A Pocket Guide for Amharic Phrases
Amharic for Travelers – Essential Phrases for Your Ethiopian Adventure
Unlock Ethiopia:
Learn Basic Amharic Phrases
Amharic, Ethiopia’s official language, is a Semitic language with a unique script. While English is widely spoken in tourist areas, learning a few basic Amharic phrases can enhance your travel experience. Our friendly and knowledgeable guides are happy to teach you some more Amharic phrases to help you connect with the locals.
Greetings and Meeting People
- Hello: Selam
- Yes: Awo
- No: Aydelem /āyi
- Thank you: Ameseginalew
- Sorry: Aznalehu
- I don’t understand: Alegebagnim
- You’re welcome: Minim Aydel
- How are you? (formal): Dehina not;
(informal, male): dehna neh;
(informal, female): dehna nesh - I’m fine: Dehina Negni
- I’m not well: Dehina Aydelehum
- Good morning: Dehina Aderu (formal), Endemin Aderk (male), Endemin Adersh (female)
- Good afternoon: Dehina Walu (formal), Dehina WalK (male), Dehina Walsh (female)
- Good evening: Dehina Ameshu (formal), Dehina Amshe (male), Dehina Ameshesh (female)
- Good bye: Dehina Hunu (formal), Dehina Hun (male), Dehina Higni (female)
- What country are you from? Yet Hager Neh?
- I come from (Mexico): Ke (Mexico) New Yemetahut
- Excuse me: Yikirta
- Please: Ebakih (male), Ebakish (female)
- Goodnight: Dehina Eder (male), Dehina Ederi (female)
- No problem: Chigr Yelem
- Do you speak English? Englizegna Tichilaleh (male), Englizegna Tichiyalesh (female)
- I don’t speak Amharic: Amharigna Menager Alichilm
- What is your name? Simih Manew? (male), Simish Manew (female)
- My name is __: Sime __ New
Basic Amharic Words for Questions
- Where? Yet?
- What? Mini?
- When? Meche?
- How? Endet?
- Why? Lemin?
Traveling Words and Phrases
- Where is ____? ____ Yet New
- Hotel: Hotel
- Airport: Awroplan marefiya
- Market: Gebeya
- Church: Bete Kirstian
- Museum: Musiume
- Police station: Police Tabiya
- Bus station: Awtobus Tera
- Bathroom: Mestedaja / Metatebiya
- Restaurant: Migb Bet
- Post office: Posta Bet
- Immigration: Immigration
Animals
- Dog: Wusha
- Cat: Dimet
- Chicken: Doro
- Bird: Wef
- Lion: Anbesa
- Zebra: Yemda Ahya
- Hyena: Jib
- Monkey: Zinjero
- Elephant: Zihon
- Giraffe: Kechine
- Horse: Feres
- Mule: Beqlo
- Camel: Gmel
- Crocodile: Azo
- Donkey: Ahya
- Cow: Lam
- Ox: Berae
- Sheep: Beg
- Goat: Feyel
- Pig: Asama
- Snake: Ebab
- Fish: Asat
- Beer: Dib
- Eagel: Nisr
- Duck: Dakyae
- Deer: Meedaqo
- Fox: Qebero
- Falcon: Chilfit
- Hippopotamus: Gumarae
- Tiger: Nber
- Mouse: Ayt
Time Words
- Now: Ahun
- Today: Zare
- Tomorrow: Nege
- Morning: Tewat
- Afternoon: Ke seat
- Night: Mata
- Rain: Zinab
- Sun: Stehay
- Rainy season: Kiremt
- Dry season: Bega
learn and speak Amharic on these tours
These tours offer unique opportunities to learn Amharic language.
Experience the magic of Bahir Dar, beauty of the Simien Mountains, rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, and the historic city of Gondar.
6 Days
Bahir Dar is serene by Lake Tana, while Gondar showcases Ethiopia's imperial past with its royal enclosures and churches.
2 Days
Discover the Beauty of Lake Tana, Witness the Majestic Blue Nile Falls, and Explore Ancient Monasteries.
Day Tour
Occupations
- Tour Guide: Asgongn
- Doctor: Hakim
- Teacher: Meher
- Prist: kes
- Engineer: Mehandis
- Lawyer: Tebeka
- Accountant: Hisab Balemeya
- Nurse: Ners
- Police Officer: Polis
- Farmer: Geberie
- Driver: Shufer
- Chef: Shef
- Designer: Dizayner
- Writer: Tsehafi
- Artist: Artist
- Musician: Muziqengna
- Actor/Actress: Tewanay
- Journalist: Gazetegna
- Business person: Negadie
- Student: Temari
Basic Amharic Phrases for Addressing People
- I: Ene
- You: Ante
- He: Esu
- She: Esua
- Senior: Esachew
- They: Enesu
- Female: Set
- Male: Wend
- Baby: Lij
- Father: Abat
- Mother: Enat
- Person: Sew
- King: Nigus
- Boyfriend: Ye wend Guadegna
- Girlfriend: Ye Set Guadegna
- Lover: Fikregna
- Wife: Mist
- Husband: Bal
Basic Amharic Phrases for Directions (Taxis, Buses, Airport, etc.)
