Romani
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Phrases
English
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Phrases
| Romani Word |
English Meaning |
| abiav |
wedding feast, marriage, party,
in, inside |
| akti |
here |
| albergo |
inn |
| alazas |
flame |
| ale |
but |
| aleluyas | Pentecostals |
| amaro | our |
| ambrol |
pear |
| amoni |
anvil |
| amria, amriya, armaya |
curse, oath |
| ando foro |
into town |
| angustri |
ring |
| arey |
at |
| arter |
after |
| arvah |
yes |
| aster |
star |
| ataman |
cheiftan |
| atch |
stop |
| atchintan | parking place, stopping place |
| athinganoi |
danger |
| avree |
away |
| avri |
outside |
| awenydd, awenyddion | "inspired one," seer, shaman |
| Romani Word | English Meaning |
| b'e-g |
take |
| b'o-r |
non-Rom woman |
| baksheesh |
good fortune |
| bal, bala |
hair |
| balame |
gaje |
| balval, barval |
wind |
| bar, bur | mountain, brother, stone |
| bar valo |
rich |
| barearve |
to honor, respect, obey |
| barban | wind |
| bari lavuta |
viola |
| baro | big, large |
| barri |
big |
| barvalimos |
wealth |
| bater |
may it be so |
| bauri |
snails |
| bavo |
Kris complaint |
| baxt |
fate, karma, one's nature, fortune,
luck |
| baxtalo |
lucky, happy |
| bayo (Pl. bayura) |
Kris precedents |
| beebee |
aunt |
| beng |
devil or frog |
| bangalo |
devilish |
| berk |
breast |
| Besh! |
Sit! |
| beshtas |
sat |
| bestipen |
wealth, riches |
| bhen |
ssiter |
| bi-lacho |
no good |
| bibaxt |
bad luck |
| bidonville | shantytown |
| binak |
twin |
| bino |
sin |
| bitcheno pawdel |
to be deported, "sent across" |
| bitcherin' much |
magistrate, "transporter" |
| bo-v | oven |
| bob |
money |
| boba | bean |
| bog |
get, be paid |
| bogacha |
baked flour bread |
| bokh |
hunger |
| bokoli |
pancakes stuffed with small
pieces of meat |
| boreens |
side-roads |
| bol |
type of music |
| bolta |
shop |
| bori, boria |
bride, daughter-in-law,
sister-in-law |
| bosh |
fiddle |
| brashki |
frogs |
| bravi'os |
nomadic, "wild" |
| brigaki djili |
"sorrow songs" |
| bu-ino | proud |
| bujo |
bag, medicine bag |
| bul | buttocks |
| bulibasha |
traditional local leader |
| bushalo |
sour |
| but guli |
very sweet |
| butji | possession |
| Romani word | English Meaning |
| c'or |
to steal |
| c'oribe' |
theft |
| c'uc'i |
breast |
| cam |
sun |
| cante jondo |
'deep song' |
| cha'risma |
religious state-of-grace |
| chachimos |
truth |
| chakano |
star |
| chao |
tea |
| chava, chavvie |
boy |
| chavi | girl, child |
| cheeb |
tongue |
| cheiz |
girl's dowry |
| chere |
stars |
| cheros | time |
| chet | write |
| chey |
girl, daughter |
| chiavala |
lad |
| chile mole |
hot barbeque sauce |
| chin |
"cut/carve" i.e. write |
| Chindilan? |
Weary? |
| chindilo |
cut (past action) |
| chindiyas |
the one who cut it |
| chit | read |
| chokesarav |
to forge (metal) |
| chop | exchange |
| chor | thief, to steal |
| chorav |
to steal |
| chordane |
intelligence service |
| choribe |
theft |
| choro |
thief |
| chote |
vinegar |
| chovexani, chovihani |
witch |
| chuchi |
breast |
| churara | sword |
| churi |
knife |
| chuti |
milk |
| cikat | front |
| ciocoi |
overseer |
| clachans |
settled family groups |
| clank |
to hide |
| cokalos |
bone |
| corthu | one being, joined |
| crush | get out |
| curaco |
raven |
| Romani Word | English Meaning |
| dant, dand | tooth |
| darane svatura |
stories about magic, superstition,
and the supermatural |
| dariav |
sea |
| daro, darro |
bride price |
| dat, dad |
father |
| del |
spirit, avatar |
| desrobireja |
emancipation from slavery |
| dest |
wind |
| desteredre |
bird |
| detlene |
spirits of dead children |
| devel |
God |
| dhon |
very much |
| dickin |
looking |
| dickla, dickler, dicklo, diklo |
neckscarf. headscarf, handkerchief |
| didikai |
gypsy fried |
| dik, dick, dikh |
to see |
| dila |
floor |
| dili |
retarded, crazy |
| dilo |
fool, imbicile |
| dinilo |
crazy |
| divano | discussion, meeting |
| diwano |
group of elders called to discuss
a matter publicly |
| djan |
to know |
| djezbah |
coffee pot |
| domari |
Asiatic dialect of Romani |
| doodah |
sweetmeat |
| dook |
magic |
| dordie |
exclamation |
| doshman |
enemy |
| dosta |
enough |
| drab |
medicine, herbs |
| draba |
spell, charm |
| drabarav |
I read |
| drabarni |
healer, fotune teller |
| drabengro |
medicine man, healer |
| drarnego |
special healing herb |
| drey |
in, inside |
| dom |
man |
| drom | road, way |
| du' dera |
comfort(as in, "i'm sorry" during
a tragedy) |
| dudum | melon, gourd |
| dunha |
eiderdown |
| dya, dai, daj, day |
mother |
| dzolana, djolano | mule |
| Romani Word | English Meaning |
| e | the |
| edra | sister |
| edre | sibling |
| Romani Word | English Meaning |
| familia | extended family |
| feen |
man |
| ferari |
blacksmith |
| filefilidh |
'vision poet,' seer, shaman |
| foros, Forjus | town, city |
| forshava | very, very good |
| furtuna |
tempest |
| fusui | bean soup |
| fusui eski zumi | butter-bean soup |
| Romani Word | English Meaning |
| ga | walk |
| gabori | jeweler |
| gad | shirt |
| gajengi baxt | bad luck, luck of a non-gypsy |
| gajo, gadjo, gage | adult non-gypsy |
| galbi | gold coins |
| gami, g' ami |
bad |
| garda |
police |
| gavver | soldier, constable |
| geg, g' e-g |
beg |
| gelo |
gone |
| gestena |
thank you |
| get' ke |
explain |
| gham |
heat |
| ghel | girl |
| gilabno |
male singer/reader |
| gilbav |
I read |
| gilyabar |
sing |
| gin |
count |
| glas |
voice |
| glasso |
melodies |
| glokots |
police |
| glox |
man, non-Traveller also boss (non Rom, i.e. The Man) |
| gooi | pudding |
| gored |
money |
| gorgio |
gadjo, non-Rom |
| grai |
horse |
| grast | horse, beast of burden |
| grob |
tomb |
| groi |
horse |
| gropa |
shop |
| grushi |
money |
| gry | horse |
| gunoi | feces |
| gusha | Adam's apple |
| Romani word | English meaning |
| ha |
has |
| hai |
yes |
| hamishagos |
to meddle or disturb |
| hath |
hand |
| her'y |
truth? |
| hi | is |
| hin | was |
| hokano baro |
great trick |
| hum | will be |
| Romani Word | English Meaning |
| i | the |
| inox | item |
| iohai | medicine made from "ghost's vomit" |
| is'i |
are |
| isda |
see! |
| Romani Word |
English Meaning |
