Signification
Stopping sound from entering ears.
Contexte culturel
In the countryside, 'listening' is a survival skill. A person who 'plugs their ears' is seen as someone who has lost their connection to nature and community. With the extreme noise pollution in the capital, 'чихээ бөглөх' has become a literal necessity for many commuters using noise-canceling headphones. Teachers often use this phrase to scold students who are daydreaming or not paying attention, implying they have 'blocked' the knowledge. There is a specific cultural trope of the 'stubborn son' who plugs his ears to his father's wisdom, often featured in Mongolian literature and films.
Use with gestures
When saying this literally, you can point to your ears to help people understand.
Don't be rude
Telling an older person 'Та чихээ бөглөөд байна' is very rude. Use it with friends or about yourself.
Signification
Stopping sound from entering ears.
Use with gestures
When saying this literally, you can point to your ears to help people understand.
Don't be rude
Telling an older person 'Та чихээ бөглөөд байна' is very rude. Use it with friends or about yourself.
Reflexive Suffix
Always remember the '-ээ'. It's the difference between 'plugging ears' and 'plugging MY ears'.
Stubbornness
In Mongolia, being 'чих хатуу' (hard-eared) is a common way to describe a stubborn person; 'чихээ бөглөх' is the action they take.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct reflexive suffix.
Би чанга чимээ гарахад чих___ бөглөв.
The word 'чих' (ear) requires the reflexive-possessive suffix '-ээ' to mean 'my own ear'.
Which situation best fits the figurative meaning of 'чихээ бөглөх'?
Which of these is figurative?
Ignoring instructions is a figurative way of 'blocking' information.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Чи яагаад миний үгийг сонсохгүй байгаа юм бэ? B: ___________.
This fits the context of someone admitting (perhaps jokingly or stubbornly) that they aren't listening.
Match the phrase to the correct context.
Match 'Чихээ бөглөх' with its best context.
A construction site is a typical place where you would literally plug your ears.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Listening vs. Ignoring
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesБи чанга чимээ гарахад чих___ бөглөв.
The word 'чих' (ear) requires the reflexive-possessive suffix '-ээ' to mean 'my own ear'.
Which of these is figurative?
Ignoring instructions is a figurative way of 'blocking' information.
A: Чи яагаад миний үгийг сонсохгүй байгаа юм бэ? B: ___________.
This fits the context of someone admitting (perhaps jokingly or stubbornly) that they aren't listening.
Match 'Чихээ бөглөх' with its best context.
A construction site is a typical place where you would literally plug your ears.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, but you would say 'Нэг чихээ бөглөх'.
No, it can also be for annoying sounds, like someone singing badly.
They are interchangeable, but 'бөглөх' sounds more like you are using something to plug the ear.
Only if you are joking with a close colleague. Otherwise, it's too informal.
Би чихэвчээр чихээ бөглөж байна.
Yes, it's a very common way to say 'ignoring' in a physical/visual way.
Чихээ нээх (to open ears) or Чих тавих (to listen).
Yes, many Mongolian pop and hip-hop songs use it to mean ignoring haters.
Yes, 'Нохой чихээ бөглөв' (The dog plugged its ears).
No, it's a soft breathy sound, like the 'ch' in 'Bach'.
Expressions liées
Чих тавих
contrastTo listen intently
Чихээ таглах
synonymTo cover one's ears
Дүлий дүмбэ оргих
similarTo act deaf and silent
Чихнийхээ хажуугаар өнгөрөөх
similarIn one ear and out the other
