Language/Amharic/Culture/Time

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Culture ⇨ Time in Ethiopia

Time is expressed uniquely in Ethiopia. To distinguish “am” and “pm, Ethiopians add qualifiers such as “ጠዋት t’äwat” (morning), “ከሰአት በኋላ käsä’at bähwala” (afternoon), “ምሽት mïššït” (evening), and “ለሊት lälit” (at night). Furthermore, the Ethiopian day starts at “ከጠዋቱ 1 ሰዓት kät’äwatu 1 sä’at” (7 am.). Therefore, “ከጠዋቱ 2 ሰዓትkät’äwatu 2 sä’at ” is 8 am, noon is “ከቀኑ 6 ሰአት kä k’änu 6 sä’at”, 2 pm is “ከቀኑ 8 ሰአት kä k’änu 8 sä’at”, 9 pm is “ከምሽቱ 3 ሰአት kä mïšïtu 3 sä’at”, and 4 am is “ከለሊቱ 10 ሰአት kä lelitu10 sä’at ”.

When talking to colleagues or arranging an appointment, it is usefulto establish whether the meeting is set for “ሀበሻ ሰአት habäša sä’at” (Ethiopian time) or “ፈረንጅ ሰአት färänj sä’at” (European time). If you are approaching a stranger to ask the time, it is polite to first say “ይቅርታ yïk΄ïrta”. “ይቅርታ ስንት ሰአት ነው? yïk΄ïrta, sïnt sä’at näw?”

Ethiopians may conceptualize time differently than Americans. Keeping schedules, starting meetings at the appointed time, or adhering to deadlines are generally not as rigid as in America. Rather, prioritizing people’s needs and adjusting time to suit people is valued.

Take some time to dive into these other pages after completing this lesson: Ethiopian Cuisine, Ethiopian Holidays and Festivals, Traditional Beliefs and Practices & Ethiopian Festivals and Celebrations.