

presence

Cadawgu wuu dhow yahay.[1][4]

He became my enemy.

relationship

Wuxuu noqday cadawgayga.[1]

Grammar

Grammar notes

Cadaw and cadow

Cadaw and cadow are both attested Somali words for enemy or opponent. The definite forms are cadawga and cadowga, and Zorc also lists cadaawe for a hostile person.[1][2][3]

Questions

Questions about enemy in Somali

Is cadaw or cadow more correct?

Both are correct and both are attested in lexical sources. Cadaw is a good basic form, and cadow is a common alternate.

Evidence

References checked

[1] Somali-English Dictionary (R. David Zorc)
Checked cadaw and cadow as enemy/opponent, and cadaawe as hostile person.
Open source ↗
[2] English to Somali Finder List (R. David Zorc)
Checked enemy, antagonist, opponent as cadow/cadaw, and hostile person as cadaawe.
Open source ↗
[3] English-Somali Bilingual Dictionary (NSW Department of Education)
Checked enemy as cadow and cadaw.
Open source ↗
[4] OpenTran English-Somali Dictionary PDF
Checked enemy and enemies as cadawga and cadowga.
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