Language/Amharic/Grammar/Amharic-Slang-and-Colloquialisms

Amharic → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Amharic Slang and Colloquialisms

Welcome to our exciting lesson on Amharic Slang and Colloquialisms! Understanding slang in any language is essential for grasping the culture and nuances that come with it. Amharic is no exception, and learning these expressions will help you connect with native speakers on a deeper level. Slang adds color to conversations and can help you sound more natural when speaking.

In this lesson, we'll explore various slang expressions, their meanings, and how to use them in everyday conversations. We’ll cover:

• The importance of slang in Amharic

• A variety of commonly used slang expressions

• Fun practice scenarios to help you get comfortable with using these expressions

So, let's dive in!

The Importance of Slang in Amharic

Slang is a living part of any language. It reflects the culture, trends, and the everyday lives of its speakers. In Amharic, slang is often derived from various sources, including youth culture, music, and social media. Knowing these expressions can make you sound more relatable and less formal. It also provides insight into the social context of conversations.

Common Amharic Slang Expressions

Let's look at some of the most commonly used Amharic slang expressions. Here are 20 examples that will enrich your vocabulary and help you connect with speakers:

Amharic	Pronunciation	English
ሴት አትንቀሳቀስ	set at'nesaqes	No worries / It's all good
ይህ እንዴት ነው	yih endeyt new	How's it going?
ይህ እንዴት ነው ወይ	yih endeyt new wey	What's up?
ወንድም እንደተወደደ	wendim endatewedde	Dude, you rock!
ወንድም እንዳታይ	wendim endatay	Bro, chill out!
አርባ ወደም	arba wedem	It's a piece of cake
አይነት ገይም	aynet geyim	Get out of here!
ቂጥ አይደለም	qit' aydelem	No way!
ጎዳና ይህ ነው	godana yih new	This is the place!
የምንም ነው	yeminem new	It's nothing / No big deal
የተሰኘ	yatesen	It's complicated / It’s a long story
አማርኛ ይንቀሳቀስ	amarenya yinqasqes	Speak casually in Amharic
አይውን እዚህ	aywen ezi	No way, come on
ምን ይላል	min yilal	What do you mean?
ሴት ወይን	set wey	Girl, you go!
ወንድም አንድ ገንቢ	wendim and genbi	Bro, let’s hang out
ይህን አይተው	yihen aytew	Don’t look at this
ጋር ስለዚህ	gar silezi	Just to be clear
አምላክ ንግግር	amlak niggigir	God knows / Only God knows
አንድ አይደል	and ayidel	You’re joking right?

Each of these expressions carries a unique flavor and context. Here’s how you might use some of them in conversation:

1. If someone asks how you are, you might respond with "ይህ እንዴት ነው?" (How's it going?).

2. If a friend is worried about a small issue, you can say "ይህ እንዴት ነው ወይ?" (What's up?).

Practice Scenarios

Now that you have a good grasp of some common slang expressions, let's put your knowledge to the test with some engaging exercises.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences using the slang expressions from the list above.

1. When someone says they are stressed, you can reassure them by saying, "____."

2. If you see a friend looking confused, you might say, "____."

3. To express disbelief, you could say, "____."

Exercise 2: Match the Expression

Match the Amharic slang expressions to their English meanings.

Amharic	English
ሴት አትንቀሳቀስ	A. What's up?
ይህ እንዴት ነው	B. Chill out!
ወንድም አንድ ገንቢ	C. Bro, let’s hang out
ይህ የምንም ነው	D. No worries

Exercise 3: Create Your Sentence

Use at least three of the slang expressions in a short dialogue between two friends.

Example:

A: ሴት አትንቀሳቀስ! (No worries!)

B: ይህ እንዴት ነው? (How's it going?)

Solutions and Explanations

Now let’s go over the answers to the exercises to ensure you have a clear understanding.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

1. "ይህ እንዴት ነው?"

2. "ይህ እንዴት ነው ወይ?"

3. "አይነት ገይም!"

Exercise 2: Match the Expression

1. ሴት አትንቀሳቀስ - D. No worries

2. ይህ እንዴት ነው - A. What's up?

3. ወንድም አንድ ገንቢ - C. Bro, let’s hang out

4. ይህ የምንም ነው - B. Chill out!

Exercise 3: Create Your Sentence

There are many variations possible, but here’s a sample dialogue:

A: "ይህ እንዴት ነው?"

B: "አይውን እዚህ!"

A: "ወንድም አንድ ገንቢ?"

By practicing these expressions and scenarios, you will become more fluent in using Amharic slang, making your conversations more engaging and relatable.

As you continue your journey with Amharic, remember that slang is just one part of the vibrant language tapestry. Enjoy using these expressions and don’t hesitate to add your own flair to them!

Table of Contents - Amharic Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Introduction to Amharic Alphabet

• Fidel and Syllables
• Pronunciation and Phonetics

  ---

Basic Vocabulary

• Greetings and Introductions
• Numbers and Counting
• Days of the Week and Months
• Colors and Shapes
• Family and Relationships

  ---

Basic Sentence Structure

• Nouns and Pronouns
• Verbs and Tenses
• Adjectives and Adverbs
• Prepositions and Conjunctions

  ---

Everyday Vocabulary

• Food and Drinks
• Clothing and Accessories
• Weather and Seasons
• Travel and Transportation
• Hobbies and Leisure

  ---

Intermediate Sentence Structure

• Negation and Questions
• Imperatives and Requests
• Expressing Possession
• Comparatives and Superlatives

  ---

Advanced Vocabulary

• Professions and Work
• Health and Body
• Education and Learning
• Nature and Environment
• Technology and Communication

  ---

Ethiopian Culture and Traditions

• Ethiopian Holidays and Festivals
• Ethiopian Cuisine
• Ethiopian Music and Dance
• Ethiopian History and Heritage

Sources

• 5 Amharic words I wish we had in English – The Seattle Globalist
• Learn Amharic (Ethiopian) Online - Write or Speak in Amharic ...
• Colloquial Amharic - by polygloterin - Memrise

Other Lessons

• Direct and Indirect Object Affixes
• Simple Sentence
• Using Prepositional Phrases
• Noun Gender and Articles
• bästä prefix
• Expressing Obligation or Necessity
• Conditional Mood
• Expressions Using the Relative Past
• The Possessive Forms (second method)