Signification
Modern slang for relaxing or hanging out.
Contexte culturel
The 'Arada' culture in Addis Ababa prides itself on being 'cool' and 'connected'. Using English loanwords like 'chill' is a way to signal this identity. It's often associated with the 'Macchiato culture'—spending hours in cafes. Elders value 'tizita' (nostalgia) and 'kibir' (honor). They might view 'ቺል ማድረግ' as a sign of the 'spoiled' younger generation who doesn't value hard work or traditional language. On Telegram (the most popular messaging app in Ethiopia), 'chill' is often used in stickers and memes. It has become a visual and textual shorthand for 'I'm okay' or 'Don't bother me'. In the diaspora (DC, London, etc.), 'Amhlish' is the primary language of the second generation. 'ቺል ማድረግ' is a bridge between their two worlds.
The 'Madräg' Key
If you learn how to conjugate 'madräg', you can use hundreds of other Amharic slang words that follow the same pattern.
Elder Alert
Avoid using this with people over 50 unless you know them very well; it can seem like you're not taking them seriously.
Signification
Modern slang for relaxing or hanging out.
The 'Madräg' Key
If you learn how to conjugate 'madräg', you can use hundreds of other Amharic slang words that follow the same pattern.
Elder Alert
Avoid using this with people over 50 unless you know them very well; it can seem like you're not taking them seriously.
Combine with 'ዝም ብሎ'
Add 'ዝም ብሎ' (zim bilo - just/simply) before the phrase to sound more native: 'ዝም ብዬ ቺል እያደረግኩ ነው'.
Cafe Etiquette
In Addis, 'chilling' in a cafe for 2 hours over one coffee is perfectly acceptable and expected.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct form of the verb to say 'We are chilling.'
እኛ አሁን ቺል _______ ነው።
'እያደረግን' is the first-person plural (we) continuous form of 'madräg'.
Fill in the missing word to complete the invitation.
ና፣ አብረን ቺል _______።
'እናድርግ' is the jussive form used for 'let's'.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
When would you say 'ቺል አድርግ'?
In this context, it means 'calm down' and is appropriate for a friend.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ቅዳሜ ምን ትሰራለህ? B: ምንም፣ ቤት ውስጥ _______ እፈልጋለሁ።
After 'እፈልጋለሁ' (I want), you use the infinitive form 'madräg'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Relaxing in Amharic
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesእኛ አሁን ቺል _______ ነው።
'እያደረግን' is the first-person plural (we) continuous form of 'madräg'.
ና፣ አብረን ቺል _______።
'እናድርግ' is the jussive form used for 'let's'.
When would you say 'ቺል አድርግ'?
In this context, it means 'calm down' and is appropriate for a friend.
A: ቅዳሜ ምን ትሰራለህ? B: ምንም፣ ቤት ውስጥ _______ እፈልጋለሁ።
After 'እፈልጋለሁ' (I want), you use the infinitive form 'madräg'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsIt is a real slang phrase. It's not in traditional dictionaries, but it's used by millions of speakers every day.
No, it's too informal. Use 'እረፍት' or 'መዝናናት' instead.
You say 'ቺል አደረግኩ' (Chill aderegku).
No, for temperature, use 'ቀዝቃዛ' (qezqaza).
'ፈታ ማለት' is more traditional and 'ቺል ማድረግ' is more modern/Westernized, but they mean the same thing.
Only if you have a very casual relationship and are practicing slang. Otherwise, avoid it.
No, it's only for people and their vibes/actions.
ቺል እናድርግ (Chill inadrig).
Rarely. It is mostly an urban phenomenon in cities like Addis Ababa, Bahir Dar, and Adama.
It's grammatically incorrect in Amharic. You must use the verb 'madräg'.
When a friend asks you what your weekend plans are.
Yes, it's the definition of 'Arada' (cool) speech.
Expressions liées
ፈታ ማለት
synonymTo loosen up / relax
መዝናናት
similarTo be entertained / enjoy oneself
ማረፍ
similarTo rest
መጨነቅ
contrastTo worry / be stressed
ጋደም ማለት
similarTo lie down / take a nap
