Signification
Asking about a thing or action.
Contexte culturel
Direct questioning can sometimes be seen as aggressive. It's common to preface 'ምን' with a greeting or a polite 'ይቅርታ' (excuse me). The question 'ምን አዲስ አለ?' is the standard way to start a conversation during the three rounds of coffee. It signals a readiness to listen to long stories. In 'Gulit' (open-air markets), 'ምን' is used not just for identity but for bargaining. 'ምን ይደረጋል?' (What can be done?) is a common plea for a lower price. In Orthodox Tewahedo traditions, 'ምን' is used in hymns to ask rhetorical questions about the greatness of God. On Ethiopian social media, 'ምን' is often used in memes to express confusion at government policies or social trends.
The 'Nothing' Rule
Always remember that 'ምንም' (nothing) needs a negative verb. 'ምንም የለም' (There is nothing).
Don't be too blunt
Avoid saying 'ምን?' alone to people you don't know well. It sounds like 'Huh?' or 'What?!'.
Signification
Asking about a thing or action.
The 'Nothing' Rule
Always remember that 'ምንም' (nothing) needs a negative verb. 'ምንም የለም' (There is nothing).
Don't be too blunt
Avoid saying 'ምን?' alone to people you don't know well. It sounds like 'Huh?' or 'What?!'.
Use 'Minden' for clarity
If someone doesn't understand your 'ምን', switch to 'ምንድነው' (Minden-new) for a clearer, more formal question.
The 'What's New' Greeting
Use 'ምን አዲስ አለ?' as a friendly way to keep a conversation going. It's very common in Addis Ababa.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct word for 'What'.
ይህ ___ ነው?
The question asks 'What is this?', so 'ምን' is the correct choice.
Which sentence means 'I don't want anything'?
Select the correct translation:
'Minim' (nothing) requires the negative verb 'alifelegim'.
Match the Amharic phrase to its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are essential daily phrases using 'ምን'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: እራት ___ እንብላ? B: ፓስታ እንብላ።
The question asks 'What shall we eat for dinner?'.
Which phrase is most appropriate when you didn't hear an elder?
Choose the polite option:
'ምን አሉ?' is the formal/polite way to ask for repetition.
🎉 Score : /5
Aides visuelles
Min vs Man
Common Phrases
Greetings
- • ምን አዲስ አለ?
Shopping
- • ምን ያህል ነው?
- • ምን አይነት ነው?
Banque d exercices
5 exercicesይህ ___ ነው?
The question asks 'What is this?', so 'ምን' is the correct choice.
Select the correct translation:
'Minim' (nothing) requires the negative verb 'alifelegim'.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are essential daily phrases using 'ምን'.
A: እራት ___ እንብላ? B: ፓስታ እንብላ።
The question asks 'What shall we eat for dinner?'.
Choose the polite option:
'ምን አሉ?' is the formal/polite way to ask for repetition.
🎉 Score : /5
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsምን is the basic 'what'. ምንድን is more emphatic and often used with the copula 'ነው' (is) to ask 'What exactly is it?'.
You can say 'ምን አዲስ አለ?' (What's new?) or 'ምን አለ?' (What's there?).
Sometimes, but 'የትኛው' (Yetignaw) is more accurate for 'Which one'.
No, use 'ማን' (Man) for people.
Use 'ስንት ሰዓት ነው?' (Sint se'at new?). 'ምን' is not used for time.
It literally means 'It is nothing', but it's the standard way to say 'You're welcome' or 'No problem'.
Say 'ምን ተፈጠረ?' (Min tefetere?).
It is neutral, but using it alone can be informal or even rude. Context matters.
Use 'ምን አይነት...' (Min aynat...).
It is the noun form of 'ምን', meaning 'essence', 'identity', or 'nature'.
Only when combined with 'ለ' as 'ለምን'.
Say 'ምን አሉ?' (Min alu?) to an elder or 'ምን አልከኝ?' (Min alkeñ) to a peer.
Expressions liées
ምንድነው
specialized formWhat is it?
ለምን
builds onWhy
ምንም
builds onNothing / Anything
ምን አይነት
specialized formWhat kind
ምን ያህል
specialized formHow much / How many
