2.1 Noun (Maqaa)
A noun is a word used to describe a person, animal, place and thing. In Oromo all nouns including personal nouns are either feminine or masculine. There is no word for the English “it” in Oromo language.
1. Examples of people and animals
| Feminine | Masculine | English |
|---|---|---|
| niitii | dhiira/dhiirsa | man |
| obbeleetti | obboleessa | brother | sister |
| intala | ilma | son | daughter |
| haadha | abbaa | father | mother |
| jaartii | jaarsa | husband | wife |
| adaadaa | adeera | uncle | aunt |
| haboo | eessuma | uncle |
| dureettii | dureessa | rich man | rich woman |
| dargaggeeytii | dargaggeessa | young man (youth) | young woman |
| leencicha | leenca | lion |
| jawwee | jawwee | snake |
| qeeransa | qeeransa | tiger |
| Waraabeeytii | Waraabeysa | hyena |
| harree diidoo | harree diidoo | zebra |
2. Examples of an inanimate and other objects
| Masculine | Feminine |
|---|---|
| laga | baatii |
| muka | dachii |
| mana | ooyruu |