Romany-English Glossary

http://www2.arnes.si/~eusmith/Romany/glossary.html

Romani-English Glossary
Word

Meaning

Notes

Source

Abiav (also abijav, bijav, amnjav, ebav) Ale Amaro

Marriage, wedding; also festivity or party

But our

Fr. Slavic Cf. Skr. Asmaka (ours), Hindi hamara

12 6.16

Amriya Ando foro Armaya Ataman Bal Balame

Curse Into town Curse Chieftain Hair Gadje Russia (fr. Russian) Cf Skr vala, Hindi bal Greek Romani fr. Balamo=nonRomani Domari, cf. Phal, pral, plal Verb from baro (big)

9.127 1.64 3.168 2.104 1.108 5

Bar Barearav

Brother To honour, respect, obey

6.38 9.104

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Bari lavuta Baro Bater

Viola Big May it be so Cf Skr. Vadra, Hindi bara Said in response to a challenge via an armaya Fr. Romanian

5 6.16 3.169

Bauri Bavo Baxt Baxtalo Bayo (pl. bayura) Beng

Snails Kris complaint Luck Lucky Kris precedents Devil

6.83 3.175

Fr. Persian; poss. Fr. Persian (6.40)

1.93 1.59 3.147

Originally 'frog' (Syrian Romani) (6.56)

1.242

Bengalo Berk

Devilish Breast Fr. Arabic (6.40); Whence berk?; cf. chuchi Imperative Asiatic vs Armenian/European Romani Albania

1.55 1.96

Besh! Bhen/phen

Sit! Sister

1.53 1.96

Bi-lacho Binak Bino

No good Twin Sin

1.34 1.77

Fr. Hungarian bun

12

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Boba Bogacha Bokh Bokoli

Bean Baked flour bread Hunger Thick pancakes stuffed with small pieces of meat Type of mouth music Shop Daughter-in-law Oven Frogs "Sorrow songs" A swindle translated as 'switch the bag' Proud Traditional local leader Sour Very sweet Truth Star Tea

Fr. Slavic

6.83 9.63

Cf. Hindi bhukh (12) Lovara

9.196 3.89

Bol Bolta Bori Bov Brashki Brigaki djilia Budjo

1.106 Fr. Romanian bolta Pl. boria Fr. Armenian 12 1.23 1.96 4.163 Songs telling of hardship 3.147 9.49

Buino Bulibasha Bushalo But guli Chachimos Chakano Chao

Fr. Slavic Transylvania

6. 83 1.144 1.59 1.59 1.5

European/Welsh Romani, fr. Persian

6.40 9.63

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Cheeb Cheiz

Tongue Girl's dowry, and its display in her parent's house for a couple of days before the wedding Stars Girl/daughter Lad Hot barbecue sauce "cut/carve", ie write Are you fed up, weary? To forge (metal) To steal To steal Intelligence service Theft Vinegar Witch Breast Knife

Cf Skr jeep, Hindi cheep

1.108 1.125

Chere Chey Chiavala Chile mole Chin Chindilan? Chokesarav ChorChorav Chordane Choribe Chote Chovexani Chuchi Churi

Kalderash

9.185 1.13

Russia pl. chiavalei

2.3 9.62 1.11 1.53 9.196

Greek Romani Whence chorey

6.19 3.17 4.94

Greek Romani

6.19 9.273

Fr. Armenian Indic; cf. Berk Whence Churara

1.96 6.40 3.128

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Dad, dat Dand Darane svatura

Father Tooth Magical, superstitious and supernatural stories Sea Dowry, bride-price "I give upwards" ie read aloud Mother Emancipation from slavery Spirits of dead children? God To see

Cf Skr tata, Hindi tat

6.16 1.62 3.143

Dariav Darro Dav opre

European/Welsh Romani, fr. Persian

6.40 5 1.11

Day Desrobireja Detlene Devel Dikh-

1.41 (Romani, from Romanian) Lovara 5 3.139 1.242 Also dik- (Greek Romani); Cf. Hindi 6.16 dekh3.36 Czechia Whence dill? Romani Whence gen? (Turkish?) 14 1.36 5 6.297 3.22

Diklo Dila Dili Divano DjanDjezbeh

Neckerchief Floor Retarded; crazy (9.77) Meeting or discussion To know Narrow high brass container

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with a long protruding handle (coffeepot) Djolano Mule European/Welsh Romani, fr. Armenian Fr. Dom - man; Cf. Lomavren, European Fr. Persian doshman Fr. Slavic Romani 6.41

