Useful

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
	Tenastalign How are you?     Dehnaderu Good night     Sintinew? How much is it?     Ayasfeligegnim I don’t want it     Leslassa Soft drink     Amboha Mineral water     Birra Beer     Wiha Water     Ow (as in ‘how’) Yes     Ishi OK     Aydellem No     Sigarra Cigarette     Shintibait Toilet     Buna Coffee     Shai Tea     Injera Sour dough pancake     Wot Sauce or stew     Tela Local beer     Tej Honey wine     Yekirta Excuse me     Amesegenalehu Thank you     Na Come     Hid Go     Chiger yellem No problem
	Oromo
	"Oromifaa" - the language of the Oromo, who live in central and southern Ethiopia and form the largest ethnic group in the country
	Akkam Jirtuu How are you?     Negaa-ti Good bye     Nagaan-bulii Good night     Meeqa How much is it?     Hin barbaadu I don’t want it     Lalaffaa Soft drink     Bishaan Ambo Mineral water     Biraa Beer     Bishaan Water     Heye Yes     Tole OK     Miti No     Sijaraa Cigarette     Mana Fincaani Toilet     Buna Coffee     Shaayi Tea     Biddeena Sour dough pancake     Ittoo Sauce or stew     Farsoo Local beer     Daadhi Honey wine     Dhiifama Excuse me     Galatoomi Thank you     Kootu Come     Deemi Go     Rakoon Ingiruu No problem
	Tiginrya
	"Tigrigna" - the language of Tigray and Eritrea, and is related to Amharigna
	Kamelekhum? How are you?     Dehankunu Good bye     Dehan hider Good night     Kindey? How much is it?     Aydelin I don’t want it     Leslassa Soft drink     Mai gaz Mineral water     Birra Beer     Mai Water     Oowe Yes     Harrai OK     Aykonnen No     Shigarra Cigarette     Shintibait Toilet     Bun Coffee     Shahi Tea     Injera Sour dough pancake     Tsebhi Sauce or stew     Suwa Local beer     Mes Honey wine     Yekireta Excuse me     Yekin yelley Thank you     Na’a Come     Kid Go     Tsegem yellen No problem