Learning Oromo: a practical guide
This is a written companion to the free Oromo course on LanguagePath: what the language is like, how it sounds, the phrases you will use first, how the course is structured, and what to watch out for. Everything here comes from the same lessons you can practise interactively above.
What Oromo is like
Oromo — its own speakers call it Afaan Oromoo — is a Cushitic language in the Afro-Asiatic family, and the most widely spoken native language in Ethiopia. Word order is subject–object–verb, and there are no articles: bishaan can mean 'water', 'a water' or 'the water'. The five vowels (a, e, i, o, u) are pure and can be short or long. To say you want something, use ani barbaada = I want (from the verb barbaaduu, to search for). Oromo is not related to Amharic — Amharic is a Semitic language, Oromo is Cushitic, a different branch of the same big family. A warm galatoomaa (thank you) and maaloo (please) open every door.
Words you may already know
Pronunciation notes
Oromo — Afaan Oromoo — is written in the Latin alphabet called Qubee, and it's beautifully regular. Every word is said as it is written. Master these few sounds and you can read any Oromo word aloud.
- a e i o u — five pure vowels — "ah, eh, ee, oh, oo", never glided, as in bishaan = bee-SHAHN (water).
- aa ee ii oo uu — long vowels are held longer, which can change the meaning, as in galatoomaa = gah-lah-TOH-mah.
- c (ch) — "ch" as in church, as in cimaa = CHI-maa (strong).
- dh — an implosive "d" made with a soft catch in the throat, as in dhugaa = dhoo-GAH (drink!).
- x — an ejective "t" — pushed out with a small burst of air, as in xiqqaa = tih-KAH (small).
- q — an ejective "k" — a hard k caught deep in the throat, as in qilleensa = kee-LEEN-sah (weather / air).
- ny — like "ny" in canyon, as in nyaata = NYAH-tah (food).
- sh — "sh" as in shoe, as in shaayee = SHAH-yay (tea).
First phrases
The pocket phrases below are the ones learners reach for most often. Say each one out loud a few times before moving on.
| Oromo | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Akkam | AHK-kam | Hello / how are you? |
| Baga nagaan dhuftan | BAH-gah nah-GAHN dhoof-tahn | Welcome |
| Nagaatti | nah-GAHT-tee | Goodbye |
| Akkam jirtu? | AHK-kam jeer-too | How are you? |
| Nagaan | nah-GAHN | I'm fine |
| Maqaan koo Alex | mah-KAHN koh | My name is... |
| Galatoomaa | gah-lah-TOH-mah | Thank you |
| Galatoomaa baay'ee | gah-lah-TOH-mah BAY-ay | Thanks a lot |
| Maaloo | MAH-loh | Please |
| Tola | TOH-lah | OK / fine |
| Waantokkoo hin taane | WAHN-tok-koh heen TAH-neh | You're welcome |
| Tokko | TOK-koh | 1 |
| Lama | LAH-mah | 2 |
| Sadi | SAH-dee | 3 |
| Afur | AH-foor | 4 |
| Shan | shahn | 5 |
| Kudhan | koo-DHAHN | 10 |
| Bishaan | bee-SHAHN | water |
| Buddeena | bood-DAY-nah | bread |
| Shaayee | SHAH-yay | tea |
| Kofee | koh-FAY | coffee |
| Mi'aawaadha | mee-A-wah-dah | it's delicious |
| Eessa? | EH-sah | Where is...? |
| Gara mirgaati | GAH-rah meer-GAH-tee | to the right |
| Gara bitaati | GAH-rah bee-TAH-tee | to the left |
| Fuuldura | FOOL-doo-rah | straight ahead |
| Isteishinii | iss-tay-SHEE-nee | the station |
| Meeqa? | MEH-kah | how much is it? |
| Ani barbaada | AH-nee bar-BAH-dah | I want |
| Birr | beer | money / birr |
How the Oromo course is structured
The course has 16 short lessons that build on each other. Each one introduces a few new pieces and then asks you to construct sentences you have never seen, before revealing the answer:
- Greetings & welcome — akkam · baga nagaan dhuftan · nagaatti
- Polite phrases — galatoomaa · maaloo · tola
- Numbers 1–10 — tokko · lama · sadi · kudhan
- I want" — ani barbaada — ani barbaada · bishaan · buddeena · maaloo
- Food & drink — bishaan · buddeena · shaayee · kofee
- Directions — eessa? · gara mirgaati · gara bitaati · fuuldura
- Questions & "do you have…?" — qabdaa? · jiraa? · maal · eenyu
- Family & people — maatii · haadha · abbaa · hiriyyaa
- Time, days & weather — har'a · boru · kaleessa · qilleensa
- Small talk & your name — maqaan koo Alex · maqaan kee eenyu?
