The below was copied from another blog listed below, which is a really informative ET travel blog. I hope if they find it here, they don't mind that I've used it because it is really good. This post is only about learning Amharic...so if you're not interested, just move on to the next post!
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Below is written by another author at...........
http://ethiopianadoptiontravelogue.wordpress.com/
Amharic has different letters. So, the words are written phonetically here. If you see Amharic words written differently with Roman letters, it’s just however the speaker sounds out the words. So, I wrote the word only phonetically. It probably will not match with how you will see it written other places. Example: I wrote “Eh-MY-ay” for mother. However, if you see it written down in other places, it will probably be written emaye.
All R sounds should be rolled. There are also other sounds that are not the same as in English. For instance, tenkahra or terths. The T sound is made by putting your tongue between your top and bottom front teeth and saying “T”. Don’t put the tongue behind your top teeth and say T like we do in English. (And make sure you still roll the R!) The K in Katell or Kai is a very hard K. It starts way back in your throat and sort of sound like you’re trying to get a hairball out. The best thing is to get someone to demonstrate the sound for you.
I tried to write phonetically, but I may have missed a few words. In general,
- AH is pronounced like AH
- A is short a.
- AY is long a.
- EE is long e.
- E (or EH) is short e
- I is long I
- IH is short i.
- O (or OH) is long o.
- OU is like in ouch.
- U (or OO) is ooo.
- G is a hard G.
- EW is eh followed by the consonant W sound (not oo).
- R is rolled R (like in Spanish)
- ñ is the Spanish N or like the French gn sound or ny (consonant Y) in English
- OE is kind of like the U sound in PUT (or the oo sound in HOOF if you pronounce it the Wisconsin way).
- SS just to emphasize the soft S sound. (Just because otherwise I might’ve read it with the hard S sound).
- Y as a vowel by itself will be the long I sound otherwise it is the consonant Y
- If a word ends with EHU (like Ewedehalehu), slur the eh and oo sounds together. They are not distinct syllables.
- There are different words/word endings sometimes depending if you are talking to a male, female, plural or formal (important person).I also found some vocabulary at the AAI website. I didn’t retype those words here.Get ready to Learn Amharic (my ferengi version of Amharic, anyway). If there are other words and/or phrases you’d like to add to my mini Amharic-English Dictionary/Phrase Page, add your request to the comments section. You can be anonymous if you wish.The right-hand column may have M, F or Pl listed. This indicates the version you should use based on who you are speaking to (not yourself).Words in blue were added most recently.Also, if you go to this entry, there is a file of words that are typically used in the photo albums sent to the children (mom, dad, brother, sister, dog, house, etc.). The downloadable/printable file has the words in English and Amharic. The Amharic is written phonetically with Roman letters and with Amharic letters so the non-English speaking staff at your child’s Ethiopian care center/orphanage will be able to talk to your child about the photos).
Pronunciation | Meaning | ||
