Oro m o Ve r b s

W e l c o m e to the 10 t h les s o n ab o u t ve r b s in O r o m o . W e w i l l fir s t le a r n ab o u t the pr e s e n t te n s e ,

fo l l o w e d by th e pa s t te n s e , an d fut u r e ten s e . We wi ll al s o an a l y z e so m e gr a m m a r r ul e s , an d
fin a l l y pr a c t i c e ho w to as k fo r di r e c t i o n in O r o m o .
Ve r b s are us e d to ex p r e s s an ac t i o n (I s w i m ) or a sta t e of be i n g (I am ) . Th e pr e s e n t te n s e in
Or o m o co n v e y s a sit u a t i o n or ev e n t in th e pre s e n t tim e . H e r e are s o m e ex a m p l e s :

P r e s e n t Te n s e Or o m o

I s pe a k En g l i s h in g i l i f f a na n du b b a d h a

yo u sp e a k F re n c h af a a n fa r a n s a a y i du b b a t a

he s p e a k s Ge r m a n af a a n ja r m a n i i du b b a t a

sh e s pe a k s Ita l i a n af a a n xa l i y a a n i du b b a t t i

we sp e a k Ar a b ic af a a n ar a b a a du b b a n n a

th e y sp e a k Ch i n e s e af a a n ch a y i n a du b b a t u

Th e pa s t te n s e in O r o m o co n v e y s a sit u a t i o n or ev e n t in th e pa s t tim e . H e r e ar e s om e
ex a m p l e s :

P a s t Te n s e Or o m o

I vis i t e d Fr a n c e bi y y a fa r a n s a a y i nd a a w w a d h e

yo u vi s i t e d Ita l y bi y y a xa a l i y a a n i da a w w a t t e

he vis i t e d Mo ro cc o bi y y a mo r o o k o da a w w a t e

sh e vis i t e d Ch i n a bi y y a ch a a y i n a da a w w a t t e

we vi s i t e d Me x i c o bi y y a me e k s i k o da a w w a n n e

th e y vi s i t e d Ke n y a bi y y a ke e n i y a a da a w w a t a n

Th e fu t u r e ten s e in O r o m o co n v e y s a s it u a t i o n or ev e n t w h i c h is an t i c i p a t e d to ha p p e n in th e
fu t u r e . H e r e are so m e ex a m p l e s :

Fu t u r e Te n s e Or o m o

I w i l l dri n k mil k bu n a nd h u g a

yo u w i l l dr i n k co f f e e bu n a dh u g d a

he w i l l dr i n k te a in n i s h a a y i dh u g a

sh e w i l l dri n k wa t e r bi s h a a n dh u g d i

we w i l l dr i n k ap p l e jui c e ch u u n f a a ap i l i dh u g n a

th e y w i l l dri n k tea jar r i s h a a y i dh u g u

No w let 's ta k e a br e a k an d ref r e s h ou r vo c a b u l a r y by lea r n i n g th e bo d y pa r t s .

 ea r ey e m o u th no s e

gu r r a ija af a a n fu n y a a n

ha i r fa c e he a d he a r t

da b b a s a a fu u l a mata a on n e e

ha n d fin g e r s leg fe e t

ha r k a qu b o o t a lu k a m ii ll a

Tr a v e l P h r a s e s in O r o m o
Im a g i n e yo u r s e l f in s om e Or o m o sp e a k in g co u n t r y . Th e fol l o w i n g tra v e l ph r a s e s are hi g h l y
im p o r t a n t an d ca n he l p yo u av o i d m i s u n d e r s t a n d i n g . Tr y to me m o r i z e the m an d pr a c t i c e !

En g l i s h Or o m o

Ca n yo u he l p me ? na ga r g a a r t a ?

Ca n I he l p yo u ? si ga r g a a r u ?

W h e re is the air p o r t ? di r r e e n xiy y a a r a a ee s s a ?

Go s tr a i g h t fu u l u m a du r a ke de e m i

Th e n ye r o s

Tu r n lef t ga r a bi t a a go r i

Tu r n rig h t ga r a mi rg a a go r i
Oro m o Gr a m m a r

W e lc o m e to th e 8t h le s s o n ab o u t Or o m o gr a m m a r . We wil l fir s t lea r n

ab o u t pr e p o s i t i o n s , ne g a t i o n , qu e s t i o n s , ad v e r b s , an d pr o n o u n s inc l u d i n g : pe r s o n a l , ob j e c t an d

po s s e s s i v e pr o n o u n s . We w i l l sta r t w i t h pre p o s i t i o n s . In ge n e r a l , the y are us e d to lin k wo r d s to

ot h e r wo r d s . Fo r ex a m p l e : I sp e a k Or o m o an d E n g l i s h th e pr e p o s i t i o n is [a n d ] be c a u s e it
co n n e c t s bo t h wo r d s Or o m o an d En g l i s h . Th e fo l l o w i n g is a lis t of the m o s t us e d pr e p o s i t i o n s

in O r o m o .

Pr e p o s i t io n s Or o m o

an d fi

ab o v e gu b b a a / ga r a r r a a

un d e r jal a / ga j j a l l a a

be f o r e du r a

af t e r bo o d d e e / bo o d a

in fro n t of fu l l e e is a a

be h i n d du d d u u b a / du g d a du u b a

fa r fro m irr a a siq e e / ira a fa g a a t e e

ne a r bi r a

in ke e s s a

in s i d e ke e s s a

ou t s i d e ala

wi t h wa j ji n

wi t h o u t male e

ab o u t wa a ' e e

be t w e e n gi d d u u

bu t ga r u u

fo r f

fro m irr a a , itt i i

to itt i

Pr e p o s i t io n G r a m m a r Ru l e s
Th e fo l l o w i n g ex a m p l e s us e pr e p o s i t i o n s in di f f e r e n t w a y s an d pl a c e s to de m o n s t r a t e ho w
th e y be h a v e in a s e n t e n c e .
 Pr e p o s i t io n s + Ru l e s Or o m o

I ea t w i t h o u t a kn i f e
ha a d u u ma l e e ny a a d h a
[p r e p o s i ti o n + no u n ]

sh e liv e s ne a r the ch u r c h
man a ka d h a t a bi r a jir a a t t i
[ve r b + pr e p o s i t i o n ]

he is ta l l e r th a n he r
oj j a a d h a n is e e ca a l a
[a d je c t iv e + pr e p o s i t i o n ]

he ca m e wi t h his s m a l l do g
sar e e s a xin n o wa jj in dh u f e
[p r e p o s i ti o n + pr o n o u n ]

ca n yo u co m e wi t h me ?
na w a j j i n dh u f i t t a ?
[p r e p o s i ti o n + pr o n o u n ]

Ne g a t io n in O r o m o
No w let 's le a r n ho w to m a k e a ne g a t i v e sen te n c e ( n e g a t i o n ) . F o r ex a m p l e : S a y i n g no , I
ca n ' t , I do n ' t ... Th e fo l l o w i n g ex a m p l e s us e ne g a t i o n in dif f e r e n t w a y s an d pl a c e s to
de m o n s t r a t e ho w th e y be h a v e in a s en t e n c e .

Ne g a t io n + Ru l e s Or o m o

I un d e r s t a n d yo u
du b b i i n ke na a ga l a
[a ff ir m a ti v e for m ]

I do n 't un d e r s t a n d yo u
du b b i i n ke na a n ng a l l e
[n e g a ti o n + ve r b ]

th i s is no t the co r r e c t w o r d
jec h i ku n sir r i t t i hin - i b s u
[n e g a ti o n + ad j e c t i v e ]

do n ' t le a v e me
na ga t t e e hin d e e m i n
[im p e r a t i v e ne g a t i o n ]

no pr o b l e m
ra k i n n i hin j i r u
[n e g a ti o n + no u n ]

Ne g a t iv e Se n t e n c e s Or o m o

I do n 't s p e a k Fr e n c h
af a a n fa r a n s a a y i hi n b e e u
[n e g a ti o n + pr e s e n t te n s e ]

sh e did n ' t vi s i t G e r m a n y
bi y y a ja r m a n i i dh a q x e e hin b e e k t u
[n e g a ti o n + pa s t ten s e ]

he ca n n o t s e e us
in n i nu ar g u hin d a n d a 'u
[n e g a ti v e m o d a l ve r b ]

ca n 't s h e pla y ch e s s ?
is h i i n ch e e s i ta p h a c h u hin b e e k t u ?
[in t e r r o g a t i v e ne g a t i o n ]
 Ne g a t iv e Se n t e n c e s Or o m o

we w i l l no t co m e la t e
ye r o o da b a r s i n e e hi n d h u f n u
[n e g a ti o n + fu t u r e ten s e ]

Qu e s t io n s in O r o m o
No w let 's le a r n ho w to as k qu e s t i o n s ( in t e r r o g a t i v e ) . S u c h as : wh a t , wh y , ca n yo u ...? He r e
ar e s o m e co m m o n ex a m p l e s :

En g l i s h Or o m o

ho w ? att a m i t t i ?

wh a t ? maa l?

wh o ? ee n y u ?

wh y ? m a a l ii f ?

wh e r e ? ee s s a ?

M o re of th e in t e r r o g a t i v e for m , no w in a s e n t e n c e :

Qu e s t io n s + Ru l e s Or o m o

wh e r e do yo u liv e ?
ee s s a jir a a t t a ?
[in t e r r o g a t i v e + ve r b ]

do e s s he sp e a k Ch i n e s e ?
af a a n ch a a y i n a be e k a ?
[in t e r r o g a t i v e ve r b ]

ho w mu c h is th i s ?
ku n ga t i i n me e q a ?
[in t e r r o g a t i v e pr e p o s i t i o n ]

ca n I he l p yo u ?
m a a l si ga r g a a r u ?
[in t e r r o g a t i v e m o d a l ve r b ]

w h a t is yo u r na m e ?
maq a a n ke ee n y u ?
[in t e r r o g a t i v e pr e p o s i t i o n ]

Ad v e r b s in O r o m o
It' s tim e to lea r n the ad v e r b s in O r o m o . Bu t w h a t is an ad v e r b ? In ge n e r a l , ad v e r b s mo d if y
ve r b s an d ad j e c t i v e s . F o r ex a m p l e : Yo u sp e a k fas t . Th e ad v e r b is [ fa s t ] be c a u s e it de s c r i b e s
th e ve r b an d an s w e r s th e qu e s t i o n ho w do yo u s pe a k ? . H e r e is a lis t of th e mo s t co m m o n
on e s :

Ad v e r b s Or o m o

no w am m a

ye s t e r d a y ka l e e s s a

to d a y ha r r ' a

to n i g h t ed a n a
 Ad v e r b s Or o m o

to m o r r o w bo r

so o n dh i y o o t t i

qu i c k l y da f e e

slo w l y su u ta

to g e t h e r wa l ii wa j ji n

ve r y ba a y y e e

alm o s t xi n n o o ha n q a t a

alw a y s ye r o o hu n d a

us u a l l y ye r o o ba a y y e e

so m e t im e s ga a f f i i ga a f

ra r e l y da r b e e da r b e e

ne v e r matu m a

Th e fo l l o w i n g ex a m p l e s us e th e ad v e r b s in di f f e r e n t w a y s an d pla c e s to de m o n s t r a t e ho w it
be h a v e s in a s en t e n c e .

