Meaning
Something or someone that is not fun.
Cultural Background
In the capital, 'debari' is part of the 'Arada' lexicon. Being Arada means being sharp, funny, and social. Being 'debari' is the opposite. During the three rounds of coffee (Abol, Tona, Bereka), conversation is mandatory. Someone who sits silently is often teased as being 'debari'. Many modern Ethiopian comedies use 'debari' to describe the 'straight man' character who doesn't get the jokes.
Watch your tone
Calling someone 'debari' can be a joke or an insult depending on how much you smile.
The 'Yasdebirall' trick
If you don't want to call a person boring, just say 'Yasdebirall' (It's boring) about the situation.
Meaning
Something or someone that is not fun.
Watch your tone
Calling someone 'debari' can be a joke or an insult depending on how much you smile.
The 'Yasdebirall' trick
If you don't want to call a person boring, just say 'Yasdebirall' (It's boring) about the situation.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'debari'.
ትላንት የሄድንበት ቦታ በጣም ____ ነበር።
We are describing a place (the noun), so we use the adjective 'debari'.
Which sentence means 'Don't be a buzzkill'?
Choose the correct slang expression:
'Athun' means 'don't be'.
Match the situation to the response.
Situation: Your friend refuses to dance at a wedding.
Calling them a buzzkill fits the social context.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Boring vs. Cool in Amharic
Practice Bank
3 exercisesትላንት የሄድንበት ቦታ በጣም ____ ነበር።
We are describing a place (the noun), so we use the adjective 'debari'.
Choose the correct slang expression:
'Athun' means 'don't be'.
Situation: Your friend refuses to dance at a wedding.
Calling them a buzzkill fits the social context.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsYes! If the food is bland or unexciting, you can say 'ምግቡ ደባሪ ነው'.
Generally no. It's too informal. Use 'aselchi' instead.
The most common opposite is 'Arif' (cool) or 'Asdesachi' (pleasing).
In modern slang, no. But the root verb 'deberegn' can mean 'I feel low'.
Related Phrases
ፋራ
similarUncool / Country bumpkin
አሰልቺ
synonymBoring
አሪፍ
contrastCool / Good
መዝናኛ
contrastEntertainment
