FSI- Amharic Basic Course - Student Text

Transcription

A MH AR IC
SERGE
DEBEBOW ZELELIE
FOREIGN
OBOLENSKY
MULUGETA
SERVICE
ANDUALEM
INSTITUTE
WASHINGTON, D.C.
1964
E
P
A
R
T
M
E
N
T
O F
S
T
A
T
AMHARIC
FOREIGN
BASIC
SERVICE
INSTITUTE
COURSE
Edited
CARLETON
SERIES
by
T.
HODGE
PREFACE
This volume is the first of a twO'Volume Basic Course in Amharic, and contains
Units 1-50 of the course.
The second volume includes Units 51-60, an introduction
to
the writing system, a Reader, and a Glossary.
Amharic, the official language of the Ethiopian Empire, is spoken natively by per
haps six million people in a small but populous area of the country which includes the
capital, Addis Ababa.
A member of the Southern Semitic branch of the
Afro-Asiatic
family of languages,
Amharic is steadily gaining importance as it picks up additional
speakers
through the spread of communications
and education within
Ethiopia.
The linguist
assistance
of Mr.
the second volume
fessor Wolf Leslau
in charge of the entire project has been Serge Obolensky,
with the
Debebow Selelie and Mr. Mulugeta Andualem.
The Amharic script in
is the work of Mr. Zelelie.
Valuable suggestions
received from Pro
during the beginning stages of the work are gratefully
acknowledged.
Howard E. Sollenberger,
Dean
School of Language and Area Studies
Foreign Service
Institute
Department of State
TABLE OF CONTENTS
*
Preface
ill
x v
Introduction
^
Unit 1
Symbols used
1
Basic Sentences
2
Note 1 . 1
Transcription used
3
1.2
Vowels
1|
1.3
Consonants
7
1 . 3 . 1 Plain Consonants
7
1 . 3 . 2 G-lottalized Consonants
Drills
9
9
Unit 2
Basic Sentences
12
Note 2 . 1
Masculine Definite Suffix /-u~-w/
13
'and' /-(i)nna/
li+
2.2
15
Drills
Unit 3
Basic Sentences
19
Note 3 . 1
Independent Pronouns
22
Suffix Pronouns
23
3.2
3 . 2 . 1 Verb Suffix Pronouns
23
3.3
Loss of Vowels
21).
3.I4.
/ w / and / y / glides
21+
3.5
Verb
3.6
Formation of Plural
25
3.7
Transitional Vowel / i /
26
25
'be'
27
Drills
Unit k
Basic Sentences
29
Note l+.l
31
I4..2
Noun Suffix Pronouns
'have not' ...
32
i|.3
Feminine Definite Suffix /-wa~-(y)itu~-(y)itwa/.
33
k.k
Definite Suffix on Modifier
3h
Suffix /-(i)n/-Specific Direct Object
35
Amharic equivalents of 'have' and
1+.6
Preposition
35
1+.6.1
Preposition / b ( o ) - / and / b 9 s t ( o ) - /
35
36
Drills
Unit 5
1+3
Basic Sentences
Note £ . 1
5.2
Verbi
1+6
Perfective
'have' and
'have not' with feminine object.
5.3
Verb Suffix Pronouns with Perfective
5.1+
Verb Suffix Pronouns used in apposition ...
5.5
Prepositions
5.5.1
/k(e)-/
5«5«2
/isk(g)-/
/k(a)~/,
/ i s k ( a ) - / and / 1 ( e ) - /
1+9
1+9
51
51
52
'from'
and /iskCe)-...dires/ 'up to',
52
'to'
5.5.3
/l(o)-/
5.6
Postpositions /wisT/ and /lay/ combined
52
'for', 'to'
with prefixes / b ( e ) - / or / i - /
52
5.7
Suffixes /-iyye/ and /-iyyo/ to nouns
53
5.7.1
Definite Suffixes /-iyyew/ and /iyyewa/ ...
53
5.8
Numerals;
53
Ordinals
51+
Drills
55
Narrative
Unit 6
57
Basic Sentences
Note 6 . 1
Relational Prefix / y ( © ) - /
59
6.2
Verbi
Infinitive
60
6.3
Verbs
Imperfective
6l
6.1+
Verb Classification
63
6.1+.1
Regular Three-Radical Verbs
63
6.1+.2
Regular Two-Radical Verbs
65
6.5
Verb*
65
6.6
Postposition /gar~gara/ combined with pre
6.7
Use of /k(o)-...bsfit/ and
Notation
fix / k U ) - /
65
/k(e)-/...
66
bohwala/
Drills
66
Narrative
69
Unit 7
Basic Sentences
71
Note 7 . 1
Verb Suffix Pronouns with Imperfective ....
73
Equivalents of
77
7.2
'had' and
'had not'
Drills
77
Narrative
80
Unit 8
Basic Sentences
8l
Note 8 . 1
82
Time
8.2
Suffix /-(i)m/
8.3
Suffix /-(i)ss/
8i|
81+
Drills
Qk
Narrative
88
Unit 9
Basic Sentences
89
Note 9 . 1
Imperfective forms connected by /-(i)nna/ ....
92
9.2
Negative Perfective
92
9.3
Short Imperfective
93
9.i|
Negative Imperfective
95
9.5
Negative Infinitive
99
100
Drills
Narrative
• • • •
103
Unit 1 0
Basic Sentences
105
Note 1 0 . 1
107
10.1.1
Relational Affixes to Verbs
Relational Affix / y U ) - -
y e m m d ) - / in Relative
107
Constructions
10.2
Affix /ind(e)-/
110
10.2.1
/mdU)-/
110
10.2.2
/ m d U ) - . . .yalle/ 'such as', etc
10.2.3
/md(a)-/
10.2.Ij.
/ m d ( e ) - / with Relative Constructions
'like', etc
Ill
'as soon as '
Ill
'that'..
Drills
. ..
Ill
112
118
Narrative
Unit 1 1
120
Basic Sentences
Note 1 1 . 1
/-&/
121
Verb:
Regular Two-Radical Verbs m
11.2
Verbt
G-erund
^
122
11.3
Verb:
Present Perfect
126
ll.il
Verb:
Past Perfect
127
11.5
Verbi
Imperfect (Past)
128
Drills
129
Narrative
132
Unit 1 2
Basic Sentences
133
Note 1 2 . 1
Telling Time
136-
12.2
Verbi Jussive
136
12.3
Verb* Imperative
ll+O
12.1+
Relational Affix /iyy(e)-/ with nouns
11+1+
12.5
Relational Affix / i y y ( e ) - / with verbs
11+1+
12.6
Relational Affix /s ( i ) - /
li+5
12.7
/abro/ 'both', 'together'
ll+7
Drills
11+8
Narrative
153
Unit 1 3
155
Basic Sentences
Note 1 3 . 1
Relational Affixes / l ( i ) - / and /-(i)ll(i)
(I)11G-/
158
13.1.-1
/ i d ) - / with Short Imperfectlve
13.1.2
/ i d ) - / with Short Imperf ective plus / n o w /
159
13.1.3
/-(i)ll(i)
13.2
Relational Affixes / i s k ( i ) - / and / i s k ( e ) - / ...
160
13.2.1
/ i s k ( e ) - / with Relative Constructions
161
or
159
159
/nebber/
(i)lle-/
159
Drills
161
Narrative
163
Unit 11+
Basic Sentences
165
Note ll+.l
Demonstrative Pronouns
168
Noun:
169
11+.2
Gender
11+.3.1
Relational Affix / b ( i ) - / ' i f
172
11+.3.2
Relational Affix / b ( i ) - / 'because'
175
11+.1+
Suffix /-(i)bb(i)V
176
11+.5
Prefix / b ( e ) - / with Relative Clauses
178
11+.5.1
/b(o)
178
11+.5.2
•H4..6
11+.7
glze/
/b(e)
KuTir/
178
/b(e)
mikniyat/
179
Relational Affix /sil(e)-~ s i l s m m d ) - /
179
Drills
180
Narrative
186
Unit 1 5
188
Basic Sentences
Note 1 5 . 1
Verbt
/ a - / verbs
vli
189
15.2
Verb: Causatives in / a - / and / a s - /
190
15.2.1
Causative Verbs in / a - /
191
15.2.2
Causative Verbs in / a s - /
191
15.3
Passive-Reflexive Verbs
191
l5.i|
Classification and Notation
195
15.5
Relational Affix / k ( o ) - / with Perfective ....
197
15.5.1
A ( G ) - / 'if
197
15.5.2
/k(e)-/
198
'since'
Drills
198
Narrative
205
Unit 1 6
206
Basic Sentences
Note 1 6 . 1
Relational Affix / m d d ) - /
208
16.2
Pronoun /ras-/ 'self
208
16.3
Regular Pour-Radical Verbs
16.i|
Three-and Pour-Radical Verbs m
16.5
Verb:
Noun of Agent
210
16.6
Verb:
Noun of Instrument
212
16.7
Use of /wsyim/ and /wsyiss/ 'or'
213
209
/-o-/
210
Drills
21i|
Narrative
215
Unit 1 7
Basic Sentences
Note 1 7 . 1
Verb:
Chart I
222
Chart II
Regular Three-Radical / a - / Verbs
223
Chart III
/-a/
2Zl\.
Chart IV
Regular T\tfo-Radical Verbs m
/-&/
225
Chart V
Regular Four-Radical Verbs
Classification
226
Drills
227
Narrative
23 0
Unit 1 8
232
Basic Sentences
Note 1 8 . 1
18.2
Verbt
Use of /yihonal/
Use of /gsna/
233
23i|
Drills
235
Narrative
239
Unit 1 9
Basic Sentences
21+0
Note 1 9 . 1
21+1
Comparative and Superlative
Drills
21+3
Narrative
21+5
Unit 20
Basic Sentences
21+7
Note 2 0 . 1
Verb Classification, Two-Radical Verbs, types
Chart V l / 1
m©la2
Chart Vl/2
m©lo2
m©la2, m9lo2, m©le2 and m©l©2
21+8
250
„
25l
Chart V l / 3
™ le2
251
Chart VI/1+
20.2
m©l©2
Verb:
Impersonal Cbnstructions
252
252
Verb:
Present Perfect of verbs denoting
20.3
8
'state' or
'condition'
253
Drills
255
Narrative
256
Unit 21
Basic Sentences
258
Drills
260
Narrative
26l
Unit 22
Basic Sentences
263
Drills
265
Narrative
267
Unit 23
Basic Sentences
268
Note 23.1
270
Plural Affix / i n n ( o ) - /
23.2
Question Words
271
23.2.1
/man/
271
23.2.2
/ m m / or /mindin/
273
23.2.3
/y©t/
271+
23.2.1+
/yetu/, /yetiflnaw/ and /manninnaw/
271+
23.3
/manninnawim/ or /mannacc©wim/
275
23.)+
/mannim/ and /minimm/
275
23.5
/minimm/ with / m d © - /
276
Drills
277
Narrative
278
Unit 21+
280
Basic Sentences
Note 2i|.l
21+.2
Verb:
Short form of /madrog/
283
Use of /giddeta/ with /allabb-/, /honQbb-/
and /nobberobb-/
283
Drills
2Qk
Narrative
288
Unit 2 5
Basic Sentences
291
Note 2 5 . 1
Repetition and Reduplication
292
25.1.1
Repetition
293
25.1.2
Partial Reduplication
293
25.1.3
Complete Reduplication
29I4.
25.2
Use of /madrogiya/
295
Drills
295
Narrative
297
Unit 2 6
300
Basic Sentences
Note 2 6 . 1
26.2
Suffix /-(i)nn9t/
301
Verb 1
302
The use of /mGKnat/
Drills
303
Narrative
307
Unit 2 7
Basic Sentences
Note 2 7 . 1
27.2
Suffix /-©/ m
compound words
Plural after numerals
310
311
Drills
312
Narrative
313
Unit 28
315
Basic Sentences
Note 2 8 . 1
Verb:
Hypothetical Conditional
317
28.2
Affix / i n d ( o ) - / with /alia-/ and /hone-/'
318
28.3
Impersonal Verbs
319
320
Drills
321+
Narrative
Unit 29
327
Basic Sentences
Note 2 9 . 1
Verb Classification Three-Radical Verbs in
/-a-/
328
329
Chart VII
29.2
Use of /mikniyatu/ combined with /sil©-/ and
/ s i l s m m d ) - / affixes and the verb form /new/
29.3
/k(e)-...ystenossa/
329
330
Drills
330
Narrative
332
Unit 3 0
Basic Sentences
Note 3 0 . 1
30.1.1
331+
. ,
Compound Verbs with /malot/ and /madrog/ ....
335
Verb:
338
Inconclusive Aspect
Drills
31+0
Narrative
31+2
Unit 3 1
31+1+
Basic Sentences
Note 3 1 . 1
31.2
/bU)
bokkul/
3I+5
Use of /bicca/ with Noun Suffix Pronouns and
Direct Object Suffix /-(i)n/
3I+6
3k7
Drills
3l+9
Narrative
Unit 3 2
350
Basic Sentences
Note 3 2 . 1
Suffix / - g e /
352
32.2
Verb:
352
32.3
/indahon/ with Short Imperfective and Gerund,
32.1+
Verb:
/ m d Q h o n / with relative constructions
'whether or not'
353
Infinitive with Noun Suffix Pronouns
and Verb forms /now/ and /nebber/
351+
Drills
355
Narrative
357
Unit 3 3
358
Basic Sentences
Note 3 3 . 1
Verb*
/ s - / negative combined with the forms
of the verb /KorrQ-meKret/
361
Drills
363
Narrative
3 61+
Unit 3>k
365
Basic Sentences
Note 31+.1
Chart VIII
3l|.2
Chart IX
Verb*
3&7
Frequentative Form
Frequentative Verbs
368
Verb:
369
Reciprocal Form
Reciprocal Verbs
,
372
Drills
373
Narrative
375
Unit 3$
Basic Sentences
377
Note 3 5 . 1
379
35*2
Use of /inkwan/
/inkwan/ combined with /yiKrinna/ 'let alone',
'even though'
380
Drills
381
Narrative
383
Unit 3 6
38I+
Basic Sentences
Note 3 6 . I
Relative constructions combined with imperson
al forms of the verb / m 9 m s e l /
387
Drills
387
Narrative
391
Unit 3 7
392
Basic Sentences
Note 3 7 . 1
Verbi
/mawoK/ with Gerund
395
Drills
396
Narrative
398
Unit 3 8
Basic Sentences
1+00
Drills
1+01
Narrative
1+03
Unit 3 9
Basic Sentences
Note 3 9 . 1
1+05
Verb:
Use of /yollom t / with Short Imper
fective and Gerund
1+07
Drills
1+08
Narrative
1+10
Unit 1+0
Basic Sentences
1+12
Drills
1+11+
Narratives
1+16
Unit 1+1
Basic Sentences
1+17
Note 1+1.1
1+20
Postpositions /zond/ and / g a /
1+1.1.1
/k©-...z9nd
1+1.1.2
/i
1+21
1+1.1.3
/be
1+1.1.5
/lzzih zond-izzih g a / and /lzzlya Z9nd~izziya
~ ga/
1+21
zond-ga/
1+21
zond/
1+22
ga/
1+1.2
Verb:
Use of / z 9 n d / as postverb
1+22
1+1.2.1
Verb:
/zond/ with Short Imperf ective
1+22
1+1.2.2
Verbi
/ke... Z 9 n d / with Perfective
1+22
1+1.3
Verb:
Use of / k 9 n o r 9 n / ,
/kgnoroh/, etc. 'If
1+22
I do have ' etc
1+1.1+
Verb:
/monor/ used impersonally,
'will
have ', 'may have'
Drills
1+21+
Narrative
1+27
Unit 1+2
1+29
Basic Sentences
Note 1+2.1
Verbi
Progressive Form
1+32
1+2.2
Verb:
'whether... (or n o t ) ' constructions ..
1+2.3
Use of /minimmalil/, /mmimmattil/, et-c.
..
1+33
1+31+
Drills
1+35
Narrative
1+39
Unit 1+3
Basic Sentences
1+1+2
Note 1+3.1
Benefactive or Causative Reciprocal Verbs ..
1+1+1+
Chart X
Benefactive Verbs
1+1+7
Drills
1+1+8
Narrative
1+1+9
Unit 1+1+
Basic Sentences
1+51
Note l+l+.l
1+53
Verbal Nouns
Drills
1+55
Narrative
1+57
Unit 1+5
Basic Sentences
Note 1+5*1
2
Use of /bicca sayhon/
1+60
Adverbials
i+6l
1+5.2.1
Adverbials m
/bU)-/
1+61
1+5.2.2
Adverbials of Time in /-(i)n/
l+6l
1+5.2.3
Gerund Forms used Adverbially
1+62
Drills
1+61+
Narrative
1+68
Unit 1+6
Basic Sentences
Note 1+6.1
I+67
/ k C o ) - / used m
combination with
/ w 9 d i h ~ w o d o z z i h / and / w Q d i y a - w a d a z z i y a /
...
1+70
Drills
1+71
Narrative
1+72
Unit Ij.7
Basic Sentences
1+71+
Drills
1|76
Narrative
1+78
Unit 1+8
1+80
Basic Sentences
Note 1+8.1
Use of / i d ) - / form m
/sittil/, etc
combination with /sil/,
1+83
1+8.2
Verbi
Intensive Aspect
I+83
1+8.3
Verbt
Conative Aspect
1+81+
Drills
1+85
Narrative
1+88
Unit 1+9
Basic Sentences
1+90
Drills
1+91
Narrative
1+93
Unit 5 0
Basic Sentences
1+95
Note 5 0 . 1
1+97
Emphatic Suffix / - a /
Drills
1+98
Narrative
500
INTRODUCTION
The A m h a n c Language
Amharic is the official language of the Ethiopian Empire used
government, m
business, m
most newspapers.
all instruction m
m
government schools and
It is, however, not the only language spoken m
m
Ethiopia.
As can be seen from the map on page xv the area where Amharic is spoken
as a native tongue is about one sixth of the whole territory of Ethiopia.
Amharic belongs to the Southern Semitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic
(formerly called Hamito-Semitic) family of languages.
The number of native
speakers of Amharic together with the speakers of the other Semitic languages
spoken m
Ethiopia (such as T i g r m i y a , Tigre, Harari, G-urage and others) is
less than one half the total population of the Empire.
The greatest part of
Ethiopia is inhabited by speakers of Cushitic languages (another branch of
the Afro-Asiatic family) such as Galla, Agaw, Somali and many others.
no census has ever been taken m
be estimated.
Since
Ethiopia the number of Ethiopians can only
According to the official data of the Ethiopian government
the number of inhabitants of Ethiopia is between 20 and 22 million.
It is
also difficult to give a reliable estimate of the number of Amharic speakers;
it is probably between 5 and 7 million.
There is little doubt, however, that
due to the constantly growing development of communications systems and the
spreading of education Amharic is g a m i n g ground throughout the whole country.
It is now the language of greatest prestige and anyone who has had any educa
tion is able to speak it, even if it is not his mother tongue.
Still others
learn it informally as a second language.
This Course:
The following parts may be found m
a unit:
Basic Sentences
Classroom Expressions
Structure Sentences
Useful Words
Grammatical Notes
Drills:
Substitution
Correlation
Transformation
Model-Transform drills
Questions and Answers
Narrative
Basic Sentences and Questions and Answers are found m each unit.
Narratives begin with the unit
The occurrence of other parts may vary.
The Course is divided into two volumes.
through 5 0 m transcription.
The
Volume I - contains units 1
Volume II - units £ 1 - 6 0 m
transcription,
Introduction to the Amharic Writing System, The Reader ("Units 1 - 6 0 m Amharic
script) and a Glossary (in transcription).
The Reader includes:
Basic Sentences
Narratives
Use of This Course
1.
'Basic Sentences', 'Structure Sentences', 'Useful Words '.
The instructor reads the Amharic item by item, repeating each item (a
build-up or a sentence) twice for each student.
Each member of the class
repeats the item immediately after the instructor trying to imitate his (or
her) pronunciation.
If m the instructor's opinion the item is mispronounced by the student,
the instructor repeats it at normal speed with the student repeating after
him (or her) as many times as necessary.
After the class hours each student
goes over the Basic Sentences by listening to the tape and repeating, doing
this until he knows the dialogue by heart.
After the Basic Sentences have been thoroughly memorized the students
take part and act out the dialogues.
parts the first time or two.
The instructor may take one of the
This drill is to be continued until any student
can take part and go through the dialogue like an actor.
2.
Substitution, Correlation and Transformation Drills are to be used
m accordance with the instructions given at the beginning of
each drill.
3.
Model Transform Drills should be drilled m
the same way as other
Transformation Drills.
i+.
Questions and Answers.
The questions and answers are to be drilled as specified below, but
they should not be considered complete.
Any question which is within the
limits of the students' grammar and vocabulary can be asked.
Some questions require informational answers some others simply 'yes'
or 'no' answers.
xvli
Questions requiring informational answers are to be drilled as follows:
The instructor asks each student a question.
question and gives an answer.
correct if it is good Amharic.
if necessary.
The student repeats the
Any answer given by the student is considered
The answer is corrected by the instructor,
The student repeats the corrected answer.
gives the student the answer which is written m
The instructor then
the book and the student
repeats it as a further drill.
Questions requiring
'yes' or
'no' answers should be drilled m
the same
way, i.e. the student repeats the question after the instructor and gives him
either an affirmative or a negative answer (or both if so requested by the
instructor).
5.
Narrative
The instructor goes through the sentences (if any) illustrating new
vocabulary items, m
the same way as he did for Basic Sentences.
After the
students have thus familiarized themselves with the new words the instructor
reads through the whole Narrative at a natural speed.
for comprehension, books closed.
The students summarise m
as they understood of the Narrative.
English as much
The instructor reads each sentence
again for each student, each of whom repeats after him.
lates the sentence he repeated.
The students listen
Each student trans
This drill is continued until the students
are thoroughly familiar with the material.
The instructor then asks ques
tions listed at the end of each Narrative and the students answer them as
completely as possible using words contained m
to the questions listed m
the Narrative.
In addition
the book the instructor may ask any question
pertinent to the Narrative within the limits of the students' grammar and
vocabulary.
The students memorize the Narrative by listening to the tape
and relate the story to the instructor the next day.
Students must keep m
Amharic.
mind that there is no one correct way of speaking
Due to the poor system of communications in Ethiopia Amharic has
developed various local dialects.
m
There is an especially marked difference
pronunciation, in vocabulary, and even m
Gojjami and the southern Showa dialects.
teach the language as it is spoken m
grammar between the northern
The purpose of this Course is to
the capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa.
Addis Ababa Amharic contains elements of a variety of dialects.
student should have this m
The
mind and should always follow the manner of
speech of his instructor even if his (or her) speech varies somewhat from
what is indicated m
this book.
xvlll
Symbols Used m
This Course
On the English side, parentheses and quotation marks are used together
('....') when a more literal translation is given m
addition to the ordinary
English equivalent.
Brackets [ 1 are used to indicate words m
the English equivalent which
do not have an equivalent in the Amharic.
Parentheses ( ) indicate words which are m
normal English equivalent.
the Amharic but not in a
The English side is not necessarily a literal
translation but what is ordinarily said m
this situation.
The use of
parentheses and brackets as explained above should make the situation clear
m
each case.
On the Amharic side, parentheses are used to indicate sounds which are
sometimes omitted.
to be used m
characters.
Brackets are used to indicate a more formal pronunciation
more deliberate speech or while reading texts written m
Amharic
Alternate pronunciations of the same word or alternate words are
given after a slant linei /.
The accent mark used is /
word or phrase.
/.
This indicates the loudest syllable m
a
Secondary stresses are not marked.
As Amharic has an almost even distribution of stress on each syllable,
it is sometimes extremely difficult to detect where the principal stress of
a particular word lies.
In this Course phrase stress will be marked m
Basic Sentences, but words m
the
the buildups will be left unmarked unless the
stress is clearly distinctive.
An arrow / t / is used to indicate sharply rising pitch.
A period / • / is used to indicate the end of a phrase accompanied by
falling pitch.
It may or may not correspond to an English period.
A comma / > / indicates that the preceding tone is carried on evenly to
the comma and that a new pitch contour begins following
the comma.
syllables immediately before / > / are slightly lengthened.
The
There may or
may not be a break or pause after / » /.
In the Notes slant lines are used to set off Amharic sounds or words
within an English text.
as examples.
English letters and words are underlined when used
Unit 1
Basic Sentences
health
Tena
let him- give for me
yisTillin
Hello, or Goodbye, (general greeting)
TenayisTillin.
how
indoram
you (polite) spent the night
addoru
Good morning. How are you? ('how
did you spend the night?').
TenayisTillin, indomin addoru.
good, very well
ds>hna
God
lgzlyabher
he may be praised
yimmosgon
thank you ('may God be praised')
Very well, thank you. How are you?
Amharic
lgzlyabher yimmosgGn
dohna, lgzlyabher yimmesgon, m d s m i n
adderu.
amarinna
yawKallu
you (polite) know
Do you know Amharic?
amarinna yawKallu t
yes
awo/awon
I know
awKallohu
Yes, I do ('know').
awo, awKallohu.
no; there is not
yollom
I don't know
alawKim
No, I don't (know).
yollem, alawKim.
little, small, a little
I know a little.
tmnis
tmms
awKallehu.
what
mm
you (polite) said
alu
What did you say?
nothing
mmalu T
mimmm
I did not say
alalhum
I didn't say anything.
minimmalalhu.
/minimm alalhum
Again.'
mdagena.
Repeat it:
yidg9mut.
correct, exact
likk
(he, it) is
now
It's correct.
likk now.
it is not
aydollom
It's not correct.
likk aydollom.
very, very much
boTam
ut, 3 3 c
good
Tiru/Tru
It's very good.
boTam Tiru now.
Let's have a break ('let us rest').
mniref.
Grammatical Notes
Note 1 . 1
Transcription Used m
This Course
This transcription is an attempt to put down systematically on
paper the sounds that the instructor will say, or that will be heard on the
tapes.
The transcription is based directly on spoken Amharic and is not a
transliteration of ordinary Amharicspelling.
a
'phonetic' transcription.
It is not, strictly speaking,
For example, the letter / b / stands for one sound
at the beginning of a phrase or if doubled, and for another sound elsewhere.
Since the pronunciation is predictable on the basis of where it occurs, a
single letter may be used for both sounds.
The letters and other symbols used are:
Vowels
Consonants
o u 1 a e 1 o
paired
unpaired
Voiceless
p t k s s c
f h '
Glottalized
P T K S
Voiced
b d g z z j
C
r l m n n y w
Stress:
Weak (unmarked)
Strong
Pitch:
Indicated as contours in conjunction with phrase
final juncture:
Falling /
Rising
/
/ t /
Change of Pitch
Juncture:
/ , /
Close:
(no space)
Opem
Space between words
Phrase final:
/ , /
/ t /
/ • /
These letters should not be confused with those used for writing
English or any other language.
Every language has a unique sound system and
symbols used to write a language must be defined m
terms of that language.
However, where the Amharic and English sounds are similar, the same letter
is usually used m
the transcription as is used m English.
mean that these sounds are identical.
This does not
/ 1 /, for example, is different
m
English and Amharic, even though the same symbol is used.
The following notes are rough hints on the pronunciation of Amharic.
English sounds are given for comparison, or more accurately for contrast, since
they are different sounds.
student the Amharic sounds.
Only careful listening and practice can give the
It is also very important to realize the possible
diversity of sounds covered by a single symbol, the actual sound being deter
mined by the context.
The Amharic writing system is syllabic:
that is to say, each
'letter' represents a consonant followed by a vowel.
Since there are seven
vowels m Amharic, it follows that there are seven different ways of writing
a given consonant, depending on what vowel accompanies it.
will be introduced at a later stage m
The writing system
the course.
In the notes below, the vowel sounds are discussed m
which they come m
the order
m
the Amharic syllabary (but the letters are our transcrip
tion; they are not letters of the Amharic syllabary).
Note 1 . 2
Letter
/G/
Vowels
Nearest English Sound, Description
Examples
represents several sounds; the major
variants are:
1)
usually like a m
Technically:
formula.
a lower-mid central
unrounded vowel [£]
berr
'doorway
fallege
'he wanted'
2)
approximately the sound of e_
m
bet under the following
conditions:
Always after /y/
usually after / z /
'where'
yollom
'no '
yolijlij
'grandchild'
zommoro
'he started '
agoflno
'he found'
/s/
somoggolQ
'he became old'
/j/
/o/
abojjo
'he performed '
tomocc©
'it became com
fortable '
/C/
laCCo
'he shaved'
dur
'forest'
bunna
'coffee '
fit
'face '
/n/
Technically:
yot
a low-mid front
unrounded vowel [£]
/u/
a high u sound something like the
oo of boot but without the w glide
found m
English and with the lips
rounded from the beginning.
Technically:
a high back rounded
vowel tu]
/i/
something like the e_e of beet but
without the /y/ glide of English.
Technically:
somi
'listener'
paris
'Paris'
abbat
'father'
bet
'house '
mohed
'to go '
a high front un
rounded vowel [l]
/a/
like m
a m
Technically!
father
a low central un
rounded vowel [a]
/e/
approximately like the English
sound of the first part of the
ai m
bait but without the / y /
glide of English.
set
'female'
me
'I '
wondimme'
'my brother'
In making / e / the center of the
tongue is raised almost to the
roof of the mouth.
Consonants immediately preceding
this vowel may be slightly pala
talized, that is, the tongue is
close to the position it takes
for y_, so that the consonants
have a slight _y_ off-glides by,
s , h , etc.
7'
y
Technically*
a higher-mid front
unrounded vowel [e]
/i/
may best be compared with a regular
pronunciation of the u of just
m
just a minute.
Technically:
birr
'dollar'
dibb
'bear '
sim
'name'
ibakkiwo
'please '
IZZlya
' there'
a lower-high central
unrounded vowel [il
In initial position (at the beginning
of an utterance) this vowel is voice
less and may be heard as a breathed
glide to the following sound.
I Z Z
/of
ih
'here'
something like the £ of note but
short, rounded from the beginning
and without the w glide of English
after the vowel.
Consonants preceding / o / are usually
labialized, that is, are pronounced
with rounded lips, resulting m
slight w off-glide»
Technically:
Vowels m
a
bw, pw, kw, etc.
manor
'to live'
mgocca
'bread'
doro
'chicken'
a mean-mid back
unrounded vowel [Q]
Amharic are generally short.
When final or followed by
only one consonant they may be longer than when followed by two consonants,
or by a long (double) consonant.
Note that after / w / the following vowel, if normally unrounded, is
initially rounded.
This is particularly noticeable with / & / and / i / .
Examples:
Note 1 . 3
wsd9
'to
wil
'agreement'
W9r
'month'
wiha
'water'
W9g9n
'sect'
wisT
'inside
1
Consonants
All consonants m
Amharic occur short (indicated by a single symbol:
r, 1 , m, etc.) and long (indicated by doubling the symbol:
rr, 1 1 , mm, etc.).
The distinction between short (single) and long (doubled) consonants
is very important, as it may distinguish otherwise identical words, e.g. /alo/
'he said', /allg/ 'there is'.
Amharic has twenty-seven consonants which we write with the follow
ing symbols:
Note
^
r
Plain:
b c d f g h j k l m n n p r s
C-lottalized:
C K P S T
s t w y z
z
1.3.1.
Most of the plain consonants have near equivalents either in English
or m
other familiar languages such as French, Italian or Spanish.
Hints on
pronunciation are given as necessary:
/ b / has two pronunciations:
at the beginning of a word, when
doubled, or when immediately following /m/ or / n / it is like English b
bet.
m
Between vowels or finally the air is not completely stopped, so that
a fricative sound results, rather than a stop.
This is a bilabial spirant
(or fricative), comparable to the b in Spanish Habana.
Technicaly [p].
Examplesi
bet
'house'
monber
'pulpit'
abbat
'father'
abgba
'flower'
womb9r
'chair'
gib
'goal'
/ c / represents a sound like that of ch m
/ g / like g m
church.
gun.
/ h / has three pronunciations which sound somewhat different to a
speaker of English:
1)
at the beginning or m
the h to him.
the middle of the word it approximates
2)
at the end of the word it sounds almost like German ch
nach.
3)
m
[xl.
Technically a velar spirant
at the end of the word followed by the vowel / u / this
sound is like a sharp puff of breath with the lips
rounded.
Examples 1
hedo
'he went'
hedhu
'I went'
hedh
'you went'
hedaccihu
'you (pi.) went'
/ l / is formed farther forward m
very much like French _1 m
the mouth than English _1 and is
elle or Italian 1 m
1 mgua.
The middle of the
tongue is closer to the roof of the mouth than it is for English 1 .
Examples 1
alo
'he said'
/ n / is like ny_ sound m
alio
English canyon.
'there is'
Technically a palatalized
v
n [nl or [n J.
/ r / is rolled or flapped - the tip of the tongue striking one or
more times on the gum ridge behind the upper teeth.
Italian r m
It is very much like
caro.
Examples;
noggoro
'he told'
roman
'pomegrenate'
borrodo
'it was cold'
birr
'dollar'
/ s / approximates the _sh sound m
It is close to the French _ch m
English harsh rather than m
she.
chat.
/ t / is made against the teeth rather than against the ridge back
of the teeth as m
m
It is otherwise very much like English t
English.
except
final position where it is more aspirated (released with a short puff of
breath).
/ z / is like the French j_ m
m
jour or somewhat like the English _s
m
pleasure.
/'/ is a glottal stop [*?], a stoppage of breath which can be heard
before each of the words:
m
English if these words are pronounced slowly
and deliberately.
/ y / like _2 in yes, yeast
of trough m
etc.
t
between the vowel peaks.
Between vowels /y/ is just a kind
Both vowels are said distinctly, e.g.
/keyst/ 'where from' /getaye/ 'sir', etc.
/ w / like w m
/baKlowoc/ 'mules'.
west.
Between vowels / w / is a slight w-glide, e.g.
Where the second vowel is an / o / , / w / stands for the same
kind of trough as described above m
the case of /y/.
The / w / trough or glide
is rounded.
Compare the / w / glide in /awo/ 'yes', /sowoc/ 'people' with the
/ y / glide m
/mayet/ 'to see' and /iyut/ 'look at it'.
The voiced consonants /b, d, g, z,
z/
are generally devoiced
m
final position and sound very much like their voiceless counterparts /p, t,
k, s, s/.
They are, however, more
' l e m s ' , i.e. pronounced with more relaxed
muscles of the mouth.
Note 1.3.2
The glottalized consonant sounds /C K P S T/ are not like anything
m English or any other language m Europe.
These sounds are formed almost
like /c k p s t/ as far as the tongue (or lips m
But they are
case of /p/) are concerned.
'exploded' not with air from the lungs but rather with the air
imprisoned between the vocal cords (which are completely closed) and the
tongue (or lips m
case of /P/) .
Examples t
/G/
/V
/P/
/s/
M
Gammer9
'he added'
wiCC
'outside
Keyy
'red '
ruK
'far '
ityoPiya
'Ethiopia '
Pa Pas
'bishop'
Sohay
' sun'
goSS
'page '
Tiru
'good '
wisT
'inside'
Pronunciation Drills
/©/
moblat
'to eat '
mayg t
'to see '
mosmat
'to listerL, hear '
menezzgrg
'he changed'
mohed
'to go '
amgsggggne
'he thanked'
bolla
'he ate '
asglddedg
'he forced'
mokkgrg
'he tried'
SQmma
'he listened'
assobo
'he thought'
gommgtg
'he guessed'
addoro
'he spent the night'
S9bbgkg
'he preached
massob
'to think'
mgkkgrg
'he advised'
mador
'to spend the night'
berr
'doorway'
f ores
'horse'
wgyzero
'Mrs.'
he do
'he went'
wgyzorit
'Miss'
*
*
madras
'to arrive'
kaddana
'he covered'
darrasa
'he arrived'
wassada
'he took'
ayya
'he saw'
fallege
'he wanted'
waddada
'he liked'
neggere
'he told'
mawdad
'to like'
addaga
'he grew'
tawa
'he left'
laCCe
'he shaved'
lijagared
'girl'
Carrasa
'he finished'
mulu
'full'
fellegu
'they wanted'
w
ugaden
(place name)
u'uta
'a cry for help'
bunna
' coffee '
bullal
' dove '
dulla
'club, mace'
hulett
'two'
duldum
'dull'
dur
'forest'
nuro
'life'
nug
'black seed'
sum
'official'
lul
'pearl'
zuriya
'circle '
gum
'mist'
musirra
'bride '
mukkara
'trial'
kurat
'pride '
dulet
'council of elders'
gulbet
'knee'
sukka
'fork'
sumat
'rank'
surrab
'sweater'
dubba
'pumpkin'
yasayyun
'let them show me'
'they said'
ballu
'they ate'
wassedu
'they took'
hedu
'they went '
alu
immint
'insignificant'
hid
'go '
ityoPiya
'Ethiopia'
fit
'face '
1
/!/
iyyasus
'Jesus'
mgliz
'English
imam
'Imam
addis
^new'
iTaliya
'Italy'
wayzerit
'Miss'
Isayyas
1
'Isaiah
imbita
'refusal'
1SS1
'all right'
semi
'listener'
anbabi
'reader'
amerikawi
'American'
adragi
'doer'
fellagi
•one who wants'
mahed
'to go '
me
'I '
leba
'thief '
ra se
'myself'
let
'night'
sime
'my name '
me t lr
'meter '
bi' ire
'my pen'
1
/e/
meda
'field'
birre
'my dollar
geta
'master'
ldme
'age '
bergewoc
'oxen'
lgre
'my foot'
ldmewoc
'ages'
bete
'my house'
neggadewoc
'merchants'
fite
'my face'
mdet
'how '
lwmot
'truth'
A/
lfesu
'he '
ljS swa
' she '
tinnis
' small'
inns Srsu
' they'
likk
' correct'
mnanto
'you'
yidrosu
'let them arrive'
irsas
'pencil'
tifallig
'let her look for
lzzih
'here'
'let her see '
izziya
'there '
yihun
lnnezzih
'these '
dingay
'stone'
yanbibu
'read'
bi' ir
'pen'
lyut
'look'
birr
' dollar'
ldme
'age '
lskozz iya
'meanwhile'
immobet
'lady'
sim
'name'
immoyte
'ma 'am '
suit
'how much'
1SS1
'O.K.'
dibb
' bear'
lcilallohu
'I can'
dinnic
'potato'
irswa
' she '
birtukan
'orange'
msnor
' to live '
ankuwakto
'he, having knocked'
ingocca
'bread'
ayto
'he, having seen'
mangoca
'bakery'
gozto
'he, having bought'
woyzoro
'Mrs.'
gobto
'he, having entered'
woddo
'he, having liked'
sonnito
bolto
'he, having eaten'
'he, having accom
panied '
hedo
'he, having gone'
dabbo
'bread'
doro
'chicken'
'let it be '
A/
Unit 2
Basic Sentences
please
ibakkiwo
Embassy
embassl
America
amerika
American
yamerikan/amerlkan
where
yet
Excuse me, where is the American
Embassy?
ibakkiwo, yamerikan embassi yet new.
face, ahead, earlier
m
front of
It's [right] m
front [of y o u ] .
far
fit
fitlefit
fitlefit new.
ruK
It's far [from here],
ruK new.
right
Kenfi
on the right
besteKefin
on your right
bestoKonniwo
The American Embassy is on your
right.
yamerikan embassi, besteKenniwo new,
left
gra
on your left
bestegrawo
It's on your left.
bestegrawo now.
toward, to
wodo
go.' (polite imperative)
yihidu
and
mna
turn (polite imperative)
yizuru
Go straight ahead and turn to the
wedefit yihidunna, wedegra yizuru.
left.
near
It's nearby.
Kirb
Kirb new.
station
Tablya
tram
babur
railroad station
babur Tabiya
the railroad station
babur Tablyaw
babur Tabiyaw yot now.
Where's the railroad station?
here
lzzih
from here
kozzih
Is the railroad station far from
babur Tabiyaw kozzih ruK now t
here?
It's not far, it's [right] near
ruK aydollom, Kirb now.
[here].
hotel, restaurant
hotel
there is, he [or it! exists
alio
Where is ('exists') a good hotel?
donna hotel yot alio.
There is a good hotel across from
amerikan embassi fitlefit, donna
('in front of') the American
hotel alio.
Embassy.
the hotel
hotelu
there
lzziya
hotelu, lzziya now;.
The hotel is over there.
Numbers
one
and
six
siddist
two
hulott
seven
sobatt
three
sost
eight
simmmt
four
aratt
nine
zoTon
five
ammist
ten
assir
Grammatical Notes
Note 2 . 1
The masculine definite suffix /-u ~ - w /
1.
dohna hotel yot alio.
2.
hotelu lzziya now.
The hotel is there.
3.
babur Tabiyaw, yot now.
Where is the railroad station?
Where is a good hotel?
In sentences 2 and 3 we have /hotelu/ and /Tabiyaw/, i.e. these
nouns have the suffixes / - u / and /-w/ respectively.
The suffix / - u / after consonants and / - w / after vowels is added to
masculine nouns or their modifiers (see later units) to make them definite
or specific.
It is generally used when the speaker refers to things or
persons that have been mentioned before, or to things or persons which are
m his presence.
It is, however, not necessarily used m
as the English definite article.
'reference ' more explicit.
m
The suffix makes the
the same situations
'pointing out' or
It is less used with plural nouns than with nouns
the singular.
Note 2.2. 'and' /-(i)nna/.
The suffix / - m n a / after consonants and /-nna/ after vowels is the
equivalent of the English word
'and', e.g.
/hotelinna babur Tablya/
'a hotel and a railroad station'
/lzzlhinna lzzlya/
'here and there'
It should be noted, however, that / m n a / may also occur as a sep
arate word.
Note 2.3
Verb:
The use of /now/ 'is' and /alio/ 'there is'.
amerlkan embassi y©t now.
Where is the American Embassy?
babur Tabiyaw kozzih ruK now
T
Is the railroad station far from
here?
donna hotel yet alio.
Where is (there) a good hotel?
The verb form /new/ 'is' (see Note 3 . 5 * ) denotes simple equation
(x is y) .
Its negative counterpart is
/aydellem/
'is not', e.g.
/hulettmna hulett aratt new/
'Two and two are ('is') four'
/hotelu Tiru aydellem/
'The hotel is not good'
The verb form /alle/ denotes the existence of something ( 'there
is', 'there exists').
Its negative counterpart is /yellem/ 'there is not,'
e.g.
/and dehna hotel
lzzih alle/
/lzzih^dehna hotel yellem/
'There is a good hotel here '.
'There isn't a good hotel here.'
The word /yellem/ means also
Ik
'no ' .
Glottalized Consonants
he stood up'
saKo
'he laughed'
ink'
boKlo
'mule'
he rowed'
boKi
'enough'
funeral'
toKobbolo
'he recelved'
length'
toKawwome
'he opposed '
grudge'
moKo
' it became warm'
word '
asdonnaKl
'surprising'
breakfast'
awaKl
'wise'
red '
dorroKo '
' it dried'
right '
tilliKmnot
'bigness'
tight'
dinK
'amazing'
big '
mowdoK
'to fall'
far '
mosonToK
'to split'
provision'
TilK
'depth'
wisT
'into'
strange'
A/
Tiwat
'morning'
Tint
'ancient'
soKeT
'merchandise'
TobbeKe
'he watched'
m©T©TT
'drink'
ToyyoKo
'he asked'
1©WT
'barter'
Torrogo
'he dusted'
ayiT
'rat'
ToroTTero
'he suspected'
Ker©T
'taxation'
TomoTTeme
'he wound'
bilT
'clever '
TibK
'tight'
msd©ng©T
'to be frightened
ToroPeza
'table '
mswKoT
'to pound '
Torra
'he called'
moKuroT
' to cut'
moTommoT©
'he sucked'
rsTTobe
'he got wet'
s©T©
'he sold'
woTTsr©
'he stretched '
ssKKoT©
'he peddled'
K©TT©ro
'he hired'
amoTTa
'he brought'
s©n©TT©K©
'he split'
aTTobo
'he washed'
gazeTa
'newspaper'
Pa Pas
bishop
Pagume
PsraKliTos
(a Saint's name)
PosTsnTinos
(a Saint's name)
A/
5 days placed
between August
and September
Petros
'Peter'
Pawlos
'Paul'
PanTaKosTe
'pentecost'
ityoPiya
'Ethiopia'
CabbaTa
'he grasped '
laCCa
'he shaved'
Cana
'he loaded'
faCCa
'he ground'
CallaTa
'he emptied'
'he kept company'
Caw
'salt'
aCCawwata
maCas
Caffara
'he danced'
maCCawaca
'playground,' 'gameroom'
'he mowed'
/c/
**
'to smoke'
Ciffara
'dance'
aCCeda
Cakkana
'he became cruel'
taCCa
'he became engaged'
Cakkan
'cruel'
maCabbaT
'to grasp'
Cawata
'play'
maCaffar
'to dance'
Cis
' smoke'
aCCir
' short'
milaC
'razor '
wiCC
'outside'
gilibbaC
'copy'
waCl
'expenses'
TaCCi
'drunkard'
naCC
'white'
saCi
'generous'
maCl
'one who comes'
KoraC
'one who cuts'
KaraC
' tax collector '
/s/
Sahay
'sun'
balaSagga
'rich'
maSihaf
'book'
Safa
'he wrote'
Sahafi
'writer, clerk'
naSa
'free '
Sagga
'grace'
maSallay
'to pray'
SaTTita
' calmne s s'
hiSan
'baby'
Salot
'prayer'
naSannat
'freedom '
Sallaya
'he prayed'
dimS
'voice '
SadiK
'righteous'
KirS
' shape'
SidK
'righteousness'
gilS
'open'
maSaf
'to write'
gaSS
'page '
miSwat
'alms'
gibS
'Egypt'
iSf
'double '
lS
'plant'
hmSa
'building'
Substitution Drills
Substitute the words given to the right of each sentence for the
underlined word (or words) of the sentence.
1.
hotelu ruK now.
Kirb
lzziya
bostogra
boTam ruK
Tiru
beTam Kirb
boTam Tiru
Kirb
lzziya
dehna
bostogra
boTam ruK
Tiru
bostoKonn
boTam Kirb
boTam Tiru
bostoKonn
dohna
lzzlh
2.
babur Tabiyaw ruK aydollom.
lzzlh
3•
amerlkan embassi fltloflt
dohna hotel alio.
IZZlya
bostograwo
lzzih
babur Tabiyaw
fitlefit
bostoKonn
bestoKonniwo
bostoKonniwo
I4..
lzzih dohna hotel yollom.
lzziya
amerikan embassi fitlofit.
bostogra
bostograwo
Question
Answer
TenayisTillm, m d o m i n addoru.
dohna, igziyabher yimmosgon.
ibakkiwo, and dohna hotel yot alio.
dohna hotel amerikan embassi
fitlofit alio.
hotelu ruK now t
yollom, ruK aydollom.
amarifina yawKallu t
awo, t m m s
mm
m m i m m alalhu.
alu t
babur Tabiyaw izziya now t
awKallehu.
yollom, izziya aydollom.
f
j.
ruK aydollom, Kirb now.
amerikan embassi kozzih ruK now T
yollom.
boTam Tiru aydollom.
boTam Tiru amarifina yawKallu t
and boTam Tiru hotel alio.
kozzih bostogra m m
alio,
kozzih bostoKonn and embassi alio.
kozzih bostoKonn m m
alio.
babur Tabiyaw ruK new t
awo, boTam ruK now.
hotelu tinnis now t
awo, boTam tinnis now.
babur Tabiyaw yot alio.
amerikan embassi fitlofit, and
babur Tabiya alio.
kozzih ruK now t
yollom, ruK aydollom, Kirb now.
amerikan embassi yot now.
alawKim.
Unit 3
Basic Sentences
John /.ion/
name
sim
my name
sime
you (polite)
irsiwo / issiwo
yours (polite)
yorsiwo / yossiwo
how about yours
yersiwoss
Hello, my name's John, what's yours
TenayisTillm sime jon now,
( 'how about yours ')?
yersiwoss t
kebbodo (
proper name)
Ethiopia
ityoPiya
Ethiopian
ityoPiyawi
you are (polite)
nowo
Kebbede.
kobbodo now. ityoPiyawi nowo t
Are you an Ethiopian?
John
American
amerikawi
I am
non
but
negorgm
Mr.
a to
(a proper name)
t9S9mma
(a proper name)
lemma
Ethiopians
ityoPiyawiyan
they are
naccew
I'm an American, but Mr. Tesemma
and Mr. Lemma are Ethiopians.
amerikawi non, n e g e r g m ato
tesemmanna ato lemma,
ityoPiyawiyan naccew.
kebbede
when
mece / moc
you came
moTTu
moce moTTu.
When did you come?
John
yesterday
tinantinna / tinant
I came
moTTahu
I came yesterday.
tinantinna meTTahu.
kebbade
how much, how many
smt
hour, o 'clock, watch, clock
soat
What time is it, please.
John
ibakkiwo, s m t soat now.
It's three o'clock.
sost soat now.
kobbodo
Thank you ('May God give [it]
lgzlyabher yisTillin.
for me ') .'
John
both
abro
let him give us
yisTon
You're welcome ('let him give it
abro yisTen.
to both of us ')
book
moSihaf / moShaf
books
moShafoc
your books
me Sha fo c ca c clhu
your books (as direct object
me Sha f o c ca c clhun
of a verb)
openJ
[Please] open your books.
kifetu
meSihafoccaccihun kifetu.
together (you pi.)
abraccihu
say.'
belu
Altogether;
('say
together')
abraccihu belu.
ahun
now
z igu
close.'.
ahun meSihafoccaccihun zigu.
Now close your books.'
Structure Sentences
Personal endings of the verb 'be'.
ine
I<m an American.
me
amerikawi nefi.
Are you an Ethiopian?
ityoPiyawi neh t
you (fem. sing.)
anci
pretty
Konjo
You (f) are pretty.
intelligent, sensible
You (polite) are intelligent,
anci Konjo nes.
asteway
asteway newo / astoway newot,
this
yih
person, man
sow
who
man
Who is this man?
woman, female
She's a good woman.
yih sow man now.
set
Tiru set nec / Tiru set nat.
student
temari
students
tomariwoc
We are students.
temariwoc non.
teacher
astemari
teachers
astomariwoc
Are you teachers?
astemariwoc naccihu t
moTfo
bad
meTfo naccow.
They are bad.
he or she (polite)
lrsaccow
big
tilliK
irsaccew tilliK naccow.
He or she (polite) is big.
Grammatical Notes
Note 3 * 1
Pronoun:
Independent Pronouns.
m e amerikawl nen.
I am an American.
anci Konjo nos.
You (fern.sing.) are pretty.
irsiwo.
you (polite)
irsaccow tilliK naccow.
He or she (polite) is big.
These are examples of Independent Pronouns that have occured m
Basic or Structure Sentences.
the
As one can see from the above sentences, there
are two genders, masculine and feminine.
Gender is distinguished only m
second and third person singular pronouns (familiar forms).
the
All other pro
nouns are indeterminate of gender.
As the personal ending (or other affix) of the verb indicates the
person involved, the Independent Pronouns are much less used m
they are m
English.
When used, they are slightly emphatic.
Amharic than
Attention is
drawn to the fact that this particular person is, or these persons are doing
so-and-so.
