Signification
Washing hands of a situation; quitting.
Contexte culturel
The phrase is often linked to the story of Pontius Pilate in the Ge'ez Bible, which is central to Ethiopian religious culture. Literal hand-washing is mandatory before eating Injera. Using the idiom during a meal can be a funny pun or a confusing mistake. In Addis Ababa offices, this phrase is used to professionally distance oneself from a failing initiative. In farming communities, 'washing hands' can also mean the end of the harvest season.
Use the suffix!
Don't just say 'እጅ መታጠብ'. Always say 'እጄን ታጠብኩ' or 'እጁን ታጠበ' to sound natural.
Context is King
If you are in a bathroom, people will think you are literally washing your hands. Use it in an office or during a discussion to be understood figuratively.
Signification
Washing hands of a situation; quitting.
Use the suffix!
Don't just say 'እጅ መታጠብ'. Always say 'እጄን ታጠብኩ' or 'እጁን ታጠበ' to sound natural.
Context is King
If you are in a bathroom, people will think you are literally washing your hands. Use it in an office or during a discussion to be understood figuratively.
The 'Feet' Upgrade
If you are REALLY done, say 'እጅና እግሬን ታጥቤያለሁ' (I've washed my hands and feet). It adds a humorous but firm emphasis.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'እጅ' and 'መታጠብ'.
ስራው በጣም ስለከበደኝ ____ ____። (Because the work was too hard for me, I washed my hands.)
Since the sentence starts with 'ስለከበደኝ' (it was hard for *me*), you must use 'እጄን' (my hand) and 'ታጠብኩ' (I washed).
Which situation is appropriate for 'እጅ መታጠብ'?
When would you say 'እጄን ታጥቤያለሁ'?
The idiom implies a final withdrawal from a situation.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ይህን ችግር መፍታት አልቻልንም። B: እኔም ደክሞኛል፣ ____ ____።
Speaker B is expressing exhaustion and giving up, making the idiom perfect here.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
3 exercicesስራው በጣም ስለከበደኝ ____ ____። (Because the work was too hard for me, I washed my hands.)
Since the sentence starts with 'ስለከበደኝ' (it was hard for *me*), you must use 'እጄን' (my hand) and 'ታጠብኩ' (I washed).
When would you say 'እጄን ታጥቤያለሁ'?
The idiom implies a final withdrawal from a situation.
A: ይህን ችግር መፍታት አልቻልንም። B: እኔም ደክሞኛል፣ ____ ____።
Speaker B is expressing exhaustion and giving up, making the idiom perfect here.
🎉 Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt can be slightly dismissive, but it's not inherently rude. It depends on your tone of voice.
Yes, you can say 'ከእሱ እጄን ታጥቤያለሁ' (I've washed my hands of him), meaning you're done dealing with that person.
'ማጠብ' is to wash something else. 'መታጠብ' is to wash oneself or be washed. The idiom always uses 'መታጠብ'.
Yes, it appears in newspapers and literature frequently.
Usually, yes. It implies frustration or a problem that couldn't be solved.
Yes: 'እጄን እታጠባለሁ' (I will wash my hands of it).
Younger people might say 'አበቃሁ' (I've finished/ended it), but the idiom is still very popular.
እባክህ እጅህን አትታጠብብኝ (Əbakıh əǧǧıhın attıtatäbbıñ).
Yes, many Amharic pop and traditional songs use it to describe heartbreak.
Yes! 'ከዚህ ስልክ እጄን ታጥቤያለሁ' (I'm done with this phone).
Expressions liées
እጅ መስጠት
similarTo surrender
ተስፋ መቁረጥ
similarTo lose hope / give up
እጅና እግርን መታጠብ
builds onTo wash hands and feet
ከነገሩ መውጣት
synonymTo get out of the matter
