Signification
To be extremely frightening.
Contexte culturel
In the highlands, sudden fright is often followed by a small ritual like drinking water or spitting lightly to 'settle the heart'. Youth in Addis use this phrase for 'extreme' things that aren't necessarily scary, like a very loud party or a difficult boss. The heart (Lib) is associated with 'Wiz' (vitality). Losing the heart's position is seen as a temporary loss of vitality. When someone is scared (Lib mawleq), they often follow up with 'Egziabher yimesgen' (Praise God) once they realize they are safe.
Use it for Movies
If you want to sound like a native speaker when talking about Netflix, use this instead of 'asferi' (scary).
Don't use for Love
Never use this to tell someone they are beautiful; they will think you are calling them a monster!
Signification
To be extremely frightening.
Use it for Movies
If you want to sound like a native speaker when talking about Netflix, use this instead of 'asferi' (scary).
Don't use for Love
Never use this to tell someone they are beautiful; they will think you are calling them a monster!
The 'My Heart' Version
Say 'Libie weleqe' (My heart came off) to express your own shock instantly.
Spitting Ritual
Notice how older Ethiopians might spit slightly after a 'Lib mawleq' moment to ward off bad luck.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
ያ የጭራቅ ፊልም በጣም ልብ ____ ነው።
'ያወልቃል' is the causative form used to describe a scary thing like a movie.
Which sentence means 'I was terrified'?
Choose the correct sentence:
'ልቤ ወለቀ' literally means 'my heart came off,' which is the idiomatic way to say 'I was terrified'.
Match the situation to the phrase.
You just saw a car almost hit a pedestrian.
This situation is heart-stoppingly scary, so 'ልብ ያወልቃል' is appropriate.
Complete the dialogue.
A: መኪናውን በጣም ፈጣን ነው የምታሽከረክረው! B: አይዞህ፣ አትፍራ። A: እንዴት አልፈራም? ፍጥነቱ ____!
The speaker is expressing fear of the speed, so 'ልብ ያወልቃል' fits perfectly.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesያ የጭራቅ ፊልም በጣም ልብ ____ ነው።
'ያወልቃል' is the causative form used to describe a scary thing like a movie.
Choose the correct sentence:
'ልቤ ወለቀ' literally means 'my heart came off,' which is the idiomatic way to say 'I was terrified'.
You just saw a car almost hit a pedestrian.
This situation is heart-stoppingly scary, so 'ልብ ያወልቃል' is appropriate.
A: መኪናውን በጣም ፈጣን ነው የምታሽከረክረው! B: አይዞህ፣ አትፍራ። A: እንዴት አልፈራም? ፍጥነቱ ____!
The speaker is expressing fear of the speed, so 'ልብ ያወልቃል' fits perfectly.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it is a neutral idiom. You can use it with anyone, though it is more common in casual conversation.
Yes! It is the perfect phrase for the thrill and fear of a roller coaster.
'Asferi' is the basic word for 'scary'. 'Lib yawelqal' is more idiomatic and emphasizes the physical shock.
ልባቸው ወለቀ (Libachew weleqe) - Their hearts came off.
Rarely. It is mostly for fear or 'scary' excitement. For pure joy, use 'ደስ ይላል'.
Yes, especially in thrillers or dramatic scenes in Amharic literature.
No. A heart attack is 'የልብ ድካም' (Lib dikam). This is purely figurative.
Yes, if the person is terrifying (like a scary boss), but it's a bit of an exaggeration.
Yes, often in songs about dramatic life events or intense emotions.
ልብ የሚያረጋጋ (Lib yemiyaregaga) - Something that calms the heart.
Expressions liées
ልብ መስረቅ
similarTo steal the heart (to be very charming/attractive).
ልብ ሰቀላ
specialized formHeart-hanging.
ነፍስ ማውጣት
builds onTo take out the soul.
ልበ ሙሉ
contrastFull-hearted (brave).
ልብ ማቆም
synonymTo stop the heart.
