Signification
Describing weather conditions.
Contexte culturel
In high-altitude areas like Addis Ababa or Debre Berhan, the wind is often associated with 'Kezkaza' (cold). People will often warn you 'Nefas ale' as a way of saying 'don't get sick.' Wind is crucial for winnowing grain. Farmers wait for 'Nefas' to separate the chaff from the wheat. In this context, 'Nefas ale' is a positive, productive statement. During the dry season (Bega), the wind kicks up dust (abwara). 'Nefas ale' in the city often means 'it's going to be dusty, cover your nose.' In some traditional contexts, a sudden, unexplained wind is seen as a spiritual presence. While less common in cities, the phrase can carry a weight of 'something is happening' beyond the weather.
Small Talk Gold
In Ethiopia, commenting on the wind is the safest way to start a conversation with anyone.
Watch the Vowels
Don't say 'Nefs' (soul) when you mean 'Nefas' (wind).
Signification
Describing weather conditions.
Small Talk Gold
In Ethiopia, commenting on the wind is the safest way to start a conversation with anyone.
Watch the Vowels
Don't say 'Nefs' (soul) when you mean 'Nefas' (wind).
Add 'በጣም'
If your hair is a mess because of the wind, always say 'በጣም ነፋስ አለ' to sound more natural.
The 'Ere' Factor
Add 'ኧረ' (Ere) at the beginning for emphasis: 'Ere nefas ale!'
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank to say 'Today it is windy.'
ዛሬ ____ አለ።
'ነፋስ' means wind. The other options are sun, water, and person.
How do you say 'There was wind yesterday'?
Which sentence is correct?
'ነበረ' is the past tense of 'አለ'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ውጭ ነፋስ አለ? B: ____፣ ነፋስ የለም።
Since the second part says 'there is no wind' (የለም), the answer must be 'No' (አይ).
Match the phrase to the situation.
You see someone's umbrella fly away. What do you say?
'በጣም ነፋስ አለ' (It is very windy) explains why the umbrella flew away.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Wind Intensity
Light
- • ትንሽ ነፋስ
Strong
- • በጣም ነፋስ
Extreme
- • አውሎ ነፋስ
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesዛሬ ____ አለ።
'ነፋስ' means wind. The other options are sun, water, and person.
Which sentence is correct?
'ነበረ' is the past tense of 'አለ'.
A: ውጭ ነፋስ አለ? B: ____፣ ነፋስ የለም።
Since the second part says 'there is no wind' (የለም), the answer must be 'No' (አይ).
You see someone's umbrella fly away. What do you say?
'በጣም ነፋስ አለ' (It is very windy) explains why the umbrella flew away.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsIt is neutral. It's used in both casual talk and news reports.
No, use 'አውሎ ነፋስ' for extreme winds.
They are just regional variations. 'Nefas' is more standard in writing.
Say 'ነፋስ የለም' (Nefas yellem).
No, 'Nefas' is masculine, so 'ale' stays the same.
It's grammatically okay but sounds like you're defining the concept of wind rather than describing the weather.
Young people might say 'ነፋስ እያረገ ነው' (It's doing wind).
It marks the change of seasons and is vital for traditional farming.
Sometimes, but 'አየር' (Ayer) is the more common word for air.
Say 'ነፋስ ነበረ?' (Nefas nebere?)
It literally means 'Wind Wire,' referring to old telegraph lines.
Yes, many Amharic songs use wind as a metaphor for love or distance.
Expressions liées
ነፋሻማ
similarWindy (adjective)
አውሎ ነፋስ
specialized formWhirlwind/Tornado
የነፋስ ስልክ
builds onTelegraph/Telephone
ነፋስ አስገባ
similarTo let air/wind in
ጭልጥ ያለ ነፋስ
specialized formA very strong, sweeping wind
