Animals

1. Saree

   Dog

   Usage

   A bite from a stray dog needs rabies treatment.

2. Adurree

   Cat

   Usage

   Common around homes and eateries.

3. Simbirroo

   Bird

   Usage

   A general word for small birds; useful with a guide when birdwatching.

4. Qurxummii

   Fish

   Usage

   The general word for fish.

5. Farda

   Horse

   Usage

   The plural is fardeen.

6. Harree

   Donkey

   Usage

   A common working animal; watch for herds on the road.

7. Saawwa

   Cow / cattle

   Usage

   Saawwa means cow or cattle; dictionaries also give sa'a, which is spelled like sa'a meaning hour.

8. Sangaa

   Ox / bull

   Usage

   Still used for ploughing in the countryside.

9. Hoolaa

   Sheep

   Usage

   Common in markets and festival meals.

10. Re'ee

    Goat

    Usage

    Also written reettii. The ' is a glottal stop.

11. Lukkuu

    Chicken

    Usage

    Few dictionary examples exist for this word; a native check is advisable.

12. Gaala

    Camel

    Usage

    Seen in dry lowland areas.

13. Waraabessa

    Hyena

    Usage

    They sometimes come to the edge of town at night.

14. Jaldeessa

    Monkey

    Usage

    Do not approach with food.

15. Leenca

    Lion

    Usage

    For talking about wildlife with a guide.

16. Qeerransa

    Leopard

    Usage

    For talking about wildlife with a guide.

17. Bofa

    Snake

    Usage

    Take care in tall grass; go straight to hospital if bitten.

18. Hantuuta

    Mouse / rat

    Usage

    Grounds for asking to change rooms at a cheap guesthouse.

19. Bookee

    Mosquito

    Usage

    Carries malaria in the lowlands. A mosquito net is saaphana bookee.

20. Kanniisa

    Bee

    Usage

    Used when talking about honey or beekeeping.

21. Sarariitii

    Spider

    Usage

    Mostly harmless, but they web up corners.

22. Tafkii

    Flea

    Usage

    If you keep getting bitten, grounds for asking to change the bedding.

23. Tisiisa

    Fly

    Usage

    Useful when asking for a cover over food.

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