Meaning
Offering guidance or suggestions to someone.
Cultural Background
Spiritual advice ('የነፍስ አባት ምክር') from a soul-father is considered sacred and must be followed strictly. Advice is often given through proverbs ('ምሳሌያዊ አነጋገሮች') rather than direct speech to save face. Young people use social media 'advice' groups on Telegram to discuss modern issues like mental health. In Ethiopian business, 'ምክር' is often sought from family members before signing contracts, even if they aren't experts.
Use the Dative
Always remember to include the recipient in the verb (e.g., ሰጠሁት, ሰጠኋት).
Wait for the Cue
In Ethiopia, it's often better to wait for someone to ask for advice before giving it, unless you are an elder.
Meaning
Offering guidance or suggestions to someone.
Use the Dative
Always remember to include the recipient in the verb (e.g., ሰጠሁት, ሰጠኋት).
Wait for the Cue
In Ethiopia, it's often better to wait for someone to ask for advice before giving it, unless you are an elder.
Avoid 'Madrag'
Never say 'ምክር አደረግሁ' (I did advice). It sounds very foreign.
Soften the Blow
Use 'ምናልባት' (maybe) before giving advice to sound more polite.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'መስጠት' for 'I gave him advice'.
ለወንድሜ ምክር ______።
'ሰጠሁት' means 'I gave him', which matches 'ለወንድሜ' (to my brother).
Which of these is the most polite way to offer advice to a teacher?
ለመምህርዎ እንዴት ምክር ይሰጣሉ?
Using 'ሃሳብ ማካፈል' (sharing a thought) and the polite suffix '-ዎት' is most respectful.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ስራ ማግኘት አልቻልኩም። B: አይዞህ፣ አንድ ______ ልስጥህ።
In the context of a problem like not finding a job, 'ምክር' (advice) is the logical fit.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: A doctor talking to a patient.
Doctors give health (ጤና) advice.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Types of Advice
Contexts
- • የጤና (Health)
- • የስራ (Work)
- • የፍቅር (Love)
- • የትምህርት (Education)
Practice Bank
4 exercisesለወንድሜ ምክር ______።
'ሰጠሁት' means 'I gave him', which matches 'ለወንድሜ' (to my brother).
ለመምህርዎ እንዴት ምክር ይሰጣሉ?
Using 'ሃሳብ ማካፈል' (sharing a thought) and the polite suffix '-ዎት' is most respectful.
A: ስራ ማግኘት አልቻልኩም። B: አይዞህ፣ አንድ ______ ልስጥህ።
In the context of a problem like not finding a job, 'ምክር' (advice) is the logical fit.
Situation: A doctor talking to a patient.
Doctors give health (ጤና) advice.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIn Amharic, 'ምክር' is usually used as an uncountable noun, but you can say 'አንድ ምክር' (one advice/tip).
No! For money tips, use 'ጉርሻ' (gursha). 'ምክር' is only for verbal advice.
You say 'ምክሬን አልሰማም' (Mikirien alsemam).
It's risky. Use 'ሃሳብ ማካፈል' (sharing thoughts) instead to be safe.
The plural is 'ምክሮች' (mikiroch), but it's rarely used.
Use 'የሙያ ምክር' (Yemuya mikir).
No, but 'ምክር ቤት' (mikir bet) means 'Parliament' or 'Council House'.
'ተግሳጽ' (tegsats) is a stern rebuke or correction, much stronger than advice.
Yes, very frequently, especially in the Book of Proverbs.
You say 'ምክር እፈልጋለሁ' (Mikir efelligallehu).
Related Phrases
ምክር መቀበል
contrastTo accept advice
መመካከር
builds onTo consult each other
ምክር መለገስ
specialized formTo bestow advice
ሃሳብ ማካፈል
similarTo share thoughts
