Signification
Stopping a vehicle.
Contexte culturel
In Addis Ababa, parking is rarely a solitary act. 'Asphalt guards' are ubiquitous and will help you navigate tight spots. It's a social contract: they provide security and guidance for a small tip. When using a minibus taxi, you don't usually say 'መኪና አቁም.' Instead, you shout 'ወራጅ አለ!' (Woraj ale), which literally means 'There is a descender.' It's the culturally specific way to ask for a stop. On Sundays or holidays near churches, 'መኪና ማቆም' becomes nearly impossible. Streets are often closed for processions, and parking is handled communally by church volunteers. The rise of apps like 'Ride' has changed the phrase's usage. Now, people often text their location and say 'እዚህ ጋር አቁም' (Stop here) based on the GPS pin.
Be Polite
Always add '-ልኝ' (for me) when asking a driver to stop. It sounds much friendlier than a direct command.
Watch the 'Q'
The 'q' in 'Makom' is an ejective. If you pronounce it like a regular 'k', people will understand, but it won't sound native.
Signification
Stopping a vehicle.
Be Polite
Always add '-ልኝ' (for me) when asking a driver to stop. It sounds much friendlier than a direct command.
Watch the 'Q'
The 'q' in 'Makom' is an ejective. If you pronounce it like a regular 'k', people will understand, but it won't sound native.
The 'Weyala' Signal
If you are in a minibus, don't use 'Mekina Makom.' Just say 'Woraj ale' and the driver will stop at the next safe spot.
Tip the Guard
If someone helps you park, a small tip is expected. It's part of the 'parking' process in Ethiopia.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'to stop' (command, masculine).
ሹፌር! እባክህ እዚህ ጋር መኪናውን ____።
When giving a command to a male driver, use 'አቁም' (Akum).
Which sentence means 'Is parking allowed here?'
Select the correct Amharic translation:
'ማቆም' is the correct infinitive for 'parking', and 'ይቻላል' means 'is it possible/allowed'.
Match the Amharic phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are the most common variations of the phrase.
Complete the dialogue between a driver and a guard.
Driver: መኪናዬን የት ላቁም? Guard: ____.
'ከዛፉ ስር አቁመው' (Park it under the tree) is a logical response to 'Where should I park?'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesሹፌር! እባክህ እዚህ ጋር መኪናውን ____።
When giving a command to a male driver, use 'አቁም' (Akum).
Select the correct Amharic translation:
'ማቆም' is the correct infinitive for 'parking', and 'ይቻላል' means 'is it possible/allowed'.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the most common variations of the phrase.
Driver: መኪናዬን የት ላቁም? Guard: ____.
'ከዛፉ ስር አቁመው' (Park it under the tree) is a logical response to 'Where should I park?'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, you can say 'ቢስክሌት ማቆም' (Bisklet makom), though 'ማቆም' is used for any vehicle.
'Akum' is for a male driver, 'Akumi' is for a female driver.
Neither is 'better,' but 'Park madreg' is more modern/slang, while 'Mekina makom' is standard and formal.
You say 'መኪና ማቆም ክልክል ነው' (Mekina makom kilkil new).
Yes, in other contexts 'ማቆም' can mean to stop an activity, like 'ማጨስ ማቆም' (to stop smoking).
Use 'መኪናው ቆመ' (The car stopped/stood) or 'ተበላሸ' (It broke).
Not really. Usually, you just describe the person as 'መኪና የሚያቆም ሰው' (A person who parks cars).
Ask 'ለማቆም ስንት ነው?' (How much is it to park?)
Yes, 'ባቡር ማቆም' (Babur makom) is correct for stopping a train.
It can be blunt. Adding 'Ibakih' (Please) or '-lign' (for me) makes it polite.
Expressions liées
መኪና መንዳት
similarDriving a car
መንገድ መዝጋት
contrastBlocking the road
መኪና ማቆሚያ
builds onParking lot
ወራጅ አለ
specialized formStop for a passenger
ሞተር ማጥፋት
similarTurning off the engine
