Meaning
To start speaking one's mind, often suddenly.
Cultural Background
A child's first words are often celebrated with specific traditional foods or small gatherings of family members. 'አፍ ማውጣት' is seen as the beginning of the child's ability to learn the family's history and values. In traditional settings, 'bringing out one's mouth' in front of elders can be risky. It is a sign of modern influence when young people are encouraged to 'bring out their mouth' in educational settings. In Ethiopian corporate culture, there is a shift toward 'flat' hierarchies. Managers now use this idiom to encourage quiet employees to participate more in brainstorming sessions. Historically, women were expected to be more reserved. Modern Ethiopian literature often uses the metaphor of 'አፍ ማውጣት' to describe women's empowerment and the breaking of patriarchal silence.
Use for Milestones
It's the most natural way to talk about a baby's first words. Parents love hearing this!
Watch the Tone
When using it for adults, a sarcastic tone can make it sound like you're annoyed they are finally talking.
Meaning
To start speaking one's mind, often suddenly.
Use for Milestones
It's the most natural way to talk about a baby's first words. Parents love hearing this!
Watch the Tone
When using it for adults, a sarcastic tone can make it sound like you're annoyed they are finally talking.
Conjugation is Key
Remember that 'mawtat' is the infinitive. You'll almost always use 'አወጣ' (past) or 'ያወጣል' (future).
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'ማውጣት' in the past tense.
ልጁ ገና በሁለት ዓመቱ አፍ ______።
The subject 'ልጁ' (the boy) is masculine singular, so the verb must be 'አወጣ'.
Which situation best fits the idiom 'አፍ ማውጣት'?
In which scenario would you say 'አሁንማ አፍ አውጥተሃል!'?
The idiom is used when someone who was previously quiet starts to speak up or assert themselves.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ሰለሞን ለምን ዝም አለ? B: አይ፣ ዛሬማ ______።
'አፍ አውጥቷል' correctly contradicts the idea that he is silent by saying he has spoken up.
Match the Amharic sentence to the context.
1. ህጻኑ አፍ አወጣ። 2. ሰራተኛው አፍ አወጣ።
The idiom applies to both developmental milestones and social assertiveness.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Af Mawtat vs Af Mekfet
Practice Bank
4 exercisesልጁ ገና በሁለት ዓመቱ አፍ ______።
The subject 'ልጁ' (the boy) is masculine singular, so the verb must be 'አወጣ'.
In which scenario would you say 'አሁንማ አፍ አውጥተሃል!'?
The idiom is used when someone who was previously quiet starts to speak up or assert themselves.
A: ሰለሞን ለምን ዝም አለ? B: አይ፣ ዛሬማ ______።
'አፍ አውጥቷል' correctly contradicts the idea that he is silent by saying he has spoken up.
1. ህጻኑ አፍ አወጣ። 2. ሰራተኛው አፍ አወጣ።
The idiom applies to both developmental milestones and social assertiveness.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it's strictly for humans. If a parrot talks, you'd just say 'ይናገራል' (it speaks).
Not inherently. For babies, it's 100% positive. For adults, it depends on whether you're happy they are speaking or annoyed they are 'talking back'.
'Af Meftat' is more poetic and usually only for children. 'Af Mawtat' is more common and versatile.
You can say 'በአማርኛ አፍ እያወጣሁ ነው' (I am bringing out a mouth in Amharic). It sounds very natural and humble.
Yes, in stories, news features about social change, and informal emails.
No, it just means to start speaking or expressing opinions. It doesn't imply volume.
No, it implies a change from silence to speech.
There isn't a direct idiomatic opposite like 'taking in a mouth,' but you could say 'ዝም አለ' (he became silent).
No, it's a standard idiom used by all age groups.
Only if you're describing your personal growth, e.g., 'I learned to speak up (አፍ ማውጣት) in my last role.'
Related Phrases
አፍ መፍታት
synonymTo untie the mouth (start speaking).
አፍ አለው
similarHe has a mouth.
ዝምታን መስበር
similarTo break the silence.
አፍ መክፈት
contrastTo open the mouth.
