Vorherige

Copyright

Walter O. Weyrauch (ed.)

Gypsy Law: Romani Legal Traditions and Culture

Berkeley: University of California Press (2001), pp. 170-187

A Glossary of Romani terms

 

Ian Hancock

The Romani Archives and Documentation Center

The University of Texas at Austin

 

The following is a glossary of words occurring in the papers in this volume [Weyrauch, 2001], plus a number of others directly or indirectly relevant to the topics dealt with.  Where they represent usage in different dialects, this has been indicated. 

Romani orthography, and indeed the Romani language itself, is only now in the process of being standardized. The spelling used here has been regularized according to the system outlined in Ian F. Hancock, A Handbook of Vlax Romani (Slavica Publishers, Columbia, Ohio, 1995).  Briefly, the letters and letter combinations have the following values in Kalderash Vlax: [j] is like English “y,” [c] like “ts,” [š] like “sh,” [] and [tj] both like “ch,” [ń] like “s” in “pleasure,” [dń] like [ń] with the tongue curled back, [h] like [š] with the tongue curled back, [dj] like English “j,” [r] a flapped or trilled “r” as in Scottish English, [rr] a throat “r” as in French, [x] like “ch” in German “Achtung.” [v] sounds like [w] for many speakers. The stress-bearing vowel is marked with a grave accent. 

 

 

Abjŕv                           “wedding,” pl. abjavŕ.  Also bjav

Aměra                           Oath taken at the beginning of a kris, var. of next.

Amrŕn, Armŕn              “curse,”  pl. armŕja, amrěja

Anŕv gadńikanň            Non-Romani name for use in dealings with the outside world.  This may be an

                                    arbitrary choice, or may be an anglicizing (hispanizing, etc.) of the Romani

                                    name, thus o Stanko le Miosko might call himself “Stan Mitchell” in English.

                                    An individual may have several anavŕ gadńikanč, as well as a nickname (used

                                    only within the community).

Anŕv rromanň              Romani name.  Amongst the Vlax, q.v. this consists of a given name, plus a

                                    patronymic, plus a matronymic, plus the name of the clan affiliation, thus o

                                    Stŕnko le Miňsko la Geńŕko ŕnda le Papinčšti věca translates as “Stanko,

                                    son of Mio, son of Geńa, of the Papinešti clan.” In ordinary discourse, only

                                    the given name and the patronymic are used.

Angloromani                 Variety of restructured Romani spoken by Romanichals in Britain, North

                                    America, Australia and elsewhere, consisting of Romani words in an English-

                                    language grammatical structure.  Called pogadi jib or rumnis by its speakers.


Anglo-Romany The inflected dialect of Romani spoken in England until the turn of the

                                    present century, and in the United States until the 1950s.

Ansurimč                      “Married,” of a man.  Vlax only.

Arxentěnurja                  Vlax in North America whose ancestors migrated via Argentina.

Bŕjo                             trouble

Bajur, bajour                Misspellings and mispronunciations of buńň, q.v., popularized by a 1950s

                                    Broadway stage production.

Bangjarŕv                     “I accuse,” also rrestisŕvav, purrěv

Barň                             See Rrom barň.

Bashaldň                      Name of a Romani group originating in Hungary, lit. “musician”.

Pl. Bašaldč

Baulo                           Angloromani q.v. word meaning “pig;” slang for “policeman.”

Pronounced “bŕwlo.”  Balň in Common Romani. 

Baxt                             “luck, fortune, fate”; also surruimňs.

Bčda                            “trouble, problems.”

Bedŕko                        “troublemaker; troublesome.”  Pl. bedŕa.

Beng                            “devil.”

Bčshiben                      Word used in Northern Romani dialects equivalent to kris; lit. “sitting.”

Bezčx                           Sin, gross wrongdoing.

Bibŕxt                          “misfortune.”

Biběo                            Term of direct address to female elder (< bibě “aunt”).

Bikinimŕski hertěja         “contract for sale (document).”

Bipatjivalň                    “dishonorable;” “dishonorable man.” Pronounced bipakivalň in                       

                                    Russian Kalderash Vlax.

Biprindńaripč                “neglect, ignoring.”