| THE ESSENTIALS (in my opinion) | |||
| Ah-woh (or OW!) Also, you can do a little intake of breath while you lift your eyebrows to “nod” yes. | Yes | ||
| I-deh-LEHM (starts with long I sound) Also can say Iyyyy. | No | ||
| Shin-TEH-BAYT? | toilet? | ||
| Chigger yeh-LEM | No problem. | ||
| GO behz | Clever (or “Good Job!) Often said to a child who does something to please you or succeeds. | ||
| Seh-LAHM | Hello (Peace) - standard greeting | ||
| chou (like ouch) | Bye (just like in Italian) | ||
| AH-mah-say-guh-NAH-loh | Thank you. | ||
| WOO hah | Water | ||
| GREETINGS/PLEASANTRIES | |||
| Seh-LAHM | Hello (Peace) - standard greeting | ||
| Seh-LAHM neh way? | Are you in peace? (a greeting) | M | |
| Seh-LAHM nesh way? | Are you in peace? (a greeting) | F | |
| in-DEM-min ah-DEHRK? | How did you spend the night? (greeting) | M | |
| in-DEM-min ah-DERSH? | How did you spend the night? (greeting) | F | |
| in-DEM-min walsh? | How was the day? | F | |
| in-DEM-min wahlk? | How was the day? | M | |
| in-DEM-min neh? | How are you? | M | |
| in-DEM-min nehsh? | How are you? | F | |
| in-DEM-min NAH-choo? | How are you? This is used for plural casual OR plural formal. | Pl | |
| in-DEM-min NOHT | How are you? This is formal singular. | ||
| Deh-na-NEHSH? | Are you fine? (greeting) | F | |
| Deh-na-NEH? | Are you fine? (greeting) | M | |
| Deh-na-NAH-choo? | Are you fine? (greeting) | Pl | |
| Deh-na-ñAY | I’m fine. | ||
| DEH-na | Fine | ||
| If someone asks you How are you? (A sentence that starts with in-DEM-min) then answer Dehna. If they ask you Are you fine? (sentence starts with Dehna) then answer Dehna-ñay. | Formal should be used with old people (grandparent age), people in any job that requires a college degree, politicians, priests, ferengi, etc. However, the “formal people” may tell you to go ahead and use casual with them. | ||
| chou (like ouch) | Bye (just like in Italian) | ||
| NOHR-ee | You arrived! It is a greeting said when you enter a room. | F | |
| NOHR | You arrived! | M | |
| Bugs ear. | Response to someone saying Noor. “By God” This is actually a contraction/slur of Exabier. | ||
| SIH may ___ | My name is ___ | ||
| SIH meh mah no? | What is your name? | M | |
| SIH mesh mahn no? | What is your name? | F | |
| Hah geh REH-heh yeht NO? | Where do you come from? | M | |
| Hah-geh REHSH yet no? | Where do you come from? | F | |
| In KWAHN deh-na meh TASH | Welcome | F | |
| In KWAHN deh-na meh TAH | Welcome | M | |
| Yah-YAY-roo hoo-NAY-tah in-DEHT-nehwoo? | How is the weather? | ||
| AH-mah-say-guh-NAH-loh | Thank you. | ||
| ih BAH kesh | Please (to a female) | ||
| ih BAH keh | Please (to a male) | ||
| AHZ nah lehu | Sorry | ||
| YAH suh deh GEH | Blessing said for a child that sneezes. (or just a general blessing) | M | |
| YAH suh deh GEHSH | Blessing said for a child that sneezes. | F | |
| Yeh mah REH | Blessing for an adult that sneezes | M | |
| Yeh mah RESH | Blessing for an adult that sneezes | F | |
| AH-bit | Said after someone calls your name. Kinda like “yes?” or “What?” or (in my house) “Hunh?” | ||
| PEOPLE | |||
| Bahl OR bah-lay | Husband | ||
| Meest | Wife | ||
| Wehn-DIHM | Brother | ||
| uh-HEHT | Sister | ||
| GAH-shay | uncle (or a term for man whose name you don’t know) | ||
| Feh-REHN-jee | Non-black Foreigner | ||
| tih-KOOR | Black (used for a black foreigner) | ||
| AH-beh-shah | Ethiopian (and maybe or maybe not the Eritreans) | ||
