Signification
The sky during a dark night.
Contexte culturel
In the rural highlands, the 'black sky' is the primary source of light at night via the stars, as there is little electricity. It is a time for 'Teret Teret' (storytelling). For city dwellers, a 'black sky' often means a power outage is happening, making the stars visible in the city for a change. The sky (Semay) is considered the dwelling of the divine. A 'black sky' during a solar eclipse or storm is often met with prayer. A black sky during the day is a joyous sign of the 'Kiremt' rains, essential for Teff and coffee crops.
Poetic Touch
Use 'ጥቁር ሰማይ' when writing a simple poem to immediately set a nighttime mood.
Ejective Sounds
Be careful with the 'T' and 'Q' in T'iqur. If you don't eject them, it might sound like a different word.
Signification
The sky during a dark night.
Poetic Touch
Use 'ጥቁር ሰማይ' when writing a simple poem to immediately set a nighttime mood.
Ejective Sounds
Be careful with the 'T' and 'Q' in T'iqur. If you don't eject them, it might sound like a different word.
Definite Article
Always add '-u' (ሰማዩ) if you are talking about 'THE' specific sky everyone is looking at.
Rain is Good
Remember that mentioning a black sky in a rainy context is usually a positive thing in Ethiopia!
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct word for 'sky'.
ጥቁር ____ በጣም ያምራል።
'ሰማይ' means sky. The sentence says 'The black sky is very beautiful.'
Which phrase means 'The sky is black'?
Choose the correct translation:
This uses the definite article '-u' and the linking verb 'ነው'.
Match the Amharic phrase to its English meaning.
Match the following:
Matching colors with nature nouns.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ውጭው እንዴት ነው? B: ______ ሰማይ ይታያል፤ ዝናብ ሊመጣ ነው።
A black sky indicates rain is coming.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Sky Colors in Amharic
Day
- • ሰማያዊ (Blue)
Night
- • ጥቁር (Black)
Storm
- • ጥቁር/አመድማ (Black/Grey)
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesጥቁር ____ በጣም ያምራል።
'ሰማይ' means sky. The sentence says 'The black sky is very beautiful.'
Choose the correct translation:
This uses the definite article '-u' and the linking verb 'ነው'.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Matching colors with nature nouns.
A: ውጭው እንዴት ነው? B: ______ ሰማይ ይታያል፤ ዝናብ ሊመጣ ነው።
A black sky indicates rain is coming.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, while 'Semay' can mean heaven, 'T'iqur Semay' specifically refers to the physical black sky.
Yes, it is a very common way to describe the sky during an eclipse.
Yes, for most objects. For animals or people, other words might be used, but for the sky, 'T'iqur' is perfect.
You say 'ሰማዩ እየጠቆረ ነው' (Semayu eyet'eqore new).
Not at all! It is a neutral, descriptive observation.
'ጥሩ ሰማይ' (Clear sky) or 'ሰማያዊ ሰማይ' (Blue sky).
Only if you are discussing the weather or environment. It's not a business idiom.
Yes, it's one of the first color-noun combinations Ethiopian children learn.
Not exactly, but 'ጭልምልም' (ch'ilm-lim) is a more 'slangy' way to say pitch black.
Technically 'ጥቁር ሰማያት', but you will almost never need to use the plural.
Expressions liées
የሌሊት ሰማይ
synonymNight sky
ሰማያዊ ሰማይ
contrastBlue sky
ጥቁር ደመና
similarBlack cloud
የከዋክብት ሰማይ
builds onStarry sky
ጠቆረ
specialized formIt turned black
