Romani-English Glossary...Sastimos Manush

Romani-English Glossary

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Word	Meaning	Notes	Source
Abiav (also abijav, bijav, amnjav, ebav)	Marriage, wedding; also festivity or party		5
Ale	But	Fr. Slavic	12
Amaro	our	Cf. Skr. Asmaka (ours), Hindi hamara	6.16
Amriya	Curse		9.127
Ando foro	Into town		1.64
Armaya	Curse		3.168
Ataman	Chieftain	Russia (fr. Russian)	2.104
Bal	Hair	Cf Skr vala, Hindi bal	1.108
Balame	Gadje	Greek Romani fr. Balamo=non-Romani	5
Bar	Brother	Domari, cf. Phal, pral, plal	6.38
Barearav	To honour, respect, obey	Verb from baro (big)	9.104
Bari lavuta	Viola		5
Baro	Big	Cf Skr. Vadra, Hindi bara	6.16
Bater	May it be so	Said in response to a challenge via an armaya	3.169
Bauri	Snails	Fr. Romanian	6.83
Bavo	Kris complaint		3.175
Baxt	Luck	Fr. Persian; poss. Fr. Persian (6.40)	1.93
Baxtalo	Lucky		1.59
Bayo (pl. bayura)	Kris precedents		3.147
Beng	Devil	Originally 'frog' (Syrian Romani) (6.56)	1.242
Bengalo	Devilish		1.55
Berk	Breast	Fr. Arabic (6.40); Whence berk?; cf. chuchi	1.96
Besh!	Sit!	Imperative	1.53
Bhen/phen	Sister	Asiatic vs Armenian/European Romani	1.96
Bi-lacho	No good	Albania	1.34
Binak	Twin		1.77
Bino	Sin	Fr. Hungarian bun	12
Boba	Bean	Fr. Slavic	6.83
Bogacha	Baked flour bread		9.63
Bokh	Hunger	Cf. Hindi bhukh (12)	9.196
Bokoli	Thick pancakes stuffed with small pieces of meat	Lovara	3.89
Bol	Type of mouth music		1.106
Bolta	Shop	Fr. Romanian bolta	12
Bori	Daughter-in-law	Pl. boria	1.23
Bov	Oven	Fr. Armenian	1.96
Brashki	Frogs		4.163
Brigaki djilia	"Sorrow songs"	Songs telling of hardship	3.147
Budjo	A swindle translated as 'switch the bag'		9.49
Buino	Proud	Fr. Slavic	6. 83
Bulibasha	Traditional local leader	Transylvania	1.144
Bushalo	Sour		1.59
But guli	Very sweet		1.59
Chachimos	Truth		1.5
Chakano	Star	European/Welsh Romani, fr. Persian	6.40
Chao	Tea		9.63
Cheeb	Tongue	Cf Skr jeep, Hindi cheep	1.108
Cheiz	Girl's dowry, and its display in her parent's house for a couple of days before the wedding		1.125
Chere	Stars	Kalderash	9.185
Chey	Girl/daughter		1.13
Chiavala	Lad	Russia pl. chiavalei	2.3
Chile mole	Hot barbecue sauce		9.62
Chin	"cut/carve", ie write		1.11
Chindilan?	Are you fed up, weary?		1.53
Chokesarav	To forge (metal)		9.196
Chor-	To steal	Greek Romani	6.19
Chorav	To steal	Whence chorey	3.17
Chordane	Intelligence service		4.94
Choribe	Theft	Greek Romani	6.19
Chote	Vinegar		9.273
Chovexani	Witch	Fr. Armenian	1.96
Chuchi	Breast	Indic; cf. Berk	6.40
Churi	Knife	Whence Churara	3.128
Dad, dat	Father	Cf Skr tata, Hindi tat	6.16
Dand	Tooth		1.62
Darane svatura	Magical, superstitious and supernatural stories		3.143
Dariav	Sea	European/Welsh Romani, fr. Persian	6.40
Darro	Dowry, bride-price		5
Dav opre	"I give upwards" ie read aloud		1.11
Day	Mother		1.41
Desrobireja	Emancipation from slavery	(Romani, from Romanian)	5
Detlene	Spirits of dead children?	Lovara	3.139
Devel	God		1.242
Dikh-	To see	Also dik- (Greek Romani); Cf. Hindi dekh-	6.16
Diklo	Neckerchief		3.36
Dila	Floor	Czechia	14
