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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