English-Afar Dictionary Enid M. Parker - Dunwoody Press

English-Afar Dictionary
Enid M. Parker

English-Afar Dictionary
Enid M. Parker
2006
Dunwoody Press

English-Afar Dictionary
Copyright © 2006 McNeil Technologies Inc.
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ISBN-13: 978-1-931546-23-2
ISBN-10: 1-931546-23-1
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2006932808
Printed and bound in the United States of America

Table of Contents
Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................................................i
About the Dictionary
The Author's Work .............................................................................................................................................iii
The Present Dictionary........................................................................................................................................v
Abbreviations...........................................................................................................................................................vii
The Dictionary
A.......................................................................................................................................................................... 1
B ........................................................................................................................................................................ 21
C........................................................................................................................................................................ 37
D........................................................................................................................................................................ 71
E ........................................................................................................................................................................ 96
F....................................................................................................................................................................... 114
G...................................................................................................................................................................... 134
H...................................................................................................................................................................... 145
I ....................................................................................................................................................................... 157
J....................................................................................................................................................................... 174
K...................................................................................................................................................................... 176
L ...................................................................................................................................................................... 179
M ..................................................................................................................................................................... 189
N...................................................................................................................................................................... 204
O...................................................................................................................................................................... 210
P....................................................................................................................................................................... 216
Q...................................................................................................................................................................... 240
R...................................................................................................................................................................... 242
S....................................................................................................................................................................... 259
T ...................................................................................................................................................................... 291
U...................................................................................................................................................................... 304
V...................................................................................................................................................................... 309
W..................................................................................................................................................................... 313
X...................................................................................................................................................................... 321
Y...................................................................................................................................................................... 321
Z ...................................................................................................................................................................... 322

Acknowledgements
The most important contribution to this dictionary came from Dr Lionel Gurney, founder and original
leader of the Red Sea Mission Team. It was his asking me to move from teaching to become involved
with recording the Afar language in 1967 that prepared me for a transfer to language research under the
auspices of the Haile Selassie University in Addis Ababa, before moving to Djibouti by kind permission
of the government there. At every level Dr Gurney encouraged me. It was his commitment to serving the
Afar people that was a constant inspiration. I am also very appreciative of the continuing support of
members of the Red Sea Mission Team.
Generous grants have been received from the British Academy, a small grant from the Central Research
Fund, a kind grant from Richard Alderson’s legacy and other Christian friends.
The Institut Supérieur d’Études et de Recherches Scientifiques de Djibouti (ISERST) supported my
application for a Djibouti visa and paid Afar helpers from 1985 to 1994.
From September 2003 Dunwoody Press provided finance for further checking.
Professor R J Hayward of the London School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) contributed in the
early stages in an editorial capacity. Thanks are also due to Professor I M Lewis and Dr David Appleyard
for their continued encouragement and support, and to Mr Michael Mann whose computerized inversion
of the 1985 Afar-English-French Dictionary formed the very first draft of the present work.
We are grateful to the President of Djibouti, Ismail Omar Guelleh, for sponsoring a Symposium on thc
Afar language in the Republic of Djibouti from February 19th to March 19th 2003, and to Ismail Ibrahim
Houmed the Djibouti Minister of Justice who was President of the Organising Committee for the
Symposium.
It is impossible to name all the Afar people who have assisted in the preparation of this Dictionary.
Among the many, the main contributors were the following: Abbas Doogali. Alawi Abdu Samed, Fatuma
Gaaz, Isse Baragoyta, Mahmoda Ahmed, Moktar Mohammed, Musa Mohammed Abdu, Osman Maruri
and Saleh M A Khalifa. Thanks also to Colonel Hasan Basooma and the men who met at his house
weekly over a period of two years. Encouragement also came from Moumin Mohammed and his friends.
Thanks are due to the fellowship at Grove Chapel, Camberwell, London for their years of encouragement
and moral support and especially, in the final editorial period of the present work, to David Arthur, Mark
Lovell, Andrew Marsay, Andrew Sides, James Waterworth and finally Martin Tasker, whose advice,
support and email liaison with Dunwoody Press made the final editorial phase practicable.
I am especially grateful to my editors at Dunwoody Press: to Tom Creamer for his diligent editorial work
and patient advice, and to Aung Kyaw Oo who designed the format, and whose careful checking and
formatting have improved the dictionary in subtle but significant ways.
The sustained goodwill of the Afar people has given inestimable motivation and encouragement
throughout the years of work on this dictionary and its predecessor.
The many years of translating and improving our material have made us fully aware that the learning
process is still going on. All involved are very conscious that the material can be improved upon. Nor is
there any attempt to be dogmatic and exhaustive. It is our hope that the material presented will prove to be
a foundation upon which readers can build and extend their vocabulary. Here, it is also appropriate to
i

emind readers that, as with the 1985 Dictionary, no claim is made that improvements are not envisaged
in future revisions. Any constructive criticism will be carefully considered.
It is because sentences were included in both languages that this became a large scale undertaking,
requiring constant cross-checking and updating, using different speakers from varying dialect areas.
Without the support of many friends from widely differing backgrounds it could never have been possible
to continue the very demanding requirements and attention to detail. All praise to the Lord God who has
sustained me throughout.
ii

About the Dictionary
The Author’s Work
I joined the Red Sea Mission Team in 1956. and began work with fellow team members in the village of
Thio along the Red Sea Coast of Eritrea in March 1967, where I opened a school. The language of the
Afar people of that region was not in print. so I assisted in the recording of the Afar language on a cardbased
file system. As soon as possible, lists of different word classes were duplicated, along with
language lessons for new workers.
The Afar people were encouraged to take an interest in reading materials. When we visited homes, the old
men delighted in sharing cultural items which could be used for such materials, and would thoroughly
enjoy hearing these read out to them.
With the full co-operation of the locals, I prepared booklets of things relevant to their lives, such as
riddles, proverbs, stories and educational material. Some of these were printed in the Journal of Ethiopian
Studies, published by the Haile Selassie University in Addis Ababa.
The literacy rate was very low, and the Ethiopian Government gave permission for people to become
literate in their own tribal language before starting on the national language, Amharic. Accordingly, with
my Afar assistants, I produced a set of five primers. These have had widespread use.
Encouragement came from Ali Aref Bourhan, the Afar President of the French Territory of the Afars and
Issas, the country which became the independent Republic of Djibouti in 1977. After we decided that an
Afar-English dictionary should be printed for public use, Enid asked President Ali Aref which script the
Afar people wanted us to use. He replied “We want the Latin script”. Later, in reply to a letter written in
Afar Enid sent to him, and employing the same adaptation of the Latin (Roman) script Enid used, he
wrote, in effect, that hers was the first time he had seen his language written down. He added that the
important thing was to get the language in print. He supported and encouraged our service to his people.
Because French was the national language of the country, we added French to the dictionary glosses.
The result was An Afar-English-French Dictionary (With Grammatical Notes in English), co-authored
with R J Hayward, published in 1985 by the School of Oriental and African Studies of the University of
London (and re-published with minor corrections in 1992). The work was conceived primarily to give
English-language audiences access to the Afar language, and contains much valuable background on the
Afar language.The 1985 dictionary however also stirred considerable interest among the Afar people,
firstly in wider printed works in their own language, and secondly in a follow-on English-Afar dictionary.
It is a remarkable privilege to be involved in writing down a language for its people’s use. Not only is the
work rewarding in itself, it has led to acclaim from the Afar people for which I am humbly grateful. The
title Qasa Molta (Respected Lioness) was bestowed on me in Ba'adu in the 1970s. At a month-long
symposium on the Afar language in February-March 2003, the present Somali President of the Republic
of Djibouti, Ismail Omar Geulleh, gave me the country’s medal and nominated me a Commandeur de
l’Ordre National du 27 Juin in recognition of my 40 years’ work on the Afar language.
iii

The Present Dictionary
As will be clear from the above, the present dictionary is a companion volume to the 1985 Afar-English-
French Dictionary.
The present work is conceived primarily to give Afars access to the English language. Each English
headword (and subheadword) is accompanied by its phonetic pronunciation, its English part of speech, a
corresponding Afar translation, and a complete example sentence in English, also translated into Afar, to
illustrate a usage of the English word.
Over 10,000 English headwords are included. The list of headwords includes all words translated from
Afar into English in the Afar-English-French dictionary, plus additional words such as abstract and
technical vocabulary from various fields, and words obtained by cross-checking against English
dictionaries into geographically adjacent languages including Arabic and Amharic. It is anticipated that
Afar speakers, needing words beyond those represented in the present work, will be able to look them up
in an English-only dictionary.
Since the target audience of the dictionary is primarily Afar, full information on each Afar word used in
translation is not given. For this, see the Afar-English-French dictionary. Two services to English readers
are, however, given: firstly, a syllable of high tone is marked where it is non-final, and secondly, the
underlying form of consonant-final nouns is given in parentheses after the standard form.
The question of dialects has arisen in both Afar and English.
I have lived in the principal northern and southern Afar dialect areas and worked with Afar language
helpers from all these, representing a broad range of age and class, and both men and women. I have
sought to translate each English word into a single Afar word that is understood in all dialects: where this
has been impossible, words from two or more dialects have been used as necessary.
Since I am a UK national, the primary English dialect is UK English, which is reflected in translations,
phonetics and usage.
The Afar orthography is the Dimis-Reedo system. 22 Roman letters are used to represent Afar sounds. Of
these, 19 sound similar to their English equivalent. The remaining three are assigned to sounds which do
not occur in English:
x retroflexed d
q voiced pharyngeal fricative
c voiceless pharyngeal fricative
Dimis-Reedo was also used as the Afar orthography in the 1985 Afar-English-French dictionary. Other
systems with merit do exist, but Dimis-Reedo was already prevalent in 1985, and in 2003 was confirmed
as the official orthography of the Afar language at the Symposium on the Afar Language, sponsored by
the government of Djibouti.
The Afar language proper does not include words in certain classes: such words have been imported as
loan words. Some loan words have long been used and have been adapted into the language with native
spelling: such words include religious vocabulary borrowed from Arabic, for example sóom, fast. Some
newer loan words are still spelt with their foreign spelling, typically either English or French, for example
v

talafoon, telephone. Some words are technical and can hardly be said to be part of the Afar language, for
example names of less well-known chemicals such as ruthenium.
An interesting example of loan words has arisen in relation to months of the year. The Afar language does
not have its own vocabulary for months. Afars in Eritrea and Djibouti, Muslim countries, adopt Arabic
names for months of the lunar Muslim calendar. Afars in Djibouti use French names from the Christian
calendar, while those in Ethiopia and Eritrea use English names from the Christian calendar. In the
present work, month names are omitted altogether.
Stress in Afar is predominantly final. Non-final stress is indicated in headwords, but not in examples.
Final stress is indicated in headwords to distinguish explicitly, where necessary, from an identically-spelt,
but differently-stressed, word with a different meaning, eg áwka, boy vs awká, girl.
Headwords are underlined in the examples, but suffixes are not, eg marah, for people, in the entry for
mara, people.
The -eena and -eyna endings, while pronounced similarly, are used to differentiate between nouns
referring to people (alkumeena, fiancé) and nouns referring to animals or things (daffeyna, meeting).
The form of reciprocal adopted in the examples is titta, eg titta yubleenih, they saw each other. Other
forms (itta, hitta, sitta) are valid, but not used in the dictionary.
Hyphenation has been used in the dictionary in some circumstances where, in spoken and recent written
material, elision would be used, eg yi-abba, my father, vs the elided form yabba.
Headwords for verbs have been chosen to make it easy to identify the root. For class I, II and IV verbs,
the head word is the first person singular past tense form. For class III verbs, the head word is the third
person stative singular. This scheme is used irrespective of whether the subject of the verb could be
animate or inanimate.
Postpositions such as -gidah or -gidih, in order that or so that, are affixed into the nominal form of the
verb, gexam-gidih, in order that I go. This formal form is used in the dictionary, even though in speech a
homorganized form gexan-gidih, or a completely assimilated form, gexaggidih, is frequently employed.
In speech, the final vowel of a word may be lengthened, for example when a word is followed by a
comma, usuk uguteh, gexeh, he got up and left, or a question mark is maa barray?, who is this lady?
This lengthening is not normally reflected in print, and is not indicated in the dictionary.
vi

adj adjective
adv adverb
aux auxiliary
card.num cardinal number
cf compare
colloc collocation
colloq colloquial
comp compound
compar comparative
conj conjunction
det determiner
ditrans ditransitive
emph emphatic
excl exclamation
expr expression
ext extensive
f feminine
fam familiar
fig figurative
fract fraction
fut future
ger gerund
idiom idiom
impers impersonal
infin infinitive
informal informal
interj interjection
interr interrogative
irr irregular
loc locative
Abbreviations
vii
m masculine
mod modifier
modal modal
n noun
neg negative
ord.num ordinal number
p perfect
part participle
pass passive
past past
pers person / personal
pfx prefix
phr phrase / phrasal
pl plural
poss possessive
pr / pron pronoun
pred predicate
prep preposition
prop proper
quant quantifier
rec / recip reciprocal
refl reflexive
rel relative
sg singular
slang slang
subj subject
sup superlative
v verb
v.intr intransitive verb
v.tr transitive verb

The Dictionary

A
abandon [´bœ~nd´n] v.tr cabe; qidòh cabe The crew
abandoned the sinking ship Bahriya suta markab cabte
He abandoned his wife and son Usuk isi barra kee baxa
qidoh cabeh
abandonment [´bœ~nd´nm´nt] n cabti The abandonment
of the project could be a disaster Woo yucussulen taamak
cabti finqa xaltu bicta
abandon hope [´bœ~nd´n hop] v.tr-id ...-k obboode / uqdure
After he failed to pass the test he abandoned hope of
learning Usuk aqayyaarel balaalek sarra barittok yobboode /
yuqdure The nurse did not abandon hope of saving the
child’s life Madaawissa biyaakita awka wadduh abta
macalak mabboodinna / maqduurinna
abate [´be~t] v.intr baggise / fakise; salace When the storm
abates, we will set out Kaxxa rob baggisa / fakisa waqdi
safarenno The floods abated after three hours Weeqi
sidiica saaqatih lakal salace His anxiety has abated Luk
suge bohoy kaak salaceh
abbreviate [´briŸvIet] v.tr uxuxxoyse Some people
abbreviate certain words when writing Sinaamak baali
yaktube waqdi qangooruk tu uxuxxoysah
abbreviation n [´brI~vIeSn¢] uxùxxus (uxùxxusu)
Abbreviation of words is only appropriate in writing, not in
speech Qangara uxuxxus dibuk kutbel akke waytek yaabat
mabicta
abdomen [œ~bd´m´n] n bàgu The abdomen is an important
part of the body between the chest and the pelvic region
Bagi xagarak faxximtah tan exxay, alil kee salcek fanat raqta
abdominal [œ~bdÅmInl¢] adj bagi He had an abdominal
operation Usuk bagi garuq le
abet [´be~t] v.tr umammariinò cato ekke The watchmen
aided and abetted the thieves Wardiyayti garaaqah qokol
kee umammariinol cato yekke
abhor [œbhOŸr] v.tr kaxxam inqibe / ikrice I abhor cruelty to
animals Anu alluwwal ceele wayto baahaanam kaxxam
anqibe / akrice
ability [´bI~lIti] n duddo The new teacher has great ability
Qusbih yemeete kabir kaxxa duddo le
ablaze [´ble~z] pred.adj habuubugute The wooden house
was quickly ablaze Luucaan qarit gira xayuk habuubugutteh
able, be [e~bl¢] 1 v.intr duude Are you able to help me?
Yoo cattu maay dudda? 2 adj duddò le He is more able
than his brother Usuk isi toobokoytak gìffa-inta duddo le
abnormal [œbnO~ml¢] adj qàaxak anè wee Is the child
mentally abnormal? Awkak moyya qaaxak ane maay wayta?
He was abnormal Usuk qaaxak mananna
abnormality [œbnO~mœl´tI] n qàaxak ane wayti The Xray
shows abnormality Xagar raadiyo qaaxak ane wayti taybulle
1
abolish [´bÅ~lIS] v.tr bayise They abolished slavery in
Britain in 1833 Biritaanyal naqoosannu sanat 1833
bayiseenih
abolition [´b´lI~Sn4] n bàysa The workers agitated for the
abolition of unnecessary restrictions laid on them Taama
mari keenil heen faxxiime waa waadoh baysal uguugus abe
abominable [´bÅ~mIn´bl¢] adj sàkkik ene The service in some
offices is abominable Biiroorak baalil aban taama sakkik
tene The maltreatment of domestic animals is
abominable Qafaarite lacal aban ganaysaqo sakkik taniimi
abort [´bO~t] v.intr baxaqe / fànak xale The sick woman
aborted Biyaakitta barrak xalay baxaqeh / Biyaakitta barra
fanak xalte; v.tr baxaqise / fànak soolise They aborted the
space flight Oson qaran fanih gexohhaad baxaqisen / fanak
soolisen
abortion [´bO~Sn¢] n baxaq (baxàqa) Abortion of the
attempted coup failed Doolatkoro gabbatih baxaq makkinna
about [´bA~Ut] 1 prep ...-t, edde The soldier talked about
the war his wife also talked about it Qaskariiti carbit
yaabeh, kay barra kaadu edde yabteh; He was going about
our business today, and so was I Usuk ni caagidit aseh,
anuy, kaadu edde ase What are you talking about? Edde
yabtam macay? I am talking about you Anu kot yaaba
Bring me my stick and be quick about it! Edde isissikay, yi
caxxa yoh bah! 2 adv yakke; kabba-hee; ...-h ceebah ene
There were about ten people present Tabanta yakke mari
suge He received about double the amount Usuk duyyek
namma afto kabba-haytem gee A girl of about my
daughter’s size / age / build came Yi baxah ceebah tan
awka temeete 3 loc.adv ...-l She must be somewhere
about! Is aracak ulikkel tanim faxximta!
about-face, make an [mek ´n ´bA~Ut fes] v.tr-id enkeleelebe
When he heard the order, he made an about-face Amri
yoobbe waqdi, yenkeleelebe
above [´bø~v] 1 prep …-k fayyà; ...-k dagah / iroh Arta is a
town above sea level Qarta baddi caddok fayya luk raqta
magaala The plane flew above the clouds Tayyaara
qamburrek dagah / iroh haadde 2 adv 1 fayyak The
lady called to us from above Barra fayyak neh secte 2 dagà
raaqa Read the sentence above! Daga raqta maxco ikriy!
abrade [´bre~d] v.tr cokoxe Don’t abrade the surface of the
table! Miidik bagu macokoxin!
abrasion [´bre~Zn¢] n musuq (musùqu)/ suxxuq (suxxuùqu) He
suffered abrasions when he fell Usuk yinnikisse waqdi
musuq / suxxuq luk raaqe
abreast [´brE~st] adv sunkaàsunkuh The soldiers marched
four abreast Qaskar fereereyil sunkaasunkuh ibiilot gexxe
abroad [´brO~d] adv 1 afà baaxo The nurse went abroad for
her training Madaawissa barbaritih afa baaxo gexxe Our trip
abroad was good Afa baaxo abne gexo temqe 2 iroh The
news soon spread abroad Xaagi xayuk iroh fixixe
A

A
abrupt [´brU~pt] adj 1 cubè waak The meeting came to an
abrupt end Daffeyna cube waak fixixxe 2 gibdi This
doctor has an abrupt manner A daktoor gibdi qangara / fooca
le
abscess [œ~bsEs] n gindo; awèqta; ofon (ofònu) Our camel
has an abscess on its foot Nì rakub ibat gindo le, The
abscess on his gums burst Riqidil kaak suge aweqti bakaqeh,
The vet lanced the abscess on the goat’s neck Saqi daktoor
reyta fillal suge ofon gilet bakqise
abscond [œbskO~nd] v.intr baade The treasurer absconded
with 500,000 francs Oloyabbixi koona boolih alfih faranka
luk baade
absence [œ~bsens] n anewàyti / deèdal (deèdala) / raqti His
absence went unnoticed Kay anewayti / deedal / raqti num
macubbusinna
absent [œ~bs´nt] adj cerrite He has been absent from home
for a long time Usuk isi buxak cerritay, kibuh yan
absentee [œbs´nti~] n raaqà num (nùmu) A regular
absentee loses his place in the school Barittok gabaak raaqa
num barittot arac is waysiisa
absolute [œbs´lu~t] adj hunun That’s absolute nonsense!
Wohum hunun maqna maliino
absolutely [œbs´lu~tli] adv inkikabuuk / inkìtanih; qìgdu /
inkìnnah You and I agree absolutely Koo kee yoo
inkikabuuk / inkitanih titta geyna He was absolutely right
Usuk inkitanih gitat suge That is absolutely impossible!
Wohu qigdu / inkinnah takkem hinna!
absolve [´bsÅ~lv] v.tr qàfu abe As she broke the law in
ignorance, they absolved her Is madqat iggimah teeqetem
aaxaguk qafu teetih aben
absorb [´bzO~b] 1 v.tr fuuqe The skin (body) absorbed the
ointment Xagar sukati fuuqeh 2 fig hàngi bee; untuxxuqe
This book absorbed me A buuk hangi yok bee I was
absorbed in this book Anu a buukih kiriyaatit untuxxuqume
absorption [´bzO~pSn¢] n 1 fuuqo This cloth has little
power of absorption A saro fuuqo xayuk mabta 2 hàngi
Her absorption in her work allows no time for other things
Is isi taamat le hangi kaliimih wakti mayaca
abstract 1 [œbstrœ~kt] n ayxàxxos (ayxàxxoosu) I made an
abstract of the book I chose Anu doorite buukuk ayxaxxos
eyyeeqe
abstracted, be [bi œbstrœ~ktId] adj inni badal suge I
became abstracted Anu inni badal suge
abstract 2 [œ~bstrakt] adj qellitaàmih 'Thirst' is an abstract
noun Bakar deqsitta qangara qellitaamih migaaqa
absurd [´bs‰~d] adj maqnà màli His idea is absurd Kay
fikrat maqna mali
abundance [´bU~nd´ns] n manginta, faxximtàamak biso The
Red Sea has an abundance of fish Qasa bad kullum manginta
le, They prepared an abundance of food for that wedding
Woo digibih faxximtaamak biso le maaqidda bicisen
2
abundant [´bU~nd´nt] adj rekàq le Following rain the
grass was abundant Rob radeek widiril qayso rekaq teelle
abuse 1 [´bju~z] v.tr 1 ilaqe It is not right to abuse the
present he received Usuk gee acwa ilaqam gita hinna 2
xagite They abused me in what they said Yaàbat yoo
xagiten
abuse 2 [´bju~s] n 1 umà abto Drugs are an abuse against
the person Kas muda coox sahdaytul uma abto yakke 2
ganaysaqo Child abuse is not permitted Urri ganaysaqo
midnisan
accede [œksi~d] v.intr 1 irdiye / oggole He finally acceded to
my request Illacaboh anù kaal esserem yirdiyeh / oggole 2
dardaare When his father died, he acceded to the throne
Kay abba elle rabe-ikkel qarkaytol usuk dardaare
accelerate [´ksE~l´ret] v.intr iysissike When a man called to
me to stop the car, I accelerated more than before. Num
baabur soolisam yok essere waqdi, duma elle beyak sugennak
tet iysissike
acceleration [œksEl´re~Sn] n aysàssa My car has poor
acceleration Yi baabur aysassak qilsa le
accent [œ~ks´nt] n 1 xukkòh asta The mark put over a
vowel is an accent Yangayye amot haan asta xukkoh asta
xiqsitta 2 qangarà korsa It is known by her accent that she
is from the north Kilbatti barra kinnim qangara korsal teetik
tamixxige
accentuate [´ksE~ntjuet] v.tr xukkute In his speech the old
man accentuated every word he spoke Idalti edde yaabe
yaabak uummaan qangarat xukkutak yaabe
accept [œksE~pt] v.tr loowite; oggole My mother in-law
accepted me as a member of the family Yi ballo buxa numuh
yoo loowitte I accepted his decision Anu usuk edde
cabem oggoleh / Anu kay mala oggoleh
acceptable [´ksE~pt´bl¢] adj oggolsime This kind of
behaviour is acceptable Ànna le gexgexit oggolsimah
acceptance [´ksE~pt´ns] n arac (aràca) / òggol (òggolu)
Their bad behaviour has no acceptance with us Ken uma
gexgexit ni garil arac / oggol mali
accession [´ksE~Sn¢] n 1 dardaarìnnu On the day of his
accession they crowned him Usuk dardaarinnu gee saaku
xinto kalawta kaah heen 2 ossontina This book is a good
accession to my library A buuk yi maktabah meqe ossontina
accident [œ~ksIdn¢t] n qawwalayla Omar died in a bad
accident Qumar uma qawwalaylat rabe
accidental [œksIdE~ntl] adj qawwalaylah / hurubbah His
death was accidental Kay rabi qawwalaylah / hurubbah
tekkeemi
accidentally [œksIdE~ntli] adv qawwalaylah The
defendant said to the court “I didn’t want to kill my wife, it
happened accidentally” Kalsitaf makaabon garil “Anu inni
barra qidam faxak masuginniyoy, qawwalaylah tekkeemi”
iyye

acclimatize [´klAI~m´tAIz] v.intr hawa xiqe Because I am
used to the climate of a high altitude, I shall quickly
acclimatize to Addis Ababa Anu fàyya-inta baaxoh hawa
aaxigeemih sabbatah, Addis Ababah hawa xayuk xiqeyyo
acclimatization [´klAI~m´tAIzeSn¢] n hawaxxìq (hawaxxìqi)
Because Djibouti is a humid country, acclimatization is
difficult Yabuuti hawaddimco le baaxo kinniimih sabbatah
hawaxxiq akak gibdih
accommodate [´kÅ~m´det] v.tr aràc ...-h abe That family
accommodated me in their home with warm hearts Woo
buxah mari farcil isinni dabqil arac yoh abe
accommodation [´kÅ~m´deSn¢] n guub (guùbu) Did you
find suitable accommodation? Kot bica guub maay geyte?
accompany [´kø~mp´ni] 1 v.tr waklise The bridegroom’s
party accompany the bridegroom Waraddi qarus waklisa 2
fig lih emeete A cheque accompanied the letter I received
Anu gee gawaab lih banki siik yemeete
accompaniment [´kø~mp´nIm´nt] n lukgèxa; adda A
drum is a good accompaniment to dancing Robbiyok lamtoh
lukgexa karambo aysuk raqta; We worked to the
accompaniment of children’s noise Urri wexxeqtoh addat
elle taamitne
accomplice [´kø~mplIs] n qaxòyta When the thief is at work,
his accomplice guards him and keeps a look out Garqi garqa
aba waqdi, kay qaxoyti deraafi kaah dacrisa
accomplish [œkÅ~mplIS] v.tr ugdube I accomplished my
aims Innih faxem ugdubeh I didn’t accomplish all I
wanted Anu abam faxem inkih magdubinniyo
accord [´kO~d] n tittingey (tittingèyi) The two groups are in
complete accord Woo namma egla duddale tittingey le
accord with [´kO~d wID] v.tr inkinoowe What he says
accords with your view Usuk iyyam kee ku mabla
inkinowtah
according to [´kO~dIN tU] prep 1 elle exce-inna According
to Omar there is a house available for rent Qumar elle iyyeinnal
kira qari yanih 2 takkèh gide He will be paid
according to his work Usuk taama kaak takkeh gidel isi
cawal geele
accordingly [´kO~dINgli] adv tù elle faxximta-inna He
understands the problem and will act accordingly Usuk yan
afway cedah, tu elle faxximta-innal abele
account [´kAU~n¢t] n 1 mucaasaba I keep my own accounts
Anu inni mucaasabat abbaasita 2 gabbaaqo He gave us
an account of how the accident happened Usuk qawwalayla
elle tekkennah gabbaaqo neh abe 3 konti Have you an
account at the bank? Bankil konti maay lito? 4 kàna He
doesn’t take me into account Usuk kanak yoo mali
account for [´kAU~n¢t fO] prep.v.tr sabab xayyoyse, cisàb
xayyoyse I accounted for my mistake Anu innih qellattih
sabab xayyoyse, You must account for the money you spend
Atu teyyeeqe lakqoh cisab xayyoossaama
accountable for [´kAU~n¢t´bl¢ fO] adj gubà le; badà le You
3
are accountable for the car I am leaving with you Kol caba
baaburut ku guba le You are accountable for his wellbeing
Kay nagayna ku bada le
accountable for, make [mek ´kAU~n¢t´bl¢ fO] v.tr phr ...-l
baddoyse Hasan was made accountable for the camel Ala
Casanal baddoysen
accountant [´kAU~nt´nt] n mucaàsib (mucaàsibi) An
accountant is a person who keeps the records of money
received, paid and owed Mucaasib geytimteh, tewqeh,
abuuduh tan lakqo lowsiisa numu
accurate [œ~kjur´t] 1 adj nummà le He gave an accurate
assessment of the situation Usuk yan caalatak numma le
miidaanis xayyoyse 2 pred.adj saciicik ene What she
said was accurate Is intem saciicik tan
accuracy [œ~kjur´si] n numma Can you vouch for the
accuracy of his statement? Kay maysaxxaga numma kinnim
taxmiqem maay dudda?
accuse [´kju~z] v.tr malkite I accused him of lying Anu dirab
kaak malkite
accused [´kju~zd] n malkitèn num (nùmu) They
questioned the accused Oson tu akak malkiten numul esser
xayyoosen
accuser [´kju~z´] n malkitè num (nùmu) Who is your
accuser? Kok tu malkite num iyyay?
accusation [œkjuze~Sn¢] n geyto The accusation made
against me was unfounded Yol heen geyto gitah makkinna
accustomed to, be [bi ´kø~st´md tU] prep.v.intr barite I am
accustomed to his ways Anu kay qaada bariteh
ache [e~k] 1 n biyak (biyaàka) Apply this ointment for the
ache in your back! A boomaad xiiron kok aba biyaakah
ussukut! 2 v.intr 1 ducalsite I ache all over Xagar inkih
yok ducalsitah 2 berrise My head aches Amo yok
berrissa
achieve [´tSi~v] v.tr aracise / ugdube The traveller achieved
his aims Gexenti isih faxam araciseh / yugdubeh
achievement [´tSi~ ~vmn¢t] n agdaabe Her achievement is
remarkable Tet agdaabe kaxxànnah meqe
acid [œ~sId] 1 n asiid (asiìdi) / meteki An acid can burn
other materials Asiid / Meteki gersi tumammi yakmem
duuda 2 adj 1 mùlcu Lemons have an acid taste
Liimcaamud mulcu tamu le 2 fig gibdi Her acid tongue
hurt my feelings Tet gibdi qangara niya yok dananisse
acknowledge [´knÅ~lIdZ] v.tr 1 eeleme / eemene His father
acknowledged his mistakes Kay abba isi qellat yeelemeh /
yeemeneh 2 loowite My clan doesn’t acknowledge me Yì
kedo yoo maloowitta
acknowledgment [´knÅ~lIdZmnt¢] n aàlam (aàlama) / aàman
(aàmana) Have you received an acknowledgment of your
letter? Rubte warakatah aalam / aaman may geyte?
acquaint [´kwe~nt] v.tr iysixxige Parents should acquaint
their children with the danger of playing with fire Xaleena
A

A
isi xayloh gira digir umaanek lem ken taysixxigeemi
acquainted (with), be [bi ´kwe~ntId “wID‘] v.intr boorah
ixxiga le He and I are acquainted with each other Yoo
kee kaa boorah ixxiga lino
acquaintance [´kwe~nt´ns] n 1 boorah ixxiga We have
made each other’s acquaintance Booràh ixxigah tìtta
naaxige 2 boorah yaaxigi He is my acquaintance, but he
doesn’t know me well Usuk yoo boorah yaaxigi ikkalah,
kaxxa ixxiga yot le num hinna
acquire [´kwAI~´] v.tr gee He has acquired a new car Usuk
qusba baabur gee
acquisition [œkwIzi~Sn¢] n addarìyya Is this carpet a recent
acquisition of hers? A fiddimah addariyyi teetik qusbah
inna?
acquisitive [œkwI~zItIv] adj addùrya le We live in an
acquisitive society Addurya le ayyuntih addal sigoh nan
acquit [´kwI~t] v.tr barìh eyyeeqe The court acquitted him of
the theft of which he was accused Mackamat kaal
xayyoosen garqak barih kaa teyyeeqe
acquittal [´kwI~tl¢] n bari On the day of his acquittal his
name was cleared Kaal heenimik bari yekke saaku yoomeh
kaak suge migaq kaak yemqeh
across [´krÅ~s] 1 prep ...-l He went across the road Usuk
gìtal tabe 2 adv baguh / tabtabbih This bed is one metre
across A kaqaada baguh / tabtabbih inki mitri takke
act [œ~kt] 1 v.intr abe They acted quickly Oson abeenim
sissikuk aben 2 n 1 abitto That was a wicked act Woh
uma abittok sugte 2 margaqa The second act was
amusing Nammeyhayto margaqa furkucat luk sugte
actor [œ~kt´] n ransaàbe This actor gained great respect
A ransaabe kaxxa konnaba gee
actress [œ~ktr´s] n ranseena Which actress plays best?
Gabbaq taysiisem manni ranseenay?
action [œ~kSn¢] n gabà qido, abto Now is the time for action
Gaba qido ta waqdi His prompt action saved me Usuk
waktil edde ase abto yoo wadde
active [œ~ktIv] adj carkattà le; hataatabo le My mother is
active Yi-ina abtaamal carkatta le She is an active child Is
hataatabo le awka
active voice [œ~ktIv vOI~s] n abtà xongolo Afar verbs are
generally in the active voice Qafarafih abinitte xeflih abta
xongolol kulsi
activist [œ~ktIvIst] n yasgàyye Activists provoked
discontent Tasgayyo wagarisinna uguugusse
activity [œktI~vIti] n agxe / carkatta There’s a lot of
activity at the wedding house Digib elle yakke qaril mango
agxe / carkatta tan
actual [œ~ktju´l] adj nummanummaak The actual cost of the
wedding was 1,000,000 Francs Digibih nummanummaak
tewqe lakqo malyuun faranka tekke
actually [œ~ktSu´li] adv nummanummaak He is actually
related to me Usuk nummanummaak ramad yoh le
4
acute [´kju~t] adj 1 gibdi He had an acute fever Usuk gibdi
faarat luk yen 2 lafèt le The problem of poverty here is
acute Akkel gabaddagiinah calway lafet le 3 xamca My
mother has acute hearing Yi-ina aytixxamca le
acuteness [œkju~tn´s] n gibdìnaane The acuteness of the
food shortage affected us all Maaqiddi aleele waytih
gibdinaane nee inkih xagte
Adam’s apple [œ~d´mz œ~pl¢] n kaxaaxaqa When he speaks,
his Adam’s apple moves Usuk yaaba waqdi kaxaaxaqa kaak
tangayye
adapt [´dœ~pt] 1 v.intr umcugguye Children adapt to a
new place quickly Urri qusba guubut xayih yamcugguye 2
v.tr massoyse Amina adapted her dress to fit me Amina isi
saro yot elle bictannah massosse
adaptable [´dœ~pt´bl¢] adj umcugguye I am very
adaptable to change Anu qusba caalatat xayih amcugguye
adaptation [œd´pte~Sn¢] n qusbà bica kee korsa I myself
made an adaptation of this story which I found in a book A
hayyeyoonay, buukul ublehiyyat anu inni kabuk qusba bica
kee korsa edde abeh
add [œ~d] v.tr tìttat hee; eddè osise Add three and five
together! Sidoc kee konoy tittat hayis!; Write your address
and add your telephone number! Qinwaan isik uktubay,
talafoon nibro edde osis!
add (to) [œ~d “tU‘] v.tr ...-t osise; ...-t hee; …-l osise We
added spice to the sauce Nanu saalot cawaag osisne He
added his advice to theirs Usuk ken fayut isi fayu osise He
added his name to the list Usuk isi migaq roorol osise
Don’t forget to add sugar to the coffee! Bunat sokkar haytam
mahabbaalin!
add up [œ~d øp] v.intr tìttal yemeete These figures don’t
add up A loowoh cisab tittal mayamaata
addition [œdI~Sn¢ ¢] n ixxìm ossisim (ossisìmi); ositina He
can’t do addition Usuk ixxim ossisim mayaaxiga We
don’t want the addition of more problems Calway ositina
mafanxa
addict [œ~dIkt] n suuseèna He is a khat addict Usuk gaat
suuseena
addiction [´di~kSn¢] n radow (radòwu) / sùus (sùusu) His
addiction to khat is ruining his health Usuk gaatal le radow
/ suus qaafiyat kaa daggoysa
addictive [œ~dIktiv] adj kaaribìs le / suusìs le Coffee
drinking can be addictive Buni maqab kaaribis le / suusis le
address [´drE~s] 1 n guubtìiino / sigma Give me his
address tomorrow! Kay guubtiino / sigma beera yoh acee
lito! 2 v.tr 1 sigma uktube Address this letter to my
brother! A gawaabal yi toobokoytih sigma uktub! 2 ...-l lùk
yaabe She addressed me Is yol luk yabte
adept [´dE~pt] adj feerammàqaane le My mother is adept at
making her money go a long way Yi-ina le lakqot mango
duyye xaamtaamih feerammaqaane le

adequate [œ~dIkw´t] adj xiqa Our supply of books is
adequate Neh yemeete buukaat nee xiqah
adhere [´dhi~´] v.intr xakbise This glue makes things adhere
together A xankakkabis tumammi tittat xakbissa
adherent [´dhi~´r´nt] n adòyta He is an adherent of the
opposition Usuk sadi marak adoyta
adhesion [´dhi~Zn¢] n xakbàbbis (xakbàbbisi) Adhesion is
the ability to stick Xakbabbis xankabbimaamih dudda
leemih
adhesive [´dhi~sIv] n xankàkkabis (xankàkkabisi) You’ll
need a strong adhesive to repair that broken chair Woo
tiddigille korsi yaymaaqu maqar le xankakkabis faxelito
adhesive tape [´dhi~sIv te~p] n xankàkkabis baasima Put
some adhesive tape on the bandage on his wound to make it
hold! Dalebbagul heeh yan boor rade waamke xankakkabis
baasima kaal hayis!
adjacent [´dZe~s´nt] adj xoggàt ene / rekàqah ene My
mother’s house is adjacent to mine. Yi-inah qari yi qarih
xoggat yan / rekaqah yan
adjoin [´dZOI~n] v.intr xakàbuh ene Our house adjoins theirs
Ni qari ken qarit xakabuh yan
adjourn [´dZ‰~n] v.tr wadirroose They adjourned the
meeting Daffeyna wadirrooseenih
adjudicate [´dZu~dIket] v.intr mekele Who will adjudicate
between them? Ken fan iyyi meklele?
adjust [´dZø~st] 1 v.tr massoyse They need to adjust my
seat to my height Yi korsi yi massal massoysaanam faxximta
2 v.intr massoowe I don’t think he will adjust well to his
new job Usuk le qusba taamat nagay massowelem makkala
administer [´dmI~nIst´] v.tr gexsiise; ece Who administers
the law? Madqa iyyi gexsiisah? The night nurse
administers the required medicine to the patients Barti
madaawissa biyaakita marah diwak faxximtam
taceadministration [´dmInIstre~Sn¢] n 1 gexsìisaanam
(gexsiisaanàma) The administration of the law is
important Madqa gexsiisaanam kulsa le 2 xinto The
present administration is under fire Axayyi xinto
assacakkuk yangiicilen
administrator [´dmInIstre~t´] n xintossàqal (xintossàqala)
The hospital administrator is very good Osbidaalak
xintossaqal nabam meqe
admiral [œ~dmIr´l]~ n amir (amiìri) The admiral of the fleet is
coming today A saaku baddi qandeh amir yamaate
admire [´dmaI~´]~ v.tr ossokoote We admire his patience
Usuk le sabrì nossokooteh
admirable [œ~dmIr´bl¢] adj assàkat le The doctor did an
admirable job Daktoor assakat le taama abe
admiration [œdmIre~Sn¢] n assàkat (assàkaata) I am filled
with admiration for his work Anu kay toamah, assakat
mangintina liyo
5
admit [´dmI~t] v.tr 1 culuse They admitted the child to
hospital for his asthma Àwka isibbi biyaakah osbidaal kaa
culusen 2 eeleme / oggole He admitted his failure Usuk
yefferem isik yeelemeh / oggoleh
admission [´dmI~Sn¢] n 1 ìs culusaanam (culusaanàma)
The soldier asked for admission to the hospital Qaskariitì
osbidaal daylah is culusaanam essere 2 aàlam (aàlama)
His admission that he was a failure came as no surprise to
us Usuk yeffereemit abe aalam akkale waak sugnem hinna
admittance [´dmI~t´ns] n culmà idni His paper is for
admittance to the port Usuk gabat lem furda culmah idnih
warkata
admonish [´dmÅ~nIS] v.tr sahite The judge will admonish
him, and let him go Cokmaabeeni kaa sahiteh, kaa ruubele
adolescence [œd´lE~s´ns] n duubaliino Adolescence is a
difficult age Duubaliino karmak gibdi caddo
adolescent [œd´lE~snt] n duubale The group consisted of
adolescents Xokon duubalek xissiime
adopt [´dÅ~pt] v.tr 1 xalaylòowitih tabsite The childless
couple adopted a baby girl Xaylo sinni baqla kee barra alqì
xalayloowitih tabsitte 2 loowite The police adopted a
policy of zero tolerance Boliis cabsimaliino siyaasa loowitte
adore [´dO~r] v.tr ...-l lùda le Omar adores his wife Qumar isi
barral luda le
adoration [´d´re~Sn] n rammìt manga Her adoration of
her teacher is unwise Is isi kabiirih abta rammit manga
kasidagnak teetik orobta
adorn [´dO~rn] v.tr bilise The bride adorned herself with
gold Qibna dahabat is bilisse
adult [´dø~ ~lt] n amò le num This class is for adults, not
children A fasli qunxa marihim hinnay, amo le marihimi
adulterate [´dø~l¢t´ret] v.tr darraqoose Don’t adulterate the
butter with oil Subac salid aglet madarraqoosin!
adultery [´dø~l¢t´ri] n dalwa He was accused of adultery
Oson dalwa kaak malkiten
adultery, commit [k´mI~t ´dø~l¢t´ri] v.tr dalwà abe A
commandment given to Moses says “Do not / Don’t
commit adultery!” Muusah “Dalwa maabin!” inta
merracsenti yontocowwe
adulterer [´dø~l¢t´r´] n dalweèna A man who takes
another woman besides his wife is called an adulterer Barra
luk mareyta haysita num dalweena xiqsita
adulteress [´dø~lt´r´s] n dalweena A woman who has
another man besides her husband is an adulteress Baqla luk
mareyta haysitta barra dalweenà xiqsitta
advance [´dvA`~ns]
1 v.intr bisòh exce The government
army advanced to meet the enemy Doolat qande qaduwwit
garaytuh bisoh inte 2 v.tr uysukume They advanced the
appointment from Thursday to Wednesday Kamiisil heenih
sugen xagana yuysukumeenih Arbaqal heen 3 n 1
mamaata We watched the advance of the flood waters
A