The complete set of such pronouns is:
me
anto
you (masc. fam.)
anci
you (fem.fam.)
irsiwo / issiwo
you (polite)
irsu / issu
he
irswa / isswa
she
irsaccow / issaccow
he or she (polite)
mna
we
mnanto
you (pi.)
m n o s s u / innersu
they
As illustrated by the above list of the Independent Pronouns,
Amharic has different terms of reference with regard to people spoken to
(second person) and people spoken of (third person).
Thus /ante/ (addressing
a man) and /anci/ (addressing a woman) show a certain degree of familiarity,
/irsiwo/ is used as a polite or deferential form of 'you' (addressing both
men and women), and / m n a n t o / addressing many persons without distinction of
sex.
/irsaccew/ is a polite or deferential form of
verb forms used with the
'he' or
'she'.
Note that
'polite ' pronouns have the third person plural per
sonal endings.
Note 3 « 2
Pronoun:
Suffix Pronouns.
1.
yisTillin
let him give for me.
2.
yisTon
let him give us.
3.
sime jon now.
My_ name is John.
There are two kinds of suffixed pronouns:
1)
Verb Suffix (or Object) Pronouns, (Sentences 1 and 2)
i.e.
pronominal suffixes attached to verb stems or other forms of the verb.
The
translation of a Verb Suffix Pronoun depends upon the structure of English.
For example the suffix / - e n / after consonants (/-n/
after vowels), can mean
'me' (direct object) or 'to me' (indirect object)j /-accew/ 'them' (direct
object) or 'to them' (indirect object), etc.
2)
Noun Suffix Pronouns (Sentence 3 )
attached to nouns, corresponding to English
'your', etc.
Note 3 . 2 . 1
i.e. pronominal suffixes
'possessive pronouns':
'my',
Note l+.l.
These are discussed m
The Verb Suffix Pronouns are:
After
After
Consonants
Vowels
-efi
-fl
me, to me
-ih
-h
you, to you (masc.)
-is
-s
you, to you (fern.)
Singular
-IWO
/-iwot
-ew
-wo /-wot
Meaning
you, to you (polite)
-w
him, to him /it, to it
-t
(after / u / and /c/)
-at
-at
her, to her
Plural
-9n(n)
-n(n)
us, to us
-accihu
-accihu'
you, to you
-accew
-accew
them, to them
Examples t
ato lemmanna ato kobbodo
min aluh.
Note 3 . 3
What did Lemma and Kebbede
say to you?
min alun.
What did they say to me?
izziya" new aluwaccihu.
It's there they said to you.
Loss of Vowels.
As indicated m
the chart of the Verb Suffix Pronouns (Note 3 . 2 . 1
above) certain vowels are lost before the / - a - / of the suffix pronouns /-at/,
/-accihu/ and /-accew/.
This loss of vowels occurs regularly m
Amharic according to the
following patterns*
Note 3*k
1)
©
+ a = a
e.
2)
a + a = a
e.
3)
1
+ a - a
e.
k)
©
+
1
a
e
e.
5)
1
+
1
=
1
e.
6)
a +
1
= a
e.
w
/ / and / y / glides before / - a - / of the affixes.
The Chart of Verb Suffix Pronouns (Note 3 . 2 . 1 ) indicates that / - u /
is /-uw-/, /-of
is /-ow-/ and / - i / is /-iy-/ before the suffix pronouns
/-at/, /-accihu/ and /-accew/.
These / w / and / y / glides occur regularly m
Amharic before / - a - /
of the affixes, e.g.
if the'last vowel of stem is /©/, / a / or / 1 / it is dropped and the
suffix is added directly to the preceding consonant (see Note 3 . 3 . )
/ u / is /-uw-/, /of
is /-ow-/ and / i / is /-iy-/ before these suffix
pronouns (see Note 3 . 1 | . ) «
u + a = u w + a
e.g. f o l l o g u w a c c o w
[felligu + a c c G w ]
'they w a n t e d
0 + a = ow + a
e.g. f o l l i g o w a l
them'
[folligo + all
'he h a s w a n t e d '
1 + a = iy + a
e.g. t i f o l l i g i y a l l o s
[tifolligi. + £ 1 1 9 3 ]
'you(f) w a n t '
Note 3 . 5
Verbi
/no-/
'be'.
The verb stem /no-/ plus Verb Suffixed Pronouns (Note 3 . 2 . 1 ) con
stitute verb forms expressing simple equation:
These forms, illustrated m
'I am', 'you are', etc.
the Structure Sentences, may be either suffixed
or separate words (e.g. /Tirunow/ or /Tiru now/ 'it's good').
They are
themselves unstressed and the stress is regularly on the previous syllable,
as m
/tomariwoc non/ 'we are students'.
The complete set of these forms is:
Plural
Singular
non
I am
nsh
you (m.) are
nes ... ...,
you (f.) are
nowo/nowot
you (pol.) are
now
he is
nat/noc
she is
i4
non
we are
naccihu
you are
naccow
they are
( o n he/she (pol.) is)
Note 3 * 6 .
Formation of the Plural
tomariwoc non.
We are students,
astomarlwoc naccihu-
You are teachers.
The general plural suffix m
Amharic for both masculine and femi
nine is /-(w)oc/ (/-oc/ after consonants and /-woe/ after vowels.)
some speakers, words ending m
is affixed to the preceding consonant.
be either /tomariwoc/ or /tomaroc/.
ally /-(w)occ/, as m
With
vowels may drop the vowel and the suffix /-oc/
Thus the Amharic word
'students' may
Before vowels the plural suffix is usu
/moSihafoccaccihu/ 'your books.'
ato tosommanna a to lomma
ityoPiyawiyan naccow.
Mr. Tesemma and Mr. Lemma are
Ethiopians.
The plural suffix /-yan/ is used exclusively with nouns denoting
nationality ending in /-awi/ e.g. /ityoPiyawi/ 'Ethiopian' /ityoPiyawiyan/
'Ethiopians', /amerikawi/ 'American', /amerikawiyan/ 'Americans', / m g l i z a w i /
'Englishman', / m g l i z a w i y a n / 'Englishmen', /foronsawi/ 'Frenchman', /ferensawiyan/ 'Frenchmen'.
The use of the plural will be taken up m
later units.
Note 3 . 7
Transition vowel
/ 1 /
likk^ now.
It's correct.
Kirt^ hotel yot alio.
Where is the near[est] hotel?
The transition vowel, indicated above by / / is a weak vowel glide
that serves to interrupt a sequence of consonants across word boundaries.
This vowel occurs at the point of word division whenever two words
coming together produce a cluster of three consonants, or a cluster of two
consonants, the first of which is an affricate:
The transition vowel is not marked m
/c/, / j / , /C/.
our transcription because its
presence is almost completely predictable.
'a proper name'
malKos
' to weep'
libs
'clothing'
al©
'he said'
lebbose
'he dressed (himself) '
gimol
'camel'
1 omnia
'child'
bulla
'grey'
lemm
'why '
lul
'pearl'
alebbes©
'he dressed (someone)'
sul
sharp
m©lb©s
'to dress »
Kal
'word'
molKom
'to pick up'
Kil
'foolish'
mottsr©
'he cut into pieces '
'pencil'
mol©mm©n 'to beg'
ras
'head, chief'
roma
'Rome '
rat
'dinner'
irsas
ruK
'far '
mikir
'advice'
rsgga
'it coagulated'
mesmsr
'line'
ara tt
'four'
w©mb©r
'chair'
m©k©ra
'calamity'
msmokkor
'to try'
irsu
'he '
monor
'to live'
birr
'dollar '
arrere
'burned'
serra
'he made '
(meat)
Substitution Drills
Substitute the words listed to the right of each sentence for the
underlined word of the following sentences.
me
dohna non.
anto sow non.
'
v
anci Tiru nos.
irsiwo astomarl nowo.
issu tomari now.
isswa moTfo nat/irswa meTfo noc.
inna amerikawlyan non.
m n a n t o as tomariwoc naccihu.
m n o s s u ityoPiyawiyan naccow.
irsaccow astoway naccow.
tinnis
likk
Tiru
Konjo
ruK
Kirb
ityoPiyawi
amerikawi
astoway
dohna
tomari
astemari
Konjo
tinnis
lzzih
set
moTfo
astemari
tomari
ityoPiyawi
amerikawi
astoway
lzziya
sow
man
lzziya
a stemari
astoway
sow
ruK
dohna
set
astomari
lzzih
tilliK
Kirb
ityoPiyawiyan
sowoc
lzzih
lzziya
tomariwoc
astoway
tinnis
Kirb
ruK
tilliK
tomariwoc
setoc
amerikawlyan
sowoc
setoc
tomariwoc
astomariwoc lzziya
tilliK
tinnis
man
ruK
Kirb
boTam Tiru
Substitution - Correlation Drill
Replace the underlined pronoun with those listed to the right of eacl
sentence.
Change the form of the verb 'to be' as necessary to agree with the
pronoun used.
me
tomari nefi.
ant© astoway noh.
anci Tiru nos.
anto
anci
issu
isswa
irsaccow
inria
mnossu
mnanto
irsiwo
me
anci
isswa
me
anto
irsaccow
mna
mnanto
isswa
m n e s s u temariwoc nacc9w.
infia
mnant©
irsiwo izziya nowo.
ante
anci
issu
mnant©
irswa
Question
Answer
sime tosomma now, yersiwoss t
jon new.
irsiwo amerikawi nowo t
me
ityoPiyawi non.
lzzih mece moTTu.
t m a n t m e T T a h u / t m a n t m n a meTTahu.
ato lemmanna ato kebbed© moc moTTu.
alawKim.
irsiwo tomari nowo t
awo, temari nen.
amarifina yawKallu t
t m n i s awKallehu.
isswa Konjo set nat ^
awo, boTam Konjo nat.
ato t©s©mma m m
beTarn Tiru amarinna yawKallu.
yawKallu.
ato lemma meTfo sow new t
yollom.
asteway new t
awo, asteway new.
h u l e t t m n a hulett, s m t new.
h u l e t t m n a hulett, aratt new.
sostinna aratt s m t now.
sebatt now.
ato tesemma Tena now t
awo,dohna new.
issu beTam Tiru sew now.
m n e s s u lzzih naccew t
awo, lzzih naccow.
astomariwoc lzzih mece meTTu.
me
lzzih s m t sewoc meTTu.
hulett sewoc ineTTu.
alawKim.
ato kobbede meTfo now t
yollom, meTfo aydellem.
ato kobbedonna ato lemma temariwoc
awo, m n e s s u temariwoc naccew.
naccew t
ato kebbed© lzzih n©w t
lzzih aydellem.
irsiwo ityoPiyawi nowo t
awo, ityoPiyawi non.
irsiwoss t
me
astomari nowo t
yellem.
ato tesGmma
yet
new,
amerikawi noil.
temari nen.
lzzih new.
moSihafu y©t all©,
lzzih new.
isswa astemari nsc 1
awo, astemari nec.
issu tilliK n©w t
yellem, t m n i s new.
sint seat n©w.
assir seat new.
ato lomma dohna n©w t
awo, beTam dehna now.
lzzih dohna astemari alle t
awo,
dohna amarinna yawKallu t
beTam Tiru aydellem.
ato kobb©d©nna ato jon, lzzih moc
t m a n t m n a meTTu.
m©TTu.
and dohna astemari all©.
Unit l\.
Basic Sentences
John
let you (polite) show me
yasayyun
to show me ('to let you
liyasayyun
(polite) show me')
you (polite) can, are able
yicilallu
ibakkiwo, dohna hotel liyasayyun
Could you please direct me to
('show me') a good hotel?
yicilallu t
kobbod©
(name of hotel)
giyon
it seems
yimoslal
it seems to m e , I think
yimoslonnal
Yes [l can].
The G-ion hotel seems
awo, giyon hotel dohna yimoslonnal,
good to m e .
John
address
adrassa
What's ('where is') the address?
adrassaw yot n©w.
kobbodo
taxi
taksi
by taxi
betaksi
to go
m©hod
betaksi mshed yicilallu.
You can go [there] by taxi.
John
v v ,
1SS1
O.K.
lTorallohu
I'm calling, I'11 call, I'm
inviting, I'11 invite
O.K. I '11 call a taxi.
Taxi.'
issi.
taksi.
taksi lTorallohu.
Taxi driver
Yes sir / madam, (said m
ibet t
reply
to a call)
Jonn
cause me to arrive
(polite
yadrlsun
imperative)
ibakkiwo giyon hotel yadrisun.
Take me to Gion Hotel, please,
let me pay
likfol
let me pay to you (polite)
likfoliwot
s m t likf oliwot.
How much am I to pay you?
Taxi driver
dollar
(Ethiopian)
birr
Pour dollars.
aratt birr.
thing
nogor
it is said, it is called
yibbalal
m
bamarinna
Amharic
How do you say this ('this thing
is said') m
yih nogor bamarinna m m yibbalal
Amharic?
pencil
ir sas
you have ( 'there is to you')
allewot
Do you have a pencil?
irsas allewot t
[No] I don't (have) ( 'there is not
yellonnim.
to me')
many, much
Do you have many pencils?
only; alone
bizu
bizu irsasocc alluwot t
bicca
No, I have only one.
yellom, and bicca alien,
Say it again ('repeat for m e ' ) .
yidgemullin.
this (as object)
yihm
Kal
word
Repeat this word.
y i h m Kal yidgomut.
Can you [speak] Amharic?
amarinna yicilallu T
I can
lcilallohu
Yes, I can.
awon, lcilallohu.
Structure Sentences
Noun Suffix Pronouns.
My name is Kebbede.
sime kebbode now.
country
agor
America is your (m) country.
agorih amerika now.
father
abba t
tall
r©jjim
Your (f.) father is tall.
abbatis rejjim now.
What is your (polite) name?
simiwo man now.
red
Koyy
moSihafu Koyy n©w.
His book is red.
mother
mnat
m n a t w a Konjo nat.
Her mother is beautiful.
ori m n a t w a Konjo noc.
Our names are Kebbede and Lemma
s i m a c c m kebbedonna lomma now.
Where is your (pi.) country?
ageraccihu yot new.
car, vehicle
mekina
Their car is not good.
mekinaccew Tiru aydellom.
Grammatical Notes
Note I4..I Noun Suffix Pronouns
The Structure Sentences illustrate the use of the Amharic Noun
Suffix Pronouns which are the equivalent of English
'my', 'his', 'yours', etc. (see also Note 3 . 2 . ) .
'Possessive Pronouns'1
The complete set of Noun Suffix Pronouns is*
After Consonants
Singular
1st pers.
'my'
-e
2nd pers. m.
'your '
-lh
2nd pers. f.
'your '
After Vowels
-ye
-h
v
2nd pers. pol.
'your'
3rd pers. m.
'his '
3rd pers. f.
'her '
-s
- is
-wo
-
1WO
-w
-u
-wa
-wa
Plural
1st pers.
'our '
-accm
-accm
2nd pers.
'your'
-accihu
-a c clhu
3rd pers.
' the ir '
-accew
-accew
(ori polite sing.)
Note 1+.2
'his, her
Verb: Verb forms /all©/ 'there is', /allu/ 'there are' and /yollom/
'there is not', /yellum/ 'there are not' as equivalent to English
'have' and
'have not.'
irsas allewot t
Do you have a pencil?
yellefinim.
[No] I don't ('There is not to me')
bizu irsasocc alluwot t
Do you have many pencils?
yellem, and bicca alien.
No, I have only one.
,
/all©/ 'there is', 'there exists' (Note 2.3) and the plural /allu/
'there are', 'there exist' are used with Verb Suffix Pronouns.
The thing possessed is the subject of /all©/ or /allu/.
The owner
is indicated by a suffix pronoun, e.g. /meSihaf alien/ 'I have a book', lit
erally
'there is a book to me', /ammist meSihafocc a Hurl/ 'I have five books',
literally
'there are to me five books'.
The forms of /all©/ and /allu/, with the verb suffixed pronouns,
are:
Masculine (sing.)
Thing Possessed:
Singular
Plural
alien
I have
alleh
you (m.) have
alios
you (f.) have
allewo/allowot
you (pol.) have
allow
he has
allat
she has
alien
we have
a11acclhu
you have
allaccew
they have
Plural Thing Possessed:
allun
I have
alluh
you (m.) have
alius
you (f.) have
alluwo/alluwot
you (pol.) have
allut
he has
alluwat
she has
Note that m
allun
we have
alluwaccihu
you have
alluwaccew
they have
Amharic the object possessed is the subject of the verb.
The negative forms are:
Masculine (sing.) Thing Possessed:
Singular
Plural
yollonnim
I don't have
yollohim
you (m) don't have
yollosim
vgu, if) don't have
yollowotim
you (pol.) don't have
yollowim
he doesn't have
yellatim
she doesn't have
yellonim
we don't have
yellaccihum
you don't have
yellaccewim
they don't have
Plural Thing Possessed:
Singular
Plural
yollunnim
I don't have
yelluhim
you (m) don't have
yollusim
you (f) don't have
yolluwotim
you (pol.) don't have
yollutim
he doesn't have
yelluwatim
she doesn't have
yellunim
we don't have
y©1luwa c clhum
you don't have
yelluwaccewim
they don't have
For the equivalents to 'have', 'have not' with feminine thing possessed
see Note 5 . 1 .
Note k.,3
Feminine definite suffix / - w a — ( y ) i t u — ( y ) i t w a /
The masculine definite suffix was discussed m
Note 2.1.
The fem
inine definite suffix is /-wa/; /-(y)itu/ (/-itu/ after consonants, /-yitu/
after vowels); or /-(y)itwa/ (/-itwa/after consonants, /-yitwa/ after vowels)
All words indicating females are feminine.
be discussed m
detail m
later units.)
(Feminine gender will
Examples:
/ tomar iw/
the (boy) student
/temariwa/ or /temariyitu/
the (girl) student
or /tomariyitwa/
/astomariw/
the (gentleman) teacher
/astomariwa/ or /astomarlyitu/
the (lady) teacher
or /astomarlyltwa/
Nouns without definite suffix do not show gender.
Thus the word
/temari/, for example, may refer both to a boy and a girl student.
The
gender of 'indefinite' nouns is indicated by the verb endings, e.g.
Tiru temari now.
he is a. good student.
Tiru temari nec/nat.
she is a_ good student.
The most commonly used form of the feminine definite suffix is /-wa/.
Note l\.»k
Definite suffixes on modifiers.
If a noun has a modifier the definite suffix is affixed to the
modifier and not to the noun it modifies, e.g. /meSihafu/ 'the book', but
/tinnisu meSihaf/
'the small book'.
Examples:
dehnaw sew t m n i s meSihaf allow.
The good man has a small book,
dehnawa set t m n i s meSihaf a H a t .
The good woman has a small book.
Konjoyitu set and meSihaf allat.
The pretty girl has a book.
It should be noted that the definite suffix is affixed to the modifier
even when the modified noun has a Noun Suffix ('Possessive') Pronoun, e.g.
t m n i s u meSihafih lzzih alio.
Your small book is here.
Note I 4 . . 5 Suffix /-(i)n/ specific direct object.
Group 1
Open your books.'
yihin Kal yidgemut.
Repeat this word.'
Group 2
dohna hotel liyasayyun yicilallu t
Can you direct me to ('show
me') a good hotel?
taksi iTerallehu.
I'11 call a taxi,
amarinna yawKallu t
Do you know Amharic?
In Group 1 the objects of the verbs (/meSihafoccaccihun/,
have a suffix / - n / or / - m / .
suffix.
In Group 1 we have
(a specific o n e ) .
In Group 2 none of the objects have such a
'your books' (not just any book),
In Group 2 we have
(not this particular taxi),
/yihin Kal/)
'this word'
'a good hotel' (any good hotel) 'a taxi'
'Amharic' ( m general).
The suffix /-(i)n/ (/-m/
after consonants, / - n / after vowels)
must always be used:
a)
When the direct object is a specific noun, i.e. a noun with
a definite suffix (/-u~-w/ or / - w a — ( y ) i t u / )
;
e.g. /moSihafu/
'the book', /meSihafun kifetu/ open the book'.
b)
When it is modified by a suffix pronoun, e.g. /moSihafoccaccihu/
'your books', /meSihafoccaccihun kifetu/ 'open your books'.
c)
When it is modified by a demonstrative pronoun, e.g. /yihin
Kal yidgemut/ 'repeat this word'.
d)
When it is a proper name, an independent pronoun, a name of
a country, or objects assumed to be commonly known, such as
station, ministry etc. e.g. /giyon h o t e l m yasayyun/ 'show me
the Gion Hotel', /kebbodon yawKallu/ 'they know Kebbede/
/irsiwon awKallehu/ 'I know you', /babur Tabiyan yasayyufi/
'show me the railroad station'.
When the direct object of the verb has a modifier, it is the
modifier that usually takes the /-(i)n/ suffix and not the
noun it modifies, as m
/yihin Kal yidgomut/ 'repeat this
word', /tinnisun meSihaf kifetu/ 'open the small book'.
The suffix /-(i)n/ is not affixed to the indefinite, non
specific direct object (Group 2 above).
Note I4..6
Prepositions.
Amharic prepositions are usually inseparable from the word they
precede.
These
'prefix prepositions' lose their vowel when prefixed to words
beginning with a vowel m
Note 3 . 3 .
accordance with the patterns listed m
If, however, the prepositions are said as separate words the vowel
is not lost, e.g.
/bamarinna/ or /be amarinna/
' m Amharic'.
Note ij.. 6 . 1 Preposition / b ( e ) - / 'to, by, m , at, on' and /best(e)-/ 'to',
' m the direction of'.
b©taksi mehed yicilallu.
You can go by taxi,
p
yih noger bamarinna m m yibbalal.
How do you say this m
Amharic?
yamerikan embassi besteKonniwo new.
The American Embassy is on your right.
The prefix preposition /b(oJ-/ (/be-/ before consonants, / b - /
before vowels) is used m
equivalents to English prepositions
'to, by, m , at,
on' and the prefix /bost(e)-/ (/bosto- before consonants and /best-/ before
vowels) m
equivalent to English
'to' with reference to specific directions,
such as 'to the right', 'to the left', 'to the north', 'to the south', etc.
Other usages of the prefix / b ( e - ) / will be taken up m
later units.
i)
A/
tomarIw
'the student'
mosmat
'to hear '
timihirtbet
'school'
raotorrot
'to narrate
t-mant
'yesterday'
magnet
'to find '
tosomo
(proper name)
mosTot
'to give '
ma yot
'to see '
bet
1
'house
Short and Lon|2; Consonants.
A/
algebam
'I will not enter'
algobbam
'he has not
abay
'liar '
abbay
'Nile '
gonzob
'money'
dibb
'bear '
'he suffered'
yicceggoral
'he is suffering'
moc
'when'
tomariwocce
'my students'
mocobcob
'to thrash'
cebeccebe
'he thrashed'
A/
A/
maCot
'to engage'
aCC©
'he engaged
maCes
'to smoke'
aCCawac
'umpire'
moC©mC©m
'to kiss repeatedly'
noCC
'white'
M/
modommor
'to add'
wedded©
'he loved'
wossodo
'he carried '
weddoKo
'he fell'
doggono
'he aimed'
K©dd©me
'he preceded'
A/
mef©llo|
' to want'
allofe
'he passed'
keffele
'he divided'
addof©
'it became dirty'
seffi
'wide'
'to guess'
meggemet
'to be estimated'
aderroge
'he did'
soggsde
'he worshipped'
meTrog
'to clean'
deggome
'he repeated'
meffolej
'to be wanted'
A/
mogemm©t
A/
habtam
'rich'
mehed
'to go '
nob-
'you are'
he da c c lhu
'you went'
A/
mo jemmer
'to begin'
awwe jo
'he declared'
jegna
'brave '
ajjebe
he accompanied'
kobbodo
(proper name)
mekkere
he advised'
momkor
'to advise '
mukkora
attempt'
awwok©
'he disturbed'
sskkoro
he became drunk'
maweK
"' to " know '
aKKede
he planned'
saK©
'he laughed'
beKKele
it germinated'
m©K©dd©s
'to bless'
m©KK©dos
to be blessed'
m©lbes
'to dress
msllobss
to be dressed'
meleyyet
'to separate'
m©lloy©t
to be separated'
al©
'he said'
all©
he is present'
yim©tal
'he will strike'
yimmettal
he will be struck'
am©s©gg©n©
'he praised'
yimmeseggenal
he will be praised'
mamar
'to be beautiful'
memmar
to learn'
manbob
' to read '
monn©b©b
to be read'
mansat
'to lift'
monnosat
to get up'
ant©
'you' (sing.)
mnanto
you' (pi.)
magfiot
'to find'
moggennet
to be found'
non
'I am'
amarinna
Amharic'
lomman
'beggar'
lemmannoc
beggars'
yij jemmeral
it will be started'
hand '
A/
A/
A/
A/
A/
A/
A/
posta
'envelope'
postabet
'post office '
polis
'police '
A/
Pi la To s*
(proper name)
PeraKliTos
(proper name)
ityoPiya
'Ethiopia '
A/
roggeme
ToroTTer©
'he cursed'
merr©K©
'he blessed'
'he doubted'
worrode
'he came down'
torab©
'he was hungry'
birr
'dollar '
'stand up.' '
tonsssa
'he stood up'
m© sma t
' to hear '
m©ss©mat
' to be heard'
sim
'name'
m© s s o1o
'it seemed'
'he fasted'
KeSS©le
'he continued'
m©Saf
'to write'
goSS
'page '
n©Sa
'free '
n©SSa
'it became clear'
m©s©mg©l
'to be old'
issi
'all right'
nos
'you (f) are
sesssg©
'he hid'
s©llem©
'he rewarded'
ass©
'he rubbed'
gemm©to
'he guessed'
m© tta
'he struck'
mot©
'he died'
attete
'he discussed'
motsnnat
' to sleep '
gottot©
'he pulled'
msmTat
'to come
goTTsm©
'he fixed'
moTrat
'to call'
aTTere
'he fenced'
TiKim
'benefit'
aTTobo
'he washed'
aww© j©
'he delcared'
mowdod
'yes '
'to like'
awwoK©
'he knew'
wib
'attractive
dswwslo
'he dialed'
A/
ten©sa
A/
Som©
A/
A/
A/
A/
awon
h/
yellem
'no '
ayys
'he saw '
belay
'upon'
Keyy
'red'
melleyet
'to be separated '
meleyyet
'to separate'
mezor
'to turn'
azzeze
'he ordered'
wenz
'river '
gozzu
'they bought'
genzeb
'money '
bezza
'it multiplied'
zele
'unarmed'
Kazze
'he talked m
muriz
'a kind of grass'
azze
'it suppurated'
gozi
'governor'
gizz
'purchase'
A/
his sleep '
* / z / and / j / are usually interchangeable.
Substitution Drills
Use the proper Noun Suffix ( 'Possessive') Pronoun as indicated by the
English pronouns listed to the right of the following sentences.
moSihafe Tiru new.
mekinawo lzzih new,
his
her
your (pi.)
our
their
your (fern.) your (masc
your (masc)
her
his
your (fem.) their
your
her
your (pol.!
our
Correlation-Substitution Drill
Change the form of the underlined verb (equivalent to the English 'I
have, you have, ' etc. or 'I don't have, you don't have, ' etc.) to agree with
the pronouns listed to the right of each sentence.
Tiru meSihaf allow.
me
mnossu
anto
mnante
irsu
anci
lr s I W O
mna
irswa
irsaccow
Tiru mekinawocc allut.
inna
anci
mnessu
issu
mnant©
me
isswa
anto
irsaccew
irsiwo
irsaccsw
ante
i sswa
me
mnant©
mnessu
anci
ant©
irsiwo
me
irsiwo
irsaccow
mnant©
irsu
m n e s su
anci
irsiwo
abbat yellatim.
irsu
inna
moSihafoccinna irsasoc yollunnim.
inna
In the following sentences, substitute the words listed to the right of
each sentence for the underlined word (or words), using the proper direct
object form.
anton awKallehu.
and meSihaf yasayyun.
tinnisun moSihaf yasayyun.
anci
irsiwo
ir swa
irsaccew
mnanto
mnessu
giyon hotel
ato jon
ager
agoraccew
simaccihu
mekinah
meSihafu
mekinaw
irsaswa
abbataccew
and irsas
moSihafe
and hotel
hotelu
babur Tabiya
and seat
seatiwo
dohna sow
Konjo set
Tiru meSihaf
yih sew
dohnawa tomari
Tiru astemari Keyy meSihaf
tilliK ager
taksiwo
likk neger
meTfo temari
asteway set
Question and Answer Drill
moSihaf allewot t
awo, alien,
yellennim.
yih temari irsas allow t
awo,allow,
yellewim.
temariwoc bizu irsasocc alluwaccew t
awo, bizu irsasocc alluwaccew.
bizu irsasoc yelluwaccewim.
ante bizu moSihafocc a H u h t
awo, bizu moSihafocc allun.
bizu moSihafoc yollunnim.
timihirt betun yawKallu t
awo, awKallohu.
yellem^ alawKim.
mekina allat t
awo, allat.
yollatim.
seat allowot t
awo, alien,
yellennim.
giyon h o t e l m liyasayyun yicilallu t
awo, lcilallohu.
mokinawon liyasayyun yicilallu t
awo, lcilallohu.
ato kobbodo mekina allow t
awo, allow,
yollowim.
abbatinna innat allun t
awo, allun.
yollunnim.
giyon hotel boTam Tiru now f
awo, boTam Tiru. now.
boTam Tiru aydellem.
giyon hotel mehed yicilallu t
awo, lcilallohu.
assir birr allowot t
awo, alien.
assir birr yellennim.
Koyy mokina alloh t
awo, alien,
mekina yellennim.
mokinawocc alluwaccihu t
awo, allun.
mekinawoc yollunim.
astomariw mokina allow t
awo,allow,
astomariw mekina yellewim.
bizu mokinawocc allut t
awo, bizu mekinawocc allut.
bizu mekinawoc yollutim.
isswa meSihaf allat t
awo,allat.
meSihaf yollatim.
astomariw dohna now t
awo,dohna new.
dehna aydellem.
irsiwo amarinna yicilallu t
awo,lcilallohu.
seatih moTfo now t
Tiru irsas allowot t
awo, meTfo new
meTfo aydellom.
awo,alien,
yellennim.
Tiru irsasocc alluwaccihu t
awo,allun.
yollunim.
ato kebbeds amerika mehed yicilallut
awo,yicilallu.
Keyy mekina alleh t
awo,alien,
yellennim.
m n e s s u mekinawoc alluwaccew t
awo,alluwaccew.
yelluwaccewim.
mekinawoc Tiru naccew t
awo, Tiru naccew.
abbatiwo Tiru seat allaccew t
awo,allaccew.
yellaccewim.
mekinaccihu beTam Tiru new t
awo,Tiru new.
Tiru ayydellem.
temariwocc amarinna yawKallut
a g e n h ruK new t
awo, yawKallu.
awo,ruK new.
ruK aydellem.
meklnaccew lzzih newt
awo, lzzih new.
lzzih aydellem.
astemariw bizu temariwocc allut t
awo, allut.
yellutim.
abbatiwo abbaten yawKallu t
awo, yawKallu.
babur Tabiyaw ruK new t
awo, ruK new.
ruK aydellem.
ante temari neh t
awo, temari nen.
rejjim irsas alleh t
awo, alleh.
and rejjim temari liyasayyun yicilallu t
awo, lcilallehu.
Unit 5
Basic Sentences
John
Hello.
Tena yisTillin.
newcomer, guest
mgida
one who receives
toKobbay
hotel receptionist
mgida
mgida
toKobbay
toKobbay
Hello.
Tena yisTillin.
m,
inside
wisT
in the hotel
behotelu wisT /lhotelu wisT
empty-
bado
room, section, division,
kifl/kifll
1
class, classroom
Do you have an empty room m
this
bezzih hotel wisT, bado kifl
allowot t
hotel?
1.1.
awo, alien.
Yes, I have,
John
rent
kiray
How much is the rent?
kirayu s m t now.
1.1.
week
sammmt
from two to ten
kohulott Iskas slr
From two to ten [Ethiopian] dollars
b o s a m m m t kohulott lskassir birr
a week.
now.
John
to see
mayo t
I want, I'm looking for
ifelligallohu
I'd like to see the room.
kiflun mayot if©lligallehu.
1.1.
I'11 show you, I'm showing you
asayyiwotallehu
All right, I'll show [it] to you.
issi, asayyiwotallehu.
John
it's not bad
aykefam
if you tell me
binegrun
I take, I'm taking, I'll take
lwesdallehu
It isn't bad.
If you tell me how
much it is ('the
rent')
aykefam.
I'll
kirayun binegrun, yihin
kifl lwesdallehu.
take it ('this room')*
l.t.
master, owner; rich
geta
sir ('my master ')
getaye
It's ten dollars a week.
John
b e s a m m m t s i m m m t birr now, getaye.
things, belongings, goods
have (somebody) bring
lKa
(something) (pol. imperative)
yasgebbu
lKayen yasgebbullin.
Have them bring my things (for m e ) .
food
migb/migib
dining room, restaurant
migibbet
migibbetuss yet now.
And where is the dining room?
l.t.
first
andenfia
story, floor
foK
upstairs
lfoKlay / befoKlay
It's on the first floor.
andennaw foKlay now.'*
John
Thank you.
lgziyabher
The'first floor' m
yistillin.
Ethiopia corresponds to the 'second' floor
U.S.A.
kk
m
Structure Sentences
Perfective
town, city
kotoma
I went
he dhu/he dku
I went to town.
wodo kotoma hedhu.
house, home
bet
you (m) looked for, wanted
fellogh
You (m) looked for a house,
bet fellogh.
money
genzeb
you (f) looked for, wanted
fellegs
You (f) wanted money.
genzob fellogs.
a man
sewiyye
the man
sewiyyew
to call
meTrat
he wanted
fellego
The man wanted to call his father.
sewiyyew abbatun moTrat fellege.
a woman
setiyyo
the woman
setiyyowa
she saw
ayyec
The woman saw her mother.
setiyyowa m n a t w a n ayyec.
to Kebbede
lokebbed©
cup
smi
coffee
bunna/bun
we gave
seTTen
We gave a cup of coffee to Kebbede.
lekebbede and s m i bunna seTTen.
study, knowledge, lesson
timihirt
school
timihirtbet/temaribet
you (pi.) went
hedaccihu
You (pi.) went to school.
they (or« you, he, she
m n a n t o wede timihirtbet hedaccihu.
ayyu
(pol.)) saw
The students saw the dining room.
tomariwoc migibbetun ayyu.
Grammatical Notes
Note 5>.l
Verbi
Perfective
'How have you spent the night? '
indomin adderu.
min alu t
What did you say?
W9 d 9 k919ma he dhu•
I went to town.
abbatun moTrat fellege.
He wanted to call his father.
innatwan ayyec.
She saw her mother.
soTTon.
We gave.
migibbetun ayyu.
They saw the d m m g
In Amharic as m
tionaries m
the
room.
other Semitic languages the verbs are listed m
dic
the 3rd person masculine singular Perfective form and not
'Infinitive' as m
Thus the verb
m
so many other languages.
'to want' is listed under /follogo/ 'he wanted', the verb
'to see' under /ayyo/ 'he saw', etc.
The great majority of Amharic verbs have three basic consonants (tradi
tionally known as
'radical' or
'root' consonants) the second of which is
almost always doubled.
There are, however, a great number of verbs with two, four, or even
five radicals.
Some of the two-radical verbs, such as /ayyo/ 'he saw' /hede/
'he went', etc. are among the most common ones.
The classification of Amharic verbs will be gradually introduced m
the
later units.
Following is a list of various verb forms which have occurred m
1 through 5 together with the corresponding Perfective form m
Units
the right hand
column.
Forms m
the Units
Perfective Forms
adderu
they spent the night
addore
he spent the night
yadrlsun
take me
aderrese
he took (caused to
arrive)
alu
they said
ale
he said
mniref
let us rest
arrefo
he rested
yasayyun
show me
asayye
he showed
yasgebbullin
have them bring for me
asgebba
he had (someone) brmi
(something)
awKallehu
I know
awweKe
he knew
ma yet
to see
ayyo
he saw
yicilallu
'you can'
cale
'he could'
yidgemut
'repeat it.' '
doggeme
'he repeated'
fellege
'he wanted'
fellege
'he wanted'
mehed
'to go'
hede
'he went '
aykofam
'it isn't bad'
keffa
'it became bad'
likfeliwot
'let me pay you'
keffel©
'he paid, he divided
kifetu
'open'
keffete
'he opened'
yimoslal
'it seems'
messele
'it seemed'
meTTu
'they came'
meTTa
'he came '
binegrun
'if you tell m e '
noggere
'he told '
yisTillifi
'let him give for me '
seTTe
'he gave '
yibbalal
'it is said'
tebale
'it was said'
yimmesgen
'let him be praised'
temoseggene
moTrat
'to call'
Terra
lwesdallehu
'I'll take'
wessede
'he took'
zigu
' close'
zegga
'he closed'
yizuru
'turn.' '
zore
'he turned d n t r . )
he toured
'he was praised'
r
he
called'
1
The Amharic Perfective Stem may end either m
a consonant, or m
a
vowel, e.g.:
Consonant Stem:
Vowel Stem:
/fellege/ 'he wanted'
/ayyo/
(Stem: /felleg-/)
Singular
1st p.
felleghu
(Stem: /ayye-/)
Plural
Singular
fellegn/folle gin
ayyehu
2nd p.m. fellegh
2nd p.f. follegs
2nd p.pol. fellegu
&
3 r d p.pol. follegu
Plural
ayyen
ayyeh
fellogaccihu
ayyes
a yya c clhu
ayyu
3 r d p.m. fellege
3 r d p.f. fellegec
'he saw'
ayyo
„ -,,
follegu
ayyoc
ayyu
The complete set of Perfective personal endings is:
Singular
1st
p.
Pluralt
-hu / -ku'
1 s t p.
-n/-m
-accihu''"
2nd p.m.
-h / -k*
2nd p.f.
-s'*
2nd p.
2nd p.pol.
-u* * *
3 r d pers.
3 r d p.masc.
-o after consonants
(after con-
sonants only)
-u* * *
-zero after / e / and / a /
3rd p.fem.
-oc(c) *'after consonants
-c(c) '"after / e / and / a /
3 r d p.m. and
f. (pol.)
*)
-u'"
/-hu/ after /g/, /k/, /K/, and vowels; otherwise /-hu/ or /-ku/
/ - h / after /g/, /k/, /K/, and vowels; otherwise / - h / or / - k /
'*)
Before Verb Suffix Pronouns these endings are:
* * *)
2nd p.f.
/-si-/
3 r d p.f.
/ - 9 c c i - / after consonants, /-cci-/ after vowels
Vowel Stems drop their final vowel and the suffix is affixed
directly to the preceding consonant.
The verb /all©/ 'he exists, is present' denotes the present tense but
takes the personal endings of the Perfective:
Note 5 » 2
Verbi
allohu
'I am present'
alleh
'you (m) are present'
alios
'you (f) are present'
alio
'he is present'
alloc
'she is present'
alien
'we are present'
allaccihu
'you (pi.) are present'
allu
'they (he, she, you -pol.) are present
Verb forms /alloc/ 'she exists', and /yolleccim/ 'she does
not exist' as equivalents to English
'have' and
'have not'
with feminine object (see also Note I+.2).
Since the third person feminine of the verb /alio/ is /allocci-/
before Verb Suffix Pronouns (Note 5 * 1 ) , the equivalents of
'have'and
'have not'
when what is possessed is feminine are as follows: (The construction is, lit
erally,
'something (feminine) is to me, to you, etc'.).
alleccin
'I have'
alleccat
'she h a s '
alleccih
'you (m) have '
alloccm
'we have '
alleccis
'you (f) have'
alleccaccihu
'you have'
allecciwo
'you (pol.) have'
alleccaccow
'they have'
allecciw
'he has'
and
Note 5>»3«
yelleccinnim
'I don't have'
yelloccihim
'you (m) don't have'
yelleccisim
'you (f) don't have'
yellecciwotim
'you (pol.) don't have'
yellecciwim
'he doesn't have'
yolloccatim
'she doesn't have'
ysllaocinim
'we don't have'
ygllgccaccihum
'you (pi) don't have'
ygllgccaccgwim
'they don ' t have'
Pronoun:
Verb suffix pronouns used with Perfective.
The suffix object pronouns are affixed to the verb forms in the
Perfective according to the chart given m
Note 3 . 2 . 1 .
This is illustrated by the following examples:
Consonant stem /felleg-/
Subject:
Vowel stem /ayyo-/
First Person
f©lloghut
'I wanted him/it
ayyohut
'I saw him/it
felleghuh
'I wanted you(m)
a yyohuh
'I saw you(m)
f©lloghus
'I wanted you(f)
ayyshus
'I saw you(f)
f©lloghuwot
'I wanted you(pol.)
ayyehuwot
'I saw you (pol.)
f9ll©ghuwat
'I wanted her'
ayyohuwat
'I saw her'
foll9ghuwaccihu
'I wanted you(pl.)
a yy©huwac clhu
'I saw you (pi.)
f9ll9ghuwacc9w
'I wanted them/ him,
her (pol.)
ayyshuwaccsw
'I saw them/him, her
(pol.)
Subject: Second person masculine
f9ll9ghon
'you wanted m e '
ayyehen
'you saw me'
follsghsw
'you wanted him/it'
ayyehew
'you saw him/it'
f©lloghat
'you wanted her'
ayyehat
'you saw her'
folloghon
'you wanted u s '
ayyehen
f©llgghaccgw
'you wanted them/
him, her (pol.)
ayyohaccow
'you saw us'
'you saw them/him,
her (pol.)
Subject. Second person feminine
follogsin
'you wanted me '
ayyosin
'you saw me'
follogsiw
'you wanted him/it'
ayyosiw
'you saw him/it'
f ollogsat
'you wantec her'
ayyosat
'you saw her'
f ollogsm
'you wanted u s '
ayyssm
'you saw u s '
follegsaccow
'you wanted them/
ayyesaccow
'you saw them/him, her,
him, her
(pol.).
(pol.)
Subject:
Third person masculine
'he wanted me'
follow5©n
follow5 oh
'he wanted you(m)
ayyen
ayysh
follow59s
'he wanted you(f)
ayy©s
'he saw me '
'he saw you(m)'
'he saw you(f)'
followôwot
'he wanted you(pol.)
ayyewot
'he saw you(pol.)
follow5©w
'he wanted him/it'
ayy©w
'he saw him/it'
followia t
'he wanted her'
ayyat
'he saw her '
follow5©n
'he wanted us'
ayyon
'he saw us '
followl& c c lhu
'he wanted you'
ayyaccihu
'he saw you(pl.)
followâccsw
'he wanted them/him,
her (pol.)
ayyaccew
'he saw them/him,
her (pol.)
Subject:
Third person feminine
fell©£5©ccin
'she wanted me'
ayyeccin
' she saw me '
follow?©ccih
'she wanted you(m)
ayyeccih
' she saw you(m)'
follow2 J 9 C C 1 S
'she wanted you(f)
ayyoccis
' she saw you(f) '
f©ll©lôcciwot
'she wanted you(pol.)
ayyocciwot
' she saw you(pol.)
f©ll©£? 9 C C 1 W
'she wanted him/it
ayyecciw
' she saw him/it'
f©ll©£5©ccat
'she wanted her'
ayyoccat
' she saw her '
follow; 8 c c m
'she wanted u s '
ayy©ccm
' she saw us '
follow5©ccaccihu
'she wanted you(pol.)
ayyoccaccihu
' she saw you(pol.)
f©ll©£5©ccacc©w
'she wanted them/him,
her(pol.)
ayysccaccsw
'she saw them/him,
her(pol.)
Plural
Subject:
First person
f©llsgnih
'we wanted you(m)
ayyomh
'we saw you(m)
f©ll©gnis
'we wanted you(f)
ayyenis
'we saw you(f)
f©llogniwot
'we wanted you(pol.)
ayyoniwot
'we saw you(pol.)
f©ll©gn©w
'we wanted him/it
ayyenew
'we saw him/it
foil©gnat
'we wanted her'
ayyenat
'we saw her'
fellegnaccihu
'we wanted you(pl.)
ayyenaccihu
'we saw you(pol
f©llognaccsw
'we wanted them/him,
her(pol.)
ayy©naccow
'we saw them/him,
her(pol.)
Subject:
Second person
f©llsgaccihun
'you wanted me'
ayyaccihun
'you saw m e '
f©llogaccihut
'you wanted him'
ayyaccihut
'you saw him'
f©ll©gaccihuwat
'you wanted her'
ayyaccihuwa t
'you saw her'
f©llogaccihun
'you wanted us'
ayyaccihun
f©HsgaccihuwaccQw
'you wanted them/
him, her(pol.)
'you saw us'
a yya c clhuwa c c ©w 'you saw them/him,
her (pol.)
Subject:
Third person (or: he, she, you - pol.)
fellegun
f©lleguh
fellegus
ayyun
they saw m e '
they wanted you(m)'
ayyuh
they saw you(m)'
'they wanted you(f)'
ayyus
they saw you(f)'
'they wanted m e '
felleguwot
they wanted you(pol)' ayyuwot
they saw you(pol.)'
fellegut
they wanted him/it'
ayyut
they saw him/it'
felleguwat
they wanted her'
ayyuwat
they saw her'
ayyun
they say u s '
ayyuwaccihu
they saw you
ayyuwaccow
they saw them/him,
her (pol.)
fellegun
1
they wanted us
f©lloguwaccihu
'they wanted you(pl)
felleguwaccew
Note 5>»lj-
Pronoun:
they wanted them/'
him, her(pol.)'
Verb Suffix Pronouns used m
yihin Kal yidgemut
pol.)'
apposition for emphasis.
Repeat this word ('it').'
The Verb Suffix Pronouns are used not only to indicate the direct
or indirect object of the verb (Note 3*2.l) as m
/yidgemut/ 'repeat it',
but can also be used with a verb which already has a noun as specific object,
as m
the sentence / y i h m Kal yidgemut/ above.
The pronoun suffix is here
m
apposition to the preceding noun object, which must have a definite suffix.
The use of this pronominal suffix on the verb is emphatic and may or may not
be used by Amharic speakers, e.g.
ayyo/ or /betun ayyew/.
'he saw the house' may be either /betun
The suffix is not used if the object of the verb is
indefinite, e.g. /bet ayyo/ or /and bet ayyo/ 'he saw a house'.
It should be noted that with the verbs which may have both direct
and indirect objects -- for example
'to give something (direct object), to
somebody (indirect object)~the suffix pronoun is usually the indirect object,
and not an emphasizer.
Examples:
meSihafun seTTow.
'He gave him the book.'
meSihafun asayyat.
'He showed her the book.'
but:
meSihafun ayyew.
Kalun deggemow.
Note 5«5
Prepositions / k ( e ) - / 'from';
'He saw the book (it), or: his book'
'He repeated the word (it), or: hia
word'
/isk(e)-/ 'to', 'up to'; / l ( e ) - /
'for', 'to'.
kehulett lskassir birr new.
'It's from two to ten dollars.'
lekebbede and s m i bunna
seTTen.
'We gave a cup of coffee to Kebbede.
Note 5 . 5 . 1
/k(o)-/
'from'
The prefix preposition / k ( e ) - / , (/ko-/ before consonants / k - /
before vowels), is equivalent to the English preposition 'from', when affixed
to nouns, their modifiers or to the verbal nouns ('Infinitives').
Other
meanings of / k ( o ) - / , as well as its use as a relational affix to verbs will
be discussed in later units.
In some Amharic dialects this prefix is /t(©)-/.
The / t ( o ) - /
form appears in some compounds, such as /bost(o)-/ (Note I4..6.I) = /bo f isto/
for /bo f
Note 5.5.2
iske/} /tokkul/ (Note 8 . 1 ) = /to + lkkul/ for /ko 4 lkkul/, etc.
/isk(o)-/
'up to', 'to'
b o s a m m m t kohulott lskassir
'It is from two to ten
birr now.
dollars a week. '
The prefix preposition /isk(©)-/ (/isk-/ before vowels, /isk©-/
before consonants) corresponds m
'up to'.
meaning to the English preposition 'to',
This preposition may be used either independently as m
the above
example or with the postposition /dires/ 'up to', e.g.
kobetu lske babur Tablya
'He went from his house up to
diros hede.
the railroad station. '
kozzih lskokotomaw diros
'It's very far from here to
boTam ruK new.
Note 5 . 5 . 3
/l(o)-/
the city.'
'for', 'to'
The prefix preposition / l ( e ) - / (/lo-/ before consonants, / l - /
before vowels) corresponds m
meaning to the English prepositions
'to' when affixed to nouns, their modifiers or verbal nouns
Other usages of this affix will be discussed m
Note 5*6
Postpositions 1
'on',
'for' or
('Infinitives').
later units.
The postpositions /wisT/ ' m ' , 'inside' and /lay/
'upon' used m
combination with the prefix prepositions
/ b ( o ) - / or / l - / .
bozzih hotel wisT bado
'Do you have an empty room
kifl allewot t
m
this hotel? '
lfoKlay new.
'It's uspstairs.'
andonnaw foKlay now.
'It's on the first floor. '
/wisT/ ' m ' , 'inside ' and /lay/ 'on', 'upon' follow the word they govern.
These postpositions may appear either m
suffix forms, as in /lfoKlay/ or
as separate words, as in /lfoK lay/.
Both /wisT/ and /lay/ are used in combination with the prefix
preposition / b ( o ) - / (see Unit I4..6.I) or / 1 /
(zero before / a / and / 1 / ,
see
Note 3 . 3 ) , e.g. /bobete wisT/ or /ibete wisT/ 'in my house'; /bandonnaw
foKlay/ or /andoflnaw foKlay/ 'on the first floor'.
Amharic has a great number of such constructions, i.e. postposi
tions used m
combination with certain prepositions.
will be discussed m
Note 5 * 7
Nouni
These constructions
later units.
Suffixes
/-iyye/ and /-iyyo/
sowiyyew abbatun moTrat
'The man wanted to call his
follogo.
father.'
setiyyowa nnatwan ayyoc.
'The woman saw her mother.'
The words /sow/ 'man, person' and /set/ 'female, woman' have
alternative forms /sowiyye/ 'a man' and /setiyyo/ 'a woman'.
Thus:
/and
sow meTTa/ or /and sowiyye moTTa/ both mean 'a man came'; /and set moTTac/
or /and setiyyo moTTac/ 'a woman came'.
/sowiyye/ means something like
When addressed directly to a person
'hey you.' ' and /setiyyo/ 'hey lady.' '
The word /sow/ with the definite suffix is /sowiyyew/ and /set/
is /setiyyowa/.
Note 5 . 7 . 1
Nouni
Definite Suffixes /-lyyew/ and /iyyewa/.
Parallel to the words /sow/ and /set/ the nouns of relationship
have regular definite suffixes /-iyyew/ with the masculine nouns and /-iyyewa/
with the feminine nouns
and /-lyyowa/).
(with some speakers these suffixes may be /-iyyow/
Examples:
abbat
'father'
abbatiyyew
'the father'
innat
'mother'
m n a t iyyewa
'the mother'
bal
'husband'
baliyyew
'the husband
mist
'wife'
mistiyyewa
'the wife '
wondim
'brother'
wondimmiyyew
'the brother
ihit/it
'sister '
lhitiyyewa
'the sister'
aggot
'uncle '
aggotiyyew
'the uncle'
akist
'aunt'
akistiyyewa
'the aunt'
These nouns may also have forms m
/-iyye/ (see Note 5 . 7 ) .
