Animals · Xayawaanka · Other Animals

Dabaggaalle

Squirrel · also Qoodow

da-bag-GAAL-le · The double g and double l are held slightly longer, and the aa is long.
Dabaggaalle (Squirrel): illustration from the Luuqad Animals lesson

Meaning

Dabaggaalle is the squirrel, a small animal with a bushy tail that children in the diaspora see in parks far more often than their parents did back home. The app lists a second name, qoodow, which is used in some regions. Because the word is long, take it in pieces: da-bag-gaal-le.

Tip: You will also see the spelling dabagaalle, with one g.

Example sentences

Kani waa dabaggaalle.This is a squirrel.
Waxaan arkay dabaggaalle geedka dushiisa.I saw a squirrel on top of the tree.

Using Dabaggaalle at home

Point at the real thing and say "Dabaggaalle" whenever it comes up, then let your child hear the native recording and say it back. One word used ten times in a day beats ten words drilled once. In the Luuqad app, Dabaggaalle is taught with a picture, tested in the Animals quiz and practised in Baadiyo Journey and Animal Trails.

Also heard: Qoodow. Families use different forms depending on region and generation; the app records the form shown above.

Learn all 20 Animals words with real voices

Libaax, Maroodi, Shabeel, Haramcad, Dawaco, Daanyeer and more. Then take the quiz.

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