Signification
Describes someone who is very tolerant and patient.
Contexte culturel
In Ethiopia, expressing anger in public is often seen as a sign of weakness or poor upbringing. Being 'Hod Sefi' is a way to maintain 'Kibir' (dignity). Both Ethiopian Orthodox and Islamic traditions emphasize 'Tizit' or 'Sabr' (patience). 'Hod Sefi' is the secular, idiomatic way of expressing this religious virtue. During traditional mediation, elders often tell the conflicting parties to 'make their stomachs wide' to accommodate forgiveness. Ethiopian parents are often praised by neighbors for being 'Hod Sefi' if they raise children without constant shouting or physical punishment.
The Compliment Rule
Use this to compliment someone who just handled a stressful situation without shouting. It shows you appreciate their maturity.
Not about Weight
Never use this to describe someone's physical appearance. It is strictly for their personality.
Signification
Describes someone who is very tolerant and patient.
The Compliment Rule
Use this to compliment someone who just handled a stressful situation without shouting. It shows you appreciate their maturity.
Not about Weight
Never use this to describe someone's physical appearance. It is strictly for their personality.
Secret Keeping
If you want to tell someone you are trustworthy, say 'እኔ ሆድ ሰፊ ነኝ' (I am wide-stomached). It implies you can hold a secret.
The 'Chewa' Connection
Being 'Hod Sefi' is the hallmark of a 'Chewa' (noble/cultured) person. Use it to describe someone you deeply respect.
Teste-toi
Choose the best word to complete the sentence: 'አለቃዬ ስህተቴን አልተቆጣም፣ እሱ ____ ነው።'
My boss didn't get angry at my mistake; he is ____.
The context of not getting angry at a mistake requires the idiom for patience.
Fill in the correct auxiliary verb (ነው or ናት): 'እናቴ በጣም ሆድ ሰፊ ____።'
My mother is very patient.
'እናቴ' (My mother) is feminine, so the auxiliary verb must be 'ናት'.
Match the person to the description 'ሆድ ሰፊ'.
Who is most likely to be described as 'ሆድ ሰፊ'?
Patience and tolerance are the key traits of being 'ሆድ ሰፊ'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ያ ሰውዬ ሰደበህ እኮ! (That guy insulted you!) B: ችግር የለውም፣ እኔ ____ ነኝ።
The response 'No problem' after an insult indicates the person is being patient/tolerant.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
When to be 'Hod Sefi'
Work
- • Bad feedback
- • Late colleagues
- • Stressful deadlines
Social
- • Insults
- • Gossip
- • Disagreements
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesMy boss didn't get angry at my mistake; he is ____.
The context of not getting angry at a mistake requires the idiom for patience.
My mother is very patient.
'እናቴ' (My mother) is feminine, so the auxiliary verb must be 'ናት'.
Who is most likely to be described as 'ሆድ ሰፊ'?
Patience and tolerance are the key traits of being 'ሆድ ሰፊ'.
A: ያ ሰውዬ ሰደበህ እኮ! (That guy insulted you!) B: ችግር የለውም፣ እኔ ____ ነኝ።
The response 'No problem' after an insult indicates the person is being patient/tolerant.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt is neutral and can be used in both formal (business, speeches) and informal (family, friends) contexts.
Yes, just change the verb to 'nat' (is). 'እሷ ሆድ ሰፊ ናት።'
Mostly, but it carries a deeper cultural meaning of 'containing' emotions and being broad-minded.
Rarely. Only if used sarcastically to mean someone is too passive and lets people walk all over them.
ሆድ ሰፊዎች (Hod sefi-woch).
እኔ ሆድ ሰፊ ነኝ (Ine hod sefi negn).
In Ethiopian culture, the stomach is the center of emotions and where secrets are 'stored.'
Yes, but it's more common to use it for adults who have developed this maturity.
ሆደ ባሻ (Hode Basha), meaning someone easily annoyed or sensitive.
Yes, many Amharic songs use it to describe a lover's patience or a leader's character.
Expressions liées
ትዕግስተኛ
synonymA patient person
ሆደ ባሻ
contrastEasily offended or sensitive
ሆደ ባህር
specialized formStomach like a sea
ቻይ
similarOne who endures
ሆደ ሙሉ
builds onConfident/Satisfied
