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500 Word Afaan Oromifa Dictionary
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Oromo Language background | short and long vowels | 24 basic consonances | diphthongs | pronunciation key | greetings | transportation | directions | days of week | months | seasons | time | numbers | money | food | colors | phrases | common words | Amharic words |
Compiled by Kebede Bekere, June 2000
The Oromo people are the largest ethic group in Ethiopia. The Oromo people account for more than 40% of the Sixty million total population of the country. The Oromo people are found all over the country predominantly in Wollega, shoa, Illubabour, Jimma, Arsi, Bale, Hararghe, Wollo, Borana, and southwestern part of Gojjam.
The Oromo people have their own language, which is called
Afaan Oromo. The Oromo language has very rich vocabulary. It is a highly
developed spoken language. The Oromo people are proud of their language.
They really consider their language as their identity. Someone who speaks
their language is very special to them; he or she is not considered alien,
but a part of their community. The Oromo people do not have hatred to Amharic
as a language of communication. However, they become furious when Amharic
is used as a sign of oppression and in a way that displaces the Oromo language.
When Oromos are forced by external power to use Amharic in a situation where
they can use Oromo by some external power, they do not feel comfortable.
The Oromos who know Amharic can use Amharic when it is necessary. I do think
that the opposition of the Oromo people is not to speak Amharic, but about
the subtle plot behind using Amharic in the Oromo areas. Most of the time
people are confused about being involved in a political party and being conscious
about being Oromo. I think that being in a political party is a choice one
has to make, but being Oromo is a predestined. The Oromos claim that God created
them Oromo and they have to use the language He gave them. Any power against
this is intolerable.
The Oromo people recently adopted the Latin script to
the Oromo language. The adoption of the Latin script was a burning issue
in the country in the beginning of 1990's. The adoption of the Latin script
was necessary for many reasons: (1) The Latin script is the most convinient
system of writing best suit to the Oromo language. The Sabean script or the
Amharic script syllabary does not indicate the length of vowels. In addition,
the sabean script has more than 300 hundred characters while the Oromo language
has 34 basic sounds which are easy for new beginners to learn the language.
(2) It is easy to write the Oromo words clearly without any confusion using
the Latin script. (3). Adaptability to the computer.
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Since 1993, the medium of instruction in schools in
the Oromo State, Oromiya is Oromo language in the Latin script. The offices
are also using the Latin script. The Oromo people were prohibited from using
their own native language in their own schools and offices for a century.
They were forced to use Amharic by force, which created resistance to use
Amharic in Oromo speaking areas.
The Oromo language has five major dialects in the country.
They are the central and the western, the Arsi, the Eastern (Qottuu), the
Guji, and the Borana dialects. The central and western dialect is the most
widely used dialect because the sizes of the speakers are larger than the
others. There is the whole Bible translation in the central and western dialect
in both Latin and Sabean scripts. Since currently the Oromo language is being
used in schools and offices, the barrier among the different dialects is
being narrowed. The tendency is to use one national Oromo language all over
the Oromo speaking areas. The step was taken and currently using the standardized
national Oromo language, which is being used in schools, offices, and mass
media, made communication among all Oromo speaking people very simple. I
do believe that currently, there is no need to learn each dialect. The Oromos
are being happy to reunite by speaking the same language and the same dialect.
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There are ten vowels in the Oromo language.
a aa
aarii anger
e ee
eeboo spear
i ii
ilmoo offspring
o oo
olaanaa super
u uu
uffata dress/ cloth
There are also 24 basic
consonants in Oromo language. .
b baabbaa
dad
d damma
honey
f farda
horse
g gaala
camel
h harree
donkey
j jaamaa
blind
k kalee
kideny
l lafa
earth
m marga
grass
n nama
human/man
q qamalee
ape
r raammoo
worm
s saree
dog
t tabba
hill
w Waaqayyo
God
x xaxamaa
complex
y yakka
crime
Ch gurraacha
black
Dh dhadhaa
butter
Ny nyaata
food
Ph salphaa
easy
Sh shan
five
Dz
The sounds of the following characters are not found
in Oromo language, but they are used in the Oromo language as adopted sounds.
p koppii
copy
v talavidzinii
television
z
A key to pronunciation
of any Oromo word
komee complaint
kommee come
(2) If similar vowels are double in a word the sound
should be longer.
