معنی
Literally 'folding a word'.
زمینه فرهنگی
In the Amhara and Tigray highlands, a man's word is historically tied to his 'Gult' (land rights) and honor. Breaking it could lead to social ostracization. In the fast-paced capital, 'ቃል ማጠፍ' is often used jokingly among friends when someone is late for 'Khat' or coffee sessions. The concept of 'Qal' is divine. The Gospel of John begins with 'In the beginning was the Word' (በመጀመሪያ ቃል ነበረ). This gives the idiom a subconscious spiritual weight. Handshake deals are still common in small businesses. 'ቃል ማጠፍ' is the primary reason for the breakdown of these informal partnerships.
Use Possessives
Always remember to attach the possessive suffix to 'ቃል' (ቃሌን, ቃልህን, etc.). Just saying 'ቃል አጠፈ' sounds incomplete.
Serious Accusation
Calling someone a 'ቃል አጣፊ' (promise breaker) is a serious insult to their character. Use it carefully.
معنی
Literally 'folding a word'.
Use Possessives
Always remember to attach the possessive suffix to 'ቃል' (ቃሌን, ቃልህን, etc.). Just saying 'ቃል አጠፈ' sounds incomplete.
Serious Accusation
Calling someone a 'ቃል አጣፊ' (promise breaker) is a serious insult to their character. Use it carefully.
The 'Eating' Alternative
If you are really angry, use 'ቃሉን በላ' (He ate his word) for extra emphasis.
The Handshake
In Ethiopia, a handshake often accompanies a 'ቃል'. If you break that word, you are also 'breaking the hand' metaphorically.
خودت رو بسنج
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'ቃል' and 'ማጠፍ'.
እሱ ትላንት እመጣለሁ ብሎ ነበር፣ ግን ____ ____።
Since the subject is 'እሱ' (he), the possessive must be 'ቃሉን' and the verb 'አጠፈ'.
Which sentence means 'Don't break your promise' (to a woman)?
Choose the correct translation:
'ቃልሽን' is the feminine 'your word' and 'አታጥፊ' is the feminine negative imperative.
Match the phrase to the situation.
A politician promises lower taxes but raises them.
Breaking a campaign promise is a classic case of 'ቃል ማጠፍ'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: መጽሐፉን ትመልስልኛለህ? B: አዎ፣ ነገ እመልሳለሁ። A: እሺ፣ እባክህ ____ ____።
A is asking B to keep his promise, so 'Don't break your word' is the correct fit.
🎉 امتیاز: /4
ابزارهای بصری یادگیری
Word Actions
Who folds their word?
Politics
- • Campaign promises
- • Treaties
Relationships
- • Dates
- • Marriage vows
Money
- • Loans
- • Payments
بانک تمرین
4 تمرینهاእሱ ትላንት እመጣለሁ ብሎ ነበር፣ ግን ____ ____።
Since the subject is 'እሱ' (he), the possessive must be 'ቃሉን' and the verb 'አጠፈ'.
Choose the correct translation:
'ቃልሽን' is the feminine 'your word' and 'አታጥፊ' is the feminine negative imperative.
A politician promises lower taxes but raises them.
Breaking a campaign promise is a classic case of 'ቃል ማጠፍ'.
A: መጽሐፉን ትመልስልኛለህ? B: አዎ፣ ነገ እመልሳለሁ። A: እሺ፣ እባክህ ____ ____።
A is asking B to keep his promise, so 'Don't break your word' is the correct fit.
🎉 امتیاز: /4
سوالات متداول
12 سوالIt's not a swear word, but it is a direct accusation. Use it when you are genuinely disappointed.
Usually no. It's for when you promised to be there and then didn't show up at all.
'ቃሉን መጠበቅ' (Keeping his word) or 'ቃሉን ማክበር' (Honoring his word).
You say 'ቃል እገባለሁ' (Qal egäballehu).
Yes, very frequently when agreements are not met.
Yes, though 'ውል ማፍረስ' is the more technical legal term.
Yes: 'ቃሌን አጠፍኩ' (I broke my word). It shows you are taking responsibility.
'ቃሉን በላ' is the most common informal/slangy alternative.
It's a glottal 'K'. If you can't do it, a regular 'K' is understood but sounds like an accent.
Extremely common. Most Amharic love songs are about someone 'folding their word'.
Yes, if you are complaining to a service provider or a colleague.
The concept is A1, but using it correctly with grammar is A2/B1.
عبارات مرتبط
ቃል መግባት
contrastTo enter a word (to make a promise)
ቃሉን መጠበቅ
contrastTo keep/guard one's word
ቃሉን በላ
synonymTo eat one's word
ባለቃል
builds onA person of their word
ቃል ኪዳን
specialized formCovenant/Vow
