Language/Amharic/Vocabulary/Idiomatic-Expressions

Amharic Vocabulary - Idiomatic expressions

Hi Amharic learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will be discussing idiomatic expressions in Amharic. These expressions are commonly used among native speakers and are important to learn to truly understand the language. We will also provide some cultural information and interesting facts along the way. Don't forget to check the Vocabulary page for additional words and phrases. Let's get started!

The Importance of Idiomatic Expressions

Idiomatic expressions are unique to each language and can provide insight into the culture and mindset of its speakers. Learning these expressions can also help you sound more fluent and natural when speaking. For example, in English, we might say "it's raining cats and dogs" to express a heavy rain, but this expression would not make sense to non-native speakers who are unfamiliar with it. In Amharic, there are many idiomatic expressions that provide a richer and more nuanced understanding of the language.

Common Idiomatic Expressions in Amharic

Here are some common idiomatic expressions in Amharic:

Amharic	Pronunciation	English
ያሉ ሰው አመመኝ	yalū sew ametemegn	everyone knows me
አርአያ ያልጣል ማለት ነው	araya yaltal malat new	it's easy for someone who knows
አየሁት ሰው ቀስ ቤተሰብ አያቀርም	ayehutew sew qes beteseb ayakerm	he who comes late will not find bread
ስሜ ነኝ የምን ይባላል	sime negne yemin yibalal	I exist, what can I do?
ለምን? ለወያኔ?	lemn? lewayne?	for what? for my car?

Here are some examples of how you might use these expressions in a dialogue:

• Person 1: ያሉ ሰው አመመኝ (yalū sew ametemegn)
• Person 2: እዚህም ይጠብቅልን (ezihi yitibiqellen)

In this example, Person 1 is saying "everyone knows me" and Person 2 is responding "even here, they know you".

• Person 1: አየሁት ሰው ቀስ ቤተሰብ አያቀርም (ayehutew sew qes beteseb ayakerm)
• Person 2: እረ ስሜ ማን ይባላል? (ere sime man yibalal?)

In this example, Person 1 is saying "he who comes late will not find bread" and Person 2 is asking "what can I do?"

Cultural Information

Amharic is the official language of Ethiopia and is spoken by over 20 million people. It is a Semitic language, which means it is related to other languages like Arabic and Hebrew. Amharic is written using a unique script that has 33 basic characters, each with seven forms depending on the vowel sound.

Ethiopia is known for its unique culture and traditions, including its music, dance, and food. In Amharic, it is common to show respect by using formal language, especially when speaking to elders or people in positions of authority. It is also important to remove your shoes before entering someone's home as a sign of respect. Ethiopians are known for their hospitality and generosity, and it is customary to share food and drinks with guests.

Interesting Facts

- Amharic is one of the few African languages with its own alphabet. - Ethiopia is the only African country to have never been colonized by a European power. - The Ethiopian calendar has 13 months and is 7 years behind the Gregorian calendar. - Coffee is an important part of Ethiopian culture and is often served during formal occasions.

To improve your Amharic skills, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!

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➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎

Other Lessons

• Phrases to Reject Sexual Advance
• Verbs for Describing the Weather
• Body
• Feelings and Emotions
• Seasons
• Time Words
• Occupations
• Time Specific Leave Taking
• Geography
• Dairy Products

Sources

• Amharic Vocabulary - Idiomatic expressions
• Amharic Idioms