Signification
Literally 'eye and brass'. Means incompatible.
Contexte culturel
In Addis Ababa, this idiom is often used to describe the relationship between taxi drivers and traffic police. The contrast in traditional paintings (Qis) often avoids 'eye and brass' color combinations to maintain visual harmony. There is a cultural trope about the 'Amest' (mother-in-law) and 'Miz' (daughter-in-law) being eye and brass. Amharic is famous for 'Wax and Gold' (Sem-enna-Worq). This idiom is a 'Wax' (literal) that everyone knows leads to a 'Gold' (figurative) meaning of social friction.
Use with 'Nachew'
Always remember to add 'ናቸው' (they are) at the end to make a complete sentence.
Don't use for best friends
Even if they are teasing each other, this idiom implies a real, negative clash.
Signification
Literally 'eye and brass'. Means incompatible.
Use with 'Nachew'
Always remember to add 'ናቸው' (they are) at the end to make a complete sentence.
Don't use for best friends
Even if they are teasing each other, this idiom implies a real, negative clash.
Aesthetic usage
Using this for clashing colors makes you sound like a native speaker with great taste!
The 'Nas' factor
Remember that 'Nas' specifically refers to brass, not just any metal.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to complete the idiom.
እነሱ ሁልጊዜ ይጣላሉ፤ እንደ አይንና ____ ናቸው።
The correct idiom is 'አይንና ናስ' (eye and brass).
Which situation best fits the idiom 'አይንና ናስ'?
Which of these describes 'አይንና ናስ'?
The idiom describes people who do not get along.
Complete the dialogue.
A: አዲሱን ሶፋ ለምን አልገዛኸውም? B: ቀለሙና ቤቱ ____ ስለሆኑ አልፈለኩትም።
The speaker didn't buy it because the color and the house clashed (eye and brass).
Match the idiom to the correct meaning.
Match 'አይንና ናስ' with its figurative meaning:
The idiom refers to things or people that don't mix well.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Conflict Levels
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesእነሱ ሁልጊዜ ይጣላሉ፤ እንደ አይንና ____ ናቸው።
The correct idiom is 'አይንና ናስ' (eye and brass).
Which of these describes 'አይንና ናስ'?
The idiom describes people who do not get along.
A: አዲሱን ሶፋ ለምን አልገዛኸውም? B: ቀለሙና ቤቱ ____ ስለሆኑ አልፈለኩትም።
The speaker didn't buy it because the color and the house clashed (eye and brass).
Match 'አይንና ናስ' with its figurative meaning:
The idiom refers to things or people that don't mix well.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsYes! If two flavors clash horribly (like fish and chocolate), you can say they are 'አይንና ናስ'.
It's not a swear word, but it is a strong way to describe a bad relationship. Use it with friends, not to someone's face in a meeting.
'Nas' is for clashing/irritation. 'Afer' is for deep hatred/mortal enemies.
No, the order is always 'Eye' first, then 'Brass'.
Rarely. It's better for novels, scripts, or casual emails.
It usually refers to brass, but in some contexts, it can mean copper or bronze alloys.
You can say 'አይንና ናስ ሆኑ' (Ayn-inna Nas honu).
No, it requires two things or people to compare.
Not really. For people who get along, you'd say 'እንደ ጥርስና ከንፈር' (Like teeth and lips).
Yes, it has been used for generations in Ethiopia.
Absolutely. It's a classic that hasn't gone out of style.
Yes, it's a very common way to describe a couple that fights constantly.
Expressions liées
አይንና አፈር
similarEye and soil/dust
እንደ ድመትና አይጥ
similarLike cat and mouse
አይስማሙም
synonymThey don't agree
ሆድና ጀርባ
similarStomach and back
ውሃና ዘይት
similarWater and oil
