Signification
Literally 'head lover'.
Contexte culturel
Sharing food (Gursha) is a sign of love. Refusing to give a Gursha or eating too fast can lead to being called 'ራስ ወዳድ'. Self-denial and fasting are highly valued. 'ራስ ወዳድነት' is seen as a spiritual obstacle to reaching God. In the fast-paced city, 'ራስ ወዳድ' is often used to describe people who cut in line for the bus or taxi. In the West, parents often warn their children not to become 'ራስ ወዳድ' like the individualistic cultures they see around them.
Be Careful
Calling someone 'ራስ ወዳድ' to their face is a serious insult in Ethiopia. Use it sparingly.
Use the Noun
If you want to sound more academic, use 'ራስ ወዳድነት' (selfishness) instead of the adjective.
Signification
Literally 'head lover'.
Be Careful
Calling someone 'ራስ ወዳድ' to their face is a serious insult in Ethiopia. Use it sparingly.
Use the Noun
If you want to sound more academic, use 'ራስ ወዳድነት' (selfishness) instead of the adjective.
The Food Rule
Always offer your food to others before eating to avoid being labeled 'ራስ ወዳድ'.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'selfish'.
እሱ ለጓደኞቹ አያካፍልም፣ እሱ በጣም ____ ነው።
The sentence says 'He doesn't share with his friends,' so 'selfish' (ራስ ወዳድ) is the correct fit.
Which word describes the concept of 'selfishness'?
____ መጥፎ ባህሪ ነው።
Adding '-net' creates the abstract noun 'selfishness'.
Match the situation to the phrase.
Someone takes the last piece of bread without asking.
Taking the last piece of bread without asking is a classic 'selfish' move.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ለምን ብቻህን በላህ? B: ____ ስለሆንኩ ነው።
The context of eating alone when you should share implies selfishness.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Where you see ራስ ወዳድነት
At Home
- • Not sharing chores
- • Eating all the food
At Work
- • Taking credit
- • Not helping others
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesእሱ ለጓደኞቹ አያካፍልም፣ እሱ በጣም ____ ነው።
The sentence says 'He doesn't share with his friends,' so 'selfish' (ራስ ወዳድ) is the correct fit.
____ መጥፎ ባህሪ ነው።
Adding '-net' creates the abstract noun 'selfishness'.
Someone takes the last piece of bread without asking.
Taking the last piece of bread without asking is a classic 'selfish' move.
A: ለምን ብቻህን በላህ? B: ____ ስለሆንኩ ነው።
The context of eating alone when you should share implies selfishness.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, in 99% of cases, it is a criticism of someone's character.
Only if you are being self-deprecating or admitting a fault, e.g., 'ዛሬ ትንሽ ራስ ወዳድ ሆኛለሁ' (I've been a bit selfish today).
The opposite is 'ለጋስ' (generous) or 'ትሁት' (humble/kind).
Say 'ራስ ወዳድ አትሁን' (Ras wedad at-hun).
No, it is a standard idiom used in both formal writing and daily speech.
Yes, but it's often used more gently with children.
Yes, 'Ras' (Head) was a noble title in Ethiopia, but in this idiom, it just means 'self'.
Add '-och' to get 'ራስ ወዳዶች' (selfish people).
Not really, but 'ንፉግ' (stingy) is a shorter word that covers some of the same ground.
Only if you are describing a weakness you've overcome. Otherwise, avoid it!
Expressions liées
ሆድ አምላኩ
similarGreedy for food
ንፉግ
synonymStingy
ትህትና
contrastHumility
ለጋስ
contrastGenerous
ኩሩ
similarProud
