Looking for practical Oromo to Afar phrases? This free guide lists 100 essential sentences for travel, study, work, and everyday conversation. Each line shows the Oromo phrase first, then the Afar translation (Afar) — 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 Afar.
Tip: when a Afar phrase looks unfamiliar, compare it with the Oromo wording — noticing word order differences helps you understand grammar naturally.
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Greetings and pleasantries
Hello, goodbye, please, thank you, and polite introductions for meeting new people.
Akkam
Nagaad(nagaad)
Galatoomi
Galatooma(galatooma)
Baga nagaan dhufte
Bariis(bariis)
Baga nagaan dhufte galgala
Galab(galab)
Baga nagaan dhufte
Haal(haal)
Baga halkan gaariidha
Haalka habeen(haalka habeen)
Akkamitti si arguu
Ilaa mar kale(ilaa mar kale)
Nagaan buli
Nagaad(nagaad)
Maqaan kee maali?
Maa magacaa?(maa magacaa)
Maqaan koo John dha
Magacaygu waa John(magacaygu waa John)
Akkam jirtu?
Iska waran?(iska waran)
Siin wal arguu bareedaa
Aad baan ku faraxsanahay(aad baan ku faraxsanahay)
Useful phrases for travellers
Airport, hotel, tickets, and transport phrases for getting around on a trip.
Inni Afaan Ingiliffaa dubbataa?
Inni ingiriisi maahaa?(Inni ingiriisi maahaa?)
Ani Afaan Hindiin gaariidhaan dubbachuu hin dandeenye.
Hindi maahaa hinjiru(Hindi maahaa hinjiru)
Ani hin hubadhu.
Ani hinfahmi(Ani hinfahmi)
Maaf si'a dheeraa dubbadhu.
Fadlan si maahaa siib(Fadlan si maahaa siib)
Itti deebi'ee ni jechuu dandeessaa?
Maahaa inna marra?(Maahaa inna marra?)
Baatroomni eessa?
Maalin baadhu?(Maalin baadhu?)
Magaalaa gidduutti akkamitti deema?
Akkam an magaalatti gahu?(Akkam an magaalatti gahu?)
Bitaa jijjiiri.
Boodha kaaf(Boodha kaaf)
Mirga jijjiiri.
Boodha mirga(Boodha mirga)
Qajeelatti deemi.
Si qodhi(Si qodhi)
Kafaltiin meeqa?
Maalin abaal?(Maalin abaal?)
Karte tokko, maaloo.
Tiket tokkon, fadlan(Tiket tokkon, fadlan)
As irraa fagaataa?
Maalin faga?(Maalin faga?)
Ani dhabuun jira.
Ani dhumtu(Ani dhumtu)
Kaarraa SIM bituuf eessa deemaa?
Maalin SIM kaardhii gurgurta?(Maalin SIM kaardhii gurgurta?)
Everyday conversation
Small talk, feelings, opinions, and common chat phrases for daily life.
Eeyyee
Eeyy(ee-yee)
Lakkii
Maya(mah-yah)
Bakka bu'aa
Gara(gah-rah)
Ani waliigala
Anigu waaq(ah-nee-goo wahk)
Ani hin waliigalu
Anigu ma waaq(ah-nee-goo mah wahk)
Suni gaariidha
Tani waa'ee(tah-nee wah-ee)
Maaltu si yaadachiisa?
Ilaa ma waaq?(ee-lah mah wahk)
Na gargaaraa?
Ilaa naxar?(ee-lah nah-khar)
Gargaarsa naaf barbaachisa
Naxar aniga(nah-khar ah-nee-gah)
Yeroo tokkoof eegi
Soo'aa(soo-ah)
Dhiifama
Waa'ee aniga(wah-ee ah-nee-gah)
Rakkoo hin qabu
Maya dhib(mah-yah dheeb)
Baga gammaddan
Hambalyo(ham-bahl-yo)
Baga dhaloota kee gammaddan
Bariis gadhay(bah-rees gah-thai)
Imala nagaa qabaadhu
Safar amni(sah-far am-nee)
Directions and getting around
Asking where something is, left and right, distances, and finding your way.
Eessa buufata konkolaataa jira?
Eeyyoo taayka daab?(eyyoo taayka daab)
Eessa dhaabbata bussa?
Eeyyoo gaari daab?(eyyoo gaari daab)
Keenya maali?
Keenya kaafaa?(keenya kaafaa)
Yeroo kamiin ni deema?
Waqti maayti?(waqti maayti)
Kuni karaa sirrii dha?
Maayta kaan?(maayta kaan)
As irratti jiru
Ittaa hara(ittaa hara)
As irraa fagoo dha
Ittaa faar(ittaa faar)
Mappa irratti na agarsiisuu dandeessaa?
Maafaa naafaa?(maafaa naafaa)
As dhaabi, maaloo
Hara dhaaf, fadlan(hara dhaaf, fadlan)
Yeroo meeqa fudhata?
Waqti mee?(waqti mee)
Shopping and dining
Ordering food, asking prices, paying the bill, and shopping at markets or stores.