Domari

Asiatic dialect of Romani

6.38

Doshman Dosta Drab Draba Drabarav

Enemy Enough Herbs Spell/charm I read

12 6.83 5 3.141

Macedonia; orig. in the sense of palm reading

1.11

Drabarno/i

Male/female reader/fortuneteller Special healing herb Way Fr. Greek dromos Gourd; also melon (6.41) Eiderdown Mother European dialect of Romani Fr. Armenian Whence (downy?) Britain Cf. Domari, Lomavren

1.12

Drarnego Drom Dudum Dunha Dya European

9.281 12 1.96 3.18 6.116 6.38

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Familia

Extended family including married sons and their wives, children and grandchildren Town Bean soup Butter-bean soup Non-gypsy Non-Gypsy man Gold coins, often worn as decoration Gone

Fr. Romanian

6.239

Foros Fusui Fusui eski zumi Gadjikane Gadjo Galbi

Fr. Greek

6.55 9.196 9.62

Adjective

1.7 1

Romani

Gelo

Past participle of za "go" cf. Bengali jawa, gaelo Albania; primarily to sing

12

Gilabav Gilabno Gin Glas Glasso

I read Male singer/reader Count ie read Voice Varieties of melodies in gypsy music Gadjo Horse

1.11 1.12 1.11

Fr. Slavic Fr. Slavic Glas "voice"

12 3.147

Gorgio Grast

Romnichal Fr. Armenian; also Kalderash gras (6.19)

5 1.96

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Grob Gunoi Gusha Hamishagos Johai kafa Kaj Kak (kako)

Tomb Faeces Adam's apple To meddle or disturb Ghost's vomit Coffee Where Uncle

Fr. Slavic Fr. Slavic? Cf. Slovene gnoj (dung)

12 9.196 9.265 1.296 9.265 9.63 1.210

Respectful form of address for older male Cf. Skr khan, Hindi khan

Kan Kana Kar Karbaro Kasht Katrinsa Kazan Kesali Kham

Ear When Penis Erection (i.e. big penis) Wood (i.e. forest) Apron Small domestic stills, copper Forest spirit Sun

1.108 1.210 9.317

Lovara

3.52 6.186 9.269

Made by Kalderash Russia Cf Skr gharma, Hindi gham; also kam (Greek Romani)(6.16)

1.245 2.64 1.108

Khan, kan

Fart

9.196

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Khania Khantino Khul Kidemos

Hens Smelly Shit Collections made among a kumpania, usually on ritual occasions Inn Groom Purse Silk Belt Button Fr. Arabic; also kisi (6.40) European/Welsh Romani, fr. Persian European/Welsh Romani, fr. Persian European/Welsh Romani, fr. Armenian Fr. Greek Fr. Slavic; cf. Slovene krchma

1.41 9.281 9.196 9.68

Kirchima Kirvi Kis Kish Kishti Kocho

6.83 9.224 1.96 6.40 6.40 6.41

Komi Kon? Koro

More Who? Blind

6.55 1.210

European/Welsh Romani, fr. Persian; also Domari Anglo-Romani; whence cosh European/Welsh Romani, fr. Armenian Fr. Greek, orig. Fr. Slavic

6.40

Koshter Kotor

Stick Piece

10.113 6.41

Kralis

King

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Kris

"tribunal"

Fr. Greek "krisis" = judgement (6.56)

1.106

Krisatora Kumpania L vakandoka Lampo Lashav Lav Lavuta Lil (pl. lila) Lolo Lomavren

Kris judges Band of families The moles Lamp Shame Word Violin Book Red Armenian dialect of Romani Fr. Lom - man; Cf. Domari, European Poss. Fr. Arabic lafz Polish

3.172 1.3 4.116 9.196 9.17 6.40 5 5 9.273 6.38

Lon Love Lovina Lovoro

Salt Money Beer Ceremony to divide money earned Long Road Cat Fr. Slavic Fr. Slavic

1.62 3.17 6.83 9.318

Lungo drom Machka

1.4 6.83

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Magherdo Mahala Mai + adj. Mamioro Manch Manush Mariki

Unclean Quarter (of a town) Comparative Spirit who brings illness Cheer up People Sweet, layered, pizza-shaped pastry from flour, powdered milk, sugar and lard Unclean

Polish Bulgaria Vlach Romani

1.9 1.118 6.303 9.270

Fr. Romanian Cf Skr/Hindi manusha Albania

6.83 1.108 1.47

Marime

Non-Polish; Fr. Greek "to dirty" (6.55); c.f. Skr mraks = smear (6.244)

1.9

Martiya Marturo Mas Mashakar Ma-sha-llah Me -me, -men Melalo

Spirit of the night Martyr, prophet Meat Waist, centre As god wills I Suffix for passive participles Dirt Muslim? (Allah) Cf Skr. Maya, Hindi main Fr. Greek

9.284 5 1.34 9.264 1.59 6.16 6.55 9.13

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Meska Midjloli Mindj

Bear Erection Female genitals Lovara Whence minge (6.193), and minging? Kalderash Fr. Slavic

