Signification
Grooming one's hair.
Contexte culturel
Combing hair at night is traditionally avoided as it's believed to invite bad luck or spirits. The 'Daah ürgeeh' ceremony is the first time a child's hair is formally cut, but until then, combing and braiding are vital daily acts of parental love. In a Ger, the comb is a personal item and should not be shared with strangers to avoid mixing 'Hiimori' (wind-horse/energy). Due to the extreme dust and wind in Ulaanbaatar, carrying a small comb is a common practical habit for both men and women.
The Reflexive Rule
Always remember the '-ээ' suffix. It's the difference between being a person who grooms themselves and a person who just talks about hair in general.
Don't say 'Comb Head'
Unlike Chinese (shūtóu), Mongolian always specifies 'hair' (үс), not 'head' (толгой). Saying 'толгойгоо самнах' sounds like you are scratching your skull with a comb!
Signification
Grooming one's hair.
The Reflexive Rule
Always remember the '-ээ' suffix. It's the difference between being a person who grooms themselves and a person who just talks about hair in general.
Don't say 'Comb Head'
Unlike Chinese (shūtóu), Mongolian always specifies 'hair' (үс), not 'head' (толгой). Saying 'толгойгоо самнах' sounds like you are scratching your skull with a comb!
Complimenting
If you want to compliment someone's hair, you can say 'Үсээ гоё самнажээ' (You've combed your hair beautifully).
Verb Tense
Use the '-сан' ending if you just finished. 'Би үсээ самначихлаа' (I've just finished combing my hair).
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing reflexive suffix.
Би өглөө бүр үс___ самнадаг.
The reflexive suffix '-ээ' is needed to show you are combing your own hair.
Which sentence means 'I am combing my hair'?
Choose the correct sentence:
'Самнах' is the verb for combing.
Complete the dialogue.
Ээж: Миний хүү, үсээ самнаарай. Хүү: За, би одоо ________.
The son is responding that he is doing it right now (Present Continuous).
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are at a job interview and your hair is messy. What do you say?
You need to comb your hair to look professional.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesБи өглөө бүр үс___ самнадаг.
The reflexive suffix '-ээ' is needed to show you are combing your own hair.
Choose the correct sentence:
'Самнах' is the verb for combing.
Ээж: Миний хүү, үсээ самнаарай. Хүү: За, би одоо ________.
The son is responding that he is doing it right now (Present Continuous).
You are at a job interview and your hair is messy. What do you say?
You need to comb your hair to look professional.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, you can say 'Сахлаа самнах' (to comb one's beard).
It is 'соронзон сам' or simply 'сам'.
It is neutral and can be used in any setting.
Би үсээ самнах хэрэгтэй байна.
Yes, it is gender-neutral.
Then you wouldn't use this phrase! You might say 'Би халзан' (I am bald).
Not really, 'сам' is the only word used.
Yes, 'Морины дэл самнах' (combing a horse's mane).
It is the reflexive possessive, meaning 'one's own'.
In Mongolia, it's better to do it in a restroom or privately, but it's not a major taboo.
Expressions liées
Үсээ угаах
similarTo wash one's hair
Үсээ засуулах
specialized formTo get a haircut
Үсээ сүлжих
builds onTo braid one's hair
Үсээ боох
builds onTo tie one's hair
Нүүрээ угаах
similarTo wash one's face
