Grandmother
Ayeeyo means grandmother, on either side of the family, and it is one of the most loved words in the language. A weekly call with ayeeyo is often the strongest reason a diaspora child keeps their Somali. Ayeeyaday is my grandmother, and the word is also used respectfully for any elderly woman.
Tip: Give your child a job for the call: "show ayeeyo three words you learned this week".
Point at the real thing and say "Ayeeyo" 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, Ayeeyo is taught with a picture, tested in the Family quiz and practised in Word Match.
Aabo, Hooyo, Aboowe, Abaayo, Awoowe, Ayeeyo and more. Then take the quiz.