Dili	Retarded; crazy (9.77)	Whence dill?	1.36
Divano	Meeting or discussion	Romani	5
Djan-	To know	Whence gen?	6.297
Djezbeh	Narrow high brass container with a long protruding handle (coffeepot)	(Turkish?)	3.22
Djolano	Mule	European/Welsh Romani, fr. Armenian	6.41
Domari	Asiatic dialect of Romani	Fr. Dom - man; Cf. Lomavren, European	6.38
Doshman	Enemy	Fr. Persian doshman	12
Dosta	Enough	Fr. Slavic	6.83
Drab	Herbs	Romani	5
Draba	Spell/charm		3.141
Drabarav	I read	Macedonia; orig. in the sense of palm reading	1.11
Drabarno/i	Male/female reader/fortune-teller		1.12
Drarnego	Special healing herb		9.281
Drom	Way	Fr. Greek δρομοσ dromos	12
Dudum	Gourd; also melon (6.41)	Fr. Armenian	1.96
Dunha	Eiderdown	Whence (downy?)	3.18
Dya	Mother	Britain	6.116
European	European dialect of Romani	Cf. Domari, Lomavren	6.38
Familia	Extended family including married sons and their wives, children and grandchildren	Fr. Romanian	6.239
Foros	Town	Fr. Greek	6.55
Fusui	Bean soup		9.196
Fusui eski zumi	Butter-bean soup		9.62
Gadjikane	Non-gypsy	Adjective	1.7
Gadjo	Non-Gypsy man		1
Galbi	Gold coins, often worn as decoration	Romani	5
Gelo	Gone	Past participle of za "go" cf. Bengali jawa, gaelo	12
Gilabav	I read	Albania; primarily to sing	1.11
Gilabno	Male singer/reader		1.12
Gin	Count ie read		1.11
Glas	Voice	Fr. Slavic	12
Glasso	Varieties of melodies in gypsy music	Fr. Slavic Glas "voice"	3.147
Gorgio	Gadjo	Romnichal	5
Grast	Horse	Fr. Armenian; also Kalderash gras (6.19)	1.96
Grob	Tomb	Fr. Slavic	12
Gunoi	Faeces	Fr. Slavic? Cf. Slovene gnoj (dung)	9.196
Gusha	Adam's apple		9.265
Hamishagos	To meddle or disturb		1.296
Johai	Ghost's vomit		9.265
kafa	Coffee		9.63
Kaj	Where		1.210
Kak (kako)	Uncle	Respectful form of address for older male	5
Kan	Ear	Cf. Skr khan, Hindi khan	1.108
Kana	When		1.210
Kar	Penis		9.317
Karbaro	Erection (i.e. big penis)	Lovara	3.52
Kasht	Wood (i.e. forest)		6.186
Katrinsa	Apron		9.269
Kazan	Small domestic stills, copper	Made by Kalderash	1.245
Kesali	Forest spirit	Russia	2.64
Kham	Sun	Cf Skr gharma, Hindi gham; also kam (Greek Romani)(6.16)	1.108
Khan, kan	Fart		9.196
Khania	Hens		1.41
Khantino	Smelly		9.281
Khul	Shit		9.196
Kidemos	Collections made among a kumpania, usually on ritual occasions		9.68
Kirchima	Inn	Fr. Slavic; cf. Slovene krchma	6.83
Kirvi	Groom		9.224
Kis	Purse	Fr. Arabic; also kisi (6.40)	1.96
Kish	Silk	European/Welsh Romani, fr. Persian	6.40
Kishti	Belt	European/Welsh Romani, fr. Persian	6.40
Kocho	Button	European/Welsh Romani, fr. Armenian	6.41
Komi	More	Fr. Greek	6.55
Kon?	Who?		1.210
Koro	Blind	European/Welsh Romani, fr. Persian; also Domari	6.40
Koshter	Stick	Anglo-Romani; whence cosh	10.113
Kotor	Piece	European/Welsh Romani, fr. Armenian	6.41
Kralis	King	Fr. Greek, orig. Fr. Slavic
Kris	"tribunal"	Fr. Greek "krisis" = judgement (6.56)	1.106
Krisatora	Kris judges		3.172
Kumpania	Band of families	Polish	1.3
L vakandoka	The moles		4.116
Lampo	Lamp		9.196
Lashav	Shame		9.17
Lav	Word	Poss. Fr. Arabic lafz	6.40
Lavuta	Violin		5
