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Glossary

Communicating

There is no space here for a definitive glossary - Ethiopia has 83 languages and more than 200 dialects! Fortunately, Amharic or Amarigna is widely spoken through the country.

Tenastilign - Hello/how are you?

Ciao! - Good bye

Sintino? - How much is it?

Widdino - It’s expensive

Efellegalow - I want

Alfellegum - I don’t want

Tiru no - It’s good

Tiru aydellem - It’s not good

Simeh man no? - (Masc) What’s your name?

Simesh man no? - (Fem) What’s your name?

Leselassa - Soft drink

Amboha - Mineral water

Birra - Beer

Wuha - Water

Ow (as in how) - Yes

Ishi - OK

Aydellem - No

Shintibait - Toilet

Buna - Coffee

Shai - Tea

Injera - Sour dough pancake

Wot - Sauce or stew

Tela - Local beer

Tej - Honey wine

Yekirta - Excuse me

Amesegenalo - Thank you

Na! - Come!

Hid! - Go!

Chiger yellem - No problem

Beka - Enough

Bewhala - Afterwards/later

Qonjo - Beautiful