Amharic · Fidel (Ge'ez letters)

Amharic Alphabet

Amharic is written in the fidel (ፊደል), the Ge'ez script, read left to right. It is a syllabary: 33 consonant rows, each with seven forms for the seven vowels, so one letter is one consonant plus one vowel, shown by a small change to the consonant's shape. Children learn it row by row, chanting hä hu hi ha hē hə ho, lä lu li la lē lə lo. Sounds use the lessons' spelling: 1st order e (a in the vowel rows አ ዐ), 2nd u, 3rd i, 4th a, 5th ē, 7th o; the 6th order is the bare consonant, a very short vowel or none, written ə on these cards but as a short i or nothing in the word lists (ስም sim, ትልቅ tilik'); an apostrophe marks an ejective, a hard popping consonant (k' t' ch' p' ts'), and some word lists write ቀ as q and both ቸ and ጨ as ch. Several letters sound alike (ሀ ሐ ኀ ኸ all h, ሠ and ሰ s, አ and ዐ a glottal stop, ጸ and ፀ ts'), a leftover from older Ge'ez, so their spelling is learned word by word. A w after a consonant has its own forms (qw kw gw hw and the -wa letters). Ge'ez has its own numerals (፩ ፪ ፫ …), mostly seen in church calendars and traditional contexts, while everyday signs and prices use 1 2 3. The same fidel, with a few extra letters (such as ቐ, and ኸ read kh), is also used for Tigrinya, Tigre and the church language Ge'ez.

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ሀ row (h)

ሀhe1st order · he · short open vowel between e and a (like 'e' in 'bet'). h as in 'hat'. Of the four h-rows (ሀ ሐ ኀ ኸ), which all sound the same today, this is the common one.ሀሜት (hamet) gossip

ሁhu2nd order · hu · u as in 'rule'ሁሉ (hulu) all

ሂhi3rd order · hi · ee as in 'see'ሂሳብ (hisab) bill

ሃha4th order · ha · a as in 'father'ሃይማኖት (haymanot) religion

ሄhē5th order · hē · long ē, like 'ay' in 'say'ሄደ (hede) went

ህhə6th order · hə · short neutral vowel (ə), as the 'a' in 'about'; at the end of a syllable it is often silentህመም (himem) pain

ሆho7th order · ho · o as in 'go'ሆነ (hone) became

ለ row (l)

ለle1st order · le · short open vowel between e and a (like 'e' in 'bet'). l as in 'let'.ለምን (lemin) why

ሉlu2nd order · lu · u as in 'rule'ሁሉ (hulu) all

ሊli3rd order · li · ee as in 'see'ፖሊስ (polis) police

ላla4th order · la · a as in 'father'ላይ (lay) on

ሌlē5th order · lē · long ē, like 'ay' in 'say'ሌሊት (lelit) night

ልlə6th order · lə · short neutral vowel (ə), as the 'a' in 'about'; at the end of a syllable it is often silentልብ (lib) heart

ሎlo7th order · lo · o as in 'go'ሎሚ (lomi) lemon

ሐ row (h, rare)

ሐhe1st order · he · short open vowel between e and a (like 'e' in 'bet'). h, same sound as ሀ. Kept in a few words such as ሐኪም (doctor).ሐኪም (hakim) doctor

ሑhu2nd order · hu · u as in 'rule' (same sound as ሀ)

ሒhi3rd order · hi · ee as in 'see' (same sound as ሀ)

ሓha4th order · ha · a as in 'father' (same sound as ሀ)

ሔhē5th order · hē · long ē, like 'ay' in 'say' (same sound as ሀ)መጽሔት (mets'ihet) magazine

ሕhə6th order · hə · short neutral vowel (ə), as the 'a' in 'about'; at the end of a syllable it is often silent (same sound as ሀ)

ሖho7th order · ho · o as in 'go' (same sound as ሀ)

መ row (m)

መme1st order · me · short open vowel between e and a (like 'e' in 'bet'). m as in 'man'.መቶ (meto) one hundred

ሙmu2nd order · mu · u as in 'rule'ሙሉ (mulu) full

ሚmi3rd order · mi · ee as in 'see'ሚስት (mist) wife

ማma4th order · ma · a as in 'father'ማታ (mata) evening

ሜmē5th order · mē · long ē, like 'ay' in 'say'ሜዳ (meda) field

ምmə6th order · mə · short neutral vowel (ə), as the 'a' in 'about'; at the end of a syllable it is often silentምን (min) what

