Bereka Buna
Bereka Buna is a podcast series designed to support Amharic language learning. Episodes focus on vocabulary, grammar, dialogue, and conversational Amharic to help learners move beyond the basics. Listeners can follow along with full transcripts in transliterated and Amharic Fidel to improve reading and writing skills. The podcast is hosted by Luana DeBorst and features guest speakers. Accompanying videos are available on YouTube.
Episodes
S4.E10 - Season Recap and Practice Exercises
Welcome to the final episode of Season 4 of Bereka Buna, where we’ll do our recap and practice for everything we’ve gone over this season. As always, you’ll hear the activity followed by the answer. If you’d like to use this as a test of your knowledge, make sure to pause before the answer is given and then check your answer. If you’ve enjoyed the series so far, please like, share and subscribe so
S4.E9 - The Relative Clause II
In this episode we expand on material introduced in the last episode on the Relative Clause, looking at some more ways in which it can be applied in conjunction with other prepositions and other grammatical forms like the conditional “ከሆነ”, as well as conjugating the Relative Clause in its negative form. Pull up the transcript and follow along as we explain conjugations and run through some practi
S4.E8 - The Relative Clause
Today we’ll tackle a grammatical form used very frequently in Amharic, known as the Relative Clause. In English we use the relative clause to modify a noun or noun phrase by using a relative pronoun like “which”, “that”, “who”, “whom”, “whose”, etc. With the help of such pronouns, we are able to specify and give greater detail in one sentence and connect two ideas or two separate clauses into one
S4.E7 - Compounds of Ale
We’re back this episode with an in-depth look at one of the words that makes Amharic so dynamic, and so hopelessly confusing at times: that is, the verb አለ. Today we’ll look at compounds of the verb አለ, which can be used in a variety of ways to create meaning. If you need a refresher, I would recommend going back to episode 5 of Season 3 to touch up on some of the other conjugations and variations
S4.E6 - Story Series, Frog goes to dinner
Today we’re lucky to be back with another episode in our Stories Series with the fabulous Selamawit Geleta. If you’re interested in taking Amharic classes, please visit our website at berekabuna.org. As with the last two story series episodes, you’ll find the picture book images and a list of vocabulary in the transcript at our website. I’d recommend following along to test your comprehension and
S4.E5 - Story Series, Alex Pumpernickel
For this Story Series episode we give grammar a break to join Selam as she narrates a new wordless picture book. Follow along with the story images, vocabulary list and example sentences in the transcript. If you’ve enjoyed these stories and would like to find out more about taking classes in Addis Ababa or online, please visit us at berekabuna.org. For more on this teaching technique see Greg Tho
S4.E4 - Conjugating the Passive
Today we’ll continue on from where we left off last episode with a look at more complex aspects of the Passive form, including how to conjugate passive verbs in the Simple Past to other tenses, including the Present/Future, the Contingent, the Gerund, the Imperative, and more. If you are at the early stages of Amharic learning, we recommend going back to previous episodes where each tense is expla
S4.E3 - The Passive
This episode introduces a complex element of Amharic grammar: The Passive Form. An active sentence in English might be “She painted the house”. A similar sentence in its passive form might be “the house was painted”. In this episode we look at how to construct passive sentences starting with verbs in the simple past perfect. I’d recommend pulling up the transcript to follow along with this episode
S4.E2 - The Causative
In this episode we take a deep dive into an element of Amharic grammar known as The Causative. The Causative, as the name implies, refers to actions which wouldn’t happen of their own accord and so must be caused to occur. Amharic has both Direct and Indirect causative verbs. In this episode we look at both, running through some simple examples of causative verbs, and then deconstructing when and
S4.E1 - Adjectives
Welcome back to a new Season of Bereka Buna! This episode kicks off the Season with a look at Adjectives and how to use them in a sentence. We run through several examples of adjectives and numerals and then look at the grammatical rules to bear in mind when using adjectives in Amharic, closing out with our usual list of practice sentences.
