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‘To understand Amharic is to understand Ethiopia,’ a whispering man once said before evaporating into the ether. Sadly, such musings were all we heard from this figure; any more meditations – or even indications that the apparition existed in the first place – have long been lost to the ages. 

Still, ostentatious exits aside, the statement bears a kernel of truth. As the second most widely spoken Semitic language in the world after Arabic, Amharic a prominent vernacular; as Ethiopia’s primary lingua franca, it represents the main means of communication for many in the Horn of Africa.

Both Amharic and Arabic have their similarities, for sure, but at some point, Amharic went off on its trajectory and never came back. If you want to have even the vaguest idea of what’s going on in Ethiopia, knowing some Amharic is, officially, A Very Good Idea.

Amharic suits its mother country. A tongue-twister in design and practice, the language proves hard to grasp and laborious to master. When you consider Ethiopia is the only African nation never to be fully colonised – save for a brief Italian incursion – the link between independence, pride and language becomes clear. 

Still, instead of being overwhelmed, see how far speaking a bit of Amharic will get you Whether you can speak it or not is academic. The guy at Lalibela will still yell at you, the kids will still throw stones at you in Harar, touts will still swamp you at Bahir Dar bus station.

Skill with languages does not automatically translate to ease of travel. Nowhere is that more perfectly shown than in Ethiopia. Any country with a six-syllable word for ‘thank you’ is clearly not the simplest place to navigate. Travel here can cause stress, and foreigners receive few concessions. 

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Read More: Desperation grows as erosion plunges Malawian village into crisis.

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Ethiopia is a magnificent country with stunning scenery, aeons of mysterious history, great music, and delicious food. Stay prepared, have your wits about you, stand your ground and always carry a towel.

English Amharic

Hello Salam / Salamnachu / Salam’she

Goodbye Denha hun

Goodnight Dehan ader

Good morning Indemin aderk

Good afternoon Idemin waik 

Good evening Indemin amesheh

How are you? Danana / Danan’she?

I’m fine Dehna

Thank you Abasaganala

Please Ibakeh

Yes Awe

No Ay

What’s your name? Semehana newoo / Sirmirh manno?

My name is… Yenyay sirm…

Where do you come from? Keyet new yemetyahu?

I come from (England) (Kengliz) new yemetyahu

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I Ene

You Anta / Anci

You (pl.) Annaitu

He / She Essu / Esswa

We Enna

They Annasu

I am Enay

You are Anter (m) / Anchie (f)

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I like your nose Afencha (‘she) yamra

Nose Afencha / Afencha ‘she

Bald Eras / Girtaba

Man Gudunt

Woman / Girl Sēti

Boy Wenidi

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I am a bald man Enay girtaba sow nernyh

Beautiful Konjo

This is beautiful Yeeher konjo boatnew

Teacher Mermhul

Student Tamari

Swim Mwanyet

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Where is…? …yet new?

Boat Jerlba

Shop Meshegya

Water Wooha

Restaurant Migibi bēti

Hotel Hotēli

Bar Bunabiet

Bank Bank

Airport Ayeri marefiya

Train station Babur tyabiew

Bus stop Yawtobus magonoiniyaw

Ticket office Ticket yemigoreetyew

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How much is…? Min yahil…? / Wayaw sint new?

Cheap Rikash

Expensive Wid

Do you have…? Alehi weyi…?

Do you have…? …aleh?

I would like…  Ifellgalehu…

Cigarettes Cigara

Lighter / Matches Melakosha (kibirt)

Food Migilo

Milk Wetet

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Today Zarie

Tomorrow Nege

Day after tomorrow Kenege wediya

Yesterday Tinatina

Now Ahun

Later Behuwala