| AHN chee | Hey You (don’t be surpised if you hear this yelled at you) | F | |
| AHN teh | Hey You! | M | |
| AH kist | aunt | ||
| ah GOHT | uncle | ||
| Shih- MAH-geh-LAY | Old man | ||
| Ah-roh-GEET (hard G) | Old woman | ||
| YEH nay LEEJ | my child | ||
| YEH nay WEHN deh LEEJ | my son | ||
| YEH nay SEHT LEEJ | my daughter | ||
| hih TSAHN LEEJ | baby | ||
| lee JOHCH | children | ||
| IN-nay | Me | ||
| eh reh deht | helper | ||
| Mah-no yeh-nay eh-reh-deht? | Who is my helper? | ||
| PLACES | |||
| BAYT | home | ||
| mehn yah TAH bayt | bedroom | ||
| shihn teh bayt | bathroom | ||
| KOO shihn uh | kitchen | ||
| SAH lohn | dining room | ||
| SAH lohn | living room | ||
| yeh-MAHK-ee-nah BAYT | garage (but if you say garage to an English speaker in ET, they will likely think you are referring to a auto repair place) | ||
| yeh-MAHK-ee-nah MUHN-gehd | driveway | ||
| basement | basement | ||
| tihn-nihsh meh-NAH-feh-SHAH | backyard/grassy area (small park) | ||
| postah sah-TEHN | mailbox | ||
| teh MEHR teh BAYT | school | ||
| yeh-meh-GIHB mahg-JEE-yah-BOH-tah | food store | ||
| yeh-lihbs mahg-JEE-yah-BOH-tah | clothing store | ||
| MAH deh yeh (try to make the consonant y sound the last sound, kind of drop of the last eh) | gas station | ||
| yeh-meh-GIHB BAYT | restaurant | ||
| library | library | ||
| sah-GOOR ahs-tah-kah-kY | hair salon/barber | ||
| yeh-SIH-RAH BOH-tah | work (job place) | ||
| meh-NAH-feh-SHAH | park | ||
| meh-WAHN-yah BOH-tah | swimming pool | ||
| BAYT-tah Christian | church | ||
| meh KRAHB | synagogue | ||
| mahs-GEEDT | mosque | ||
| pohs tah BAYT | post office | ||
| keh TAH meh | city | ||
| geh TEHR | countryside | ||
| yeh-ihn-seh-SAHT BAYT | barn | ||
| tehl-ihk yeh-EHR-shah BOH-tah | farm | ||
| MEHR cah doh | open market | ||
| hah-KEEM BAYT | hospital | ||
| SOOK | local shop (small, small) | ||
| FOOD/DRINK/EATING | |||
| Waht | Stew | ||
| DOH-roh | Chicken | ||
| SHEE-roh | Yellow peas | ||
| Yeh-meh-SIR | Lentils | ||
| SIH-guh | Beef | ||
| DAH-boh | Bread | ||
| Ah-NAH-nahs | Pineapple (Fanta Ananas soda is tasty) | ||
| LOH-mee | Lemon | ||
| BIR too kan | orange (color and fruit and name) | ||
| Lohz | Nuts | ||
| Oh choh LOH nee | Nuts | ||
| KEE tah | Flat crispy bread kinda like a pizza crust | ||
| WOO hah | Water | ||
| MAH her ber AH wee | Mixed platter (when you order a meal) | ||
| beh KOH loh | corn | ||
| bah KAY lah | beans | ||
| FAHN deh shah | popcorn (or a nickname for a smiley girl) | ||
| shy | tea | ||
| BOO nuh | coffee | ||
| BIH lah | EAT! | M | |
| bee | EAT! | F | |
| SHOO kah | fork | ||
| SOO kwahr | sugar | ||
| SIHND eh | Wheat | ||
| TAH-Fahch (try to emphasize syllables equally) | sweet (or delicious - doro wat can be tafach) | ||
| meh RAHB | hungry | ||
| eh REH boh hahl | Are you hungry? | M | |
| eh REH boh shahl | Are you hungry? | F | |
| eh REH boh AH cheh hwahl | Are y’all hungry? | Pl | |
| meh TEH maht | thirsty | ||
| TEH-geh-kuñ | I’m full. | ||
| koh loh | roasted barley (a snack) | ||
| meh sah | lunch | ||
| COLORS | |||
| BIR too kan | orange (color and fruit and a girl’s name) | ||
| KI. Long I sound, you really need to force the K sound from your throat. | Red | ||
| Seh-MY ah wee | Blue | ||
| BEECH ah | Yellow | ||
| Ah rahn GWAH day | Green | ||
| Nehch | White | ||
| boo NEE | Brown | ||
| ti KOOR | black | ||
| WAY ehn tehj | purple | ||
| ANIMALS | |||