Blakbolimč                   “shunned by the community” (< Eng. “blackball(ed)”)

Blokimč                        “shunned by the community” (< Eng. “block(ed)”)

Bolimč                          “shunned by the community” (< Eng. “(black)ball(ed)”)

Bolimňs                        “baptism.”

Borě                              “daughter in law; new bride.”

Bori ladge-up               Angloromani phrase meaning “disgrace,” Common Romani barň                                                               ladńŕv.  See ladń, ladńajmňs

Butjŕki hertěja               “contract for work (document)”

Buńň                            “a pouch.”  This is used in a confidence trick also called buńo,                                                   involving the exchanging of money for cut up paper.  Pl. buńurja.

apladň                        “mentally impaired; mentally-impaired male.”

Cepenimňs                   “deadlock, stalemate,” at a kris.

Cčrxa                           Among Lovŕra, the name used for clan; the equivalent of věca,                                                   literally “tent.”  See also šŕtra.

aimňs                        “the truth.”

haj                              “unmarried Romani female,” (as opposed to raklě, q.v.).  A female is                                                         referred to haj whatever he age if she is unmarried.  A 25-year-old                                                 woman (in non-Romani terms) is still a haj, while a married girl of                                                     twelve has become a Rromně.

havň                           “unmarried Romani male,” (as opposed to raklň, q.v.)

hej                              Vlax dialectal variant of haj.


Chor                            “to steal” (Angloromani).

Choring                        “stealing” (Angloromani).

Choring mush               “thief” (Angloromani).

Chovihŕni                     “a witch,” Angloromani dialect.  See oxani.

inasŕra                       The eve before a slŕva, Kalderaš Vlax dialect.

inavŕs                        “we agree upon, decide;” also, “we make an offer”

inavipč                       “agreement, negotiation; decision; an offer.”

hinčl (e) kris               “sentence, condemn”

Civilians                        A term sometimes applied by American Vlax and Romanies in Slovenia to the non-Romani population.

or                              “thief”

orŕv                           “I steal”

oxaně                         “a witch,” Vlax dialect.  Also pron. oxajě.                                

urŕri                           “member of a nŕcija of Rrom,” q.q.v., pl. urŕra.

Dadčski dej                  “paternal grandmother”

Dŕki dej                       “maternal grandmother”

Dŕrro                           “dowry, given at Vlax wedding.”

Das                              A non-Romani person, in some southern European dialects of Romani, fem. dasně.

Del                               “God.”  Also Devčl.

Den kris                       “they are holding a kris,” q.v.; “they are bringing judgement.”

Devčl                           var. of Del, q.v.

Dědikai, Dědikoi            impolite term used by Romanichals for individual having just one                                                            Romani parent.

Diklň                            “scarf,” worn at the neck or on the head.  Also distributed at an                                                             abjav.  Pl. diklč.  Also diklorrň.

Dinň Devlčstar  “mentally deficient male,” lit. “God-given.”  Fem. dině-Devlčstar.

Divŕno                          “conversation, discussion, advice session,” preferred to a kris as a                                                          means of settling a dispute.  “maj fedčr te huladjňn sar amalŕ                                                         and’ekh divŕno, de sar dušmŕja and’ekh kris,” “it is better to part as                                                  friends from a divano, than as enemies from a kris.”

Diviněv                          “I advise, I discuss.”

Dji, odjě, gi                   Life force, soul.

Domba                         name applied by academics to the hypothesized pre-exodus population(s) in India who came to constitute the Romani people.

Doš                              guilt, fault.

Došalň                         guilty

Drab                            “potion, medicine, drug.”

Drabarŕv                      “I apply medicine, I heal.”  Also, “I divine, I heal spiritually”

Drabarně                       “female diviner.”  In English commonly called a “reader,” and                                                     “advisor” or a “fortune teller.”  See giisvŕra.

Drabčngro                    “physician, pharmacist,” in northern Romani dialects.

Dukŕto             American Vlax word for “lawyer,” also avdukŕto.  From var.                                                    European forms such as advokat, with metathesis.  Pl. dukŕturja.


Dukker             “predict the future,” Angloromani form of Common Romani                                                       durikerŕv, q.v.

