Significado
Directing someone to come to the speaker.
Contexto cultural
Calling someone over is often followed by an offer of food or drink. It is rare to call someone 'here' just to give an order without some social pleasantry. The 'sweeping' hand gesture with the palm down is essential. Using one finger to beckon someone (like in the US) is considered very rude. Even if someone is only 2-3 years older, a younger person might use 'Nu' (plural) instead of 'Na' to show respect. In Addis Ababa, 'ና ወደ እዚህ' is very common. In rural areas, you might hear more traditional Ge'ez-influenced variations or local dialects.
The 'Isti' Softener
Add 'እስቲ' (isti) after 'ና' to make it sound like 'Please come here for a second' instead of a blunt command.
Gender Trap
If you are unsure of the gender (e.g., calling someone in the distance), use the plural 'ኑ' (Nu) to be safe and polite.
Significado
Directing someone to come to the speaker.
The 'Isti' Softener
Add 'እስቲ' (isti) after 'ና' to make it sound like 'Please come here for a second' instead of a blunt command.
Gender Trap
If you are unsure of the gender (e.g., calling someone in the distance), use the plural 'ኑ' (Nu) to be safe and polite.
The Response
When someone calls you with 'Na', the most natural response is 'መጣሁ' (Metahu), which literally means 'I came' but is used as 'I'm coming'.
Ponte a prueba
You are calling your male friend, Dawit. Which phrase do you use?
Dawit, _______!
Dawit is male and a friend, so the masculine informal 'Na' is correct.
Fill in the missing word for a female friend.
ሳራ (Sara)፣ ___ ወደ እዚህ።
Sara is female, so the imperative must be 'Ney'.
Match the phrase to the person you are addressing.
1. Your Boss, 2. Your Brother, 3. A group of friends
Bosses get the honorific, brothers get the masculine singular, and groups get the plural.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ዮናስ፣ ና ወደ እዚህ! B: እሺ፣ ____።
'መጣሁ' (Metahu) means 'I am coming' (literally 'I came'), the standard response to 'Na'.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Amharic 'Come' Imperatives
Masculine
- • ና (Na)
Feminine
- • ነይ (Ney)
Formal/Plural
- • ኑ (Nu)
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosDawit, _______!
Dawit is male and a friend, so the masculine informal 'Na' is correct.
ሳራ (Sara)፣ ___ ወደ እዚህ።
Sara is female, so the imperative must be 'Ney'.
1. Your Boss, 2. Your Brother, 3. A group of friends
Bosses get the honorific, brothers get the masculine singular, and groups get the plural.
A: ዮናስ፣ ና ወደ እዚህ! B: እሺ፣ ____።
'መጣሁ' (Metahu) means 'I am coming' (literally 'I came'), the standard response to 'Na'.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
14 preguntasNo, you must use 'ነይ' (Ney) for any female.
It is not rude between friends or to children, but it is very rude to elders.
The formal version is 'እባክዎ ወደዚህ ይምጡ' (Ibakwo wedezih yimtu).
You use the same 'ና' (Na) for a male dog and 'ነይ' (Ney) for a female dog.
Yes, in the context of direction, 'wede' functions like 'to' or 'towards'.
Yes, 'ና' on its own is a very common short way to say 'Come'.
You must use the plural 'ኑ' (Nu).
Yes, it is a soft breathy sound at the end of the word.
It is a contraction common in spoken Amharic to make the sentence flow faster.
Only if the email is very informal to a close male friend. Otherwise, use formal language.
'Ezih ga' means 'at this spot' and is slightly more specific.
Say 'ቶሎ ና ወደ እዚህ' (Tolo na wede ezih).
Young people might just say 'ና እስቲ' (Na isti) with a specific cool intonation.
It is better to say 'ይቅርታ' (Yiqirta - Excuse me) or use the formal 'ኑ'.
Frases relacionadas
ነይ ወደ እዚህ
similarCome here (female)
ኑ ወደ እዚህ
similarCome here (plural/formal)
ቶሎ ና
builds onCome quickly
ወደዚያ ሂድ
contrastGo over there
ተከተለኝ
specialized formFollow me
