المعنى
Asking for the price of something.
خلفية ثقافية
In the highlands, haggling is a sign of intelligence and social engagement. If you don't ask 'Sint new?' and then try to lower the price, you are seen as a 'easy' target. In the capital, 'Sint new?' is used rapidly. In minibus taxis, you don't even need to say 'new'; just saying the destination + 'sint?' is enough. In Merkato, the world's largest open-air market, 'Sint new?' is the start of a long negotiation. Merchants expect you to ask the price of several things before buying one. Even abroad, Ethiopians will use 'Sint new?' in Ethiopian grocery stores in DC or London to maintain a sense of community and traditional commerce.
Point and Ask
If you don't know the noun, just point and say 'Sint new?'. It's the most effective way to learn names of objects as the merchant will often repeat the noun in their answer.
The 'Foreigner' Price
As a learner, you might be quoted a higher price. Always follow up 'Sint new?' with 'Widd new!' (It's expensive!) to start the negotiation.
المعنى
Asking for the price of something.
Point and Ask
If you don't know the noun, just point and say 'Sint new?'. It's the most effective way to learn names of objects as the merchant will often repeat the noun in their answer.
The 'Foreigner' Price
As a learner, you might be quoted a higher price. Always follow up 'Sint new?' with 'Widd new!' (It's expensive!) to start the negotiation.
Plurality Matters
If you are buying a bunch of bananas, use 'Sint nachew?' (How many/much are they?). It sounds much more native.
Smile while asking
Ethiopian culture values politeness. A smile with 'Sint new?' goes a long way in getting a fair price.
اختبر نفسك
Fill in the missing word to ask 'How much is the coffee?'
ቡና ____ ነው? (Buna ____ new?)
'Sint' is the word for 'how much'. 'Man' is who, 'Yet' is where, and 'Lemin' is why.
Which phrase is used to ask for the total bill in a restaurant?
Select the correct option:
'Hisab sint new?' specifically asks for the bill/account.
Match the Amharic phrase to its English translation.
Match the following:
These are the four most common variations of the 'Sint' structure.
Complete the dialogue between a customer and a taxi driver.
Customer: ቦሌ ____ ነው? Driver: ሀምሳ ብር ነው።
The customer is asking for the price to go to the 'Bole' neighborhood.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
وسائل تعلم بصرية
بنك التمارين
4 تمارينቡና ____ ነው? (Buna ____ new?)
'Sint' is the word for 'how much'. 'Man' is who, 'Yet' is where, and 'Lemin' is why.
Select the correct option:
'Hisab sint new?' specifically asks for the bill/account.
طابق كل عنصر على اليسار مع زوجه على اليمين:
These are the four most common variations of the 'Sint' structure.
Customer: ቦሌ ____ ነው? Driver: ሀምሳ ብር ነው።
The customer is asking for the price to go to the 'Bole' neighborhood.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةIn very informal settings like a crowded bus, yes. But 'Sint new?' is the standard complete thought.
The word 'Sint' stays the same, but the verb 'new' can change to 'nat' for feminine nouns.
Say 'Yih sint new?' (masculine) or 'Yichi sint new?' (feminine).
In a shop, no. In a social setting, it's better to exchange greetings (Selam) first.
You can say 'Sint neber?' (How much was it?) or 'Hisab sint new?'.
'Sint' is for price/quantity; 'Sint gize' means 'How many times'.
Yes, 'Sew sint new?' means 'How many people are there?'.
Say 'Kilo sint new?'.
Yes, 'Waga' (ዋጋ). You can say 'Wagaw sint new?'.
State the number followed by 'Birr' (e.g., 'Haya Birr').
عبارات ذات صلة
ዋጋው ስንት ነው?
specialized formHow much is the price?
ስንት ሰዓት ነው?
builds onWhat time is it?
በስንት ነው?
specialized formFor how much?
ስንት ይባላል?
synonymHow much is it called?
ስንት ናቸው?
specialized formHow many are they?