9.196 3.52 1.54

Mish Mizhak Mode

Vagina Wicked Varieties of melodies in gypsy music Wax System of servitude to pay off debts and credits Friend Leather, hide

9.318 6.83 3.147

Mom Monchimo

Fr. Persian

1.93 3.123

Mora Mortsi

Russia =skin, European/Welsh Romani, fr. Armenian (6.41) Fr. Greek England/Wales Russia

2.7 1.96

-mos Moxado Much Muj Mulengi djilia Mulengi dori

Abstract noun marker Unclean Friend Face, mouth Dirges "dead man's string"

6.55 6.244 2.141 1.58

Lit. spirit songs Magic ribbon tied or united to call on dead spirits to protect you

3.147 3.81

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Mulo Mura Nak

Spirit of the dead Berry Nose

Pl. mule Fr. Romanian Cf Skr nak, Hindi nak, whence "nark" - stool pigeon (1.16); also nakh (Welsh, Greek Romani) (6.16)

1.77 6.83 1.108

Nano Naswalemos Natsia (pl. natsiyi) Nav Niamo Nivasi O d'ives O zhuvindo Ofisa Opre! -os

Uncle Illness Nation or tribe of Rom Name Relatives Water spirit/mermaid Day "the live one" Fortune-telling booth Arise! Masculine ending for loan words Ceremonial celebrations to honour special guests Pachiv song Also pakiv (9.90) Russia Czechia Kalderash (6.238) Cf. Skr. Naman, Hindi nam

3.233 9.255 5 6.55 9.13 2.64 14 3.81 9.54 6.317

Pachiv

3.90

Pachivaki djili

3.91

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Paguba

"raiding party" i.e. sent out for supplies To obey, respect, honour, esteem "set apart" i.e. marime Water

Churara

3.130

Pakiv, dav pakiv

9.104

Palecido Pani

Sinti Cf Skr paniya, Hindi pani; also Kalderash pai (6.16)

6.244 1.108

Pani nevi Papin Paramicha

Fresh water Goose Gypsy fairy tales, told for the skill of the storyteller Tale Easter Leaf/road sign/marking Gadje -ness,-hood Sister Thick quilts Jellied pig's feet and ears Horseshoe Fr. Greek (6.55) Non-Polish Spanish Romani Also -ben (6.19) Greek Romani Fr. Greek

1.47 9.196 3.146

Paramishus Patragi Patrin Payo -pen Pen, ben Perina Pertia Petalo

6.55 9.318 1.3 6.8 1.58 6.16 9.271 9.62 3.52

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Phal

Brother

Welsh Romani; also Lomavren (6.38) cf. Plal, pral, bar Kalderash Welsh Romani

6.16

Phei Phen Phuro (f. phuri) Pi-, pe-

Sister Sister Head of a familia To drink

6.16 6.16 9.12

Greek, Welsh romani pi-, Kalderash pe-

6.16

Piko Pipere Pirogo

Spear Pepper Kind of noodle and cheese pudding Brother Cf. Polish pierogy?

9.196 9.273 9.63

Plal

Also pral; Greek Romani; cf. Phal, pral, bar Used in the marriage ritual between the couple's parents

6.16

Pliashka

Bottle of good brandy, wrapped in a kerchief with a string of gold pieces Engagement feast Funeral feast

3.197

Pliashka (plochka) Pomana

5 Repeated after nine days, six weeks, six months and a year (3.235) Lovara Coined by Ian Hancock (1.276) 1.249

Porado Porraimos

Erection Lit. the devouring ie the Holocaust

3.52 1.253

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Poshum

Wool

European/Welsh Romani, fr. Persian; also Domari Bulgaria

6.40

Posoti Postiu

Pouch inside a skirt Abstention from animal products on Friday Brother Brotherhood 'dishonoured' i.e. marime Bad omen Fried flour bread Grandmother/grandfather Gun Straddle the legs open Chicken stew Gadje gypsy-groupies

1.137 9.274

Pral Pralipe Prastlo Prikaza Pufe Puri daj/puro dad Pushka Puterdea Puyo Puyuria

Kalderash, cf. Phal, plal, bar Macedonia Sinti

6.16 1.107 6.244 9.129 9.62

Lit. old mother/father;Whence dad? Fr. Slavic

1.43 6.83 9.196 9.62

Fr. Romanian "puppies, cubs, chicks"

1.19

Rahat lokum Rakli Raklo Rasa

Some sort of food Non-Roma girl Non-gypsy boy "race" Romanian; used to refer to e.g.

