Signification
Fulfilling what one has promised to do.
Contexte culturel
In rural Amhara and Tigray regions, a 'ቃል' is considered a binding legal contract. Breaking it can lead to a loss of social status known as 'Yilunta' (shame/concern for what others think). In the bustling markets of Merkato, deals worth millions are often done with a handshake and the phrase 'ቃሌ ቃል ነው' (My word is my word). The concept of 'ቃል' is linked to the 'Kidan' (Covenant). Religious Ethiopians view keeping a word as a duty before God. Young Ethiopians use the term 'ቃል ጠባቂ' (word keeper) as a hashtag to praise reliable friends or romantic partners.
Use the suffix!
Always add -ን to 'ቃል' (ቃሌን, ቃልህን) to sound like a native speaker.
Don't say 'ቃል ያዝ'
English speakers often say 'ቃል ያዝ' (hold word), but this is incorrect. Stick to 'መጠበቅ'.
Signification
Fulfilling what one has promised to do.
Use the suffix!
Always add -ን to 'ቃል' (ቃሌን, ቃልህን) to sound like a native speaker.
Don't say 'ቃል ያዝ'
English speakers often say 'ቃል ያዝ' (hold word), but this is incorrect. Stick to 'መጠበቅ'.
The 'Chewa' factor
If you want to impress an Ethiopian, tell them 'ቃልህን ስለጠበቅክ አመሰግናለሁ'. It shows you value their character.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'ቃል' and 'መጠበቅ'.
እሱ በጣም ታማኝ ነው፤ ሁልጊዜ ______ ይጠብቃል።
Since the subject is 'እሱ' (He), the possessive must be 'ቃሉን' (His word).
Which sentence means 'I will keep my word'?
Select the correct Amharic translation:
'ቃሌን እጠብቃለሁ' is the standard way to say 'I will keep my word.'
Complete the dialogue.
አለሙ፡ 'ነገ ትመጣለህ?' በቀለ፡ 'አዎ፣ ______።'
Bekele is confirming his commitment, so 'I will keep my word' is the natural response.
Match the phrase to the situation.
When would you say 'ቃልህን አልጠበቅክም'?
This phrase means 'You didn't keep your word,' used for broken promises.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Where to use ቃል መጠበቅ
Social
- • Friends
- • Family
- • Dating
Professional
- • Meetings
- • Deadlines
- • Contracts
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesእሱ በጣም ታማኝ ነው፤ ሁልጊዜ ______ ይጠብቃል።
Since the subject is 'እሱ' (He), the possessive must be 'ቃሉን' (His word).
Select the correct Amharic translation:
'ቃሌን እጠብቃለሁ' is the standard way to say 'I will keep my word.'
አለሙ፡ 'ነገ ትመጣለህ?' በቀለ፡ 'አዎ፣ ______።'
Bekele is confirming his commitment, so 'I will keep my word' is the natural response.
When would you say 'ቃልህን አልጠበቅክም'?
This phrase means 'You didn't keep your word,' used for broken promises.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it is used for everything from meeting for coffee to paying back a loan.
Use 'ቃል እገባለሁ' (Qal egeballahu).
The opposite is 'ቃል ማጠፍ' (to break a promise).
No, use 'ሚስጥር መጠበቅ' for secrets.
It is neutral and can be used in any setting.
You say 'እሱ ባለቃል ነው' (Esu bale-qal new).
Because it implies guarding or protecting the promise.
It can be a bit direct. Use 'እባክህ' (please) to make it softer.
Yes, it is the foundation of trust in Ethiopian business culture.
It means 'My word is final/absolute.'
Expressions liées
ቃል መግባት
prerequisiteTo make a promise
ቃል ማጠፍ
contrastTo break a promise (literally: to fold a word)
ቃል ኪዳን
specialized formCovenant / Marriage vow
ባለቃል
builds onA person of their word
ቃለ-መጠይቅ
similarInterview
