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Greating
PROBLEMS
- Leave me alone.
- tewugn or likekugn
- Don’t touch me!
- atinkagn (M), atinkign (F)
- I’ll call the police.
- police etaralew!
- Police!
- police!
- I need your help.
- erdagn (M) erjign (F)
- Medical emergency
- AsCHekuway Hikimina
- I’m lost.
- tefaw
- I lost my bag.
- sahantaye tefa
- I lost my wallet.
- borsaye tefa
- I’m sick.
- amognial
- I’ve been injured.
- tegodichalew
- I need a doctor.
- hakim efelgalew
- Can I use your phone?
- silkihin ande litekem?(M): siljishin ande litekem?(F)
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Eating
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Transportation
- By Car = be mekina
- By taxi = be taxi
- By airplane = be awro plan
- By Ship = be merkeb
- Where is the Bus station? = bus station yetu gar new?
BUS AND TRAIN
DIRECTIONS
- Right = qew’n
- Left = g’era
- Straight ahead = QeTita menged
- Opposite = TeQarani/Feet’lefeet
- Adjacent = ATegeb/Gon
- Turn left = wede g’ra taTef(to a guy)/taTefi(to a girl)/taTefu (to more than one person or to an elderly)
- Turn right = wede Qegn taTef(to a guy)/taTefi(to a girl)/taTefu (to more than one person or to an elderly)
TAXI
______________ mehed felegukin
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Number
- አልቦ 0
፩ አሐዱ 1
፪ ክልኤቱ 2
፫ ሠለስቱ 3
፬ አርባዕቱ 4
፭ ሐምስቱ 5
፮ ስድስቱ 6
፯ ስብዓቱ 7
፰ ስመንቱ 8
፱ ተሰዓቱ 9
፲ አሠርቱ 10
፲፩ አሠርቱ ወአሐዱ 11
፳ እስራ 20
፳፩ እስራ ወአሐዱ 21
፴ ሠላሳ 30
፴፩ ሠላሳ ወአሐዱ 31
፵ አርብዓ 40
፶ ሃምሳ 50
፷ ስድሳ 60
፸ ሰብዓ 70
፹ ሰማንያ 80
፺ ተሰዓ 90
፻ ምዕት 100
፩ አሐዱ 1
፪ ክልኤቱ 2
፫ ሠለስቱ 3
፬ አርባዕቱ 4
፭ ሐምስቱ 5
፮ ስድስቱ 6
፯ ስብዓቱ 7
፰ ስመንቱ 8
፱ ተሰዓቱ 9
፲ አሠርቱ 10
፲፩ አሠርቱ ወአሐዱ 11
፳ እስራ 20
፳፩ እስራ ወአሐዱ 21
፴ ሠላሳ 30
፴፩ ሠላሳ ወአሐዱ 31
፵ አርብዓ 40
፶ ሃምሳ 50
፷ ስድሳ 60
፸ ሰብዓ 70
፹ ሰማንያ 80
፺ ተሰዓ 90
፻ ምዕት 100
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Clock Time
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Duration days
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Month
- September = Meskerem
- October = Tikimt
- November = Hidar
- December = Tahisas
- January = Tir
- February = Yekatit
- March = Megabit
- April = Miyaziya
- May = Ginbot
- June = Senie
- July = Hamlie
- August = Nehasie
- Puagme = the last month in ethiopia with only 5 days
Useful phrases in TigriynaA collection of useful phrases in Tigriyna. You can see them in many other languages by clicking on the English versions.
Key to abbreviations:
frm = formal,
inf = informal,
sg = singular (said to one person),
pl = plural (said to more than one person),
m = said by men,
f = said by women.
Key to abbreviations:
frm = formal,
inf = informal,
sg = singular (said to one person),
pl = plural (said to more than one person),
m = said by men,
f = said by women.
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Welcome
እንኳዕ ብደሓን መፃእካ (ənqwaˋ bdeHen meSaəka) m
እንኳዕ ብደሓን መፃእኪ (ənqwaˋ bdeHen meSaəki) f
lit, “wonderful that you have arrived safely”
እንኳዕ ብደሓን ፀናሕካ (ənqwaˋ bdeHen SenaHka) m
እንኳዕ ብደሓን ፀናሕኪ (ənqwaˋ bdeHen SenaHki) f
lit: “wonderful that you have stayed well”
– response to above
እንኳዕ ብደሓን መፃእኪ (ənqwaˋ bdeHen meSaəki) f
lit, “wonderful that you have arrived safely”
እንኳዕ ብደሓን ፀናሕካ (ənqwaˋ bdeHen SenaHka) m
እንኳዕ ብደሓን ፀናሕኪ (ənqwaˋ bdeHen SenaHki) f
lit: “wonderful that you have stayed well”
– response to above
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How are you?Response: Thanks to God!
