المعنى
Directing someone's sight.
خلفية ثقافية
When saying 'እይ' to point something out, it is more polite to use the whole hand rather than just the index finger, which can be seen as aggressive. During the roasting of the beans (Buna Kela), the host will pass the smoking pan around. Guests are expected to 'look' and smell, often prompted by 'እዩ' (polite). In 'Merkato' (the large market in Addis), 'እይ' is used by vendors to grab attention. However, as a buyer, using 'እስቲ እይ' (let me see) is a standard way to start a negotiation. In Orthodox Tewahedo Christianity, 'looking' at icons is a form of prayer. A guide might say 'እዩ' when pointing out ancient paintings in a rock-hewn church.
The 'Isti' Trick
Always add 'Isti' before 'Iy' to sound more like a local and less like you are giving orders.
Gender Matters
If you aren't sure of the gender, or are speaking to a group, default to 'Iyu'.
المعنى
Directing someone's sight.
The 'Isti' Trick
Always add 'Isti' before 'Iy' to sound more like a local and less like you are giving orders.
Gender Matters
If you aren't sure of the gender, or are speaking to a group, default to 'Iyu'.
The Chin Flick
In Ethiopia, people often flick their chin upward while saying 'Iy' to point to something far away.
Eye Contact
While 'እይ' asks someone to look at something, prolonged eye contact with elders while speaking can be seen as disrespectful.
اختبر نفسك
You are talking to your female friend, Aster. Which word should you use to tell her to look at a bird?
አስቴር፣ ወፉን ____!
Since Aster is female, you must use the feminine imperative 'እዪ'.
Fill in the blank with the correct form for a group of people.
ልጆች፣ ጥቁር ሰሌዳውን ____።
'ልጆች' (children) is plural, so the plural imperative 'እዩ' is required.
Match the phrase to the person you are addressing.
1. To a male friend, 2. To a female teacher, 3. To a group of students
Male friend is 'እይ'. Both a female teacher (polite) and a group of students use 'እዩ'.
Complete the dialogue between two brothers.
A: ____! አዲስ ጫማ ገዛሁ። B: በጣም ያምራል።
Brothers use the informal masculine singular 'እይ'.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
وسائل تعلم بصرية
The Three Forms of 'Look!'
Masculine
- • እይ (Iy)
Feminine
- • እዪ (Iyi)
Plural/Polite
- • እዩ (Iyu)
بنك التمارين
4 تمارينአስቴር፣ ወፉን ____!
Since Aster is female, you must use the feminine imperative 'እዪ'.
ልጆች፣ ጥቁር ሰሌዳውን ____።
'ልጆች' (children) is plural, so the plural imperative 'እዩ' is required.
1. To a male friend, 2. To a female teacher, 3. To a group of students
Male friend is 'እይ'. Both a female teacher (polite) and a group of students use 'እዩ'.
A: ____! አዲስ ጫማ ገዛሁ። B: በጣም ያምራል።
Brothers use the informal masculine singular 'እይ'.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةTechnically yes, but 'ፊልም እይ' is better. For 'watching' as an activity, 'ተመልከት' is more accurate.
It's not rude among friends, but it is too informal for strangers or elders.
You say 'እኔን እይ' (Enen iy).
'እይ' is a quick glance or 'see', while 'ተመልከት' is 'observe' or 'watch'.
Yes, the root 'አየ' changes to 'አየሁ' (I saw), 'አየህ' (You saw), etc.
Yes, it's very common in texting when sharing links or photos.
Usually, people use the masculine 'እይ' for pets unless they are specifically emphasizing the pet's gender.
Young people often use 'ቼክ አድርገው' (Check adirgew), which is 'Check it'.
You say 'ያንን እይ' (Yannin iy).
It's a result of centuries of linguistic erosion from the original Ge'ez root.
عبارات ذات صلة
እስቲ እይ
similarJust look / Let me see
ተመልከት
synonymObserve / Watch
አትይ
contrastDon't look
አየሁ
builds onI saw
ይታይሃል?
specialized formCan you see it?