- Emergency & health — gargaarsaa! · doktora · ani hin hubanne
- Tying it together — ani barbaada · akkam · meeqa? · galatoomaa
- Airport & tickets — buufata xiyyaaraa · paaspoortii · tikeetii · keessummaa
- The taxi — taaksii · deemuu · hoteela · dhaabi
- The hotel — qabxiinsa · kutaa · furtuu · halkan
- Ask for help — hin hubadhu · suuta · Ingiliffaa
Inside the lessons
Here is how a few of the lessons explain the language, with worked examples and the word-by-word breakdown the course uses.
Greetings & welcome
Key pieces: akkam · baga nagaan dhuftan · nagaatti
Let's start with the very first word you'll hear everywhere: akkam — hello (and how are you?). Say it out loud.
- akkam (AHK-kam) — hello / how are you?
- baga nagaan dhuftan (BAH-gah nah-GAHN dhoof-tahn) — welcome (glad you came in peace)
- nagaatti (nah-GAHT-tee) — goodbye
- nagaan (nah-GAHN) — in peace / I'm fine
To say “Hello!” in Oromo: Akkam! (AHK-kam). Built from akkam = hello.
When you arrive, greet with the warm baga nagaan dhuftan — welcome, literally "glad you came in peace". It's the standard welcome.
- akkam jirtu? (AHK-kam jeer-too) — How are you? (formal)
- nagaan (nah-GAHN) — I'm fine / in peace
- galatoomaa (gah-lah-TOH-mah) — thank you
To say “Hello, how are you?” in Oromo: Akkam, akkam jirtu? (AHK-kam, AHK-kam jeer-too). Built from akkam = hello; akkam jirtu? = how are you?.
Polite phrases
Key pieces: galatoomaa · maaloo · tola
The magic words of courtesy: galatoomaa — thank you — and maaloo — please.
- galatoomaa (gah-lah-TOH-mah) — thank you
- galatoomaa baay'ee (gah-lah-TOH-mah BAY-ay) — thank you very much
- maaloo (MAH-loh) — please
- waantokkoo hin taane (WAHN-tok-koh heen TAH-neh) — you're welcome (it's nothing)
To say “Thank you very much” in Oromo: Galatoomaa baay'ee (gah-lah-TOH-mah BAY-ay). Built from galatoomaa = thank you; baay'ee = very much.
To make a request polite, pop maaloo (please) on the end — just like in English.
To say “A coffee, please” in Oromo: Kofee tokko, maaloo (koh-FAY TOK-koh, MAH-loh). Built from kofee = coffee; tokko = one; maaloo = please.
tola = okay / fine. A handy word for agreeing to anything.
To say “Alright, thank you” in Oromo: Tola, galatoomaa (TOH-lah, gah-lah-TOH-mah). Built from tola = okay; galatoomaa = thank you.
Numbers 1–10
Key pieces: tokko · lama · sadi · kudhan
Numbers are the fastest win. Listen and repeat: tokko, lama, sadi .
- tokko (TOK-koh) — 1
- lama (LAH-mah) — 2
- sadi (SAH-dee) — 3
- afur (AH-foor) — 4
- shan (shahn) — 5
- jaa (jah) — 6
- torba (TOR-bah) — 7
- saddeet (sahd-DEHT) — 8
- sagal (SAH-gahl) — 9
- kudhan (koo-DHAHN) — 10
To say “Two coffees, please” in Oromo: Kofee lama, maaloo (koh-FAY LAH-mah, MAH-loh). Built from kofee = coffee; lama = two; maaloo = please.
meeqa? — how much is it? A key phrase for shopping. Count first, then ask the price.
To say “How much is it?” in Oromo: Meeqa? (MEH-kah). Built from meeqa = how much.
To say “It's five birr” in Oromo: Birr shan (beer shahn). Built from birr = birr (money); shan = five.
I want" — ani barbaada
Key pieces: ani barbaada · bishaan · buddeena · maaloo
The magic phrase to order anything: ani barbaada — I want. Say it out loud.
