Signification
Asking about the start time of an event.
Contexte culturel
In Ethiopia, time is often circular and event-based. Asking 'Since when?' might get you an answer like 'Since the downfall of the Derg' or 'Since the last big Epiphany (Timkat)'. Many Ethiopians measure their personal milestones by fasting seasons. 'Since when did you start this project?' might be answered with 'Since the start of the Filseta fast'. Among youth in Addis Ababa, 'ከመቼ ወዲህ?' is a popular, slightly sassy way to challenge a friend who is acting 'posh' or different. In Ethiopian business, establishing the 'beginning' of a relationship is key to trust. Asking 'ከመቼ ጀምሮ ነው የምታውቃቸው?' (Since when have you known them?) is a common vetting question.
The 'Is it' Rule
Always add 'ነው' (new) at the end of the question to sound like a native speaker. 'ከመቼ ጀምሮ ነው?' is much more common than just 'ከመቼ ጀምሮ?'.
Sarcasm Alert
Be careful with your tone. If you say it too sharply, it can sound like you're annoyed that someone started doing something new.
Signification
Asking about the start time of an event.
The 'Is it' Rule
Always add 'ነው' (new) at the end of the question to sound like a native speaker. 'ከመቼ ጀምሮ ነው?' is much more common than just 'ከመቼ ጀምሮ?'.
Sarcasm Alert
Be careful with your tone. If you say it too sharply, it can sound like you're annoyed that someone started doing something new.
Answer Pattern
To answer, just replace 'መቼ' with the time. 'ከመቼ ጀምሮ?' -> 'ከአምና ጀምሮ' (Since last year).
Habesha Time
If someone says 'Since 2 o'clock', ask if they mean European time or Ethiopian time!
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to ask 'Since when have you been working?'
ከመቼ ____ ነው የምትሰራው?
'ጀምሮ' is the required gerundive to complete the 'Since when' structure.
Which sentence is the most natural way to ask 'Since when have you lived in Addis?'
Select the correct Amharic sentence:
This uses the correct 'Since when' structure with the relative verb form.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Situation: You see your friend suddenly wearing glasses for the first time.
Asking 'Since when' is the appropriate way to inquire about a new ongoing habit.
Complete the dialogue.
A: በጣም ጎበዝ አማርኛ ተናጋሪ ነህ! B: አመሰግናለሁ። A: ________?
The speaker is impressed and wants to know the duration of the study.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesከመቼ ____ ነው የምትሰራው?
'ጀምሮ' is the required gerundive to complete the 'Since when' structure.
Select the correct Amharic sentence:
This uses the correct 'Since when' structure with the relative verb form.
Situation: You see your friend suddenly wearing glasses for the first time.
Asking 'Since when' is the appropriate way to inquire about a new ongoing habit.
A: በጣም ጎበዝ አማርኛ ተናጋሪ ነህ! B: አመሰግናለሁ። A: ________?
The speaker is impressed and wants to know the duration of the study.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsTechnically yes, but it's better to say 'ከመቼ ጀምሮ ነው የምትጀምረው?' (From when are you starting?).
Yes, it is neutral. To make it very polite, use the formal 'ያሉት' or 'የሚኖሩት' verb forms.
'መቼ' is 'When' (a point). 'ከመቼ ጀምሮ' is 'Since when' (a duration).
You say 'ከትላንት ጀምሮ' (Ke-tilant jemiro).
Yes, it is perfectly acceptable in formal writing.
Amharic is a verb-final language, and 'ጀምሮ' acts as a postposition in this phrase.
In slang, people just say 'ከመቼ ወዲህ?'
The phrase 'ከመቼ ጀምሮ' stays the same, but the verb that follows it must change (e.g., 'የጀመርከው' for male, 'የጀመርሽው' for female).
No, for age we say 'ስንት አመትህ ነው?' (How many are your years?).
It means 'starting' or 'having started'.
Expressions liées
ከዛሬ ጀምሮ
builds onStarting from today
እስከ መቼ?
contrastUntil when?
ከመቼ ወዲህ?
synonymSince when? (Informal)
መቼ?
similarWhen?
በምን ጊዜ?
specialized formAt what time?