A
with apprehension Nanu weeqi mamaata bultukut wagitne
2 maysakama We don’t give advances in salaries Nanu
maahiyat maysakamal manaca
advance, in [In ´dvA~ns] adv mìqih akah We had an
arrangement in place in advance Miqih akah abne bica luk
sugne
advantage [´dvA~ntIdZ] n ìysa elle lem / kùlsa elle lem; fayda
He has an advantage over me Usuk yok iysa elle lem / kulsa
elle lem le There is no advantage in being early Waqlak
yaakumeenimit fayda matan
advantage of, take [te~k ´dvA~ntIdZ Åv] v.tr ...-t intifiqe; nàfqìh
orbise I took advantage of his weakness Anu kay boolat
intifiqe / Anu kay boola inni nafqih orbise
advantageous [´dv´nte~dZ´s] adj faydà le You’ll find it
advantageous to come early Waqlah tamaatem fayda lem
abletto
advent [œ~dvEnt] n biciseenik widir (widìri) People travel
more since the advent of the aeroplane Tayyaara biciseenik
widiril sahda muxxi safarta
Advent [œ~dvEnt] n Masiìc Baaho The four weeks before
Christmas are called Advent Yaasus edde yooboke saakuh
qiidik naharat yan affara ayyaam Masiic Baaho xiqsita
adverb [œ~dv‰b] n abinì gurra Some nominalized verbs in
Afar behave as adverbs Qafarafat miggaaqoysen abinak tu
abinì gurrah tandabbe
adversary [œ~dv´s´ri] n feèda; abbatbàxa / tittìn qaduwwi He
was my adversary in the game Digìril usuk yì feeda yekke;
We were adversaries in the war Nee kee ken carbil
abbatxayloh / tittin qaduwwih sugne
adverse [´dv‰~s] adj umàllat le This medicine has no
adverse effects A diwa katassa umallat mali
adversity [´dv‰~sIti] n musiiba It is better for people to
have friends for a time of adversity Musiiba tabbixe wakti
kataysis luk sugaanam tayse
advertise [œ~dv´tAIz] v.tr iysixiixige The owners advertised
their house for sale in the paper Mayballaalaqa warkatal le
wanna qari limoh yanim yiysixiixigen; Don’t advertise your
weaknesses! Atu lito boola isik maysexeexigin!
advice [´dvAI~s] n fàyu The military instructor gave us good
advice Gobti koroh amriseeni meqe fayu neh yece
advise [´dvAI~z] v.tr fayise There are two paths open to me
please advise me as to the best one! Namma gitay liyok, ku
maganak yayse gital yoo fayis!
advisable [´dvAI~z´bl¢] adj fayda le It is advisable to drink
plenty of water Mango lee yaaqubeenim fayda le
adviser [´dvAI~z´] n fayiseèna It is good to have a
qualified adviser Ixxiga le fayiseena loonum meqe
advocate [œ~dv´k´t] 1 n qaxohyaàbe It is good to have an
advocate to help in court Cokmi marol qokoluh qaxohyaabe
loonum meqe 2 v.tr qaxòh yaabe He advocates the
return of capital punishment Usuk rabi digaala gacsaanamih
6
qaxoh yaaba
advocacy [œ~dv´k´si] n qaxohyabti He is renowned for his
advocacy of human rights Usuk sahdaytih cakkih
qaxohyabtil yamixxige
adze [œ~dz] n godma I used an adze for cutting the tree
trunk Caxa daab godmat irgiqe
aeroplane [E´~r´plen] n tayyaara The aeroplane is late today
A saaku tayyaara udurrutteh
Afar [´fA~] adj Qafar A lot of rain fell this summer in the
Afar region A cagay Qafar rakaakayal kaxxa rob rade
afar [´fA~] adv àlla / badda / gàta We saw them coming from
afar Allak / Baddak / Gatak amaatih ken nuble; I heard about
you from afar Allal elle koo oobbeh suge
affair [´fE~´] n caagid (caagìdi) The meeting was a stormy
affair Aben daffeyna kookarow le caagidik ten He keeps
his financial affairs secret Isi maalih caagid sirrih yabbixe 2
fidoxxìn (fidoxxìini) He admitted to having an affair with
her Usuk fidoxxin tet luk abem yeeleme
affect [´fE~kt] v.tr ...-h xage The rain which fell, badly
affected the roads Rade rob gititte umannah xage
affection [´fE~kSn¢] n kalbixàyna He has an affection for
his aunt Usuk isi-annah kalbixayna le
affiliated [´fIlIe~td] pred.adj ...-t fantaàxaw le We are
affiliated to that company Nanu woo kobbanit fantaaxaw
lino
affiliation [´fIlie~Sn¢] n fantaàxaw (fantaàxawa) This kind
of affiliation is good for protection Annah yan fantaaxaw
kalaluh meqe
affinity [´fI~nIti] n nabsixàyna There is a close affinity
between father and daughter Abba kee baxà fanat
nabsixayna tan
affirm [´f‰~rm] v.tr diggoyse He affirmed his intention of
joining us Usuk nellih yangalu niya lem diggoyseh
affirmation [´f‰rme~Sn¢] n diggos (diggoòsu) Her
affirmation was contested Tet diggos yekeelefeeni
affirmative [´f‰~m´tIv] n kinna They answered in the
affirmative Oson kinnal gacisen
affix [´fI~ks] v.tr ibbixsiise / kafise They affixed a notice to
the door Maysaxxaga afat yibbixsiisen / kafisen
affix [œ~fI~ks] n kàfa An affix is added to a word at the
beginning, or at the end Kafa qangarak naharat takku, widirit
takku, ossimtaama
afflict [´flI~kt] v.tr gandise The disease afflicted him
seriously Lakimi kaxxam kaa gandiseh
affliction [´flI~kS¢n¢] n gandisè biyak (biyaàka), gàndi He
bore with his affliction Kaa gandise biyak xiqak suge A
common affliction suffered by the poor is malnutrition
Tumaleelah xeflih gandi takkem salumi
afraid [´fre~d] pred.adj meysì le There’s no need to be afraid
Meysi loonum mafaxximta

Africa [œ~frIk´] n Afriika Djibouti is in the Horn of Africa
Yabuuti Afriikah Gaysat raqta
African [œ~frIk´n] adj Afriikah The African people are
many Afriikah ummatta mangoh
after [A~ft´] 1 prep 1 làk ...-(a)l; ...-(a)t; ...-(a)k Let’s leave
after breakfast Miidikalo lakal genxay inxica The
President came after the police escort Ummuunoh Abba
qaskar walaabak lakat yemeete The sun shone day after
day Ayro saakuuk saaku diifak ten 2 bàgul After all my
efforts, I failed the exam Anu àbba-hee macalih bagul
imticaanal radeh 2 adv 1 ...-k sàrra The keys were
found after he had gone Mafaatic usuk gexek sarra geytime
2 ciggiile Omar came on Tuesday, his father came the
day after Qumar Talaata-saaku yemeeteh kay abba ciggilta
ayro yemeete
after all [A~ft´r O~l] adv tàkkay immay I was wrong after
all Takkay immay anu hoxiseh suge
afterbirth [A~ft´b‰T] n urriina / urrimàlayya The afterbirth
didn’t come easily Urriina / Urrimalayyi sahlil moobinna
afternoon [Aft´nu~n] n càrra Come and see my house this
afternoon! Amay, a carra yi qari wagit!
afterwards [A~ft´w´dz] adv sàrra The tea was brought
afterwards Saahi sarra baahen
again [´ge~n] adv qaguh; wadirih I must go there again Anu
wokke qaguh gexam faxximta My mother is back again
now A way yi-ina wadirih tuduureh
against [´gE~nst] prep 1 dìddih / sàduh; ...-l; ...-t dabrih
They work against each other Oson tittal diddih / saduh
taamitan The trouble-maker sets people against each
other Fitneeni sinam tittal haa The sailboat went against
the wind Doonik caacayat dabrih gexxe 2 ...-t I banged
my head against the wall Moyya innik gidaarat boodise 3
...-k The children have all been vaccinated against
measles Urruh inkih miniinik aftaboot heen
age [e~dZ] 1 n 1 qùmri / bar (bàra) What is your age?
Qùmri kok maa gide? / Barak maa gidet tan? 2 idoolìnna
His back was bent with age Usuk idoolinni sabbatah corod
baahe 3 daban (dabaàna) This is the space age A way
edde nanim qaran bagih dabaana 4 xèr wakti I waited an
age for you Anu xer wakti fan koo qambaale 2 v.tr idoolise
The many extra duties laid upon her, aged her Teetil heen
fuli fardih mangintina tet idoolisse
agenda [´dZE~nd´] n xagnì mascassa There were several
important items on the agenda Xagni mascassal kulsa leemik
mangom sugte
agent [e~dZ´nt] n wakiil (wakiìli) We used an agent to deal
with our business Ni caagiida bicisuh wakiilil cabne
agency [e~dZ´nsi] n wakaala He works at the shipping
agency Usuk markab wakaalal taamita
aggravate [œ~gr´vet] v.tr 1 iskikkiqe That child’s chatter
aggravates me Woo awki le haxufto yoo taskikkiqeh 2 làfak
7
lafise Don’t aggravate the situation! Tu-iyyaanam lafak
malafisin!
aggression [´grE~Sn¢] n wàrar (wàrara) That was unprovoked
aggression Woh sabab sinni warara
aggressive [´grE~sIv] adj xagìt le That clerk is aggressive
Woo kattaab xagìt le
aggressor [´grE~s´¢] n baàtil baqla An aggressor is a
person or country attacking others first Baatil baqli num
takku baaxo takku naharal migda aysukuminnaanimi
aggrieved [´gri~vd] adj danane I was aggrieved by his
mistrust Usuk yot aba aamine waytik gexxaamah dananeh
agile [œ~dZAIl] adj haliffà le Goats are agile Wadar haliffa le
agility [´dZI~lIti] n haliffa Because of his agility, the old
man moves like a young man Woo idalti haliffa leemih
sabbatah, furrayni angoyya le
agitate [œ~dZItet] v.tr ...-l uguugus abe The workers agitate
the government for more pay Taama mari lakqoh osotina
geyoonuh doolatal uguugus aba
agitated [œ~dZItetId] adj xàkak wee He became agitated
when the boat was late Doonik uduurutte waqdi usuk xakak
weeh
agitation [œdZIte~Sn¢] n 1 xakakway (xakakwàya) The girl
was in a state of great agitation before her exam Awka
imticaan qimbisaamak dumal naba xakakway luk sugte 2
uguùgut (uguùgutu) The anti-war agitation worried the
government Carbi saduh yakke uguugutih meysit doolat inti
tuqunxe
agnostic [œgnÅ~stIk] 1 n Yallabadayse An agnostic isn’t
sure there is a God Yallabadayse Yallih mano mayasmita 2
adj bohòy le She is agnostic about the government’s
education policy Is doolat barittoh le makkok is bohoy le
ago [´go~] adv ...-k naharat The shop was closed five
minutes ago Dokkaan koona dagiigatak naharat alfime
agony [œ~g´ni] n qansàru; gamom (gamoòmu) / cisabbow
(cisabboòwu) The agony of his pain drove him mad Abe
madarratih qansari kaa qayyaawiseh; The mother watched
with agony her sick child Ina teetik biyaakita saldi gamoomut
/ cisabboowut wagitte
agonize [œ~g´nAIz] v.intr cisabboowe I agonized over the
answer to the question Anu essero gacsat cisabboowe
agonizing [œ~g´nAIzIN] adj hawwaànat le I was faced
with an agonizing choice Hawwaanat le doorit yoo yibbixe
agree [´gri~] v.intr ...-t bice; oggole My father agrees that I go
Yi-abba anu gexaamat bice He agreed to give help to his
sister Usuk isi maqanxah cato abam oggoleh
agree (with) [´gri~ “wID‘] v.tr titta gee Their reports don’t
agree with each other Baahen xaagi titta gee cineh
agreeable [´gri~´bl¢] adj meqèllat le / sahhà le My sister is
an agreeable person Yi maqanxa meqellat le sahdayto We
spent an agreeable evening there Nanu sahha le kassoyna
wokkel abne
A

A
agreement n [´gri~m´nt] tittingey (tittingèyi) An agreement
was reached by both parties Namma qaxoh fanat tittingey
yekke The first group broke the agreement they made
with the others Naharsi horti gersi horta luk abeh suge
tittingey makeh
agriculture [œ~grIkøltS´] n buqre His application for a job
was made to the department of agriculture Taamah esseroh
qariida usuk buqre caagiidah biirol xayyoose
agricultural [œgrIkø~ltSrl] adj buqre le Agricultural land
here is poor Akkel tan buqre baaxo fayda mali
agro-pastoralist [œ~gro-pœstr´lIst] n buqrek dacarsittoh num
(nùmu) Efforts are being made to care for Afar agropastoralists
Buqrek dacarsittoh Qafar mara loowitaanamih
macal abaana
ahead [´hE~d] adv 1 nahàrat; aakàmuk He is ahead of all the
others in his class Usuk edde yan faslit enna-iyya marak
naharat yan The pack camels went ahead of the travellers
Yeerren gaali gexentak aakamuk daqaarime 2 ellè dacaran
That is the way ahead Woh elle dacaran gita
aid [e~d] 1 v.tr cate He aided me in carrying out my
studies Baritto abuh usuk yoo cate 2 n cato What aid
can you give me? Maa cato yoh abtu duddah?
AIDS [e~dz] n siida / eèdis (eèdisi) AIDS is currently an
incurable disease Siida / Eedis akak iyyan biyak ahak duma
dayla sinni dalka
aim [e~m] n qalaama; hàdaf (hàdafa) / wadba He has a good
aim, he never misses Qalaama kaak meqeh, mahoxisa
What is the aim of this organisation? A missoynah hadaf /
wadba macay?
aimless [e~ml´s] adj hàdaf maliino Life without a
challenge appears aimless Carra / Carsa sinni mano hadaf
maliinot gacta
aim at [e~m œt] 1 prep.v.intr qalaamise The marksman
aimed at the target Qalaama le num qalaamal qalaamise 2
v.tr ...-l escesse He aimed the gun at me Usuk bandug yol
yescesse
air [E~´] n 1 qàran (qàraana); silàytu; ufuy (ufùyu) The air
near the sea is refreshing Baddaafal yan silayti xagar maffaafa
le; The ball went up in the air Koqso qaran tewqe; He filled
the balloon with air Usuk ufuffu ufuyut yengey 2 qàmal
(qàmala) She has an air of disapproval Is raabitsinna qamal
le
air, by phr [bAI E~´] tayyaarat Many people travel by air
these days Axayyu mango mari tayyaarat safara
air, on the [Å~n DI E~´] prep.phr raadiyòt yaabe We were
on the air last night Nanu bir raadiyot yabne
air conditioner [E´~r k´ndi~Sn´] n xamcabuufe In summer,
it is difficult to live in Djibouti without an air conditioner
Xamcabuufe sinnim Yabuutih addal cagayak raaqaanam
gibdih
Air Force n [E~´ fOs] qaràn qande My son is a pilot in the
Air Force Yi baxi Qaran Qandel haadise
8
airport n [E~´pOt] haadbòoxa / tayyaarabbòoxa They are
building another airport outside the town Magaalak irol
nammeyhayto haadbooxa / tayyaarabbooxa xisan
ajar [´dZA~r] adv fakìmit Don’t leave the door ajar! Qaraafa
fakimit macabin!
akin [´kI~n] adj ramàd le / marè le Is that man akin to you?
Woo num ramad / mare maay koh le?
alarm [´lA~m] 1 n 1 qiyto / deero When fire broke out, he
raised the alarm Gira cararow ugute waqdi, usuk qiyto /
deero abe 2 dàllam (dàllama) The noise caused us alarm
Wexxeqto dallam nel ugusse 2 v.tr wiriggise The news
alarmed her Toobbe xaagi tet wiriggise
alas [´lœ~s] interj boolew / caysa! Alas, it is my last day
here! Boolew / Caysa, akkel ah yok illacaboh ayrok tanih tan!
alcohol [œ~lk´hÅl] n alkool (alkoòlu) Alcohol is used in
some medicines Diwak tut alkool yesgellen
alert [´l‰~t] 1 adj cùbbi le You must be alert when you
drive Baabur beyta waqdi cubbi litom faxximta 2 v.tr gàrci
kale Alert the police to watch for smugglers Madqa desso
elle tan duyye makissa kabxaaba wagitoonuh qaskarah garci
kal 3 n garcikàle Sound the alert! Garcikale kaayis!
alibi [œ~lIbAI] n elle sugte-ikkeh sumaaqa Have you an alibi
for the time of the robbery? Garqo tekke saaqat elle sugteikkeh
sumaaqah xayyossam maay lito?
alien [e~lI´n] n beèda The alien is required to register with
the police Beedi qaskar xaqul is yaysixxigem kaak faxximta
alight 1 [´lA~It] v.intr oobe The butterfly alighted on the
flower Laahinti qobortal obte; What time did the passenger
alight from the plane? Gexenti tayyaarak maa saaqatal oobe?
alight 2 [´lA~It] pred.adj urà le Is the fire alight Gira ura
maay le?
align [´lA~In] v.tr rortàl hee Get the men to align the mats in
the tent! Labha seenan siraq qarih addal rortal haytay inxica!
alignment n [´lA~Inm´nt] missa After he ran into the bank,
his wheels were out of alignment Gitak gafanat boodek
lakal baaburuk ibaytit missat kaak maraaqinna
alike [´lA~Ik] pred.adj tìtta ceele These two children are very
much alike A namma awki nabam titta ceela
alimony [œ~lIm´ni] n màhri The court made him pay
alimony to his divorced wife Mackamat cabe barrah mahri
kaal teexege
alive [´lA~Iv] pred.adj ene; unuwwe Is your father alive? Kuabba
addunyal yanih inna? The police want the terrorists
alive or dead Qaskar nacrur maleela raboonu yanuwwoonu
ken faxxah
all [O~l] qntfr inkìh The sugar has all been sold Sokkar inkih
xaamimeh; We were all against their suggestion Nanu inkih
oson nel xayyoosen yaabal saduh nen
all at once [O~l ´t wø~ns] adv.phr inkìh inki-àdda The
people came all at once Sahda tittal luk inkih inki-adda

temeete
all over [O~l o~v´] adv.phr gùbay daga The boy was
covered all over with spots Àwkak xagar gubay daga cinsi
yekke
all the same [O~l T´ se~m] adv.phr inkì gide It’s all the
same to me whether you come or not Atu amaatek raaqe
takkem yol inki gide
all right [O~l rA~It] 1 interj meqeh All right! I will come
Meqeh! amaateyyo 2 pred.adj tù mali It is all right for
you to see her Tet tablem tu mali
all together [O~l t´gEDe] inkìh tittal lih Let’s shout out all
together! Nanu inkih tittal lih deerisnay inxica!
allegation [œl´ge~Sn¢] n hayti The allegation made against
her was false Teetil xayyoosen hayti deedalak tekke
allegiance [´li~dZnts] n caddi Some countries require
allegiance to the flag Baaxooxak tu isinni bandiirah caddi
faxxa
allergy [œ~l´dZi] n cincìnit (cincìniti) My mother has an
allergy to cats Yi-ina dummu kabbak cincinit le
allergic [´l‰~dZik] adj cinciìnit le Are you allergic to
penicillin? Binsilliin cincinit maay lito?
alleviate [´li~vIet] v.tr sahhaloose This medicine alleviates
pain A diwa biyak sahhalossa
alley [œ~li] n toloylo The boy went down the alley between
the houses Awki qarwa fanat tan toloylok oobe
alliance [´lA~I´ns] n qàlla / qalliìnu The two leaders entered
into an alliance Woo namma mirocti qalla / qalliinu haysitte
allow [´lA~U] v.tr idnise The teacher won’t allow the
students to chew gum in class Kabir darsa faslil miira
tacatem midnisa
allowance [´lA~Uw´ns] n 1 càbsu / gabacaboot
(gabacaboòtu) We make allowance for children Urrut
cabsu abna / Urrul gabacaboot naalle 2 lakqò cato We
made an allowance to the sick man, for the duration of his
sickness Biyaakita numuh biyak kaa cabam fanah lakqo cato
kaah neexege
allure [´lju~´] v.tr sangeelise Their proposal allured us Oson
xayyoosen mala nee sangeelisseh
alluring [´lju~´riN] adj sangeelìs le Your suggestion is
alluring Ku tummabulih xayyos sangeelis le
ally [œ~lAI] n qaxiìta His ally let him down Kay qaxiiti kaa
makeh
allies [œ~lAIz] n.pl qallì mara Our allies will stand by us
Ni qallih mari nee qokolele
almighty [OlmA~Iti] adj kaadirrànnu le The almighty God
spoke through the prophets Kaadirrannu le Rabbi
nabuwwah aliilik yaabe
Almighty, the [Di OlmA~Iti] n Fìgu / Yàlla The one to be
feared is the Almighty Akak meysitaanam lem Figu / Yalla
almost [O~lmost] adv xaàrra-hee; ràddah iyya I almost went
to see the floods, but didn’t Anu weeqa wagituh gexe
9
xaàxxa-hee immay raaqeh It was almost dark, when I
came Anu dite ràddah iyyat emeete
alms [A~mz] n.pl dakaat (dakaàta) It is obligatory for some
people to give alms Dakaat taceem sinaamak tul fardiik tan
aloe [œ~lo] n qadquure Aloes grow in parts of the desert
Waxxahentah tan baaxooxak tul qadquure taabuke
alone [´lo~n] adv dìbuk He went outside the house alone to
pray Usuk xaaqo abam-gidih dibuk qarik afah yewqe He
lives alone Usuk dabqel dibuk yan He built the house
alone Usuk qari dibuk xise
along [´lÅ~N] 1 prep addat We walked along the street
Nanu gitak addat genxe 2 adv gabat I took my friend
along Anu inni kataysa gabat bee
alongside, bring [brIN ´lÅNsA~Id] prep.v.tr iqissige The
captain brought the ship alongside the quay Naakuda
markab dikkatat yiqissige
aloof [´lu~f] adj angalecìnitit He keeps himself aloof Usuk
angalecinitit is yabbixe
aloofness [´lu~fn´s] n angalecìnit (angalecìniti) Due to his
aloofness, he has few friends Kay angalecinitik gexxaamah,
usuk kataysis dago
aloud [´lA~Ud] adv fàyya-hee The teacher asked me to read
the story aloud Kabir hayyeyoona fàyya-haak akriyem yol
essere
alphabet [œ~lf´bEt] n alefbaata There are 27 letters in the
Afar alphabet Qafarafih alefbaata labaatanna kee malcina
wara takke
already [OlrE~di] adv dumalèlle / mìqih akah I wanted to
catch the train, but it had already left Meelit mataram faxe
immay, dumalelle / miqih akah yok gexxeh sugte I had
already finished this before you came Atu amaate kal ahak
dumalelle / miqih akah gaba kaleh suge
also [O~lso] adv edde; kaàdu They helped their brother and
me also Oson isinni toobokoyta cateenih yoo edde cateenih
When I came alongside them, they took me with them on
their journey also Anu ken gari emeete waqdi isinni luk
safarah yoo edde been Bring sugar also! Sokkar kaadu
bah!
alter [Å~lt´] v.tr korise / ibiddile The typist altered the letter
Kaatiba gawaab korisse / tibiddile
alteration [Ålt´re~Sn¢] n korsa / tabdiil (tabdiìli) There is no
alteration in our plans Abne makko korsa / tabdiil mali
alternative [Olt´~rn´tIv] n badàli / kàla What alternative do
you have? Ahak badalih / kalah maca tascasse?
although [OlDo~] sub.conj wayày takkay Although I am late,
please help me! Ku maganak, anu udurruteh an wayay
takkay, yoo cat!
altitude [OltItjud] n fayiina The atmosphere is rare at a high
altitude Fayiinal silayti qaku le
A

A
altogether [Olt´gE~D´] adv amomìllh What you wrote is
altogether wrong Atu tuktubem amomillih hoxak tan / This
work is altogether bad A taama amomillih umah This is
an altogether bad boy A awki amomilllih uma awka
always [O~lwez] adv ùumman; ìnki He always comes on
time for work Usuk uumman taamah waqlat yamaate
They visit me always Oson inki / uumman yot boositan
amass [´mœ~s] v.tr mododise He amassed a lot of wealth
Usuk mango gadda mododise
amateur [œ~m´tS´ \ œ~m´t´] 1 adj nahadah He is an
amateur photographer Usuk nahadah taswir uguseena 2 n
nahadeèna Bring me a professional, not an amateur!
Nahadeena hinnak, mummaxxig yoh bah!
amaze [´me~z] v.tr qayyabsiise His vast knowledge amazed
me Kaak fiddin ixxiga yoo qayyabsisse
amazement [´me~zm´nt] n qayyàbsit (qayyàbsiti) His
achievements filled me with amazement Kay agdabih
qayyabsit yoo buule
amazing [´me~zIN] adj ablewàynuh tan / axxulle From
where has this man such amazing knowledge? A num
ablewaynuh tan / axxulle ixxiga ankek geeh?
ambassador [œmbœ~s´d´] n safiir (safiìri) Omar is the new
ambassador to Paris Qumar Baariisil qusbih safiir yekke
amber [œ~mb´] adj karhab (karhàba) She wears an amber
necklace Is fillat karhab bila le
ambiguity [œmbIgju~Iti] n namminan (namminaàna) There is
an ambiguity in this sentence A maxcot namminan yan
ambiguous [œmbI~gju´s] adj namminàn le This sentence is
ambiguous A maxco namminan le
ambition [œmbI~Sn¢] n hambarer (hambareèru) The eldest son
has great ambition Narisso baxi kaxxa hambarer le
ambitious [œmbI~S´s] adj hambarèr le The eldest son is
very ambitious Narisso baxi kaxxa hambarer le
ambulance [œ~mbjul´nts] n ambulansi / wassàak meerraytu
The ambulance is needed in a hurry Ambulansi / Wassaak
meerraytu sissikuk faxximta
ambush [œ~mbUS] 1 v.tr …-h ibbixe / …-h kamiine The
enemy ambushed us near the bridge Qaduwwi holhol xaqu
neh yibbixeh / neh kamiine 2 n garuq (garuùqu) / kamiìn
(kamiìni) Several people died in the ambush Heen
garuugut / kamiinit sinaamak mangom rabte
amen [AmE~n] interj aamiin The people all said amen to his
proposal, and accepted it Usuk xayyoose mala sahda inkih
“Aamiin” inteh, oggolte; All the angels cried “Blessing and
honour and glory and power be to Him who sits on the
throne, amen!” Malayka inkih”Taaqel daffeya Yallah
barkatay, massakaxxay, nabna kee qande takkay, Aamiin!”
axcuk deeqen
amenable [´mE~n´bl¢] adj meqehmàrcaba le He is amenable
to any sensible suggestion Usuk ceelak kaal xayyoosinnaan
yaabah meqehmarcaba le
10
amicable [œ~mIk´bl¢] adj meqellat (meqellàta) They departed
from each other in an amicable way Oson meqellatal tittak
baxsimen
amiss [´mI~s] adv qèllat (qèllata) There’s not much amiss
with his work Kay taamat kaxxa qellat mayan
ammunition [œmjunI~Sn¢] n dakiira / rusas (rusaàsa) The
soldier’s ammunition was finished Qandek dakiira gaba
kalteh / Qandek rusas gaba kaleh
amnesia [œmni~zI´ \ œmni~Z´] n kassitè way biyak (biyaàka)
He is suffering from amnesia Usuk kassite way biyak le
amnesty [œ~mnIstI] n qàfu The Government declared an
amnesty for those handing in illegal weapons Madqa sinni
silac gacisa marah Doolat qafu mudde
amoebic dysentery [´mi~bIk dI~s´ntri] n amiibà bagi gexo
Amoebic dysentery is caused by taking in bacteria by mouth
Amiiba bagi gexo beeka lem afah xagaanamak tamaate
among [´mø~N] prep 1 fanat He hid the book among the
clothes Buuk sari fanat yooqore 2 fanal They divided the
money among themselves Oson lakqo isinni fanal kuren
amount [´mA~Unt] 1 n gide Give them the same amount
each! Keenik kulli numuh inki gide acuy! They both had
the same amount of marks in the test Ken nammay
aqayyaareh ixximal inki gide bahte 2 v.intr loowime His
behaviour amounts to serious professional misconduct Kay
gexgexit fardiik mumaxxigle gexsitumaaneh bisuh loowima
ample [œ~mpl¢] adj fùla There is ample room for the two of
you Sin nammayak fuli arac yan; 2000 FD (Djibouti francs)
will be ample for me Yabuutil namma alfi faranka anu
faxaamak fula le
amplify [œ~mplIfAI] v.tr gìffa-hee This room amplifies the
sound A goli xongolo gìffa-haa
amputate [œmpjute~t] v.tr irgiqe The doctor had to amputate
the soldier’s foot Cakiim qaskariitak mayintu yargiqem raq
luk mananna
amputation [œmpjute~Sn¢] n miilì garuq (garùqu) Some of
the soldiers who return from the fighting have amputations
Qeebik aduurinnaan qandek tu miili garuq aallele
amulet [œ~mjul´t] n gaaxòyta There are some who say that
amulets help sickness Gaaxoyti biyaakak meqeh iyya mari
yan
amuse [´mju~z] v.tr digirise Go and amuse the children for
me! Gexay, urru yoh digiris!
amusement [´mju~zm´nt] n waqlarùub (waqlarùubu) What
kind of amusement do you like? Waqlaruubuh maca abtam
kicinto?
amusing [´mju~zIN] adj furkucàt le That is an amusing
story Woh furkucat le hayyeyoona
anaesthetic [œn´sTE~tIk] n cissicàbis (cissicàbisi) They gave
him an anaesthetic before the operation Xagar kaak
qanxisaanamak naharal cissicabis kaah heen
anaesthetize [´ni~sT´tAIz] v.tr cìssi cabsiise They

anaesthetized his gums before removing the broken tooth
Tiddigile moddina kalaanamak duma raqid cissi kaak
cabsiisen
analogous [´nœ~l´g´s] adj celceelo le The two statements
are not analogous Woo namma maxco celceelo mali
analogy [´nœ~l´dZi] n celceelo There is an analogy
between those two Woo nammayih fanat celceelo tan
analyse [œ~n´lAIz] v.tr tacliìl abe He analysed the tap water
Usuk bambok tamaate lee tacliil abeh
analysis [´nœ~l´sIs] n tacliil (tacliìli) The analysis made of
that water showed an excess of minerals Woo leet aben
tacliil maqaadinik fula lem tescesse
analyst [œ~n´lIst] n tacliilìse The analyst is examining a
sample of the water Tacliilise leek rike agaarada
anarchy [œ~n´ki] n fawdat (fawdàta) There was anarchy
among the students Darsah addal fawdat suge
anathema [´nœ~T´m´] n qìgdi That man is anathema to me
Woo num yol qigdi
anatomy [´nœ~t´mi] n xagàr gino qilmi Anatomy concerns
the structure of the body Xagar gino qilmi xagarak xisne elle
taninna yascasse
ancestor [œ~nsEst´] n ràddi My ancestors come from the
Middle East Yi raddi Fanti Maacak yan
anchor [œ~nk´] n boroysi We dropped anchor in the bay
Gobbatat boroysi qidne
ancient [e~ntS´nt] adj akaàkayyu We studied ancient history
Nanu akaakayyi aydaada baritne
and [œ~nd] conj kee; ...-h Nuria, Zahara and Zainab came
Nooriyay, Dahra kee Deynab temeete He went and called
them Usuk gexeh, keenih seece
and so on [œ~nd so Ån] kee tònna tònnah tanim He
brought bread, fish, meat, rice and so on Usuk gaqamboy,
kullumuy, cadoy, ruddi kee tonna tonnah tanim baahe
angel [e~ndZl¢] n malaykàta Angels serve God Malaykoota
Yallah takdume
anger [œ~Ng´] n naqàbu I am afraid of his anger Kay
naqabuk meysita
angry [œ~Ngri] adj naqàbu le Why are you angry?
Naqabu akah litom macay?
angry, become [bIkøm œ~Ngri] v.intr emneeqebe The
mother became very angry because of the way her child was
treated Tet baxak abeenimik gexxaamah ina kaxxam
temneeqebeh
angry, feel [fil œ~ngri] v.intr nàqabu le I feel angry Anu
naqabu liyo
angle [œ~Ngl¢] 1 n gona; ankalàalab (ankalàalaba) Our
house is at the angle of the road Ni qari gitak gonat raaqa
The angle of the shadow from the pole shows it is time to go
to school Qamiddi silaaloh ankalaalab iskoolah edde culan
wakti yascasse 2 fig tummàbul (tummàbulu) I take a
different angle from him Anu kaak baxsa le tummabul liyo
11
anguish [¢œ~NgwIS] n 1 hammi / cisab (cisaàba) He suffers
anguish when his mother is absent Inah ane wayti hammi /
cisab kaal takke 2 kikkaàqa We found her suffering pain
in anguish Nanu biyak qansaruh kikkaaqat tet geyne
anguished [¢œ~NgwISt] adj nadaamà le He uttered an
anguished cry Usuk nadaama le boogeh weeqe
angular [¢œ~Ngjul´] adj gonaanì le; qakaàbayinan le That
house is angular Woo qari gonaani le He has an angular
frame Usuk qakaabayinan le xagar le
animal [¢œ~nIm´l] n bahàyim (bahàyimi) God gave Adam
authority over the animals Yalli Adamah bahayimik
abbowtan yece
animate [¢œ~nImet] v.tr cadìgga-hee The news animated my
aunt Xaagi yi-annak fooca cadìgga-hee
animism [¢œ~nImIzm¢] n Yàllak kalihimih aqabaade Animism
is ignorance of God Yallak kalihimih aqabaade Yallih aaxige
wayti
animosity [¢œnImÅ~sIti] n abbatbàxiino / qadaawat (qadaawàta)
There is animosity between those two clans Woo namma
xaalah fanat abbatbaxiino tan / qadaawat yan
ankle [¢œ~Nkl¢] n xukcuno / kulcunto She banged her ankle
against the metal box Is xukcuno / kulcunto isik birti
sandugut boodisse
anklet [¢œ~Nkl´t] n girda The bride wore silver anklets Qibna
fuddak aben girda haysitte
annihilate [¢´nA~IIlet] v.tr saabò cabsiise We annihilated the
enemy Nanu qaduwwi saabo cabsisne
anniversary [¢œnIv‰~sri] n liggidì madaarah ayro Today is the
anniversary of independence A saaki amobaxxaaqàh liggidi
madaarah ayro
announce [¢´nA~Uns] v.tr iysixxige Omar announced his
engagement Qumar digibih fayxi yeceem yiysixxige
announcement [¢´nA~Unsm´nt] n maysaxxaga This
announcement took us all by surprise A maysaxxaga nel
inkih macubaane tekke
annoy [¢´nO~I] v.tr gadangaddise If you annoy me again, I
will beat you Nammeytah yoo gadangaddissek, koo
aagureyyo
annoyance [¢´nO~Ij´ns] n gadangàddi Having to return
again and again to the government office is an annoyance
Doolat biiro yadudduureenim isih gadangaddi
annual [¢œ~nju´l] adj liggidal / sanatal My uncle paid us his
annual visit Yi qammi liggidal / sanatal aba boosa net abe
annuity [¢´nju~´ti] n sanàt gidya The government awarded
him an annuity Doolat sanat gidya kaah teexege
annul [¢´nU~l] v.tr bayise The new government annulled the
bad laws Qusba doolat uma madqa bayisseh
anoint [¢´nO~Int] v.tr sifà sukuti abe They prayed over the
sick man and anointed him for healing Oson biyaakita num
uram-gidih xaaqo kee sifa sukuti kaat aben
A

A
anomaly [¢´nÅ~m´li] n idiom Having six fingers is an
anomaly Gabat leca feera yaalleenim qaadik tanim hinna
anonymous [¢´nÅ~nIm´s] adj idiom An anonymous person
sent money to the poor man Migaq isik warise wee num
tudagoytah lakqo ruube
another [¢´nø~D´] adj gersi I am waiting for another chance
to get work Taama geyuh gersì saami qambaala
answer [¢A~nts´] 1 v.tr 1 gacise Answer this question on
my behalf! A esserol yi aftok gacis! 2 ukkuqe No one
answered the telephone Num talafoon makkaqinna 2 n
gàcsa I need an answer to the question from you Anu
esserok gacsa kok faxah
ant [¢ ~œ~nt] n xuuneyta Where sugar is spilt, ants will come in
crowds Sokkar elle caxite-ikke xuune luulta
antagonist [¢œntœ~g´nIst] n naqabtoòli His antagonist came
Kay naqabtooli yemeete
antagonism [¢œntœ~g´nIzm¢] n sadiino His antagonism
towards me wears me out Usuk yot aba sadiino yoo
gandissah
antagonize [¢œntœ~g´nAIz] v.tr sàdu ...-l ekke Don’t
antagonize me! Sadu yol makkin!
antenna [¢œntE~n´] n anteyna They fixed the antenna on the
roof to give a good television reception Baddal taybulle
nagay taybullem-gidih teetih haan anteyna qaraamot heen
anthem [¢œ~nT´m] n agatsàare Each country has a national
anthem Kulli baaxo agatsaare le
anthrax [¢œ~nTrœks] n afqassi Anthrax is an infectious
disease in cattle Afqassi laak laat taba biyaaka
anthropology [¢œnTr´pÅ~l´dZI] n seehadamìsso Anthropology
is the study of mankind Seehadamisso sinaaminno baritto
anticipate [¢œ~ntIsIpet] v.tr bàgul eexege / cùbak suge We
anticipated trouble Nanu gadangaddi abbixelem bagul
neexegeh / cubak sugne
anticipation [¢ ~œntIsIpe~Sn¢] n qaàgu He waited for his
exam results with anticipation Usuk isih abeh yen
imticaanal ixximak geyu waamih qaagu luk suge
antidote [¢ ~œ~ntIdot] n qidmeh caxa Give me some antidote
for snake poison! Abeesa summik qidmeh caxa yoh acuy!
antimony [¢ ~œ~ntIm´ni] n kucul (kucùlu) They say antimony
is good for the eyes Kucul intih meqeh iyyan
antipathy [¢ ~œntI~p´Ti] n faxewayti Hasan has an antipathy
towards his uncle Casan isi qammih faxewayti le
antique [¢ ~œnti~k] n dumi dabaanih mansaf (mansàfa) This
chest is a real antique A sandug nummaak dumi dabaanih
mansafa
antiquity [¢ ~œntI~kwIti] n awwalì daban (dabaàna) / dumì
daban (dabaàna) Administering plant medicine for
treatment has been practised from antiquity Daylah caxa
dagaanam awwali dabaanak / dumi dabaanak akah abak
yenen
12
antiseptic [¢ ~œntIsE~ptIk] n beekà qidmeh caxa Antiseptic is
used to kill germs Beeka qidmeh caxa beeka qiddam-gidih
haan
antisocial [¢ ~œntIso~Sl¢] adj agleytiinò sinni He doesn’t enjoy a
party because he’s antisocial Waynabol akah wallite waam
agleytiino sinniimih sabbatah
antonym [¢ ~œ~nt´nIm] n sàduh tan qangara The antonym of
goodness is badness Miqiino umiinok saduh tan qangara
anus [e~n´s] n deega Faeces come out through the anus
Bagi daaco deegak tawqe
anvil [¢ ~œ~nvIl] n kuùr xaax (xàaxa) The blacksmith needs an
anvil Kuuryaaguri kuur xaax lem faxximta
anxious [¢ ~œ~NkS´s] adj nabsì cemey le I am anxious to hear
the results of my exam Anu abeh en imticaanal geyu waa
ixxima aabbeemih nabsi cemey liyo
anxiety [¢ ~œNzA~I´ti] n nabsì cemey (cemèyi) We will
become united and say goodbye to anxiety Angalennoh,
nabsi cemeyik assaqenno
any [¢ ~E~ni] 1 det akkennaan Any house will do for him
Kaat akkennaan qari bicele 2 pron tu I don’t want any of
them Keenik tu mafaxa
anybody pron [¢ ~E~nibÅdi] num (nùmu); faxè num (nùmu)
Did anybody come today? A saaku yemeete num maay yan?
Anybody can come and look for me Yoo esseruh faxe
num yamaatu duudah
anyhow [¢ ~E~nihAU] adv 1 faxèm tanay; faxennalay
Anyhow, I am determined to go Faxem tanay, gexaamal
irgiqe Anyhow, she will do that work Is woo taama
faxennalay abele 2 faxènnal Don’t leave things anyhow,
tidy up! Duyye faxennal macabinay, le aracal hayis!
anything [¢ ~E~nITIN] pr ...-imih; tu I haven’t got anything to
say Axceemih liyom mayyu He doesn’t want anything
Usuk tu mafaxa
anything else [¢ ~EnITIN E~ls] pron.phr àhak kàlihim (kàlihimi)
Shall I bring you anything else? Ahak kalihimiy, siinih
baaha maay tan?
anywhere [¢ ~E~niwE´] adv ulì-ikke The mother couldn’t
find her son anywhere Ina isi baxa uli-ikkel magenna
apart [´pA~t] adv xàquh We are setting these books apart for
the top class Nanu a buukaat daga faslih xaquh hayna
apart from prep ...-k kalihim; ...-k kalah She didn’t eat
anything apart from some bread Is gaqambok kalihim
makminna Apart from that what did you do? Wohuk
kalah maca abteh?
apartheid [´pA~tAIt] n abarsayìd xinto Apartheid means the
policy which separates ethnic groups Abarsayid xinto akak
iyyaanam sahda samadal elle baxambaxisan xinto
apartment [´pA~tm´nt] n roysàn qari; roysan (roysàna) That
family has just rented an apartment Woo buxah mari
qusubih roysan qari kirise Their apartment is on the
second floor Oson qarih nammeyhaytoh roysanat yanin

apathetic [œp´TE~tIk] adj arrahumà le His attempts at
progress are apathetic Kay bisommaxcoh abtoota arrahuma
le
apathy [œ~p´Ti] n niyassìnna He has apathy towards his
work Usuk taamat niyassinna le
ape [e~p] n wàgaq (wàgaqa) Apes have a tendency to imitate
people Wagaq sinam gaawisaamih afkan le
aperient [´pi~rI´nt] n cuxax (cuxaàxa) An aperient is good
for constipation Cuxax bagi kafinaanak meqe
aperture [œ~p´tSU´ \ œ~p´tS´] n fakna The builder left an
aperture in the wall to give light Qarwaxise ifi sabbatah
gidaarat fakna cabe
apologize [´pÅ~l´dZAIz] v.intr qàfu essere He apologized for
bumping into me Usuk yot boodeemih sabbatah qafu yoo
essere
apology [´pÅ~l´dZi] n qàfu I accepted his apology Essere
qafu kaak oggole
apoplexy [œ~p´plEksi] n naqbì mamlaka / naqbì manfarraq
(manfarràqa) Apoplexy causes loss of feeling Naqbi
mamlaka cissi xagar cabsissa / Naqbi manfarraq cissi xagar
cabsiisa
apostasy [´pÅ~st´si] n murtaddiino They punished him for
his apostasy Murtaddiinoh kaa digaalen
apostate [œpÅ~stet] n murtàddi They counted him as an
apostate Murtaddi loowot kaa heen
apostle [´pÅ~sl¢] n doorèn farmoyta The apostle to the
Gentiles was Paul Yahuud akke sinni marah dooren farmoyti
Bawlosuk ten
apparatus [œp´re~t´s] n aaloota / mansoofa The students got
new apparatus to study chemistry Darsa kiimiya barittoh
qusba aaloota / mansoofa geyte
apparent [´pœ~r´nt] adj qadoh / tambulleh It is apparent to
all of us that the boy is bold Awki ligdo lem neh inkih qadoh
/ tambulleh
apparently [´pœ~r´ntli] adv celta Apparently there was no
reason given for his disappearance Kay baytih sababay
xayyooseeni ane waam celta
apparition n [œp´rI~Sn¢] nùm ceelay (ceelàya) He said that he
saw an apparition last night Usuk “Bir num ceelay uble”
iyye
appeal [´pi~l] n nabsì hirig (hirìgi) The desert has an appeal
of its own Bacrih tan baaxo isinnah tan nabsi hirig le
appeal to [´pi~l tU] prep.v.tr barò essere; waqà xayyoose; yoò
màxiq xayyoose The parents appealed to the school to
admit their child Xaleyna iskoola baxa keenih culusaanamih
baro esserte He appealed to the high court against his
sentence Kaal yekke cokmih waqa / yoo maxiq daga
mackammattal xayyoose
appealing [´pi~lIN] adj fàxsis le That suggestion is very
appealing Woo mala kaxxa faxsis le
13
appear [´pi~´] v.intr umbulle; umbubbuliye That stranger
appeared on our doorstep yesterday Kimal woo allahin num
ni qarih footimal yumbulle That boy’s father keeps
appearing at my door Woo awkih abba ìnki yi qarih afal
yambubbuliye
appearance [´pi~´r´ns] n 1 amballatina This is his first
appearance in public Aham kaak ummatta foocal aba
naharsi amballatina 2 weelo He always turns up with a
neat appearance Usuk uummaan waqdi meqe weelol
yamaate
appease [´pi~z] v.tr eyseehede Indulgent parents appease
their children with sweets Xaylo hanaawissa xaleyna isi
xaylo salfa leemit tayseehede
appeasement [´pi~zm´nt] n massaahada The government
changed the law as an appeasement to the critics Doolat
madqa akah korissem sadi allalleh massaahada
appendicitis [´pEndIsA~ItIs] n dagàk rada The patient has
appendicitis Daylima num dagak rada le
appendix [´pE~ndIks] n 1 ulqì axa The doctor removed the
diseased appendix from the patient Daktoor daylimeenak
ulqik toome axa yirgiqe 2 xakbenta The contents of the
book are found in the appendix Buukuk addatino xakbental
geytimta
appetite [œ~pItAIt] n nabsì fayxi Her son always has an
appetite Tet baxi kulli way nabsi fayxi le
applaud [´plO~d] v.tr gabà oogore; ossokoote The
congregation applauded the singer Gaaboowe mari gadabeh
gaba yoogore I applaud your decision Anu ku edde cabit
assakooteh;
applause [´plO~z] n wallèh anay (anàya) We heard the
applause a long way off Woo walleh anay baddaak noobbe
apple [œ~pl] n tuffaac (tuffaàca) Apples grow in temperate
climates Tuffaac xamcak laqanak fanah tan hawahadbanal
yaabuke
apply [´plA~I] 1 v.tr 1 esserò xayyoose I will apply for a
place in the school Anu iskoola foxoh essero xayyooseyyo 2
asise He applied his skills to mending the car Usuk le
naggaarinna baabur bicsal asise 3 ellè hayise Apply the
cream liberally! Sukati nagay elle hayis! 2 v.intr gexe
This regulation no longer applies A madqa axayyul gexxam
hinna
apply to [´plA~I tU] prep.v.tr wagittam This regulation
doesn’t apply to me A madqa yoo wagittam hinna
applicable [´plI~k´bl¢] adj lùk gexsite That word is not
applicable in this sentence Too qangara a maxcoh addat luk
magexsitta
applicant [œ~plIk´nt] n faxiteèna Who was the successful
applicant for the job? Taama foxoh anfaq le faxiteeni annih
kay?
application [œplIke~Sn¢] n 1 qariida The application he
presented was turned down Usuk xayyoose qariida
A