They
have a connotation of endearment or tender familiarity rather than that of
m d e f m i t e n e s s , e.g. /wondimmiyye/ 'my dearest brother', /lhitiyye/ 'my
dearest sister', 'sis', etc.
The suffix /-iyye/ may sometimes be affixed even to adjectives,
e.g. /Konjo/ 'pretty', /Konjiyye nat/ 'she is cute'.
Note 5 « 8
Numerals:
Ordinals
andonflaw foKlay now.
'It's on the first floor. '
The ordinals are formed from the cardinals by the addition of the
suffix /-onna/ after consonants, /-nna/ after vowels.
Examples:
and
'one'
andonna
'first'
hulott
'two'
hulottonna
'second'
Substitution-Correlation Drill
l)
Change the form of the underlined verb to agree with the pronouns
listed to the right of each sentence.
2)
wod© ketema hede.
m e , anci, m n a , m n e s s u , irswa
and sini bunna follogo,
irsiwo, m n a n t © , ante, irsaccew
m©c moTTa.
m n a , m e , anci, irswa, m n e s s u
betun ayyo.
m n a n t o , irsiwo, ante, irsaccew
mm
ale t
m e , ante, anci, irswa, m n e s s u
l©man s©TT©.
irsiwo, m n a n t © , ante, irsaccew
m a n n m awwoKo.
m e , inna, ant©, m n e s s u , anci
Change the underlined verb suffix pronoun to agree with the pronouns
listed to the right of each sentence.
moSihafun soTTew.
lone, lersiwo, lennsrsu, Isrswa,
lante, lennante.
lersiwo, lene, lante, lenna,
irsasun asayyat.
lennessu, lanci, lennante.
wed© Tabiyaw wessoden.
antsn, ancin, m n a n t e n , innan,
innersun, irswan, irsun.
Questions and Answers - /TiyyaKewoccma molsoc/
ato ksbbede abba t m n a
m n a tun wede
timihirtbet Terraccew t
awo, issu hulettun wede
timihirtbetu Terraccew.
ato tesemma wedarnerika moc hedo.
t m a n t hede.
ato tesemma ye't hotel addere.
lgiyon hotel wisT adder©,
ato kebboden wede hotel man aderresew.
ato tesemma aderresew.
astemariwa m m
astemariwa temariwoccun Terrac.
alec.
antenna ato tesemma yet arrefaccihu.
lgiyon hotel wisT a r r o f m .
m g i d a teKebbayu kiflun asayye_s t
awo, hulett Tiru kifloc asayyen.
l K a w m man asgebbaw.
m g i d a teKebbayu asgebbaw.
irsiwo amerika wisT s m t
assir sewocc awweKhu.
sewoc awweKu.
astemariwoc ltimihirtbet wisT
smt
s i m m m t temariwocc ayyu.
temariwocc ayyu.
temariwoc wede timihirtbetaccew
awo, ahun mehed calu.
mehed calu t
Kalun man deggemew.
temariwoccmna, astemariwoc
wode migibbet mehed man fellege.
ato ksbbedenna, ato lemma follegu.
ato kebbede msSihafun ksffstsw t
awo, keffotow.
deggemut.
lebetu kiray sint birr keffelu.
l e s a m m m t , assir birr keffelu.
astemariwa keyet ager meTTac.
kamerika meTTac.
ato kebbede m m
wedamerika mehedun neggorefi.
neggereh.
y i h m meSihaf man seTTaccihu.
astemariyaccm
temarlwoc beTam temeseggenu t
awo, beTam temeseggenu.
seTToccm.
abbatis man yibbalal.
ato tesemma yibbalal.
meSihafun wede timihirtbet man
astomariw wessedew.
wessedew.
timihirtbetun man zeggaw.
•ato lemma zoggaw.
k e t e m a w m man zore.
abbate zore.
sewiyyew kamerika mec meTTa.
t m a n t meTTa.
setiyyowa mec wede timihirtbet hedec.
barat seat hedec.
ato jon and s m i bunna seTTeh t
awo, seTTen.
ato
kebbede Tiru timihirt allow t
awo, beTam Tiru timihirt allow,
wede timihirtbet mehed fellege t
awo, fellege.
m g i d a teKebbayu dehna kif1 a l l o w t
awo, and beTam Tiru kifl allow.
getah wedamerika hedu t
awo, t m a n t hedu.
lzzih and m g i d a meTTa t
awo, and m g i d a meTTa.
temarlwoc bado kifl fellegu t
awo, s i m m m t bado kifloc fellegu.
lekiflu s m t birr keffelec.
assir birr keffelec.
lemeSihafu s m t birr keffele.
hulett birr keffele.
ato kebbede lKawun ibado kifl wisT
awo, asgebba.
asgebba t
migbun wede bet man wessedew.
m e n n a innate wessednew.
ato tesommanna ato kebbede andennaw
and migibbet ayyu.
foKlay m m
ayyu.
genzeb man seTTes.
astemariw seTTen.
balls yet alle.
ltimihirtbet wisT alle.
mistih mece meTTac.
t m a n t barat seat meTTac.
wendim alios t
awo, sost wendimmocc allun.
lhitih m m
and meSihaf fellegec.
fellegec.
aggotaccihu man new.
ato kebbede new.
akistis astemari nat t
awo, astemari nat.
Narrative
dirsot
t m a n t wedato yohannis bet hedhunna, abbat m n a
yohannis beTam Tiru a b b a t m n a
beTam Tiru mekina allow.
ayyen.
nnat
amerikawi new.
nnatun
ayyehu.
ato
m n e s s u astemariwoc naccow. issu
m n a bemekinaw wede timihirtbetu h e d m n n a , migibbetun
timihirtbetu beTam Tiru new.
timihirtbet wisT allu.
allut.
ato kebbedenna ato tesemma lzzih
m n e s s u ityoPiyawiyan naccew.
n e g e r g m ato yohannis
TiyyaKewoc
ato yohannis m m
allow.
ato yohannis ityopiyawi now t
wodato yohannis abbatinna innat bet moce hedhu.
ato yohannis mekina allow t
botimihirtbetu wisT ityoPiyawiyan temariwocc allu t
migibbetu yet new.
abbatmnannatu Tiru naccew f
ato kebbodenna ato tesomma yot allu.
irsiwo mokina allewo t
Unit 6
Basic Sentences
lemma
tomorrow
nege
morning
Tiwat
you (m) are doing
tiseralleh
What are you doing tomorrow morning,
ato kebbede, nege Tiwat
mm
tiseralleh.
Mr. Kebbede?
kebbede
out, outside, foreign, external
wiCC
business, affairs
gudday
Ministry
minister
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
yewiCC gudday minister
appointment
KoToro
because, since; about
sile
I'm going, I go, I will go
lhedallehu
I have an appointment at the
nege Tiwat,
I W I C C
gudday minister
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
KeTero silallen, lzziya
tomorrow morning. ('Since I have
lhedallehu.
an appointment tomorrow morning
at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
I ' 1 1 go there ' ) .
lemma
with whom
keman gar
With whom is the appointment?
KeTerow keman gar new.
kebbed©
Minister
ministr
Minister of Foreign Affairs
yewiCC gudday ministr
(it is) with the Minister of
kewiCC gudday ministru gar now.
Foreign Affairs.
lemma
behind, after
hwala
afterwards ('from there after')
And what are you going to do
kezziya bohwala
kezziya behwalass m m
tiseralleh.
afterwards?
kebbed©
work, job, occupation
sira
free
noSa
Afterwards I don't have anything to
kezziya behwala sira yellennim.
do ( 'I don't have any work')
neSa nen.
[and] will be free.
lomma
well then
mgidiyamma
'Empress' (name of a hotel
m
itege
Addis Ababa)
let us meet
mniggenan
Well then, let's meet m
Hotel exactly at noon
the Itege
mgidiyamma, itege hotel likk
('six
besiddist seat mniggenan.
o 'clock').
kebbode
fine, good, well
molkam
I'm coming, come, will come
lmeTallehu
wait for.' watch.' (imperative)
TebbiK
Very well, I'll come.
Wait for me
melkam, lmeTallehu.
TebbiKen.
[there]J
Structure Sentences
Imperfective
store, shop
I'm going to a store.
you (m.) are coming, come
Are you coming from the American
Embassy?
you(f.) are seeing, see, will
suK
wede suK lhedallehu.
tlmeTalleh
kamerikan embassi timeTalleh t
tayalles
see
You'll see the students.
temariwoccun tayalles.
new
addis
flower
aboba
Addis Ababa
addis aboba
irsiwo wodaddis aboba moce
When are you going to Addis Ababa?
yihedallu.
he is drinking, drinks, will drink
yiToTTal
before his going
kemohedu bofit
He'll have ('drink') [a cup of] coffee
wodo kotoma kemohedu befit, bunna
yiTeTTal.
before going to town.
tifelligallec
she is wanting, wants, will want
ori
looking for, will look for
She's looking for a hotel.
hotel tifelligallec.
inmeTallen
we are coming, come, will come
We'll come home m
two hours.
behulott seat wisT, wede bet
inmeTallen.
you (pi.) are seeing, see,
tayallaccihu
will see
today
zare
You'll see the house today.
betun zare tayallaccihu.
yihedallu
they are going, go, will go
They are going to school with their
kastemariyaccew gar, wede
timihirtbet yihedallu.
teacher.
Grammatical Notes
Note 6 . 1
The Relational Prefix / y ( o ) - /
yamerikan embassi, yet now.
Where is the American Embassy?
sime jon now, yorsiwoss t
My name's John, what's yours?
yowiCC gudday ministr.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The prefix / y ( © ) - / indicates
affixed to the
'pertaining to' or 'possessed by'.
'possessor' which always precedes the
generally equivalent to English
It is
'possessed' item, and is
'of' or the apostrophe-plus-s possessive
suffix, e.g.
/yotemariw bet/
'the student's house' ('of
the
student [the] house')
/yaddis aboba kotoma/
If the
'the city of Addis Ababa '
'possessor' itself is modified, / y ( o ) - / is prefixed to the
modifier, e.g.
/yoKonjo set bet/
'A house of a pretty girl'.
/yoTiruw tomari moSihaf/
'The good student's book'.
If a noun has more than one modifier the relational affix / y ( e ) - / is
prefixed to the first one only, e.g.
lzzih yerejjimwa Konjo set
moSihaf alio.
'Here is the book of the tall
pretty girl.'
If, however, the modifiers are separated by /-(i)nna/ 'and' or other
conjunctions the relational affix is prefixed to both modifiers, e.g.
/yoKonjowanna yastowayiwa temari
abbat moTTa./
'The father of the pretty and
intelligent girl student came.'
The relational prefix / y ( © ) - / is not used after prepositions and
prefixes, and the possessive relationship is then indicated simply by the
word order, e.g.
/wede tomariw bet hede/
'He went to the student's house'.
/babbate bet wisT/
'In my father's house'.
The prefix / y ( e ) - / is affixed to all the independent pronouns (Note
3.1)
to form the 'possessive pronouns', e.g. /yene/ 'mine', /yante/ 'yours
(m.)' /yessu/ 'his', etc.
Personal possession can, therefore, be expressed m
Amharic in two
ways:
(1)
(2)
(see Note if.if.)
meSihafe
'my book'
yene meSihaf
meSihafu
'his book'
yessu meSihaf
meSihaf a c c m
'our book'
yefina meSihaf
etc.
etc.
etc.
The second construction is often used to show emphasis, or to make the
meaning clear when the other form would be ambiguous, e.g. /meSihafu/ may
mean 'his book' or 'the (particular) book', whereas /yessu meSihaf/ means
'his book' ('of his the book') only.
Note that 'American Embassy' can be said m
Amharic in three ways:
/yamerika embassi/ ('Embassy of America'), /amerikan embassi/, directly
borrowed from English, and /yamerikan embassi/.
Note 6 . 2
Verb:
Infinitive
kiflun mayet ifelligallehu.
I'd like to see the room,
sewiyyew abbatun moTrat fellege.
The man wanted to call his father.
The infinitive is characterized by the prefix / m ( o ) - / , e.g. /moTrat/
'to call', /mehed/ 'to go', /mayet/ 'to see', etc. (for the loss of the
vowel / e / see Note 3 . 3 ) •
The use of the Infinitive is often equivalent to that of English, as
in /mayet ifelligallehu/ 'I want to see'. When used as a verbal noun, it
may have the prefixes and suffixes characteristically attached to nouns, as,
for example m
/-V) •
/kemehedu befit/ 'before his going' (prefix /ko-/, suffix
Note 6 . 3
Verbx
Imperfective.
The Structure Sentences of this unit show the use of the Imperfec
tive form, which is used with reference to present and future action.
The
Imperfective has a set of prefixes and the suffix /-all-/, with personal
endings.
It may be illustrated by the following example:
The verb /mofollog/ 'to want, to look for'
Singular
Plural
1 s t pers.
ifelligallehu
'I want'
2nd pers.m.
tifolligalloh
'you want'
2nd pers.f.
tifelligiyalles
'you want'
3 r d pers.m.
yifolligal
'he wants'
3 r d pers.f.
tifelligallec
'she wants'
m(ni)felligallon
'we want'
tifelligallaccihu
'you want'
yifelligallu
'they (or: polite
you, he, she)
want'
This verb has the following affixes:
Singular
1 s t pers.
1
2nd pers.m.
Plural
all-e-hu
ti
m(ni)--all-e-n
all-e-h
2nd pers.f.
ti--iy--all-e-s
3 r d pers.m.
yi
al
3 r d pers.f.
ti
all-ec
ti
all
accihu
yi
all
u
Except for the third person singular masculine suffix (/-al/),
these suffixes are identical with the verb /alle/ (see Note
The example above shows /ly/ before /-all-/ m
feminine singular.
5.1).
the second person
If the consonant preceding /-iy-/ (i.e. the last conso
nant of the stem) is one of the following eight consonants, it (and /-iy-/)
are replaced as follows:
/t-iy-/ by / c / , as m
/tikefcalles/ 'you (f.) open' (masc. /tikeftalleh/)
/d-iy-/ by / j / , as m
/tihejalles/ 'you (f.) go' (masc. /tihedalleh/)
/T-iy-/ and /S-iy-/ by / C / , as m
/timeCalles/ 'you (f.) come'
(masc. /timeTalloh/)
/s-iy-/ by / s / , as m
/tadersalles/ 'you (f.) cause to arrive'
(masc. /tadersalleh/)
/z-iy-/ by / z / , as m
/tigezalles/ 'you (f.) buy'
(masc. /tigezalleh/)
/n-iy-/ by A / ,
as in / t i m m 9 s o g g e n a l l e s /
'you (f.) are praised'
(masc. /timm©s9ggonalloh/)
/l-iy-/ by /y/, as m
/tiyalles/ 'you (f.) say' (masc. /tilalloh/)
With some speakers only the consonant preceding /-iy-/ is replaced.
The second person feminine singular is then:
/ t / replaced by / c /
/tikefciyallos/
A/
A/
A/
/tihe jiyalles/
/tidorsiyalles/
A/
A/
A/
A/
A/
/timmosoggoniyallos/
/V
A/
/tiiyalles/
/ T / and / S /
A/
Verbs m
/timoCiyallos/
/tigeziyalles/
/ a - / lose the vowel / i / of the prefixes (see Note 3*3) as
m
/awKallohu/ 'I know' j /yadral/ 'he spends the night', etc.
The verb /malot/ 'to say' is
'irregular'.
lbs Imperfective form is as
follows:
llallehu
'I say, am saying, will say'
tilalloh
'you (m.) say, etc.'
tiyallos
'you (f.) say, etc.'
yilal
'he says, etc.'
tilalloc
'she says, etc.'
mmlallon
'we say, etc.'
tilallaccihu
'you say, etc.'
yilallu
'they say, etc.'
Following is a complete list of the verbs that have already occured
Units 1 through 6.
The verbs are listed m
masculine singular Perfective, and m
the Infinitive, m
the 3rd person
the 3rd person masculine singular Im
perf ective .
Infinitive
Three-Radical Verbs
1) 'A
Perfective
m
Imperfective
medgem
'to repeat
deggom9
yidogmal
mokf9l
'to pay'
koffolo
yikoflal
m9kf9t
'to open'
koffgto
yikoftal
momso1
'to seem'
mossolo
yimeslal
m9ng9r
'to tell'
noggoro
ymogral
mowsod
'to take'
wossodo
yiwesdal
Infinitive
'B' -mefelleg
-" moTebbeK
Perfective
Imperfective
'to want
follog©
yifelligal
'to wait for'
TobboK©
yiTobbiKal
to look after'
2) Two-Radical Verbs m
'A'
'B'
/-a/
'to become bad'
kef fa
yikefal
—m©mTa t
'to come '
meTTa
yimeTal
_mesrat
'to work'
serra
yiseral
meTrat
'to call'
Terra
yiTeral
mozga t
'to close '
zegga
yizegal
meTeTTat
'to drink'
TeTTa
yiTeTTal
mesTet
'to give '
seTTe
yiseTal
madres
'to cause to arrive '
aderrese
yadersal
mader
adder©
yadral
maref
'to rest'
arrefe
yarfal
maweK
'to know '
aww©K©
yawKa1
masgebbat
'to cause to enter'
asgebba
ya sgebbal
mehed
'to go '
hed©
yihedal
mekfat
3) Others
mecal
'to be able'
cal©
yicilal
mezor
'to turn '
zor©
yizoral
mayet
'to see '
ayy©
yayal
masayyet
'to show '
asayye
yasayyal
male t
'to say'
ale
yilal
mebbal
'to be said '
tebale
yibbalal
memmesgen
'to be praised'
temoseggone
yimmoseggonal
meggenannet
'to meet '
tegenanne
yiggenannal
Note 6 . i | Verb:
Classification.
As mentioned m
gradually introduced m
Note 5-1 a classification of Amharic verbs will be
xater
units.
The list of verbs m
makes it possible for us to introduce the two m a m
so-called regular three-radical verbs (types
two-radical verbs m
/ - a / (types
Note 6 . 3
above,
classes of verbs, i.e. the
'A' and
'B') and the regular
'A' and ' B ' ) .
Note 6.1+.1 Three-Radical Verbs (types
'A' and ' B ' ) .
The regular three-radical verbs have the following distribution of
vowels and root consonants
('radicals'):
In the Perfective both types have identical formula:
1©22©3_ - where 1 , 2 and 3. stand for the first, second and third
radicals respectively.
Examples:
Type At
noggore
'he told'
Type Bi
follog©
'he wanted'
(The / - e / is the ending for the third person singular.).
In the Infinitive:
Type A:
m©12©3 as m
/monger/ 'to tell', and
Type B:
molo22©3 as m
/mefelleg/ 'to want'
In the Imperfective:
Type A:
- 1 © 2 3 - as m
/yi-negr-al/ 'he is telling, he tells,
he will tell', and
Type B:
-l©22i3- as m
/yi-f©llig-al/ 'he is wanting, he wants,
he will want'.
This shows that the Imperfective form of type A and B verbs is always
predictable from their Infinitive form.
If the Infinitive is m©12©3 (Type A) the Imperfective is - 1 © 2 3 Example:
/mows©d/
'to take'
/yrwosdal/ 'he takes'
If the Infinitive is m©l©22©3 (Type B) the Imperfective is - 1 © 2 2 I 3 Examplet
/mofollog/
'to want'
/yifolligal/ 'he wants'
Note that the second radical of Type B verbs is always doubled.
In summary:
Infinitive
Type A
Type B
Perfective
Imperfective
mel2©3
1©22©3-
-1©23-
monger
neggere
yi-negr-al
mole22e3
l©22e3-
-Ie22l3-
mafollog
f©ll©g©
yi-fellig-al
Note 6 . ^ . 2 .
Regular two-radical verbs in / - a / (types
'A' and
The distribution of vowels and consonants
regular two-radical verbs m
Type B
('radicals') of the
/ - a / is:
Infinitive
Type A
'B').
Perfective
9
Imperfective
a
mel2at
l ^
mesrat
serra
yi-ser-al
yi-lo2-al
molo22at
l©22a
yi-lo22-al
moToTTat
ToTTa
yi-ToTT-al
Note that the Infinitive of the regular two-radical verbs
/ - a / ends m
m
/-at/.
Note also that the second radical of Type B verbs is always
doubled.
Note 6 . 5
Verb:
Notation.
Beginning with Unit 7 the three basic forms (i.e. Infinitive,
Perfective and Imperfective) of all verbs o c c u r m g for the first time
m
the Basic or Structure Sentences or m
the
the Narratives will be given m
build-ups as follows:
'to take'
wossedo-mowsod-yiwosdal
'to go'
hede-mehed-yihedal, etc.
After the student has thoroughly familiarized himself with all
'regular' verbs (i.e. three-, two-, four-radical verbs and other
verbs), the infinitive forms only will be given m
'predictable'
the build-ups while the
three basic forms will continue to be given for the 'irregular' verbs only.
Note 6 . 6 .
Postpositions:
The postposition /gar-gara/ 'with' combined with the prefix
preposition / k ( o ) - / .
KoTorow keman gar now.
'With whom is the appointment?'
kewiCG gudday ministru gar new.
'It's with the Minister of Foreign
Affairs. '
The postposition /gar/ (/gara/ m
some dialects) is used m
bination with the prefix preposition / k ( e ) - / .
corresponds m
meaning to English
The resulting
com
construction
'with' (together with, accompanied b y ) .
In spoken Amharic /gar/ usually appears m
the form of a suffix /-gar/, e.g.
/kokebbedegar/ 'with Kebbede, ' /kenegar/,
'with m e , ' /kersugar/ 'with him, '
etc.
Note
6.7.
The use of /k(o)-...befit/ 'before' and /k(o)-...bohwala/ 'after.'
kemehedu bofit bunna yiTeTTal.
'He '11 have [a cup of] coffee
before he leaves. '
kezziya behwala m m
tiseralleh.
'What are you going to do after
that?'
The prefix preposition / k ( e ) - / is prefixed to words followed by
/befit/ 'before' and /behwala/ 'after', e.g. /kand seat befit/ 'an hour ago'
'before one h o u r ' ) , / k e t m a n t befit/
'the day before yesterday'; /kehulett
seat behwala/ ' m two hours' ('after two hours'), /kenege behwala/ 'the day
after tomorrow '.
Note that /keseat befit/ means
'before noon' and /keseat behwala/
' m the afternoon'.
When used with verbs, i.e. m
to English
the subordinate clauses corresponding
'before doing so-and-so', or 'after doing so-and-so,' the Amharic
constructions are as follows:
r
-
/k(e)-...befit/ is used with the infinitive, the subject of the
verb (from the English point of view) being indicated by the noun suffix
pronoun affixed to the infinitive, as m
/kemehedu befit/ 'before his going',
and / k ( e ) - . . . behwala/ with the Perfective, e.g. /kehede behwala/ 'after he
went' or 'after he goes'.
clause.
mam
Either construction may be used m
the subordinate
The time reference is specified by the tense of the verb used m
the
clause.
Examples:
kemehede befit bunna iTeTTallehu.
'I'11 have a cup of coffee before
I leave '.
kemehede befit bunna TeTTahu.
'I had a cup of coffee before I
left. '
kehedhu behwala bunna tiTeTTaleh.
'You'll have a cup of coffee after
I leave. '
kehedhu behwala bunna TeTTah.
'You had a cup of coffee after I
left. '
ibet wisT mader man yifelligal.
ato kebbedenna ato lemma yifelligallu.
ato lomma nege yet yihedal.
wedageru yihedal.
wed© KeTeroh nege tihedalleh t
awo, besost seat lhedallehu.
timihirtbetun m©c yikeftallu.
nege yikeftallu.
nsge Tiwat yet mehed yifelligallu.
wede timihirtbet mehed ifelligallehu.
lokiflu kiray man yikoflal.
ato kebbedenna
abbatu yikeflallu.
yihin meSihaf wede timihirtbet man
me
lwesdallehu.
yiwesdal.
innantG
yot
mad9r
tifolligallaccihu.
lgiyon hotel wisT mader
m f oil iga lien,
ato k9bb9d9 m o k i n a w m yikoftal t
awo, yikeftal.
innatlh moc yimoTallu.
nege yimeTallu.
bowiCC gudday minister wisT mosrat
awo,
ifelligallehu.
tifelligalleh t
astomariwoc tomariwoccun
wod9
awojyifolligallu.
betaccgw m9Trat yifolligallu t
ato kgbbod© m o k i n a w m yizegal t
awo» yizegal.
p
l9t9mariwoc s m t moSihafoc mosTot
assir meSihafoc lseTallehu.
tifelligalloh.
wodo wiCC gudday minister man
inna memTat mfelligallen.
momTat yifolligal.
l K a w m bemokinaw wisT masgobbat
a w e if elligallehu.
tif©lligiyallos t
yih
n©g9r
mm
yibbalal.
zare yimeTal.
m9c wgdancl yimeTal.
m o k i n a w m moc mayet tifelligiyalles.
behwala m m
tiseralleh.
lzzih mannin tiTebbiKiyalles.
lebetu s m t
meSihaf yibbalal.
yikeflallu.
m e k i n a h m leman mesTet tif elligalloh.
yewiCC gudday ministrun wede betaccew
nege mayet ifelligallehu.
W9de
timihirtbet lhedallehu.
ato lomman iTebbiKallehu.
assir birr ikeflallehu.
labbate lseTallehu.
kebbede yadersal.
man yadersal.
addis abeba wisT yet tarfiyalles.
giyon hotel arfallehu.
Substitution - Correlation Drill
l)
Change the form of the underlined verb to agree with the pronouns listed
to the right of each sentence.
meSihafun ifelligallehu.
ante, anci, m n e s s u , inna
genzeb yikeflal.
me,
irswa, irsaccew, m n a n t o
kebbeden yiTebbiKallu.
irswa, irsu, anci,
mec yimeTal.
m n e s s u , inna, ante, m n a n t o
me
min tiseralleh.
irsiwo, irsaccew, anci, irswa
bunna yiToTTal.
me,
meSihafun msoTallen.
m n e s s u , ante, irsaccew, irsiwo
ante, anci, irswa
mesrat yicilal.
anci, ante, irsiwo, irsaccew
min yilal.
me,
yihin bet tawKallec.
issu, m n e s s u , m n a n t o , irsiwo
kekobbedegar yiggenafinal.
me,
irswa, anci,
ante
ante, anci, irswa
bet mnasayyallen.
m n e s s u , ante, irsaccew, irswa
k o t e m a w m yizoral.
inna, m e , ants, m n a n t o
wede k©t©ma ihedall©hu.
inna, irsiwo, ante, anci
bshotel wisT yarfal.
m n a n t o , inna, m e , ant©
lKawin yasgobbal.
irsaccew, lfina, irswa, ant©
tsmariwoccun yadorsal.
me,
l©man y m s g r a l .
inna, m n a n t © , anci, irswa
makinawin rwesdallshu.
issu, inna, irsiwo, ant©
inna, m n © s s u , m n a n t ©
kiflun yizogal.
irswa, irsacc©w, m n a n t o ,
sswiyyewm yiToral.
me,
2) The instructor will say sentence
tence.
'A'.
me
inna, ante, anci
The student will repeat the sen
The instructor will say /befit/ 'before' or /bohwala/ 'after'
as listed to the right of sentence 'A'.
The student will then repeat sentence
'A' changing the verb form accord
ingly (sentence ' B ' ) .
A. genzebun kemekfele befit meS-ihafun wessedhu.
B.
gGnzduui,
behwala
êkeffelhu bohwala meSihafun wessedhu.
A. m e k i n a w m kezeggahu behwala miste meTTac.
befit
B. m e k i n a w m k©m©zgate befit miste m©TTac.
A. negerun kemengeru befit genzebun yiwesdal.
bohwala
B. negerun keneggere behwala genzebun yiwesdal.
A. m e k i n a w m komewsodis befit a b b a t s m mayet ticiyallos.
behwala
B. m e k i n a w m kowessods bohwala a b b a t s m mayet ticiyalles.
A. kebboden kefellegh behwala and sow moTTa.
befit
B. kebbeden kemefellegih befit and sow moTTa.
A. awtobusun kemeTebbeKaccm befit tomariwoccun ayyen.
behwala
B. awtobusun k e T e b b e K m behwala temariwoccun ayyen.
A. wed© bet kememTatih befit m e n mayet ticilalleh.
bohwala
B. wede bet kemeTTah behwala m e n mayet ticilalleh.
A. betun kemesrataccm befit lato kebbede genzob mkeflallon.
behwala
B. betun keserran behwala lato kebbed© g©nz©b mk©flall©n.
A. betun k©z©ggu behwala innate meTTac.
befit
B. betun kemezgataccew befit innate meTTac.
A. b u n n a w m kemeTeTTatih befit wede bet lhedallehu.
bohwala
B. b u n n a w m koTeTTah behwala wed© bet lhedallehu.
A. migbun kemesTetu befit genzebun fellogo.
B. migbun keseTTe bewhala genzebun fellege.
behwala
A. meSihafun kaderreshu behwala abbaten ayyehu.
befit
B. meSihafun kemadrese befit abbaten ayyehu.
A. amarinna kemaweKwa befit mglizinna maweK tifelligallec.
behwala
B. amarinna kawweKec behwala mglizinna maweK tifelligallec.
A. wendimmun
ltimihirtbet
kemasgebbatu befit lastemariw neggere.
B. wendimmun
ltimihirtbet
kasgebba behwala lastemariw neggere.
A. wedamerika kemehedaccew befit lzzih meTTu.
behwala
behwala
B. wedamerika kehedu behwala lzzih meTTu.
A. timihirtbetun
kemezoraccew befit and astemari ayyu.
B. timihirtbetun
kezoru behwala and astemari ayyu.
A. ityoPiyan kayyen behwala wedamerika meTTan.
behwala
befit
B. ityoPiyan kemayetaccm befit wedamerika meTTan.
A. kato kebbede gar kemeggenannetwa befit m e
B. kato kebbede gar ketogenannec behwala m e
bet meTTac.
behwala
bet meTTac.
dirset
The student was m
America.
temariw amerika nebbor(e).
He asked about the school.
sile timihirtbetu TeyyeKe.
Why did you come?
l e m m meTTah.
At what time will you come?
m m . gize timeTalleh.
Will you stay here?
lzzih tiKoyyalleh f
•
How old are you?
s m t ametih now.
year
amet
It's cold now.
ahun bird new.
and sow wede wiCC ager kemehedu befit silageru maweK yifelligal.
lemma befit amerika nebber.
ato
ato kebbede wedamerika mehed silfellege, ato
lemma bet hedenna, silamerika ToyyeKow.
kebbede:
amerika mehed sile folleghu anten lemayet meTTahu.
lemma:
amerika lemin tihedalleh.
kebbede t
letimihirt now.
lemma t
Tiru new.
kebbede:
hulett amet new.
lemma:
lwasmgton wisT tiKoyalleh t
kebbede:
awo.
lemma:
w a s m g t o n beTam Tiru kotoma new. n e g o r g m tinnis bird new.
s m t gize tiKoyyalleh.
kebbede:
timihirtbetuss m d e m m
new.
lemma:
beTam Tiru timihirtbetocc allu.
TiyyaKewoc.
befit amerika wisT man nebber.
ato kebbede, ato lemman sile m m
TeyyeKew. *)
ato kebbede yet hede.
ato kebbede m m
fellege.
ato lemma, ato kebbeden
mm
TeyyeKew.
ato kebbede iman bet hede.
ato kebbede nin alle.
ato kebbede wede ato lemma bet l e m m hede.
ato kebbede bamerika wisT s m t gize yiKoyyal.
ato kebbede ato lemman, m m
*)
**)
* *)
alew.
TeyyeKe-meTeyyeK-yiTeyyiKal
'to ask, to visit'
Koyye-meKoyyet-yiKoyyal
'to stay, to wait for
Unit 7
Basic Sentences
kebbede
Hello, how are you?
Tena yisTillin indomin allu.
street, road
menged
traveler, passer-by
mengedonna
mengedefina
lgzlyabher yimmosgsn, d©hna t
[I'm] fine, thank you.
kebbed©
New Town (a section of Addis
addis kstema
Ababa where the shopping
center is located)
wu-\j;
v
e '
ye tu
which?
yetinnaw
which one
awtobus
bus
ibakkiwo, wedaddis ketema
Excuse me, which bus shall I take
to go to Addis Ketema- ( 'please by
beyetifinaw awtobus mohed
which bus can I go to Addis Ketema')?
lcilallohu.
mongedenna
truth
lwmo t
m
bewmetu
truth, truly
I don't know it
alawKewim
that (demonstr.)
ya
police, policeman
polls
perhaps
mmalba t
that he may tell you (pol.)
linegriwot
To tell you the truth ('truly') I
b e w m e t u alawKewim, n e g e r g m ya
don't know (it), but that policeman
polis m m a l b a t
can perhaps help you.
yicilal.
linegriwot
kebbede
I'11
ask him.
iTeyyiKowallehu
issi, igzlyabher yisTillin
All right, thank you, I ' 1 1 ask him
lToyyiKowallehu.
(to a policeman)
Tena yisTillin.
Hello.
polls
Tena yisTillin.
Hello.
kobbodo
I wanting, having wanted
folligge
I had wanted
folligge nebber
to find
a g e nfio-ma gfie t - ya go nna 1
how I may find it
indemmagonnew
('for me how to find it')
I (had) wanted to go ('for
wodaddls ketema lemohed folligge
going')
to Addis Ketema and I don't know
nebberinna, awtobusun yet
where to find the bus.
indemmagonnew alawKim.
polis
across
kemenged mado
tha t one
yan
(bus) stop
meKomiya /maKomiya
kozzih menged mado yanin yawtobus
Do you see that bus stop across
the street?
meKomiya yayallut
kebbed©
awo, ayallehu.
Yes I do ( ' see ' ) .
polis
wait for it.' (polite imperative)
Go over there and wait for it.
yiTebbiKut
izziya yihidunna, yiTebbiKut.
kebbede
to thank
amoseggene-mamosgen-yamssogginal
Ithank you.
am©segginiwotallehu.
polis
You're welcome ('not at all').
minimm aydol.
Grammatical Notes
Note 7 . 1
Pronoun*
Verb Suffix Pronouns used with Imperfective.
amosogginiwotallehu.
'I thank you.'
iTeyyiKewallehu.
'I ' 1 1 ask him. '
iss'i asayyiwotallehu,
O.K. I'll show [it] to you (pol.)
The Verb Suffix Pronouns (Note 3 . 2 . 1 )
are affixed to verb forms m
the
Imperfective before the suffix /-all-/.
The use of these suffixes is illustrated by the following examplesi
Singular
Subject
1st
person:
ifelligswallohu
'I want him/it'
ifolligihallohu
'I want you(m)'
ifelligisallehu
'I want you (f) '
ifelligiwotallohu
'I want you (pol.) '
ifolligatallohu
'I want her'
if©lligaccihuwallehu
'I want you (pi. )
if©lligaccowallohu
'I want them (or: him, her (pol) '
2nd person masculine:
tifelligenalloh
'you want m e '
tifelligewalleh
'you want him'
tifolligatalleh
'you want her'
tif©lligsnalloh
'you want u s '
tif©lligaccowalloh
'you want them (or: him, her (pol.) '
2nd person feminine:
tif©lllginalle3
'you want m e '
tlf elllgiwalles
'you want him'
tlf elligiyatalles
'you want her'
tif©11lgina11©s
'you want us '
tifelllgiyaccewalies
'you want them (o_r: him, her (pol.) '
3 r d person masculine:
yif©lligenal
'he wants m e '
yifelligihal
'he wants you ( m ) '
yif©lligisal
'he wants you ( f . ) '
yif©lligiwotal
'he wants you (pol.) '
yifolliggwal
'he wants him'
yif©lligatal
'he wants her'
yifolligenal
'he wants u s '
yif©lligaccihuwal
'he wants you (pi.) '
yifolligaccgwal
'he wants them (or: him, her (pol.) '
3 r d person femininei
tif9llig9nall9c
' she wants m e '
tif9lligihall9C
'she wants you ( m ) '
tif©lligisall©c
'she wants you ( f ) '
tifOlllglWOtall©C
'she wants you (pol.) '
tif©lllg©Wall©C
' she wants him'
tifglligatallgc
' she wants her'
tif9lligenall9c
'she wants u s '
tif ©lliga ccihuwa H o c
'she wants you (pi.) '
tif ©lliga ccowa H o c
'she wants them (or*, him, her (pol.) '
Plural
1st
persom
infglligihallgn
we want you (m)'
m f © lligisal Ion
'we want you ( f ) '
inf©lligiwotallon
'we want you (pol.) '
m f elligewallsn
'we want him'
m f ©lliga tallgn
'we want her'
m f © lliga ccihuwa lion
'we want you (pi.) '
m f glliga ccgwallgn
'we want them (or: him, her (pol.) '
2nd person:
tifolligunallaccihu
'you want me'
tifolligutallaccihu
'you want him'
tif©lliguwatallaccihu
'you want her'
tif©lligunallaccihu
'you want us'
t if © 11 iguwa c c ©wa 11a c c lhu
'you want them (or: him, her (pol.) '
3rd person:
yif©lligunal
'they want me'
yif©lliguhal
'they want you (m)'
yif©lligusal
'they want you (f) '
yifolliguwotal
'they want you (pol.) '
yif©lligutal
'they want him'
yif©lliguwatal
' they want her'
yif©lligunal
'they want u s '
yifs11iguwa c clhuwa1
'thej want you (pi.) '
yif©lliguwaccowal
'they want them (o_r: him, her (pol.) '
Note that the / - i / (/-iy-/ before /a/) for second person feminine
singular, and the / - u / for second and third person plural are regularly
added to the stem before the pronoun object suffix.
Note also that the
and plural m
imperfective suffix / - a l / is the same for singular
the third person, the plural being shown by the / - u / before
the pronoun suffix, as m
/yifolligsnal/ 'he wants me ' and /yif©lligunal/
'they want me'.
Note 7.2
Verb:
Amharic equivalents of 'I had, you had' etc. --the Perfective
forms /nebbor©/, /nsbborsc/ 'it was' and /nebbsru/ 'they were' plus
verb suffix pronouns.
The Amharic equivalent of 'I had (something), you had (something)' etc.,
is, literally,
'(something) was to me, to you' etc.
The something that is
possessed is the subject of the perfective form /nobboro/ if it is masculine,
/nobb©rsc(ci)-/ if it is feminine, or /nebberu/ if it is plural.
is expressed by a verb suffix pronoun (see Note 5 » 2 ) .
The owner
The forms are as follows:
(when what is owned is masculine)
nobboron
'I had
nobberoh
'you (m) had
nebberes
'you (f) had
nobboroccin
'I had
(m) '
nobboroccih
'you (m) had
(f) '
(m)'
nebboreccis
'you (f) had
(f)'
(m) '
nobberow
nobborat
nobboron
nobboraccihu
nobboraccow
'you (pol.) had
'he had
(m)'
' she had
'we had
(m) '
(m) '
nobborocciwot
'he had
nobberoccat
'she had
nobboroccin
(m) '
'you (pi.) had
(m)'
'they (he, she-pol.)
had
,m ) »
nobborun
'I had
nobboruh
'you (m) had
(pi.)'
nobborus
'you (f) had
(pi.) '
nobboroccaccihu
nobboroccaccow
nobboruwo/
(pi.)'
nobborut
'he had
nobboruwat
'she had
nobborun
'we had
nobboruwaccihu
'you (pi.) had
nobboruwaccow
'they (he, she pol.) had
(pi.) '
'we had
(pi.) '
(pi.) '
(pi.) '
(pi.)'
Examples:
bet nobboron.
'I had a house '.
betocc nobborun.
'I had houses '.
and lhit nobboroccin
'I had a sister '.
lhitocc nobborun.
'I had sisters '.
(f)'
(f) '
(f) '
(f) '
'you (pi.) had
(f) '
'they (he, shepol) had
(pi.)'
'you (pol) had
'you (pol.) had
nobborocciw
(when what is owned is plural)
nobboruwot
(f)'
nobberocciwo/
nobborowo/
nobborowot
(when what is owned is feminine)
(f) '
the proper Suffix Pronouns as indicated by the English pronouns
.sted to the right of each verb.
ayy©
me, him, us, her
folleghu
them, you (m), you (f), her
seTTeh
me, him, u s , them
asayyos
them, u s , m e , him
agonnon
you (pi.), you (pol.), you (m), you(f)
ameseggenaccihu
me, them, her, him
koffolu
us, you (pi.), me, her
wessedhu
you (m), you (f) , you (pol.), her
TebbeKs
me, u s , them, him
Torru
her, them, u s , me
adorrosoc
him, us, you (pi.), you (f)
noggor©
you (pol.), him (pol.), me, her
yayal
me, him, us, her
if©lligallshu
them, you (m), you (f), her
tisoTalloh
me, him, us, them
tasayyallas
them, us, m e , him
innagennallen
you (pi.), you (pol.), you (m), you(f)
tamo s o g g m a 11a c c lhu
me, them, her, him
yikoflallu
us, you (pi.), me, her
lwesdallehu
you (m), you (f), you (pol.), her
tiTebbiKiyalles
her, them, u s , me
tadersallec
him, us, you (pi.), you (pol.)
yiTerallu
me, u s , them, him
ymegral
you (pol.), her (pol.), m e , her
2)
The instructor will say the s ntence m
Column A.
The student will repeat the s ntence and then say it again changing
the verb into imperfective
Column B ) .
B
A
and bet ayyo.
and bet yayal.
mokina labba'twa seTToc.
mokina labbatwa tiseTallec.
timihirtbet k e f f o t m .
timihirtbet mkeftallen.
and bet sorra.
and bet yiseral.
bunna ToTTaccihu.
bunna tiTeTTallaccihu.
and moSihaf aderroshu.
and meSihaf adersallehu.
and tomari a w w o K m .
and temari mnawKallen.
and kotoma ayyec.
and ketoma tayallec.
and set ayyes.
and set tayalles.
and s m i bunna seTTeh.
and s m i bunna tiseTalleh.
sost temariwoc meTTu.
sost temariwoc yimeTallu.
abbate wede ketoma hede.
abbate wede ketema yihedal.
innate wedo ItyoPiya hedec.
innate wode ItyoPiya tihedallec.
irsiwo bunna TeTTu.
irsiwo bunna yiTeTTallu.
and mekina wessedu.
and mekina yiwesdallu.
mnanto
neggoraccihu.
mnante
tmegrallaccihu.
bizu genzeb agefine.
bizu genzeb yagefinal.
mm
mm
TeyyoKs.
tiTeyyiKiyalles.
mehed f e l l e g m .
mehed mfelligallen.
and Kal deggeme.
and Kal yidegmal.
genzeb keffelaccihu.
genzeb tikeflallaccihu.
and temari Terrac.
and temari tiTerallec.
wed© bete mehed calhu.
wede bete mehed lcilallohu.
min ale t
min yilal t
yih neger m m
3)
tebale.
yih noger m m
yibbalal.
The instructor will say the sentences m
column A.
The student will repeat the sentences m
Column A and then say the
sentence again changing the second person masculine singular into
second person feminine singular (Column B ) .
B
genzebun lehotelu tikeflalleh.
genzobun lehotelu tikefyallos.
a b b a t h m timeslalleh.
a b b a t s m timesyalles.
mokinaccowm tiwesdalleh.
mekinaccewm tiwesjalles.
zare keseat behwala timeTalleh.
zare keseat behwala timeCalles,
bunna tiTeTTalleh.
bunna tiTeCCalles.
wede timihirtbet tihedalleh.
wede timihirtbet tihejalles.
and meSihaf tiseTalleh.
and meSihaf tiseCalles.
meSihafoccm tadersalleh.
meSihafoccm tadersalles.
wedagerih mehed ticilalleh.
wedageris mehed ticiyalles.
astemarihm tayalleh.
astemarism tayalles.
amarinna ticilalleh t
amarinna ticiyalles t
wedamerika tihedalleh t
wedamerika
astemarihm
astemarism tamesegginalles.
tameseggmalleh.
tihejallest
timihirtbetun ayyaccihut
t
awo, ayyonew.
astemariwan wede timihirtbet Terraccihuwat t
awo, Terranat.
and meSihaf tiseTutallaccihu t
awo, mseTewallon.
addis keteman yawKutal t
awo, awKewallehu.
zare tiTeriwalles t
awo, lTorawallehu.
m e k i n a h m tikeftalleh t
awo, ikeftowallehu.
ato lemman TeyyeKaccihut t
awo, TeyyeKnew.
astemariwoc timihirtbetun zorut t
awo, zorut.
yato kebbeden abbat tawKutallaccihut
awo, mnawKewallen.
babur T a b i y a w m tayutallaccihu t
awo, innayewalien.
temariw a s t e m a r i w m ameseggenew t
awo, ameseggenew.
lhithm
ltimihirtbet
asgebbahat t
awo, asgebbahuwat.
ato lemma yaddis abeban babur Tablya awweKew t
awo, awweKew.
ato kebbede lehitu and s m i bunna seTTat t
awo, seTTat.
ato kebbede genzeb nebberew t
awo, nebberew.
abbatiwon TeyyeKuwaccew t
awo, TeyyoKhuwaccew.
kebbeden zare yayutalt
awo, ayewallehu.
astemariw mekina yiseTusalt
awo, and mekina yiseTunnal.
ato kebbeden tawKutallaccihut
awo, mnawKewallen.
astemarihm tiTeraccewalleh.
awo, iTeraccewallehu.
awtobus maKomiya agennisallehu t
awo, tagennennalleh.
kemengedu mado yawtobusun meKomiya tayewalleht awo, ayewallehu.
b e t s m lene tasayy inna lies t
awo, asayyiwotallehu.
w e n d i m h m ltimihirtbet tasgebbawalleh t
awo, asgebbawallehu.
silemekinaw kebbeden tamesegginiwalles t
awo, ames egg m e w a llehu.
zare a b b a t m n a nnatiwon yiTeyyiKuwaccewal t
awo, lteyyiKaccowallehu.
lhitiwon wede timihirtbet yiwesduwatal t
awo, lwesdatallehu.
ItyoPiyan yawKuwatalt
awo, awKatallehu.
mistiwon yiwesduwatalt
l h i t h m ayyehat t
awo, lwesdatallehu.
awo, ayyehuwat.
meSihaf nebberat t
awo, nebberat.
Tiru mekina nebbereh t
awo, nebberen.
mekinawoc nebberuh t
awo, nebborun.
*
*
betoc nobboruwaccihu t
awo, nobborun.
bamerika wisT wendim nebberew t
awo, nebberew.
bamerika wisT bet nebberewot t
awo, nobboron.
Tiru temariwoc nebberuwaccew t
awo, nobboruwaccow.
dirsot
m a m , principal, general
yamerika wanna kotoma wasington now.
population, people
yeniybrk hizb bizu now.
too, also
mem
lhedallohu.
if he wants
kebbed© bifellig msmTat yicilal.
movie, picture
b©k©t©maw wisT bizu sinima betocc allu.
price
wagaw bizu now.
yeityoPiya
wanna kotoma addis aboba yibbalal.
embassiwoccmna, ministrocc allu.
yokotomaw hizb boTam bizu now.
wisT bizu awtobusoccmna, mokinawocc allu.
naccow.
lzzih kotoma wisT beTam bizu
and sow and addis nogor lomayot bifollig, wodaddis
mehed yicilal.
betocc allu.
beketemaw
yokotomaw polisoccim beTam Tiru
kotoma bawtobus
addis ketoma wisT bizu yemeSihaf suKoc^ h o t e l o c c m a , sinima
itege hotel wisT melkammigib alle.
and sew yamerikan sinima
bifollig, wedandu sinima bet wisT m e h e d m n a mayet yicilal.
bizu aydellem.
TiyyaKewoc
yeityoPiya
wanna
ketema man yibbalal.
addis abeba wisT m m
alle.
yaddis abeba hizb s m t now.
wedaddis
ketema
b e m m mehed yicilallu.
yeketemaw polisoc melkam naccew t
addis abeba wisT sinima betocc allu t
ye sinima waga s m t new.
itege hotel yet alio.
behotelu wisT m m
alle.
Tiru migib yot alio.
and sow yamerikan sinima yot mayet yicilal.
yesinimaw waga
Unit 8
Basic Sentences
kobbedo
every morning
Tiwat Tiwat
to do
aderrego-madreg-yadergal
What do you do every morning?
Tiwat Tiwat m m
tadorgalloh.
yohannis
bed
alga
to get up, to depart, to leave
tonossa-monnosat-ymnossal
to wash oneself
taTTobo-mottaTeb-yittaTTobal
I get up ('from my bed') and wash
kalgaye mnossanna, fiten
myself ('my face').
lttaTToballohu.
kobbodo
breakfast
Kurs
to study
aTonna-maTnat-yaTonal
koKurs befit taTenalleh t
Do you study before breakfast?
yohannis
No, I do it ('it is') after breakfast.
yellem.
keKurs behwala now.
kebbede
sort, kind
aynot
to eat
bolla-moblat-yibelal
What do you have for breakfast
min aynot Kurs tibelalleh.
( 'What kind of breakfast do
you eat')?
yohannis
fried, roasted
Tibs
eggs
inKulal
bread
dabbo
butter
Kibe
I have ('eat') fried eggs and bread
and butter.
Tibs lnKulalmna, dabbo beKibe
ibelallehu.
orange
birtukan
juice
CimmaKi
milk
wo tot
yebirtukan CimmaKinna, bunna
(I drink) orange juice and coffee
bewotot lToTTallohu.
with cream ( 'milk ') .
kobbodo
bosint soat wodo timihirtbet
What time do you go to school?
tihedalleh.
yohammis
halfj equal
lkkul
2x30
hulett soat tekkul
behulett seat tekkul lhedallehu.
(I go) at eight thrity ('half
past two').
Numbers
eleven
asra and
twelve
asra hulett
thirteen
asra sost
fourteen
asraratt/asra aratt
fifteen
asrammist/asra ammist
sixteen
asra siddist
seventeen
asra sobatt
eighteen
asra
nineteen
asra zeTen
twenty
haya
simmmt
Grammatical Notes
Note 8 . 1
Time
bosint soat wodo timihirt
At what time do you go to school?
bet tihedalleh.
behullett seat tokkul
lhedallehu.
(I go) at eight thirty ('half past
two•).
As the example above illustrates, the Ethiopian clock is six hours out
of phase with ours.
The day is divided up as follows:
Our clock
6:00 a.m. - noon
noon
- 6:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m. - midnight
midnight
- 6:00 a.m.
Ethiopian clock
12:00 -
6:00
6:00 - 1 2 : 0 0
12t00 -
6:00
6:00 - 1 2 : 0 0
/Tiwat/ 'morning'
/Kon/ 'day'
/missit/ 'evening'
/let/ or /lelit/ 'night'
Thus:
Our clock
Ethiopian clock
6:00 a .m.
koTwatu asra hulett soat
7:00 a .m.
koTwatu and soat
8:00 a .m.
koTwatu hulott soat
9:00 a.m.
koTwatu sost soat
1 0 : o a .m.
koTwatu aratt soat
1 1 : 0 0 a.m.
koTwatu ammist seat
noon
keKenu siddist seat
0
1:00 p.m.
keKenu sobatt seat
2:00 p.m.
keKenu s i m m m t seat
3:00 p.m.
koKonu zeTen soat
1;:00 p.m.
keKenu assir seat
5:00 p.m.
keKenu asra and seat
6:00 p.m.
kemissitu asra hulett seat
7:00 p.m.
kemissitu and seat
8:00 p.m.
kemissitu hulett seat
9:00 p.m.
komissitu sost seat
10:00 p.m.
kemissitu aratt seat
111 00 p.m.
kemissitu ammist seat
midni|5ht
kelelitu siddist seat
1:00 a.m.
kelelitu sebatt seat
2 i 0 0 a.m.
kelelitu s i m m m t seat
3:00 a .m.
kolelitu zeTefl seat
4»00 a .m.
kelelitu assir seat
5:00 a .m.
kolelitu asra and seat
The prefix / b ( e ) - / is equivalent to English
telling time, e.g.
b9hul9tt seat.
