Basic Words

1. አዎ

   awo

   Yes

   Usage

   The basic yes. Often enough on its own to keep a transaction moving

2. አይደለም

   aydelem

   No

   Usage

   The basic no. Pair it with a head shake to make refusal unmistakable

3. እባክዎ

   ebakwo

   Please

   Usage

   Add it to any request, including when you order by pointing at something

   Grammar Note

   Use the honorific እባክዎ (ebakwo) with strangers; እባክህ for a familiar man and እባክሽ for a familiar woman.

4. አመሰግናለሁ

   ameseginalehu

   Thank you

   Usage

   For anything you receive or any help you get. The single most-used word of a trip

5. ይቅርታ

   yiqirta

   Excuse me

   Usage

   To get a stranger's or staff member's attention, or to squeeze past someone

6. አዝናለሁ

   aznalehu

   Sorry

   Usage

   An actual apology after bumping into someone or making a mistake, not for getting attention

7. ችግር የለም

   chigir yelem

   It's OK / I'm fine

   Usage

   Both "no harm done" when someone apologises and a soft "no thanks" to an offer

8. አልገባኝም

   algebagnim

   I don't understand

   Usage

   When you did not follow what was said. It usually prompts the other person to rephrase

9. ገባኝ

   gebagn

   I understand

   Usage

   Confirms the explanation landed. Clearer than just nodding

10. ጨርሻለሁ

    chershalehu

    I'm finished / Done

    Usage

    Signals a meal, payment or procedure is complete — also used to have plates cleared

11. እባክዎ ይጠብቁ

    ebakwo yitebqu

    Please wait

    Usage

    To ask someone to hold on while you dig out luggage or paperwork

12. አንድ ደቂቃ

    and deqiqa

    Just a moment

    Usage

    A lighter, shorter hold-on for a brief pause at a till or before a photo

13. አንድ አዋቂ

    and awaqi

    One adult, please

    Usage

    For ticket desks and entrances where adult and child prices differ

14. ቦታ አላስያዝኩም

    bota alasiyazkum

    I don't have a reservation

    Usage

    The first thing to say when walking into a restaurant or hotel without booking

15. ቦታ አስይዣለሁ

    bota asiyzhalehu

    I have a reservation

    Usage

    Say it on arrival, then give your name to speed things up

16. እባክዎ ይርዱኝ

    ebakwo yirdugn

    Please help me

    Usage

    For trouble or an emergency. It is fine to say this loudly

17. እባክዎ እንደገና ይድገሙት

    ebakwo endegena yidgemut

    Once more, please

    Usage

    When you missed what was said — handy for prices and room numbers

18. እባክዎ ቀስ ብለው ይናገሩ

    ebakwo qes blew yinageru

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    When the speed is the problem. Works well combined with "once more"

19. ትንሽ እናገራለሁ

    tinish enageralehu

    I speak a little

    Usage

    Sets expectations early so the other person switches to simpler wording

20. እንግሊዝኛ ይችላሉ?

    englizigna yichilalu?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Your fallback when communication stalls. Usually works at hotels and airports

    Grammar Note

    Amharic politeness borrows the third-person plural forms; always use them with strangers.

21. ይህ

    yih

    This

    Usage

    For something within reach

22. ያ

    ya

    That

    Usage

    Amharic has only near and far demonstratives, with no middle term

23. እዚህ

    izih

    Here

    Usage

    For where to stop or where to put something

24. እዚያ

    iziya

    There

    Usage

    For a place farther away

25. እኔ

    ine

    I / me

    Usage

    For making clear who you mean

26. እርስዎ

    irswo

    You (polite)

    Usage

    The polite you; ante (m) / anchi (f) for people you know well

27. አብረን

    abren

    Together

    Usage

    For offering to go or sit together

28. አሁኑኑ

    ahununu

    Right now

    Usage

    For making clear it is urgent

29. አንድ ሰው

    and sew

    One person

    Usage

    For stating how many for a table or room

30. ሁለት ሰው

    hulet sew

    Two people

    Usage

    For stating how many for a table or room

31. ሦስት ሰው

    sost sew

    Three people

    Usage

    For stating how many for a table or room

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