ሞmo7th order · mo · o as in 'go'ሞቃት (mok'at) hot

ሠ row (s, old spelling)

ሠse1st order · se · short open vowel between e and a (like 'e' in 'bet'). s, same sound as ሰ. Traditional spelling kept in words like ሦስት (three).ሠላሳ (selasa) thirty

ሡsu2nd order · su · u as in 'rule' (same sound as ሰ)

ሢsi3rd order · si · ee as in 'see' (same sound as ሰ)

ሣsa4th order · sa · a as in 'father' (same sound as ሰ)ሣር (sar) grass

ሤsē5th order · sē · long ē, like 'ay' in 'say' (same sound as ሰ)

ሥsə6th order · sə · short neutral vowel (ə), as the 'a' in 'about'; at the end of a syllable it is often silent (same sound as ሰ)አሥር (asir) ten

ሦso7th order · so · o as in 'go' (same sound as ሰ)ሦስት (sost) three

ረ row (r)

ረre1st order · re · short open vowel between e and a (like 'e' in 'bet'). r, a quick tap of the tongue as in Spanish 'pero'.ረሳ (resa) forgot

ሩru2nd order · ru · u as in 'rule'ሩዝ (ruz) rice

ሪri3rd order · ri · ee as in 'see'ሪፖርት (riport) report

ራra4th order · ra · a as in 'father'ራስ (ras) head

ሬrē5th order · rē · long ē, like 'ay' in 'say'ሬዲዮ (redio) radio

ርrə6th order · rə · short neutral vowel (ə), as the 'a' in 'about'; at the end of a syllable it is often silentርካሽ (rikash) cheap

ሮro7th order · ro · o as in 'go'ሮዝ (roz) pink

ሰ row (s)

ሰse1st order · se · short open vowel between e and a (like 'e' in 'bet'). s as in 'sun'.ሰማ (sema) heard

ሱsu2nd order · su · u as in 'rule'ሱቅ (suk') shop

ሲsi3rd order · si · ee as in 'see'ሲጋራ (sigara) cigarette

ሳsa4th order · sa · a as in 'father'ሳምንት (samint) week

ሴsē5th order · sē · long ē, like 'ay' in 'say'ሴት (set) woman

ስsə6th order · sə · short neutral vowel (ə), as the 'a' in 'about'; at the end of a syllable it is often silentስም (sim) name

ሶso7th order · so · o as in 'go'ሶፋ (sofa) sofa

ሸ row (sh)

ሸshe1st order · she · short open vowel between e and a (like 'e' in 'bet'). sh as in 'ship'.ሸጠ (shet'e) sold

ሹshu2nd order · shu · u as in 'rule'ሹካ (shuka) fork

ሺshi3rd order · shi · ee as in 'see'ሺህ (shih) thousand

ሻsha4th order · sha · a as in 'father'ሻይ (shay) tea

ሼshē5th order · shē · long ē, like 'ay' in 'say'ጋሼ (gashe) respected older man

ሽshə6th order · shə · short neutral vowel (ə), as the 'a' in 'about'; at the end of a syllable it is often silentሽንኩርት (shinkurt) onion

ሾsho7th order · sho · o as in 'go'ሾርባ (shorba) soup

ቀ row (k')

ቀk'e1st order · k'e · short open vowel between e and a (like 'e' in 'bet'). k', an ejective: a hard k said with a tight throat and a small pop. Some word lists write it q.ቀረ (k'ere) stayed

ቁk'u2nd order · k'u · u as in 'rule'ቁልፍ (k'ulf) key

ቂk'i3rd order · k'i · ee as in 'see'ደቂቃ (dek'ik'a) minute

ቃk'a4th order · k'a · a as in 'father'ቃላት (qalat) words, vocabulary

ቄk'ē5th order · k'ē · long ē, like 'ay' in 'say'ዱቄት (duk'et) flour

ቅk'ə6th order · k'ə · short neutral vowel (ə), as the 'a' in 'about'; at the end of a syllable it is often silentቅናሽ (k'inash) discount

ቆk'o7th order · k'o · o as in 'go'ቆመ (k'ome) stood

በ row (b)

በbe1st order · be · short open vowel between e and a (like 'e' in 'bet'). b as in 'bat'.በላ (bela) ate

