Signification
Command to a male to stop or stand.
Contexte culturel
In Addis Ababa, 'ቁም' is often heard in the context of 'Blue Taxis' (minibuses). However, passengers usually say 'ወራጅ አለ' (there is a descender) to signal the driver to stop. Standing (መቆም) is a central part of prayer. Congregants stand for hours. The command to stand is seen as a call to spiritual readiness. The command 'ቁም' is used by security personnel. It is very firm and must be obeyed immediately to avoid conflict. It is culturally expected for younger men to stand up when an elder enters the room. A parent might say 'ቁም' to a son to remind him of this duty.
Gender Matters
Always check the gender of the person you are speaking to. 'ቁም' is for men only!
The 'Polite' Stop
If you want to be polite to a peer, add 'እባክህ' (please) before 'ቁም'.
Signification
Command to a male to stop or stand.
Gender Matters
Always check the gender of the person you are speaking to. 'ቁም' is for men only!
The 'Polite' Stop
If you want to be polite to a peer, add 'እባክህ' (please) before 'ቁም'.
Eye Contact
When saying 'ቁም' as a command, firm eye contact is expected in Ethiopia.
Teste-toi
You are talking to a male friend who is walking too fast. What do you say?
_______! በጣም ፈጣን ነህ።
Since you are talking to a male friend (informal, masculine), 'ቁም' is the correct form.
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb for a female friend.
ሳራ፣ እባክሽ እዚህ ጋር ____።
For a female subject (Sara), the imperative ending changes to '-i'.
Match the phrase to the correct person.
1. ቁም 2. ይቁሙ 3. ቁሚ
ቁም is masculine, ቁሚ is feminine, and ይቁሙ is polite/formal.
Complete the dialogue between a taxi passenger and a driver.
Passenger: እዚህ ጋር ____። Driver: እሺ፣ እቆማለሁ።
In a standard taxi interaction with a male driver, 'ቁም' is common and acceptable.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Forms of 'Stop'
By Person
- • ቁም (Male)
- • ቁሚ (Female)
- • ቁሙ (Plural)
- • ይቁሙ (Polite)
Banque d exercices
4 exercices_______! በጣም ፈጣን ነህ።
Since you are talking to a male friend (informal, masculine), 'ቁም' is the correct form.
ሳራ፣ እባክሽ እዚህ ጋር ____።
For a female subject (Sara), the imperative ending changes to '-i'.
1. ቁም 2. ይቁሙ 3. ቁሚ
ቁም is masculine, ቁሚ is feminine, and ይቁሙ is polite/formal.
Passenger: እዚህ ጋር ____። Driver: እሺ፣ እቆማለሁ።
In a standard taxi interaction with a male driver, 'ቁም' is common and acceptable.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
3 questionsYes, it is common to use the masculine singular for pets.
It depends on your tone. If shouted, yes. If said calmly, it's just a direction.
The plural is 'ቁሙ' (Qumu).
Expressions liées
ቆም በል
similarStop for a bit / Pause
ጠብቅ
similarWait
ተቀመጥ
contrastSit down
ሂድ
contrastGo