Laagaa roof of the mouth
laga river
Come back safely. Nagaan gali/galaa
Come in seen/seenaa
God bless you. Waaqayyo si haa
eebbisu.
Good afternoon? Attam oolte / ooltan?
Good morning? Attam bulte/bultan?
Goodbye Nagaan turi
/ turaa
Have a good day. Guyyaa nagaa siif
haa ta'u.
Hello Ashamaa
Hi Attam
How are you? Attam jirta/jirtu?
I am fine, Praise the Lord. Nagaa, galata Waaqayyoo
I am fine. Nagaa. /
Fayyaa.
Please maaloo
Sit down taa'i/ taa'aa
Thank you. Galatoomi/
galatoomaa
Von voyage. Karaa nagaa.
Welcome baga nagaan
dhufte/ dhuftan
Accident balaa
Address teessoo
Air port buufata xiyyaaraa
Airplane xiyyaara
Arrival dhufa, galma
Awake damaksuu
Baggage mi'a karaa
Bar mana buna
Bathroom mana dhiqannaa
Battery baatirii
Bed siree
Bicycle biskiliitii
Blanket uffata halkanii
Boat bidiruu
Brake fireenii
Bridge riqicha
Bus station buufata atoobisii
Bus atoobisii
Car konkolaataa
Cold water bishaan dilallaa'aa
Driver konkolaachisaa
Driving
license hayyama konkolaachisuu
Electricity elektiriika
Envelope poostaa
Fire ibidda
Flea tafkii
Gasoline benizila
Go deemuu
Guest house mana keessummaa
Guest keessummaa
Guide dura-deemaa
Horse farda
Hot water bishaan o'aa
Hotel hoteela
Information odeeffannoo
Insurance inshuraansii
Light ibsaa
Map maappii
Market gabaa
Message ergaa
Mud dhoqqee
Mule gaangee
Needle lilimmoo
Package ba'aa
Passenger karaa-deemaa
Petrol
station baka bobaa’aa bitatan
Police pooliisii
Post office mana poostaa
Railways karaa baaburaa
Receive fudhachuu
Restaurant mana nyaataa
Road daandii, karaa
Room kutaa
Send erguu
Ship doonii
Shop suuqii
Stop dhabadhu
Swimming pool bishaan daakaa
Taxi taaksii
Telephone bilbila
Tissue paper waraqaa mana fincaanii
Toilet mana fincaanii
Tout wayyaalaa
Towel fooxaa
Town, city magaalaa
Traffic tiraafikii
Train baabura
Umbrella dibaabee
Village ganda
Weather haala qillensaa
Back booda
East ba'a
Front fuuldura
Left bitaa
North kaaba
Right mirgaa
Side bukkee, cinaa
South kibba
West lixa
Time
Monday Wiixata
Tuesday Kibxata
Wednesday Roobii
Thursday Kamsa
Friday Jimmata
Saturday Sanbata
Sunday Dilbata
3:00 am iyyaa handaaqqoo
Afternoon Waaree booda
Dawn Obboroo
Day Guyyaa
Evening Galgala
Mid night halkan walakkaa
Morning Ganama
Night Halkan
Twilight Dimimmisa
January Amajjii
February Guraandhala
March Bitootessa
April Caamsaa
May Ebla
June Waaxabajjii
July Adooleessa
August Haggaya
September Fulbaana
October Onkoloolessa
December Muddee
Autumn birraa
Spring arfaasaa
Winter bona
Afterwards gulana
Again ammas, lammaffaa
Ago dur, qaata
Always yeroo hundaa
Appointment beellama
Century jaarraa
Early dafee
Hour saatii,
saa'a
Last year waggaa darbe
Late yeroo dabarsuu
Minute daqiiqaa
Month ji'a, baatii
Next year waggaa dhufu
Shadow gaaddidduu,