To say “I want water” in Oromo: Ani bishaan barbaada (AH-nee bee-SHAHN bar-BAH-dah). Built from ani = I; bishaan = water; barbaada = I want.
To say “I want bread” in Oromo: Ani buddeena barbaada (AH-nee bood-DAY-nah bar-BAH-dah). Built from ani = I; buddeena = bread; barbaada = I want.
The verb barbaaduu means "to search for". That's why barbaada becomes "I want / I need".
To say “I want water, please” in Oromo: Ani bishaan barbaada, maaloo (AH-nee bee-SHAHN bar-BAH-dah, MAH-loh). Built from ani = I; bishaan = water; barbaada = I want; maaloo = please.
Food & drink
Key pieces: bishaan · buddeena · shaayee · kofee
The staples: bishaan (water), buddeena (bread), shaayee (tea), kofee (coffee).
- bishaan (bee-SHAHN) — water
- buddeena (bood-DAY-nah) — bread
- shaayee (SHAH-yay) — tea Memory hook: ≈ chai (via Arabic).
- kofee (koh-FAY) — coffee Memory hook: ≈ English coffee.
To say “Water and tea, please” in Oromo: Bishaan fi shaayee, maaloo (bee-SHAHN fee SHAH-yay, MAH-loh). Built from bishaan = water; fi = and; shaayee = tea; maaloo = please.
To say “I want coffee” in Oromo: Ani kofee barbaada (AH-nee koh-FAY bar-BAH-dah). Built from ani = I; kofee = coffee; barbaada = I want.
mi'aawaadha — it's delicious. Say it to a cook and watch them smile.
To say “It's delicious!” in Oromo: Mi'aawaadha! (mee-A-wah-dah). Built from mi'aawaadha = it's delicious.
Directions
Key pieces: eessa? · gara mirgaati · gara bitaati · fuuldura
The most useful question on the move: eessa? — where is…? Say it out loud.
- eessa? (EH-sah) — Where is...?
- gara mirgaati (GAH-rah meer-GAH-tee) — to the right
- gara bitaati (GAH-rah bee-TAH-tee) — to the left
- fuuldura (FOOL-doo-rah) — straight ahead
- isteishinii (iss-tay-SHEE-nee) — the station Memory hook: ≈ English station.
To say “Where is the station?” in Oromo: Eessa isteishinii? (EH-sah iss-tay-SHEE-nee). Built from eessa = where is; isteishinii = the station. ≈ English station.
To say “Where is the bathroom?” in Oromo: Eessa mana fincaanii? (EH-sah MAH-nah feen-CHAH-nee). Built from eessa = where is; mana fincaanii = the bathroom.
gara mirgaati = to the right, gara bitaati = to the left. Straight ahead is fuuldura .
To say “Straight ahead” in Oromo: Fuuldura (FOOL-doo-rah). Built from fuuldura = straight ahead.
Questions & "do you have…?"
Key pieces: qabdaa? · jiraa? · maal · eenyu
To ask someone if they have something: qabdaa? — do you have…?
To say “Do you have a table?” in Oromo: Minjaala qabdaa? (meen-JAH-lah kab-DAH). Built from minjaala = table; qabdaa? = do you have?.
jiraa? = is there…? The reply jira = there is. Very useful.
To say “Is there wifi?” in Oromo: Wifi jiraa? (WEE-fee jee-RAH). Built from wifi = wifi; jiraa? = is there?. ≈ English wifi.
Other question words: maal (what), eenyu (who), yoom (when), eessa (where).
- maal (MAHL) — what
- eenyu (AYN-yoo) — who
- yoom (YOHM) — when
- eessa (EH-sah) — where
- meeqa (MEH-kah) — how much
To say “What is this?” in Oromo: Kun maal? (koon MAHL). Built from kun = this; maal = what.
To say “Do you have bread?” in Oromo: Buddeena qabdaa? (bood-DAY-nah kab-DAH). Built from buddeena = bread; qabdaa? = do you have?.
Family & people
Key pieces: maatii · haadha · abbaa · hiriyyaa
Family words: maatii (family), haadha (mother), abbaa (father).
- maatii (MAH-tee) — family
- haadha (HAA-da) — mother
- abbaa (AB-baa) — father
- obbolessa (ob-boh-LES-sah) — brother
- obboleettii (ob-boh-LEC-tee) — sister
- hiriyyaa (heer-ee-YAA) — friend
To say “I have a brother” in Oromo: Ani obbolessa qabadha (AH-nee ob-boh-LES-sah kah-BA-dah). Built from ani = I; obbolessa = brother; qabadha = I have.
ani qabadha = I have. It's the key verb to say what you've got.
