A2 Idiom 중립

ድመትና አይጥ

ድመትና አይጥ

Cat and mouse

Refers to a relationship of constant chasing or enmity.

🌍

문화적 배경

In the highlands, cats are essential for protecting 'Gota' (grain storage). The constant presence of mice makes the idiom very literal and relatable. Younger generations use the idiom to describe 'toxic' relationships or 'situationships' where one person is always chasing the other. Many fables feature the mouse outsmarting the cat, which adds a layer of 'cleverness' to the 'mouse' role in the idiom. Journalists use this to describe the 'hide and seek' between tax evaders and the revenue authority.

💡

Use it for 'Tom and Jerry' vibes

If a situation reminds you of a cartoon chase, this is the perfect phrase.

⚠️

Don't reverse it

While 'አይጥና ድመት' is okay, 'ድመትና አይጥ' is the standard idiomatic order.

Refers to a relationship of constant chasing or enmity.

💡

Use it for 'Tom and Jerry' vibes

If a situation reminds you of a cartoon chase, this is the perfect phrase.

⚠️

Don't reverse it

While 'አይጥና ድመት' is okay, 'ድመትና አይጥ' is the standard idiomatic order.

🎯

Add 'እንደ' for clarity

Using 'እንደ' (like) makes it clear you are using a simile and not literally talking about animals.

셀프 테스트

Fill in the missing word to complete the idiom.

እነዚያ ልጆች ሁልጊዜ እንደ ድመትና ____ ናቸው።

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: አይጥ

The standard idiom is 'ድመትና አይጥ' (Cat and Mouse).

Which situation best fits the phrase 'የድመትና አይጥ ጨዋታ'?

A situation where...

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: A thief is hiding and a policeman is searching.

The idiom describes a chase or tactical pursuit.

Complete the dialogue naturally.

A: ሰለሞንና ዮናስ ዛሬም ተጣሉ? B: አዎ፣ እነሱ እኮ _________ ናቸው።

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: ድመትና አይጥ

In the context of fighting, 'ድመትና አይጥ' is the most idiomatic response.

Match the phrase to the correct context.

Match 'ድመትና አይጥ' with its best real-world application.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: A intense political rivalry

The idiom is often used for rivalries and conflicts.

🎉 점수: /4

시각 학습 자료

연습 문제 은행

4 연습 문제
Fill in the missing word to complete the idiom. Fill Blank A1

እነዚያ ልጆች ሁልጊዜ እንደ ድመትና ____ ናቸው።

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: አይጥ

The standard idiom is 'ድመትና አይጥ' (Cat and Mouse).

Which situation best fits the phrase 'የድመትና አይጥ ጨዋታ'? Choose A2

A situation where...

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: A thief is hiding and a policeman is searching.

The idiom describes a chase or tactical pursuit.

Complete the dialogue naturally. dialogue_completion B1

A: ሰለሞንና ዮናስ ዛሬም ተጣሉ? B: አዎ፣ እነሱ እኮ _________ ናቸው።

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: ድመትና አይጥ

In the context of fighting, 'ድመትና አይጥ' is the most idiomatic response.

Match the phrase to the correct context. situation_matching B2

Match 'ድመትና አይጥ' with its best real-world application.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: A intense political rivalry

The idiom is often used for rivalries and conflicts.

🎉 점수: /4

자주 묻는 질문

6 질문

Not necessarily. It can mean they hate each other, but it often just means they are in a cycle of bickering or chasing.

Yes, it's very common to describe a couple that fights a lot but stays together.

It's neutral. You can use it with friends or in a newspaper, but maybe not in a legal contract.

The phrase itself doesn't change, but the verb does. e.g., 'እነሱ ድመትና አይጥ ናቸው' (They are...).

Amharic culture traditionally sees the cat/mouse dynamic as the ultimate example of pursuit and conflict.

No, it's a standard idiom. However, calling someone an 'አይጥ' (mouse) alone can be an insult (meaning weak or sneaky).

관련 표현

🔗

ውሻና ድመት

similar

Dog and cat

🔗

አይጥና ዝሆን

contrast

Mouse and elephant

🔗

የአይጥ ምስክር ድመት

builds on

The cat is the witness for the mouse

🔄

መባላት

synonym

To eat each other

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