Looking for practical Afar to Mam phrases? This free guide lists 100 essential sentences for travel, study, work, and everyday conversation. Each line shows the Afar phrase first, then the Mam translation (Mam) — so you can scan quickly before a trip, class, or video call.
The phrases are grouped into eight topics: greetings and pleasantries, useful phrases for travellers, everyday conversation, directions and getting around, shopping and dining, emergencies and health, work and business, and time, days and numbers. Use the table of contents to jump straight to greetings, directions, dining, emergencies, or numbers. You do not need perfect grammar to start — short, clear sentences often work better than silence when you are learning Mam.
Tip: read the Mam line out loud three times, then cover the Afar side and try to recall the meaning — repetition builds memory faster than silent reading.
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Greetings and pleasantries
Hello, goodbye, please, thank you, and polite introductions for meeting new people.
Nagaad
Xo'j(sho'j)
Galatooma
Tz'ik(tz'ik)
Bariis
Xo'j nax(sho'j nax)
Galab
Xo'j q'ij(sho'j q'ij)
Haal
Xo'j k'ux(sho'j k'ux)
Haalka habeen
Xo'j k'ux nax(sho'j k'ux nax)
Ilaa mar kale
K'ux q'ij(k'ux q'ij)
Nagaad
Xo'j k'ux(sho'j k'ux)
Maa magacaa?
Ja' k'ux nax?(ha' k'ux nax?)
Magacaygu waa John
Ja' k'ux nax John(ha' k'ux nax John)
Iska waran?
Jach' k'ux?(hach' k'ux?)
Aad baan ku faraxsanahay
Nab' k'ux(nab' k'ux)
Useful phrases for travellers
Airport, hotel, tickets, and transport phrases for getting around on a trip.
Inni ingiriisi maahaa?
¿K'ax k'utun English?(Inni ingiriisi maahaa?)
Hindi maahaa hinjiru
Nek'ux k'utun Hindi k'ax k'utun.(Hindi maahaa hinjiru)
Ani hinfahmi
Nek'ux k'ax k'utun.(Ani hinfahmi)
Fadlan si maahaa siib
Por favor, k'utun k'ux.(Fadlan si maahaa siib)
Maahaa inna marra?
¿K'ax k'utun k'ux?(Maahaa inna marra?)
Maalin baadhu?
¿Jach'och k'ux?(Maalin baadhu?)
Akkam an magaalatti gahu?
¿Jach'och k'ux ch'ich'?(Akkam an magaalatti gahu?)