Useful phrases in Oromo

A collection of useful phrases in Oromo (Afaan Oromoo), a Cushitic language spoken in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Egypt.

Jump to phrases

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 | Sheek Bakrii Saphaloo Script for Oromo | Phrases | Numbers

Links

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

Phrases in Cushitic languages

Oromo, Somali

Phrases in other languages

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