Prepositions in Somali

In English, prepositions are words like 'at', 'in', 'to', 'for', etc. In Somali, there are some verbs that don't require a preposition, for example,


bax  - go away
joog - remain at
sug   - wait for


Then, there are verbs that require a preposition,


u sheeg - tell (someone)
u yeedh - call (someone)
ku dhufo - hit (someone)


Also, some verbs may need a preposition depending on the object. For example,
'tag' which means 'to go' can be used without a preposition when the object is a place,


Mareykan baan tagay  - I went to America


But when the object is a person, you need to use 'u' which means 'to'


Cali baan u tagay   - I went to Ali


Unlike English, in Somali the preposition comes before the verb,


Cali baabuurka u keen    -  Bring the car for Ali
 "             "       ka  "           Bring the car from Ali
 "             "       ku  "           Bring Ali in/with the car
 "             "       la   "           Bring the car with Ali


u    = to, for
ka  = from, away from, out of; about, concerning
ku  = in, into, on, at, with, by means of, using
la   = with, together with, in company with