| jall, jawl, jil |
to go |
| jeti |
birth (circumstances of) |
| jekhipe |
Oneness, unity |
| jel'enedra |
little sister |
| jel'sutho'edrin |
companion animals |
| jilling |
going |
| johai |
ghost's vomit |
| jostumal |
enemy, 'wishes you harm' |
| jude |
judge, tax collector |
| Romani Word |
English Meaning |
| ka |
will or shall |
| kadessa |
mouse |
| kafa |
coffee |
| kair |
to do |
| kaj |
where |
| kak |
uncle: form a respectfull address
to an older person |
| kal' enedral |
blood-bound (by blood vow, avenging someone, has swearing-to-deity connotations) |
| kam, kham |
sun |
| kan |
ear |
| kana |
when |
| kanny |
chicken |
| karbaro |
erection |
| karfin |
nail |
| kas zhanes |
who do you know? |
| kascht |
wood |
| kasko san |
whose are you? |
| kathal |
go gently |
| katrinsa |
apron |
| kazan |
small domestic stills |
| keck, kek |
no, not |
| kedas |
he made |
| keir, ker |
house |
| kele |
go onward |
| k'ena |
house |
| kerdem |
I made |
| kertsheema, kirchima, kir`c`ima |
inn, tavern |
| kesali |
forest spirit |
| kesht, koshter |
stick |
| kestra |
casual friend, acquaintance |
| khan, kan |
fart |
| khania |
hens |
| khantino |
smelly |
| khul |
shit |
| khushti, kushti |
good, fine |
| ki's, kish |
silk |
| kidemos |
collections |
| kintala |
balance |
| kirvi |
groom, godmother |
| kis's |
purse |
| kishti, kis'ti |
belt |
| kleti |
huts |
| klidi |
key |
| kocho, koc'o |
button |
| kokalo |
bone |
| kom'i |
more |
| kon |
who |
| kori, kar |
penis, coulter |
| koro |
blind |
| koshtenengo |
wooden |
| koto-r |
piece |
| kr`isis |
judgement |
| kralis |
king |
| krethes |
speculation |
| kris |
formal tribunal/trial |
| krisatora |
kris judges |
| kris romani |
trial to settle disputes |
| kulath |
(go) find |
| kumpania, kumpa'nia |
a group of rom, caravan group (basic unit, can incl. more than 1 tribe, clan, extended, and chosen family) |
| Romani Word |
English Meaning |
| L vakandoka |
the moles |
| lalleri |
non-Rom speaking |
| lalo, lolo |
red |
| lampo |
lamp |
| langa |
flame |
| lashav |
shame, honor |
| lav |
word, name |
| lavuta |
violin |
| le |
the |
| led |
ice |
| ledome |
frozen |
| lel |
to take, catch, arrest |
| les |
his |
| leshya'e |
helpful spirit, not mulo |
| liha'irden |
deer-footed |
| lil |
book, tale, story |
| liri |
law |
| lobo |
flame |
| lom |
man |
| lomavren |
Armenian dialet of Rom |
| lon |
salt |
| lork |
car |
| love |
money |
| lovina, lovi'na |
beer |
| lovor |
a ceremony to divide money
earned |
| lungo drom |
long road |
| lus', lus |
a drink |
| Romani Word |
English Meanings |
| ma, maw |
an exclamation |
| ma-sha-llah |
as god wills |
| machka, mac'ka |
cat |
| macho, maczo |
fish |
| magerd'o, magherdo, moxado |
stained, unclean status |
| mageripen |
purity code |
| mahala |
quarter (of a town) |
| mamioro |
a spirit or ghost who is said
to bring serious illness |
| man'u's, manus |
Rom man |
| manch, manc' |
cheer up |
| mandi, me |
I |
| mang |
to beg |
| manishie, monashay, mollisher,
mort |
woman, wife |
| manush |
people |
| mariki |
sweet, layered, pizza shaped
pastry from flour, powdered milk, sugar and lard |
| marim'e, marime |
unclean status, polluted, defiled,
rejected or outcast by trial |
| martiya |
spirit of the night |
| mas |
meat |
| mashakar |
waist, center |
| matiro |
martyr, prophet |
| melalo |
dirt |
| meska |
bear |
| mi'zak, mizhak |
wicked |
| midjloli |
erection |
| mira |
my (mas) |
| mindj |
female genitals |
| ming |
cunt |
| miri |
my (fem) |
| miro |
queit |
| mish |
vagina |
| misli |
travel |
| moarte |
death |
| mode |
varieties of melody in Gypsy
Music |
| mom |
wax |
| monchimo |
system of servitude to pay off
debts and credits |
| mora, much |
friend |
| moro |
bread |
| mortsi |
leather, hide, skin |
| mrak's |
smear, unclean status |
| mui |
mouth |
| muj |
face, mouth |
| mulani |
ghost |
| mule |
the spirit or soul of a dead
person, ghost |
| mule-vi |
a medium or an item capable
of reaching to world of the dead |
| mulengi dori |
dirges or 'dead man's string'-a
magic ribbon tied or untied to call on dead spirits to protect
you |
| mulla |
corpse |
| muller'd |
killed, dead |
| mulo |
death, spirits of the dead,
dead person, associated with uncleanness, vampirism |
| mura, mu-ra |
berry |
| mush |
man |
| Romani Word |
English Meaning |
| nai |
a negative |
| nai man (keck) |
I have not got any |
| nak |
nose |
| namome |
written |
| nano |
uncle |
| narky |
bad, risky, unpleasant |
| naswalemos |
illness, sickness |
| natsia |
nation, tribe |
| nav |
name |
| nav gaijikano |
a non-Gypsy name |
| nav romano |
Gypsy name |
| nes |
bad |
| nevimos |
novelty |
| nevipe |
news |
| nevo |
new |
| niamo |
relatives |
| nicobado |
taken away |
| nivasi |
water spirit/mermaid |
| nos |
it is |
| Romani Word |
English Meaning |
| o |
the (masc) |
| o d'ives |
day |
| o xonxano' baro'(cale') |
great trick |
| o zhuvindo |
"The live one" |
| ofisa |
fortune telling establishment |
| Opre! |
arise |
| oprey |
up |
| orf |
off |
| Romani word | English Meaning |
| paanii, pan'i |
water |
| pachivaki djili |
pachiv song |
| paguba |
"raiding party" i.e. sent out
for supples |
| pahome |
frozen |
| pakiv, pachiv |
to honor, respect, obey,
esteem |
| pakvora |
beautiful |
| pal |
brother |
| palecido |
"set apart" i.e. marime |
| pale`cido |
non-rom |
| pani |
water |
| pani neiv |
fresh water |
| papin |
goose |
| paramishus |
tale |
| paramitsha, paramicha |
gypsy fairytales |
| parno |
white |
| patragi |
Easter |
| patrin |
marker, a leaf or page, road
sign |
| payo |
gadje |
| pe |
to drink |
| pen, penne |
sister |
| perina |
thick quilts |
| pertia |
jellied pig's feet and ears |
| pesha |
his |
| petalos |
horseshoe |
| phal |
brother |
| phei |
sister |
| phen, pena | sister |
| phuro |
an elder of a familia |
| pi |
to drink |
| pi'bati |
drinks |
| pibe |
beverage |
| piko |
spear |
| pipere |
pepper |
| pir |
foot |
| pirogo |
noodle and cheese pudding |
| pisliskurja |
darling |
| pitarer | to drink |
| plal |
brother |
| pliashka |
engagement feast |
| poav |
field |
| pomana |
a death feast |
| pooker |
to ask, talk |
| poove |
field |
| popin |
goose |
| porado |
erection |
| porraimos |
literally: the Devouring i.i.