3.220 5 3.40 6.238

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Kalderash, Lovara, etc Rat Ray baro Blood Great lords Cf. Prakrit ratta i.e. judges and representatives of gadje power structures Lovara Fr. Slavic cf. Slovene ribnik 12 3.114

Raya Rebniko Rikono Risho Rom (fem. Romni) Rom/lom/dom

Landowners Pond Dog Reed, cane Romani man/women Man/husband

3.53 12 1.101 9.196 5

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 Romipen Romni

Romani language Gypsyhood Wife 1.49 1.40

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Romni nashli Rovliako khelipen Ruv Sap Sarma

Elopement "stick dance" Wolf Snake Stuffed cabbage

Lit. runaway wife

9.230 1.106 5

British With pork, onions, peppers, rice and tomatoes (9.63) Generally used as a greeting

1.106 5

Sastimos (sastipe) Sastro Saviako

"to your health" Father-in-law Rolled pastry with fruit, cottage cheese and raisins Head

5 1.45 9.63

Sero

Also shero (Greek Romani); cf Skr vala, Hindi Bal

6.16

Shanglo Shav Shavora Sheranda

Police constable Unmarried gypsy male Companions? Goosedown pillows covered in gay, flowered material Moon Tent-pole "road sign/marking" Russia (fr. Russian) Polish; = patrin

3.17 3.40 3.19 3.215

Shon Shoshka Shpera

9.185 2.106 1.3

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Sir Skorni Slobuzenja Smentena So So keres? Socro-bori Solakh

Garlic Top-boot Freedom Cream What What are you doing? Incest Kris judgement using armaya, with judgement left to mule Why To sleep Spy Stable "strange" Family heirloom Circumcision wedding Gypsy story/ies Truth True

Fr. Persian Fr. Slavic Fr. Slavic Fr. Slavic

1.93 6.83 5 6.83 1.210 1.53 9.244 3.174

Soske SovSpiuni Stanya Streyino Sumadji Sunet biaf Svata/svatura Tachiben Tacho

1.210 Cf. Skr. Svapati, Hindi sona Albania Fr. Slavic Used of unknown Vitsa 6.16 1.23 6.83 9.13 3.49 Muslim, in Bulgaria 1.120 3.142 See also chachimos Welsh Romani; 6.19 6.19

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Taliga Tarneder Tato Trampa Treshul Trito ursitori

Two-wheeled light cart Younger Hot, warm Barter Christian cross Three spirits, one good, one evil, one mediator Body Hungry soul Individual household within a familia Lit. tent You singular Wedding arrangements Turkey Related to marhime Wild goose of Romani legend Gypsy chief Horse-drawn living-wagons Russia (Slav. Vodja) Hungary; also Vurdon, Vordon Lit. tent Fr. Slavic In India, Shiva's trident Welsh Romani Cf Skr. Tapta, Hindi tatta

3.96 6.303 6.16 1.61 1.106 9.283

Trupos Trushal odji Tsera

6.83 3.200 6.239

Tserha Tu Tumnimos Tutka Uzho Vadni ratsa Vaida Vardo

Lovara = vitsa Cf. Skr tuvam, Hindi tu

3.135 6.16 9.218 9.196 3.150 3.45 2.141 6.213

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Vare-

-ever

Fr. Romanian; e.g. varekai "wherever" Fr. Romanian Cf. Skr. Hasta, Hindi hath European/Welsh Romani, fr. Persian Nickname Lit = vine, tendril, fr. Romanian fr. Slavic Also Vordon, prob. From Ossetic, European/Welsh Romani, (6.41) Lovara = patrin Refers to group brought together for a specific job Vlach

6.83

Varekai Vast Vesh Veshengo Vitsa

Wherever Hand Forest "man of the forest" "clan"

6.83 6.55 6.40 1.21 1.290

Vurdon

Wagon

3.26

Vurma Wortacha

Trail of signs on the road "partners"

3.126 9.33

Wuzho Xabe Xaimoko Xanamiki

Purity Beef stew Rabbit stew Co-parent-in-law

9.13 9.62 9.62

Term used to describe the "familyin-law" relationship following a marriage - used by the two fathersin-law of each other (3.197)

1.287

Xari Xaritsa

"one who eats" Fried cornbread

9.196 9.62

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Xin Xumel, xumer Yak Yekhipe Yungxo Za Zen Zeravo Zhamutro Zheita Zor Zuhno Zurla

Urinating Dough, breadcrumbs Eye Unity, oneness Young ox Go Saddle Left (direction) Bridegroom or son-in-law 'bringing the bride home' Strength Pure Long, wooden, double-reed conical-bone wind instrument May not be Romani word Part of the wedding ceremony Fr. Persian Fr. Persian Fr. Greek Fr. Arabic Cf Skr aksha, Hindi ak

9.266 6.40 1.108 5 9.196 12 1.93 6.55 5 9.224 1.93 1.104 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.

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