Telling time
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1:5 – Tokkoof shan
1:15 – Tokkoof ruubii
1:30 – Tokkoof walakkaa (walakkaa = half)
1:35 – Lama digdami shan hir’uu
1:45 – Lama ruub hir’uu
1:50 – Lama kudhan hir’uu
 When? / What time? – Yoom? / Yeroo kam?
 Yesterday – Kaleessa
 The day before yesterday – Dheengadda
 Today – Har’a
 Now – Amma
Subject pronouns
Object pronouns
Possessive pronouns
I – Ani
Me – Ana/Na
Mine – Kan koo, Kiyya
You – Ati, Isin
You – Si, Isin
Yours – Kan kee, Keessan
He – Inni
Him – Isa
Hers – Kan ishee
She – Isheen
Her – Ishee
His – Kan isaa
We – Nuyi
Us – Nuyi/Nu
Ours – Kan keenyaa
They – Isaan
Them – Isaan
Theirs – Kan isaanii
Prepositions
And – f/Fi (“-f” is used as a suffix.)
But – Garuu
Above (On) – Irra/Irrakeessa/Gubbaa /
Gararraa
Between – Gidduu
Under – Jala / Gajjallaa
Before – Ful dura/Fuullee
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Behind – Booddee / Booda/ Dudduuba / Dugda-duuba ,
The first two can also mean after
Far – Fagoo
Near – Dhihoo
Besides – Bira/Bukkee
In – Keessa
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Outside – Ala
With (together) Wajjin
Besides – Malee
From – Irraa
To – Ittii
Greeting
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How are you? – Akkam?, Jirtaa? , Jirtuu?
I am fine – Nagaa, Fayyaa
Thanks to God – Waaqayyoon (Rabbiin) haa galatu
I am sick – Na dhukkuba
Are you better? – Sii wayyaa?, Isinii wayyaa
 I am better – Naa wayyaa
 Good morning – Akkam bulte? , Akkam bultan?
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Good afternoon – Oolmaan akkam?, Akkam oolte? , Akkam
ooltan?
Good evening – Oolmaan akkam? , Akkam oolte? , Akkam
ooltan?
Good night – Nagaan(nagaatti) buli, Nagaan(nagaatti) bulaa
What are you doing? – Maal hojjetta?, Maal hojjettu?
Goodbye – Nagaattii, Nagaan, Jedhi , Jedhaa
-Have a good day – Guyyaa gaarii, Nagaan ooli, Nagaan oolaa
-Get there safely – Nagaan gali, Nagaan galaa
-Come back safely – Nagaan kottu, Nagaan kottaa
Family members
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Family – Maatii
Relative – Fira
Close relative – Fira dhihoo
Far relative – Fira fagoo
Grandparent – Akaakayyuu
Grandfather – Akaaka
Grandmother – Akkoo
Father – Abbaa
Mother – Haadha/Harmee
Husband – Abbaa warraa (Abbaa manaa), Dhirsa (informal)
Wife – Haadha warraa (Haadha manaa), Niitii (informal)
Maternal uncle – Eessuma
Paternal uncle – Wasiilaa
Aunt – Adaadaa
Kid – Mucaa
Kids – Ijjoollee
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Son – Ilma
Daughter – Intala
Elderly – Nama Guddaa
Old – Jaarsa , Jaartii
Neighbor – Ollaa
Common words
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Human – Nama
Earth – Lafa
Home\ house – Mana
Food – Nyaata
Drink – Dhugaatii (also refers to alcoholic drinks)
Water – Bishaan
Tree – Muka
Farm – Qonnaa
Education – Barumsa
School – Mana barumsaa
Student – Barataa
Teacher – Barsiisaa
Car – Konkolaataa, Makiinaa
Toilet – Mana fincaanii
Good – Baroo, Gaarii
Bad – Gadhee
No – Lakki, Hi’i, Hi’iyyoo
Yes – Eeyyee
Never – Gonkumaa
Always – Yeroo hundumaa
Nothing – Homaa
Okay – Tole
Please – Maaloo
Thank you – Galatoomi, Galatoomaa
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Small\ a little – Xinnoo
Big – Guddaa
Well – Sirriitti
Mr – Obbo
Mrs – Aadde
Job \career – Hojii
It’s not – Miti
Left – Bitaa
Right – Mirgaa
Body – Dhanna/Qaama
Market – Gabaa
Shop – Suuqii
Clothes – Uffata\ Wayyaa
Shoes – Kophee
Table – Minjaala
Bed – Siree
Chair – Barcuma
Stool – Dombii
Sleep (n) – Hirriba
Sleep (v) – Rafuu
To see – Ilaaluu/Arguu
Listen – Dhaga’uu
Go – Deemi , Deemaa , Deemuu( to go)
Sit – Taa’uu
Stand – Dhaabachuu
Parts of body
Eye – Ija
Nose – Funyaan
Cheek – Maddii
Jaw – Mangaagaa
Ear – Gurra
Lip – Hidhii
Teeth – Ilkaan
Tongue – Arraba
Throat – Qoonqoo
Neck – Morma
Shoulder -Gatiittii/Gurmuu
Back – Dugda
Hair – Rifeensa
Skin – Gogaa
Nail – Qeensa
Bone – Lafee
Joint – Buusaa
Blood – Dhiiga
Head – Mataa
Brain – Sammuu
Face – Fuula
Forehead – Adda
Eyebrow – Nyaara
Chest – Laphee
Breast – Harma
Ribs – Cinaacha
Heart – Onnee
Lung – Soomba
Belly – Garaa
Stomach – Garaacha
Liver – Tiru
Gut – Marimmaan
Waist – Mudhii
Buttock – Hudduu
Arm – Irree
Armpit – Bobaa
Elbow – Ciqilee
Hand – Harka
Palm – Barruu
Thigh – Sarbaa
Knee – Jilba
Leg – Luka
Heel – Koomee
Foot – Miilla, Faana
Finger – Quba
Animal
Dog – Saree
Cat – Adurree, Bashoo
Chicken – Handaaqqoo, Lukkuu
Pig – Booyyee, Karkee
Sheep – Hoolaa
Goat – Re’ee
Camel – Gaala
Donkey – Harree, Humaara
Horse – Farda
Mouse – Hantuuta
Ox – Sangaa
Cow -Sa’a
Calf – Jabbii
Monkey – Qalamee
Ape – Jaldeessa
Bird – Simbirroo, Simbira
Bat – Simbira halkanii
Dove – Gugee
Duck – Daakiyyee
Vulture – Alaattii
Snake – Bofa
Lion – Leenca
Tiger – Qerransa
Hyena – Waraabessa
Elephant – Arba
Tortoise – Qocaa
Colors
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Color – Bifa\ Haalluu
Black – Gurraacha
White – Adii
Silver – Daalacha/ Bifa daaraa
Red – Diimaa
Green – Magariisaa
Blue – Gara waaq
Yellow – Keelloo
Orange – Burtukaanaa
Lime – Loomii
Brown – Daammii/Bunnii
Pink – Dimine
Purple – Siddisa