ቡbu2nd order · bu · u as in 'rule'ቡና (buna) coffee

ቢbi3rd order · bi · ee as in 'see'ቢራ (bira) beer

ባba4th order · ba · a as in 'father'ባቡር (babur) train

ቤbē5th order · bē · long ē, like 'ay' in 'say'ቤት (bet) house

ብbə6th order · bə · short neutral vowel (ə), as the 'a' in 'about'; at the end of a syllable it is often silentብር (bir) Birr

ቦbo7th order · bo · o as in 'go'ቦርሳ (borsa) bag

ተ row (t)

ተte1st order · te · short open vowel between e and a (like 'e' in 'bet'). t as in 'tap'.ተኛ (tenya) slept

ቱtu2nd order · tu · u as in 'rule'ቱሪዝም (turizm) tourism

ቲti3rd order · ti · ee as in 'see'ቲማቲም (timatim) tomato

ታta4th order · ta · a as in 'father'ታክሲ (taksi) taxi

ቴtē5th order · tē · long ē, like 'ay' in 'say'ቴሌቪዥን (televizhin) television

ትtə6th order · tə · short neutral vowel (ə), as the 'a' in 'about'; at the end of a syllable it is often silentትልቅ (tilik') big

ቶto7th order · to · o as in 'go'መቶ (meto) one hundred

ቸ row (ch)

ቸche1st order · che · short open vowel between e and a (like 'e' in 'bet'). ch as in 'chat'.ቸኮለ (chekole) hurried

ቹchu2nd order · chu · u as in 'rule'ምቹ (michu) comfortable

ቺchi3rd order · chi · ee as in 'see'አሰልቺ (aselchi) boring

ቻcha4th order · cha · a as in 'father'ቻለ (chale) was able

ቼchē5th order · chē · long ē, like 'ay' in 'say'ቼክ (chek) check

ችchə6th order · chə · short neutral vowel (ə), as the 'a' in 'about'; at the end of a syllable it is often silentድንች (dinch) potato

ቾcho7th order · cho · o as in 'go'

ኀ row (h, old spelling)

ኀhe1st order · he · short open vowel between e and a (like 'e' in 'bet'). h, same sound as ሀ. Old spelling, seen in words like ኃይል (power).

ኁhu2nd order · hu · u as in 'rule' (same sound as ሀ)

ኂhi3rd order · hi · ee as in 'see' (same sound as ሀ)

ኃha4th order · ha · a as in 'father' (same sound as ሀ)ኃይል (hayl) power, energy

ኄhē5th order · hē · long ē, like 'ay' in 'say' (same sound as ሀ)

ኅhə6th order · hə · short neutral vowel (ə), as the 'a' in 'about'; at the end of a syllable it is often silent (same sound as ሀ)

ኆho7th order · ho · o as in 'go' (same sound as ሀ)

ነ row (n)

ነne1st order · ne · short open vowel between e and a (like 'e' in 'bet'). n as in 'net'.ነቃ (neqa) woke up

ኑnu2nd order · nu · u as in 'rule'በየቀኑ (beyeqenu) every day

ኒni3rd order · ni · ee as in 'see'መድሃኒት (medhanit) medicine

ናna4th order · na · a as in 'father'ናፈቀ (nafek'e) missed

ኔnē5th order · nē · long ē, like 'ay' in 'say'እኔ (ine) I

ንnə6th order · nə · short neutral vowel (ə), as the 'a' in 'about'; at the end of a syllable it is often silentንጹህ (nitsuh) clean

ኖno7th order · no · o as in 'go'ኖረ (nore) lived

ኘ row (ny)

ኘnye1st order · nye · short open vowel between e and a (like 'e' in 'bet'). ny as in Spanish 'ñ' or 'canyon'.አገኘ (agegne) found

ኙnyu2nd order · nyu · u as in 'rule'

ኚnyi3rd order · nyi · ee as in 'see'አስጎብኚ (asgobegni) tour guide

ኛnya4th order · nya · a as in 'father'እኛ (inya) we

ኜnyē5th order · nyē · long ē, like 'ay' in 'say'

ኝnyə6th order · nyə · short neutral vowel (ə), as the 'a' in 'about'; at the end of a syllable it is often silentዘጠኝ (zetegn) nine

ኞnyo7th order · nyo · o as in 'go'ሰኞ (segno) Monday

አ row (vowels)

