Mother
Hooyo means mother. It is also used as an affectionate address, the way English speakers say "mum", and mothers call their own children hooyo too, as a term of endearment. "My mother" is hooyaday. The vowel in the first syllable is long, which is what makes it sound warm and unhurried.
Tip: Hooyo is usually the very first Somali word a diaspora child says, and often the last one they lose.
Point at the real thing and say "Hooyo" 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, Hooyo 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.