Language/Amharic/Grammar/How-to-Use-Be
Hi Amharic learners! π
In this lesson, we will discuss how to use "be" in Amharic. "Be" is an important verb as it is used to indicate existence, identity, and location. It is also used to describe a person's state of being. Understanding how to use "be" is essential to speak and write Amharic fluently. Let's get started!
The Basics
In Amharic, the verb "be" is expressed by four different verbs: αα/ nenew, αα©/ layu, αα/ yihe, and ααα’/ nenew.
The verb αα/ nenew is the most commonly used verb for "be," and it is used to indicate existence, identity, and location. It is also used to describe a person's state of being. The verb αα©/ layu is used to indicate identity and location, and the verb αα/ yihe is used to describe something that is "this" or "that." Finally, the verb ααα’/ nenew is used to indicate existence and location.
To use "be" in Amharic, you need to know its forms in the present tense. Here they are:
| Subject Pronouns | αα | αα© | α°α£α¨α¨ | ααα’ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | αα | αα© | α°α£α¨α¨ | ααα’ |
| You (Singular) | αα | αα© | α°α£α¨α¨ | ααα’ |
| He/She/It | αα | αα© | α°α£α¨α¨ | ααα’ |
| We | αα | αα΅α₯ αα© αα | α°α£α¨α¨α | ααα’ |
| You (Plural) | αα | αα΅α₯ αα© αα | α°α£α¨α¨α | ααα’ |
| They | αα | αα΅α₯ αα© αα | α°α£α¨α¨α | ααα’ |
Here are some examples:
| Amharic | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| α₯α αα | Enenew | I am |
| α αα° αα | Anteneh | You are |
| α΅αααα αα | Tikikilignenew | He/She/It is smart |
| α₯α αα | Eneen | We are |
| α₯αααα° αα | Enamenten | You (Plural) are |
| α₯ααα ααΈα | Enzehanachew | They are these |
Now, let's learn how to use "be" in different contexts.
Existence
To indicate existence in Amharic, we use the verb αα/ nenew.
Here's an example conversation:
- Person 1: ααα₯α½α°α αα? (Melakehtegnaw?) - Are you a guest?
- Person 2: ααα’ (Nenew.) - Yes, I am.
Note that in Amharic, we don't use any verb or auxiliary to form questions. Instead, we change the intonation of our voice.
Here's another example:
- Person 1: α₯αα°αα αα α? (Endemin nenber?) - What are you?
- Person 2: α°α£α¨α¨αα’ (Tebarreren.) - We are students.
In this example, we use the verb αα/ nenew to indicate existence, and the pronoun αα¨α΅α/ nekesna to mean "we" or "us."
Here are some more examples:
- α αα± α¨αα³αα ααα’ (Andu yemitaweqenew.) - One of them is missing.
- α¨αα΅α΅ αα α¨α°α»α αα΅α’ (Kemisit gare yeteshale nat.) - There is a lost-and-found in the women's restroom.
Identity
To indicate identity in Amharic, we use the verb αα/ nenew and the verb αα©/ layu.
Here's an example conversation:
- Person 1: ααα α αα ? (Mamher neh?) - Are you a teacher?
- Person 2: αα© ααα’ (Layu nenjo.) - Yes, I am.
In this example, we use the verb αα©/ layu to confirm the identity of the subject.
Here are some more examples:
- ααα₯ αααͺα« αααΈααα’ (Hzib memoriya yilachewal.) - The members have identities.
- α£α¨ αα αα α’ (Baye gena neh.) - You must be Baye.
Location
To indicate location in Amharic, we use the verb αα/ nenew, and the prepositions α¨/ke and α /be.
Here's an example conversation:
- Person 1: α¨α€α΅ α¦α³ α₯α» ααα? (Yebetebota bicha yihun?) - Is the house location nearby?
- Person 2: α¨αΆα αα/ α αα« ααα’ (Kotum nenew/ bezeya nenew.) - It's not far/ It's here.
In this example, we use the prepositions α¨/ke and α /be to indicate the location of the house.
Here are some more examples:
- α₯αα°α€α΅ α¦α³ ααα’ (Endebetebota nenew.) - It's like a home.
- α¨αα°αα α¦α³ α«αα/α αα/ααΈαα’ (Yemismam bota yalewu nenew/nachew.) - The place is peaceful.
Describing a Person's State of Being
To describe a person's state of being in Amharic, we use the verb αα/ nenew, and adjectives.
Here's an example conversation:
- Person 1: α΅α α₯αα°αα£ αα/αα© αα? (Saga endewetew neh/layu new?) - Is the coffee hot?
- Person 2: α αα αα/αα© αα. (Telko nenew/layu nenew.) - Yes, it is.
In this example, we use the adjective α αα/ telko to describe the state of the coffee.
Here are some more examples:
- α΅α α°α΅ α αα°α»ααα’ (Sihetit allechatelhem.) - He is not reliable.
- αα°αα ααα’ (Medemer nenew.) - He is funny.
Conclusion
Using "be" in Amharic is easy once you get the hang of it. Make sure you practice the examples above and create your own sentences. To improve your Amharic Grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
β‘ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
β‘ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. π
Related Lessons
- Definite direct objects in the present and future tense
- βto beβ and βto haveβ
- Making Suggestions Using βLetβ
- Pluralizing
- How to Use Have
- Stem verbs
- Indirect Object Pronouns
- Time Clauses
- Simple Sentence