Language/Tigrinya/Vocabulary/Health

Tigrinya Vocabulary - Health

Hi Tigrinya learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn Tigrinya vocabulary related to health. It is important to know these words if you ever need to explain to a doctor or nurse what is bothering you. We will also discuss some cultural concepts related to health in Eritrea and Ethiopia.

Consider broadening your understanding by checking out these related lessons: Feelings & Count to 10.

Common Health Vocabulary

Here are some common Tigrinya health-related words you may need to know:

Tigrinya	Pronunciation	English
እግር	ʾigɨr	back
ልብ	lab	abdomen
ከማሚ	kämamī	knee
መሳቅ	mäsāk	cough
ታማሚ	tämamī	head
ኣንባቢ	anbabi	stomach
ሃክለኛ	haḳələnga	pharmacist
ቀዳማይ	qädämäy	hospital
ተንታይ መዘይር	tänṭāy mäzeyr	medical examination

Here's an example dialogue:

• Person 1: ታማ ናት እዩ ፡ ሃይለኛ ትርስ ሓንስትዮ? (Tamā nat ʾəyu? Hailleŋa tris hanəstyo?) (My head hurts, do you know a pharmacist?)
• Person 2: እንተዋትሩ ሃክለ ንበት ኣለኹ ፡ አብዚ ምንም ተመሊሶም ዘይብሉን ኣይትሰተምን። (Enta waitiru haḳəlē nbat alla ku? ʾAbzi menmeme zeyblu'n ʾaytištätimn?) (There is a pharmacy around the corner, but they may not be open right now.)

Traditional Medicine

In Eritrea and Ethiopia, traditional medicine is still widely used, especially in rural areas. Traditional healers, known as kahassai, use herbs, animal products, and other remedies to treat a variety of ailments. Some herbs, like teda and zingibar, are used to treat digestive issues, while others, like kinit and abalo, are used for respiratory problems.

Traditional medicine is often used alongside modern medicine, and many people believe in the power of both. It is not uncommon for a patient to see a traditional healer and a doctor for the same problem. However, it is important to note that not all traditional remedies are safe or effective, and it's always a good idea to consult a medical professional.

Here's an example dialogue:

• Person 1: ሕማም ካፍ ዘሎ ምስ ትርካብ ድማ ዝብለና? (Ḫämam kaf zelo ms trəkab dam ziblana?) (Do you know any traditional remedies for a stomach ache?)
• Person 2: በርኺብካ ምስልካ ኣውቶም ፡ ጒምራ ወተረባ ንጽነት ብሃና ኣይክንብልን። (Bərəkhbkha mslika ʾawwotm, gumra weterba nəṭenet bəḥana 'aykənbilna.) (Drink some chamomile tea with honey, it helps with digestion.)

Mental Health

Mental health is an important component of overall health, but it is often stigmatized in Eritrean and Ethiopian cultures. Many people believe that mental illness is a sign of weakness or a punishment from God, and they may be hesitant to seek treatment.

In recent years, there has been a push to raise awareness about mental health and reduce stigma. There are now organizations and support groups that focus on mental health, and some hospitals offer mental health services.

Here's an example dialogue:

• Person 1: ናይ ሕጉረ ክትልልኾን ነቲ ስለ ዝምልከት ምስ ኣብ ምኽንያት ውን ኣብ ሓሊፎም ዘተሉ ኮይኑ ንተኾይ ትጥበር እዩ? (Nay ḥəgure kettillik'un neti sle zimlkētkh msṭ al bn'kayat wēn ab halifom zet'alu koynu nəkuy t'tibber ʾəyu?) (I feel really anxious and I don't know what to do. Are there any mental health services in my area?)
• Person 2: ብዝተረኽቡ ወይ ኣብ ዝበለጠ ምስ ኮይኖም ዝነበርናን ምብራሕ መፍትሒ ተመሊሶም ኣይተሸሓቅምን። (Bəzitərəkkhbu wayo a bēle'tī ms koynom zenenberēn mbərah mäfəthim, təmlism 'aytešhahqimn.) (There are mental health professionals that you can talk to either in-person or virtually, and they provide confidential support.)

Conclusion

Now you know some Tigrinya words related to health! Remember, to improve your Tigrinya find native speakers and ask them any questions. You can also visit our Vocabulary page to learn more useful vocabulary.

In Eritrea and Ethiopia, it's common to use traditional medicine alongside modern medicine, but it's important to always consult a medical professional. Mental health is also an important component of overall health, and there is help available if you need it.

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➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎

Finished this lesson? Check out these related lessons: Colors & How to say Good Bye?.

Other Lessons

• Animals
• Fruits
• Express Surprise
• Count to 10
• Months of the year
• Drinks
• Feelings
• Greetings
• Clothes

Sources

• Tigrinya English Medical Words (PDF) - srv.pincanna.com
• My Health in Tigrinya: Translate and Learn Tigrinya (Tigrinya ...