Emergency Use: Tap any phrase to hear it spoken. These phrases work in critical situations.
Can you help me? (formal, to stranger)
When to use: Polite way to ask for help from someone you don't know
ENGLISH
Excuse me, could you please help me?
AMHARIC
ይቅርታ፣ እባክዎ ሊረዱኝ ይችላሉ? (yiqirta, ibakwo lireduñ yichilalu?)
TIGRINYA
ይቕረታ፣ በጃኹም ክትሕግዙኒ ትኽእሉ ዲኹም? (yiqreta, bejakum kitihgizuni tik'ilu dikum?)
OROMO
Dhiifama, maaloo na gargaaruu dandeessu?
SOMALI
Raali noqo, fadlan i caawin kartaa?
ARABIC
عفواً، هل يمكنك مساعدتي من فضلك؟ ('afwan, hal yumkinuka musa'adati min fadlik?)
SWAHILI
Samahani, unaweza kunisaidia tafadhali?
FRENCH
Excusez-moi, pourriez-vous m'aider s'il vous plaît?
SPANISH
Disculpe, ¿podría ayudarme por favor?
Can you help me? (casual, to friend)
When to use: Casual way to ask a friend for help
ENGLISH
Hey, can you give me a hand?
AMHARIC
ሄይ፣ ትረዳኛለህ/ሽ? (hey, tiredañaleh/sh?)
TIGRINYA
ሄይ፣ ክትሕግዘኒ ትኽእል/ትኽእሊ? (hey, kitihgizeni tik'il/tik'ili?)
OROMO
Hey, na gargaaruu dandeessa?
SOMALI
Haye, i caawin kartaa saaxiib?
ARABIC
هاي، ممكن تساعدني؟ (hay, mumkin tisa'idni?)
SWAHILI
Haya, unaweza kunisaidia?
FRENCH
Hé, tu peux me donner un coup de main?
SPANISH
Oye, ¿me puedes echar una mano?
Help! Emergency!
When to use: Use in any emergency situation regardless of who is around
ENGLISH
Help! Emergency!
AMHARIC
እርዳታ! አደጋ! (irdata! adega!)
TIGRINYA
ሓግዙኒ! ሓደጋ! (hagizuni! hadega!)
OROMO
Gargaarsa! Balaa!
SOMALI
Caawiyo! Degdeg!
ARABIC
النجدة! طوارئ! (an-najda! tawari'!)
SWAHILI
Msaada! Dharura!
FRENCH
Au secours! Urgence!
SPANISH
¡Ayuda! ¡Emergencia!
May I have water? (formal)
When to use: Polite way to request water in formal settings or from strangers
ENGLISH
Excuse me, could I have some water, please?
AMHARIC
ይቅርታ፣ እባክዎ ውሃ ማግኘት እችላለሁ? (yiqirta, ibakwo wiha maget ichilalewu?)
TIGRINYA
ይቕረታ፣ በጃኹም ማይ ክረክብ እኽእል ድየ? (yiqreta, bejakum may kirekib ik'il diye?)
OROMO
Dhiifama, maaloo bishaan argachuu danda'aa?
SOMALI
Raali noqo, fadlan biyo heli karaa?
ARABIC
عفواً، هل يمكنني الحصول على ماء من فضلك؟ ('afwan, hal yumkinuni al-husul 'ala ma' min fadlik?)
SWAHILI
Samahani, naweza kupata maji tafadhali?
FRENCH
Excusez-moi, pourrais-je avoir de l'eau s'il vous plaît?
SPANISH
Disculpe, ¿podría darme agua por favor?
Can I get some water? (casual)
When to use: Casual way to ask for water from friends or family
ENGLISH
Got any water? / Can I get some water?
AMHARIC
ውሃ አለ? (wiha ale?)
TIGRINYA
ማይ ኣሎ? (may alo?)
OROMO
Bishaan jiraa?
SOMALI
Biyo ma jiraa?
ARABIC
في ماء؟ (fi ma'?)
SWAHILI
Kuna maji?
FRENCH
T'as de l'eau?
SPANISH
¿Hay agua? / ¿Tienes agua?
Where is the hospital? (formal)
When to use: Polite way to ask for directions to hospital
ENGLISH
Excuse me, where is the hospital, please?
AMHARIC
ይቅርታ፣ ሆስፒታሉ የት ነው እባክዎ? (yiqirta, hospitalu yet new ibakwo?)
TIGRINYA
ይቕረታ፣ ሆስፒታል ኣበይ ኣሎ በጃኹም? (yiqreta, hospital abey alo bejakum?)
OROMO
Dhiifama, hospitaalli eessa jira maaloo?
SOMALI
Raali noqo, isbitaalku xagee ku yaal fadlan?
ARABIC
عفواً، أين المستشفى من فضلك؟ ('afwan, ayna al-mustashfa min fadlik?)
SWAHILI
Samahani, hospitali iko wapi tafadhali?
FRENCH
Excusez-moi, où est l'hôpital s'il vous plaît?
SPANISH
Disculpe, ¿dónde está el hospital por favor?