Signification
Someone very skilled at speaking.
Contexte culturel
In the Amhara and Tigray regions, verbal wit is a primary social skill. Children are often encouraged to speak at family gatherings to test their 'ch'ole-ness.' In Addis Ababa's Merkato, the largest open-air market in Africa, being 'አፍ ጮሌ' is a survival skill for both buyers and sellers to get the best price. Traditional elders (Shimagille) who mediate disputes are expected to be 'አፍ ጮሌ' to navigate the delicate feelings of both parties. Among the youth in Addis, 'አፍ ጮሌ' can sometimes be used ironically to describe someone who is 'all talk and no action.'
Complimenting Kids
If an Ethiopian child says something surprisingly smart, say 'አፍ ጮሌ ነህ!' They and their parents will love it.
Watch the Tone
If you say it with a frown, it might mean you think the person is lying to you.
Signification
Someone very skilled at speaking.
Complimenting Kids
If an Ethiopian child says something surprisingly smart, say 'አፍ ጮሌ ነህ!' They and their parents will love it.
Watch the Tone
If you say it with a frown, it might mean you think the person is lying to you.
Use the 'e' variation
Use 'አፈ ጮሌ' (Afe Ch'ole) in writing to sound more like a native writer.
Wax and Gold
Remember that being 'አፍ ጮሌ' often involves using metaphors. Don't just speak fast; speak deep.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
ልጁ በጣም _____ ስለሆነ ትልልቅ ሰዎች የሚናገሩትን ያውቃል።
The sentence describes a child who knows what adults say, implying he is articulate and clever.
Which situation best fits the use of 'አፍ ጮሌ'?
When would you call someone 'አፍ ጮሌ'?
The idiom specifically refers to verbal skill and wit.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ያ ነጋዴ እቃውን እንድገዛ አደረገኝ። B: አዎ፣ እሱ በጣም _____ ነው።
The merchant convinced the person to buy something, which requires being a smooth talker.
Match the person to the description.
Match: 1. Lawyer, 2. Quiet student, 3. Precocious child
Lawyers and precocious children are typically described as 'አፍ ጮሌ'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Formal vs Informal Eloquence
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesልጁ በጣም _____ ስለሆነ ትልልቅ ሰዎች የሚናገሩትን ያውቃል።
The sentence describes a child who knows what adults say, implying he is articulate and clever.
When would you call someone 'አፍ ጮሌ'?
The idiom specifically refers to verbal skill and wit.
A: ያ ነጋዴ እቃውን እንድገዛ አደረገኝ። B: አዎ፣ እሱ በጣም _____ ነው።
The merchant convinced the person to buy something, which requires being a smooth talker.
Match: 1. Lawyer, 2. Quiet student, 3. Precocious child
Lawyers and precocious children are typically described as 'አፍ ጮሌ'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsUsually no, it's a compliment for being smart. However, context matters; it can imply someone is a 'smooth talker' who shouldn't be fully trusted.
Yes, just change the verb: 'እሷ አፍ ጮሌ ናት' (She is silver-tongued).
'ተናጋሪ' just means 'speaker.' 'አፍ ጮሌ' adds the flavor of being clever and witty.
It's better to use it to describe a skill rather than yourself. Say 'I have good communication skills' instead of 'I am አፍ ጮሌ'.
It's an ejective. Close your throat, build pressure, and release the 'ch' sound sharply.
Yes: 'አፍ ጮሌዎች' (Af Ch'ole-woch).
Yes, it can describe a writer's style as well.
'ዱዳ' (Duda - mute/dumb) is the harsh opposite, but 'ዝምተኛ' (quiet) is the polite one.
Yes, you can say someone is 'አፍ ጮሌ' in English.
No, it is a very old and traditional idiom.
Expressions liées
አንደበተ ርቱዕ
synonymEloquent/Straight-tongued
አፈ ቅቤ
similarButter-mouthed
ለፈለፈ
contrastTo chatter aimlessly
አፉ ይቆርጣል
specialized formHis mouth cuts
ዝምተኛ
contrastQuiet person
