Amharic for Tourists
Essential Amharic phrases to help you communicate during your Ethiopian journey
Amharic is the official language of Ethiopia, with its own unique script. Learning a few key phrases will greatly enhance your travel experience and help you connect with locals. Amharic uses a script called “Fidel” with 33 basic characters, each with 7 forms. While the script may seem challenging, the phonetic pronunciation is relatively straightforward.
Greetings & Basics
| English | Amharic | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|
| Hello / Peace | ሰላም | Selam |
| How are you? (m/f) | እንደምን ነህ? / እንደምን ነሽ? | Endemin neh? / Endemin nesh? |
| I’m fine | ደህና ነኝ | Dehna negn |
| Thank you | አመሰግናለሁ | Ameseginalehu |
| You’re welcome | አይበለም | Aye belaim |
| Goodbye (to someone staying) | ደህና ሁን | Dehna hun (m) / Dehna huni (f) |
Days & Months
| English | Amharic | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | ሰኞ | Segno |
| Tuesday | ማክሰኞ | Maksegno |
| Wednesday | እሮብ | Erob |
| Thursday | ሐሙስ | Hamus |
| Friday | አርብ | Arb |
| Saturday | ቅዳሜ | Kidame |
| Sunday | እሁድ | Ehud |
Numbers
| English | Amharic | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|
| One | አንድ | And |
| Two | ሁለት | Hulet |
| Three | ሶስት | Sost |
| Ten | አስር | Asir |
| Twenty | ሃያ | Haya |
| One hundred | መቶ | Meto |
Asking for Services
| English | Amharic | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|
| How much is this? | ይህ ስንት ነው? | Yih sint new? |
| Where is the bathroom? | መጸዳጃ ቤት የት ነው? | Metsedaja bet yet new? |
| I need help | እገዛ ያስፈልገኛል | Egiza yasifellegnal |
| I’m lost | ጠፋሁ | Tefahu |
| I’m hungry | ጠጋ ነኝ | Tega negn |
| I’m thirsty | ጠማማ ነኝ | Temama negn |
Menu & Food
| English | Amharic | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|
| Water | ውሃ | Woha |
| Food | ምግብ | Migib |
| Injera | እንጀራ | Injera |
| Meat | ስጋ | Siga |
| Vegetarian | አታክልት | Atakilt |
| Delicious | ጣፋጭ | Tafach |
Time & Directions
| English | Amharic | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|
| What time is it? | ስንት ሰዓት ነው? | Sint saat new? |
| Where is…? | …የት ነው? | …Yet new? |
| Left | ግራ | Gira |
| Right | ቀኝ | Keny |
| Straight | ቀጥ ብሎ | Ket blo |
| Far/Near | ሩቅ/ቅርብ | Ruk/Kirib |
Relationships
| English | Amharic | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|
| I love you | እወድሃለሁ | Ewedihalehu (m) / Ewedishalehu (f) |
| My friend | ወዳጄ | Wedajé |
| Family | ቤተሰብ | Beteseb |
| Mother/Father | እናት/አባት | Enat/Abat |
| Brother/Sister | ልጅ/ሴት ልጅ | Lij/Set lij |
| You are beautiful | ጥሩ ነህ/ነሽ | Tiru neh/nesh |
Foreign Embassies in Ethiopia
Contact information for major foreign embassies located in Addis Ababa
| Country | Address | Phone | Email/Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Entoto Street, Addis Ababa | +251 11 130 6000 | addisababa.usembassy.gov |
| United Kingdom | Comoros Street, Addis Ababa | +251 11 617 0100 | gov.uk/world/ethiopia |
| Canada | Old Airport Area, Addis Ababa | +251 11 317 0000 | ethiopia.gc.ca |
| Germany | Higher 24, Kebele 13, Addis Ababa | +251 11 123 5139 | addis-abeba.diplo.de |
| France | Ras Desta Damtew Street, Addis Ababa | +251 11 140 0000 | et.ambafrance.org |
| China | Ras Desta Damtew Street, Addis Ababa | +251 11 371 1960 | et.chineseembassy.org |
| Egypt | Ras Desta Damtew Street, Addis Ababa | +251 11 155 0033 | mfa.gov.eg |
| Kenya | Ras Abebe Aregay Street, Addis Ababa | +251 11 551 0033 | kenyaembassyaddis.org |
Register with your embassy upon arrival in Ethiopia. Keep embassy contact information with you at all times. Embassies can assist with lost passports, legal issues, and emergencies, but cannot intervene in local legal processes or provide financial assistance.
Airlines Flying to Ethiopia
Major international and domestic airlines serving Ethiopian destinations
| Airline | Ethiopian Phone | Branch Locations |
|---|---|---|
| Ethiopian Airlines | +251 11 665 6666 | Bole International Airport, City Office (Churchill Rd) |
| Emirates | +251 11 552 7424 | Bole International Airport |
| Turkish Airlines | +251 11 552 4155 | Bole International Airport |
| Qatar Airways | +251 11 663 3400 | Bole International Airport |
| Lufthansa | +251 11 552 7414 | Bole International Airport |
| Kenya Airways | +251 11 552 7444 | Bole International Airport |
| EgyptAir | +251 11 551 7833 | Bole International Airport |
| Fly Dubai | +251 11 667 2040 | Bole International Airport |
Ethiopian Airlines is the national carrier with extensive domestic and international routes. Book domestic flights well in advance, especially during holidays. Verify baggage allowances as they vary between airlines. Arrive at Bole Airport at least 3 hours before international flights.