ከመይ ኣለኻ (kemey ‘aleka) m/sg
ከመይ ኣለኺ (kemey ‘aleki) f/sg
ከመይ ኣለኹም (kemey ‘alekum) m/pl/frm
ከመይ ኣለኽን (kemey ‘ aleken) f/pl/frm
ከመይ ኣለኺ (kemey ‘aleki) f/sg
ከመይ ኣለኹም (kemey ‘alekum) m/pl/frm
ከመይ ኣለኽን (kemey ‘ aleken) f/pl/frm
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What’s your name?My name is …
መን’ዩ ስምካ (menyu shimka) m/sg
መን’ዩ ስምኪ (menyu shimki) f/sg
መን’ዩ ስምኩም (menyu shimkum) m/frm
መን’ዩ ስምክን (menyu shimken) f/frm
መን’ዩ ስምኪ (menyu shimki) f/sg
መን’ዩ ስምኩም (menyu shimkum) m/frm
መን’ዩ ስምክን (menyu shimken) f/frm
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Greating
Morning greeting(s)
ከመይ ሓዲርካ (kemey Hadirka) m/sg
ከመይ ሓዲርኪ (kemey Hadirki) f/sg
ከመይ ሓዲርኩም (kemey Hadirkum) m/pl/frm
ከመይ ሓዲርክን (kemey Hadirkin) f/pl/frm
Afternoon greeting(s)
ከመይ ውዒልካ (kemey Wu’elka) m/sg
ከመይ ውዒልኪ (kemey Wu’elki) f/sg
ከመይ ውዒልኩም (kemey Wu’elkum) m/pl/frm
ከመይ ውዒልክን (kemey Wu’elkn) f/pl/frm
Evening greeting(s)
ከመይ ኣምሲኻ (kemey Amsika) m/sg
ከመይ ኣምሲኺ (kemey Amsiki) f/sg
ከመይ ኣምሲኹም (kemey Amsikum) m/pl/frm
ከመይ ኣምሲኽን (kemey Amsikn) f/pl/frm
Nighttime parting phrase(s)
ቡሩኽ ለይቲ (Buruk Leyti)
ሰናይ ለይቲ (Senay Leyti)
ልዋም ለይቲ (Lwam Leyti)
ከመይ ሓዲርካ (kemey Hadirka) m/sg
ከመይ ሓዲርኪ (kemey Hadirki) f/sg
ከመይ ሓዲርኩም (kemey Hadirkum) m/pl/frm
ከመይ ሓዲርክን (kemey Hadirkin) f/pl/frm
Afternoon greeting(s)
ከመይ ውዒልካ (kemey Wu’elka) m/sg
ከመይ ውዒልኪ (kemey Wu’elki) f/sg
ከመይ ውዒልኩም (kemey Wu’elkum) m/pl/frm
ከመይ ውዒልክን (kemey Wu’elkn) f/pl/frm
Evening greeting(s)
ከመይ ኣምሲኻ (kemey Amsika) m/sg
ከመይ ኣምሲኺ (kemey Amsiki) f/sg
ከመይ ኣምሲኹም (kemey Amsikum) m/pl/frm
ከመይ ኣምሲኽን (kemey Amsikn) f/pl/frm
Nighttime parting phrase(s)
ቡሩኽ ለይቲ (Buruk Leyti)
ሰናይ ለይቲ (Senay Leyti)
ልዋም ለይቲ (Lwam Leyti)
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Parting phrase(s)
| Parting phrase(s) | ሰላማት (selamat) |
| Good luck | ፅቡቕ ዕድል (Tsibuk E’dl) |
| Toasts used when drinking | ንጥዕናና (nTi’enana) |
| Have a nice day | ደሓን ውዓሉ (deHan wˋalu) |
| Bon appetit / Have a nice meal | ቡሩኽ ምግቢ (Buruk Megbi) |
| Bon voyage / Have a good journey | ብደሓን እቶ (bdeHn əto) |
| I understand | ተረዲኡኒ (Teredi’uni) |
| I don’t understand | ኣይተረድኣንን (Aytered’Anin) |
| I don’t know | ኣይፈለጥኩን (Ayfeletikun) |
| Please speak more slowly | ቀስ ኢልካ ተዛረብ በጃኻ (Kes Elka Tezareb Bejaka) m/sg ቀስ ኢልኪ ተዛረቢ በጃኺ (Kes Elki Tezarebi Bejaki) f/sg |
| Please say that again | እስኪ ድገመለይ (Eske Digemeley) m/sg እስኪ ድገምለይ (Eske Digemiley) f/sg |