gaaddisa
Sometimes takka takka,
darbee darbee
Sun rise ba'a biiftuu
Sunset lixa biiftuu
The day before yesterday dheengadda
Time yeroo
Today har'a
Tomorrow booru
Tonight galgala har'aa
When yoom
Year waggaa
Yesterday kaleessa
Numbers
1 tokko
2 lama
3 sadii
4 afur
5 shan
6 ja'a
7 torba
8 saddeet
9 sagal
10 kudha
11 kudha-tokko
12 kudha-lama
20 digdama
21
digdamii-tokko
22
digdamii-lama
30
sodoma
31
sodomii-tokko
32
sodomii-lama
40
afurtama
41
afurtamii-tokko
42
afurtamii-lama
50
shantama
51
shantamii-tokko
52
shantamii-lama
60
jaatama
61
jaatamii-tokko
62
jaatamii-lama
70
torbatama
71
torbatamii-tokko
72
torbatamii-lama
80
saddeettama
81
saddeettamii-tokko
82
saddeettamii-lama
90
sagaltama
91
sagaltamii-tokko
92
sagaltamii-lama
100
dhiba
101
dhibaa fi tokko
102
dhibaa fi lama
110 dhibaa fi kudhan
120 dhibaa fi digdama
200
dhiba- lama
300
dhiba- sadii
1000
kuma
1001
kumaa fi tokko
1002
kumaa fi lama
2000
kuma lama
3000
kuma sadii
100,000 kuma dhiba
1000,000 kitila, miliyoonii
add (+) idda'uu
subtract (-) irrisuu
divide ( ) hiruu
multiply (x) baay'isuu
equal (=) walqixxee
Bank baankii
Borrow liqeessuu
Buy bituu
Cash kaashii, callaa
Check cheekii
Cheep gatii cabaa, rakasa
Coin saantima, niiree, taamunii
Cost gatii
Custom qaraxa
Dollar doolaarii
Exchange jijjiirraa
Expense baasii
Expensive mi'aa
Foreign currency qarshii biyya alaa
Form unkaa
Income galii
Identification card waraqaa eenyummaa
Loan liqii
Local currency qarshii biyya keessaa
Money qarshii
Passport paaspoortii
Profit bu'aa
Rate of exchange hamma jijjiirraa
Receipt naga'ee
Salary mindaa
Sell gurguruu
Signature mallattoo
Transfer dabarsuu
Appetite fedhii nyaataa
Banana muuzii
Beans baqilaa
Beef foon sangaa
Bread maxinoo, daabboo
Butter dhadhaa
Cabbage raafuu
Cake keekii
Cheese baaduu
Chicken handaaqqoo
Chili qeexoo, qaaraa
Chips waaddii dinnichaa
Coffee buna
Corn boqqoolloo
Drink dhugi
Eat nyaadhu
Egg hanqaaquu
Fish qurxummii
Fried barley qorii
Fruit ija mukaa
Garlic qulubbii adii
Grapes ija wayinii
Honey damma
Juice cuunfaa ija muka
Lamb foon hoolaa
Lemon loomii
Lentils misira
Local bread buddeena
Milk aannan
Mineral water bishaan Amoo
Onion qullubbii
Peanut ocholoonii
Pepper miximmixa
Pork foon booyyee
Potato dinnicha
Rice ruuzii
Roasted beef waaddii foonii
Salad salaaxaa
Salt soogidda
Sauce ittoo
Spices qimamii
Spoon fallaana
Sugar shukkaaraa
Tea shaayii
Vegetables ashaakkiltii
Water bishaan
Yogurt itittuu
Breakfast ciree
Lunch laaqana
Tea time fucha-butee
Supper irbaata
Dinning room kutaa nyaataa
Meal dhi'aana, nyaata,
Black gurraacha
Brown magaala
Gray daalacha
Green magarisa
Red diimaa
White adii
Yellow kelloo
A little.
Xinnoo – xinnoo.
Can you read this script for me? Qubee kana anaaf
dubbisuu ni dandeessaa?
