Bedeutung
Literally 'his stomach is wide'. Means patient.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In the Amhara and Tigray regions, 'Hode Sefi' is the mark of a 'Chewa' (noble/well-bred person). Showing anger is considered 'balage' (rude/unrefined). In the fast-paced capital, this idiom is often used to encourage people to deal with the stresses of modern life, like traffic and bureaucracy. The concept is linked to the religious virtue of 'Te'egest' (patience), which is one of the fruits of the spirit. It's often mentioned in sermons. Azmaris (traditional singers) use this idiom in 'wax and gold' poetry to praise patrons or subtly criticize those who lack patience.
The 'Secret' Usage
If you want to tell someone you can keep a secret, say 'Hode sefi new.' It's more poetic than just saying 'I won't tell.'
Watch the Suffix
Always check if you are talking to a man (Hodeh) or a woman (Hodesh). Using the wrong one is a common beginner mistake.
Bedeutung
Literally 'his stomach is wide'. Means patient.
The 'Secret' Usage
If you want to tell someone you can keep a secret, say 'Hode sefi new.' It's more poetic than just saying 'I won't tell.'
Watch the Suffix
Always check if you are talking to a man (Hodeh) or a woman (Hodesh). Using the wrong one is a common beginner mistake.
High Praise
Calling an elder 'Hode Sefi' is one of the best compliments you can give in Ethiopia. It shows you respect their wisdom.
The Opposite
Learn 'Hode-basha' at the same time. It helps you remember 'Hodu sefi' by contrast.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the correct possessive suffix for 'Hod' (stomach).
እሷ በጣም ታጋሽ ናት፤ ሆድ__ ሰፊ ነው።
Because the subject is 'እሷ' (she), the suffix must be 'ቷ' (her).
What does 'ሆዱ ሰፊ ነው' mean in a social context?
አለቃዬ ሆዱ ሰፊ ነው።
In a social context, this idiom always refers to patience and tolerance.
Match the idiom to the correct situation.
Someone just insulted Abebe, but Abebe smiled and walked away.
Walking away from an insult shows patience (wide stomach).
Complete the dialogue.
A: ልጆቹ እቃ ሰበሩ! B: አይዞሽ፣ _________ ይሁን።
The speaker is talking to a woman ('አይዞሽ'), so 'ሆድሽ' is correct.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Stomach Idioms
Aufgabensammlung
4 Aufgabenእሷ በጣም ታጋሽ ናት፤ ሆድ__ ሰፊ ነው።
Because the subject is 'እሷ' (she), the suffix must be 'ቷ' (her).
አለቃዬ ሆዱ ሰፊ ነው።
In a social context, this idiom always refers to patience and tolerance.
Someone just insulted Abebe, but Abebe smiled and walked away.
Walking away from an insult shows patience (wide stomach).
A: ልጆቹ እቃ ሰበሩ! B: አይዞሽ፣ _________ ይሁን።
The speaker is talking to a woman ('አይዞሽ'), so 'ሆድሽ' is correct.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo. While literally it could mean that, 99% of the time it is an idiom for patience. To say someone is fat, use 'ወፍራም' (wefram).
Yes, but change it to 'ሆዷ ሰፊ ነው' (Hoduwa sefi new).
Yes, it is a very respectful way to describe someone's character.
'Te'egestenya' is the literal word for 'patient.' 'Hodu sefi new' is more idiomatic and carries a warmer, more cultural tone.
Yes, you can say 'Hode sefi new' to mean 'I am a patient person' or 'I can keep a secret.'
Yes: 'ሆዳቸው ሰፊ ነው' (Hodachew sefi new) - They are patient.
Almost never. It is a virtuous trait. However, if someone is *too* patient with a bad situation, it might be used slightly ironically.
Say 'ሆድህ ሰፊ ይሁን' (Hodeh sefi yihun) to a man.
Yes, similar metaphors exist in Oromiffa and Tigrinya, reflecting shared cultural values.
You can use 'tiliq' (big), and people will understand, but it's less idiomatic and might sound like you're talking about their physical stomach.
Verwandte Redewendungen
ሆደ ባሕር
specialized formStomach like a sea
ትዕግስተኛ
synonymPatient
ሆደ ባሻ
contrastQuick-tempered
ቻይ
similarOne who endures
ምስጢረኛ
builds onSecretive/Discreet
