Signification
A compact vehicle.
Contexte culturel
In Addis Ababa, 'ትንሽ መኪና' is often synonymous with the Toyota Vitz, which is the most popular car for its fuel efficiency and resale value. Small objects in Amharic are often assigned feminine gender as a form of diminutive or endearment. This is why you say 'ትንሿ መኪና' (the small car - fem) instead of using a masculine suffix. While a 'ትንሽ መኪና' is practical, owning a 'ትልቅ መኪና' (like a Land Cruiser) is still seen as a sign of high wealth. However, the 'small car' is the hero of the working professional. The transition from the 'Lada' (medium sedan) to the 'Ride' (small compact) has changed the vocabulary of the city. People now specifically look for 'ትንሽ መኪና' when ordering transport.
The 'Vitz' Rule
If you forget the phrase, just say 'Vitz'. Most people will know you mean a small car.
Word Order
Never say 'Mekina Tinnish'. It sounds like 'Car small' and is grammatically jarring.
Signification
A compact vehicle.
The 'Vitz' Rule
If you forget the phrase, just say 'Vitz'. Most people will know you mean a small car.
Word Order
Never say 'Mekina Tinnish'. It sounds like 'Car small' and is grammatically jarring.
Definite Article
Remember to say 'ትንሿ' (tinnish-wa) for 'the' small car. It makes you sound much more native.
Gender
Treating the car as feminine (using 'ናት' instead of 'ነው') is very common and sounds natural.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'small car'.
እኔ ____ መግዛት እፈልጋለሁ።
The adjective 'ትንሽ' must come before the noun 'መኪና'.
Which sentence means 'The small car is here'?
Choose the correct sentence:
When referring to 'the' small car, we use 'ትንሿ' and the feminine verb 'ናት'.
Match the Amharic phrase to its English translation.
Match the following:
These are the standard translations for these forms.
Complete the dialogue.
A: መኪናህ ትልቅ ነው? B: አይደለም፣ ____ ነው።
In a response, you can just use the adjective 'ትንሽ' (small).
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Car Sizes in Amharic
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesእኔ ____ መግዛት እፈልጋለሁ።
The adjective 'ትንሽ' must come before the noun 'መኪና'.
Choose the correct sentence:
When referring to 'the' small car, we use 'ትንሿ' and the feminine verb 'ናት'.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the standard translations for these forms.
A: መኪናህ ትልቅ ነው? B: አይደለም፣ ____ ነው።
In a response, you can just use the adjective 'ትንሽ' (small).
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, but it's better to say 'የልጅ መኪና' (child's car) or 'መጫወቻ መኪና' (toy car).
It is the most common. 'ተሽከርካሪ' (vehicle) is more formal.
ሁለት ትናንሽ መኪናዎች አሉኝ። (Hulet tinnannish mekinawotch alugn).
Small cars are usually treated as feminine in Amharic grammar.
Yes, if you are discussing transport or logistics, it is perfectly fine.
'ትልቅ መኪና' (Big car) or 'ጋቢና' (though gabina refers to the cab).
Yes, in Amharic adjectives precede the noun.
Yes, that means 'a very tiny car' and is quite common.
Yes, it comes from the Italian 'macchina'.
አነስተኛ የቤት መኪና (Anestegna ye-bet mekina).
Expressions liées
ትልቅ መኪና
contrastBig car / SUV
የጭነት መኪና
specialized formTruck / Freight car
አሮጌ መኪና
similarOld car
አዲስ መኪና
similarNew car
የቤት መኪና
similarPrivate car
