So you are travelling to Ethiopia right? Ethiopia is an amazing country with rich history and friendly people. If you are one of those who enjoy socialising with locals, you will like it here! oh ya I promise. But you need to promise me you will learn some amharic too:).  English is widely spoken in Ethiopia but to be able to speak some amharic is very useful in locals shops, when ordering coffee, hiring a taxi or well you get the picture! And Ethiopian people will love you for that. I hope my guide is gonna be useful in your new adventure!

Simple pronunciation guide:

a as the a in father
e as the e in set
i as the i in ship
o as the o in go
u as the oo in boot
gn as the gn in compagne (French)

Amharic spellings that follow are phonetical as per the above guide to aid in pronunciation.

 Meeting and Greetings

Hello
Good morning
Good afternoon
Good evening
Good-bye
How are you?
I am well
Thank you (very much)

You're welcome(don't mention it)

Please come in
Please sit down
What is your name?
My name is...
Where do you come from?
I come from...
My country is...
Can you speak Amharic?
Only a little
I want to learn more

How do you find Ethiopia?
I like it here

Useful words
Today
Tomorrow
Yesterday
Now
Quickly
Slowly
Mr.
Mrs.
Miss
I
You
He, She
We
They
What?
Who?

Halo
Endemn adderu
Endemin walu
Endemin ameshu
Dehna hunu
Tenayistillign
Dehna negn
(Betam) ameseghinallehu

Minim aydel

Yigbu
Yikemetu
Simo man no?
Sime...no
Hagerish yet no?
Ke... metahu
Hagere...no
Amaregna yechelalu?
Tinish
Yebeletememar ifeligalehu

Itiyopiya endet agegnuat?
Itiyopiya yisimamagnal

Zare
Nege
Tilant
Ahun
Tolo
Kes
Ato
Weyzero
Weyzerit
Ene
Ersewo
Essu, Essoa
Egna
Ennessu
Min?
Man?

When?
How ?
Why?
Which?
Yes (all right)
No
Excuse me
I am sorry
Good
Bad

Directions/Emergencies

Where? (Place)
Where is it?
Where? (Direction)
Street/road
Airport
Where is the hotel?
Where are you going?
I am going to...
Turn right
Turn left
Go straight
Please stop here
Come
Go
Stop
Help
Hospital
Police

Metche?
Endet?
Lemin?
Yetignaw?
Eshi
Aydelem
Yikirta
Aznallehu
Tiru
Metfo

Yet?
Yet no?
Wodet?
Menged?
Awiroplan marefeya
Hotelu yet no?
Yet iyehedk no?
Wede... iyehedku no
Wede kegn yitatefu
Wede gra yitatefu
Ketita yihidu
Ezih yikumu
Na
Hid
Kum
Irdugn
Hospital/Hakem bet
Polis

Restaurants/Shops/Hotels
Hotel
Room
Bed
To sleep
To bathe
Where is the toilet?
Where may I get something to drink?
Coffee
One (cup of) coffee
Beer
Cold
Hot
Tea
Food
Meat
Fish
Bread
Butter
Sugar
Salt
Pepper
Shop
To buy
To sell
Money
Cent
How much does this cost?
That is quite expensive

Hotel
Kifil
Alga
Metegnat
Galan metateb
Shint betu yet no?
Yemiteta neger yet agengalehu?
Buna
And (sini) buna
Birra
Kezkaza
Muk
Shay
Migib
Siga
Assa
Dabo
Kebe
Sikuar
Chaw
Berbere
Suk
Megzat
Meshet
Genzeb
Cantim
Wagaw sint no?
Betam wood no