If you only ever learn five things in Tigrinya, make them greetings. They're the first words people use, the first ones they hear back, and the easiest way to start a conversation with someone in their own language.
Here are the ones worth memorizing first.
Hello
The everyday greeting is ሰላም (selam). It literally means "peace," and it works the way "hi" works in English. Anywhere, anytime, anyone.
For something a little warmer or more formal, especially with elders:
ከመይ ኣለኹም? (kemey alekum?) — "How are you?" (formal / plural)
ከመይ ኣለኻ? (kemey aleka?) — "How are you?" (to a man)
ከመይ ኣለኺ? (kemey aleki?) — "How are you?" (to a woman)
Tigrinya, like many languages, has different forms based on whom you're addressing — gender, age, and how well you know them. Don't worry about getting it perfect right away. People are very forgiving with learners.
How to reply
If someone asks how you are, the standard reply is:
ጽቡቕ (ts'bukh) — "Good"
ጽቡቕ ኣለኹ (ts'bukh aleku) — "I am good"
እግዚኣብሄር ይመስገን (Egzia'bher yimesgen) — "Thank God" (very common)
Then return the question:
ብወገንካ ኸ? (bwegenka ke?) — "And you?" (to a man)
ብወገንኪ ኸ? (bwegenki ke?) — "And you?" (to a woman)
Thank you
The most common phrase is የቐንየለይ (yek'enyeley). You'll hear it everywhere: when someone passes you a plate, opens a door, gives you directions.
A more formal alternative is:
የመስግነካ (yemesginekha) — "Thank you" (to a man)
የመስግነኪ (yemesgineki) — "Thank you" (to a woman)
Goodbye
ደሓን ኩን (dehan kun) — "Be well / goodbye" (to a man)
ደሓን ኩኒ (dehan kuni) — "Be well / goodbye" (to a woman)
ደሓን ኩኑ (dehan kunu) — "Be well / goodbye" (plural / formal)
For a quick "see you later," people often say ዳሕራይ የራኽበና (dahray yerakbena).
A few more essentials
Yes — እወ (ewe)
No — ኣይፋል / ኣይኮነን (ayfal / aykonen)
Please (to a man) — በጃኻ (bejakha)
Please (to a woman) — በጃኺ (bejaki)
Sorry / excuse me — ይቕሬታ (yik'reta)
Welcome (to a man) — እንቋዕ ብደሓን መጻእካ (enkua bedehan metsa'eka)
Welcome (to a woman) — እንቋዕ ብደሓን መጻእኪ (enkua bedehan metsa'eki)
A note on pronunciation
Tigrinya has a few sounds that don't exist in English — the "ejective" consonants like ጠ, ጨ, ጸ and ቀ. They're made with a sharper, more popping sound than their English cousins. The best way to learn them is to hear them.
Our interactive Tigrinya alphabet chart plays a native pronunciation for every letter — that's the fastest way to get your ear in: mesmertigrinya.com/alphabet-chart
Don't be shy
The fastest way to learn Tigrinya greetings is to use them — even when they aren't quite perfectly pronounced yet. Most Tigrinya speakers will smile, gently correct you, and be genuinely happy you're trying.
Start with selam. The rest follows.
If you're just getting started, our Learn Tigrinya hub puts the alphabet, vocabulary, books and the keyboard all in one place: mesmertigrinya.com/learn-tigrinya
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Tigrinya
greetings
beginner
phrases
learning
pronunciation
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vocabulary