A
cinnimte 2 hayti Who put an application of paint on the
box? Sandugul rangi hayti abtem iyyay?
appoint [´pO~Int] v.tr 1 dardaarise They appointed a new
leader Oson qusba mirac dardaarisen 2 xage They
appointed a time for the next meeting Ciggilta daffeynah
wakti xagen
appointment [´pO~Intm´nt] n 1 xagàna I met him by
appointment Anu xaganal kaat ongoorowe We have an
appointment on Friday Nanu Gumaqti saakih xagana lino 2
dardaarìnna; hayti His appointment as manager was
pleasing to all Taama saqoolinnah kaat aben dardaarinni
sinam inkih rùffa-hee His appointment as Science Teacher
was announced Kay hayti Misso Kabir kinnim warisen
apportion [´pO~Sn¢] v.tr aftò baxise, lè lufti baxise Apportion
the grain to each household! A darok kulli buxah afto baxis!
/ le lufti baxis!
appraise [´pre~z] v.tr agaarade The committee appraised the
clerk’s work Irga biiro kattaabih taama agaaradde
appraisal [´pre~z´l] n agaàrad (agaàrada) The teacher
gave an appraisal of the class work Kabir fasli taamak
agaarad xayyoose
appreciate [´pri~SIet] 1 v.tr ossokoote / raabite The staff all
appreciated their boss Taamita mari inkih isinni taamah
saqal yossokooten / raabiten 2 v.intr enderre Money
appreciates in the bank Bankil daffeysen lakqo tandarre
appreciation [œpriSIe~Sn¢] n assakat (assakàta) / raabit (raabìti)
My appreciation of him has increased Anu kaah liyo
assakat / raabit ossime
apprehend [œprIhE~nd] v.tr ibbixe The police apprehended
the wrong man Boliis aylalokki num tibbixe
apprehension [œprIhE~nSn¢] n 1 xibix (xibìxi) His
apprehension by the police was done by mistake Boliis kaat
abte xibix aylalokkah abte 2 bultuk (bultùku) He waited
for his father with apprehension Usuk abba mamut bultukut
qambaale
apprentice [´prE~ntIs] 1 n taamà barbarite An apprentice
has to learn many things Taama barbarite mangom baritam
kaal tan
approach [´pro~tS] 1 n xayna The hot wind marks the
approach of summer Wahari cagay xayna yascasse 2 v.tr
...-t xayyoowe We approached him stealthily Nanu raarak
kaat xayyowne
appropriate [´proprIe~t] 1 v.tr ìnnih eddere The wicked
uncle appropriated his niece’s property Uma qammi isi
toobokoytih baxàh midir isih yeddere 2 [´pro~prI´t] adj
uguude Is this dress appropriate for that occasion? A
kurta woo waynaboh maay taguude?
approve [´pru~v] v.tr ossokoote They approved the
application he presented Oson xayyoose qariida kaak
yossokooteenih
approve of [´pru~v “´v‘] prep.v.tr ukkuqe I approve of his
14
request Anu usuk abe esserit akkuqeh
approval [´pru~v´l] n arac (aràca) / òggol (òggolu) His
application for absence received approval Usuk taamak asu
xayyoose qariida arac / oggol geyte Has his bad
behaviour you heard of got your approval? Kaak toobbe
qamal umaane ku garil arac maay le?
approximate [´prÅ~ksIm´t] 1 adj kabkabbiyoh The
approximate number of people who came was fifty
Yemeete marak kabkabbiyoh ixxima kontomuk ten 2 v.tr
kabkabbiyte Student numbers approximate 200 Darsah
loowo namma bool kabkabbiyta
approximation [´prÅksIme~Sn¢]~ n kabkabbiyo Give me an
approximation of the number of books you will need!
Buukaatak faxxah gideh kabkabbiyo yoh waris!
apricot [e~prIkÅt] n firsik (firdiki) Apricots are grown in
Ethiopia Itiyobbiyah addal firsik yaysubuken
apt [œ~pt] adj bìca yekke; bice; faxxiima; afkàn le His
intervention was apt Kay fanat radim bica yekke This
word is apt in this sentence A qangara a maxcot bicta He
came at an apt moment Usuk faxxiima waktit matare; He is
apt to lose his temper Usuk qasqasit afkan le
aquatic [~´kwœ~tIks] adj baddàddih Some aquatic plants are
beautiful Baddaddih caxak caxfexxak tu qaxmeqe
Arab n [~œ~r´b] Qarabtòyta An Arab was alone amongst us
Qarabtoyti dibuk ni fanat suge
Arabian [~œre~bI´n] adj Qarab The Arabian government
gets a lot of money from oil Qarab doolat bandiinik mango
lakqo geyta
Arabic [~œ~r´bIk] n Qàrabaf (Qàrabafa) Arabic is spoken
throughout the Middle East Ìnkih yan Fantimaacal
Qarabafat yaaban
arable [~œ~r´bl¢] adj buqre There is good arable land near the
Awash Awas weeqayti qaxal buqreh meqe darri yan
arbitrary [~A~rbItr´ri] adj nammaafiyoh / annàak ekke That is
an arbitrary statement Woh nammaafiyoh maxco
Seizing him was an arbitrary act Kaat yekke xibix annaak
tekke abto
arbitrarily [~A~rbItr´rilI] adv qadoofùyut He makes his
choices arbitrarily Usuk aba doorit qadoofuyut aba
arbitrate [~A~bItret] v.intr mablise The elders arbitrated
between two men Idoola namma num mablisseh
arbitration [~AbItre~Sn] n mablo The quarrelling parties
were committed to arbitration Yoome mara mabloh
xayyoosen
arbitrator [~A~bItret´] n malakmise Without an arbitrator
the disagreement cannot be settled Malakmise sinnim
tittinway yafdigoonu maduudan
arc [~A~k] n aboolìyta They made a wooden arc for the roof
Oson qaraamol abooliyti caxxa tabisen
arcade [Ake~d] n òrrog (òrrogu) They built an arcade
between the shops Dokkaakin fanat orrog xisen

arch [~A~tS] n abòyli The railway arch crosses the valley
Cadiid gitih aboyli golol tabisa
archaeology [AkiÅ~l´dZI] n aydaàd duyyeh kawsa She teaches
archaeology Is aydaad duyyeh kawsa barissa
archaeologist [AkiÅ~l´dZIst] n aydaàd duyye kawise The
archaeologist discovered interesting things about the old
building Aydaad duyye kawise raagte xisnek maqalmiqit lem
gee
archaic [Ake~Ik] adj awwaliddabàanih His speech is archaic
Usuk awwaliddabaanih innal yaaba
archer [~A~tS´] n gasibbàxa gasìyu yaaxige num (nùmu) The
archer has few misses Gasibbaxa gasiyu yaaxige num hoxa
daggoysah
architect [~A~kItEkt] n xisò muhandis (muhandìsi) We built the
house according to the architect’s designs Xiso muhandisih
handasatal qari xisne
architecture [~A~kItEktS´] n xisòh handasat (handasàta)
What type of architecture is used in France? Faransaawi
baaxol mannah tan xisoh handasat lon?
archive [A~kAIv] n daaniseyna / oli We have been studying
village records in the local archive Nanu gaanta daaniseynal
/ olil daqar kutbeh raqsa kawisak sugne
ardent [~A~d´nt] adj qùuruk They are his ardent supporters
Oson quuruk kaa aydakumusa mara
arduous [~A~djues] adj eclà le He has an arduous job Usuk
ecla le taama le
are cf be
area [~E~´rI´] n 1 caafat (caafàta); makàfta / rakaàkay
(rakaàkaya) What area of the town do you live in?
Magaalak maa caafatal tanito? You’ll find him in the area
of the Arab shops Qarab dokkaakin elle yan makaftal /
rakaakayal kaa gee lito 2 rike I bought a large area of
ground with poor soil Anu gìffa-iyya fidnan le ardik rikey,
uma darriita leh iyya xaamite
arena [´ri~n´] n 1 booxa They are building a new sports
arena Oson xagardigih qusba booxa xisan 2 makàfta My
brother is involved in the political arena Yi toobokoyti
siyaasa makaftal rubsuusuh is haa
argue [A~gju] v.intr keèmaari abe; keemaarise; keemaarisime
Don’t argue with me! Keemaari yol luk maabin! I knew
he had done it but I didn’t argue with him Woh usuk abem
aaxaguk kaa makeemarisinniyo The two of them argued
about who should pay for the damage they caused to the
car Ken nammay baaburut abte amattaakeh bicse lakqo
keenik yabbixe numul keemaarisimeenih
argue for [A~gju f´] prep.v.tr ...-h gooriye We argued for
him at the meeting Daffeynal kaah gooriyneh
argument [A~gjum´nt] n 1 qadada He loves an argument
Usuk qadada kicina Forget it, don’t cause an argument!
Aysah cab; qadada hinnak! 2 yab (yaàba) He put forward
15
an argument in favour of their suggestion Usuk oson
baahen malah cato yakke yab xayyoose
argumentative [Agjum´~nt´tIv] adj keemaarì le Being
argumentative is not helpful Keemaari numuh xiqam mali
arid [œ~rId] adj qabàr le No one lives in that arid place
Woo qabar le baaxol num madaffeya
aristocracy [œrIstÅ~kr´si] n mislaafa The Sheraton hotel is
frequented by the aristocracy Saraaton Hoteel
gexamgexxam mislaafa
aristocrat [œ~rIs´~krœt] n mislaafàytu Many aristocrats
were killed in the French Revolution Faransaawi
Uguugomut mislaafaytitik mangom qiden
aristocratic [œrIs´krœ~tIk] adj mislaàfiyyoh He has
aristocratic features Usuk mislaafiyyoh fooca le
arithmetic [´rI~Tm´tIk] n cisab (cisaàba) It is important to
learn arithmetic at school Iskoolal cisab baritaanam faxximta
arm 1 [A~m] n gaba / caray (caràya) My arm was broken
when playing ball Koqso digirak suge waqdi gaba yok
tiddigille / Koqso digirak suge waqdi caray yok yiddigille
armpit [A~mpIt] n xabqe After running, my armpits were
sweaty Ardak wadiril xabeq yok xooqeh
arm - upper [ø~p´ Am] n.colloc tobdo An abscess
appeared on my upper arm Tobdol aweqti yok yewqe
arm - lower [lo´ Am] n.colloc fiiqi He has a fracture of the
lower arm Fiiqi kaak baqu le
arms akimbo [A~mz ´kI~mbo] adv idiom The angry lady
stood with arms akimbo Temneeqebe barra axcal namma
gaba hayya-hayteh solte
arm 2 [A~m] v.tr qeèbih ittikiyye; silacsiise He armed himself
ready for the fight Usuk qeebih yittikiyye Who is arming
those rebels? Woo xukkocina silacsissam iyyay?
armament [A~m´mEnt] n silac (silaàca) In wartime
governments spend a lot of money on armaments Qebti
waktil doolatitte silaacat mango lakqo bayissa
armistice [A~mIstIs] n qeebì soltih tittingey (tittihgèyi) An
armistice was proclaimed in Europe at the end of the Great
War Irobbal kaxxa qeebih illacabol qeebi soltih tittingey
kukta aben
armour [A~m´] n birtì dirqi One who wears armour will not
be hurt by sharp weapons Birti dirqit yan num afle birta kaat
radaamah mamudduuma
arms [A~mz] n.pl silac (silaàca) Who is supplying arms to
the rebels? Madqacinah silac xayyoossam maa maray?
army [A~mi] n qande The army in Djibouti gets its weapons
from France Yabuuti doolatih qande silac Faransak geyta
aroma [´ro~m´] n maaqoxàax (maaqoxàaxa) The aroma of
her cooking makes my mouth water Is bicissa maaqoxaaxah
afal lee yok gexxa
around [´rA~Und] 1 prep dariifal Heavy rain fell around us
during this week A ayyaamih addat ni dariifal kaxxa rob
A

A
rade 2 adv ahiital When he gets angry he rushes around
shouting Ceera waqdi usuk wexxeqak ahiital medeedigima
arouse [´rA~Uz] v.tr uguuguse The teacher tried hard to
arouse the students to an interest in learning Kabir darsat
barittoh fayxi uguugusam-gidih mangom gibbate
arrange [´re~ndZ] v.tr bìca abe He arranged to go to
Ethiopia for the summer Usuk cagay Itiyobbiyal tatrusuh
bica abe
arrangement [´re~ndZm´nt] n makko They were unable to
implement that arrangement Woo makko duudusaanam
yeffereenih
array [´re~] n rekkaq (rekkàqa) The shop has a big array of
merchandise Dokkaan mango duyye rekkaqah le
arrears [´ri~´z] n.pl abùud lakqo Have you paid all the
arrears? Abuud kirah lakqo inkih maay mekelte?
arrears, in [In ´ri~´z] adv wadiril We pay the house rent in
arrears Nanu qari kira wadiril mekelna
arrest [´rE~st] 1 v.tr ibbixe The police arrested the thief
Boliis garqa / garqaali tibbixe 2 fig ...-t kafe My attention
was arrested by people quarrelling in the street Gital yaame
marat hangi yok kafe
arrive [´rA~Iv] v.intr gufe / wadbite What time did you
arrive? Atu maa saaqatal gufte / wadbitte?
arrival [´rA~Ivl¢] n mamaata What is the time of your
arrival? Ku mamaata maa saaqatal akkele?
arrive at [´rA~Iv œ~t] prep.v.tr oofe Sometimes it takes a
long time to arrive at the truth Waqdik teyna tan numma
yaafeenim xer wakti beyta
arrogance [œ~r´gns] n kaxxamariino He is full of arrogance
Usuk kaxxamariinok kibuk yan He looks down his nose in
arrogance Usuk kaxxamariinoh san kareeril le
arrogant [œ~r´g´nt] adj kaxxamariinò le An arrogant
person doesn’t humble himself Kaxxamariino le num is
marammoysa
arrow [œ~ro] n gessebbàxa Arrows are used mostly by
country people Gessebbaxa mangih lem barri mara
art [A~t] n fannifèera His art is decorating walking sticks
Kay fannifeeri gabacoox uguuxusaama
artful [A~tfl¢] adj ayrà le An artful child plays tricks on
many people Ayra le awki mango mara ayrisa
artfulness [A~tfl¢nEs] n ayra His artfulness outwitted me
Usuk ayrah yoh maabbinna
artless [A~tlEs] adj ayrà mali Young children are often
artless Qunxa urri xeflih ayra mali
artery [A~t´ri] n kaxxà ramad (ramàda) An artery carries
blood to the body from the heart Kaxxa ramad qabala
sorkocobbaxak beyah, xagarah tanim aleelisa
arthritis [ATrA~ItIs] n màasay biyak (biyaàka) His fingers
were crippled with arthritis Kay feeraari akah cibbimtam
maasay biyaaka
16
article [A~tIkl] n 1 duyye; tumammi Here’s a list of the
missing articles! Bayte duyyeh / tumammih rooro amayka!
Have you any articles to wash? Kaqaylo faxa duyye maay
lito? 2 maxca Today’s paper has good articles A saaki
maybalaalaqa meqe maxcooca teyyeeqe 3 maxcolludda
East and West Germany united under Article 23 of the Bonn
constitution Maaci Almaaniya kee Carri Almaaniya Boon
maxcolluddak labaatanna kee sidocul tengele
articulate [AtI~kjul´t] v.tr exxeece He articulates his
thoughts Usuk niyat yacsubem yaxxeece
artificial [AtIfI~Sl¢] adj 1 nargool Artificial teeth are
expensive Nargool moddin lakqok kibuh yan Artificial
flowers are available for sale in shops Nargool birro
dokkaakinil limoh geytimta 2 celsis He deceives no one
with that artificial smile Usuk woo celsis biniytot num
maduquurusa
artillery [AtI~lrI] n qilsì silac (silaàca) Air fire is generally
more accurate than ground-based artillery Baaxol yan qilsi
silaacak tayyaara gira xeflih yayse saciic le
artisan [A~tIzœn] n gabaggìne Some artisans are occupied
with producing new materials Gabagginak tu qusba
mansafih bicsat tan
artist [A~tIst] n gurramoqo The artist drew a nice picture
Gurramoqo meqe taswir haxxise
artistic [A~tIstIk] adj fannifèera le The man who arranged
that room is artistic Woo goli yeymeeqe num kaxxa
fannifeera le
as [œ~z] 1 adv inna Do it as you like! Atu isih elle
faxennaan-innal ab! 2 sub.conj sababah; akah ...-innah
As that student always plays around, he is unlikely to pass
the exam Woo darsayti gabaak digirit yaniimih sababah
imticaanal taturu waam maceela As the bell rang, the
students entered the room Baadonti akah kaluuluwite-innah,
darsa fasli culte
as for [œ~z f´] prep ...-h tù gactek As for him, he’s slow
Kaah tu gactek usuk gaba qilsa le
as...as idiom (adv ... prep/adv) 1 ...-k ...gide; dùdda-haamal
He is twice as strong as me Usuk caylak yi gide tirfiqih le
2 She opened the door as quietly as she could Is duddahaytaamal
qaraafa caatillah fakte I’ll help you as much as
I can Innih dùdda-haamal koo cateyyo 3 ellè ...-ikkel akah
As soon as he comes I will go Usuk elle yamaate-ikkel
akah gexeyyo 4 elle ...-inna I know how to do it as well
as he does Usuk elle abanna anu edde, abu aaxigeh
ascend [´sE~nd] v.intr kore / ewqe When they ascended, they
went up quietly Oson iroh koren waqdi, ibak gaba abbaxuk
koren / yewqen
ascent [´sE~nt] n doo There is a steep ascent on that road
Woo giti fàyya-inta doo le

ascertain [œs´te~n] v.tr arcise In my father’s presence he
said no more than he had ascertained Usuk yi-abbah foocal
arciseemik kalihim mabaahinna
ash [œ~S] n gombod (gombòdu) Ashes remain where the fire
was Gira elle sugte-ikkel gombod raaqa
ashtray [œ~Stre] n sandariya They stubbed cigarettes in
the ashtray Sandariyal sigaara bargusen
ashamed [´Se~md] pred.adj wacarriye That girl was ashamed
because she told her father a lie Woo awka isi-abbal dirab
teceemih sabbatah wacarriyteh
ashore [´SO~´] adv baddaf (baddaàfa) He went ashore Usuk
baddaf oobe
aside [´sAI~d] adv rikeet The teacher took the student aside
to discuss his future Kabir kay sarrimaanet kaa walalisamgidih
darsaytu rikeet yeyyeeqe
in asides [In ´sAI~dz] adv-id garaytùtucot The students
spoke in asides while the teacher was teaching Kabir elle
barisa-ikkel darsa tittal luk garaytutucot yabte
ask [A~sk] v.tr essere; essessere I asked my uncle to buy me
clothes for the feast Anu qiddi sara yoh xaamam yi qammil
essere; The police asked where he had been Bolii gexekke
kaa essesserte; I wanted to ask her a question Anu essero tet
esseram faxe; Father asked me how much I paid for it Yiabba
a tiyal lakqok eceeh gide yoo essere
ask after [A~sk A~ft‰] prep.v.tr mànnah tani I went to ask
after the sick man’s health Anu biyaakita numul mannah
tanih gexeh
asleep [´sli~p] adv xiìnit suge When he came I was asleep
Usuk yemeete waqdi anu xiinit suge
aspect [œ~spEkt] n 1 gambi There are nice aspects to his
character Kay caalat meqe gambitte le 2 ilaala The
aspect from our house towards the mountains is good Ni
qarik qaleela fanih gambi ilaalah meqeh
asphalt [œ~sfœlt] n daamaar (daamaàra) The government
made an asphalt road Doolat daamaar gita bicisse
asphyxiate [´sfI~ksIet] 1 v.tr afkuuquse The exhaust fumes
from the car nearly asphyxiated me Baaburuk yewqe
qertibuufuf yoo afkuuquse xaaxe 2 v.pass afkuuqute / ufùy
wee Because the space at the football ground was too
limited people were asphyxiated Koqso booxah aracih
ceyak gexxaamah sahda afkuuqutte / ufuy wayte
aspire [´spA~I´] v.intr niyaate He aspired to be a doctor
Usuk daktoor yakkem niyaate
aspiration [´spIre~Sn¢] n niya His aspiration to help the
needy, comes from his own misfortune as a child Usuk
qunxih gee saami umaane, umam geya marih cato abaamih
niya kaah tece
ass [œ~s] n danan (danàna) Our ass (donkey) brings water
every day Xuguuguluh ni danan lee baaha 2 fig hàwri
mali, ufùy màli Don’t be an ass! Hawri mali makkin! /
Ufuy mali makkin!
17
assail [´se~l] v.tr madaadagise; luule They assailed him with
questions Esserot kaa madaadagisen Crowds of people
assailed the shopkeeper selling goods the others didn’t
have Gersi mari aalle waa duyye luk sugeh, dokkaan le
numul sinam luulte
assassin [´sœ~sIn] n roòcit ase num (nùmu) They searched
for the king’s assassin Oson Amoyti roocit ase num gorrisen
assassinate [´sœ~sInet] v.tr roòcit ase The Pretender
assassinated the Ruler Qarkayto Loowite Dardar roocit ase
assassination [´sœ~sIneSn¢] n roòcit asso World War 1
commenced following the assassination of the Crown
Prince of Austria Naharsi Gallih Qeebi, Osteriyyah Malikih
Nagreenak roocit assok widiril qimbise
assault [´sÅ~lt] 1 v.tr dadahe I accused him because he
assaulted me Anu wayto kaak akah xayyoosem usuk yoo
dadaheemih sabbata 2 n dadho His conviction for
assault was quashed Dadhoh kaal heenih sugen baatil
dugguumeh
assembly [´sE~mbl¢I] n kòbox (kòboxu); maro They have an
assembly in school every morning Iskoolal kulli saaku
kobox yakke; The United Nations General Assembly meets
periodically Inkih tan Galli Maro wakaakwak tangoorowe
assemble [´sE~mbl¢] 1 v.tr gaaboyse He managed to
assemble the facts Usuk tan numma gaaboysam duude 2
v.intr gaaboowe The students assembled for registration
Darsa migaq kutbeh gaabowteh
assent [´sE~nt] n òggol (òggolu) / rada The boy gained assent
from his father to go inland Awki isi abbak barri gexoh
oggol / rada gee
assert [´s‰~t] v.tr daabise; diggoyse She asserted her right to
the position she attained Is maadde caddoh cakki daabisseh
He asserted that he had seen them together Usuk tìtta luk
ken yublem diggoyseh
assertion [´s‰~Sn] n diggos (diggoòsu) They disbelieved
his assertion that he could do that work Oson kaak woo
taama usuk abu duude leemih diggos yaaminoonu cineenih
assess [´sE~s] v.tr agaarade / miidaanise The old man
assessed the boy Idalti awki le dudda agaarade / miidaanise
assessment [´sE~sm´nt] n miidaànis (miidaànisi) His
assessment was premature Usuk abe miidaanis qeexinih
asset [œ~sEt] n midir (midìri); fayda What are your assets?
Midir kok macay? He is an asset to the company Usuk
kobbanih fayda le numu
assimilate [´sI~milet] v.tr ooqobe He assimilated the
teaching Usuk baritto yooqobe
assist [´sI~st] v.intr ...-l cate His friends assisted at his
wedding Kay waday digibil kaa catteh
assistance [´sI~st´ns] n qòkol (qòkolu), cato He
appreciated their assistance Usuk ken qokol / cato
yossokoote
A

A
assistant [´sI~st´nt] n qokleèna He is an assistant to the
manager Usuk abbiseh qokleenak tiyak teyna
associate [´so~si´t] 1 n qokolbàrli He is an unexpected
associate Usuk cube waak sugen qokolbarli 2 v.intr
nongoorowe We rarely associate these days Axayyu
dagih nangoorowe
association [´sosi´~Sn] n egla; fantàaxaw (fantàaxawa) We
joined that association Nanu woo eglat gacne Our
association with each other is over Luk sugne fantaaxaw
nek yumurruqeh
associate with [´so~siet wID] 1 prep.v.intr -llùk loowime
Don’t associate with them Keenilluk maloowimin 2
phr.v.tr lùk xibbaanise I associate him with the best
things Anu amqinnaanihim luk kaa xibbaanisa
assorted [´sO~tId] adj mangò fallih ene Rocks come in
assorted forms Balooda mango fallih tan weelo le
assortment [´sO~tm´nt] n mangò qaynat (qaynàta) An
assortment of people joined the army Sinaamak mango
qaynatah yan mari macaxut gace
assume [´sju~m] v.tr 1 ucsube We assumed that the feast
would take place on Saturday Nanu qiid Sabti saaku
akkelem nucsubeh sugne 2 tabsite In the absence of his
father the eldest son assumed responsibility Kay abba elle
deedala-ikkel narisso baxi mixxaago tabsite
assumption [´sU~mpSn¢] n 1 acsaab (acsaàba) The
assumption you made is without foundation Atu abte
acsaab asaas lem mali 2 tabsit (tabsìti) His assumption of
authority pleased everybody Usuk abbowtanat abe tabsit
kulli num rùffa-hee
assure [œSO~] v.tr diggoyse I assure you I will do that Woh
abeyyom koh diggoysah
assurance [´SO~r´ns] n digga Give me an assurance that
you will return the money you borrowed from me! Atu yok
beyte lakqo gacisettoomuh digga yoh acuy!
astern [´st‰~n] adv doonìkik widir (widiri) The man who
holds the rudder sits astern Sokkaan yabbixe num doonikik
widiril daffeya
asthma [œ~sm´] n isibbi His youngest daughter has asthma
Kaak qunxa baxa isibbi le
astonish [´stÅ~niS] v.tr qayyabsise His mental agility
astonished me Kaak misinkica duddi yoo qayyabsiseh
astonishment [´stÅ~niSm´nt] n qayyàbsit (qayyàbsiti)
Don’t stare at me with astonishment! Qayyabsit le inti yot
makafisin!
astray [´stre~] adv finqa My letter must have gone astray
Anu ruube warkat finqa yakku bictah
astray, go [go ´stre~] v.intr badite By himself he will go
astray Usuk dibuk gacek baditele
astray, lead [li~d ´stre~] v.tr iydilliye He attempted to lead
me astray Usuk yoo yaydilliyem gabbate
18
astride [´strA~Id] adv feràqqa-exce He lifted the box up
while standing with legs astride Usuk sandug baaxok
feràqqa-iyyeh, yukkuqe
astrology [´strÅ~l´dZI] n cutùk beyto Astrology describes
what effect objects in the heavens may have on people’s
behaviour Cutuk beyto qaraanal tan baaxooxa sinam gexsitit
le raat weelaalissa
astronomy [´strÅ~n´mI] n ginoccaddoh misso Astronomy is
a fascinating subject Ginoccaddoh Misso niya hirigta baritto
maasayya
astute [´stju~t] adj tubbìcih I admired his astute handling of
the situation Anu usuk caagiida edde aba tubbicih gurra
kaak ossokooteh
astutely [´stju~tli] adv cubbikàsat He considers whatever
he does with his brother astutely Usuk isi toobokoyta luk
abinnaanim cubbikasat aba
astuteness n [´stju~tn´s] cubbikas (cubbikàsa) Because of
his astuteness he doesn’t fail Usuk cubbikas leemih
sabbatah maboolaata
asylum [´sA~Il´m] n meglo From what are you seeking
asylum? Atu meglo macak gorrissa?
at [œ~t] prep ...-l Is your brother at home? Ku toobokoyti
buxal maay yan?
at all [´t O~l] adv phr-id inkìnnah I don’t want to go at all
Anu inkinnah gexam mafaxa
at once [´t wønts] adv phr-id tawakaak Come here at
once! Tawakaak akke am!
at odds with [´t Ådz wID] adv phr ...h wiilih The family
members are at odds with one another Buxa mari tittah
wiilih yani
at pains to [´t pEnz t´] adv phr macale They are at pains
to please us Oson nee rùffa-hoonuh macalaanah
ate cf eat
atheist [e~TiIst] n Yàllih mano giddiya num (nùmu) The
atheist doesn’t believe in the existence of God Yallih mano
giddiya num Yallih manol mayaamina
athlete [œ~Tlit] n qanxaffeèna He is a professional athlete
Usuk mumaxxigiino le qanxaffeena
athletics [œTlE~tIks] n.pl qanxaffè anfakaakaqih digir (digìri)
How is your performance at athletics? Kok qanxaffeh
anfakaakaqih digirih duddi manna le?
atlas [œ~tl´s] n baàd karta / atlas (atlàsa) Are you (pl) buying
an atlas? Baad karta / Atlas maay xaamittan?
atmosphere [œ~tm´sfI´] 1 n hawa The atmosphere around
the earth is thin Ardi marassiyol tan hawa kafiifik tan 2 fig
caalat (caalàta) What was the atmosphere at that meeting?
Woo daffeynal maa caalat yene?
atone [´to~n] v.tr makfaràt abe; dòroq ece / maruusò ece
Everyone must atone for his sins Kulli num ase dambih
makfarat abam kaal tan He atoned for his rudeness Usuk
isi adbisinnah doroq yece / maruuso yece

atonement [´to~nm´nt] n dambikaloot (dambikaloòtu),
dòroq, maruuso Jesus made an atonement for our sins by
shedding his blood Nanu abne dambih dambikalootuh
Yaasus isi qabala caxe He made an atonement for the
mistake he made against him Kaal baahe qellatak doroq /
maruuso kaah yece
atrocious [´tro~S´s] adj qamàl umaane le The behaviour of
those children is atrocious Woo urruk gexgexit qamal
umaane le
atrocity [´trÅ~sIti] n qamàl aliino He was imprisoned for
the atrocities he committed Usuk edde ase qamal aliinoh
casbimeh
attach [´tœ~tS] v.tr cìxe / xibbaane; kafise; ràdu eelle She
attached the belt to the dress Is qarum kurtat cixxeh I
attached a photograph to the letter I sent Anu ruube
gawaabat taswiir cixe / xibbaane, The clerk at the airport will
attach labels to your luggage Tayyaarabooxal yan kattaab
ku santootit asta kafisele; Don’t attach yourself to me! Yol
radu maallin!
attached [´tœ~tSt] pred.adj ...-l raddoowe He is attached to
his father Usuk isi abbal raddooweh yan
attack [´tœ~k] 1 n warar (waràra); biyàk amattaake / biyàk
gool (goòlu) The attack occurred at midday Warar dohri
yekke When did this attack come upon you? Ama
biyaakih amattaake / biyaakih gool kot tekkem malaqoy? 2
v.tr dadahe / warare The police attacked the rioting
crowd Boliis uluuluka abe mara dadahteh / wararteh
attacker [´tœ~k´] n gagbeèna A search revealed the
identity of his attacker Aben goran kay gagbeenih kinnaane
yeybeleeleqe
attempt [´tE~mpt] 1 n aqayyar (aqayyàra) / gabbat (gabbàta)
The attempt made to amend the situation failed Tuiyyaanam
yaymaaqeenimih aqayyar / gabbat foyyite 2 v.tr
gabbate The prisoners attempted to escape Casbit yan
mari makitam gabbate
attend [´tE~nd] v.tr matare I am unable to attend lectures
Anu macaadarat / warsat mataram maduuda.
attend to [´tE~nd tU] prep.v.tr madaawise / madlise; ...-l
soole; …-h aytì ece The girl attended to her sick mother
Awka biyaakitta ina madaawisse / madlisse He attended
to the customers Usuk maqamiilih yemeete maral soole
The teacher said to the students “Attend to everything I
say!” Kabir darsak “Anu axcinnaanimih ayti acuya!” iyye
attendance [´tE~nd´ns] n geytimaanam (geytimaanàma)
Attendance at lectures is compulsory Macaadaral
geytimaanam fardik tan
attendance, be in [bi In ´tE~nd´ns] v.intr taamà bagul ene
The doctor is in attendance today Daktaar a saaku taama
bagul yan
attention [´tE~nS´n] n hàngi He gave attention to the
teaching Usuk barittot hangi hee
19
attitude [œ~tItjud] n àfkan (àfkana) / niya He has a poor
attitude towards his work Usuk aba taamah le afkan / niya
boola le
attract [´trœ~kt] v.tr hirige A magnet attracts anything made
of metal Birtibanas biriita inkih is fan hiriga; The beautiful
woman attracted his attention Qaxmeqe barra hangi kaak
hirigte
attraction [´trœ~kSn¢] n niyaggìito Football has a strong
attraction for him Ibikoqso kaal niyaggiito nabam le
attractive [´trœ~ktIv] adj intì qaawe That woman is
attractive Woo barra inti qawta
attribute [œ~trIbjut] n sàlu One of his attributes is patience
Kay saluk tiyak teeni sabri
attribute to [´trI~bjut tu] prep.v.tr ...-k sababsiise I
attribute his attitude to the influence of others Anu usuk le
afkan marin xagisik yanim sababsiisa
aubergine [o~b‰Zin] n bidingaar (bidingaàra) The Hanle
farmers grow aubergines Canlel tan buqraaba bidingaar
taysubuke
auction [O~kS´n] 1 n carraay (carraàya) They have an
auction every Wednesday Oson kulli Arbaq saaku carraay
aban 2 v.tr carraayal hee They will auction that house
Oson woo qari carraayal heelon
auctioneer [OkS´ni~ ~´] n dallaal (dallaàla) The auctioneer
got in a lot of money today Dallaal a saaku mango lakqo gee
audacious [Ode~S´s] adj cayà màli; intì qisi le He is
audacious in his speech wherever he is Usuk faxe-ikkel
yaabaamat caya mali The prisoners’ escape plan is
audacious Casbi marak assaq makko inti qisi le
audacity [Odœ~sIti] n cayà sinna / xagàr qasboyta sinnim A
man known for his audacity is not a welcome visitor Caya
sinna akak yaaxigen numuh arciba maaban / Xagar qasboyta
sinnim akak yaaxigen num marcibisan
audible [O~dIbl¢] adj yantabbe What the shy man says is not
audible Wacarriy le numih yab mayantabba
audience [O~dIj´ns] n macfal (macfàla) / maro The audience
criticised the actor Macfal mumassil yessecekkeh / Maro
mumassil tessecekkeh
audit [O~dIt] v.tr mucaasabàt abe The account book is
audited yearly Cisaaboota buukut kulli sanat mucaasabat
aban
auditor [O~dIt´] n mucaàsib (mucaàsibi) The auditor does
the accounts once a year Sanatal inki adda mucaasib cisab
yafeegede
audition [OdI~Sn¢] n ankàcsul dooro Auditions are being held
for the singers Gadabak ankacsul doorot yanin
aunt [A~nt] n anna / abbà maqanxa / inà maqanxa My aunt
has more than five children Yi anna / Yi abbah maqanxa / Yi
ina maqanxa xaylok konoyuk amo le
authentic [OTE~ntIk] adj asliik That which I bought was an
authentic drawing Anu xaamem asliik yan rasmik sugte
A

A
authenticity [OTEntI~sItI] n asliino The authenticity of his
story is beyond doubt Usuk xayyoose maxcoh asliino bohoy
mali
author [O~T´] n muqàllif (muqàllifi) / yuktubè num (nùmu) I
know the author of that book Woo buuk muqallif / yuktube
num aaxigeh
authorize [O~T´rAI~z] v.tr awlise The President authorized
me to take this paper Ummuunoh Abba a warkat beyuh yoo
awlise
authority [OTÅ~rIti] n 1 muddaqe Three groups contend
with the authorities Sidiica egla muddaqe luk tangiicilleh 2
libdo That minister has authority when he speaks Woo
malaak yaabinnaan waqdi libdo le 3 abbòwtan (abbòwtana)
He has authority over that class Usuk woo faslik
abbowtan le
automatic [Ot´mœ~tIk] adj isì kelis le / otomàtik le My
camera is automatic Yi taswiir mansafat isi kelis le /
otomatik le
autonomy [OtÅ~n´mi] n addaxìnto The Afars have obtained
autonomy within Ethiopia Qafar ummatta Itiyobbiyal
addaxinto geyte
autonomous [OtÅ~n´m´s] adj addaxìnto le This area is
autonomous of central government A rakaakay kaddagudeh
doolatak addaxinto le
auxiliary [OgzI~lj´ri] adj catò le The verb ‘to be’ is
sometimes an auxiliary verb ‘Yanih’ iyya abini waqdik
teyna cato le abina yascasse
avail [´ve~l] v.intr nafqì eelle Nothing they did availed at all
Oson àbba-heenimik tu nafqi maallinna
avail - oneself [´ve~l wønsElf] v.refl intifiqe I availed
myself of the opportunity to speak with that man Woo
numul lih yaabuh gee saamit intifiqe
available [´ve~l´bl¢] adj ènna-iyya; gabaggèy le; gèeyìt le He
made use of all the available information Ènna-iyya xaagitit
inkih yintifiqeh; Is there someone available to help me? Yoo
catu gabaggey le num maay yan? Food must be made
available for famine areas Qulul le baaxoh maaqiddi geeyit
lem faxximta
avalanche [œ~v´lAntS] n weèqa An avalanche of mud
enveloped the village Suxqiweeqi gaanta yubkune
avarice [œ~v´rIs] n cirfi He took more than his share of the
money due to avarice Usuk cirfik gexxaamah lakqok isi
gidek fula bee
avenue [œ~v´nju] n waqìn gita I live in a nice tree-lined
avenue Namma qaxal coox le qaxmeqe waqin gital dabqih
an
average [œ~v´rIdZ] adj fanaàfanah He is of average
intelligence Misinkica duddo kaak fanaafanah tan, His
wages are average Usuk cawalah geyam fanaafanah tan
lakqo
20
averse [~´v‰~s]~ pred.adj sàduh ene She and I are averse to one
another Yoo kee tet saduh tittal nan
aversion [~´v‰~Sn¢]~ n xiqewày (wàya) I have an aversion to
cats Anu dummu xiqeway liyo
avert [~´v‰~t] v.tr waasse The government sent food to avert
starvation among the flood victims Weeqi dufa yekke marak
qulul waassuh doolat maaqidda rubte
avert - eyes [~´v‰~t A~Iz] v.tr intì waaliye She averted her
eyes from the mutilated body Is tafqen xagarak inti
waaliyteh
avoid [~´vOI~d] v.tr waàlih / xàbanah gace I am going to
avoid that street Anu woo gitak waalih gaceyyo / xabanah
gaceyyo
avow [~´vA~U] v.tr diggoyse He avowed that he was not a
thief Usuk garqali hinnam diggoyse
await [~´we~t] v.tr raagsite The students are awaiting the
results of their school exams Darsa abte imticaanal bahtem
taaxagu raagsitta
awake [~´we~k] v.intr badade / imbide I awoke early in the
morning Anu dibroh waqlat xiinik badade / imbide
awake to [~´we~k tU] prep.v.intr gàrci cabe wee Be awake
to their duplicity! Ken ayrah garci macabin!
awaken [~´we~kn¢] v.tr badadise / iynibide / uguse I
awakened him from sleep Xiinik kaa badadise / iynibide /
uguse
award [~´wO~d] 1 n galato The government gave him an
award for his work Usuk abeh yen taamal doolat galato
kaah teexege 2 v.tr ece The school awarded him a prize
Iskoola magaadah acwa kaah teceh
aware [~´wE~´] pred.adj aaxìguk / daariik We were aware of
their plans but were helpless to do anything about it Ken
mala aaxiguk / daariik nen immay, tu edde mabeeritinnino /
maxiqinnino
away [~´we~] adv gexòt ene He has gone away Usuk gexot
yan
awe [~O~] n qexxin (qexxìni) Her beauty filled him with awe
Tet qaxmaqaane qexxin kaal tekke
awe of, in [~In O~ Åv] prep.phr ...-k cundite Because he was
in awe of him, he kept silent in his presence Usuk kaak
cunditaamih sabbatah, kay garil kàcca-iyye
awful [~O~fl] adj xàqamu màli; afqadokkòra le Their food is
awful Ken maaqo xaqamu mali The news they brought
was awful Oson baahen xaagi afqadokkora le
awkward [~O~kw´d] adj bìca sinni; bìca lem hinna This is an
awkward time A wakti bica sinni wakti He is an
awkward person Usuk bica le num hinna
awkwardly, behave [~bIhev O~kw´dlI] v.intr agaagulute He
behaves awkwardly before the boss Usuk taamassaqalih
foocal agaagulutah
awl [~O~l] n mudèyna That awl has no point Woo mudeyni
damum mali

awning [~O~nIN] n siraàqak aben silaalo That shop has an
awning over the door Woo dokkaan afattinot siraaqak aben
silaalo le
axe [~œ~ks] n faas (faàsa) He chopped wood with an axe
Usuk coox faasat yirgiqe
axilla [~œgzI~l´] n xabqe He has a spot under his axilla Usuk
xabqel awweqta le
21
A

