Ethiopian Languages - Amharic
The best method to learn Amharic FAST
Pronunciation
e': as in the 'a' in halo
ai: like gait
ie: like lie
o': in between the 'oa' in boat and 'au' in haul.
g: like the 'g' in gail
kw: like 'q' in quick
ny: like the 'ni' in onion
Ethiopian Amharic Alphabets
Hello. (formal)
Tena yistilign.
Hello. (informal)
Selam.
Hello. (informal between friends)
Halo.
How are you? (respectful to elder)
Dehina newot?
How are you (informal, to a man)
Endemin-neh?
How are you (informal, to a woman)
Endemin-nesh?
Fine, thank you.
Dehna negn.
What is your name? (to a man)
Simeh man naw?
What is your name? (to a woman)
Simish man naw?
My name is ______ .
Sime ______ yibalal.
Pleased to meet you.
siletewaweqin dess belognal.
Please.
Ebakih. (to a man)
Please.
Ebakish. (to a woman)
Thank you (very much).
(Betam) ahmesugenalew.
You're welcome.
Minem Aydelem. (meaning 'no problem' )
Yes.
awo.
No.
aye; aydelem.
OK.
ishi
Excuse me. (getting attention)
Yiqirta.
Excuse me. Do you have a minute
Yiqirta, anda gazay
Excuse me. (begging pardon)
Yiqirta.
I'm sorry.
Yiqirta.
I don't understand.
Algebinem.
Goodbye
Dehna hun. (to a man)
Goodbye
Dehna hugni. (to a woman)
Goodbye (informal)
Ciao. (Taken from Italian)
I can't speak name of language [well].
Amarinya alchillim.
Do you speak English?
Englizegna tichilaleh? (to a man)
Do you speak English?
Englizegna tichiyalesh? (to a woman)
Is there someone here who speaks English?
Englizegna michel sew aleh/alew?
Help!
'erdata! ( erdu'y )
I'm sick.
AhMOINyal. tam'malhu
Good morning.
Dehna aderk (to a young man): Dehna aderu (Elderly man/ more formal)
Good morning.
Dehna adersh (to a woman): Dehna aderu (Elderly woman/ more formal)
Good morning.
Dehna aderachu ( more than one person)
Good evening.
( melkam meshe't ( for one and more than one persons )
Good night.
Dehna der.(to a man)
Good night.
Dehna deree (to a woman)
I don't understand.
Algebagnem.
Where is the toilet?
Shintabet yet new?
Leave me alone.
tewugn or likekugn
Don't touch me!
atinkagn (M), atinkign (F)
I'll call the police.
police etaralew!
I need your help.
erdagn (M) erjign (F)
Medical emergency
AsCHekuway Hikimina
I'm lost.
tefaw
I lost my bag/suitcase.
sahantaye tefa
I lost my wallet.
borsaye tefa
I'm sick.
amognial
I've been injured.
tegodichalew
I need a doctor.
hakim efelgalew
Can I use your phone?
silkihin ande litekem?(M): silkishin ande litekem?(F)
Where is the.?: ____________yeat.no?
Airport:
awroplan marefiyaw
Bus station:
awtoboos tabiyaw
City centre:
mehal ketemaw
Train station:
babur tabiyaw
Boat:
jelba
Bus:
awtoboos
Car:
mekina
Train:
babur
Where is a/the.?:
____________ yeat no?
How do I get to.?:
wede___________e'ndeat e'headallo'?
Bank:
bank
Hotel:
hotel
Market:
gebya
Post office: posta beat
Ethiopian Amharic Alphabets
Breakfast:
kurs
Lunch:
me'sa
Dinner:
e'rat
Bread:
dabbo
Salad:
selata
Soup:
merek
Water:
wuha
Milk:
wetet
Tea:
shai
Coffee:
buna
Sugar:
se'kuar
1: ande
2: hulett
3: sost
4: arat
5: ame'st
6: se'de'st
7: sebat
8: se'me'nt
9: zetegn
10: asse'r
10 = Aser
11 = Asra-and
12 = Asra-hoolet
20 = Haya
21 = Haya-and
30 = Selasa
40 = Arba
50 = Hamsa
60 = Silsa
70 = Seba
80 = Semanya
90 = ZeTena
100 = Meto
200 = Hoolet-meto
300 = Sost-meto
1000 = Shee
2000 = Hoolet-shee
The easiest way to learn
The day starts at 1 se'at ke tewatu(in the morning) = 7am
2 se'at = 8am
3 se'at = 9am
4 se'at = 10am
5 se'at = 11am
6 se'at = 12pm
7 se'at = 1pm
8 se'at = 2pm
9 se'at = 3pm
10 se'at = 4pm
11 se'at = 5pm
12 se'at = 6pm
1 se'at ke'mishitu (in the evening) = 7pm
2 se'at = 8pm
3 se'at = 9pm
Common Phrases and Useful Words in Amharic
Problems
Transport
What time does the________arrive/leave?: ________mechea yidersal/yinesal?
Around Town
Food
Numbers
Time, Days, Months, Colors in Amharic
Time