the Holocaust |
| poshum, po's'um |
wool |
| posoti |
pouch inside a skirt |
| posta |
sacrifice ritual in nature |
| postiu |
abstention from animal producits
on Friday |
| potchee |
pocket |
| poteen |
whiskey |
| pral, prala |
brother |
| pralipe |
bortherhood |
| prastlo |
dishounred ie. marime, unclean
status |
| pretera |
wildcat |
| prey |
up, upon |
| prikasa, prikaza |
very bad luck or omen |
| pufe |
fried flour bread |
| puri daj |
grandmother |
| puri dad |
grandfather |
| puro |
old |
| pushka, pus'ka |
gun |
| puterdea |
straddle the legs open |
| puyo |
chicken stew |
| puyuria |
gadje gypsy groupies |
| Romani Word |
English Meaning |
| r'asa |
race, tribe |
| rakli |
non-Roma girl |
| raklo |
non-Roma boy |
| rarti |
night |
| rat |
blood |
| rawnie |
lady |
| ray baro |
great lords |
| raya |
land owners |
| rebniko |
pond |
| rikono |
dog |
| rinkeni |
pretty, attractive |
| risho |
reed, cane |
| rocka, roackra |
to speak |
| roj |
spoon |
| rom |
man |
| rom baro |
a leader; the "big man" in a
kumpania; "Bandoleer",intermediary with the gadje |
| romane |
the language of the Rom |
| romania |
the laws and traditions of the
Rom; social order |
| romni |
wife |
| romni nashli |
elopement |
| rompien |
gypsyness, the state of being
a gypsy |
| rovliako khelipen |
'stick dance' |
| rukh |
tree |
| ruv |
wolf |
| rye |
gentleman |
| Romani Word |
English Meaning |
| sa-rk |
field |
| sadullos |
safe |
| salk |
take |
| salpeens |
migratory farm workers |
| sap |
snake |
| sarma |
stuffed cabbage |
| Sastimos, sastipe |
greeting , "To your health" |
| sastro |
Father-in-law |
| satarma |
star |
| saviako |
Rolled pastry with fruit, cottage cheese and raisins |
| schav |
gypsy boy |
| schej |
gypsy girl |
| se |
are/is |
| sedre/sedrin |
child/ren |
| ser`o, `ser`o, sero |
head |
| shadogs |
cops/pigs/etc. |
| shaia |
sister |
| shala |
understand |
| shanglo |
police constable |
| shav |
unmarried gypsy male |
| shav |
push, shove |
| shavora |
companions? |
| she |
swear |
| she'chorne |
homosexual |
| she' enedra |
blood sister (by oath, chosen family) |
| shee |
is |
| shebari |
bride, girl or young woman of
marrigale age |
| sheka |
horseshit |
| shena |
brotherhood, solidarity, clan |
| schera |
head |
| sheranda |
goosdown pillows covered in gay, flowered material |
| sherp |
go |
| shesti |
nonsense |
| shey |
girl (pre-puberty) |
| shimulo |
vampire, literally walking-dead |
| shon |
moon |
| shoska |
tent-pole |
| shpera |
road-sign, marking" |
| si |
is |
| sir |
garlic |
| skorni |
top-boots |
| slavi |
Saints day's festivals (Catholic
and orthodox Christian) |
| slobuzenja |
freedom |
| smavandre |
short-distance travellers |
| smente'na |
cream |
| so |
what |
| so' trekoth |
gullible person, "gape-mouthed
hatchling" |
| socro-bori |
incest |
| solakh |
Kris (trial) judgement using armaya (curse), with judgement left to mule (the dead) |
| sonkai |
gold |
| soske |
why |
| sov |
(to) sleep |
| spiuni |
spy |
| staadi |
hat |
| stanya |
stable (noun) |
| staven |
water |
| storvandre |
long distance travellers |
| strazhno |
danger |
| streyino |
strange |
| strickapen |
imprison |
| sumadji |
family heirloom |
| suni |
saw |
| sutho | forever |
| svata/svatura |
gypsy story/ies |
| Romani Word |
English Meaning |
| tablipen |
warmth |
| ta`ciben |
truth |
| ta`co, tacho |
true |
| taibhsear |
seer, shaman, 'vision
seer' |
| talazo |
wave |
| tale |
hawk |
| taliga |
two-wheeled light cart |
| tampeta |
thunderstorm |
| tan |
market |
| tarned`er |
younger |
| tatt`o, tato |
hot, warm |
| tenimos |
youth |
| terno |
young |
| te' sorthene |
spirit/heart friend, friend
bonded by heart,spirit |
| tehara |
girl (pre-puberty), young
girl |
| tern`o |
young |
| themenge |
forgien |
| thoximos |
duty |
| tigins |
small/one-room houses, especially
refers to government settlements |
| tips |
dumps |
| tober |
road |
| tooti |
you |
| top |
on |
| torarti |
tonight |
| toreen, 'tori |
coming |
| trampa |
barter |
| treshul |
christian cross |
| trito ursitori |
three spirits, one good, one evil, one mediator |
| tru-pos |
body |
| trushal odji |
hungry soul |
| ts`erha, tserha |
household, tent |
| tshor |
thief |
| tshurii |
knife |
| tsox |
skirt |
| tu |
you |
| tud |
milk |
| tumnimos |
wedding arangements |
| tutka |
turkey |
| Romani Word |
English Meaning |
| uzho |
related to marhime |
| Romani Word |
English Meaning |
| vadni ratsa |
wild goose of Romani legend |
| vaida |
gypsy chief |
| vai' datha |
agreement/resignation |
| valval |
wind |
| var' athanda |
(to be) forgetful |
| vardo |
living wagon |
| vare- |
-ever |
| varek`ai |
wherever |
| varnas |
clan |
| vast |
hand |
| vatave |
overseer |
| vela |
came |
| ves', vesh |
forest |
| veshengo |
man of the forest |
| ves' tacha |
beloved |
| vetha |
running |
| vezlime' |
embroidered |
| vitsa/vitsi |
clan |
| vord`on, vurdon |
wagon |
| vortimo |
truth |
| vurma |
trail signs of the road |
| vyusher |
wolf |
| Romani word |
English Meaning |
| wavver |
wood (forest) |
| wesh |
other |
| wortacha |
partners |
| wuzho |
purity, clean |
| Romani Word |
English Meaning |
| xa |
eat |
| xabe |
beef stew |
| xaimoko |
rabbit stew |
| xanamiki |
co-parent-in-law |
| xari |
one who eats |
| xaritsa |
fried cornbread |
| xin |
urinating |
| xume'l |
breadcrumbs |
| xume'r |
dough |
| Romani Word |
English Meaning |
| y |
and |
| yai |
two |
| yak |
eye |
| yekhipe |
unity, oneness |
| yog |
fire |
| yungxo |
young ox |
| yuthi'so'coro |
honor for road travel |
Z
| Romani Word |
English Meaning |
| za |
go |
| zego |
ember |
| zen |
saddle |
| zeravo |
left side |
| zhamutro |
bridegroom, or son-in-law |
| zheita |
'bringing the bride home' |
| zor |
strength |
| Zuhno |
pure |
| zumi |
soup |
| zurla |
long wooden double-reed conical-bone instrument |
| Romani Phrase | English Meaning |
| Adro miro tem penena mande o baro
rai. |
In my country the gypsies call me the
great gentleman. |
| Ajsi bori lachi: xal bilondo, phenel
londo. |
Such a daughter-in-law is good who eats
unsalted food and says it is salted. |
| Akana mukav tut le Devlesa. |
I now leave you to God. (Funeral
comment) |
| Amaro baro them |
Our big land, ie. ancestral homeland |
| Ande save vitsa |
In which vitsa |
| Ando gav bi zhuklesko jal o pavori bi
destesko |
In the village without a dog a man can
walk without a stick |
| Ando gav bi zhuklesko shai piravel o manush
bi destesko |
In the village without dogs the farmers
walked without sticks |
| Ashen Devlesa, Romale |
May you remain with God |
| Baxt hai sastimos tiri patragi |
Wish luck and good health |
| Bengesko niamso |
Cursed German |
| Bi kashtesko merel i yag |
Without wood the fire would die |
| Bolde tut, kako |
Please turn away (If she was unable
to avoid passing infront of one or between two men, a gypsy woman might
say this to avoid possible marhime) |
| Can tute rakker Romanes, miri