| Please write it down | ፅሓፎ በጃኻ (Tsehafo Bejaka) m/sg ፅሓፍዮ በጃኺ (Tsehafiyo Bejaki) f/sg |
| Do you speak English? | እንግሊዝኛ ትዛረብዶ? (Englizgna Tzarebdo?) m/sg እንግሊዝኛ ትዛረቢዶ? (Englizgna Tzarebido?) f/sg |
| Do you speak Tigriyna?Yes, a little | ትግርኛ ትዛረብዶ? (Tigrigna Tzarebdo?) m/sg ትግርኛ ትዛረቢዶ? (Tigrigna Tzarebido?) f/sg |
| እወ: ቁሩብ ቁሩብ (Ewe Kurub Kurub) | |
| How do you say … in Tigriyna? | እንታይ ይበሃል እዚ ብትግርኛ? (Entay Yibehal Ezi b’Tigrigna?) |
| Excuse me | ይቕሬታ ግበረለይ! (Yiqreta Gbereley!) m/sg ይቕሬታ ግበርለይ! (Yiqreta Gberiley!) f/sg |
| How much is this? | ክንደይ’ዩ ዋግኡ እዚ? (Kndeyu Wag’u Ezi?) |
| Sorry | ይቕሬታ! (Yiqreta!) |
| Please | በጃኻ! (Bejaka!) m/sg በጃኺ! (Bejaki!) f/sg |
| Thank youResponse | የቐንየለይ! (Yekenyeley!) ክብረት ይሃበለይ! (Kbret Yhabeley!) |
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Others
| ገንዘብካ (Genzebka) m/sg ገንዘብኪ (Genzebki) f/sg ገንዘብኩም (Genzebkum) m/frm ገንዘብክን (Genzebken) f/frm | |
| Where’s the toilet? | ሽንቲ ቤት ኣበይ እዩ? (Shnti Bet Abey Iyou?) |
| This gentleman/lady will pay for everything | እዞም ሰብኣይ ኩሉ ክኸፍልዎ እዮም። (Ezom Seb’Ay K’keflwo Eyom) እዘን ሰበይቲ ኩሉ ክኸፍልኦ እየን። (Ezen Sebeyti K’kefl’o Eyen) |
| Would you like to dance with me? | ምሳይ ክትስዕስዕ ትደሊዶ? (Msay Kt’s’e’s’e Tdelido?) m/sg ምሳይ ክትስዕስዒ ትደሊዶ? (Msay Kt’s’e’s’i Tdelido) f/sg |
| I miss you | ናፊቐካ! (Nafikeka) m/sg ናፊቐኪ! (Nafikeki) f/sg |
| I love you | ይፈትወካ'የ! (Yfetwekaye) m/sg የፍቅረካ'የ! (Yefkrekaye) m/sg ይፈትወኪ’የ! (Yfetwekiye) f/sg የፍቅረኪ’የ! (Yefkrekiye) f/sg |
| Get well soon | ምሕረት የውርደልካ። (Mhret Yewrdelka) m/sg ምሕረት የውርደልኪ። (Mhret Yewrdelki) f/sg |
| Go away! | ኪድ ረሓቕ! (Kid Rehak) m/sg ኪዲ ረሓቒ! (Kidi Rehaki) f/sg |
| Leave me alone! | በይነይ ግደፈኒ! (Beyney Gdefeni) m/sg በይነይ ግደፍኒ! (Beyney Gdefni) f/sg |
| Help! Fire! Stop! | ርድኡኒ! ርድኡኒ! (Rd’uni! Rd’uni!) ባርዕ! ባርዕ! (Bar’e! Bar’e!) ጠጠው በል! (Tetew Bel) m/sg ጠጠው በሊ! (Tetew Beli) f/sg |
| Call the police! | ፖሊስ ፀውዕ! (Polis Tsew’e) m/sg ፖሊስ ፀውዒ! (Polis Tsew’i) f/sg |
| Christmas and New Year greetings | ርሑስ በዓል ልደትን ሓድሽ ዓመትን። (Rhus Be’al Ldetn Hadsh Ametn) |
| Easter greetings | ርሑስ በዓል ፋሲካ። (Rhus Be’al Fasika) |
| Birthday greetings | ርሑስ በዓል ልደት። (Rhus Be’al Ldet) |
| One language is never enough | ሓደ ቋንቋ ኡኹል ኣይኮነን። (hhade qhwaniqhwa ‘ikxul ‘iejikonen) |
Oromo is a Cushitic language spoken by about 30 million people in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Egypt and is the 3rd largest language in Africa. The Oromo people are the largest ethnic group in Ethiopia.