Ad v e r b s + Ru l e s Or o m o

do yo u un d e r s t a n d me no w ?
am m a sii ga l e e ?
[p r o n o u n + ad v e r b ]

I ne e d he l p im m e d i a t e l y
ga r g a a r s i ha t a t t a m a a n na ba r b a a c h i s a
[n o u n + ad v e r b ]

sh e is ve r y int e l l i g e n t
is e e n ga r ma l e e ab s h a a l a
[a d v e r b + ad j e c t i v e ]

I w i l l alw a y s lo v e yo u
yo o m i y y u u sii n jaa l a d h a
[ve r b + ad v e r b ]

ca n we lea r n Ge r m a n to g e t h e r ?
wa l ii wa j ji n afa a n ja r m a n i i ba r u u da n d e e n y a ?
[a d v e r b in a qu e s t i o n ]

Pr o n o u n s in O r o m o
W e 'r e alm o s t do n e ! Th i s tim e we w i l l le a r n th e pro n o u n s in O r o m o . In ge n e r a l , a pr o n o u n ca n
be us e d ins t e a d of a no u n . F o r ex a m p l e in s t e a d of s a y i n g my tea c h e r sp e a k s 3 la n g u a g e s , yo u
ca n us e th e pro n o u n he , an d say he s pe a k s 3 la n g u a g e s . H e r e is a lis t of th e mo s t co m m o n
on e s :

Pe r s o n a l Pr o n o u n s Or o m o

I an i
 Pe r s o n a l Pr o n o u n s Or o m o

yo u ati

he in n i

sh e is h e e n

we nu h i

th e y is a a n

Ob j e c t Pr o n o u n s Or o m o

me an a / na

yo u si

hi m is a

he r is h e e

us nu u

th e m is a a n

Po s s e s s i v e P ro n o u n s Or o m o

my ko / kiy y a / tiy y a

yo u r ke / te

hi s is a a

he r is h e e

ou r ke e n y a / te e n y a

th e i r is a a n i i

I thi n k it's be t t e r to pu t the ab o v e ex a m p l e in a s e n t e n c e to be t t e r as s i s t yo u . Th e fo l l o w i n g

ex a m p l e s us e pr o n o u n s in di f f e r e n t w a y s an d pla c e s to de m o n s t r a t e ho w the y be h a v e in a
sen te n c e . W e w i l l sta r t w i t h the pe r s o n a l pro n o u n s .

Pe r s o n a l Pr o n o u n s Or o m o

I am yo u r fri e n d
an i ja a l a ke e t i
[ 1 s t pr o n o u n + ve r b ]

yo u sp e a k ve r y fa s t
da d d a f t e e du b b a t t a
[2 n d pr o n o u n + ad v e r b ]

he ha s thr e e do g s
in n i s a r e e s a d i i qa b a
[3 r d pr o n o u n + ve r b ]
 Pe r s o n a l Pr o n o u n s Or o m o

sh e ca n sp e a k Ge r m a n
af a a n ja r m a n i i be e k t i
[3 r d pr o n o u n + ve r b ]

we w i l l no t co m e la t e
ye r o o da b a r s i n e e hi n d h u f n u
[ 1 s t pl u r a l pr o n o u n ]

th e y bo u g h t mil k an d br e a d
da a b b o o fi an n a n bit a t a n
[3 r d plu r a l pr o n o u n ]

Th e ob j e c t pr o n o u n is us e d as a tar g e t by a ve r b , an d us u a l l y co m e aft e r th a t ve r b . F o r
ex a m p l e : I ga v e him my bo o k . Th e ob j e c t pro n o u n he r e is hi m . H e r e are m o r e ex a m p l e s :

Ob j e c t Pr o n o u n s Or o m o

ca n yo u tel l m e yo u r na m e ?
maq a a ke na t t hi m t a ?
[ 1 s t ob j e c t pr o n o u n ]

I w i l l giv e yo u mo n e y
qa r s h i i n s ii ke n n a
[2 n d ob j e c t pr o n o u n ]

sh e wr o te hi m a le t t e r
xa l a y a a ar e e s i t e e f
[3 r d ob j e c t pr o n o u n ]

th e y vi s i t e d he r ye s t e r d a y
ka l e e s s a dh a q a n i i is e e du b b i s a n i
[3 r d ob j e c t pr o n o u n ]

ca n s h e he l p us ?
nu ga r g a a r u da n d e e s s i ?
[ 1 s t pl . ob j e c t pr o n o u n ]

he ga v e the m foo d
ny a a t a ja r a a f ke n n e
[3 r d pl. ob j e c t pr o n o u n ]

Po s s e s s i v e P ro n o u n s Or o m o

my na m e is M a y a
maq a a n ko ma a y a a d h a
[ 1 s t po s s e s s i v e pr o n o u n ]

yo u r bro t h e r liv e s he r e
ob b o l e e s s i ke as jir a a t a
[2 n d po s s e s s i v e pr o n o u n ]

he r mo t h e r co o k s for us
ha a t i is h e e ny a a t a nu u ho j j e t t i
[3 r d po s s e s s i v e pr o n o u n ]

hi s ho b b y is rea d i n g bo o k s
ki t a a b o o t a du b b i s u jaa l l a t a
[3 r d po s s e s s i v e pr o n o u n ]

ou r dre a m is to vi s i t P a r i s
pa a r i s i i n da a w w a c h u n fe d h i i ke e n y a
[ 1 s t pl . po s s e s s i v e pr o n o u n ]

th e i r ho u s e is no t fa r
m a n n i s a a n i fa g o o mi t i
[3 r d pl. po s s e s s i v e pr o n o u n ]

On e m o r e th i n g yo u ne e d to kn o w is the de m o n s t r a t i v e pr o n o u n s . Th e y 'r e ve r y ea s y to le a r n .
 De m o n s tr a ti v e P ro n o u n s Or o m o

th i s is m y ho u s e ku n ma n a ko o t i

th a t re s t a u r a n t is fa r m a n n i ny a a t a a su n fag o o d h a

th e s e ap p l e s ar e de l i c i o u s ap i l o o t i ku n ni m i 'a a ' u

th o s e s ta r s are sh i n y ur j o o t i s u n ba a y y e ifu

Or o m o Ph r a s e s
W e lc o m e to ou r s ev e n t h les s o n ab o u t po p u l a r Or o m o ph r a s e s . Th i s pa g e wil l
in c l u d e gre e t i n g s , qu e s t i o n s , em e r g e n c y an d s u r v i v a l ex p r e s s i o n s , as k i n g fo r
di r e c t i o n , lan g u a g e pr a c t i c e , in t r o d u c i n g yo u r s e l f , ho l i d a y w i s h e s , an d fin a l l y s om e tra v e l
ph r a s e s .

Ho l i d a y Wish es Or o m o

Ha p p y bi r t h d a y ay y a a n a dh a l o o t a a ga a r i i

Ha p p y ne w ye a r ay y a a n a ha a r a a ga a r i i

M e rr y Ch r i s t m a s ay y a a n a dh a l o o t a a ki r i s t o o s ga a r i i ha t a 'u

Go o d lu c k ca r r a a ga a r i i , (o r mi l k a a ' a )

Co n g r a t u l a t i o n s ba g a ga m a d a n

Or o m o
Tr a v e l P h r a s e s

I ha v e a re s e r v a t i o n (h o t e l ) id d o o qa b a d h e e r a

Do yo u ha v e ro o m s av a i l a b l e ? ku t a a n s ir e e du w w a a n jir a ?

I wo u l d lik e a no n - s m o k i n g ro o m ku t a a dh o w w a a sig a a r a a qa b u nf e d h a

W h a t is the ch a r g e pe r nig h t ? ha l k a n to k k o o f ga i i n me e q a ?

Is th i s s e a t ta k e n ? tee s u m n i ku n qa b a m e e r a ?

I'm ve g e t a r i a n fo o n na n lag a d h a

W a it e r taj a a j i l a a / ba a s h i r a

Ho w mu c h is thi s ? ku n ga t i i n me e q a ?

Th i s is ve r y ex p e n s i v e ga r ma l e e mi'a a d h a

Or o m o Nu m b e r s
W e lc o m e to th e six t h Or o m o le s s o n ab o u t nu m b e r s . Th i s tim e we wi ll lea r n ab o u t ca r d i n a l
an d or d i n a l nu m b e r s , fol l o w e d by gra m m a r ru l e s , the n an i m a l na m e s , fin a l l y a co n v e r s a t i o n
in O r o m o to he l p yo u pr a c t i c e yo u r da i l y ph r a s e s .

Ca r d i n a l Or o m o Or d i n a l Or o m o

on e to k k o fir s t to k k o f f a a
 Ca r d i n a l Or o m o Or d i n a l Or o m o

tw o lam a sec o n d lam m a f f a a

th r e e sad ii th i r d sad a f f a a

fo u r af u r fo u r t h ar f a f f a a

fiv e sh a n fif t h sh a n a f f a a

six jaa ' a six t h jaa ' a f f a a

sev e n to r b a sev e n th to r b a f f a a

eig h t sad d e e t eig h t h sad d e e t a f f a a

ni n e sag a l ni n t h sag la f f a a

ten ku d h a n ten t h ku r n a f f a a

ele v e n ku d h a t o k k o ele v e n t h ku d h a t o k k o f f a a

tw e l v e ku d h a l a m a tw e l f t h ku d h a l a m m a f f a a

th i r t e e n ku d h a s a d i i th i r t e e n t h ku d h a s a d a f f a a

fo u r t e e n ku d h a f u r on c e al- t o k k o

fif t e e n ku d h a s h a n tw i c e al- l a m a

six t e e n ku d h a j a a ' a Monday da f i n o o / ojj a du r e e

sev e n te e n ku d h a t o r b a Tu e s d a y fa c a a s a a

eig h t e e n ku d h a s a d d e e t W e d n e sd a y ro o b i i

ni n e t e e n ku d h a s a g a l Th u r s d a y ka m i s a

tw e n t y di g d a m a Fr id a y jim a a t a

sev e n ty on e to r b a a t a m i to k k o Sa t u r d a y s a m b a t a xi n n a a / sam b a t a du r a a

on e hu n d r e d dh i b b a to k k o Su n d a y di l b a t a / s a m b a t a gu d d a a

Nu m b e r s G r a m m a r Ru l e s
Or o m o ca r d i n a l nu m b e r s ref e r to th e co u n t i n g nu m b e r s , be c a u s e the y sh o w qu a n t i t y . F o r
ex a m p l e : I s p e a k tw o l a n g u a g e s . O r d i n a l nu m b e r s on th e oth e r ha n d tel l th e ord e r of th i n g s
an d the i r ra n k : my fir s t la n g u a g e is O r o m o . Th e ex a m p l e s be l o w us e nu m b e r s in dif f e r e n t
wa y s an d pla c e s to de m o n s t r a t e ho w the y be h a v e in a s e n t e n c e .