'at eight'
keTwatu bammist sgat.
'at 1 1 : 0 0 a.m.'
kemissitu b9sost sgat.
'at 9:00 p.m.'
kgletu (or: kglelitu) bassir sgat.
'at if:00 a.m.'
More time expressions will be discussed m
Note 8 . 2
'at' m
Unit 1 2 .
Suffix /-(i)m/ 'also', 'too'
m e m lhedallohu.
'I'll go too.'
yekotgmaw polisoccim boTam Tiru
'The city policemen are also
naccow.
good. '
The suffix /-(i)m/ (/-im/ after consonants, /-m/ after vowels) corre sponds in meaning to English
'also ' or 'too ' as illustrated by the above
examples.
Note 8 . 3
Suffix /-(i)ss/ 'how about', 'as to', 'as for'.
Tena yisTillin.
sime jon now.
'How do you do? My name's
yersiwoss t
John.
What's yours ('how
about yours)?
The suffix /-(i)ss/ (/-iss/ after consonants, / - s s / after vowels)
corresponds approximately to English
me
'how about', 'as for' or 'as to', e.g.
lhedallehu. irsiwoss t
issu amarinna yawKal, m e s s
'I'm leaving.
How about you?'
'He knows Amharic, as for m e ,
alawKim.
I don't know fit].
Transformation Drills
Drill 1 .
The instructor will say the sentence m
Column A.
The student will repeat the sentence and then say the sentence again
changing the object into the definite form. (Column B ) .
Drill 2.
The instructor will say the sentence given m
Column B.
The student will repeat the sentence and then say the sentence again
changing the verb into the imperfective (Column C ) .
(Note*
Apply Drill 1 to all the sentences before turning to Drill 2.)
and moShaf seTTen.
meShafun seTTen.
moShafun yiseTennal.
land kifl assir birr
lekiflu assir birr
lekiflu assir birr
koff©low.
ksffelew.
yikeflewal.
and mokina wossedu.
m e k i n a w m wessedut.
m e k i n a w m yiwesdutal.
Kurs folloghu.
Kursun felleghut.
Kursun ifelligewallehu.
awtobus TobboKsc.
awtobusun TobbeKec.
awtobusun tiTobbiKalloc.
and bet zoggan.
betun zegganow.
betun mzegawallen.
CimmaKi ToTTu.
CimmaKiwin TeTTut.
C i m a K i w m yiTeTTutal.
wetot TeTTas.
wetetun T e T T a s I W .
wetotun tiTeCCiwalles.
and bet serru.
betun serrut.
betun yiserutal.
and temari Terrah.
t e m a r i w m Terrahew.
t e m a r i w m tiTerawalleh.
and temari Terrahu.
t e m a r i w m Terrahut.
t o m a r i w m iTerawallehu.
and tomari Terras.
t o m a r i w m Terrasiw.
t e m a r i w m tiToriwallos.
and mekina labbate
m e k i n a w m labbate
m e k i n a w m labbate
tiseTutallaccihu.
seTTaccihu.
seTTaccihut.
genzeb aderreshu.
genzobun aderroshut.
genzobun adersowallehu.
Kurs bellan.
Kursun bollanew.
Kursun mbelawallen.
and Kal awweKh.
Kalun awweKhew.
Kalun tawKewalleh.
and lKa asgebbu.
l K a w m asgebbut.
l K a w m yasgebbutal,
and ketoma zoraccihu.
k e t e m a w m zoraccihut.
k e t e m a w m tizorutallaccihu.
and hotel ayyec.
hotelun ayyecciw.
hotelun tayowallec.
and bet asayyu.
betun asayyut.
betun yasayyutal.
bizu genzeb agennehu.
genzobun agenflehut.
genzobun agennewallehu.
and set ayyon.
setiyyowan ayyenat.
setiyyowan innayatallon.
timihirt aTennah.
timihirtun aTennahew.
timihirtun taTonawallsh.
bunna TeTTaccihu.
b u n n a w m ToTTaccihut.
b u n n a w m tiToTTutallaccihu.
bizu temariowcc ayyu.
temariwoccun ayyuwaccew.
temariwoccun yayuwaccowal.
bizu sewoc wossedaccihu.
sowoccun
sowoccun
wessedaccihuwaccew.
bizu temariwocc awwoKhu.
tomariwoccun
awweKhuwaccew.
tiwesduwaccowallaccihu.
temariwoccun
awKaccowallehu.
temariwoccun amerika
bizu temariwoc amerika
aderreshaccew.
aderresh.
t9mariwoccun amerika
tad9rsacc9walloh.
bizu lKawoc wesseds.
lKawoccun wessedsaccew.
lKawoccun tiwesjaccewallgs.
astemariwoc fellegu.
a stemariwoccun
astemariwoccun
f9ll9gUWaCC9W.
yif9lliguwacc9wal.
m e k i n a w m lato kebbede mec seTTaccihut.
tinant seTTenew.
mistiwon addis abeba mec aderresuwat.
zare adderreshuwat-
astemariwoccun yet ager ayyuwaccew.
amerika wisT ayyehuwaccew.
yenen meSihaf man wessedew.
ato yohannis wessedew.
lastemariwa mekina man seTTat.
abbatmna
yenen bet man asayyewo.
temariwocc asayyun.
mnatwa
seTTuwat.
a g e r h m man awweKew.
astemariwocc awweKut.
yastemariwan mekina man fellegew.
astemariwoc fellegut.
ato lemmaninna, ato kebbed9n W9d9
zare kesgat bghwala Terranaccew.
timihirtbetu msce Tgrraccihuwaccgw,
lastgmariw genzebun mec keffolacelhut.
keseat behwala keffelnew.
lzzih m a n n m
ato kebbeden TebbeKnew.
TebbeKacemu.
betun mec serraccihut.
tinant serranew.
meSihafun mece seTTaccihut.
zare keseat befit seTTenew.
as temar iwoc c u n m n a
giyon hotel tegenannenaccew.
temar iwoccun yet
t e ge na nna c c lhuwa c c ew.
temariwoccun mec Terraccihuwaccew.
tinant keseat behwala Terranaccew.
yato kebbeden bunna man TeTTaw.
temariwa TeTTacciw.
yato kebbeden mekina yet wessedaccihut.
wedamerika wessednew.
m e k i n a w m man wessedew.
ato lemma wessedew.
meSihafun yet aderresut.
timihirtbet aderreshut.
m e k i n a w m man zeggaw.
yato kebbed© mist zeggacciw.
timihirtbetun man zorew.
astemariwoc zorut.
meSihafun leman seTTesiw.
letemariw seTTehut.
ato lemma wede timihirtbet mece yihedal,
nege bammist seat yihedal.
Kurs mece tibelalleh.
Tiwat ibelallehu.
zare yet tihedallaccihu.
wedaddis ketema
wede timihirt bet man meTTa.
yato lemma abbat meTTu.
Kurs m m
Tibs m K u l a l , Kibenna dabbo ibelallehu.
tibelalleh.
mhedallen.
leKurs min tiTeTTalleh.
w o t o t m n a yebirtukan Cimmaki
Kursaccihun yet tibelallaccihu.
ibetaccin wisT
iTeTTallehu.
mbelallen.
zare timihirtun man yaTonal.
yene wendim yaTenal.
Tiwat Tiwat yot tihedallaccihu.
wede timihirtbet
mhedallen.
assir aggotocc allun.
s m t aggotocc alluwot.
innate asayyeccm.
timihirtbetun man asayyeh.
ato kobbodo s m t
mekinawoc
nebborut.
sost mekinawoc nebberut.
zare bohulett seat agennisallehu t
awo, yagonunnal.
meSihafun lekebbede moc tiseTutallaccihu.
nege mseTewallen.
genzobiwon leman yiseTutal.
lemiste lseTatallehu.
m i s t i h m yet tayatalloh.
ltimihirt bet wisT ayatallehu.
m e S i h a f s m yet tiwesjiwalles.
wede bete lwesdewallehu.
addis mekina man yiseTisal.
abbate yiseTofinal.
yenen mekina man yifelligewal.
me
wode timihirtbet man yiTerahal.
astemariye yiTerannal.
ifelligewallehu.
genzebun yet tikeflutallaccihu.
lzzih mkeflowallen.
addis abeban man ayyew.
ato kebbedenna, abbatu ayyut.
ato kebbeden wedaddis ketema man aderresew. wendimmu aderrosew.
adrassasm man awweKow.
me
awweKhut.
meSihafen yet agennesiw.
ante bet wisT agenfiehut.
ato lamman mec yiggenannutal.
ahun lggenafiflewallehu.
yet agennaccihuwallehu.
addis ketema wisT tagennmalles.
mec tmegratalleh.
zare megratallehu.
astemariwm man yif elligewal.
ato kebbede yifelligewal.
kebbeden yet tagenniwalles.
ltimihirtbet wisT agefinewallehu.
astemariwan m m
siladdis abeba TeyyoKnat.
TeyyeKaccihuwat.
m e k i n a w m man zeggaw.
ato lemma zeggaw.
lzzih man yiTebbiKihal.
lemma yiTebbiKefinal.
betun mec tiserutallaccihu.
nege mserawallen.
astemariwan yet tayuwatallaccihu.
addis abeba wisT mnayatallan.
m o k i n a w m mece tisoTunnallaccihu.
nogo keseat behwala mseTihallen.
temariwoccun wede timihirtbet mec
nege mTeraccowallen.
tiTeruwaccewallaccihu.
bunna yet tiTeTTallaccihu.
lzzih mTeTTallen.
m e k i n a w m man yizegawal.
temariw yizegawal.
k e t e m a w m man yizorewal.
astemariwoc yizorutal.
mekina man yisoTihal.
abbate yiseTennal.
astomariwm man yameseggmewal.
me
ato kebbede s m t mekinawoc yiseTihal.
hulett mekinawocc yiseTennal.
bo s m t seat tenessaccihu.
besost seat tenessan.
dabbo beKibe moc bellu.
t m a n t bellahu.
kalgaccihu b e s m t seat tmnessallaccihu.
bohulett seat tekkul m n m n e s s a l l e n .
nege m m
wedeketema lhedallehu.
yadergallu.
amoseggmewallehu.
m e k i n a w m lzzih man aderrosew.
astemariwocc aderresut.
lotimihirt yet mehed tifelligallaccihu.
wedamerika mehed mf©lligallen.
wede betaccihu m a n n m meTrat
yato y o h a n n i s m innat moTrat
tifelligallaccihu.
m f elligallen.
dirset
to take, to hold, to catch,
baburun moyaz yicilal,
to grab, to contain
yazo-moyaz-yiyizal
other, another
lela sow memTat yicilal.
ato yohannis amerikawi temari new.
issu amarifina yaTonal.
Tiwat Tiwat band seat kalgaw yinnessanna fitun yittaTTebal.
behulett seat leKurs wede
migibbet
yihedinna, yebirtukan CimmaKi
yiToTTal.
kand seat behwala inKulal Tibsinna dabbo beKibe yibelanna, bunna
bewetet yiToTTal.
behelett soat tokkul meSihafoccun y i y i z m n a , keleloc temariwoc gar
wodo timihirtbetu yihedal.
TiyyaKewoc
ato yohannis min yaTonal.
issu yot yaTonal.
kalgaw bosint soat yinnossal.
fitun yet yittaTTebal.
loKursu yet yihedal.
leKursu m m
yibelal.
issu keKursu befit m m
keKursu behwala m m
yiTeTTal.
yiTeTTal.
wede timihirtbet bosint soat yihedal.
wede timihirtbet kemehedu befit m m
yiyizal.
kessu gar wede timihirt bet man yihedal.
Unit 9
Basic Sentences
kebbede
wede timihirtbet kehedh behwala
What do you do after you go to
mm
school?
tiseralleh.
yohannis
until he/she (pol.) comes
iskimeTu diros
as, like
mde
newspaper
gazeTa
to read
anebbebe-manbeb-yanobbal
Like the rest of the students I read
astemariw iskimeTu diros, mdoleloc
Amharic newspapers until the teacher
temariwoc yamarinna gazeTa
comes.
anebballehu.
jemmere-me jemmer-yijemmiral
to begin
After he comes, we begin the lesson.
kemoTTu behwala, timihirt
mjemmirallen.
kobbedo
all
hullu
all the time, always
hulgize
Does the teacher always come at eight?
astemariw hulgize wod© timihirtbet
bohulett s©at yim©Tallu t
yohannis
he/she (pol.) doesn't comej
aymoTum
to be found; to be present;
tegenne-meggenet-yiggennal
No, he doesn't come at eight (but)
he's m
yellem, bohulett seat aymoTum,
class at eight thirty.
n e g e r g m bohulett seat tokkul
lkifl wisT yiggennallu.
kebbede
to learn, to study, to drill
What do you study after he comes?
temaro-memmar-yimmaral
kom©TTu behwala min timmarallaccihu.
yohannis
reading
nibab
writing
Sihifot
conversation, speech, discourse
nigiggir
We learn how to read, write, and speak
m
amarinna nibab, Sihifatinna,
Amharic. ('reading, writing and
nigiggir innimmarallen.
speech').
kobbodo
How many hours a day do you study?
baKon sint soat timmarallaccihu.
yohannis
lunch
misa
again, also
dogmo
to finish
Correse-meCorres-yiCorrisal
komisa befit aratt soat, kemisa
We study four hours before lunch
and two hours after lunch. Then
behwala degmo, hulett seat
we finish.
m n i m m a r inna, m C e r r isallen.
kobbodo
woTTa-mewTa t-yiw©Tal
to go out, to leave, to rise
At what time do you leave the class?
b e s m t seat kekifl tiweTallaccihu.
yohannis
bassir seat mniweTallen.
(We leave) at four,
kobbodo
Safe-meSaf-yiSifal
to write
ahun bamarinna meSaf ticilalleh t
Can you already write in Amharic?
yohannis
gena
yet, still
ahun Sihifete gena Tiru aydellem.
My writing isn't good yet.
USEFUL WORDS
English
mgliz
English (language)
inglizinna
England
y m g l i z ager
German
jermon
German (language)
jermeninna
Germany-
yejermen aggr /jermen agar
French
f9r©nsay
French (language)
f erensayinfia
France
yeferensay agar /ferensay ager
Russian
russiyan/moskob
Russian (language)
maskobinna
Rus s1a
rus s iya/ma skob/ra s iya
Italian
Taliyan
Italian (language)
Taliyaninfia
Italy
iTa1Iya/yeTaliyan agar/Taliyan
ager
Structure Sentences - Negative
market
gebeya
I didn't go to the market.
wede gebeya alhedhum.
I'm not going to the market.
wede gebeya alhedim.
chur ch
bet© kristiyan
You (m) didn't see the church,
bet© kristiyanun alayyshim.
You (m) don't see the church.
bet© kristiyanun attayim.
to buy, to rule
gezza-megzat-yig©zal
You (f) didn't buy milk.
wstet algezzasim.
You (f) don't buy milk.
wotot attigezim.
cigarette(s)
to smoke
sijara
aCese-maCes-yaCesal
He didn't smoke.
sijara alaCesem.
He doesn't smoke.
sijara ayaCesim.
to sell
seTe-meseT-yiseTal
She didn't sell cigarettes.
sijara alsoTeccim.
She doesn't sell cigarettes,
sijara attiseTim.
to help
redda-merdat-yirodal
We didn't help Kebbede.
Kebbeden arreddanim.
We don't help Kebbede*
kebbeden armiredam.
to pass
allefe-malef-yalfal
last week
yallofow sammint
in the last week
ballefew sammint
You (pi.) didn't rest last week.
ballefew sammint alarrefaccihum,
next week
yozare sammint
You (pi.) won't rest next week.
yezare sammint attarfum.
rat
dinner
They didn't have dinner yesterday,
tinant rat albellum.
They don't have dinner today.
zare rat aybelum.
Grammatical Notes
Note 9 . 1
Imperfective forms connected by /-(i)nna/ 'and'.
kalgaye lnnessanna, fiten lttaTToballohu.
I get up and wash my face.
bohulott soat tekkul meSihafoccun
At eight thirty, he picks up his
yiyizinna, keleloc temariwoc gar
books and goes to school with
wede timihirtbet yihedal.
the other students.
'vJhen two verbs m
the imperfective follow each other and the first verb
has the suffix /-(i)nna/ 'and', the imperfective suffix /-all-/ is affixed to
the second verb only.
Note 9 . 2
Verb:
Negative perfective.
As shown by the Structure Sentences the Negative of the Perfective is
formed by affixing the prefix / a l - / and the suffix /-(i)m/ (/-im/ after con
sonants and /-m/ after vowels) to the Affirmative verb forms.
It may be
illustrated by the following examples:
Affirmative
felleghu
fellegh
Negative
'I wanted'
etc.
alfelleghum
'I didn't want'
alfolleghim
etc.
fellegs
alfellegsim
fellege
alfellegem
fellogec
alfellegeccim
fellegn
alfellognim
fellegaccihu
alfellegaccihum
fellogu
alf©llegum
roddahu
'I helped'
reddah
etc.
arreddahum
'I didn't help'
arreddahim
etc.
roddas
arroddasim
rodda
arreddam
reddac
arreddaccim
reddan
arreddanim
reddaccihu
arroddaccihum
reddu
arreddum
Note that before / r / the negative prefix / a l - / is replaced by /ar-/.
If the verb has a verb suffix (object) pronoun, the latter is affixed to it
before the negative suffix /-(i)m/, e.g.
alfellegonnim
'He didn't want m e . '
alnebberesim
'You didn't have ('it was not to you')
alfelloghutim
'I didh't want it.'
alfelleghuwaccewim
'I didn't want them.'
alayyuwatim
'They didn't see her.'
alsoTTonaccihum
'We didn't give you (pi.)
etc.
Note 9 . 3
Verb:
Short Imperfective.
As illustrated by the Structure Sentences the Negative of the
Imperfective is formed by affixing certain prefixes and the Suffix /-(i)m/
to a verb form which will be hereafter referred to as the
'Short Imperfective. '
In most cases the Short Imperfect has the same distribution of con
sonants and vowels as the Imperfective, but does not have the suffix /-all-/.
Besides the Negative form of the Imperfective, the Short Imperfec
tive is used m
subordinate clauses with various relational affixes as well
as with the postverb /zond/ 'so that'.
This will be discussed m
later units.
The Short Imperfective without the relational affixes is a stem
form which is not used by itself.
This stem form has the following prefixes
and suffixes:
Singular
1 s t per.
Plural
(1)-
inn(1)-.. .
or;
2nd per. m. t d ) 2nd per. f. t(i)-
-1
t(i)
-u
3 r d per. m. y d ) 3 r d per. f. t(i)-
y(1)-...-u
The / 1 / of these prefixes is lost before the stems m
/a-/.
in-...
There is. an alternation of vowel pattern m
the short imperfective stems
of certain verbs, e.g. / y m e g i r / with /-nogir/, but / y m o g r u / with /-negr-/.
The form with / i / occurs when final, the one without / i / occurs when a vowel
follows.
Some speakers, however, have the form without / i / only, even
m
final position (e.g. / y m o g r / ) .
(in the regular imperfective, only the form without / i / occurs, because
the regular imperfective always has a suffix beginning with a vowel (/-al/
etc.), as in /mograllohu/.)
The vowel alternation m
the short imperfective stems occurs with regular
three-radical verbs of type A and with / a - / verbs of type A (to be discussed
m
later units).
The following chart illustrates these as well as the three-
radical verb of type B which does not have any alternation form:
Short Imperfective
Three-Rad. verbs
Type
Reg, / a - / verbs
Three-rad. verbs
Type 'B'
'A '
Type
Singular
Singular,
Singular
lfellig
adir
tifollig
tadir
2nd f. t m e g r i
tifelligi
tadri
3 r d m. y m o g i r
yifollig
yadir
3 r d f. t m o g i r
tifollig
tadir
1st
megir
2nd m. t m o g i r
Plural
1st
Plural
mnmegir
'A •
Plural
m n i f olli£
mnadir
2nd
tmogru
tifelligu
tadru
3rd
ymogru
yifolligu
yadru
Note that the first person plural prefix may be either / m m - / or / m - /
before consonant stems, e.g. / m f o l l i g / or /mnifollig/, / m n o g i r / or
/ mnmogir/.
If the last consonant before the suffix / - i / of the second person femi
nine singular is one of the eight consonants listed m
are replaced by the corresponding consonant as shown m
/ t / is replaced by / c /
/d/ is replaced by / j /
/ T / and / s /
are replaced by
/c/
/ s / is replaced by / s /
/ z / is replaced by / z /
/ n / is replaced by / n /
/ l / is replaced by / y /
Note 6 . 3 ,
it and / i /
that note, i.e.:
After the relational affixes (which will be discussed m
detail m
later
units) the following variants of the short imperfective prefixes occurt
(l)
The short imperfective prefix / y i - / 13 replaced by the vowel / i / ,
e.g.
(2)
blfollig
'if he wants'
(Short imperfective) /yifellig/
binogru
'if they tell'
(Short imperfective) / y m e g r u /
The short imperfective prefix / t ( i ) - / becomes / - t t d ) - / when affixed
to / a - / stems (/a-/
verbs m
stems (/t(o)-/ verbs m
bittadir
the Perfective) or to double consonant
the Perfective), e.g.
'if you spend the
(Short imperfective) /tadir/
night'
(Perfective) /addoro/ 'he spent
the night '
bittiffollog
'if you are wanted'
(Short imperfective) /tiffollog/
(Perfective) /tofellogo/ 'he is
wanted'
(3)
The same prefix / t d ) - / becomes either /-tti-/ or / - t - / before other
consonant stems, e.g. /bittif©llig/ or /bitfollig/ 'if you (m) want'
or 'if she wants'; / b i t t m o g i r / or /bitnogir/ i/bitnegr/ with some
speakers)''if you (m) tell' or
'if she tells'; /bittihedu/ or
/bith.edu/ 'if you (pi.) go'; etc.
The choice of / - t n - / or / - t - / is optional.
Note 9 . / |
Verb:
Negative Imperfective.
As mentioned m
Note 9 - 3
above, the negative imperfective is formed
by affixing certain prefixes and the suffix /-(i)m/ (/-im/ after consonants
and /-m/ after vowels) to the short imperfective stem.
This may be illus
trated by the following examples:
Consonant Stems
Singular
1st
alfolligim
2nd m. attifolligim/atfelligim
Plural
a n m f ell lgim/anf elligim
attifelligum/atfelligum
2nd f. attifolligim/atfelligim
3rd m. ayfelligim
3rd f. attifelligim/atfelligim
ayfelligum
Stems in / r - /
1st
arredam
annirodam/anredam
2nd m. attiredam/atrodam
2nd f. attirejim/atrejim
attirodum/atrodum
3 r d m. ayredam
3 r d f. attirodam/atredam
ayredum
Double Consonant Stems
Singular
1st
Plural
alimmarim
annimmarim
2nd m. attimmarim
attimmarum
2nd f. attimmarim
3 r d m. ayimmarim
ayimmarum
3 r d f. attimmarim
/ & - / Stems
1st
alarflm
annarf im
2nd m. attarflm
attarfum
2nd f. attarfim
3 r d m. ayarflm
ayarfum
3 r d f. attarfim
The above examples show that: (l) The second person masculine and the
third person feminine singular forms are identical.
/ r - / have the prefix /ar-/ substituted for / a l - / m
(3)
Stems ending in a vowel lose this vowel m
lar and m
the 2nd and 3 r d person plural.
(2)
Stems beginning
the 2nd person feminine singu
The vowel is replaced by / i /
the 2nd person feminine singular and by / u / m
m
the first person singular.
m
the 2nd and 3 r d person plural.
(I4.) The eight consonants / t / , /d/, / T / , / S / , / S / ,
/Z/,
/ n / , / l / are replaced
by the corresponding palatal consonants before / i / of the second person femi
nine singular as indicated m
Bearing this m
Note 9 . 3 .
mind, the negative affixes of the imperfective can be
summed up as follows:
Consonant Stems
Singular
1st
al-...-(i)m
Double Consonant Stems
/ a - / Stems
Singular
Singular
all-...-(i)m
al-...-(i)m
2nd m. at(ti)-...-(i)m
atti-...-(i)m
att-...-(i)m
2nd f. at(ti)-...-im
atti-...-im
att-. . .-im
3 r d m. ay-...-(i)m
ayi-...-(i)m
ay-...-(i)m
3 r d f. at(ti)-...-(i)m
atti-...-(i)m
att- .. .- (i)m
Plural
Plural
an(ni)-...-(i)m
anni-...-(i)m
ann-...-(i)m
2nd
at(ti)-...-um
atti-...-um
att-...-um
3rd
ay-...-um
ayi-...-um
ay- ... -um
Plural
1st
As m
Negative:
ence.
the Affirmative (see Note 2.3) the verb
'be' has two forms m
the
one to indicate equation, the second to indicate presence or exist
The negative forms are 'irregular' (i.e. not predictable from the Af
firmative ) .
Negative
Affirmative
1.
2.
'I am'
aydellehum
'I am not'
neh
'you (m) are'
aydellehim
'you (m) are not'
nes
'you (f] are'
aydellosim
'you (f) are not'
now
'he £r it is '
aydellem
'he o_r it is not'
na t/no c
'she is'
aydelleccim
'she is not'
non
'we are'
aydellenim
'we are not'
naccihu
'you are'
aydellaccihum
'you are not'
naccew
'they are'
aydellum
'they are not'
allehu
'I'm present'
yellehum
'I'm not present'
yellehim*
( 'you (m) are not
present')
yellesim"
('you (f) are not
present')
yellem
'he or it isn't
pre sent'
non
alleh*
'you (m) are present'
alios
'you (f) are present'
all©
'he or it is present'
alloc
'she is present'
yelleccim
'she isn't present'
alien*
'we are present'
yellemm*
'we aren't present'
allaccihu*
'you are present'
yellaccihum*
'you aren't present'
allu
'they are present'
yellum
'they aren't present'
*)
Those forms also can meen 'you have', 'we have'^ 'you don't have',
etc.
The Verb Suffix Pronouns are affixed to verb forms m
the Negative
Imperfective before the suffix /-(i)m/.
The use of these suffixes is illustrated by the following examples:
Singular
1st person:
alfelligewim
'I don't want him/it'
alf©lligihim
'I don't want you (m)'
alfelligisim
'I don't want you (f) '
alfelligiwotim
'I don't want you (pol.) '
alfelligatim
'I don't want her'
alf ©lligaccihum
'I don't want you (pi.)'
alf©llligaccswim
'I don't want them/him, her
(pol.)'
2nd person masculine:
atfsllig;©nnim
'you don t want me '
atf©llig?;©wim
'you don t want him'
atfsllig;a tim
'you don t want her '
atfsllig;©nim
'you don t want us '
atfslligyaccowim
'you don t want them/him,
2nd person feminine:
atfelligînnim
'you don' t want me '
atfelligriwim
'you don' t want him'
atfsllig5iyatim
'you don' t want her '
atf©11 ig;inim
'you don' t want us '
atf©lligîyaccowim
' you don' t want them/him,
3rd person masculine:
ayfolligonnim
'he doesn't want me'
ayf©lligihim
'he doesn't want you ( m ) '
ayf©lligisim
'he doesn't want you (f)'
ayfolliglwotim
'he doesn't want you (pol.) '
ayf©lligowim
'he doesn't want him'
ayfolligatim
'he doesn't want her'
ayf©lligonim
'he doesn't want u s '
ayfolligaccihum
'he doesn't want you (pi.)
ayf©lligaccowim
'he doesn't want them/him, her (pol.) '
1
3rd person feminine:
atf ollig^sfinim
' she doesn t want me '
atfelligjjihim
' she doesn t want you (m) '
atfellig5 is im
atfelligjiwotim
' she doesn t want you (f) '
' she doesn t want you (pol.) '
atfsllig^ 9 w i m
' she doesn t want him
atf ollig;a tim
' she doesn t want her
atf ollig$ 9 n i m
' she doe sn t want us '
atfsllig;a ccihum
' she doe sn t want you (pi.)'
' she doesn t want them/him, her (pol
atf olligâccowim
Plural
1st person:
anfelligihim
'we don't want you (m) '
anfelligisim
'we don't want you (f)'
anfelligiwotim
'we don't want you (pol.) '
anfelligowim
'we don't want him'
anf glliga tim
'we don't want her'
anfelligaccihum
'we don't want you (pi.) '
anfelligaccswim
'we don't want them/him, her (pol.) '
atfolligunnim
'you don't want m e '
atf©lligutim
'you don't want him'
atfolliguwatim
'you don't want her'
a tfelligunim
'you don't want us'
atf©lliguwaccowim
'you don't want them/him, her
ayfelligunnim
'they don't want m e '
ayfolliguhim
'they don't want you (m) '
ayfelligusim
'they don't want you (f)'
ayfolliguwotim
'they don't want you (pol.) '
2nd person.
(pol.)'
3rd person:
Note 9»5
ayf©lligutim
'they don't want him'
a yf©11iguwa tim
'they don't want her'
ayfelligunim
'they don»'t want us'
a yf©11iguwa c clhum
'they don't want you (pi.) '
ayfelliguwaccowim
'they don't want them/him, her (pol.
Negative Infinitive
The Negative Infinitive is formed by prefixing the negative affix
/al©-/ to the Affirmative Infinitive forms, e.g.
/mehed/
'to go, going'
/alemehed/
'not to go'
/memTat/
'to come, coming'
/alememTat/
'not to come,
/madreg/
'to do, doing'
/alemadreg/
'not coming '
'not to do'
'not doing '
Substitution Correlation Drill
The instructor will say the sentence A.
The student will repeat the
sentence and then say it again using the negative form of the verb, (sentence
B).
A.
amerika wisT tomariwoc sijara yaCosallu.
B.
amerika wisT temariwoc sijara ayaCesum.
A.
astemariwocc amarinna meSihaf yiSifallu.
B.
astemariwoc amarinna meSihaf aySifum.
A.
timihirtbetaccew lotemariwoc moSihaf yiseTal.
B.
timihirtbetaccew lotemariwoc meSihaf ayseTim.
A.
temariwoc astemariwoccaccewm yireduwaccewal.
B.
temariwoc astemar iwoccaccewm ayreduwaccewim.
A.
yezare s a m m m t hulett ityoPiyawiyan agerun yayutal.
B.
yezare s a m m m t hulett ityoPiyawiyan agorun ayayutim.
A.
kegebeya sost gazeTawoc tigezallaccihu.
B.
kegebeya sost gazeTawoc atgezum.
A.
temariwoc gazeTawoccun hullu yanebbuwacc'ewaiL^
B.
temariwoc gazeTawoccun hullu ayanebbuwaccewim.
A.
yato yohannis innat mekinawan tasayyihallec.
B.
yato yohannis m n a t mekinawan attasayyihim.
A.
ato lemmanna abbatu ibetaccew yiKoyyunal.
B.
ato lemmanna abbatu ibetaccew ayKoyyunim.
A.
timihirtiwon yezare s a m m m t yiCerrisallu.
B.
timihirtiwon yezare s a m m m t ayCerrisum.
A.
astemaris yewiCC gudday ministrun tawKewallec.
B.
astemaris yowiCC gudday ministrun attawKewim.
A.
yato lemma a b b a t m n a Innat Keyyun awtobus yif©lligutal.
B.
yato lemma a b b a t m n a
A.
nege kastemariyaccm gar mniggenannallen.
B.
nege kastemariyaccm gar anniggenannim.
A.
m e n m n a misten wede betu yiTeranal.
m n a t Keyyun awtobus ayfelligutim.
B.
m e n m n a misten wede betu ayTeranim.
A.
yezare s a m m m t timihirt betun mzegawallen.
B.
yezare s a m m m t timihirt betun anzegawim.
A.
astemariwoc lzzih hotel wisT yarfallu.
B.
astemariwoc lzzih hotel wisT ayarfum.
A.
yewiCC gudday ministru nege nigiggir yadergallu.
B.
yewiCC gudday ministru nege nigiggir ayadergum.
A.
temariwoc kamerika yiweTallu.
B.
temariwoc kamerika ayweTum.
A.
beKon assir sijara aCosallehu.
B.
beKen assir sijara alaCesim.
A.
yato kebbede abbatinna
nnat
B.
yato
nnat wedageraccew alhedum.
A.
temariwoc beTam bizu sijarawoc aCesu.
kobb9d9
abbatinna
wedageraccew hedu.
B.
temariwoc beTam bizu sijarawoc alaCesum.
A.
temariwoc ygtimihirtbetun gazeTawoc soTu.
B.
temariwoc ygtimihirtbetun gazeTawoc alsgTum.
A.
astgmariw tgmariwan rgddat.
B.
astamariw tgmariwan arrgdatim.
A.
ballgfgw sammint and yamerika gazeTa anobbebec.
B.
ballgfgw sammint and yamerika gazeTa alangbbgbgccim.
A.
ketinant befit hulett sewoc wede gebeya hedu.
B.
k e t m a n t befit hulett sewoc wede gebeya alhedum.
A.
temariwoc hullu yamarinnawin gazeTa anebbebut.
B.
temariwoc hullu yamarinnawin gazeTa alanebbebutim.
A.
inna addis bete kristiyan serran.
B.
inna addis bete kristiyan alserranim.
A.
amerikawiyan amarinna memmar jemmeru.
B.
amerikawiyan amatrstfina memmar aljemmerum.
A.
bizu sewoc
B.
bizu sewoc iwiGC gudday minister wisT altegenrium.
A.
yato yohannis mist and beTam Tiru meSihaf Safec.
B.
yato yohannis mist and beTam Tiru meSihaf alSafeccim.
A.
temaroc timihirtaccewm Cerresu.
IWIGC
gudday minister wisT tegennu.
B.
temaroc timihirtaccewm alCerresum.
A.
yewiCC gudday ministru kebetu weTTa.
B.
yewiCC gudday ministru kebetu alweTTam.
A.
ancinna ato yohannis misanna rat bollaccihu.
B.
ancinna ato yohannis misanna rat albellaccihum.
A.
lgiyon hotel wisT Kurs a d e r r e g m .
B.
lgiyon hotel wisT Kurs aladerregnim.
A.
astemariw nigiggir aderregu.
B.
astemariw nigiggir aladerregum.
A.
sewocc mekinaccewm wessedut.
B.
sewocc mekinaccewm alwossedutim.
A.
setiyyowa Tiwat bunna bewetet TeTTac.
B.
setiyyowa Tiwat bunna bewetet alTeTTaccim.
A.
ato lemmanna ato yohannis iketema wisT tegenannu.
B.
ato lemmanna ato yohannis iketema wisT altegenannum.
timihirtaccihun kohulott lskassir soat
taTonallaccihu t
awo, mnaTonallon.
yellem, annaTenam.
Tiwat Tiwat ficsin tittaTTebiyalles t
awo, lttaTTeballehu.
yollem, alittaTTebim.
nogo wodageraccihu tihedallaccihut
awo, mnihedallen.
yellem, annihedim.
m i s a c c e w m giyon hotel bollu t
awo, giyon hotel bollu.
yellem, giyon hotel albellum.
abbatmna
m n a t is wod©
timihirtbet
iskimeTu tiTebbiKiyaccewalles t
awo, iTebbiKaccewallehu.
yellem, alTebbiKaccewim.
awo, mKoyyallon.
izzih bizu gize tiKoyyallaccihu t
yellem, anKoyyim.
awo, adersewallehu.
wondimmiwon timihirtbet yadorsutalt
yellem, aladersewim.
awo, addern.
t m a n t inna bet adderaccihu t
yollem, aladernim.
awo, agonnu.
Tiru yamarinna astemariwoc agoflnu t
yellem, alagennum.
awo, jemmerhu.
timmirtihin jemmerh t
yollem, aljemmorhum.
awo, anebballehu.
bizu yamarinna meSihafoc tanebballeh t
yollem, alanebbim.
awo, yiSifal.
astomariw bamarinna meSihaf y i S i f a l t
yollem, aySifim.
awo, yicilallu.
ato yohannis amarinna yicilallu t
izzih
timihirtbet wisT yamarinna
astemariwoc yiggennallu t
irswa mglizinna timmarallec t
yellom, aycilum.
awo, yiggennallu.
yellom, ayyiggennum.
awo, timmarallec.
yellem, attimmarim.
ato lemmanna, ato kebbede
timihirtaccewm
Cerresu t
temariwoc astemariwoccaccewm yameseggmallu t
awo, Cerresu.
yellem, alCerresum.
awo, yameseggmallu.
yellem, ayamosoggmum.
lzzih
timihirtbet
wisT tarfallaccihu t
awo, innarfalien,
yollom, annarfim.
awo, asayyen.
ato lomma betun asayyeht
yellem, alasayyennim.
awo, asgobbawallehu.
ato ]rmman timihirtbet tasgebbawalleh t
yellem, alasgebbawim.
awo, ifelligallehu.
agoriwon mayo't yif ©lligallu t
yellem, alfelligim.
awo, yicilal.
amarinna yicilalt
yellem, aycilim.
awo, yifelligal.
wodo betu mohed yifolligalt
yellem, ayfelligim.
lomoSihafu gonzob koffoloct
awo, keffelec.
yellem, alkeffeleccim.
nog©
awo, tikeflewallec.
tikoflowalloct
yellem, atkeflewim.
dirset
language
me
b ^ u KwanKwawocc awKallehu.
amarinna KwanKwa astemirallohu.
to teach
for example
example
astemars-mastsmar-yastemiral
lemissale m m
tadergalleh.
missale
lzzih yemmiggennut sewoc
those who are ('found')
ityoPiyawiyan naccew.
kotemariwoc abzannawoccu
most, majority
amerikawiyan naccew.
abbatinna
nnate tinant
lzzih ager gebbuto enter, to arrive
gebba-megbat-yigebal
nego wedagere immeHesallehu.
to.come back, to return
temollese-memmeles-yimmellesal
wedeyyebetaccew mehed yifelligallu.
to their respective houses
yamerika yewiCC gudday minister and yeKwanKwa
bezzih
timihirtbet
timihirtbet
allow.
temariwoc
wisT beTam bizu aynet yewiCC ager KwanKwawoc yimmarallu.
lemissale amarinna, ferensayinna, jermonmna, Taliyanmnanna, meskobinna
yimmarallu.
naccow.
be timihirtbetu wisT yemmiggennut temariwoc amerikawiyan bicca
kastemariwoc abzannawoccu yewiCC ager sowoc naccow.
bezzih
timihirtbet wisT temariwoccu likk besost seat timihirt yijemmirallu.
seat bunna
lemeTeTTat
yiweTallu.
besebat lemisa yiweTallu.
soat yimmarallu.
bammist
mdogena bammist tekkul wede kifl yigebunna
bo s i m m m t soat wode kifl yimmellesunna lskassir
kezziya behwala wedeyyebetaccow yihedallu.
TiyyaKewoc
yewiCC gudday minister min aynet timihirtbet allow.
timihirtbetu yet yiggonnal.
izzih timihirtbet wisT m m
yastemirallu.
min aynet KwanKwa timmarallaccihu.
yeKwanKwa astemariyaccihu man new.
temariwoc besint seat timihirt yijemmirallu.
besint seat bunna yiTeTTallu.
wede kifl besint seat yimmellesallu.
yemisaccihu gize besint seat new.
yewiCC gudday minister yeKwanKwa timihirtbet sint temariwocc
yastemiral.
astomariwoccu keyet ager naccew.
irsiwo sint yewiCC ager KwanKwa yawKallu.
Unit
10
Basic Sentences
kebbQde
to spend a few days
How have you been?
sonobb©to-mosonbot-yisonobbital
(general
m d o m i n sonobbotu.
greeting said to a person
whom one has not seen for
a week or so)
Mrs.
weyzero
a feminine proper name
Tirunes
Hello, Mrs. Trunesh, how have you
TenayisTillm, m d o m i n senebbets
weyzero Tirunes t
been?
Tirunes
to see each other
teyayyu-metteyayet-yitteyayyallu
to become, to be
hone-mehon-yihonal
it has been
honowal
it has been to us
hononal
[Fine], thank you.
been Mr. Kebbede.
How have you
lgziyabher yimmesgen,
It's been a
mdemm
senebbetu ato kebbede. keteyayyen
long time since we saw each
bizu gize hononal.
other ('since we saw each other
much time has been to u s ' ) .
kebbed©
husband or wife; owner,
balebet
landlord
but, however
gin
every time, often
beyyegizew
because I see ( 'find')
sllemma go nnac c ew
him (polite)
good health, well-being
Yes, it's been a long time (to u s ) .
dehnmnot
awo, bizu gize hononal. b a l e b e t s m
However I often see your husband
gin beyyegizew silemmagonnaccew,
and ask him how you are ('However,
dehnmnetsm
because I often see your husband,
I ask him about your good health')
iTeyyiKacc©wall9hu.
Tirunes
that he saw you (pol.)
mdagonnowo
last time, previously, recently
boKoddoml©t
child
Miss
woyzorit
proper name
almaz
I, finding her; I, having found
agniccat
her; I found her and...
Yes he told me he had seen you.
awo, mdagonnowo neggerefl.
Recently I came across your
boKoddomlot lijiwon woyzorit
daughter ('child') Miss Almaz
a l m a z m bomongod lay agniccat,
on the street and she told me
dohnmnotaccihun noggoroccin.
how you were ('the well being
of you all').
kobbedo
to be ill
tammomo-m©ttamom-yittammomal
she, being ill
tamma
doctor
hakim
hospital
hakimbet/hospital
few, a little, some
TiKit
Almaz is sick and she is going to
be m
almaz tamma, loTiKit Konocc lhakimbeu
the hospital for a few days.
wisT nat.
Tirunes
Oh, what happened
( 'became') to her?
mm
now t m m honec t
kebbede
rest, vacation, break, recess
reft
head, chief, self
ras
to cause pain, to make ill
ammemo-mamem-yamma1
She suffers from headaches because
reft silalnebberat raswan yammatal.
she didn't have any rest.
Tirunes
to be sorry, to regret
azzene-mazen-yaznal
well, well then
isti
if I can
bicil
evening
Oh.
I'm sorry.
mata
I ' 1 1 see her
aznallehu.
tonight, if I can.
isti bicil zare mata
lToyyiKatallohu.
Numbers
twenty-one
haya and
twenty-two
haya hulott
thirty
selasa
forty
arba
fifty
amsa/hamsa
sixty
sissa/silsa
seventy
seba
eighty
somaniya
ninety
zoTena
hundred
mo to
thousand
si/sih
Grammatical Notes
Note 1 0 . 1
Relational Affixes to Verbs
Amharic has a great number of affixes which are prefixed to verb
forms to constitute constructions corresponding m
subordinate clauses m
meaning approximately to
English.
Note 1 0 . 1 . 1 Relational Affix / y ( o ) - / ~ / y e m m d ) - / m
botimihirtbetu wisT yommiggonnut
Relative Constructions.
[All] the students who are (found)
temariwoc amerikawiyan bicca
in this school are (only)
naccew.
Americans.
In Unit 6 , the Relational affix / y ( e ) - / 'pertaining to' was discussed
as a noun and adjective prefix (Note 6 . 1 ) .
The same prefix / y ( e ) - / (/y-/ before / a / and / y o - / elsewhere) can be
prefixed to Perfective forms of verbs.
The resulting constructions corre
spond to English relative clauses ('which', 'that', 'who' clauses), e.g.
/yefelleghu/
'pertaining to my having wanted'
Similar constructions containing Short Imperfective verb-forms are made
with the prefix / y o m m d ) - / (/yemm-/ before vowels, /yemmi-/ before /ya/, and
/yemmi-/ elsewhere).
(See Note 9 . 3 for the replacement of / y i - / of the Short
Imperfective by the vowel /i/.) e.g.
/yemmifellig/
'pertaining to my wanting'
Examples:
yomoTTa
'(he) who came '
yomoTTac
'(she) who came '
yemmimoTu
'(they) who are coming'
yommitsoC
'(you-f.) who are giving'
With transitive verbs these affixes may refer either to the actor of
the verb or to its object, e.g.
yofolloghu
(i) who wanted'
(that) which I wanted'
( she) who ma de
yoserrac
or
(that) which she made'
(he) who makes'
yommisora
or
(that) which he makes'
(you-pl.) who want'
yommitfolligu
or
(that) which you (pi.) want'
When used as a modifier the relative construction agrees m
gender and
number with the noun it modifies, e.g.
yommimoTa sow
'a person who is coming'
yomoTTac set
'a woman who came'
yomoTTu sowoc
'people who came'
If the modified noun is definite, the definite suffix is affixed to
the relative construction (e.g. /yommihedow tomari/ 'the student who is
leaving).
With masculine nouns the definite suffix is /-ow/ after consonants,
/ - t / after / u / , and / - w / elsewhere.
With feminine nouns the definite suffix may be either (l) the feminine
definite suffix /-wa/ ( m
some areas /-(y)itwa/ or /-(y)itu), or (2) the
masculine definite suffix. Examples*
yohedew sowiyye.
'the man who went'
yemeTTut sowoc.
'the men who came'
yommimoTaw sowiyye.
'the man who is coming'
yomoTTacciwa
'the woman who came'
(ort yomoTTacciw) setiyyo.
yemmitmeTawa
'the women who is coming'
(ori yemmitmeTaw) setiyyo
yomoTTut
setoc
'the women who came'
The relative construction may have an object.
If the object is definite
or specific, the object suffix /-(i)n/ is affixed to it.
The corresponding verb suffix pronoun, (used m
apposition, see Note
may or may not be affixed to the relative construction.
Examples t
meSihafun yefolleghut
(or: yefelleghu) m e
'I am [the one] who wanted
nofl.
yemmitfelligewm mekina
ayyehut (or: ayyehu).
yegezzasiwm moSihaf ayyehut
(or: ayyehu).
yommittiTeriyatm setiyyo
ayyohuwat (or: ayyehu).
the book. '
'I saw the car that you(m)
were looking for.
'I saw the book that you(f)
bought.
'I saw the lady you(f) are
going to invite.
If the object is indefinite, the verb suffix pronoun is not commonly
used, e.g.
and moSihaf yofelleghu
m e non.
and bet yeserrac irswa nat.
I am [the one] who wanted
a book.
She is [the one] who built
a house.
The relative construction may itself function as the object of some
other verb.
In such instances, since the relative construction is always a
definite object, the object suffix /-(i)n/ is affixed to it, and the appro
priate verb suffix pronoun may or may not be affixed to the principal verb.
Examplesi
yefollogewm agennew
'he found what he wanted. »
(or: agefifie) .
izzih y a l l e w m ifelligowallehu
(ort ifelligallehu),
'I want [the thing] which
is here. '
In negative relative constructions the negative suffix /-(i)m/ is
omitted, e.g.
yemmalfelligew moSihaf.
'the book I don't want.'
yalfelleghut meSihaf.
'the book I didn't want.'
%.h)
If other affixes are prefixed to the relative constructions, the affix
/ y ( © ) - / with the perfective, and the / y e / part of the affix / y e m m d ) - / with
the imperfective, are omitted, e.g..
r
leTorrahut sow noggorhut.
I told it to the person I invited.'
(/yoTorrahut sow/ 'the person whom I invited')
lommiToraw sow mogrowallohu.
'I '11 tell it to the person I'm
going to invite'
(/yommiToraw sow/ 'the person whom I'm going to invite').
If the objeot m
the relative clause is itself modified, the relative
construction may have three different variants, e.g.:
Perfective
Relative Construction
/tilliKun bet ayyehut/
1)
/tilliKun bet yayyehut m e non/
'I saw the big house'
'It is I who saw the big house'.
2)
/yayyehut bet tilliK now/
'The house I saw is big'.
3)
/yayyehut tilliKun bet new/
'What I saw is the big house'.
Imperfective
/tilliKun bet ayewallohu/
1)
/tilliKun bet yommayow m e nen/
'I see the big house'
'It is 1 who see the big house.'
2)
/yemmayew bet tilliK new/
'The house I see is big'.
3)
/yemmayew tilliKun bet now/
'What 1 see is the big house'.
Note 10.2
The use of the affix / m d ( e ) - /
as',
'as', 'that', 'according to'.
mdeleloc temariwoc yamarinna
gazeTa anebballehu.
mdagonnowo neggeren.
Note 10.2.1
'like (as) ', 'such as', 'as soon
/md(e)/
I read Amharic newspapers like the
rest of the students.
He told me that he [had] met you.
'like', ' m the same manner as', ' m the same way as',
'according to'. '
The affix / m d ( e ) - / (/md-/ before vowels, / m d e - / elsewhere) prefixed
to nouns or their modifiers means
ing to ', e.g:
'like', ' m the same manner as', or 'accord
indane yimmaral.
'He studies like me'.
mdeleloc temariwoc lserallehu.
'I work like other students'.
mdersiwo nigiggir.
'according to your speech'.
Note 10.2.2
/ind(e)
/md(o)-/ m
yalle/ 'like', 'such as'
combination with the relative phrase /yalle/ 'that he (it!
exists'(/yallu/, /yallec/, etc. according to person and number) may be used
to modify nouns, e.g.:
m d a b b a t u yalle sew ayiggeflnim.
'There is no person like his
father'.
mdemeShafoc yallu negeroc gezzahu.
'I bought things like books',
m d e h i t u yallec set ayye.
'He saw a woman like his sister'.
Note 10.2.3
/md(e)-/
'as soon as', 'as'.
/ m d ( e ) - / can also be prefixed to perfective forms of verbs to produce
'as soon as' or 'as' clauses.
It should be noted that a Perfective form
describes the completion of an action (whether past or future). The / m d ( e ) - /
constructions, therefore, indicate a future action if the verb of the m a m
clause is an Imperfective form and a past action if the verb of the m a m
clause is a Perfective form e.g.:
mdeneggerhen bete lhedallehu.
'I '11 go home as soon as (or: the
way) you tell me'.
mdeneggerhen bete hedku.
'I went home as soon as (or: the
way) you told me'.
Note 10.2.1)..
/ m d ( e ) - / with Relative Constructions: 'that'
/ m d ( e ) - / is prefixed to Relative Constructions (Note 10.l) to produce
subordinate clauses m
connection with verbs meaning
'say', 'tell', 'know',
etc.
Examples:
wedebet m d e h e d e neggeren.
'He told me that he went home'.
wedebet mdemmimeTa awKallehu.
'I know that he'll come home'.
lijun m d a y y e w neggeren.
'He told me that he saw the child'-,
temariw Tiru mdemmihon yawKallu.
'They know that the student will
be good'.
woyzorit almaz bohakimbet wisT
mdohonec nogggrofi.
in the hospital'.
mdayyohefi yawKal.
If the verb m
'He told me that Miss Almaz is
'He knows that you saw me'.
such an /ind(e)-/ construction has an object which is
definite, the verb suffix (object) pronoun (used m
may or may not be affixed to it.
apposition—Note 5>.1+)
If there is an indefinite object, the
suffix pronoun is not affixed.
Examples:
yihin bet mdogozzacciw
(or: mdogozzac) awKallohu.
'I know that she bought this
house'.
but:
and bet mdogozzac awKallohu.