| AH-zoh | Crocodile | ||
| AHN-behs-sah | Lion | ||
| Goo MAH ray | Hippo | ||
| lahm | cow* | ||
| beh RAY | beef (ox) | ||
| behg | sheep | ||
| fee YEHL | goat | ||
| fah RAHS | horse | ||
| ah HEE yah | donkey | ||
| behk LOH | mule | ||
| DOH roh | chicken | ||
| WOO shah | dog | ||
| dih MEHT | cat | ||
| WOEFF | bird* | ||
| CLOTHING | |||
| Koh FEE yah | cap | ||
| yeh shoo RAHB koh FEE yah | hat (sweater cap) | ||
| mah nehs sir | glasses | ||
| yeh tseHI mah nehs sir | sunglasses | ||
| yahn get libs | scarf | ||
| shirt | shirt (t-shirt style) | ||
| sheh mees | button up shirt | ||
| kah nah TEE rah | short sleeve shirt | ||
| shoo RAHB | sweater | ||
| yeh TOOTS mah see YAH zhah | bra (boob holder) | ||
| yehj gwahnt | gloves | ||
| moo TAHN tee | underwear (girl or boy) | ||
| goord KEH mees | skirt (half dress) | ||
| KEH mees | dress | ||
| moo loo KEH mees | long dress | ||
| soo ree | trousers | ||
| goord soo ree | shorts | ||
| jeans | jeans | ||
| kahl see | socks | ||
| NEH teh lah CHAH mah | flip flops | ||
| adidas / sneaker | athletic shoes | ||
| yeh SOOF CHAH mah | dress shoes | ||
| kahr ah vaht | tie | ||
| SOOF | suit | ||
| yeh bah hel LIBS | cultural clothes | ||
| yeh moh wah nyah LIBS | swimsuit | ||
| ye suh HAHT | wristwatch | ||
| kuh BAHT toh | belt | ||
| yeh leh leet LIBS | pajamas | ||
| yeh shint meh teh beh kee yah | diapers | ||
| jacket | jacket | ||
| mah lee yah | soccer jersey | ||
| yeh zeh nah LIBS | rain coat | ||
| KEES | |||
| zih NAHB | ring | ||
| yahn get | necklace | ||
| zip | zipper | ||
| yeh jeh BOHR sah | purse | ||
| yeh JOH ROH get | earrings | ||
| yeh KES LIBS | priest clothing | ||
| NUMBERS | |||
| Ahndt | 1 | ||
| HOO let | 2 | ||
| Sohst | 3 | ||
| AH-raht | 4 | ||
| AH-mist | 5 | ||
| SIH dist | 6 | ||
| SAH Baht | 7 | ||
| SIH mint | 8 | ||
| zeh TEHñ (make up some crazy sound between the short e and the long i sound. I can’t figure out how to write it.) | 9 | ||
| AH sir | 10 | ||
| AH sir ah ANDT | 11 | ||
| AH sir ah HOO leht | 12 | ||
| AH sir ah SOHST (keep going for the rest of the teen numbers) | 13 | ||
| HI ah | 20 | ||
| HI ah ahndt | 21 | ||
| HI ah HOO leht | 22 | ||
| Seh LAHSS sah | 30 | ||
| Seh LAHSS sah AHNDT | 31 | ||
| ahr BAH | 40 | ||
| HAHM sah | 50 | ||
| SIHL sah | 60 | ||
| SAH bah | 70 | ||
| sah MAH nee yah | 80 | ||
| zeh TEH nah | 90 | ||
| MEH toh | 100 | ||
| HOO leht MEH toh | 200 | ||
| ahnd eh SHEECH (the CH sound is like the CH in German Ich liebe dich.) | 1000 | ||
| HOO leht SHEECH | 2000 | ||
| SIMPLE COMMANDS | |||
| Tew | Stop it. (Like “don’t do that anymore”) | M | |
| Tay | Stop it. | F | |
| Nah | Come | M | |
| Nay | Come | F | |
| TOH-loh na! | Come quickly. | ||
| Tehn ya | Sleep! | ||
| Ah tin KAHñ | No touching me. (said to a male) | M | |
| Ah tin KEEñ | No touching me. | F | |
| Ah tin KOU | No touching him. male to male | ||
| In-eh-HEEDT | Let’s go. | ||
| HEED TEHN yah | Go to sleep! | ||
| heed | go! | ||
| wu TAH | get out! | ||
| Koom | stop (like stop walking) - there is some difference between when to use Koom and when to use tew, but I can’t understand it. | M | |
| KOO-mee | stop | F | |
| mah RAHM ehd | Walk! | Pl | |
| teh RAHM ehd | Walk! | M | |
| teh RAHM eh JEE | Walk! | F | |
| SAH-meñ | Kiss me! (Use this at the orphanage!) | ||
| MEHM-taht | Kick! (casual kick) | Pl | |
