Signification
Not having enough money or resources.
Contexte culturel
In Addis Ababa, 'እጅ ማጠር' is a daily reality for many due to inflation. It is often discussed over 'Buna' (coffee) as a shared struggle. Using this phrase is a way to maintain 'Yilunta' (social dignity). It sounds less desperate than saying you are poor. The 'hand' as a symbol of power and wealth is common across Semitic languages (Amharic, Tigrinya, Arabic, Hebrew). During holidays like Enkutatash (New Year), the pressure to buy gifts is high. 'እጅ ማጠር' is a common excuse for modest celebrations.
Use the Perfect Tense
Say 'እጄ አጥሯል' (Idje atroal) instead of 'እጄ ያጥራል' (Idje yatral) to sound more like a native speaker when talking about your current situation.
The 'Yilunta' Factor
Use this phrase to decline invitations without hurting the host's feelings. It shifts the blame to the 'short hand' rather than your desire to see them.
Signification
Not having enough money or resources.
Use the Perfect Tense
Say 'እጄ አጥሯል' (Idje atroal) instead of 'እጄ ያጥራል' (Idje yatral) to sound more like a native speaker when talking about your current situation.
The 'Yilunta' Factor
Use this phrase to decline invitations without hurting the host's feelings. It shifts the blame to the 'short hand' rather than your desire to see them.
Not for Height
Never use this to describe a short person. It will sound like you are saying they are broke!
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'እጅ' and 'ማጠር'.
ዛሬ ምንም ብር የለኝም፣ ____ ____።
Since the speaker says 'I don't have money' (የለኝም), the first person 'እጄ አጥሯል' is correct.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'He is broke'?
He is broke.
'እጁ አጠረ' is the idiom for being broke. 'ረጅም' means long (generous) and 'ትልቅ' means big.
Complete the dialogue.
A: አዲስ ጫማ እንግዛ? B: አይ፣ አሁን ____ ____።
B is declining the offer to buy shoes, so 'እጄ አጥሯል' (I'm broke) fits the context.
Match the situation to the phrase.
You want to help a charity but you have no money this month.
'እጄ አጥሯል' expresses the inability to help due to lack of resources.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesዛሬ ምንም ብር የለኝም፣ ____ ____።
Since the speaker says 'I don't have money' (የለኝም), the first person 'እጄ አጥሯል' is correct.
He is broke.
'እጁ አጠረ' is the idiom for being broke. 'ረጅም' means long (generous) and 'ትልቅ' means big.
A: አዲስ ጫማ እንግዛ? B: አይ፣ አሁን ____ ____።
B is declining the offer to buy shoes, so 'እጄ አጥሯል' (I'm broke) fits the context.
You want to help a charity but you have no money this month.
'እጄ አጥሯል' expresses the inability to help due to lack of resources.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it's actually a polite and humble way to discuss financial difficulty.
Yes, you can say 'የኩባንያው እጅ አጥሯል' to mean the company lacks funds.
The opposite is 'እጅ ረጅም' (long hand), meaning generous or wealthy.
You can say 'ኪሴ ደርቋል' (My pocket is dry).
Occasionally in journalism to describe economic shortages, but it's mostly spoken.
No, it usually implies a temporary state, like being short of cash this week.
You can say 'ገንዘብ አጠረኝ', but 'እጄ አጠረ' is more idiomatic.
It sounds like 'Idj' with a very short 'i'.
No, it's almost exclusively for money or material resources.
It's A1/A2. Every beginner should know this to survive social life in Ethiopia.
Expressions liées
ኪስ መድረቅ
synonymPocket drying up
እጅ ረጅም
contrastLong hand
ባዶ እጅ
similarEmpty hand
እጅ መዘርጋት
builds onTo stretch the hand