dye? |
Can you speak Romany, my mother? |
| Chailo sim |
I am replete (full) |
| Chces li tajnou vec aneb pravdu vyzvédéti
Blazen, dité opily clovéc o tom umeji povodeti. |
"Wouldst thou know a truth or mystery,
A drunkard, fool, or child may tell it thee." |
| Das dab ka i roata le neve vurdoneski |
To give a push to the wheel of the new
wagon (ie. to provide a kcik start to newlywed households) |
| Devlesa araklam tume |
It is with God that we have found you |
| Devlesa avilan |
It is God who brought you |
| Dovo's a huckaben. |
That's untrue. |
| Droby tume Romale |
Traditional greeting (Response is
Nais tuke (Thank you)) |
| Dza Devlesa |
God go with you |
| El Crallis ha nicobado le liri de los Cales |
The King has taken away the law of the
Gypsies |
| Feri ando payi sitsholpe te nauyas |
It was in the water that one leanred to
swim |
| Gadje Gadjensa, Rom Romensa |
Gadje with Gadje, Rom with Rom |
| hai shala |
do you understand? |
| hai'she'li |
yes, I swear! |
| her'y |
truth? |
| I chatski tsinda de tehara vai do haino,
khal tut |
The true nettle stings from the begining |
| I chirikleski kul chi perel duvar pe yek
than |
The droppings of a flying bird never fall
twice on the same spot |
| Isi ili daba |
Here there are also smacks |
| Isis ma xarica love; so hramosorav andi
gazeta; a-ko isi pomoshinav tumen |
I have a little money; I am a journalist;
maybe I can help you |
| jekh dilo kerel dile hai but dile keren
dilimata |
One madman makes many madmen, and many
madmen make maddness |
| Ka xila ma pe tute |
I am going to shit on you |
| Kai zhal o vurdon vurma mekela |
Where the wagon goes a trail is left |
| Kaski san? |
Whose are you? |
| Kay zhala I suv shay zhala wi o thav |
Where the needle goes, surely the thread
will follow |
| Kon del tut o nai shai dela tut wi o vast |
He who willingly gives you one finger will
also give you the whole hand |
| Kon khakhavel o balo wi leste si I shuri |
He who feeds the pig also holds the knife
over it when it is fattened |
| Kon khal but, khan peski bakht |
Ho who eats much eats away his own luck |
| kon mangel te kerel tumendar r.oburen
`ci `soxa phenela tumen o `ca`cimos pa tumare
perintonde |
he who wants to enslave you will never
tell you the truth about your forefathers |
| Kushti ratti! |
Good night! |
| li' ha' eer |
by the Gods |
| li' sa' eer |
by the highest Gods |
| Love k-o vast, bori k-o grast |
Money in hand, bride on horse |
| Mandar tsera tai kater o Del mai but te
aven tumenge |
From me a little money, but may God give
you plenty |
| Maskar le gadjende leski shib si le Romeski
zor |
Surrounded by Gadje, the Rom's only defence
is his tongue |
| May angle sar te merel kadi yag |
Before this fire burns out (Armaya) |
| May kali i muri may gugli avela |
The darker the berry, the sweeter it is |
| May mishto les o thud katar i gurumni kai
tordjol |
It is easier to milk a cow that stands still |
| May mishto phabol o kasht o chordano |
Stolen wood burns better for being stolen |
| May sigo sar te may khav |
Before I even have my next meal (Armaya) |
| Me mangav te jav ando granitza tumensa |
I want to go to the border with you |
| Me piav pani |
I drink water |
| Me san de spoiroski shey |
I am Spiro's daughter |
| Me som Bardu |
I am Bardu |
| Miri kushti pen, Miro prala. |
my dear sister, my brother |
| Mishto hom me dikava tute. |
I am glad to see you |
| Mong your shünaben, rye. |
Beg your pardon, sir. |
| Mukhenpe te khan la lumia |
If they conquer the world |
| Na bister 500,000 |
Don't forget the 500,000 (reference to the
Holocaust) |
| Na daran Romale vi ame sam Rom chache |
Do not fear, you Gypsy men, for we too are
Gypsies |
| Na may kharunde kai chi khal tut |
Not to scratch where it doesn't itch |
| Nais tuke |
Thank you |
| Nashti zhas vorta po drom o bango |
You cannot walk straight when the road is
bent. |
| Ne rakesa tu Romanes? |
Can you not speak Romany? |
| O chavorro na biandola dandencar |
The child is not born with teeth |
| O lov tai o beng nashti beshen patasha |
Neither money nor the devil can remain in
peace |
| O manusha khelevan tut |
The people make you dance (said if a place
is nice) |
| O shoshoy kaste si feri yek khiv sigo athadjol |
The rabbit which has only one hole is soon
caught |
| O Spiro le tinshasho shav |
The Spiro who is the son of Tinha |
| O ushalin zhala sar o kam mangela |
The shadow moves as the sun commands |
| O xonxano baro |
The great trick |
| O zalzaro khal peski piri |
Acid corrodes its own container |
| Opre Roma! |
Roma arise! |
| Ov yilo isi |
Is it okay (literally, is there heart here) |
| Pachiv tumenge Romale |
"This song was offerd as a gift to worthy men" |
| Pen the rani ta wusser mandy a
tri-grushi. |
Tell the lady to throw me a shilling. |
| Perdal l paya |
Beyond the waters (the Americas) |
| Piri telemosa chi athadjol o kam |
The kettle that lies face down cannot get sunlight |
| Pral, mor rakker sä drován
|
Don't talk so loud, brother. |
| Prohasar man opre pirende - sa muro djiben
semas opre chengende |
Bury me standing - I've been on my knees all
my life |
| Putrav lesko drom angle leste te na inkrav
les mai but palpale mura brigasa |
I open his way in the new life agan and release
him from the fetters of my sorrow. (Ritual phrase to mark the end of
mourning) |
| Rode chia bora le kanensa tai te na le yakensa |
Select one's daughter-in-law with the ears
and not with the eyes. (Pay more attention to reputation than looks) |
| Romale tai shavale akarel tume o Pulika |
By your leave, Gypsy men and youths, this is
Pulika calling you (The proper formal way to address Rom) |
| Romale tai Shavale, Churara tai wi Lovara |
Gypsy men and youths, Churara and Lovara alike |
| Sako peskero charo dikhel |
Everybody sees only his own dish |
| Sar laci and'ekh vadra |
Like crabs in a bucket |
| sar san |
how are you |
| Save Spiro |
Which Spiro? |
| Shuk tski khalpe la royasa |
Beauty cannot be eaten with a spoon |
| Si khohaimo may pachivalo sar o chachimo |
There are lies more believable than truth |
| so keres? |
What are you doing? |
| Stanki nashti chi arakenpe manushen shai |
Mountains do not meet, but people do |
| Te avel angle tute, kodo khabe tai kado pimo tai menge pe sastimaste |
May this food be before you, and in your memory, and may it profit us in good health and in good spirit |
| Te avel angle tute |
May this be before you |
| Te avel mange bakht drago mange wi te avav po gunoy |
All we need is good luck. With luck I would not even mind sitting on a dunghill |
| Te aves yertime mander tai te yertil tut o Del |
I forgive you and may God forgive you as I do |
| Te bisterdon tumare anave |
May your names be forgotten |
| Te den, xa, te maren, denash |
When you are given, eat, when you are beaten, run away |
| Te khalion tai de shingerdjon che gada, hai tu te trais sastimasa tai voyasa |
May your clothes rip and wear out, but may you live on in good health and in fulfilment |
