How do you say hello and thank you in Ethiopia?
In Amharic, the official language of Ethiopia, hello is said "t'ēnayisit'ilinyi" and thank you is "āmeseginalehu". English remains widely understood in the country, facilitating communication for travelers.
Basic Amharic Greetings
Since Amharic is the official language of the country, here are the essential expressions:
- Hello : t'ēnayisit'ilinyi (pronounced "té-na-yis-ti-lin-yi")
- Thank you : āmeseginalehu (pronounced "a-me-se-gui-na-lé-hou")
- Goodbye : dehna hun ("dé-na houn")
- Yes : awo ("a-wo")
- No : ay ("aï")
English, Your Travel Ally
English is widely spoken in Ethiopia, particularly in tourist areas, hotels and restaurants. Local guides generally speak this language well, which greatly facilitates exchanges with English-speaking travelers.
Local Agency Advice
Even if English is sufficient, attempting a few words of Amharic will always bring a smile and strengthen contact with Ethiopians, who are very proud of their culture and language.