'I know that she bought a house'.
mekinawan mdesoTocciw
'You (f.) told me that she [had]
(or: mdosoToc) noggorsin.
r
sold the car.
but:
mokina mdosoToc noggorsin.
'You (f.) told me that she [had]
sold a car.
gazeTawm
mdalanobbobocciw
(or: mdalanobboboc) noggarkuh.
1
'I told you that she hadn't read
the paper '.
bun
gazeTa mdalanobboboc noggorkuh.
'I told you that she hadn't read
a paper '.
Sometimes the meaning of the / m d ( e ) - / clause may be ambiguous. Thus
for example / m d o m e T T a noggoron/ may mean both 'he told me that he came' and
'he told me as soon as he came'.
Transformation Drill
Drill 1
The instructor will say sentence A.
tence.
The student will repeat the sen
The instructor will then say the underlined word listed to the right
of sentence A.
The student will repeat the sentence changing it into 'indi
rect speech' (sentence B ) .
Drill 2
The instructor will say sentence B.
The student will repeat it and
then say it again changing the verb form into negative (sentence C ) .
A.
addis absba wisT msenebbitallen alun.
neggerufi.
B.
addis abeba wisT mdemmisenebbitu neggerun.
C.
addis abeba wisT mdemaysenebbitu neggerufi.
A.
wedaddis abeba lhedallehu alsccih.
B.
wedaddis abeba mdsmithed neggereccih.
C.
wedaddis' abeba mdemmathed
A.
mokina infelligallen alun.
B.
mekina mdemmifelligu neggerufi.
C.
mekina m d e m a y f elligu neggerufi.
A.
m e k i n a w m lwesdallehu alun.
B.
m e k i n a w m mdemmiwesdu neggerun.
C.
m e k i n a w m mdemmaywesdu neggerun.
A.
ibet mmeTallen alun. neggerun.
B.
ibet mdsmmimeTu neggerun.
G•
ibet mdsmmaymeTu neggerufi.
A.
and addis bete kristiyan serran alut.
B.
and addis bete kristiyan m d e s e r r u neggerut.
G.
and addis bete kristiyan mdalserru neggerut.
A.
yewiCC gudday
ministrun
mTeraccewallen alun.
B.
yewiGG gudday
ministrun
mdemmiTeruwaccew neggerun.
C.
yewiCC gudday
ministrun
mdemmayTerruwaccew neggerun.
A.
and beTam Tiru bet ayyehu alen.
B.
and beTam Tiru bet m d a y y e neggeren.
C.
and beTam Tiru bet mdalayye neggeren.
A.
and Konjo set ayallehu alen.
B.
and Konjo set mdemmiyay neggeren.
C.
and Konjo set mdemmayay neggeren.
A.
lemeSihafu assir birr tikeflallaccihu alen.
B.
lemeSihafu assir birr m d e m m m k e f l
C.
lemeSihafu assir birr mdemmankefl neggeren.
A.
lemekinaw hulett si birr keffelhu aleh.
B.
lemekinaw hulett si birr mdekeffele neggereh.
C.
lemekinaw hulett si birr mdalkeffele neggereh.
neggereccih.
neggereccih.
neggerun.
neggerufi.
neggerut.
neggerun.
neggeren.
neggeren.
neggeren.
neggeren.
neggereh.
A.
ri9g9 meSihafun lseTihallehu alhut.
neggerhut.
B.
ri9g9 meSihafun mdemmisoTew n9gg9rhut.
C.
n9gs
A.
t m a n t genzeb ssTTghiih alhut.
B.
t m a n t genzeb mdeseTTehut nggggrhut.
G.
t m a n t ggnzgb mdalseTTehut neggerhut.
A.
amarinna timmarallaccihu alufl.
B.
amarinna mdgmminnimmar neggerun.
G.
amarinna mdgmmannimmar neggerun.
A.
kgsost amst bgfit m e s k o b m n a tgmarhu a l e c c m .
B.
kgsost amgt bgfit moskobinna mdotomaroc neggereccm.
C.
kosost amet befit meskobmfia mdaltemarec
A.
wede gebeya inmeTallen alaccihun.
B.
wode gebea mdemmitmeTu neggeraccihun.
C.
wede gebeya mdemmatmeTu neggeraccihun.
A.
wede gebeya mhedallen alaccihun.
B.
wede gebeya mdemmathedu neggeraccihun.
C.
wed© gebeya mdemmathedu neggeraccihun.
A.
zare keseat behwala wede ketema lweTallehu alsiw.
B.
zare keseat behwala wede ketema mdernmitweCi neggersiw.
C.
zare keseat behwala wede ketoma mdemmatweCi neggersiw.
A.
ballefew s a m m m t kebalebete gar weTTahu alen.
B.
ballofew s a m m m t kebalobetu gar mdew©TTa n©gg©r©n.
C.
ballsfew s a m m m t kebalobetu gar mdalweTTa neggerefl.
A.
misayen ibelallehu a l e c c m .
B.
misawan mdemmitbela
C.
misawan mdematbela
A.
kesoat befit bunna TeTTan alun.
B.
keseat befit bunna m d e T e T T u neggerun.
C.
keseat befit bunna m d a l T e T T u neggerun.
A.
raswan yammatal aleccin.
B.
raswan mdemmiyammat neggereccin.
C.
raswan mdommayammat neggereccin.
meSihafun mdemmalseTew n 9 g g 9 r h u t .
nggggrhut.
neggerun.
neggeroccm.
neggereccm.
neggeraccihun.
neggeraccihun.
neggereccm.
neggereccm.
neggereccm.
neggerun.
neggereccm.
neggorsiw.
noggeren.
Transform Model Drill
Outline t
Perfective or Imperfective
>
Corresponding Relative Construction
(3 variants)
Model:
anto tinnisun bet ayyeh.
1
'you saw the small house'
tinnisun bet yayyehew ante neh.
'It is you who saw the small house'.
yayyehew bet t m n i s new.
2
'The house you saw is small'.
yayyehew tinnisun bet new.
ant© tinnisun bet tayalleh.
3
'What you saw is the small house'.
1
tinnisun bet yommittay ante neh.
'you see the small house '
'It is you who see the small house'.
yemmittayow bet t m n i s new.
2
'The house you see is small'.
yommittayow tinnisun bet new.
ant© tilliKun bet tigezalleh.
ant© tinnisun bet gozzah.
T i r u w m moSihaf tifolligalloh.
3
'What you see is the small house'.
1
tilliKun bet yemmitgezaw ante neh.
2
yemmitgezaw bet tilliK new.
3
yemmitgezaw tilliKun bet new.
1
tinnisun bet yegezzahew ante neh.
2
yegezzahew bet t m n i s new.
3
yegezzahew tinnisun bet new.
1
T i r u w m meSihaf yemmitfelligow
ante neh.
tinnisun mekina fellegec.
2
yemmitfelligew meSihaf Tiru now.
3
yemmitfolligew T i r u w m meSihaf new.
1
tinnisun mekina yefellegec isswa n©c.
2
yef©llegecciw m©kina t m n i s new.
3
yefellegocciw tinnisun mekina new.
beTam T i r u w m bet serraccihut.
l) beTam T i r u w m bet yeserraccihut
m n a rite naccihu.
Tiruwin' bet ayyehut
2
yeserraccihut bet beTam Tiru new.
3
yeserraccihut beTam Tiruwin bet new.
1
Tiruwin bet yayyehut m e nen.
2
yayyehut bet Tiru new.
3
yayyehut Tiruwin bet new.
leKurs dabbo beKibe bellaccihu. 1
leKurs dabbo beKibe yebellaccihu
m n a n t o naccihu.
mglizinna KwanKwa ayawKum.
2
leKurs yebellaccihut dabbo beKibe now.
3
leKurs beKibe yebellaccihut
new.
1
mglizinna KwanKwan yemmayawKu
dabbowm
m n e s s u naccew.
yemmayawKut KwanKwa mglizinna new.
yemmayawKut mglizinna KwanKwan new.
wendimme d e h n a w m migib
1
d e h n a w m migib yalbellaw wendimme
new.
albellam.
2
wendimme yalbellaw migib dehna new.
3
wendimme yalbellaw d e h n a w m migib
new.
K o n j o w m bet msorallen.
K o n j o w m bet yemmmseraw inna nen.
yemmmseraw bet Konjo new.
yemmmsoraw K o n j o w m bet now.
Tiruwin migib yibelallu.
T i r u w m migib yemmibelut
mnessu
naccew.
y9inmlb9lut migib Tiru new.
yemmibelut T i r u w m migib new.
Keyyun irsas ayallehu.
Keyyun irsas yemmayew m e
yemmayew irsas Keyy new.
yemmayew Keyyun irsas new.
nen.
mokina yommitfsllig ante neh t
awo
me
p
non.
p
betun yegezzut abbatih naccew t
awo
abbate naccew.
awo
astemariw naccew.
awo
astemarlyen new.
awo
isswa nat.
awo
me
kebbeden yefellegut astemariw naccew t
yemmitfelligiw a s t e m a r i s m new t
setiyyowan yoTeyyeKec isswa nat T
kebbeden wed© betu yaderresih ante n e h t
wedo timihirtbet yehedk ant© n©h t
awo
yetemaraccihut, amarinna new t
yeSafut meSihaf bamar m n a new T
p
m e nen.
awo
p
awo
yayyesiw ager amerika new t
amarinna new.
bama r m n a now.
p
awo
yoTeyyoKecciw anten n e w t
non.
p
p
amerika now.
p
awo
yemmitfelligut Keyy mokina now t
p
awo
yeyazut moSihaf new t
awo
yemeTTaw kebbede nebber t
meSihafun yeseTTesiw anci nes t
ltimihirt bet yegebbah ante noh t
awo
m e n now.
Keyy mekina new.
meSihaf new.
kebbede nebber.
p
awo
ine nen.
awo
betun yemmigezu abbatih naccewt
m e nen.
ammarinna yemmittimmarew ityoPiya wisT now t
awo
awo
abbate naccew.
yeneggerhuhm lekobbede neggerk t
awo
ityoPiya wisT new.
yeKwanKwa temariwoc amarinna mdommimmaru
awo
neggerhut.
mdommimmaru awKallshu.
awo
m d e m m m n i m m e l l e s neggernew.
tawKalloh t
wedamerika
mdemmittimmellesu
neggeraccihut t
mdelomma yalle sow addis ketema wisT
tinant keseat behwala ayyehu.
ayyeh t
p
sewiyyewm mdayyehew wedamerika hedh t
awo, kehulott Ken behwala hedhu.
s i j a r a w m m d a C e s e yet hedo.
wede betu hede.
ketimihirtbet m m
gize
mdommiweTa
awo, awKallehu.
tawKalloh t
p
astemariw m a k i n a w m m d e m m i s o T tawKalloh t
awo, awKallehu.
r a t a c c e w m giyon hotel
yawKallu t
mdemmaybelu
awo, awKallehu.
yowiCC gudday ministru silageraccsw
awo,
mnawKallon.
nigiggir md©mmiyad©rgu tawKallaccihu t
indamarinna Sihif©t yall© n©g©r tawKalloh t
yollom, alawKim.
baleb^te kamerika mdemoTTac man
yorsiwo a b b a t m n a nnat noggorun.
nsggsraccihu.
wedo ItyoPiya m d o h e d h u man noggoreh.
korsiwo tomariwocc andu noggoron.
wode ItyoPiya m d e m m i h e d m n a , innatun
awo, awKallohu.
lndemmiTQyyiKat tawKalloh t
misawin bewiCC gudday minister wisT
awo, noggoron.
lndQmmibGla noggorowo t
amarinna
lndGmmmnimmar
lGmQkina s m t
abbatmna
tawKallaccihut
lndGkoffGlG tawKallaccihu t
mnatih WGdQzzih
lndommimoTu
yollom, annawKim.
awo,
mnawKallon.
awo, zare noggorhuwat.
lastGmarih neggorhat^
ato lomman
tawKalloh t
m d a m m e m o w
g a z e T a w m lobalobetu
yollom, alawKim.
mdemmiyanobb
yellom, alnoggoronim.
noggoraccihu t
betun mdommitgozut abbataccihu yawKallut
awo, yawKallu.
wodagore mdommimmollos noggerhuh 1"
awo, neggerhen.
dirsot
greetings
almaz solamta
soTToccm.
to greet
solamta mosToT/solamta madrog
woyzoro Tirunesmna ato kobbodo and Kon mongod lay togenannu. ato kobbodo
loweyzoro Tirunos solamta soTTat.
adorrogoc.
woyzoro Tirunosim lato kobbodo solamta
ato kobbodG yowoyzoro T i r u n e s m balobet boyyogizew
mdemmiyagonnaccewmna, dohnmnotwan mdommiTGyyiK noggorat.
isswam woyzorit
a l m a z m mdagonfieccmna d G h n m n o t a c c o w m mdoToyyoKoc lato kobbodo noggorocciw.
ato kobbodom liju woyzorit almaz mdetammomoccinna, lhakimbet wisT m d a l l o c ,
lewoyzoro Tirunos noggorat.
woyzoro Tirunosim wed© hakimbet m e h e d m n a ,
weyzorit a l m a z m msTsyyoK mefollogwan noggorecciw.
TiyyaKewoc
bemenged lay sint sewoc tegenannu.
yetegenannut sewocc sim man now.
ato kebbede leweyzero Tirunes m m
neggerat.
weyzero Tirunesiss lato kebbede m m
ato kebbede sile liju m m
weyzero Tirunesiss m m
neggerecciw.
ale.
alec.
weyzero Tirunes a l m a z m mece TeyyeKeccat.
yehospltalu hakimoc Tiru n a c c e w t
Unit 11
Basic Sentences
Tlruno s
to have mercy, to forgive,
mare-momar-yimiral
to pardon
let him forgive; let him
yimar
haye mercy
'May God have mercy upon you'
lgzlyabher yimarih
(said to a sick person)
walo-mowal-yiwilal
to spend the day
Good afternoon ('how did you spend
lgzlyabher yimaris, m d o m m wals,
almaz t
the day? '). How are you feeling
Almaz?
('May God have mercy
upon you').
Almaz
to improve, to get better
tosalo-mossal-yissalal
he felt better
tosalow
Thank you, I'm feeling better today.
lgzlyabher yimmosgon, zare tinnis
yissaloflnal.
Tirunos
illness
bosita
what
mmdin
What is your trouble
besitas m m d m now.
('illness')?
Almaz
cold
(ailment)
gunfan
I had caught
yizon nobbor
I caught a cold.
gunfan yizon nobbor.
Tirunos
you (f) are feeling better
Are you feeling a little better now?
tosilosal
a h u m s s tinnis tosilosal t
Almaz
he, having come
moTto
medicine, drugs
modhanit
I'm feeling better
tosilonfial
awo, hakimu moTto modhanit kosoTTen
Yes, I feel, much better since the
bohwala, beTam tesilonnal.
doctor has come and given me some
medicine.
Tlruno s
When can you leave the hospital?
kehakimbet mec mewTat ticiyallos
Almaz
soon
tolo
I was wanting/looking for
lfellig nebber
until he tells me
lskinegren dires
I'd like to check out as soon as
tolo lemewTat lfellig nebber.
possible ('I was wanting to
n e g e r g m hakimu lskinegren
leave soon'), but I can't do it
dires, mewTat alcilim.
until the doctor tells me [so].
Tirunos
All right, I hope you'll feel
better.
issi, lgziyabher yimaris,
I'll come and see
iTeyyiKisallehu.
you again.
Grammatical Notes
Note 11.1
Verb:
/-a/.
The distribution of vowels and consonants of the two-radical verbs
m
/-©/ is as follows:
Type A:
Type B.
Infinitive
Perfective
Imperfective
mel2et
le22e
yi-l©2-al
mesTot
seTTe
yiseTal
mele22et
l©22e
yil©22-al
meleyyet
l©yy©
yileyyal
( 'to separate,
to distinguish')
Note 11.2
Verb:
Gerund
hakimu moTto modhanit kesoTTen
I feel better since the doctor came
behwala, beTam tosilonnal.
('having come') and gave me some
medicine.
beKeddemlet lijiwon woyzorit
Recently I met ('having met') your
a l m a z m monged lay agniccat,
daughter, Miss Almaz, on the street
dehnmnetaccihun noggoroccin.
[and] she told me how you were.
almaz tamma, ahun lhakimbet wisT
Almaz, being sick, is now m
the
hospital.
nat.
The underlined words m
the sentences above represent the form of the
verb known traditionally as the 'Gerund'.
This form is tenseless and usually
carries the sense of 'having done so-and-so', or 'on doing so-and-so'.
The Gerund m
Amharic is inflected for person, gender, and number. Its
subject may be different from the subject of the m a m verb (as m
the second
sentence above).
Infinitive
Short Imperfective
3rd p. s.
3-rad. verbs
Gerund
3rd p. s.
mengor
nogr-o
yi-negr
Type A:
3-rad. verbs
mef © H o g
follig-o
yi-f©llig
Type B:
2-rad. verbs
mogbat
yi-geba
gobt-o
Type A:
mesTeT
yi-seT
soTt-o
2-rad. verbs
meTeTTat
yi-ToTTa
ToTTit-o
Type B:
m©l©yyot
yi-loyy
loyyit-o
Except for the first person singular, the Gerund stem of three- and
two- radical verbs, types A and B, is the same as that of the Short Imper
fective .
Verbs which have an additional / - t / m
stem m
/ - t / (type A) and m
regular verbs m
/ - i t / (type B ) .
the infinitive have a gerund
The / - a / of the two-radical
/ - a / is lost before / - t / and /-it/.
The personal endings of the Gerund are:
Singular
1st person
-e
2nd person m.
-oh
2nd person f.
— OS
3rd person m.
3rd person f.
-o
-a
Plural
-on
-a c clhu
-ew
Examples:
Three-Rad.
'A' verb
Three-Rad.
'B' verb
n©£girre
'I, having told'
felli£Tge
'I, having wanted'
n©£2;r©h
'you (m) having told'
felli£^©h
'you (m) having wanted'
n©£gres
,'you (f) having told'
fellig5©s
'you (f) having wanted'
n©£?ro
'he having told'
fslli£•o
'he having wanted'
r±9£?ra
'she having told'
folligl&
'she having wanted'
nefgren
'we having told'
fallig^©n
'we having wanted'
nejgracelhu
'you (pi) having told'
f©lll£5a c c ihu
'you (pi) having wanted
n©£grsw
'they having told'
f©lll£5©w
'they having wanted'
Two-Rad.
Two- Rad.
'A' verb
'B' verb
;©bicce
'I, having entered'
ToTTicce
'I, having drunk'
;©bt©h
'you (m) having entered'
ToTTitsh
'you (m) having drunk'
;©bt9s
'you (f) having entered'
ToTTites
'you (f) having drunk'
;©bto
'he having entere'
ToTTito
'he, having drunk'
;gbta
'she having entered'
ToTTita
'she, having drunk'
;©btgn
'we having entered'
TeTTiton
'we, having drunk'
;9btaccihu
'you (pi) having entered'
ToTTitaccihu
'you (pi), having drunk
;9btgw
'they having entered'
ToTTitew
'they, having drunk'
In the first person singular the last consonant is doubled and Type A
verbs have an / 1 / before the doubled consonant.
If the last consonant (i.e.
the consonant before the first person singular ending) is one of the eight
dental or alveolar consonants listed m
Note 9 * 3 ,
the latter is replaced by
the corresponding palatal consonant.
The Negative Gerund is formed m
the same way as the Negative Perfective,
i.e. by affixing the prefix / a l - / and the suffix /-(i)m/, e.g.
/alnogrom/
'he not having told'
/alfelligom/
'he not having wanted'
/algebtom/
'he not having entered'
The Negative Gerund is very rarely used.
The Verb /ale, ma1st, yilal/ 'to say' has an irregular gerund, i.e.:
biyye
'I, saying / having said'
bileh
'you (m), saying / having said'
biles
'you (f), saying / having said'
bilo
'he, saying / having said'
bila
'she, saying / having said'
bilon
'we, saying / having said'
bilaccihu
'you (pi), saying / having said'
bilew
'they (he, she, you - p o l ) , saying / having
said'
In direct quotations the gerund of the verb /al©/ comes after the words
which are spoken and is followed by the m a m verb, e.g.:
almeTam bilo noggoron.
'He told me ('saying'):'I'm not coming',
lhedallehu bila neggereccm.
'She told us ('saying'):
'I'm going'.
Following is an example of gerund used with verb suffix pronouns:
felliggeh
'(i) having wanted you ( m ) '
felligges
you (f)
felliggewot
you (pol.)
felliggew
him/it
f©lliggeyat
her
felliggeyaccihu
you (pi)
f©lliggeyaccew
them
felligohen
'(you) having wanted m e '
felligoh©w
'
'
'
him/it
felligehat
'
'
'
her
felligehen
'
'
felligehaccew
•
'
f elligesm
' u s
'
them
'(you-f.) having wanted m e '
felligesiw
'
felligesat
i
f elligesm
'
'
'
us
felligesaccew
'
'
'
them
'
i
'
i
him/it
h
e
r
folligon
'(he) having wanted me'
folligoh
you (m)
felligos
you (f)
f©lligowot
you (pol.)
felligot
him/it
f©llxgowat
her
folligon
us
f©lligowaccihu
you (pi.)
felligowaccew
them
f olligafi
'(she' having wanted m e '
felligah
you (m)
folligas
you (f)
f©lligawot
you (pol.)
felligaw
him/it
felligat
her
f©lligan
us
f©lligacclhu
you (pi.)
f9lllgaCC9W
them
f9llig9nih
'(we) having wanted you (m)
f©lllgSniS
you (f)
felliggniwot
you (pol.)
f9lllg9n9W
him/it
f9llig9nat
her
fglliggnaccihu
you (pi.)
f9llig9nacc9w
them
f©lligaccihun
'you (pi.) having wanted me
fglligaccihut
1
f©lligaccihuwat
'
'
him/it
'
'
'
her
fglligaccihun
'
'
'
us
fglligaccihuwaccgw
'
'
'
them
'(they) having wanted me'
f ©lllgOWlfi
f©lllgOWlh
you (m)
f ©Hlg9WlS
you (f)
f©lllgQWIWOt
you (pol.)
f©lllgOWlt
him/it
folligswat
her
f ©HigQwin
us
f©11lgewa c clhu
you (pi. )
f©lligowaccsw
them
Verbs having one of the eight palatal consonants indicated m
Note 9.3
may lose the final /-ey-/ of the first person singular before suffixes
m
/-a/, e.g.:
instead of:
may be:
agniccat
'I having met her'
agfiicceya t
adrissaccihu
'I having caused you (pi.)
adrisseyaccihu
to arrive'
'I having taken them'
wossij jaccew
Note 11.3
Verb:
W 9 s s i j jeyaccgw
Present Perfect
k 9 t g y a y y g n bizu
gize hononal.
'It has been a long time
since we saw each other. '
The Present Perfect is formed by adding the suffix / - a l ( l ) - / to the
gerund.
In all the persons of the Present Perfect, except the first and
third person feminine singular, this suffix is /-al/.
The first person
singular has /-allohu/, the third person feminine singular /-alloc/.
Examples:
f©lliggeyallehu
folligohal
'I have wanted,
etc.
negirreyallehu
nogrehal
felligosal
nsgresal
f©lligowal
nogrowal
folligalloc
negrallsc
folligonal
negrsnal
f ©lligaccihuwal
negraccihuwal
f©lligowal
nogrgwal
I have told,
etc.
The Verb Suffix Pronouns (Object pronouns) occur before the suffix
/ - a l ( l ) - / (as m
the imperfective), e.g. /kobbodon aytohowal t /
'have you
seen Kebbede?'
The Present Perfect m
Amharic is virtually interchangeable with the
Perfective; there is no significant difference m
meaning, e.g. /hedo/ 'he
went' or 'he has gone', as well as /hedowal/ 'he went' or 'he has gone'.
The Negative form of the Present Perfect is not used, (except m
some
areas) the Negative Perfective is used instead.
Note 11.1;
Verb:
Past Perfect
wedaddis kotoma lomehed folligge
'I (had) wanted to go to Addis
nobborinna, awtobusun yot
Ketema and I don't know where
indommaggQnnGw alawKim.
to find the bus.'
The Past Perfect m
Amharic is a verb phrase, consisting of a Gerund
(inflected for person, gender, and number—Note 1 1 . 3 )
and an unmflected
auxiliary /nobbor/ or /nobboro/, e.g. /nogirre nobbor/ 'I had told', /nogrow
nobbor/ 'they had told', etc.*"(Note that the auxiliary m
the English equiv
alent is had, while the Amharic auxiliary is /nobbor/ or /nobboro/ 'was'.)
Following is the paradigm of the verb /follogo/ m
folligge nobbor
'I had wanted'
folligoh nobbor
'you (m) had wanted'
folligos nobbor
'you (f) had wanted'
folligo nobbor
'he had wanted'
folliga nobbor
'she had wanted'
folligon nobbor
'we had wanted'
folligaccihu nobbor
'you (pi.) had wanted'
felligew nobbor
'they (he, she, you) had wanted
The Past Perfect is used m
l)
the Past Perfect:
Amharic:
to describe a past action or state which was supposed to take place,
but did not occur (often with 'but', 'however', 'because'), e.g.
/momTat folligge nobbor, gin bird now/ 'I was going ('had
wanted')
to come, but it's [too] cold'.
However, some speakers of Amharic use /nogirre nobborhu/, /nogroh
nobborh/ etc., but this form is much less common than that with the
unmflected form /nobbor/.
This is also applicable to Note
11.5.
2)
to describe a past action or state preceding another action or state
m
the past, e.g. /kobbodo bemeTTa gize, lemma hedo nobbor/ 'when
Kebbede came, Lemma had [already] left. '
3)
to describe an action that took place m
the absence of the person
spoken to, e. g. /baratt soat irsiwon lomayot moTicce nobbor, n e g o r g m
alnobberum/ 'I came ('had
come') to see you at four o'clock but you
were not there.'
to describe an action which occured m
the distant past, e.g.
/kassir amot bofit addis aboba wisT agniccewo nobbor/ 'I (had) met
you m
Addis Ababa ten years ago.'
The Negative Past Perfect is formed by adding /nobbor/ to the Negative
Perfective form of the verb, e.g. /alhedhum nobbor/ 'I had not gone',
/alfollogom nobbor/ 'he had not wanted', etc.
Note 1 1 . 5
Verbt
Imperfect (Past)
tolo lomowTat lfellig nobbor.
'I'd like ('I was wanting') to
leave soon'.
The Imperfect is formed by adding /nobbor(©)/ to the Shori^ Imperfective
form of the verb.
It denotes a continuous or habitual action or state
m
the past and corresponds roughly to the Continuous Past or Past Progressive
m
English ('was
doing so-and-so', or 'used to do so-and-so').
It is also
used to refer to an action which could have but did not take place, as
m
/ t m a n t imoTa nobbor, n e g o r g m alcalhum/ 'I would have come yesterday, but
1 couldn't'.
(its use m
conditional sentences will be discussed later.)
Examples:
lhed nebber
tihed nobbor
Affirmative
I was going / used
to go/,would have
m e g r nebber
t m e g r nebber
gone, etc.
I was telling/used
to tell/, would
have told, etc.
tihej nebber
t m e g r i nebber
yihed nebber
y m e g r nebber
tihed nebber
t m e g r nebber
m n i h e d nebber
mnmegr
tihedu nebber
t m e g r u nebber
yihedu nebber
y m e g r u nebber
nebber
Negative
alhedim nebber
athedim nobbor
athejim nebber
I was not going,
alnegrim nebber
etc.
I was not telling,
etc
atnegrim nebber
atnegrim nebber
ayhedim nebber
aynegrim nebber
athedim nebber
atnegrim nebber
anhedim nebber
annegrim nebber
(or: a n n m e g r i m nebber)
athedum nebber
atnegrum nebber
ayhedum nebber
aynegrum nebber
Outline:
Perfective-+(1)nna
•>
Gerund
Model:
wedebetu hedenna, temelleso.
wedebete hedo, temolleso.
liju ltimihirtbet gebbanna, weTTa.
liju ltimihirtbet gobto woTTa.
astemariw kokiflu weTTanna, hede.
astemariw kokiflu weTto hede.
silo mekina ayyenna, neggeren.
sile mekina ayto neggeren.
meSihafen
meSihafen ltimihirtbet adrissew
ltimihirtbet
a dorr ©shut m n a , tomelloshu.
T i r u n e s m isinimabet a d o r s a t m n a ,
immeliesallehu.
tomelloshu.
T i r u n e s m isinimabet a dr is sat
immollesallohu.
kebbeden fellegsmna, agennosiw.
kebbeden felliges agennesiw.
abbatun ayyenna, wedagoru hede.
abbatun ayto wedageru hede.
kabbatmna
kabbatmna
nnate gar raten
bellahunna, moTTahu.
nege kersiwo gar misa ibelanna,
wed© ketema lhedallehu.
nnate gar raten belicce
meTTahu.
nege kersiwo gar misa belicce wede
ketema lhedallehu.
l i j h m y a z h e w m n a , wedamerika hedh.
l i j h m yizehew wed© amerika hedh.
astemariw gazeTa anebbobenna, silo
astemariw gazeTa anbibo sil© wiCC
wiCG gudday minister neggeren.
gudday minister neggeren.
sijara a C e s n m n a , k o b e t a c c m weTTan.
sijara aCisen k o b e t a c c m weTTan.
k©m©kinacc©w weTTunna, and neger
kemokinaccew weTtew and neger
lekobbede seTTut.
timihirtaccewm yimmarunna,
wedageraccew yimmellosallu.
lekobbede seTTut.
timihirtaccewm
yimmellosallu.
temirew wedageraccew
ballefew sammint m o T T a n m n a
genzeb
ballefew sammint meTten, genzeb
seTTen.
seTTen.
nege lmeTanna, genzeb iseTallehu.
nege meTicce genzeb lseTallehu.
Kursun yibelanna, yimeTal.
Kursun belto yimeTal.
mekinawan tiyizinna, abbatwan lemayet
mekinawan yiza abbatwan lemayet
tihedallec.
tihedallec.
silamerlka yewiCC gudday minister
silamerlka yewiCC gudday minister
timihirtbet iTeyyiKinna,
timihirtbet TeyyiKKe3
m e gr a c c lhuwa 119hu.
megracclhuwallehu.
lhakimbet y i h e d m n a ,
yimm9ll9sal.
lhakimbet hedo yimmellesal.
and gize timeTanna, tihedallgh.
and gize meTteh tihedalleh.
adrassayen yif e l l i g m n a , yagenfiewal.
adrassayen felligo yagenflewal.
wedaddis abeba mehedun lakistu
wedaddis abeba mehedun lakistu
neggerenna, hede.
negro hede.
wedezzih memTatun loliju neggerenna,
wedezzih memTatun leliju negro meTTa.
meTTa.
abbatinna innatun wede timihirtbet
Terranna, sile timihirtbetu
abbatinna innatun wede timihirtbet
Terto siletimihirtbetu neggeraccew.
neggeraccew.
yennatwan wedamerika memTat
yennatwan wedamerika memTat awKa
awweKeccmna, wedaddis ketema
wedaddis ketema hedec.
hedec.
l K a c c e w m asgebbutmna, wede migb
bet hedu.
l K a c c e w m asgebbitew wede migib
bet hedu.
wede suK hedeccinna, and neger ayyec.
wede suK heda and neger ayyec.
betun gezto lennatmna
labbatu
seTTaccew t
awo, and beTam Tiru bet gezto
labbatmna lennatu seTTaccew.
betun seTo yet ager mehed yifelligal.
wed amerika mehed yifelligal.
land sammint lzzih arfo wedabbatu
awo, yicilal.
mehed yicilalt
ato kebbede addis ketema hedo min
and beTam Tiru bet gezza.
gezza.
lijih amarinna temira Cerresec t
yellem.
betun zegtot hede t
awo,
alCerreseccim.
zegtot hedo.
p
genzebun keflew m e k i n a w m wesdewital t
awo, wosdewital.
zare Tiwat meTtes lastemariw
addis abeba mdemmihed neggirew
mm
nebber.
negresiw nebber.
ato kebbede yewiCC gudday ministrun
Tertew, lmeTallehu aluwaccew t
yellem, alaluwaccewim.
ato yohannismna balebetu izzih ager
meTtow
lgiyon hotel wisT arrefu.
yet arrefu.
balebetiwo k e t m a n t befit yot hedew
wedaddis ketoma heda moTTac.
meTTu.
yato lemma lij meSihafun yizo m o T t o w a l t
awo, yizo moTtowal.
g a z e T a w m anbibbe m m
neggerhuh.
silamerika tinnis neggerhen.
timihirtaccewm temirew yimeTallu t
wedezzih aymoTum.
m i s a w m wesdew lotemariw soTTut t
awo, letemariwmna, lestomariw
seTTuwaccow.
zare heda timmellesallec t
m m a l b a t yezare
sammmt
timmellesallec.
hakim bet hedew m a n n m TeyyoKu.
lijen TeyyeKhut.
temariwoc wedotimihirtbet moTtew
yellem, alTeyyeKutim.
a s t e m a r i w m ToyyoKut t
p
m i s a h m belteh timeTalloh t
awo, lmeTallehu.
p
zare timihirtbet hedeh m m
tiseralleh.
timihirtihm Cerriseh yet tihedalleh.
meSihaf anebballohu.
wedagere lhedallehu.
p
astemariwoc moTtew m m
genzobun wesdo m m
yisorallu.
yigezal.
m o k i n a w m geztos leman seTTesiw.
yastemirallu.
and bet yigezal.
lokebbed© seTTehut.
p
rataccihun beltaccihu moTTaccihu t
awo, bolten meTTan.
T i r u n e s m ayteh yet tihedalleh.
wed© bet© kristiyan lhedallehu.
izzih wilaccihu yet tihedallaccihu.
wedo b e t a c c m
astemariw meTto m a n n m fellege.
temariwoccun fellege.
betun seTo gonzebun loman soTTow.
labbatmna lonnatu ssTTaccew.
kebet woTto m m
sijara yaCosal.
yadergal.
p
yezare s a m m m t meTta ayyeccih t
awo, ayyoccin.
mhedallen.
dirset
antsn bemayete dess alofi.
to be pleased
doss alo-doss malet-dess yilal.
nog© besost soat amoTawallehu.
amoTTa-mamTat-yameTal
to bring
amoTaccillat.
she brought (for) her
TiyyaKeyen molloso.
to answer, to give back, to send
mellese-memelles-yimellisal
and Ken yeweyzerit almaz abbat, weyzero T i r u n e s m agenntowat, yelijun
mettamom neggerat.
TeyyoKeccat.
weyzero Tirunes wede hakimbet heda, weyzorit a l m a z m
woyzerlt almaz weyzero Tirunes wede hakimbet meTta sile
TeyyoKeccat, beTam doss alat.
negerocc amoTTaccillat.
weyzero Tirunesim lewoyzerit almaz bizu
kehakimbet moc lndemmitweTa TeyyoKeccat. weyzerit
almazim hakimu gena alneggorennim bila mollesoc.
weyzero Tirunesim meTicce
lToyyikisallehu bila, temellesec.
TiyyaKewoc
lowoyzero Tirunes y a l m a z m mettamom man noggerat.
weyzero Tirunes a l m a z m yet TeyyoKeccat.
weyzero Tirunes a l m a z m l e m m ToyyeKoccat.
woyzerit almaz l e m m dess alat.
weyzero Tirunes lalmaz m m
aleccat.
almaz kehakimbet mec indommitweTa tawKallect
hakimu a l m a z m mec indommitweTa noggerat t
almaz lhakimbet wisT s m t Ken Koyyec.
yalmaz abbatinna innat yiTeyyiKuwatal t
Unit 12
Basic Sentences
alomu
aKKoTaTor
way of counting, reckoning,
computing
calendar < '
„
Europe
European
different
t h e
w a
o
f t
m
yogize aKKoTaTor
e
7
}
reckoning')
awroPa
awroPawi
liyyu
Mr. John, do you know that the
tto jon, yeityoPiya yogizo
Ethiopian calendar is different
aKKoTaTor kawroPawiyan
from the European?
liyyu mehonun tawKalloh t
John
difference
ôw
liyyunnot
mdet
wha t, how
No I don't.
What is the difference?
yollom, alawKim. liyyunnotu m d e t
now.
alemu
month
wer
Days, night, months, years, hours
yeKonum yeletum yewerum yam©turn
are [treated! entirely different[ly]
(than yours).
ye sea turn aKKoTaTor, kennantow
boTarn liyyu now.
John
to explain
g©lloSo-m©gl©S-yig©lSal
explain (imperative)
giloS
Please explain the difference to me.
ibakkih liyyunnotun gileSillm.
alomu
middle, among, between
There is a difference of eight
mekakkel
boityoPiya yogize aKKoTaTormna
years between the Ethiopian
bawroPa yogize aKKoTaTor mekakkel
and European calendars.
y o s i m m m t amot liyyunnst alio.
pardon, mercy
mihrot
A. D.
amoto mihret
when it is
sihon
lomissale, m d e ItyoPiya aKKoTaTor
For example (when) the year (is)
1955 A.D. according to Ethiopian
asra zoTen moto hamsa ammist
calendar, (it) is 19&3 A.D.
amete
according to the European calendar.
aKKoTaTor asra zoTon moto silsa
mihrot
sost amot©
sihon, mdawroPa
mihrot
yihonal.
Structure Sentences
Telling Time
It's eight o'clock (a.m.). ('(from
(koKonu) hulott seat new.
the day) it is two o'clock').
It's eight o'clock (p.m.). ('(from
(kemissitu) hulett seat new.
the evening) it is two o'clock').
deKiKa
minute
It's 8:05
( '2:05 ')
hulett seat kammist deKiKa new.
quarter
rub
hulett soat kerub now.
It's a quarter past eight,
('quarter past two')
It's 8:15 ( ' 2 : 1 5 ' ) •
hulett soat kasrammist deKiKa new.
It's 8:25 ( ' 2 : 2 5 ' )
hulett seat kehayammist deKiKa new.
It's 8:30 ( ' 2 : 3 0 ' ) .
hulett tekkul new.
gudday
minus
It's 25 minutes of nine.
('25
lesost seat hayammist deKiKa
minutes of three').
gudday new.
It's 8:35 ( ' 2 i 3 5 ' ) •
hulett seat keselasammist deKiKa
new.
It's a quarter of nine ('of three')
lesost soat rub gudday new.
It's 8:45 ( ' 2 : 4 5 ' ) •
hulett seat karbammist deKiKa new.
I'm going to do my work m
morning.
the
boTiwat sirayen lserallohu.
I'll bring my car at ten ('four)
o'clock m
the morning.
Tiwat baratt soat mokinayen
amoTawallohu.
or
koTwatu baratt soat mokinayen
amoTawallohu.
I'm coming at one o'clock ('seven
o'clock') m
the afternoon.
kosoat bohwala, bosobat soat
imoTallohu.
mata inmeTallon.
We'll come tonight.
I'll come at ten ('four') o'clock
komissitu barat soat imoTallohu.
tonight.
I'll come at 2too a.m. ('at eight
o'clock of the night').
kolelitu b o s i m m m t soat imoTallohu.
beyond
wodiya
the day before yesterday
k o t m a n t m n a wodiya
He didn't come the day before
k o t m a n t m n a wodiya almeTTam.
yesterday.
t m a n t mata moTTac.
She came last night.
boyye
on, every
They were going to school every
ballofow sammint boyyoKonu wodo
timihirtbet yihedu nobbor.
day last week.
the day after tomorrow
He'll come the day after tomorrow.
next week
konog© wodiya
konog© wodiya yimoTal.
yemmimoTaxv sammint
They'll come next week.
bommimoTaw sammint yimoTallu.
letter
dobdabbe
to send
lako-molak-yilikal
You (pol.) have sent the letter,
nore-menor-ymoral
to live
I have been (living) m
for five years.
dobdabbewm likowital.
America
amerika wisT ammist amot
norreyallohu.
Grammatical Notes
Note 12.1
Telling Time.
In Note 8.1
was briefly discussed.
telling of time m
the Ethiopian way of the reckoning of time m
hours
The Structure Sentences of this Unit illustrate the
fractions of an hour.
This may be summed up as follows*
hulott soat.
8:00
'two o'clock')
hulott soat kassir deKiKa.
8:10
'ten past two')
hulott soat kerub.
8:15
'quarter past- two')
hulott soat kehaya doKIKa.
8:20
'twenty past two')
hulott tokkul.
8:30
'half past two')
lesost seat haya deKiKa gudday.
8:^0
'twenty minutes of three')
lesost seat rub gudday.
8:45
'quarter of three')
sost seat.
9:00
'three o'clock')
Note 12.2
Verb:
Jussive
Tena yisTillin.
May [God] give [you] health on
my behalf ('for m e ' ) .
lgziyabher yimmesgen.
May God be praised.
inniref.
Let us rest.
yasayyufi.
Le t them show me.
lKayen yasgebbullin.
Let them bring m
[my] things
( 'for me ') .
These are examples of the verb form traditionally called
This form is commonly employed m
'Jussive'.
the first and third persons with meanings
such as 'let him (her, them, me, us) do the action of the verb' or 'may he
(she, they, I, we) do the action of the verb'.
The Jussive has the same personal prefixes and suffixes which are used
to form the short Imperfective except that the first person singular has an
/ l - / before the prefix / i - / .
The third person plural of the Jussive may have the meaning of a 'polite '
Imperative.
Thus /yasayyun/ may mean
'[Please] bring it (thing) m
'[Please] show m e ' and /yasgebbullin/
for me.'
The distribution of vowels and root consonants of the Jussive form for
'regular' verbs is as follows:
l)
Three-radical verb, type
'A'.
- 12Q3 Example:
/mekfet/
'to open'
likfet
'let me (may I) open'
yikfet
'let him (may he) open'
tikfet
'let her (may she) open'
m n i k f et
'let us (may we) open'
yikf9tu
'let them (may they) open'
or:
2)
open (pol.).
Three-radical verb, type 'B'.
-1922i3 -
Example:
(same pattern as m
/ m 9 f 9 l l 9 g / 'to look for'
lifollig
'let me (may I) look for'
yif©llig
'let him (may he) look for'
tifellig
'let her (may she) look for'
m ( n i ) f ©llig
'let us (may we) look for'
yifelligu
'let them (may they) look for'
or:
3)
Imperfective)
look for (pol.)
Two-radical verb, type 'A'.
and
-12a
for verbs ending m
/-at/ m
the Infinitive
-12-
for verbs ending m
/-et/ m
the Infinitive
and for the third person plural of all the
verbs of this type.
Examplei
/mogbat/
ligba
'let me
yigba
'to enter'
(may I) enter'
/mosTot/
'to give'
lisT
'let me (may i) give'
'let him (may he) enter'
yisT
'let him (may he) give'
tigba
'let her (may she enter'
tisT
'let her (may she) give'
innigba
'let us (may we) enter'
innisT
'let us (may we) give'
yigbu
'let them (may they enter'
yisTu
'let them (may they)
or:
enter
(pol.)
give '
or: give
(pol.)'
r
Two-radical verb, type 'B .
-lo22a
for verbs m
/-at/
-1©22
for verbs in / o t / and for the third person plural
of all verbs of this type.
Examples:
/moToTTat/
'to drink'
/moloyyot/
'to separate '
liToTTa
'let me (may I) drink'
lileyy
'let me (may I) separate'
yiToTTa
'let him (may he) drink'
yiloyy
'let him (may he) separate'
tiToTTa
'let her (may she) drink'
tiloyy
'let her (may she) separate'
inniloyy
'let us (may we) separate'
yiloyyu
'let them (may they) separate '
inniTeTTa
yiToTTu
'let us (may we) drink'
'let them (may they) drink'
or:
ort
drink (pol.)'
separate (pol.)
The Negative form of the Jussive is formed by affixing the negative
prefixes of the Imperfective (see Note 9.4)
initial prefix / l - / is lost m
but not the suffix /-(i)m/. The
the Negative Jussive, e.g.:
Three-radical verbs
Type
Type
'A '
alikfet
'let me not open'
alfollig
'let me not look for'
ayikf©t
'let him not open'
ayfollig
•let him not look for'
attikfot
'let her not open'
at(ti)f©llig
'let him not look for'
annikf©t
'let us not open'
an(ni)f©llig
'let us not look for'
aykf©tu
'let them not open
ayfolligu
'let them not look for
1
Two-radical verbs m /-a/.
Type
Type
'A '
'B'
aligba
'let me not enter '
alToTTa
'let me not drink'
ayigba
'let him not enter'
ayTsTTa
'let him not drink'
attigba
'let her not enter'
at(ti)ToTTa
'let her not drink'
annigba
'let us not enter'
an(ni)T©TTa
•let us notdrink'
ayigbu
'let them not enter'
ayT©TTu
'let them not drink'
Two-radical verbs m
Type
/-©/
Type 'B'
'A '
alisT
'let me not give '
alleyy
'let me not separate '
ayisT
'let him not give'
a
y3eyy
'let him not separate '
attisT
'let her not give'
at(ti)loyy
'let her not separate'
annisT
'let us not give'
an(ni)loyy
'let us not separate'
ayisTu
'let them not give
ayloyyu
'let them not separate '
The negative second person Jussive forms are used m
sense.
an imperative
The affirmative forms are not used.
Three-radical verbs
Type
'A '
Type 'B'
attikfet
'don't open (m.s.)'
at(ti)follig
'don't look for
(m.s.)'
attikfoc
'don't open (f.s.)'
at(ti)folligi
'don't look for
(f.s.)'
attikfotu 'don't open (pi.) '
at(ti)folligu
'don't look for
(pi.)'
ayikfotu
ayfolligu
'don't look for (pol.) '
'don't open (pol.) '
Two-radical verbs m
Type
/-a/
'A '
Type 'B'
2nd m.s. attigba
'don't enter'
at(ti)T©TTa
'don't drink'
2nd f.s. attigbi
'don't enter'
at(ti)T©CCI
'don't drink'
2nd pi.
'don't enter'
at(ti)T©TTu
'don't drink'
'don't enter'
ayToTTu
'don't drink'
attigbu
2nd pol. ayigbu
Two-radical verbs m
Type
/-©/
'A '
Type 'B'
2nd m.s. attisT
'don't give'
at(ti)leyy
'don't separate'
2nd f.s. attisCi
'don't give'
at(ti)loyyi
'don't separate'
2nd pi.
attsTu
'don't give'
at(ti)loyyu
'don't separate'
2nd pol. ayisTu
'don't give'
ayloyyu
'don't separate'
The Jussive forms of other verb types will be introduced m
units.
later
Note 12.3
Imperative
Open your books.'
moSihafoccaccihun zigu.
Close your books.'
bolu.
Say.'
w©d© fit yihidunna wod©gra yizuru. Go straight ahead and turn to the left,
yidgemut.
Repeat it.'
These are examples of the Imperative.
The Imperative is used in the
second person masculine and feminine singular and m
(for several persons).
In addition to these forms the third person plural of
the Jussive is used as a polite imperative.
form is given m
the second person plural
In the examples that follow this
parentheses for'completeness ' sake.
however, that the second person
It should be noted,
plural Imperative is used by some speakers
as a polite imperative, e.g.
/siTu/ may mean both 'give (pi.) ' and
'give (pol.) '.
The Imperative means simply 'do the action of the verb'.
The vowel distribution of the Imperative for the regular three- and
two- radical verbs is as follows:
l)
Three-radical type A verbs:
li2©3
Examples t
2)
nigor
'tell (m.s.)'
kifot
'open (m.s.)'
nigori
'tell (f.s.) '
kifec(i)
'open (f.s.)'
nigoru
'tell (pi.) '
kifotu
'open (pi.)'
(ymgoru)
'tell (polite) '
(yikfotu)
'open (polite) '
Three-radical type B verbs 1
1O22I3-
3)
fsllig
'look for (m.s.) '
folligi
'look for
(f.s.)'
felligu
'look for
(pi.)'
(yifelligu)
'look for (polite) '
Two-radical verbs m
Type
/-a/
'A' li2(a)-
2nd m.s.
giba
2nd f.s.
gibi
'enter '
Type
ToTTa
ToCCi
'B' l©22(a)'drink'
2nd pi.
gibu
2nd pol.
(yigbu)
If)
'enter'?
'
Two-radical verbs m
Type
TeTTu
'drink'
(yiToTTu)
'
/-o/
'A' li2-
Type
'give'
loyy
'B' lo22-
2nd m.s.
siT
2nd f.s.
siCl
'
loyyi
'
2nd pi.
siTu
'
loyyu
'
(yiloyyu)
'
1
2nd pol. (yisTu)
The imperative occurs only m
the affirmative.
'separate.' '
Negative commands are
expressed by negative Jussive forms (see preceding note).
Note that the imperative of the verb /memTat/ 'to come' is irregular:
-
1°
na
'come (m.s.)'
noy
'come (f.s.) '
nu
'come (pi.) '
The jussive form of this verb is regular, i.e.
(yimTu)
'come (pol.)'
