Afaan Oromo: everyday phrases

Akkam?

Hello / how are you?

The everyday greeting.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Akkam jirta?

How are you?

Said to one person.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Akkam jirtu?

How are you?

Polite, or to several people.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Nagaa dha

I'm fine (lit. it is peace)

Source: common usage, needs native check

Fayyaa dha

I'm well (lit. it is health)

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ani nagaa dha, galatoomi

I'm fine, thank you

Source: common usage, needs native check

Akkam bulte?

Good morning (lit. how did you spend the night?)

Said to one person.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Akkam bultan?

Good morning

Polite, or to several people.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Akkam oolte?

Good afternoon (lit. how did you spend the day?)

Said to one person.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Akkam ooltan?

Good afternoon

Polite, or to several people.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Nagaan buli

Good night (lit. spend the night in peace)

Said to one person.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Nagaan bulaa

Good night

Polite, or to several people.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Nagaatti

Goodbye (lit. in peace)

Source: common usage, needs native check

Nagaan deemi

Goodbye (to the one leaving: go in peace)

Said to one person.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Nagaan turi

Goodbye (to the one staying: stay in peace)

Said to one person.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Baga nagaan dhufte

Welcome (lit. good that you came in peace)

Said to one person.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Baga nagaan dhuftan

Welcome

Polite, or to several people.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Galatoomi

Thank you

Said to one person.

Source: Wikibooks, Afaan Oromo open textbook

Galatoomaa

Thank you

Polite, or to several people.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Baay'ee galatoomi

Thank you very much

Source: common usage, needs native check

Maaloo

Please

Source: common usage, needs native check

Dhiifama

Sorry / excuse me

Source: common usage, needs native check

Rakkoo hin qabu

No problem (lit. it has no problem)

Source: common usage, needs native check

Homaa miti

It's nothing / you're welcome

Source: common usage, needs native check

Hin yaadda'in

Don't worry

Said to one person.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Maqaan kee eenyu?

What is your name?

Said to one person.

Source: Wikibooks, Afaan Oromo open textbook

Maqaan keessan eenyu?

What is your name?

Polite, or to several people.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Maqaan koo ... jedhama

My name is ... (lit. I am called ...)

Source: common usage, needs native check

Eessaa dhufte?

Where are you from? (lit. where did you come from?)

Said to one person.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ani Ameerikaa irraa dhufe

I'm from America

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ani Finfinneetti jiraadha

I live in Finfinne (Addis Ababa)

Source: common usage, needs native check

Umriin kee meeqa?

How old are you?

Said to one person.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Afaan Ingiliffaa ni dubbattaa?

Do you speak English?

Said to one person.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Afaan Oromoo xiqqoo nan dubbadha

I speak a little Afaan Oromoo

Source: common usage, needs native check

Hin hubanne

I didn't understand

Source: common usage, needs native check

Suuta dubbadhu

Speak slowly, please

Said to one person.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Irra deebi'i

Say it again

Said to one person.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Kun Afaan Oromootiin maal jedhama?

What is this called in Afaan Oromoo?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ani barataa dha

I'm a student

Source: common usage, needs native check

Eeyyee

Yes

Also written Eeyee.

Source: Wikibooks, Afaan Oromo open textbook

Lakki

No

Source: common usage, needs native check

Miti

It isn't / no

Source: common usage, needs native check

Tole

OK

Source: Wikibooks, Afaan Oromo open textbook

Maal?

What?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Eenyu?

Who?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Eessa?

Where?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Yoom?

When?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Maaliif?

Why?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Akkamitti?

How?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Kun maali?

What is this?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Hin beeku

I don't know

Source: common usage, needs native check

Nan beeka

I know

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ni danda'ama

It's possible

Source: Wikibooks, Afaan Oromo open textbook

Kottu

Come

Said to one person.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Buna haa dhugnu

Let's drink coffee

Source: common usage, needs native check

Buufanni awtobisii eessa jira?

Where is the bus station?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Buufata xiyyaaraa deemuun barbaada

I want to go to the airport

Source: common usage, needs native check

Hoteelli eessa jira?

Where is the hotel?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Kutaan ni jiraa?

Is there a room?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Fagoo dha?

Is it far?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Dhihoo dha

It's near

Source: common usage, needs native check

Mana fincaanii eessa jira?

Where is the toilet?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Asitti na buusi

Drop me here

Said to one person.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Karaa nagaa!

Safe journey! (lit. a road of peace)

Source: common usage, needs native check

... eessa jira?

Where is ...?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Gara mirgaatti

To the right

Source: common usage, needs native check

Gara bitaatti

To the left

Source: common usage, needs native check

Kallattiin deemi

Go straight ahead

Said to one person.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Asitti

Here

Source: common usage, needs native check

Achitti

There

Source: common usage, needs native check

Karaa natti agarsiisi

Show me the way

Said to one person.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Gatiin isaa meeqa?

How much is it? (lit. its price is how much?)

Source: Wikibooks, Afaan Oromo open textbook

... jiraa?

Do you have ...? (lit. is there ...?)

Source: Wikibooks, Afaan Oromo open textbook

... bituun barbaada

I want to buy ...

Source: Wikibooks, Afaan Oromo open textbook

... naa kenni

Give me ...

Said to one person.

Source: Wikibooks, Afaan Oromo open textbook

Meeqa barbaadda?

How many do you want?

Source: Wikibooks, Afaan Oromo open textbook

Waan biraa?

Anything else?

Source: Wikibooks, Afaan Oromo open textbook

Kunoo

Here you are

Source: Wikibooks, Afaan Oromo open textbook

Hin hiratu?