| MIH-tah | Kick! (the same word is used for kick and hit. somehow you are just supposed to know which one you are referring to) | M | |
| MIH-chee | Kick! | F | |
| Kwahss MEHM-taht | Kick the ball! | ||
| MAY-ahz | Catch! | Pl | |
| YAHZ | catch | M | |
| YAH-ZHJee | catch | F | |
| MEH-wehr-WEHR (don’t forget to roll all the Rs!) | Throw! | Pl | |
| wehr WEHR | Throw! | M | |
| wehr WEHR-EE | Throw! | F | |
| mahn-keh-bah-LEHL | Roll! | Pl | |
| AHN-keh-bah-LEHL | Roll | M | |
| AHN-keh-bah-YEE | Roll | F | |
| meh-ROHT | Run! | Pl | |
| eh-ROOT | run! | M | |
| eh-ROO-chee | run! | F | |
| Beh LOOT | KICK! (power kick) | Pl | |
| BEH-la-ohw (slur the last 2 sounds together, put the w sound at the end) | KIck! (power kick) | M | |
| beh LOO waht | KICK (power kick) | F | |
| Bell | Say (Sort of like Speak Up!) | ||
| zihm Bell | Don’t say (be quiet). | ||
| Sahk | Smile! | ||
| Ah-tuh SAHK | Don’t smile! | ||
| BIH lah | eat! | M | |
| BEE | eat! | F | |
| ENDEARMENTS | |||
| Lehb | Heart | ||
| YEH-nay hae-waht | my life (term of endearment) | ||
| Beh-teh-leh-ku Ewedehalehu | I love you big | M | |
| TAH-Fahch (try to emphasize syllables equally) | sweet (or delicious - doro wat can be tafach) | ||
| yeh-nay tahfach | My Sweet (term of endearment) | ||
| yeh-nay tseh-HI (long i) | My Sunshine | ||
| FAHN deh shah | popcorn (or a nickname for a smiley girl) | ||
| Meh CHEM Ahl rehs SAH shem | I never forget about you. | F | |
| Yeh-NAY woo-ehd | My treasure | ||
| Beh TAHM | Too much, a lot, very | ||
| AHN-chee yeh-NAY nehsh | You are mine | F | |
| AHN-teh yeh-NAY neh | You are mine | M | |
| AHN-chee NEHF-say nesh | You are my soul. | F | |
| AHN-tay NEHF-say neh | You are my soul. | M | |
| YEH-nay AHN-teh GOH-behz LEEJ-neh | You are a smart boy. | ||
| eh wed eh HA lehoo (slur the last part together) | I love you. | M | |
| Eh wed eh SHAH lehu | I love you. | F | |
| ah FIHK er HAH lehu | I love you - ROMANTIC! (Don’t say to your kids.) | M | |
| ah FIHK er SHAH lehu | I love you - ROMANTIC! (Don’t say to your kids.) | F | |
| yeh-nay FIHK-er | My Love | ||
| yeh-nay MAHR | my Honey | ||
| wair -AYN-yah | Chatterbox (Ok, not really an endearment but it is a nickname.) | ||
| yeh-NAY nih-gist | My Queen | ||
| yeh-NAY nih-gooss | My King | ||
| OUTDOORS | |||
| tseh HI | sun | ||
| DAH mehn nah | cloud | ||
| koh KOHB | star | ||
| CHAH rah KAH | moon | ||
| seh MY | sky | ||
| sahr | grass | ||
| zahf | tree | ||
| ah behb bah | flower | ||
| ze nahb | rain | ||
| wehnz | river | ||
| HYK (long I) | lake | ||
| tah rah rah | mountain | ||
| ah fir | dirt | ||
| beh reh HAH | desert | ||
| mahn get | road | ||
| CHAH kah | forest | ||
| koot kwah toh | bush | ||
| yah til kilt boh tah | garden | ||
| beh reh doh | snow | ||
| HOLIDAYS/CELEBRATION | |||
| ah dees ah met | New Year’s | ||
| en koo tah tahsh | New Year’s | ||
| fah see kah | Christian - Easter | ||
| geh nah | Christian - Christmas | ||
| yeh lih deht kehn | Birthday | ||
| mehl kahm lih deht | Happy Birthday | ||
| tim kaht | Orthodox - baptism | ||
| may day | Liberation from Italians (May 23 - ET calendar) | ||
| gehn BOHT hI ah | first day of new governmental regime (ehadige)/ end of Dergue | ||
| mes kel | Orthodox cross was found Day | ||
| eid al adha | Muslim - Festival of the Sacrifice | ||
| eid al fitr | Muslim - end of Ramadan | ||
| ADJECTIVES/DESCRIPTIONS | |||
| Tin-nish | Small (a little) | ||
| Tell-ick | Big (a lot) | ||
| MEHT-foh | Bad | ||