The complementary relationship of the imperative and jussive forms is
shown m
the following table:
Affirmative
Negative
First persons:
Jussive
First persons:
Jussive
Second persons:
Imperative
Second persons:
Jussive
Third persons:
Jussive
Third persons:
Jussive
Following is the list of all the verbs that have occurred m Units 1-12 show
ing the imperative
(second person singular) and Jussive (third person singular)
forms of these verbs:
Perfective
Infinitive
aCese
maC©s
addero
mader
aderroge
Imperfective
Imperative
'to smoke'
yaCesal
aCis
yaC is
yadral
ider
yider
madrsg
'to spend the
night'
'to do '
yadergal
adrig
yadrig
aderros©
madres
'to convey'
yadersal
adris
yadris
age fin©
magnet
'to find '
yage final
agn
yagn
ale
ma let
'to say'
yilal
bel
yibel
all©f©
malef
'to pass '
yalfal
llof
yilof
amssssgone
mamesgen
'to thank'
yamoseggmal
am©sgm
yamesgm
Ikl
Jussivi
Imperfective
Imperative
yameTal
amTa
Jussive
Perfective
Infinitive
ameTTa
mamTa t
'to bring'
amrtiertiQ
mamem
'to cause pain' yammal
anebbebe
manbgb
'to read '
yanebbal
anbib/anibb yanbib/yanibb
arrofe
margf
'to rest'
yarfal
iref
yiref
a sayye
masayygt
'to show'
yasayyal
asayy
yasayy
asgebba
masggbbat
'to let bring'
yasgebbal
asgebba
yasgebba
astomarg
mastgmar
'to teach'
yastemiral
astemir
ya stemir
a Te nna
maTnat
'to study'
yaTonal
aTna
yaTna
awweKo
maweK
'to know '
yawKa1
lweK
yiweK
ayy©
mayet
'to see '
yayal
iy
azzsns
mazon
'to be sorry'
ya z na 1
lzen
yizon
bella
meblat
'to eat'
yibelal
bila
yibla
cal9
mecal
'to be able '
yicilal
cal
yical
Cerresg
msCsrros
'to finish'
yiCerrisal
Cerris
yiCerris
d9gg9m9
medggm
'to repeat'
yidegmal
digem
yidgem
dgss ale
dgss malet 'to be pleased ' dess yilal
fellege
mefelleg
'to want'
yifolligal
fellig
yifellig
gelleSe
meglgS
'to expla m '
yigelSal
gileS
yigleS
gezza
megzat
'to buy'
yigezal
giza
yigza
hede
mghed
'to go '
yihedal
hid
yihid
hone
mghon
'to become'
yihonal
hun
yihun
jemmere
mg jemmer
'to begin'
yijemmiral
j emmlr
yijemmir
keffa
mekfat
yikefal
keffelg
mekfgl
'to become
worse '
'to pay'
yikeflal
kifel
yikfel
keffete
mgkfet
'to open'
yikeftal
kifet
yikfet
Koyys
mgKoyyot
'to stay '
yiKoyyal
Koyy
yiKoyy
lake
mglak
'to send '
yilikal
lak
yilak
mare
momar
'to forgive '
yimiral
mar
yimar
mellese
mgmgllos
'to answer'
yimellisal
mollis
yimollis
messele
mgmsel
'to seem '
yimeslal
misel
yimsel
moTTa
mgmTa t
'to come '
yimeTal
na
yimTa
-
yamTa
yimem
-
dess yibel
_
yikf a
Perfective
Imperfective
Infinitive
Imperative
Jussive
nsggors
rti9ng9r
'to tell'
ymegral
nigor
ymger
nor 9
manor
' to live'
ymoral
nur
ymur
redda
m9rdat
'to help '
yiredal
lrda
yirda
S9n9bb9t9
m9S9nbot
'to spend a
yisonebbital
few days '
sonbit
yisenbit
ssrra
mgsrat
'to work'
yiseral
sira
yisra
S9TT9
mosToT
'to give '
yiseTal
siT
yisT
Safg
moSaf
'to write'
yiSifal
Saf
yiSaf
S9T9
mosoT
'to sell'
yiseTal
siT
yis
tamrn9rti9
mettamom
'to be ill'
yittammemal
tamom
yittamem
taTT9b9
mottaTeb
'to wash
oneself '
yittaTTebal
taTob
yittaTob
t9bal9
mebbal
'to be said'
yibbalal
tgggnanfle
meggenannet 'to meet'
tegenno
meggennet
t9mar9
yiggona final
-
I T
yibbal
tegenafl
yiggenan
'to be found ' yiggennal
tegon
yiggen
memmar
'to learn'
yimmaral
temar
yimmar
temellesa
memmeles
'to return'
yimmollesal
tomelles
yimmeles
tOmeSOggenO
memmesgen
' to be
praised'
yimmeseggenal
temosgon
yimmgsggn
t9n9ssa
mennosat
'to get up '
ymnessal
tenesa
ymnesa
tesale
messal
'to improve'
yissalal
teyayyu
motteyayot
'to see each
other'
yiteyayyallu
teyayu
yitteyayu
T9bb9K9
moTebbeK
'to wait'
yiTobbiKal
TebbiK
yiTobbiK
T9rra
moTrat
'to call'
yiTeral
Tira
yiTra
T9TTa
meTeTTat
'to drink'
yiTeTTal
TeTTa
yiToTTa
TeyyeKe
meTeyyeK
'to ask'
yiTeyyiKal
TeyyiK
yiTeyyiK
walg
mewal
'to spend
the day'
yiwilal
wal
yiwal
W9SS9d9
mewsed
'to take'
yiwesdal
wised
yiwsed
w9TTa
mewTat
' to go out'
yiweTal
wiTa
yiwTa
yazg
meyaz
'to hold'
yiyizal
yaz
yiyaz
Z9gga
mezgat
'to close '
yizegal
ziga
yizga
zor©
mezor
'to turn'
yizoral
zur
yizur
-
yissal
Note 12.i| Relational affix /iyy(e)-/
'each' with nouns.
b a l e b e t s m gin beyyegizew silemmagonnaccow
d e h n m n e t s m lToyyiKaccowallohu.
However, every time (since) I
see your husband I ask him
how you are.
kozziya bohwala wodoyyobetaccow
Then they each go home.
yihedallu.
(each one to his respective
house)
ballafow s a m m m t boyyoKonu wode
They went to school every day
timihirtbet yihedu nobbor.
The affix /iyy(e)-/
last week.
(/iyy©-/ before consonants, /iyy-/ before vowels)
prefixed to nouns with the definite suffix means
'each house'.
'each', e.g. /lyyebetu/
Used with the preposition / b o - / 'on' it denotes a repeated
occurrence, e.g. /boyyogizew/ 'every time', /boyyoKonu/ 'every day',
/boyyamotu/ 'every year', etc. Another way of expressing
'every' with days
of the week or with /Tiwat/ 'morning', /mata/ 'evening', and /Kon/ 'day', is
by reduplication, i.e., by saying the word twice.
Thus /boyyomataw/ and
/mata mata/ 'every evening' /boyyoTiwatu/ /Tiwat Tiwat/ 'every morning',
/beyye Konu/ and /Kon Kon/ 'every day' may be used interchangeably.
Note 1 2 . 5
Relational affix /iyy(e)-/
'while' with verbs.
The same affix /iyy(©)-/ (/iyy-/ before / a / and /iyye-/ elsewhere) can
be prefixed to Perfective verb forms.
The resulting form corresponds m
so-and-so' or 'on doing so-and-so'.
meaning approximately to 'while doing
The form describes an action performed
at the same time as that of the m a m verb of the sentence and, therefore, may
refer to the present-future or to the past. e.g.
sijara lyyaCose, meSihaf yanebbal.
While smoking he's reading a book,
sijara lyyaCose, meSihaf yanebb nobbor.
While smoking he was reading a book.
The /iyy(e)-/ form may also denote an habitual action or state, e.g.
a b b a t m n a m n a tun lyyeTeyyeKe
yimmellesal.
He usually visits his parents and
comes back.
This form may sometimes convey the meaning of 'although', ' m spite of
the fact that', e.g.
timihirtun maTnat lyyefellege, wede
sinimabet hede.
Although he wanted to study his
lesson, he went to the movies.
The affix /iyy(s)-/ prefixed to verbs denoting
may be used m
'state' or
'condition'
combination with the forms of the verb /mohed/ 'to go'.
resulting form corresponds m
meaning to the English
'becoming so-and-so', as for example
The
'getting so-and-so',
'getting better', 'becoming colder, etc,
e.g.
lyyetesalew hede.
'He was getting better. '
bird lyyohono yihedal.
'It's getting colder. '
tilliK lyyohonhu hedhu.
'I was getting bigger. '
lyyazzonoc tihedalloc.
'She is becoming sadder.'
Note 1 2 . 6
mdo
Relational affix / s ( i ) - /
'when', while', 'as'.
ityoPiya aKKoTaTor asrazoTon
'When according to the Ethiopian
moto hamsa ammist amete mihrot
calendar the year is 1 9 5 5
sihon....
A.D. ...
•The affix / s d ) - /
(/s-/
before vowels, / s i - / before /ya/ and / s i - /
elsewhere) is prefixed to the Short Imperfective to form clauses correspond
ing to English
'when', 'as', or 'while' clauses.
Examplesi
'I ' 1 1 greet you when I meet you on
bomonged lay sayih, solamta
isoTihallohu.
the street. '
gazeTa sittanebb kobbodo meTTa.
'Kebbede came while you were reading,
kobbodo meSihafun sifellig
'The teacher came while Kebbede was
astemariw meTTa.
looking for the book.'
l K a w m siyameTa ikeflewallehu.
' I ' 1 1 pay him when he brings the
things.'
When the affix / s d ) - / is prefixed to the negative imperfective, the
resulting / s - / form corresponds m
so-and-so' 'without doing so-and-so' or
'before doing
'unless doing so-and-so' according
to the context, e.g.
baburu saymeTa abbaten lTorallehu.
'I'11
call my father before the
t r a m comes. '
meSihafun salagen kezzih alhedim.
'I won't leave unless I get the
book.'
misayen salbela wede timihirtbet
alhedim.
'I won't go to school without
having my lunch.'
The third person singular (masculine or feminine) and plural imper
fective forms of the verb /manor/ 'to exist' are used with the verb suffix
pronouns to form the equivalents of English
'when I have', 'when you have'...
etc., e.g.
/meSihaf sinoron/
'when I have a book'
('when a book will exist to me')
/meSihafoc sinorun/
'when I have books'
( 'when books will exist to me')
/mist sitoren/
'when I have a wife'
( 'when a wife exists to me')
As illustrated by the above examples, the item possessed is the subject,
/sinor-/ follows a Masculine Thing Possessed, /sitnor-/ follows a Feminine
Thing Possessed, and /sinoru-/ follows Plural Things Possessed.
The suffix pronoun indicates the possessor.
Following is the complete
set of these forms:
Ma s cul m e Thin*? Possessed
Feminine ThinfI Possessed
sinoron
'when I have '
sitnoron
'when I have '
sinorlh
'when you (m.) have '
sitnorlh
sinoris
'when you (f.) have'
sitnoris
'when you (f.) have'
sinorlwot
'when you (pol.) have'
sitnoriwot
'when you (pol.) have
sinor©w
'when he has'
sitnorow
'when he has'
sinorat
'when she ha s '
sitno rat
'when she has'
sinoron
'when we have'
sitnoren
'when we have'
sinoraccihu
'when you (pi.) have'
sitnoraccihu
'when you (pi.) have'
sinoracc©w
'when they have'
sitnoraccow
'when they have'
Plural Things Possessed
sinorun
'when I have
sinoruh
sinorus
'when you (f.) have '
sinoruwot
'when you (pol. ) have
sinorut
'when he has '
sinoruwat
'when she has '
sinorun
'when we have'
s inoruwa c clhu
'when you (pi.) have '
sinoruwaccow
'when they have
!
Negative
Feminine Thing Possessed
Masculine Thing Possessed
saynoron
'when I don't have'
satnoren
'when I don't have'
saynorlh
'when you (m) don't have'
satnorih
saynoris
'when you (fern.) don't have'
satnoris
etc.
saynoriwot
etc.
satnoriwot
saynorew
satnorew
saynorat
satnorat
saynoron
satnoron
saynoraccihu
satnoraccihu
saynoraccew
satnoraccew
saynorun
'when I don't have'
saynoruh
etc.
saynorus
saynoruwot
saynorut
saynoruwat
saynorun
saynoruwaccihu
saynoruwaccew
Note 12.7
/abro/ 'together', 'both'
The forms /abro/ m
/abro yisTon/ and /abraccihu/ m
/abraccihu
bolu/ are the gerund forms of the verb /abbere - mabbor - yabbiral/ 'to unite'
A complete set of these forms:
abirre
'I together with'
abroh
'you (m) together with'
abres
'you (f) together with'
abro
'he together with'
abra
'she together with'
abron
'we together with'
abraccihu
'you (pi) together with'
a brew
'they/you (pol) together with i
Examples:
abirreh lhedallehu.
'I'm going ('together') with you.'
abrehon m i s a h m
'You're going to have lunch
tibelalleh.
('together') with me.'
'Kebbede went to town together with
kebbede kennatugar abro wede
his mother. '
ketema hede;
'Kebbede and his wife went to town
kebbedenna balebetu abrew wede
together. '
ketema hedu.
Drill
Read the following times m
Amharici
6:20 a .m.
10:45 a.m.
5:10 p.m.
ii 155 a.m.
2:00 p.m.
7:35 a .m.
4:05 p.m.
2:10 p.m.
12i05 p.m.
6:25 a.m.
7:15 a .m.
12:50 p.m.
8il|0 a.m.
9:00 a .m.
9i5o a.m.
9*30 p.m.
1:05 p.m.
5:45 p.m.
3:35 p.m.
3:50 p.m.
Substitution Drills
Drill 1 .
The student will repeat
the sentence and then say it again substituting the Imperative or
the Jussive (as the case may be) for underlined verb form.
Drill 2.
the sentence using the negative form of the verb (Sentence B.)
Then the student will repeat the sentence B substituting the
negative Jussive for the underlined verb form.
A.
wede kotema tihedalleh.
wede ketema hid.
B.
wodo kotema athedim.
wed© ketema attihid.
A.
iketema wisT sira tiseriyallos
iketema wisT sira siri.
B.
iketema wisT sira atserim.
iketema wisT sira attisri,
A.
letemariwoc genzeb tiseTallaccihu.
lotemariwoc genzeb siTu.
B.
letemariwoc genzeb atseTum.
letemariwoc genzeb attisTu.
A.
debdabbe tiSifiyalles.
debdabbe Safi.
B.
debdabbe attiSifim.
debdabbe atSafi.
A.
lhotelu wisT migb tiseTalloh.
lhotelu wisT migb siT.
B.
lhotelu wisT migb atseTim.
lhotelu wisT migb attisiT.
A.
ministrun tiggenanfiallaccihu.
ministrun togenanflu.
B.
ministrun attiggenannum.
ministrun attiggonanflu.
A.
timihirtihm timmaralleh.
timihirtihm temar.
B.
timihirtihm attimmarim.
timihirtihm attimmar.
A.
kageris timmellesalles.
kageris temellos.
B.
kageris attimmellesim.
kageris attimmoles.
A.
and Tiru hotel tigezallaccihu.
and Tiru hotel gizu.
B.
and Tiru hotel atgozum.
and Tiru hotel attigzu.
A.
labbatinna lonnatis bet tigezalles.
labbatinna lonnatis bet gizi.
B.
labbatinna lonnatis bet attigezim.
labbatinna lonnatis bet attigzl.
A.
wede wiCC gudday minister tihedalleh.
wede wiCC gudday minister hid.
B.
wede wiCC gudday minister attihedim.
wede wiCC gudday minister attihid.
A.
yetimihirt ministr tihonnallos.
yetimihirt ministr huflfli.
B.
ye timihirt ministr attihonriim.
yetimihirt ministr attihunfli.
A.
siraccihun ti.iemmirallaccihu.
siraccihun jemmiru.
B.
siraccihun atti.iemmirum.
siraccihun attijemmiru.
A.
lemekinas bizu genzeb tikefyallos.
lemokinas bizu gonzeb kifey.
B.
lemekinas bizu genzeb attikefyim.
lemekinas bizu genzeb attikfey.
A.
addis timihirtbet tikeftallaccihu.
addis timihirtbet kifetu.
B.
addis timihirtbet attikeftum.
addis timihirtbet attikfetu.
A.
genzebaccihun tiwesdallaccihu.
genzebaccihun wisedu.
B.
genzobaccihun attiwesdum.
genzobaccihun attiwsedu.
A.
abbatmna m n a t h m
abbatmna m n a t h m
tifelligalleh.
fellig.
B.
a b b a t m n a m n a t h m att if elligim.
a b b a t m n a m n a t h m attifellig.
A.
silagerih zare tigelSalleh.
silagerih zare gileS.
B.
silagerih zare atgelSim.
silagerih zare attigleS.
A.
nege keseat behwala yimeTallu.
nege keseat behwala yimTu.
B.
nego keseat behwala aymoTum.
nege keseat behwala ayimTu.
A.
K u r s i h m lemeblat timeTalleh.
K u r s i h m lemeblat na.
B.
K u r s i h m lemeblat atmeTam.
K u r s i h m lemeblat attimTa.
Tiru meSihaf yiSifal.
Tiru meSihaf yiSaf.
B.
Tiru meSihaf aySifim.
Tiru meSihaf aySaf.
A.
hotel wisT migb tisoTalloc.
hotel wisT migb tisiT.
B.
hotel wisT migb atsoTim.
hotel wisT migb attisiT.
A.
fiten ittaTToballohu.
fiten littaTob.
B.
fiten alittaTTsbim.
fiten alittaTob.
A.
nogo tomariwoccun yiggonannallu.
neg© tomariwoccun yiggonaflu.
B.
nog© tomariwoccun ayiggonannum.
nege temarriwoccun ayiggenannu.
A.
amerikawiw lzzih yiKoyyal.
amerikawiw lzzih yiKoyy.
B.
amerikawiw lzzih ayKoyyim.
amerikawiw lzzih ayKoyy.
A.
B.
setiyyowa lijwan wedamerika tilikallec. setiyyowa lijwan wedamerika tilak.
setiyyowa lijwan wedamerika atlak.
setiyyowa lijwan wedamerika atlikim.
A.
genzebun lersiwo lmellisallehu.
genzobun lersiwo limellis.
B.
genzebun lersiwo almollisim.
genzebun lersiwo almellis.
A.
ato kobbedonna wendimmu astemariwoc
ato kebbedenna wendimmu
B.
ato kobbedenna wendimmu astemariwoc
A.
astemariwoc yimselu.
yimoslallu.
ato kebbedenna wendimmu.
astemariwoc ayimselu.
aymoslum.
A.
sowiyyew yimoTal.
sowiyyew yimTa.
B.
sowiyyew aymoTam.
sewiyyew ayimTa.
A.
siladdis aboba megratallohu.
siladdis abeba l m g e r a t .
B.
siladdis aboba alnogratim.
siladdis abeba a l m g e r a t .
A.
lzzih kotema wisT tmorallec.
lzzih ketema wisT t m u r .
B.
lzzih ketema wisT atnorim
izzih ketema wisT atnur.
A.
l h i t m n a wendimmaccewm yiredallu.
lhitmna wendimmaccewm yirdu.
B.
l h i t m n a wendimmaccewm ayredum.
lhitmna wendimmaccewm ayirdu.
A.
sijara yaCesal.
sijara yaCis.
B.
sijara ayaCesim.
sijara ayaCis.
A.
abbatwa bet tadrallec.
abbatwa bet tider.
B.
abbatwa bet attadrim.
abbatwa bet attider.
A.
m e k i n a w m adersallehu.
m e k i n a w m ladris.
B.
m e k i n a w m aladorsim.
m e k i n a w m aladris.
A.
as tomar i w m yamoseggmutal.
astemariwm y a m e s g m u t .
B.
astemariwm
astemariwm ayamesgmut.
A.
beTam Tiru migb yameTal.
beTam Tiru migb yamTa.
B.
beTam Tiru migb ayameTam.
beTam Tiru migb ayamTa.
v
ayamoseggmutim.
A.
B.
yamarinna gazeTa tanobballec,
yamarinna gazeTa attanebbim.
yamarinna gazeTa tanibb (ori tanbib'
yamarinna gazeTa attanibb
(or: attanbib).
A.
giyon hotel arfallohu.
giyon hotel lirof.
B.
giyon hotel alarfim.
giyon hotel alirof.
A.
agoraccowm yasayyallu.
agoraccowm yasayyu.
B.
agoraccowm ayasayyum.
agoraccowm ayasayyu.
gazeTa lyyanobbobh sijara taCosalloht
awo, aCesallehu.
abzannawm gize wodo hotel lyyehedu,
yellem, aybolum.
Kurs yibolallu t
mm
lyyadorrogoc gonzob tagennallec.
wiCC gudday minister wisT
lyyeserrac ganzeb tagennallec.
yot lyyarrofm wodamerika mehed
mcilallon.
yebirtukan CimmaKi lyyoTeTTa Kursun
yibelal t
lhotel wisT lyyarrefn mohed
mcilallen.
awo, yebirtukan CimmaKi lyyoTeTTa
Kursun yibolal.
yet lyyehede kirayun yikoflal.
w©d© ketema lyyehede yikeflal.
siraccowm lyyeCerresu wode betaccew
awo, hedu.
hedu t
sirawan lyyeserrac dabbo tibelallec t
awo, tibelallec.
bunna lyyeToyyeKec wetot seTTat t
awo, wetot seTTat.
keketemaw wiCC lyyenoru ikotemaw
awo, keketemaw wiCC lyyenoru
wisT yiserallu t
KwanKwawin lyyegelleSu yastomirallu t
iketemaw wisT yiserallu.
awo, yastemirallu. »
ato yohannis wede ketoma lyyehede
m K u l a l yigezal t
awo, lyyehede m K u l a l yigezal.
gunfan lyyammemeh wede wiCC mehed
tifelligalleh t
yellom, mehed alfelligim.
wede sinimabet lyyeheds sinima tayalles t
awo, ayallohu.
lyyetaTTebu K u r s a c c e w m yibolallu t
tolo tolo lyyetaTTebu hedu t
abro lyyemeTTa yiTeyyiKaccihuwal t
raswan lyyammemat wed© sira hedec t
awo, lyyetaTTebu yibelallu.
awo, lyyetaTTebu hedu.
awo, yiTeyyiKenal.
awo, lyyammemat hedec.
jermenawiw lyyehed©
amerikawiwm
awo, yiTeyyiKewal.
yiT©yyiK©walt
p
dsbdabbewm iyyan©bb©bh lsnnatih
awo, lyyanebbebhu megratallehu.
tmegratalleh t
Ism in lzzih iyy©m©TTu ayadrum t
betiwo beTam ruK new.
bird lyyshone hede t
awo.
bizu genzeb sinorih yet tihedalleh.
wed© jermen lhedallehu.
l e m m gize sinorih atmeTam.
wedefit lmeTallehu.
Kurs sibelu ayyehaccew t
awo, ayyehuwaccew.
siraccihun sitCerrisu yet mehed
wede sinimabet mehed mf©lligallen.
p
tifelligallacelhu.
aggotu simeTa ayyaccihut t
awo, simeTa ayyenow.
gunfan siyammiwo lhakimbet yihedallu t
yellem. alhedim.
KwanKwan lememmar sitfelligu yet
wode wiCC gudday minister
tihedallaccihu.
timihirtbet mhedallen.
akistih wedezzih ketema sitmeTa
lgiyon hotel wisT tarfallec.
yet tarfallec.
yebetun kiray sitkeflu
mm
balebetun mTerawallen.
tadergallaccihu.
selamta siseTih melliseh tiseTewalleh t
awo, lseTewallehu.
sinimabet sihedu ayyehaccew t
lereft wedamerika sithedu, m m
p
mayet
awo, ayyehuwaccew.
w a s i n g t o n m mayet mfelligallon.
tifelligallaccihu.
ato lemma genzeb sinorow, m m
mesrat
memmar yifelligal.
yifelligal.
p
mekina siseTuh m m
tadergewalleh.
labbatmna lennate isoTaccewallehu.
p
wede bete mehed lcilallohu.
balebetih satmeTa, yet mehed ticilalleh.
yellem, simeTa alayyenewim.
kene gar abro simeTa, ayyaccihut t
yet m d e h e d o alawKim.
genzebun sayseTih yet hede.
p
genzeb aKKoTaTer sayawK sira agenne t
awo, agenne.
sira sanCerris Kurs anbelam t
yellem, anbelam.
yebirtukan CimmaKi sayTeTTu Kurs
yellem, aybelum.
yibelallu t
wendimmihm sattay temellesh t
awo, tomelloshu.
wodageraccm
sinnihed innatacoinin
awo, inToyyiK.
inTeyyiK T
yollom, ancilim.
ggnzgb sannagen w©d© k©t©ma mehed
mcilallen T
dirset
moSihafu kersasu yilloyyal.
teleyye-melleyet-yilloyyal
to differ, to be different
mesksremmna Pagume yowor simoc
naccow.
first month of the Ethiopian
moskorom
calendar
last month of the Ethiopian
Pagume
calendar
last, end
Pagume yemeCorresaw wer now.
each one
lyyandandu tomari meSihaf allow.
meSihafu bassir kifloc tokoflowal.
to be divided; to be paid
tok9ff9l9-m9kk9f9l-yikkoffolal
length
betu lrzimot allow.
sun
Sohay Tiwat Tiwat tiwoTallec.
Sohay mata mata tiTolKalloc.
to set, to drown, to go down
TolloKo-moTloK-yiTolKal.
yoityoPiyawiyan yegize aKKoTaTor kawroPawiyan bobizu mongod yetoloyye
new.
liyyunnotum keseat jemmiro lskamoto
mihrot
dires new.
lemissale,
mdoityoPiya aKKoTaTer yem©jemmeriyaw wer meskerem sihon, yomoCorrosaw wer
degmo Pagume new.
new.
yeseat aKKoTaTerum kawroPawiyan aKKoTaTor boTam yoteloyya
lemissale, awroPawiyan aratt soat silu, ityoPiyawiyan assir seat yilallu.
Keninna lelitu lkkul basra hulett seatocc lyyandandu tokoflowal.
band Kon wisT haya aratt seatocc allu.
allu.
band seat wisT silsa deKiKawocc
band deKiKa wisT degmo silsa sekondocc allu.
Kenunna lelitu lkkul lrizmot allaccew.
dires Ken new.
mdoityoPiya
Sehay kewoTTac jemmiro
aKKoTaTor
lskeTelleKoc
keTolleKoc jgmmiro, lskoweTTac diros, lelit now.
TiyyaKewoc
boityoPiyawiyanmna bawroPawiyan yogize aKKoTaTor min liyyunnot alio,
liyyunnotuss m d e t now.
yeltyoPiya yemejemmoriyaw wor man yibbalal.
yoityoPiya yemoCorrosaw wor man yibbalal.
Konunna lelitu lkkul tokeflowal t
band Kon wisT s m t soatocc allu.
band doKiKa wisT s m t
sekondocc allu.
mdeityoPiya aKKoTaTor Konunna lolitu liyyunnot allow t
Konu moce yijemmiral.
lelitu moce yijemmiral.
Unit 13
Basic Sentences
alemu
How much is this?
wagaw sint new.
kebbede
santim
cent
sost birr kehamsa santim new.
Three dollars and fifty cents.
alemu
widd
expensive, dear
*
It's too expensive.
beTam widd new.
kebbede
yellom, yih yegebeya waga new.
No, this is the market price.
alemu
Kinnas
reduction, discount
to give a discount, to
reduce the price
Kinnas ma dreg
Aren't you going to give [me] a
discount?
Kinnas ayadergum t
kebbede
customer; regular, ordinary
denbonfla
because you are
sllehonu
Since you are my customer, I'm
donbennaye silehonu, hamsa santim
going to give you a fifty-cent
Kinnas adergilliwotallehu.
discount.
alemu
I '11 take this,
yihun lwesdewallehu.
paper
weroKet
ink, paint, color
Kelem
envelope
anbolik
And give me some paper, ink, and
envelopes too.
degmo wereKet K e l e m m n a anbolik
yisTun.
main, general, total
TeKlalla
What's the total (price)?
TeKlallaw waga sint now.
kobbodo
here it is
yihow
Five dollars. (And) here you are, sir.
ammist birr new. yihowinna getaye.
Useful Words
Days of the Week
Monday
senfio
Tuesday
maksonno
Wednesday
robu
Thursday
hamus
Friday
arb
Saturday
Kidame
Sunday
lhud
Names of the Months
September
meskerem
October
TiKimt
November
hidar
December
tahisas
January
Tirr
February
yekatit
March
moggabbit
April
miyaziya
May
gmbot
June
sone
July
hamle
August
nohase
5 or 6 supplementary days
Pagume
before the now year
season(s)
werat
Names of the Seasons
Spring
Sodoy
Summer
boga
Pall
belg
Winter
k(1)remt
Names of the Years
year
zomen
The year of Matthew
zomon©
The year of Mark
zomon© mariKos
The year of Luke
zemene luKas
The year of John
zomsn© yohannis
Structure
matewos
Sentences
cha lr
wonbsr/wombor
table, desk
ToroPeza
near
aTogob
to sit, to sit down
t©K©mm©T©-m©KKom©T-yiKKomm©Tal.
or
KuCC al©- KuCC malet-KuCC yilal
I'm going to sit down on the
chair near the table.
TersPezaw aTegeb ball©w w©nb©r lay
liKKommeT now.
TiKur
black
You (m) are going to learn the
ant© beTiKur Kelem iyy©Safh,
Amharic writing system using
yamarinna Sihifst litimmar
('while writing with') black ink.
n©w.
difficult
asceggari
sentence
ar©ft© nogor
to translate
tereggomo-metergom-yitereggumal
You (f) are going to translate the
ascoggariwm aroft© n©g©r w©d©
difficult sentence into English.
mglizinna litteroggumi now.
friend
we da j
shoes
Camma
You (pi) are going to give black
shoes to your friend.
irsiwo lowodajiwo TiKur Camma liseTu
new.
yellow
biCa
to paint, to shine, to anoint
Kebba-meKobbat-yiKobbal
r
He s going to paint his house yellow,
betun biCa Kolom liKebba now.
girl
lijagered
to consent, to be willing,
foKKodo-mofKod-yifoKdal
to give permission
The pretty girl is going to consent
to teach Mr. John Amharic.
Konjowa lijagered ato jonin amarinna
lomastomar litfoKd now.
semayawi
blue
He/She (pol.) is going to buy a
irsaccew semayawi mekina ligezu new.
blue car.
green
arengwade
We are going to write with the
barengwade Kelem l m n i S i f new.
green ink.
to speak
tenaggere-mennager-ymnaggeral
You (pi.) are going to speak.
littmnaggeru new.
light, easy
Kellal
easily
beKollalu
to understand
astewale-mastewal-yastewilal
They were going to understand the
sentence easily (but they didn't).
arefte negerun beKollalu liyastowlu
nebbor.
Grammatical Notes
Note 13.1
Relational Affixes /l(i)-
and /-(i)ll(i)-~(i)lle-/ 'in order to'
'to', 'for', 'so that', 'on behalf of', ' m favor of', 'about
to do so-and-so'
1.
ibakkiwo dohna hotel liyasayyun
yicilallu t
2.
Tirunes leweyzerit almaz bizu
negeroc amoTTaccillat.
3.
littmnaggeru new.
Can you direct me to ( 'show to me')
a good hotel?
Trunesh brought many things for Miss
Almaz.
You (pi.) are about to speak.
The affix is / i d ) - / when used as a prefix to Short Imperfective forms
(sentences 1 and 3 ) , and / - d ) l l ( i ) - / or /-(i)ll©-/ when used as a suffix
combined with the object pronouns (sei itence 2) .
Note 1 3 . 1 . 1
/ i d ) - / with Short Imperfective
'to', 'for', ' m order',
'so that'
The affix / i d ) - /
(/l-/
before vowels, / l i - / before /ya/ and / l i - /
elsewhere) prefixed to a Short Imperfective form means
'to do so-and-so',
'so that', ' m order to', 'for', and is often used with verbs expressing
desire, wish, intention, ability, etc., e.g.
meSihaf liyanob yifolligal.
'He wants to read a book.'
limoTa lcilallohu.
'I can come. '
meSihafun lifellig meTTa.
'He came to look for the book.'
meSihafun liyasayyih meTTa.
'He came to show you the book.'
wereKet l m g e z a hedn.
'We went to buy some paper. '
Note 1 3 . 1 . 2
/ i d ) - / with Short Imperfective form plus /new/ or /nebber/
'about to do so-and-so'.
As illustrated by the Structure Sentences the affix / i d ) - / prefixed to
a Short Imperfective form combined with the verb form /new/ indicates an
action which is about to be performed.
When used with the verb form /nebber/
this affix indicates that the action was going to be performed but did not
actually take place.
lifellig new.
'I am going to look for [something].'
lifellig nebber.
'He was going to look for [some
thing ]. '
Note 1 3 . 1 . 3
/-(i)ll(i)-/~/-(i)llQ-/
'on behalf o f ,
' m favor o f ,
'for'
The suffix /-(1)11(1)-/~/-(1)lie-/ is added to the verb stem (imper
fective or Perfective) and followed by the verb suffix (object) pronouns.
Using C for consonant and V for vowel, the exact shape of this suffix
m
various positions may be shown as follows:
C - llle-t
G - 1II1-C
V - lle-t
(otherwise)
C - lll-a
V - -lli-C
(otherwise)
V - 11-a
This suffix indicates that the action of the verb is performed by one
person (the subject of the verb)
'for', 'on behalf of' or
person indicated by the verb suffix (object) pronoun.
' m favor of' the
Examples:
kebbede lifelligillet meTTa.
'Kebbede came to look for him.'
littinnaggerillm new.
iyou are going to speak on my behalf. •
lif©Kdillaccew nebber.
'I was about to give them permission.
abbatu mekina gozzallet.
'His father bought a car for him.
wsndimmen Tirallifl.
'Call my brother for me. '
wor©K©tinna anbolik ssTTellaccew.
'He gave them some paper and
envelopes. '
w©dag©re hedo abbatinna innaten
my parents on my behalf. '
ayyellin.
Note 13.2
'He went to my country and visited
Relational Affixes /isk(i)-/ and / i s k ( e ) - / 'till', 'until'
hakimu lskinegren diros mowTat
'I can't check out until the doctor
tells me [to do s o ] . '
alcilim.
The affix / i s k ( i ) - / (/isk-/ before vowels, /iski-/ before /ya-/ and
/iski-/ elsewhere) is prefixed to Short Imperfective verb forms, and the
affix /isk(e)-/ (/isk-/ before vowels and /isko-/ elsewhere) is prefixed to
Perfective verb forms.
The resulting forms correspond m
'until' or 'till' clauses.
meaning to English
The /isk(i)-/ and /isk(e)-/ forms are commonly used
with the postverb /diros/ 'up to', 'as far as', but may be also used independ
ently without /diros/.
Examples.
1.
/ i s k ( i ) - / + Imperfective
lskibola diros TebbiKefL
'Wait for me until I eat.'
lskimoTu dobdabbe anobballohu.
'I'll read the letter until you come.'
anton lskiyagonnih diros i n e
'He '11 stay m
bet yiKoyyal.
lskagenriih dohna hun.
my house until he
finds you.'
'Good-bye ('be good') until I see
you. '
2,
/isk(o)-/ + Perfective
lskayyehut dires alnoggoroMim.
'He did not tell me until I saw him.'
lskemeTTu debdabbe anebb nobbor.
'I was reading the letter until
you came. '
hulett birr lskoseTTon dires
genzeb alnebberonflim.
'I didn't have any money until he
gave me two dollars. '
Note 1 3 . 2 . 1
/isk(o)-/ with Relative
onstructions.
When prefixed to Relative Const: .ctions the form of the affix is always
/isk(e)-/, e.g.
1.
with /yo-/ clauses:
'the house I saw* '
/yayyohut bet/
lskayyehut bet diros inhedallon.
'We ' 1 1 go up to the house I saw. '
'what you wanted.'
/yef©lleghow/
lskofolloghow diros agonneh.
'you got as much as (what) you
wanted'
2.
/yogozzaw bet/
'the house he bought.'
lskogezzaw bet dires hede.
'he went up to the house he bought '
with / y e m m d ) - / clauses:
/yemmimoTaw sammint/
'the coming week'
lskemmimeTaw s a m m m t dires
'we won't meet until next week. '
anniggenannim.
/yemmiCerris/
'one who will finish'
s i r a w m lskemmiCerris dires
'I'11 stay here until he finishes
izzih iKoyyallehu.
his work. '
/yemmijemmiru/
'those who start'
timihirtaccowm lskemmi jemmiru
'They'll work until they start
dires sira yiserallu.
their studies.'
amerika wisT s m t sowoc ligebu
beTam bizu sewoc ligobu yif©lligallu.
yif©lligallu.
ato yohannis sile betu dess lilew
*•
cale t
awo, dess lilew cale.
a b b a t m n a m n a t i w o limeTu
yif©lligallut
wede sira lithedu n©w t
yellom, limeTu ayfelligum.
leTirunes medhanit litseTuwat n©w |
awo, linnihed new.
timihirtacc©wm liyaTsnu n©w t
keseat behwala l m s e T a t new.
yellem, liyaTenu aydellem.
p
amarinna man limmar new t
yohannis limmar now.
p
zare keseat behwala yet litwilu new.
lmeSihafbet wisT I m n i w i l new.
lemisaccew m m libelu new.
mm
libelu mdommifelligu alawKim.
ibetiwo beseat lihedu yifelligallu t
awo, ifelligallehu.
mata wedebetaccew liwesdun yifelligallut
awo, yifelligallu.
liyyunnetun liyawKut ayfelligum t
ayfelligum.
genzebun m d e t littameTut ticilallaccihu.
bemekina lmnameTaw
mcilallon.
yesewiyyewm sim m d e t littawKut calaccihu.
and sew neggeren.
p
behulett seat kerub yet lithed
tifelligalleh.
inna genzeb wedageraccm I m l i k
wed© bete kristiyan lihed
mcilallent
debdabbe lennataccihu litSifu
ifelligallehu.
awo, ticilallaccihu.
awo, mfelligallen.
tifelligallaccihu t
silageraccihu litgelSullaccew
awo, m f elligallen.
tifelligallaccihu t
p
liyyunnetun ligelSullm yifelligallu t
awo, ifelligallehu.
band seat wisT ibetiwo lihedu yicilallu t
yellom, alcilim.
lhiten amerika wisT beyyeweru
p
awo, iToyyiKillihallehu.
tiTeyyiKillinnalleh t
legazeTaw assir santim tiseCillinnalles t
yollom, alseTillihim.
widdun meSihaf lato lemma seThillett
yellem, alsoThulletim.
yebetun kiray Kinnas tadergillaccewalleh t
yellem, aladergillaccowim.
denbonna wereKet tigezullinflallaccihu t
yellom, angezallihim.
anbolikun lastemariw tisoTulletallaccihu t
yellem, anseTilletim.
b i C a w m Kelom wode betwa
yellem, anwesdillatim.
tiwosdullatallaccihu t
TerePezawm tisorulletallaccihu t
yellom, anserallotim.
dobdabbewm wed©
awo, itor©ggumillatallohu.
mglizinna
titereggumillatalles t
yihin areftenegor tanobbillinnalies t
awo, anebbillihallshu.
lekebbed©
awo,
sile
timihirtbetu
mnaggorllletallehu.
tmnagerillotalleh t
kebbeden lskittayew diros meKoyyet
tifelligalleh t
kersiwo gar meKoyyet
ifelligallehu.
s i r a w m iskiC©rris dires izzih yiKoyyal t
awo, izzih yiKoyyal.
debdabbewm lskitSifu dires m e
awo, meTeTTat ticilalleh.
bunna
liTeTTa t
sile ityoPiya lskitgelSu
I W I G C
awo, heda timTa.
gudday
minister heda timTa t
lskahun m m
izzih teKemmiTen nebber.
tiseru nebber.
Kurs lskmbela dires yet mehed yifelligal.
wede bunnabet mehed yifelligal
genzeb iskmseTew dires wedageru mehed
yollem, aycilim.
aycilim t
awo, awKo nebber.
debdabbewm lskanebbebow dires keyot
mdomoTTa awKo nebber t
astemarih lskiTeyyiKih dirss
yollom, almnaggerim.
attmnaggerim t
bet lskittagenni diros yot meKoyyot
giyon hotel iKoyyallehu.
tifelligiyalles.
gonzebun lskittagennu diros wasington
lskmnagen anhedim.
athedum t
mekinawon lskiyamoTu dires yenen
awo, ifelligallehu.
mekina mewsed yifelligallu t
kebbede iskimeTa yet tiKoyyallaccihu.
lhotelu wisT mKoyyallen.
rasun iskammomew diros yisera nobbor t
awo, yisera nebber.
g a z e T a w m lskiyanobbu dires ant©
wedo kotoma hejje m©mm©l©s
mm
madreg tifelligalleh.
if©lligallshu.
kiflun lskiyasayyus dires misa meblat
awo, if©lligall©hu.
tifelligiyalles t
Kursun belto lskiCerris and negor
awo, bunna meTsTTat
madreg tifelligallaccihu.
m f ©lligallsn.
dirset
sowoc simeTu immelekketallehu.
to watch, to look around
wallet, briefcase, purse
temelekkete-memmolket-yimmelokketal
addis borsa lemogzat wede gebeya
lhedallehu.
about, approximately, around
ammist birr yahil siTefl.
how much
min yahil yif©lligallu.
betu teseTe.
t9S9T9-m9SS9T-yiss9 Tal
to be sold
bekisih m m
pocket
all9.
ato kgbb9d9 sinnagger rasun yidabbisal.
to touch, to search
dabb9s9-m9dab9s-yidabbisal
abbate yeneggerunnm rgssahu.
ressa-mersat-yiresal
to forget
behulgtt weyim bgsost seat na.
weyim/weyiss
or
ato alemu lKa lomogzat wedato kobbodo suK hedo.
Tiru negeroc nobboru.
and borsa lomogzat fellege.
yissoTal
bilo TeyyeKew.
mollesollet.
bato kobbodom suK bizu
ato alomu leTiKit deKiKawoc kotomolekkot© bohwala,
ato alomu ato kebbeden yih borsa m m
yahil
ato kobbedom ammist birr kehamsa santim new bilo,
ato alomu genzebun lemekfel, klsun bidabbis, genzebun ibetu
m d e r c - ^ n w P v ^ K e n n a , hamus weyim arb meTicce lwesdewallohu bilo, hedo.
TiyyaKewoc
ato alomu m m
lemegzat wede suK hede.
ato alemu iman suK gooba.
bato kebbede suK wisT m m
ato alemu ato kebbeden m m
nebbor.
TeyyeKew.
ato alomu b u r s a w m lemegzat mec immellesallehu ale.
b e s a m m m t wisT y a l l u t m yeKonoc sim nigoren.
Unit 11+
Basic Sentences
alemu
to pour m ,
Commoro-moCommor-yICemmira1
to fill up
benzin
gasoline
Pill it up please ( 'pour gasoline
lmekinaye wisT benzin Cemmirlllin.
into my car for me ' ) 1
lemma
How much (shall I pour m
for you)?
min yahil liGemmirilliwot.
alemu
letir
litre
(Pour in for me) ten litres.
assir letir Cemmirillin.
lemma
if you want
bifolligu
oil
zoyit
bifelligu, zeyitun liyilliwot t
Do you want me to check the oil?
('if you want that I see for you
the oil')?
alemu
Yes.
awo.
tire
gomma
to burst, to blow up
fenedda - mofendat-yifeneddal
to repair, to fix, to renew
addose-maddes-yaddisal
My tire's going flat.
degmo gommaye lif©noddabbin n e w m n a ,
( 'And my tire is about to blow
up to my detriment')
ibakkih addisillin.
Would
you please fix it.
lemma
if you can
If you can wait a little I'll fix
it for you.
bicilu
TiKit lomoKoyyet bicilu,
addisilllwotallohu.
alemu
I have to
allebbin
because I have to
silallobbifl
to leave
tewe-motew-yitowal
Since I have some work [to do] now,
ahun sira silallobbin, m e k i n a w m
ticcew lhedallehu.
I'll leave the car and go.
Useful Words
debt
idayen koffelhu.
addis abeba meskerem zeTen Ken asra
zeTefi meto silsa sost amete mihret
derresku.
dorrese-modres-yidersal
to arnve,reach
examination
f e t e n a w m alfo wedageru temellose.
trouble, difficulty, calamity
ballefew amet bizu mokera
derresebbaccew.
abbatu tammew motu.
mote-memot-yimotal
to die
provisione, food stuff
smK
silalloKebbaccew
wedageraccew
temellesu.
to be finished, to come to an end
thief
alleKe-maleK-yalKal
l e b a w m yizo ameTTaw.
yohannis TeroPezawm sebborew.
to break
sebbere-mesber-yisebral
TeroPezaw beyohannis tesebbore.
to be broken
tesebbore-mossebor-yissebboral
irsase T e f f a b b m .
to be lost, to disappear,
Teffa-meTfat-yiTefal
to be extinguished
telephone
silk labbatu dewwole.
to dial
dowwele-medewwel-yidowwilal
to telephone
silk modewwol
reason, cause
bebessita mikniyat wedamerika hede.
yetemariwoccu KuTir bizu now.
number, mathematics
meSihafun felligo, aTTa.
to fail to get, to miss,
a TTa-maTa t-ya Ta1
to lack
wedehakimbet mohed asffellegon.
to need, to be necessary-
asfellege-masfellegyasfelligal
ljjuninna lgrun ammotal.
hand, arm
lgir
foot
wedebetu roTo.
roTe-meroT-yiroTal
to run
lzzih ager bizu zinab alio,
ram
wedaddis abeba lemohed assebo.
assebe-masseb-yassibal
to think, to intend, to plan
Structure Sentences
hat
This is a hat.
this (f.)
This is a cow.
barneTa
yih barneTa new.
yihic/yicci
yicci lam nat.
this one
yihinnaw
dog
wissa
This one is a dog.
yihinnaw wissa new.
this one (f.)
yiccinnawa
cat
dimmet
This one is a cat.(f.)
yiccinnawa dimmet nat.
these
m n e z z ih
shirt
semiz
These are shirts.
m n e z z i h semizoc naccew.
lfinih
this (pol.)
m n i h abbate naccow.
This is my father.
mnefinih
these (pol.)
innonnih wendimocciwo naccew,
These are your brothers.
kot
coat
ya kot new.
That is a cota'.
that (f.)
yacci
donkey
ahiyya
yacci ahiyya nat.
That is a jenny.
that one
yafinaw
horse
f eros
yannaw fores now.
That one is a horse.
that one (f.)
yacciflnawa
mule
beKlo
yaccinnawa beKlo nat.
That one is a mule.
those
mnezziya
necktie
kraba t/kereba t
mnezziya kraba toe naccow.
These are neckties.
inniya
that (pol.)
inniya akiste naccew.
That is my aunt.
mnenna
those (pol.)
lnnenfia aeeotoce naccow.
Those are my uncles.
Grammatical Notes
Note II4..I
The structure Sentences of this unit illustrate the use of the
Demonstrative Pronouns.
The complete set of these pronouns is:
Used independently
Used with prepositions
yih
'this' (m.)
-zzih
yicci/yihic
'this' (f.)
-zzic
yihinnaw
'this one' (m.)
-zzihinnaw
yiccinnawa
'this one' (f.)
-zziccinnawa
innszzin
'these '
-nnozzih
ifinih
'this' (pol.)
-nnih
innsnnih
'these' (pol.)
-nnonnih
ya
'that' (m.)
- z z iya
yaci
'that' (f.)
-zziyac
yanfiaw
'that one' (m.)
-zziyannaw
yaccinnawa
'that one' (f.)
- z z iya c c inna wa
innozziya
'those'
-nnezziya
inniya
'that' (pol.)
-nniya
lnnenna
'those ' (pol.)
-nnenna
Ik.2
Noun.
Gender.
The masculine and feminine genders were discussed m
units m
previous
connection with pronouns, definite suffixes, and the 'feminine'
forms of verbs in the singular.
Following is a summary of what has already been illustrated by
v e n o u s examples which have occured m
the Basic Sentences, Grammatical
Drills and Narratives.
Amharic does not have clear-cut gender classes.
dichotomy m
The basic
singular nouns is between two usages which may often be
characterized as augmentative and diminutive rather than as 'masculine'
and
'feminine. '
masculinity.
The augmentative implies respect, large size, power,
The diminutive implies familiarity, affection, smallness,
weakness, femininity.
The verb forms which have up to now been referred
to as 'masculine' are those which indicate the augmentative.
The same is
true of the personal (independent or suffix) and demonstrative pronouns.
The verb forms and pronouns up to now referred to as 'feminine' indicate
the diminutive.
Nouns generally fall into two classes with regard to these
categoriesi
those of fixed type (augmentative or diminutive) and those
which may follow either type.
Nouns referring to people or animals which are male are regularly
used m
the augmentative.
Nouns referring to people or animals which are
female are regularly used m
the diminutive.
Examples:
/sow/
'man'
/set/
'woman'
/abbat/
'father'
/mnat/
'mother'
/lhit/
'sister '
'uncle '
/akist/
'aunt '
/bal/
'husband'
/mist/
'wife '
/bore/
'bull', 'ox
/lam/
'cow'
/wendim/
1
/aggot/
brother'
Nouns referring to sexless objects are normally (i.e. most frequently)
augmentative.
They may, however, be used as diminutives--1.e. with a dimin
utive verb or pronoun reference—whenever' their small size or any other
diminutive aspect is stressed.
Such nouns will be called neutral.
Examples:
/bet nat/
/bet now/
'it's a small house'
'it's a house'
/yihicc bet tinnis nat/
/yih bet tilliK now/
'this house is small'
'this house is big'
/yihicc bet beTam tinnis nec/
/yih bet tinnis now/
'this house is very small'
'this house is small'
/bet alien/
/bet alleccin/
'I have a house '
'I have a little house '
/tinnis TerePeza nat/
/tilliK TerePeza now/
'it's a small table'
' it's a big table'
A small number of nouns, such as:
/Sehay/ or /jenber/
' sun '
/CereKa/
'moon'
/kokeb/
' star'
/meret/
'earth'
/alem/
'world'
/nefs/
' soul'
are regularly used as diminutive but when size or other augmentative aspect
is stressed they may be augmentative, e.g.
/kokeb weTTac/
'a star appeared'
but
/tilliKu kokob woTTa/
'the big star appeared'
Some nouns which refer to people and animals do not specify sex (lawyer,
cook, etc).
These nouns can be modified by /wond/ 'male' or /set/ 'female'.
The resulting phrases are then augmentative or diminutive respectively.
/ l i j / 'child'
/wond l i j / 'boy'
/setlij/
'girl'
/ayat/ 'grandparent'
/wend ayat/ 'grandfather'
/set ayat/ 'grandmother'
/astemari/ 'teacher'
/hakim/ 'doctor'
/wond astemari/ 'teacher'
(m)
/wend hakim/ 'doctor'
/set astemari/ 'teacher'
(f)
/set hakim/ 'woman doctor'
/boKlo/ 'mule'
/wend beKlo/ 'male mule'
/set beKlo/ 'female mule'
/anbossa/ 'lion'
/wend anbessa/ 'male lion' /set anbessa/ 'lioness'
/doro/ 'chicken'
/wond doro/ 'rooster'
/set doro/ 'hen'
Neutral nouns may be used with a definite suffix, the choice indicating
what category the noun is being used
m.
Examples:
/temariw/
'the (boy) student'
/tomariwa/ or /tomariyitu/
'the girl student'
/astemariw/
'the (man) teacher'
/astemariwa/ or /astemariyitu/
'the lady teacher'
/hakimu/
'the doctor'
/hakimwa/ or /hakimitu/
'the woman doctor'
/betu/
'the house'
/betwa/ or /betitu/
'the little house '
/wenberu/
'the chair '
/wenberwa/ or /wenberitu/
'the little chair'
/meSihafu/
'the book'
/meSihafwa/ or/moSihafitu/
'the little book'
Note that the forms m
/-(y)itu/ imply a diminutive aspect of persons,
animals or things.
The article may, of course, be affixed to an accompanying modifier, e.g.
/Tiruwu temari/
'the good (boy) student'
/melkamu hakim/
'the good doctor'
/Konjow bet/
/Tiruwa temari/ or /Tiruyitu tomari/
'the good girl student'
/melkamwa hakim/ or /molkamitu hakim/
'the good woman doctor'
/Konjowa bet/ or /Konjoyitu bet/
'the nice house '
'the nice little house'
Neutral nouns modified by /wond/ and /set/ have the following forms when
used with the definite suffix:
/wondu l i j /
'the boy'
/setwa l i j / or /setitu l i j / or /setitwa
lij/
'the girl'
/wondu anbessa/ 'the lion'
/setwa anbossa/ or /setltu anbossa/
or /setitwa anbossa/ 'the lioness'
The diminutive form of /and/ is /andit/, e.g. /andit tomari/ 'a girl
student' /andit mokina/ 'a small car '
Examples:
/and tomari moTTa/
/andit tomari moTTac/
'a boy student came'
/and bet alien/
'a girl student came'
/andit bet alleccin/
'I have a house '
'I have a little house'
With the definite suffix the diminutive of /and/ is either /andwa/ or
/anditwa/ e.g. /andwa temari/ or /anditwa tomari/ 'one (particular) girl
student.
Examples:
andu temari meTTa.
'one (particular) student came.'
andwa
'one (particular) girl student came.
(_or: anditwa) temari meTTac.
1
andun bet ayyehut.
'I saw one (particular) house . '
andwan (or: anditwan) bet ayyehuwat.
'I saw one (particular) small house. '
In the plural only nouns obviously belonging to either the masculine or
feminine category, as well as those modified by /wend/ and /set/ are unambig
uous as to gender, e.g.
