So, this past weekend, I was taught a list of Amharic phrases and words by the children at Menagesha. Ato Brahan at the EBA also taught me a number of new phrases. For those of you learning Amharic with me, the list is as follows:
English – Amharic
Hand – Itch
Leg – Igir
Hair – Tsagur
Ear – Jeyro
Eye – Ine
Nose – Afinja
Cheek – Gunjur
Forehead – Gimbar
Neck – Guroro
Teeth – Terz
Tongue – Melas
Finger – Tat
Book – Mesaf
Exercise Book – Doftor
Pillow – Taras
Bed Sheet – Alga Livs
Bed – Alga
Wheelchair – Gari
Window – Mescoat
Light – Mabrat
Ceiling – Tara
Cup – Cubaya
Water – Wuha
Cupboard – Comodina
Curtain – Megaraja
Jug – Joog
TV – television
Doll – Ashagulet
Sleep – Engulf
Hello – Salaam
Dehna – I am fine
Sleep – Taneja/Na Tenya
Friend – Godenya
Plane - Aeropla
Watch (Timex) – Sabat
Shoes – Chama
Socks – Kals
Yes – Awhoa
No – Yellem
Shirt – Chemise
Pants – Pants
Tie – Makoleff
Scarf – Matamtem
Hat – Barnetta
Glasses – Menaser
Sunglasses – Yesahai Menaser
Colours
Red – Kaye
Black – Kcoor
White – Nej
Yellow – Bectcha
Green – Aranguadey
Blue – Samayaway
Animals
Lion - Ambassa
Rat – Iyte
Fish – Asa
Chicken/Hen – Doro
Snake – Iravit
Elephant – Zoowon
Donkey – Haya
Monkey – Gingero
Goat – Fiel
Tiger – Nabir
Giraffe – Kajaney
Horse – Ferez
Days of the Week
Sunday - Ehood
Monday - Sanyo
Tuesday – Mak Sanyo
Wednesday - Rob
Thursday - Hamus
Friday - Harb
Saturday - Kidame
Proverbs
Little by Little an Egg Walks – Un Koolal Kus Bakus Bagrua Tedaletch
(This means slow and steady wins the race. Or progress is made slowly and incrementally or something to that effect)
Man is Man – Sow Sownow
(This means that everyone is equal – nobody is better than anyone else)
God Listens to Life’s Words – Kalayot Yaashima
(This means either that God listens to our prayers or God bless you)
God Bless You – Xavier ibarket
Numbers
1 – And
2 - Hulet
3 - Sost
4 - Arat
5 - Amnest
6 - Sidist
7 - Sabat
8 - Simind
9 - Zetaing
10 – Asra/Asir
11 – Asra-And
12 – Asra-Hulet
13 – Asra-Sost
14 – Asra-Arat
15 – Asra-Amnest
16 – Asra-Sidist
17 – Asra-Sabat
18 – Asra-Simind
19 – Asra-Zetaing
20 – Haya
21 – Haya-And (and so on)
30 – Selassa
40 – Arba
50 – Hamsa
60 – Silisa
70 – Saba
80 – Samana
90 – Zetana
100 – Mato
200 – Hulet Mato
1000 – Shi
1000000 – And-Millenie
