Meaning
Suggesting that it is time to depart.
Cultural Background
When you say 'እንሂድ' to leave a host's home, expect them to say 'ቆዩ' (Stay). It is a polite tug-of-war. You may have to say 'እንሂድ' several times before you actually leave. In the capital, 'እንሂድ' is often used to navigate the blue-and-white minibus taxis. You'll hear the 'weyala' (conductor) shouting destinations, and passengers saying 'እንሂድ' to prompt the driver to start. You should never say 'እንሂድ' during the first or second cup of coffee. It is only culturally acceptable after the third cup, known as 'Bereka' (the blessing). Ethiopian time is 6 hours offset from Western time. 'እንሂድ' might be said at '11 o'clock' (which is 5 PM), reflecting a different daily rhythm.
The Question Tone
Simply raising your voice at the end of 'Enhid' turns it into 'Shall we go?'—no extra words needed!
Don't use with 'I'
Never say 'Ine enhid.' It's a common beginner mistake. 'Enhid' always includes 'We'.
Meaning
Suggesting that it is time to depart.
The Question Tone
Simply raising your voice at the end of 'Enhid' turns it into 'Shall we go?'—no extra words needed!
Don't use with 'I'
Never say 'Ine enhid.' It's a common beginner mistake. 'Enhid' always includes 'We'.
The 'Enji' Add-on
If people are being slow, say 'እንሂድ እንጂ!' (Enhid enji!) to give them a friendly push.
Softening the Exit
Pair it with 'እሺ' (Eshi) to sound more natural: 'እሺ፣ እንሂድ።'
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank to say 'Let's go home.'
ወደ ቤት _______።
'እንሂድ' is the correct form for 'Let's go.'
Which phrase is the most polite way to suggest leaving a friend's house?
How do you say 'Shall we go?'
The question form 'እንሂድ?' is a polite suggestion.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ታክሲው መጥቷል። B: እሺ፣ _______!
If the taxi is here, the logical response is 'Let's go!'
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are with a group and it starts to rain.
'Let's go now!' is the appropriate response to rain.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Singular vs. Plural Go
Practice Bank
4 exercisesወደ ቤት _______።
'እንሂድ' is the correct form for 'Let's go.'
How do you say 'Shall we go?'
The question form 'እንሂድ?' is a polite suggestion.
A: ታክሲው መጥቷል። B: እሺ፣ _______!
If the taxi is here, the logical response is 'Let's go!'
You are with a group and it starts to rain.
'Let's go now!' is the appropriate response to rain.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it with friends, family, and colleagues. For very formal situations, you might add more words, but 'Enhid' is never rude.
Use 'አንሂድ' (Anhid). The 'a' at the beginning makes it negative.
Yes! 'Enhid' means 'you and I' or 'you all and I'.
The root verb is ሄደ (Hedä), which means 'to go'.
Yes, young people might say 'እንጋጭ' (Engach), which literally means 'let's collide' but is used as 'let's bounce' or 'let's go'.
Usually, but it can also mean going by car, bus, or any other means.
Add 'ቶሎ' (Tolo) before the verb: 'ቶሎ እንሂድ።'
Yes, you can say 'ወደ ትምህርቱ እንሂድ' (Let's go to the lesson).
Add 'አብረን' (Abren): 'አብረን እንሂድ።'
Very often! It's a common theme in Ethiopian pop and traditional music about travel and love.
Related Phrases
እንውጣ
similarLet's go out / Let's exit
እንጀምር
builds onLet's begin
እንሩጥ
specialized formLet's run
አንሂድ
contrastLet's not go
እንጓዝ
synonymLet's journey
