If you want to say "good morning" in Somali, the most common phrase is "Subax wanaagsan." It is used widely across Somalia and the wider Somali-speaking world as a warm, everyday greeting. Somali is written in the Latin script since 1972, so you can read and use this phrase directly. Below you will find pronunciation guidance, formal and informal variations, and example sentences.
The "x" in Subax is not pronounced like the English "x" — it sounds like a soft "h" at the back of the throat, similar to the "ch" in the Scottish word "loch." Stress falls on the first syllable of each word: SUB-ax WAH-naag-san.
Use the table below to choose the right phrase:
Use "Subax wanaagsan" when greeting someone in the morning, whether in person, on a phone call, or in a written message. It works in both casual and semi-formal situations — with friends, family, colleagues, and acquaintances. For more formal settings such as business meetings or addressing elders, the same phrase is appropriate as Somali morning greetings do not vary as sharply by formality as in some other languages. You can also use it as an opener in emails or messages sent in the morning.