Language/Borana-arsi-guji-oromo/Vocabulary/Telling-Time

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Borana-Arsi-Guji Oromo → Vocabulary → 0 to A1 Course → Numbers and Time → Telling Time

Introduction

Welcome to the lesson on telling time in Borana-Arsi-Guji Oromo! In this lesson, we will learn how to express time in the Borana-Arsi-Guji Oromo language, including hours, minutes, and common time expressions. Telling time is an essential skill that allows us to communicate effectively and navigate our daily routines. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to confidently ask and respond to questions about the time in Borana-Arsi-Guji Oromo.

Basic Time Vocabulary

Before we dive into the specifics of telling time, let's start by learning the basic vocabulary related to time in Borana-Arsi-Guji Oromo:

Borana-Arsi-Guji Oromo	Pronunciation	English
waqti	[wak-ti]	time
sa'atii	[sa-a-tii]	hour
daqiiqaa	[da-qi-kaa]	minute
ilaalchisee	[i-laa-lchi-see]	o'clock
hawaasa	[ha-waa-sa]	morning
dhihaa	[dhi-haa]	afternoon
fuula	[fu-la]	evening
warii	[wa-rii]	night
galgala	[gal-ga-la]	midnight

Now that we have familiarized ourselves with the key time-related vocabulary, let's move on to understanding how to tell time in Borana-Arsi-Guji Oromo.

Telling Time in Borana-Arsi-Guji Oromo

In Borana-Arsi-Guji Oromo, the format for telling time is slightly different from the standard 12-hour or 24-hour clock used in English. The Borana-Arsi-Guji Oromo time system follows a 12-hour clock, with the day divided into two halves: hawaasa (morning) and dhihaa (afternoon). Let's break down how to express time in each half of the day:

Telling Time in the Morning

In the morning, Borana-Arsi-Guji Oromo speakers use the term "hawaasa" to refer to the time from sunrise until noon. To express the time, follow this pattern:

[Hour] + [Minute] + "waqti" + "hawaasa"

For example:

• 7:15 AM - Tokko heddoo waqti hawaasa (It is 7:15 in the morning)
• 10:30 AM - Korma tokko waqti hawaasa (It is 10:30 in the morning)

Note: The Borana-Arsi-Guji Oromo language uses a base-12 system for counting, which means that numbers higher than 12 are expressed differently. For example, instead of saying "13," you would say "1 and 1." We will cover this in more detail when we discuss the numbers in a future lesson.

Telling Time in the Afternoon

In the afternoon, Borana-Arsi-Guji Oromo speakers use the term "dhihaa" to refer to the time from noon until sunset. To express the time, follow this pattern:

[Hour] + [Minute] + "waqti" + "dhihaa"

For example:

• 1:45 PM - Tokko qophii waqti dhihaa (It is 1:45 in the afternoon)
• 6:20 PM - Hidhata tokko waqti dhihaa (It is 6:20 in the afternoon)

Telling Time in the Evening and Night

In the evening and night, Borana-Arsi-Guji Oromo speakers use the terms "fuula" and "warii" to refer to the time from sunset until midnight, and from midnight until sunrise, respectively. To express the time, follow this pattern:

[Hour] + [Minute] + "waqti" + "fuula" (for evening) or "warii" (for night)

For example:

• 7:50 PM - Tokko sa'a qophii waqti fuula (It is 7:50 in the evening)
• 2:30 AM - Bittaa tokko waqti warii (It is 2:30 at night)

Telling Time at Midnight

When it comes to expressing midnight, Borana-Arsi-Guji Oromo speakers use the term "galgala." To express midnight, you can use the following pattern:

"galgala" + [Hour] + [Minute] + "daqiiqaa"

For example:

• 12:00 AM - Galgala tokko qophaa (It is midnight)

Now that we have covered the basics of telling time in Borana-Arsi-Guji Oromo, let's move on to some practice exercises to solidify your understanding.

Practice Exercises

1. Translate the following times into Borana-Arsi-Guji Oromo: a) 9:10 AM b) 3:45 PM c) 8:30 PM

Solution: a) Tokko sadii waqti hawaasa (It is 9:10 in the morning) b) Tokko dhukkubsatee waqti dhihaa (It is 3:45 in the afternoon) c) Tokko walsaa waqti fuula (It is 8:30 in the evening)

2. Express the following times in Borana-Arsi-Guji Oromo: a) 6:15 AM b) 11:50 AM c) 7:30 PM

Solution: a) Tokko hidhaa waqti hawaasa (It is 6:15 in the morning) b) Tokko tifaa waqti hawaasa (It is 11:50 in the morning) c) Tokko qophii waqti fuula (It is 7:30 in the evening)

Great job! You are making excellent progress in learning how to tell time in Borana-Arsi-Guji Oromo. Keep practicing and soon you will become a master of expressing time in this beautiful language.

Cultural Insights

In Borana-Arsi-Guji Oromo culture, time is perceived and understood differently compared to Western cultures. While punctuality is highly valued, Borana-Arsi-Guji Oromo people also have a more relaxed approach to time, with a focus on the present moment and the natural rhythms of life. It is common for events and gatherings to start later than the scheduled time, as people take their time to arrive and prepare. This cultural aspect is important to keep in mind when interacting with Borana-Arsi-Guji Oromo speakers and planning activities.

Additionally, the Borana-Arsi-Guji Oromo people have a unique way of tracking time using natural indicators. For example, they observe the position of the sun, the movement of shadows, and the behavior of animals to estimate the time of day. This traditional timekeeping system reflects the deep connection between the Borana-Arsi-Guji Oromo people and their natural environment.

Conclusion

Congratulations on completing the lesson on telling time in Borana-Arsi-Guji Oromo! In this lesson, you have learned how to express time in the morning, afternoon, evening, and night, using the Borana-Arsi-Guji Oromo time system. You have also practiced translating and expressing different times in Borana-Arsi-Guji Oromo. Remember to keep practicing and reinforcing your knowledge by using time-related vocabulary in your daily life. In the next lesson, we will continue expanding our vocabulary and exploring more aspects of the Borana-Arsi-Guji Oromo language and culture.

Table of Contents - Borana-Arsi-Guji Oromo Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Introduction to the Borana-Arsi-Guji Oromo Language

• Alphabet and Pronunciation
• Basic Sentence Structure

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Common Greetings
• Self-Introduction

  ---

Oromo Culture and Traditions

• Traditional Festivals
• Traditional Music and Dance

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Singular and Plural Nouns
• Personal Pronouns

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Numbers 1-20
• Telling Time

  ---

Oromo Cuisine

• Traditional Dishes
• Eating Customs

  ---

Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense
• Past Tense

  ---

Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Describing Relationships

  ---

Oromo Wedding Traditions

• Wedding Ceremonies
• Wedding Attire

Other Lessons

• Express Surprise
• Describing Relationships
• Numbers 1 20
• How to say Good Bye?
• Education
• Common Greetings
• Colors
• Days Guyyoota
• Time Yeroo

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