- Speak slowly: Kes Bileh Tenager
- Nearby: Kirb
- Go straight: Ketita Hid
- Go left: Wede Gira Hid
- Go right: Wede Kegni Hid
- Stop: Kum
- Go to the airport: Wede Airport Hid
- Station: Tabiya
- Bus stop: Autobis Makomia
- Bus: Autobis/Bus
- Metro Train: Babur
- Airplane: Auroplan (Plane)
- Minibus: Minibus
- Car: Mekian
- Bicycle: Bisklet/ Cycle
- Motorcycle: Motorcycle
- Boat: Jelba
- Soap: Samuna
- Spoon: Mankia
- Towel: Fota
- Cold: Kezkaza
- Hot: Muk
Basic Amharic Phrases for Shopping
- How much is this? Sint New
- Very expensive: Wid New
- Can you reduce the price? Kenis
- I want this one: Yihen Efeligalehu
- Change (money): Melis
- It’s too small: Tinish new
- It’s too big: Tilk New
- That’s cheap: Erikash New
- I like it: Weedjewalehu
- I don’t like it: Alwededkutim
- I don’t want a plastic bag: Festal Alfeligim
- Just a moment, please: Yikrta, and Gize
Basic Amharic Numbers
- 1: And
- 2: Hulet
- 3: Sost
- 4: Arat
- 5: Amist
- 6: Sidist
- 7: Sebat
- 8: Simint
- 9: Zetegni
- 10: Asir
- 11: Asra And
- 12: Asra Hulet
- 20: Haya
- 21: Haya And
- 22: Haya Hulet
- 30: Selasa
- 40: Arba
- 50: Hamsa
- 60: Silsa
- 70: Seba
- 80: Seania
- 90: Zetena
- 100: Meto
- 500: Amist Meto
- 1,000: And Shi
Discover Ethiopia's Languages
This language immersion tours, offer unique opportunities to learn Amharic and other Ethiopian languages.
Ethiopia’s 16-day immersive journey through Ethiopia offers a captivating blend of ancient history, diverse cultures, stunning landscapes, and unique wildlife encounters.
16 Days
Experience the magic of Bahir Dar, beauty of the Simien Mountains, rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, and the historic city of Gondar.
6 Days
This 7-day tour offers a captivating exploration of Ethiopia', From the ancient city of Gondar to the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela and the vibrant city of Harar.
7 Days
This 15-day tour offers a comprehensive exploration of Ethiopia's diverse landscapes, rich history, and vibrant cultures. From the bustling city of Addis Ababa to the remote Omo Valley.
15 Days
Explore remote villages, engage with fascinating tribes, and experience captivating rituals that offer a glimpse into an extraordinary way of life.
5 Days
Explore two of Ethiopia's most extraordinary destinations: the otherworldly Danakil Depression and the ancient Tigray region.
7 Days
Basic Amharic Phrases for Restaurants or Cafes
- Restaurant: Mig Bet/ Restaurant
- Café: Cafe
- Excuse me: Yikirta
- Bathroom: Shint Bet/ Mestedaja Bet
- What is this? Yihe Mindnew
- Hungry: Erabegni
- May I have the menu? Menu Mayet Efelgalehu
- Would you like a drink? Metetat Tiflgaleh
- I’m drunk: Sekrealhu
- Cheers: LeTenachin
- Drink: Metet
- Vegetarian: Atkilt Bicha Temegabi
- Water: Wiha
- Beer: Birra
- Egg: Enkulal
- Chicken: Doro
- Meat: Siga
- Rice: Ruz
- Cold: Kezkaza
- Hot: Muk
- No ice: Bered yelelew
- No sugar: Sikuar Yelelew / Bado
- 1 more please: Andi Techemari
- I like spicy: Kimem yalew Ewedalehu/ emiyakatil migb ewedalehu
- Not spicy: Alicha
- No ——- , please. ——- Yelelew , Ebakih
- Salt: Chew
- Oil: Zeit
- Sugar: Sikuar
- Fish sauce: Asa sos
- Tomato: Timatim
- Immigration: Immigration
- I’m allergic to _____[food]. ______ Yamegnal
- Peanuts: Lewiz
- Gluten: Gluteen
- Milk: Wetet
Basic Amharic Phrases for an Emergency
- Hurts: Gudat
- Where is the police station? Police Tabiya yet new?
- Where is the hospital? Hospitalu Yet new?
- Call an ambulance: Ampulance Dewil
- I’m lost: Tefabigni / Tefahu
- Can you help? Erdata Efelgalhu?
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