አa1st order · a · short open vowel between e and a (like 'e' in 'bet'). The 'vowel carrier': a light catch in the throat, then the plain vowel. It writes a vowel at the start of a word.አለ (ale) there is (has)

ኡu2nd order · u · u as in 'rule' (glottal stop + vowel)

ኢi3rd order · i · ee as in 'see' (glottal stop + vowel)ኢንሹራንስ (inshurans) insurance

ኣa4th order · a · a as in 'father'. Amharic often writes this sound with አ instead; ኣ is common in Tigrinya (unverified for Amharic) (glottal stop + vowel)

ኤē5th order · ē · long ē, like 'ay' in 'say' (glottal stop + vowel)ኤምባሲ (embasi) embassy

እə6th order · ə · short neutral vowel (ə), as the 'a' in 'about'; at the end of a syllable it is often silent (glottal stop + vowel)እሱ (isu) he

ኦo7th order · o · o as in 'go' (glottal stop + vowel)ኦቨን (oven) oven

ከ row (k)

ከke1st order · ke · short open vowel between e and a (like 'e' in 'bet'). k as in 'kit'.ከባድ (kebad) difficult

ኩku2nd order · ku · u as in 'rule'ኩሩ (kuru) proud

ኪki3rd order · ki · ee as in 'see'ኪራይ (kiray) rent

ካka4th order · ka · a as in 'father'ካርታ (karta) map

ኬkē5th order · kē · long ē, like 'ay' in 'say'ኬክ (kek) cake

ክkə6th order · kə · short neutral vowel (ə), as the 'a' in 'about'; at the end of a syllable it is often silentክፍል (kifil) room

ኮko7th order · ko · o as in 'go'ኮከብ (kokeb) star

ኸ row (h, rare)

ኸhe1st order · he · short open vowel between e and a (like 'e' in 'bet'). h in Amharic words (ጮኸ 'shout'). Read kh in Tigrinya.ጮኸ (ch'ohe) shouted

ኹhu2nd order · hu · u as in 'rule' (same sound as ሀ in Amharic)

ኺhi3rd order · hi · ee as in 'see' (same sound as ሀ in Amharic)

ኻha4th order · ha · a as in 'father' (same sound as ሀ in Amharic)

ኼhē5th order · hē · long ē, like 'ay' in 'say' (same sound as ሀ in Amharic)

ኽhə6th order · hə · short neutral vowel (ə), as the 'a' in 'about'; at the end of a syllable it is often silent (same sound as ሀ in Amharic)

ኾho7th order · ho · o as in 'go' (same sound as ሀ in Amharic)

ወ row (w)

ወwe1st order · we · short open vowel between e and a (like 'e' in 'bet'). w as in 'water'.ወር (wer) month

ዉwu2nd order · wu · u as in 'rule'

ዊwi3rd order · wi · ee as in 'see'ሰማያዊ (semayawi) blue

ዋwa4th order · wa · a as in 'father'ዋጋ (waga) price

ዌwē5th order · wē · long ē, like 'ay' in 'say'

ውwə6th order · wə · short neutral vowel (ə), as the 'a' in 'about'; at the end of a syllable it is often silentውሃ (wiha) water

ዎwo7th order · wo · o as in 'go'አዎ (awo) Yes

ዐ row (vowels, old spelling)

ዐa1st order · a · short open vowel between e and a (like 'e' in 'bet'). Same sound as አ. Traditional spelling kept in words like ዓመት (year) and ሰዓት (hour).

ዑu2nd order · u · u as in 'rule' (same sound as አ)

ዒi3rd order · i · ee as in 'see' (same sound as አ)ዒላማ ('ilama) target

ዓa4th order · a · a as in 'father' (same sound as አ)ዓመት (amet) year

ዔē5th order · ē · long ē, like 'ay' in 'say' (same sound as አ)

ዕə6th order · ə · short neutral vowel (ə), as the 'a' in 'about'; at the end of a syllable it is often silent (same sound as አ)ማዕዘን (maezen) corner

ዖo7th order · o · o as in 'go' (same sound as አ)አርትዖት (art'ot) editing

ዘ row (z)

ዘze1st order · ze · short open vowel between e and a (like 'e' in 'bet'). z as in 'zoo'.ዘጋ (zega) closed

ዙzu2nd order · zu · u as in 'rule'ዙፋን (zufan) throne

ዚzi3rd order · zi · ee as in 'see'እዚህ (izzih) here

ዛza4th order · za · a as in 'father'ዛሬ (zare) today

ዜzē5th order · zē · long ē, like 'ay' in 'say'ዜና (zena) news

ዝzə6th order · zə · short neutral vowel (ə), as the 'a' in 'about'; at the end of a syllable it is often silentዝናብ (zinab) rain

ዞzo7th order · zo · o as in 'go'ዞን (zon) zone

ዠ row (zh)

ዠzhe1st order · zhe · short open vowel between e and a (like 'e' in 'bet'). zh as in 'measure'.

