Useful Words and Phrases

Ethiopia has been called a rich cultural mosaic due to its eighty different languages and dialects and as many, if not more, cultural variations.

In the north and centre of the country different semitic langugages, namely Tigre, Tiginrya, Guraginya and the official language national language, Amharic, are spoken. The ancient forebear of these languages, Ge'ez, today only really survives in church liturgy and literature.

To the east and other parts of the south are the Oromos, the Afars and the Somalis, who are Cushitic-speaking peoples, while the associated Sidama languages are spoken to the south-east.

To the west and south-west are the Nilotic peoples, each with its own distinctive language and culture.

Elsewhere around the country there are a number of smaller communities who cultures, languages and traditions are related to different facets of Ethiopia's long history.

Here you will find some phrases and terms you might find useful while travelling around Ethiopia.

Amharic

"Amharigna" - the official national language of Ethiopia

Amharic	English
Temastlign	How are you?
Dehna deru	Good night
Sintnew	How much is it ?
Alfeligim	I don't want
Yikirta	excuse
Ameseginalehu	Thank you
Hid	Go
Na	Come
Leslasa	Soft drink
Misa	Lounch
Rat	Dinner
Kurse	Breakfast
Wiha	Mineral water
Gas Wiha	Gas Water
Eshi	ok
Aydelem	No
sigara	cigarette
Buna	Coffee
Shai	Tea
Enjera	Sour dough pancake
Wet	Souce or stew
Tela	Local Beer
Tej	Local Honey Wine
Chigir Yelem	No Problem

Oromifaa

"Oromifaa" - the language of the Oromo, who live in central and southern Ethiopia and form the largest ethnic group in the country

Oromiffa	English
Akkam Jirtuu	How are you?
Negaa-ti	Good bye
Nagaan-bulii	Good night
Meeqa	How much is it?
Dhiifama	Excuse me
Galatoomi	Thank you
Hin barbaadu	I don’t want it
Lalaffaa	Soft Drink
Bishaan Ambo	Gas (Ambo) water
Biraa	Beer
Bishaan	water
Heye	yes
Tole	Ok
Miti	No
Sijaraa	Cigarette
Mana Fincaani	Toilet
Buna	coffee
Aydelem	No
sigara	cigarette
Buna	Coffee
Shaayi	Tea
Biddeena	Sour dough pancake
Ittoo	Souce or stew
Farsoo	Local Beer
Daadhi	Local Honey Wine
Kootu	Come
Deemi	Go
Rakoon Ingiruu	No Problem

Tigrigna

"Tigrigna" - the language of Tigray and Eritrea, and is related to Amharigna

Tigrigna	English
Dehankunu?	How are you?
Dehankunu	Good bye
Dehan hider	Good night
Kindey?	How much is it?
Yekireta	Excuse me
Galatoomi	Thank you
Aydelin	I don’t want it
Leslassa	Soft Drink
Mai gaz	Gas (Ambo) water
Birra	Beer
Bishaan	water
Oowe	yes
Harrai	Ok
Aykonnen	No
Shigarra	Cigarette
Shintibait	Toilet
Buna	coffee
Aydelem	No
sigara	cigarette
Bun	Coffee
Shahi	Tea
Injera	Sour dough pancake
Tsebhi	Souce or stew
Suwa	Local Beer
Mes	Local Honey Wine
Na’a	Come
Kid	Go
Tsegem yellen	No Problem