Dukkering                    “divining, predicting the future.”  Angloromani.

Durikerŕv                     “I predict the future” (from e.g. reading palms, tealeaves, coffee                                                             grounds, etc.).

Durjardň                      Banished from the community.  Lit. Sent afar.

Dńukěv                         I confront.

Familěja, famělja “extended family.”

Farmeěv                      “I curse, put a spell on.”  Vlax Romani.

Gadńě                           “adult female non-Romani person,” pl. gadńja.

Gadńikaně baxt “bad luck,” lit. “non-Romani luck.”       

Gadńikanň                    “non-Romani,” adjectival form of gadńň.

Gadńikanň dukŕto        “a non-Romani lawyer.”

Gadńň                          “adult male non-Romani person,” pl. gadńč.

Gŕlbeno                       “gold coin” (lit. “yellow”); see next.

Gŕlbi                            Plural of prec., gold coins traditionally worn as a necklace or as buttons, as personal wealth, there being no access to banks, and their being available for paying/bribing officials.

Gaver                           “policeman,” Angloromani (also gav-mush, musker).

Gčro                            A non-Romani person in Angloromani ((var. gčra); gorň in other dialects).

Giisvŕra                      “woman who claims to predict the future.”  Vlax Romani.  For some                              speakers there is a distinction between a giisvŕra and a drabarně,                               the former being a hustler, the latter being more “professional” and                              proud of her skills.  From a Romanian word meaning “guess.”

Glŕba                           “a fine.”  Paid, though not exclusively, as the result of a decision                                                             made by the krisnitňrja.

Glaběv                          “I fine.”

Gomě                            A non-Romani person, in some southern European Romani dialects.

Gonimč            “banished, driven out of the community.”  This does not necessarily                                                     have to be because the offender is ritually polluted.  See marimč.

Gonimňs                       “expulsion from the community.”

Grčkurja                       Vlax in America whose ancestors migrated via Greece.

Gypsy                          Common English word for person of Romani descent, derived from Renaissance English ’gypcian, i.e. “Egyptian,” it being supposed that Egypt was the country of origin of the Roma.  The term is intensely disliked by some Roma, and tolerated by others.  The persistence of its use in English lies in the fact that there is no single Romani equivalent which is agreed upon by all Romani groups (see Rrom).  The policy of most Romani organizations is to use their self-ascripted ethnonym (Sěnti, Rrňma, Kŕŕle, etc.) and to avoid the use of all externally-created labels (“Gypsy,” “Gitano,” “Úigan,” etc.).  One suggestion has been to employ the adjectival form Romani, plural Romanies, as a general noun, an alternative already in use in the British media. If the word “Gypsy” is used in English, it should be written with a proper noun’s initial capital letter.

Hezbjŕna                      “lesbian”


Hokano baro                “technique of extorting money from a victim by deceit,” lit. “big lie.”  A nonce-term coined by George Borrow and supposedly of Spanish Romani origin (see Lavo-lil, below), the correct Angloromani for this being “bori hokaben” or variants (see penning hokabens).

Inkŕlka                        “trespassing.”

Inkalkěv                        “I am trespassing.”

Jŕdo                             “world outside of the Romani environment.”  Sometimes used to mean “hell.”

Jakhalň             “the evil eye,” although this word may also mean “attractive.”

Jenisch                         A population of mixed origins inhabiting Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands and eastern France.  Probably originally consisting of displaced citizens of Hanseatic Germany, later joined by Roma, Jews and others.  Today they consititute a distinct ethnic population with its own speech and family names.  Also spelt Yéniche.

Kŕko                           Term of direct address to respected male elder (< kak “uncle”).  Also Nŕno.

Kalderŕš                      Name applied to several Vlax-speaking Romani groups, and their dialects. The term was originally occupational, meaning “coppersmith.”  Eastern and Western Kalderaš populations (in e.g. Russia and Serbia) differ considerably in speech and custom.  Pl. Kalderŕša

Kapŕra                         “wedding gift.”

Ketrěnca                       apron worn over traditional skirt, symbolizing modesty.

Kidimňs                       “meeting.”  Also kidinimňs.

