المعنى
A direct command to come here.
خلفية ثقافية
Calling someone with 'Na' to join a coffee ceremony is a sign of deep hospitality. It is often accompanied by the smell of frankincense. In Ethiopia, age is the primary factor in language choice. Using 'Na' for someone even five years older than you can be seen as disrespectful in traditional families. When eating together from a shared plate (Injera), a host might say 'Na' to a guest to encourage them to take a 'Gursha' (a hand-fed morsel). In the countryside, 'Na' is often shouted with a long, melodic 'a' sound to reach someone across a valley or field.
Gender Check
Always check the gender of the person you are calling. Using 'Na' for a girl is the most common beginner mistake.
The Hand Wave
When saying 'Na', Ethiopians usually wave their hand with the palm facing down, pulling toward their body. Palm up is less common.
المعنى
A direct command to come here.
Gender Check
Always check the gender of the person you are calling. Using 'Na' for a girl is the most common beginner mistake.
The Hand Wave
When saying 'Na', Ethiopians usually wave their hand with the palm facing down, pulling toward their body. Palm up is less common.
Softening the Blow
Add 'እስቲ' (isti) after 'ና' to make it sound like a friendly request rather than a harsh command.
The 'Nu' Rule
If you are calling a mixed-gender group, always use the plural 'ኑ' (Nu).
اختبر نفسك
You are calling your male friend, Dawit. Which word do you use?
Dawit, ____!
Dawit is male and a friend, so the masculine informal 'Na' is correct.
Complete the sentence to invite a male friend to drink coffee.
ና ቡና ____ (Na buna ____)
The verb must also be in the masculine imperative form to match 'Na'.
Match the word to the person you are calling.
1. Your Grandmother, 2. Your Sister, 3. Your Brother, 4. A group of friends
Grandmother (Formal), Sister (Fem), Brother (Masc), Group (Plural).
Fill in the missing word in this casual dialogue.
A: የት ነህ? B: እዚህ ነኝ። ____!
Since the speaker asks 'Yet neh?' (masculine), the response should use 'Na'.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
وسائل تعلم بصرية
The 'Come' Matrix
Male
- • ና (Na)
Female
- • ነይ (Ney)
Group
- • ኑ (Nu)
Respect
- • ይምጡ (Yimtu)
بنك التمارين
4 تمارينDawit, ____!
Dawit is male and a friend, so the masculine informal 'Na' is correct.
ና ቡና ____ (Na buna ____)
The verb must also be in the masculine imperative form to match 'Na'.
1. Your Grandmother, 2. Your Sister, 3. Your Brother, 4. A group of friends
Grandmother (Formal), Sister (Fem), Brother (Masc), Group (Plural).
A: የት ነህ? B: እዚህ ነኝ። ____!
Since the speaker asks 'Yet neh?' (masculine), the response should use 'Na'.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةYes, if the dog is male, 'Na' is perfectly fine and very common.
It depends on who you say it to. To a friend, it's normal. To an elder, it's very rude.
The feminine version is 'ነይ' (Ney).
Use 'ወደዚህ ይምጡ' (Wedezih yimtu).
Yes, it's very common in informal texts to mean 'Come over'.
No, in this form, it is exclusively the imperative 'Come'.
It's an irregular imperative that has been simplified over centuries for fast communication.
Only if you want to be informal. It's better to use 'እባክህ' (ibakih) or just wave politely.
In Amharic, you usually know, but if calling out to a stranger, use the formal 'Yimtu'.
Yes, 'ና በቃ' (Na beqa) is a common casual way to say 'Just come'.
عبارات ذات صلة
ነይ
similarCome (feminine)
ኑ
similarCome (plural)
ይምጡ
specialized formCome (formal)
ተከተለኝ
builds onFollow me
ሂድ
contrastGo
ግባ
similarEnter / Come in
