English ⇄ Somali
Home
Phrases
About
Blog
Privacy
Terms

How to Say "I Am Sick" in Somali

Need to say 'I am sick' in Somali? The most natural everyday phrase is 'Waan xanuunsanaya', widely used across Somalia and the Somali-speaking diaspora. Somali is written in the Latin script, making it accessible for English speakers to read and practise. This guide covers pronunciation, variations, and real example sentences.
⚡ Quick Answer
To say 'I am sick' in Somali, say 'Waan xanuunsanaya'.
Waan hha-noon-sa-NAY-ah

Somali Translation & Pronunciation

Written:
Waan xanuunsanaya
Pronunciation (approximate):
Waan hha-noon-sa-NAY-ah
IPA:
waːn χanuːnsanaːja
The 'x' in 'xanuunsanaya' is a soft throaty 'h' sound, like clearing the back of your throat gently. Stress falls on the 'nay' syllable.

All Variations: Formal, Informal & Emphatic

Use the table below to choose the right phrase:

Somali Phrase
Usage
Formality
Pronunciation
Xanuun baa i haya
Casual speech with friends or family about feeling ill
Informal
hha-NOON baa ee HAY-yah
Waan xanuunsanaya
Everyday use — telling anyone you are currently unwell
Neutral
Waan hha-noon-sa-NAY-ah

Example Sentences

No items found.

When to Use

Use 'Waan xanuunsanaya' whenever you need to tell someone you are unwell — at a clinic, with family, or calling in sick. It is understood across all Somali-speaking regions and suits most everyday situations.

Frequently Asked Questions

No items found.

Related Somali Phrases

You may also want to learn:
No items found.

Translate Full Sentences

Want to translate more than just one phrase? Use our English to Somali Translator to instantly translate full sentences, conversations, and messages.
Translate English to Somali →
© 2026 EnglishToSomaliTranslator.com
PrivacyTermsContacts