Signification
Unity is strength.
Contexte culturel
The proverb reflects the 'Debo' system, where farmers help each other during harvest. It's a social contract of reciprocity. In cities, this is the guiding principle of 'Iddir,' which are neighborhood associations that provide social security. This phrase was used to mobilize the population against colonial threats, emphasizing that a united Ethiopia is invincible. Modern Ethiopian companies often use this proverb in their mission statements or team-building exercises.
Use it to inspire
This is the best phrase to use when you want to sound encouraging and culturally aware.
Don't change the words
Proverbs are 'frozen.' If you say 'Spider webs tie a lion,' it's just a weird sentence. Keep the exact Amharic words.
Signification
Unity is strength.
Use it to inspire
This is the best phrase to use when you want to sound encouraging and culturally aware.
Don't change the words
Proverbs are 'frozen.' If you say 'Spider webs tie a lion,' it's just a weird sentence. Keep the exact Amharic words.
The 'Bi-' Prefix
Mastering the 'bi-' in 'biyabir' will help you understand all 'if' sentences in Amharic.
Lion Symbolism
Remember that the lion is the national symbol of Ethiopia. Tying it up is a very bold metaphor for power!
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word in the proverb.
ድር ቢያብር ______ ያስር።
The proverb specifically uses 'Anbessa' (lion) to represent the strongest animal.
Which situation best fits the proverb 'Dir Biyabir Anbessa Yasir'?
A group of neighbors coming together to build a fence for an elderly woman.
This is a classic example of community cooperation where the proverb is used.
What does 'Biyabir' mean in this context?
ድር ቢያብር...
'Biyabir' comes from the root 'Abere' meaning to unite or cooperate.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ይህ ስራ በጣም ከባድ ነው። ብቻዬን አልችልም። B: አይዞህ፤ እኛ እንረዳሃለን። ______።
The context of needing help and working together perfectly fits this proverb.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesድር ቢያብር ______ ያስር።
The proverb specifically uses 'Anbessa' (lion) to represent the strongest animal.
A group of neighbors coming together to build a fence for an elderly woman.
This is a classic example of community cooperation where the proverb is used.
ድር ቢያብር...
'Biyabir' comes from the root 'Abere' meaning to unite or cooperate.
A: ይህ ስራ በጣም ከባድ ነው። ብቻዬን አልችልም። B: አይዞህ፤ እኛ እንረዳሃለን። ______።
The context of needing help and working together perfectly fits this proverb.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, it is one of the most common proverbs in Ethiopia, used daily in news, social media, and conversation.
Yes, it is formal and respectful. It shows you value the team.
It means the fine thread of a spider web or the warp in weaving.
Sometimes people just say 'ድር ቢያብር...' and leave the rest to the listener's imagination.
No, it is a secular proverb, though it aligns with many religious values of helping others.
It is a tapped or slightly rolled 'r', similar to the Spanish 'r'.
Absolutely! It's very common in sports commentary to describe team play.
A phrase like 'ብቻውን የበላ ብቻውን ይሞታል' (He who eats alone dies alone) highlights the danger of not uniting.
In the proverb, yes. You can't substitute it for an elephant or a tiger.
The lion is the king of animals in Ethiopian culture, representing the ultimate challenge.
Expressions liées
አንድነት ኃይል ነው
synonymUnity is power.
ሃምሳ ሎሚ ለአንድ ሰው ሸክሙ ነው ለሃምሳ ሰው ግን ጌጡ ነው
similar50 lemons are a burden for one, but an ornament for 50.
ብቻውን የበላ ብቻውን ይሞታል
contrastHe who eats alone, dies alone.
ከአንድ ብርቱ ሁለት መድኃኒቱ
similarTwo are a remedy for one strong person.