Kinimŕski hertěja           “contract for a sale (document).”

Kintŕla                         “spiritual balance, harmony.”  the Romani world view is a bipolar one, the universe falling naturally into pairs, though not all of them the antithesis of the other: Rrom-gadńo, clean-defiled, God -the devil, male-female, luck-misfortune, upper body-lower body, sexual being-non-sexual being (see phurimňs) and so on.  Balance is upset by not observing the appropriate behavior.  Also kuntŕla, kintuimňs. Cf. kintŕri.

Kintŕri                          var. of kintŕla, q.v., also kuntŕri.

Kir(i)vě                         “godmother.”

Kir(i)vň                        “godfather.”

Kris, krěsi                     The primary meaning of this word is “law” or “judgement;” thus e Devlčski kris, “God’s law,” e manuščski kris “the law of man,” but it is most familiarly associated by Romanologists with the tribunal or hearing which is part of the internal legal system amongst Vlax Rroma.  For some people kris is used to refer only to Romani law, while zakňno, q.v., is used to refer to non-Romani law.  The word is from the Greek κρίσις.  It may be a retention of the Indian nasab or panchayat, modified by a similar social structure found among Balkan villagers.  Krěsi in Polish and Russian Vlax.  There are similar judiciary councils of elders among other Romani groups, though not referred to by this name.

Kris bandjě                   a kris resulting in a negative decision by the krisnitorja.


Kris aě                       a kris resulting in a positive decision by the krisnitorja.

Kris Rromaně                the tribunal or hearing which is part of the internal legal system                                                   amongst Rroma.

Krisŕki hib                  oratorical style of speaking Romani, at krisŕ but also heard at weddings, funerals and other formal occasions.  It is not appropriate for younger people to use this register.

Krisŕki putjčrja Power of the Romani tribunal

Krisŕko                        “legal.”

Krisŕko kher                “courthouse.”  Usu. in a non-Romani context.

Krisŕlo raj                    “judge.”

Krisimč                        “judged, sentenced.”

Krisěv                           “I sentence, I judge, I condemn.”

Krisisardilčm                “I was sentenced, I was condemned.”  Also krisisŕjlem.

Krisnitňri                      “judge at a kris;” also kriznitňri, krisitňri

Kukaštŕra                    “lavatory,” an impolite word.  Thňjla in American Vlax (< “toilet”).

Kumpŕnja                    a work alliance, of colleagues, or family members, or members                                                  of unrelated Romani groups, which may last for just one job, or                                                          be of more or less permanent duration.  Also pron. kumpaněja.

Kununimč                     married.  Vlax.

Kununimňs                   wedding ceremony. Vlax.

Kununěl             he performs marriage.  Vlax.

Kununisŕvel                  he gets married.  Vlax.

Kůrva                           immoral woman; adulterous wife.  Vlax word, also, xŕndra, lubně,                                           lugně, bčštija.

Kurvŕri             A man who solicits the company of immoral women; a whoremonger.

Kutŕri                           “whatsisname, so-and-so,” applied to a male.

Kutŕrka                        “whatsername, so-and-so,” applied to a female.

Ladń                            shame, disgrace, immodesty, immorality. 

Ladńajmňs                   shame, disgrace, immodesty, immorality, Vlax dialect. 

Ladńŕv                         shame, disgrace, immodesty, immorality, Vlax dialect. 

Lavo-lil             The name of a book on the dialect of the Romanichals, q.v., by 19th Century British writer George Borrow, lit. “word-book.”  Despite its many errors, it has been the most widely consulted work on the Romani language, even though it is of minimal value for the understanding of any other dialect, especially Vlax, q.v.

Lěra                              Fifty dollars.  Pandń lěri, $250.

Lovŕri                          A nŕcija, q.v., of the Rrom, q.v., pl. Lovŕra

Lovč                            “money, a plural noun.

Lubně                            the same as kůrva, q.v.

Mavŕnka                    a Mavŕno woman, pl. Mavŕni

Mavŕno                      One of the Vlax-speaking nŕciji, q.v., originating in the region of Mava in eastern Serbia, though one suggested etymology is < Serbian ma “sword”).  Well represented in Australia and the Americas, but not in Europe itself.  Pl. Mavŕja. 


