Useful Phrases

1. ይህን አፕ እኔ ሠራሁ

   Yihin app ine serahu

   I made this app

   Usage

   Use when introducing the app

   Grammar Note

   Amharic uses SOV word order. Verbs conjugate for person, gender, and number

2. ይህ አፕ ነፃ ነው

   Yih app nesa newu

   This app is free

   Usage

   Explain the app is free of charge

   Grammar Note

   The copula "newu" (is) comes at the end of the sentence. "Nesa" means both "free" and "freedom"

3. ያውርዱት ይሞክሩ

   Yawiridu yimokiru

   Please try downloading it

   Usage

   Encourage someone to download the app

   Grammar Note

   Amharic imperatives are formed by adding affixes to the verb stem. Object pronouns attach to the verb

4. እኔ ጃፓናዊ ነኝ

   Ine Japanawi negn

   I'm Japanese

   Usage

   Introduce your nationality

   Grammar Note

   The Amharic copula changes by person, gender, and number. First person singular is "negn"

5. እኔ ተጓዥ ነኝ

   Ine tegwazh negn

   I'm a traveler

   Usage

   Identify yourself as a traveler

   Grammar Note

   Amharic derives nouns (occupations/states) from verb roots through morphology

6. ብቻዬን እየተጓዝኩ ነው

   Bichayen iyetegwazku new

   I'm traveling alone

   Usage

   Tell others you are traveling solo

   Grammar Note

   The Amharic progressive uses the "iye-" prefix and "new" at the end

7. ለመጀመሪያ ጊዜ መጣሁ

   Lemejemeriya gize metahu

   It's my first time here

   Usage

   Express that this is your first visit

   Grammar Note

   "Le-" is a preposition meaning "for/to". "Lemejemeriya gize" = for the first time

8. ፎቶ ማንሳት ይቻላል?

   Fotto mansat yichalal?

   May I take a photo?

   Usage

   Ask for permission to take a photo

   Grammar Note

   "Yichalal" means "it is possible/allowed". Used as both statement and question

9. አብረን ፎቶ እናንሳ?

   Abren foto inansa?

   Shall we take a photo together?

   Usage

   Suggest taking a photo together

   Grammar Note

   "Abren" means "together". The cohortative (let's) uses first-person plural verb form

10. QR ኮድ ይቃኙ

    QR kod yiqagnu

    Please scan the QR code

    Usage

    Ask someone to scan the QR code

    Grammar Note

    The polite imperative in Amharic uses a third-person verb form to show respect

11. አታታልለኝ / አትዘርፈኝ

    Atatalilegn / Atzirfegn

    Don't cheat me / Stop ripping me off

    Usage

    Strong protest used at markets or tourist spots when being overcharged or deceived

    Grammar Note

    Amharic negative imperative uses the prefix "አት- (at-)." The suffix "-ኝ (-gn)" means "me" (object). The two phrases cover deception and economic exploitation respectively.

12. አታቃልለኝ / አትናቀኝ

    Atakalilegn / Atnakegn

    Don't underestimate me / Don't look down on me

    Usage

    Used to assert your dignity when being disrespected or treated dismissively

    Grammar Note

    "Kalil" means to trivialize; "nake" means to despise. Both use the negative imperative "አት- (at-)" + object suffix "-ኝ (-gn)."

Browse all TravelPhrases languages