| ehbdt-deh-SOU | Crazy (psychiatrically) Don’t use jokingly! | ||
| Tehr OO | Good | ||
| Tehr OO Beh-TAHM | Very good! | ||
| TOH-loh | Quick/ly | ||
| Mook | Hot | ||
| MAH zihn | sad | ||
| meh KOH taht | mad | ||
| dih KAHM | tired | ||
| HI lehn yah | wide awake (have strength) | ||
| I nah fahr | shy | ||
| KOO roo | proud | ||
| meht-FOH SHIT-tah | stinky (Bad smell) | ||
| MAH fer | embarrassed | ||
| KAHZ kah zah | cold (temperature) | ||
| Tehn-KAH-rah | Strong | ||
| Dess TEHN ya | Funny or Happy | ||
| DEHS tah | Happy or funny | ||
| Kuhss | Slowly (Patiently) | ||
| KOHN-joh | Beautiful | ||
| GO behz | Clever (or “Good Job!) | ||
| ah HOON | now! | ||
| BODY PARTS | |||
| tsah GOOR | hair | ||
| RAHS | head | ||
| I-n (long I) | Eye | ||
| Ah FENCH uh | Nose | ||
| CUHM for | Lips | ||
| ahf | Mouth | ||
| Terths | Teeth | ||
| Goonch | Cheek | ||
| JOH-roh | Ear | ||
| ahn GEHT | neck (front) | ||
| ehj | arm | ||
| meh DAHF | palm | ||
| yehj eh TAHT | fingers | ||
| Lehb | Heart | ||
| Hoed | Stomach | ||
| jahr BEH | back | ||
| KU lah | Circumcised penls (adult) | ||
| KEET | butt | ||
| eh GIHR | leg (includes leg and foot) | ||
| eh GROHCH | legs | ||
| yeh gihr TAHT | foot | ||
| TAH tohch | toes | ||
| Hoed ayn ah meh MEHñ | My stomach hurts. | ||
| _____ ayn ah meh MEHñ | My ______ hurts (is sick). | ||
| yeh TOOTS | b00bs | ||
| KOH dah | skin | ||
| ahn GOHL | brain | ||
| meh LAHSS | tongue | ||
| mahn JEH RAHT | neck (back side) | ||
| ahn JET | intestine | ||
| gool beht | knee | ||
| ehmss | girl privates | ||
MISCELLANEOUS | |||
| ZAHR ay | Today | ||
| NEH geh | Tomorrow | ||
| teh LAHN teh nah | yesterday | ||
| Kan (short a) | Day | ||
| ah HOON | now | ||
| Kah -tell-OH | Next | ||
| Ehn-DEHG-uh-nah | Again | ||
| ChAH mer | More | ||
| BECK ah | Finished (enough) | ||
| eh REHF | Drop it/Leave it/It’s over (used when having a conversation that you want to be finished) | ||
| In NUH | And | ||
| Kayss | Orthodox priest | ||
| Soft | Toilet paper (even in English it is called “Soft”) | ||
| ah-MOHN-yahl | I feel sick. | ||
| BIHCH uh | Only | ||
| Yet? | Where? | ||
| If you are playing the Battleship: | |||
| AHL-tah meh TAHM | He was Missed. | ||
| Tem-meh-TWAH | He got Hit (actually Kick) | ||
| YAHN-tah-TEH-rah | Your turn | ||
| Tah-kah-TAH-tah-yaht | Watch her (if she is cheating!) | ||
| Tah-kah-TAH-tah-yewu | Watch him! | ||
| LIB-dahsh | F.U. (male to female) Apparently this can only be used in the mode of actual physical command for the specific action, (someone will F you, not a general “sod off”) | F | |
| Menalsh? | What did you say? | F | |
| Menalk? | What did you say? | M | |
| Chigger yeh-LEM | No problem. | ||
| Chigger AH-leh | There is a problem. | ||
| en DEHT | How? | ||
| AHL geh-BAHN yehm | I don’t understand | ||
| HOO loom | all | ||
| MAH-kee-nah | Car | ||
| gih deh GIH dah | Wall | ||
| teh MER teh bayt | school | ||
| OW toh boos | bus | ||
| dih BOOL bool | circle | ||
| ahr rah toom gohn eh kool yeh hoh nah (OR you can just say SQUARE) | square | ||
| sost mah EH zehn | triangle | ||
| guhn ZEHB | money | ||
| kwahss | ball (but everybody knows this refers to a soccer ball or toy ball - but not volleyball or tennis ball) | ||
| balloon | |||
| eh-GEHR Kwahss chah-WAH-tah | Soccer (directly translated it means Feet-Ball-Play) | ||
| WAY-yah Ah-beh-sha neh-gehr | Oh, the ways of the Abesha!! | ||
