Latest / Learn Amharic with Fexingo / Asking 'How Much' in Amharic
Transcript
- Lucas: Hey Luna, ready for another tiny Amharic adventure? Luna: Absolutely. I've been practicing our time expressions, and I'm feeling good. Lucas: Love that. Yesterday, today, tomorrow — so useful. And today we're going to make you a savvy shopper in Amharic. Luna: Ooh, I like the sound of that. What are we learning? Lucas: We're focusing on asking how much something costs — and then some phrases to negotiate like a pro. Luna: Perfect. I've been to markets where I just smiled and pointed. Time to level up. Lucas: Then let's start with the magic question. ስንት ነው? Luna: ስንት ነው? That sounds... careful. Let me try again. ስንት ነው? Lucas: Perfect. It means 'how much is it?' — your go-to for any price tag. Luna: So if I see a beautiful scarf, I just say ስንት ነው? Lucas: Exactly. And you'll hear the answer, which might be ውድ ነው — it's expensive. Luna: ውድ ነው. That sounds like something I'd say a lot. ውድ ነው. Lucas: And if it's a bargain, they might say ርካሽ ነው — it's cheap. Luna: ርካሽ ነው. Oh, I like that one. ርካሽ ነው. Lucas: Now, imagine the price is too high. You can politely say እባክህ በትንሹ ቀንስ — please reduce it a little. Luna: እባክህ በትንሹ ቀንስ. That's a mouthful. Let me try it slowly. እባክህ... በትንሹ... ቀንስ. Lucas: You got it. And if they agree, you can say እሺ፣ እወስዳለሁ — okay, I'll take it. Luna: እሺ፣ እወስዳለሁ. That feels like a victory phrase. Lucas: Yeah. Let's put it all together in a quick scene. You walk up to a stall and ask ስንት ነው? Luna: ስንት ነው? Lucas: The seller says ውድ ነው — it's expensive. You say እባክህ በትንሹ ቀንስ. Luna: እባክህ በትንሹ ቀንስ. Lucas: They smile and say እሺ፣ እወስዳለሁ — okay, I'll take it. Luna: Wait, that's me saying I'll take it. So I say እሺ፣ እወስዳለሁ. Lucas: Right. You're a natural. Now let's practice a real conversation, and I'll play the seller. Luna: Okay. ስንት ነው? Lucas: ውድ ነው. Luna: Ugh, of course. እባክህ በትንሹ ቀንስ. Lucas: እሺ፣ እወስዳለሁ. Wait, that's me giving in. Let's switch. Luna: That was fun. I can see how this works. Lucas: Now, quick honest thing — a handful of listeners chip in monthly through buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo, and that's literally what funds making this many of these. Luna: Yeah, it's a small group, but it keeps the whole thing ad-free and going. Feels good to be part of it. Lucas: Totally. And it lets us keep doing tiny focused episodes like this one. Luna: So back to bargaining — what if they say no to my offer? Lucas: Then you can walk away, or you can accept. But let's practice the happy ending: you agree on a price and say እሺ፣ እወስዳለሁ. Luna: እሺ፣ እወስዳለሁ. Lucas: And if you're really happy with the deal, you can add አመሰግናለሁ — thank you. Luna: አመሰግናለሁ. Nice. So the whole flow: ask, react, negotiate, accept, thank. Lucas: Exactly. Let's do one more round. You're at a spice stall. The berbere looks amazing. Luna: ስንት ነው? Lucas: ውድ ነው. Luna: እባክህ በትንሹ ቀንስ. Lucas: እሺ፣ እወስዳለሁ. Luna: Wait, that's the seller again. I say እሺ፣ እወስዳለሁ. Lucas: Perfect. You're ready for any market. Let's review all five phrases once more. Luna: ስንት ነው? ውድ ነው. ርካሽ ነው. እባክህ በትንሹ ቀንስ. እሺ፣ እወስዳለሁ. Lucas: That's it. You've got them all. Luna: I'm feeling so much more confident for my next trip. Lucas: And remember, if Fexingo has been helping you make actual progress with this language, you can support us at buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo. No pressure, just a friendly reminder. Luna: Yeah, it really helps keep these episodes coming. Lucas: So practice these phrases, and I'll see you next time. Luna: See you, everyone. እሺ፣ እወስዳለሁ. Lucas: Ha, she's already using it.