Markets & Souvenirs

1. Gatii hir'isuu dandeessaa?

   Can you lower the price?

   Usage

   An opening line for bargaining at a market.

   Grammar Note

   gatii = price, hir'isuu = to reduce, dandeessaa = can you. This sentence is composed from verified words with regular grammar; it is not copied from a source sentence. A native check is advisable.

2. Birrii shantama qofa nan kaffala.

   I will pay only fifty birr.

   Usage

   Change the number to name your offer (shantama = 50, digdama = 20, dhibba = 100).

   Grammar Note

   birrii shantama = fifty birr, qofa = only, nan kaffala = I pay. This sentence is composed from verified words with regular grammar; it is not copied from a source sentence. A native check is advisable.

3. Kun harkaan hojjetame dhaa?

   Is this handmade?

   Grammar Note

   harkaan = by hand, hojjetame = made, dhaa = question particle.

4. Kun maal irraa hojjetame?

   What is this made of?

   Grammar Note

   maal irraa = from what, hojjetame = made. This sentence is composed from verified words with regular grammar; it is not copied from a source sentence. A native check is advisable.

5. Kana kennaaf nan bitadha.

   I'm buying this as a gift.

   Grammar Note

   kennaaf = as a gift, nan bitadha = I buy. This sentence is composed from verified words with regular grammar; it is not copied from a source sentence. A native check is advisable.

6. Gabaan sa'a meeqatti banama?

   What time does the market open?

   Grammar Note

   gabaan = the market (subject), sa'a meeqatti = at what time, banama = opens.

7. Ilaaluu qofa nan barbaada.

   I only want to look.

   Usage

   A polite way to turn down pushy selling.

   Grammar Note

   ilaaluu = to look, qofa = only, nan barbaada = I want.

8. Kaardiidhaan kaffaluu nan danda'aa?

   Can I pay by card?

   Grammar Note

   kaardiidhaan = by card, kaffaluu = to pay, nan danda'aa = can I.

9. Kana biyya alaatti erguu danda'aa?

   Can this be sent abroad?

   Grammar Note

   kana = this (object), biyya alaatti = abroad, erguu = to send, danda'aa = is it possible.

10. Fuduraa

    Fruit

    Usage

    The general word for fruit, for when you don't know the name.

11. Shunkurtaa

    Onion

12. Qullubbii

    Garlic

    Usage

    Strictly qullubbii adii (white qullubbii); qullubbii alone can also mean onion.

13. Kaarotii

    Carrot

    Usage

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

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