Greetings

1. ሰላም

   Selam

   Hello

   Usage

   The most common greeting — suitable for any situation

   Grammar Note

   From a common Semitic root meaning "peace" (cognate with Arabic salām) — used by both Christians and Muslims in Ethiopia.

2. አሳላሙ ዓለይኩም

   Assalamu alaykum

   Peace be upon you (Islamic greeting)

   Usage

   Used when greeting Muslims — about 35% of Ethiopians are Muslim

   Grammar Note

   The response is "Wa alaykum assalam" — and upon you peace.

3. እንደምን አደርህ?

   Indemin aderh?

   Good morning (how did you sleep?)

   Usage

   Morning greeting to a male — literally "how did you spend the night?" (aderh = masculine form)

4. ደህና ነኝ፣ አመሰግናለሁ

   Dehna negn, ameseginalhu

   I am fine, thank you

   Usage

   The standard response to "how are you"

5. ደህና ሁን

   Dehna hun

   Goodbye (stay well)

   Usage

   A farewell meaning "be well" — used when parting

6. እንደምን ዋልህ?

   Indemin walh?

   Good day (how did you spend the day?)

   Usage

   Daytime greeting — literally "how did you spend (the day)?"

7. እንደምን አመሸህ?

   Indemin amesheh?

   Good evening (how are you this evening?)

   Usage

   Evening greeting — literally "how did you spend the evening?"

8. ስሜ ... ይባላል

   Sime ... yibalal

   My name is ...

   Usage

   Used to introduce yourself

9. ስላገኘሁህ ደስ አለኝ

   Silagegnehuh des alegn

   Nice to meet you

   Usage

   Used when meeting someone for the first time

10. አመሰግናለሁ

    Ameseginalhu

    Thank you

    Usage

    The standard way to say thank you

11. እባክህ

    Ibakeh

    Please

    Usage

    Polite request (masculine form) — female form is "ibakesh"

12. ይቅርታ

    Yiqirta

    Excuse me / I'm sorry

    Usage

    Used both to apologize and to get someone's attention

13. እንደገና እመጣለሁ

    endegena imetalehu

    I'll come again

    Usage

    Said when leaving a shop

14. በጣም ደስ ብሎኛል

    betam des bilognal

    I had a great time

    Usage

    Used when saying goodbye

15. አመሰግናለሁ፣ እንገናኝ!

    amesegnalehu, ingenagn!

    Thanks, see you

    Usage

    A casual way to say goodbye

16. መልካም ሌሊት

    melkam lelit

    Good night

    Usage

    Said before going to bed, e.g. at a guesthouse or homestay

17. እወጣለሁ

    ewetalehu

    I'm heading out

    Usage

    Casual phrase said when leaving the house

18. ተመለስኩ

    temelesku

    I'm back

    Usage

    Said upon returning to the house/guesthouse

19. ይቅርታ፣ መሄድ አለብኝ

    yikirta, mehed alebign

    Excuse me, I need to get going

    Usage

    Polite way to excuse yourself when leaving before others

20. ምንም አይደለም

    minim aydelem

    You're welcome

    Usage

    Response to "amesegnalehu" (thank you); literally "it's nothing"

Browse all TravelPhrases languages