S3.E10 - Season 3 Recap And Practice
Welcome to the final episode of Season 3 of Bereka Buna, where we’ll do our recap and practice for everything we’ve gone over this season. As always, you’ll hear the activity followed by the answer. If you’d like to use this as a test of your knowledge, make sure to pause before the answer is given and then check your answer. Also remember you can always open up the transcript to see the Amharic F
S3.E9 - Unique Amharic Expressions
In this week’s episode we’ll give grammar and technicalities a break to have a look at some of the unique phrases or expressions in Amharic that have no translation in English, and which give the language so much character. While I learned some of these just by listening and understanding context, many were actually new to me when I started this episode. Now that I know them, though, I can’t stop
S3.E8 - Building Compound Sentences
Today we’ll look at how to construct compound sentences using a verb form called The Gerund. We introduced the Gerund and how it is used to make past perfect conjugations in Episode 6 of Season 2, so if you’re struggling with this episode, I’d recommend going back for a recap. Now we’re going to go a step further and look at how the gerund is used in conjunction with other verbs to build compound
S3.E7 - Story Series, Ato Andreas Part II
In this episode we pick up again with the second half of Ato Andreas’s story, narrated by the wonderful Selamawit Geleta. As always, if you enjoy her teaching style, you can connect by visiting our website, berekabuna.org. As with the last episode, you can find the illustrated story, as well as comprehension questions, suggested activities and a list of vocabulary in the transcript. If you would l
S3.E6 - Story Series, Ato Andreas Part I
Today we’re lucky to be back with another episode in our Stories Series with the fabulous Selamawit Geleta. If you’re interested in taking Amharic classes, please visit our website at berekabuna.org. As with the last two story series episodes, you’ll find the picture book images and a list of vocabulary in the transcript at our website. I’d recommend following along to test your comprehension and
S3.E5 - Variations On Ale
In this episode we’ll look at some of the most often used, but also most complex, verbs in the Amharic language. That is, uses of the verb አለ “Ale”. If you’ve made it this far in your language learning you’re likely to have come across the following verbs fairly regularly: አለ, አለው, አለሁ, አልኩ, አለኝ, etc. These variations on አለ are often written and even sound almost exactly the same, but they have di
S3.E4 - The Imperative And Jussive
In this week’s episode we’ll look at the Imperative and the Jussive, which are related forms of command or request. The Imperative is the name given to a direct command: i.e. go, come, listen, stop, etc. The Jussive can be thought of as an indirect command, more along the lines of “let him eat”, “let her take”, etc. It is often phrased as a question or request: “shall we?”, “may I?”, “could you?”,
S3.E3 - Subject And Object, Part II
Today we’ll continue from where we left off last week with our object modifiers, this time adding two important preposition that can completely change the meaning of the object-modified verb. These are the prepositions ለ and በ, the addition of which adds a layer of differing meaning to the word. In this episode, travel through full verb conjugation examples followed by sample sentences for practic
S3.E2 - Subject And Object, Part I
In this episode we’ll get into some challenging but very important elements of the Amharic language. That is, how to incorporate the person who is doing the action (the subject) and the person who is receiving the action, or whom the action is being done upon (the object) in a sentence. Learning this means that we can build and understand more complex and specific sentences. Due to the complexity
S3.E1 - Telling Time And The Ethiopian Calendar
Welcome back to another Season of Bereka Buna. In these next ten episodes we’ll continue to solidify your language and cultural learning by expanding on your vocabulary, knowledge of grammar, and familiarity with spoken and narrative Amharic. As with previous seasons you will have practice exercises, dialogue, and stories to help you deep-dive into the language. Let’s kick off the season by lookin
S2.E10 - Season 2 Recap And Practice
This episode reviews material covered in the second Season of Bereka Buna, using extensive practice activities to refresh your knowledge of elements covered so far, get you practicing, and test your comprehension. View the transcript at berekabuna.org for the practice activities, including amharic fidel.
S2.E9 - Story Series, Bird's New Hat
For this Story Series episode, we are lucky to be joined again by Selamawit Geleta as she narrates a wordless picture book in Amharic. Follow along with the transcript (linked in the show bio) to see the illustrations and a list of new vocabulary.