ዡzhu2nd order · zhu · u as in 'rule'

ዢzhi3rd order · zhi · ee as in 'see'ገዢ (gezhi) buyer

ዣzha4th order · zha · a as in 'father'

ዤzhē5th order · zhē · long ē, like 'ay' in 'say'

ዥzhə6th order · zhə · short neutral vowel (ə), as the 'a' in 'about'; at the end of a syllable it is often silentጋራዥ (garazh) garage

ዦzho7th order · zho · o as in 'go'

የ row (y)

የye1st order · ye · short open vowel between e and a (like 'e' in 'bet'). y as in 'yes'.የት (yet) where

ዩyu2nd order · yu · u as in 'rule'ዩኒቨርሲቲ (yuniversiti) university

ዪyi3rd order · yi · ee as in 'see'

ያya4th order · ya · a as in 'father'ያ (ya) that

ዬyē5th order · yē · long ē, like 'ay' in 'say'አባዬ (abbaye) dad

ይyə6th order · yə · short neutral vowel (ə), as the 'a' in 'about'; at the end of a syllable it is often silentይህ (yih) this

ዮyo7th order · yo · o as in 'go'ሬዲዮ (redio) radio

ደ row (d)

ደde1st order · de · short open vowel between e and a (like 'e' in 'bet'). d as in 'dog'.ደህና (dehna) well

ዱdu2nd order · du · u as in 'rule'ዱቄት (duk'et) flour

ዲdi3rd order · di · ee as in 'see'ዲግሪ (digiri) degree

ዳda4th order · da · a as in 'father'ዳቦ (dabo) bread

ዴdē5th order · dē · long ē, like 'ay' in 'say'አረንጓዴ (arenguade) green

ድdə6th order · də · short neutral vowel (ə), as the 'a' in 'about'; at the end of a syllable it is often silentድልድይ (dildiy) bridge

ዶdo7th order · do · o as in 'go'ዶሮ (doro) chicken

ጀ row (j)

ጀje1st order · je · short open vowel between e and a (like 'e' in 'bet'). j as in 'judge'.ጀልባ (jelba) boat

ጁju2nd order · ju · u as in 'rule'

ጂji3rd order · ji · ee as in 'see'አለርጂ (alerji) allergy

ጃja4th order · ja · a as in 'father'ደረጃ (dereja) stairs

ጄjē5th order · jē · long ē, like 'ay' in 'say'

ጅjə6th order · jə · short neutral vowel (ə), as the 'a' in 'about'; at the end of a syllable it is often silentእጅ (ijj) hand

ጆjo7th order · jo · o as in 'go'ጆሮ (joro) ear

ገ row (g)

ገge1st order · ge · short open vowel between e and a (like 'e' in 'bet'). g as in 'go'.ገባ (geba) entered

ጉgu2nd order · gu · u as in 'rule'ጉዞ (guzo) journey

ጊgi3rd order · gi · ee as in 'see'ጊዜ (gize) time

ጋga4th order · ga · a as in 'father'ጋር (gar) with

ጌgē5th order · gē · long ē, like 'ay' in 'say'ጌታ (geta) master/lord

ግgə6th order · gə · short neutral vowel (ə), as the 'a' in 'about'; at the end of a syllable it is often silentግራ (gira) left

ጎgo7th order · go · o as in 'go'ጎን (gon) next to

ጠ row (t')

ጠt'e1st order · t'e · short open vowel between e and a (like 'e' in 'bet'). t', an ejective: a hard t said with a tight throat and a small pop.ጠጣ (t'et'a) drank

ጡt'u2nd order · t'u · u as in 'rule'ጡረታ (t'ureta) pension

ጢt'i3rd order · t'i · ee as in 'see'

ጣt'a4th order · t'a · a as in 'father'ጣቢያ (t'abiya) station

ጤt'ē5th order · t'ē · long ē, like 'ay' in 'say'ጤዛ (t'eza) dew

ጥt'ə6th order · t'ə · short neutral vowel (ə), as the 'a' in 'about'; at the end of a syllable it is often silentጥሩ (t'iru) good