B
axle [~œ~ksl¢] n yasgallè birta The driver broke the front axle
on his car going along a rough road Baabur beya num uma
gital baaburuk fooci namma iba yasgalle birta yiggile
B
babble [~bœ~bl¢] 1 v.intr koloolocite The water running
down babbles over the stones Obta lee xeet amol
koloolocittah 2 n wexxeqto When the teacher went out,
a babble of voices was heard Kabir yewqe waqdi yabti
wexxeqtoh anay yontobbeh
baboon [~bœbu~n] n damàqtu The baboon which reaches the
mountain is invincible Qale gee damaqti numuh mayaabba
- Afar proverb
baby [~be~bI] 1 n àlqi; ullabbàxa There’s a new baby in that
house Woo qaril yooboke alqi yan The baby spends each
night crying Ullabbaxi inkih yan bar weeqak xiina 2
babyhood [~be~bIhUd] n saldiino / ullabbaxiino It isn’t
good to teach children to use a bottle during babyhood
Urru saldiinol / ullabbaxiinol massaasa barisaanam mameqe
3 baby carrier [~be~bI kœrI´] n nàyyu The mother carries
her baby in a baby carrier whilst working Ina taamitta
waqdi isi saldi nayyut beyta
bachelor [~bœ~tS´l´] n barramàli A bachelor looks after
himself Barramali dabqim isih abbaasita
back [~bœ~k] 1 n 1 xiìron (xiìroonu) / elle I fell on my back
playing football Ibi koqsoh digiril xiiroonuh / elleh rade 2
darre; gamad (gamàda) Put it at the back of the house!
Qarik darrel hayis!. It is the camel at the front which refuses
to go, but the camel at the back gets the beating Gexo
cintam naharsi alay, yaagureenim gamadal tan ala / (gamaddi
ala) (Afar proverb) 2 adv madaara / mandabba That is
the way back Woh madaara / mandabba gita
backache [~bœ~kek] n xiironbìyak (biyaàka) He has a
backache Usuk xiironbiyak le
backbiting [~bœ~kbAItIN] n yabtì caneggacsa That boy is
used to backbiting Woo awki yabti caneggacsa yaaxige
backbone [~bœ~kbon] 1 n xiìron lafa A man whose
backbone is broken cannot stand Xiiron lafa akak tiddigille
num solti maduuda 2 fig afqado; dudda He doesn’t have
the backbone to stand up to them Usuk keenih edde
yasseede afqado mali He doesn’t have the backbone to do
this job Usuk a taama abuh dudda mali
background [~bœ~kgrAUnd] n 1 sùur (sùuru) What is his
background? Suur kaak macay? 2 darrè mabla What is
the background of that picture? Woo taswiirik darre mablal
tanim macay?
bacteria [~bœkti~rI´] n beeka There are bacteria in the water
Leet beeka tan
bad [~bœ~d] adj uma He has a bad character Usuk uma cal le
Everyone knows that he is a bad person Usuk uma num
22
kinnim kulli num yaaxige
badly [~bœ~dlI] adv umànnah They didn’t injure him that
badly Oson nabam umannah kaa mabiyaakinnon
badness [~bœ~dn´s] n umiino There is a lot of badness in
him Kaat kaxxa umiino tan
bad, go [~go bœ~d] v.intr oome The grain you brought me
has gone bad Atu yoh bahte daro toome
baffle [~bœ~fl¢] v.tr qoxxise / iciyyire The difficult question in
the exam baffled me Imticaanal temeete gibdi essero yoo
qoxxisseh / ticiyyireh
baffling [~bœ~fl¢IN] adj àf maliino / àf ciirat That was a
baffling time Woh af maliino / af ciirat waktik ten
bag [~bœ~g] n santa; girib (girìbi); olo; kafaq (kafàqa) He took
two bags with him when he left on his journey Usuk safare
waqdi namma santa gabat bee; I have no money bag Lakqo
santa mayyu They filled the leather bag with grain Oson
girib darok kiben The traveller put the sugar he bought in
his shoulder bag Gexenti xaame sokkar olot haysite Food
is sold in plastic bags Maaqidda lastikik aben kafaqal
limmoysan
baggage [~bœ~gIdZ] n sàntooti He brought a lot of baggage
Usuk mango santooti baahe
bail [~be~l] n caabi I stood bail for my uncle who was in
prison Casbit suge yi qammih anu caabi ekke
bail out [~be~l A~Ut] phr.v.tr egeereye We have to bail water
out of the boat regularly Nanu doonikik bad wayak way
nageereyem faxximta
bait [~be~t] n laqaf (laqàfa) Bring good bait to catch fish!
Kullum tabbixuh meqe laqaf bah!
bake [~be~k] 1 v.tr duube Are you going to bake the bread?
Gaqambo maay dubta? 2 fig hararise When they came
out of the sea the sun baked them Badak yewqen waqdi
ayro ken hararisse
baker [~be~k´] n furùm dubeena / gaqambo dubeena The
baker took out a 100 loaves a day Furum dubeeni ayrol bool
furumto yeyyeeqe / Gaqambo dubeeni ayrol bool gaqambo
yeyyeeqe
bakery [~be~k´ri] n furumqàri / gaqambò qari Bring me
some bread from the bakery! Furumqarik / Gaqambo qarik
gaqambo yoh bah!
baksheesh [~bœkSi~S] n baksiis (baksiìsi), xaqanto Whenever I
buy things from the shop I always get baksheesh
Dokkaanak duyye xaama waqdi baksiis / xaqanto ìnki geya
balance [bœ~l´ns] 1 n 1 qeèdal (qeèdala) She has a good
balance Is gexol meqe qeedal le 2 qeedalsim (qeedalsìmi)
The books showed a healthy balance at the end of last
month Warraye alsih illacabol cisab nek fayda le qeedalsim
yuybulle 2 v.intr 1 qeedalsime Our books balanced at
the end of the month Alsi illacabol ni cisab qeedalsime 2
qeedaalise She balanced the pot on her head Is buuti isiamol
qeedaalisseh

ald [bO~ld] adj bidaàr le He is bald Usuk bidaar le
bald, become v.intr [bIkø~m bO~ld] bidaàr baahe He became
bald at a young age Usuk qunxih bidaar baahe
baldness [bO~ldnIs] n bidaara Baldness comes with age
Bidaara bar luk gexxaama
bald head [bÅ~ld hEd] n bidaàru A bald head is honoured
Bidaaru yassakaxxeenih; In the council a bald head is
reckoned as an elder, and at home as wealthy Bidaaru caxal
makaabantu yakkaleenih, buxal gaddali yakkalen (Afar
proverb)
ball [bO~l] n 1 koqso It is good for children’s health to play
with a ball Urri koqso lih digiram ken xagarih qaafiyatah
meqeh 2 koqsòh inna The children rolled clay into a ball
Urri kalla koqsoh innah sooke 3 gombo A cyclist moves
the pedals with the ball of his foot Biskil beya num
dadbeena ibi gombot gutqa
ball game [bO~l gem] n koqsò digir (digìri) Ball games are
always played between peers Koqso digir fiqima fanat kulli
way takkeemi
balloon [b´lu~n] n ufuffa Children love to play with
balloons Urri ufuffoota digirisam kicinah
ballot [bœ~l´t] n dooro The ballot for President took place
yesterday Umuunoh Abbah dooro kimal tekke 2 v.tr
qangartà essere The foreman ballotted the work force
Kabbo taamammarah qangarta essere
balustrade [bœ~l´stred] n birtì kelu A balustrade is often
built at the side of steps to prevent people falling off
Mangih daragak / ibobsak sinam raddaamak birti kelu xisan
bamboo [bœmbu~] 1 n qiiyya / kasab (kasàba) Our
compound fence was built of bamboo Ni qarih daarat
qiiyyak / kasabak bicisen 2 adj qiiyyak / kasàbak ene A
cane is a bamboo stick Kaydaranti qiiyyak yan / kasabak yan
caxxa
ban [bœ~n] n madqà waaso There is a ban on the import of
khat to some countries Baaxooxak tul gaat culusaanamal
madqa waaso tan
banana [b´nA~n´] n muus (muùsu) A banana tree has long
green leaves Muus caxa anxaxin xer ayyuufa le
band [bœ~nd] n 1 boor (boòru) Wrap a band round the
bleeding hand! Qabalta gaba boorut axuy! 2 egla The
band of artists acted to honour the President Xoklah eglah
mari Ummuunoh Abbah massakaxxah digir abe
band together [bœnd t´gE~D´] v.intr tìtta tibbixe, tìttat tengele
The team-mates banded together to help their captain
Xokon adoytit isinni mirac cattuh titta tibbixe They
banded together to start a business Oson badaaqat
qimbisoonu tittat yengelen
bandage [bœ~ndIdZ] 1 n baasima / fassa Bring me a new
bandage to put on the wound Qusba baasima / fassa dalel
hayuh yoh bah! 2 v.tr baasimat malmaale The doctor
bandaged her arm Daktoor gabal teetik baasimat malmaale
23
bandaged [bœ~ndIdZd] adj bòor le His bad leg is
bandaged Biyaakita ibi kaak boor le
bandit [bœ~ndIt] n sefta Bandits met us on the way and
snatched goods from us Sefta gitat neh garayteh duyye nek
bukkusse
bandy-legged [bœ~ndi-legd] adj golbà le My sister’s
husband is bandy-legged Yi maqanxah baqli golba le
bandy-legged man [bœ~ndi-lEgId mœn] gòlba A bandylegged
man cannot walk straight Golbi missat gexu
maduuda
bang [bœ~N] 1 n dubto What is that bang? Woh maa
dubtoy? 2 v.intr dùb-hee I banged on the door Anu
baab dùb-hee
bang into [bœ~N I~ntu] prep.v.tr ...-t umuttuke ...-t boode
Those people banged into one another Woo mari tittat
yumuttuke; The car banged into the lamppost Baabur
kooraan qamiddut boodde
bangle [bœ~Ngl¢] n giyyòlta; sookòyta The bridegroom
bought a beautiful bangle for his bride Qarus qibnah
qaxmeqe giyyolta xaame The man wears a bangle given
by his wife Num isi barra kaah tece sookoyta haysita
banish [bœ~nIS] v.tr eyyeeqe The head teacher banished the
bad pupils from school Iskoolah abba uma darsa iskoolak
yeyyeeqe
bank [bœ~Nk] n 1 gafan (gafàna) When a lot of rain fell, the
flood water broke the wadi bank Kaxxa rob rade waqdi
weeqi gafan yiggile 2 bànki All my money is in the bank
Yi lakqo inkih bankil tan
banker [bœ~Nk´] n bankaàbe He was soon a successful
banker Usuk xayuk anfaq le bankaabe yekke
bankrupt [bœ~NkrUpt] 1 adj baacà le He ended up
bankrupt Usuk baaca luk raaqe 2 n baacòyta A
bankrupt asks people for help Baacoyti ixibu sinaamal
essera 3 v.tr baacise His wife bankrupted my uncle Yi
qammi kay barra kaa baacisse
bankrupt, become [bIkU~m bœ~NkrUpt] v.intr baacite I
became bankrupt Anu baaciteh
bankruptcy [bœ~Nkr´ptsi] n baaca How did my
bankruptcy come about? Yi baaca manni kabuk radde?
banner [bœ~n´] n qàlam (qàlama) Each club has its own
banner Kulli egla isi qalam le
banquet [bœ~NkwIt] n xigla Our government made a great
banquet for the President of Kenya when he came to our
country Keenyah Abba ni baaxo yemeete saaku ni doolat
kaxxa xigla kaah abte
baptism [bœ~ptIzm] n kummayso Baptism means immersion
in, or sprinkling with water of a person putting faith in
Christ Kummayso akak iyyaanam Masiicil yaamine num leet
kummaysaanam akke kee lee kaal rifaanam akke
baptize [bœ~ptAIz] v.tr kummayse John baptized people in
B

B
water when they repented of their sins Yucanna sinam edde
asse dambik toobitte waqdi leet ken kummaysak yen
bar [bA~] 1 v.tr hoore The referee barred the player who
insulted him in the game Koqsok inayta digir addal kaa xaafe
num digirik hooreh 2 n 1 gocòy qari Bars are few in
Djibouti Yabuutil gocoy qarwa dagoh 2 liciita The gate
has five bars Daarat culmeyna koona liciita le
barb [bA~b] n damum (damuùmu) The barb on the fish hook
tore my dress Kolloffa damum kurta yok qanxiseh
barbarian [bAbE~´rI´n] n xintò màli A barbarian is one who
has not experienced civilization Xinto mali cadaarat barite
wee numu
barbarity [bAbœ~rItI] n xintò maliino I never saw such
barbarity Annah tan xinto maliino way maballinniyo
barber [bA~b‰] n xagorsireèna / xagòr yargìqi The barber
earns a lot on a feast day Qiddi saaku xagorsireeni / xagor
yargiqi kaxxa duyye geya
bare [bE~´] 1 adj 1 qasin The sun beat down on his bare
head Ayro qasin amo kaak umannah xagte 2 foyyah
Because of drought the fields are bare Qabaarak gexxaamah
buqre ardi foyyah yan 2 adv qasuni Small children go
about bare in their area Qunxa urri isinni caafatal qasunuk
gexa 3 v.tr qaddoyse / qexxinise He bared his soul Usuk
isi niyat tanim qaddoyse / qexxinise
barely [bE~´li] adv qaàxah, qàmlih I barely caught the
Dikhil bus Dekel gexxa baabur qaaxah / qamlih matare
bareback [bE~´bœk] adv illeqassi Riding bareback
requires experience Meerraytut illeqassi gexaanam baritto
faxxa
barechested [bE´tSE~stId] adv alilqassi / sunkuqassi Coolies
often work barechested Xooquh xiina mangih alilqassih /
sunkuqassih taamita
barefaced [bE~´fest] adj qado That was a barefaced lie
Woh qado diraaba
barefoot [bE~´fUt] adv ibaqassi In order not to make the
floor dirty people go in barefoot Qarik baax
wassakoowaamak ibaqassih culan
bareheaded [bE~´hEdId] adv amoqassi Girls go
bareheaded until their marriage Baxuw digibaanam fanah
amoqassih gexa
bargain [bA~gIn] 1 n addàh tan limo The purchaser pleaded
with the shopkeeper to give him a bargain Duyye xaamita
num dokkaan le numuk addah tan limo kaah abam kallace
2 v.intr qadaaqade The unions bargained with the
employers over pay Itticaad mari taama absiisa mara luk
cawalal / maahiyatal qadaaqadeh
bark 1 [bA~k] n qìngir (qìngiiri) The trunk of the tree has bark
on the outside Caxa daabak iro kabul qingir le
bark 2 [bA~k] v.intr hàw-exce When a dog sees a thief he
barks loudly Kuti garqa yable waqdi kaxxam hàw-iyya
24
barley [bA~li] n gabru / haffali Barley is very good for
porridge Gabru / Haffali laqsoh nabam meqe
barn [bA~n] n rìig (rìigi) They put the harvest in a barn Murti
riigit haan
barrage [bœ~rAdZ] n 1 qagum (qagùmu) / karàwwad
(karàwwada), dabir (dabiìri) We built a barrage in the
wadi to divert water to fields Obta lee buqre fan maknu
xaqaaral qagum / karawwad xisne 2 dabir (dabiìri) We
built a barrage at the compound gate to prevent flood
waters entering the house Weeqi lee qari cule waytam-gidih
daarat afat dabir hayne 3 faatsinna The enemy kept up a
barrage of fire against us Qaduwwi net abe girah ugra
faatsinna luk ten
barrel [bœ~r´l] n barmiil (barmiìli) A barrel is very useful for
storing water Barmiil lee raqsah kaxxa tuxxiq le
barren [bœ~r´n] adj maxalayto The barren woman gave birth
after many years Maxalaytoh sugte barra mango sanootak
sarra xalteh
barricade [bœ~rIked] 1 n gexekàla There was a barricade
across the road Gital gexekala heenih sugen 2 v.tr
maraasiye The gunmen barricaded themselves in Giraare
le mari culekalat isinni maraasiyen
barrier [bœ~rI´] n hooreyna When the train comes the car
barrier is lowered Meel yamaate waqdi baabur hooreyna
oobisan
barrow [bœ~ro] n gabaggàari A barrow is very useful for
transporting goods in streets unsuitable for cars Baabuurah
bica sinni gitittel gabaggaari duyye beytoh kaxxa tuxxiq le
base [be~s] 1 n 1 guub (guùbu) Where is your base in
Djibouti? Yabuutih addal ku guub ankey? 2 asaas (assaàsa)
The base of the column was made of iron Wakbi asaas
akak biciseenim birta 3 buxux (buxùxu) Put these things
at the base of the tree A duyye caxak buxuxul hayis! 2 adj
cescès le Their base behaviour sickened me Ken cesces le
gexgexit yoo sakkise 3 v.tr rakiibise On what do you
base your argument? Ku qadada macal rakiibissa?
baseless [be~sl´s] adj asaàs sinni That gossip is baseless
Woo texcetexce asaas mali
baseness [be~sn´s] n adbisìnna The baseness of those
people is unacceptable Woo marih adbisinna moggolsimta
basement [be~sm´nt] n gongooni We use our basement
for storage Nanu ninni gongooni buulo lino
bashful [bœ~SfUl] adj wacarrìy le He is very bashful where
there are a lot of people Usuk sinam elle mango-ikkel kaxxa
wacarriy le
basin [be~sn¢] n madqàntu / mateyba My mother brought us
food in a basin Yi-ina madqantul / mateybal maaqo neh
xayyosse
basis [be~sIs] n asaas (asaàsa) What is the basis of your
argument? Ku yaabih asaas macay?

asket [bœ~skIt] n agabto / dambil (dambiìli) / kafaq (kafàqa)
My aunt always brings her goods in a basket from the shop
Yi-anna duyye dokkaanak uumaan agabtot / dambiilit /
kafaqat bahta
bastard [bA~st´d] 1 n ilmòyta A bastard is one born out of
wedlock Ilmoyti gennaaqo sinnim yaabuke baxa 2 adj
ilmoytah ene The bastard son inherited his wealth Kay
gadda ilmoytah yan baxi nagare [The term ‘bastard’ is not
considered to be polite]
bat [bœ~t] n 1 xaqayxaqto A bat only flies at night, not in
the day Xaqayxaqto bar akke waytek loqo mahaadda 2
luucàt iloyta A bat for hitting a ball must be strong Koqso
edde yaatuken luucat iloyti maqar lem faxximta
bath [bA~T] n kaqaylò birkat (birkàta) The water in the bath is
soapy Kaqaylo birkatal tan lee saabunle
bathe [be~D] v.tr kaqale I bathe myself every day Anu kulli
saaku kaqala
bathing [be~DIN] pres.part baddì kaqaylo We go bathing
in the sea every Friday Nanu kulli Gumaqtah baddi
kaqayloh bad genxa
bathroom [bA~Trum] n kaqaylò goli Our bathroom includes
a bath, shower and toilet Ni kaqaylo goli kaqaylo birkatay,
leerriifo kee xaaco mateeba le
baton [bœ~tÅn] n gabaccàxxa The police carry batons Boliis
gabaccaxxa le
batter 1 [bœ~t´] n qagìna; lokèn daro My mother makes
batter every morning Yi-ina saakuk saaku qagina lokta
Afar pancakes are made from batter Loken darok lucluc
haan
batter 2 [bœ~t´] v.tr duubuye The waves battered the boat
Moogat doonik duubuyteh; He battered our door Usuk ni
baab duubuyeh
battery [bœ~tri] n 1 tirìik xaa My torch takes two batteries
Yi gabatiriik tiriik xeetik nammay beya 2 faatsinna They
kept up a battery of questions Oson xayyoosen esseroora
faatsinnal ten
battle [bœ~tl¢] 1 n maysattaka There was a great battle
yesterday Kimal kaxxa maysattaka tekke 2 v.intr ingiicille
The tenants battled to have their houses repaired Kirisite
mari qarwa maymuqutuh yingiicilleh She battled to
survive Is saabittuh tingiicilleh
bawl [bO~l] v.intr boogise The boy bawled loudly when the
snake bit him Baaxot ali kaat are waqdi awki nabam boogise
bay 1 [be~] n gobbat (gobbàta) When the wind rose we
sheltered the boat in the bay Caacay nel rade waqdi doonik
gobbatat reebisne
bay 2 [be~] v.intr awweerise / haamuuruse The hyenas were
baying last night Yanguli bir awweerisak / haamuurusak
xiine
25
bayonet [be~´nIt \ be´nE!t] n banduggile The soldiers had
bayonets Qaskar banduggile luk ten
be [bi~] v.intr ekke; ene Be a good boy! Meqe awka tik! I
don’t want to be alone Dibuk anim mafaxa, Let it be!
Tanitay inxic!; Where will he be? Usuk ankel yan kay?
beach [bi~tS] n baddaf (baddaàfa) We found crabs on the
beach Baddaafal cinkaakirre geyneh
beacon [bi~kn¢] n oytì gira When we were lost we lit a
beacon on a high place Nanu bayne waqdi fayya le-ikkel oyti
gira urusne
bead [bi~d] n ùnxux (ùnxuuxu) Girls wear beads round the
neck Baxuw unxux fillat haa
beak [bi~k] n damum (damuùmu) While they are still small,
birds feed their young with the beak Kimbiro isi xaylo
qunxon fanah damum afat keenik haak adoobissa
beam [bi~m] 1 n 1 amottabsì caxxa Beams strengthen the
roof Amottabsi caxxi qarik amo maqar bahsiisa 2 ìfu We
see our way by the beam from the torch Gabatiriik iful elle
genxa gita nable 2 v.tr diifise / ifise Don’t beam your
torch at me! Isi gabattiriik yol mïifisin / màdiifisin! 3 v.intr
binìyya-exce My mother beamed when she saw me Yi-ina
yoo tuble waqdi binìyya-inte
bean [bi~n] n fuul (fuùlu) Some people eat beans for
breakfast Sahdak tu fuul qeerakaloh / kuraaqah takme
bear [b‰~´] v.tr 1 quùkah baahe I bore the sick goat home
Anu biyaakitta reyta buxa fan quukah baahe 2 coolaysite I
couldn’t bear this pain A biyaakih qansaruh coolaysitam
maduudinniyo
born [bO~n] past part ooboke; imfiqe My mother was born
in Obock (Hayyu) Yi-ina Cayyul tooboke A new
generation is being born Qusba cata tamfiqe
bear [b‰~´] n dubbi Bears are very large fierce animals
Dubbitte kaxxam cunxussa alluwwa
beard [bi~´d] n deben (debèni) Old men love to grow beards
Idoola deben taysubukem kicina
beast [bi~st] n àla At night we heard wild beasts moving
around Nanu bar alluwwa kabuk kabul abta angoyya
aabbuk xinne
beat [bi~t] v.tr 1 oogore If children wouldn’t learn, we used
to beat them Urri barite cinek, ken aaguruk nen 2 eyse
They beat us at ball Koqsol nek yeyseenih 3 bukuse We
beat those who attacked our country Ni baaxo warareh suge
mara bukusne 4 loke I beat flour, milk and eggs together
Anu burriy, can kee naala tittat loke
beating [bi~tIN] n utka They took me unawares, gave me a
beating and went off Garcit yoo yibbixeenih, uma utka yot
abeenih, caben
beat up [bit ø~p] phr.v.tr oogore A drunk beat me up
when I was travelling alone Dibuk gexak suge way gocyite
numih gabat yoo yoogore
B

B
beauty [bju~ti] n qàxa She now has a beauty she didn’t have
when young Is qunxa mariinol luk suge wayte qaxa bahte
beautiful [bju~tIfl¢] adj qàxmeqe The eyes are attracted by
a beautiful girl Inti qaxmeqe awkat wagarta
beautify [bju~tifAI] v.tr qàxa eymeeqe I am trying to
beautify myself Anu inni qaxa aymaaqem gabbata
because [bIkÅ~z] sub.conj sababa Because I didn’t want to do
my work, I left Anu inni taama abam faxe weemih sababah
cabeh
beckon [bE~kn¢] v.intr gaba ...h case My uncle beckoned to
me in a crowded place Sinam elle mango-ikkel yi qammi
gaba yoh case
beckoning [bE~k´nIN] adj ascassih His beckoning finger
caught my attention Kay ascassih feera hangi yok beyte
become [bIkø~m] 1 v.intr ekke He became a good student
at school Usuk iskoolal meqe darsaytu yekke 2 v.tr ...-l lùk
gexe Green doesn’t become her Inxixi teetil luk magexa
bed [bE~d] n olloyta; kaqaada; qarkayto Do you know how
to make a bed? Olloyta elle bicsaninna maay taaxige? I
gave up my bed for the guest Anu inni kaqaada qibnaytuh
cabe The bed we made of palm leaf rope lasted us a long
time Caawiyatak bicisne qarkayto kibu nel lih sugte
bedbug [bE~dbøg] n qasaàla This bed is full of bugs
(bedbugs) A fiddima qasaalak kibuk tan
bedridden [bE~drIdn¢] adj qarkaytò num (nùmu) That
illness left him bedridden Woo biyak qarkayto num kaa abe
bedroom [bE~drUm] n xintimà goli This house has two
bedrooms A qari namma xintima goli le
bedspread [bE~dsprEd] n kaqaàdassaro Bring out the best
bedspread for the guest! Qibnaytuh inkih tayse kaqaadassaro
acuy!
bee [bi~] n diidaalèyta Bees suck nectar from flower after
flower Diidaale qobortaak qobortak xaqamu xugta
beehive [bi~hAIv] n diidaalè goodu We got a lot of honey
from the beehive Diidaale goodut kaxxa malab geyne
beef [bi~f] n laahì cado Goat meat is tastier than beef Wadar
cado laahi cadok salfah tayseh
beep [bi~p] ‘bib’ Who is making the car ‘beep’? Baabur ‘bib’
haytam iyyay?
beer [bi~r] n biira Drinking beer is forbidden among us
Biira yaaqubeenimil ni garil madqa desso tan
beetle [bi~tl] n ingaahiyo / conkokollo Beetles don’t harm
people Ingaahiyo / Conkokollo tu sinaamal mabahta
beetroot [bi~trut] n bitraaf (bitraàfa) Beetroot is good for
anaemic people Bitraaf qabali dagna le marah meqe
before [bIfO~] 1 sub.conj dabùrul / dùmal / nahàral elle Why
didn’t you go to the doctor before you got very ill? Biyaakah
umannal gactaamak daburul / dumal / naharal elle daktoorul
macah gexe wayte? 2 prep 1 ...-k dùmal He came before
you Usuk kok dumal yemeete I have seen him before this
26
Anu ahak dumal kaa ubleh suge 2 ...-k qansal Stand
before me! Yok qansal sol!
befriend [bifrE~nd] v.tr wadaysite; raddowsise I befriended
the new student Qusbih yemeete darsaytu wadaysite
Before I mounted the horse I befriended him Faras feerak
dumal kaa raddowsise
beg [bE~g] v.tr kallace The boy begged his father to put him
in school Awki abba iskoolat kaa hayuh kallace
beggar [bE~g´] n maàluh xaaqsime Beggars sleep on the
pavement Maaluh xaaqsima giti qaxal xinta
begging [bE~gIN] n maalixaqto Begging is degrading
Maalixaqto numuk qakkos le
begin [bIgI~n] v.tr qimbise I began school at an early age
Anu iskoola qunxih qimbise
beginner [bIgI~n´] n qimbisà num (nùmu) He is a
beginner at this work Usuk a taama qimbisa numu
beginning [bIgI~nIN] n qimbo He was good at the
beginning Usuk qimbol muquk suge
begrudge [bIgrø~dZ] v.tr faxè wee He begrudged helping me
Usuk faxe waak yoo cate
behave [bIhe~v] v.intr 1 qàmal le; taamite He is nice to
others but behaves badly at home Usuk iro maral meqeh, isi
buxal uma qamal le How does your new car behave?
Qusba baabur, a way litoh iyya, manninnah taamitta? 2
càyyal eelle My son behaves himself when he goes to
other people’s houses Yi baxi marin buxaaxi gexa waqdi
cayyal yaalle
behaviour [bIhe~vj´] n gexgèxit (gexgèxiti) What is his
behaviour like? Gexgexit kaak manna le?
behead [bIhE~d] v.tr moyyà kale Behead him! Moyya kaak
kal!
beheading [bIhE~dIN] n amokàlti / moyyakàlti They
sentenced him to beheading for murder Usuk num qideemih
sabbatah amokalti / moyyakalti cokmi kaal aben
behind [bIhA~Ind] 1 prep -k ... widir (widìri); -k ... làkat Put
the cart behind the horse! Gaari farasak widirit hayis! He
always goes behind his father Usuk ìnki isi-abbak lakat gexa
2 adv 1 darrèh ene He is behind in school Usuk barittol
darreh yan 2 widìrih / elle I asked him to remain behind
Anu widirih / elle raaqam kaa essere
behold [bIho~ld] v.tr esseleeleqe His work is a joy to behold
Kay taama yassaleeleqeenimit tassa tan
belch [bE~ltS] v.intr dingaaqite I belched after the food I ate
last night Bir okme maaqok lakal dingaaqiteh
belief [bIli~f] n kibaal (kibaàla) His belief in his friend was
misplaced Usuk isi kataysal hee kibaal arac kaak magenna
believe [bIli~v] v.tr niya le I believe my father will return
today Anu yi-abba a saaku gaceleemih niya liyo
believer [bIli~v´] n yaaminè num (nùmu) He is a believer
in the future Usuk beerih ayrol yaamine numu

ell [bE~l] n baadònta The school bell rings every morning
Iskoola baadonti kulli saaku kaluuluwita
belligerence [bIli~dZr´ns] n wiìl inti He exhibits belligerence
to people who love peace Usuk wagari faxa mara wiil intit
yable
bellow [bE~low] v.intr aleekise / boogise Why is the boy
bellowing? Awki macah aleekisa / boogisa?
bellowing [bE~lowIN] n garad (garàda) We heard the
bellowing of the bull from afar Nanu xer-ikkek awur garad
noobbe
bellows [bE~loz] n.pl ufuyfeyna The blacksmith has bellows
Kuuryaaguri ufuyfeyna le
belly [bE~li] n gàrba The boy’s belly was swollen from
hunger Awki garbi qululuk gexxaamah ufuuteh
belong [bIlÅ~N] v.intr ikoytiinò le; le / …-im (…-ìmi) That
book belongs to me Woo buuk ikoytiinoh liyo To whom
does this book belong? A buuk iyyi le? / A buuk iyyinimi?
belongings [bIlÅ~NgINgz] n.pl duyye We want to collect
our belongings from the house Nanu ninni duyye qarik
beynam fanxa
beloved [bIlø~vId] n kacanòyta He is my beloved Usuk yi
kacanoyta
below [bIlo~] 1 prep adda; gubaàmo He is below me in
class Usuk barittol yok addah yan; They live below us Oson
nek gubaamol guubuh yanin 2 adv guba Put the book on
top of the desk, not below! Buuk kutub qarrah amol hayis,
guba hinnah
belt 1 [bE~lt] n qarum (qarùmu) I have a belt round my waist
because the trousers are too big for me Sirwaal yok
yembeemih sabbatah qarum maaxayal liyo
belt 2 [bE~lt] v.intr fixite On seeing his teacher, the boy
belted round the corner Kabir elle yuble-ikkel, awki qari
sangerri kabuk fixite
bench [bE~ntS] n xèr daffeynah caxxa The children sat five
on a bench Urri xer daffeynah caxxih amol konoy akkuk
daffe
benchmark [bE~ntSmAk] n maddat (maddàta) His
performance set a good benchmark Kay abit meqe maddat
yuybulluye
bend [bE~nd] 1 v.tr golbaqe Don’t bend the picture!
Taswiir magolbaqin! Bring me a stick which has been
bent! Golbaqen caxxa yoh bah! 2 n mako That road has
many bends in it Woo giti makooki mango
bend over [bE~nd o~v´] v.intr ...-t cangooge The teacher
bent over to see the pupil’s writing Kabir darsayti kutbe
wagituh kaat cangooge
beneath [bIniT] prep 1 gùba Sit beneath the tree! Caxak
gubal daffey! 2 addàh ene I am beneath his consideration
Kay loowok addah an
27
benefactor [bE~nIfœkt´] n maruwwàt baqla / meqembàrli
Who is your benefactor? Ku maruwwat baqli / meqembarli
iyyay?
beneficial [bEnIfiSl¢] adj tuxxìq le A cool country is
beneficial to health Xamcin baaxo qaafiyatah tuxxiq le Your
advice is beneficial for me Ku fayi yoh tuxxiq le
beneficiary [bEnIfiS´rI¢] n nagareèna My father was a
beneficiary of his will Kay farrintol yi-abba nagareenak ten
benefit [bE~nIfIt] 1 n meqemgey (meqemgèyi); tuxxiq
(tuxxiìqi) The reason I did that was for your benefit Woh
akah abem ku meqemgeyi Education has benefits Baritto
isih tuxxiq le 2 v.tr ...-h xiqe Learning English will
benefit you somewhat Ingiliis af barittam tuk teyna koh
xiqele
benevolence [b´nE~vln¢s] n meqemmariino Because of his
benevolence many people take money / things from him
Kay meqemmariinok gexxaamah mango mari duyye kaak
beeta
benign [bInA~In] adj 1 meqèllat le My father exerts a benign
influence on the people Yi-abba meqellat le xagis sinaamal
lih le 2 dùrri mali He has a benign growth Usuk xagarat
durri sinni kuxba le
bent [bE~nt] adj golbaqò le As the blade is bent the knife
does not cut well Af akak golbaqo leemih sabbatah gile
nagay matargiqa
bequeath [bIkwi~D] v.tr farriime He bequeathed his car to his
brother Usuk isi baabur isi toobokoytah farriime
bequest [bIkwE~st] n farrimtonnàgara She received a bequest
for her schooling from a rich man Gaddali teetih tubbarittoh
cabe farrimtonnagara tontoccowwime
bereave [bIri~v] v.tr wàyi hee / waysiise Don’t bereave me of
your presence! Isi xayna wayi yoo mahan / Isi xayna yoo
mawaysiisin!
berth [b‰~T] 1 n 1 dikkat (dikkàta) What berth is the
British ship moored at? Ingiliis markab edde yiqissigem maa
dikkatay? 2 xintimàh arac (aràca) The traveller got a
berth on the ship Gexenti markab amol xintimah arac gee
2 v.tr dikkàtat cigaade At what time did they berth the
ship? Markab maa saaqatal dikkatat cigaaden
berth - give a wide v.intr ...-k baxxòl gexe I gave that bad
man’s house a wide berth Anu woo uma numih qarik baxxol
gexe
beseech [bIsi~tS] v.tr kallace She besought her mother to
send her to the wedding Digib xoklah tet rubtu is isi-ina
kallacte
beside [bIsA~Id] 1 prep xàqu The boy sits beside his
brother Awki isi toobokoytih xaqul daffeya
besides [bIsA~Idz] adv ossotinah kaadu They have good
clothes and much money besides Oson meqe sartan luk,
ossotinah kaadu mango lakqo lon 2 prep kàlah I have
B

B
another brother besides Omar Qumaarak kalah gersi
toobokòyta liyo
besiege [bIsi~dZ] 1 v.tr awqekàlat maraasiye Their enemies
besieged the town Ken naqabtooli magaala awqekalat
maraasiyeh 2 fig qoxxise The crowd besieged the shop
where the food they were waiting for arrived Waak sugen
maaqiddi elle yemeete-ikkel, sinam dokkaan afal titta
qoxxisse
best [bE~st] 1 adj meqe So, it is best to go home Aysah,
buxah gexeh meqe 2 sup.adj inkìh eyse; qas She is the
best pupil Is barittol inkih tayse darsayto My best friend
helped me Yi qas kataysa yoo cate
best man [bE~st mœn] n aligge, qarùs maqanxa Who will
you have for your best man at your wedding? Digibtu
wayta saaku aliggeh / qarus maqanxah iyya haysite lito?
bet [bE~t] 1 n sàrti We made a bet that he and I would not
quarrel Yoo kee kaa qeebi tittat abe waynu waynaamih sarti
culne 2 v.tr sàrti ...cule He bet you that he would win
Usuk ayseleemih sarti kol lih cule
betray [bItre~] v.tr oysocowwe; gane That man betrayed me
to the police Woo num boliisil yoo yoysocowweh He
betrayed my trust in him Usuk anu kaal luk suge aamantina
ganeh
betrayal [bItre~´l~] n gano Their betrayal of him was
unforgivable Kaat aben gano qafuuka mali
better [bE~t´] adj 1 qaffoote He is better from his sickness
Usuk lakimak qaffoote 2 eyse It is better for you to go
Gexxam koh tayse
better (than) [bE~t´r “D´n‘] 1 adj compar ...-k eyse His
writing was better than before Kay kutbe dumak tayse 2
adv ...-k eyse; ...-k iysiise I want you to do better at
reading than this Ahak yayse kiriyaati abtam kok faxa He
performs better than I do Usuk yok yaysiiseh
better off - be [bi bE~t´r Åf] v.intr taysè fayda gee If we
sell those goats we will be better off Woo wadar neylemmek
tayse fayda geyenno
between [bItwi~n] prep fànat Six is between five and seven
Lecey konoy kee malcin fanat yan
between, in [In bItwi~n] prep.adv fanat There are books in
between those clothes Woo sarih fanat buukaat yan
beware [bIwE~´r] v.tr cùbbi gee; garace wee Beware of the
dog! Kutak cubbi gey! Beware of that man! Woo numuh
magarcitin!
bewilder [bIwI~ld´] v.tr badise The many streets in the town
bewildered me Magaalal gititte manga yoo badisse That
question bewildered me Woo essero yoo badisse
bewilderment [bIwI~ld´m´nt] n badit (badìti) She walked
through the town in bewilderment Is magaalah adda baditit
gexxe
bewitch [bIwI~tS] v.tr baàb ...-l abe He bewitched me Baab
yol abe
28
bewitching [bIwI~tSIN] adj seèlis le / biniyto le / musuyto le
She has a bewitching smile Is seelis le / biniyto le /
musuyto le
beyond [bIyÅ~nd] prep ...-k biso We visited places beyond
Randa Nanu Randak bisoh raqta arooca boosah genxe
The house is beyond the well Qari qeelak bisoh yan
Bible [bA~Ibl¢] n Gudsì Kitab (Kitaàba) / Bàybil (Bàybili) The
Bible is the truth Gudsi Kitab / Baybil nummak yen
biceps [bA~IsEps] n tobdo Coolies have strong biceps
Xooquh xiina gibdi tobdo le
bicycle [bA~IsIkl¢] n baskil (baskìli) I fell off my bicycle many
times Anu baskilik mango waqdi rade
bid [bI~d] 1 n limommìiso My father made a higher bid
than any others for the fat doe goat at the auction Caraagal
yi-abba gabul le reytal muxxutta limommiiso abe 2 v.tr 1
limommìiso exce Who bid the highest amount? Muxxutta
limoomiiso intem iyyay? 2 ...-k exce On leaving, the
sailor bade / bid his mother goodbye Bahriyayti elle safareikkel
isi-inak ‘Salaamata’ iyye
bier [bi~´] n raysì caxxa Four men carried the bier Affara
num raysi caxxa yukkuqe
big [bI~g] adj 1 gàmbi naba; naba He is a big man Usuk
gambi naba numu That is a big house Woh naba qari 2
kaxxa He has become a big man Usuk kaxxa num yekke
bigger [bI~g´] adj.compar naba He is bigger than me Usuk
yok nabah
bighead [bI~ghEd] n ìsit tu yakkali The bighead praises
himself Isit tu yakkali is faylisa
bigamy [bI~g´mi] n caggiino In England bigamy is
forbidden Ingiliis baaxol caggiino haysitaanam madqa
deessah
bigamist [bI~g´mIst] n caggò baqla A bigamist has lots of
trouble Caggo baqli kaxxa taqabi le
bile [bA~Il] n tirobbagìh caysossik tawqe lee The bile which
comes from the gall-bladder helps digest food Tirobbagih
caysossik tawqe lee maaqo riyoh tu xiqta
bilious [bI~lIy´s] adj quwwè le A person who feels
bilious vomits Quwwe le num alliitah
bilharzia [bIlhA~tsIj´] n qadlakìma Some of the people living
in Badda have bilharzia Badda deqsitta baaxoh marak tu
qadlakima le
bilingual [bAIlI~Nw´l] adj nammà afih ixxiga le That man is
bilingual Woo num namma afih ixxiga le
bill [bI~l] 1 n 1 magoytà warkat (warkàta) That man has a
bill at the shop Woo num magoyta warkat dokkaanal le 2
damum (damuùmu) The pelican has a large bill Qandooli
kaxxa damum le 2 v.tr magoytà abe They will bill me
for this Ahim magoyta yol abelon
billet [bIlIt] n obtì qari The government provides billets for
soldiers away from camp Qaskar gasok kalihi-ikke gexxa
waqdi doolat obti qari keenih tacee

illy-goat [bI~li-got] 1 n dabeèla A castrated billy-goat
gets very fat Sangisen dabeeli kaxxa gabul baaha 2 also
buck-goat
bi-monthly [bA~I-mønTlI] adj tirfìq ayyaamih We make bimonthly
payments to them Nanu tirfiq ayyaamih lakqo
keenih nace
bin [bI~n] n caffì kafaq (kafàqa) Throw this rubbish in the
bin! A guddaafa caffi kafaqat qid!
bind [bA~Ind] 1 v.tr 1 boòr malmaale The doctor bound
the wound well Daktoor dalel boor nagay malmaale 2 oxe
They bound the palm leaves together Oson qunga tittat
yoxen 2 n calway (calwàya) That’s a bit of a bind Woh
isi-ikkeh calwayak tanih tan
bind up [bA~Ind øp] v.tr karìqqa-hee The thieves bound up
the family head Garaaqa buxah abba karìqqa-hayte
binoculars [bInÅ~kjul´z] n.pl naadur (naaduùru) You can see
far off with binoculars Naaduurul xeeri-ikke tablu dudda
biography [bAIyÅ~gr´fI] n manòh aydaad His biography is
very entertaining Kay manoh aydaad kaxxa maqalmiqit /
wahanis le
biology [bAIyÅ~l´dZi] n roòci leemih misso / bayologi One
who wants to be a doctor must study biology Daktoor
yakkem faxa num rooci leemih misso / bayologi baritaama
biped [bA~IpEd] n nammà-iba le One selects the mother for
bipeds but the sire for quadrupeds Namma-iba lek ina
dooraanah, affara-iba lek moynob dooran (Afar proverb)
bird [b‰~d] n haadàytu; kimbiro The crow is one of the big
birds Kuraani haadayak tiyak teyna Small birds lay their
eggs in nests in trees Kimbir caxah amot le kimbiroqaril
naala xala
bird of prey [b‰~d ´v pre] n gàli le ala A bird of prey kills
and eats small animals Gali le ali qunxa allluwwa qawah,
yakme
birth [b‰~T] n ubka What day did his birth take place? Kay
ubka maa saaku tekke?
birth, giving [gIvIN b‰~T] n xalay (xalàya) Giving birth is
best done with a midwife in attendance Xalay ullatina garil
yakkem aysuk raqta
birthplace [b‰~Tples] n ellè yooboke baaxo No one ever
forgets his birthplace Num elle yooboke baaxo inkinnah
mahabbaala / mahawweena
birth, high [hA~I b‰~T] expres. nasàb baxa He is of high
birth Usuk nasab baxa
birthday [b‰~Tde] n ubkàh ayro All Christians rejoice at the
celebration of the birthday of Jesus Yaasus ubkah ayro
baadal tan Koros inkih wallitak tassakaxxe
biscuit [bI~skIt] n buskut (buskùtu) Small children like
biscuits a lot Qunxa urri buskut nabam kicina
bit [bI~t] n 1 qunxu-ikke Give me a bit of that bread! Woo
furuntuk qunxu-ikke yoh acuy! 2 lugam (lugaàma) A
horse with a bit in its mouth can be led anywhere Lugaamat
29
tan faras elle bennaan qaxal gexxa
bit by bit [bI~t bAI bIt] adv maaqattà maaqattal I will gain
the educational standard I want bit by bit Anu barittok faxa
caddo maaqatta maaqattal gufeyyo
bitch [bI~tS] n kuta; gadma The bitch in our house gave birth
to five pups Ni buxal tan kuta xaylok konoy xalte A
jackal’s female pup is called a bitch Wakri baxa gadma
deqsitta
bite [bA~It] 1 n makum (makùmu) A snake bite can kill
Baaxot ali makum qidam duudah 2 v.tr ...-t are, okme
The boy bit the man’s finger on purpose Awki gorcih
numuk feerat are I bit my tongue by mistake Garcik
arraabat innik are It is said that a man who has been
bitten by a camel is left without strength Rakub yokme num
maqar luk maraaqa iyyaana
bite to eat [bA~It tU it] phr cimiima, kidfonta Give me a
bite to eat! Cimiima / Kidfonta yoh acuy!
bitter [bI~t´] adj qeerò le The leaves of the alayto tree are
very bitter Alaytoh ayyuufi umannah qeero le Bitter
speaking gives no pleasure to the hearer Qeero le yab
yaabbe marah rufto mayaca
bitterness [bI~t´n´s] n qeero Because of his anger he
speaks with bitterness Usuk yemneeqebeemih sabbatah
qeero le yaabat yaaba
bizarre [bIzA~] adj àfdur mali / afèyta màli His behaviour is
bizarre Kay gexsit afdur mali / afeyta mali
black [blœk] 1 adj data My uncle’s car is black Yi
qammih baabur datah 2 n dìti I like black Anu diti
kiciyyo
blacken [blœ~k´n] v.tr 1 dattoyse Today clouds have
blackened the sky A saaku qamburre qaran dattosse 2
bayise Lies blackened his name Dirab migaq kaak bayise
blackness [blœ~kn´s] n dìti He has his father’s blackness
Usuk isi abbah diti le
blackboard [blœ~kbOd] n datluc (datluùcu) / sabbuura
Whiteboards not blackboards are used in schools now
Axayyu iskoolal datluucit / sabbuurit aftoh qadluucit lon
blacksmith [blœ~ksmIT] n kuuryaagùri The blacksmith
forges very good knives Kuuryaaguri nabam meqe gileela
yaysorooroce
bladder [blœ~d´] n caysossi Urine comes from the bladder
Cayso / Data daaco caysossik tamaate
blade [ble~d] n gilèh af (àfa) The blade needs sharpening
Gileh af samlisaanam faxa
blame [ble~m] 1 v.tr bayite He blamed his brother for his
own mistake Usuk isih abeh yen qellatah isi toobokoyta
bayite 2 n bàyu They laid no blame on him Bayu kaat
maabinnon
blame on, pin the [pin D´ ble~m on] idiom v.tr ...-t bàyu cabe
They tried to pin the blame on me for the accident Tekke
qawwalaylah bayu yot cabaanam faxen
B

