Bedeutung
To speak persuasively or sweetly.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In the highlands, directness is often seen as a lack of education. 'Af Malez' is a sign of a 'Chewa' (noble/cultured) upbringing. In the world's largest open-air market, 'Af Malez' is a survival skill. A merchant who can't 'soften their mouth' won't last a day. This is the traditional justice system. Elders are judged by their ability to 'soften the mouths' of angry litigants. Young people use 'Af Malez' to describe 'finessing' or being a 'smooth operator' in dating and social life.
Use it for favors
If you need a favor from an Ethiopian friend, start by 'softening your mouth' with a compliment.
Don't overdo it
If you are too sweet, people might think you are 'shiwada' (a con artist).
Bedeutung
To speak persuasively or sweetly.
Use it for favors
If you need a favor from an Ethiopian friend, start by 'softening your mouth' with a compliment.
Don't overdo it
If you are too sweet, people might think you are 'shiwada' (a con artist).
Elders love it
Using this phrase to describe an elder's speech is a high compliment to their wisdom.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the correct form of 'Af' with the possessive suffix for 'He'.
እሱ ____ አልዞ ስራውን አገኘ።
Since the subject is 'እሱ' (He), the possessive suffix must be '-un' (his).
Which situation is best described as 'Af Malez'?
Which of these is 'Af Malez'?
'Af Malez' is about persuasive and pleasant speech.
Complete the dialogue.
A: አባቴ ተቆጥቷል። B: አይዞህ፣ ____ አልዘህ ይቅርታ ጠይቀው።
You 'soften your mouth' to ask for forgiveness persuasively.
Match the phrase to the intent.
Match 'አፉን አለዘ' with its goal.
The goal of softening the mouth is always persuasion or peace.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 Aufgabenእሱ ____ አልዞ ስራውን አገኘ።
Since the subject is 'እሱ' (He), the possessive suffix must be '-un' (his).
Which of these is 'Af Malez'?
'Af Malez' is about persuasive and pleasant speech.
A: አባቴ ተቆጥቷል። B: አይዞህ፣ ____ አልዘህ ይቅርታ ጠይቀው።
You 'soften your mouth' to ask for forgiveness persuasively.
Match 'አፉን አለዘ' with its goal.
The goal of softening the mouth is always persuasion or peace.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNot necessarily. It can mean being diplomatic and kind. However, it can also mean being a 'smooth talker' who is insincere.
Yes, it is common in stories and formal letters to describe a persuasive tone.
The opposite is 'አፍ መክፈት' (Af Mekfet - to be rude) or 'ቃል ማድረቅ' (Qal Madreq - to be blunt/harsh).
You say 'አፌን እያለዘብኩብህ ነው' (Afen eyalezebkubih new).
Yes, it is the standard way to describe a good salesperson.
Yes, you just change the suffix to 'Afwan' (her mouth).
No, it is a standard idiom used by all ages.
Yes, if a child is being very charming to get a candy, you can say 'አፉን አላለዘ'.
It means to soften or tan leather.
In sermons, preachers are often said to 'soften their mouths' to bring people to God.
Verwandte Redewendungen
አንደበት ማጣፈጫ
synonymSweetening the tongue
ለሰላሳ መናገር
similarSpeaking softly
አፍ መክፈት
contrastTo open the mouth (to insult)
አንደበተ ርቱዕ
specialized formEloquent