Can you tell me his job? Hojii
isaa natti himtaa?
Congratulations. Baga
gammade/ gammaddan
Could you please help me? Maaloo
na gargaaruu ni dandeessaa?/dandeessuu?
Did you understand? Sii
galeeraa?/ Isinii galeeraa?
Do you drink coffee? Buna ni
dhugdaa?
Do you need more food? No. Nyaata biraa ni barbaaddaa? Waawuu/ lakkii.
He is a good person. Inni nama
gaarii dha.
He is not the man we are looking for. Lakkii, namichi
nuyi barbaadnu isa miti.
How much is it? Hammamii?/
Meeqa?
How was it? Attam
ture?
I agree
Tole.
I am a guest.
Ani keessummaa dha.
I am sorry.
Nan gadda.
I did not understand. Anaaf
hin galle./ Nuuf hin galle.
I do not need more food. Nyaata biraa
hin barbaadu.
Is it right? No, it is not right. Sirrii
dhaa? Waawuu, sirrii miti.
Is that the man we are looking for? Namichi
nuyi barbaadnu isa sanaa?
It is delicious food. Nyaata
miy'aa'aa dha.
It is good news. Oduu
gaarii dha.
No, I do not.
Waawuu./ Lakkii.
Pardon.
Naa dhiis.
Please, eat.
Maaloo, nyaadhu.
See you.
Walargina
The road is safe. Karaan
nagaa dha.
They left their baggage in the hotel. Isaan mi'a
isaanii hoteela kessatti dhiisan.
This is our church.
Kun mana kadhataa keenya.
This is very special. Argamee
hin beeku. Adda.
We are visitors. Nuyi
duwwattoota.
Well stay.
Baga nagaan turte/ turtan.
What is it?
Maal inni?
What is your name? Maqaan kee
eenyu?
What is your religion? Amantaan
kee maal inni?
When shall we meet? Yoom wal
argina?
Where are you coming from? Eessaa dhufta?/
dhufta?
Where does she come from? Isheen
eessaa dhufti?
Where is it?
Eessa?/ Eessa dha?
Where is my room? Kutaan kiyya
eessa?
Where is your residence? Iddoon jireeny
keessan eessa?
Who are you? Ati
eenyu dha?
Who is her husband?
Abbaan manaa ishee eenyu dha?
Who is that?
Eenyu inni?
Why are you come late? Maaliif yeroo
dabarsite?
Yes, I do.
Eeyyee.
You are my friend. Ati michuu
kiyya.
You lost your key. Ati
bantuu kee ni gatte.
Ankle koomee
Ape qamalee
Arm irree
Armpit bobaa
Baboon jaldeessa
Bachelor qeerroo
Back dugda
Beautiful bareedduu
Behind booda
Believer amanaa
Bible Macaafa Qulqulluu
Bird simbirroo
Blind jaamaa
Blood dhiiga
Body nafa, dhagna
Bone lafee
Book kitaaba
Boy gurbaa
Boyfriend michuu dhiiraa
Brother obboleessa
Buffalo gafaarsa
Business daldala
Businessperson Daldaalaa
Cat adurree
Cheek maddii
Chest qoma
Child Mucaa
Church building mana kadhataa
Church waldaa amantootaa
Clinic mana hakiimii
Cloth uffata
Cloud duumessa
Conference wal ga'ii
Constitution heera mootummaa
Cross fannoo
Culture aadaa
Dance sirba
Daughter intala
Deaf duudaa
Development misooma
Dew fixeensa
Dictionary galmee jechootaa
Dog saree
Door balbala
Dream abjuu
Ear gurra
Earth lafa
Economy dinagdee
Enemy diina
Example fakkeenya
Experience shaakala, muuxanno
Eye ija
Face fuula
Factory warshallee
Faith amantii
Family maatii
Famine beela
Far fagoo
Farmer Qotee bulaa
Father abbaa
Fear sodaa
