Signification
Wishing divine assistance to a man.
Contexte culturel
The phrase is a daily prayer. Orthodox Christians may also substitute 'God' with 'The Virgin Mary' (Maryam tirdah) or 'The Savior' (Medhanealem yirdah). In the city, this phrase is the standard 'polite no' to beggars. It is considered much more respectful than simply ignoring someone or saying 'I don't have it.' When walking past a field being plowed, it is customary to shout this to the farmer. It acknowledges the vital role of his labor for the community. Even in the US or Europe, Amharic speakers use this phrase to maintain a sense of cultural connection and shared values of faith and hard work.
The 'Amen' Rule
Always wait for the 'Amen' after you say this. It completes the social interaction.
Gender Check
Double-check the person's gender before speaking. Using the wrong suffix is a common beginner mistake.
Signification
Wishing divine assistance to a man.
The 'Amen' Rule
Always wait for the 'Amen' after you say this. It completes the social interaction.
Gender Check
Double-check the person's gender before speaking. Using the wrong suffix is a common beginner mistake.
Beggar Etiquette
If you use this to decline a beggar, say it with a kind smile. It shows you are not being mean, just unable to help.
Religious Neutrality
Even if you aren't religious, using this phrase is seen as a sign of cultural fluency and respect for Ethiopian traditions.
Teste-toi
You see a woman carrying a heavy water jug. Which phrase should you use?
Choose the correct gender form:
The suffix '-ash' is used for females.
Complete the response to the blessing.
A: እግዚአብሔር ይርዳህ! B: _______!
The standard and most respectful response to a blessing is 'Amen'.
Match the phrase to the correct person.
Who do you say 'እግዚአብሔር ይርዳዎ' to?
The '-avo' suffix is the formal/respectful form for elders.
Fill in the missing part of the polite refusal.
Beggar: 'ስለ እግዚአብሔር ብለው ይርዱኝ።' You: 'ይቅርታ፣ እግዚአብሔር _______።'
Assuming the beggar is male, 'yirdah' is the correct form for a polite refusal.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Gender Suffixes for 'May God Help...'
Male
- • እግዚአብሔር ይርዳህ (yirdah)
Female
- • እግዚአብሔር ይርዳሽ (yirdash)
Elder/Formal
- • እግዚአብሔር ይርዳዎ (yirdavo)
Group
- • እግዚአብሔር ይርዳችሁ (yirdachihu)
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesChoose the correct gender form:
The suffix '-ash' is used for females.
A: እግዚአብሔር ይርዳህ! B: _______!
The standard and most respectful response to a blessing is 'Amen'.
Who do you say 'እግዚአብሔር ይርዳዎ' to?
The '-avo' suffix is the formal/respectful form for elders.
Beggar: 'ስለ እግዚአብሔር ብለው ይርዱኝ።' You: 'ይቅርታ፣ እግዚአብሔር _______።'
Assuming the beggar is male, 'yirdah' is the correct form for a polite refusal.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, you must change it to 'እግዚአብሔር ይርዳሽ' (Egziabeher yirdash).
While religious in origin, it is a cultural phrase used by almost everyone in Ethiopia, including many Muslims and secular people, as a standard blessing.
The most common and appropriate response is 'አሜን' (Amen).
Yes, but it's better to use the formal version: 'እግዚአብሔር ይርዳዎ' (Egziabeher yirdavo).
Yes. In Ethiopia, it's viewed more as a polite social convention than a strict religious statement.
Don't say it for very minor things, like someone picking up a pen. Save it for actual effort or work.
You say 'እግዚአብሔር ይርዳን' (Egziabeher yirdan).
No, it sounds like you are encouraging them and acknowledging their hard work.
Yes, it is very common at the end of a supportive or professional email to a male colleague.
You can just say 'ይርዳህ' (Yirdah), and the 'God' part is implied, though it's less formal.
Expressions liées
እግዚአብሔር ያበርታህ
similarMay God give you strength
እግዚአብሔር ይስጥልኝ
builds onMay God give for me (Thank you)
እግዚአብሔር ይማርህ
specialized formMay God heal you
በርታ
synonymBe strong
አይዞህ
similarCheer up / Don't worry
እግዚአብሔር ካንተ ጋር ይሁን
similarMay God be with you
