Signification
Literally 'he has no tongue'.
Contexte culturel
Silence is considered a spiritual discipline (Tizimt). Saints are often described as having 'no tongue' for worldly gossip. The concept of 'Chewa' (nobility) dictates that one should never speak loudly or argue in public. 'Mlas yelewum' is the ultimate compliment for a Chewa person. In the fast-paced capital, this phrase is sometimes used ironically to mean someone is 'too slow' or 'naive' for city life. Known for hard work and directness, a Gurage elder might use this phrase to encourage a younger person to be more assertive in business.
Use it for agreement
If someone says a person is very kind, simply nodding and saying 'ምላስ የለውም' shows high-level cultural fluency.
Watch the gender!
Using 'yelewum' for a woman is a very common beginner mistake that sounds jarring to natives.
Signification
Literally 'he has no tongue'.
Use it for agreement
If someone says a person is very kind, simply nodding and saying 'ምላስ የለውም' shows high-level cultural fluency.
Watch the gender!
Using 'yelewum' for a woman is a very common beginner mistake that sounds jarring to natives.
The 'Yilunta' link
Understand that this phrase is often a polite way to say someone is socially inhibited.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of 'to have not' based on the subject.
እናቴ በጣም ደግ ናት፤ ምላስ ________።
Since 'Enate' (My mother) is feminine, we use 'yelatim'.
Which person is best described as 'ምላስ የለውም'?
Match the person to the idiom.
The idiom describes someone who avoids verbal conflict.
What is the opposite of 'ምላስ የለውም'?
Choose the word that means the opposite.
'Mlasenya' means talkative or argumentative, which is the direct opposite.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
A: አዲሱ ሰራተኛ እንዴት ነው? B: በጣም ጎበዝ ነው፤ ግን ________።
In a workplace context, 'but he is very quiet' is a natural follow-up to 'he is very smart.'
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesእናቴ በጣም ደግ ናት፤ ምላስ ________።
Since 'Enate' (My mother) is feminine, we use 'yelatim'.
Match the person to the idiom.
The idiom describes someone who avoids verbal conflict.
Choose the word that means the opposite.
'Mlasenya' means talkative or argumentative, which is the direct opposite.
A: አዲሱ ሰራተኛ እንዴት ነው? B: በጣም ጎበዝ ነው፤ ግን ________።
In a workplace context, 'but he is very quiet' is a natural follow-up to 'he is very smart.'
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsUsually no, it's a compliment for being peaceful. However, in a competitive context, it can imply weakness.
Yes, to show humility. 'እኔ ምላስ የለኝም' (I have no tongue).
Use 'Mlasenya' (ምላሰኛ).
No, it is 100% figurative in 99% of contexts.
ምላስ የላቸውም (Mlas yelachewum).
Rarely, unless describing a very soft-spoken boss.
Not a direct one, but 'ፋራ' (Fara) is sometimes used for people who are too quiet/naive.
Yes, literally, but the idiom only applies to humans.
ምላስ የላትም (Mlas yelatim).
It's neutral. You can use it with your boss or your friends.
Expressions liées
ሆደ ሰፊ
similarPatient/Tolerant
ምላሰኛ
contrastTalkative/Argumentative
አንደበተ ርቱዕ
specialized formEloquent
ዝምተኛ
synonymSilent person
