Shopping

6 phrases · Maasai with romanization, English and audio

  1. Olduka

    Shop

    Usage

    Means a small shop; use it when looking for one

    Grammar Note

    Carries the masculine prefix "ol-". It came from Swahili "duka". Borrowed word; native review recommended

  2. Sokoni

    Market

    Usage

    Means the market; "te sokoni" is "at the market"

    Grammar Note

    It came from Swahili. A form with o-, "osokoni", also exists, though conversation almost always says "sokoni". "te" means "at". Borrowed word; native review recommended

  3. Ropiyiani aja ena mukate?

    How much is this bread?

    Usage

    Asks the price of bread; swap the last word to ask about other things

    Grammar Note

    "ropiyiani aja" (how much) is followed by the item. "ena" is "this" for a feminine noun; a masculine noun takes "ele". "mukate" came from Swahili; after a demonstrative the initial e- is dropped (on its own it is "emukate")

  4. Ropiyiani aja?

    How much is it?

    Usage

    Ask the price while pointing at the item

    Grammar Note

    "ropiyiani" (money) + "aja" (how many) gives "how much". Add the item name after it when you want to name it. "Kempisai aja" (literally "how many money") is also said. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

  5. Kayieu nainyang'u emukate

    I want to buy bread

    Usage

    Tell the seller what you want to buy

    Grammar Note

    "-yieu" (want) + "nainyang'u" (that I buy) + "emukate" (bread). Swap the last word to buy something else. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

  6. Kayieu nainyang'u esukari

    I want to buy sugar

    Usage

    Tell the seller what you want to buy

    Grammar Note

    "-yieu" (want) + "nainyang'u" (that I buy) + "esukari" (sugar). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

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