They can be found all over Ethiopia and particularly in Wollega, Shoa, Illubabour, Jimma, Arsi, Bale, Hararghe, Wollo, Borana, and the southwestern part of Gojjam.
They can be found all over Ethiopia and particularly in Wollega, Shoa, Illubabour, Jimma, Arsi, Bale, Hararghe, Wollo, Borana, and the southwestern part of Gojjam.
OROMO ALPHABET (QUBE AFAAN OROMO)
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Greating and Family
Below are some greetings in Oromiffaa and English.
Family
Below are some of the names of family members in Oromiffaa and English.
| English | Oromiffaa |
| Good morning | Akkam bultee? |
| Good afternoon | Akkam oolte? |
| Good night | Nagayattii buli! |
| Goodbye! | Nagayattii! |
| Thank you! | Galatoomi! |
| You’re welcome | Fayyaa dayi! |
Family
Below are some of the names of family members in Oromiffaa and English.
| English | Oromiffaa |
| mother | haadha |
| father | aabba |
| sister | obboleeytii |
| brother | obboleessa |
| uncle (father’s brother) | adeera |
| uncle (mother’s brother) | eessuma |
| aunt (father’s sister) | adaadaa |
| aunt (mother’s sister) | haboo |
| grandmother | akkoo, akkawoo |
| grandfather | akaakoo, abaa gudaa |
| niece | dubrii, abuya |
| nephew | ilma obboleeysa,ilma oboleytii, abuya |
| cousin | dubrii, ilmaan, wasillanii, ilma adeeraa, ilma eeysumaa, ilma haboo, ilma adaadaa |
| brother-in-law | wassoo, wasiila |
| sister-in-law | dumaashii, sayyuu |
| mother-in-law | jaartii soddaa |
| father-in-law | jaarsa soddaa |
| stepmother | aayyadaa |
| stepfather | abbadaa |
| stepchild | ilmoo niitii yoking jaarsa ifii |
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Color
Below are some names of colors in Oromiffaa and English.
| English | Oromiffaa |
| red | diimaa |
| green | coqorsa |
| yellow | boora |
| purple | bildimaa |
| brown | magaala |
| black | qoraasuu |
| white | adii |
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Plant
Below are some plant vocabulary in Oromiffaa and English.
| English | Oromiffaa |
| plant | muka |
| tree | muka, biqiltuu |
| flower | ilillii baasuu, daraaruu |
| vine | muka akka hiddaa, haraga |
| grass | citaa, marga |
| leaf | baala, koola |
| root | hundee, hidda |
| stem | muka |
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Math
Below are some math vocabulary in Oromiffaa and English.
| English | Oromiffaa |
| mathematics | herreega |
| addition | ida’a |
| subtraction | ir’isa |
| multiplication | heddommeeysa |
| division | qoodama |
| five | shan |
| fraction | caccaba |
| arithmetic | hisaaba |
| geometry | joomeetrii |
| algebra | aljeebraa |
| calculus | kaalkulas |
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Weather
Below are some weather vocabulary in Oromiffaa and English.
| English | Oromiffaa |
| weather | qilleensa |
| cloud | duumeessa, golgola |
| cloudy | golgolaawaa |
| rain | robuu, bokkaan bu’uu |
| rainy | robaa, bokkaa’aa, lafti rooba |
| rainbow | sabbata gaaloo, sabbata waaqayyoo |
| sun | aduu, biiftuu |
| sunny | adooleessa |
| snow | hancabbii, cabbii, rooba itite |
| hail | jirkaa |
| fog | hurree, qayyota |
| foggy | ka huree qofaa |
| cold | dhaammoochuu |
| hot | owwaa, ow’aa |
| dry | goggogaa, caamaa |
| wet | jituu, dabana |
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Place , House and School
Below are some of the names of places in Oromiffaa and English.
| English | Oromiffaa |
| Oromia | biya Oromiffaao |
| Ethiopia | Itiyoophiyaa |
| Somalia | biyya Soomaalii |
| United States | Yunaaytad Isteets |
House
Below are some house vocabulary in Oromiffaa and English.