Lil (pl. lila)	Book		5
Lolo	Red		9.273
Lomavren	Armenian dialect of Romani	Fr. Lom - man; Cf. Domari, European	6.38
Lon	Salt		1.62
Love	Money		3.17
Lovina	Beer	Fr. Slavic	6.83
Lovoro	Ceremony to divide money earned		9.318
Lungo drom	Long Road		1.4
Machka	Cat	Fr. Slavic	6.83
Magherdo	Unclean	Polish	1.9
Mahala	Quarter (of a town)	Bulgaria	1.118
Mai + adj.	Comparative	Vlach Romani	6.303
Mamioro	Spirit who brings illness		9.270
Manch	Cheer up	Fr. Romanian	6.83
Manush	People	Cf Skr/Hindi manusha	1.108
Mariki	Sweet, layered, pizza-shaped pastry from flour, powdered milk, sugar and lard	Albania	1.47
Marime	Unclean	Non-Polish; Fr. Greek "to dirty" (6.55); c.f. Skr mraks = smear (6.244)	1.9
Martiya	Spirit of the night		9.284
Marturo	Martyr, prophet		5
Mas	Meat		1.34
Mashakar	Waist, centre		9.264
Ma-sha-llah	As god wills	Muslim? (Allah)	1.59
Me	I	Cf Skr. Maya, Hindi main	6.16
-me, -men	Suffix for passive participles	Fr. Greek	6.55
Melalo	Dirt		9.13
Meska	Bear		9.196
Midjloli	Erection	Lovara	3.52
Mindj	Female genitals	Whence minge (6.193), and minging?	1.54
Mish	Vagina	Kalderash	9.318
Mizhak	Wicked	Fr. Slavic	6.83
Mode	Varieties of melodies in gypsy music		3.147
Mom	Wax	Fr. Persian	1.93
Monchimo	System of servitude to pay off debts and credits		3.123
Mora	Friend	Russia	2.7
Mortsi	Leather, hide	=skin, European/Welsh Romani, fr. Armenian (6.41)	1.96
-mos	Abstract noun marker	Fr. Greek	6.55
Moxado	Unclean	England/Wales	6.244
Much	Friend	Russia	2.141
Muj	Face, mouth		1.58
Mulengi djilia	Dirges	Lit. spirit songs	3.147
Mulengi dori	"dead man's string"	Magic ribbon tied or united to call on dead spirits to protect you	3.81
Mulo	Spirit of the dead	Pl. mule	1.77
Mura	Berry	Fr. Romanian	6.83
Nak	Nose	Cf Skr nak, Hindi nak, whence "nark" - stool pigeon (1.16); also nakh (Welsh, Greek Romani) (6.16)	1.108
Nano	Uncle		3.233
Naswalemos	Illness		9.255
Natsia (pl. natsiyi)	Nation or tribe of Rom	Kalderash (6.238)	5
Nav	Name	Cf. Skr. Naman, Hindi nam	6.55
Niamo	Relatives		9.13
Nivasi	Water spirit/mermaid	Russia	2.64
O d'ives	Day	Czechia	14
O zhuvindo	"the live one"		3.81
Ofisa	Fortune-telling booth		9.54
Opre!	Arise!		6.317
-os	Masculine ending for loan words
Pachiv	Ceremonial celebrations to honour special guests	Also pakiv (9.90)	3.90
Pachivaki djili	Pachiv song		3.91
Paguba	"raiding party" i.e. sent out for supplies	Churara	3.130
Pakiv, dav pakiv	To obey, respect, honour, esteem		9.104
Palecido	"set apart" i.e. marime	Sinti	6.244
Pani	Water	Cf Skr paniya, Hindi pani; also Kalderash pai (6.16)	1.108
Pani nevi	Fresh water		1.47
Papin	Goose		9.196
Paramicha	Gypsy fairy tales, told for the skill of the storyteller		3.146
Paramishus	Tale	Fr. Greek	6.55
Patragi	Easter		9.318
Patrin	Leaf/road sign/marking	Non-Polish	1.3
Payo	Gadje	Spanish Romani	6.8
-pen	-ness,-hood	Also -ben (6.19)	1.58
Pen, ben	Sister	Greek Romani	6.16
Perina	Thick quilts		9.271
Pertia	Jellied pig's feet and ears		9.62
Petalo	Horseshoe	Fr. Greek (6.55)	3.52
Phal	Brother	Welsh Romani; also Lomavren (6.38) cf. Plal, pral, bar	6.16