S2.E8 - Story Series, The Good Bird
In this first Episode of our Story Series we are joined by the wonderful Selamawit Geleta whose animated narration of a wordless picture book provides learners with new vocabulary, and a practical journey through sentence construction in Amharic. Follow along with the illustrations and full list of vocabulary in the transcript.
S2.E7 - Expressing Emotion
In this episode we explore vocabulary used to express emotion. In Amharic, emotion is expressed most often as a verb rather than an adjective, which is common in English. These emotive verbs are often irregular, so they're useful to review on their own in order to start empathizing with and expressing emotion.
S2.E6 - Present And Past Perfect
This episode explains how to conjugate present and past perfect verb forms, using extensive verb charts and practice exercises. The present and past perfect are used to make sentences like "I have eaten" or "I had gone". They rely heavily on the verb construction called The Gerund, which has many uses unique to Amharic and will be essential for building compound sentences later on.
S2.E5 - Common Core Phrases And Questions Part II
This episode compiles a useful spread of common phrases and questions in Amharic that you'd be likely to encounter on a regular basis. From asking for and offering clarification or help to expressing (mis)understanding, this episode is a practical one for early learners of Amharic.
S2.E4 - If And When Conjugations
In this episode we pick up where we left off last week, using the contingent and various conjunctions to make conditional or dependent sentences like “if I were to X” and “when we do/did Y”. Using several verb examples and practice sentences the episode will help you come away formulating more complex thoughts.
S2.E3 - Going To And Used To Verbs
In this episode we navigate how to build more complex sentences using "used to" and "going to" verb equivalents in Amharic. The episode introduces a form called the Contingent that is also the basis for various other verb conjugations addressed in later episodes.
S2.E2 - Getting Around With Prepositions
This episode breaks down essential Amharic Prepositions through dialogue and examples. Prepositions are important to learn early on in order to start putting together simple sentences and understanding the gist of the conversation.
S2.E1 - Meeting At A Restaurant
Welcome to Season 2 of Bereka Buna. In this season we dive into some more complicated Amharic language vocabulary and grammar, including practical dialogue and sample exercises. In this episode we look at introductory language around ordering food at a restaurant and meeting someone for the first time.
S1.E10 - Season 1 Recap And Practice Activities
This is the final episode of Season 1 of Bereka Buna. In it we go over a series of practice exercises designed to help consolidate what you've learned so far.
S1.E9 - Core Irregular Verbs
In this session we go over a few core irregular verbs in the past and present tense, including negatives. These verbs are used very often and in many contexts, so they’re essential to learn early on, but can be tricky to wrap one's mind around. This should serve as a useful introduction.
S1.E8 - The Negative
This episode details how verbs are negated in Amharic using several examples and practice exercises.
S1.E7 - Past Tense And The Continuous
This episode examines the Amharic past tense (I went, you went, they went...) as well as conjugations in the present and past continuous (i am going, you are seeing, we were eating...) with examples and practice exercises.
S1.E6 - The Infinitive and Present Tense
This episode takes a look at Amharic verbs in the infinitive (to eat, to go, to take, etc.), and how to conjugate these in the present tense (I eat, you go, we take, etc.), using some essential verb examples.
S1.E5 - Common Core Questions And Phrases
This episode covers some questions and phrases that are essential to know at the early stages of Amharic learning. Follow along by repeating the phrases and then practice with a friend.
S1.E4 - Household Vocabulary
This episode is designed for vocabulary learning. In it we simply go over lists of common vocabulary related to the house and objects in it as well as a few key food and drink names you'll inevitably use to start being conversational in Amharic.
S1.E3 - Basic Greetings
This episode covers a range of basic greetings in Amharic to get you conversational in the basics.
S1.E2 - People And Family
This episode reviews core vocabulary about people and kinship in Amharic.
S1.E1 - Pronouns And Possessive
In this episode we start with the basics, looking at gender, pronouns and the possessive in Amharic using the verb example "to be".
Welcome to Bereka Buna
Join us as we share our story, explore the meaning of Bereka Buna and welcome you to this Amharic language learning journey.
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