Signification
Asking about quantity.
Contexte culturel
In markets like Merkato, the first price given is rarely the final price. Using 'sint' is the start of a social negotiation where both parties are expected to be flexible. Ethiopians use a 12-hour clock that starts at 6:00 AM (sunrise). So, when you ask 'Sint se'at new?' and they say 'Arat' (4), it is actually 10:00 AM. Asking 'Sint' about someone's children or family size is a sign of warmth and interest. However, asking 'Sint' about salary is considered rude. During fasting seasons (like Lent), you might ask 'Sint ቀን ቀረው?' (How many days are left?) to know when the feast begins. Fasting is central to Orthodox life.
The Singular Rule
Always keep the noun singular after 'sint'. It's the easiest way to sound like a native speaker immediately.
The Time Trap
When asking 'Sint se'at new?', be prepared for an answer that is 6 hours off from your watch. Don't panic, just add 6!
Signification
Asking about quantity.
The Singular Rule
Always keep the noun singular after 'sint'. It's the easiest way to sound like a native speaker immediately.
The Time Trap
When asking 'Sint se'at new?', be prepared for an answer that is 6 hours off from your watch. Don't panic, just add 6!
Bargaining is Social
Don't just ask 'Sint' and walk away. If the price is high, smile and ask 'Besint?' to start a friendly negotiation.
Age Inquiry
Always use the word 'Idme' (age) when asking how old someone is. 'Sint neh?' alone is confusing.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct way to ask for the price of an orange.
_______ ነው ብርቱካኑ?
'Sint' is used for prices. 'Min' means what, 'Yet' means where, and 'Man' means who.
Fill in the blank to ask 'What time is it?'.
ስንት _______ ነው?
'Se'at' means hour/time. 'Sint se'at new?' is the standard phrase for 'What time is it?'.
Complete the bargaining dialogue.
Buyer: ይህ ሸሚዝ በጣም ውድ ነው። ______ ትሸጣለህ? Seller: በሁለት መቶ ብር እሰጥሃለሁ።
'Be-sint' means 'For how much' and is used to ask for a counter-offer.
Match the question to the situation.
1. ስንት ልጅ አለህ? 2. ስንት ኪሎ ነው? 3. ስንት ሰዓት ነው?
Lij (child) matches meeting a parent; Kilo matches the store; Se'at matches the watch.
Which of these is grammatically CORRECT in Amharic?
Asking for 'How many books?'
In Amharic, nouns stay singular after 'sint'.
🎉 Score : /5
Aides visuelles
Common Uses of ስንት (Sint)
Money
- • Price
- • Salary
- • Fare
Time
- • Clock time
- • Duration
- • Date
People
- • Family size
- • Crowds
- • Age
English vs Amharic Grammar
Banque d exercices
5 exercices_______ ነው ብርቱካኑ?
'Sint' is used for prices. 'Min' means what, 'Yet' means where, and 'Man' means who.
ስንት _______ ነው?
'Se'at' means hour/time. 'Sint se'at new?' is the standard phrase for 'What time is it?'.
Buyer: ይህ ሸሚዝ በጣም ውድ ነው። ______ ትሸጣለህ? Seller: በሁለት መቶ ብር እሰጥሃለሁ።
'Be-sint' means 'For how much' and is used to ask for a counter-offer.
1. ስንት ልጅ አለህ? 2. ስንት ኪሎ ነው? 3. ስንት ሰዓት ነው?
Lij (child) matches meeting a parent; Kilo matches the store; Se'at matches the watch.
Asking for 'How many books?'
In Amharic, nouns stay singular after 'sint'.
🎉 Score : /5
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsNo, 'sint' is invariant. It stays the same regardless of the gender of the person or object you are asking about.
Yes, 'Sint sew?' (How many person?) is the standard way to ask.
You can say 'ስንት ነው?' (Sint new?) or more politely 'ስንት ነው እባክዎን?' (Sint new ibakwon?).
'Sint' is for countable things or prices. 'Min yahil' is for 'how much' in an abstract or measurable sense (e.g., 'How much do you love me?').
Yes, generally it is considered private information in Ethiopia, much like in Western cultures.
Use 'Sint gize?' (Sint = how many, Gize = time/occasion).
Usually, you would use 'Min yahil rket new?' (How much distance is it?), but 'Sint kilo meter?' is also understood.
'Besint' means 'For how much' and is specifically used when you are suggesting a transaction or bargaining.
Use the ordinal form: 'Sintignaw lij neh?'.
Only in the context of time ('What time is it?') or date ('What is the date?'). Otherwise, use 'Min'.
Yes, very often! It's used to express 'how many' heartbreaks or 'how much' love.
Yes, 'Sint kilo?' is the standard way to ask for weight.
There is no plural form of 'sint'. It is always 'sint'.
You can say 'ጠቅላላው ስንት ነው?' (Teklallaw sint new?).
Expressions liées
ምን ያህል?
similarTo what extent? / How much?
ስንተኛ?
specialized formWhich number in a sequence?
ስንትና ስንት
builds onSo many / Countless
በስንት?
specialized formFor how much?
ስንት ጊዜ?
builds onHow many times? / How often?