B
blameless [ble~ml´s] adj bàyu màli This man is blameless
A num bayu mali
blank [blœ~Nk] 1 n baxxo Leave a blank between words!
Qangor fanat baxxo cab! 2 adj foyya When they
developed his photographs they were blank Usuk hee
taswiir kaqlisen waqdi foyyak suge
blank, go idiom v.intr ...-k eerre When the teacher asked
me a question, my mind had gone blank Kabir essero yol
essere waqdi kas yok yeerreh suge
blanket [blœ~NkIt] n guula / kobborta It is impossible to sleep
without a blanket when it is cold Wacti uddur guula /
kobborta malih xiinaanam matakka We shared a blanket
against the cold Waacak kobborta gamisne
blaspheme [blœsfi~m] v.tr xagite Don’t blaspheme God!
Yalla maxagitin!
blasphemy [blœ~sf´mi] n qayto / xàgit (xàgiti) We don’t
want to hear your blasphemy! Atu Yallat abta qayto / xagit
naabbem mafanxa!
blast [blA~st] 1 n qàwit (qàwiti) The blast caused a huge
amount of debris Yekke qawit mango bulle cabe 2 v.intr
qawite The enemy guns blasted away all night Qaduwwi
gira gidiidin bar qawitte 3 v.tr iggile The government’s
refusal blasted my hopes Doolat abte cina niya yok tiggile
blaze [ble~z] 1 v.intr habuubugute / handeede When that
house was on fire it blazed furiously Woo qarit gira gexxe
waqdi kaxxam habuubugutte / handedde 2 n habuubugo /
hànded (hàndedi) Firemen put out the blaze Giraxxeero
habuubugo / handed bargusseh
bleach [bli~tS] 1 v.tr qadoyse The sun bleached his hair
Ayro xagor kaak qaddosseh 2 n barakiina They whiten
their clothes in bleach Ken sara barakiinat qaddoysan
bleat [bli~t] v.intr bàq-exce When it needs its mother a lamb
bleats Anaqti isi-inah waytih bàq-iyya
bleed [bli~d] v.intr qabale The cut I got from the knife bled
profusely Gile yok tirgiqe-ikke nabam yok qabalte; The
scrape on my hand only bled superficially Gabak yok
musuqutte-ikke dagom qabalte
blemish [blE~mIS] n ayma / wara The place on my lip where
it was bitten by the boy has left a blemish Awki soktot yok
edde are-ikke ayma / wara luk raqte; That new cloth had a
blemish Woo qusba saro ayma luk sugte
blend [blE~nd] 1 v.tr loke She blended the cake ingredients
smoothly together Is keekit haan maaqo tittat nagay lokte 2
n asgòlla I like this blend of coffee Anu a bunih asgolla
raabitah
bless [blE~s] v.tr ebeereke; barkàt ...-t hee The father blessed
his children Abba isi xaylo yebeereke God has blessed
me Yalli barkat yot hee
bless you! [blE~s yu] Interj islic! / Yallih racmatta kol obtay!
They said “Bless you!” when I sneezed Anu sanite waqdi
“Islic!” yok iyyen / Anu sanite waqdi “Yallih racmatta kol
30
obtay!” yok iyyen
blessing [blE~sIN] n barkat (barkàta) May God give you
His blessing! Yalli isi barkat kol oobisay!
blight [blA~It] 1 n orongoòba That tree has a blight Woo
caxa orongooba le 2 v.tr eyleyye Don’t blight my
hopes! Liyo niya yok maylayyin!
blind [blA~Ind] adj inti màli / intìk barrite My father is blind
Yi-abba inti màli / intik barriteh
blindly [blA~Indli] adv badìtit; qamàyah; cedè kalah The
boy followed his friend blindly Awki isi kataysa baditit
kataye; The boy ran blindly from the burning house Awki
qarit gexxa girak qamayah kude; Don’t go into that business
blindly! Woo badaaqatat cede kalah maculin!
blind person [blA~Ind p‰s´n] n intimàli The blind man
nearly fell into a hole Intimali boodot rade xaaxe / raare
blind spot [blA~Ind spÅt] n 1 (idiom) boola I have a blind
spot in maths Anu cisaabal boola liyo 2 intik qellu That
car passed me on my blind spot Woo baabur yok intik qellu
le-ikke gace
blindness [blA~Indn´s] n intiwayto Where did her
blindness come from? Tet intiwayto macak tibbixe?
blindfold [blA~Indfold] v.tr intìl saro ...-k hee He
blindfolded him for the game Usuk digiruh intil saro kaak
hee
blink [blI~Nk] v.intr baràc-exce Because of the dust getting
into my eyes, I blinked Fulle intit yok raddeemih sabbatah
inti baràc yok inte
blinkers [blI~Nk´z] n.pl selatqèllis (selatqèllisi) Blinkers
are put on horses to make them look ahead only Selatqellis
faras selaatil akah haanam qarsa fanah dibuk tablem-gidih
blinkered [blI~Nk´d] adj qèltu le Politicians have a
blinkered approach to suggestions made to them Siyaasa
mari keenil xayyoosen esserol qeltu le tummabul le
blister [blI~st´] 1 n albo I have a blister where I was burnt
Gira yok tokme-ikke albo yok bahte 2 v.intr albite The
burn on my finger has blistered Feeral liyo cararow yok
albite
blithe [blA~ID] adj maqàl màli A man with no responsibility
can be blithe Fillal tu akak ane wayta num maqal mali yakke
bloated [blo~tId] 1 adj caffuye The drowned goat’s body
was bloated Lee beyte reyta caffuyte 2 v.intr qarbite /
qadidde I feel bloated with food Anu maaqot qarbita /
qadidda
block [blÅ~k] 1 v.tr alife / medmede; hoore / karawwade A
fallen tree blocked the road Radde caxa gita alifte /
medmedde Dirt in the pipe blocked the water Bombah
addat yan wasak lee hooreh / karawwadeh 2 n gundi
Bring me a block of wood! Gurumuddak gundi yoh bah!
orèn xaa I need a block of stone Anu xeetik oren xaa faxah
blockade [blÅke~d] n awqekàla / culekàla The soldiers put
up a blockade at the entrance to the town Qaskar magaalah
culmal awqekalat / culekalat hayte

lockage [blÅ~kIdZ] n karàwwad (karàwwada) There is a
blockage in the vein Ramadal karawwad yan
blood [blø~d] n qabàla We will shed our blood for our
country Ninni baaxol qabala caxenno
blood feud [blø~d fjud] n biìlu There is a blood feud
between two clans in that country Woo baaxol namma
xaala fanat biili yan
blood relationship [blø~d rIle~SnSIp] n qablì ramaddiinu
They have a blood relationship Oson qabli ramaddiinu lon
bloodshed [blø~dSEd] n qabalicàyxi We don’t want any
more bloodshed Nanu tahak widirih qabalicayxi mafanxa
blood vessel [blø~d vEsl¢] qabalì ramad (ramàda) Blood is
carried throughout the body by blood vessels Qabali xagar
addat edde gexam qabali ramooda
bloom [blu~m] 1 n birro After rain the field was covered
with bloom Robti lakal woo booxa birrot buulumte 2 v.intr
birrite These flowers bloom ever year A birro kulli sanat
birritta
blossom [blÅ~s´m] 1 n qobor (qoboòru) That tree has
beautiful blossom Woo caxa qaxmeqe qobor le 2 v.intr
qoboore Trees usually blossom in Spring Dabaabal xeflih
coox qoboora
blot [blÅ~t] n midàd xarba Who made a blot on this paper?
A warkatal midad xarba cabtem iyyay?
blot one’s copybook idiom migàq isik xarraboyse It is
wrong to blot one’s copybook! Num migaq isik xarraboysam
mameqe
blot out [blÅ~t AUt] v.tr.colloc duuge They blotted out my
name from their book Oson yi migaq ken buukuk duugeenih
blouse [blA~Uz] n kurta / samiid (samiìdi) That woman
always wears a beautiful blouse Woo barra kulli saaku
qaxmeqe kurta / samiid haysitta
blow [blo] 1 v.tr fùf-hee When the fire wouldn’t light I
blew it into life Gira yoh ureh cinte waqdi fùf-haak tet uruse
2 v.intr rade A strong wind was blowing yesterday
Kimal kaxxa caacay radak ase 3 n bòod (bòodu) / atka /
diiso The girl suffered a nasty blow on her cheek when
she fell Awkà elle tinnikisse-ikkel xebesit uma bood teetik
yekke; He gave him a blow on the head Usuk amot atka /
diiso kaak abe 4 fig niyaddìglo Their decision was a
blow to him Ken garuq niyaddiglo kaal tekke
blow down [blo~ dAUn] v.tr.colloc ufùyut bee The wind
blew our tent down Caacay siraq qari nek ufuyut bee
blow over [blo~ ov´] v.intr.prep bade / rabe Their quarrel
will soon blow over Ken daqwat xayuk badele / rabele
blow up [blo~ øp] 1 v.tr.prep ufuyse The boy blew up
the balloon Awki isi ufuffa ufuyse bombat bayise
Soldiers blew up the enemy tank Macaxi qaduwwi
dabbaaba bombat bayise 2 v.intr oogore A storm is
blowing up Caacay le rob aagurele
blowfly [blo~flAI] n ugùbta The blowfly hovers over faeces
Ugubti caari-amol haadah
31
blue [blu] 1 adj kuclin; bulcin Bring me a blue dress!
Kuclin kamis yoh bah!; Some Europeans have blue eyes
Irobba narak tu bulcin inti le 2 n kuclinan (kuclinaàna)
Blue is the colour I like best Kuclinan anu akah lafita bisu
blue, become [bIkø~m blu] v.intr kuclinoowe When washed
together with a blue cloth the white one became blue Qado
saro kuclin saro lih kaqlisan waqdi kuclinowteh
blue in the face. go v.intr.phr laclaacit le macal I nearly
went blue in the face correcting him from error Qellatak kaa
gacisam laclaacit le macal yol akke xaaxe
blunder [blø~nd´] n qèllat (qèllata) Because I made a small
blunder they gave me a warning Dago qellat abeemih
sabbatah maabitina yoh yeceen
blunder into [blø~nd´r I~ntu] 1 v.intr gàrcik ...-t boode
He blundered into me Usuk garcik yot boode 2 fig gàrcik
...-t obsite We blundered into their discussion Nanu ken
agaaradat garcik obsitne
blunt [blø~nt] 1 adj àf male I got tired of sharpening the
blunt knife Af sinni gileh arbaqot taqabe 2 fig qadò-ufuy
[qadoòfuy] le, kafìn yab le A blunt person hates sham
Qadoofuy le / Kafin yab le num celsis niqbah
bluntly [blø~ntli] adv qadò-ufuyut He doesn’t keep what
he hears to himself, but speaks out bluntly Usuk yoobbem
mayaaquray, qado-ufuyut yaaba
blur [bl‰] 1 n beleyya I saw a blur in the distance Xeriikkel
taniimik beleyya uble 2 v.tr ...-k awaywayise The
cataract blurred my sight Intibulci mabul yok awaywayise
blush [blø~S] v.intr foocì qassoowe She blushed out of
shyness Wacarriyek gexxaamah fooci teetik qassoowe
board [bO~d] 1 n luucat (luucàta) They put a board over
the hole Oson luucat boodoh amol heen saqolti The
school board advised the teachers Iskoola saqolti kabirwah
fayu tece) xintàk makmokmàaqabo I paid 1,000 francs a
day for my board Anu xintak makmokmaaqaboh kulli saaku
alfi faranka acayuk suge 2 v.tr 1 safarfèrta abe What
time will he board the ship? Usuk markabat safarferta maa
saaqatah abeleh? 2 galdaddaqìn luucut alife I boarded up
the hole in the house Galdaddaqin luucut qari booha alife
boast [bo~st] 1 v.intr hidà le, hobbiyò le That man boasts a
lot Woo num kaxxa hida le / hobbiyo le 2 n hiddoot
(hiddoòtu) It was his boast that he never told a lie Kay
hiddoot usuk dirab inkinnah ace waamah
boat [bo~t] n doonik (doonìki) They went by boat to
Tadjourah Oson Tagorri fan doonikit safaren
boatman [bo~tm´n] n bacriyàytu Where the boat goes the
boatman goes with it Bacriyayti doonik gexennaani-ikke
doonikit gexa
bobbin [bÅ~bIn] n erqicàxxa, tufùl marmarisso Bring me a
(cotton) bobbin! Erqicaxxa / Tuful marmarisso yol bah!
body [bÅ~di] n 1 xagar (xagàra) Sport makes the body
strong Xagardig xagar maqar bahsiisa 2 màsu Mother
B

B
makes soup with body to it Yi-ina masu le sorba alassa 3
num (nùmu) In such circumstances, a body doesn’t know
what to do Wonnah yan caalatal num abam isik mayaaxiga
4 egla The rebels formed a body in opposition to the
government Xukkocina doolatak saduh egla xisse
bodyguard [bÅ~digAd] n amò dacrise / amoddàcroyta
Bodyguards never leave the President by himself Amo
dacrisa / Amoddacroytit Ummuunoh Abba dibuk macabta
bog [bÅ~g] n suùbi There are no bogs in the countryside
Barril suubi mali
bog down [bÅ~g dAUn] 1 phr.v.tr kobbite The car got
bogged down in the mud Baabur suxqit kobbitte 2 fig
kaxkaxàh ene / debrime He is bogged down with work
Usuk taamat kaxkaxah yan / debrimeh
bogus [bo~g´s] adj cèlsis He produced bogus papers Usuk
celsis waraakit xayyoose
boil 1 [bO~Il] 1 v.intr face Is the water boiling? Lee maay
facta? 2 v.tr facise I boiled water for tea Anu saahih lee
facise
boiler [bO~Il´] n lèellaqseyna Our central heating boiler
broke down, so we called in the plumber Buxa huurisa
leellaqseyni nek yiddigilleh, wohuh lee bombah naggaar
bahne
boil with anger [bO~Il wID œ~ng´] phr.v.intr.idiom nàqbuh
mirriime She boiled with anger because of the wrong
done to her Umam teetil baaheenimih sabbatah naqbuh
mirrimte
boil 2 [bO~Il] n dombàltu A boil is very painful Dombalti
kaxxa biyak le
bold [bo~ld] adj dambàr le My son is bold Yi baxi dambar le;
He is bold enough to face great danger Usuk kaxxa katar
leemit garayuh dambar dudda akah le
boldness [bo~ld¢n´s] n dambar (dambàra) He speaks with
boldness about whatever he likes Usuk isi faxaamat dambar
luk yaaba
bolt 1 [bo~lt] 1 v.intr gilite A horse bolts when it comes to a
place where it has been startled Faras duma elle wiriggitteikke
gufta waqdi gilittah 2 v.tr suxuuxuke The boy
bolted his food Awki maaqo suxuuxukak yokme
bolt 2 [bo~lt] 1 n sakkaati Make sure the bolt is properly
engaged! Sakkaati nagay culussemke arcis! 2 v.tr sakkaatì
hayise Bolt the door! Afat sakkaati hayis!
bomb [bÅ~m] 1 n bombi / kumbula They hit the house with
a bomb Qarit bombi / kumbula heen 2 v.tr bombi qide
Invaders bombed the main road Warare mari kaxxa gital
bombi qide
bond [bÅ~nd] n fantaàxaw (fantaàxawa) A bond has been
forged between them Fantaaxaw ken fanat yekke
bone [bo~n] 1 n lafa A cow’s bones are stronger than a
goat’s Laahi lafa maqarah wadar lafak tagibdiye 2 v.tr
lafoofise Bone the chicken for me please! Dorrahiyta yoh
32
lafoofisey, ku maganak!
bony [bo~ni] adj lafoofi She is bony Is lafoofi
bonny [bÅ~ni] adj mulkuqe That baby is bonny Woo saldi
mulkuqeh
bonus [bo~n´s] n 1 faatallàkqo They gave her a bonus at the
place where she worked Is elle taamitak sugte-ikkel
faatallakqo teetih yeexegen 2 kulsafàyda Meeting you
here is a bonus Akkel kot akah angoorowem kulsafayda
book [bUk] n buuk (buùku) He bought a book to read Usuk
buuk yakriyuh xaame
bookkeeper [bUkip´] n buukmissoyse Trained
bookkeepers are hard to come by Abnibaritto le
buukmissoysit geyim dago
bookshop [bUkSÅp] n buukdokkàan (buukdokkàana) The
best bookshop in town is on the main street Fula le
buukdokkaan kulsa le saariqil geytima
boom [bu~m] 1 n 1 kuxubba Did you hear the boom of the
cannon? Woo madfaqih kuxubba maay toobbe? 2 tarmaan
(tarmaàna) The boom on a boat swings Doonik tarmaan
lagàq-iyya 3 sasan (sasàna) There was a boom in business
in our port this year A sanat ni boorul badaaqat sasan baahe
2 v.intr sasane Business booms in his hands Kay gabat
badaaqat sasanah
boot [but] n kabella Soldier’s boots are very heavy Qaskar
kabel kaxxa qilsa le
booty [bu~ti] n bòyla / dannaba; rado The invaders took
many animals as booty from us Nee warari mari boylah /
dannabah mango saq nek orbise; They took booty from the
people they surprised Oson garcit yibbixen marat rado aben
border [bO~d´] 1 n 1 càydu At the border between
Ethiopia and Djibouti there are high hills Yabuuti kee
Itiyobbiya fanih caydul kaxxa koomaami tan 2 af (àfa) / exxa
Clay was plastered on the border of my cloth Sarok af /
exxa kalla yok xagteh sugte 2 v.tr xàqul ene Houses
which border the river have a good view Weeqayti xaqul
tan qarwa mablammaqaane le
bore [bO~´] 1 v.tr 1 boohayise He bored a hole in the wall
to put a nail in Usuk bismaar edde haam-gidih gidaar
boohayiseh 2 naqadise, nakurise The leader’s speech
bored me Mirac xayyoose maxco yoo naqadisseh /
nakurisseh 2 n naqadiseèna That man is an awful bore
Woo num kaxxa naqadiseena
boring [bO~rIN] adj naqàd le / nakùri le His talk is boring
Kay yab naqad le / nakuri le
borehole [bO~rhol] n birtìqèela The men sunk a borehole
for water Labha leeh birtiqeela dagte
borrow [bÅ~ro] v.tr abuùduh, gàcsah, likaàcih, magòh bee I
returned the money I borrowed from the shopkeeper Anu
dokkaan numuk abuuduh beeh / gacsah beeh / likaacih beeh
/ magoh beeh suge lakqo gaciseh

osom [bU~z´m] n nahar (nahàra) She is a woman with a big
bosom Is nahar naba barra
boss [bÅ~s] n taamassàqal (taamassàqala) The new boss they
brought stopped the work being done before
Taamassaqalah qusbih heen num duma abak sugen taama
sooliseh
boss around [bÅ~s ´rA~Und] phr.v.tr ìsi afiitot hee Don’t
boss me around Isi afiitot yoo mahan!
both [bo~T] adv nammàyak inkih; nammày inkih Both
Ahmed and Musa work well Camad kee Muusa nammayak
inkih nagay taamitta Both of them learn well Ken
nammay inkih baritto nagay beyan
bother [bÅ~D´] 1 v.tr oskoyyobise / gandise He bothered
people in that place Usuk woo aracal sinam oskoyyobiseh /
Usuk woo aracal sinam gandiseh 2 v.intr gandite Don’t
bother about my coming! Yi mamaatah maganditin! 3 n
taqabi They always create a lot of bother Oson kulli
waqdi mango taqabi ugusan
bottle [bÅ~tl¢] n karaarat (karaaràta) Bring me an empty
bottle! Foyyah yan karaarat yol bah!
bottle, baby’s [be~biz bÅ~tl¢] n massaasa The baby’s bottle
must be washed in boiling water Massaasa facte leet
kaqlisaanam faxximta
bottom [bÅ~t´m] 1 n 1 buxux (buxùxu) The bottom of this
trunk has holes in it A birti sanduguk buxux xoggag le 2
komma There’s a tin at the bottom of the well Qeelak
kommal kasqat yanih yan 3 kamus (kamuùsu) He fell on
his bottom Usuk kamuusuh rade 2 adj gubi The bottom
stair is broken Gubi ibobsi diglo le
boulevard [bu~l´vAd] n fidnìn gita We live on a long
boulevard Nanu dabqih xer fidnin gital nan
bounce [bA~Uns] 1 n bòod (bòodu) The boy has a ball with
a good bounce Awki bood meqe koqso le 2 v.tr falise
He bounced his son up and down Usuk isi baxa falise
bounce back [bA~Uns bœk] 1 v.intr boodeh uduure The
ball hit against the wall and bounced back Koqso gidaarat
tumuttukeh, booddeh tuduure 2 fig amò fàyya-hee
Children bounce back quickly from sickness Urri lakimak
xayuk akah amo fàyya-haa
bound 1 [bA~Und] 1 v.intr xobbaqe The camel bounds along
Rakub xobbaqak gexa 2 n kàqu He crossed the gap in
one bound Usuk baxxok inki kaqul tabe
bound 2 [bA~Und] adj (+infin.comp) asmàt le He is bound to
come Yamaatem asmat le
bound 3 [bA~Und] n mohoodo True love knows no bounds
Numma le kacani mohoodo mali
bounds, out of [AUt ´v bA~Undz] idiom dessò le arac (aràca)
There are many places out of bounds in Ethiopia
Itiyobbiyah addal desso le arooca mangoh
boundless [bA~Undl´s] adj caddò mali That boy has
boundless energy Woo awki caddo sinni ataale le
33
boundary [bA~Und´ri] n cudud (cuduùdu) We built a wall at
the boundary of his garden and mine Kay bustaan kee yi
bustaanih cuduudul gidaar xisne
bounty [bA~Unti] n gune His bounty knows no bounds Kay
gune caddo mali
bow 1 [bA~U] v.intr faxè waak rammite The boy bowed to his
uncle’s wishes Awki isi qammih fayxih faxe waak rammite
bow (down) [bA~U dAUn] v.intr amò addàh hee / amò ràmmahee
They bowed down before the king Oson malik foocal
amo addah heen / amo ràmma-heen
bow 2 [bA~U] n fìlla The captain stood at the bow of the ship
Naakuda markab fillal soole
bow 3 [bo] n gesse They fought with bow and arrow Oson
qeebi gesse kee gessebbaxat aben
bow-legged [bo~lEgId] adj golbà le Because he is bowlegged
he walks badly Usuk golba leemih sabbatah gexo
kaak qaxuma
bowel [bA~Ul] n xàrru, uluùqa Everyone has bowels Kulli
num xarru kee uluuqa le
bowl 1 [bo~l] n koora; mateeba; qamur (qamùru); mingil
(mingìli) They put the porridge in a bowl and brought it
to us Laqso kooral heenih, neh baahen We want a bowl to
wash our hands in Gabakaqalsoh mateeba fanxa Camel’s
milk is milked into a grass bowl Gaali can qamurul
yaxiggilen Rice was put into a bowl and brought to me
Ruddi mingilil heenih, yoh baahen
bowl 2 [bo~l] n buul (buùlu) Men stay late at night playing
bowls Labha buul digiril bar qawwowtah
box [bÅ~ks] 1 n sandug (sandùgu) I have a box full of new
clothes Qusba sarak sandug kibuk liyo 2 v.tr sandùgut
hayise Box all those books! Woo buukaat inkih sandugut
hayis!
box in [bÅks I~n] v.tr angayekàlat maraasiye The car was
boxed in Baabur angayekalat maraasimte
box sb’s ears [bÅ~ks sømb´dIz i´z] v.tr xàagat ...-k hayise
Box his ears if he disobeys! Usuk rammite wayti baahek,
xaagat kaak hayis!
boxer [bÅ~ks´] n kummuuqùs qeebeena Mohammed Ali is
a champion boxer Macammad Qali celeemannu le
kummuuqus qeebeena
boxing [bÅ~ksIN] n gummaadì qeebi He triumphed in
boxing Gummaadi qeebil usuk iysa beete
boy [bO~I] n àwka That boy has a nice way with him Woo
awki gexsit maqaane le
boycott [bO~IkÅt] v.tr ...-k iggiriqe We boycotted the elections
Doorok niggiriqe
bracelet [bre~sl´t] n 1 sookòyta He wears a beautiful
bracelet Usuk qaxmeqe sookoyta le 2 cakòlta She wears
a beautiful bracelet on her arm Is qaxmeqe cakolta gabat le
3 bìrta Some men wear wrist bracelets Labhak baali
B

B
magoy birta le 4 calli All the bracelets on the bride’s arm
were of gold Qibna gabal luk ten calli inkih dahaba
bracket [brœ~kIt] n 1 galum (galùmu) Some of the words
were written in brackets Qangooruk tu galum addat
tunkuttubeh ten 2 takreyna Hang the lamp on the
bracket! Faanus takreynat takar!
brag [brœ~g] v.intr faagàt le He brags about his exploits
Usuk abe maqaddigiinot faagat le
bragging [brœ~gIN] n faagat (faagàta), hida He is full of
bragging Usuk kaxxa faagat / hida le
braid [bre~d] 1 n basiyta Afar girls often wear a braid
across the forehead Qafarak baxuw mangih basiyta haysita
2 v.tr qaxe My mother braided my hair Yi-ina amo yoh
qaxxe
brain [bre~n] n misinkica He uses his brain Usuk misinkica
tamsiisa He doesn’t have many brains Usuk misinkica
boola le
brainy [bre~ni] adj misinkicah The first-born boy was
more brainy than him Narisso baxi kaak misinkicah aysuk
yooboke
brake [bre~k] 1 n fereen (fereèni) This car’s brakes are good
A baabuurih fereen meqe 2 v.intr fereèn ibbixe I braked
hard to prevent an accident Qawwalaylak catuh fereen
gibduk ibbixeh
branch [brA~ntS] 1 n 1 lùud (lùudu) That tree has good
branches Woo caxa meqe luud le Flexible branches are
good food for goats Ruqa le luud wadarah meqe maaqo 2
fàrqi / lùdda This firm has a branch in Djibouti A kobbani
Yabuutil farqi / ludda lon 2 v.intr.fig baxsime Turn left
where the road branches ahead! Giti bisol elle baxsima-ikkel
gurah makkim!
branch out [brA~ntS AUt] phr.v.intr luuduse The successful
businessman branched out Labhaytite kabxaabe kabxa
luuduse
brand [brœ~nd] 1 v.tr bèdu hee; bèdu le Farmers brand
sheep to identify the owner Daharsitto mari illik wanna
yaaxigoonuh bedu haa All our camels are branded against
loss Ni gaali bayaamak inkih bedu le 2 n warsa They
sell five brands of coffee in that shop Woo dokkaanal koona
warsoosih buna limmoysan
brass [brA~s] n nacaas (nacaàsa) We have a brass pan in our
house Nanu buxal nacaasak bicisen buuti lino
brave [bre~v] 1 adj agiirite We need to be brave when
danger arises Katar lem tabbixe waqdi agiiritnam faxximta
2 n agìru An American Indian warrior is called a brave
Ameerikal Qasa Hindoh geedanti agiru deqsita
bravery [bre~vri] n agiirànna He was given a medal for
his bravery Kay agiirannih sumaaqah madaaliya kaah
yeexegen
brawl [brO~l] 1 n daawe Only street boys get mixed up in a
street brawl Gitittel daawe lem dibuk difah yan urru 2
34
v.intr daawite That couple are always brawling Woo
nammay gabaak tittat daawitan
bray [bre~] 1 n hallo / haame The donkey’s bray kept me
awake Woo dananih hallo / haame xin yoo waysisseh 2
v.intr hallise / haamise The donkey was braying all night
Danan gidiidin bar hallisak / haamisak xiine
brazier [bre~Z´] n marakki A charcoal fire blazed in the
brazier Facmi gira marakkit habuubugutte
breach [bri~tS] 1 n bàxsa The disagreement caused a breach
between them Ken fanat yekke tittinway ken fanih baxsat
cabe 2 v.tr make He breached his contract Usuk abe
tittingey makeh
bread [brE~d] n gaqambo; gaqamboyta Bread is made from
flour Gaqambo burrik aban Don’t take the bread out of
their mouths! Gaqamboyta afak keenik madagin!
breadth [brE~dT] 1 n bàgu / rakraka What is the breadth of
the wadi? Daqar baguh / rakrakah maa gide yakke? 2 fig
bàar (bàara) He has a breadth of knowledge Usuk baar le
ixxiga le
break [bre~k] 1 v.tr iggile My brother broke his finger
playing ball Yi toobokoyti koqsol feera isik yiggile 2 v.intr
iddigille When she fell over her leg broke Is tinnikisse
waqdi ibi teetik yiddigilleh
break in [brek In] 1 v.intr radò abe The thief broke in
during the day Loqolloqo garaqli rado abe 2 v.tr qanaane
It was hard to break that camel in Woo rakub qanaanam
gibduk ten
break off [brek Å~f] v.tr irgiqe, make They broke off their
friendship Oson luk sugen kataysiino yirgiqeenih You
broke off our appointment Atu xagana yol makte
break out [brek AUt] v.tr esseeqe Many prisoners broke
out of the prison last night Bir casbi marak mangom casbi
qarik tesseeqeh
break up [brek up] v.intr fixixe Our group has broken up
Ni egla fixixxeh
breakdown [bre~kdAUn] n 1 waqa There was a
breakdown in their talks Abak sugen mablok waqat uguten
2 margàaqit (margàaqiti) Bring me a breakdown of those
figures by evening! Carri barak dumal woo ixximak
margaaqit yol xayyos! 3 misinkicàk ecla Because of
overwork my father suffered a breakdown Agxe kaak
fulteemih sabbatah yi-abba misinkicak ecla baahe
breaker [bre~k´] n kaxxà moogat (moogàta) The breakers
rolled on the shore yesterday Kimal kaxxa moogat baddaafal
korte
breakfast [brE~kf´st] n qeerakalo / qùus (qùusu) / miìdi Did
you eat breakfast this morning? A saaku qeerakalo / quus /
miidi maay kalte?
breast [brE~st] n qangu; kaquuna Her breasts are small Tet
qangu qunxah The girl has small breasts Awkà kaquuna
le

eastfeed [brE~stfid] v.tr qarise / eyseexe The lady is
breastfeeding her baby Barra alqi qarissa / taysaaxe
breath [brE~T] n nasam (nasàma) / ufuy (ufùyu) She took a
deep breath Is nasam / ufuy nagay hirigte
breath, out of [AU~t ´v brET] phr qoofe The runner was out
of breath Yarde num qoofeh
breathless [brE~Tl´s] adj giifise Following exertion she is
breathless Is abte ardaklaafoh giifissah tan
breathlessness [brE~Tl´sn´s] n giifo He suffered with
much breathlessness Kaxxa giifo kaa tibbixe
breathtaking [brE~TtekIN] adj hangàagis le A lovely place
is breathtaking Qaxmeqe-ikke hangaagis le
breathe [bri~D] v.intr nasàm gee / ufùy gee Fish cannot
breathe out of water Kullumti leeh adda akke waytek nasam
geyam / ufuy geyam maduuda
breathe in [briD I~n] v.intr ufùy hirige Breathe in! Ufuy
hirig!
breathe out [briD A~Ut] v.intr ufùy ruube Breathe out!
Ufuy rub!
breed [bri~d] 1 n samad (samàda) He is of a good breed
Usuk meqe samadak yan 2 v.tr eyderre That cattle
farmer breeds good animals Woo laahih abba meqe laa
yaydarre 3 v.intr xale Our goat breeds the best kids Ni
reyta yayse mooy xalta
breeze [bri~z] n walwal (walwàla) There is a nice breeze here
Akkel meqe walwal yan
breeze block [bri~z blÅk] n bolokèet (bolokèeti) / daadur
(daaduùru) This house is built of breeze blocks A qari
bolokeetik / daaduuruk xissiime
bribe [brA~Ib] 1 n guqul (guqùlu) Do the police take bribes?
Boliis guqul maay takme? 2 v.tr guqule / mangare Shall
we bribe him? Kaa guqulno / mangarno?
brick [brI~k] n kallabolok (kallaboloòku) More bricks are
needed to finish building this wall A darbih xisoh salnuh
ossimta kallabolookit faxxiima
bride [brA~Id] n qibna The bride put on a beautiful dress
Qibna qaxa le sarat gacte
bridegroom [brAI~dgrum] n qarus (qaruùsu) The
bridegroom married a cross-cousin Qarus isi absumal digibe
bridesmaid [brAI~dzmed] n akutta / aliggeyta / qibnà
maqanxa The bridesmaid was a fellow student of the
bride Akutta / Aliggeyta / Qibna maqanxa qibnal luk baritak
sugte darsaytok ten
bride price [brA~Id prAIs] n alkum (alkùmu) The two sides
agreed on the bride price Namma exxa inkih alkumul titta
geyte
bridge [brI~dZ] 1 n holhol (holhòlu) The Djibouti
government wants to build a bridge over the wadi Yabuuti
doolat daqaarak amol holhol xissam niyatta 2 v.tr eleelise
She bridged the gap between them through hard work Is
abte ardaklaafot ken fanat sugte baxxo eleelisse
35
bridle [brA~Idl¢] n ammùnta Put the bridle on the horse!
Farasat ammunta hayis!
brief [bri~f] 1 adj ux He made a brief speech Usuk ux
yaabat yaabe 2 v.tr eysexeexege The leader briefed the
team about tactics Merraacise dokon wale wagsiisak
yeysexeexege
bright [brA~It] 1 adj hadìgga-exce That light is bright Woo
ifi hadìgga-iyya 2 fig xàyih rade He is a bright boy Usuk
tut xayih rada awka
brighten [brA~It´n] 1 v.tr muxxì ifise The large windows
brighten the room Naba taagoota goli muxxi ifissa 2 v.intr
dìifi gace Following rain, the day brightened Robti lakal
loqo diifi gace
brilliant [brI~ly´nt] 1 adj diìfu The light is too brilliant for
me turn it down! Ifi naba diifu lek yoh daggos! 2 fig
kulsà le He made a brilliant speech Usuk kulsa le yaabat
yaabe
brim [brI~m] n 1 af (àfa) / edbeno She brought me a cup
filled to the brim with tea Is af / edbeno fanah saahik kibte
fingaan yoh bahte 2 boor (boòru) His hat gives good
shade because of its wide brim Kay kalabtah boor fidninan
leemih sabbatah meqe silal le
brimful [brI~mfUl] adj untuxxuqe They were brimful of
joy Oson farcit yuntuxxuqen
bring [brI~N] v.tr baahe Bring your book to me! Ku buuk yol
bah! The drought brought great misery Qabar kaxxa
babbo baahe
bringing [brI~NIN] n bahti Bringing food is my
responsibility Maaqo bahti yol tan
bring back [brIN bœ~k] phr.v.tr gacise / eydebbe He
always brings back things which have been lent to him
Usuk gacsah kaal yeceen duyye uumman gacisa / yaydabbe
bring off [brIN Åf] phr.v.tr aràcah baahe I am not sure I
can bring off that deal Woo tittingey aracah baaham kee
maaxiga
bring round [brIN rAUnd] phr.v.tr 1 gacise Eventually
they brought him round to their way of thinking Gexak
yeneenik oson isinni tummabuluh kaa gaciseenih 2 hàwri /
cìssi gacise When she fainted it took time to bring her
round Is damaysittek lakal hawri / cissi teetil gacisaanam
widdir faxxe
bring up [brIN ø~p] phr.v.tr 1 .idiom eynebe My father is
bringing up an orphan Yi-abba qayxixxu yaynabe 2
xayyoose We wanted to bring that matter up at the
meeting Nanu woo caagid daffeynal xayyosnam faxak nen 3
gacise If the sea is rough some passengers bring up what
they’ve eaten Bad moogat yembeggek safara marak tu
yokmeenim gacissah
brink [brI~Nk] n afaafa He stood on the brink of the cliff
Usuk heerik afaafal soole
Britain [brI~tn¢] n Biritaanya Britain is a little country
Biritaanya qunxa baaxo
B

B
British [brI~tIS] adj Biritaanya The British countryside is
beautiful Biritaanyak barri baaxo qaxmeqe
brittle [brI~tl¢] adj 1 maqàr màli That glass is brittle Woo
karaarat maqar mali 2 laqaade The old man has brittle
bones Idalti laqadde lafof le 3 fig qaafiyàt màli Their
friendship is brittle Ken kataysiino qaafiyat mali
broad [brO~d] adj fidnine The gulf of Tadjourah is broad
Tagorri baddih caraata fidninah
broaden [brO~d´n] 1 v.tr 1 faràkka-hee The government
broadened the asphalt road Doolat daamar gita faràkkahayte
2 v.intr faràkka-exce The river broadens out
further on Weeqayti bisoh faràkka-iyya 3 fig fidnaanise
Learning will broaden your mind Baritto kas koh
fidnaanisele
broadcast [brO~dkAst] v.tr 1 tatruse / warise They
broadcast that news on the radio Too xaagu raadiyol
tatrusen / warisen 2 qide The farmer broadcasts seed at
the right time Buqraabe dariyyu, le waktil qida
broad shoulders [brO~d Sold´s] n.colloc xiiqi / masangale
He has broad shoulders Usuk xiiqi / masangale le
broadshouldered [brO~dSold‰d] adj qanxaffe naba A
broadshouldered man came to me Qanxaffe naba num yol
yemeete
broke [bro~k] adj gabàt tumàli He’s always broke at the end
of the week Kulli waqdi ayyaam illacabol usuk gabat tumali
broken [bro~kn] adj iddigille; baluqe He has a broken leg
Usuk yiddigille iba le Their relationship is broken Ken
qalli yiddigilleh yen The dentist filled his broken tooth
Moddin daktoor baluqte moddina kaah kibe
bronchitis [brÅNkA~ItIs] n wactì biyak (biyaàka) Bronchitis is
a sickness caused by cold weather Wacti biyak, xamcin
hawak sinaamat rada dalka
bronze [brÅ~nz] n gibdì nacaas (nacaàsa) Bronze is made
from copper and tin Gibdi nacaas xamcin nacaas kee
tanakak aban
brood [bru~d] v.intr bàgul hammite / unduruure It doesn’t
help to sit and brood Bagul hammittam / tanduruuram fayda
mali
broody [bru~di] adj cankafite That hen is broody Woo
dorrahiyta cankafitteh tan
broom [bru~m] 1 n fiyèyna Mother sweeps the floor with a
broom Ni-ina baaxa fiyeynat fiyta 2 fig A new broom
sweeps clean Qusba fiyeyni nagay fiya
broth [brÅ~T] n fuùta We took broth to the sick man
Biyaakita numuh fuuta beyne
brother [brø~D´] n maqànxa; saqal (saqàla) My younger
brother is cleverer than me Yi maqanxi kasah yok yayseh
Who is your elder brother? Ku saqal iyyay?
brotherhood [brø~D´hUd] n gooriyyo Our brotherhood is
comprised of local people Ni gooriyyo baaxo maral xissimta
brotherly [brU~D´lI] adj ahliinol / toobokiinol His was a
36
brotherly act Kay abto ahliinol / toobokiinol tekke
brotherliness [brU~D´lIn´s] n ahliino / toobokiìnu There is
lasting brotherliness between me and my friend Yoo kee yi
kataysah fanat raage ahliino tan / toobokiini yan
brother-in-law [brU~D´r In lO] n bàllu My brother-in-law’s
home is with us Yi balli dabqih nel luk yan
brow [brA~U] n 1 qarsa Why is his brow furrowed? Qarsa
kaak ribo akah lem macay? 2 dirdir (dirdìri) We reached
the brow of the hill Qalek dirdir gufne
brown adj [brA~Un] burraacin He wears brown shoes Usuk
burraacin kabella haysita
bruise [bru~z] 1 n tumme What was that bruise on your
arm caused by? Atu gabal lito tumme macak geyte? 2 v.tr
marriidite; marriidise I bruised myself falling on that metal
Anu woo birtat abe radimik gexxaamah marriiditeh Don’t
bruise my sister! Yi maqanxa mamarriidisin! 3 v.intr
tummaate My sister bruises easily Yi maqanxa xayuk
tummatta 4 fig dananise His words bruised my heart
Kay yab afqado yok dananise
brush [brø~S] 1 n fiyèyna Hasana sweeps the floor with a
brush Casna baaxa fiyeynat fiyta 2 v.tr 1 fiye She
brushed the floor Is baaxa fiyte 2 qadayse It is necessary
to brush one’s teeth after food Maaqok lakal af
qadaysaanam faxximta
brutal [bru~tl] adj qàngi ekke Don’t be brutal to someone
smaller than yourself! Isik qunxa numul qangi makkin!
brutality [brutœ~l´ti] n qangiino The soldier treated the
woman with brutality Qaskariyti barral qangiinoh tanim
baahe
bubble [bø~bl¢] n goòmad (goòmada); qaafo Boiling water
has bubbles Facta / Muxxa lee goomad le Very soapy
water is full of bubbles Mango saabun edde heen lee naba
qaafo bahta
bucket [bø~kIt] n baalàdi; targa She brought water in a
bucket Is lee baaladit bahte My sister draws water from
the well in a leather bucket Yi maqanxa qeelak lee targat
tayyaaqe
buckle [bø~kl¢] 1 n lokko The buckle on my belt is broken
Arumuk lokko yok tiddigille 2 v.tr lokkise He buckled his
belt Usuk isi qarum lokkise
bud [bø~d] 1 n quxxi / kumbux (kumbùxu) That tree has
buds on it Woo caxa quxxi / kumbux bahte 2 v.intr quxxi /
kumbux baahe The cold weather caused trees to bud late
this year A sanatih xamcin hawa coox quxxi baaham /
kumbux baaham udurrusse
budge [bø~dZ] v.intr mukùxxa-exce She won’t budge unless
you push her Tet gutqe waytek isi mukùxxa-minta
budget [bø~dZIt] n bayyit (bayyìti) We have a weekly budget
Malcinto bayyit lino

uffalo [bø~f´lo] n gasi Buffaloes have disappeared from
Afarland due to desertification Gasi Qafar baaxok qabaarah
baaddeh
buffet [bU~fe] n buffee / meèxit nabsi There was a buffet
lunch yesterday at the Sheraton Hotel Kimal Seeraaton
Hoteelil buffee / meexit nabsih satqakkalo sugte
bugle [bju~gl¢] n baanta People come out of their compounds
when the bugle sounds Baanta anayta waqdi sinam gasok
tawqeh
build [bI~ld] v.tr rakiibò haysite Don’t build your house on
sand! Qiddil qari rakiibo mahaysitin!
builder [bI~ld´] n qarwaxise / xisnaabe What is your
builder’s work like? Isin liton qarwaxisek / xisnaabek taama
anninnay?
building [bI~ldIN] n xisne That is a fine building Woh
qaxmeqe xisne
build up [bI~ld Up] v.tr dadlise My father wants to build
up his business Yi-abba isi badaaqat dadlisam faxah
build upon [bI~ld øpÅn] v.tr bàgul xise You can build
upon the good start you have made Atu abte meqe rakiiboh
bagul tu xissam dudda
bulb [bø~lb] n ambuul (ambuùlu) Our electric light bulb is
burnt out Tiriik ambuul nek carare
bull [bU~l] n agur (agùru) / awur (awùru) That bull needs
guarding Ama agur / awur dacayri faxa
bull-camel [bU~l kœml¢] n rakub (rakuùbu) The man
climbed on the (bull) camel Num rakub amot kore
bulldog [bU~ldÅg] n buldog (kutìh qaynata) A bulldog has
a large face ‘Buldog’ naba fooca le
bullock [bU~l´k] n sànga A bullock is best for pulling
carts Gaariggiitoh sangi yayse
bulldozer [bU~ldoz´] n godcakamyuun (godcakamyuùnu) A
bulldozer is a powerful heavy vehicle with a vertical blade
at the front, used for levelling land Godcakamyuun
iyyaanam foocat karerta giley, baaxo inki caddoh hayta
qumaarat le qilsi baaburu
bullet [bU~lIt] n rusàstu; qaràrtu There is no bullet in this gun
A bandugut rusasti mayan The doctor found a bullet in
his leg Daktoor qarartu ibat kaak gee
bulletin [bU~l´tIn] n mascassa They have just put out a
bulletin about his health A way kay qaafiyatak mascassa
yeyyeeqen
bully [bU~li] 1 n kokayseèka le awka Every school has its
bully Kulli iskoolul kokayseeka le awki yan 2 v.tr gifqise;
uncuse Don’t let anyone bully you into doing what you
don’t want to do Faxe waytaamat assuh koo gifqisaanam
moggolin!; Someone bullies one in four children in school
Gari iskoolul urruk kulli affara awkak tiyak teyna yancuseh
bulwark [bU~lw‰k] n medmed (medmèdi) We built a
bulwark against the enemy Qaduwwik medmed haysitne
37
bump [bø~mp] 1 n fayyàk ramma The road has a bump in it
Giti fayyak ramma le 2 v.tr ...-t boode A car bumped
into me Baabur yot boodde
bumper [bø~mp´] n goobisa The car’s bumper has been
knocked Baabur goobisa amattak le
bun [bø~n] n 1 borta Give me a sugar bun! Sokkar le borta
yoh acuy! 2 darreffìlo The women who came to the
wedding are wearing their hair in a bun Digibih yemeete
agabi amo darreffilot lon
bunch [bø~ntS] n uxaàxuq (uxaàxuqu) I picked two bunches
of bananas off the tree Anu muusuk uxaaxuquk nammay
kale
bundle [bø~ndl¢] 1 n axaw (axàwa) How much did you buy
the bundle of sticks for? Bocok axaw maa gideh xaamte? 2
v.tr gùtqak culuse We bundled him into the car Baaburut
kaa gutqak culusne
bungle [bø~Ngl¢] v.tr finqise / oysomme He bungled the
matters required of him Kaal esseren caagid finqise /
yoysomme
buoy [bO~I] n boogat (boogàta) The ship must steer round
the buoy to enter the bay Marso cultuh markab boogatak
taturam faxximta
buoy up [bO~I Up] fig niyà ... lalise Expectation buoys me
up Assacab niya yok lalisa
burden [b‰~dn¢] 1 n qàri The burden put upon him is
beyond his ability Kaal heen qari kay duddak iroh yan 2
v.intr hoole His friend is burdened for him Kay kataysi
kaah hoolah
bureau [bju´ro~] n biiro / maktab (maktàba) I didn’t go to the
bureau today A saaku biiro / maktab magexinniyo
burglar [b‰~gl´] n garaqaàli Each of us stays awake in turn
to keep burglars out Garaaqa qari nek raddaamak miduy,
num nek muntuluulak xiina
burglary [b‰~gl´ri] n garqa The number of burglaries has
increased this year A sanat garqak tekkeh gide fàyya-inte
burgle [b‰~gl¢] v.tr garaqe / rade How many times have
they burgled you? Maakina-adda koo garaqen? / Maakinaadda
koo radeeni?
burial [bE~rI´l] n magaq (magaàqa) What time was the
burial? Magaq maa saaqatal yekke?
burn [b‰~n] 1 n caràrow (caràroowu) How did you get the
burn on your hand? Gabal lito cararow macak kot yekke? 2
v.intr carare The house is still burning Qari uxih cararah
3 v.tr carare, cararise Burn those papers for me! Woo
waraakit yoh cararis!
burnt [b‰~nt] adj carare His burnt hand has healed nicely
Cararte gaba kaak nagay qaffotteh!; If you go near the fire
you will get burnt Girat xayyowtek cararetto
burn up [b‰~n øp] v.intr onkonoonoce The fire burned up
again Gira qagitteh tonkonoonoce
B

