Ethiopia is home to more than 80 nations, nationalities and peoples. Each nationality has its own unique, culture and language. A few of the dominant languages include Amharic, Afan Oromo, Tigrigna, Afaregna, Somaligna. Amharic is the national language. Except few language programs, all of the courses are English taught programs in all higher learning institutions in Ethiopia.
Useful Amharic phrases-
- Yes- Awo/አዎ/
- No-Ay/አይ/
- Hello-Selam new/ስላም ነው/
- Bye- Chaw/ቻዎ/
- Excuse me/sorry- Yikirta/ይቅርታ/
- Thank you- Amesegenalu/አመሰግናለሁ/
- How much? – Sint new?/ስንት ነው;/
- Bill- Hisab/ሂሳብ/
- Please- Ebakih/እባክህ/ (to a man) /Ebakish/እባክሽ/(to a woman)
- What is your name? – Simih man new?/ስምህ ማን ነው?/(to a man)/Simish man new?/ስምሽ ማን ነው?/(to a woman)
- My name is- Yenesim
- Do you speak English? Englizegnatichilaleh (to a man)? / እንግሊዘኛ ትቺላለህ?/ Englizegnatichyallesh / እንግሊዘኛ ትቺያለሽ?/ (to a woman)?
- Let us go-enehid/እንሂድ/
- Come- na/ና/ (for man) neye /ነይ/(for woman)
Language schools/tutors for Amharic- Learning a bit of Amharic will make a big difference when traveling around the city and countryside. Consider finding an Amharic tutor to work on learning the basics to help you communicate in day to day situations.