Greetings

1. Akkam bultan?

   Good morning (polite / plural)

   Usage

   Morning greeting. Use the plural/honorific bultan with elders and strangers; Akkam bulte? with a close friend.

   Grammar Note

   akkam = how, bultan = you (pl/hon.) spent the night; literally "how did you spend the night?". In the afternoon: Akkam ooltan?

2. Akkam bulte?

   Good morning (to one friend)

   Usage

   Morning greeting to one close person; use Akkam bultan? with elders.

   Grammar Note

   bulte = you (sg.) spent the night; second person singular.

3. Akkam ooltan?

   Good afternoon (polite / plural)

   Usage

   Daytime greeting; the plural ooltan is also used for one respected person. Akkam oolte? with a friend.

   Grammar Note

   ooltan = you (pl/hon.) spent the day; literally "how did you spend the day?".

4. Akkam oolte?

   Good afternoon (to one friend)

   Usage

   Daytime greeting to one close person.

   Grammar Note

   oolte = you (sg.) spent the day; second person singular.

5. Akkam jirtu?

   How are you? (polite / plural)

   Usage

   All-day "how are you"; the plural jirtu is also used for one respected person. Use Akkam jirta? with friends.

   Grammar Note

   jirtu = 2nd person plural of "to be / live"; akkam jirta/jirtu is a standard greeting.

6. Akkam jirta?

   How are you? (to one friend)

   Usage

   To one close person; use Akkam jirtu? with elders.

   Grammar Note

   jirta = second person singular.

7. Fayyaa dha.

   I am fine.

   Usage

   Standard reply to Akkam jirtu? and similar greetings.

   Grammar Note

   fayyaa = health, dha = copula "is"; literally "it is health".

8. Galatoomaa.

   Thank you. (polite / plural)

   Usage

   The default thanks; the form for several people or a respected person. Use Galatoomi to one close person.

   Grammar Note

   From galata "gratitude/praise". Dictionaries give galatoomaa for plural/honorific and galatoomi for singular.

9. Galatoomi.

   Thanks. (to one person)

   Usage

   Thanks to a single person; use Galatoomaa to elders or groups.

   Grammar Note

   Singular form built on galata. Do not confuse with "galata dhabi", a cynical "no thank you".

10. Baga nagaan dhuftan!

    Welcome! (lit. glad you came in peace)

    Usage

    Greeting for someone who has just arrived; plural dhuftan also for one respected person. Baga nagaan dhufte! to a friend.

    Grammar Note

    baga = well done / glad that, nagaan = in peace (nagaa), dhuftan = you (pl/hon.) came.

11. Baga nagaan dhufte!

    Welcome! (to one friend)

    Usage

    To one close person who has just arrived.

    Grammar Note

    dhufte = you (sg.) came; second person singular.

12. Nagaatti.

    Goodbye.

    Usage

    A short farewell that works with anyone.

    Grammar Note

    nagaa = peace, -tti = to / in; literally "in peace".

13. Nagaatti bulaa.

    Good night. (polite / plural)

    Usage

    Said when parting at night; Nagaatti buli. to one close person.

    Grammar Note

    bulaa = spend the night (pl/hon. imperative); literally "spend the night in peace".

14. Nagaatti oolaa.

    Have a nice day. (polite / plural)

    Usage

    Said when parting during the day; Nagaatti ooli. to one close person.

    Grammar Note

    oolaa = spend the day (pl/hon. imperative).

15. Maqaan koo ... jedhama.

    My name is ...

    Usage

    Self-introduction; put your own name where the dots are.

    Grammar Note

    maqaan koo = my name (subject), jedhama = is called; literally "my name is called ...".

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