Hospitals & Pharmacies in Ethiopia
Major medical facilities and pharmacies for travelers’ healthcare needs
Major Hospitals in Addis Ababa
| Hospital | Phone | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Black Lion Hospital | +251 11 551 7055 | General, Emergency, Surgery |
| St. Paul’s Hospital | +251 11 551 7844 | General, Maternity, Pediatrics |
| Myungsung Christian Medical Center | +251 11 629 9999 | Comprehensive, International Standards |
| Hayat Hospital | +251 11 662 1345 | General, Emergency Care |
| Addis Cardiac Hospital | +251 11 551 5888 | Cardiology, Heart Surgery |
Major Pharmacies
| Pharmacy | Phone | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Bole Pharmacy | +251 11 662 0066 | Bole Road, near Atlas Hotel |
| Menen Pharmacy | +251 11 551 4333 | Megenagna area |
| St. Gabriel Pharmacy | +251 11 551 3222 | Kirkos District |
| Addis Pharmacy | +251 11 155 1234 | City Center, Piazza |
Carry comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical evacuation. Many hospitals require cash payment upfront. Bring an adequate supply of any prescription medications you require, as specific brands may not be available. Drink only bottled or purified water to avoid waterborne illnesses.
Hunting Regulations & Firearm Rules
Information on protected species and firearm regulations in Ethiopia
Protected & Forbidden Animals to Hunt
Ethiopia has strict wildlife protection laws. The following species are completely protected and hunting them is illegal:
- Ethiopian Wolf – Africa’s most endangered carnivore
- Walia Ibex – Endangered mountain goat found in Simien Mountains
- Mountain Nyala – Endangered antelope species
- African Wild Dog – Highly endangered predator
- All primate species including Gelada Baboons
- All bird of prey species including eagles and vultures
Firearm Regulations
Ethiopia has very strict firearm laws:
- Firearm importation for hunting is generally prohibited
- Local hunting outfitters may provide firearms for specific licensed hunts
- Permits must be obtained from the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority
- Hunting without proper permits can result in severe penalties including imprisonment
Where to Get Hunting Permits
| Authority | Location | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority | Addis Ababa | +251 11 661 1919 |
| Ministry of Culture and Tourism | Addis Ababa | +251 11 551 8433 |
Hunting protected species carries severe penalties including heavy fines and imprisonment of 5+ years. Always verify current regulations with official authorities. Use only licensed hunting outfitters who understand local laws and conservation requirements.
Ethiopian Traffic Signs & Meanings
Understanding road signs for safe driving in Ethiopia
Ethiopia drives on the right side of the road. Speed limits are typically 60 km/h in cities and 100 km/h on highways. Always carry your driver’s license, vehicle registration, and insurance documents. Be cautious of pedestrians, livestock, and uneven road conditions, especially in rural areas.
Legal Restrictions & Cultural Taboos
Important laws and cultural norms to avoid legal issues in Ethiopia
Things That May Put You in Jail
- Drug possession or trafficking – Severe penalties including long prison sentences
- Photography of military installations – Considered espionage
- Homosexual acts – Illegal under Ethiopian law
- Defamation of the state or government – Sedition laws are strictly enforced
- Currency violations – Exporting Ethiopian Birr is illegal
- Antiquities smuggling – Removing historical artifacts is strictly prohibited
Cultural Taboos (Things No-No in Ethiopia)
- Eating with left hand – Considered unclean in traditional settings
- Public displays of affection – Generally frowned upon
- Pointing with finger – Use open hand or chin to gesture
- Refusing coffee ceremony invitation – Can be seen as rude
- Wearing revealing clothing – Especially in religious sites
- Stepping on threshold – Traditional belief brings bad luck
Prohibited Items on Flights
| Category | Prohibited Items |
|---|---|
| Weapons | Firearms, ammunition, explosives, sharp objects |
| Liquids | Containers over 100ml (in carry-on), flammable liquids |
| Cultural Items | Antiquities, religious artifacts without permits |
| Currency | Ethiopian Birr (export prohibited) |
| Wildlife | Protected animal products, live animals without permits |
Banking & Currency Information
Major banks and currency exchange information for travelers
Major Ethiopian Banks
| Bank | Headquarters | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Bank of Ethiopia | Addis Ababa | +251 11 551 7700 |
| Dashen Bank | Addis Ababa | +251 11 558 1586 |
| Awash Bank | Addis Ababa | +251 11 551 3055 |
| Bank of Abyssinia | Addis Ababa | +251 11 551 7922 |
| Wegagen Bank | Addis Ababa | +251 11 551 7400 |
Currency Conversion (Approximate)
| Currency | Ethiopian Birr (ETB) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 US Dollar (USD) | ≈ 56 ETB | Official rate, subject to change |
| 1 Euro (EUR) | ≈ 60 ETB | Varies with exchange rates |
| 1 British Pound (GBP) | ≈ 70 ETB | Varies with exchange rates |
Exchange currency at banks or authorized forex bureaus, not on the street. Keep exchange receipts as you may need them to convert leftover Birr when departing. Credit cards are accepted at major hotels and restaurants in Addis Ababa but cash is preferred elsewhere. ATMs are widely available in cities but may have withdrawal limits.
Exporting Ethiopian Birr is strictly prohibited. Convert any remaining Birr back to foreign currency before departure, using your original exchange receipts. Failure to comply can result in confiscation and fines at the airport.