C
burn out [b‰~n AUt] v.tr xixxaàral cabe The fire burnt his
car out Gira baaburuk xixxaaral kaa cabte
burrow [bø~ro] n boorim (boorìmi) The rabbit goes into its
burrow Bakkeeli isi boorimit cula
burst [b‰~st] 1 v.intr bakaqe My boil burst Dombalti yok
bakaqeh 2 adj bakaqe Water from a burst pipe ruined
the house Bakaqe kasbatih lee qari bayisseh / Bakaqte
bombah lee qari bayisseh
bury [bE~ri] v.tr 1 oogoqe / usture They bury the body
quickly Raysa xayih yaaguqen / yasturen 2 ubkune We
buried the gold there to prevent it being stolen Dahab
garqaanamak wokkel nubkune
bury one's head in one's hands idiom amòl gabà hee
When he heard the bad news, he buried his head in his
hands Uma xaagu yoobbe waqdi amol gaba hee
bus [bø~s] 1 n otibus (otibùsu) There is a flat rate for any
bus journey in the town Otibus magaalak faxe gambil
gexxay, nooli akak inki gide 2 v.tr otibùsut bee Pupils
are bussed to school Darsa iskoola qari fan otibusut beyan
bush [bU~S] n cafì We heard a noise in the bushes Cafiifah
addak anay nel rade
business [bI~znIs] n 1 caagid (caagìdi) What is your
business with me? Yol lih maa caagid lito? 2 badaàqat
boqoysira / kabxa He has a big business in town Usuk
magaalal kaxxa badaaqat boqoysira / kabxa le
bustard, kori [kÅ~rI bøst´d] n barrì qandooli A kori bustard
has long legs Barri qandooli xer ibitte le
bustle [bø~sl] v.intr gabatafìl abe She bustles about her work
Is isi taama gabatafil abta
busy [bI~zi] adj agxite Ants are always busy Xuune uumman
agxittah
busyness [bI~zin´s] n agxe Her busyness amazed me Is le
agxe yoo waqagisseh
but [bøt] conj immay; ...-k kàlah That’s true, but you don’t
know all that’s involved Woh numma immay, adda inkih
akak mataaxiga Everyone but my sister was present at the
meeting Yi maqanxak kalah daffeynal kulli num geytime
butcher [bU~tS´] 1 v.tr niyyaase Who butchered the goat?
Reyta niyyassem iyyay? 2 n cadò yarcìdi Bring some
meat from the butcher! Cado yarcidik cado bah!
butt [bøt] v.tr ingiqe That buck goat butted my son Woo
dabeeli yi baxa yingiqeh
butting [bøtiN] n giqi This cow never stops its butting
Ama saga abta giqik mataadiya
butter [bø~t´] n mutuk (mutùku) I eat bread with butter
Furum mutukut akme
butterfly [bø~t´flAI] n laahinti This butterfly has beautiful
wings A laahinti qaxmeqe galwa le
buttocks [bø~t´ks] n.pl kamuusa / saloofa That woman has
big buttocks Woo barra kaxxa kamuusa / saloofa le
38
button [bø~t´n] 1 n àdran (àdraana) I lost a button off my
coat Kootuk adranti yok baye 2 v.tr adraanise Button
your shirt! Samiid isik adraanis!
buy [bA~I] v.tr xaame I will buy new clothes tomorrow
Beera qusba sara xaameyyo
buying [bA~IIN] n limo She is always engaged in the
buying of new clothes Is uumman qusba sarih limot tan
buzz [bø~z] 1 n hunnuyto A buzz of conversation is
coming from that room Walal hunnuyto woo golik radda 2
v.intr harrùw-exce The bee buzzed near me Diidaaleyta yi
garit harrùw-inte
buzzing [bø~zIN] n harruwto The bee’s buzzing startled
me Diidaaleyta harruwto yoo wiriggisseh
by [bA~I] prep ...-t; ...-h; ...-l My mother is standing by the
door Yi-ina afaddikot solta; I am going by camel, not by foot
Anu rakuubut gexa-ikkalah, ibah magexa; He passed by me
in the street Usuk gital yol tature
byegones [bA~IgÅnz] n.pl tekkem (tekkeèmi) Let byegones be
byegones! Tekkem takkay inxica!
bystander [bA~Istœnd´] n xaqulsùge I asked a bystander how
the fight started Anu qeebi elle yekkenna xaqulsugel essere
C
cab [kœ~b] n tàksi Call a cab! Taksih sec!
cabbage [kœ~bIdZ] n malfuuf (malfuùfu) Cabbage is best
when eaten raw Malfuuf qasih yakmeenim tayse
cabin [kœ~bIn] n meerragòli Sailors sleep in cabins on the
ship Bahriya markabak meerragolit xinta
cabinet [kœ~bIn´t] n 1 màglis (màglisi) / maloktì maro That
man is a member of the cabinet Woo num maglisik / malokti
maroh adoyta 2 soolò sandug (sandùgu) My mother
displays pretty dishes in her cabinet Yi-ina qaxmeqe sucuun
soolo sandugut tabbixe
cable [ke~bl¢] 1 n qàrrat (qàrrata); akat (akàta) Is the broken
cable mended? Yiggiriqe qarrat maay xakbisen? The
electric cable passes underground Kooraan akat baaxoh
addat haysan 2 talagraam (talagraàma) If you want an
answer quickly you had better send a cable Sissikuk xaagi
kol gacam faxxek talagraam rubtam tayse 2 v.tr talagraàm
ruube I cabled them concerning my arrival Anu abu waa
mamaatah talagraam keenih ruube
cadet [k´dE~t] n darsàytu When a boy is of age, he can
become an army cadet Awki darrekaleek widiril qaskariino
darsaytu yakku duuda
cadge [kœ~dZ] v.intr cìndabeye This man has learnt to cadge
A num cindabeyam barite
cadging [kœ~dZIN] n cindabèytu His livelihood is based on
cadging Mano kaak cindabeytul solta
caesarean cf cesarean

cafe [kœ~fe,kœfe~] n makaahi Men are often found at cafes
Labha xeflih makaahiihal geytimta
cage [ke~dZ] n gafas (gafàsa) A bird kept in a cage cannot fly
Gafasat haan kimbiro haaddam madudda
cajole [k´dZo~l] v.tr raddoose If you know how to cajole
your father, he won’t send you away empty-handed Kaa
elle raddossanna teexegek ku-abba koo mabaxaysa
cake [ke~k] n keek (keèki) Bake the cake in the gas oven!
Keek gas furnot alas!
calamity [k´lœ~mIti] n musiiba One calamity followed
another Musiiba tittal katayte
calcium [kœ~lsiy´m] n kalsiyom (kalsiyoòmu) The bones
failed to grow properly because of lack of calcium Lafof
kalsiyom wayah yanabu cineh
calculate [kœ~lkjulet] v.tr cisàb abe; cisaabise Calculate how
much money you need for the wedding! Digibih kok
faxximta lakqoh cisab ab! Calculate your chances of
success before doing this! Ah abtaamak duma agdab saami
kok yakkeh gide cisaabis!
calculation [kœlkj´le~Sn¢] n cisab (cisaàba) I made a swift
calculation Anu sissik cisab akak abe
calculator [kœ~lkj´let´] n cisàb aalat (àalata) Have you got
a calculator? Cisab aalat maay lito?
calendar [kœ~l´nd´] n cakkatlòowo / uddurlòowo Each year
has its calendar Kulli sanat isi cakkatloowo / uddurloowo le
calendar month [kœ~lind´ mønT] n àlsa What is the name
of this calendar month? Edde nan alsi maa migaq le?
calf [kA~f] n 1 sarba Riding a bicycle makes the calves of
the legs strong Baskil beyto sarba taygibbideh 2 rùga, ruga
My cow gave birth to a bull calf yesterday Yi saga kimal
ruga xalte
calibre [kœ~lIb´] n duddo What they did is of high calibre
Oson abeenim kaxxa duddo leemi They need a man of
your calibre Oson duddoh ku-inna le num faxan
calico [kœ~lIko] n mareekani A shroud is made from calico
Kafan mareekanik bicisan
call [kOl] 1 v.intr 1 boosàh emeete You were out when we
called Boosah kol nemeete waqdi masuginnito 2 talafoòn
hee They called half an hour ago Oson nussi saaqatak
duma talafoon heen 2 v.tr ...-h deecise Shall we call our
peers? Fiqmah deecisno? 3 n 1 talafoon (talafoònu)
Who made that call? Iyyay woo talafoon abtem? 2 deero
The whale has a distinctive call Qambilbacar baxsa le deero
le
called, be [bi kO~ld] adj xiqsite; migàq le What is this
country called? A baaxo maca xiqsitta? What is he
called? Usuk maa migaq le?
call after [kO~l Aft´] ...-l muggaaqise Whom did you call
him after? Iyyal kaa muggaaqisse?
call by [kO~l bAI] prep.v.tr ...-l xaqxaqe He called by our
house Usuk buxah nel xaqxaqe
39
call for [kO~l fO] v.tr faxe Their behaviour calls for firm
action Ken gexgexit digga le abitto faxa
call (out) [kO~l A~Ut] v.intr deerise / kaaye; deerò abe Why
are you calling out? Macah deerissa / kaayta? My sister
called (out) for help Yi maqanxa catoh deero abte
callous [kœ~l´s] adj allaàqal / qàad mali That man is callous
Woo num allaaqal mali / qaad mali
callousness [kœ~l´sn´s] n qàadsinna Callousness is not
necessary Qaadsinna mafaxximta
callus [kœ~l´s] n gubse The callus on camels is hard Gaali
gubse gibdih
calm [kA~m] 1 adj saaye / sìxxa-exce The sea is calm today
A saaku bad saayah yan / sìxxa-iyya 2 v.tr qelaagise His
mother held her son tight to calm him Ina bàxa
qelaagissam-gidih kàffa-kaat-inte
calmness [kA~mn´s] n qilsa That lady’s calmness is an
example Woo barra le qilsa maslah tan
calm down [kA~m dA~Un] 1 v.intr esseehede; sabàcca-exce
Now I have calmed down from my anger Abeh suge
naqabuk a way esseehede Don’t fuss, just calm down!
Maqataatakinay, sabàcca-inxic! 2 v.tr eyseehede This
teacher can calm unruly children down A kabir ibak rada
urru yayseehedem duudah
camel [kœ~ml¢] n ala; rakub (rakuùbu); gaàla Today the bull
calf ran away from the mother camel A saaku alak narig
qaareh / kudeh We put the bridle on the bull-camel
Rakuubut ammunta hayne Many of the camels belonging
to our clan have died Ni xaala luk sugte gaalak mangom
tembexe
camel’s hump [kœml¢z hø~mp] n gaalì barud (barùdu)
Camel’s humps get smaller without water Lee week gaali
barud salaca
camera [kœ~mr´] n kaameera / taswiìr mansaf (mansàfa) My
camera takes the best pictures Yok kaameera yayse tasaawir
tayyaaqe / Yok taswiir mansaf yayse tasaawir yayyaaqe
camouflage [kœ~m´flAdZ] 1 n sasowweelo The enemy
recognized their camouflage Qaduwwi ken sasowweelot
radeh 2 v.tr sasowweelise The army’s cars are well
camouflaged Qande bawaabir nagay sasowweelisen
camp [kœ~mp] n mafdaga Let’s pitch camp under these trees
A cooxih gubal mafdaga hàynay-inxica
camping, go phr.v.intr siràq luk walwalite gexe Our
children have gone camping this week Xaylo nek a
ayyaamat siraq luk walwalitteh gexxeh
campaign [kœmpe~n] n gaàdu 1 The warriors got ready for
a campaign Macaxi gaaduh gulguluh gace 2 geysis (geysiisi)
They are running an advertising campaign Oson
maysaxxag geysis aban
can 1 [kœ~n] n 1 tanak (tanàka); taasat (taasàta) Buy a can of
oil from the shop! Dokkaanak salit tanak xaam! Bring me
a can for water! Lee taasat yol tabis!
C

C
can 2 [kœ~n, k´n], [kœ~n´t, kA~nt] mod.v 1 duude; dùdda-hee
She can speak English Is Ingiliis afat yabtu duddah I have
done everything I can Anu dùdda-haam inkih abe I can’t
/ cannot understand him Usuk iyyaamat kaak radam
maduuda 2 àkku bica She could be the first among her
peers Is isi fooduk nahar takku bicta
canal [k´nœ~l] n dooco / kanal (kanaàla) The agriculturalists
dug a canal Buqraabeenit dooco / kanal cotte
cancel [kœ~nsl¢] v.tr bayise I cancelled our appointment Anu
luk sugne xagana bayise I cancelled his debt to me Kaat
luk suge abud bayise
cancellation [kœns´le~Sn¢] n bàysa How did the
cancellation of his debt to you come about? Usuk kot luk
suge abuudih baysi anninnal yekke?
cancer [kœ~ns´] n laahibàxxa He got cancer of the neck
Fillal laahibaxxi kaak yewqe
cancerous [kœ~nsr´s] adj laahibàxxak The growth that
was removed from him was cancerous Kaak kalen uxba
laahibaxxak ten
candid [kœ~ndId] adj qado We had a candid discussion
Nanu qado walal abne
candidly [kœ~ndIdli] adv qaduk My doctor speaks
candidly with patients Yi daktoor biyaakita mara luk qaduk
yaaba
candidate [kœ~ndId´t / kœ~ndIdet] n qalàle / faxìte Who is a
candidate for the election? Doorol qalaleh / faxiteh tanim
iyyay?
candle [kœ~ndl¢] n sàmqi There were no candles on the night
the electricity failed Kooraan yiggiriqe bar samqi mananna
candour [kœ~nd´] n bagì qidi I like his candour Kay bagi
qidi kiciyyo
cane [ke~n] 1 n kaydaràntu On seeing the cane the boy
apologized Awki kaydaranti mabulul akah qafu essere 2
v.tr kaydaràntut oogore The teacher caned the badly
behaved boy Kabir adbisinna le awka kaydarantut yoogore
canny [kœ~ni] adj bagicùbbi le / cibbaàr le These people are
canny A mari bagicubbi le / cibbaar le
canniness [kœ~nIn´s] n bagcùbbi / cibbaar (cibbaàra) He is
well-known for his canniness Usuk bagicùbbih / cibbaarah
yimixxige numu
cannon [kœ~n´n] n madfaq (madfàqa) The cannon is fired to
announce the cessation of hostilities Wiil yeediyeemih
maysaxxagah madfaq yaaguren
canoe [kœnu~] n huuri A canoe is steered by a paddle Huuri
ux seebit beyan
canopy [kœ~n´pi] n iraawo The President took his place
under the canopy to speak Ummuunoh Abba qangara qiduh
iraawo gubih aracal gace
canteen [kœnti~n] n 1 afleyta Travellers carry canteens full
of water Safara mari leek kiben afleyta luk gexan 2
40
aftooddàas (aftooddàasa) Companies provide canteens for
their employees Kobbani tamsissa marah aftooddaas le
canvas [kœ~nv´s] n torbaal (torbaàla) I erect a canvas tent to
sleep outside Afal elle xiinuh torbaal daas daabisa
canyon [kœ~nj´n] n golo In a deep canyon the sun doesn’t
trouble people much Adda le golol ayro mangom sinam
mataqbissa
cap [kœ~p] n 1 kalabta The wind carried the man’s cap
away Num amot luk suge kalabta caacay beeh 2 aftibàxa
Where is the petrol cap? Sansi tanakih aftibaxi annih kaay?
I have lost the cap of my biro Galamak aftibaxi yok bayeh
capable [ke~p´bl¢] adj xiqtò le He is capable of better work
than this Usuk ahak tayse taama abaamih xiqto le
capability [kep´bI~lIti] n duddo What are his
capabilities? Duddok kaak manna le?
cape [ke~p] n 1 raasi The sailboat rounded the cape Doonik
raasik makitte 2 kabba My father wears a cape in cold
weather Yi-abba xamca tan waqdi kabba haysita
capital [kœ~pItl¢] n 1 kaxxà wara The first letter of a sentence
is written with a capital Maxcok naharsi wara kaxxa warak
tankuttube 2 inayta What town is the capital of this
country? A baaxok inaytah raqtam maa magaalay? 3
raàsalmaal (maàla) Her capital is in the bank Teetik
raasalmaal bankil yan
capitalism [kœ~pIt´lIzm¢] n maalì gaddaliino Capitalism
encourages private concerns Maali gaddaliino caglan
caagiida aydakumussa
capitalist [kœ~pIt´lIst] 1 n maalì gaddali We are
capitalists Nanu maali gaddaleela kinnino 2 adj maalì
gaddaliino England is a capitalist country Ingiliis baaxo
maali gaddaliinoh baaxo
capitulate [k´pI~tjulet] v.intr gabà ece Our opponents
capitulated Nel saduh yen mari gaba yece
capitulation [k´pItjule~Sn] n gabàh acwa We never
contemplate capitulation Gabah acwat way manacsuba
capsize [kœpsA~Iz] 1 v.intr kore We are afraid that the
sailboat will capsize in rough seas Bad yoomek doonik nel
kortaamak meysitna 2 v.tr korise Don’t capsize the boat!
Doonik makorisin!
captain [kœ~pt´n, kœ~ptIn] 1 n naakuda; mirac (miraàca) The
captain steered his ship carefully into port Naakuda isi
markab marso fan cubbit xayyoose Ismael was appointed
captain of the team Ismaaqil dokon miraacah heeni 2 v.tr
miraacise My brother captains the team Yi toobokoyti
dokon miraacisa
captive [kœ~ptIv] n seèwa Let the captives go! Seewi gèxayinxic!
captivate [kœ~ptIvet] v.tr seelise The beauty of her
character captivated me Tet caalatih maqaane yoo seelisse
capture [kœ~ptS´] v.tr ibbixe The police captured many
thieves Boliis mango garoqti tibbixe

car [kA~] n baabur (baabùru) He always drives his car with
care Usuk ìnki isi baabur baaqid luk beya
caramel [kœ~r´ml¢] n karamella Caramel is made by
browning sugar Karamella sokkar diyaayisak bicisan
caravan [kœ~r´vœn] n 1 arho The caravan was halted at the
palm springs Arho garrale raceynah ufuyrub abte 2
gexadaas (gexadàasa) Some people take caravans on
holiday Sahdak tu affaafay gexadaasal le
carcase [k~A~k´s] n maqasa Following drought animal
carcases littered the ground Qabaarak lakal saqi maqsoosa
baaxol caffayti yakkem akkuk raqte
card [kA~d] n karti He sent me a card from the places he
visited Usuk gufneh gexe aroocak karti yoh ruube They
printed the notice on card Oson kartil maysaxxaga haxxisen
cards [kA~dz] n.pl tùrub (tùrubu) Men play cards in the
afternoon Labha turub carra digerta
cardamom [kA~d´m´m] n hèel (hèeli) Tea with cardamom
has a nice taste Heel le saahi meqe tamu le
cardboard [kA~dbOd] n kartoon (kartoònu) The poor sleep on
cardboard Tu maleela kartoon bagul xinta
cardigan [kA~dIg´n] n gàram (gàrama) A woollen cardigan is
necessary when it is cold Wac yan saaku suuf garam
faxxiima
care [kE~´] n 1 amò wagitto He left his family in my care Isi
buxa amo wagittoh yol cabe 2 dacayri / xagur (xagùru)
Have a care for your health! Isi qaafiyatih dacayrit / xagurut
gac! 3 eddè waama le; eddè le Who cares? Iyyi edde
waama le? / Iyyi maca edde waa? I don’t care Edde waam
mayyu / Carra edde mayyu
care about v.tr [kE~´r ´bAUt] maqàl le He cares about his
mother Usuk isi-inat maqal le
care for [kE~´ fO, kE~´ f´] v.tr 1 loowàm le He doesn’t care
for me Usuk yoh loowam mali 2 faxe I don’t care for any
more Ahak muxxi mafaxa
cared for [kE~´d fO] adj ciìnik ene Her clothes are well
cared for Tet sari ciinik yan
care of, take [tek kE~´ Åv] v.tr.phr 1 dacrise Take care of
these things for me! A duyye yoh dacris! 2 daanise Take
good care of this book! A buuk meqe daanah daanis! 3 amò
wagite Take good care of the guest I brought! Anu baahe
qibnaytuk amo nagay wagit!
care of, taken v.tr.phr meqè gurrat ten (tene) Your affairs
have been taken care of Ku caagiida meqe gurrat tan
careful [kE~´f´l] adj qìlsa He is a careful leader Usuk qilsi
saqala
careful, be [bi kE~´f´l] adj 1 ...-t cùbbi hayise Be careful
with your things! Isi duyyet cubbi hayis! 2 ...-k cùbbi abe
Be careful for snakes! Baaxot alluwwek cubbi abit!
carefulness [kE~´f´ln´s] n cùbbi Whatever she does, my
mother does with carefulness Yi-ina abinnaanim cubbit abta
careless [kE~´lEs] adj baaqìd mali; baaqidsìnna le He is
41
completely careless Usuk inkinnah tut baaqid mali He
has a careless attitude Usuk baaqidsinna le afkan le
carelessness [kE~´lEsn´s] n baaqidsìnna The accident
happened through his carelessness Kay baaqidsinnah
qawwalayla tekke
career [k´rI~´] n mehrat (mehràta) His career is in building
construction, but he failed to find work Kay mehrat qarwa
xisnek tene-immay, usuk taama magenna
caress [k´rE~s] 1 v.tr saacoore I caressed her out of love
Anu kacanuh tet saacoore 2 n saacooro Her caress is
sincere Tet saacooro niyaak takke
cargo [kA~go] n qàri / quùka / sicinat (sicinàta) A cargo laden
ship came into port Qari / Quuka / Sicinat le markab dakkat
culte
carotid artery [k´rÅ~tId AtrI] n caacayli / karraci / karreedo
The robber struck him on the carotid artery with a stick and
knocked him down Garqi caxxa caacayli / karracit /
karreedot kaak heeh edde kaa yinkise
carpenter [kA~pInt´, kA~p´nt´] n luctì naggaar (naggaàra)
Which carpenter made your cupboard? Kabat koh bicissem
maa lucti naggaaray?
carpet [kA~pIt, kA~p´t] 1 n erqifiddima The most beautiful
carpets come from Iran Qaxah yayse erqifiddim Fursi baaxol
geytima 2 v.tr erqifìddimat damdame We want to carpet
the floor Nanu qari baaxa erqifiddimat damdamnam fanxa
carriage [kœ~rIdZ] n 1 gexo A lame person has bad carriage
Kòs-iyya numuk gexo mameqe 2 gexentì gaari The
carriages on the train are divided into two classes Meelit
gexenti gaaritte namma kinah baxsimta
carrion [kœ~rI´n] n barùga The vulture fed off carrion
Gumayti baruga yokme
carrot [kœ~r´t] n kaaroot (kaaroòtu) They say that eating
carrots is good for the eyesight Kaaroot yakmeenim
intiffaarah meqeh iyyan
carry [kœ~rI] v.tr 1 ukkuqe Carry this box and put it in the
kitchen! A sandug ukkuqay, gira qaril hayis! 2 baahe
That shop doesn’t carry the things I want Anu faxa duyye
woo dokkaan mabaaha 3 bee This bus can carry 30
people A ottobus soddom num beyam duuda
carrier [kœ~rIe] n kuùli I had a carrier for my goods
Duyye quukah kuuli luk suge
carry away [kœrI ´we~] phr.v.tr rade The thieves carried
all the owner’s silver away Garqaali foddak aben duyye
inkih le numuk radeh fig ...-t untuxxuqe, hàwri cabsiise
My brother was carried away by his book Yi toobokoyti
yakriye buukut yuntuxxuqe My work carried me away
Inni taamat untuxxuqe Anger carried me away Naqbi
hawri yoo cabsiise
carry off [kœ~rI Å~f] phr.v.tr isiisàh orbise He carried off all
the prizes Usuk taguude acwak inkih isiisah orbise
carry on [kœ~rI Å~n] v.tr warrayse Carry on with the work
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C
you were doing! Abak sugte taama warras!
carry over [kœ~rI ov´] phr.v.tr ellè warrayse Carry the
sentence over on to the next page! Maxcok raqtam kataya
langil elle warras!
cart [kA~t] n gaari The shopkeeper had his flour brought by
cart Dokkaan le num burri gaarit bahsiise
cart away [kA~t ewe~] phr.v.tr weere He carted everything
away Usuk sùgga-intam inkih weere
cartilage [kA~tlIdZ] n karrùqta The cartilage in his shoulder is
torn Labkak karruqti kaak dargaqimeh
carton [kA~tn¢] n kartoon (kartoònu) They had put the food
away in a carton Maaqo kartoon addat daaniseenih sugen
cartoon [kAtu~n] n furkucàt taswiir (taswiìri) This book is full
of cartoons A buuk furkucat tasaawirik kibuk yan
cartridge [kA~trIdZ] n galhàytu If the powder in the cartridge
is damp, it won’t work Galhayti addah baarud uynaatek,
kacitah
carve [kA~v] v.tr irgiqe; okkore He carved the meat badly
Usuk cado umannal yirgiqe, He carved his name on the
stone Usuk isi migaq xaak bagul okkore
case [ke~s] n 1 santa How many cases have you got?
Santootik maa gide lito? 2 geyto / wayto How many cases
will be brought before the court today? A saaku takku wayta
mablol maakina geyto / wayto ablelon?
case, in [In ke~s] adv ...-k iyyaanam (iyyaanàma) They left
me behind in case he came Yoo akah cabeenim usuk
yemeetek iyyaanama
case, in that [In Dœt ke~s] adv wòysa In that case, I will
go Woysa, gexeyyo
cash [kœ~S] n lakqò qadih You have to pay for these things
with cash A duyyeh lakqo qadih taceem faxximta
cashier [kœ~SI´] n maàlu yabbaxi We can’t find the
cashier at the bank Bankil maalu yabbaxi wayneh
cassette [k´sE~t] n qaglat (qaglàta) Bring me a blank cassette!
Foyyah yan qaglat yoh baahey!
cast [kA~st] n aysaraàrac (aysaraàraca) The dentist made a
cast of my teeth Moddin daktoor yok moddin aysaraarac
abe
cast, (plaster) n noora A cast was put on the broken arm
Tiddigille gabal noora heen
cast (its) skin [kA~st skIn] v.tr sibàk ewqe / siixaxuk ewqe
The snake casts its skin as it grows Baaxot ali yambe way
sibak yawqe / siixaxuk yawqe
cast (a/the) spell [kA~st ´ spE~l] v.tr baàb abe The reason
why the woman is sick is that the sorcerer cast a spell on
her A barra akah biyaakittam baababe baab teetil abeksa
castle [kA~sl¢] n kalqàt gaso They built the king’s castle on a
hill Malikih kalqat gaso koomah amol xisen
castrate [kœstre~t] v.tr sangise We castrate bulls to fatten
them Agurwa gabultam-gidih sangisna
42
castrated [kœstre~tId] adj sangisèn Castrated bulls grow
fat Sangisen agurwa gabulta
casual [kœ~Zju´l] adj cubbusè wee He is casual in his
behaviour and dress Usuk cal kee sartan isik macubbusa
casualty [kœ~Zju´ltI] n 1 xaagùqa / madàlu How many
casualties were there in that battle? Woo maysattakat
xaaguqi / madali maa gide yekke? 2 Roocimatàrdayla We
took the injured man to Casualty Mudduume num
Roocimatardaylah beyne
cat [kœ~t] n dummu A cat doesn’t allow a mouse into its
home Dummu isih elle tan qari ikqiyo cùli mahayta
catalogue [kœ~t´lÅg] 1 n aydalaalaqà buuk (buùku) The girl
preparing for marriage chooses her wedding dress from the
catalogue Alkumul tan baxuwwa digib kamiis aydalaalaqa
buukuk dooritta 2 v.tr qadroorise Don’t catalogue our
misdeeds! Abne umaane nek maqadroorisin!
catalyst [kœ~t´lIst] n ekraare The one who was the catalyst
for getting the new road built was my brother Woo gitih
xisneh ekraare yi toobokoyta
cataract [kœ~t´rœkt] n 1 bìxak obta lee A cataract is
extremely powerful Bixak obta lee kaxxa cayla le 2
intibbùlci A person suffering from cataracts doesn’t see
well Intibbulci le num nagay yablu maduuda
catarrh [k´tA~] n ciifa He has chronic catarrh Usuk qaffoote
waa ciifa le
catastrophe [k´tœ~str´fi] n musiiba; balàk baaliq His coming
will be a catastrophe for us Kay mamaata musiiba nel
akkele The earthquake was a catastrophe Baaxoh
angoyyi balak baaliq katayse
catch [kœ~tS] 1 v.tr 1 ibbixe I caught the ball they threw at
me Yol qiden koqso ibbixe Don’t let me catch you doing
wrong! Anu kalaatah tan abtot koo abbixe waay inxic!
The police caught the thief Boliis garqa tibbixeh 2 matare
If you don’t run you won’t catch the train Arde waytek
meel mamatarta 3 lawise They caught me with their
story Oson baahen dirab missilat yoo lawisen 2 n tu
There is a catch in it somewhere Ahim tiyak teynat tu le
catching [kœ~tSIN] adj tàbu le Some diseases are catching
Qudrik tu tabu le
catch alight [kœtS ´lA~It] v.intr ure The fire will catch
alight quickly Gira xayuk urele
catch (a) cold [kœ~tS ko~ld] idiom goson ...-t rade / gosone
I caught a cold Goson yot rade / I caught a cold Gosoneh
catch on [kœ~tS Ån] 1 v.tr ...-t rade He’ll catch on to
what you say eventually Usuk gexak yeneek atu intaamat
radele 2 catch one’s breath idiom 1 caxxìnnah kafise I
caught my breath at the sight of her beauty Tet qaxih mabul
caxxinnah yoo kafise 2 ufùy ruube I am puffed out, wait
while I catch my breath! Qoofehik, ufuy ruubutay yoo inxic!
catch ... unawares [kœ~tS Un´wE~´z] v.tr.idiom garcìt ibbixe
His departure caught me unawares Kay gexo garcit yoo

tibbixe
catch sight of [kœ~tS sAIt ´v] prep.v.idiom tù uble If you
catch sight of that boy, give him my message! Woo awkah
tu tublek yi farmo kaal qid!
catch up [kœ~tS Up] phr.v.tr exbeebexe, eleele I can’t
catch him up Anu kaa axbeebexem / eleelam maduuda
catch up with [kœ~tS Up wID] phr.v.tr.idiom exbeebexe; eleele
They caught up with me when I reached home Oson anu
buxa elle gufe-ikkel yoo yexbeebexen I will catch up with
the students who are ahead of me Barittol yok tayse darsa
axbeebexeyyo / eleeleyyo
category [kœ~t´gri] n horta We’ll put him in the top category
Iro hortat kaa loowenno
caterpillar [kœ~t´pIl´] n cillixàyru The caterpillar became a
beautiful butterfly Cillixayri qaxmeqe laahinti yekke
Catholic [kœ~T´lIk] n Katolik (Katolìki) Catholics are
religious people Katolik mari diini le mara
cattle [kœ~tl¢] n laa Our cattle survived the drought Ni laahi
qabaarak raaqe
cause [kO~z] 1 n 1 fàrdi I need money for a good cause
Lakqo kaxxa fardih faxa 2 afèyta; sabab (sabàba) What is
the cause of his sickness? Kay lakimih afeyti macay? For
what cause did she come? Is maa sababah temeete? 2 v.tr
...-h xale That banging caused my headache Woo boqto
amobberra yoh xalte
cause ... concern [kO~z kÅns‰~n] v.tr cisabboose His bad
character caused us concern Kay qamal umaane nee
cisabbosse
causative [kO~z´tIv] adj absiisa A causative verb has an
object Absiisa abini akkeyna le
caution [kO~S´n, kO~sn¢] n 1 maabitina He gave me a caution
Maabitina yol yece 2 cùbbi, xagur (xagùru) He did what
we asked him with caution Kaal essernem cubbit / xagurut
abe
cautious [kO~S´s] adj dacrise / xagure He is cautious with
his feelings Usuk yassalenna isik dacrisa / xagura
cautiously [kO~S´sli] adv cùbbit / ìbak gaba abbixuk In
order not to waken him she came in cautiously Is kaa
aynibide waytuh qari cubbit / ibak gaba abbaxuk culte
cave [ke~v] n gabla Early people lived in caves Dumi mari
gaboolut dabqih anuk yen
cavity [kœ~vIti] n suusa; boorim (boorìmi) There is a cavity
in my tooth Moddina yok suusa bahte They kept their
money in a cavity under the window Oson isinni lakqo
taagatak gubal tan boorimit daanisen
caw [kO~] 1 n kakto A crow’s call is called a caw Kuraani
xongolo kakto deqsitta 2 v.intr kaakise The crow cawed
loudly Kuraani nabam kaakise
cease [si~s] 1 v.intr soole; iggile; fakise The drumming has
ceased Karamboh agra solteh The wind has ceased
Caacay yiggileh The rain has ceased Rob fakiseh 2 v.tr
43
soolise I have ceased smoking Anu sigaara maqab
sooliseh
ceaseless [si~sl´s] adj idiyà sinna My head ached from the
ceaseless throbbing of the boat’s engine Idiya sinni doonik
matoorih dikkirtoh amo yok berrisseh
ceaselessly [si~sl´slI] adv fakoòt sìnnim; idiyà sinnim The
rain fell ceaselessly Rob fakoot sinnim rade He worked
ceaselessly Usuk idiya sinnim taamite
ceiling [si~lIN] n amodira / balafòon (balafòonu) The ceiling
fell down because of the heavy rain Gibda roobuk
gexxaamah amodira raddeh / balafoon radeh
celebrate [sE~lIbret] v.tr caflàt abe / essekexxe We celebrated
his birthday Kay ubkah ayro caflat abne / nessekexxe
celebration [sElIbre~Sn¢] n caflat (caflàta) We will have a
celebration at the end of the year Sanat illacabol caflat
aallenno
celebrity [sElE~brIti] n aytigexxò le num (nùmu) A great
celebrity came to our country yesterday Kimal naba
aytigexxo le num ni baaxo yemeete
celibacy [sE~lIb´si, sE~l´b´si] n digibeway (digibewàya)
Celibacy is not for everyone Digibeway kulli numuh mabica
cell [sE~l] n 1 uguc (ugùcu) They put the thief in a cell the
day before yesterday Garqa ambaaca ugucut heen 2
kalaaya The terrorists hold their cell in secrecy Nacrur
maleela isinni kalaaya sirrih lon 3 wasìqtu The body is
made up of living cells Xagar nuwwi wasiiqak ginniima
cellar [sE~l´] n gongooni They store food in the cellar to
keep it from spoiling Maaqo taameemik qarik gongoonit
daanisan
cement [sImE~nt] n simit (simìti) We have a cement floor
Nanu simit baax lino
cemetery [sE~m´tri] n magooqa The Djibouti cemetery at
Himboli has a big surrounding wall Yabuutil Cimboli
magooqa kaxxa gaso maraasiyoh le
censor [sE~ns´] n addatàbe / sensuurabe The censor opened
my letter Addatabe / Sensuurabe yi gawaab fakeh
censure [sE~nS´] v.tr essecekke / sade They censured the
plans I put forward Anu xayyoose mala yessecekkeeni /
sadeeni
census [sE~ns´s] n sahdahìxxu / sahdallòowo The Djibouti
governnent conducted a census of the people just recently
Qusubih Yabuuti doolat sahdahixxu / sahdalloowo abteh
cent [sE~nt] n santiim (santiìmi) One dollar is a hundred
cents Inki dorral bool santiim yakke
centigrade [sE~ntIgred] n santigraad (santigraàda) In summer
the heat reaches forty centigrade Cagayah laqna morootum
santigraad taafe
centimetre [sE~ntImIt´] n santimitir (santimitìri) There are a
hundred centimetres in a metre Inki mitirit bool santimitir
yan
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C
centipede [sE~ntIpid] n sankaràarac (sankaràaraca) The
centipede pulls itself along the ground Sankaraarac baaxol
hirrigak gexa
centre [sE~nt´] n cundub (cundùbu) The centre of trade is
near the railway station Boqoysirak cundub Lagaar xaqut
geytima
centre on [sE~nt´r Ån] prep.v.tr 1 ...-t eqerre; ...-t buxùx le
My thoughts are centred on him Yi fikrat kaat yaqarre
Their dispute centred on those matters Ken keemaari woo
caagidit buxux luk suge
central [sE~ntr´l] adj gude The central pillar is very strong
Gude qamiddi kaxxa maqar le
centralism [sE~ntr´lIzm] n fanteyna We are opposed to the
centralism of our local affairs Rakaakay caagiida fanteynah
gacisaanamak saduh nan
centralize [sE~ntr´lAIz] v.tr fanteynah gacise They
centralized the operations Eddaasiyo fanteynah gacisen
century [sE~ntS´rI] n 1 wargibòolta A century is a hundred
years Wargiboolti bool sanata 2 bòol saga In the English
game of cricket a player who scores a century is applauded
Kirikit migaq le digiriy, Ingiliis digertal bool saga baaha
numuh gaba yaaguren
centurion [sEntju~´rI´n] n boolabba The centurion
inspected the troops Boolabba qallalle yefeegede
cereal [si~rIEl] n ambo / daro There are many kinds of
cereals Ambo / Daro mango qaynatah tan White sorghum
is one kind of cereal Tookari darok qaynatak teyna
ceremony [sE~rIm´ni] n ictifaal (ictifaàla) / waynabo
Yesterday a ceremony was held for students finishing school
Kimal tubbarittok tumurruqe darsa sabbatah ictifaal yekke /
waynabo tekke
ceremonies, master of [mA~st´ ´v sE~rIm´niz] n silaalò abbìsà
num (nùmu) The master of ceremonies oversees
everything at the feast Silaalo abbisa num temqol kulliimih
amo wagita
certain [´ s‰~t´n] 1 det agiddaan / maysan I am looking for
a certain man Agiddaan / Maysan num gorrisa A certain
Musa is looking for you Agiddaan Muusa koo waa 2 adj
diggà le The people expect a certain cure from our
treatment Sahda ni daylak digga le urim geyaanam niyatta
certain, be [bi s‰~t´n] adj ismite I am certain that my
father will become president of the youth club Yi-abba
dokon cangaddala akkelem asmiteh
certain, make [mek s‰~t´n] v.tr ixmiqe; diggoyse Make
certain that no revenge will be taken! Naag ane wayu waam
ixmiq! Make certain that you are in no later than 8
o’clock! Bacaarak raaqe waytu waytam diggos!
certainly [s‰~t´nli] adv diggà luk / gùdunuh; diggaàk /
gùdunuh Certainly I will go Anu diggà luk / gudunuh
gexeyyo It was certainly not me who did it Woh abtem
diggaak / gudunuh yoo hinna He is certainly quick Usuk
diggaak sissikah
44
certainty [s‰~t´nti] n àsmat (àsmata) His coming is a
certainty Kay mamut asmata His lying is a dead
certainty Usuk dirab aceelem rabi-innah asmat le / Usuk
dirab aceeleemih asmat rabi gide
certificate [s´tI~fIk´t] n sumàq warkat (warkàta) Where is his
birth certificate? Kaak ubka sumaaqih warkat ankel yan?
certify [s‰~tIfAI] v.tr diggoyse / nummayse I certify that he
came yesterday Anu usuk kimal yemeetem diggoysah /
nummaysah
cesarean section [sIzE~´ri´n sEkSn¢] 1 n bagì fakim (fakìmi)
This woman gave birth by cesarean section A barra xalayal
bagi fakimil xalisen 2 also caesarean
chaff [tSA~f] n casùra Remove the chaff from the grain!
Darok casura kal!
chain [tSe~n] 1 n sìlsi; silsilat (silsilàta) She wears a gold
chain round her neck Is dahab silsi fillat le We put a
chain on our door at night Qaraafih alfentat bar silsilat
hayna 2 v.tr bìrtal hee / silsilàtal hee They chain up
prisoners Casbi mara birtal haan / silsilatal haan
chair [tSE~´] n kòrsi He is always sitting in a chair Usuk
uumman korsil daffeya
chairman [tSE~´m´n] n caxassàqal (caxassàqala) Who is
the chairman of the peace committee? Wagri marok
caxassaqal iyyay?
chalk [tSO~k] n barda; tabasiira The town of Dover has chalk
cliffs Doofer deqsitta magaala barda le boolal le Writing
with chalk made me cough Bardat / Tabasiirat abe kutbe
kacuw yoo haysisse
challenge [tSœ~l´ndZ] 1 n gutqo / carsa; murru His coming
was a challenge to me Kay mamaata gutqo / carsa yoh tekke
I faced his challenge Anu kay murruh garaye 2 v.tr
murruse; carsiye I challenged him in the general
knowledge competition Ixxigà kasih qalalah kaa murruseh
I was challenged by his ability Usuk le duddah carsiye
chameleon [k´mi~lI´n, S´mi~lI´n] n caacayyaàqubi / seehan
(seehàna) The chameleon changes its colour to match its
surroundings Caacayyaaqubi / Seehan elle yani-ikkeh bisu
baaha
champ [tSœ~mp] v.tr talqàm-exce Don’t champ your food
when you eat Maaqo takme waqdi talqàm maxcin!
champion [tSœ~mpI´n] n celem (celèmi) Abebe Bekele
became the world’s champion long distance runner Abebe
Bekila baadal xer ardih celem yekke
chance [tSA~ns] 1 n saàmi He has a chance to become
president Usuk baaxo cangaddala yakku waamih saami leh
This is your last chance Tah koh illacabo saami 2 v.tr (+
infin) cubè waak I chanced to see him Cube waak kaa
ubleh
change [tSe~ndZ] 1 v.tr 1 korise; libaake / milaage; ibiddile
He changed his behaviour Usuk isi cal koriseh I changed
the clothes I came home with, for others Buxah luk uduure

sarak aki sara libaake / milaage I am going to change my
clothes Sara abiddilu waa 2 isrife Change this five
thousand for me! A koona alfi yoh isrif! 2 v.intr korise
His attitude towards me has changed Yi fanah le afkan usuk
koriseh 3 n 1 kòrsa I saw a change in his behaviour
Kaak calti korsa uble 2 sarfi I want change for this five
thousand A koona alfih sarfi faxa
changeable [tSe~ndZ´bl¢] adj korkorsima His behaviour is
changeable Usuk korkorsima gexgexit le
changeless [tSe~ndZl´s] adj koresìnna le The daily life of
the nomads appears changeless Daharsitto marak uumman
saakih mano koresinna lem celta
channel [tSœ~nl¢] 1 n dooco / leegexa We dug a channel for
the water Leeh dooco / leegexa cotne 2 v.tr doocise
They channelled the goods to the needy Duyye calway le
marih kabul doocisen
chaos [ke~yÅs] n galamgalle If he is there, there will be chaos
Usuk yenek tu-iyyaanam galamgalle aallele
chaotic [ke~ÅtIk] adj boroorocite / dobollokite Things are
chaotic since he returned Usuk yendebbeek lakal tuiyyaanam
boroorocitteh / dobollokitteh
chap 1 [tSœ~p] n.colloq yaalo Where did that chap come
from? Woo yaalo akak yemeetem ankey?
chap 2 [tSœ~p] v.tr baabaqise / siliiqise The cold chapped my
lips Xamca sokaati yok baabaqisse / siliiqisse
chapped [tSœ~pt] adj baabaqite / siliiqite My lips are
chapped Sokaati yok baabaqitte / siliiqitte
chapati [tS´pA~ti] n gasiita / gabidda We eat stew with
chapatis Saalo gasiita / gabidda luk nakme
chapter [tSœ~pt´] n mansayya How many chapters are there
in this book? A buuk maakina mansayya le?
character [kœ~rIkt´] n 1 caalat (caalàta) She has a nice
character Is meqe caalat le 2 wara How many
characters are there on this typewriter? A kutbeh makiina
maakina wara le? 3 sahdàytu What an amusing character
he is! Usuk manxa furkacat le sahdaytuy!
characteristic [kœrIkt´rI~stIk] n sàlu One of the
characteristics of these people is that they are always
singing A marak saluk teyni uumman gad abaanama
characterize [kœ~rIkt´rAIz] v.tr weelise Warm hospitality
characterizes them Qibnaytiino warray ken weelissah
charcoal [tSA~kol] n fàcmi Coffee made on a charcoal fire
has the best taste Facmi giral facisen buni yayse tamu le
charge [tSA~dZ] 1 v.tr 1 ...-l eexege; ...-k bee / ...-k essere
He charged me too much for the taxi Usuk taksit gufsah
temeexegeemik biso yol yeexegeh How much did he
charge you? Usuk maa gide kok bee / kok essere? 2 haysite
What are you charging him with? Maca kaat haysitta? 3
warare The cavalry charged the town Farasal yan macaxi
magaala warare 2 n 1 noòli The flight charge was too
much for me Tayyaara nooli yi duddak bisoh yen 2 geyto,
45
kàdu, wayto I laid a charge against him Geyto / Kadu /
Wayto kaak ece 3 dadho The charge made by the police
at the demonstrators was unnecessary Boliis uluuluka marat
abte dadho faxxiimak masuginna
charge, be in [bi In tSA~dZ] v.intr abbah ene / abbise Who
is in charge here? Akkel abbah tanim iyyay / Akke abbissam
iyyay?
charge of, be in [bi In tSA~dZ ´v] prep.v.tr abbise Hasan is
in charge of arrangements Casan tubbica abbisa
charge of, take [te~k tSA~dZ ´v] v.tr abbise / loynise Take
charge of this work for me until I return! Anu aduurem
fanah a taama abbis! / loynis!
charisma [k´rI~zm´] n hàybat (hàybata) A person with
charisma can influence others Haybat le num sinam isi
kasah hayisam duudah
charity [tSœ~rIti] n 1 meqelletiino His charity is well-known
Kay meqelletiino timixxigeh tan 2 lillà massoyna /
meqemabòot (meqemabòotu) That organisation is a
charity Woo massoyna lilla massoyna / meqemabootu
charitable [tSœ~rIt´bl¢] adj gabaccàboot le That woman is
charitable Woo barra gabaccaboot le
charm [tSA~m] 1 n 1 xagàr kitab (kitaàba) Charms are put
on the arms Xagar kitab caraayat haan 2 meqellata His
charm is irresistible Kay meqellatah yasseediyeenim
maduudan 2 v.tr tammoowe The visitor’s friendliness
charmed them Qibnayti meqemariino keenit tammowteh
charming [tSA~mIN] adj lèedis le My sister is charming Yi
maqanxa leedis le
chart [tSA~t] n kàrta His temperature is recorded on the chart
Kay xagarih laqna takkeh gide kartal tunkuttube Sailors
have charts to plot their sea passage Bacriya baddi gitih
afkan taaxaguh karta lon
charter [tSA~t´] 1 n madqa The government drew up a new
charter for the workers Doolat taamita marah qusba madqa
mudde 2 v.tr kirise We will charter a bus to take us
Nanu otibus nee beytuh kirisenno
chase [tSe~s] v.tr eyredde Many people chased the thief
Garqa mango mari yeyredde
chase off [tSe~s Åf] phr.v.tr xiiriye I chased the goats off
our compound Ni gasok wadar xiiriye also: chase away
chasm [kœ~zm] n fàqu The earthquake left a chasm in its
wake Baaxoh angoyyi ardi faqu luk cabe
chaste [tSe~st] adj ìbat ene / saròt ene That girl is chaste
Woo baxuwwa ibat tan / sarot tan
chastity [tSœ~stItI] n fidòh angaarow abe waanam (waanàma)
Chastity before marriage is best for everyone Digibik
dumal fidoh angaarow abe waanam kulli numuh tayse
chastize [tSœstA~Iz] v.tr sahite The parents chastized him for
his bad behaviour Kay gexgexitih umaanek xaleyna kaa
sahitte
C

