Signification
Someone who has no money
Contexte culturel
Slang like 'Debtam' is a way for youth to cope with high unemployment and inflation through humor. The root word 'Debtera' still commands respect in religious contexts, showing the dual nature of the language. It is culturally expected to take turns paying for coffee. Saying you are 'Debtam' is a valid 'pass' from this duty. Memes about being 'Debtam' at the end of the month are extremely popular among Ethiopians.
Use it for yourself
It's always safer to call yourself 'Debtam' than to call someone else that.
Avoid with elders
They might find it 'Yebalege' (rude/unrefined).
Signification
Someone who has no money
Use it for yourself
It's always safer to call yourself 'Debtam' than to call someone else that.
Avoid with elders
They might find it 'Yebalege' (rude/unrefined).
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'ደብታም'.
ዛሬ መክፈል አልችልም፣ እኔ ____ ነኝ።
ደብታም is the adjective for 'broke'.
Which situation is appropriate for using 'ደብታም'?
Where can you say 'ደብታም ነኝ'?
It is informal slang.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ምሳ እንብላ? B: አይ፣ ____ ስለሆንኩ አልችልም።
B is declining lunch, likely due to being broke.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Money Status in Amharic
Status
- • ሀብታም (Rich)
- • ደብታም (Broke)
- • ድሃ (Poor)
Banque d exercices
3 exercicesዛሬ መክፈል አልችልም፣ እኔ ____ ነኝ።
ደብታም is the adjective for 'broke'.
Where can you say 'ደብታም ነኝ'?
It is informal slang.
A: ምሳ እንብላ? B: አይ፣ ____ ስለሆንኩ አልችልም።
B is declining lunch, likely due to being broke.
🎉 Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
2 questionsIt can be, but among friends, it's usually a joke or a statement of fact.
Yes, it is gender-neutral as an adjective, though you change the verb: 'እሷ ደብታም ናት'.
Expressions liées
ቆርቆሮ
synonymBroke (literally 'tin')
ኪሴ ባዶ ነው
similarMy pocket is empty
ሀብታም
contrastRich
ምንም የለኝም
similarI have nothing