/abbatoc/
'fathers'
/innatoe/ 'mothers'
/lamoc/
'cows '
/wend hakimoc/ or /wendoc hakimoc/
'doctors (m)'
/set hakimoc/ or /setoc hakimoc/
'woman doctors'
and with the definite suffix:
/abbatoccu/, /innatoecu/, /wendoccu hakimoc/, /setoccu hakimoc/, etc.
Note li;.3.1
Relational Affix / b ( i ) - /
The affix
/ b ( i ) - / (/b-/
'if
before vowels, /bi-/ before /ya/ and
/bi-/ elsewhere) prefixed to Short Imperfective verb forms corresponds
meaning to English
'if' e.g. /bifollig/
m
'if he wants', /bimeTa/ 'if I come',
/binorih/ 'if you have', /bayfellig/ 'if he does not want' /balmoTa/ if I
don't come', /baynorih/ 'if you don't have', etc.
'If ' Clauses
1.
Simple Condition;
b im© Ta, lheda11©hu.
'If he comes, I'll go.'
bifelligu, yagenflutal.
'If they want they'll meet him.'
wondimmen bagonnew, wod©sinima
'If I see my brother we ' 1 1 go to
abron inhedall©n.
2.
the movies together. '
Indefinite Conditional:
bimoTa, lhed nobbor.
'If he came, I'd go.'
or:
bimoTa noro, ihed nobbor.
gonzab bifollig isoT©w nobb©r.
'If he wanted money, I'd give
or:
it to him.'
g©nz©b bifellig noro, isoTew nobbor.
gize binoron, lToyyiKih nobb©r.
'If I had time, I could visit you.'
or:
gize binoron noro, lToyyiKih nobbor.
As illustrated by the above examples, the
'if' clause of the Indefinite
Conditional sentences may be used with or without /noro/ interchangeably.
The verb of the main clause of an Indefinite Conditional sentence is m
Imperfect, /binor-/ with a verb suffix pronoun corresponds m
English
'if I have',
the m a m
clause is m
meaning to
'if you have', etc. when the verb of the m a m
in the Imperfectivej and to 'if I had',
the
clause is
'if you had', etc. when the verb of
the Imperfect.
Following is the complete set of the forms /binor-/ with verb suffix
pronouns, equivalent to English
had',
'if I have',
1
'if yon a\ f ' etc. (art 'If I
'if yoa had', etc.).
Affirmative
binoron
'if I have'
bitnoron
'if I have'
binorlh
'if you (m.) have'
bitnorih
'if you (m.) have '
binoris
'if you (f.) have'
bitnoris
'if you (f.) have'
binoriwot
'if you (pol.) have'
bitnoriwot
'if you (pol.) have'
binorow
'if he has'
bitnorew
'if he has '
binorat
'if she has'
bitnorat
'if she ha s '
binoron
'if we have'
bitnoren
'if we have '
binoraccihu
'if you (pi.) have'
bitnoraccihu
'if you (pi.) have
binoraccow
'if they have'
bitnoraccew
'if they have '
binorun
'if I have'
binoruh
'if you (m.) have '
binorus
'if you (f.) have '
binoruwot
if you (pol.) have'
binorut
if he ha s '
binoruwat
if she has'
binorun
if we have'
b inoruwa c clhu
if you (pi.) have'
binoruwaccow
if they have'
Negative
baynoren
'if I don't have '
batnoren
if I don't have'
baynorih
'if you (m) don't have'
batnorlh
if you (m) don't have'
baynoris
'if you (f) don't have'
batnoris
'if you (f) don't have'
baynoriwot
'if you (pol) don't have'
batnorlwot
'if you (pol) don't have
baynorow
'if he doesn't have'
batnor©w
•if he doesn't have'
baynorat
'if she doesn't have'
batnorat
'if she doesn't have'
baynoron
'if we don't have'
batnoron
'if we don't have'
baynoraccihu
'if you (pi) don't have'
batnoraccihu 'if you (pi) don't have'
baynoraccow
'if they don't have'
batnoraccow
if they don't have'
baynorun
if I don ' t have '
baynoruh
if you don' t have '
baynorus
if you (f) don't have'
baynoruwot
'if you (pol) don't have'
baynorut
if he doesn't have'
baynoruwat
if she doesn't have'
baynorun
if we don't have'
ba ynoruwa c clhu
if you (pi) don't have'
baynoruwaccow
if they don't have'
Other conditional clauses will be discussed m
Note 11+.3.2
Relational Affix / b ( i ) - /
When the verb of the m a m
tional affix / b ( i ) - / means
a later Unit.
'because'
clause is in the Perfective the rela
'because', 'due to the fact that*, 'as a result
Examplesi
gonzob bisoTon meSihaf gezzahu.
'I bought a book because he gave
me money.'
wodo timihirtbet bihed astemariwm
ayyohut.
woroKot bagon debdabbe Safhu.
'I saw the teacher because I went
to school.'
'Due to the fact that I got some
paper, I wrote a letter. '
fotenaccihun bittalfu, awroPa
hedaccihu.
'Due to the fact that you passed
your examination, you went to
Europe.'
timihirtbet bihed, wendimmun agennew.
'He found his brother because he
went to school.'
mekina bittagen" wed© ketoma hedec.
'Because she got a car she went to
town.'
sijara baCos rasen ammomefi.
'I had a headache as a result of
smoking.'
of
Note Ik.k
Suffix /-(i)bb(i)-/
gommaye lifeneddabbin now,
'My tire is about to go flat.'
irsase Teffabbin.
'My pencil is lost.'
The suffix /-(i)bb(i)
(l)bbo-/, i.e.
V-bbe-t
C-ibbo-t
C-ibbi-C
(otherwise)
C-ibb-a
V-bbi-C
(otherwise)
V-bb-a
is added to the verb stem and followed by the Verb Suffix (object) pronouns.
This suffix may indicate:
l)
that the action of the verb is performed to the detriment of the
person indicated by the verb suffix (object) pronoun, or contrary
to his will or intention.
Examplest
kobbodo yolomman mokina wossodobbot.
Kebbede
took Lemma's car.
(The speaker here implies that Lemma either did not want to lend Kebbede his
car, or that Kebbede took it against Lemma's will, or else that Lemma was
too polite to say
'no' when Kebbede asked him to lend him his car.)
Other examples:
soaten silewessedebbin, lela soat
lgezallehu.
yonobboronnm sijara silaCosebbifl,
lela sijara lgezallehu.
Because he took my watch I ' 1 1 buy
another one.
Because he smoked [all] the ciga
rettes I had, I'm going to buy
some more.
ida allebbin.
I have debts.
fetena derresebbin.
I have to take a test ('the
examina
tion has arrived to my detriment,')
mekera m e T T a b b m .
We are m
trouble ('the
trouble has
arrived to our detriment.')
abbatwa motebbat.
Her father died.
s i n K a c c m alleKebbm.
Our provisons ended.
leba betun sebberebbot.
A thief broke into his house.
lije tammomebbin.
My son got sick.
seate Teffabbin.
My watch is lost.
When affixed to the verb stem /all©-/ 'have' (/alien/ 'I have', /alion/
'you have', etc.) this suffix may also denote an obligation (or the lack of
it in the Negative form).
Thus /allobbin/ means
'I have to' /yollebbinim/ 'I don't have to', e.g.
/mehed allebbin/ 'I have to go', /sijara maCes yellebbihim/ 'You don't have
to smoke. '
The form /nebber/ with the same suffix means either
'had to' or 'should
have done so-and-so'.
Thus /mehed nebberebbin/ may mean either
'I had to go' or 'I should
have gone', /memTat nebberebbet/ 'he had to come' or
etc.
'he should have come',
The meaning is determined by the context, e.g.
tinantinna mesrat silenebborebbin
I could not come yesterday because
I had to work.
limeTa alcalhum.
fetena silenebberebbet innatun
He couldn't see his mother because
he had [to take] a test.
lemayet alcalem.
mesrat silalnebberebbin innaten
lomayet calhu.
I could see my mother because I
didn't have to work.
kefetena befit maTnat nebberebbih.
You should have studied before
the test.
kobboao izzih new, beniwyork wisT
mefelleg alnobberobbihim.
kebbede beniwyork wisT silehone,
lzziya mefolleg nebberebbih.
2)
Kebbede is here, you shouldn't
have looked for him m
Since Kebbede is m
New York.
New York you
should have looked for him there.
that the action of the V' rb implies using something to accomplish
the action.
The suffix ; 'laces special emphasis on the action of
the verb (and the verb m y also, of course, be used without i t ) .
Examples t
Tirunes bersaswa Safeccibbet.
Trunesh wrote with her pencil
(using i t ) .
baddisu mekinaccew wede wasington
hedubbet.
They went to Washington m
bemeSihafu aTennahubbet.
I learned from the book (using i t ) .
bemekinaw lKayen ameTTahubbet.
I brought my things by car (using
their
new car (using i t ) .
it).
Note 14«5
The prefix preposition / b ( e ) - / used with relative clauses.
ballefew sammint alarrefaccihum.
You (pi.) did not rest last week.
bemrnimoTaw sammint yimeTallu.
They'll come next week.
In Note i|.6.1 the prefix preposition / b ( © ) - / was briefly discussed as
used with nouns and their modifiers.
When the /y(©)-/and / y e m m ( 1 ) - / relative constructions (Note 1 0 . 1 ) are
used as modifiers, / b ( e ) - / is commonly prefixed to these constructions to
indicate that such-and-such a thing is occurring at such-and-such time. The
affix / y ( © ) - / and the / y ( o ) - / part of the affix / y o m m d ) - / are lost after the
prefix / b ( o ) - / , e.g.
yallsf©w sammint.
ballefew sammint
'Last week'
meTTu.
'They came ('at') last week.'
y©mmim©Taw sammint.
'The coming week'
bemmim©Taw sammint yimeTallu.
'They will come ( 'at') next week.
Note 1 4 . 5 « 1
1
/b(o)-...gize/ 'when' ('at the time that').
The relative forms with the prefix / b ( e ) - / are commonly used in
combination with the word /gize/ 'time'.
spond m
The resulting constructions corre
meaning to English 'when' clauses.
The /b(©)-...gize/ constructions
are often used with the suffix /-(i)bbet/ affixed to the / b ( o ) - / relative
form but may also be used without this suffix.
The /b(©)-...gize/ and / s d ) - /
clauses (see Note 12.6) are used almost interchangeably; the /b(©)-...gize/
constructions, however, emphasize more specifically the time element of the
sentence, e.g.
kebbede sim©Ta, w©d© bete lhedallehu.
'When Kebbede comes I'll go home.'
kebbede bemmimoTabbet gize wede bete
' I ' 1 1 go home at the time of
lhedallehu.
Kebbede 's coming. '
The second Amharic sentence implies that the speaker will go home at the
specific time when Kebbede is supposed to come.
Whether Kebbede actually
comes or not is immaterial.
Note 1 4 . 5 . 2
/b(e)-...KuTir/ 'whenever', 'every time'.
The same constructions are used m
/KuTir/ 'number' to correspond m
clauses.
combination with the word
meaning to English 'whenever' or 'everytime'
The suffix /-(i)bbet/ may or may not be used, e.g.
liju bemeTTac KuTir and and meSihaf
gave her a book.'
seTTehuwat.
'Whenever his daughter comes I give
liju bemmitmoTa KuTir and and
her a book.'
meSihaf isaTatall9hu.
baburu b9m9TTa KuTir wede Tabiya
'I go to the station whenever the
t r a m comes. '
lhedallehu.
'Whenever I go to school I see my
timihirtbet behedhubbet KuTir
teacher.'
astomariyen ayallehu.
Note 11+.6
'Every time his daughter came I
/b(e)-...mikniyat/ 'because', 'because of the fact that', 'since'.
/ b ( e ) - / prefixed to nouns or verbal nouns ('infinitives') with
noun suffix ('possessive') pronouns produces constructions
corresponding
approximately to
The word /mikniyat/
'because' or
'since' clauses m
English.
may optionally follow the construction.
Examples 1
m n a t u n bomayotu boTam doss alow.
'He is very pleased because he saw
his mother.'
wede sinimabet bemehede lememTat
'I could not come because I went
to the movies. '
alcalhum.
bizu bemeroTe lgren ammemen.
'My feet hurt because I ran so much.'
b o z m a b u mikniyat lememTat alcilim.
'I cannot come because of the r a m . '
bemottamemu mikniyat wede timihirtbet
'He didn't go to school because he
was sick.'
alhedem.
genzeb bemaTat mikniyat
mnatun
'He didn't see his mother because
he didn't have enough money [to
alayyem.
go and see h e r ] . '
bemettameme mikniyat wed© hospital
mohed yasf elligenfial.
Note li+.7
'Since I am sick I ' 1 1 have to go
to the hospital. '
Relational affix /sil (©)-~silemm( 1 ) -/ 'because', 'since', 'as';
'about (concerning)'
b a l e b e t s m gin boyyegizew
silemmagennaccew...
ahun sira silallebbin...
'But because I often see your
husband...
'Because I have some work [to d o ] . .
/sil(o)-/ (/sile-/ before consonants, /sil-/ before vowels) is prefixed
to Perfective verb forms and / s i l e m m d ) - / (/silemmi-/ before /ya/, /silemm-/
before vowels, /silemmi-/ elsewhere) to the Short Imperfective verb forms.
The resulting forms correspond m
or 'as' subordinate clauses, e.g.
meaning to English
'because', 'since'
/silomoTTa/ 'because he came', /silommimoTa/
'because he's coming'.
/sil(e)-/ is also prefixed to other parts of speech (nouns, modifiers,
pronouns, verbal nouns, etc.) with the meaning
'about', 'concerning', e.g.
/silamerika TeyyeKe/
'He asked about America.'
/silorsu neggerefi/
'He told me about him. '
/silemm/
'About what? '
When prefixed to the /y(e)-~yemm( 1 ) /
relative forms, the / y ( e ) - / part
of these affixes is lost, e.g.
/yayyon sow/
'a person who saw m e '
/silayyon sow/
'about a person who saw m e '
/yommiyayon sow/
'a person who sees me'
/silemmiyayen sow/
'about a person who sees m e '
When the affix /sile-/ is prefixed to /yellennim, yellehim/, etc.
'I
d o n ' t have, you don't have', etc., the resulting form is* /silolellefi/,
silolelloh/ etc. 'because I don't have, because you don't have', etc.
Drill 1 .
the sentence and then say it again m
the simple conditional
(sentence A - l ) .
Drill 2.
it and then say it again m
the past tense (sentence B ) .
The student will say the same sentence using the indefinite condi
tional (sentence B-l or B - 2 ) .
A.
bommimoTabbot gize lhedallehu.
A-l.
bimeTa ihedallohu.
B.
bomeTTabbet gize hedhu.
B-l.
bimeTa lhed nebber.
B-2.
bimeTa noro ihed nobbor.
A-l.
gize binoron meSihaf
A.
gize ballon KuTir meSihaf
anobballehu.
B.
gize benebberen KuTir meSihaf
anobballehu.
B-l.
anobb nebber.
gize binoron meSihaf anebb
nebber.
B-2.
gize binoron noro meSihaf
anobb nebber.
A.
genzeb ballon gize meSihaf
A-l.
ig©zall©hu.
lgezallehu.
B.
genzeb benebberen gize, meSihaf
genzeb binoron, moSihaf
B-l.
genz©b binorsii, meSihaf
lgoza nobbsr.
gezzahu.
B-2.
gonzsb binoron noro, moSihaf
lgeza nebber.
A.
abbatwan bemmittiTera KuTir
A-l.
tagennallec.
genzeb tagennallec.
B.
abbatwan beTerrac KuTir genzeb
abbatwan bittiTera, genzeb
B-l.
abbatwan bittiTera, genzob
tagen nebber.
agennec.
B-2.
abbatwan bittiTera noro,
genzeb tagefl nebber.
A.
birr bemmittagefinibbet gize
A-l.
wede suK tihedalloc.
B.
birr bagenneccibbet gize wedo
birr bittagefi, wede suK
tihedallec.
B-l.
suK hedge.
birr bittagefi wedo suK tihed
nebber.
B-2.
birr bittagefi noro wede suK
tihed nebber.
A.
mgSihaf bemmmnigezabbet gize
A-l.
W 9 d 9 timihirtbet mhedallen.
B.
mgSihaf bsgszzanibbgt gize W 9 d 9
moSihaf b m m g o z a , wede
timihirtbet mhedallen.
B-l.
timihirtbet hedn.
meSihaf binnigoza wede
timihirtbet m n i h e d nebbor.
B-2.
meSihaf b m n i g e z a noro wode
timihirtbet m n i h e d nebber.
A.
W 9 d 9 ityoPiya bemmihedibbet
A-l.
gize wgndimmen ayallehu.
B.
W 9 d 9 ityoPiya behedkubbet gize
wed© ityoPiya bihed wendimmen
ayallehu.
B-l.
wondimmen ayyohut.
wede ityoPiya bihed wendimmen
ay nebber.
B-2.
wede ityoPiya bihed noro,
wendimmen ay nebber.
A.
wed© kot©ma b©mmittihed KuTir
A-l.
yommittigozawm attawKim.
B.
wod© k©t©ma behedk KuTir
wed© ketema bittihed
yemmittigezawm attawKim.
B-l.
ysmmittigozawm alawwoKhim.
wed© k©t©ma bittihed
yemmittigezawm attawKim
nebber.
B-2.
wedo kotoma bittihed noro,
yommittigozawm attawKim
nobbor.
genzeb binorih noro yot tihed nobbor.
wed© ityoPiya lhed nebber.
silk bittidewwil ibet tagennih nobbor t
awo, tagennen nebbor.
assir birr bisoTis noro lamsin
awo, isoTew nebber.
tisoCiw nobbort
misawon bibolu yot yihedu nobbor.
wed© sinimabet lhed nebber.
mokina binorat noro m m
Keyy Kelem tiKebbaw nobbor.
Kolom
tiKobbaw nobbor.
sowiyyew donbefinah bihon, K m n a s
yassir birr K m n a s
tadorgillot nobbor t
mnadergillet
nebber.
lebawin ibetih wisT bittagennew noro,
mm
minimm alilew nebber.
tilow nobbor.
woroKot binoris, dobdabbe tiSifillot
awo, lSifillet nebber.
nobbor t
addis aboba wisT bet binoraccihu
mm
m s e T e w nebber.
tadergut nobbor.
gonzob binorih noro fores tigeza
awo, igoza nebbor.
nebber t
bemekinah wisT benzin binorih noro,
wede niwyork lhed nebber.
yet tihed nebber.
K m n a s bittagennu noro ahiyyanna
awo, mnigeza nebber.
beKlo tigozu nobbor t
bizu temariwoc binoruh noro
mm
amarinna astemiraccew nebber.
sira tisoTaccew nebber.
bizu genzeb baynoraccew keyet
kewendimmaccew yagenu nebber.
yameTu nebbor.
lyyandandu temari and and birr
biyagen noro, m m
weroKetmna anbolik yigeza
yadergew nebber.
assir birr bisoTis noro
mm
nebber.
Camma lgeza nebber.
tigezi nebber.
zare Kidame bihon m m
mnisera nebbor.
mekina baynorow noro wede ketema
yihed nebber.
mdet
wed©
sinimabet
m n i h e d nebbor.
begru yihed nebber.
Yes or No Questions and Answers
amerika behedaccihubbot gize
w a s i n g t o n m ayyaccihut t
kobbodo bommimmaribbot gize yisora
nobbor t
yellem, alayyenewim.
awo, yisera nebber.
yellem, ayseram nebber.
setiyyowa izzih bomoTaccibbet
gize llijwa bet arrofoct
dobdabbewm boSafobbot gize
abrehow nobberh t
ballefow s a m m m t
awo, ayyenew.
abbatmna
m n a t h m ayyoh t
bommimoTaw maksonno abrehon wodo
niwyork mehed tifolligalleh t
bemmimeTaw tahisas amarinna
awo, llijwa bet arrefec.
yollem, llijwa bet alarref©ccim.
awo, abirrew n©bberhu.
yollem, abirrew alnebberhum.
awo, ayyehu.
yellem, alayyehum.
awo, ifelligallehu.
yellom, alfelligim.
awo, yifelligal.
lemastemar yifelligalt
yellem, ayfelligim.
astemariwa amerikawit nat t
awo, amerikawit na t.
k
yellem, amerikawit aydelleccim.
bemmimeTaw wer setiyyowan
tamoTuwatallaccihu t
setiyyowa me TTa c t
awo, mnameTatallen.
yellem, annameTatim.
awo, meTTac.
yellem, almeTTaccim.
siraccewm bemmisorubbet gize
awo, lhedallehu.
wed© betaccew tihedalloh t
yellem, alhedim.
ballefow Kidame wed© suK hedaccihu
nsbber t
yswiCC gudday ministru wedennante
ager yimeTalt
s i r a h m kammist seat befit bitCerris,
wede betih abren mhedallen t
lyyandandu sew sost sost birr
beyyeweru bikefl, boTam Tiru new t
g a z e T a w m kenglizinna wede amarinna
bittereggumut beTam Tiru new t
lijageredwa wede timihirtbet lemehed
bitfellig, mehed ticillallect
awo, heden nebber.
yellom, alhednim.
awo, yimoTallu.
yellem, aymoTum.
awo, mhedallen.
yellom, anhedim.
awo, Tiru new.
yellem, Tiru aydellem.
awo, beTam Tiru new.
yollom, Tiru aydellem.
awo, mehed ticilallec.
yellem, mehed atcilim.
0
hulett yemekina gommawoc binoruh,
andun mewsed lcilallehu t
yehulett birr benzin lmekinaw wisT
biCemmirullet wasington yadorsewal 1
bommimoTaw lhud wede sinimabet
tihedallaccihu t
wenberwan wessedecciw t
awo, yicilallu.
yellem, aycilum.
awo, yadorsewal.
yellem, ayadersowim.
awo, mhedallon.
yellem, anhedim.
awo, wessedecciw.
yellem, alwessedecciwim.
debdabbewm bemmiyanebbubbet gize
ante bunna tiTeTTa nebber t
yebetun kiray bekeffele gize
b o r s a w m tiseTutallaccihu t
ante bet bemmimeTa KuTir m i s a w m
yibelal t
amarinna bemanbebu, bizu addis
Kaloc awweKe t
sira bemmiserabbet KuTir, bizu
genzeb yagennalt
bewenberu lay bemmiKKemmeTibbet
gize meSihaf y a n e b b a l t
lehotelu balebet bizu genzeb bemekfelu,
beTam Tiru k^fl agenne t
awo, iTeTTa nebber.
yellem, alTeTTam nebber.
awo, mseTowallen.
yellem, anseTowim.
awo, yibelal.
yollem aybolam.
awo, bizu Kaloc awweKe.
yellem, bizu Kaloc alawweKem.
awo, yagennal.
yellem, ayagennim.
awo, yanebbal.
yellem, ayanebbim.
awo, agenne.
yellem, alageflnem.
awo, tolo yikoflal.
ida ballebbet KuTir tolo yikoflal t
yellom, aykeflim.
awo, doss alow,
idawin bemekfelu mikniyat dess a l o w t
yellem, dess alalewim.
awo, dess alen.
beseatu bemedresis dess ales t
yollem, dess alalennim.
awo, wessedebbm.
sinKaccihun leba wessodebbaccihu t
yellem, alwessedebbmim.
awo, dess yilefinal.
and barneTanna, and semiz
yellem, dess aylennim.
bittamoTallih, dess yilihal t
lersasu sost santim bisoTat melkam
now t
semayawi m e k i n a w m liwesdibbet
yifolligal t
awo, melkam new.
yellom, melkam aydellem.
awo, yifelligal.
yellem, ayfelligim.
Cammaccewm
awo, seTebbaccew.
seTebbaccewt
yellem, alseTobbaccewim.
bemekinaw wisT zeyit Cemmere t
awo, Cemmere.
yellem, alCemmerem.
kebbed© y©m©kinaw gomma f©nsddabbst t
awo, foneddabbot.
yellom, alfenoddabbetim.
ahiyyaccawm alamu wessedebbaccow t
awo, wessedebbaccew.
yellom, alwessedebbaccewim.
alemu yakabbadan zayit Cerresebbet t
awo, Cerresebbet.
yollem, alCerresebbetim.
assir santim bitsaTih bunna
tiTaTTallah t
awo, lToTTallohu.
yellem, alTeTTam.
wade suK bithed, krabat
awo, tigezallmnallec.
tigezallihallec t
yollem, atgezallinnim.
Kurs kenna gar bibelu melkam
yimislisal t
awo, yimoslennal.
yollem, aymeslonnim.
ato yohannis kisun yidabbisal t
awo, yidabbisal.
yellem, aydabbisim.
meSihafun kamarinna wod©
mglizinna
bitereggum, bizu genzeb magnet
yicilalt
sost sowoc bemsngedu lay bittay,
tiTsraccswallsh t
Sohay bitwoTa w©d© kotema tihedalleh t
awo, bizu genzeb magnet yicilal.
yellem, bizu genzeb magnet
aycilim.
awo, iTaraccowallehu.
yellem, alTeraccowim.
awo, lhedallehu.
yqllem alhedim.
d©nb©nnah bithon arengwadewm
Camma tiseTatalleh t
yebet kiray Kinnas bittadergillaccew,
bobetu wisT yiKoyyubbet yimoslihalt
m©k©ra silagenneh taznalleh t
awo, lseTatallehu.
yellem, alseTatim.
awo, yimoslonnal.
yellem, aymeslennim.
awo, aznallehu.
yellem, alaznim.
kokeb silewoTTac doss aleh t
awo, dess alefi.
yellom, doss alalennim.
fetena silallefaccihu wedaddis abeba
mehed tifelligallaccihu t
awo, mfelligallen.
yellem, anfelligim.
a y a t a c c m silemotebbm wodaddis
awo, lhedallehu.
ketema abrehon tihedalleh t
yollem, alhedim.
barneTanna semiz lemegzat silemitfellig,
bezzih awtobus wede ketema tihedalleh t
silewiCC gudday ministru lzzih memTat
bizu tawKalleh t
awo, lhe da11ehu.
yellem, alhedim.
awo, awKallehu.
yellem, alawKim.
almaz silk sllemmitdewwil antem
awo, idewwilallehu.
tidewwilalleh t
yellem, aldewwilim.
abbataccihu meTtew sile TeyyeKuwaccihu
awo, dess alen.
yellom, dess alalenim.
dess alaccihut
sinK silagennec lzzih tiKoyallec t
awo, tiKoyyallec.
yellem, attiKoyyim.
abbatih genzeb silagenne dess aleh t
awo, dess alen.
yellem, dess alalenfiim.
sile wendimmu tenaggere 1
awo, tenaggere.
yellem, altenaggerem.
TiyyaKewm mellese 1"
awo, mellese.
yellem, almellesem.
awo, ammemat.
bizu sileserrac raswan ammemat t
yellem, alammematim.
dirsot
permission, leave
flKad (or*. feKad) lseTihallehu.
and debdabbe teKebbolhu.
to receive, to accept
teKebbele-meKKebel-yiKKebbelal
Harar
harer
ratun azzega j je.
to prepare, to get ready,
to arrange
trip, journey, voyage
azzoga j je-mazzegajetyazzegajjal
wedaddis abeba guzo tadergalleh t
lemma wed© betu tegwazo.
to travel, to go, to make a trip
t©gwaze-m©ggwaz-yiggwazal
C a m m a w m masadd©s yifelligal.
to have repaired
gizew bega silehone Sehay woTtallec.
asaddese-ma saddes-ya saddisal.
ato kebbedem wendimmun lemayet
silefelloge, kewiGC gudday minister lasrammist Ken fiKad teKobbele.
kebbede wendim yemminorew beharer ketema wisT silehone, bemekina lemehed
assQb©.
ato kobbodo C a m m a w m , kotun, semizunmna, krabatun kazzegajje
behwala, imokinaw wisT benzininna zeyit Cemmere.
g u z o w m kemejemmeru befit,
liju f o t o n a w m Csrriso silonobbor, kabbatu kato kebbod© gar abro lemohedmna
aggotun l©may©t follogo.
a b b a t m n a lij abrew ammist seat k©t©gwazu behwala, bemengodaccew lay
bemmiggefinew Tabiya arfew, m i s a c c e w m bollu.
m i s a c c o w m lskibelu diros
yemekinaccew gomma lifenedda silenebber, yemokinawm gomma asaddisew
mengedaccewm m d e g e n a
lemmeru.
asrahulett seat yahil ketegwazu behwala,
behulettennaw Ken harer ketema derresu.
bederresubbet seat Sehay TelKa silenebber kokeboccun lemayet calu.
TiyyaKewoc
ato kebbede m a n n m lemayet fellege.
fiKad keyet teKobbele.
ato kebbede wendimmun boyetinnaw werat mayet fellege t
fiKad l e s m t Ken teKobbele.
yato kebbede wendim yemminorew yet now.
ato kebbede keman gar hede.
ato kebbodenna liju b e m m tegwazu.
kemohedu bofit m m
azzegajje.
a b b a t m n a lij abrew s m t soat togwazu.
yato kobbedo lij l e m m kabbatu gar hede.
m i s a c c o w m yet bellu.
yemekinaccewm gomma m m
aderregut.
harer mec derresu.
harer sidersu m m
ayyu.
b e s a m m m t wisT y a l l u t m yeKenoc sim y m g e r u n .
yarattun werat simoc y m g e r u n .
Unit
15
Basic Sentences
hotel wisT / migibbet wisT
to pass (Trans.), to spend
asallefo-masallef-yasallifal
>
(time), to serve
waiter
asallafi
asallafi
to bring near
aKerrebe-maKrob-yaKorbal
mm
What shall I bring you, sir?
laKrib getaye t
ori
, ^
x
min lamTa getaye t
John
What kind of food do you have?
min aynot migib allaccihu.
asallaf1
Ethiopian stew
alliCCa
spaghetti
pastasutta
vegetables
atkilt
meat
siga
Ethiopian stew or sauce
w©T
(highly spiced)
with or: including
konn©
( ' its ') eggs
white
n©CC
Ethiopian flat bread
mjera
We have chicken stew, spaghetti,
mKulalwa
yedoro alliCCa, pastasutta, atkilt,
vegetables, roast meat, spiced
Tibs siga, yodoro w©T k©nn©
chicken stew with ('its') eggs
m K u l a l w a , n©CC mjeranna
and white and brown bread.
alien.
dabbo
John
myself
For myself I'd like spiced chicken
stew with some white bread.
rase
l©rase yedoro w©T, keneCC
gar ifelligallehu.
mjera
asallaf1
lady, madam
immobet
What shall I bring for the ( 'my')
lemmebetess. m m lamTa.
lady?
John
fast, Lent
Tom
What kind of Lenten meal do you have?
yoTom migib m m allacihu.
asallaf1
fish
asa
to be made, built, prepared
tosorra-mossorat-yissorral
We have a Lenten dish made of fish
kasanna katkilt yotosorra yoTom
and vegetables.
If you want some
migib alien.
other kind we can prepare it.
lelam aynot
kefellegu, mesrat mcilallen.
to like, to love
woddede-mewdod-yiweddal
Since she likes fish, bring her
asa silemmitwedd, asa weTun
some stewed fish.
amTallat.
Grammatical Notes
Note 15.1
Verb:
/ a - / verbs.
A number of Amharic verbs have an / a - / as the first element of
the Perfective form.
Most of the three-radical verbs of this kind belong
either to type A or B according to their infinitive forms.
if the Infinitive is ma2e3, the Imperfective is - a 2 3 -
Thus:
(Type A)
if the Infinitive is ma22e3, the Imperfective is - a 2 2 i 3 -
(Type B)
Examples:
Perfective
Type A
Type B
Infinitive
Imperfective
adder©
mader
yadral
arrefe
maref
yarfal
'to rest'
ammome
mamem
yammal
'to ache'
azzene
mazen
yaznal
'to be sorry'
addese
maddes
yaddisal
' to repair '
assebe
masseb
yassibal
'to think
1
Note 15»2
Verb:
Causative verbs m
/a-
and / a s - /
1.
ibakkiwo giyon hotel y a d n s u n .
'Take me to G-ion Hotel, please. '
2.
Tirunos leweyzerit almaz bizu
'Trunesh brought many thing to
negeroc amoTTac.
Miss Almaz.
3.
min laKrib getaye.
'What shall I bring you, sir?
i+.
bomottamome mikniyat wed© hospital
'Since I am sick I have to go to
the hospital.
mohed yasfelligennal.
5.
lKayen yasgobbullifi.
'Have them bring my things. '
6.
asayyowall©hu.
'I'll show [it] to him.'
The prefixes / a - / and / a s - / are affi.
so-called
d to the Perfective form to produce
'causative' verb forms.
Note 1 5 . 2 . 1
Causative verbs m /a-/.
The meaning of the causative verbs m
ative' or
'transitive'.
/ a - / may be either 'caus
In some cases the meaning may be different from its
'simple' form, its 'causativeness' being clear from its literal translation
only.
Sentence 1:
/derrose/
Infinitive:
/medres/
'to arrive '
/aderrese/
Infinitive:
/madres/
'to take (to cause, to arrive) '
/meTTa/
Infinitive:
/memTat/
'to come '
/ameTTa/
Infinitive:
/mamTat/
'to bring'
/Kerrebe/
Infinitive:
/meKreb/
'to come near'
/aKerrebe/
Infinitive:
/maKreb/
'to bring near, to present,
Sentence
2:
Sentence 3 :
to fetch
The vowel distribution of the causative verbs m
/ a - / is the same as
that of their respective simple forms, except for the regular loss of / 1 /
before / a / (see Note 3 * 3 ) ,
come',
e.g. /lmeTallehu/ 'I'll come', /yimeTal/ 'he'll
/ameTallehu/ 'I'll bring', /yameTal/ 'he'll bring'.
Note 1 5 . 2 . 2
Causative verbs in /as-/.
The prefix / a s - / is used to indicate that the action of the verb
is performed by a person other than the subject of the verb, e.g.
/gobba/
'he entered'
/asgobba/
'he had someone bring m
something or somebody'
(Sentence 5 )
/f©liege/
'he looked for', 'he wanted'
/asf©liege/
'he had someone look for something',
'it was necessary' ('caused to want')
(Sentence 1+)
The prefix / a s - / may also be used to form verbs from nouns, e.g.
/dirset/
'narrative'
/asdorrsso/
'he caused to narrate'
/ a - / verbs (Note l 5 » 2 » l ) never have an / a - / prefix, but they may have
an / a s - / prefix.
The form with the / a s - / prefix may have either a transitive
or a causative meaning, e.g.,
/ayyo/
'he saw'
/asayye/
'he showed'
/allefe/
'passed' (intr.)
/asallefe/
'passed'
('caused someone to see')
'spent'
(Trans.) or 'caused to pass'
All causative / a s - / verbs formed from three-radical verbs type A and B,
are type B verbs, e.g.
/keffele - mekfel - yikoflal/
'to divide'
/ask©ff©l© - maskeffel - yaskeffilal/
'to cause to divide'
/fellege - mofelleg - yifelligal/
'to want' (type B)
/asfelloge - masfelleg - yasfelligal/
'to need' (type B)
Note 1 5 . 3
1.
(type B)
Passive-Reflexive Verbs
almaz tamma leTiKit Kenocc
lhakimbet wisT nat.
2.
(type A)
meSihafu bassir kifloc tekeflowal.
'Almaz is sick and will be m
the
hospital for a couple of days. '
'The book is divided into ten
parts. '
3.
bohulett soat tekkul lkifl wisT
yiggeflnallu.
'They will be ('found') in class
at 8 : 3 0
( '2 '30 ') .
h'
n©g© m©mm©les
5.
kalgaye mn©ssanna, fiten
if©lligall©hu.
'I want to come back tomorrow.'
'I get up and wash myself ( 'my
face ' ) .
ittaTT©ballshu.
6.
betu t©s©T©.
'The house is sold.'
7.
and d©bdabbe toKobbelhu.
'I received a letter. '
As illustrated by the previous examples, the Passive-Reflexive verbs
may be either
or ^reflexive*
'passive', e.g.
/tosoT©/
'it is/was sold'
/soT©/
'he sold'
e.g.
/taTTsb©/
'he washed himself'
/aTTobo/
'he washed'
Some of these verbs have an 'active' meaning, e.g.
/toKsbbel©/
'he received'
/toKsmm©T©/
'he sat down'
Following are the passive-reflexive verbs forms used m
the previous sentences
together with their active counterparts:
Pa sslve-Reflexive
1.
tai^momo-mottamsm-yittammsmal
'to be sick'
2.
toksff©lo-m©kk©f©l-yikk©ff©lal
'to be divided '
3.
tog©nno-moggonn©t-yigg©nnal
•to be found'
tom©ll©s©-m©mm©l©s-yimm©ll©sal
'to come back'
5.
taTTobo-mottaTob-yittaTTobal
'to wash oneself'
6.
tos©T©-m©ss©T-yiss©Tal
' to be sold '
7.
t©K©bb©l©-m©KK©b©l-yiKK©bb©lal
'to receive '
Ac five
ammom©-mam©m-yamma1.
'to ache'
keffsls-mskfel-yikoflal
'to divide'
agonn©-magn©t-yag©nnal
'to find'
m©ll©s©-m©m©ll©s-yim©llisal
'to answer'
aTTobo-maTob-yaTbal
'to wash'
soT©-m©s©T-yisoTal
'to sell'
UNIT lij.
BASIC COURSE
As these examples show, passive-reflexive verbs are formed by prefixing
/ t ( e ) - / (/to-/ before consonants and / t - / before /a/) to the perfective stem
of a verb.
Examples:
/keffele/
'he paid'
/tekeffelo/
'it was paid'
/awwoKe/
'he knew'
/tawwoKo/
'it was known'
/ serra/
'he did'
/tosorra/
'it was done'
/ammomo/
'it ached'
/tammomo/
'he was sick'
There are no passive-reflexive forms of causative verbs m
/as-/.
Instead there is a
passive-reflexive
m
/ a - / and
/ t ( e ) - / which is based on
the simple form and has both the basic and causative meanings.
Examples:
Passive
Simple
Causative
/agebba/ 'he caused to
/gobba/
'he entered'
/togobba/ 'he was married'
/ayyo/
'he saw'
/tayye/
enter',
'he married'
/asayyo/
'he showed^
'it was seen
or
'it was shown'
There are verbs with the causative / a - / prefix which have no correspond
ing independent simple form.
'causative' nature.
The meanings of these verbs may not reflect any
However these verbs have passive-reflexive forms which
are constructed on the simple base, not the one m
/ a - / , like other causative
verbs, e.g.
/adorrog©/
'he did'
/todorreg©/
'it was done'
/agonn©/
'he found'
/tog©nn©/
'he/it was found'
/amossggono/ 'he praised'
/temessggsn©/
'he/it was praised'
/aboddsr©/
/tebeddsr©/
'he borrowed'
Notice that m
'he loaned'
all the examples given so far, the passive-reflexive
prefix / t ( © ) - / has come at the beginning of the verb form.
However, if
there should be another prefix before the passive-reflexive prefix (e.g.
the infinitive prefix /m©-/ or the imperfective prefix /yi-/) then the form
of the passive-reflexive prefix is not / t ( o ) - / , but is instead a doubling
of the initial consonant of the verb stem;
Imperfective
Infinitive
Perfective
t©k©ff©l©
mskksf©1
'to be paid '
yikkeffelal
tsssrra
mgssgrat
'to be done '
yissorral
tOSOTT©
m©ss©T©t
'to be given '
yisseTTal
t©l©yy©
mgllgygt
'to be separated '
yilleyyal
tefOllegO
mgffgl9g
'to be wanted'
yiffellegal
tOgQnnO
msggenst
'to be found'
yiggonnal
tedorrego
mgddgrgg
'to be made '
yiddorrogal
tgnggggre
mgnngggr
'to be said '
ymneggoral
tsTeyyeK©
m©TToy©K
'to be asked
yiTToyyoKal
The prefix / t - / of the / a - / verbs has the shape /-tt-/ when it occurs
after another verbal prefix:
Infinitive
Perfective
Imperfective
tawweKo
msttawsK
'to be known'
yittawwoKal
taddos©
msttades
' to be repaired '
yittaddesal
The above examples show that the two basic Passive-Reflexive
forms
(Perfective and Imperfective) are predictable from their Infinitives, thus:
Infinitive
Perfective
Imperfective
moll©2©3
t©l©22©3©
-11©22©3-
m©tta2©3
ta22©3©
-tta22©3-
m©ll©2at
t©l©22a
-11©22-
msll©2©t
t©l©22©
-11822-
Regular 3-Radical verbs,
types A and B:
Regular / a - / verbs,
types A and B:
Regular 2-Radical verbs
m
/ - a / , types A and B:
Regular 2-Radical verbs
m
/-©/, types A and B:
The Passive-Reflexive form of the verb /malet/ 'to say' is irregular:
Infinitive
mobb^l
'to be said'
Perfective
tobal©
Imperfective
yibbalal
The preposition used with the passive forms, corresponding m
to English
meaning
'by', is / b ( © ) - / , e.g.
g©nzebu b©k©bb©d© tekeffsl©.
msSihafu bessu toSaf©.
'The money was paid by Kebbede.
'The book is written by him.
Note that the passive verbs in the Perfective may correspond to either
the past or the present tense m
'the car is broken' or
Note 1 5 ' 4
Verb:
English, e.g.
/mekinaw tesebbore/ may be
'the car was broken' according to the context.
Classification and Notation.
Beginning with Unit 16 new verbs will be given m
Infinitive form only m
categories.
the build-ups if they belong to one of the following
In these categories the Perfective and Imperfective forms are
predictable from the infinitive.
Three-Radical Verbs.
I.
Underlved:
1.
2.
II.
III.
IV.
Perfective
Infinitive
Imperfective
Regular verbs
Type A
noggoro
monger
ymegral
Type B
follog©
mef©lleg
yifelligal
Type A
adder©
mader
yadral
Type B
addose
maddes
yaddisal
Type A
adorros©
madres
yadersal
Type B
aboddor©
mabedder
yabeddiral
/ a - / verbs
Causatives m
/a-/:
Causatives m
/as-/t
1.
Regular verbs
asfellege
masf ©11©/;
yasfelligal
2.
/ a - / verbs
asaddes©
masaddes
yasaddisal
tsneggere
mennoger
ymneggeral
t©f©llog©
meffeleg
yiffellegal
tawwoKo
mettawoK
yittawweKal
taddos©
mettades
yittaddesal
Passive-Reflexive verbs*
1.
2.
the
Regular verbs
/ a - / verbs
Two-Radical Verbs
I.
Underivedt
1.
2.
II.
2.
IV.
Infinitive
Imperfective
Verbs in / - a /
Type A
gsbba
mogbat
yigobal
Type B
ToTTa
moToTTat
yiToTTal
Type A
soTTo
mosTot
yisoTal
Type B
lsyys
meloyyot
yiloyyal
Type A
ameTTa
mamTat
yamoTal
Type B
aToTTa
maToTTat
yaToTTal
Type A
amoss©
mamsof *
yamesal
Type B
aKoyyo
maKoyyot
yaKoyyal
Verbs m
/-o/
Causatives in / a - /
1.
III.
Perfective
Verbs m
Verbs m
Causatives m
/-a/
/-©/
/as-/
1.
Verbs m
/-a/
asgebba
masgobbat
yasgebbal
2.
Verbs m
/-©/
asleyy©
ma sloyyot
yasleyyal
tosorra
mossorat
yissorral
t©T©TTa
moTToTat
yiTToTTal
toseTT©
mossoTot
yissoTTal
teleyye
molloyot
yilloyyal
Passive Reflexive
1.
2.
Verbs m
Verbs m
/-a/
/-©/
The verb /mamsot/ ito spend the evening' has not occured in the
units and is given here only for the sake of completeness.
Note 1 5 . 5
Note 1 5 . 5 . 1
Relational affix / k ( © ) - / with Perfective forms: ' i f , 'since'.
/k(e)-/
'if.
lelam aynet kefellegu, mesrat
'If you want some other kind we
mcilallon.
can prepare it.
The affix / k ( o ) - / may be prefixed to Perfective verb forms to express
simple condition.
In conditional clauses referring to the future, a Prefective form with
the affix / k ( e ) - / has almost the same meaning as a Short Imperfective form
with the affix / b d ) - / (see Note II4..3).
It seems, however, that the / k ( e ) - /
form implies more doubt on the part of the speaker than the / b d ) - / form, e.g.
bimoTa, lhedallehu.
'If he comes, I'll go.'
kemoTTa, lhedallehu.
'If he does come, I'll go. '
When / k ( o ) - / is prefixed to the verb stems /alio-/ and /yell©-/ the
resulting forms are.
kallen
'if I have'
kalleh
'if you have'
kalles
'if you (f) have'
kallowo(t)
'if you (pol.) have
kallew
•if he has'
kallat
'if she has'
kallen
'if we have'
kallaccihu
'if you (pi.) have'
kallaccow
'if they have'
kolellen
'if I don't have'
kelelleh
'if you don't have'
and
etc.
e.g.
gonzeb kallen iseTihallehu.
'If 1 have money, I'll give you
[some 1.
genzeb kelellew wedesinima
ayhedim.
'If he doesn't have money he won't
go to the movies.
Note 1 5 . 5 . 2
/k(e)-/
'since'
When the verb of the main clause is m
/ k ( e ) - / corresponds in meaning to the English
the past tense the affix
'since ' (from the time o f ) . The
word /jemmiro/ (Gerund of the verb /mejemmer/ 'to begin') may be added op
tionally to this construction.
beten kasaddoshut sost amot
'It's been three years since
honotal.
I had my house repaired'.
lije addis aboba kehedo debdabbe
'My son has not written me a letter
alSafellmnim.
since he left for Addis.
foKad kagennu bizu Ken hono.
'It has been a long time since
they got permission.'
genzeb kagenne jemmiro s i r a w m
'He did not work from the time he
alserram.
The use of / k ( e ) - /
got money. '
'from' as a preposition was discussed m
It is the same preposition which is used m
combination with /jemmiro/ m
sense of 'since', e.g.
the
'
kemeskerem jemmiro genzeb
'I haven't gotten any^money since
alagofinohum.
September. '
kallefew s a m m m t jemmiro wede
'I haven't been to school since
timihirtbet alhedkum.
last week.'
/k(e)-...jemmiro/ may be used m
(Note 5«5.2)
Unit 5.5«1.
combination with /isk(e)-...dires/
'from... up to', e.g.
'It's about 500
kaddis abeba jemmiro
lskeharer diros ammist
Kms. from Addis
Abeba to Harar.
moto kilometir yahil new.
kezare jemmiro lskesost wer dires
'I '11 be here for three months
izzih iKoyyallehu.
starting today.
The student will repeat the
sentence and then say it again using the passive form of the underlined verb
and changing the direct object of the sentence A into the subject of the new
sentence (Sentence B ) .
A.
y i h m meSihaf ato lemma Sa.few.
B.
yih meSihaf bato lemma teSafe
A.
g a z e T a w m ato lemma k©mglizinna
B.
gazeTaw kemglizinfia
wed© amarinna tereggomew.
wedamarinna bato lemma
tetereggome.
A.
ato kobbodonna balebetu and
B.
bebalebetu toserra.
bet serru.
A.
and bet bato kebbedenna
innatinna abbatu lijun kozzih
B.
liju kozzih bennatmna abbatu
tewes sede.
wossodut.
A.
wissaw s i g a w m bellaw.
B.
sigaw bewissaw tebella.
A.
and set ahiyyawminna forosun
B.
ahiyyawinna feresu band set
tegezza.
gozzac.
A.
anbessaw lamwan sobborat.
B.
lamwa banbessaw tesebberec.
A.
inna sinKun bollanow.
B.
s m K u benna tebella.
A.
and sow betun addosow.
B.
betu band sew taddese.
A.
asallafiw T i r u w m migib wossodo.
B.
Tiruw migib basallafiw
tewessede.
A.
ato yohannis yeTomun migib
B.
tebella.
bolla.
•
A.
yeTomu migib bato yohannis
o Bit
ato kobbodo noGGun foros gozzaw.
B.
neCCu feres bato kebbede
tegezza.
A.
asallafiw asa yazo.
B.
asaw basallfiw teyaze.
A.
yewendimme balobet yodoro w©T
B.
yedoro weT bewondimme balebet
sorrac.
A.
yowiCG gudday ministru nigiggir
teserra.
B.
yi.iommiral.
A.
kand amet bohwala bet mserallon.
nigiggiru bewiCC gudday
ministru yijjemmeral.
B.
kand amet behwala betu benna
yisserral.
A.
yetimihirt ministru bizu
B.
gonzob yisoTallu.
bizu genzeb betimihirt
ministru yissoTTal.
A.
polisoc and sow yifelligallu.
B.
and sew bepolisoc yiffellegal.
A.
temariwoc temaribetun
B.
tomaribetu betemariwoc
yittaddosal.
yaddisallu.
A.
ato yohannis genzeb yikoflal.
B.
gonzebu bato yohannis
yikkeffelal.
A.
amerikanoc barneTa yisorallu.
B.
barneTa bamerikanoc yisserral.
A.
s i r a w m inna mCorrlsewallon.
B.
siraw benna yiCCorresal.
Outline t
Infinitive
_^
Perfective
I
Imperfective
Model:
inna bet mador
tiwoddalloc.
inna bet adderoc.
inna bet tadralloc.
(Final verb omitted in transforms but indicates person to be used.)
Drill:
betun bonoCC Kolom maddos
yifelligal.
m o k i n a w m ibetu madres
yifelligal.
akistunna aggotu feres megzat
yifelligallu.
temariwoc band amet wisT amarinna
maweK yifelligallu.
betun beneCC Kelom addese.
betun beneCC Kelom yaddisal.
m e k i n a w m ibetu aderrese.
m e k i n a w m ibetu yadorsal.
akistunna aggotu fores gezzu.
akistunna aggotu feres yigezallu.
awweKu.
yawKallu.
genzobun mamTat yifelligal,
genzobun amoTTa.
genzobun yameTal.
debdabbewm banboliku wisT
madrog yifelligal.
aderrege.
yadergal.
arba arefte nogeroc mengor
yifelligallu.
mekinawan arengwadenna Koyy
Kelem meKebbat tiweddallec,
arba arefte negoroc neggeru.
arba arefte negoroc ymograllu.
mekinawan arengwadenna Keyy
Kelem Kebbac.
mekinawan arengwadenna Keyy
Kelem tiKebballec.
asceggari sira mesrat
asceggari sira mserallon.
mweddallen.
lKawin weds bet masgebbat
m f elligallen.
asra and
SGWOC
asceggari sira serran.
siraccGwm
meCorros yifelligallu.
l K a w m wede bet asgebbu.
lKawin wed© bet yasgebballu.
asra and s©woc siraccewm Gorresu.
asra and sewoc siraccewm
yiCerrisallu.
astemariwoc silo tomariwoccaccow
massob yiwoddallu.
astemariwoc sile tomariwoccaccow
assebu.
astemariwoc silo tomariwoccaccow
yassiballu.
ato lomma yowiGC gudday ministrun
nigiggir maTnat yifelligal.
ato lemma yewiCC gudday ministrun
nigiggir aTenna.
ato lemma yewiCC gudday ministrun
nigiggir yaTonal.
and s e w sile lelaw s e w mawoK
yifelligal.
m e k i n a w m wede babur Tabiya
mewsQid yifelligal.
and sew sile lelaw sew awweKe.
and sew silelelaw sow yawKal.
m a k i n a w m wede babur Tabiya
wessod©.
m a k i n a w m w©d© babur Tabiya
yiwssdal.
bebogaw lebalwa and barneTa
megzat tiweddallec.
b©b©gaw lebalwa and barneTa
gezzac.
bobegaw lebalwa and barneTa
tigezalloc.
m i s a c c e w m kefina gar moblat
yifelligallu.
sirawan barat seat moCorres
tiweddallec.
keseat befit lzzih medros
tifelligallec.
yato yohannis lij timihirtbet
megbat yifelligal.
m i s a c c e w m kenna gar b©llu.
m i s a c c e w m kefina gar yibelallu.
sirawan barat s©at C©rr©s©c.
sirawan barat seat tiCerrisalloc.
kesoat befit lzzih derr©s©c.
ksseat befit lzzih tidersallec.
gebba.
yigobal.
silastemariw nigiggir megleS
silastemariw nigiggir gelleSe.
silastomariw nigiggir yigelSal.
yiwoddal.
y e m e k i n a w m gGnzob m e k f Q !
yemekinawm gonzob keffelo.
yemokinawm genzeb yikeflal.
yifelligal.
addis temaribet mekfet yifelligal.
addis temaribet keffete.
addis temaribet yikeftal.
kiremtun izzih masallef
m f elligallen.
kiremtun izzih asallefn.
kiremtun izzih mnasailifalien.