| Te lolirav I phuv mure ratesa |
May I redden the earth with my blood |
| Te malavel les i menkiva |
May the malignant disease waste him |
| Te merav |
May I die |
| Te merel amaro kuro o lasho |
May our favorite stallion die |
| Te merel muri shey |
May my child die tomorrow |
| Te merel muro dad, muri dei |
May my father, mother, brothers die |
| Te na khuchos perdal cho ushalin |
To try to jump over your own shadow |
| Te pabaren mange memelia |
May you burn candles for me |
| Te phirav pa0o gav |
To go about the village (to beg) |
| te pochinen penge lazhav |
Pay for their shame |
| te prakhon man pasho o X |
May I be buried next to X |
| Te shordjol muri godji sar shordjol kadi bera |
May my brains flow out the way this beer flows out if... |
| Te shordjol muro rat |
May my blood spill |
| Te vestinel o dosti Tito, te vestinena o jugoslovenske manusha |
Long live comrade Tito and long live the Yugoslav people |
| te xav ka to biav |
May I eat at your wedding |
| vai' datha |
many paths |
| yekka buliasa nashti beshes pe done grastende |
With one behind you can't sit on two horses |
| Yodjo la Mimako Zhamutro |
Yodjo, Mimi's son-in-law |
| Zhan le devlesa tai sastimasa |
Go with God and in good health |
English to Romany
| English Word | Romani Meaning |
| abstention from animal products
on Friday |
postiu |
| acquaintance |
kestra |
| Adam's apple |
gusha |
| adult non-gypsy |
gajo, gadjo |
| after |
arter |
| agreement |
vai' datha ("many paths") |
| and |
y |
| anvil | amoni |
| apron |
katrinsa |
| are |
se, is`i |
| Arise! |
Opre! |
| Armenian dialect of Romani |
lomavren |
| to arrest |
lel |
| as god wills |
ma-sha-llah |
| Asiatic dialect of Romani |
domari |
| to ask |
pooker |
| at | arey |
| attractive |
rinkeni |
| aunt |
beebee |
| avatar |
del |
| away | avree |
| English Word | Romani Meaning |
| bad |
narky, gami, nes, g' ami |
| bad luck |
bibaxt, gajengi baxt, prikasa,
prikaza |
| bag |
bujo |
| baked flour bread |
bogacha |
| balance |
kintala |
| (hot) barbeque sauce |
chile mole |
| barter |
trampa |
| bean |
boba |
| bear |
melalo |
| bean soup |
fusui |
| beast of burder |
grast |
| beautiful |
pakvora |
| beef stew |
xabe |
| beer |
lovina, lovi'na |
| beg |
geg, mang, g' e-g |
| beloved |
ves' tacha |
| belt |
kishti, kis'ti |
| berries |
mura |
| berry |
mu-ra |
| beverage |
pibe |
| big |
baro, barri |
| bird |
desteredre |
| birth (circumstances of) |
jati |
| blacksmith |
ferari |
| blind |
koro |
| blood |
rat |
| blood bound (by blood vow, avenging
someone, has swearing-to-deity connotations) |
kal' enedral |
| blood sister (by oath, chosen
family) |
she' enedra |
| body |
tru-pos, trupos |
| bone |
cokalos, kokalo |
| book |
lil |
| boss (Non-Rom, i.e. The Man) |
glox |
| boy |
chava, chavvie |
| bread |
moro |
| breadcrumbs |
xume'l |
| breast |
berk, chuchi, c'uc'i |
| bride |
bori, shebari, boria |
| bride price |
daro, darro |
| bridegroom |
zhamutro |
| brother |
bar, prala, pral, plal, phal,
pal |
| brotherhood |
pralipe, shena |
| but | ale |
| butter-bean soup |
fusui eski zumi |
| buttocks | bul |
| button |
kocho, koc'o |
| English Word | Romani Meaning |
| came |
vela |
| cane (reed) |
risho |
| car |
lork |
| caravan group |
kumpa'nia |
| casual friend |
kestra |
| cat |
machka, mac'ka |
| to catch |
lel |
| center |
mashaka |
| ceremony to divide money earned |
lovor |
| charm (noun) |
draba |
| cheer up |
manch, manc' |
| chicken |
kanny |
| chicken stew |
puyo |
| chieftian |
ataman |
| child |
cha(h)vi |
| child/ren |
sedre/sedrin |
| Christian cross |
treshul |
| city |
Forjus, foros |
| clan |
shena, vitsa/vitsi, varnas |
| clean |
wuzho |
| co-parent-in-law |
xanamiki |
| coffee |
kafa |
| coffee pot |
djezbeh |
| collections |
kidemos |
| constable |
gavver |
| comfort(as in, "i'm sorry" during
a tragedy) |
du' dera |
| coming |
toreen, 'tori |
| companion animals |
jel'sutho'edrin |
| companios |
shavora |
| cops/pigs/etc. |
shadogs |
| corpse |
mulla |
| count |
gin |
| crazy |
dinilo, dili |
| cream |
smente'na |
| cunt |
ming |
| curse | amria, amriya, armaya |
| cut (past action) | chindilo |
| English Word | Romani Meaning |
| danger | athinganoi, strazhno |
| darling |
pisliskurja |
| daughter |
chey |
| daughter-in-law |
bori |
| day |
o zhuvindo |
| dead |
muller'd |
| dead person, associated with
uncleanness, vampirism |
mulo |
| death |
mulo, moarte |
| death feast |
pomana, poma'na |
| 'deep song' |
cante jondo |
| deer-footed |
liha'irden |
| (to be) deported |
bitcheno pawdel |
| devil | beng |
| devilish |
bengalo |
| dirges |
mulengi dori |
| dirt |
melalo |
| discussion (to settle disputes) |
divano |
| dishonoured i.e. marime |
prastlo |
| (to) disturb |
hamishagos |
| (to) do |
kair |
| dog |
rikono |
| dough |
xume'r |
| (girls) dowry |
cheiz, darro |
| (a) drink |
lus', lus |
| (to) drink |
pi, pitarer, pe, pi'bati |
| dumps |
tips |
| duty |
thoximos |
| English Word | Romani Meaning |
| ear |
kan |
| Easter |
patragi |
| eat |
xa |
| eiderdown |
dunha |
| elder of a familia |
phuro |
| elopement |
romni nashli |
| emancipation from slavery |
desrobierja |
| ember |
zego |
| embroidered |
vezlime' |
| enemy, 'wishes you harm' |
doshman, jostumal |
| engagement feast |
pliashka |
| enough |
dosta |
| erection i.e. big penis |
porado, karabro, midjloli |
| to esteem |
pakiv |
| ever |
vare |
| exchange | chop |
| exclamation | dordie |
| explain |
get' ke |
| extended family | familia |
| eye |
yak |
| English Word | Romani Meaning |
| face |
muj |
| family heirloom |
sumadji |
| family, immediate |
tsera |
| fart |
khan, kan |
| fate, fortune | baxt |
| father |
dat, dad |
| father-in-law |
sastro |
| a feast given in honor of a
visitng guest |
pakiv |
| feces |
gunoi |
| female genitals |
mindj |
| fiddle |
bosh |
| field |
poove, poav, sa-rk |
| (go) find |
kulath |
| fine |
kushti |
| fire |
yog |
| fish |
macho, mazco |
| flame |
lobo, alazas, langa |
| floor |
dila |
| food |
scran |
| fool |
dilo |
| foot |
pir |
| forest |
kasht, ves' , wavver |
| forest spirit |
kesal i |
| forever |
sutho |
| (to) forge (metal) |
chokesarav |
| (to be) forgetful |
var' athanda |
| forgien |
themenge |
| formal tribunal |
kris |
| fortune teller |
drabarni |
| fortune telling establishment |
ofisa |
| freedom |
slobuzenja |
| fresh water |
pani nevi |
| fried cornbread |
xaritsa |
| fried flour bread |
pufe |
| friend |
mora, much |
| friend bonded by heart/spirit |
te'sorthene |
| front |
ciakt |
| frog | beng, brashki |
| frozen |
pahome, ledome |
| English Word | Romani Meaning |
| gadje |
payo, balame, gorgio |
| gadje gypsy-groupies |
puyuria |
| garlic |
sir |
| gentleman |
rye |
| get |
bog |
| get out |
crush |
| ghost |
mule, mulani |
| ghost's vomit |
johai |
| girl |
chavi, chey, ghel |
| girl (pre-puberty) |
shey, tehara |
| girl (of marrigable age) |