Feast cidha, nyaachisa
Fence dallaa
Fiancée kaadhimaa
Finger quba
Flag alaabaa
Flood lolaa
Flower abaaboo, daraaraa
Fly titisa
Foot milla
Forehead adda
Foreign alagaa, orma
Forest bosona
Freedom bilisummaa
Friend michuu
Frown nyaara
Funeral sirna awaalaa
Garden manduubee
Genital qaama saalaa
Girl dubara
Girlfriend michuu durbaa
Gospel wangeela
Grandfather akaakayyuu
Grandmother akkayyaa
Group garee
Guard Waardiyyaa
Gun qawwee
Hair rifeensa
Hall galma
Hand harka
Handsome bareedaa
Head mataa
Heart onnee, garaa
Heaven bantii waaqaa
Here as
History seenaa
Holy qulqulluu
House mana
Husband abbaa manaa
Ice cabbii
In front fuul-dura
Inside keessa
Invitation waamicha
Itch cittoo
Job hojii
Joy gammachuu
Justice qajeelummaa
Kidding baaca, tapha
Kidney kalee
Kiss dhunguu
Knee jilba
Lady giiftii
Laughter kolfa
Law seera
Lawyer abbaa seeraa
Leader geggeessaa
Leaf baala
Leg luka
Lesson barumsa, barannoo
Library mana kitaabaa
License hayyama
Lip hidhii
Liver tiruu
Lung somba
Mad maraatuu
Man dhiira
Marriage gaa'ela
Mirror of ilaalee
Modern ammayyaa
Monument siidaa
Mosque masgiida
Mosquito bookee busaa
Mother haadha
Mountain tulluu
Mouth afaan
Nail qeensa
Near dhi’oo
Neck morma
News oduu
Nose funyaan
Notebook waraqaa yaadannoo
Now amma
Ocean garba guddaa
Office waajjira
Outside ala, diida
Palace mana mootummaa
Pastor tiksee
Peace nagaa
Pen kobbee
Pencil qubeessaa
Pharmacy mana qorichaa
Photograph suura
Plate caabii
Poor hiyyeessa
Prayer kadhata
Preacher Lallaabaa
Pregnant ulfa
Priest luba
Prison mana hidhaa
Prohibition dhowwaa, dhorka
Promise waadaa, kakuu
Quality waandansaa
Quantity baay'ina
Question gaaffii
Rain bokkaa
Rat antuuta
Research qorannoo
Rich sooressa, badhaadhaa
Ring qubeelaa
Rope funyoo
Rural baadiyyaa
Sand cirracha
Schedule sagantaa
School mana barumsaa
Sea garba
Secretary Barreessaa
Shoemaker kophee suphituu
Shoulder gatiittii
Sin cubbuu
Sing farfachuu, weeddisuu
Sister obboleettii
Skin gogaa
Sky samii
Slavery garbummaa
Sleep irriba/ rafuu
Smoke aara
Snake bofa
Soap saamunaa
Soil biyyoo
Soldier Loltuu
Son ilma
Song farfaannaa, weedduu
Sorrow gadda
Steal hatuu
Stomach garaacha
Stone dhagaa
Story oduu durii, oduu seenaa
qabu
Struggle qabsoo
Student barataa
There achi
Thief hattuu
Thigh luka
Tiger qeerramsa
Tongue arraba
Tooth ilkaan
Translator Jijjiirtuu
Traveler Kara-adeemtuu
Truth dhugaa
Uncle waasiila / eessuma
Valley suluula
Vision mul'ina
Waiter Keessimsiftuu
Wallet korojoo
War waraana, lola
Wedding cidha gaa'elaa
Wife haadha manaa
Window foddaa
Woman dubartii
World addunyaa
Bible metsaf
qiddus
Bus awtobis
Church bete kritiyaan
Coffee bunaa
East misirak
Excuse me. Yikrita.
How are you? Teanastellegn
Left gira
Letter debdabbea
Map karta
No problem chiggir yellem
Office biro
Ok ishii
Please, ibakon
Right keny
South debub
Tax taksii
Tea shai
Thank you. Ameseginalehu
West mirab
When mechea?
Where yeat?
Yes aon