Lesson 15: Prepositions in Somali

Overview

This lesson covers how to use prepositions in Somali, specifically focusing on in, on, and at. The lesson also includes exercises for practicing these prepositions in different contexts.

Key Points

• Use prepositions with phrases like "where is" or "where are" to form questions.
• Respond with in, on, or at based on the context and noun type (masculine, feminine, plural).

Preposition: In

Key Notes:

• For people and animals, use "a away" to ask where they are.
• For places, use "or".
• Masculine noun: Use "a" for "in".
• Feminine noun: Use "ay" for "in".

Examples:

1. Where is Abdi?

   • Abdi is in the room (masculine): Abdi a maqhaan.
   • Sahra is in the room (feminine): Sahra ay maqhaan.

2. Where are your siblings?

   • Many people: əan wadọ.

3. Where is the teacher?

   • Teacher is in the office (masculine): Barăa a xafiis.
   • Teacher is in the office (feminine): Baraay xafiis.

Preposition: On

Key Notes:

• For feminine nouns: Use "a"
• For masculine nouns: Use "ay"
• Depending on the noun's gender and number, the prepositions vary.

Examples:

1. Where is the money?

   • The money is on the desk (feminine noun in question): Lacaga a miiska.

2. Where is the mobile?

   • The mobile is on the bed (masculine noun in question): Moobāa sar.

3. Where is the cat?

   • The cat is on the roof (feminine): Mıș īledd.

Preposition: At

Key Notes:

• Masculine noun: Use "joa"
• Feminine noun: Use "joo"
• Plural nouns: Use "a joa"

Examples:

1. Where is your brother?

   • My brother is at the house (masculine): Wa a guriga.

2. Where is your sister?

   • My sister is at the house (feminine): Joo guriga.

3. Where are Hasan and Ali?

   • Hasan and Ali are at the park: Hasan iyo Ali a joa beerka.

Practice Exercises

• Form sentences using in, on, and at with different pronouns and noun types.
• Convert the sentences into questions and negatives.

Examples to Practice:

1. Where am I? Am I in the office?

   • Positive: I am in the office. (Ma a xafiis)
   • Negative: I am not in the office. (Ma i xafiis)

2. Where is he? Is he in the house?

   • Positive: He is in the house. (Isaga a guriga)
   • Negative: He is not in the house. (Isaga ma baran guriga)

3. Where are you all? Are you all at the school?

   • Positive: You all are at the school. (Idinay a xafiis)
   • Negative: You all are not at the school. (Idin ma xafiis)

Homework

1. Finish tasks #39, #40, and #41: Record voice notes while reading the given examples and submit to the private group for feedback.
2. Practice forming new sentences using in, on, and at with different pronouns.

Conclusion

• Mastering prepositions in Somali requires practice with different contexts and noun types.
• Remember to use the appropriate preposition based on whether the noun is masculine, feminine, or plural.
• Complete your tasks and practice regularly to reinforce learning.

End of Lesson 15