المعنى
Literally 'opening mouth', meaning to speak rudely.
خلفية ثقافية
Respect for elders is the cornerstone of social life. 'Af Mekfät' is often seen as a sign that a child has not been 'taught' (Altemarem) properly. In the city, the phrase is used more loosely among friends to mean 'Don't be a smart-aleck' or 'Don't talk trash'. Second-generation Ethiopians often struggle with this idiom because they are encouraged to 'speak up' in Western schools, which can be misinterpreted as 'Af Mekfät' by their parents. The mouth and tongue are frequently used as metaphors for moral character. Restraint of the mouth is a shared value across many East African and Middle Eastern cultures.
Be Careful with Suffixes
Always use the right possessive suffix. Saying 'Af Mekfät' in a vacuum sounds like a dictionary entry, not a real sentence.
Silence is Golden
In Ethiopia, if you are angry, it is often better to stay silent than to 'open your mouth'. Silence is seen as a sign of strength.
المعنى
Literally 'opening mouth', meaning to speak rudely.
Be Careful with Suffixes
Always use the right possessive suffix. Saying 'Af Mekfät' in a vacuum sounds like a dictionary entry, not a real sentence.
Silence is Golden
In Ethiopia, if you are angry, it is often better to stay silent than to 'open your mouth'. Silence is seen as a sign of strength.
The 'Lay' Preposition
Use 'ላይ' (lay) to show who the rudeness is directed at. 'እሷ ላይ' (at her), 'እኔ ላይ' (at me).
Listen for the Tone
The meaning changes with tone. A sharp, short 'Afih!' is a very strong warning.
اختبر نفسك
Fill in the correct form of 'mouth' with the possessive suffix.
ልጁ እናቱ ላይ ____ ከፈተ። (The boy opened his mouth at his mother.)
Since the subject is 'ልጁ' (the boy - masc.), we use the suffix '-un' for 'his mouth'.
Which sentence is a polite way to ask someone to speak?
How do you say 'Please speak' politely?
'አፍህን ክፈት' is either literal or rude. 'እባክዎን ይናገሩ' is the polite, formal way.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: A younger sister is being very rude to her older brother.
The brother would tell her 'Don't be rude' using the feminine imperative 'At-kifechi'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ለምን ዝም አትልም? B: እኔ እኮ እውነቱን ነው... A: ____ !
Person A is telling Person B to stop talking back/being rude.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Mekfät vs. Meftat
بنك التمارين
4 تمارينልጁ እናቱ ላይ ____ ከፈተ። (The boy opened his mouth at his mother.)
Since the subject is 'ልጁ' (the boy - masc.), we use the suffix '-un' for 'his mouth'.
How do you say 'Please speak' politely?
'አፍህን ክፈት' is either literal or rude. 'እባክዎን ይናገሩ' is the polite, formal way.
Situation: A younger sister is being very rude to her older brother.
The brother would tell her 'Don't be rude' using the feminine imperative 'At-kifechi'.
A: ለምን ዝም አትልም? B: እኔ እኮ እውነቱን ነው... A: ____ !
Person A is telling Person B to stop talking back/being rude.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
الأسئلة الشائعة
12 أسئلةYes, in its figurative sense, it is always negative. It implies rudeness or insolence.
Yes, but only if you are joking or if they are actually being rude. It's still quite strong.
'Mekfät' is to be rude (negative). 'Meftat' is to start speaking or become fluent (positive).
አፏን ከፈተች (Afwan kefetech).
Absolutely not. It would be considered highly disrespectful and could get you fired.
It literally means 'to open a mouth', like at a dentist.
No, it specifically refers to the manner of speaking (rudeness), not the truthfulness of the words.
Yes, if the shouting is disrespectful, it fits perfectly.
'አፍህን አትክፈት!' (Don't open your mouth!)
No, the idiom itself is inherently about a lack of politeness. To be polite, use 'መናገር' (to speak).
Yes, often with an angry emoji to tell someone they are being out of line.
Yes, many Amharic songs about social issues or heartbreak use it to describe a cruel partner or person.
عبارات ذات صلة
አፍ አወጣ
similarTo grow a mouth / To start talking back.
አፉን ዘጋ
contrastTo shut one's mouth.
አፈ-ጮሌ
specialized formSilver-tongued / Smooth talker.
አንደበትን መግታት
synonymTo restrain the tongue.
ቃል መመለስ
similarTo return words.