G r a m m a r + Ru l e s Or o m o

I ha v e th r e e do g s
sar e e s a d i i nq a b a
[n u m b e r + no u n ]

my da u g h t e r ha s tw o ca t s
in t a l l i ko ad u r r e e lam a qa b d i
[n u m b e r + no u n ]
 G r a m m a r + Ru l e s Or o m o

sh e s pe a k s sev e n la n g u a g e s
af a a n to r b a du b b a t t i
[ve r b + nu m b e r ]

my bro t h e r ha s on e so n
ob b o l e e s s i ko ilm a tok k o qa b a
[n u m b e r + s in g u l a r no u n ]

th i s is m y s ec o n d le s s o n
ku n ba r n o t a ko lam m a f f a a d h a
[ o r d i n a l nu m b e r + no u n ]

di d yo u rea d the th i r d bo o k ?
ki t a a b i c h a sad d a f f a a du b b i f t e e ?
[ o r d i n a l nu m b e r + no u n ]

W e 'r e no t do n e ye t ! Th e fo l l o w i n g is a lis t of an i m a l s .

co w go a t do n k e y ho r s e

s a 'a re e t t i i ha r r e e fa r d a

do g ca t mo u se bi r d

sar e e ad u r r e e an t u u t a sim b i r a

Co n v e r s a t i o n in O r o m o
No w we fin a l l y re a c h the las t pa r t , the pr a c t i c e of th e da i l y co n v e r s a t i o n s . Th e s e ph r a s e s ar e
us e d to ge t to kn o w ne w pe o p l e , an d br e a k th e ice .

En g l i s h Or o m o

W h e re ar e yo u fro m ? bi y y i ke ee s s a ?

I'm fro m the U. S bi y y o ko us a

I'm Am e r i c a n an i na m a am a a r i k a a n i t i

W h e re do yo u liv e ? es s a jir a a t t a ?

I liv e in th e U. S bi y y a am a a r i k a a n i nj i r a a d h a

W h a t do yo u do fo r a liv i n g ? m a a l ho j i i n ke ?

I'm a stu d e n t an i ba r a t a a d h a

Or o m o Ge n d e r
W e lc o m e to th e fif t h Or o m o les s o n ab o u t ge n d e r . Th i s tim e we w i l l vie w a lis t of pe o p l e ,
fe m i n i n e an d ma s c u l i n e , fo l l o w e d by gr a m m a r ru l e s , fin a l l y a lis t of ex p r e s s i o n s in O r o m o to
he l p yo u pr a c t i c e yo u r da i l y ph r a s e s .
 man wo m a n hu s b a n d wi f e

dh i r a du b a r t i i dh i r s a ni i t i i

bo y gi r l fa t h e r m o th e r

gu r b a a in t a l a ab b a a ha a d h a

G e n d e r G r a m m a r Ru l e s
In ge n e r a l , ge n d e r is us e d to di s t i n g u i s h be t w e e n ma l e an d fe m a l e , s o m e t i m e s re f e r r e d to
as ma s c u l i n e an d fem i n i n e . F o r ex a m p l e : m y so n an d da u g h t e r are stu d e n t s th e no u n [s o n ] is
m a s c u l i n e , w h i l e [ d a u g h t e r ] is fe m i n i n e . Th e fo l l o w i n g ex a m p l e s us e ge n d e r in di f f e r e n t
wa y s an d pla c e s to de m o n s t r a t e th e i r be h a v i o r .

G r a m m a r + Ru l e s Or o m o

my s on is a stu d e n t
ilm i ki y y a ba r a t a a d h a
[m a s c u li n e + no u n ]

he r da u g h t e r is a stu d e n t
in t a l l i s e ba r a t t u u d h a
[fe m i n i n e + no u n ]

he ha s a ta l l br o t h e r
in n i ob o l e e s s a dh e e r a to k k o qa b a
[a d je c t iv e + ma s c u li n e ]

sh e ha s a ta l l sis t e r
ob b o l e e t t i dh e e r t u tok k o qa b d i
[a d je c t iv e + fe m i n i n e ]

hi s br o t h e r s are yo u n g
ob b o l e w w a a n s a ijo o l l e e d h a
[p lu r a l ma s c u li n e + ad j e c t i v e ]

hi s s is t e r s ar e yo u n g
ob b o l e t t i w a a n s a ijo o l l e d h a
[ p l u r a l fem i n i n e + ad j e c t i v e ]

Th e lis t be l o w w i l l pr o b a b l y pro v i d e mo r e cla r i f i c a t i o n . Th e s e ar e fa m i l y me m b e r s (m a l e s

an d fem a l e s ) . I th i n k it w o u l d be w i s e to me m o r i z e the m as pa r t of yo u r im p o r t a n t vo c a b u l a r y
lis t .

so n da u g h t e r br o t h e r sis t e r

ilm a in t a l a ob b o l e e s s a ob b o l e e t t i i
 gr a n d f a t h e r gr a n d m o t h e r ch i l d ch i l d r e n

ak a a k a y y u u ak k a w o o mu ca a mu co o lii

Ex p r e s s i o n s in O r o m o
No w it' s tim e to pr a c t i c e ex p r e s s i o n s us e d in da i l y co n v e r s a t i o n s . If yo u ' r e a be g i n n e r in
lea r n i n g O r o m o , th e n the ph r a s e s be l o w are so m e t h in g yo u wo u ld w a n t to kn o w .

En g l i s h Or o m o

W h a t do yo u me a n ? m a a l jec h u u ke e t i ?

I do n 't un d e r s t a n d na a ng a l l e

I do n 't kn o w an hin b e e k u

W h a t is tha t ca l l e d in O r o m o ? af a a n or o m o o t i n ma a l je d h a m a ?

W h a t is thi s ? ku n m a a l inn i ?

W h a t do e s tha t w o r d me a n in En g l i s h ? jec h i ku n afa a n in g i l i i z i t i n m a a l je d h a a ?

So r r y (if yo u ma d e a mi s t a k e ) dh i i f a m a

Or o m o P lu r a l
W e lc o m e to th e fou r t h Or o m o les s o n ab o u t th e plu r a l . Th i s tim e we w i l l lea r n ab o u t
th e s in g u l a r fo r m an d w h a t it loo k s lik e in the pl u r a l , fol l o w e d by gra m m a r ru l e s , fin a l l y a lis t
of em e r g e n c y ph r a s e s .

bo o k bo o k s ca r ca r s

ki t a a b a ki t a a b o o t a mak iin aa m a k i i n o o ta

tre e tre e s flo w e r flo w e r s

mu k a mek e e le e da r a a r a a da r a a r a a

P l u r a l G r a m m a r Ru l e s
Th e pl u r a l is th e fo r m wh ic h re f e r s to m o r e th a n on e ob j e c t or pe r s o n . F o r ex a m p l e : I sp e a k
tw o
lan g u a g e s the pl u r a l he r e is [la n g u a g e s ] be c a u s e it ref e r s to mo r e tha n on e [la n g u a g e ] . Th e
ex a m p l e s be l o w us e pl u r a l s in di f f e r e n t w a y s an d pla c e s to de m o n s t r a t e ho w th e y loo k wh e n
co n v e r t e d fro m the i r s in g u l a r for m .
 G r a m m a r + Ru l e s Or o m o

I s pe a k on e lan g u a g e
af a a n to k k o nd u b b a d h a
[ s i n g u l a r fo r m ]

we sp e a k thr e e lan g u a g e s
af a a n o o t a s ad i i du b b a n n a
[ p l u r a l no u n ]

he vis i t s ma n y co u n t r i e s
bi y y o o t a ba a y y e e da a w w a t a
[a d v e r b + plu r a l no u n ]

th e y ar e ha p p y no w
am m a ga m m a c h u u qa b u
[ p l u r a l pr o n o u n ]

sh e ha s fiv e re d sh o e s
qo p h e e did i i m a a s ha n qa b d i
[a d je c t iv e + pl u r a l no u n ]

I wa n t a san d w i c h wi th o u t on i o n s
saa n d w i c h i i sh u n k u r ta a hi n q a b n e nf e d h a
[p r e p o s i ti o n + pl u r a l no u n ]

Th e fo l l o w i n g is a lis t of ex a m p l e s s ho w i n g bo t h the s in g u l a r an d plu r a l fo r m . Th i s

de m o n s t r a t e s ho w the pl u r a l is us e d wi th hu m a n s , ob j e c t s an d an i m a l s .

wo m a n wo m e n man men

du b a r t i i du b a r t o o t a dh i i r a dh i i r a

ho u s e ho u s e s cu p cu p s

man a man n e e n ku b b a a y y a a ku b b a a y y a a

co w co w s ho r s e ho r s e s

s a 'a saa y y a a n fa r d a fa r a d o o

Em e r g e n c y Ph r a s e s
No w it' s tim e to pr a c t i c e yo u r O r o m o by lo o k i n g at th e s e ph r a s e s wh ic h ar e rel a t e d to
em e r g e n c i e s . Be pr e p a r e d wh e n tra v e l i n g ab r o a d , jus t in ca s e yo u ne e d he l p or by of f e r i n g
he l p to s o m e o n e els e . I rec o m m e n d wr i ti n g the s e ex p r e s s i o n s do w n on a no t e b o o k be f o r e
tra v e l i n g .

En g l i s h Or o m o

He l p ga r g a a r s a / qa r q a a r s a
 En g l i s h Or o m o

Ca l l th e am b u l a n c e am b u l a a n s i i w a a m a a

I ne e d a do c t o r ha k i i m i i t u na ba r b a a c h i s a

W h e re is the clo s e s t ph a r m a c y ? m a n n i qo r i c h a as i t t i dh i ' a a t u ka m i ?

Ar e yo u ok a y ? ati fa y y u m a ?

I am sic k na dh u k k u b a / na n d h i b a m a

Ca l l th e po l i c e po l i i s i i w a a m a a

Or o m o No u n s
W e lc o m e to th e thi r d Or o m o les s o n ab o u t no u n s . Th i s tim e we w i l l fir s t lea r n ab o u t fr u i t s
an d ve g e t a b l e s , fo l l o w e d by g r a m m a r rul e s , th e n foo d ite m s , fin a l l y a co n v e r s a t i o n in
Or o m o to he l p yo u pra c t i c e yo u r da i l y ph r a s e s .

po t a t o e s to m a t o e s on i o n s ca r r o t s

di n n i c h a a tim a a n t i m a sh u n k u r t a a ka a r o o t i i

fru i t s ap p l e s ba n a n a s or a n g e s

m u d u ra a m ii ll o o mu u zii bu r t u k a a n i i

No u n s G r a m m a r Ru l e s
In ge n e r a l no u n s re f e r to a pe r s o n , an ob j e c t , or ab s t r a c t id e a s . F o r ex a m p l e : a fa s t ru n n e r th e
no u n is [r u n n e r ] be c a u s e it re f e r s to a pe r s o n . Th e ex a m p l e s be l o w us e no u n s in di f f e r e n t
wa y s an d pla c e s to de m o n s t r a t e ho w the y be h a v e in a s e n t e n c e .

G r a m m a r + Ru l e s Or o m o

do yo u ha v e mi l k ?
an n a n qa b d a ?
[ve r b + no u n ]

I ha v e mil k an d co f f e e
an n a n i fi bu n a nq a b a
[p r e p o s i ti o n + no u n ]

he ha s thr e e ap p l e s
in n i ap i l i s ad i i qa b a
[n u m b e r + pl u r a l no u n ]

sh e on l y ha s on e ap p l e
ap i l i tok k i t t i qa b d i
[n u m b e r + s in g u l a r no u n ]

we liv e in a s m a l l ho u s e
man a xi n n o o tok k o ke e s s a jir a a n n a
[a d je c t iv e + no u n ]
 G r a m m a r + Ru l e s Or o m o

I lik e ou r br e a k f a s t
cir e e n ke e n y a na t t i to l a
[p r o n o u n + no u n ]

Th e fo l l o w i n g are no u n s of foo d ite m s tha t yo u mi g h t be in t e r e s t e d in le a r n i n g an d

m e m o r iz i n g .

br e a d m il k bu t t e r ch e e s e

da a b b o o an n a n da d h a a ay i b i i

co f f e e san d w i c h mea t ch i c k e n

bu n a saa n d w i ic h ii fo o n in d a a n q o o

fis h br e a k f a s t lu n c h di n n e r

qu r x u m m i i cir e e dh i y a a n a irb a a t a

Co n v e r s a t i o n in O r o m o
No w we fin a l l y re a c h the fu n pa r t , the pr a c t i c e of th e da i l y co n v e r s a t i o n s . Th e s e ph r a s e s ar e
us e d to ge t to kn o w ne w pe o p l e , an d br e a k th e ice .

