Amharic is one of the Semitic languages. Together with a number of the lesser languages of Ethiopia it constitutes the Ethiopic branch of this family. All the Ethiopic languages are descended from Geez, the ancient literary and ecclesiastic language of Ethiopia.
It is generally believed that the Semitic languages were introduced into Ethiopia from the Arabian Peninsula sometime in the first millennium B.C. The Ethiopic alphabet used in Amharic is also believed to have had its ultimate origin in Arabia. Originally written from right to left, it eventually switched, probably under Greek influence, from left to right. Two dots are placed after each word to separate it from the next.
Basic words : Kellal kaloch
*Yes = Awo
* No = Aye
* Thank you = Amessagganalehugn
* Thank you very much = Betam amessagganalehugn
* You're welcome = Minim Chigir yelem, Minem ayedelem
* Please = Ibakkih (m), Ibakkish (f), Ibakkwon (respect)
* Excuse me = Yekireta
* Hello = Selam, Hello
* Goodbye = Dehna hun (m), Dehna hugnee (f), Dehna hunu (pl)
* So long = Ciao
* Good morning = Indemin adderk (m), Indemin addersh (f), Indemin adderachihu (pl), Indemin adderu (respect)
* Good afternoon = Indemin walk (m), Indemin walsh (f), Indemin walachihu (pl), Indemin walu (respect)
* Good evening = Indemin amesheh (m), Indemin ameshesh (f), Indemin ameshachihu (pl), Indemin ameshu (respect)
* Good night = Dehna ider (m), Dehna ideree (f), Dehna ideru (pl)
* I do not understand = Alegebagnem
* How do you say this in [English]? = Yihe' be[Amareegna] endate yebalale? Yihe' be[Amareegna] men yevalal?
* Do you speak ... = ... tinageraleh? (m) ... tinagerialesh? (f) ... yenageralu? (respect), ... tinageralachihu? (pl)
* English = Ingleezigna
* French = Ferensaigna
* German = Djermenigna
* Spanish = Spanishgna
* Chinese = Chynawigna, Chinesegna
* I = Ine'
* We = Igna
* You (singular, familiar) = Ante (m), Anchee (f), Antu (respect)
* You (singular, formal) = Innante
* You (plural) = Innant
* They = Innessu
* What is your name? = Simih man new (m)? Simish man new (f)?
* Nice to meet you. = Siletewawekin Des Beelognal.
* How are you? = Indemin alleh (m)? Indemin allesh(f)? Indemin allachihu (pl)?
* Good = Tiru
* Bad = Metfo
* So so = Indeehu indeehu, Dhena
* Wife = Meest
* Husband = Bal
* Daughter = Se't lidj
* Son = Wend lidj
* Mother = Innate
* Father = Abbat
* Friend = Gwadegna
* Where is the bathroom? Where is the toilet? = Shent Be'tu yet new? (informal) Metatebia Be'tu yet new? (formal)
Numbers : Kutiroch
*zero = zero
* one = ande
* two = hulet
* three = sost
*four = arat
* five = ammist
* six = siddist
* seven = sebat
* eight = semment
* nine = zetegn
* ten = asir
* eleven = asra ande
* twelve = asra hulet
* thirteen = asra sost
* fourteen = asra arat
* fifteen = asra ammist
* sixteen = asra siddist
* seventeen = asra sebat
* eighteen = asra semment
* nineteen = asra zetegn
* twenty = haya
* twenty one = haya ande
* thirty = selasa
* fourty = arba
* fifty = hamsa
* sixty = selesa
* seventy = seba
* eighty = semanya
* ninety = zetena
* one hundred = meto
* one thousand = shee
* one million = meelyon
* What time is it? = Sint saat new?
* 7:13, Seven thirteen = 7:13, Sebat ke asra sost
* 3:15, Three fifteen = 3:15, Sost ke asra ammist
* 3:15, A quarter past three = 3:15, Sost saat ka rubbe
* 11:30, Eleven thirty = 11:30, Asra ande ke selasa
* 11:30, Half past eleven = 11:30, Asra ande tekul
* 1:45, One forty-five = 1:45, Ande ke arbe ammist
* 1:45, A quarter till two = 1:45, Rubbe guday le hulet
* Day = Ken
* Week = Sament
* Month = Wer
* Year = Amet
* Monday = Segno
* Tuesday = Maksegno
* Wednesday = Erob
* Thursday = Hamus
* Friday = Arbe
* Saturday = Kedame
* Sunday = Ehud
* January = Ter
* February = Yekatit
* March = Megabit
* April = Meyazia
* May = Genbot
* June = Sene'
* July = Hamlae
* August = Nehasae
* September = Mesikerem
* October = Tikemet
* November = Hidar
* December = Tahasas
* Spring = Tsedey
* Summer = Bega
* Fall, Autumn = Hageye
* Winter = Keremte
* Today = Zare'
* Yesterday = Telanet, Teanantina
* Tomorrow = Nege
* Birthday = Yetewlede kene, Ledet
* Happy Birthday! = Melkame yetewlede kene! Melekam ledet!