Knowing how to count and express numbers is a fundamental part of any language. In Afaan Oromo, the number system is logical and consistent — once you learn the basic numbers, you can construct any larger number using simple patterns. This guide covers cardinal numbers (one, two, three…), ordinal numbers (first, second, third…), how to express dates and time, and basic arithmetic terms in Afaan Oromo.
Numbers 11–19 are formed by combining kudha (ten) with the unit number using a hyphen pattern:
| Number | Afaan Oromo | Structure |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Kudha tokko | Ten + one |
| 12 | Kudha lama | Ten + two |
| 13 | Kudha sadii | Ten + three |
| 14 | Kudha afur | Ten + four |
| 15 | Kudha shan | Ten + five |
| 16 | Kudha ja'a | Ten + six |
| 17 | Kudha torba | Ten + seven |
| 18 | Kudha saddeet | Ten + eight |
| 19 | Kudha sagal | Ten + nine |
| 20 | Digdama | Twenty (unique word) |
| Number | Afaan Oromo |
|---|---|
| 10 | Kudhan |
| 20 | Digdama |
| 30 | Soddomaa |
| 40 | Afurtamaa |
| 50 | Shantamaa |
| 60 | Ja'atamaa |
| 70 | Torbaatamaa |
| 80 | Sadeettamaa |
| 90 | Sagaltamaa |
| 100 | Dhibba tokko |
| 200 | Dhibba lama |
| 1,000 | Kuma tokko |
| 10,000 | Kuma kudhan |
| 100,000 | Kuma dhibba tokko |
| 1,000,000 | Miliyoona tokko |
Ordinal numbers (first, second, third…) are formed by adding the suffix -ffaa or -eessoo to the cardinal number:
| Cardinal | Ordinal | English |
|---|---|---|
| Tokko (1) | Tokkoffaa | First |
| Lama (2) | Lammaffaa | Second |
| Sadii (3) | Sadaffaa | Third |
| Afur (4) | Afuraffaa | Fourth |
| Shan (5) | Shanaffaa | Fifth |
| Ja'a (6) | Ja'affaa | Sixth |
| Torba (7) | Torbaffaa | Seventh |
| Saddeet (8) | Sadeettaffaa | Eighth |
| Sagal (9) | Sagalaffaa | Ninth |
| Kudhan (10) | Kudhanaffaa | Tenth |
| Afaan Oromo | English |
|---|---|
| Wiixata | Monday |
| Kibxata | Tuesday |
| Roobii | Wednesday |
| Kamisa | Thursday |
| Jimaata | Friday |
| Sanbata | Saturday |
| Dilbata | Sunday |
Afaan Oromo uses the Ethiopian calendar months (which differ from the Gregorian calendar) as well as adapted versions of Gregorian month names:
| Gregorian | Afaan Oromo |
|---|---|
| January | Amajjii |
| February | Gurraandhala |
| March | Bitooteessa |
| April | Elba |
| May | Caamsaa |
| June | Waxabajjii |
| July | Adooleessa |
| August | Hagayya |
| September | Fulbaana |
| October | Onkololeessa |
| November | Sadaasa |
| December | Muddee |
| Operation | Afaan Oromo Term | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Addition (+) | Ida'uu / dabaluu | Lama fi sadii shan dha. (2+3=5) |
| Subtraction (-) | Hir'isuu / baasuu | Kudhan irraa afur hir'isi. (10-4=6) |
| Multiplication (×) | Baay'isuu | Lama irra sadii baay'isi. (2×3=6) |
| Division (÷) | Qooduuu | Kudhan lama qoodi. (10÷2=5) |
| Equals (=) | …dha | Used at end of expression |
Time in Afaan Oromo is expressed using the word sa'aatii (hour/clock). Note that Ethiopia traditionally uses a 12-hour clock starting at dawn (6 AM = 12 in Ethiopian time), but modern Afaan Oromo writing often uses the standard international system.
Afaan Oromo's number system is consistent and logical. The base-ten structure, the compound number patterns, and the ordinal suffix system all follow clear rules that make them learnable. Knowing the months, days, and time expressions gives you practical tools for everyday written communication. Whether you are writing a date on a form, describing a quantity, or writing about mathematics in school, mastering Afaan Oromo numbers is an essential foundation.