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Oromo overview

How to say hello, thank you and more in Oromo

25 essential Oromo phrases with pronunciation written out for English speakers. Everything below is what a beginner actually needs first: greetings, polite words, numbers, family, food, time and getting around. The stressed syllable is in capitals so you can say it out loud without guessing.

Quick answers

Hello

Akkam

/ak-KAM/

Thank you

Galatoomi

/ga-la-TOO-mee/

Goodbye

Nagaatti

/na-GAAT-tee/

Yes

Eeyyee

/EH-yeh/

No

Lakki

/LAK-kee/

Please

Maaloo

/MAA-lo/

Welcome

Baga nagaan dhuftan

/BA-ga na-GAAN dhoof-TAN/

Sorry

Dhiifama

/dhee-fa-MA/

How are you?

Akkam jirta?

/ak-KAM JEER-ta/

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First words

Greet someone and be polite

  • AkkamHello/ak-KAM/
  • GalatoomiThank you/ga-la-TOO-mee/
  • Baga nagaan dhuftanWelcome/BA-ga na-GAAN dhoof-TAN/
  • NagaattiGoodbye/na-GAAT-tee/
  • EeyyeeYes/EH-yeh/
  • LakkiNo/LAK-kee/
  • MaalooPlease/MAA-lo/
  • DhiifamaSorry/dhee-fa-MA/

Meeting people

Introduce yourself and ask how someone is

  • Maqaan koo AmaraMy name is Amara/ma-QAAN ko a-MA-ra/
  • Maqaan kee eenyu?What is your name?/ma-QAAN keh EH-nyoo/
  • Akkam jirta?How are you?/ak-KAM JEER-ta/
  • Nagaan jiraI am fine/na-GAAN JEE-ra/
  • BishaanWater/bee-SHAAN/
  • NyaataFood/nya-A-ta/
  • MichuuFriend/mee-CHOO/
  • ManaHouse/MA-na/

Counting

Numbers one to five and market basics

  • TokkoOne/TOK-ko/
  • LamaTwo/LA-ma/
  • SadiiThree/sa-DEE/
  • AfurFour/a-FOOR/
  • ShanFive/SHAN/
  • Gatiin isaa meeqa?How much is it?/GA-teen ee-SAA MEE-qa/
  • GabaaMarket/ga-BAA/
  • BishaanWater/bee-SHAAN/
  • Bituu nan barbaadaI want to buy/bee-TOO nan bar-BAA-da/

Questions people ask about Oromo

How do you say "hello" in Oromo?

"Hello" in Oromo is Akkam, pronounced /ak-KAM/ (stressed syllables in capitals).

How do you say "thank you" in Oromo?

"Thank you" in Oromo is Galatoomi, pronounced /ga-la-TOO-mee/ (stressed syllables in capitals).

How do you say "how are you?" in Oromo?

"How are you?" in Oromo is Akkam jirta?, pronounced /ak-KAM JEER-ta/ (stressed syllables in capitals).

Is Oromo hard to learn?

  • Doubled consonants and doubled vowels both change meaning.
  • Word order is typically subject–object–verb.
  • Qubee spelling is consistent, so reading comes quickly.

Where is Oromo spoken?

Ethiopia and northern Kenya — around 37 million. Writing system: Latin alphabet (Qubee).

Can I learn Oromo for free?

Yes. This phrasebook is free to read, and SemaSoma gives you the first three units of the course plus 15 translations a day before anything is paid.

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