Magerdipč                    Ritual pollution, defilement; word used in Central Romani dialects and in Polish and Russian Vlax.

Magerdň                      Ritually polluted or defiled.  Word used in Central Romani dialects and in Polish and Russian Vlax.

Mahŕla                         “district, neighborhood, Gypsy quarter.”  Mavano word (see also                                                        pňga).

Makhardň                    Ritually polluted or defiled, lit. “smeared,” a reference to menstrual blood.

Mamě                           kinship term, “grandmother.”

Manger                        “lawyer.”  Scottish Romani word (rhymes with “hanger”).

Mangimňs                    “begging.” Vlax.

Manůš                          a Romani population mainly inhabiting France, and closely related to the Sěnti and (historically) the Romanichals.  Lit. “men.”

Marimč                        Vlax term meaning ritually defiled or polluted, from the Greek meaning “to make dirty.”  Unlike pokelimč, this has the additional meaning of “banished from the community because of defilement.”  Not the same as gonimč, q.v.  Var. maxrimč, marimč.

Mŕrtja                          “spirit of death”

Mŕrturo                        a “witness,” Kalderaš Vlax dialect

Melalň                          “dirty,” also “shameful.”

Meljardň                      “made dirty.”

Meretimč                      “married,” of a woman.  Vlax only.

Mňkadi                        Angloromani form of makhadň, q.v.

Mong                           “beg,” in Angloromani.

Mulň                            “dead;” “the dead;” “spirits of the dead.”  Pl. mulč.  The mulč remain in the vicinity of the family, and keep watch over the activities of family members.  They cause prikŕza, q.v., a signal that an individual has upset the balance required by rromaněja, q.v.

Musker                        “policeman.”  Angloromani.

Nŕcija                          One of the divisions of the Romani population calling itself Rrom, q.v., all of which speak dialects of Vlax Romani and descend from the slaveholding principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia.  They include the Kalderŕša, the Lovŕra, the Mavŕja and the urŕra, among others.  For some speakers, this word is used to mean these divisions themselves.

Nahěja                          The geographical area of jurisdiction associated with the šŕto, q.v.  Mavano Vlax word.

Našŕv                          we flee.  Sometimes a betrothed couple will “flee” from their families and consummate the union before the abjŕv, thereby reducing the dŕrro, q.v.  done as an economy measure.

Našalŕs                        “we abduct,” also našadarŕs.  Sometimes the borě, q.v., will be “kidnapped” by members of the groom’s family; variation of the above.

Našipč, našimňs           elopement.

NińBko                         A mattock or poleaxe, double-headed (axe and hammer) barňs symbol of authority. Pronounced njŕko, nijŕko in the Balkan dialects.

Njŕmo                          “relative,” pl. njŕmurja.  Vlax Romani.

Ňfisa                            “fortune-telling parlor.”  American Vlax (< Eng. “office”).

Paplbno                        “male homosexual”(slang)


Patjěv                            “honor, respect, esteem.”  Kalderash var. ‘ pa(j)kěv.

Patjivalň                       “honorable.”  Kalderash var. ‘ pakivalň.

Pal                               Angloromani form of Common Romani phral meaning “brother.”  This has entered colloquial English, meaning “friend.”

Pŕle ědo                      Sinti (q.v.) Romani equivalent of magerdň, q.v., lit. “put back.”  Also                                         ědo pŕle.

Paraměa                      “story,” pl. paraměi

Parrujmňs                     “a barter, an exchange.”

Parruvŕv                       “I trade, barter.”

Pŕrtija                          Share, portion of earnings, pl. pčrci.  Vlax dialect.

Pato                             “bed,” a Vlax word adopted from Romanian.  Use of this word is considered indelicate in mixed company, the euphemism than (lit. “place”) being preferred.

Patrěn                           “leaf,” pl. patri(n)ja.  Also “page” and “trail sign(s).”   In Angloromani,

pŕteran.

Peŕta                          “brooch, badge,” formerly worn on the breast by the Rrom Baro to indicate his status.

Pekŕla                          “impurity,” var. of pekelimňs.

