Language/Tigrinya/Vocabulary/Basic-Greetings
The Tigrinya language is spoken by more than six million people, primarily in Eritrea and Ethiopia. It uses its own unique alphabet, which can take some time to learn. In this lesson, we will focus on the essential Tigrinya greetings, which will help you better connect with Tigrinya speakers and engage with the culture.
Greetings in Tigrinya
Greetings are an important part of Tigrinya culture. They are used to show respect and acknowledgement to others. It’s essential to learn how to say hello, good morning, good evening, and goodbye in Tigrinya.
Hello
The most common way to say hello in Tigrinya is ሰላም (sälam). It is a formal and respectful greeting that can be used in all contexts.
Other Tigrinya greetings include:
- ሰላም ነይሩ (sälam nayru) – Hello, how are you?
- ንብረታዊ (näbrätawī) – hello
- ጉድ ደህና (gudä-hinna) – hello (response to 'how are you?')
Good Morning
To say "good morning" in Tigrinya, you can use the phrase ጤና ይስጥልና (tena yist'ilina). This is used until around 11:00 a.m.
Good Afternoon
"Good afternoon" can be said as ኣብየ ሰላም ይስጥልና (’äbäya sälam yist'ilina). This greeting can be used between midday and evening.
Good Evening
To greet someone with "good evening" in Tigrinya, you can say እንተዘይትስሕተት (’əntē zäytišti) if it is night time or after sunset.
Goodbye
When departing, the phrase "goodbye" can be expressed in Tigrinya as ኣብይ (’äbay). Other common Tigrinya goodbyes include:
- ኣብይ ምንትዋእ (’äbay mntwäwaə) – Goodbye, see you later.
- ምንትዋእ (mntwäwaə) – See you later.
- ኣብይ ጌታ (’äbay g'ātā) – Goodbye, take care.
Asking "How Are You?" in Tigrinya
To show concern and care for someone's well-being, use the phrase ንሕና ነይሩ? (nhna nayru?), which means "how are you?" In Tigrinya, this phrase is common among strangers, friends, and family members. The response to this question can vary, but typical responses include:
- እንተዘ ኢዩ (’əntēz iyū) – I am doing well.
- ስማንያ (sämānya) – Fine.
- እሳተ ነይሩ (’əsäta nayru) – I am doing good.
- ኣይትበልካ (’aytbēlka) – Not bad.
Practice Makes Perfect
Use the following table to practice and reinforce the basic Tigrinya greetings:
| Tigrinya | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| ሰላም | sälam | Hello |
| ሰላም ነይሩ | sälam nayru | Hello, how are you? |
| ንብረታዊ | näbrätawī | Hello |
| ጉድ ደህና | gudä-hinna | Hello (response to 'how are you?') |
| ጤና ይስጥልና | tena yist'ilina | Good morning |
| ኣብየ ሰላም ይስጥልና | ’äbäya sälam yist'ilina | Good afternoon |
| እንተዘይትስሕተት | ’əntē zäytišti | Good evening |
| ኣብይ | ’äbay | Goodbye |
| ኣብይ ምንትዋእ | ’äbay mntwäwaə | Goodbye, see you later. |
| ምንትዋእ | mntwäwaə | See you later. |
| ኣብይ ጌታ | ’äbay g'ātā | Goodbye, take care. |
Cultural Insights
In Tigrinya culture, greetings are not just used for socializing; they are also used as a way of showing respect, acknowledging hierarchy, and building trust. In formal settings, such as business meetings, it’s essential to greet people with respect and honor.
In addition to the Tigrinya language, traditional dress is also an essential part of the Tigrinya culture. Women typically wear a netela, a white, sheer scarf that is draped over the head and shoulders. Men wear white or light-colored tunics and trousers. It’s important to dress modestly, especially in more conservative parts of the country.
Conclusion
In this lesson, we’ve covered the basic Tigrinya greetings, including hello, good morning, good evening, and goodbye, as well as how to ask and answer "how are you?" Remember to practice these essential phrases to build your confidence and connect with Tigrinya speakers. See you later!
Other Lessons
- Food
- Express Surprise
- How to Say Hello and Greetings
- Numbers 1 10
- Travel Phrases
- Months of the year
- Feelings and Emotions
- Dining Phrases
- Greetings
Sources
- How to greet someone in the Tigrinya language
- Useful phrases in Tigrinya
- Tigrinya Basic Phrases - Apps on Google Play