Basic Verbs

1. መሄድ

   mehed

   To go

   Usage

   The base verb of movement — combine it with a destination

   Grammar Note

   Infinitives begin with መ- (me-). መሄድ (to go) becomes እሄዳለሁ ("I go").

2. መምጣት

   memtat

   To come

   Usage

   For someone or something arriving where you are

3. መብላት

   meblat

   To eat

   Usage

   The base verb for anything about meals

4. መጠጣት

   metetat

   To drink

   Usage

   Used for drinks and for taking medicine

5. መግዛት

   megzat

   To buy

   Usage

   The base verb for stating you want to purchase something

6. ማየት

   mayet

   To see

   Usage

   Covers both sightseeing and checking something

7. መጠበቅ

   metebeq

   To wait

   Usage

   For queues and for arranging to meet

8. መሄድ እፈልጋለሁ

   mehed efeligalehu

   I want to go

   Usage

   The pattern for naming a destination in a taxi or at a counter

9. መብላት እፈልጋለሁ

   meblat efeligalehu

   I want to eat

   Usage

   The pattern for naming a dish you want

10. ይህን እፈልጋለሁ

    yihin efeligalehu

    I want it

    Usage

    Point at something and say it — works as an order on its own

11. አልፈልግም

    alfeligim

    I don't need it

    Usage

    To decline a bag, a receipt or a tout

12. እየፈለግኩ ነው

    eyefelegku new

    I'm looking for it

    Usage

    For naming what you are looking for — showing a photo speeds it up

13. አለኝ

    alegn

    I have it

    Usage

    To state you have something — tickets or documents, typically

14. የለኝም

    yelegnim

    I don't have it

    Usage

    To state you do not have something — small change or a card, say

15. ገንዘብ ማውጣት እፈልጋለሁ

    genzeb mawtat efeligalehu

    I'll withdraw money

    Usage

    When looking for an ATM or explaining you need cash first

16. ቦታ ማስያዝ እፈልጋለሁ

    bota masiyaz efeligalehu

    I'll make a reservation

    Usage

    To offer to book a room, a table or a tour

17. እባክዎ በዚህ ይርዱኝ

    ebakwo bezih yirdugn

    Please help me with it

    Usage

    For concrete assistance — lifting a bag, working a machine

18. እባክዎ ንገሩኝ

    ebakwo negerugn

    Please tell me

    Usage

    When you want information — directions or times, for instance

Browse all TravelPhrases languages