To say “I have a family” in Oromo: Ani maatii qabadha (AH-nee MAH-tee kah-BA-dah). Built from ani = I; maatii = family; qabadha = I have.
To say “This is my friend” in Oromo: Kun hiriyyaa koo (koon heer-ee-YAA koh). Built from kun = this; hiriyyaa = friend; koo = my.
Time, days & weather
Key pieces: har'a · boru · kaleessa · qilleensa
Today is har'a , tomorrow is boru , yesterday is kaleessa .
- har'a (HAHR-ah) — today
- boru (BOH-roo) — tomorrow
- kaleessa (kah-LES-sah) — yesterday
- guyyaa (GOO-yah) — day
- qilleensa (kee-LEEN-sah) — weather / air
To say “See you tomorrow” in Oromo: Boru wal agarra (BOH-roo wahl ah-GAH-rah). Built from boru = tomorrow; wal agarra = we'll see each other.
Ask about the weather: qilleensi akkam? — how is the weather?
To say “It's raining” in Oromo: Rooba jira (ROH-bah jee-RAH). Built from rooba = rain; jira = there is.
Small talk & your name
Key pieces: maqaan koo Alex · maqaan kee eenyu?
Introduce yourself: maqaan koo Alex — my name is Alex.
To say “My name is Alex” in Oromo: Maqaan koo Alex (mah-KAHN koh Alex). Built from maqaan koo = my name; Alex = your name.
To ask someone's name: maqaan kee eenyu? — what is your name?
To say “What's your name?” in Oromo: Maqaan kee eenyu? (mah-KAHN kay AYN-yoo). Built from maqaan kee = your name; eenyu = who.
To say “Pleased to meet you” in Oromo: Ani gammadde! (AH-nee gahm-MAD-deh). Built from ani = I; gammadde = I'm pleased.
To ask where someone's from: eessa dhufte? — where are you from? Reply ani … dhufe .
To say “I come from America” in Oromo: Ani Ameerikaa dhufe (AH-nee ah-may-REE-kah DOO-feh). Built from ani = I; Ameerikaa = America; dhufe = I came.
Emergency & health
Key pieces: gargaarsaa! · doktora · ani hin hubanne
The most important word if you need help: gargaarsaa! — help!
- gargaarsaa! (gar-gaar-SAA) — Help!
- doktora (dok-TOH-rah) — the doctor Memory hook: ≈ English doctor.
- haaspiitala (hahs-pee-TAH-lah) — the hospital Memory hook: ≈ English hospital.
- mana dawaa (MAH-nah dah-WAH) — the pharmacy
- Ani hin hubanne (AH-nee heen hoo-BAHN-neh) — I don't understand
To say “Help!” in Oromo: Gargaarsaa! (gar-gaar-SAA). Built from gargaarsaa = help.
To say you need help: ani gargaarsa barbaada — I need help.
To say “I need help” in Oromo: Ani gargaarsa barbaada (AH-nee gar-gaar-SAH bar-BAH-dah). Built from ani = I; gargaarsa = help; barbaada = I want / need.
To say “I don't understand” in Oromo: Ani hin hubanne (AH-nee heen hoo-BAHN-neh). Built from ani = I; hin hubanne = I don't understand.
If you're unwell, say ani dhukkuba — I'm sick. And doktora barbaada — I need a doctor.
To say “I'm sick” in Oromo: Ani dhukkuba (AH-nee duk-KOO-bah). Built from ani = I; dhukkuba = sick.
Tying it together
Key pieces: ani barbaada · akkam · meeqa? · galatoomaa
Great — you've built a real toolbox. This capstone uses only words you've met. Build each line yourself before revealing.
To say “Hello, how are you?” in Oromo: Akkam, akkam jirtu? (AHK-kam, AHK-kam jeer-too). Built from akkam = hello; akkam jirtu? = how are you?.
To say “I'd like water, please” in Oromo: Ani bishaan barbaada, maaloo (AH-nee bee-SHAHN bar-BAH-dah, MAH-loh). Built from ani = I; bishaan = water; barbaada = I want; maaloo = please.
To say “Where is the station?” in Oromo: Eessa isteishinii? (EH-sah iss-tay-SHEE-nee). Built from eessa = where is; isteishinii = the station.
