Introductions in Romani: word list
All 16 words of unit 2, “Introductions”, of the Čiriklo course, from A to Z, with English translations.
| Romani | English |
|---|---|
| čepo | a little |
| foros | town |
| gadži | non-Romani woman |
| gadžo | non-Romani man |
| gav | village |
| hiňi | is (feminine) |
| hino | is (masculine) |
| joj | she |
| jov | he |
| me | I |
| Rom | Rom (a Romani man) |
| romanes | in Romani |
| Romňi | Romani woman |
| sal | you are (one person, informal) |
| som | I am |
| tu | you (one person, informal) |
Grammar and culture tips
The verb “to be”
me som – I am, tu sal – you are (one person), jov hino – he is, joj hiňi – she is, amen sam – we are, tumen san – you are (several people, or formal), jon hine – they are. The form hin (is) is used when gender does not matter: Oda hin kher. – That is a house.
Names with an article
In Romani, names are often preceded by an article: o for men, e for women. Me som o Martin. – I am Martin. Me som e Jana. – I am Jana.
What’s your name?
Sar tut vičinen? literally means “How do they call you?” You answer Man vičinen Jana. – “They call me Jana”, in other words: My name is Jana.
Rom and gadžo
A Rom is a Romani man and a Romňi a Romani woman. A person who is not a Rom is a gadžo (a woman: gadži). The words rom and romňi also mean husband and wife.
From Prague, in Prague
Names of towns and cities take case endings: Prahate – in Prague, Prahatar – from Prague.
Learn it with Čiriklo
This word is taught in unit 2, “Introductions”, of the free app Čiriklo, where you hear it – also slowed down – and practise it in short lessons. The app’s explanations are in Czech.
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