Verbs & TensesIntermediate1 min read
Negation in Somali
How to form negative sentences in Somali across all tenses, including special negative verb forms.
Negation in Somali involves using the negative particle ma and special negative verb forms. Each tense has its own negation pattern.
Present Tense Negation
ma + negative present verb:
| Affirmative | Negative |
|---|---|
| waan cunaa (I eat) | ma cuno (I don’t eat) |
| waad cuntaa | ma cuntid |
| wuu cunaa | ma cuno |
Past Tense Negation
ma + negative past verb (ending in -in):
| Affirmative | Negative |
|---|---|
| waan cunay (I ate) | ma cunin (I didn’t eat) |
| waad cuntay | ma cunin |
| way cuntay | ma cunin |
Future Tense Negation
ma + negative future:
ma cuni doono — I will not eat ma iman doono — I will not come
Imperative Negation
Use ha + imperative form:
ha cunin! — don’t eat! ha tagin! — don’t go! ha soo socon! — don’t come here!
Common Negative Expressions
| Somali | English |
|---|---|
| ma ogi | I don’t know |
| ma fahmin | I don’t understand |
| ma rabo | I don’t want |
| ma hayo | I don’t have |
| ma aha | it is not |
Double Negation
Somali does not use double negation. One negative marker is enough:
Ma arkin qofna. — I did not see anyone. (Literally: Not saw no-one — but it means “I saw no one”)