To say “How much is it?” in Oromo: Meeqa? (MEH-kah). Built from meeqa = how much.
Airport & tickets
Key pieces: buufata xiyyaaraa · paaspoortii · tikeetii · keessummaa
You have landed. The building is the buufata xiyyaaraa . Your document is a paaspoortii .
- buufata xiyyaaraa (BOO-fa-ta hee-YAA-raa) — airport
- paaspoortii (PAAS-por-tee) — passport
- tikeetii (ti-KAY-tee) — ticket
- keessummaa (KAY-soom-maa) — gate / entrance
To say “Where is the airport?” in Oromo: Eessa buufata xiyyaaraa? (EH-sah BOO-fa-ta hee-YAA-raa). Built from eessa = where is; buufata xiyyaaraa = airport.
To say “Here is my passport” in Oromo: Kun paaspoortii koo (koon PAAS-por-tee koh). Built from kun = this; paaspoortii = passport; koo = my.
To say “A ticket, please” in Oromo: Tikeetii, maaloo (ti-KAY-tee, MAH-loh). Built from tikeetii = ticket; maaloo = please.
To say “Where is the gate?” in Oromo: Eessa keessummaa? (EH-sah KAY-soom-maa). Built from eessa = where is; keessummaa = gate.
The taxi
Key pieces: taaksii · deemuu · hoteela · dhaabi
The driver is waiting. taaksii is a loanword. Tell them ani gara hoteelaa deemuu barbaada .
- taaksii (TAAK-see) — taxi
- konkolaachisaa (kon-ko-laa-CHEE-saa) — driver
- ani deemuu barbaada (AH-nee DAY-moo bar-BAH-dah) — I want to go
- asitti dhaabi (ah-SIT-tee DHAA-bee) — stop here
To say “Taxi, please” in Oromo: Taaksii, maaloo (TAAK-see, MAH-loh). Built from taaksii = taxi; maaloo = please.
To say “I want to go to the hotel” in Oromo: Ani gara hoteelaa deemuu barbaada (AH-nee GAH-rah ho-TAY-laa DAY-moo bar-BAH-dah). Built from ani = I; gara hoteelaa = to the hotel; deemuu barbaada = I want to go.
To say “Stop here, please” in Oromo: Asitti dhaabi, maaloo (ah-SIT-tee DHAA-bee, MAH-loh). Built from asitti = here; dhaabi = stop; maaloo = please.
To say “How much is it?” in Oromo: Meeqa? (MEH-kah). Built from meeqa = how much.
The hotel
Key pieces: qabxiinsa · kutaa · furtuu · halkan
At the desk: ani qabxiinsa qaba — I have a reservation.
- hoteela (ho-TAY-la) — hotel
- qabxiinsa (kab-HEEN-sa) — reservation
- kutaa (koo-TAA) — room
- furtuu (foor-TOO) — key
- halkan tokko (HAL-kan TOH-koh) — one night
To say “I have a reservation” in Oromo: Ani qabxiinsa qaba (AH-nee kab-HEEN-sa KAH-ba). Built from ani = I; qabxiinsa = reservation; qaba = I have.
To say “A room for one night, please” in Oromo: Kutaa halkan tokkoof, maaloo (koo-TAA HAL-kan TOH-kohf, MAH-loh). Built from kutaa = room; halkan tokkoof = for one night; maaloo = please.
To say “The key, please” in Oromo: Furtuu, maaloo (foor-TOO, MAH-loh). Built from furtuu = key; maaloo = please.
To say “Where is my room?” in Oromo: Eessa kutaa koo? (EH-sah koo-TAA koh). Built from eessa = where is; kutaa koo = my room.
Ask for help
Key pieces: hin hubadhu · suuta · Ingiliffaa
When Oromo is too fast: suuta dubbadhaa, maaloo — speak slowly, please.
- suuta dubbadhaa (SOO-ta doob-BA-dhaa) — speak slowly
- irra deebi'i (ir-ra DAY-bi-ee) — again
- Ingiliffaa (in-gil-IF-faa) — English
- na gargaaraa? (nah gar-GAA-raa) — can you help me?
To say “I don't understand” in Oromo: Ani hin hubadhu (AH-nee hin hoo-BA-dhoo). Built from ani = I; hin hubadhu = I don't understand.