Penning hokabens     “lying, telling lies,” Angloromani.

Phandadň1                    “arrested, jailed.”

Phandadň2                    “off limits, spoken-for,” of a town “owned” by a family or věca, q.v.

Phurě                            “a female elder.”

Phurě daj                       “grandmother,” Northern Romani.  Equiv. ‘ mamě in Vlax Romani.

Phurimňs                      “age.”  A distinction is made between children and post-climacteric adults on the one hand, both outside of child-producing age, and persons in their young and middle adult years, who are able to reproduce and who have a “sexual” identity.  The judgement of an older person (e.g. at a kris) is considered to be more balanced because it is less subjective and emotional than that of a younger adult.

Phurň                           “a male elder.”

Phurň them                   “old country.”  American Rroma more commonly refer to any country in Europe, and to Europe generally, as the themŕ “countries.”

Pirrěv                            “I inform (police).”  Also pupuěv.

Pirrimňs                        “gossip, slander; informing (to police).”

Poitajimňs                   “dignity, esteem.”

Poitajimňs rromanň     “high esteem within the romani community.” See also rrůndo.

Podŕrka                       “gift, present.”

Pňdja1                          “slip, underskirt,” cf. teluně rrňtja.

Pňdja2                          “menstruation.”

Pňga                            “district, neighborhood, area of jurisdiction.”

Pokŕla                          “sentence” (decided upon by the krisnitňrja).

Pokelimč                      “defiled, impure,” also pekelimč.

Pokelimč and’o muj      “foul-mouthed.”

Pokelimňs                    “defilement, impurity,” also pekelimč.


Pomŕna                        “a wake.” Pl. pomčni.

Pomenjŕke cŕlja           “clothing worn by the one representing the deceased at a pomŕna, q.v.

Porradě                         “deflowered,” see next.

Porradě beščl                (for females) “she is sitting immodestly with the legs apart,” lit.                                                   “spread apart.”

Porrajmňs                    the Romani Holocaust (1933-1945), also Barň Porrajmňs, lit.                                                   The “great devouring, raping (of the Romani people)” See also                                               Uštavipč.

Potjinŕv                        “I pay.”  Kalderash var. pokinŕv.

Potjinimňs                    “payment.”  Pronounced pokinimňs in Kalderash Vlax Romani.

Prŕzniko                       “a religious festival or feast.”

Prikŕza                         “retribution,” misfortune or accident as a result of upsetting the                                                   balance of kintŕla, q.v., through not observing right conduct (see                                                         vňrta Rromaně fňrma).  sometimes translated as “bad luck.”

Primŕko, premŕko        Male equivalent of a borě, q.v., son-in-law obliged to join wife’s family, usually for economic reasons.  This status is a shameful one.

Public                           In American Vlax English, this applies only to the Vlax population at large, not to the non-Romani population.

Pupuěv                          “I inform (police).”  Also pirrěv.

Pupuimňs                     “gossip, slander; informing (to police).”

Raklě                            “non-Romani girl,” as opposed to a hej/haj.

Raklň                           “non-Romani boy,” as opposed to a havo.

Rňma                           A word being increasingly (and inaccurately) used in English as a singular or plural noun, or even as an adjective to mean “Gypsy,” thus “he is a Roma,” “Roma language.”  In Romani itself, Rromŕ is a plural subject case masculine noun only.

Romančs                      sometimes used to refer to the Romani language.  See Rromančs.

Rňmani             The English adjective (sometimes spelled Romany) for “Gypsy,” thus “the Romani people,” “the Romani language.”  The word is also used by itself to refer to the language (see also Romanes), and sometimes as a noun to mean a Romani person (“they are Romanies”). 

Rromaně butjě                Romani matters, typical Romani affairs.

Rňmanichal                   Name of a division of the Romani migration which entered France and then Britain.  British Romanichals have migrated to all parts of the English-speaking world.  In France spelt romanitchel.

Romer’d                       Angloromani word meaning “married.”  Romerdň in other non-                                                  Vlax dialects.  See ansurimč, kununimč, meretimč.

Rrŕjo                            “heaven.”