Phei	Sister	Kalderash	6.16
Phen	Sister	Welsh Romani	6.16
Phuro (f. phuri)	Head of a familia		9.12
Pi-, pe-	To drink	Greek, Welsh romani pi-, Kalderash pe-	6.16
Piko	Spear		9.196
Pipere	Pepper		9.273
Pirogo	Kind of noodle and cheese pudding	Cf. Polish pierogy?	9.63
Plal	Brother	Also pral; Greek Romani; cf. Phal, pral, bar	6.16
Pliashka	Bottle of good brandy, wrapped in a kerchief with a string of gold pieces	Used in the marriage ritual between the couple's parents	3.197
Pliashka (plochka)	Engagement feast		5
Pomana	Funeral feast	Repeated after nine days, six weeks, six months and a year (3.235)	1.249
Porado	Erection	Lovara	3.52
Porraimos	Lit. the devouring ie the Holocaust	Coined by Ian Hancock (1.276)	1.253
Poshum	Wool	European/Welsh Romani, fr. Persian; also Domari	6.40
Posoti	Pouch inside a skirt	Bulgaria	1.137
Postiu	Abstention from animal products on Friday		9.274
Pral	Brother	Kalderash, cf. Phal, plal, bar	6.16
Pralipe	Brotherhood	Macedonia	1.107
Prastlo	'dishonoured' i.e. marime	Sinti	6.244
Prikaza	Bad omen		9.129
Pufe	Fried flour bread		9.62
Puri daj/puro dad	Grandmother/grandfather	Lit. old mother/father;Whence dad?	1.43
Pushka	Gun	Fr. Slavic	6.83
Puterdea	Straddle the legs open		9.196
Puyo	Chicken stew		9.62
Puyuria	Gadje gypsy-groupies	Fr. Romanian "puppies, cubs, chicks"	1.19
Rahat lokum	Some sort of food		3.220
Rakli	Non-Roma girl		5
Raklo	Non-gypsy boy		3.40
Rasa	"race"	Romanian; used to refer to e.g. Kalderash, Lovara, etc	6.238
Rat	Blood	Cf. Prakrit ratta	12
Ray baro	Great lords	i.e. judges and representatives of gadje power structures	3.114
Raya	Landowners	Lovara	3.53
Rebniko	Pond	Fr. Slavic cf. Slovene ribnik	12
Rikono	Dog		1.101
Risho	Reed, cane		9.196
Rom (fem. Romni)	Romani man/women		5
Rom/lom/dom	Man/husband	European/Armenian/Persian and Syrian Cf Sanskrit domba, mod. Ind. Dom, dum Skr=man of low caste making living by music and singing, Lahnda=menial, Sindhi=caste of wandering musician, Panjabi=strolling musician, West Pahari=low-caste black-skinned man	1.100
Romanes	Romani language
Romipen	Gypsyhood		1.49
Romni	Wife		1.40
Romni nashli	Elopement	Lit. runaway wife	9.230
Rovliako khelipen	"stick dance"		1.106
Ruv	Wolf		5
Sap	Snake	British	1.106
Sarma	Stuffed cabbage	With pork, onions, peppers, rice and tomatoes (9.63)	5
Sastimos (sastipe)	"to your health"	Generally used as a greeting	5
Sastro	Father-in-law		1.45
Saviako	Rolled pastry with fruit, cottage cheese and raisins		9.63
Sero	Head	Also shero (Greek Romani); cf Skr vala, Hindi Bal	6.16
Shanglo	Police constable		3.17
Shav	Unmarried gypsy male		3.40
Shavora	Companions?		3.19
Sheranda	Goosedown pillows covered in gay, flowered material		3.215
Shon	Moon		9.185
Shoshka	Tent-pole	Russia (fr. Russian)	2.106
Shpera	"road sign/marking"	Polish; = patrin	1.3
Sir	Garlic	Fr. Persian	1.93
Skorni	Top-boot	Fr. Slavic	6.83
Slobuzenja	Freedom	Fr. Slavic	5
Smentena	Cream	Fr. Slavic	6.83
So	What		1.210
So keres?	What are you doing?		1.53
Socro-bori	Incest		9.244