To say “Speak slowly, please” in Oromo: Suuta dubbadhaa, maaloo (SOO-ta doob-BA-dhaa, MAH-loh). Built from suuta = slowly; dubbadhaa = speak; maaloo = please.
To say “Can you help me?” in Oromo: Na gargaaraa? (nah gar-GAA-raa). Built from na = me; gargaaraa? = will you help?.
To say “Do you speak English?” in Oromo: Ingiliffaa ni dubbattaa? (in-gil-IF-faa nee doob-BAT-taa). Built from Ingiliffaa = English; ni dubbattaa? = do you speak?.
Common mistakes and things to watch out for
- baga nagaan dhuftan (BAH-gah nah-GAHN dhoof-tahn): glad you came in peace.
- akkam jirtu? (AHK-kam jeer-too): formal.
- waantokkoo hin taane (WAHN-tok-koh heen TAH-neh): it's nothing.
Culture and etiquette
Coffee is a ceremony
Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee, and the Oromo heartland is coffee country. The coffee ceremony is a beloved ritual: fresh beans are roasted, ground by hand and brewed three times in a clay pot to share with guests. In Oromo it's buna — and the busy kofee of a café is the everyday shortcut.
Ethiopia's largest language
Oromo — Afaan Oromoo — is the most widely spoken native language in Ethiopia, with tens of millions of speakers, and the largest Cushitic language in the world. It's spoken across the Oromia region and far beyond, and it's growing fast online and in broadcast media.
The Gadaa system
The Gadaa system is Oromo's indigenous democratic system of governance — leaders are elected and serve in eight-year cycles, with power passing peacefully between generations. In 2016 UNESCO recognised it as a piece of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The Oda tree
The Oda — the sycamore fig — is a powerful symbol of Oromo identity. Under its wide shade, community councils and Gadaa assemblies have gathered for generations to debate and reach agreement, making the tree a symbol of unity and free speech.
Greetings come first
Never jump straight to business. Greet first — a warm "Akkam?" and a handshake set the tone, and elders are always shown extra respect. A little effort with the greeting earns you enormous goodwill.
Oromo is not Amharic
Both are Ethiopian languages, but they're from different branches of the Afro-Asiatic family: Oromo is Cushitic, Amharic is Semitic. They're not mutually intelligible. Try your Oromo with a smile — effort matters far more than perfection.
Example dialogues
At a café
You: Akkam! Kofee tokko, maaloo. (AHK-kam, koh-FAY TOK-koh, MAH-loh) — Hello! A coffee, please.
Server: Baga nagaan dhuftan! (BAH-gah nah-GAHN dhoof-tahn) — Welcome!
You: Meeqa? (MEH-kah) — How much is it?
Server: Birr lama. (beer LAH-mah) — Two birr.
You: Tola, galatoomaa! (TOH-lah, gah-lah-TOH-mah) — OK, thank you!
On the bus
You: Akkam! Ani isteishinii deemuu barbaada. (AHK-kam, AH-nee iss-tay-SHEE-nee DAY-moo bar-BAH-dah) — Hello! I want to go to the station.
Driver: Tola, koottu. (TOH-lah, KOHT-tuu) — OK, come along.
You: Meeqa? (MEH-kah) — How much is it?
Driver: Birr shan. (beer shahn) — Five birr.
You: Tola, galatoomaa! (TOH-lah, gah-lah-TOH-mah) — OK, thank you!
At a restaurant
Waiter: Baga nagaan dhuftan! Maal barbaadda? (BAH-gah nah-GAHN dhoof-tahn, MAHL bar-BAHD-dah) — Welcome! What would you like?
You: Ani buddeena fi shaayee barbaada. (AH-nee bood-DAY-nah fee SHAH-yay bar-BAH-dah) — I'd like bread and tea.
Waiter: Tola, wanti biraa? (TOH-lah, WAHN-tee bee-RAH) — OK, anything else?
You: Kofee tokko, maaloo. Meeqa? (koh-FAY TOK-koh, MAH-loh, MEH-kah) — One coffee, please. How much is it?
Waiter: Birr afur. (beer AH-foor) — Four birr.
You: Mi'aawaadha! Galatoomaa! (mee-A-wah-dah, gah-lah-TOH-mah) — Delicious! Thank you!
Written by the LanguagePath editorial team from our own course material. Pronunciation guides are approximate English respellings; tap any phrase in the app above to hear it. Native-speaker review of every course is ongoing — tell us if you spot an error.