Rrŕso                           Vlax word meaning “race,” sometimes applied to distinguish Romani populations (as a Rrŕso) from other non-Romani rrŕsurja (pl.).

Rrestisajmos                 Accusation.

Rrestisŕvav                   “I accuse,” also bangjarŕv, purrěv.

Rroběja                         “jail.”  American Vlax.  Original European Vlax meaning was “slavery.”

Rrňbo                          “prisoner.”  American Vlax.  Original European Vlax meaning was “slave.”


Rrom krisňngo  A Rrom who attends krisŕ as a krisnitňri, reputed for his fairness and whose participation is frequently sought.

Rrom krisŕko               A krisnitňri.

Rrom barň                    The leader of a Romani community.

Rrom                            “person of Romani descent.”  However, because of their isolation, the Romani populations who were held in slavery for between five and six centuries in Romania have come to regard themselves alone as being the “real” Rrom, distinct from other non-Rrom Gypsy populations such as the Sěnti or the Bašaldč.  Nevertheless all non-Rrom populations refer to their culture and language as Romani, and use the word Rom (rather than the specifically Vlax Rrom) to mean either “Gypsy” or “husband.”  Pl. either Rrom or Rromŕ.

Rrom amerikŕa           Roma from the United States.

Rrom kanadŕa            Roma from Canada.

Rrom krisŕko               Experienced older Rom with a reputation for fairness in serving as a krisnitňri, q.v.  Pl.  Rrom(ŕ) krisŕnge.

Rrom mesik(an)ŕa     Mexican Vlax Rom (pl.).

Rrom themčnge            Rroma from Europe.

Rromŕle havŕle           Term of address to a group, lit. “married men, unmarried men.”

Rromanč havorrč        “Romani boys,” label of emphatic affirmation (because of the                                                     intentional tautology).

Rromančs                     the adverb derived from Rromaně, meaning “Gypsily, in the Romani way.”  In Romani this grammatical form is used when referring to the language, thus vrakerŕv Rromančs “I speak in the Romani way,” i.e. “I speak Romani.”  Using this adverbial form in English as though it were a noun is incorrect.

Rromanestŕn                The notional homeland of the Romani people.

Rromaně                       The singular subject-case adjective derived from Rrom.  Its use (as Romaně) for the name of the language in English derives from its function as a feminine singular adjective in Rromaně hib “Romani language.”                              

Rromaně fňrma  “correct behavior, behavior according to Rromaněja.

Rromaněja                     “Romani culture, behavior and values; “Romaniness.”  Any behavior likely to defile or pollute, and therefore disturb kintŕla and bring prikŕza and bibŕxt, is gadńikaněja, or “non-Romani ways.”  The form is Vlax (-ěja < Romanian), in other dialects it is Romanipč(n).

Rromně             “married Romani female.”

Rrůndo             “rank, status.” Dav tut and’o rrůndo “I hold you in esteem.”

Rupuně rovlě                  Clan leaders baton.  Vlax, lit. Asilver rod.

SavBpto                        “sacrifice” (Machvanitsko)

Selěja                            “bridal veil,” also vŕla

Sčmno                          Same as rupuně rovlě, q.v., lit. Symbol, sign.  Vlax Romani.

Sěnto                            member of a division of the Romani migration which moved into             northern Europe, pl. Sěnti.  Today, Sěnti are found from France to Russia, and as far south as Austria and northern Italy.  They are particularly associated with Germany, and suffered the greatest losses there in the Holocaust.  Also Cěnto.


Slŕva                            amongst Vlax Rroma, a saint’s day feast, such as St. George, St. Anne, etc.

Solŕx                            “an oath.”  Vov del solŕx “he takes an oath.”

Stŕgo                           “wedding staff.”

Stŕriben                        “jail,” Angloromani dialect.  Also Stěrapen.

Surruimňs                   “intent.”

Surruěv                        “I intend (to do something).”

Svatŕš                          “spokesman, speaker”

Svŕto                           “word.”

Svedňko                      “a witness,” Mavŕno Vlax dialect.  also svidčtelo

Svidetěv                        “I bear witness” at a kris.