shebari |
| (to) go |
jall, jawl, jil, za, sherp |
| go gently |
kathal |
| go onward |
kele |
| God |
devel |
| godmother |
kirvi |
| going |
jilling |
| gold |
sonkai |
| gold coins |
galbi |
| gone |
gelo |
| good |
khushti, kushti |
| good fortune | baksheesh |
| goose |
popin, papin |
| goosedown pillows covered in gay, flowered material |
sheranda |
| gourd |
dudum |
| grandfather |
puro dad |
| grandmother |
puri daj |
| great lords |
ray baro |
| great trick |
o xonxano' baro'(cale'), hokano
baro |
| greeting |
sastipe |
| groom |
kirv i |
| group of elders called to discuss
a matter publicly |
diwano |
| group of Rom |
kumpania |
| gullible person, "gape-mouthed
hatchling" |
so' trekoth |
| gun |
pushka, pus'ka |
| gypsy boy |
schav |
| gypsy chief |
vaida |
| gypsy fairytales |
paramitsha, paramicha |
| gypsy friend |
didikai |
| gypsy girl |
schej |
| gypsy name |
nav romano |
| gypsy story/ies |
svata, svatura |
| gypsyness |
rompien |
| English Word | Romani Meaning |
| hair |
bal, bala |
| hand |
hath, vast |
| handkerchief |
diklo |
| happy |
baxtalo |
| has |
ha |
| hat |
staadi |
| hawk |
tale |
| he made |
kedas |
| head |
ser`o,ser`o, `se-ro-,
`ser`o, sero, shera |
| headscarf |
dicklo, diklo |
| healer |
drabengro, drabarni |
| healing herb |
drarnego |
| heart friend |
te' sorthene |
| heat |
gham |
| helpful spirit, not mulo |
leshya'e |
| hens |
khania |
| herbs |
drab |
| here | akti |
| hide (off an animal) |
mortsi |
| (to) hide |
clank |
| his |
pesha, les |
| the Holocaust |
porraimos |
| (to) honor |
pakiv, barearv, lashav |
| honor for road travel |
yuthi'so'coro |
| horse |
grai, grast, gry, groi |
| horseshit |
sheka |
| horseshoe |
petalos |
| homosexual |
she'chorne |
| hot |
tatt`o, tato, tat`o, tato |
| house |
keir, k'ena, ker |
| household |
ts`erha |
| hunger | bokh |
| hungry soul |
trushal odji |
| huts |
kleti |
| English Word | Romani Meaning |
| I |
mandi, me |
| I have not got any |
nai man (keck) |
| I made |
kerdem |
| I read |
drabarav, gilabav |
| ice |
led |
| illness |
naswalemos |
| imbicile |
dilo |
| imprison |
strickapen |
| in, inside |
abiav, drey |
| incest |
socro-bori |
| inn | albergo, kertsheema, kirchima, kir`c`ima |
| inspired one | awenydd, awenyddion |
| intelligence service |
chordane |
| intermediary with gaje |
Rom bar`o |
| into town | ando foro |
| is | hi, se, si, shee |
| it is |
nos |
| item | inox |
| English Word | Romani Meaning |
| jellied pig's feet and ears |
pertia |
| jeweler |
gabori |
| joined | corthu |
| judge |
jude |
| judgement |
kr`isis |
| English Word | Romani Meaning |
| karma | baxt |
| key |
klidi |
| killed |
muller'd |
| king |
kralis |
| knife |
churi, tshurii |
| (to) know |
djan |
| kris complaint | bavo |
| kris judges |
krisatora |
| kris precedents | bayo (pl. bayura) |
| English Word | Romani Meaning |
| lad |
chiavala |
| lady |
rawnie |
| lamp |
lampo |
| landowners |
raya |
| language of the Rom |
Romane |
| large | baro |
| law |
liri |
| laws of the Rom |
Romania |
| leader |
rom baro |
| leaf |
patrin |
| leather |
mortsi |
| left (side) |
zeravo |
| little sister |
jel'enedra |
| "the live one" |
o zhuvindo |
| living wagon |
vardo |
| long distance travelers |
storvandre |
| long road |
lungo drom |
| (to) look |
dick |
| looking |
dickin |
| luck | baxt |
| lucky | baxtalo |
| English Word | Romani Meaning |
| magic |
dook |
| magistrate |
bitcherin' mush |
| male singer/reader |
gilabno |
| man |
feen, mush, rom, dom, lom |
| man, non-Traveller |
glox |
| man of the forest |
veshengo |
| marker |
patrin, shpera |
| market |
tan |
| marriage | abiav |
| martyr |
maturo |
| may it be so |
bater |
| meat |
mas |
| (to) meddle |
hamishagos |
| medicine |
drab |
| medicine (made from ghosts
vomit) |
iohai |
| medicine bag |
bujo |
| medicine man |
drabengro |
| a medium |
mule-vi |
| meeting |
divano |
| melodies |
glasso |
| melon |
dudum |
| mermaid |
nivasi |
| migratory farm workers |
spalpeens |
| milk |
tud, chuti |
| the moles |
L Vakandoki |
| money |
bob, gored, grushi, love |
| moon |
shon |
| more |
kom'i |
| mother |
dya, dai, daj, day |
| mountain | bar, bur |
| mouse |
kadessa |
| mouth |
muj, mui |
| mule |
dzolana, djolano |
| music (type of) |
bol |
| my |
miri, mira |
| English Word | Romani Meaning |
| nail |
karfin |
| name |
lav, nav |
| nation |
natsia |
| neckscarf |
dickla, dickler, dicklo |
| negative |
nai |
| new |
nevo |
| news |
nevipe |
| night |
rarti |
| no, not |
keck, kek |
| no good |
bi-lacho |
| nomadic | bravi'os |
| non-gypsy name |
nav gajikano |
| non-Rom |
gage, gorgio, pale`cido |
| non-Rom boy |
raklo |
| non-Rom girl |
rakli |
| non-Rom speaking |
lalleri |
| non-Rom woman | b'o-r |
| nonsense |
shesti |
| noodle and cheese pudding |
pirogo |
| nose |
nak |
| novelty |
nevimos |
| English Word | Romani Meaning |
| oath |
amria, amriya, armaya |
| (to) obey |
barearav, pakiv |
| off |
orf |
| old |
puro |
| on |
top |
| one being |
corthu |
| one who eats |
xari |
| oneness |
jekhipe, yekhipe |
| other |
wesh |
| our | amaro |
| outside | avri |
| oven | bo-v |
| overseer | ciocoi, vatave |
| English Word | Romani Meaning |
| pachiv song |
pachivaki djili |
| page |
patrin |
| (to be) paid |
bog |
| pancakes stuffed with meat |
bokoli |
| parking place |
atchintan |
| partners |
wortacha |
| party |
abiav |
| pear |
ambrol |
| penis |
koir, kor |
| Pentecostals | aleluyas |
| people |
manush |
| pepper |
pipere |
| person who cut it |
chindiyas |
| piece |
koto-r |
| pocket |
potchee |
| police |
garda, glokots |
| police constable |
shanglo |
| pond |
rebniko |
| possession |
butji |
| pouch inside a skirt |
posoti |
| pretty |
rinkeni |
| prophet |
maturo |
| proud |
bu-ino |
| pudding |
gooi |
| pure |
zuhno, wusho |
| purity |
wuzho |
| purity code |
mageripen |
| purse |
kis' i, kis |
| push |
shav |
| English Word |
Romani Meaning |
| quarter (of town) |
mahala |
| quiet |
miro |
| English word | Romani Meaning |
| rabbit stew |
xaimoko |
| race (of people) |
r'asa |
| "raiding party" i.e. sent out
for supplies |
paguba |
| raven |
curaco |
| read |
chit |
| red |
lalo, lolo |
| reed |
risho |
| relatives |
niamo |
| religious state-of-grace |
cha'risma |
| resignation (expression) |
vai' datha "many paths" |
| to respect |
pakiv, barearav |
| retarded |
dili |
| ring | angustri |
| risky |
narky |
| rich |
bar valo |
| riches | bestipen |
| road |
drom, tober |
| road sign |
patrin, shpera |
| rolled pastry with fruit, cottage cheese and raisins |
saviako |
| running |
vetha |
| English Words | Romani Meaning |
| sacrifice (ritual in nature) |
posta |
| saddle |
zen |
| safe |
sadullos |
| Saint's day's festivals (Catholic and
Orthodox Christian) |
slavi |
| salt |
lon |
| sat |
bechtas |
| saw |
suni |
| sea |
dariav |
| (to) see |
dik, dick, dikh |
| see! |
isda |
| seer, shaman |
awenydd, awenyddion, filelfilidh,
