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 ?????? 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 |