Meaning
Noting that a price is low.
Cultural Background
In Merkato, the world's largest open-air market, 'ርካሽ ነው' is a relative term. What is cheap for a tourist might be expensive for a local. Always observe others before agreeing to a price. When discussing your purchases with elders, it is often seen as more humble to say something was 'ርካሽ' rather than bragging about how expensive it was, as modesty is a highly valued trait. In religious teachings, 'ርካሽ' is sometimes used to describe worldly pleasures that are fleeting and of 'low value' compared to spiritual life. With rising inflation, the phrase 'ርካሽ ነው' is becoming rarer in the city. People now often joke that 'nothing is cheap anymore' (አሁን ምንም ርካሽ ነገር የለም).
The Haggling Secret
Even if you think it's 'ርካሽ ነው', never say it until the deal is done, or the seller might raise the price!
Quality Check
Remember the proverb 'ርካሽ ስጋ ለውሻ'. Always check the quality of very cheap items in Ethiopia.
Meaning
Noting that a price is low.
The Haggling Secret
Even if you think it's 'ርካሽ ነው', never say it until the deal is done, or the seller might raise the price!
Quality Check
Remember the proverb 'ርካሽ ስጋ ለውሻ'. Always check the quality of very cheap items in Ethiopia.
Modesty Matters
Using 'ርካሽ ነው' about your own belongings shows you are not boastful about your wealth.
Grammar Hack
You can use 'ርካሽ' as a standalone answer to the question 'How is the price?'
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence to say 'The book is cheap.'
መጽሐፉ ርካሽ ____።
'ነው' is the correct copula for a singular object like 'መጽሐፉ' (the book).
Which word is the opposite of 'ርካሽ'?
የ'ርካሽ' ተቃራኒ ቃል የትኛው ነው?
'ውድ' (wid) means expensive, which is the opposite of 'ርካሽ' (cheap).
Complete the dialogue in the market.
ገዢ፡ ጫማው ስንት ነው? ሻጭ፡ መቶ ብር ብቻ። ገዢ፡ እሺ፣ ____ ነው።
Since the price is 'only' 100 Birr, the buyer would likely say it is 'ርካሽ' (cheap).
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
When should you NOT use 'ርካሽ'?
Using 'ርካሽ' for a person is an insult in Amharic culture.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Things that are often 'ርካሽ'
Market
- • ሽንኩርት (Onion)
- • ቲማቲም (Tomato)
- • ጎመን (Cabbage)
Rikash vs. Wid
Practice Bank
4 exercisesመጽሐፉ ርካሽ ____።
'ነው' is the correct copula for a singular object like 'መጽሐፉ' (the book).
የ'ርካሽ' ተቃራኒ ቃል የትኛው ነው?
'ውድ' (wid) means expensive, which is the opposite of 'ርካሽ' (cheap).
ገዢ፡ ጫማው ስንት ነው? ሻጭ፡ መቶ ብር ብቻ። ገዢ፡ እሺ፣ ____ ነው።
Since the price is 'only' 100 Birr, the buyer would likely say it is 'ርካሽ' (cheap).
When should you NOT use 'ርካሽ'?
Using 'ርካሽ' for a person is an insult in Amharic culture.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsNo, it is perfectly fine for objects. It is only rude if used to describe a person or a gift.
Add 'በጣም' (betam) before it: 'በጣም ርካሽ ነው'.
Yes, you can say 'ፀጉር መቆረጥ ርካሽ ነው'.
ርካሽ ናቸው (Rikash nachew).
Yes, 'ዋጋው ተመጣጣኝ ነው' (The price is fair/proportional).
It can, depending on context, but its primary meaning is 'low price'.
Say 'ርካሽ ነው?' with a rising intonation.
It's better to use 'አነስተኛ ዋጋ' (low price) in formal writing.
Say 'ርካሽ እየሆነ ነው'.
Yes, it is a standard Amharic phrase understood nationwide.
ውድ ነው (Wid new) - It is expensive.
Yes, 'ቤቱ ርካሽ ነው'.
Related Phrases
ውድ ነው
contrastIt is expensive
ቅናሽ አለ
similarThere is a discount
በነጻ
builds onFor free
ዋጋው ስንት ነው?
specialized formHow much is the price?