| English | Oromiffaa |
| house | mana |
| table | limmata |
| chair | barcuma |
| oven | eelee |
| refrigerator | qaabaneeysituu |
| television | televijina |
| couch, sofa | siree |
| bed | siree |
| lamp | faanusa |
| door | balbala |
| roof | mana gubbaa |
| carpet | afata |
| telephone | silkee, telefoona |
| microwave | maaykirooweev |
| bedroom | mana hirriibaa |
| living room | mana saaloonaa |
| dining room | mana nyaataa |
| kitchen | alawaadaa |
School
Below are some school vocabulary in Oromiffaa and English.
| English | Oromiffaa |
| school | mana barumsaa |
| pencil | irsaasa |
| pen | dibeeta |
| paper | xalayaa |
| book | barroo |
| notebook | daftara yaadannoo |
| teacher | barsiisaa, beekaa |
| student | bartuu, bartaa |
| desk | barcuma |
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Body Part And Close
Body Parts
Below are some of the names of our body parts in Oromiffaa and English.
Clothing
Below are some clothing vocabulary in Oromiffaa and English.
Below are some of the names of our body parts in Oromiffaa and English.
| English | Oromiffaa |
| lower arm | harka, dhumdhuma |
| upper arm | irree |
| hand | dabarsuu, keenuu |
| leg | miila, luka |
| foot | miila, luka |
| face | fuula, faara |
| stomach | garaa, mar’imaan |
| head | mataa |
| hair | dabbassa, rifeensa |
| eye | ija, agartuu |
| nose | suufuu, arkuu |
| ear | gurra |
| tongue | arraba |
| teeth | ilkeelee |
Clothing
Below are some clothing vocabulary in Oromiffaa and English.
| English | Oromiffaa |
| clothing | uffata |
| shirt | shamiiza |
| pants | kofoo, butaantaa |
| skirt | kurtaa |
| dress | waalluu |
| shoe | kophee |
| man’s jacket | jaakkeeta |
| woman’s jacket | xubbuqqoo |
| coat | koota |
| necklace | callee mormaa |
| ring | hamartii |
| earring | waan gurraa |
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Animal, Feeling , Transportation
Animals
Below are some of the names of animals in Oromiffaa and English.
Feelings
Below are some of the vocabulary about feelings in Oromiffaa and English.
Food
Below are some food vocabulary in Oromiffaa and English.
Transportation
Below are some transportation vocabulary in Oromiffaa and English.
Below are some of the names of animals in Oromiffaa and English.
| English | Oromiffaa |
| buffalo | gafarsa |
| camel | gaala |
| cheetah | qeerreensa |
| chimpanzee | jaaldeessa |
| elephant | arbaa |
| giraffe | qaccine |
| lion | leenca |
| rhino | karkaarro |
| tiger | qeereensa |
| turtle | qocaa |
| zebra | harreddiidoo |
| bird | shimbiirroo |
| duck | dakiiyyee |
| eagle | haarraageessaa |
| feather | baallii |
| ostrich | guuchii |
| owl | uruungguu |
| pelican | aallaattii |
| pigeon | waannee |
| cow | sa’aa |
| cat | bashoo |
| chicken | luquu |
| dog | saree |
| donkey | harree |
| goat | re’ee |
| horse | faarda |
| sheep | hoolaa |
| pig | booyee |
| rooster | kormaa |
| calf | jaabi |
| ant | tuchee |
| bee | kaanniissa |
| grasshopper | korophiissa |
| butterfly | biillaacha |
Feelings
Below are some of the vocabulary about feelings in Oromiffaa and English.
| English | Oromiffaa |
| feelings | hawwii |
| be happy | gammaduu |
| be sad | gadduu |
| be angry | aaruu |
| be tired | dhadhabuu |
| be hungry | beelayuu |
| be thirsty | dheebotuu |
| be sick | dhukkubsachuu |
Food
Below are some food vocabulary in Oromiffaa and English.
| English | Oromiffaa |
| food | midhaan |
| bread | daabboo |
| milk | elmuu |
| water | bishaan |
| mango | maango |
| cabbage | raafuu |
| lettuce | salaxaa |
| carrot | kaaroota |
| orange | burtukaana |
| apple | habuukaa |
| rice | ruuza |
| chicken | lukkuu |
| beef | foon horii |
| fish | qurxummii qabuu |
| onion | shunkurtaa |
| lemon | xuuxxoo |
| pasta | baastaa |
Below are some transportation vocabulary in Oromiffaa and English.
| English | Oromiffaa |
| bus | atobuusa |
| car | makiinaa |
| taxi | taaksii |
| truck | makiinaa fe’inaa |
| airplane | roophilaa |
| train | baabura |
| boat | doonii |
