Bedeutung
Asking a male for confirmation.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Ethiopia, asking 'Are you sure?' is often a sign of care and concern rather than just a search for facts. It shows you are listening deeply. In the fast-paced capital, this phrase is used constantly to verify taxi routes and prices due to the informal nature of transportation. In rural areas, direct questioning can sometimes be seen as too bold. It is often softened with 'እባክህ' (please) or a smile. In Ethiopian business, verbal agreements are strong, but 'እርግጠኛ ነህ?' is the final verbal 'stamp' before a deal is considered solid.
Watch the Eyes
When asking this, maintain soft eye contact. It shows you are sincere in your inquiry.
Gender Trap
If you use 'neh' for a woman, she will likely correct you immediately. It's a very noticeable error.
Bedeutung
Asking a male for confirmation.
Watch the Eyes
When asking this, maintain soft eye contact. It shows you are sincere in your inquiry.
Gender Trap
If you use 'neh' for a woman, she will likely correct you immediately. It's a very noticeable error.
The 'Double Check'
Ethiopians often ask 'እርግጠኛ ነህ?' twice to confirm a very important point. Don't be annoyed; it's cultural emphasis.
The Polite 'Not'
When in doubt, use 'እርግጠኛ ኖት?'. It is never wrong to be too polite.
Teste dich selbst
You are talking to your male friend, Dawit. How do you ask him if he is sure?
Dawit, _______?
Since Dawit is male and a friend, 'ነህ' (neh) is the correct masculine informal form.
Fill in the missing verb for a formal situation (talking to a teacher).
መምህር፣ እርግጠኛ ____?
'ኖት' (not) is the polite form used for teachers, elders, and strangers.
Complete the dialogue between two brothers.
A: ነገ ወደ ገበያ እሄዳለሁ። B: _________? መንገዱ ረጅም ነው።
Brother B is asking Brother A (male), so 'ነህ' is used.
Match the phrase to the person you are speaking to.
1. Your sister, 2. Your boss, 3. Your male cousin
Sister = Feminine (nesh), Boss = Polite (not), Male cousin = Masculine (neh).
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Sure vs. True
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenDawit, _______?
Since Dawit is male and a friend, 'ነህ' (neh) is the correct masculine informal form.
መምህር፣ እርግጠኛ ____?
'ኖት' (not) is the polite form used for teachers, elders, and strangers.
A: ነገ ወደ ገበያ እሄዳለሁ። B: _________? መንገዱ ረጅም ነው።
Brother B is asking Brother A (male), so 'ነህ' is used.
1. Your sister, 2. Your boss, 3. Your male cousin
Sister = Feminine (nesh), Boss = Polite (not), Male cousin = Masculine (neh).
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, for a group you must say 'እርግጠኛ ናችሁ?' (Irgitegna nachu?).
Only if you have a very close, informal relationship. Otherwise, use 'እርግጠኛ ኖት?'.
Say 'እርግጠኛ ነኝ' (Irgitegna negn).
The feminine version is 'እርግጠኛ ነሽ?' (Irgitegna nesh?).
No, the adjective stays the same; only the verb 'to be' changes.
Young people might say 'እውነት?' or even use the English 'Sure?' with an Amharic accent.
Yes, it is perfectly fine for written Amharic.
You can say 'እርግጠኛ አይደለሁም' (Irgitegna aydelehum).
Generally no, but your tone should be inquisitive, not accusing.
It is an ejective 't', meaning you should use a burst of air from your throat.
Verwandte Redewendungen
በርግጥ
similarCertainly / Definitely
እውነት?
synonymTrue? / Really?
አረጋግጥ
builds onConfirm! (Imperative)
ጥርጣሬ የለኝም
contrastI have no doubt
ምናልባት
contrastMaybe / Perhaps
