Cooking & Markets

1. Maqaan isaa maali?

   What is it called?

   Usage

   Use it to ask the name of an ingredient or a dish.

   Grammar Note

   maqaan = name (subject), isaa = its, maali = what is it. Use it while pointing.

2. Kun qaaraa baay'ee qabaa?

   Does this have a lot of chili pepper?

   Usage

   Use it to check how spicy a dish is; qaaraa is green chili.

   Grammar Note

   qaaraa = chili, baay'ee = a lot, qabaa = does it have (question form). This sentence is composed from verified words with regular grammar; it is not copied from a source sentence. A native check is advisable.

3. Kana akkamitti bilcheessitu?

   How do you cook this?

   Usage

   Asks how a dish is cooked; the plural -tu form keeps it polite.

   Grammar Note

   kana = this (object), akkamitti = how, bilcheessitu = you (pl./polite) cook. This sentence is composed from verified words with regular grammar; it is not copied from a source sentence. A native check is advisable.

4. Nyaata Oromoo bilcheessuu barachuu nan barbaada.

   I want to learn to cook Oromo food.

   Usage

   Say it when you want to learn from a cook, at a class or at home.

   Grammar Note

   barachuu = to learn, bilcheessuu = to cook; infinitive + nan barbaada = I want to.

5. Kuduraa haaraa eessatti bitachuu nan danda'a?

   Where can I buy fresh vegetables?

   Usage

   Use it to find a market or shop; haaraa means new and is used here for fresh.

   Grammar Note

   kuduraa = vegetables, haaraa = new/fresh, eessatti = where, bitachuu nan danda'a = can I buy.

6. Soogidda

   Salt

7. Shukkaara

   Sugar

8. Qaaraa

   Chili pepper

   Usage

   Means green chili, not black pepper.

9. Zayiitii

   Cooking oil

   Usage

   This word is confirmed in only one travel phrasebook; a native check is advisable.

10. Gimxoo

    Cheese

11. Daakuu

    Flour

    Usage

    A general word for flour; daakuu also means to swim, so context decides.

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