Basics in Amharic phrasebook
Some phrases in this phrasebook still need to be translated. If you know anything about this language, you can help by plunging forward and translating a phrase.
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It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice
Just for the sake of being "friendly," please do not use the informal greetings with the elderly, dignitaries or generally with people who are not your friends. Respect for elderly and people with authority is paramount in Ethiopia. Therefore, in order not to give your acquaintance a wrong impression of yourself, make sure you adjust your behaviour according to the circumstances.
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Hello. (formal)�
Tena yistilign. (ጤና ይስጥልኝ )
Hello. (informal)�
Selam. (ሰላም )
Hello. (informal between friends)�
Halo. ( )
How are you? (respectful to elder)�
Dehina newot? ( ደህና ነዎት?)
How are you (informal, to a man)�
Endemin-neh? ( )
How are you (informal, to a woman)�
Endemin-nesh? ( )
Fine, thank you.�
Dunna ñuey. ( )
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 bilognal . (ስለተዋወቅን ደስ ብሎኛል)
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. ( )
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].�
[ ]. ( [ ])
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? (�?)
Help!�
�! (�!)
Look out!�
�! (�!)
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.�
. ( )
Good night.�
Dehna eder. (pronounced Denadur)(to a man)
Good night.�
Dehna ederee. (pronounced Denaduree)(to a woman)
Good night (to sleep)�
. ( )
I don't understand.�
Algebagnem. ( )
Where is the toilet?�
Metatebiya bet yet new? (�?)
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Amharic phrasebook