taibhsear |
| "sent across" |
bitcheno pawdel |
| set apart i.e. marime |
palecido |
| settled family groups |
clachans |
| shall |
ka |
| shame |
lashav |
| shantytown |
bidonville |
| shirt |
gad |
| shit |
khul |
| shop |
bolta, gropa |
| short distance travellers |
smavandre |
| shove |
shav |
| sibling |
edre |
| sickness |
naswalemos |
| side-roads |
boreens |
| (the) sight |
dook |
| silk |
ki's, kish |
| sin |
bino |
| sing |
gilyabar |
| sister |
pena, pen, ben, bhen, edra,
, penne, phen, phei, shaia |
| sister-in-law |
bori |
| Sit! |
Besh! |
| (animal) skin |
mortsi |
| skirt |
tsox |
| (to) sleep |
sov |
| small/one-room houses, especially refers to government settlements | tigins |
| smelly |
khantino |
| snails |
bauri |
| snake |
sap |
| soldier |
gavver |
| solidarity |
shena |
| son-in-law |
zhamutro |
| sorrow songs |
brigaki djilia |
| soup |
zumi |
| sour |
bushalo |
| to speak |
rocka, rockra |
| spear |
piko |
| speculation |
krethes |
| spell |
draba |
| spirit |
del |
| spirit friend |
te' sorthene |
| spirit of the night |
martiya |
| spirits of dead children |
detlene |
| spoon |
roj |
| spy |
spiuni |
| stable (noun) |
stanya |
| star |
aster, chakano, chere, satarma |
| state of being a gypsy |
rompien |
| (to) steal |
chor, chorav, c'or |
| stick |
kesht, koshter |
| 'stick dance' |
rovliako khelipen |
| still, small domestic |
kazan |
| stone |
bar |
| stop |
atch |
| stopping place | atchintan |
| stories about magic, superstition
and the supernatural |
darane svatura |
| story |
lil |
| straddle the legs open |
puterdea |
| strange |
streyino |
| strength |
zor |
| stuffed cabbage |
sarma |
| sun |
cam, kam, kham |
| swear |
she |
| sweetmeat |
doodah |
| sword | churara |
| English Word | Romani Meaning |
| take |
b'e-g |
| (to) take |
lel, salk |
| taken away |
nicobado |
| tale |
paramishus, lil |
| talk |
pooker |
| tavern |
kertsheema |
| tax collector |
jude |
| tea |
chao |
| tempest |
furtuna |
| tent |
ts`erha, tsehre |
| tent pole |
shoshka |
| thank you |
gestena |
| the |
e, i, le, o (masc) |
| theft |
choribe, c'oribe |
| thief |
chor, choro, tshor |
| thick quilts |
perina |
| three spirits |
trito ursitori |
| thunderstorn |
tampeta |
| time |
cheros |
| tomb |
grob |
| to your health |
sastimos, sastipe |
| tonight |
torarti |
| tongue |
cheeb |
| tooth |
dant, dand |
| top-boots |
skorni |
| town |
foros |
| traditional local leader |
bulibasha |
| trail signs of the road |
vurma |
| Transporter | bitcherin' mush |
| travel |
misli |
| tree |
rukh |
| trial to settle disputes |
kris romani |
| tribe |
natsia, r'asa |
| true |
ta`co, tacho |
| truth |
chachimos, ta`ciben
, her'y, vortimo |
| truth? |
hery, her'y |
| turkey |
tutka |
| twin | binak |
| two |
yai |
| two wheeled light cart |
taliga |
| English Word |
Romani Meaning |
| uncle |
kak, nano |
| unclean status |
moxado, mrak's, magerd'o, magherdo,
marim'e, marime, prastlo |
| understand |
shala |
| unity |
jekhipe, yekhipe |
| unmarried gypsy male |
shav |
| unpleasant |
narky |
| up |
opre, prey |
| upon |
prey |
| English Word | Romani Meaning |
| vagina |
mish |
| vampire |
shilmulo |
| very much |
dhon |
| very sweet |
but guli |
| very, very good |
forshava |
| vinegar |
chote |
| viola | bari lavuta |
| violin |
lavuta |
| "vision poet" | filelfiligh |
| "vision seer" |
taibhsear |
| voice | glas |
| English Word | Romani Meaning |
| wagon |
vord`on, vurdon |
| waist |
mashaka |
| walk |
ga |
| walking dead |
shilmulo |
| was |
hin |
| warm |
tato |
| warmth |
tablipen |
| water |
paanii, pani, pan'i,
staven |
| water spirit |
nivasi |
| wave |
talezo |
| wax |
mom |
| way |
drom |
| wealth |
bestipen, barvalimos |
| Weary? |
Chindilan? |
| wedding arrangements |
tumnimos |
| wedding feast | abiav |
| what |
so |
| when |
kana |
| where |
kaj |
| wherever |
varek`ai |
| whiskey |
poteen |
| who |
kon |
| Who do you know? |
kas zhanes |
| Whose are you? |
kasko san |
| white |
parno |
| why |
soske |
| wicked |
mi'zak, mizhak |
| wife |
mollisher, manishie, monashay,
romni |
| wild |
bravi'os |
| wildcat |
pertera |
| will |
k a |
| will be |
hum |
| wind | barban, dest, balval, barval, valval |
| witch |
chovexani, chovihani |
| wolf |
ruv, vyusher |
| woman |
mort, mollisher, manishie,
monashay |
| wood, ie. forest |
kascth, wavver |
| wooden |
koshtenengo |
| wool |
poshum, po's'um |
| word |
lav |
| write |
chet, chin |
| written |
namome |
| English Word |
Romani Meaning |
| English Word | Romani Meaning |
| yes | arvah, hai |
| you |
tu, tooti |
| young |
tern`o |
| young ox |
yungxo |
| young woman (of marrigable age) |
shebari, tehara |
| younger |
tarned`er |
| youth |
tenimos |
| English Word |
Romani Meaning |
| English Phrase |
Romani Meaning |
| Acid corrodes its own container |
O zalzaro khal peski piri |
| All we need is good luck. with luck I would not even mind sitting on a dunghill |
Te avel mange bakht drago mange wi te avav po gunoy |
| Beauty cannot be eaten with a spoon |
Shuk tski khalpe la royasa |
| Before I even have my next meal (oath) |
May sigo sar te may kav |
| Before this fire burns out (oath) |
May angle sar te merel kadi yag |
| Beg your pardon, sir. |
Mong your shünaben, rye. |
| Beyond the waters (The Americas) |
Perdal l paya |
| Bury me standing - I've been on my knees all
my life |
Prohasar man opre pirende - sa muro dijiben
semas opre chengende |
| By the Gods! |
Li' ha' eer |
| By the highest Gods! |
Li' sa' eer |
| By your leave, Gypsy men and youths, this is
Pulika calling you (The proper formal way to address Rom) |
Romale tai Shavale akarel tume o Pulika |
| Can you not speak Romany? |
Ne rakesa tu Romanes? |
| Can you speak Romany, my mother? |
Can tute rakker Romanes, miri dye? |
| Cursed German |
Bengesko niamso |
| Do not fear, you Gypsy men, for we too are
Gypsies |
Na daran Romale vi ame sam Rom chache |
| Do you understand? |
hai shala |
| Don't forget to 500,000 (reference to the
Holocaust) |
Na bister 500,000 |
| Don't talk so loud, brother. |
Pral, mor rakker sä drován
|
| Everybody sees only his own dish |
Sako peskero charo dikhel |
| From me a little money, but may God give
you plenty |
Mandar tsera tai kater o Del mai but te
aven tumenge |
| Gadje Gadjeensa, Rom Romensa |
Gadje with Gadje, Rom with Rom |
| Go with God and in good health |
Zhan le devlesa tai sastimasa |
| God go with you |
Dza devlesa |
| Good night! |
Kushti ratti! |
| Gypsy men and youths, Churara and Lovara alike |
Romale tai Shavale, Churara tai wi Lovara |
| He who eats much eats away his own luck |
kon khal but khal peski bakht |
| He who feeds the pig also holds the knife
above it when it is fattened |
Kon khakhavel o balo wi leste si I shuri |
| "He who wants to enslave you will never
tell you the truth about your forefathers" |
"kon mangel te kerel tumendar r.oburen
`ci `soxa phenela tumen o `ca`cimos pa tumare perintonde" |