| WAY-yah Ferengi neh-gehr | Oh, the ways of the foreigners! | ||
| EH shee | OK (you’ll hear this a lot) | ||
| EHM bee | Not OK | ||
| LEH mehn tah lihk SAH leh (exhale a heavy H sound at the end) | Why are you crying? | M | |
| LEH mehn tah lihk SHAH lesh | Why are you crying? | F | |
| IN-nay ih-FEHL-ih-gah-loh… | I want… | ||
| mihn tih-FEHL-ih-gah-leh | What do you want? | M | |
| mihn tih-FEHL-ih-gee-ah-lesh | What do you want? | F | |
| MIHN ihm | Nothing. | ||
| GO behz | Clever (or “Good Job!) | ||
| eh-nih-GEH-nah-ñAH-lehn | We will meet. | ||
| MEHL-kahm GOO-zoh yeh-HOON-eh-lih | Have a good trip. | M | |
| MEHL-kahm GOO-zoh yeh-HOON-eh-lesh | Have a good trip. | F | |
| beh AH mah REEN yah | in Amharic | ||
| geh neht | heaven | ||
| SCHOOL | |||
| teh-MAIR-teh-BAYT | school | ||
| ahss TAH mah REE | teacher | ||
| keh fill | class | ||
| teh MAH ree | students | ||
| hee sahp | math | ||
| ehn glee zee ñAH | English | ||
| science | science | ||
| tah reek | history | ||
| ah mah reen yah | Amharic | ||
| hah bah rah TEH seb | geography | ||
| moo zeek ah | music | ||
| sport | sports/gym | ||
| eh rehft | break (recess) | ||
| keh fill gee zee | class period | ||
| black-board | chalkboard | ||
| chalk | chalk | ||
| meh seh hahf | text book | ||
| err sahss | pencil | ||
| eh skrih bee toh (sounds like Spanish to me!!) | pen | ||
| shahn tah | backpack | ||
| mahss-tah-wah-shah dehb-ter | notebook | ||
| yeh BAYT seh RAH | homework | ||
| yeh dehm beh libs | uniform | ||
| ah leh kah | monitor | ||
| gwah dehn yah | friend | ||
| gwah dehn yohch | friends | ||
| meh geh rehf | beating with a stick after making a mistake | ||
| QUESTION WORDS | |||
| Mah no? | Who is that? | ||
| Mah no goh-behz/tehn-kah-rah/kohn-joh?Start with Mah-no and fill in an adjective afterwards. | Who is clever/strong/beautiful? substitute whatever adjective you want after who is | ||
| Yeht no? | Where is it/he? (male or objects) | M | |
| Yeh TAH lah? | Where is it/he? (I can’t figure out the difference of when to use yet no or yet tahla. They seem to be interchangeable. If you want to ask about a person, start with his name or position first. e.g. | M | |
| Abaye yeht no? | Where is Dad? | M | |
| yeh-nay mah-KEE-nah yet no? | Where is my car? | ||
| Yeh TAH lehch? | Where is she? | F | |
| Mommy yeh-TAH-lehch? | Where is Mommy? | ||
| Yeht neh? | Where are you? (Like if you are talking to a person on a cell phone) | M | |
| Yeht nesh? | Where are you? | F | |
| mah chay | When? | ||
| leh mehn | Why? | ||
| sint no? | How much? | ||
| yeh-HAY min-deh-NO | What is this? | ||
| YAH min-deh-NO | What is that? | ||
5 comments:
Hi Lisa- I hope you don't mind, but I posted your video on my Et Adoption blog today. It made me cry like a baby. What a sweet family you have. Good luck with the rest of your journey.
Julie,
Absolutely you can post the video. I too was amazed at our boy's reaction to our news. I had NO idea they would be THAT happy. And you know what....they are still THAT happy. I hope more people adopt in the future!
WOWOWOW thanks!!! This is a great list of words in Amharic!!!
I printed them!! What a great help!!
Debbie
Debbie,
I know, isn't that list great? This person's blog site is very informative.
"MY Ethiopian girls", what an interesting phrase. It gives me great pride on this family.
God bless your family.
Haile
Netherlands
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