One of the most useful phrases is “How are you?” But in Amharic, the expression changes depending on who you are speaking to.
In this beginner-friendly Amharic conversation lesson, a teacher and student explore four useful ways to say “How are you?” in Amharic.
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Watch the full video lesson and follow along with the Amharic script, pronunciation, and English translation.
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Amharic Conversation: “How Are You?”
Teacher:
Today, I’m going to teach Amharic to my student. And let’s see how well he can learn.
Student:
Hi! I’m ready for my first Amharic lesson.
Teacher:
Alright. Let’s see what you know.
Student:
Absolutely nothing.
Teacher:
That’s a good place to start. So, what are your questions?
Student:
Okay, here’s my first question.
How do you say “How are you?” in Amharic?
Teacher:
Good question. If you’re speaking to a man, you say:
እንዴት ነህ?
Endet neh?
How are you?
Student:
Can you say that one more time?
Teacher:
Sure.
እንዴት ነህ?
Endet neh?
Student:
Okay…
እንዴት ነህ?
Endet neh?
Teacher:
Very good!
Student:
Did I pronounce it correctly?
Teacher:
Yes. That’s good. Let’s break it down.
እንዴት means “how.”
ነህ is used when you’re speaking to a male.
So:
እንዴት ነህ? means “How are you?” when speaking to a man.
How Do You Say “How Are You?” to a Woman?
Student:
Wait… If ነህ is for a man, what do I say to a woman?
Teacher:
Good question. When speaking to a woman, we say:
እንዴት ነሽ?
Endet nesh?
How are you?
Student:
Can you repeat that?
Teacher:
Of course.
እንዴት ነሽ?
Endet nesh?
Student:
Okay, let me try.
እንዴት ነሽ?
Endet nesh?
Teacher:
Perfect!
Student:
So… ነህ is for a man, and ነሽ is for a woman?
Teacher:
Exactly!
Quick comparison
👨 To a man
እንዴት ነህ?
Endet neh?
👩 To a woman
እንዴት ነሽ?
Endet nesh?
How Do You Say It Respectfully?
Student:
I think I’m starting to understand.
So, if I change the ending, I can change who I’m talking to?
Teacher:
Yes, that’s a great observation.
Student:
Okay, then let me guess. If I want to ask an older person or someone I want to show respect to… Maybe I can just say:
እንዴት ነህ?
Teacher:
Not quite. This is important.
When speaking respectfully to one person, we normally use:
እንዴት ነዎት?
Endet newot?
How are you?
Student:
Oh! So that’s different. Can you repeat it?
Teacher:
Sure.
እንዴት ነዎት?
Endet newot?
Student:
Let me try…
እንዴት ነዎት?
Teacher:
Very good!
Student:
So, I can use that when speaking respectfully to one person?
Teacher:
Yes.
For example, you might use it when speaking respectfully to an older person, a teacher, or someone you want to address politely.
Student:
Interesting!
So now I have three versions.
Teacher:
Exactly.
What If You’re Speaking to Several People?
Student:
Wait… What if I’m talking to two or more people?
Teacher:
Then we say:
እንዴት ናችሁ?
Endet nachihu?
How are you?
Student:
Can you say that again?
Teacher:
Sure.
እንዴት ናችሁ?
Endet nachihu?
Student:
Okay…
እንዴት ናችሁ?
Endet nachihu?
Teacher:
Excellent!
Student:
So, this is for several people?
Teacher:
Yes.
The 4 Ways to Say “How Are You?” in Amharic
Here’s a quick review:
| Who are you speaking to? | Amharic | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|
| 👨 A man | እንዴት ነህ? | Endet neh? |
| 👩 A woman | እንዴት ነሽ? | Endet nesh? |
| 🙏 One person respectfully | እንዴት ነዎት? | Endet newot? |
| 👥 Several people | እንዴት ናችሁ? | Endet nachihu? |
The important thing to remember is that the form changes depending on who you’re speaking to.
Practice Time
Teacher:
How do you say “How are you?” to a man?
Student:
እንዴት ነህ?
Endet neh?
Teacher:
Correct!
How about a woman?
Student:
እንዴት ነሽ?
Endet nesh?
Teacher:
Correct!
How about respectfully to one person?
Student:
እንዴት ነዎት?
Endet newot?
Teacher:
Excellent!
And to several people?
Student:
እንዴት ናችሁ?
Endet nachihu?
Teacher:
Perfect!
Using It in a Real Conversation
Now let’s put one of these expressions into a simple conversation.
Student:
እንዴት ነህ?
Endet neh?
Teacher:
እሺ! ደህና ነኝ።
Eshi! Dehna negn.
I’m good!
Student:
Wait! You just answered me in Amharic!
Teacher:
Of course. You’re my Amharic student now.
Student:
Then I have a lot to learn.
Teacher:
You certainly do.
What Should You Remember?
You don’t need to memorize just one way to say “How are you?” in Amharic.
Pay attention to who you’re speaking to:
Man:
እንዴት ነህ?
Woman:
እንዴት ነሽ?
Respectfully to one person:
እንዴት ነዎት?
Several people:
እንዴት ናችሁ?
With practice, these expressions will become natural.
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🎥 Watch: How to Say “How Are You?” in Amharic →
