neighborhood watch
xaafada jaarka
a way of reducing crime by organizing the people who live in an area to watch each other's property and tell the police about possible criminals
EXAMPLE: I want our neighborhood to be safer. I'm going to join the neighborhood watch.
be supposed to
loo malaynayaa in
to have to, to have a responsibility to
EXAMPLE: My children are supposed to be at school by 8 a.m.
EXAMPLE: The sign says "No Parking." I am not supposed to park here.
confront
ka hor tag
to face, meet, or deal with a difficult situation or person
EXAMPLE: My neighbor makes too much noise. I decided to confront him about this. We talked it over and he has been much quieter.
(verb) mug
(noun) mugger
baaldiyo
tuug
(verb) to attack someone in a public place and steal their money
(noun) the person who does this
EXAMPLE: My neighbor was mugged in the parking lot. The mugger stole his wallet and cell phone.
play it safe
si nabada u ciyaar
avoid risk
EXAMPLE: I decided not to go for a walk at 10 p.m. I think it is wise to play it safe.
(person) vandal
(what he does) vandalism
qofka wax burburiya hantida guud iyo ta gaarka ahaba
kharribaad
a person who damages property on purpose
damaging property that belongs to other people
EXAMPLE: The vandal broke the windows in the office building. Vandalism is such a stupid thing to do!
weapon
hub
anything used in fighting or war, such as a gun or knife
EXAMPLE: The mugger said he had a knife in his pocket, but he wasn't actually carrying a weapon.
arrest
xidhis
If the police arrest someone, they take them away to ask them about a crime they might have committed.
EXAMPLE: The police arrested her for drinking alcohol and then driving a car.
catch
qabasho
to find and stop a person who is trying to escape
EXAMPLE: The police officer caught the man who robbed the bank.
describe
qeexis
to say or write what someone or something is like or looks like
EXAMPLE: Would you please describe your best friend? What does she look like? What are some of her character traits?
(phrasal verb) go after someone
ka daba tag
to chase or follow someone in order to catch them
EXAMPLE: The police officer went after the robber.
grab
qaadis
to take hold of something or someone suddenly and roughly
EXAMPLE: The police officer grabbed the criminal before he could escape.
graffiti
wax kagy qoro
words or drawings, especially funny, rude, or political, on walls, doors, etc. in public places
EXAMPLE: I don't like riding on the subway. The walls are often covered with graffiti. I think it looks terrible.
I bet
Waan sharad
I guess, I believe
EXAMPLE: This paint is still wet. I bet that someone just painted this graffiti.
illegal
sharci daro
against the law
EXAMPLE: Painting graffiti on buildings is illegal. If the police catch the person who did this, they will arrest him.
log book
buuga diiwaanka
a place where you write down important information with dates and times
EXAMPLE: Our neighborhood watch keeps a log book. This is where we keep a record of the vandalism and graffiti we find, including the date and time.
my pleasure
farxadayda
You're welcome.
EXAMPLE: My neighbor thanked me for watching her dog when she went on vacation. I said, "My pleasure."
realize
garasho
to understand a situation, sometimes suddenly
EXAMPLE: She started reading the book. Then she realized she had already read it.