En g l i s h Or o m o

Do yo u sp e a k (E n g l i s h / O r o m o ) ? af a a n (in g i l i i z i / o r o m o o ) be e k t a ?

J u s t a lit t l e xi n n o o se

I lik e Or o m o or o m o o na n jaa l a d h a

Ca n I pr a c t i c e wit h yo u ? si w a j j i n qa y y a b a d h u u ?

Ho w old ar e yo u ? um u r i i n ke wa g g a a me e q a ?

I'm thi r t y th r e e ye a r s ol d an i w a g g a a s o d d o m i s a d i i

It w a s ni c e tal k i n g to yo u wa j ji n ha a s a ' u n ke n y a na ga m m a c h i s e e r a

Or o m o Ad j e c t iv e s
Th i s tim e we w i l l fir s t lea r n ab o u t co l o r s , fo l l o w e d by gr a m m a r ru l e s , th e n we a t h e r
ex p r e s s i o n s , fin a l l y a co n v e r s a t i o n in O r o m o to he l p yo u pra c t i c e yo u r da i l y ph r a s e s .
 bl a c k gr e y wh i t e bl u e

gu r r a a c h a da a l a c h a ad i i ba l u u

gr e e n re d br o w n
ye l l o w

m a g a r i is a di i m a a bi f a bu n a a

Ad j e c ti v e s G r a m m a r Ru l e s
In ge n e r a l ad j e c t i v e s ar e wo r d s wh i c h de s c r i b e or mo d i f y an o t h e r pe r s o n or ob j e c t in a giv e n
sen te n c e . Fo r
ex a m p l e : a be a u t i f u l flo w e r th e ad j e c t i v e is [ b e a u t i f u l ] be c a u s e it de s c r i b e s th e no u n [fl o w e r ] .
Th e fo l l o w i n g ex a m p l e s us e ad j e c t i v e s in di f f e r e n t w a y s an d pl a c e s to de m o n s t r a t e ho w the y
be h a v e in a s e n t e n c e .

G r a m m a r Ru l e s Or o m o

my ho u s e is w h i t e
m a n n i ko ad i i d h a
[n o u n + ad j e c t i v e ]

yo u r co u n t r y is bi g
bi y y i ke e s s a n gu d d a a d h a
[n o u n + ad j e c t i v e ]

ne w bo o k s ar e ex p e n s i v e
ki t a a b o o n n i ha a r a 'o n mi'a a d a
[ p l u r a l + ad j e c t i v e ]

we ar e ha p p y he r e
as i t t i ga m m a c h u qa b n a
[p r o n o u n + ve r b + ad j e c t i v e ]

sh e ha s th r e e s m a l l do g s
sar o o t a xix i n n o s ad i i qa b d i
[a d je c t iv e + pl u r a l ]

th i s lan g u a g e is ve r y ea s y
af a a n ku n ba a y y e e s ap h a a d h a
[a d v e r b + ad j e c t i v e ]

I ha v e a s m a l l gre e n ho u s e
man a xi n n o o bif a ma q a r i i s a a nq a b a
[a d je c t iv e + ad j e c t i v e ]

W e 'r e no t do n e ye t ! Th e fo l l o w i n g is a lis t of m o r e ad j e c t i v e s fo r yo u , oft e n us e d wh e n

re f e r r i n g to w e a t h e r co n d i t i o n s . I thi n k it w o u l d be w i s e to me m o r i z e the m .

co l d ho t clo u d y ra i n y

dh a a m o c h a gu b a a du m e e s a ' a a ro o b u u
 su n n y wi n d y wa r m
sn o w y

ad u u qa b a ni b u b b i s a ho o ' a a

Co n v e r s a t i o n in O r o m o
No w we fin a l l y re a c h the mo s t ex c i t i n g pa r t , th e pra c t i c e of the da i l y ex p r e s s i o n s us e d in
alm o s t ev e r y co n v e r s a t i o n . I rec o m m e n d me m o r i z i n g th e s e ph r a s e s , be c a u s e yo u w i l l ne e d
th e m fo r s u r e .

En g l i s h Or o m o

hi na q a a ?

ho w ar e yo u ? is i n att a m ?

I'm go o d , tha n k yo u fa y y a a d h a , ul f a a d h u

an d yo u ? ati ho ?

w h a t is yo u r na m e ? maq a a n ke ee n y u

my na m e is M a y a maq a a n ki y y a ma a y a a d h a

ni c e to me e t yo u si ar g u n na a f ga m m a c h u d h a

Af a a n Or o m o - Ho u s e , S c h o o l , Fe e l i n g s an d Fo o d
Ho u se

En g l i s h Or o m o

ho u s e man a

tab l e lim m a t a

ch a i r ba r c u m a

ov e n ee l e e

re f r i g e r a t o r qa a b a n e e y s i t u u

tel e v i s i o n tel e v i j i n a

co u c h , s o f a sir e e

be d sir e e

lam p fa a n u s a

do o r ba l b a l a

ro o f man a gu b b a a

ca r p e t af a t a

tel e p h o n e sil k e e , tel e f o o n a

 m ic r o w a v e maa y k iroo w e e v

be d r o o m man a hi r r i i b a a

liv i n g roo m man a saa lo o n a a

di n i n g ro o m man a ny a a t a a

ki t c h e n ala w a a d a a

Sc h o o l

En g l i s h Or o m o

sch o o l man a ba r u m s a a

pe n c i l irs a a s a

pe n di b e e t a

pa p e r xa l a y a a

bo o k ba r r o o

no t e b o o k da f t a r a ya a d a n n o o

tea c h e r ba r s i i s a a , be e k a a

stu d e n t ba r t u u , ba r t a a

de s k ba r c u m a

Fe e l i n g s

En g l i s h Or o m o

fe e l i n g s ha w w i i

be ha p p y ga m m a d u u

be s a d ga d d u u

be an g r y aa r u u

be tir e d dh a d h a b u u

be hu n g r y be e l a y u u

be thi r s t y dh e e b o t u u

be sic k dh u k k u b s a c h u u

Fo o d

En g l i s h Or o m o

fo o d m id h a a n

br e a d da a b b o o

m il k elm u u

wa t e r bi s h a a n

man g o maa n g o

ca b b a g e ra a f u u

let t u c e sala x a a

ca r r o t ka a r o o t a

or a n g e bu r t u k a a n a

ap p l e ha b u u k a a
 ric e ru u z a

ch i c k e n lu k k u u

be e f fo o n ho r i i

fis h qu r x u m m i i qa b u u

on i o n sh u n k u r t a a

lem o n xu u x x o o

pa s t a ba a s t a a

Af a a n Or o m o - C l o t h i n g , Tr a n s p o r t a t i o n an d Pl a c e s
Cl o t h in g

En g l i s h Or o m o

clo t h i n g uf f a t a

sh ir t sh a m i iz a

pa n t s ko f o o , bu t a a n t a a

sk ir t ku r t a a

dr e s s wa a l lu u

sh o e ko p h e e

man ’s jac k e t jaa k k e e t a

w o m a n ’ s ja c k e t xu b b u q q o o

co a t ko o t a

ne c k l a c e ca l l e e mo r m a a

rin g ha m a r t i i

ea r r i n g wa a n gu r r a a

Tr a n s p o r t a t i o n

En g l i s h Or o m o

bu s ato b u u s a

ca r mak iin aa

tax i taa k s i i

tru c k mak iin aa fe ’ i n a a

air p l a n e ro o p h i l a a

tra i n ba a b u r a

bo a t do o n i i

Pl a c e s

En g l i s h Or o m o

Or o m ia bi y a Or o m o o

Et h i o p i a Iti y o o p h i y a a

So m a li a bi y y a S o o m a a l i i

Un i t e d Sta t e s Yu n a a y t a d Is t e e t s

Af a a n Or o m o - A n i m a l s , Pl a n t s an d Bo d y Pa r t s
An im a ls

En g l i s h Or o m o

bu f f a l o ga f a r s a

ca m e l ga a l a

ch e e t a h qe e r r e e n s a

ch i m p a n z e e jaa l d e e s s a

ele p h a n t ar b a a

gi r a f f e qa c c i n e

lio n lee n c a

rh i n o ka r k a a r r o

tig e r qe e r e e n s a

tu r t l e qo c a a

ze b r a ha r r e d d i i d o o

bi r d sh im b ii r r o o

du c k da k i i y y e e

ea g l e ha a r r a a g e e s s a a

fe a t h e r ba a l l i i

os t r i c h gu u c h i i

ow l ur u u n g g u u

pe l i c a n aa l l a a t t i i

pi g e o n wa a n n e e

co w s a 'a a

ca t ba s h o o

ch i c k e n lu q u u

do g sar e e

do n k e y ha r r e e

go a t re 'e e

ho r s e fa a r d a

sh e e p ho o l a a

pi g bo o y e e

ro o s t e r ko r m a a

ca l f jaa b i

an t tu c h e e

be e ka a n n i i s s a

gr a s s h o p p e r ko r o p h i i s s a

bu t t e r f l y bi i l l a a c h a

Pl a n t s

En g l i s h Or o m o
 pl a n t mu k a

tre e m u k a , bi q i l t u u

flo w e r ili l l i i ba a s u u , da r a a r u u

vi n e m u k a ak k a hi d d a a , ha r a g a

gr a s s cit a a , ma r g a

lea f ba a l a , ko o l a

ro o t hu n d e e , hid d a

ste m mu k a

Bo d y Pa r t s

En g l i s h Or o m o

lo w e r arm ha r k a , dh u m d h u m a

up p e r arm irr e e

ha n d da b a r s u u , ke e n u u

leg m i i l a , lu k a

fo o t m i i l a , lu k a

fa c e fu u l a , fa a r a

sto m a c h ga r a a , m a r ’ i m a a n

he a d mata a

ha i r da b b a s s a , rif e e n s a

ey e ija , ag a r t u u

no s e s u u f u u , ar k u u

ea r gu r r a

to n g u e ar r a b a

tee t h ilk e e l e e

Af a n or o m o - Fa m i l y , N u m b e r s an d Ma th
Fa m i l y

En g l i s h Or o m o

m o th e r ha a d h a

fa t h e r aa b b a

sis t e r ob b o l e e y t i i

br o t h e r ob b o l e e s s a

un c l e (fa t h e r 's
ad e e r a
br o t h e r )

un c l e (m o t h e r 's
ee s s u m a
br o t h e r )

au n t (fa t h e r 's sis t e r ) ad a a d a a

au n t (m o t h e r 's sis t e r ) ha b o o

gr a n d m o t h e r ak k o o , ak k a w o o
 gr a n d f a t h e r ak a a k o o , ab a a gu d a a

ni e c e du b r i i , ab u y a

ne p h e w ilm a ob b o l e e y s a , i l m a ob o l e y t i i , ab u y a

du b r i i , ilm a a n , w a s i l l a n i i , ilm a ad e e r a a , ilm a ee y s u m a a , ilm a ha b o o ,

co u s i n
ilm a ad a a d a a

br o t h e r - i n - l a w wa s s o o , wa s i il a

sis t e r - i n - l a w du m a a s h i i , s a y y u u

m o th e r -i n -l a w jaa r t i i s od d a a

fa t h e r - i n - l a w jaa r s a s od d a a

ste p m o t h e r aa y y a d a a

ste p f a t h e r ab b a d a a

ste p c h i l d ilm o o nii t i i yo k i n g jaa r s a ifi i

Ma th
Th i s pa g e w i l l te a c h yo u ma t h vo c a b u l a r y in O r o m o an d En g l i s h .

