Significado
Literally 'holding the mouth' in shock.
Contexto cultural
Covering the mouth is a sign of 'Chewa' (gentlemanly/lady-like) behavior. It shows you are controlled even when shocked. The idiom and gesture are identical in Tigrinya (አፈይ ሒዘ), reflecting shared cultural roots in the Horn of Africa. Younger generations use the phrase 'አፍ ነው' as a slang term for anything high-quality or 'cool,' not just shocking. In rural areas, 'አፍ መያዝ' is often accompanied by the phrase 'ጉድ በል!' (Say wonder!), urging others to share in the shock.
Use the Causative
If you want to sound like a native, use 'አፍ ያስይዛል' (It's mouth-holding) to describe things you like or find amazing.
Don't forget the 'n'
Always say 'Afen' (my mouth) or 'Afun' (his mouth). Just saying 'Af yazku' sounds like 'I caught a mouth' which is weird.
Significado
Literally 'holding the mouth' in shock.
Use the Causative
If you want to sound like a native, use 'አፍ ያስይዛል' (It's mouth-holding) to describe things you like or find amazing.
Don't forget the 'n'
Always say 'Afen' (my mouth) or 'Afun' (his mouth). Just saying 'Af yazku' sounds like 'I caught a mouth' which is weird.
Combine with 'Gud'
Say 'ጉድ ነው! አፍ ያስይዛል!' for maximum emphasis on your shock.
The Gesture
Actually putting your hand to your mouth while saying this makes you look 100% more fluent.
Teste-se
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'አፍ መያዝ'.
ዜናውን ስሰማ በጣም ደነገጥኩ፤ ______ (I held my mouth).
Since the subject is 'I' (indicated by 'ደነገጥኩ'), you must use 'አፌን ያዝኩ'.
Which sentence describes a shocking movie?
ፊልሙ እንዴት ነበር?
'አፍ ያስይዛል' is the causative form used to describe something that causes shock.
Match the situation to the reaction.
You see a person jump over a house.
Seeing someone jump over a house is shocking, so 'holding your mouth' is the appropriate reaction.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ሰማህ? ዮናስ አገባ! B: ምን? ______!
B is expressing their own shock at the news.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Af Meyaz vs. Af Mezgat
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosዜናውን ስሰማ በጣም ደነገጥኩ፤ ______ (I held my mouth).
Since the subject is 'I' (indicated by 'ደነገጥኩ'), you must use 'አፌን ያዝኩ'.
ፊልሙ እንዴት ነበር?
'አፍ ያስይዛል' is the causative form used to describe something that causes shock.
You see a person jump over a house.
Seeing someone jump over a house is shocking, so 'holding your mouth' is the appropriate reaction.
A: ሰማህ? ዮናስ አገባ! B: ምን? ______!
B is expressing their own shock at the news.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasYes, it can be. It literally means 'Hold your mouth,' which is a way of telling someone to shut up or watch their language. Use 'አፌን ያዝኩ' for yourself instead.
Absolutely! It works for winning a prize, seeing a beautiful bride, or a great goal in football.
'መገረም' is the standard verb for 'to be surprised.' 'አፍ መያዝ' is more idiomatic, colorful, and implies a stronger level of shock.
Use the causative form: 'አፍ የሚያስይዝ ነበር' (Af yemiyasyiz neber).
Yes, in stories, social media, and informal letters. It's less common in formal legal documents.
Yes, 'አፋቸውን ያዙ' (They held their mouths).
Yes, if the food is so good it's 'shocking,' you can say 'ምግቡ አፍ ያስይዛል'.
Young people just say 'አፍ ነው!' (It's mouth!) to mean something is cool.
Palm over the mouth, or fingers lightly touching the lips.
Very often! Many Amharic love songs use it to describe the beauty of a partner.
Frases relacionadas
አፍ ማስያዝ
specialized formTo shock someone else.
ጉድ መባል
similarTo be amazed.
ድንጋጤ
similarShock/Fear.
አፍ መክፈት
contrastTo insult or speak rudely.
ዝምታ
builds onSilence.
