A collection of useful phrases in Oromo (Afaan Oromoo), a Cushitic language spoken in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Egypt.
Key to abbreviations: sg = singular (said to one person), pl = plural (said to more than one person, m = male (said to males), f = female (said to females), frm = formal
See these phrases in any combination of two languages in the Phrase Finder. If you can provide recordings, corrections or additional translations, please contact me.
Phrase | Afaan Oromoo (Oromo) |
---|---|
Welcome | Anaadhufu Baga nagaan dhufte! |
Hello (General greeting) | Naqaa? Akkam? |
Hello (on phone) | |
How are you? | Isin attam? Akkam? Jirtaa? (sg) Jirtuu? (frm/pl) |
Reply to 'How are you?' | Fayyaadha, ulfaadhu, ati ho? Nagaa Fayyaa |
Long time no see | |
What's your name? | Maqaan ke eenyu? |
My name is ... | Maqaaan koo ... |
Where are you from? | Biyyi ke eessa? |
I'm from ... | Biyyo ko ... dha |
Pleased to meet you | Si argun naaf gammachudha |
Good morning (Morning greeting) |
Akkam bulte? (sg) Akkam bultan? (frm/pl) |
Good afternoon (Afternoon greeting) |
Oolmaan akkam? Akkam oolte? (sg) Akkam ooltan? (frm/pl) |
Good evening (Evening greeting) |
Oolmaan akkam? Akkam oolte? (sg) Akkam ooltan? (frm/pl) |
Good night | Nagaan buli Nagaan bulaa Nagaan nagaatti buli Nagaan nagaatti bulaa |
Goodbye (Parting phrases) |
Nagaatti Nagaan Jedhi (sg) Jedhaa (frm/pl) |
Good luck! | Carraa gaarii Milkaa'i (sg) Milkaa'aa (pl) |
Cheers! Good Health! (Toasts used when drinking) |
Injifannii! Fayyaa keenyaaf |
Have a nice day | Guyyaa gaarii Nagaan ooli (sg) Nagaan oolaa (frm/pl) |
Bon appetit / Have a nice meal |
Haa sifaahu |
Bon voyage / Have a good journey |
Imala gaarii |
Yes | Eh |
No | Lakkii |
Maybe | |
I don't know | Naa ngalle |
Do you understand? | |
I understand | Dubbiin ke naa gala Hubadhe, naaf gala |
I don't understand | Naa ngalle Naaf hin galle Dubbiin ke naan ngalle |
Please speak more slowly | Maaloo sagalee kee ol kaasi |
Please say that again | |
Please write it down | Maaloo naaf barreessi |
Do you speak English? | Afaan Ingiliizi beekta? Afaan Ingilizii dubbattaa? |
Do you speak Oromo? | Afaan oromoo beekta? Afaan Oromoo dubbattaa? |
Yes, a little (reply to 'Do you speak ...?') |
Xinnoo se Eh, tiqqoo tiqqoo ni dubbadha |
Do you speak a language other than Oromo? |
|
Speak to me in Oromo | |
How do you say ... in Oromo? | Akkamitti Afaan Oromootiin ... jedhu? |
Excuse me | Maaloo na dabarsi (to get past) Dhiifama, (to get attention or apologise) |
How much is this? | Kun gatiin meeqa? Waanti kun meeqa? |
Sorry | Dhiifama |
Please | Maaloo |
Thank you | Galatoomi (sg) Galatoomaa (pl) |
Reply to thank you | Galanni kee hin badiin Galata argadhu |
Where's the toilet / bathroom? | Manni fincaanii eessa? |
This gentleman will pay for everything | |
This lady will pay for everything | |
Would you like to dance with me? | Na waliin sirbuu dandeessaa? |
Do you come here often? | |
I miss you | |
I love you | Sin jaaladha |
Get well soon | Waaqni si yaa fayyisu |
Go away! | |
Leave me alone! | |
Help! | Gargaarsa! Qarqaarsa! |
Fire! | Ibidda! |
Stop! | Dhabbi! Dhaabbadhu! |
Call the police! | Poliisii waamaa! Poolisii waami! |
Christmas greetings | Ayyaana dhalootaa kiristoos gaarii hata'u |
New Year greetings | Ayyaana haaraa gaarii |
Easter greetings | Baga Guyyaa Du'aa Ka'ii Geesse |
Birthday greetings | Ayyaana dhalootaa gaarii |
Congratulations! | Baga gamadan! Baga gammadde! |
One language is never enough | |
My hovercraft is full of eels | Koonkalata baariisu ko bofa bishaani gutu |
If you would like to make any corrections or additions to this page, or if you can provide recordings, please contact me.
Information about Oromo | Phrases | Numbers
Collections of Oromo phrases
https://ilanguages.org/oromo_phrases.php
https://mylanguages.org/oromo_phrases.php
https://typicalethiopian.com/200-basic-afan-oromo-language-words-phrases-you-should-know/
https://allaboutethio.com/loromigna.html
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