Food & Drinks

1. Maaloo, bishaan naa kenni.

   Please give me some water.

   Usage

   The basic way to ask for water; naa kennaa to several people or an elder.

   Grammar Note

   naa = to me, kenni = give (sg. imperative).

2. Nyaata maal qabdu?

   What food do you have?

   Usage

   Asking in a restaurant what is available.

   Grammar Note

   nyaata = food, maal = what, qabdu = you have.

3. Buddeena

   Injera (thin flat bread)

   Usage

   The staple flat bread of Ethiopia, eaten with meat and vegetable stews.

   Grammar Note

   buddeena = injera; also spelled buddeen.

4. Buddeena nan barbaada.

   I would like injera.

   Usage

   The form for ordering what you want to eat.

   Grammar Note

   buddeena = injera, nan barbaada = I want.

5. Maaloo, buddeena naa fidaa.

   Please bring me injera.

   Usage

   A polite request to restaurant staff.

   Grammar Note

   fidaa = bring (pl/hon. imperative), naa = to me.

6. Daabboo nan barbaada.

   I would like some bread.

   Usage

   For the thick, European-style bread.

   Grammar Note

   daabboo = bread (the thick kind, as opposed to injera).

7. Marqaa nan barbaada.

   I would like porridge.

   Usage

   A thick traditional porridge made from barley, wheat or teff.

   Grammar Note

   marqaa = thick porridge.

8. Foon hin nyaadhu.

   I don't eat meat.

   Usage

   To say you avoid meat.

   Grammar Note

   foon = meat, hin nyaadhu = I do not eat; negative hin precedes the verb.

9. Kuduraa qofa nyaadha.

   I eat only vegetables.

   Usage

   To say you are vegetarian.

   Grammar Note

   kuduraa = vegetables, qofa = only, nyaadha = I eat.

10. Buna nan barbaada.

    I would like coffee.

    Usage

    The basic way to ask for coffee.

    Grammar Note

    buna = coffee.

11. Sha'ee nan barbaada.

    I would like tea.

    Usage

    For asking for tea; the spelling shaayee also occurs.

    Grammar Note

    sha'ee = tea; the apostrophe is the glottal stop (hudhaa).

12. Aannan nan barbaada.

    I would like milk.

    Usage

    For asking for milk.

    Grammar Note

    aannan = milk.

13. Cuunfaa nan barbaada.

    I would like juice.

    Usage

    For asking for juice.

    Grammar Note

    cuunfaa = juice.

14. Soogidda xinnoo naa kenni.

    Please give me a little salt.

    Usage

    For asking for a seasoning.

    Grammar Note

    soogidda = salt, xinnoo = a little, naa kenni = give me.

15. Foon

    Meat

    Usage

    On menus and when shopping.

    Grammar Note

    foon = meat.

16. Dhadhaa

    Butter

    Usage

    Used in Oromo cooking much like clarified butter.

    Grammar Note

    dhadhaa = butter; dh is an implosive d.

17. Kuduraa

    Vegetables

    Usage

    On menus and at the market.

    Grammar Note

    kuduraa = vegetables.

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