المعنى
A child starting to speak.
خلفية ثقافية
In rural areas, the first words of a child are sometimes celebrated with a small gathering where neighbors are served 'Kolo' (roasted grains) to symbolize the 'crunchy' and clear nature of the child's future speech. Modern parents often record the 'Af Meftat' moment on smartphones to share with relatives abroad, showing how this ancient idiom has transitioned into the digital age. Amharic culture highly values 'Nigigir' (speech). A child who 'unties their mouth' early is often jokingly predicted to become a lawyer (tebeka) or a judge (dagna). Some elders believe that if a child is late to 'untie their mouth,' giving them water that has been used to wash a church bell will help them speak clearly and loudly.
Use for Progress
Tell your Amharic teacher 'አፍ እየፈታሁ ነው' (I'm starting to speak) to show off your idiomatic knowledge!
Gender Matters
Remember to change the verb for a girl (fettach) vs a boy (fetta).
المعنى
A child starting to speak.
Use for Progress
Tell your Amharic teacher 'አፍ እየፈታሁ ነው' (I'm starting to speak) to show off your idiomatic knowledge!
Gender Matters
Remember to change the verb for a girl (fettach) vs a boy (fetta).
The 'G' sound
In some dialects, 'meftat' can sound like 'meftat' with a very soft 't'. Listen to native speakers carefully.
Celebrate!
If someone tells you their baby 'af fetta', always reply with 'እንኳን ደስ አላችሁ!' (Congratulations!).
اختبر نفسك
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'meftat'.
ልጁ ገና አንድ ዓመቱ ነው፤ አሁን አፍ ______።
The subject is 'ልጁ' (the boy/child), so the verb must be 3rd person masculine singular past: 'ፈታ'.
Which sentence means 'The baby hasn't started speaking yet'?
Choose the correct Amharic sentence:
'አል...ም' is the negative construction in Amharic.
Match the situation to the correct use of the phrase.
A mother is excited because her 10-month-old said 'Mama'. What does she say?
'Af fettach' is the correct idiom for a female child starting to speak.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ልጅሽ መቼ ነው አፍ የፈታው? B: ___________።
The answer should provide a time (at ten months) and use the correct verb 'fetta'.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Af Meftat vs. Af Awtta
بنك التمارين
4 تمارينልጁ ገና አንድ ዓመቱ ነው፤ አሁን አፍ ______።
The subject is 'ልጁ' (the boy/child), so the verb must be 3rd person masculine singular past: 'ፈታ'.
Choose the correct Amharic sentence:
'አል...ም' is the negative construction in Amharic.
A mother is excited because her 10-month-old said 'Mama'. What does she say?
'Af fettach' is the correct idiom for a female child starting to speak.
A: ልጅሽ መቼ ነው አፍ የፈታው? B: ___________።
The answer should provide a time (at ten months) and use the correct verb 'fetta'.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
الأسئلة الشائعة
12 أسئلةOnly metaphorically to mean they are becoming fluent in a new language. Otherwise, it sounds like you're calling them a baby.
In the idiom 'Af meftat', we usually just say 'Af'. If you say 'Afun fetta', it's also correct but sounds slightly more specific to 'his mouth'.
There isn't a direct opposite idiom, but 'ዝም አለ' (He was silent) is the literal opposite.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend when talking about your kids.
You say 'አፍ ፈታች' (Af fettach).
No, it specifically refers to the *start* of speaking, the milestone itself.
No, unless it's a cartoon where an animal suddenly starts talking like a human!
Yes, that is still 'Af meftat'.
Yes, it means to untie shoes, solve riddles, or release prisoners.
Because the mouth is seen as 'tied' until the child is ready to speak.
Yes, many songs about childhood or growth use this phrase.
Yes, that would be a very powerful and appropriate use of the phrase.
عبارات ذات صلة
አንደበት መፍታት
synonymTo start speaking (formal)
አፍ አውጣ
similarTo start speaking/to be bold
ዝምታን መስበር
contrastTo break silence
መለፍለፍ
specialized formTo babble or chatter
ቃል መናገር
builds onTo speak a word