ጦt'o7th order · t'o · o as in 'go'ጦጣ (t'ot'a) monkey

ጨ row (ch')

ጨch'e1st order · ch'e · short open vowel between e and a (like 'e' in 'bet'). ch', an ejective ch. Many word lists write it plain ch, like ቸ.ጨው (chew) salt

ጩch'u2nd order · ch'u · u as in 'rule'

ጪch'i3rd order · ch'i · ee as in 'see'መጪ (mechi) upcoming

ጫch'a4th order · ch'a · a as in 'father'ጫማ (chama) shoes

ጬch'ē5th order · ch'ē · long ē, like 'ay' in 'say'

ጭch'ə6th order · ch'ə · short neutral vowel (ə), as the 'a' in 'about'; at the end of a syllable it is often silentጭማቂ (chimaki) juice

ጮch'o7th order · ch'o · o as in 'go'ጮኸ (ch'ohe) shouted

ጰ row (p')

ጰp'e1st order · p'e · short open vowel between e and a (like 'e' in 'bet'). p', an ejective p. Found in a few words only.

ጱp'u2nd order · p'u · u as in 'rule'

ጲp'i3rd order · p'i · ee as in 'see'

ጳp'a4th order · p'a · a as in 'father'

ጴp'ē5th order · p'ē · long ē, like 'ay' in 'say'ጠረጴዛ (tereppeza) table

ጵp'ə6th order · p'ə · short neutral vowel (ə), as the 'a' in 'about'; at the end of a syllable it is often silent

ጶp'o7th order · p'o · o as in 'go'

ጸ row (ts')

ጸts'e1st order · ts'e · short open vowel between e and a (like 'e' in 'bet'). ts', an ejective ts. Word lists often drop the apostrophe (ts).ጸጉር (tsegur) hair

ጹts'u2nd order · ts'u · u as in 'rule'ንጹህ (nitsuh) clean

ጺts'i3rd order · ts'i · ee as in 'see'አናጺ (anatsi) carpenter

ጻts'a4th order · ts'a · a as in 'father'ጻፈ (tsafe) wrote

ጼts'ē5th order · ts'ē · long ē, like 'ay' in 'say'

ጽts'ə6th order · ts'ə · short neutral vowel (ə), as the 'a' in 'about'; at the end of a syllable it is often silentፈጽሞ (fetsimo) never

ጾts'o7th order · ts'o · o as in 'go'ጾም (tsom) fasting

ፀ row (ts', old spelling)

ፀts'e1st order · ts'e · short open vowel between e and a (like 'e' in 'bet'). ts', same sound as ጸ. Traditional spelling kept in words like ፀሐይ (sun).ፀሐያማ (tsehayama) sunny

ፁts'u2nd order · ts'u · u as in 'rule' (same sound as ጸ)

ፂts'i3rd order · ts'i · ee as in 'see' (same sound as ጸ)

ፃts'a4th order · ts'a · a as in 'father' (same sound as ጸ)ነፃ (netsa) free

ፄts'ē5th order · ts'ē · long ē, like 'ay' in 'say' (same sound as ጸ)

ፅts'ə6th order · ts'ə · short neutral vowel (ə), as the 'a' in 'about'; at the end of a syllable it is often silent (same sound as ጸ)

ፆts'o7th order · ts'o · o as in 'go' (same sound as ጸ)

ፈ row (f)

ፈfe1st order · fe · short open vowel between e and a (like 'e' in 'bet'). f as in 'fan'.ፈለገ (felege) wanted

ፉfu2nd order · fu · u as in 'rule'ክፉ (kifu) wicked

ፊfi3rd order · fi · ee as in 'see'ፊት (fit) face

ፋfa4th order · fa · a as in 'father'ፋርማሲ (farmasi) pharmacy

ፌfē5th order · fē · long ē, like 'ay' in 'say'ፌርማታ (fermata) bus/taxi stop

ፍfə6th order · fə · short neutral vowel (ə), as the 'a' in 'about'; at the end of a syllable it is often silentፍራፍሬ (firafire) fruit

ፎfo7th order · fo · o as in 'go'ፎጣ (fot'a) towel

ፐ row (p)