En g l i s h Or o m o

m a t h e m a t ic s he r r e e g a

ad d i t i o n id a ’ a

su b tr a c ti o n ir’ i s a

m u lt ip l ic a t io n he d d o m m e e y s a

di v i s i o n qo o d a m a

fiv e sh a n

fra c t i o n ca c c a b a

ar i t h m e t i c hi s a a b a

ge o m e t r y jo o m e e t r i i

alg e b r a alj e e b r a a

ca l c u l u s ka a l k u l a s

Af a a n or o m o - Gr e e t i n g , Co l o r s an d we a t h e r
G r e e t in g s

En g l i s h Or o m o

Go o d mo r n in g Ak k a m bu l t e e ?

Go o d af t e r n o o n Ak k a m oo l t e ?

Go o d ni g h t N a g a y a t t i i bu l i !

Go o d b y e ! Na g a y a t ti i!

Th a n k yo u ! Ga l a to o m i!

Yo u ' r e we lc o m e Fa y y a a da y i !
Co l o r s

En g l i s h Or o m o

re d di i m a a

gr e e n co q o r s a

ye l l o w bo o r a

pu r p l e bi l d i m a a

br o w n mag a a la

bl a c k qo r a a s u u

wh i t e ad i i

W ea th er

En g l i s h Or o m o

we a t h e r qi l l e e n s a

clo u d du u m e e s s a , go l g o l a

clo u d y go l g o l a a w a a

ra i n ro b u u , bo k k a a n bu ’ u u

ra i n y ro b a a , bo k k a a ’ a a , laf t i roo b a

ra i n b o w sab b a ta ga a l o o , s a b b a t a wa a q a y y o o

su n ad u u , bii f t u u

su n n y ad o o l e e s s a

sn o w ha n c a b b i i , ca b b i i , roo b a iti t e

ha i l jir k a a

fo g hu r r e e , qa y y o t a

fo g g y ka hu r e e qo f a a

co l d dh a a m m o o c h u u

ho t ow w a a , ow ’ a a

dr y go g g o g a a , ca a m a a

we t jit u u , da b a n a

Af a a n Or o m o - Ch a p t e r 11 : C o m p a r a t i v e s an d Su p e r la t i v e s
Sp o r t s Co n v e r s a t i o n (h a a s a a wa a 'e e is p o o r t i i )

Pla y all

Gu u t a a : Ku b b a a ka a c h o o mo o ku b b a a mi il l a a ila a l u u ca a l a a sii f wa y y a ? pl a y

Bo o n a a : Ku b b a a mii ll a a ca a l a a ku b b a a ka a c h o o na n jaa l a d h a . Ka m sii wa y y a ? pla y

Gu u t a a : An i s ku b b a a mii ll a a ca a l a a n jaa l a d h a . Ch e e l s i i mo o Ma a n c h i s t e r ca a l a a

ja a l a t t a ? pl a y

Bo o n a a : An i ak k a Ma a n c h is t e r Ch e e l s i i ir r a ca a l a a tap h a a t u n ya a d a . At i ma a l

ya a d d a ? pla y
Gu u t a a : Ak k a ya a d a ko o t t i Ch e e l s i i n ak k u m a Ma a n c h i s t e r ga a r i i dh a . La m a a n u u n

ja a l a d h a . pl a y

Bo o n a a : Ha a ta ' u m a l e e , Bi l a a k b a r n hu n d a ir r a da n s a a fak k a a t a . pl a y

Gu u t a a : At i ni qo o s t a . pla y

Bo o n a a : Ee y y e e dh u g a a d h a a . Bi l a a k b a r n ba a y ' e e ga d h e e dh a . pla y

Co m p a r a t i v e s

Th e r e is no di r e c t tra n s l a t i o n of the th e En g l i s h -er in O r o m o . M o s t oft e n , w h e n dis t i n g u i s h i n g

be t w e e n tw o ob j e c t s , as in “th e lo n g e r on e ” , th e O r o m o ph r a s e w o u l d s im p l y be “t h e lo n g on e ”

(“ i s a dh e e r a ” ) or “t h e ve r y lo n g on e ” (“ i s a ba a y 'e e dh e e r a ” ) . Ba a y ' e e , in ad d i t i o n to me a n i n g

“v e r y ” , ca n als o co n v e y the sen s e of “m o r e ” wh e n us e d wit h an ad j e c t i v e .

Th e ad j e c t i v e ca a l a a ca n be us e d to m e a n “b e t t e r ” o r “m o r e ” , tho u g h m o s t oft e n it fu n c t i o n s as

an ad v e r b an d co m e s im m e d i a t e l y be f o r e th e ve r b , as in “ Is h e e n ca a l a a ba r e e d d i ” (“S h e is m o r e

be a u t i f u l ” ) . Ca a l a a co m e s fro m th e ve r b c a a l u u me a n i n g “to be be t t e r ” . “In n i ca a l a ” th u s me a n s

“it ' s be t t e r ” . S o m e di a l e c t s m a y us e da r a n in s t e a d of ca a l a a as a co m p a r a t i v e ad j e c t i v e / a d v e r b .

Th e pr e p o s i t i o n irr a , m e a n i n g “o n ” , ca n s ig n i f y a co m p a r i s o n in a w a y th a t mo r e lit e r a l l y me a n s

“r e l a t i v e to ” . F o r ex a m p l e , “ I n n i is h e e irr a ga b a a b a a dh a ” me a n s “H e is s h o r t e r tha n s he ” [l i t .

“H e , re l a t i v e to he r , is s h o r t ” ] . In ma n y ca s e s , ca a l a a c a n be ad d e d to irr a fo r op t i o n a l em p h a s i s ,

as in “F i n f i n n e e n Ma q ale e irr a (c a a l a a ) ba r e e d d i ? ” (“I s Fin f in n e e mo r e be a u t i f u l th a n

M e k e le ? ” ) . No te th a t ci t i e s ar e tre a t e d as fem i n i n e .

F o r “w o r s e ” , ga d h e e (“ b a d ” ) is mo s t of t e n us e d , as in “ s u n ka n a r r a ga d h e e dh a ” (“ t h a t is w o r s e

th a n th i s ” ) .

F o r eq u a t i n g tw o th i n g s , as in “a s go o d as ” or “a s < a n y ad j . > as ” , ak k u m a ca n be us e d . “C h e l s i i

ak k u m a M a n c h e s t e r ga a r i i dh a ” th u s m e a n s “C h e l s e a is as go o d a s M a n c h e s t e r ” . A k k a ca n als o

be us e d to me a n “li k e ” or “s i m i l a r to ” , as in “C h a a lt u u n ak k a Ha w w i it tu u ba r a t t u u dh a ”

(“ C h a l t u is a stu d e n t lik e Ha w it u ” ) . Ad d it io n a l ly , ha n g a (h a g a in so m e dia l e c t s ) me a n s “a s

mu ch as ” , as in “B i l i s a a n ha n g a Ar g a a y a a be e k a ” (“ B i l i s a kn o w s as m u c h as A r g a y a ” ) .

M o re ex a m p l e s :
“F i n f i n n e e n jir e e n y a f A d a a m a a ca a l t i . ” — “F i n f i n n e e is be t t e r fo r liv i n g th a n Ad a m a . ”
“E e n y u t u irr a (c a a l a a ) ba r e e d a ? ” — “W h o is m o r e be a u t i f u l ? ”
“E e n y u t u irr a (c a a l a a ) ci m a a dh a ? ” — “W h o is mo r e int e l l i g e n t ? ”
“S h a m i z i i n ku n san a r r a mi 'a a dh a . ” — “T h i s s h i r t is m o r e ex p e n s i v e th a n tha t on e . ”
“I n n i nu ca a l a a sir r i t t i du b b i s a . ” — “H e ca n rea d be t t e r tha n w e ca n . ”
“I s h e e n ak k u m a is a a s ir r i t t i ha a s o o f t i . ” — “S h e sp e a k s as flu e n t l y as he . ”

No t e th a t ak k a an d ak k u m a co m e be t w e e n th e no u n s be i n g co m p a r e d . W h e n tw o th i n g s be i n g

co m p a r e d are bo t h ob j e c t s (e . g . , “H e lik e s th i s m o r e th a n tha t ” ) , irr a co m e s aft e r the fir s t ob j e c t .

W h e n on e ite m is the s u b j e c t an d th e oth e r an ob j e c t (e. g . , “T h i s is be t t e r th a n tha t ” ) , irr a co m e s

af t e r ob j e c t (s e c o n d ite m be i n g co m p a r e d ) . Ca a l a a ca n co m e be t w e e n or aft e r th e no u n s .

Ex a m p l e s :
M a n n i ke e ko o r r a gu d d a a dh a . — “Y o u r ho u s e is big g e r tha n min e .”
Itt o ha n d a a q q o o ca a l a a ko c h e e ny a c h u u n jaa l a d h a .
or Itt o ha n d a a q q o o r r a ko c h e e ca a l a a ny a c h u u n ja a l a d h a .
or Itt o ha n d a a q q o o r r a ko c h e e ny a c h u u ca a l a a n jaa l a d h a . — “I lik e to ea t do r o wa t t mo r e th a n
ki t f o ”

Th e de s c r i p t o r s “o l d e r ” an d “y o u n g e r ” ar e s om e w h a t sp e c ia l ca s e s . Ha n g a f u u is a ve r b

mea n in g “t o be ol d e r ” , wh il e q u x u s u u is an ad j e c t i v e me a i n g “y o u n g e r ” . Th e y are us e d as in

th e ex a m p l e s be l o w :

“M y sis t e r is tw o ye a r s ol d e r th a n me . ” — “o b b o l e e t t i i n ko o wa g g a a lam a na ha n g a f t i . ”
“M y sis t e r is tw o ye a r s yo u n g e r tha n me .” — “o b b o l e e t t i i n ko o wa g g a a lam a qu x u s u u ko o t i . ”

To s pe a k of thi n g s be i n g th e s a m e , on e ma y us e to k k u m a (“ s a m e ” ) , go s a tok k i c h a (“ t h e s am e

ki n d ” ) , or w a l fa k k a a t a a ( “ s i m i l a r ” ) . So m e th i n g th a t is di f f e r e n t is ad d a , an d th i n g s tha t ar e

di f f e r e n t fro m ea c h ot h e r ar e ad d a - a d d a .