C
chat [tSœ~t] 1 v.intr haasawe / walale We spent the early
evening chatting Carri bar haasawak / walalak kassowne
Our friends chatted with the landlord this evening Carri bar
ni kataysis qari loyna luk haasawte / walalte 2 n wàlal
(wàlala) The chat we had about our experiences made us
homesick Ninni abitikxaagitit abne walal baaxoh maxhaxal
nee yece
chatter [tSœ~t´] 1 v.intr 1 liicite Ali chatters in school Qali
iskoolal liicita 2 n wàlal (wàlala) What is this chatter?
Ah maa walalay? 2 kadiidimite My teeth are chattering
because of the cold Waacak gexxaamah qaxi yok
kadiidimitah
chauffeur [So~f´] n baabùr beyeena / sofeer (sofeèri) The
President’s chauffeur is from his own tribe Ummuunoh
abbah baabur beyeena / sofeer kaak kedoyta
cheap [tSi~p] adj 1 limòk addah ene / rakiìsih ene; lakqòk
addah ene / ruksìh ene Bring me a cheap dress! Limok
addah yan / Rakiisih yan kamiis yoh bah! Cheap things are
usually of poor quality Lakqok addah tan / Ruksih tan duyye
mangih, maddat dagiina le
cheapen [tSi~pn¢] v.tr qakkoyise Swearing cheapens the
swearer Qaybi qangor yaabah haysitam num qakkossa
cheat [tSit]~ 1 v.tr lawise He cheated me at cards Usuk
turub digiril yoo lawise 2 n lawiseèna / makòyta He is a
well-known cheat Usuk yimixxige lawiseena / makoyta
cheat out of [tSit A~Ut ´v]~ prep.v.tr ...-k make He cheated
me out of 5,000 francs Usuk koona alfi faranka yok make
check [tSE~k] 1 v.tr efeegede The supervisor checked my
work Amowagte taama yok yefeegede We checked the
goods received against the order sheet Tabisne duyye elle
absisne kaayima luk nefeegede 2 n kinnàaneh aydalaalaqa
The police carried out a check of the passengers Boliis
gexentittet kinnaaneh aydalaalaqa abte
check over [tSE~k o~v´] phr.v.tr sifàwàgit ...-t abe The
doctor checked me over Daktoor sifawagit yot abe
check-up [tSE~k-øp] n sifàwàgit (sifawàgiti) I went to the
doctor’s for a check-up Anu daktoorul sifawagitih gexe
check 1 adj kutuutùbin My sister likes check patterned
material Yi maqanxa kutuutubin welu le sara kicina
cheek 2 [tSi~k] 1 n xàban (xàbana) / xebes (xebèsi) I kissed
her on the cheek Anu xaban / xebes teetik fugute Her
cheeks flushed through modesty Cayah xaban teetik
qassoowe 2 expression What a cheek! Ces kok!
cheeky [tSi~ki] adj adbisinna le He’s a cheeky boy Usuk
adbisinna le awka
cheer [tSi~´] v.tr 1 agiirise We cheered the winning side
Tayse exxa agiirisneh 2 aydakumuse The news you
brought has cheered me Atu bahte xaagi yoo aydakumuse
cheer up [tSi~´ - ø~p] 1 phr.v.tr aydakumuse We cheered
him up out of his dejection Edde suge niyaddaacak yassaqqu
kaa aydakumusne 2 phr.v.intr aydakume Come on, cheer
46
up! Hayye hay! is aydakum!
cheerful [tSi~´fl¢] adj nafiìsik ene He was cheerful in spite
of his disease Madarrat le wakay takkay, nafiisik yene
cheerfulness [tSi~´f´ln´s] n nuuco His cheerfulness
encourages us Kay nuuco niya net hayta
cheerless [tSi~´l´s] adj noorìs màli Our house is cheerless
Ni qari nooris mali
cheerlessness [tSi~´l´snEs] n noorìs sinna The
cheerlessness of his place makes him dull Kay aracih nooris
sinna kaa gamoomissa
cheese [tSi~z] n cantì hobbo We eat bread and cheese in the
evening Canti hobbo kee gaqambo carri bar xagna
chemistry [kE~mIstrI] n kiimiyà qilmi He is learning
chemistry Usuk kiimiya qilmit yan
chemical [kE~mIkl¢] 1 n kiimiyà qaynoota What
chemicals are in this water? A leeh addat maa kiimiya
qaynoota geytimta? 2 adj kiimiya A chemical change
took place Kiimiya milaagi yekke
chemist [kE~mIst] n caxà dageena I brought this medicine
from the chemist A diwa caxa dageenak baahe
cherish [tSE~rIS] v.tr leedise I cherish the memory of my
dear friend Yi meqe kataysah kassit leedisah
cherished [tSE~rISt] adj assàkat le Freedom of speech is a
cherished right in this country Yaxxacceenimih hurriyat a
baaxol assakat le cakki
cherry [tSE~ri] n kusra Cherries are out in Spring Kusra
Sugumut xalta
chest [tSE~st] n 1 alil (aliìli); sorkoco That man’s chest is
broad Woo numuk alil fidninih He has a pain in his
lower chest Usuk alil gabilit biyak le The heart and lungs
are located in the chest Sorkocoh addat lubbi kee gabuulo
geytimta 2 gìffa-inta sandug (sandùgu) A chest holds a lot
of things Gìffa-inta sandug duyyek mangom tabbixe
chest of drawers [tSE~st ´v drO~z] n kabàt raawit (raawìti)
The chest of drawers fitted into the empty space Kabat
raawit kaawak suge aracat bice
chew [tSu~] v.tr ecete / etece Chew your food well before
swallowing! Maaqo tanxuqek duma meqennah ecet! / etec!
chewing gum [tSu~wIN gøm] n miira Speaking with
chewing gum in the mouth is impolite Afat miira luk
yaabaanam adabi mali
chick [tSI~k] n.pl dorrahibbaxa The mother hen protects her
chicks Dorrahiyta dorrahixxaylo gamissa
chicken [tSI~kIn] n dorrahi We will eat chicken today A
saaku dorrahi akmenno
chicken pox [tSI~kIn pÅks] n guduf (gudùfu) Chicken pox is
an infectious disease Guduf tabu le biyaaka
chicken out [tSI~kIn A~Ut] phr.v.intr ...-t gace, ...-t uduure
Don’t chicken out from our pact! Tìtta elle geyneemit
magacin / Titta elle geyneemit maadaarin!

chief [tSi~f] 1 n reedàntu; abba The chief settled their
dispute Ken muggudih mablo reedanti abe The chief of
our clan is a real sage Ni xaalah abba kaxxa kasloyta 2 adj
naharsiinò le; saqal (saqàla) Ethiopia is one of the chief
producers of coffee Itiyobbiya buni murtil naharsiino le
baaxok tiyak teena They made my uncle the chief judge
Yi qammi garkurah saqal aben
chiefly [tSi~flI] adv xèflih He lives chiefly in Gawani
Usuk xeflih Gawwaanil daffeya Cooking in the
countryside is done chiefly using wood Barril maaqo xeflih
bocol alaysan
child [tSA~Ild] n bàxa Whose child is this? Ah iyyin baxay?
children [tSI~ldr´n] n.irr.pl xaylo; ùrru; alaaqa / canxoòwa
How many children have you? Xaylok maa gide lito? The
children’s noise kept me from sleep Urri wexxeqto xin yoo
waysisse There are many young children in that section
Woo caafatal alaaqa / canxoowi mangoh
childhood [tSA~Ildhød] n qunxà mariino; mangacànna He
grew up from childhood in the country Usuk qunxa
mariinook barril cate He was already spoiled during
childhood Kaa mangacannal elle hatkisen
childish [tSA~IldIS] adj mangacanna, urriino Don’t be
childish! Mangacanna cab! / Urriino cab!
childishness [tSA~IldISn´s] n mangacanna The
childishness of her talk annoyed me Tet yaabih mangacanna
yoo tiskikkiqeh
childless [tSA~Ildl´s] adj xaylò mali The childless couple
are very hospitable Xaylo sinni baqla kee barra naba
qibnaytiino le
childlessness [tSA~Ildl´sn´s] n xalày sinnaane
Childlessness is difficult for them Xalay sinnaane keenil
gibdih
child, as a [´z ´ tSA~Ild] adv.phr qùnxih I learnt to read as
a child Anu kiriyaati qunxih barite
chill [tSI~l] 1 v.tr xabbacoose Chill this food in the frig! A
maaqo galasseerit xabbacos! 2 n wacticùla I caught a
chill Wacticula liyo
chilly [tSI~li] adj waacite; wàc le If you feel chilly, light
the fire! Waacittek gira urusit! It’s chilly in here Akke
wac le
chilli [tSI~li] n barbare / dukkus (dukkùsu) Don’t overdo the
chilli powder in the stew! Barbare / Dukkus saalot
maymaggin!
chin [tSI~n] n deben (debèni) His chin juts out Deben kaak
suuxut le
China [tSA~In´] n Siinabbaaxo They import tea from China
Siinabbaaxok saahi absiisan
china n siina We drink tea in china cups Nanu saahi
siina kobbaayal naaqube
chip [tSI~p] 1 v.tr oysorooroce They chipped the stones to
make them even for house building Qari xisneh xeet inki
caddol yaysorooroocen 2 n 1 buùra Fires are ignited
47
using chips Gira buurat urusan 2 gasilo When I fell
down a chip broke off my tooth Innikise waqdi moddinik
gasilo yok tiddigilleh 3 laqlaqìn bataata I like chips with
my meat Cado luk laqlaqin bataata kiciyyo 4 wassìqtu A
computer chip performs special operations Kombiyuuter
wassiqti dooren abto le
chirp [tS‰~p] 1 v.intr kikkiiqise The birds chirp early in the
morning Kimbiro maaca kikkiiqissa 2 n kikkiiqo What
bird chirp is that? Woh maa kimbiroh kikkiiqoy?
chisel [tSI~zl¢] n mafras (mafràsa) / oreyna The carpenter
fashioned the wood with a chisel Lucti naggaar luc mafrasat
/ oreynat massoyise
chock-full [tSÅ~k-fUl] pred.adj tiqòt tan My case is chock-full
Santa yok tiqot tan
chocolate [tSÅ~k´l´t, tSÅ~kl´t] n sokoola The French drink milk
chocolate for breakfast Faransaawi miidikalo sokoola le can
nakta
choice [tSO~Is] 1 n doorit (doorìti) I don’t think much of his
choice Kay doorit tuh mayyu / maloowita 2 adj fùla le
The house he lives in is very choice Usuk elle daffeya qari
nabaam fula le
choke [tSo~k] 1 v.intr ...-t sirkite Because he stuffed his
mouth with food the boy choked Awki maaqok af kibeemih
sabbatah maaqot sirkiteh I was choking on water Leet
sirkiteh 2 v.tr quxuuse The bad man tried to choke me
Umeeni yoo quxuusam gabbate 3 n sansì ruubeyna Push
the choke in when the car is going well! Baabur nagay gexxa
waqdi sansi ruubeyna gacis!
choker [tSo~k´] n baada The bride wore a gold choker
Qibna dahab baada hayte
cholera [kÅ~l´r´]~ n koleera Cholera is a disease spread
through dirty water Koleera toome leek yamaate lakima
chomp [tSÅ~mp] v.tr cf champ
choose [tSu~z] v.tr doore He chose to learn English Ingiliis af
baritam doorite Choose a good book for me! Meqe buuk
yoh door!
chop [tSÅ~p] v.tr fellaqise We chopped wood for the fire
Girah boco fellaqisne
chop up [tSÅ~p øp] v.tr irgiggiqe; kitife, irgiqe Chop the dry
branch up for the fire! Girah kafin ludda irgiggiq! We
chopped up the onions, the potatoes and the meat Nanu
basal kitifneh, bataata kee cado nirgiqeh
chorus [ko~r´s] 1 n 1 gàd abeenit (abeenìti) He is a
member of the chorus Usuk gad abeenitik adoyta 2
amoggàcsa Everyone sings the chorus Gadak amoggacsa
kulli num yakkuqeh 2 v.tr guùmah ukkuqe People chorus
the last word spoken in court Sinam mablol yaabak illacabo
qangara guumah yakkuqen
Christ [krA~Ist] n Masiic (Masiìci) Christ loves people Masiic
sinam kicina
Christian [krI~stS´n] n Masiìctu True Christians obey the
C

C
word of their Lord Numma numma Masiictit isinni Rabbih
yaabah rammitaanah
Christianity [krIstiœ~nItI] n Masiicinna Christianity is a
faith based on the teaching of Christ Masiicinni Masiic
barsal soola diini
Christmas [krI~sm´s] n Kirismas (Kirismaàsa) Christmas is
the time Christians remember the birth of Christ Kirismas,
Masiictit, Masiic ubka edde kassitta ayro
chronic [krÅ~nIk] adj qaffootewày le; cabewày le He used to
run even though he had chronic asthma Qaffooteway le
isibbi le wakay takkay, usuk arda abak yen In many
African countries there is chronic drought Mango Afriikah
baaxooxal cabeway le qabar yan
chronology [kr´nÅ~l´dZI] n yaakumìk ciggiil (ciggiìli) His
statement is a chronology of events Kay maxco tekkeemik
yaakumik ciggiilil tan
chronological [krÅn´lÅ~dZIkl¢] adj yaakumìk ciggiile The
narration of historical dates should be chronological
Aydaadal tu edde tekke waktih gabbaq yaakumik ciggiilel
yakkem faxximta
chuckle [tSø~kl¢] v.intr kanaanacite / kikiicite What are you
chuckling about? Macal kanaanacitta / kikiicitta?
chum [tSø~m] n wadàytu He and his chum are inseparable
Kaa kee kay wadaytu tittak mabaxsimta
church [tS‰~tS] n 1 Yaàsusul taamino The church consists of
those who truly believe the words of Jesus Yaasusul
taamino kay yab numma kinniimil yaamine mara 2 kaniisa
A church is the place where Christians worship Kaniisa
akak iyyaanam Masiictit qibaada qari
churn [tS‰~n] v.tr ruke We churn milk to make butter Mutuk
nayyaaquh can rukna
chute [Su~t] n sontoloolocisà boorim (boorìmi) They threw
the rubbish down the chute Guddaafa sontoloolocisa
boorimik qiden
cicada [sIkA~d´] n cagayfìrriq (cagayfìrriiqi) Cicadas sing
ceaselessly Cagayfirriq gabaak warrìq-iyya
cigarette [sI~g´rEt, sIgrE~t] n sigaara Smoking cigarettes
causes disease Sigaara maqab biyak sinaamat qida
cinders [sI~nd´z] n.pl xikcino Light the fire from the cinders!
Xikcinok gira urus!
cinema [sI~nIm´] n sinimà qari The cinema is in the centre of
the town Sinima qari magaalak gudet raaqa
cinnamon [sI~n´m´n] n karfa Cinnamon is used in boiling
water to which tea leaves have been added Karfa facta leeh
addat saahit yasgallen
circle [s‰~kl¢] n maròyta The people present sat round in a
circle Gaaboowe mari maroytah daffeyen
circular [s‰~kjul´] adj maroyti They perfect the circular
shape of the round house Daboytak maroyti weelo
yaymaaqen
48
circulate [s‰~kjulet] 1 v.intr tìttal tabantabe At parties
people circulate for conversation Xigla elle takke-ikkel
sinam walalah tittal tabantabta 2 v.tr tabtabise They
circulated the good news Oson meqe xaagu tabtabisen
circulation [s‰kjule~Sn¢] n 1 gexaygàco His blood
circulation is poor Xagarat qabali gexaygaco boola kaak le
2 tabantabta The money in circulation is dirty and needs
replacing Tabantabta lakqoy, xarbitte, milaagaanam
faxximta
circumcize [s‰~k´msAIz] v.tr andòyta kale / saloote They
circumcised the boy on the eighth day Àwkak bacarhaytoh
ayrol andoyta kalen / Àwka bacarhaytoh ayrol salooten
circumcized [s‰~k´msAIzd] adj saloote A party was held
for the circumcized boys Salooten lab urruh waynabo aben
circumcision [s‰~kømsIZn¢] n salot (saloòtu) Circumcision
should be left to those who know how to do it properly
Salot abu yaaxige maral cabaanam tayse
circumference [s‰kø~mfr´ns] n maroytì maraasiyo What is
the circumference of the plastic disk? Balastikik aben diskik
maroyti maraasiyo maa gide takke?
circumstance [s‰~k´mstœns] n bìca; gùrra / wacàli My
circumstances are average Bici yok fanaafanah yan; Under
those circumstances I will not go with you (pl) Woo gurri /
wacali edde yenek siinil luk magexa
cirrus [sI~r´s] n darur (darùru) There is no rain in cirrus
clouds Darur qamburre rob mali
cistern [sI~st´n] n birkat (birkàta) Our cistern leaks Ni birkat
lee xoyaysah
citizen [sI~tIzn¢] n agàt baxa / baaxò baxa The citizens are
proud of their leader Agat xaylo / Baaxo xaylo isinni abbal
kaxxiinittah
city [sI~tI] n magaala Which city do you live in? Atu dabqi
elle litom maa magaalay?
civet cat [sI~vIt] n adòyla A civet cat resembles a leopard
but is smaller Adoyli kabqi ceela-immay, kaak qunxah
civil [sI~v´l, sI~vl¢] adj maqaafat / muquk Even though you
can’t stand him, be civil to him! Atu kaa qansiise
waytaamah maqaafat / muquk kaal luk gex!
civil action [sIvl¢ œ~kSn¢ ¢] n geyto I brought a civil action
against him Geyto kaak ece
civil law [sIvl¢ lO~] n gàbaqasa madqa Civil law is
exercised by the council Gabaqasa madqa miglis adoytitte
abinal asissa
civility [sIvI~lIti] n 1 adabì maqaane His civility is wellknown
Kay adabih maqaane timixxige 2 nagaahinna
After civilities they got down to business Nagaahinnak
lakal yimixxige caagidit culen
civilian [sIvI~lI´n] n gabaqasàytu Civilians object to
military rule Gabaqasa qaskar xinto saddah
civilize [sI~v´lAIz] v.tr gexgexìt uydule; xintò gexgexsite They
civilized them Oson gexgexit keenik yuydulen Civilizing

equires many years Xinto gexgexsit mango sanoota faxa
civilization [sIvlAIze~Sn¢] n magàalit (magàaliti)
Civilization is not achieved without education Tubbaritto
maliinoh magaalit arac maxaga
claim [kle~m] 1 v.tr exxeece / warsite; loowite / ...-l soole
He claims to be clever Usuk turraqsa lem, yaxxaace / warsita
I came to claim my rights Inni cakki loowituh emeete /
Inni cakkil sooluh emeete 2 n magaada He put in a
claim for asylum Usuk meglo magaada xayyoose She put
in a claim for better conditions Is tayse manoh magaada
xayyosse
claimant [kle~m´nt] n gàrli The claimant entered the
court Garli mackamat cule
clammy [klœ~mi] adj qibbiide I feel clammy when it is
humid Anu hawah uynan yan waqdi qibbiidita
clamminess [klœ~mIn´s] n qìbbiid (qìbbiidi) The present
clamminess is wearing A way yan qibbiid num taanisa
clamp [klœ~mp] v.tr morsàt eysebeebexe The carpenter
clamped together the two pieces of wood he wanted to join
Lucti naggaar tittak xakbisam faxa namma luc morsat
yeysebeebexe
clan [klœ~n] n daala Amongst the Afar each clan cares for
its members Qafar addal kulli daala isi marat ayti le
clang [klœ~N] 1 v.intr kallùw-exce When two pieces of iron
bang against each other they clang Namma birti tittat booda
waqdi kallùw-iyya 2 n kalluwto What caused that clang
in the machinery? A makayinih addah kalluwto macak tene?
clap [klœ~p] 1 v.intr gabà oogore The young girls clapped
when the bride appeared Baxuw qibna tumbulle waqdi gaba
yoogore 2 n gabahùgra They gave a good clap for the
singer Oson gadabeh gìffa-inta gabahugra aben
clarify [klœ~rIfAI] v.tr baxxaaqise; uyxuxxuure Clarify the
situation for me! Tu-elle taninna yoh baxxaqis! Butter is
clarified by heating and water is clarified by filtering
Mutuk laqsal yayxuxxuuren, lee sarol yayxuxxuureenih
clarification [klœrIfIke~Sn¢] n addafakoot (addafakoòtu) /
baxxaqqa Clarification of this message is necessary A
farmoh addafakoot faxxiima / baxxaqqa faxximta
clarity [klœ~rIti] n 1 baxxaqqa He spoke with clarity Usuk
baxxaqqa luk yaabe 2 sila The clarity of the water in the
bottle is wonderful Karaaratat tan leeh sila manna meqe
clash [klœ~S] v.intr 1 ...-t boode We aren’t of the same mind
so we clashed Inkim manacsubay, tittat boodne 2 titta
màbeya, tìttal màgexa The colours of her dress and shawl
clash Tet kamiis kee makalbah bisi titta mabeya / tittal
magexa
class [klA~s] 1 n 1 kino What class of verb is this? A abini
maa kinot yan? 2 ranko The nobles are the upper class
and the common people are the lower class Magas fàyyainta
rankoy, cuggi ràmma-inta ranko 3 fàsli What class
have you reached in school? Iskoolak maa fasli toofe? 2
49
v.tr loowite; ...-t hee We classed them as intruders
Amokrado marak ken loowitne A girl of thirteen may be
classed as of marriageable age Taban kee sidiica karma le
awkà digibit hayte baxuwwa iyyan
classmate [klA~smet] n faslì wadaytu He is my classmate
Usuk yok fasli wadaytu
classroom [klA~srum] n fàsli The naughty boy was sent
outside the classroom Matba le awka faslik afah yeyyeeqen
classify [klœ~sIfAI] 1 v.tr ellè kuraabiye What rules apply to
classify achievements? Agdab elle kuraabiyan madqooqa
maca tan? 2 pass kuraabime Each one is classified
according to his ability Kulli num le duddol kuraabime
classified [klœ~sIfAId] adj sìrri le This information is
classified A xaagit sirri le
classification [klœsIfIke~Sn¢] n kuraabiyo If you want to
learn the classification of words consult the grammar!
Qangor kuraabiyo barittam faxxek yabti rakiiboh buuk wagit!
clatter [klœ~t´] 1 v.tr kaluwluwuse She clattered the dishes
as she washed them Is sacuun kaluwluwusak kaqlisse 2 n
kalluwto Who disturbed our peace by that clatter? Woo
kalluwtot amo net qiddem iyyay?
clause [klO~z] n maxco; ascòssa A clause is a group of words
which make sense together Maxco akak innam qangor
hortay, maqna leh iyya There is an important clause in
the agreement Tittingeyit kulsa le ascossi yan
clavicle [klœ~vIkl¢] n koorì lafa When the boy fell from the
tree he broke his clavicle Awki caxak elle rade-ikkel koori
lafa kaak tiddigille
claw [klO~] 1 n 1 liico; lifiq (lifiìqi) The claws of a crab are
sold Cerkak liico xaamaana Lions and eagles have sharp
claws Lubak kee qawi af le lifiiqa le 2 v.tr lifìq hee
Don’t claw me! Lifiq yot mahan!
claw one's way [klO~ wønz we~] idiom bàgut akah arite I
clawed my way to my desired goal Niyaate madma bagut
akah aritak gufe
clay [kle~] n kalla Pots are made from clay Kallak gacoolit
aban
clean [kli~n] 1 adj karqè le / nadiifik ene Bring me a clean
cloth! Karqe le / Nadiifik tan calagto yoh baahey! 2 fig
gìtah uduure The man who was a thief became clean
Garqah suge num gitah yuduure 3 v.tr duuge Clean the
floor with a cloth! Calagtot baax dug!
cleanliness [klE~nlIn´s] n nadaafat (nadaafàta) We teach
them what cleanliness means Nadaafat kinnim ken barisna
cleanness [kli~nn´s] n nadaafat (nadaafàta) Who is
responsible for the cleanness of this house? A qarih
nadaafat iyyin fillal yan?
cleanse [klE~nz] v.tr naggoose Cleanse your mind of evil
thoughts! Amo uma macsabak is naggos!
clear [klI~´] 1 adj 1 saytùn mabla le They made the
window of clear glass Taagat saytun mabla le mereyyak
C

C
bicisen 2 qado What you said is not clear to me Atu
intem yoh maqado 3 foyyàh ene I want a clear space for
my things Yi duyyeh foyyah yan arac faxa 2 v.tr 1 kale
Clear all these things from here! A duyye inkih akkek kal! 2
naddoose The court cleared his name Mabloccaxa migaq
kaak naddosse
clear, become v.intr qaddoowe What you said has
become clear to me Atu intem yoh qaddowte
clear a/the way v.tr.phr gìta wahanise The police cleared
a way for the Queen Boliis Malikah gita wahanisse
clear up 1 v.tr daanise Children should be taught to
clear up their things Urri isinni duyye daanisaanam
baritaanam faxximtah 2 v.intr gayràn fakise We hope the
weather will clear up Nanu hawak gayran fakisam fanxa
clearly [klI~´lI] adv qàduuk; nummaak The teacher
explained the calculation very clearly Kabir cisab nagay
qaduuk baxxaqise Clearly, this sort of behaviour will not
do Nummaak, a bis le gexgexit bica mali
cleft [klE~ft] n forqo He hid himself in a cleft in the rock
Usuk baladak forqot yombooqore
cleft palate [klEft pœ~l´t] n qangàr forqo He has a cleft
palate Usuk qangar forqo le
clench [klE~ntS] v.tr tìttal hee Don’t clench your teeth! Qaxa
tittat mahan!
clenched fist [klE~ntSt fI~st] n kumbuuqus (kumbuuqùsu)
Ali floored the man he fought using his clenched fist Qali
lih yoome num kumbuuqusut yinkiseh
clerk [klA~k] n kattaab (kattaàba) The clerk records things on
paper Kattaab tekkem warkatal raaqisa
clever [klE~v´] adj turràqsa le He is clever at learning Usuk
tubbarittol turraqsa le
cleverness [klE~v´n´s] n misinkicà dudda I am surprised
at her cleverness Anu tet misinkicah duddal cakkumute
click [klI~k] v.intr kàq-exce The key clicked turning in the
lock Kofli addat maken maftac kàq-iyye
cliff [klI~f] n boolo / heer (heèri) The car fell over the cliff
Baabur boolok / heerik radde
climate [klA~Im´t] n hawa What kind of climate has
Djibouti? Yabuuti mannah tan hawa le?
climb [klA~Im] 1 v.tr ewqe / feere I climbed the mountain
Qale ewqe / feere; Children love climbing trees Urri coox
feeram kicina 2 n fèrta That climb was dangerous Woo
ferti katar luk suge
climber [klA~Im´] n feereèna; fèrta le He is a famous
mountain climber Usuk yamixxige qale feereena; Some
plants are climbers Caxak caxfexxak tu ferta leela
climbing [klA~ImiN] n fèrta; mawqa Climbing this
mountain is easy A qaleh ferti / mawqa xamcinih; Climbing
is difficult for women Ferti agabul gibdih
climb aboard [klA~Im ´bOd] v.intr How many people
climbed aboard the ship? Markabat maakina num feere?
50
cling [klI~N] v.tr kafe A small frightened child clings to his
mother’s clothes Meysita awkibaxi ina sarot kafa fig One
who clings (on) to his own ideas won’t change them Isi
tumabulut kafa num isi mabla makorisa
clinic [klI~nIk] n kilinik (kilinìki) The nurse keeps his clinic
beautifully clean Madaawise elle taamita kilinik kaxxam
meqe nadaafatal yabbixe
clip [klI~p] 1 v.tr 1 hire / sire I want you to clip my hair
Amo xagorta yoh hirtam / sirtam kok faxa 2 diise I
clipped the boy’s ear for his bad talk Uma yaabat yaabeemih
àwkak xag diise 2 n 1 biim (biìmi) She wears a hair clip
Is amot biim le 2 mabbaxèyna I fastened the papers
together with a clip Waraakit tittat mabbaxeynat iysibbixeh
clitoris [klI~t´rIs] n gamfal (gamfàla) / kantar (kantàra) /
kimbìxxa It is unnecessary to clip the clitoris Gamfal /
Kantar / Kimbixxa yargiqeenim mafaxximta
cloak [klo~k] 1 n kabba Women wear a cloak for beauty
Bilqah agabi kabba haysita 2 v.tr usture She cloaked her
feelings Is tessellenna tustureh
clock [klÅ~k] n saaqat (saaqàta) They fasten the clock to the
wall Gidaarat saaqat waxeexisan
clock on, clock out v.intr culmassaaqat hee, mawqassaaqat
hee Workers clock on upon arrival at work, and clock out
when they leave Taamita mamaatal culmassaaqatay, gexol
mawqassaaqat hayta
close 1 [klo~s] adj xayyoowe; ellexàyi; kiqkìiqit ene The time
for his coming is close Usuk edde yamaatu waa wakti
xayyooweh Have you a close friend? Atu ellexayi kataysa
lito? It is close today A saaku kiqkiiqit yan
close by [klos ba~I] adv xayi-ikket The shop is close by
Dokkaan xayi-ikket yan
close together [klos t´gE~D´] adv tìttal xayih Our houses
are close together Buxaaxi nek tittal xayih
close 2 [klo~z] v.tr 1 alife; alfime; gacise Close the door! Afa
alif! The discussion was closed by his speech Kay
qangaral yab alfimeh Closing the borders was difficult for
them Caydu alifaanam keenil tigibdeh Close the double
doors! Afak namma alfenta tittal gacis!
close down [klo~z dAUn] idiom alife They closed down
their loss-making business Oson isinni lakqofinqa le
badaaqat alifeenih
close in on [klo~z In Ån] prep.v.tr raarìsak marise The
police are closing in on the gangsters Boliis qamalleela
raarisak marisan
close up [klo~z øp] v.intr kamùcca-exce He has closed up
because he saw a man he hates Usuk niqba num yubleemih
sabbatah kamùcca-iyye
clot [klÅ~t] v.intr igribe The blood has clotted Qabali yigribe
clot, (blood) [blød klÅ~t] n dalboyta The tuberculosis
patient coughed up a blood clot Labhadoore biyak le num
kacuwut dalboyta tufe

cloth [klÅ~T] n saro I bought cloth off a roll Sari taagatak
saro xaamite
clothe [klo~D] v.tr sarise Friends clothed the orphan Waday
qayxixxu sarisse
clothes [klo~Dz] n.pl sàra She always wears neat clothes
Is ciinik yan sara uumman haysitta
clothing [klo~DiN] n sartan (sartàna) How much clothing
have you brought? Sartanak maa gide luk temeete?
cloud [klA~Ud] n 1 gayran (gayràna); qamburre There are not
many clouds today A saaku gayranti manga matan Angry
clouds threaten rain Data qamburre rob warissa
cloudy [klA~Udi] adj 1 gaanib (gaanìbi) In a hot country it
is better to travel on a cloudy day Laqin baaxol safar gaanib
yan saaku meqe 2 daràq le The water they brought me is
cloudy Yoh baahen lee daraq le
cloves [klo~vz] n.pl koromfol (koromfòlu) Tea without cloves
is tasteless Koromfol maleh saahi meqe xaqamu mali
club [klø~b] n 1 ilòyta The thief beat the house guard with a
club Garqi wardiyaytu iloytat yoogore 2 dokon (dokònu);
egla I support the local football club Anu a daqaarih ibi
koqsoh dokonul abbixe My father is president of the
youth club Yi-abba dokon eglah cangaddalah yan
club foot [klø~b fUt] n ibì cakba He was born with a club
foot Usuk ibi cakba luk yooboke
club together [klø~b t´gE~D´] phr.v.intr gabà tengele
Workmates clubbed together to buy a wedding present
Taamah wakliititte digib acwa xaamtuh gaba tengele
clue [klu~] n tascasse kino Have you got a clue as to the
identity of the guest? Qibnayti kinni num tascasse kino
maay lito?
clump [klø~mp] 1 n horta Hide behind that clump of trees!
Woo coox hortak darre bagut qomboqor! 2 v.intr tarbàcexce
Who is clumping along? Tarbàc-axcuk gexxam
iyyay?
clumsy [klø~mzi] adj antàttaf Don’t be clumsy, pick things
up carefully! Duyye antattaf hinnak, cubbit ukkuq!
clumsiness [klø~mzIn´s] n antàffay (antàffaya) Her
clumsiness is well known Tet antaffay nabam yamixxigeh
cluster [klø~st´] n uxaàxuq (uxaàxuqu) They brought a
cluster of grapes Qinabak uxaaxuq baahen
cluster around [klø~st´ ´rA~Und] prep.v.tr qoxxite They
clustered around the injured man Mudduume numih amol
qoxxiten
clutch [klø~tS] 1 v.tr ...-t kafe The boy clutched his
mother’s hand Awki inak gabat kafe 2 n firisiyoon
(firisiyoònu) / kelees (keleèsi) If the clutch in the car
squeaks, it needs oiling Baabur firisiyoon / kelees kayyìqiyyek,
saliit akah faxxiima
clutter [klø~t´] n càyxu There’s such a clutter in the kitchen
Gira qaril tu-iyyaanam cayxuh tanih tan
51
clutter up [klø~t´r øp] phr.v.tr qidamqide Don’t clutter up
your bedroom! Xintima golil duyye maqidamqidin!
coach [ko~tS] 1 n 1 gaari The train has ten passenger
coaches Meel gexenti gaarittek taban le 2 mudàrrib
(mudàrribi) He needs a coach Usuk mudarrib faxa 2 v.tr
barbarise I need somebody to coach me in English Anu
Ingiliis af yoo barbarisa num faxa
coagulate [koœ~gjulet] v.intr igribe The blood coagulated on
the wound Daleh afat qabal yigribe
coal [ko~l] n xaahì facmi Coal is dug out of the ground
Xaahi facmi baaxoh addak yayyaaqen
coals [ko~lz] n.pl xibiìcin (xibiìcini) / xikaàcin (xikaàcini)
Take out some of the hot coals from this fire! A girah
handedda xibiicinik / xikaacinik tu eyyeeqey!
coalition [ko´lI~Sn¢] n raabita Those two parties are
considering how to form a coalition Woo namma dokon
raabita elle xissanna cubbussa
coarse [kO~s] adj 1 gìbda Coarse grain needs much grinding
Gibda daro kaxxa riyni faxxa Calico is coarse cloth and
lasts a long time Mareekani gibda saroy, raagtah iyya 2
caddì dagna le The language of the market place is coarse
Qadaagal edde yaaban yab caddi dagna leh
coarseness [kO~sn´s] n 1 gibdinaane Because of its
coarseness this grain takes some grinding A daro le
gibdinaanek gexxaamah xayih mariyyimta The coarseness
of this cloth makes me itch A saroh gibdinaane xagar yok
waybissa 2 caddì dagna I can’t stand the coarseness of
their speech Ken yaabih caddi dagna maqansiisa
coast [ko~st] 1 n baddaf (baddaàfa) [baddì-afa] The town of
Assab is on the coast Qasab magaala baddaafal tan I
visited the coast during the summer Anu cagayah
baddaafat gufne abe 2 v.intr itqamàleh gexe We allowed
the car to coast downhill Nanu baabur ullullut itqamaleh
gexxuh cabne
coat [ko~t] 1 n koot (koòtu) A traveller in a cold country
wears a coat Xamcin baaxol gexa num kootut gaca 2 v.tr
kumuse Coat the fish with breadcrumbs! Kullumtal
bululat kumus!
coax [ko~ks] v.tr doolaabe The mother coaxed her sick boy
into drinking his medicine Ina isi baxay, biyaakitah iyya,
diwa yanxaquh kaa doolabte
cobble [kÅ~bl¢] v.tr ore The cobbler cobbles five pairs of
shoes a day Kabelore ayrol tabna kabella ora
cobbler [kÅ~bl´] n kabelore I want a cobbler who makes
beautiful shoes Qaxmeqe kabel bicisa kabelore faxa
cobra [kÅ~br´] n baadèysa The cobra is a poisonous snake
Baadeysa akak iyyaanam summi le baaxotala
cobweb [kÅ~bwEb] n qaròkqari There were cobwebs at the
entrance to the cave Gabla culmeenat qarokqari yen
coccyx [kÅ~ksIks] n bunnahi The coccyx is at the base of the
spine Bunnahi xiiroonuk illacabot raqta
C

