Signification
Things done in a hurry are often ineffective.
Contexte culturel
The proverb reflects the traditional dress code where the 'meqenet' (belt) was a symbol of readiness for work or battle. In religious contexts, 'girding one's loins' is a biblical metaphor for spiritual readiness, which reinforces the proverb's weight. In cities like Addis Ababa, this proverb is frequently used in corporate culture to push back against 'firefighting' (solving problems only when they become urgent). Parents use this to teach children 'sirat' (discipline). It's one of the first proverbs an Ethiopian child learns.
Use it to sound like a native
If you use this proverb when a project is being rushed, Ethiopians will be very impressed with your cultural knowledge.
Don't over-explain
Proverbs are meant to be concise. Don't explain what it means after you say it; let the wisdom speak for itself.
Signification
Things done in a hurry are often ineffective.
Use it to sound like a native
If you use this proverb when a project is being rushed, Ethiopians will be very impressed with your cultural knowledge.
Don't over-explain
Proverbs are meant to be concise. Don't explain what it means after you say it; let the wisdom speak for itself.
The 'Elder' Tone
Saying this with a slightly serious, nodding head mimics the way elders give advice.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word in the proverb.
ሲሮጡ የታጠቁት ለሩጫ ___________።
The proverb ends with 'አይመችም' (aymechim), meaning 'it is not suitable'.
Which situation best fits the proverb?
A person is...
This represents rushed, ineffective preparation.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
A: 'I'm going to start the business today without a plan!' B: 'Wait! ___________'
The proverb is used to warn against starting without a plan.
What is the literal meaning of 'የታጠቁት'?
'መታጠቅ' (metateq) means to gird or fasten a belt around the waist.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
When to use this proverb
Work
- • Project Launch
- • Meeting Prep
- • Coding
Life
- • Cooking
- • Travel
- • Marriage
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesሲሮጡ የታጠቁት ለሩጫ ___________።
The proverb ends with 'አይመችም' (aymechim), meaning 'it is not suitable'.
A person is...
This represents rushed, ineffective preparation.
A: 'I'm going to start the business today without a plan!' B: 'Wait! ___________'
The proverb is used to warn against starting without a plan.
'መታጠቅ' (metateq) means to gird or fasten a belt around the waist.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, but mostly in professional or academic settings, or when joking about someone's lack of preparation.
Absolutely. It's perfect for any situation where a skipped step causes a problem.
There isn't a direct 'opposite' proverb that encourages rushing, but 'ጊዜ ወርቅ ነው' (Time is gold) emphasizes speed.
It's an ejective 't'. Press your tongue against your teeth, build up air, and release it sharply.
It can be risky. Use it only if you have a good relationship or if you frame it as 'they say' (ይባላል).
In this context, it means 'not suitable' or 'ineffective'. In other contexts, it can mean a chair is literally uncomfortable.
Yes, it's very common to text this to a friend who is stressing out about a last-minute task.
It refers to the 'meqenet' (belt) or any clothing/gear fastened around the waist.
Yes, people often just say 'ሲሮጡ መታጠቅ' (Girding while running).
Because running is the ultimate test of whether your clothes are fastened correctly.
Expressions liées
ችኩሉ ሩጫ ለውድቀት ነው
similarA hurried run leads to a fall.
ቀስ በቀስ እንቁላል በእግሩ ይሄዳል
builds onSlowly, slowly, the egg will walk on its feet.
ከመቸኮል መዘግየት ይሻላል
synonymBetter to be late than to hurry.
ዝግጁ መሆን ግማሽ ድል ነው
similarBeing prepared is half the victory.
