Signification
Greeting a group of people.
Contexte culturel
Greetings are often accompanied by 'shoulder bumping' (gursha-like intimacy) among men. You say 'Indet nachu' while lightly tapping shoulders. In the city, 'Indet nachu' is often shortened in fast speech to 'ndtnachu'. It's used rapidly when entering taxis. When greeting a group of clergy, 'Indet nachu' is acceptable, but 'እንደምን አላችሁ' is preferred to show spiritual alignment. In the US or Europe, Ethiopians use 'Indet nachu' as a way to maintain cultural identity even when the rest of the conversation is in English.
The Smile Factor
In Ethiopia, a greeting is always better with a warm smile. It's a very social culture!
Don't skip the response
Even if you are in a rush, wait for them to say 'Egziabeher Yimesgen' before moving on.
Signification
Greeting a group of people.
The Smile Factor
In Ethiopia, a greeting is always better with a warm smile. It's a very social culture!
Don't skip the response
Even if you are in a rush, wait for them to say 'Egziabeher Yimesgen' before moving on.
Respect the Elders
When in doubt, use 'Indet nachu'. It's safer to be too respectful than not respectful enough.
The Handshake
If you are close, a handshake often accompanies 'Indet nachu'. For very close friends, it's three kisses on the cheek.
Teste-toi
You walk into a room with three friends. What do you say?
Greeting a group:
'Nachu' is the plural form for 'you all'.
Complete the sentence to greet your teacher respectfully.
መምህር፣ እንዴት ______?
Plural forms are used for respect in Amharic.
Match the greeting to the person.
Match the following:
Neh (masc), Nesh (fem), Nachu (plural).
Fill in the standard response.
A: እንዴት ናችሁ? B: ________ ይመስገን።
'Egziabeher Yimesgen' is the standard response meaning 'Thanks be to God'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Who to say 'Indet Nachu' to
Groups
- • Friends
- • Family
- • Classmates
Respect
- • Grandparents
- • Teachers
- • Priests
Singular vs. Plural Greetings
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesGreeting a group:
'Nachu' is the plural form for 'you all'.
መምህር፣ እንዴት ______?
Plural forms are used for respect in Amharic.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Neh (masc), Nesh (fem), Nachu (plural).
A: እንዴት ናችሁ? B: ________ ይመስገን።
'Egziabeher Yimesgen' is the standard response meaning 'Thanks be to God'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, 'nachu' is for two or more people.
If it's a group, 'nachu' is gender-neutral. It works for all-male, all-female, or mixed groups.
Yes, it is very appropriate and respectful.
Say 'እግዚአብሔር ይመስገን፣ ደህና ነን' (Egziabeher Yimesgen, dehna nen).
No, it is standard Amharic, but very common in casual speech too.
'Indet nachu' is 'How are you?', 'Selam nachu' is 'Are you at peace?'. Both are used interchangeably.
It's the 'Polite Plural'. It shows the person is 'worth' more than one person in terms of respect.
Yes, it's a great way to start an email to a group of colleagues.
Yes, in almost all contexts.
Some people just say 'ሰላም!' (Selam) which means 'Peace/Hello'.
Expressions liées
ሰላም ናችሁ?
synonymAre you all at peace?
እንዴት ነህ?
specialized formHow are you (masc)?
እንዴት ነሽ?
specialized formHow are you (fem)?
ደህና ናችሁ?
similarAre you all well?
እንደምን አላችሁ?
specialized formHow are you all (Formal)?
