Signification
Describing lack of speed.
Contexte culturel
In Addis Ababa, 'ዝግተኛ' is a common way to describe the 'Anbessa Bus' or 'Lada Taxis' which are known for their frequent stops and slow pace. The traditional coffee ceremony is intentionally 'ዝግተኛ'. Rushing it is considered rude. Here, slowness is a sign of hospitality and respect. Farmers often use 'ዝግተኛ' to describe a reliable but slow ox. In this context, it's not an insult but a description of temperament. With the rise of teleworking in Ethiopia, 'ኢንተርኔቱ ዝግተኛ ነው' has become the most common excuse for missing Zoom meetings.
Use it for Tech
If your phone is acting up, just say 'ስልኬ ዝግተኛ ነው' (My phone is slow). Every Ethiopian will understand your pain.
Gender Matters
Don't forget to use 'ናት' (nāt) for women. Calling a woman 'ዝግተኛ ነው' is a common A1/A2 mistake.
Signification
Describing lack of speed.
Use it for Tech
If your phone is acting up, just say 'ስልኬ ዝግተኛ ነው' (My phone is slow). Every Ethiopian will understand your pain.
Gender Matters
Don't forget to use 'ናት' (nāt) for women. Calling a woman 'ዝግተኛ ነው' is a common A1/A2 mistake.
The 'Slow' vs 'Late' Rule
If you can replace 'slow' with 'sluggish' in English, use 'ዝግተኛ'. If you can replace it with 'tardy', use 'ዘገየ'.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct word to describe a slow female runner.
እሷ በጣም ______ ናት።
'ዝግተኛ' means slow, which fits the context of a runner who isn't fast.
Fill in the correct copula for 'They are slow.'
እነሱ ዝግተኞች ______።
'ናቸው' is the plural copula for 'they are'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Which situation best fits 'ኢንተርኔቱ ዝግተኛ ነው'?
Internet slowness causes loading issues.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ለምንድነው አውቶቡሱ ያልመጣው? B: አላውቅም፣ መንገዱ ______ ነው።
If the bus hasn't arrived, it's likely because the road/traffic is slow.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Speed vs. Lateness
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesእሷ በጣም ______ ናት።
'ዝግተኛ' means slow, which fits the context of a runner who isn't fast.
እነሱ ዝግተኞች ______።
'ናቸው' is the plural copula for 'they are'.
Which situation best fits 'ኢንተርኔቱ ዝግተኛ ነው'?
Internet slowness causes loading issues.
A: ለምንድነው አውቶቡሱ ያልመጣው? B: አላውቅም፣ መንገዱ ______ ነው።
If the bus hasn't arrived, it's likely because the road/traffic is slow.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
5 questionsIt can be, but it's usually just a description. If you say it with a frustrated tone, it's a complaint. If you say it about a turtle, it's a fact.
Yes, 'ዝግተኛ ሙዚቃ' (slow music) is perfectly correct.
The opposite is 'ፈጣን' (fitan), which means fast.
Add 'በጣም' (betam) before it: 'በጣም ዝግተኛ ነው'.
Yes, but it's more polite to say 'ለማጥናት ጊዜ ይወስድበታል' (It takes him time to study).
Expressions liées
ቀስ በቀስ
similarSlowly but surely / Little by little
ፈጣን ነው
contrastHe/it is fast
አዝጋሚ
specialized formCrawling / Gradual
ሰነፍ
similarLazy
