Bedeutung
It is better to be quiet than to speak unwisely.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In the Amhara and Tigray regions, silence is a sign of 'Chewa' (noble/well-bred) behavior. A person who speaks too much is often called 'Laflaf' (chatterbox), which is a social insult. The church emphasizes 'Tsom' (fasting) of the senses. 'Fasting of the mouth' includes not just avoiding meat, but avoiding gossip and idle talk. While the proverb is still respected, the younger generation in the capital is becoming more expressive. However, in formal business meetings, the proverb is still used to signal that a decision is being made carefully. In traditional mediation, the mediators (elders) often use this proverb to silence a party that is becoming too aggressive or insulting.
Use it to end an argument
If you are in a circular argument, saying this proverb and then stopping is the ultimate 'power move' in Ethiopian culture.
Don't be too quiet
If you use this proverb as an excuse to never participate, people might think you are 'mischievous' (tenta) rather than wise.
Bedeutung
It is better to be quiet than to speak unwisely.
Use it to end an argument
If you are in a circular argument, saying this proverb and then stopping is the ultimate 'power move' in Ethiopian culture.
Don't be too quiet
If you use this proverb as an excuse to never participate, people might think you are 'mischievous' (tenta) rather than wise.
The 'Wax and Gold' connection
This proverb is the 'Wax' for the 'Gold' of social preservation. It's about protecting your inner self.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the proverb with the correct word.
ከመናገር _______ ይከበር።
The correct word is 'dejaf' (threshold).
In which situation is this proverb most appropriate?
Someone is gossiping about a neighbor and you want them to stop.
This proverb is used to encourage silence and discretion.
Match the Amharic word to its English meaning in the proverb.
Match the following:
These are the literal components of the proverb.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'ስለ እሱ ሚስጥር ልንገርህ?' B: 'አይ፣ _______።'
Using the proverb is a polite and wise way to decline hearing a secret.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 Aufgabenከመናገር _______ ይከበር።
The correct word is 'dejaf' (threshold).
Someone is gossiping about a neighbor and you want them to stop.
This proverb is used to encourage silence and discretion.
Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:
These are the literal components of the proverb.
A: 'ስለ እሱ ሚስጥር ልንገርህ?' B: 'አይ፣ _______።'
Using the proverb is a polite and wise way to decline hearing a secret.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
4 FragenNo, but it is most commonly used by elders or in formal settings. Young people use it to show they are well-mannered.
In this context, it's metaphorical. It refers to the 'door' of your mouth or the 'entrance' to a social situation.
Yes, it's very common in Telegram or WhatsApp groups when things get too noisy or argumentative.
'Zimita werq new' is a direct translation of 'Silence is gold.' 'Kemenager dejaf yikeber' is more poetic and emphasizes honor.
Verwandte Redewendungen
ዝምታ ወርቅ ነው
synonymSilence is gold.
አፍ ቁልፍ ነው
similarThe mouth is a lock.
ባለቤቱ ካልተናገረ ደጃፉ አይከበርም
contrastIf the owner doesn't speak, his threshold won't be honored.
ቃል ኪዳን ነው
builds onA word is a covenant.
