Signification
Requesting assistance from someone.
Contexte culturel
Asking for help is often preceded by 'Ebakih' (please) and followed by a blessing like 'Tizitih/sh yibari' (May your memory be blessed). In the fast-paced city, people are more direct, but still value the 'Yikirta' (Excuse me) before asking for help. In meetings, asking for help is framed as 'seeking input' or 'collaboration' to maintain professional standing. Help is often asked for collectively for farming or building houses. It's not an individual request but a community call.
Use 'Ebakih'
Always add 'እባክህ' (m) or 'እባክሽ' (f) before the phrase to sound polite.
Avoid 'Melemen'
Be careful not to use the word for begging unless you mean it.
Signification
Requesting assistance from someone.
Use 'Ebakih'
Always add 'እባክህ' (m) or 'እባክሽ' (f) before the phrase to sound polite.
Avoid 'Melemen'
Be careful not to use the word for begging unless you mean it.
Object Suffixes
Mastering the suffixes like -ኝ (me) or -ው (him) on the verb 'መጠየቅ' will make you sound native.
Reciprocity
Remember that asking for help in Ethiopia often implies you will help them back later.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'መጠየቅ' in the past tense (I asked).
ትላንትና እርዳታ ______።
'ጠየቅሁ' is the first-person singular past tense form.
Which phrase is most appropriate for asking a stranger for directions?
መንገድ ለማወቅ ምን ትላለህ?
This is the most polite and neutral way to initiate a request.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ይህ ስራ ከብዶኛል። B: ለምን እርዳታ አት______?
The sentence asks 'Why don't you ask...?' which requires the present/future form.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Asking vs. Begging
Banque d exercices
3 exercicesትላንትና እርዳታ ______።
'ጠየቅሁ' is the first-person singular past tense form.
መንገድ ለማወቅ ምን ትላለህ?
This is the most polite and neutral way to initiate a request.
A: ይህ ስራ ከብዶኛል። B: ለምን እርዳታ አት______?
The sentence asks 'Why don't you ask...?' which requires the present/future form.
🎉 Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it's neutral. However, with very close friends, you might just say 'እርዳኝ' (Help me).
Shout 'እርዳታ!' (Help!) or 'ድረሱልኝ!' (Reach me/Help me!).
'እርዳታ' is general help; 'እገዛ' is often used for technical or professional assistance.
No, for a question use 'ጥያቄ መጠየቅ' (Asking a question).
Say 'እርዳታ ልጠይቅሽ?' (Can I ask you [f] for help?)
Not at all, as long as you start with 'ይቅርታ' (Excuse me).
Use 'የገንዘብ እርዳታ'.
Yes, Amharic is an SOV language, so 'መጠየቅ' or its conjugated form comes last.
Say 'ለእርዳታህ አመሰግናለሁ'.
Yes, it is very common in professional emails.
Expressions liées
እገዛ ማድረግ
similarTo provide assistance
ትብብር
specialized formCooperation
መማጸን
builds onTo plead/implore
መደገፍ
similarTo support