Can you lower the price?

Source: Wikibooks, Afaan Oromo open textbook

Rakasa dha

It's cheap

Source: Wikibooks, Afaan Oromo open textbook

Qaalii dha

It's expensive

Source: common usage, needs native check

Gabaan eessa jira?

Where is the market?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Beela'eera

I'm hungry

Source: common usage, needs native check

Dheebodheera

I'm thirsty

Source: common usage, needs native check

Bishaan naa kenni

Give me water

Said to one person.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Buna tokko, maaloo

One coffee, please

Source: common usage, needs native check

Nyaanni kun mi'aawaa dha

This food is delicious

Source: common usage, needs native check

Quufeera

I'm full

Source: common usage, needs native check

Kottaa nyaannaa

Come, let's eat

The invitation to anyone present when food is served.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Foon hin nyaadhu

I don't eat meat

Source: common usage, needs native check

Mana nyaataa eessa jira?

Where is the restaurant?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Tokko, lama, sadii

One, two, three

Source: Wikibooks, Afaan Oromo open textbook

Kudha tokko

Eleven (lit. ten-one)

Source: Wikibooks, Afaan Oromo open textbook

Dhibba lama fi tokko

Two hundred and one

Source: Wikibooks, Afaan Oromo open textbook

Walakkaa

Half

Source: Wikibooks, Afaan Oromo open textbook

Sa'aatii meeqa?

What time is it?

In Ethiopia the clock usually counts from 6 a.m., so 7 a.m. is 'one o'clock'.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Amma

Now

Source: common usage, needs native check

Booda

Later

Source: common usage, needs native check

Waaree booda

Afternoon

Source: common usage, needs native check

Galgala

Evening

Source: common usage, needs native check

Torban dhufu

Next week

Source: common usage, needs native check

Har'a Wiixata

Today is Monday

Source: common usage, needs native check

Maatiin kee akkam jiru?

How is your family?

Said to one person.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Kun haadha koo ti

This is my mother

Source: common usage, needs native check

Kun abbaa koo ti

This is my father

Source: common usage, needs native check

Obboleessa lama qaba

I have two brothers

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ijoollee qabdaa?

Do you have children?

Said to one person.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Haadha manaa koo

My wife (lit. mother of my house)

Source: common usage, needs native check

Abbaa manaa koo

My husband (lit. father of my house)

Source: common usage, needs native check

Sin jaalladha

I love you

Source: common usage, needs native check

Baay'ee sin jaalladha

I love you very much

Source: common usage, needs native check

Si yaadadheera

I missed you

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ati baay'ee bareedduu dha

You are very beautiful

Said to a woman.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Jaalallee koo

My love

Source: common usage, needs native check

Garaa koo

My heart

Source: common usage, needs native check

Hojiin kee maali?

What is your job?

Said to one person.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Eessa hojjetta?

Where do you work?

Said to one person.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ani barsiisaa dha

I'm a teacher

Source: common usage, needs native check

Walgahiin sa'aatii meeqa?

What time is the meeting?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Boru siif bilbila

I'll call you tomorrow

Source: common usage, needs native check

Hojii argadheera

I got a job

Source: common usage, needs native check

Dhukkubsadheera

I'm sick

Source: common usage, needs native check

Doktora barbaada

I need a doctor

Source: common usage, needs native check

Hospitaalli eessa jira?

Where is the hospital?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Mataan na dhukkuba

I have a headache (lit. my head hurts me)

Source: common usage, needs native check

Garaan na dhukkuba

I have a stomach ache

Source: common usage, needs native check

Mana qorichaa eessa jira?

Where is the pharmacy? (lit. house of medicine)

Source: common usage, needs native check

Fooyya'eera

I'm feeling better

Source: common usage, needs native check

Na gargaaraa!

Help me!

Source: common usage, needs native check

Poolisii waami!

Call the police!

Said to one person.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Ibidda!

Fire!

Source: common usage, needs native check

Hattuu!

Thief!

Source: common usage, needs native check

Balaan gaheera

There has been an accident

Source: common usage, needs native check

Of eeggadhu!

Be careful!

Said to one person.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Jajjabaadhu

Be strong / take heart

Said to one person.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Jajjabaadhaa

Be strong / take heart

Polite, or to several people.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Waaqni isin haa jajjabeessu

May God give you strength

Source: common usage, needs native check

Waaqni lubbuu isaa haa boqochiisu

May God rest his soul

Source: common usage, needs native check

Baay'ee gaddeera

I'm very sad / I'm so sorry

Source: common usage, needs native check

Amiin

Amen

Source: common usage, needs native check

Waaqayyo si haa eebbisu

God bless you

Said to one person.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Waaqayyo isin haa eebbisu

God bless you

Polite, or to several people.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Galanni Waaqayyoof haa ta'u

Thanks be to God

Source: common usage, needs native check

Haa kadhannu

Let us pray

Source: common usage, needs native check

Masjiidni eessa jira?

Where is the mosque?

Source: common usage, needs native check

Baga ayyaanaan isin ga'e

Happy holiday (lit. congratulations, the holiday has reached you)

Source: common usage, needs native check

Baga Irreechaan nagaan isin ga'e

Happy Irreecha

Irreecha is the Oromo thanksgiving festival held at the end of the rainy season, around late September or early October.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Baga Waggaa Haaraatiin isin ga'e

Happy New Year

Source: common usage, needs native check

Baga dhalatte

Happy birthday (lit. good that you were born)

Said to one person.

Source: common usage, needs native check

Baga gammadde

Congratulations (lit. good that you rejoiced)

Said to one person.

Source: common usage, needs native check