ፐpe1st order · pe · short open vowel between e and a (like 'e' in 'bet'). p as in 'pan'. Mostly in loanwords.ሱፐርማርኬት (supermarket) supermarket

ፑpu2nd order · pu · u as in 'rule'

ፒpi3rd order · pi · ee as in 'see'ፒን (pin) PIN

ፓpa4th order · pa · a as in 'father'ፓርክ (park) park

ፔpē5th order · pē · long ē, like 'ay' in 'say'ኦፔራ (opera) opera

ፕpə6th order · pə · short neutral vowel (ə), as the 'a' in 'about'; at the end of a syllable it is often silentፕሮጀክት (projekt) project

ፖpo7th order · po · o as in 'go'ፖም (pom) apple

Labialized forms (qw kw gw hw)

ቈqweቀ + w · 1st order · qwe

ቊqwiቀ + w · 3rd order · qwi

ቋqwaቀ + w · 4th order · qwaቋንቋ (qwanqwa) language

ቌqwēቀ + w · 5th order · qwē

ቍqwəቀ + w · 6th order · qwə

ኰkweከ + w · 1st order · kwe

ኲkwiከ + w · 3rd order · kwi

ኳkwaከ + w · 4th order · kwaኳስ (kwas) ball

ኴkwēከ + w · 5th order · kwē

ኵkwəከ + w · 6th order · kwə

ጐgweገ + w · 1st order · gwe

ጒgwiገ + w · 3rd order · gwi

ጓgwaገ + w · 4th order · gwaጓደኛ (gwadenya) friend

ጔgwēገ + w · 5th order · gwē

ጕgwəገ + w · 6th order · gwə

ኈhweኀ + w · 1st order · hwe

ኊhwiኀ + w · 3rd order · hwi

ኋhwaኀ + w · 4th order · hwaኋላ (hwala) behind

ኌhwēኀ + w · 5th order · hwē

ኍhwəኀ + w · 6th order · hwə

Common -wa forms

ሏlwaለ + w · the 8th form of the ለ row, said lwa

ሟmwaመ + w · the 8th form of the መ row, said mwa

ሯrwaረ + w · the 8th form of the ረ row, said rwa

ሷswaሰ + w · the 8th form of the ሰ row, said swaእሷ (iswa) she

ሿshwaሸ + w · the 8th form of the ሸ row, said shwa

ቧbwaበ + w · the 8th form of the በ row, said bwaአቧራ (abwara) dust

ቷtwaተ + w · the 8th form of the ተ row, said twa

ቿchwaቸ + w · the 8th form of the ቸ row, said chwa

ኗnwaነ + w · the 8th form of the ነ row, said nwa

ኟnywaኘ + w · the 8th form of the ኘ row, said nywa

ዟzwaዘ + w · the 8th form of the ዘ row, said zwa

ዧzhwaዠ + w · the 8th form of the ዠ row, said zhwa

ዷdwaደ + w · the 8th form of the ደ row, said dwa

ጇjwaጀ + w · the 8th form of the ጀ row, said jwa

ጧt'waጠ + w · the 8th form of the ጠ row, said t'wa

ጯch'waጨ + w · the 8th form of the ጨ row, said ch'wa

ጿts'waጸ + w · the 8th form of the ጸ row, said ts'wa

ፏfwaፈ + w · the 8th form of the ፈ row, said fwaፏፏቴ (fwafwate) waterfall

Numbers (Ge'ez numerals)