Ex a m p l e s :
“th e s e tw o thi n g s are th e s am e ” — wa a n to o t a lam a ku n n i i n tok k u m a
“th e s e tw o thi n g s are s im i l a r ” — wa a n to o t a lam a ku n n i i n w a l fak k a a t a a
“th e s e tw o thi n g s are di f f e r e n t ” — wa a n t o o ta lam a ku n n i i n ad d a - a d d a
“th i s on e is di f f e r e n t ” — inn i ku n ad d a

Th e ad v e r b s ol ( i ) (“u p , ab o v e ” ) an d ga d ( i ) (“d o w n , be l o w ” ) m a y be us e d to co m p a r e th i n g s as

“h i g h e r ” or “l o w e r ” , as in :

“h e is s h o r t e r tha n 1.8 me t e r s .” — “I n n i m e e t i r a 1.8 (to k k o tu q a a s ad d e e t ) ga d i dh a . ”

“h e is ta l l e r th a n 1.8 me t e r s . ” — “In n i me e t i r a 1.8 oli dh a . ”

Pr e f e r e n c e s

Th e ve r b s ba r b a a d u u (“t o w a n t ” ) , jaa l a c h u u (“ t o lik e , lo v e ” ) , an d fil a c h u u (“t o ch o o s e [f o r

on e s e l f ] ” ) ha v e be e n co v e r e d in pre v i o u s ch a p t e r s . Th e s e are oft e n us e d in ex p r e s s i n g

pr e f e r e n c e s . Th e ve r b wa y y u u (“t o be be t t e r th a n , pr e f e r a b l e ” ) is al s o co m m o n , th o u g h it is
rd
ty p i c a l l y on l y us e d in the 3 pe r s o n wit h an ind i r e c t ob j e c t . Th u s , to s a y “it is be t t e r ” is “ i n n i

ca a l a ” , bu t “it is be t t e r fo r me ” is “in n i na a ( f ) wa y y a ” . Ca a l a a ca n als o be us e d

wi t h ba r b a a d u u , jaa l a c h u u , an d w a y y a to in d i c a t e pr e f e r e n c e of on e th i n g ov e r an o t h e r .

Ex a m p l e s :
“M a a l fil a t t a ? ” — “W h a t do yo u ch o o s e ? ”
“_ _ _ na a wa y y a ” — “I pr e f e r __ _ ”
“_ _ _ mo o __ _ ca a l a a s ii f w a y y a ? ” — “Is __ _ or __ _ pre f e r a b l e for yo u ? ”
“_ _ _ ca a l a a __ _ na n jaa l a d h a ” — “I 'd ra t h e r __ _ tha n __ _ ”
“_ _ _ ca a l a a n jaa l a d h a ” — “I lik e __ _ be t t e r ”

Su p e r la t iv e s

To s a y “i t is the be s t __ _ ” or “it is th e m o s t __ _ ” , th e Or o m o ph r a s e wo u ld di r e c t l y tra n s l a t e as

“o u t of ev e r y t h i n g , it is __ _ ” . Th e mo s t co m m o n w o r d s in O r o m o fo r “a l l ” ar e hu n d a an d cu f a .

Sh o w in g su p e r l a ti v e s in Or o m o is , th e r e f o r e , a sim p l e co m p a r i s o n be t w e e n on e thi n g an d

ev e r y t h i n g el s e .
Ex a m p l e s :
“h u n d a irr a / h u n d u m a r r a ca a l a ” — “it is the be s t ” [li t . “it is be t t e r th a n ev e r y t h i n g ” ]
“I n n i hu n d a irr a ca a l a a cim a a dh a ” — “H e is the s m a r t e s t of ev e r y o n e ”
“it t o ha n d a a q q o o ny a a t a hu n d u m a a r r a ca a l a a n jaa l a d h a ” — “M y fav o r i t e fo o d is do r o wa tt ”
Vo c a b u l a r y : Op i n io n s

ga a r i i , da n s a a go o d , w e l l , fin e

ku p h a a ka a c h o o ba s k e t b a l l

ku p h a a mi i l l a a fo o t ba l l

ila a l u u to w a t c h , s e e

ya a d u u to thi n k

m a a l ya a d d a ? w h a t do yo u thi n k ?

wa a ' e e __ _ ma a l ya a d d a w h a t do yo u thi n k ab o u t __ _ ?

wa a ' e e __ _ ya a d a m a a l i qa b d a ? “w h a t is yo u op i n i o n on __ _ ?

ak k a ya a d a ko o t t i … in my op i n i o n …

yo o na ga a f a t t a ta 'e . . . if yo u as k me . . .

an i s ii n w a l i ga l e e r a I ag r e e wi th yo u .

__ _ ak k a m i t t i ga m m a d d e ? ho w di d yo u en j o y __ _ ?

ak k a n am a n u t t i … I be l i e v e …

fa k k a a c h u u to s ee m , to ap p e a r to be

… na t t i fak k a a t a a It s e e m s to me th a t …
Af a a n Or o m o - Ch a p t e r 10 : P r e p o s i t i o n s an d Co n j u n c t i o n s
Gi v i n g Di r e c ti o n s (K a r a a Ag a r s ii s u u )

[A d a p t e d fro m Ge e t a a c h o o (20 1 1 ) , pg . 52 - 5 3 ] Pla y all

M e e t i i: Ak k a m i Ka d i r ? pl a y

Ka d i r : Fa y y a a dh a . Ak k a m jir t a ? pl a y

M e e t i i: Ho m a a hin je d h u . Bo r wa a r e e bo o d a ho j i i qa b d a ? pl a y

Ka d i r : L a k k i , m a a l i i f ? pl a y

M e e t i i: G a a r i i dh a . L a a q a n a ma n a ko o t t i si af f e e r u u n ba r b a a d e . pla y

Ka d i r : D h u f u u f ba a y ' e e n ga m m a d a , ga r u u id d o o ma n a ke e is a ha a r a a hi n be e k u . pl a y

M e e t i i: Bu u f a t a ko n k o l a a t a a ka n cin a a ma n a bil b i l a a t t i be e k t a ? pla y

Ka d i r : Ee y y e e , na n be e k a . pl a y

M e e t i i: T a a k s i i L a g a h a a r i t t i qa b a d h u fi ba k k a bu u f a t a ko n k o l a a l a a t t i bu ' i . pla y

Ka d i r : T o l e . pla y

M e e t i i: Sa n a bo o d a , ga r a mir g a go r i ha n g a qa x x a a m u r a ka r a a ge e s s u t t i ka r u m a r r a

de e m i . pla y

Ka d i r : Na a f ga l e . pla y

M e e t i i: Ga r a fuu l d u r a qa x x a a m u r a ka r a a t t i ha n g a da q i i q a a s h a n i i f de e m i . M e s s a l e m i y a a n

ka r a a mi r g a a jir a . pl a y

Ka d i r : Ga r a mi r g a a je t t e ? pla y

M e e t i i: Ee y y e e . Si r r i i dh a . Ac h i t t i s a ' a a t i i ku d h a to k k o fi wa l a k k a a t t i wa l ag a r r a . pl a y

Ka d i r : T o l e . Ku n ga a r i i dh a . W a l ag a r r a . Na g a a t t i . pla y

M e e t i i: Na g a a t t i . pla y

Pr e p o s i t io n s an d Po s tp o s it i o n s

A pr e p o s i t i o n lin k s a no u n to an ac t i o n (e . g . , “g o fr o m the r e ” ) or to an o t h e r no u n (“ t h e

pe n on the ta b l e ” ) . F o r th e pu r p o s e of cla r i t y , thi s ch a p t e r w i l l div i d e Or o m o pr e p o s i t i o n s in t o

tw o ca t e g o r i e s : tru e pre p o s i t i o n s an d po s t p o s i t i o n s , w i t h tru e pr e p o s i t i o n s co m i n g be f o r e th e

no u n an d po s t p o s i t i o n s co m i n g af t e r th e no u n th e y rel a t e to .

So m e Co m m o n Pr e p o s i ti o n s an d Po s tp o s it i o n s :

Po s tp o s i ti o n s Pr e p o s i t io n s

ala — ou t , ou t s i d e ga r a — to w a r d s

bi r a — be s i d e , w i t h , aro u n d ee g a , erg a — sin c e , fro m , aft e r

bo o d a — aft e r ha g a , ha n g a — un t i l

cin a a — be s i d e , ne a r , ne x t to ha m m a — up to, as mu c h as

du r , du r a — be f o r e ak k a — lik e , as

du u b a — be h i n d , ba c k of wa a ' e e — ab o u t , in re g a r d to

irr a — on

irr a a — fro m

itt i — to , at, in
jal a — un d e r , be n e a t h

jid d u u — m i d d l e , be t w e e n

ke e s s a — in , ins i d e

male e — w i t h o u t , ex c e p t

wa j ji n — w i t h , to g e t h e r

gu b b a a — on , ab o v e

fu u l d u r a — in fro n t of

ga d ( i ) — do w n , be l o w

ol ( i ) — up , ab o v e

Ex a m p l e s :

bo q o n n a a r r a [b o q o n n a a irr a ] – “o n va c a t i o n ”

man a ke e s s a – “i n the ho u s e ”

wa a r e e bo o d a – “a f t e r n o o n ”

irr a de e b i ' i – “r e p e a t ” [li t . “r e t u r n on it” ]

Y u u n i v a r s i t i i H a r o o m a y a a t t i ba r s i i s s a a – “te a c h e r at H a r o m a y a Un iv e r s it y ”

man a ny a a t a a ka n a t t i – “a t th i s res t a u r a n t ”

“w a a ' e e fii l m i i s u n na t t i him i ” – “t e l l me ab o u t th a t fil m ”

“C h a a l t u u n ak k a Ha w w i it u u ba r a t u u dh a . ” – “C h a l t u is a stu d e n t lik e Ha w i tu . ”

ha n g a tor b a n dh u f u – “u n t i l ne x t w e e k ”

ga m m a c h u u wa j ji n – “w i t h pl e a s u r e ”

sh a a y e e an n a n ma l e e – “te a wi th o u t mil k ”

“A n i me e t i r i i lam a ga d i . ” – “I am be l o w [s h o r t e r th a n ] 2 m e t e r s . ”

“K e e n i y a a n Ito o p h i y a a r r a a (g a r a ) kib b a t t i arg a m t i ” – “K e n y a is lo c a t e d (to the ) s o u t h of

Et h i o p i a ”

Fr o m th e ex a m p l e s ab o v e , yo u ma y no t i c e th a t th e po s t p o s i t i o n s itt i , irr a , an d irr a a mo s t of t e n

oc c u r as s u f f i x e s , -tt i , -r r a , an d -r r a a , on the no u n s th e y rel a t e to.

Of t e n wi th pl a c e na m e s , no pr e p o s i t i o n or po s t p o s i t i o n is us e d to be me a n “i n ” . Th e r e f o r e ,

on e ca n s ay “F i n f i n n e e jir a t t a ” fo r “y o u liv e in F i n f i n n e e [A d d i s A b a b a ] ” , or “h o s p i t a a l a n

tu r e ” fo r “I w a s in th e ho s p i t a l ” , us i n g no pr e p o s i t i o n .

P e r s o n a l pr o n o u n s ar e no t us e d wi th pr e p o s i t i o n s . In s t e a d , po s s e s s i v e pr o n o u n s are us e d as

pe r s o n a l pro n o u n s .

Ex a m p l e s :

“to w a r d me ” — ga r a ko o ( t t i ) [n o t ga r a na ]

“li k e us ” — ak k a ke e n y a

“a c c o r d i n g to hi m ” — ak k a is a a t t i

“a b o u t yo u ” — wa a ' e e ke e
P o s t p o s i t i o n s , on the ot h e r ha n d , tak e th e ac c u s a t i v e fo r m of pe r s o n a l pr o n o u n s .

Ex a m p l e s :

“a t yo u ” — sit t i

“f r o m me ” — na r r a a

“u n d e r hi m ” — is a jal a

When an ad j e c t i v e mo d i f i e s a no u n , the po s t p o s i t i o n fol l o w s the ad j e c t i v e , as in “ n a m a

gu d d a r r a a ” (“f r o m th e big ma n ” ) .