C
cock [kÅ~k] n 1 dorrahìyta I wake up in the morning at the
cock’s crowing Anu maaca xiinik dorrahiyti kaayal uguta 2
alifèyna The water to the house is turned off at the water
cock Qari fan tamaate tubbo lee bombah alifeynat soolisen
cocky [kÅ~ki] adj yoobulà le A cocky person is not shy of
anything Yoobula le num tuk waalih maraaqa
cockpit [kÅ~kpIt] n tayyaarà damum (damuùmu) / tayyaarà
inti The pilot sits in the cockpit Bayloot tayyaarak
damuumut / tayyaarak intit daffeya
cockroach [kÅ~krotS] n xàlluc (xàllucu) Cockroaches are
found where there is food Xalluc maaqo elle tani-ikkel
geytima
coconut [ko~k´nøt] n naarigin (naarigìni) Coconuts are a fruit
with a hard hairy shell Naarigin akak iyyaanam xagor kee
gibdi siba le caxammiru
cocoon [k´ku~n] n siba A butterfly emerges from its cocoon
when it is grown Laahinti isi sibak tambe waqdi tawqe
coffee [kÅ~fI] n bùna Drinking coffee is very habit-forming
Buni maqab naba kaarib le In the countryside they drink
three cups of coffee in the morning Subci barril bunak
sidiica fingaan yaaquben
coffee-mill [kÅ~fI-mIl] n bunì-eceyya Grinding coffee
beans in a coffee-mill is easy Buni-eceyyat buni amboh riyo
sahali le
coffee pot [kÅ~fI pÅt] n bunì dabna A coffee pot is made
of clay Buni dabna qasaakallak bicisan
coffin [kÅ~fIn] n raysì sandug (sanduùgu) They took the
coffin to the grave Raysi sandug diikoh been
cognate [kÅ~gnet] adj lagò le (dìbuk aftì lago) The verb ‘to
create’ and the noun ‘creation’ are cognate words ‘Gineh’
xiqsita abina kee ‘gino’ xiqsita migaq tittah lago le qangooru
cognisant [kÅ~gnAIz´nt] v.intr xaàgu luk / daàriik I was
cognisant of what happened to them Keenil tekkeemik
xaagu luk suge / daariik ene
coherent [k´hi~r´nt] adj tìtta wagita Was the speech of the
woman who had been beaten coherent? Tumuggure barrah
yab titta wagita yaabak maay yen?
coil [kO~Il] 1 v.tr malmaale The sailors coiled the ship’s
rope Bahriya markab akat malmalteh 2 n malmaàlu
They keep a coil of rope on the boat Doonikit akatak
malmaalu lon
coin [kO~In] 1 n xeèt lakqo Don’t rattle coins in your
pocket! Giimit tan xeet lakqo makakaacisin! 2 v.tr hadale
Some people like to coin new words Sahdak tu qusba
qangor hadaltam kicinah
coincide [koInsA~Id] v.intr tìttat missoowe Their arrival and
my departure coincided Ken mamaata kee yi gexo tittat
missowte
cold [ko~ld] 1 adj wàc le This wind is very cold A caacay
kaxxa wac le 2 n 1 goson (gosònu) I caught a cold
Goson yot rade / Goson yoo yibbixe 2 wac (waàca) The
52
cold makes me shiver Wac yoo axaxisa / kabqankabisa
cold, become / get [bIkøm ko~ld] v.intr 1 waacite I was
very cold last night Anu bir nabam waacite 2
xammacoowe My tea has gone cold Saahi yok
xammacoote
cold, feel [fil ko~ld] v.intr waacite I felt cold Anu waacitak
suge
coldness [ko~ldnEs] n 1 xamcinan (xamcinaàna) Reduce
the coldness of this frig! A galaseerik xamcinan daggos! 2
xamca / wac (waàca) I can’t take the coldness here A arac
le xamca / wac maduuda
colic [kÅ~lIk] n qasrat (qasràta) / cundubmàku After that food
I had colic Woo maaqok lakal qasrat / cundubmaku luk
raaqe
collapse [k´lœ~ps] 1 v.intr 1 damaysiteh innikisse / eseebe
The girl collapsed going along the road Gital gexak sugte
baxuwwa damaysitteh tinnikisse / teseebeh 2 2 hàssa-exce
The bridge collapsed Holhol hàssa-iyye 3 fig boolaate /
hàssa-exce Our economy has collapsed Maddur nek
boolaate / hàssa-iyye
collar [kÅ~l´] n fìlla The collar of my shirt is soiled Kamiisik
filli yok wassakoowe
collar bone [kÅ~l´ bon] n koorì lafa His collar bone broke
when he was knocked down Niksot koori lafa kaak tiddigille
colleague [kÅ~lig] n taamàh agleyta My colleague and I have
agreed to this plan Yoo kee yi taamah agleyta a makkol titta
geyne
collect [k´lE~kt] 1 v.intr doode / koboxe People collect
where there is an accident Qawwalaylah elle tekke-ikkel
sinam dooddah / koboxxah 2 v.tr gaaboyse Women
collect wood for fires Agabi girah boco gaaboysa
collect together [k´lE~kt t´gED´] phr.v.intr tìttal doode /
koboxe People collect together where there is an accident
Qawwalayla elle tekke-ikkel sinam tittal dooddah / tittal
koboxxah
collection [k´lE~kSn¢] n 1 kòbox (kòboxu) The collection
of people at the accident remained a long time
Qawwalaylah amol yekke kobox raageh 2 gàabos
(gàaboosu) Who was engaged in the collection of this
wood? A bocoh gaabos abtem iyyay?
collector [k´lE~kt´] n gaabòyse This man is a collector of
books A num buukaat gaaboyse
college [kÅ~lIdZ] n kullìyyat (kullìyyata) When the lad
finishes college he will look for work Awki kulliyyatak gaba
kala saaku taama gorrisele
collide [k´lA~Id] v.recip …-t boode Two travellers collided in
the road Gexa marak gital num numut boode; Two men
collided with each other in the road Namma num gital tittat
boodde
collision [k´li~Zn¢] n boodo In the collision between the
two trains eleven people died Namma meelih boodot taban
kee num rabte

colony [kÅ~l´ni] n hòrta A colony of white ants took up
residence in our garden Ni bustaanih addal irimmi horti
guubuh gace
colonial [k´lo~ni´l] adj kaamolayyo The area progressed
under colonial power Kaamolayyo dardaarinnih gubat daqar
yissiiseh
colonialization [k´loni´lAIze~Sn¢] n kaamolayyo It is ten
years since we emerged from colonialization Kaamolayyok
newqeemih tabna karma lino
colonize [kÅ~l´nAIz] v.tr qusbà guub haysite People
colonized the river area Sahda weeqayti qaxal qusba guub
haysitte
colossal [k´lÅ~sl¢] adj gidiìdin / maqat (maqàta); gìffa-exce The
colossal work I have been engaged in finished me off
Gidiidin taamay / Taama maqatay, abak sugeh iyya yoo
tiggifeh A colossal amount of money is necessary to do
that work Woo taama aboonuh gidiidin / gìffa-inta lakqo
faxximta
colostrum [k´lÅ~str´m] n caxùgi The first milking of a goat
after giving birth produces colostrum Reyta naharak xalta
waqdi caxugi akak yaxiggilen
colour [kø~l´] 1 n bìsu What colour of shoes do you like to
wear? Maa bisu le kabel haysittam kicinto? 2 v.tr
xarraboyse Don’t let prejudice colour your judgment!
Acsab ackaami, qadli cokmi kok xarraboyse waytay inxic!
colourful [kø~l´rfl¢] 1 adj bìsu le She chooses colourful
clothes Is bisu le sara dooritta 2 fig intìh qawo le / mablà
meqe This is a colourful part of town Aham magaalak
intih qawo le / mabla meqe exxa
colourless [kø~l´l´s] 1 adj bìsu sinnan le The medicine
the doctor gave me is colourless Daktoor yoh yece diwa
bisu sinnan le 2 fig rabayràbay le His voice is colourless
Kay anay rabayrabay le
colt [ko~lt] n laadàytu A horse’s male young is called a colt
Farasak qunxa lab lacak laadaytu iyyan
column [kÅ~l´m] n 1 àrad (àrada) Newspaper articles
appear in columns Maybalaalaqal yawqe maxxaacoc
aroodah yankuttube 2 rorta Soldiers march in four
columns Qaskar affara rortah gexxa 3 wakbi Columns of
rock in that desert were formed over a period of time by
weathering Woo bacaril mango dabaanih addat
hawahadban toysorooroce balad wakbitte geytimta
columnist [kÅ~l´mnIst] n rortayàktubi He is a columnist
for a newspaper Usuk maybalaalaqal rortayaktubi
coma [ko~m´] n damaysit (damaysìti) The man hurt in the
accident was in a coma for two days Qawwalaylat biyaakite
num namma ayro fan damaysitit suge
comb [ko~m] 1 n filèyna Hair which has not seen a comb
will be matted Fileyna able wayte amo qittir takke 2 v.tr
file It is hard to comb matted hair Qittir tekke amo
filaanam gibdah
53
combat [k´mbœ~t] 1 v.tr koosite Vaccination will combat
disease Ixo dalkat koositta 2 [kÅ~mbœt] n maysattaka In
yesterday’s combat two men died Kimal tekke maysattakat
namma num rabe
combine [k´mbA~In] 1 v.tr esgelle We want to combine two
parties Namma dokon nasgallem fanxa For runny
tummies we combine sugar, salt and water Bagigexok
sokkaray, qasbo kee lee nasgalle 2 v.intr engele Those
two combined to form a powerful force to be reckoned with
Woo nammay cisab akah aban gibdi qande yakkoonu
yengeleenih
combination [kÅmbIne~S´n, kÅmbIne~Sn¢] n 1 asgòlla A
combination of sugar, water and salt is good for children’s
runny tummies Leey, sokkar kee qasboh asgolli bagigexok
urruh meqe 2 tarkiib (tarkiìbi) If you get the lock
combination it will open Alfenti tarkiib tittal bahtek fakkiima
come [kø~m] v.intr emeete; orobe A plane comes from that
country every day Woo baaxok tayyaara kulli saaku tamaate
Come here! Akke am! A guest came to us during the
night Qibnayti bir nee orobe
come away [~k´m ´we~] prep.v.intr exxeere Come away
from the fire! Girak exxeer!
coming [kø~mIN] 1 n mamaata / mamut (mamùtu) His
coming threw us Kay mamaata abeegimat nee hayte / Kay
mamut abeegimat nee hee We are waiting for the coming
of the ship Nanu markab mamaata / mamut qambalna 2
adj tàkku waytam Apart from God no one knows coming
events Sarra takku waytam Yallaksa num mayaaxiga
come back [køm bœ~k] prep.v.intr endebbe / gace / uduure
My mother will come back tomorrow Yi-ina beera
andabbele / gacele / aduurele
come by [køm ba~I] prep.v.tr.idiom ...-t tabe How did you
come by that attitude? Ama bis le afkan anninnal kot tabe?
come down phr.v.intr.idiom ...-t qakkoowe They have
come down in my estimation Yi-intit qakkooweeni
come first [køm f‰~st] v.intr ookome Who came first? Iyyi
yookome?
come into [køm I~ntU] prep.v.tr.idiom gee How did they
come into money? Oson maalu manninnal geeni?
come near [kø~m nI~´] prep.v.intr xayyoowe / kàbba-exce /
kamàqqa-exce Come near me! Yoo fan xayyow! / kàbbainxic!
/ kamàqqa-inxic!
come on 1 [kø~m Å~n] prep.v.intr uduure When the
electricity comes on the generator switches itself off
Kooraan yaduure waqdi, kooraan matoor is bargusele
come on 2 [kø~m Å~n] interj hàyya hay Come on, let’s go!
Hayya hay, genxeh / nee bey!
come out [kø~m aUt] prep.v.intr ewqe The boy from
whom bowel gas came out in company was admonished
Sinam garil ufuy akak yewqe àwka sahiten
come over [køm o~v´] 1 v.intr ...-l emeete Come over to
us! Nel am! 2 prep.v.tr.idiom geytem I don’t know what
C

C
came over me Yoo geytem maaxiga
come round [køm rA~Und] phr.v.intr.idiom fàn gace, ...-l gace,
My family have come round to my way of thinking Yi ahli
yoh tu-elle tambullennah fan gace / Yi-ahli yol gace
come round to see phr gufe When they are in London
they always come round to see us Oson London addal
yaneenik, uumman nee gufan
come through [køm Tru~] prep.v.intr ...-k esseqqe He
came through his test well Kaat garaye aqakkanak nagay
yesseqqeh
come up [køm ø~p] phr.v.intr.idiom 1 tambulliyem tene
Let me know if anything of importance comes up!
Maqalsitaanamak tambulliyem tenek yoh waris! 2
phr.v.intr.idiom loowime He has come up in the world
Usuk a way loowime
comedy [kÅ~m´di] n furkucàt le ransa There is a comedy
tomorrow night Beerobbar furkucat le ransa tan
comedian [k´mi~dI´n] n furkucateèna That comedian
made me laugh Woo furkucateeni yoo yuysussuuleh
comedienne [k´midIE~n] n furkucateena This comedienne
threw her head back laughing A furkucateena asaalat af
deerih korisse
comely [kø~mli] adj ablehmèqa His sister is comely Kay
maqanxa ablehmeqa
comeliness [kø~mlInEs] n ablehmeqeènan
(ablehmeqeènaana) Her comeliness attracted me Is le
ablehmeqeenan yoo hirigeh
comfort [kø~mf´t] 1 v.tr qelaagise A weeping person needs
to be comforted Weeqa num qelaagisaanam faxximta 2 n
massaahada; caddòk fula She is my comfort Is yi
massaahada We live in too much comfort Nanu caddok
muxxi fula lino
comfortable [kø~mpf´t´bl¢] 1 adj sattà le This is a
comfortable chair Ah satta le korsi 2 fig sàhha-exce I
am not comfortable with him Kay luk sàhha-maxca
comfortably [kø~mf´t´blI] adv sàtta le Arrange his bed
comfortably Kaqaada satta lennal kaah fidis!
comic [kÅ~mIk] 1 n 1 furkàcat le maybalaalaqa Children
love comics Urri furkacat le maybalaalaqa kicina 2
furkucateèna He is a real comic Usuk numma le
furkucateena 2 adj furkucàt le He is a comic actor Usuk
furkucat le ransaabe
comical [kÅ~mIkl¢] adj furkucàt le That was a comical
occurrence Woh furkucat le tekkok ten
comma [kÅ~m´] n catuffa Reading sentences without
commas make one breathless Catuffa fanat akak ane wayta
kiriyaati koo qoofisah
command [k´mA~nd] v.tr xiinise The leader of the
government commands the nation with authority Doolat
abba agat maqar le abbowtanat xiinisa
commandant [kÅ~m´ndAnt] n abba The commandant of
the camp has things well regulated A gasoh abba kaal
54
yeexegen taama meqe gurral yabbixe
commandment [k´mA~ndm´nt] n merracsenta God gave
us commandments through Moses Yalli Muusa gabal
merracsenta neh yece
commando [k´mA~ndo] n komandòyta The commandoes
stripped the place they attacked Komandoytit wararte
baaxol sugtem bukkusseh
commemorate [k´mE~m´ret] v.tr kassite The people of
Djibouti commemorate their independence every summer
Yabuuti ummatta kulli cagayah amobaxxaaqah ayro kassitta
commemoration [k´mEm´re~Sn¢] n kassìt massanabba
Invitees attended the commemoration of independence at
the palace Baaxoh hurriyat edde geyte ayroh kassit
massanabbat xeeqo akah aben mari doolatinni gasol geytime
commence [k´mE~ns] 1 v.intr qimbise Rain commences in
winter Rob giilalat qimbisa 2 v.tr We commenced our
training Barbarit qimbisne
commencement [k´mE~nsm´nt] n 1 qimbisso We want to
see the commencement of the play Ransa qimbisso nablem
fanxa 2 kitmì caflat (caflàta) At some universities the
term commencement refers to a graduation ceremony
Gaamaqootak tul kitmi caflat tascassem barittol digri
geyaanamah takke caflata
comment [kÅ~mEnt] 1 v.intr maxcotàgle abe My father
comments on new ideas Yi-abba qusba raayit / tummabulut
maxcotagle aba 2 n maxcotàgle His comments are
valuable Maxcotagle kaak fayda le
commentary [kÅ~m´ntri] n addafakoòt maxco A
commentary gives a lot of help Addafakoot maxcok kaxxa
cato le
commerce [kÅ~m‰s] n kabxa There is a lot of commerce
between Djibouti and France Yabuuti kee Faransi fanat
kaxxa kabxa tan
commercial [k´m‰~Sl¢] adj kabxa Their project was a
commercial success Yucussulen taama kabxah isiysa xalte
commission [k´mI~Sn¢] n 1 fayda / maksab (maksàba) That
man gets a lot of commission because he works well Woo
num nagay taamitaamih taagah meqe fayda / maksab geya 2
mixxàagisen taama The commission he was given proved
too difficult for him Kaal mixxaagisen taama kay duddak
gibdi muxxok ten
commit [k´mI~t] v.tr abe He committed a grave offence
Usuk qilsi qellat abe
commit for trial phr.v.tr.idiom yamcukkumem ...-l eexege
They committed him for trial Yamcukkumem kaal yeexegen
commit oneself [k´mI~t wønsElf] v.refl ...-h ittikiyye, ...-t
quùruk gace I committed myself to the task Anu a taamah
ittikiyye / Anu a taamat quuruk gace
commitment [k´mI~tm´nt] n bàgu This man works with
commitment A num baguk taamita
committed [k´mI~tId] adj qùur le Party members are very
committed Bartih adoytit kaxxa quur le

committee [k´mI~ti] n egla / komiti A new hygiene
committee was elected Qaafiyat dacayrih qusba egla / komiti
dooren
common [kÅ~m´n] adj 1 yangalen The word ‘rope’ is a
common noun ‘Akat’ deqsitta qangara yabti rakiibol
yangalen migaaqat loowimta 2 Even though those people
have some small differences, they have a common tongue
Woo mari dagoomul baxsimaanamah yangalen af lon
Anyone can draw water from the common well in the wadi
Daqaaral yan yangalen qeela faxinnaan num arkah 3
adabdàgiinah I don’t like their common behaviour Anu
ken adabdagiinah gexgexit makiciyyo 4 qaàdiik ene It is
common to wear uniform in many schools Mango iskoolal
darsa diriis haysittam qaadiik tan
commonly [kÅ~m´nlI] adv qaadiìk ene Those conditions
are commonly found Woo caaloota tanim qaadiik tan
common knowledge [kÅm´n nÅ~lIdZ] n.phr barrataàxigi It
is common knowledge that he will become president Usuk
Ummunoh Abba akkelem barrataaxigi
common law [kÅ~m´n lO] n yangalèn madqa Common
law is based on custom and practice Yangalen madqa
qaadal kee abittol solta
commotion [k´mo~Sn¢] n werrek (werrèki) The news that the
train had overturned caused a commotion in the town Meel
koreemih xaagi magaala mara werrek hee
commune [kÅ~mjun] 1 n gaanta There is a new commune
in that area Qusba gaanta woo rakaakayal gacte 2 v.intr
wagare I don’t know how it is, but my heart communes
with hers Kinnim maaxigay, yi kalbi tet kalbih wagarah
communicate [k´mju~nIket] 1 v.tr iysixxige; eysexeexege
We communicated our agreed plan to the people Nanu elle
nengeleh nan mala sinam niysixxige Although he didn’t
know our language, he was able to communicate his needs
Usuk ni-af aaxige waamah akak calwayitem nee
yaysexeexegem duudeh 2 v.recip tìtta gee The child and
his parents don’t communicate Baxa kee xaleyna titta
mageyta
communication [k´mjunIke~Sn¢] n 1 oobba The latest
communication in the country reached us Aa agatal qusbih
tewqe oobba nee elelte 2 aysaxàaxag (aysaxàaxaga)
These days TV is an important means of communication A
waktil baddal taybulli kulsa luk raaqa aysaxaaxag mansafa
communique [kÅmju~nIke] n aysaxàaxag (aysaxàaxaga) The
communique from the meeting is published Daffeyna lakal
aysaxaaxag kutbel oobba
communism [kÅ~mjunIzm¢] n suuqiyya Communism is the
belief in a classless society Suuqiyya ranko isinni ayyuntal
taamine xinto
community [k´mju~n´ti] n 1 egelta European countries
have one community Irobbah baaxooxa inki egelta lon 2
ayyùnta The community has decided to fine them Ayyunti
digaala keenil haamal yirgiqe
55
compact 1 [k´mpœ~kt] 1 adj rassàt meqe The goods in the
car were compact Baaburut tan duyye rassat muquk ten 2
v.tr tiqite In order to compact the grain in the sack shake
it down! Kiisit daro nagay tiqitu miidiy!
compact 2 [kÅ~mpœkt] n tittingey (tittingèyi) There is a
compact between the administrator and the workers
Taamah abba kee taama marih fanat tittingey yan
companion [k´mpœ~nj´n] n wakàli Don’t go on a long
journey alone; take a companion! Xer baaxo dibuk
magexinay, wakali luk gex!
companionship [k´mpœ~nj´nSIp] n wadayiìnu The girl
missed her sister’s companionship when she went abroad
Awkà marin baaxo gexxe saaku isi maqanxah wadayiinuh
maxhaxxe
company [kø~mp´ni] n 1 kobbani Our company has a good
turnover Ni kobbani meqe maksab geyta 2 wakali We
don’t find their company edifying Nanu ken wakalit
tuxxiiqih nablem mannu 3 walal (walàla) An old man
likes company and entertainment Idalti walal kee wahan
kicina
compare [kÅmpE~´, k´mpE~´] v.tr tìttal wagite Compare these
two! A nammay tittal wagitey!
comparable [kÅ~mpr´bl¢] adj qeedalsime / massoowe My
work is comparable with his Yi taama kay taama luk
qeedalsimtah / massowtah
comparative [k´mpœ~r´tIv] adj tìttal wagit le This is a
comparative matter Aham tittal wagit le caagidi
comparison [k´mpœ~rIs´n] n tìttal wagit (wagìti) In a
comparison between the people of Djibouti and those of
France we find the French to be more numerous Tittal
wagitil Faransi ummatta Yabuuti ummattak mangok raqta
compartment [k´mpA~tm´nt] n forqo Put everything into its
compartment in the cupboard! Kabat addal uummaanim le
forqot hayis!
compass [kø~mp´s] n ascosseyna / diirat (diiràta) We can get
directions with a compass Ascosseynal / Diiratal mohoodo
geynu dudna
compassion [k´mpœ~Sn¢] n qàad (qàada) / gèlel (gèleli) He has
no compassion on me Usuk yoh qaad / gelel mali
compassionate [k´mpœ~Sn´t] adj qaade / gelele It is
necessary to be compassionate to the sick Biyaakita marah
qaadnam / gelelnam faxximta
compatible [k´mpœ~tIbl¢]¢ adj tìttin gexsit le He and his wife
are compatible Kaa kee kay barra tittin gexsit lon
compatibility [k´mpœtIbI~lIti]¢ n tittìn gexsit (gexsìti) There
is compatibility among them Ken fanat tittin gexsit yan
compatriot [k´mpœ~trI´t] n agàt baxa / baaxo num (nùmu)
We consult together with our compatriots Nanu ninni agat
xaylo / baaxoh mara luk mallownah
compel [k´mpE~l] v.tr dirkise The father compels his son to
study Abba bàxa barittoh dirkisa
C

C
compelling [k´mpE~lIN] adj fàrdi le I have no compelling
reason to help him Anu kaa catuh fardi le sabab mayyu
compensate [kÅ~mp´nset] v.tr gidìy abe / mekla abe They
compensated the child for the loss of his arm Awkah
yiggiriqeh carayih gidiy aben / mekla aben
compensation [kÅmp´nse~Sn¢] n gidiy (gidìyi) / mekla I
want compensation for my house which they destroyed
Yok yiggilen qarih gidiy / mekla faxa The government
paid him compensation for the land they took from him
Doolat kaak beyteh ardik gidiy kaah abte
compete [k´mpi~t] v.intr qalale Two men competed for the
vacant position Fakot tan inki foxoh namma num qalalte
He competed in the race with others Usuk ardah sinam lih
qalaleh
competition [kÅmp´tI~Sn¢] n qalala Yesterday I triumphed
in the draughts competition Kimal daama qalalal anu eyse
competitor [k´mpE~tit´] n qalaleèna They disqualified one
of the competitors Qalaleenittek numuk teyna faxit
waysiisen
competent [kÅ~mpIt´nt] adj agdabdùddo le He is a
competent person Usuk agdabduddo le numu
compile [k´mpA~Il] v.tr keebe / kobxise The Afars and I are
compiling a dictionary Yoo kee Qafar mara qangorfidga
keebna / kobxisna
compilation [kÅmpIle~Sn¢] n keebo The compilation of a
dictionary requires much patience Qangorfidgah keebo
kaxxa sabri faxxa
complain [k´mple~n] v.intr warsite; weqsite; weèqa ece He
complains of stomach pains Usuk bagi biyak warsita
They complain of the cold Oson waacak weqsitaanah I
complained that he had spoilt my book Usuk yi buuk
yoysommeemih weeqa ece
complaint [k´mple~nt] n 1 kàdu, weèqa Make your
complaint about him to the court! Kaak lito kadu / weeqa
makaabanal acuy! 2 accawoyyo / saacawway (saacawwàya)
The doctor treated his complaint Daktoor accawoyyo /
saacawway kaak daylise
complement [kÅ~mplIm´nt] v.tr ...-k raqta-ikke kibe Those
two complement each other one has brains, the other has
skill Ken nammayak gari garuk raqta-ikke kibah, numuk
teeni kas leh, gersitti naggaarinna leemi
complete [k´mpli~t] 1 v.tr duuduse I completed my studies
Anu tubbaritto duuduseh 2 adj inkitanuuk We had a
complete victory Inkitanuuk mayso orbisne
completely [k´mpli~tli] adv amomìllih, inkitanuuk The fire
burned the house down completely Gira qari amomillih /
inkitanuuk tokme Her attitude was completely changed
Teetik afkan inkitanuuk koreh yan
completeness [k´mpli~tn´s] n duddà le The completeness
of his answer satisfied them Dudda le gacsay, usuk abeh
iyya, ken yefqe
56
completion [k´mpli~Sn¢] n maymarraaqe Bring this work to
completion! A taama maymarraaqe fan gufus!
complexion [k´mplE~kSn¢] 1 n foocìh arab (aràba) Her
complexion is light Tet foocih arab xamcinbisini 2 fig
foòca What you say gives a different complexion to this
matter Atu intam ta caagidih aki fooca tace
compliance [k´mplA~I´ns] n roorit (roorìti) In order to bring
this matter to its conclusion, we need his compliance A
caagid caddo gufusnuh roorit kaak fanxa
complicate [kÅ~mplIket] v.tr cemerraakise / kororaaqise
Don’t complicate matters tell us plainly! Yab
macemerraakisinay / makororaaqisinay, qaduk neh waris!
complicated [kÅ~mplIketId] adj cemerraaksime This is a
complicated affair Tamah cemerraaksime caagidi
complication [kÅmplIke~Sn¢] n cemerraàku A complication
arose in his affairs Kay caagidit cemerraaki cule
compliment [kÅ~mplIm´nt] 1 n fayla He received
compliments on his good performance Usuk meqe abtol
fayla geeh 2 v.tr faylise We complimented him because
he did well Meqem abeemih sabbatah kaa faylisne
comply [k´mplA~I] v.intr oggole In order to complete this
affair, we need him to comply A caagid caddo gufusnuh
nanu usuk oggolam fanxa
compose [k´mpo~z] v.tr eyyeeqe I composed a new praise
song Anu qusba saare eyyeeqe
composed [k´mpo~zd] adj callatini She is always
composed however busy she is Is faxennah agxittaamah
uumman callatinih
compose oneself [k´mpo~z wønsElf] v.refl ìnni ibbixe The
one who was crying composed himself before company
Weeqak suge num sinam foocal weeqak is yibbixe
composed of, be [bi k´mpo~zd ´v] v.intr.pass ...-k xissiime
The population is composed of men, women and children
Ummatta urruy, agabu kee labhak xissimta
composure [kÅmpo~Z´] n xiq (xiìqi) I lost my composure
when he insulted me Yoo xaafe waqdi anu xiq cabeh
composition [kÅmp´zI~Sn¢] n 1 asgòlla What is the
composition of this? Ahih asgolli macay? 2 kutbè maxco
The children wrote a composition for the test Aqayaareh
urri kutbe maxco yuktube
compound [kÅ~mpAUnd] 1 n 1 daala / gaso Our house has
a big compound Ni qari kaxxa daala / gaso le 2 asgòlla
Brackish water is a compound of salt and water Badliiti, lee
kee qasboh asgolla yakke 2 adj 1 tìttak xissiime The
word ‘fruit’ is considered a compound noun in Afar
Qafarafat ‘caxammiru’ deqsitta qangara, yabti rakiibol, tittak
xissiime migaaqah tamaate 2 tasgallè A compound
particle verb consists of two words Tasgalle makorih abini
namma qangarak yakke 3 v.tr lafise Telling lies will
compound your difficulties Dirab macuy gadaama kol
lafisak lafisele

comprehend [kÅmprIhE~nd] v.tr cede I comprehended his
difficulties well Kay calway nagay cede
comprehensible [kÅmprIhE~nsIbl¢] adj cèdu le What they
say is comprehensible Oson iyyaanam cedu leemi
comprehension [kÅmprIhE~nSn¢] n cedim (cedìmi) He has
no comprehension of that affair Usuk woo caagidik cedim
mali
comprehensive [kÅmprIhE~ntsIv] adj inkìtànih I made a
comprehensive inspection of the work I oversaw Anu
absiise taamat inkitanih yan afaagad abe
compress [k´mprE~s] 1 v.tr uxuxxoyse; -...t ummuuse He
compressed the long story for us Usuk xer hayyeyoona neh
uxuxxoyseh Don’t compress my clothes in the box!
Sanduugut yan sarat yok mammuusin! 2 [kÅ~mprEs] n
ankàbkab (ankàbkaba) I put a hot compress on the
swelling Duddubal laqin ankabkab hee
comprise [k´mprA~Iz] v.tr ...-k ene The population of
Djibouti comprises mostly Afar, Somali and Arab people
Yabuutih ummatta xeflih Qafaray, Soomaali kee Qarabak yan
marak tan
compromise [kÅ~mpr´mAIz] n sùlci They reached a
compromise on their differences Oson titta elle waak
sugeenimik sulcit oroben
compulsion [k´mpø~lSn¢] n fàrdi / dirki There is no
compulsion to be present at the meeting Atu daffeynat
geytimtam fardik / dirkik kol matan
compulsory [k´mpø~lsri] adj fàrdik ene It is compulsory to
attend the meeting Daffeynat geytimtam fardik kol tan
computer [k´mpju~t´] n kombiyuùter (kombiyuùteri) This
computer has new features A kombiyuuter qusba tuxxiq le
compute [k´mpju~t] v.tr cisabmàkiinal abe Compute the
answer for me! Gacsa cisabmakiinal yoh ab!
comrade [kÅ~mred] n wakliìta He is a comrade for all
occasions Usuk uummaan waqdih wakliita
comradeship [kÅ~mredSIp] n wakliino His comradeship
encouraged me Kay wakliino niya yot hayte
conceal [k´nsi~l] v.tr qellise / ooqure / sasise She conceals her
feelings Is le assal qellissah / taaqureh He concealed his
son from the police Abba isi baxa qaskarak yooqureh /
sasiseh
concealment [k´nsi~lm´nt] n qèllu; aqra She always
practices concealment of her feelings Is ùumman le assal
qellut le The concealment by the father of his son was
wrong Abba isi baxat abe aqra muquk mananna
concede [k´nsi~d] v.tr doodise Their side conceded victory to
us in the ball game Ken qaxiita koqsol abne iysa neh
doodisseh
conceit [k´nsi~t] n kaxxiìnit (kaxxiìniti) He has conceit about
his achievements Usuk yagdubeemil kaxxiinit le
conceited [k´nsi~tId] adj anaanì le He is a conceited
young man Usuk anaani le furraynu
57
conceive [k´nsi~v, kÅnsi~v] 1 v.tr bàgut haysite / ussukuqqe
She conceived a child after marriage Is digibtek lakal bagut
haysitte / tussukuqqe 2 fig malise I conceived a good
plan Anu meqe mala malise
conceivable [k´nsi~v´bl¢] adj awnànis le His coming is
conceivable Kay mamut awnanis le
concentrate [kÅ~ns´ntret Ån] prep.v.tr hangì haysite She
concentrated on learning Is barittot hangi haysitte
Concentrating on studies is good Barittot hangi
haysitaanam meqe
concentrated, be [bi kÅ~nsEntretId, bi kÅ~nsn¢tretId] v.intr
qoxxite The poor are concentrated in one area Tu maleela
inki aracal qoxxitte
concentrated adj màqar le This problem demands our
concentrated effort to resolve it A afwayak fidga maqar le
macal nek faxxa
concentration [kÅ~nsEntreSn¢] n 1 hangihàysit (hangihàysiti)
Lack of concentration in study is bad Barittoh hangihaysit
aalle waanam mameqe 2 qoxxo The concentration of the
poor in one area is bad Tu maleela inki aracat abta qoxxo
mameqe
conception [k´nsE~pSn¢] n 1 gida She does not know the date
of her conception Is gidah ayro isik mataaxiga 2 tummàbul
(tummàbulu) What is your conception of him? Atu kaal
lito tummabul macay?
concern [k´ns‰~n] n taxxoowem (taxxooweèmi) / wagittam
(wagittàma); maqal (maqàla) That is no concern of his Tah
kaa taxxoowem / wagittam hinna I have a great concern in
this affair Anu ta caagidit kaxxa maqal liyo He has no
concern for me Usuk maqal yot mali 2 v.tr giddaànimik
suge Their discussion concerned money Ken walal lakqo
giddaanimik sugte
concerned about, be [bI kÅns‰~nd ´bAUt] prep.v ...-h danane /
cisabbboote He is concerned about his mother’s illness
Usuk isi-inah biyaakah danana / cisabboota
concerned for, be [bi k´ns‰~nd fO] prep.v maqalsite He is
vitally concerned for his mother Usuk isi-ina niyaak
maqalsita
concerned in, be [bI kÅns‰~nd In, bI k´ns‰~nd In] prep.v maqàl
le; maqalsite He is vitally concerned in this matter Usuk a
caagidit qilsi maqal le I am very concerned in this matter
Anu ta caagid kaxxam maqalsitah
concerning [k´ns‰~nIN] prep ...-t uxxuùmmu-hee
Concerning his behaviour, I have some complaints Kay
qamalat uxxuùmmu-haytaamak weeqa liyo
as far as... (be) concerned [´z fA ´z... k´ns‰~nd] com.expr ...-h
tu gactek As far as I am concerned, you can do what you
like Yoh tu gactek, faxinnaanim abtam duddah
concert [kÅ~ns‰t] n digìr muusika We listened to a concert on
the radio Raadiyok digir muusika ankacisne
concert, in [In kÅ~ns‰t] adv tìttingeyil We did that work in
concert with each other Woo taama tittal luk tittingeyil abne
C

C
concession [k´nsE~Sn¢] n musaàwamat (musaàwamata) / ràmmit
(ràmmiti) If they want peace they have to make a
concession Wagari faxeenik musaawamat / rammit abaanam
faxximta
conciliate [k´nsI~liyet] v.tr xammacoyse / salcise Her
friendly approach conciliated his anger Tet meqellat
naqabu kaak xammacoyse / salcise
concise [k´nsA~Is, kÅnsA~Is] adj uxuxi / uxuxxuusen He gave
me a concise report of all that took place Usuk tìkkainteemik
inkih uxux maaqu yoh abe They presented a
concise statement Uxuxxuusen maysaxxaga xayyoosen
conclude [k´Nklu~d] v.tr 1 ...-t emeete / orobe I concluded
that he was mad Anu usuk cabu leemit emeete / orobe 2
sele I concluded what I had to say Axcem faxak sugem
sele
conclusion [k´Nklu~Zn¢] n amogàcsa; eddè cabenta / orba
What was their conclusion? Amogacsi keenik macak tene?
What was the conclusion of the meeting? Daffeynak edde
cabenta / orba macak tene?
conclusion, come to a [køm tø ´ k´Nklu~Zn¢] v.tr ...-t emeete
I came to the conclusion that he wasn’t mad Anu usuk cabu
aalle waamat emeete
concord [kÅ~NkOd] n tittingey (tittingèyi) His speech did
nothing for racial concord Kay maxco samadiini tittingeyih
tu maxiqinna
concord, in [In kÅ~NkOd] adv nagaawàgarih They live in
concord with each other Oson titta luk nagaawagarih xiinan
concrete [kÅ~Nkrit] 1 n simit (simìti) The house is built of
concrete blocks Qari simit daaduuruk xisen 2 fig àsmat
leemi Give me something concrete to go on! Edde ugutuh
tuk asmat lem yoh bah!
concur [k´nk‰~]~ v.intr inkì-adda ekke How could two such
unlikely events concur? Too namma ceelosinni tekko inkiadda
manninnal takkem bicte?
concur with [k´nk‰~ wID] v.tr ukkuqe I concurred with his
plan Anu usuk xayyoose mala ukkuqe
condemn [k´ndE~m] v.tr qaybise I condemned his behaviour
Anu kay qamal qaybise
condemn to [k´ndE~m tU] phr.v.tr ...-l uckume They
condemned him to prison Casbi kaal yuckumen
condemnation [kÅndEmne~Sn¢] n qaybisso My
condemnation of him was correct Anu kaat abe qaybisso
gitak ten
condense [k´ndE~ns] 1 v.tr daggòssa-hee Condense that
story and tell it to us! Woo hayyeyoona daggòssa-hay, neh
waris! 2 v.intr niifò baahe Steam condenses as it cools
Huuri elle xamacaamal niifo baaha
condensation [kÅndEnse~Sn¢] n 1 ayxax (ayxaàxa) His
condensation of the story was well done Usuk woo
hayyeyoonat abe ayxax muquk yen 2 xayxoq (xayxoòqu)
58
In cold countries condensation occurs on the windows
Xamcin baaxol taagootal xayxoq raaqa
condescend [kÅndIsE~nd] v.intr rammite The Governor
condescended to attend the poor man’s party Waali
tudagoyti waynabol geytimaamah rammite
condiment [kÅ~ndIm´nt] n cawaag (cawaàga) Food without
condiments won’t go down Cawaag sinni maaqo salfa mali
condition [k´ndI~Sn¢, kÅndI~Sn¢] n gùrra; càxxa You are not in a
fit condition to return home A way edde tan gurrat buxa
taduurem madudda It's more sensible not to take the car
in that condition Baabur a way edde tan gurrak / caxxak
asgayye waytam meqe
conditions [k´ndI~Sn¢z] n.pl 1 faxxiimà bica; bìca What
are your working conditions? Taamah faxxiima bici kok
manna le? The conditions at home are good Dabqil yan
bici meqeh 2 xintogèxsit (xintogèxsiti) Before they
employed him, they told him the conditions Taama kaa
yaysibixeenimik naharat taama xintogexsit kaah yescessen
condole [k´ndo~l] prep.v ...-h hoole / racmattah ...-l soole I
condoled with him over his brother’s death Toobokoyti
rabah kaah hoole / Toobokoyti rabih racmattah kaal soole
condolence [k´ndo~l´ns] n racmatta We sent our
condolences to him over his brother’s death Toobokoyti
rabih racmatta kaah rubne
condone [k´ndo~n] v.tr ellè xiine When a father sees his son
behaving badly, he mustn’t condone it Baxa umam abah
yublek abba elle xiine waam meqe
conduct [k´ndø~kt] v.tr 1 abbise My brother conducted the
delegation Yi toobokoyti irga abbise 2 wiidise He
conducted the guest to his place Usuk qibnaytu le arac fanah
wiidise 3 idibbire; gexgexsite You should know how to
conduct your life Isi mano elle tadibbirenna koo wagitta
You must learn how to conduct yourself before your elders
Isik naba marih garil elle gexgexsittanna barittam kol tan 4
tabise Iron conducts electricity Birti kooran tabisa 2
[kA~ndøkt] n xaacìyta / gexgexit (gexgexiti) His conduct is
commendable Xaaciyti / Gexgexit kaak assakat le
conductor [k´ndø~kt´] n 1 absiise He is a well-known
orchestra conductor Usuk yimixxige musiika absiise 2
tabseyna Copper is a good conductor of electricity Sufri
kooraanah meqe tabseyna 3 tikìt yargiqi A bus conductor
collects the fares Otibis tikit yargiqi nooli hiriga
confederacy [k´nfE~dr´si] n doowàl qalli The Arab
Confederacy meets in Egypt Qarab doowalih qalli Masril
daffeyna le
confederation [k´nfEd´re~Sn¢] n doolatiinì qalla Two
countries formed a confederation Namma baaxo doolatiini
qalla haysitte
confer [k´nf‰~]~ v.intr agaarade We conferred for a long time
yesterday Nanu kimal xer wakti fan agaaradne
confer on [k´nf‰~r Ån]~ phr.v.tr hirige The president of the

union conferred a great honour on me Eglah saqal kaxxa
konnaba yoo hirige
confer with [k´nf‰~ wID~]~ prep.v luk caagiddoowe / malloowe
I conferred with my elder brother over that matter Woo
fardih inni saqal luk caagiddoowe / luk malloowe
conference [kÅ~nfr´ns] n gaaboyna The President called
the elders to a conference Ummuunoh Abba idoola
gaaboynah seece
confess [k´nfE~s] v.intr eeleme He confessed that he slept in
Usuk xiinit raaqeh ugutem yeelemeh
confession [k´nfE~Sn¢] n àalam (àalama) His confession of
his mistake healed relations Usuk abe hoxih aalam fanti
qalla gaciseh
confide [k´nfA~Id] v.tr bàgu fake I confided my fears to him
Liyo meysih bagu kaal fake
confide in [k´nfA~Id In] prep.v ...-l bàgu fake He confided
in his father Usuk isi abbal bagu fake
confidence [kÅ~nfId´ns] n àkkal (àkkala) I have confidence
in him Anu kaal akkal liyo
confidences [kÅ~nfId´nsIz] n.pl sìrri She shared
confidences with me Is sirri yol luk tengele
confidential [kÅnfIdE~nSl¢] adj suturìt ibbixe These
documents are confidential A sanooda suturit yabbixen
confidentiality [kÅnfIdEntSIœ~lIti] n suturi dacayri / sirrì
dacayri The confidentiality of this matter is essential A
caagidih suturi dacayri / sirri dacayri faxximtaama
confidentially [kÅnfIdE~ntSlI¢] adv suturit I told him
confidentially Anu suturit kaah warise
confine [k´nfA~In] phr.v.tr ...-t soola casbil hee The father
confined his naughty boy to the house Abba matba le bàxa
qarit soola casbil hee
confinement [k´nfA~Inm´nt] n 1 soolacàsbi Following
sentencing they placed him in confinement Kaal aben
cokmabtol soolacasbi kaal heen 2 ullanìkso She spent her
confinement in hospital Is ullanikso osbidaalal abte
confirm [k´nf‰~m, kÅnf‰~m] v.tr diggoyse; ismite They
confirmed the date of the boat’s departure Doonik edde
tawqu wayta ayro diggoyseenih I can confirm that Anu
wohim diggoysam duudah I confirmed the truth of the
hearsay Texcetexceh iyyaanam numma kinnim ismiteh
confirmation [kÅnf´me~Sn¢] n àsmat (àsmata) I have
confirmation from him that what we heard was true
Texcetexceh iyyaanam numma kinniimih asmat kaak liyo
confiscate [kÅ~nfIsket] v.tr buube The government
confiscated his houses Doolat qarwa kaak buubte
conflict [kÅ~nflIkt] 1 n 1 daqwat (daqwàta); maysattaka The
judge resolved the conflict between the husband and wife
Barra kee baqli fanat suge daqwat garkure bicise There
was a great conflict between the two armies Namma qande
fanat gibdi maysattaka tekke 2 [k´nflI~kt] v.intr ingiicille
These two accounts conflict; one of them is wrong A
namma gabbaaqo tangiicillek; tiyak teyni numma mali
59
conflicting [k´nflI~ktIN] adj ingiicille The two conflicting
accounts could not be reconciled Yingiicille namma
gabbaaqi titta gee weem takkeh
conform [k´nfO~m] v.intr gexsite. Because he didn’t conform
in school, he was removed Usuk faslil gexsite weemih, kaa
xiiriyen
conform to [k´nfO~m tU] phr.v.tr …-t gexsite Women in
some societies have to conform to restrictive laws
Ayyuntittek tu agabul abtah tan waadommadqat gexsitaanam
keenil tan
conformist [k´nfO~mIst, kÅnfO~mIst] n geeraytùli, katayrorsìte
It is better for a boy to say what he thinks rather than be a
conformist Awki geeraytuli / katayrorsite yakkeemik isit
celtam iyyam tayse
conformity [k´nfO~mIti] n katayròor (katayròoru)
Conformity requires going along with something, not
stepping out of line Katayroor rikel daggaawe-ikkalah
merracsimaanamat yaqarre
confront [k´nfrø~nt] v.tr 1 foòcak ...-t garaye Our enemies
confronted us Qaduwwi foocak net garaye 2 garayse He
confronted his misdemeanours with verbal punishment
Usuk kay umaabinat sahi garayse
confrontation [kÅnfrøntE~Sn¢] n foocak foocah abte garay
(garàya) Confrontation between police and demonstrators
was reported Boliis kee uluuluka mara foocak foocah abte
garay yiysixxigen
confuse [k´nfju~z] v.tr eylelekke He confused me with his
cousin Usuk yoo isi qammih baxat yeylelekkeh; I confused
the reality and the fiction Anu tanim kee deedal eylelekkeh
confused, become [k´nfju~z] v.intr aylalòkka baahe The
sick lady became confused Biyaakitta barra aylalokka bahte
confusion [k´nfju~Zn¢] n 1 badit (badìti) Why is there a
confusion in this information? A xaagi badit akah lem
macay? 2 aylalòkka He is subject to mental confusion
Usuk misinkicah aylalokka le
congeal [k´ndZi~´l] v.intr xiine / igribe Because of the cold
the ghee I bought congealed Xamca sabbatah xaame subac
yok xiineh / yigribeh The blood from his wound
congealed Dalek kaak caxitak suge qabal yigribeh
congratulate [k´Ngrœ~tSjulet] v.tr unkaqise We congratulated
him on his success Usuk gee iysal kaa unkaqisneh
congratulations [k´NgrœtSjule~Sn¢z, kÅNgrœtSjule~Sn¢z] n.pl
unkaqiino We offered him congratulations upon the birth
of a daughter Baxà kaah toobokeemih unkaqiino kaah abne
congregate [kÅ~NgrIget] v.intr koboxe The workers
congregated to hear the foreman Kabbo ankacisoonuh
taamita mari koboxe
congregation [kÅNgrIge~Sn¢] n gaaboowè mara I sat down
with the religious congregation Anu diinih gaaboowe mara
luk daffeye
C