Chapter 15: Telephone Conversation
Haasawa Telefonaa
Dialogue
A simple telephone conversation between Chaaltuu and Ibsaa.
Chaaltuu: Hello!
Ibsaa: Akkam bulte! Bilisaan mana jiraa?
Chaaltuu: Akkam bulte! Lakki, inni mana hinjiru. Inni hojii jira. Dhaamsa qabdaa? Dhiifama, eenyu ati?
Ibsaa: Ani Ibsaa hiriyaa Bilisaati. Ati obboleettii Bilisaatii?
Chaaltuu: Ee, siin beeka. Amma eessa jirta?
Ibsaa: Asi dhaabata autobusaan jira. Gara Hirnaan deema.
Chaaltuu: Hayaa, yeroo Jimma dhuftu nu gaafadhu.
Ibsaa: Gammachuu wajjin, dhihotti gama Jimmaan deema. Hoggas isiniin gaafadha. Nagayatti.
Chaaltuu: Nagayatti, karaa gaarii!
Conversation Practice
Practice these common questions and answers.
| Afaan Oromo | English |
|---|---|
| Eennyu ati? | Who are you? |
| Ani Bilisaa. | I am Bilisaa. |
| Ati eessa"aa dhufta? | Where do you come from? |
| Ani Jfmmarraan dhUfa. | I come from Jimma. |
| Eennyu Bilisaan? | Who is Bilisaa? |
| Bilisaan obboleessa ChaaltUuti. | Bilisaa is Chaaltuu's brother. |
| Eennyu Chaaltuuls? | Who is Chaaltuu? |
| Chaaltuun obboltiettii Bilisaati. | Chaaltuu is Bilisaa's sister. |
| Eennyu isaan? | Who are they? |
| Isaan Bilisaa fi Chaaltuu. | They are Bilisaa and Chaaltuu. |
| Eennyu isin? | Who are you? (pl.) |
| Nu Bilisaa fi Chaaltuu. | We are Bilisaa and Chaaltuu. |
| Eennyu isin? | Who is she? |
| Isin Chaaltuu. | She is Chaaltuu. |
| Eennyu hajii jira? | Who is at the work place? |
| Bilisaan hajii jira. | Bilisaa is at the work place. |
| Bilisaan eessa jira? | Where is Bilisaa? |
| Bilisaan Gujii jira. | Bilisaa is at the work place. |
| Chaaltuun eessa jirti? | Where is Chaaltuu? |
| Chaaltuun mana jirti. | Chaaltuu is at home. |
| Ibsaan eessa jira? | Where is Ibsaa? |
| Ibsaan dukaana autobusaa jira. | Ibsaa is at the bus station. |
| Bilisaan mana jiraa? | Is Bilisaa at home? |
| Ee, inni mana jira. | Yes, he is at home. |
| Lakki, inni mana hinjiru. | No, he is not at home. |
| Chaaltuun mana jirtii? | Is Chaaltuu at home? |
| Ee, isin mana jirti. | Yes, she is at home. |
| Lakki, isiin mana hinjirtu. | No, she is not at home. |
| Yoom Ibsaan Hirna deema? | When does Ibsaa go to Hirna? |
| Amma Ibsaan Hirna deema. | Now Ibsaa goes to Hirna. |
| Yoom Chaaltuun mana deemti? | When does Chaaltuu go home? |
| Amma Chaaltuun mana deemti. | Now Chaaltuu goes home. |
| Akkam jirta? | How are you? |
| Galata Waaqaa, nagaya. | Thanks God, fine. |
Grammar Focus
Pronouns and Nouns
The subject form of a pronoun is used when it is the subject of a verb (e.g., Ani deema - I go). The base form is used for direct objects. For nouns, the subject form is often marked with a suffix like -ni, -n, or -i for masculine, and -n or -tii for feminine.
The Expression of 'To Be'
In the present tense, the verb 'to be' is often not used. Identity is shown by putting noun phrases together (e.g., Kuni mana. - This is a house.). The negative uses the copula miti.
To show existence or presence, the verb jira is used (e.g., Bilisaan mana jira. - Bilisaa is at home.). For past and future, the verbs ture (was/were) and taha (will be) are used.