Co n j u n c t i o n s

W h e re a s pr e p o s i t i o n s lin k no u n s to ot h e r pa r t s of the s e n t e n c e , co n j u n c t i o n s us u a l l y lin k

m o re co m p l e t e th o u g h t s to g e t h e r .

So m e Co m m o n Co n j u n c t i o n s :

an d fi [a l s o -f s u f f i x ]

bu t ga r u u , im m o o

or yo o k i n (fo r de c l a r a t i v e s ) , mo o (fo r qu e s t i o n s )

ho w e v e r ha a ta' u ma l e e

th o u g h ta' u s

s o , the r e f o r e ka n a a f , ka n a a f u

be c a u s e sab a b ii n is a a , s ab a b i i n s a [li t . “i t s re a s o n ” ]

s o tha t , in or d e r to ak k a

Co n j u n c t i o n s co m e be t w e e n the tw o cla u s e s the y co n n e c t , th o u g h ga r u u an d im m o o (“b u t ” )

ca n als o co m e af t e r the fir s t no u n or no u n a l ph r a s e in th e s ec o n d cl a u s e .

Ex a m p l e s :

“I n n i s h e e jaa l a t a ta' u s am a n a m a a mit i.” – “T h o u g h he lo v e s he r , he is un f a i t h f u l . ”

“D a a d h i i m o o bii r a a dh u g u u ba r b a a d d a ? ” – “D o yo u w a n t te j [a l c o h o l i c ho n e y dr i n k ] or

be e r ? ”

“A n i ko c h e e ny a a d h e ka n a a f u ga r a ka s a n qa b a . ” – “I at e kit f o [ra w m e a t ] s o I go t dia r r h e a . ”

“N y a a t a n ba r b a a d a s ab a b i i n s a na n be e l a ' e . ” – “I w a n t foo d be c a u s e I am hu n g r y . ”

“A n i na n de e m a ak k a inn i dh u f u u f . ” – “I w i l l go s o th a t he w i l l co m e . ”

“I t t o o s hi r o o n jaa l a d h a ga r u u itt o o mis i ra ca a l a a ja a l a d h a . ” or “I t t o o sh ir o o n jaa l a d h a itt o o

m is ir a ga r u u ca a l a a ja a l a d h a . ” – “I lik e sh i r o w a t t , bu t I lik e len t i l w a t t m o r e . ”

“I n n i s ga r a bi y y a is a a dh u f e , s a b n i is a a ga r u u is a hi n sim a n n e . ” – “A n d he ca m e to hi s

co u n t r y , bu t his pe o p l e di d no t ac c e p t hi m [J o h n 1:1 1 ] . ”

Vo c a b u l a r y : Di r e c t io n s

ka a b a no r t h
ki b b a so u th

ba h a ea s t

lix a we s t

m ir g a rig h t

bi t a a lef t

go r u u to tur n

ga r a bi t a a t t i / m i r g a t t i go r i tu r n le f t / r i g h t

ka r a a ka m i ? wh i c h wa y

bi t a a / m i r g a a jir a it' s on th e lef t / r i g h t

ar g a c h u u to fin d

ar g a m u u to be fo u n d

ee s s a t t i arg a m a ? wh e r e is it fo u n d ?

ku u n n o o th e r e it is

ce 'u u to cro s s

riq q i c h a ce ' i cr o s s th e bri d g e

lag a riv e r
bi r a , ci n a a , dh i y o o ne a r

fa g o o fa r

aa n u u to be ne x t to

na a n n o o su r r o u n d i n g s

as ( i ) he r e

ac h i th e r e

ka r a a ro a d , pa t h , w a y

ka r a a mu u m m e e main ro a d

ad d a b a b a ' i i ro u n d - a b o u t

wa l a k k a a ma g a a la a tt i to w n ce n t e r , do w n t o w n

am m a s ag a i n

ib s a a tir a a f i k i i tra f f i c lig h t

qa b a c h u u to tak e (a bu s or tax i )

see n u u to ge t on (a ve h i c l e )

bu ' u u to ge t of f (a ve h i c l e )

“I d d o n jir a ? ” “I s th e r e a sea t? ”
 ka 'u u to de p a r t

ga 'u u [-e e s s - ve r b ] to arr i v e

af f e e r u u to inv i t e

bu u f a t a ko n k o l a a t a a bu s sta t i o n

man a bi l b i l a a tel e p h o n e off i c e

ba k k a pl a c e , ar e a , s it e

qa x x a a m u r a ka r a a cr o s s - r o a d s , in t e r s e c t i o n

ge e s s u t t i ka r u m a r r a alo n g th e roa d

ga r a fu u l d u r a str a i g h t

Af a a n Or o m o - Ch a p t e r 9: J u s s i v e
Na r r a t i v e

Be t t e r He a l th Be g i n s wi t h Yo u ! ( F a y y a a n ga a r i i n s i ir r a a jal q a b a ! )

Pla y all

1. pl a y Gu y y u m a gu y y a a t t i da a b b o o wa a n dh a d h a a he d d d u hi n qa b n e ; ak a y i , ru z z a

yo o k i n pa a s t a dh i h e e s s a a ja h a ha n g a ku d h a to k k o ny a a d h u . F a k k e e n y a a f , ga n a m a

m a t a j a b o o , gu y y a san d w i c h ga l g a l a im m o o ru z z a du w w a ny a a d h u .

2. pl a y Ija m u k k a t t i fi ku d u r a a dh i h e e s s a a sh a n ny a a d h u . F a k k e n y a a f , cu u n f a a

bi r t u k a a n i i dh u g i , s a l a a x a a ny a a d h u , ga l g a l a im m o o din n i c h a a aff e e l a m a fi ija

w a y i n i i ny a a d h u .

3. pl a y G u y y a a t t i yo o xi n n a a t e bi s h a a n bu r c u q q o s ad d e e t dh u u g g i .

4. pl a y Fo o n dii m a a ka n ba a y 'e e co o m a hi n qa b n e is a a ak a a han q a a q o o yo o k i i n

qu r x u m m i i ny a a d h u .

5. pl a y Wa a n s a 'a ka n dh a d h a a ya r t u u qa b u ka n ak k a aa n a a n raa f a m a a fi iti t t u u

fil a d h u .

6. pl a y Ny a a ta wa a n mi'a a w a a fi dh u g a a t i i al k o o l i i hin ba a y 'i s i i n .

 7. pl a y Gu y y a a hu n d a s o s o c h o 'a go d h i . D i r r e e ke e s s a ad e e m i , yo o k i i n sir b a bu 'i ,

tap h a d h u .

8. pl a y Ny a a ta ko l e s t r o l hi n qa b n e fi, za y i t i i w a a n s a' a fi ka n co o m a ho r i i irr a

ho j j a t a m u ma n a za y i t i i ku d u r a a fil a d h u .

Th e Im p e r a t i v e

nd
Th e 2 pe r s o n jus s i v e , be t t e r kn o w n as the im p e r a t i v e , is us e d for is s u i n g co m m a n d s . In

O r o m o , the r e are tw o fo r m s for the im p e r a t i v e , the s in g u l a r (at i ) an d the pl u r a l / p o l i t e (is i n ) .

F o r all ve r b s ex c e p t -c h u u ve r b s , th e pa t t e r n fo r fo r m i n g im p e r a t i v e s is as fo l l o w s :

Fo r m a t io n of Im p e r a t i v e s

Af f ir m a t iv e Ne g a t iv e

su f f i x pr e f i x su f f i x

ati -i hi n -in

is i n -a hi n -in a

Fo r -ch u u ve r b s , w h e r e th e ve r b s te m is th e inf i n i t i v e min u s th e -c h u u en d i n g , th e im p e r a t i v e s

ar e fo r m e d as fol l o w s :

Im p e r a t i v e s fo r -ch u u ve r b s

Af f ir m a t iv e Ne g a t iv e

su f f i x pr e f i x su f f i x

ati -d h u hi n -ti n

is i n -d h a hi n -ti n a

Ex a m p l e s

En g l i s h At i Is i n

sit taa ' i taa ' a

do n ' t sit hi n taa 'i n hi n taa 'i n a

ea t ny a a d h u ny a a d h a

do n ' t ea t hi n ny a a t i n hi n ny a a t i n a

go de e m i de e m a

do n ' t go hi n de e m i n hi n de e m i n a

gi v e ke n n i ke n n a

do n ' t gi v e hi n ke n n i n hi n ke n n i n a

Ex c e p t i o n s
Th e ma in ex c e p t i o n is “c o m e ” (“ t o co m e ” – dh u f u u ) w h i c h

is ko o t t u , ko o t t a (n o t dh u f i , dh u f a ) in th e aff i r m a t i v e . Th e ne g a t i v e im p e r a t i v e (“d o n ' t co m e ” )

fo l l o w s th e s ta n d a r d pa t t e r n , hin dh u f i n , hi n dh u f i n a . Th e im p e r a t i v e “g o ” ca n als o

be b e e n u , be e n a in ad d i t i o n to the re g u l a r fo r m s de e m i , de e m a .

“P l e a s e ”

Th e sta n d a r d wo r d fo r “p l e a s e ” is m a a l o o , th o u g h in co n v e r s a t i o n th i s is us e d mo s t l y for

mak in g req u e s t s an d as a res p o n s e , as in “y e s , ple a s e ” . Ad a r a a (“ i n th e na m e of ” ) is al s o

so m e t im e s us e d as “p l e a s e ” in th i s co n t e x t . F o r im p e r a t i v e s an d oth e r jus s i v e fo r m s , me e is

m o s t co m m o n l y us e d .

Ex a m p l e s :

“K o o t t u me e ” — “c o m e he r e , pl e a s e ”

“M e e w a a 'e e ob b o l a a w w a n ke e na t t i hi m i ” — “P l e a s e tel l m e ab o u t yo u r bro t h e r s ”

“M e e na m a s un ga a f a d h u ” — “P l e a s e as k th a t pe r s o n ”

“M e e s u u t a du b b a d h u ” — “P l e a s e sp e a k slo w l y / s l o w e r ”

“M e e irr a na a de e b i ' i ” — “P l e a s e re p e a t fo r m e ”

“M e e gu d d i s i i du b b a d h u ” — “P l e a s e s p e a k lo u d l y / l o u d e r ”

M o re In d i r e c t O b j e c t s : Th e Da t i v e

Th e da t i v e ca s e is us e d to ind i c a t e d re c i p i e n t s an d be n e f a c t o r s , w h e r e in En g l i s h we wo u l d

us e “to ” or “fo r ” . Th e da t i v e ma y be fo r m e d by on e of th e fol l o w i n g me th o d s :

1. F o r no u n s tha t en d in a s h o r t vo w e l (in the i r di c t i o n a r y for m ) , th e vo w e l w i l l be

len g t h e n e d an d , op t i o n a l l y , an -f s uf f i x ad d e d . “G i v e it to th e bo y ” ca n th u s be

ex p r e s s e d as “i s a ilm a a ke n n i ” or “is a ilm a a f ke n n i ” .

2. F o r no u n s en d i n g in a lo n g vo w e l , eit h e r -f or -d h a a ( f ) s uf f i x e s ma y be at t a c h e d . “It 's

go o d fo r ea t i n g ” ca n be ex p r e s s e d as “ n y a a c h u u f ga a r i i dh a ” , “n y a a c h u u d h a a ga a r i i

dh a ” , or “n y a a c h u u d h a a f ga a r i i dh a ”

3. F o r no u n s en d i n g in a co n s o n a n t , th e su f f ix -ii f w i l l be att a c h e d . F o r ex a m p l e , “g i v e it

to Jim ” wo u ld be “i s a J im i i f ke n n i ” .