፩1 · andGe'ez digit 1አንድ (and) one

፪2 · huletGe'ez digit 2ሁለት (hulet) two

፫3 · sostGe'ez digit 3ሦስት (sost) three

፬4 · aratGe'ez digit 4አራት (arat) four

፭5 · amistGe'ez digit 5አምስት (amist) five

፮6 · sidistGe'ez digit 6ስድስት (sidist) six

፯7 · sebatGe'ez digit 7ሰባት (sebat) seven

፰8 · simintGe'ez digit 8ስምንት (simint) eight

፱9 · zetegnGe'ez digit 9ዘጠኝ (zetegn) nine

፲10 · asirGe'ez numeral tenአሥር (asir) ten

፳20 · hayaGe'ez numeral 20 (tens are their own signs)ሃያ (haya) twenty

፴30 · selasaGe'ez numeral 30 (tens are their own signs)ሠላሳ (selasa) thirty

፵40 · arbaGe'ez numeral 40 (tens are their own signs)አርባ (arba) forty

፶50 · hamsaGe'ez numeral 50 (tens are their own signs)ሃምሳ (hamsa) fifty

፷60 · silsaGe'ez numeral 60 (tens are their own signs)ስልሳ (silsa) sixty

፸70 · sebaGe'ez numeral 70 (tens are their own signs)ሰባ (seba) seventy

፹80 · semanyaGe'ez numeral 80 (tens are their own signs)ሰማንያ (semanya) eighty

፺90 · zetenaGe'ez numeral 90 (tens are their own signs)ዘጠና (zetena) ninety

፻100 · metoGe'ez numeral one hundred; it multiplies the sign before itመቶ (meto) hundred. ፳፻፲፮ = 20 × 100 + 10 + 6 = 2016, the year number on the Ethiopian calendar

፼10,000 · asir shihGe'ez numeral ten thousand (the sign ፼); in everyday Amharic say 'ten thousand' as asir shihአሥር ሺህ (asir shih) ten thousand

Punctuation

፡(word space)word separator, two stacked dots · sits between words in traditional texts; modern text often uses a plain space

።(full stop)four dots · ends a sentence, like the English periodመኪና አለኝ። (mekina alegn.) I have a car.

፣(comma)comma · separates parts of a sentenceወደ አውሮፕላን ማረፊያ ይውሰዱኝ፣ እባክዎ (wede awroplan marafiya yiwsedugn, ebakwo) Take me to the airport, please.

፤(semicolon)semicolon · links two parts of a sentence

፥(colon)colon · introduces what follows

፦(preface colon)preface colon · introduces a quotation or a list; rare today

፧(question mark)Ge'ez question mark · rare; modern Amharic text usually writes ? instead

፨(paragraph mark)paragraph separator · marks the end of a paragraph or section in old books; rare

Signs & menu words

መግቢያmegbiyaentranceabove doors of shops, offices and stations; the lessons also have it as 'introduction'

መውጫmewch'aexitabove doors; in the lessons መውጫ ሰዓት is 'checkout time'

ሽንት ቤትshint bettoiletthe usual word on toilet doors

መጸዳጃ ቤትmets'edaja bettoilet / bathroomthe formal word, on signs in hotels and offices

ወንድwendman / maletoilet doors and forms

ሴትsetwoman / femaletoilet doors and forms

ክፍትkiftopenon shop and restaurant doors

ዝግzigclosedon shop doors (unverified: wording not in the lessons)

ግፋgifapushon doors (unverified: wording not in the lessons)

ጎትትgotitpullon doors (unverified: wording not in the lessons)

ፖሊስpolispolicepolice stations and vehicles

ሆስፒታልhospitalhospitalroad signs and buildings

ፋርማሲfarmasipharmacyshop signs

ጣቢያt'abiyastationbus, train and police stations (ባቡር ጣቢያ is train station)

አየር ማረፊያayer marefiyaairportroad and terminal signs

አውቶቡስawtobusbusbus stops and bus stations

ታክሲtaksitaxitaxi stands and cars

ባቡርbaburtrainstations and timetables

ትኬትtiketticketticket windows

አደጋadegadanger / accident / emergencywarning signs, news and ambulance vehicles

ማጨስ ክልክል ነውmachis kilkil newno smoking (smoking is forbidden)walls of cafes, offices and hospitals (unverified: wording not in the lessons)

ውሃwihawaterdrink menus and bottles

ሻይshayteacafe menus

ቡናbunacoffeecafe menus; coffee is served in a traditional ceremony

ቢራbirabeerbar and restaurant menus

እንጀራinjerainjera (the flatbread)every restaurant menu

ዶሮdorochickenmenus, as in ዶሮ ወጥ (chicken stew)

ዓሳasafishmenus (also spelled ዓሣ)

የጾም ምግብyets'om migibfasting food (vegan dishes)restaurant menus; on fasting days many dishes have no meat or dairy

ቅመምk'imemspice / spicymenus, markets

በርበሬberbereberbere (chili spice mix)menus and markets

ዋጋwagapriceprice lists and shop signs

ነጻnetsafree (no charge)shop signs and ads; also spelled ነፃ

ሆቴልhotelhotelbuilding signs

ምግብ ቤትmigib betrestaurantbuilding signs

ሱቅsuk'shopshop signs

ባንክbankbankbuilding signs

ገንዘብgenzebmoneyexchange offices and banks

Basic Amharic phrases