Signification
Speak sense or don't speak.
Contexte culturel
In places like Merkato, bargaining is a social dance. Using this phrase shows you are 'niqu' (alert/awake) and respect the rules of the game. Speech is often indirect. Calling someone a liar directly is a major insult. This phrase allows for a 'soft' correction. Young people use it sarcastically when friends brag about fake achievements or 'flex' on social media. The phrase is used as a cultural touchstone to express skepticism about news from back home or unrealistic expectations from relatives.
The 'Eye' Contact
When saying this in a market, maintain steady eye contact. It shows you are serious and know the value of items.
Don't over-use
If you say this to every single thing someone says, you will appear cynical or arrogant.
Signification
Speak sense or don't speak.
The 'Eye' Contact
When saying this in a market, maintain steady eye contact. It shows you are serious and know the value of items.
Don't over-use
If you say this to every single thing someone says, you will appear cynical or arrogant.
The Polite 'Uñ'
Always keep the '-uñ' suffix unless you are talking to a child or a very close younger sibling.
Teste-toi
Which is the most polite way to tell an elder that their story is unbelievable?
የማይመስል ነገር _______።
The suffix '-uñ' and the prefix 'Ay-' create the polite/formal plural form necessary for elders.
Complete the phrase using the correct relative marker and negation.
_______መስል ነገር አይንገሩኝ።
'የማይ-' (Yemay-) is the correct prefix for a negative relative clause in the imperfective.
Match the response to the situation.
Situation: A seller says a basic t-shirt costs 3,000 Birr.
This phrase is the standard response to an outrageous price in a market.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
3 exercicesየማይመስል ነገር _______።
The suffix '-uñ' and the prefix 'Ay-' create the polite/formal plural form necessary for elders.
_______መስል ነገር አይንገሩኝ።
'የማይ-' (Yemay-) is the correct prefix for a negative relative clause in the imperfective.
Situation: A seller says a basic t-shirt costs 3,000 Birr.
This phrase is the standard response to an outrageous price in a market.
🎉 Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsNot necessarily. Because it uses the polite plural form, it is a socially acceptable way to express skepticism. However, your tone of voice matters.
It's risky. Even with polite grammar, you are essentially calling their statement a lie. Use 'አልገባኝም' (I don't understand) instead.
'Yemaymesl' means it doesn't *look* true. 'Yemayhon' means it is *impossible* for it to be true.
Use 'የማይመስል ነገር አትንገሪኝ' (Yemaymesl neger atnger-iñ).
Expressions liées
የማይሆን ነገር
synonymA thing that won't happen.
ተረት ተረት
similarFairy tales / stories.
እውነት ተናገር
contrastSpeak the truth.
ተው እንጂ
specialized formOh, come on!
