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