Signification
Stating that one cannot find their key.
Contexte culturel
In Addis Ababa, 'ቁልፍ ቀራጭ' (key cutters) are found on many street corners. Losing a key is a minor inconvenience because getting a duplicate is cheap and fast. If you lose a key to a shared gate, it is polite to apologize to your neighbors for the disturbance you might cause when coming home late. The use of the detrimental suffix reflects a cultural value of not blaming oneself too harshly for accidents. It frames the person as a victim of the circumstance. Most middle-class homes have a guard. If you lose your key, the guard is the first person you tell. They often have a spare or know how to get in.
Use 'Eko'
Add 'እኮ' at the end to sound more natural and express your frustration.
Ejectives Matter
Make sure to pop the 'K' in Kulf, or it might sound like a different word.
Signification
Stating that one cannot find their key.
Use 'Eko'
Add 'እኮ' at the end to sound more natural and express your frustration.
Ejectives Matter
Make sure to pop the 'K' in Kulf, or it might sound like a different word.
The 'To Me' Rule
Remember that in Amharic, objects disappear 'on' you. This applies to phones and money too!
Ask for Help
Don't be afraid to say this to strangers if you are locked out; Ethiopians are very helpful with lost items.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct suffix for 'I lost my key'.
ቁልፍ ጠፋ__።
'-ብኝ' is the correct suffix for 'to me' in this context.
How do you say 'She lost her key'?
Which one is correct?
'-ባት' is the suffix for 'to her'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ለምን አልገባህም? B: ________።
The question asks 'Why didn't you enter?', so 'I lost my key' is the logical answer.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are at a hotel and can't find your room key.
You would tell the receptionist you lost it.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesቁልፍ ጠፋ__።
'-ብኝ' is the correct suffix for 'to me' in this context.
Which one is correct?
'-ባት' is the suffix for 'to her'.
A: ለምን አልገባህም? B: ________።
The question asks 'Why didn't you enter?', so 'I lost my key' is the logical answer.
You are at a hotel and can't find your room key.
You would tell the receptionist you lost it.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes! Just replace 'ቁልፍ' with 'ስልክ' (Slik): ስልክ ጠፋብኝ።
No, it's a neutral statement of fact. It's not rude.
ቁልፎች (K'ulfoch). So, 'ቁልፎች ጠፉብኝ' (The keys were lost to me).
ቁልፉን አገኘሁት (K'ulfun agenyehut).
It's grammatically okay but sounds like a translation from English. 'ጠፋብኝ' is how natives think.
It can also mean 'extinguished' (for fire) or 'deleted' (for files).
You still say 'ቁልፍ ጠፋብኝ' because the loss happened while it was in your care.
Young people might say 'ቁልፍ ተበላሁ' (I got eaten by the key situation).
እንደገና ቁልፍ ጠፋብኝ።
Yes, 'ፓስወርድ ጠፋብኝ' is very common now.
Expressions liées
ቁልፍ ረሳሁ
similarI forgot my key
ቁልፍ አጣሁ
synonymI lost/missed the key
መቆለፊያ
builds onA lock
ቁልፍ ሰረቁኝ
contrastThey stole my key
ቁልፍ አስቀረሁ
similarI left the key behind