Solakh	Kris judgement using armaya, with judgement left to mule		3.174
Soske	Why		1.210
Sov-	To sleep	Cf. Skr. Svapati, Hindi sona	6.16
Spiuni	Spy	Albania	1.23
Stanya	Stable	Fr. Slavic	6.83
Streyino	"strange"	Used of unknown Vitsa	9.13
Sumadji	Family heirloom		3.49
Sunet biaf	Circumcision wedding	Muslim, in Bulgaria	1.120
Svata/svatura	Gypsy story/ies		3.142
Tachiben	Truth	See also chachimos	6.19
Tacho	True	Welsh Romani;	6.19
Taliga	Two-wheeled light cart		3.96
Tarneder	Younger	Welsh Romani	6.303
Tato	Hot, warm	Cf Skr. Tapta, Hindi tatta	6.16
Trampa	Barter		1.61
Treshul	Christian cross	In India, Shiva's trident	1.106
Trito ursitori	Three spirits, one good, one evil, one mediator		9.283
Trupos	Body	Fr. Slavic	6.83
Trushal odji	Hungry soul		3.200
Tsera	Individual household within a familia	Lit. tent	6.239
Tserha	Lit. tent	Lovara = vitsa	3.135
Tu	You singular	Cf. Skr tuvam, Hindi tu	6.16
Tumnimos	Wedding arrangements		9.218
Tutka	Turkey		9.196
Uzho		Related to marhime	3.150
Vadni ratsa	Wild goose of Romani legend		3.45
Vaida	Gypsy chief	Russia (Slav. Vodja)	2.141
Vardo	Horse-drawn living-wagons	Hungary; also Vurdon, Vordon	6.213
Vare-	-ever	Fr. Romanian; e.g. varekai "wherever"	6.83
Varekai	Wherever	Fr. Romanian	6.83
Vast	Hand	Cf. Skr. Hasta, Hindi hath	6.55
Vesh	Forest	European/Welsh Romani, fr. Persian	6.40
Veshengo	"man of the forest"	Nickname	1.21
Vitsa	"clan"	Lit = vine, tendril, fr. Romanian fr. Slavic	1.290
Vurdon	Wagon	Also Vordon, prob. From Ossetic, European/Welsh Romani, (6.41)	3.26
Vurma	Trail of signs on the road	Lovara = patrin	3.126
Wortacha	"partners"	Refers to group brought together for a specific job	9.33
Wuzho	Purity	Vlach	9.13
Xabe	Beef stew		9.62
Xaimoko	Rabbit stew		9.62
Xanamiki	Co-parent-in-law	Term used to describe the "family-in-law" relationship following a marriage - used by the two fathers-in-law of each other (3.197)	1.287
Xari	"one who eats"		9.196
Xaritsa	Fried cornbread		9.62
Xin	Urinating		9.266
Xumel, xumer	Dough, breadcrumbs	Fr. Arabic	6.40
Yak	Eye	Cf Skr aksha, Hindi ak	1.108
Yekhipe	Unity, oneness		5
Yungxo	Young ox		9.196
Za	Go		12
Zen	Saddle	Fr. Persian	1.93
Zeravo	Left (direction)	Fr. Greek	6.55
Zhamutro	Bridegroom or son-in-law		5
Zheita	'bringing the bride home'	Part of the wedding ceremony	9.224
Zor	Strength	Fr. Persian	1.93
Zuhno	Pure		1.104
Zurla	Long, wooden, double-reed conical-bone wind instrument	May not be Romani word	1.94

Notes:

1. The first figure in the source column refers to the list of sources given here, while the second figure refers (where applicable) to the page number of the citation.

2. Abbreviations used: fr. - from, lit. - literally, mod. Ind. - modern Indian, Skr. - Sanskrit.

Index | Introduction | Phrases | Other languages | Names | Notes | Samples | Links | Sources

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This page owned, developed and maintained by Fergus Smith. Mail me with any comments, corrections, suggestions, additional information, etc. Page created 1st March 1998. Last updated 01 March 1998.