Th e da t i v e fo r m s for the pe r s o n a l pr o n o u n s ar e giv e n be l o w .

Su b j e c t Pr o n o u n s Da t iv e Pr o n o u n s

I an i to / f o r m e na a , na a f

we nu t i to / f o r us nu u , nu u f

yo u ati to / f o r yo u sii , sii f

yo u (p l . ) is i n to / f o r yo u (p l . ) is i n i i , is i n i i f

he , it in n i to / f o r hi m , it is a a , is a a f

sh e is h e e n to / f o r he r is h e e , is h e e f
 th e y is a a n to / f o r th e m is a a n i i , is a a n i i f

Th e lo c a t i v e -tt i s uf f i x ca n so m e t im e s be us e d in a da t i v e - l i k e m a n n e r . F o r ins t a n c e , “t e l l

hi m ” wo u l d be “is a t t i jed h i ” [li t . “s a y at him ” ] ra t h e r tha n “i s a a f jed h i ” [li t . “s a y for him ” ] .

Do u b l e Im p e r a t i v e s

W h e re En g l i s h wo u ld us e an ad v e r b to mo d i f y an im p e r a t i v e , O r o m o mo s t of t e n us e s tw o

im p e r a t i v e s in a row , w i t h th e fir s t mo d i f y i n g th e s ec o n d . Th e fir s t im p e r a t i v e is gi v e n a lon g

fin a l vo w e l .

Ex a m p l e s :

“S p e a k loa d l y / l o a d e r ” — “G u d d i s i i du b b a d h u ” (s g . ) or “G u d d i s a a du b b a d h a ” (p l u . / p o l . )

“R u n fa s t e r ” — “B a a y ' i s i i fii g i ” (s g . ) or “B a a y ' i s a a fii g a ” (pl u . / p o l . )

“W o r k ha r d e r ” — “C i m s i i ho j j a d h u ” (s g . ) or “C i m s a a ho j j a d h a ” (pl u . / p o l . )

Th e ad v e r b a l im p e r a t i v e s ar e a lm o s t alw a y s ca u s a t i v e s (di s c u s s e d in Ch a p t e r

16 ) . G u d d i s u u is “to m a k e bi g ” , ba a y 'i s u u is “to ma k e ma n y / m u c h ” , an d cim s u u is “to ma k e

str o n g ” .

To ex p r e s s a seq u e n c e of co m m a n d s , im p e r a t i v e s are s im p l y pu t to g e t h e r . F o r ex a m p l e , “g o

(a n d ) ea t ” is de e m i ny a a d h u ( n o elo n g a t i o n of the fin a l vo w e l on the fir s t im p e r a t i v e ) .

Th e Ju s s i v e Fo r m s
st rd
Th e 1 an d 3 pe r s o n ju s s i v e for m s ex p r e s s s u g g e s t i o n s , tra n s l a t e d ro u g h l y as th e En g l i s h

“le t ” . Th e jus s i v e fo r m s wo u l d th u s be “l e t m e ” , “l e t us ” , “le t him ” , etc . Th e ju s s i v e f or m s

us e the pr e v e r b ha a an d att a c h a su f f i x to the ve r b s te m .

Fo r m a t io n of the Ju s s iv e

Pr e f i x Su f f i x Su f f i x (fo r -ch u u ve r b s )

an i ha a -u -d h u

nu t i ha a -n u -n n u

in n i ha a -u -tu

is h e e n ha a -tu -tt u

is a a n ha a -a n u / a n i / a n -ta n u / t a n i / t a n

Ex a m p l e s :

ha a ta' u — ok a y [li t . “le t it be ” ]

ha a ny a a n n u — “l e t ' s ea t ”

in n i ha a de e m u — “l e t hi m go ”

si ha a ga r g a a r u — “L e t m e he l p yo u ”

F o r irr e g u l a r ve r b s , the ve r b ste m ch a n g e s ju s t as it do e s in the pr e s e n t an d pa s t ten s e s . Th e

ex a m p l e of ta a 'u u (“ t o s it ” ) is gi v e n be l o w .
Or o m o En g l i s h

an i ha a ta a ' u let m e s it

in n i ha a taa ' u let hi m sit

(n u t i ) ha a te e n y u let us sit

(is h e e n ) ha a te e s s u let he r sit

(is a a n ) ha a ta a ' a n u let th e m sit

No t e tha t on l y th e reg u l a r s te m is us e d in im p e r a t i v e s , ev e n for irr e g u l a r ve r b s (e . g . , the

im p e r a t i v e “s i t ” is ta a 'i / t a a 'a , no t t e e s s i / t e e s s a wh ic h me a n “s h e sit s ” / “ y o u sit ” as de c l a r a t i v e s ) .

st
Th e 1 pe r s o n ju s s i v e , w h i l e un d e r s t o o d , is no t co m m o n , es p e c i a l l y in th e sin g u l a r . It is mo r e

co m m o n to us e th e pre s e n t - f u t u r e ten s e , as in “o f i ko o n of ba r s i i s a ” (“I w i l l int r o d u c e

m y s e l f ” ) rat h e r tha n “o f i ko o n ha a of ba r s i i s u ” (“ l e t m e in t r o d u c e my s e l f ” ) , or “ a c h i t t i w a l

ag a r r a ” (“w e wi ll me e t the r e ” ) ra t h e r tha n “ a c h i t t i w a l ha a ag a r r u ” (“ l e t ' s m e e t th e r e ” ) .

In a qu e s t i o n , th e jus s i v e wo r k s lik e th e En g l i s h “s h a l l ” , as in “h a a de e m n u ? ” fo r “s h a l l w e

go ? ” .

Ot h e r Fo r m s of Re q u e s t s

O t h e r tha n us i n g im p e r a t i v e or ju s s i v e fo r m s , it is of t e n po l i t e to us e the in f i n i t i v e

wi t h da n d a ' u u (“t o be ab l e , po s s i b l e ” ) . F o r m s us i n g the su b o r d i n a te te n s e an d if - t h e n cla u s e s

(“ c o u l d yo u … ” , “w o u l d yo u … ” , “I w o u l d ap p r e c i a t e it if… ” ) ar e di s c u s s e d i n Ch a p t e r 17 .

Ex a m p l e s :

“C a n yo u len d it to m e , p le a s e ” — “I s a na a er g i s u u da n d e e s s a , m a a l o o ? ”

“C a n yo u (p l . ) ple a s e he l p me ? ” — “M a a l o o , na a ga r g a a r u u da n d e e s s u ? ”

“C a n I op e n a win d o w ? ” — “F o d d a a ba n u u da n d a ' a ? ”

Re s p o n d i n g to Co m m a n d s an d Su g g e s ti o n s

Th e re c e i v e r of a co m m a n d or s u g g e s t i o n ha s a va r i e t y of w a y s to ac c e p t or re f u s e .

So m e Co m m o n Re s p o n s e s

Ok a y to l e , ha a ta' u

Su r e sir r i t t i , dh u g u m a

O f co u r s e dh u g a a d h u m a

A l l rig h t , fin e ba y e e s s a

So r r y dh i i f a m a , na n ga d d a

S o r r y , I ca n 't dh i i f a m a hi n da n d a ' u

It' s po s s i b l e da n d a 'a m a

It' s no t po s s i b l e hi n da n d a ' a m u

I do n 't ha v e tim e ye r o o hin qa b u

“I ca n ' t , I ha v e to go ” “H i n da n d a 'u , de e m u u n qa b a ”
 “A n o t h e r tim e . N o w I m u s t go ” “Y e r o o bir a a . A m m a de e m u u t u na r r a jir a . ”

“N o , I ne e d to go ” “L a k k i , de e m u u n ba r b a a d a ”

Ex p r e s s i n g Ne e d s

Th e la s t thr e e ex a m p l e s ab o v e sh o w ex c u s e s by ex p r e s s i n g ne e d s . Th e r e ar e a nu m b e r of

wa y s of do i n g th i s . Th e fo u r ma i n wa y s are :

M e th o d 1: < i n f i n a t i v e > + < p r e s e n t te n s e qa b u u > , as in “x u m u r u u qa b t i ” fo r “s h e ha s to

fin i s h ” .

M e th o d 2: < i n f i n a t i v e > + < p r e s e n t te n s e ba r b a a d u u > , as in “n y a a c h u u ba r b a a n n a ” fo r “w e

ne e d to ea t ” (a l s o m e a n s “w e w a n t to ea t ” )

M e th o d 3: < a c c . pe r s . pr o n o u n > + ba r b a a c h i s a , as in “b i r c i q q o o is a ba r b a a c h i s a ” , w h i c h

lit e r a l l y me a n s “a gl a s s is ne c e s s a r y fo r hi m ” . F o r p l u r a l ne e d s , ba r b a a c h i s u is us e d to m e a n

“a r e ne e d e d / n e c e s s a r y ” , as in “ b i r c i q q o o l e e n is a a n i ba r b a a c h i s u ” (“ g l a s s e s ar e ne c e s s a r y fo r

th e m ” ) .

M e th o d 4: < i n f i n a t i v e > + t u + < a c c . pe r s . pr o n o u n > + r r a + jir a . Th i s co n s t r u c t i o n wo r k s lik e

th e En g l i s h “m u s t ” or “s h o u l d ” , as is “b a r a c h u u t u sir r a jir a ” for “y o u s ho u l d / m u s t le a r n ” [li t .

“it ' s on yo u to lea r n ” ] .

Ch p a t e r V o c a b u l a r y

jed h i / j e d h a by e (in f o r m a l ) [li t . “s p e a k ” ]

of ee g g a d h u / e e g g a d h a be ca r e f u l

da a b b o o br e a d

dh a d h a a bu t t e r

wa a n dh a d h a a he d d d u hin qa b n e lo w - f a t

ak a y i ce r e a l

ru z z a ric e

dh i h e e s s a a ser v i n g
fa k k e e n y a a f “f o r ex a m p l e ”

m a t a ja b o o oa t m e a l

du w w a a bl a n k , em p t y , pl a i n

ija m u k k a , fu d u r a a fru i t

ku d u r a a ve g e t a b l e

cu u n f a a ju i c e

bi r t u k a a n i i Or a n g e (co l o r an d fru i t )

dh u g u u to dri n k

dh u g a a t i i dr i n k , be v e r a g e

sala a x a a sala d

di n n i c h a a po t a t o

af f e e l a m a bo i l e d

ija wa y i n ii gr a p e

yo o xi n n a a t e “a t le a s t ”

bu r c u q q o gl a s s , cu p
fo o n mea t

co o m a fa t

is a a ak a a “s u c h as ”

ha n q a a q o o ch i c k e n

qu r x u m m i i fis h

s a 'a co w

ya r t u u fe w , s m a l l am o u n t

aa n a a n m il k

aa n a a n ra a f a m a a sk im mi l k

iti t t u u yo g u r t

fil a c h u u to ch o o s e

m i'a a w a a sw e e t

ba a y 'i s u u to ma k e ma n y

s o c h o 'u u m o v i n g , ac t i v e

go d h u u to do
di r r e e fie l d

ad e e m u u to w a l k

sir b a bu 'u u to da n c e

tap h a c h u u to pla y

za y i t i i oi l

co o m a ho r i i an i m a l fa t