Meaning
To be cruel or unfeeling.
Cultural Background
In religious teachings, 'Lib Medreq' is often linked to 'Hardening of the heart' like Pharaoh in the Bible. It is seen as a spiritual sickness that requires repentance. In farming communities, 'dryness' is the ultimate enemy. Calling someone 'dry-hearted' is as serious as saying they are a curse to the land's fertility. In Addis Ababa, this phrase is used to describe the 'coldness' of city life where people no longer greet each other or help strangers, unlike in the provinces. Many classic Amharic novels use this idiom to describe the moral downfall of characters who choose money over family.
Use with Suffixes
Always remember to add the possessive suffix to 'Lib' (Lib-u, Lib-wa) to make it sound natural.
Not for Thirst
Never use this to say you want water. You will sound like you are having a moral crisis instead of being thirsty!
Meaning
To be cruel or unfeeling.
Use with Suffixes
Always remember to add the possessive suffix to 'Lib' (Lib-u, Lib-wa) to make it sound natural.
Not for Thirst
Never use this to say you want water. You will sound like you are having a moral crisis instead of being thirsty!
The Adjective Form
Use 'ልበ ደረቅ' (Lib-e dereq) as a fixed adjective to describe a person's personality type.
Religious Nuance
In a religious context, this is a very heavy term. Use it carefully as it implies a lack of God's grace.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'Lib' and 'Medreq'.
ያ ሰው በጣም ጨካኝ ነው፤ _____ ______።
Since the subject is 'ያ ሰው' (that man), we use the masculine third-person suffix '-u'.
Which of the following best describes a 'ልበ ደረቅ' person?
ልበ ደረቅ ሰው ምንድነው?
'Lib-e dereq' is an idiom for a cruel or heartless person.
Match the situation to the phrase.
A boss refuses to give an employee time off for a funeral.
Refusing empathy in a time of grief is a classic example of 'Lib Medreq'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ለምን አትረዳውም? B: አልፈልግም! A: እንዴት እንዲህ ____ ______?
The speaker is asking 'How can your heart dry up like this?' in response to the refusal to help.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Moisture vs. Character
Practice Bank
4 exercisesያ ሰው በጣም ጨካኝ ነው፤ _____ ______።
Since the subject is 'ያ ሰው' (that man), we use the masculine third-person suffix '-u'.
ልበ ደረቅ ሰው ምንድነው?
'Lib-e dereq' is an idiom for a cruel or heartless person.
A boss refuses to give an employee time off for a funeral.
Refusing empathy in a time of grief is a classic example of 'Lib Medreq'.
A: ለምን አትረዳውም? B: አልፈልግም! A: እንዴት እንዲህ ____ ______?
The speaker is asking 'How can your heart dry up like this?' in response to the refusal to help.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsYes, but it's very harsh. It implies the child is showing signs of being a bully or unusually cruel.
Exactly. It is the direct Amharic equivalent of 'heartless' or 'cold-blooded'.
You say 'ልቤ እየደረቀ ነው' (Lib-e iyedereqe new).
No, 'dryness' is always negative. For a positive heart, use 'ርኅሩኅ' (Rihruh - compassionate).
Rarely. It's mostly used for humans because it implies a moral choice.
No, it is a proper idiom used in literature and formal speech.
The opposite is 'ልበ ሰፊ' (Lib-e sefi - patient/kind) or 'ርኅሩኅ' (Rihruh).
Yes, if you are discussing someone's unethical or cruel behavior.
No. 'Hard-headed' is 'ራስ ደረቅ' (Ras dereq). 'Lib medreq' is about cruelty, not stubbornness.
Yes, you can say 'ሁኔታው ልብ ያደርቃል' (The situation dries the heart).
It is a strong criticism. Use it when you mean to describe someone as truly unkind.
ልባቸው ደረቀ (Lib-achew dereqe).
Related Phrases
ልበ ድንጋይ
similarHeart of stone
ልበ ሰፊ
contrastWide-hearted / Patient
ልብ መስጠት
contrastTo pay attention
አንጀት መበላት
contrastTo feel deep sympathy
ልበ ቢስ
similarHeartless / Foolish