| He who willing give you one finger will
also give you the whole hand |
Kon del tut o nai shai dela tut wi o vast |
| Here there are also smacks |
Isi ili daba |
| how are you |
sar san |
| I am Bardu |
Me som Bardu |
| I am glad to see you. |
Mishto hom me dikava tute. |
| I am going to shit on you. |
Ka xalia ma pe tute |
| I am replete (full) |
Chailo sim |
| I am Spiro's daughter |
Me san de spiroski shey |
| I drink water |
Me piav pani |
| I forgive you and may God forgive you as I do |
Te aves yertime mander tai te yertil tut o Del |
| I have a little money; I am a journalist;
maybe I can help you |
Isi ma xarica love; so hramosorav andi
gazeta; a-ko isi pomoshinav tumen |
| I now leave you to God (funeral
comment) |
Akema mukav tut le Devlesa |
| I open his way in the new life again and release
him from the fetters of my sorrow (ritual phrase to mark the end of
mourning) |
Putrav lesko drom angle leste te na inkrav
les mai bu palpale mura brigasa |
| I want to go to the border with you |
Me mangav te jav ando granitza tumensa |
| If they conquer the word |
Mukhenpe te khan la lumia |
| In my country the gypsies call me the
great gentleman. |
Adro miro tem penena mande o baro
rai. |
| In the village without a dog a man can
walk without a stick |
Ando gav bi zhuklesko shai piravel o
manush bi desteko |
| In the village without dogs the farmers
walked without sticks |
Ando gav bi zhuklesko jal o pavori bi
destesko |
| In which vitsa |
Ande save vitsa |
| Is it okay (Literally, is there heart
here?) |
Ov yilo isi |
| It is easier to milk a cow that stands still |
May mishto les o thud katar i gurumni kai
tordjol |
| It is God who brought you |
Devlesa avilan |
| It is with God that we found you |
Devlesa araklam tume |
| It was in the water that one learned to
swim |
Feri ando payi sitsholpe te nauyas |
| Like crabs ina bucket |
Sar laci and'ekh vadra |
| Long live comrade Tito and long live the Yugoslav people |
Te vestinel o dosti Tito, te vestinena o jugoslovenske manusha |
| Many paths |
Vai' datha |
| May I be buried next to X |
Te pochinen man pasho X |
| May I eat at your wedding |
Te xav ka to biav |
| May I die |
Te merav |
| May I redden the earth with my blood |
Te lolirav I phuv mure ratesa |
| May my blood spill |
Te shordjol muro rat |
| May my brains flow out the way this beer flows out if... |
Te shordjol muri godji sar shordjol kadi bera |
| May my child die tomorrow |
Te merel muri shey |
| may my father, mother, brothers die |
Te merel dad, muri, dei |
| May our favorite stallion die |
Te merel amaro kuro o lasho |
| May the malignant diseas waste him |
Te malavel les i menkiva |
| May this be before you |
Te avel angle tute |
| May this food be before you, and in your memory, and may it profit us in good health and in good spirit |
Te avel angla tute, kodo khabe tai kado pimo tai menge pe sastimaste |
| May you burn candles for me |
Te pabaren mange memelia |
| May you remain with God |
Ashen Devlesa, Romale |
| May your clothes rip and wear out, but may you live on in good health and fulfilment |
Te khalion tai te shingerdjon che gada, hai tu te trais sastimasa tai voyasa |
| May your names be forgotten |
Te bisterdon tumare anava |
| Money in hand, bride on horse |
love k-o vast, bori k-o grast |
| Mountains do not meet, but people do |
Stanki nashti chi arakenpe manushen shai |
| my dear sister, my brother |
Miri kushti pen, Miro prala. |
| Neither money nor the Devil can remain in
peace |
O lov tai o beng nashti beshen patshasa |
| Not to scratch where it doesn't itch |
Na may kharunde kai chi khal tut |
| One madman makes many madmen, and many
madmen makes madness |
Jekh dilo kerel but dile hai but dile keren
dilimata |
| Our big land, ie. ancestral homeland |
Amaro baro them |
| Pay for their shame |
te pochinen penge lazhav |
| Please turn away (If she was unable to
avoid passing in front of one or between two men, a gypsy woman might say
this to avoid possible marhime) |
Bolde tut, kako |
| Roma arise! |
Opre Roma! |
| Select one's daughter-in-law with the ears
and not with the eyes (pay more attention to reputation than appearance) |
Rode chira bora le kanensa tai te na le yakensa |
| Stolen wood burns better for being stolen |
May mishto phabol o kasht o chordano |
| Such a daughter-in-law is good who eats
unsalted food and says it is salted |
Ajsi bori lachi: xal bilondo, phenel
londo |
| Surrounded by the Gadje, the Rom's only
defense is his tongue |
Mashkar le gadjende leski shib si le Romeski
zor |
| Tell the lady to throw me a shilling. |
Pen the rani ta wusser mandy a
tri-grushi. |
| Thank you |
Nais tuke |
| That's untrue. |
Dovo's a huckaben. |
| The child is not born with teeth |
O chavorro na biandola dandencar |
| The darker the berry, the sweeter it is |
May kali i muri gugli avela |
| The droppings of a flying bird never fall
twice on the same spot |
I chirikleski chi perel duvar pe yek than |
| The great trick |
O xonxano baro |
| The kettle that lies face down cannot get much
sunlight |
Piri telemosa chi athadjol o kam |
| The king has taken away the law of the
gypsies |
El Crallis ha nicobado la liri de los Cales |
| The people make you dance (said if
a place is nice) |
O manusha khelevan tut |
| The rabbit which has only one hole soon is
caught |
O shoshoy kaste si feri yek khiv sigo athadjol |
| The Spiro who is the son oh Tinha |
O Spiro le tinshasko shav |
| The true nettle stings from the begining |
I chatski tsinuda de tehara, vai de haino
khal tut |
| The shadow moves as the sun commands |
O ushalin zhala sar o kam mangela |
| There are lies more believable than truth |
Si khohaimo may pachivalo sar o chachimo |
| "This song was offered as a gift to worthy
men" |
Pachiv tumenge Romale |
| To give a push to the wheel of the new
wagon (ie. to provide a kickstart to newlywed households) |
Das dab ka i roata le neve vurdoneski |
| To go about the village (to beg) |
Te phirav pa-o gav |
| To try to jump over your own shadow |
Te na khuchos perdal cho ushalin |
| Truth? |
her'y |
| What are you doing? |
So keres? |
| When you are given, eat, when you are beaten, run away |
Te den, xa, te maren, denash |
| Where the needle goes, the thread will follow |
Kay zhala I suv shay zhala wi o thav |
| Where the wagon goes a trail is left |
Kai zhal o vurdon vurma mekela |
| Which Spiro? |
Savo Spiro |
| Whose are you? |
Kaski san? |
| Wish luck and good health |
Baxt hai sastimos tiri patragi |
| with one behind you can't sit on two horses |
Yekka buliasa nashti beshes pe done grastende |
| Without wood the fire would die |
Bi kashtesko merel i yag |
| "Wouldst thou know a truth or mystery,
A drunkard, fool, or child may tell it thee." |
Chces li tajnou vec aneb pravdu vyzvédéti
Blazen, dité opily clovéc o tom umeji povodeti. |
| Yes, I swear! |
hai'she'li |
| You cannot walk straight whenthe road is
bent |
Nashti zhas vorta po drom o bango |