What Language Do They Speak in Ethiopia?
Ethiopia
Ethiopia, located in the Horn of Africa, is a nation steeped in ancient history and cultural richness, famously known as the land of the legendary Queen of Sheba. As one of Africa's largest and most populous countries, it boasts awe-inspiring landscapes, ranging from lush highlands to vast, arid deserts, and has a unique geological heritage, including the Great Rift Valley. Despite numerous challenges over the years, Ethiopia remains a beacon of resilience and a vibrant center for diverse ethnic traditions and religions.
Languages Spoken
Ethiopia is a linguistically diverse country with a rich tapestry of languages that reflect its cultural variety. The most widely spoken language is Oromo, which is a Cushitic language and is spoken by about 33.8% of the population. Amharic, the official working language of the federal government, follows closely at 29.3%. Tigrinya is spoken by 5.86% of the population, primarily in the northern region of Tigray. Somali is another Cushitic language spoken by 6.25% of the population, largely in the Somali Region. Other languages include Sidamo (4.01%), Gurage (2.01%), Wolaytta (2.21%), Afar (1.74%), Hadiyya (1.71%), Gamo (1.22%), and Gedeo (1.29%). This linguistic diversity reflects Ethiopia’s multi-ethnic makeup, with over 80 ethnic groups, each contributing to the nation's vibrant cultural mosaic.
Different Languages Spoken in Ethiopia
Language data last updated 2024 est. from World Population Review - Ethiopia
| Language | Usage |
|---|---|
| Amharic | 29.3% |
| Oromo | 33.8% |
| Tigrinya | 5.86% |
| Somali | 6.25% |
| Gurage | 2.01% |
| Sidamo | 4.01% |
| Wolaytta | 2.21% |
| Afar | 1.74% |
| Hadiyya | 1.71% |
| Gamo | 1.22% |
| Gedeo | 1.29% |
Useful Amharic Phrases
ሰላም
Hello
Common greeting, similar to 'hi'.
እንዴት ነህ/ነሽ?
How are you?
'ነህ' is used for males and 'ነሽ' for females.
ወደድሁህ/ወደድሁሽ
Thank you
'ወደድሁ ህ' for males and 'ወደድሁሽ' for females.
እባኮትህ/እባክሽኝ
Please
'እባኮትህ' for males and 'እባክሽኝ' for females.
ምን ያክል?
How much?
Used when asking for prices.
Learn to speak Amharic
Interested in speaking Amharic in Ethiopia? Using Lingocat you can learn the basics of the language and start speaking in no time with the help of our AI Language Tutors.