Šŕto                             in American Vlax, a local leader or representative.  From E. “(big)shot.”

the wife of such an individual is a šatŕjka.

Šŕtra                            “clan, vica,” term used among Polish and Russian Vlax speakers; lit. “awning, tent, canopy,”  the meaning it retains in Kalderash; Cf. cčrxa.

Šerčngro                      “head man, leader,” in Northern Romani dialects.

Šerčskro                      “head man, leader,” in Norhtern Romani dialects.

Šerň Rrom                   “head man, leader.”  Common term in European Romani; usu. šato                                                        In North America.  Also šorň Rrom.

Strŕńa                          Banishment. Vlax dialect.

Strańimč                       Banished from the community; Vlax dialect.

Šůniben                        “a hearing.”  Northern dialects.

Tčkteri                         “detective.”  American Vlax word.

Tekterěca                      “female detective.” American Vlax word.

Teljŕri                           “dollar.  Glŕbi, dŕrrurja, q.v. etc., are paid in dollars counted in lěri (see lěra).

Teluně rrňtja                  “slip, petticoat.”  This garment is “unclean” and can be used to disgrace and defile a man if it is brought into contact with his head.  Also teluvě rrňtja, telalujě rrňtja.  Cf. pňdja.

Than                             Euphemism for “bed.”  Lit. “place” (though possibly from a separate Indic root).

Tharajimňs                   “deception.”

Tharŕv                          “I mislead.”

Úigan                            Romanian word for Rrom, considered extremely derogatory. 

Pl. Űigani.

Tomůja                       “incense (frankincense), used for purifying premises.”

Traš’d                          “afraid,” in Angloromani (Common Romani trašanň).

Trušůl                           “cross.”

Turvinipč                      “advice,” also sovčto, divinimňs

Uštavipč                       A word for the Holocaust , lit. upheaval.

Vŕla                             “bridal veil,” also selěja.

era                         “eve before a slŕva,” Mavano Vlax dialect.  See inasŕra, đjno.

Velinimňs                     “slander.”

Veliněv                          “I slander.”


Věca                             clan,” among some Vlax-speaking groups.  A věca may descend from a common ancestor, or from a common occupational group during slavery, or it may have separated from another věca which had grown too big.  From a Slavic word meaning “vine” or “offshoot.”  Pl. věci.  See also cčxra.

Vlax                             Designation of a division of the Romani population which traces its ancestry in Europe to the former slaveholding principalities of Wallachia (hence Vlax) and Moldavia, now Romania.  Also written Vlach, though this spelling can also refer to a separate and unrelated population of indigenous Romanian origin.  See Rrom.

Vňrta Rromaně fňrma   The correct observance of Romani behavior and ritual necessary                                       to maintain spiritual cleanliness and balance, and to avoid marimos.                                  lit. “right Romani way.”

Vortŕko                       “male partner; work partner,” pl. vortŕa

Vozdčla                        “trust.”

Vudńilč             “being in debt.”  Me dav lčske vudńilč “I make him a loan,” me lem vudńilč “I borrowed.”  Also udńilč.

Vudńilimňs                   “a loan; a debt.”

Vuńjardň                      “(declared) clean,” at a kris, after earlier having being declared                                                               marimč. 

Vuńň                            “clean,” both physically and/or spiritually.

Xalň                             A non-Romani person, in Sinti and other Northern European dialects of Romani.

Xanaměk                       what each spouse’s father is to the other: in some dialects, brother or sister in law.  Pl. xanamikŕ.

Xoxajimňs                    “a lie.”

Xoxamně solŕx              “a false oath.”

Xoxamnň                     “a liar.”

Xoraxanň                     “Muslim (especially a Balkan Turk); member of an Islamic Romani population.”  Pl. xoraxanč.

Xoxajipč                      “a lie; deceit.”  Also xoxajimňs.

Yéniche                        The French spelling of Jenisch, q.v.

Zakňno                        “law,” sometimes non-Romani law in particular, as opposed to                                                    kris.  Pl. zakňja or zakňnurja.

đandŕri                        “policeman.”  Vlax Romani.  Pl. đandŕrja.

Žůno                            “evening before a holiday;” Žůno Kričunňsko, “Christmas Eve.”