Kellal sira serrah.
Kellal sira mesrat tifelligalleh.
Kellal sira tiseralleh.
K e T e r o w m asallefec.
K e T e r o w m masallef tiweddallec.
K e T e r o w m tasallifallec.
dabbo beKibe aKerrebs.
dabbo beKibe maKreb tifelligiyalles.
dabbo beKibe taKerbiyalles.
Konjo lijagered izzih meKoyyot
Konjo lijagered izzih Koyyec.
tifelligallec.
meSihafun Sifa meCerres
tifelligallec.
zare mata genzobun memolles
yif©lligallu.
mengodennocc
komengod mommelos
yif©lligallu.
Konjo lijagered izzih tiKoyyallec.
moSihafun Sifa Cerresec.
meSihafun Sifa tiCerrisalloc.
zare mata gonzebun mellesu.
zare mata genzobun yimellisallu.
mengodennocc
kemenged temellesu.
mengodennocc
kemenged
yimmellesallu.
meto m©Tfo sowoc izzih momTat
yif©lligallu.
lotemariwoc silageru monger
yifelligal.
rasun merdat yiweddal.
meto meTfo sewoc izzih meTTu.
meto meTfo sewoc izzih yimoTallu.
letemariwoc silageru neggere.
letemariwoc silageru y m e g r a l .
rasun redda.
rasun yiredal.
yeneggorhuwatm mersat
tifelligallec.
bosene wisT sira mesrat yiweddallu.
yeneggorhuwatm ressac.
yeneggorhuwatm tiresallec.
besen© wisT serru.
beseno wisT yiserallu.
lewendimmaccew and seat mesTet
yifelligallu.
ljjwan mettaTeb tiweddallec.
lewendimmaccew and seat seTTu.
lowendimmaccew and seat yisoTallu.
ljjwan taTTobec.
ljjwan tittaTTeballoc.
zare bizu genzeb meKKobel
m f elligallen.
addis abeba wisT moKKemoT
yiweddallu.
kenna molleyot tifelligallec.
zare bizu genzeb teKebbeln.
zare bizu genzeb mniKKebbelallen.
addis abeba wisT teKemmeTu.
addis abeba wist yiKKemmeTallu.
kenna teleyyec.
kenna tilleyyallec.
kabbatwa gar memmoles tifelligallec.
kabbatwa gar temellesec.
kabbatwa gar timmellesallec.
liju yabbatun laminna bere meTebbeK
yifelligal.
liju yabbatun laminna bere TebbeKe.
liju yabbatun laminna bere
yiTebbiKal.
sowiyyew moTfat weddede.
sewiyyew Teffa.
sewiyyew yiTefal.
abbataccewm wede betaccew
meTrat yiweddallu.
abbataccewm wede betaccew Terru.
abbataccewm wede betaccew
yiTerallu.
bunna moTeTTat mfelligallen.
bunna TeTTan.
bunna mTeTTallen.
TiyyaKewoc meTeyyeK
tifelligallaccihu.
TiyyaKewoc TeyyoKaccihu.
TiyyaKewoc tiTeyyiKallaccihu.
s e w m weddedn.
s e w m mewded m f elligallen.
sewm
mweddallen.
genzebun wessedec.
genzebun mewsed tifelligallec.
genzebun tiwesdallec.
kageraccew meTTu.
kageraccew memTat yiweddallu.
kageraccew yimeTallu.
m e k i n a w m zegga.
m e k i n a w m mezgat yifelligal.
m e k i n a w m yizegal.
fiKad bittagonnu timoTallaccihu t
awo, kagonnon inmeTallen.
widd kehone, lomin lgiyon hotel
beketemaw wisT lela hotel
tiKoyyalloh.
yellem.
and soat kallof© wodo betu yihid t
awo, yihid.
lemma kebella, tibelalleht
awo, kebella, ibelallehu.
lerat koTerruh, tihedalleh t
keTerrun, lhedallehu.
z m a b kemeTTa, wodo betis athejim t
z m a b kemeTTa wed© bete
lhedallehu.
g o m m a w m kaddesut genzeb
gsnzeb kallon mseTaccewallen.
tiseTuwaccewallaccihu t
ahun kemoTTu, debdabbe tiseTaccewalloh t
awo, isoTaccewallehu.
lhotelu wisT doro weT kenne inKulalwa
kagennehu, ibelallehu.
kageflneh, tibelalleh t
pasta sutta biyaKorbillaccihu
kaKerrebellm, mbelallen.
tibelallaccihu t
Sehay sitgeba, GereKa tiwoTallect
awo, Sohay kegobbac, CoroKa
tiwoTalloc.
wondimmih timihirtbet bigeba, tigeballeh ^
kegobba, igoballehu.
amerika kerneTTaccihu, sint amet hone.
assir amet hone.
amarinna memmar kef ©liege, l e m m
kand s a m m m t behwala yihedal.
wode ityoPiya ayhedim.
yezare s a m m m t kemoTTac, wedenna
awo, kemeTTac amoTatallehu.
tam©Tatall©h t
fiKad keToyyeKaccihu, tagennallaccihut
awo, k e T e y y e K m mnagennallen.
genzeb kallow, bemekina wodo harer
awo, gonzeb kallow, mehed
mehed yicilal t
yicilal.
b e t a c c e w m kasaddesut s m t amet honew.
hulett amet honotal.
a b b a t m n a m n a t h m kayyohaccow sint
and amot hone.
gize hone.
mekina kalleh, lomin andand gize izzih
gize yellennim.
atmoTam.
kamerika kemeTTa, ato y o h a n n i s m man ayyew.
ato lemma ayyew.
wendimmih addis abeba kehede, debdabbe Saf©t
and gize bicca Safe.
meSihafun keTeyyeKoc
lemm
isswa meSihafun mewsed
alfeliegeccim.
alsoTTehatim.
bizu genzeb kallaccew, l e m m
mekina ayasfelligaccewim.
mekina algezzum.
amerika wisT timihirbet biyagennu
awo, dehna timihirtbet kageflnu,
yihedallu.
yihedallu t
misawan kebellac, manbeb atfelligim t
yemmitf ©llig aymoslofinim.
m n a t i h m n a abbatih kemeTTu timeTalleht
komoTTu imoTallohu.
beTiwat bimeTa, abirreh mehed
awo, Tiwat komeTTah, abren
lcilallehu t
mhedallen.
mehed kefellegh, lwosdihallehu.
mehed kefelleghu, tiwesdennalloh t
dirset
ato yohannis Tiru migib azzoze.
to order
azzeze-mazzez-yazzizal
kasallafiw gar sile hotelu tenogaggeru.
to converse, to talk with
tenegaggere-mennogagor-ymnogaggeral
ato yohannis lomisa wedand hotel hede.
liyyu liyyu
yeityoPiya
bezzih hotel wisT beTam bizu
migib nebbor.
yohotelu asallafi m g i d a w m m d a y y o hedo m m
ato yohannis leTikit gize keKoyyo bohwala, m m
asalaffiwm TeyyeKew.
laKrib getaye bilo TeyyeKew.
aynet migib allaccihu alenna,
asallafrwim yedoro alliCCa, pasta sutta, atkilt, Tibs
siga, yedoro woT, neCC m j e r a n n a , dabbo alien alew.
ato yohannisim lerasu yedoro woT kenne m K u l a l w a , lobalobetu asa woT
azzeze.
TiyyaKewoc
ato yohannis lomisa yet hede.
issu behotelu wisT koman gar tenegaggere.
lomisaw m m
aynet migib azzeze.
lobalobetu m m
azzezellat.
lhotelu wisT m m
aynet migib yiggeflnal.
lemigbu s m t genzeb keffele.
ato yohannis keyet ager meTTa.
ato yohannis l h i t m n a wendim allutt
asallafiw ato y o h a n n i s m m m
ato yohannis m m
bilo TeyyeKew.
alenna mellosellet.
Unit 16
Basic Sentences
asallafi
to consume, to destroy, to waste
fejje - mofjot - yifojal
to be patient
taggese - mettages - yittaggosal
lomazzogajot tinnis gize silommifoj,
As it will take ('consume') some time
rub soat yahil taggesun.
to get it ready you'll have to wait
( 'be patient toward me') for about
fifteen minutes.
John
obligation
gidd
never mind, that's all right
giddellem
Tgidd
cokkolo
mocokkol
yollom]
('there is no obligation')
to be m
a hurry
That's all right.
We're not m
a
giddellem
-
-
yicekkulal
ancekkulim.
hurry.
asallafi
to be sad, depressed
tokkeze - metokkez - yitekkizal
something to keep one busy
metekkeza
(usually some food or drink)
moTeTT
a drink
lskezziya dires lemetekkeza
Then what kind of drink shall I bring
you ('to keep you busy') m
mm
aynet meToTT laKrib.
the
meantime?
John
idea, thought
That's a good idea.
assab / hassab
r
What kind of
beTam Tiru hassab new.
drinks do you have?
/
m m
aynet
moTeTT allaccihu.
asallaf1
yewiCC ager weyis yager wisT meTeTT
Would you like imported ('foreign')
or local drinks.
yifelligallu.
John
What kind of local drinks do you
have
('are
there')?
mm
aynot yagor wisT meTeTT alle.
asallaf1
grapes, wine
weyn
wine
vino
beer
bira
rakee
aroKe
mead
Telia
kind of local beer
vino, bira, areKe, Tejjinna
We have wine, beer, rakee, mead
Telia alien.
and local beer.
John
Tormus
bottle
lone and Tormus bira, lesswa dogmo
Bring a bottle of beer for me and
and Tormus Tejj a m T a l l m .
a bottle of mead for her.
Mrs. John
water
wiha
though, except for, just
mji
Just water.
wiha m j i , Tejj m d it tame Tall in
I don't want (you to
alfelligim.
bring me) any mead.
asallaf1
All right.
issi.
John
Check pleasei
sint ikeflihallohu.
( 'how much shall
1 pay you')
asallafI
ammist birr kamsa santim new.
Five dollars and fifty cents.
John
to change
change
(money), to cash
menezzero-memenzer-yimenezziral
mmizzari
(n.)
Do you have change for fifty dollars?
yehamsa birr m m i z z a r i alleh t
asallafi
Ye s I do.
awo alien.
/
Grammatical Notes
Note 1 6 . 1
Relational Affix - / i n d d ) - /
Tojj m d i t t a m e T a l l m
'that', 'so that',
'in order to',
'I don't want you to bring
me mead.'
alfelligim.
The Affix / i n d d ) - / (/mdi-/ before /ya/, /ind-/ before / a / and /indi-/
elsewhere) may be prefixed to a Short Imperfective form.
is used m
The resulting form
connection with another verb and is most frequently equivalent to
an English verb phrase with 'to... ' ('to bring' m
the above example).
It
should be noted however that this form indicates the actor of the verb.
literal translation of this form is, therefore,
etc.
The
'that I come', 'that he bring',
The affix / i d ) - / , prefixed to a Short Imperfective form (Note 1 3 . l ) ,
has approximately the same meaning as / i n d d ) - / .
basically different.
Their usage, however, is
Whereas / i d ) - / refers to the subject (actor) of the •
m a m verb, as in /meSihafun lifellig moTTa/ 'He came to look for the book'
('He
came that he look for the book'), / i n d d ) - / refers to a person (or
persons) other than the subject (actor) of the m a m verb, as m
mdifellig neggeren/ 'He told me to look for the book.'
('He
/meSihafun
tpld me that
I look for the book').
Examples:
mditmeTa
ifelligallehu.
'I want you to come. '
m d i h e d TeyyeKew.
'He asked him to go. '
meSihafun mdiyanebbu
'I told them to read the book.'
noggerhuwaccew.
The form with / i n d d ) - / may also be used as a less abrupt command form
(imperative) e.g.
hid
'goJ'
mdithed
'be sure to go '
bella
'eatJ '
mditbela
'be sure to eat'
attikfetu
'don't open (pi.)'
mdatkeftu
'be sure not to open'
Note 16.2
Pronoun /ras-/ 'self'
lerase yedoro weT ifelligallehu.
'For myself I'd like spiced
chicken.'
The pronoun /ras-/ 'self', 'oneself', used with noun suffix pronouns
means
'myself, y o u r s e l f , etc.:
rase
'myself'
rasih
'yourself
(m.s.)
rasis
'yourself
(f.s.)
rasiwo
'yourself
(pol.)
rasu
'himself'
raswa
'herself'
rasaccm
'ourselves'
rasaccihu
'yourselves'
rasaccow
'themselves'
/ras-/ is used as an emphatic word with the independent pronoun, as
/ m e rase lhedallehu/ 'I'll go m y s e l f .
pronoun as in /rasen lofetona azzegajjallehu/
Note 16.3
Verb:
m
It may also be used as a reflexive
'I prepare myself for the exam. '
Regular four-radical verbs.
Tena yisTillin, m d o m i n senebbets
'Hello, Mrs. Trunesh how have
weyzero Tirunes.
you been? '
ascoggariwm arofte neger
'You are going to translate the
littoreggumi now.
difficult sentence.'
The regular four-radical verbs have the following distribution of vowels
in the three basic forms:
Perfective
Infinitive
Imperfective
lo2e33e4©
mole23©l4.
y i - l e 2 © 3 3 il|.-al
/menozzero/
/memenzer/
/yimenezziral/
Perfective
Infinitive
Imperfective
me-lle23oi4-
yi-lle2e33ei|-al
/memmonzer/
/yimmonezzeral/
Passive Reflexive:
te-le2e33©4
8
/tomenezzere/
Causatives in / a - /
Infinitive
Perfective
Imperfective
a-l©2933949
male23©l4-
y a -19 2 93 3
/amoseggen©/
/mam©sg©n/
/yam9S9ggmal/
Infinitive
Imperfective
1 4 -
a
1
Causatives in /as-/
Perfective
as-le2©33s4
mas-l©23©!|-
y a s - 1 9 2933 ll^-al
/masm9sg9n/
/ya s m 9 S 9 g g m a l /
8
/asm9S9gg9n9/
Since the Perfective and the Imperfective forms are predictable from
their infinitive, only the infinitive of these verbs will be listed m
the
build-ups.
Note 16.1+
Verb:
Three- and four-radical verbs m
/-o-/.
Some of the three-radical verbs type B and some four-radical
verbs have an / o / after the double consonant of the perfective form.
These
verbs have an / u / after the double consonant of the imperfective form, e.g.
c©Kkol© - mecekkol - yicekkulal
'to hurry'
teroggom© - metorgom - yiter©ggumal
'to translate'
Note 1 6 . 5
Verb:
Noun of Agent.
The Noun of Agent is formed by affixing the suffix / - i / to the
past stem of the verb and by certain changes of its vowel distribution. If
the last radical (consonant) of the verb stem is one of the eight dental or
alveolar consonants / t / , /d/, /T/, / S / ,
/ S / ,
/Z/,
/ n / , / l / , the latter and
the suffix / - i / are replaced by the corresponding palatal consonant (see
Notes
9.3).
Here are some examples of Nouns of Agent which have occurred m
our
units:
/tomari/
'student'
/tomar©/
'he learned'
/astomari/
'teacher'
/astsmar©/
'be taught'
/asceggari/
'difficult'
/asc©gg©r©/
'he caused
difficulties'
/toKebbay/
'receptionist'
/t©K©bb©l©/
/asallafi/
'waiter'
/asallef©/
'he accepted '
'he waited on'
A Noun of Agent may be a noun (one who performs the action of the verb,
or one characterized by the action of the verb), e.g. /temari/ 'student', or
a modifier /asceggari/ 'difficult'.
All Nouns of Agent formed from Type B Verbs double their second conso
nant, as m
/fellagi/ those formed from the Type A Verbs do not, as
m
/negari/.
The distribution of vowels is as follows:
Regular Three- and Four-Radical Verbs.
The vowel before the last consonant is replaced by / a / .
Other vowels
are the same as those of the perfective stem (e.g. Perfective stem /felleg-/
Noun of Agent /fellagi/) except for the Nouns of Agent formed from the threeradical causative verbs in /a-/, Type A, where the vowel before the second
radical is lost, e.g. /aKorrebe/ (Type A) - /aKrabi/ (but /abeddere/ (Type B)
- /abeddari/), and those formed from the four-radical verbs where the vowelbefore the third-radical is lost (/monezzere/ - /menzari/).
Other examples:
Three-Radical Verbs:
Type B
Type A
Noun of Agent
Perfective
Noun of Agent
Perfectivj
Underlved form
nogar1
neggere
fellagi
fellege
Passive-Reflexive
tenegari
teneggere
tefellagi
tefollege
/ a - / verbs
adari
addero
akkami
akkeme *
Passive-Reflexive
/ a - / verbs
tamami
tammeme
takkami
takkeme*
Causatives m
/a-/
aKrabi
aKorrebe
abeddari
abeddere
Causatives m
/as-/
asneggari
asneggere
Four-Radical Verbs:
Noun of Agent
Perfective
Underlved Form
menzari
menozzere
Passive Reflexive
tomenzari
tomenozzere
Causative m
/a-/
amenzari
amenezzere
Causative m
/as-/
asmenzari
asmenezzer©
/akkeme-makkom/
/takkemo-mettakem/
'to treat a patient'
'to be treated'
Regular Two-Radical Verbs:
The vowels are the same as in the perfective form, except for causatives
in /a-/.
Where there is a replacement of dentals or alveolars by the palatals,
the suffix / - i / is usually maintained, as m
/soTTo/ - /soCl/, but the form
/seC/ is used by some speakers.
Other examples:
Noun of Agent
Note 16.6
Perfective
gobi
'one who enters'
gobba
'he entered
moCi
'one who Ciomes '
meTTa
'he came '
amCi
'one who brings'
ameTTa
'he brought
ro ji
'one who helps '
redda
'he helped'
ToCCi
' one who drinks'
TeTTa
'he drank'
Verbi
Noun of Instrument
Nouns indicating the instrument used or the place of a given action
are formed by affixing the suffix /-iya/ to the Infinitive.
Final dental or
alveolar consonants (and the /iy/ of the suffix) are replaced by the corre
sponding palatals.
Examples:
Infinitive
Noun of Instrument
/moKom/
'to stand'
/meKomiya/
'a stop '
/meCerres/
' to end'
/moCorresa/
'an end'
/me jemmer/
'to begin'
/mo jemmeriya/
'beginning'
/mamelke t/
'to apply'
/mamelkeca/
'application'
/mettaweK/
'to be known'
/mettaweKiya/
' identification'
The vowel distribution m
infinitive.
the nouns of instrument is the same as in the
The infinitives which have suffixes / - e t / or /-at/, as for
example /mesTot/ 'to give', or /me^gbat/ 'to enter', form their nouns of
instrument by affixing the suffix/-iya/to the last radical, as m
'entrance', /mesriya/ 'instrument', or with a palatal:
The nouns of instrument indicate
/megbiya/
/meTeCCa/ 'cup'.
a thing which is used to perform the
action of the verb or a place where the action of the verb is performed.
Examples:
/maKreb/
'to offer '
/maKrebiya/
'something by means of
which things are offered'
/moKKomoT/
'to sit down'
/moKKemoGa/
'a seat '
/mador/
'to spend the
/maderiya/
'place to spend the night'
'source of income '
night '
/mozgat/
'to close '
/mezgiya/
'door'
/mokfot/
'to open'
/mekfeca/
'key', 'opener'
/moToTTat/
'to drink'
/moToCCa/
'glass', 'cup', etc.
/mesrat/
'to work'
/mesriya/
'an instrument for
production'
/madros/
'to cause to arrive '
/madresa/
'something used to take
things to a given place'
/mosTot/
'.to give '
/mosCa/
'instrument by which
something is given'
Note 16.7
The use of /weyim/ and /woyis/ 'or'.
behulett woyim bosost soat na.
'Come at two or three o'clock'.
yewiCC agor woyis yager wisT moTeTT
'Would you like imported or local
yifelligallu.
drinks?
The word /woyis/ 'or' is used only m
questions,
/weyim/ 'or' is
1
generally used m s t a t e m e n t s or as an equivalent to English 'either... or
or 'whether... or' clauses, e.g.
m i s a h m bellah, woyis albellahim.
'Did you eat your lunch or didn't
you? '
wedosinimabet tihedalleh, woyis
'Are you going to the movies, or
lzzih tiKoyalleh.
are you going to stay here? '
irsasu Keyy new, woyis biCa.
'Is the pencil red or yellow? '
Kidame weyim lhud imoTallohu.
'I '11 come on Saturday or on Sunday,'
Tiwat weyim mata yisra.
'Let him work either in the morning
or m
bebabur weyim bornekina memTatun
'I don't know whether he'll come
alawKim.
It should be noted, however, that some
too.
the evening.'
by t r a m or by car. '
speakers
use /weyim/ m
questions
asallafiw min aynot migib lndisoTih
asa w e T m n a bira
tifelligalleh.
mdiseTen
ifelligallehu.
gazeTa mdigozallaccihu tif©lligallaccihut
kasrammist deKiKawoc befit gezzan.
genzob mditseCiw alneggeresim t
yellem, alneggerefifiim.
sint sewoc m d i m o T e neggerhaccew.
hamsa sewoc m d i m e T u neggerhuwaccew,
TiKlt gize mdittitaggesut neggeraccihu t
awon, neggeren.
yedoro alliCCa
awon, mfelligallen.
mdmserallaccihu
tifelligallaccihu t
pasta sutta m d i b o l a TeyyeKsiw t
yellom, alteyyoKhutim.
min aynet migib
Tibs siga m d m b o l a
mditbolu
m f elligallen.
tifelligallaccihu.
yetun migib
mdiyaKerbillih
yedoro weTun mdiyaKerbillin
tifelligalleh.
ifelligallehu.
lemmobete min mdameTallaccow
bira mdimeTallaccew yifelligallu.
yifelligallu.
kebbedenna lemma m d i m e T u atfelligum t
yellom, anfelligim.
wedamerika sihedu m d i w e s d u h
awo, neggerhuwaccew.
neggerhaccew t
keityoPiyawiyan gar sihon amarinna
abbatinna m n a t u neggerut.
mdinnagger man neggorew.
bizu genzob m d inna gen yot innisra,
I W I C C
gudday minister wisT
mnisra.
mm
aynet missale
mdinegriwo
m e missale alfelligim.
yifelligallu.
ibetiwo meTtew m d i s e r u noggeruwaccew
t
awon, neggerhuwaccew.
g a z e T a w m mdittiteroggumew man noggeroh.
astemariye neggerun.
debdabbewm bemekina
awon, neggernew.
mdiSifow
noggeraccihut t
wede siraw m d i r o T man neggerew.
wendimmu yenoggerew yimeslennal.
lemmanna Tirunes a b b a t h m
a'won, beTam if elligallehu.
mdiTeyyiKuwaccew tifelligalleh t
lebetu bizu genzeb m d m k e f l yiweddal t
awon,yiweddal.
b e m m mdimoTa
bemekina m d i m e T a
tifelligiyalles.
2 ll|
ifelligallehu.
m n a t i s lzzih m d i m e T u neggersaccew t
awon, neggerhuwat.
bammist seat kesira m d i w e T u neggerhaccew t
kebbedenna lemma kenna gar bunna
mdiTeTTu
neggerhaccew t
seat mdiseTis tifelligiyalles t
awon, ifelligallehu.
nege man mdimeTa tifelligalleh.
asallafiw mdimeTa
wede wiCC ager lemehed abbatinna innatin
awo, ifelligallehu.
ifelligallehu.
mdifeKdullih tifelligalleh t
awo, mdiyazzegajjillin
m i s a h m mdiyazzega j jlllih tifelligalleh t
ifelligallehu.
yellem, alfelligim.
gazeTa mdittanebb tifelligalleh t
dirset
taste
yebunnaw Team Tiru new.
is better than
kekebbede bet yelemma bet Tiru new.
kebbede kastemariw gar yismammal.
to match, to agree, to fit,
tesmamma-mesmamat-yIsmamma1
to suit, to get along
strong
yih vino beTam Tenkarra new.
polite, humble
kebbede beTam tihut sew new.
dress, clothes
balebete neCC libswan tilebsallec.
to wear, to dress, to put on
melbes
yekebbede mekina bemegbiyaw fitlefit
Komo nebber.
to stand
place
Kome-meKom-yiKomal
botaw yet new.
temariw abbatinna m n a t u n wede temaribet
merraccew.
to lead, to guide
music
to listen, to hear
memra t
lgiyon hotel wisT Tiru muziKa semman.
mesmat
pleasure
bedessita tegwazn.
tip
lesewiyyew gursa seTTenew.
cheap
mekina rikkas aydellem, widd new.
which?
yetu.
tinantinna m e n n a balebete wede hotel heden nebber.
hotelu beTam Tiru nebber.
bizu aynet migib behotelu wisT agennen.
kepasta suttaw yedorow woT Team beTam Tiru new.
T s
moToTT boyyaynetu yiggennal.
J J yemmibbalow meToTT keTibs siga gar yismammal.
new.
n e g e r g m TiKit Tenkarra
balebete b i r a w m beTam sile weddedecciw, hulett Termus yahil TeTTac.
behotelu wisT yenebberew asallafi tihut nebber.
yehotelu balebet TiKur
libs lebso, behotelu megbiya lay Komo nebber.
hotelun s m g e b a wedemminniKKemmeTibbet bota m e r r a n m n a ,
yemmihon neger aKerrebellm.
m d i y a K e r b i l l m azzezew.
lemetekkeza
kezziyam behwala asallafiwm meTeTT
migbun smnibela yeityoPiyanna yawroPa muziKa
silesemman, yedessita missit h o n o l l m nebber.
m i g b a c c m i n Cerrisen selasa
deKiKa keKoyyen behwala, lasallafiw yemigbun waganna gursa keflen, wede
betaccm
temellesm.
migbu beTam rikkas new.
yager wisT meTeTTim rikkas new.
ager meTeTT widd new.
TiyyaKewoc
.*»
tinant ato kebbed© kebalebetaccew gar yet hedew nebber.
behotelu wisT m m
T 8
aynet migboccmna meTeTTocc agonnu.
J 0 yommibbalew meTeTT kemin gar yismammal.
yato kebbede balebet s m t Termus bira TeTTac.
yehotelu balobet yet Komo nebber.
yehotelu balebet m m
aynet libs lobso nebber.
asallafiw tihut nebber t
ato kebbedenna balebetaccew min aynet missit nebberaccew.
lhotelu wisT m m
aynet muziKa semmu.
kemennesataccow befit lasallafiw min seTTut.
ityoPiya wisT yetawweKew meTeTT min yibbalal.
irsiwo wodo hotel lyyohedu yibelallu t
irsiwo meTeTT yiTeTTallu t
gin yewiCC
Unit 17
Basic Sentences
to sew; to expand
mosfat
tailor
sefi/mekina sofi/libs sefi
At the tailor's shop
bemekina sefi bet wisT
kebbed©
Hello Mr. Lemma, it's been a long
Tena yisTillin ato lemma,
time since we saw each other.
ketoyayyen bizu gize honen.
mekina sefi
Yes, it's been two months
('two
awon, keteyayyon hulett wor
months passed to us') since
allofen.
ahun min ladrigilliwo,
we [last] saw each other. What
can I do for you now?
kebbede
full, complete, entire
mulu
to have a suit (dress
asseffa-masseffat-yasseffal
e t c . ) , made
I'd like to order a complete suit.
and mulu libs lomasseffat
ifelligallehu.
mekina sefi
Very well, when would you like
melkam, lemece
it to be ready ('you want it
mdidersilliwot
yifelligallu.
to reach you')?
kebbede
I'd appreciate it if you'd make
lezare sammint biyadersullin
it ready ('cause to arrive')
lwedd nebbor.
next week.
mekina sofi
to be measured
It's possible.
tolekka-mellekat-yillekkal
Do you want me to
take the measurements ('the
suit
to be measured for you') right
away?
yiccalal.
ahun libsu
mdillekkalliwot yifelligallu t
kebbede
melekkat
to measure
Yes, please.
awon, yilekkulin.
('measure for me')
sleeve
ljjige
shoulders
tikessa
wide, broad, extensive
soff i
Since I have long arms, make longer
ljje rejjim silehone, ljjigewm
sleeves and I also want the
rejjim yadrigullin. dogmo
shoulders of the coat to be
yekotu tikessa seffi m d i h o n
broad.
ifelligallehu.
mokina sefi
trousers
sum
narrow, tight
Tebbab
Should the trousers be tight (for
surriw Tebbab yihunilliwo t
you')?
kebbede
bottom, lower part,
girge
at the foot
Since I don't like tight trousers,
Tebbab surri silemmalwedd,
make the lower part wider.
g i r g e w m seffi yadrigullin.
mekina sefi
short
aCCir
kotun aCCir ladrlgilliwot t
Shall I make the coat shorter?
kebbede
medium
It oughtn't to be too short.
mekakkelenna
It
beTam aCCir ayhun. mekakkelenna
will be all right if you make it
biyadergut, Tiru new.
medium.
mekina sefi
to be ready
tezegajje-mezzegajetyizzega j jal
Then it will be ready (for you)
at two o'clock next Friday.
mgidiyass bemmimeTaw arb
be s i m m m t seat
yizzega j jllliwotal.
kebbede
w a g a w m ahun likfeliwot t
Shall I pay you (the price) now?
mekina sefi
It doesn't matter, (you'll) pay
giddellem.
me when you pick up the suit.
libsun siwesdu
yikef lufinal.
kebbede
Thank you.
Good-bye.
lgziyabher yisTillin.
dohna walu.
('have a nice day')
Grammatical Notes.
Note 1 7 . 1
Verb:
Classification.
Following are the charts of the 'regular' three-, two- and fourradical verbs with the corresponding derived forms.
With the exception of a
very limited number of three-radical verbs with a / t / as third radical (which
might be confused with the two-radical verbs m
these verbs are predictable from the Infinitive.
A and B differ from each other only m
agent.
/ - e / ) , all other forms of
Passive-Reflexive verbs type
the gerund imperative, and noun of
Most of the two-radical verbs are of Type A.
The examples selected
for these charts are.
Chart 1 Regular Three-Radical Verbs
1)
Underlved
Type A
/melbes/
'to dress' [iNTR]
Type B
/moKeTTol/
'to continue', 'to connect'
2) Passive-Reflexive
Type A
/mollebos/
'to be dressed'
Type B
/moKKeTel/
'to be continued, connected'
3) Causatives in / a - /
Type A
/malbes/
'to dress ' [TRANS]
Type B
/maKeTTol/
'to sprout'
I4.) Causatives m
/as-/
/maslebbes/
'to cause to dress'
/masKeTTel/
'to have something joined or
(one type)
connected'
Chart 2 Regular Three-Radical / a - / Verbs
l) Underlved
Type A
/maweK/
•to know'
Type B
/maddes/
' to repair '
3)
Type A
/mottawoK/
'to be known'
Type B
/mettades/
'to be repaired'
/ma sawwoK/
'to let know'
/masaddos/
'to have repaired'
Causatives
(one Type)
Chart 3 Regular Two-Radical Verbs m
/-a/
l) Underived:
Type A
/megbat/
'to enter '
Type B
/moTeTTat/
'to drink'
Type A
/meggebat/
'to have to, to be necessary'
Type B
/moTToTat/
'to be drunk (consumed)'
3 ) Causatives m
1+)
/a-/
Type A
/magbat/
'to marry'
Type B
/maToTTat/
'to irrigate, to offer a drink'
Causatives m
/as-/
/masgebbat/
'to bring
m'
/masToTTat/
'to cause to drink'
(one Type)
Chart i| Regular Two-Radical Verbs m
/-©/
l) Underived
Type A
/memset/
'to become evening'
Type B
/mobojjot/
'to be useful'
3)
Type A
/memmesot/
'to be spent (of an evening)'
Type B
/mobbojot/
'to be made'
Causative in /a-/
Type A
/mamsot/
'to spend the evening'
Type B
/mabejjet/
'to make'
J4.) Causative m
/as-/
/masmossot/
'to cause to spend the evening'
/masb© j jot/
'to have made'
(one Type)
Chart 5 Regular Pour-Radical Verbs
l) Underlve'd
'to change money, to cash'
/memenzer/
/mommonzor/
3) Causatives m
'to be changed
(money)'
/a-/
'to commit adultery'
/mamenzor/
1|) Causatives in / a s - /
/masmonzor/
The forms m
parentheses m
verbs which rarely or never occur.
'to make s.o. change money'
the following charts are fomrs of the model
They are listed, however, since the corre
sponding forms of other verbs of the same class will occur.
CHART I
UNDERIVED
PASSIVE-REFLEXIVE
CAUSATIVE IN
/a-/
Type A
Infinitive
molbos
Type B
moKoTTol
Type A
Type B
mollobos
moKKoTol
Type A
malbos
CAUSATIVE IN
/as-/
Type B
maK©TT©l
(One Type)
ma sl©bbes
masK©TT©l
Perfective
lebbese
KoTTolo
telobboso
toKoTTol©
alobbos©
aKoTTol©
asl©bb©s©
asKoTTol©
Imperfective
yilebsal
yiKoTTilal
yillobbosal
yiKKoTTolal
yalobsal
yaKoTTilal
yaslsbbisal
yasKoTTilal
Jussive
yilbos
yiKoTTil
yillobos
yiKKoTol
yalbis
yaKoTTil
ya slsbbis
ya sKsTTil
Imperative
libos
KoTTil
(tolobos)
toKoTTol
albis
(aKsTTil)
aslebbis
asKsTTil
Gerund
lebso
KoTTilo
tolobso
toKoTTilo
albiso
aKoTTilo
a slsbbiso
asKeTTilo
Noun of Agent
Noun of
Instrument
H
lobas
KoTTay
tolobas
toKeTTay
albas
aKoTTay
molbesa
moKoTToya
mollobosa
moKKeToya
malbosa
maK©TT©ya
aslsbbas
asKoTTay
maslobbosa
masKeTToya
CHART II
Regular Three-Radical / a - / Verbs
UNDERIVED
Type A
Type B
PASSIVE-REFLEXIVE
Type A
Type B
CAUSATIVE
(One Type)
masawweK
Infinitive
maweK
maddes
mettaweK
mettades
masaddes
asawweKe
Perfective
awweKe
addese
tawweKe
taddese
asaddese
ya sawwiKal
Imperfective
yawKal
yaddisal
yittawweKal
yittaddesal
yasaddisal
yasawwiK
Jussive
yiweK
yaddis
yittaweK
yittades
yasaddis
asawwiK
Imperative
lweK
addis
taweK
taddes
a saddis
asawwiKo
Gerund
awKo
addiso
tawKo
taddiso
asaddiso
asawwaKi
Noun of Agent
awaKi
addas
tawaKi
taddas
asaddas
Noun of
Instrument
masawweKiya
maweKiya
maddesa
mettaweKiya
mettadesa
masaddesa
CHART III
Regular Two-Radical Verbs in / - a /
UNDERIVED
PASSIVE-REFLEXIVE
CAUSATIVE IN / a - /
CAUSATIVE
IN / a s - /
Type A
Infinitive
mogbat
Type B
moToTTat
Type A
moggobat
Type B
moTToTat
Type A
magbat
Type B
maToTTat
(One Type)
masgobbat
masToTTat
Perfective
gebba
ToTTa
tegebba
toTeTTa
agobba
aToTTa
asgebba
asTeTTa
Imperfective
yigobal
yiToTTal
yiggebbal
yiTToTTal
yagobal
yaToTTal
yasgebbal
yasTeTTal
Jussive
yigba
yiToTTa
yiggoba
yiTTeTa
yagba
yaToTTa
yasgebba
yasTeTTa
Imperative
giba
ToTTa
(togoba)
(toToTTa)
agba
aToTTa
asgebba
asTeTTa
Gerund
gebto
ToTTito
tegobto
toToTTito
agbito
aToTTito
asgebbito
asTeTTito
Noun of Agent
gobi
ToCCi
togobi
toToCCi
agbi
aToCCi
asgebbi
asTeCCi
Noun of
Instrument
megbiya
moToCCa
moggobiya
(moTToCa)
magbiya
maToCCa
masgebbiya
masTeCCa
CHART IV
UNDERIVED
/-&/
PASSIVE-REFLEXIVE
CAUSATIVE IN
/a-/
Infinitive
Perfective
Type A
Type B
Type A
m©ms©t
m©be j j©t
m©mm©s©t
m©bb© jot
tsmess©
tob© j jo
moss©
be j jo
V
Type B
Type A
/as-/
Type B
V
mamsst
CAUSATIVE IN
mab© j jot
(One Type)
masmsss©t
masb© j j©t
am©ss©
abojjo
asmess©
a sbo j j©
Imperfective
yimosal
yib©jjal
yimmsssal
yibb©jjal
yam©sal
yabojjal
ya sm©ssal
yasbsjjal
Jussive
yims
yibeJJ
yimm©s
yibb©j
yams
yabejj
yasmoss
yasb© j j
Imperative
(mis)
(b©jj)
(temss)
(teb©jj)
ams
abijj
a smsss
asb©jj
Gerund
mesto
be j jito
t©m©sto
t©b© j jitc
amsito
abo j jito
asm©ssito
asb© j jito
Noun of Agent
(mesi)
(bojji)
temssi
t©b©jji
amsi
(abojji)
asmossi
asb©jji
Noun of
Instrument
mamsiya
m©b©jjiya
m©mm©siya
m©bb© j jiya
mams iya
mab©jjIya
ma smossiya
masb© j jiya
CHART V
Regular Pour-Radical Verbs (One Type)
UNDERIVED
PASSIVE-REFLEXIVE
CAUSATIVE IN
/a-/
CAUSATIVE IN
/as-/
Infinitive
momonzor
memmenzer
mamonzor
masmonz©r
Perfective
monozzoro
temenezzere
amonezzor©
asmen©zzer©
Imperfective
yimonozziral
yimmonozzoral
yamenozziral
ya sm©n©zziral
Jussive
yimenzlr
yimmonzor
yam©nzir
yasmsnzir
Imperative
monzlr
(tomenzor)
amonzlr
asmsnzir
Gerund
raonziro
temenziro
amonziro
asmsnziro
Noun of Agent
monzari
tomonzari
amonzari
a smonzari
Noun of
momonzoriya
(mommenzoriya)
mamonzsriya
masm©nz©riya
Instrument
p
wedageraccihu sittimmollesu,
mm
lewiCC gudday minister mserallen.
mesrat tasiballaccihu.
lgiyon hotel wisT maref
kamerika wodo ityoPiya
m f elligallen.
mdetemellasaccihu, yet
tarfallaccihu.
yih mekina mdisserra leman linger.
lelemma nigerew.
p
lemma yefellegewm meSihaf mece
kemeTTa zare keseat behwala
lseTewallehu.
tiseTewalloh.
a b b a t h m lemayet mece wedagerih
genzeb mdagennehu lhedallehu.
tihedalleh.
s m t genzeb tiseTatalleh.
yemmitfolligewm yahil lseTatallehu.
yemminogrusm neger tmegrinnalles t
awo, megrihallehu.
p
lemma kamerika ketemellese behwala,
keman gar yisora nebber.
kabbatu gar yisera nebber.
wedaddis ketema kemmihedut sewocc
gar tihejalles t
yellem, alhedim.
y i h m neger silayyesiw beTam dess
ales t
awo, silayyehut dess alen.
p
zare silemeTTaw sewiyye m m
tawKalleh.
issu temari mdenobber© bicca
awKallehu.
ato yohannis l e m m wedezzih mdemoTTa
awo, m n a tun lemayet new.
tawKalleh t
p
sileTeyyeKeh TiyyaKe ahun
mm
ahun mels yellennim.
timellisalloh.
lemmiwedduh sowocc m m
madreg
and beTam Tiru mekina mesTet
tifelligalleh.
ifelligallehu.
behulett seat bihedu, abrehaccow
bicil, abirreaccew lhedallehu.
tihedalleh t
ato lemma hulgize l e m m yitekkizal.
b e w m o t u l e m m m d e h o n e alawKim.
ato yohannismna balebetu Telia
yellom, alayyehuwaccewim.
siTeTTu ayyehaccew
t
bunna kemeTeTTatih befit wedenna
yollem, alcilim.
memTat ticilalleh t
p
genzebun lskiyagen dires lzzih
yiKoyyal t
awo, lzzih yiKoyyal.
awo, ammist birr lseTewallohu.
m e k i n a w m biyaddisew genzeb
tiseTewalleh t
yagerin hizb bimmar beTam
ygbet9
tiW9ddall9ht
awo, beTam
lweddallehu.
yato yohannis abbat new.
kristiyanun megbiya
yemmiyawKew man new.
beTeKlallaw biseTew besint tlgezawalleh.
bamsa birr biseTow igozawallehu.
negerun beKellalu
awo,
silemmittastewilow
boTam Tiru yimoslonnal.
lesswa menger Tiru yimeslihalt
libsun bejju bidabbisew Tiru mehonun
awo, yicilal.
maweK yicilalt
ikisu wisT yenebberewm borsa man
tomariwa wessedecciw.
wessedew.
p
yato yohannis I13 yommittaTonawin
amarinna KwanKwa new.
timihirt tawKalloh t
ammist birr yahil bisoTih ante
mm
and beTam Tiru mulu libs
tiseTewalleh.
lseTewallehu.
hulgize bamarinna binnaggor, amarmfiaw
awo, beTam lissasal yicilal.
yissasal yimeslihal t
wedezzih memTat biresa, anci
wedessu tihejalles \
awo,
lhedallehu.
ato lemma d e h n m n e t u binegrih, m©Tt©h
tmegrenfialleh t
awo, moTicce megrlhallehu.
astemariyaccm reft mece yemminor©w
kand wer behwala y m o r e w a l .
p
yimeslihal.
besitaw lyyetesalew hed© t
awo, beTam tesilotal.
gunfanu bissalaccow yimoTallu t
yollem, aymoTum.
Sehay lskittiTolK dires m m
meSihaf anebballohu.
tis©rall@h.
yegenzob Kinnas badergillis, a l g a w m
v /
awo,
igozawallehu.
v
tigeziwalles f
yihin negor rikkas biyadergut, bizu
b e w m e t u alawKim.
sewoc yigezuwaccewal t
TerePezawmna wenberu widd kalhonu
beTam widd kehonu attigzaccew.
ligzaccew t
l e s m K yemmihon dabbo lemegzat yot
wede hotelu mehed yasfolligal.
mohed yasfolligal.
l d a w m lem9kf©l man m 9 T T a .
kebbede meTTa.
zare fotona yemmiwesd man now.
kebb©d9
p
ngw.
f e t e n a w m yemmiKKebbelut sgwocc meTTu t
yellem, almeTTum.
mekeran yemmifellig sew yemmiggen
mekeran yemmiwedd yellem.
yiraeslihal t
yemmitfglligutm sinK agennaccihu t
yellem, alagennenim.
S 9 W ygmmimotibbgtin gize yawKewalt
yemmimotibbetin gize ayawKewim.
yih sinK siyalK lela keyet tameTa11accihu.
kageraccm
lgsgbbgrgcciw
asra ammist birr keffelec.
seat s m t ggnzgb kgffglgc.
wgnbgrun man sisabrew ayygh.
mnameTallen.
yeweyzero Tirunes t m n i s w a
lij
sitsebrew ayyehu.
p
addis ketema wisT ageflnehut.
y g T g f f a w m mekina yet agennut.
silkun yemelleshu m e nen.
silk sidewwil yemellese man new.
awo, seTTehuwat.
yemmitfelligewm yesilk KuTir seTTehat t
ahun yaTTahewm neger yemmittagennew
yellem, aymeslennim.
yimeslihal t
p
astemariw new.
mikniyatun yemminegre'n sew man new.
min tassiballaccihu bilo TeyyeKen.
yemmittassibutm lemaweK TeyyeKaccihu t
p
lennatu yiseTatal.
beborsaw yemmiwesdewm genzeb leman
yiseTewal.
yemmiyasseffawin libs aynet ayyeh t
awo, neCC new.
p
mekina sefi bet yet yiggennal.
baddis ketema wisT yiggennal.
kebbede and mulu libs lemasseffat
lehulett sammint yahil lemesrat
mata mata yiseral t
libsun mece masseffat
asslbowal.
mdemmifellig
tawKalleh t
legizew alawKim. gin lemman
TeyyiKe lmegriwot lcilallehu.
rejjim sew mdemmiwedd man neggereh.
t m n i s w a lhitis neggereccin.
beTebbab menged lemehed keweddedh
lesiraye Kirb silehone new.
l e m m bezzih menged meTTah.
libsiwon yemmisefalliwot sew man new.
balebete Tiru libs sefi
silehonec, yerasenmna
yelijoccen libs tisefallec.
l e m m yageraccihu setocc rejjim libs
rejjim libs silemmiweddu new.
yilebsallu.
amerika wisT m m
tayallaccihu.
kiremt siyalf bet lemesrat
assibaccihuwal t
bizu neger oc m n a ya lien.
m e n n a wendimme and Tiru bet
lemesrat tezegajtenal.
awo, yiggennal.
bamerika wisT bizu rejjim sew
yiggenfial t
mekakkelefina mokina lwoddallohu.
tilliK mokina tiweddalleh t
dirsot
mokina bamerika wisT yotolommodo now.
common, customary
to be accustomed, to be
customary
mollomod
yotosoffa libs igozallohu.
ready made
mossofat
to be sewn
Easter
fasika yidorsal.
holiday
lofasika boal wodaddis aboba lhedallehu.
earlier, ahead of time
Kodom bilo meTTa.
to be ahead of time, earlier
Kodem malet
agreement
kewendimme gar slmimminnet a d e r r e g m .
according to
besimimminnetaccin mesorot
wedageraccm h e d m .
g w a d d e n n a c c m m lemayet wede temaribet
colleague, friend
hedm.
very, very much, too much
sira 1 j,1 lg lweddallehu.
beityoPiya wisT wede mekina sefibet mehed beTam yotelemmede now.
yetesoffa libs megzat yetolemmode silalhono, abzannaw sew libsun wed© mokina
sofibet yiwesdal.
yefasika boal silederrose, ato kobbed© and mulu libs lemasseffat wed©
mekina ssfi bet hede.
sewocc libsaccewm
ato lomma boketomaw yetawweKe libs ssfi bsmshonu, bizu
wedersu
suK silommiyameTu, ato kobbodo Kodem bilo libsun
wedo lemma suK ameTTaw.
ato lemma yato kebbod©n libs ksm©lekkatu befit, m d e t hono
T©yy©K©w.
mdissoffallet
ato kebbedom surriw soffi m d i h o n , ljjigew rojjim m d i h o m n n a , kotu
mekakkelefina m d i h o n noggerow.
bezzihu simimmmnot meseret ato lemma libsun lekkito, keCerrese behwala,
bemmimeTaw s a m m m t meTto, yeteseffawm libs m d i w e s d nogg©r©w.
lsfasika beal ato kebbede addisun libs labso, wod© bet© kristiyan hedo
silensbbsr, yoKirb gwaddenfioccu addisu libs beTam mdetosmammaw
ljjig dess bilot boalun asallefe.
sileneggerut
TiyyaKewoc
ato kobbodo yot hede.
ato kebbede wede mekina sefi bet l e m m hede.
lemiri and mulu libs lemasseffat fellege.
ato lemma beketemaw yetawweKe libs sefi new t
ato kebbedo l e m m wedato lemma suK Kedem bilo hede.
ato lemma yato kebbeden libs kemelekkatu befit min ale.
ato kebbed© surriw Tebbab m d i h o n fellege t
kotu rejjim m d i h o n yiweddal t
ato kebbede libsun mec lemewsed tesmamma.
lefasika beal ato kebbed© m m
aderrege.
yoKirb gwaddennoccu lato kebbede m m
alut.
beityoPiya wisT wede mekina sefi bet mehed yetelemmed© new t
yelibs mesfiya waga widd n©w t
bamerika wisT abzannaw hizb y©t©s©ffa libs yigozal t
Unit 1 8
Basic Sentences
kobbodo
m d o m i n addoru ato yohannis t
How are you, Mr. John?
John
lgzlyabher yimmesgon dohna non,
I'm fine, thank you, and you?
irsiwos t
kobbodo
maleda
early morning
Where are you going so early
bomaloda yot yihedallu.
m
the morning?
John
tonsorassero-menseraser-
to take a walk, to stroll,
ymserasseral
to hike
office
biro
walk, stroll, hike
sirrisir
to take air, to go out for
tenaf f ©so-monnaf © s - y m n a f f ©sal
fresh air
mennaf©sa
park} window
biro kemegbate b©fit, tinnis
Since I'd like [to take] a little
walk before going to the office,
sirrisir silsmmifellig, w©d©
I'm going down to the park.
m©nnaf©sa ihedall©hu.
kobbodo
torara
mounta m
Since the weather is so nice today,
zare beTam Tiru Kon silehone,
I'm going ('getting myself ready')
m e m wede teraraw lemehed
to go to the mountains myself.
lzzega 3 jallehu.
John
sky
somay
cloud(s)
dammena
to r a m
mezneb
The sky is [so] cloudy, do you
think it's going to r a m ?
semayu dammena silehone, z m a b
yemmizenb yimesliwotal t
kebbede
No, I don't think it's going to
yellem, yemmizenb ayrneslonim.
ram.
it may r a m
yizenb yihonal
It may r a m tomorrow though
m m a l b a t nege yizenb yihonal.
('perhaps ' ) .
Grammatical Notes
Note 1 8 . 1
Verb:
The use of /yihonal/ 'may be', 'may', 'might'.
m m a l b a t nege yizenb yihonal.
'It may r a m tomorrow though
('perhaps ' ) .
The form/yihonal/* (i.e. the imperfective of the verb /mehon/ 'to become'
'to happen') is used with various parts of speech as an equivalent to English
'may be', e.g.
anbossa yihonal.
'It may be a lion.'
Tiru yihonal.
'It may be good. '
issu yihonal.
'It may be h e . '
kebbede yemeTTaw lemesrat yihonal.
'Kebbede may have come m
order
to work ('Kebbede's coming
may be for working').
The same form is put immediately after a Short Imperfective form of a
verb to indicate that the action of the verb may take place, e.g.
yihed
yihonal
'he may go'
yigoba yihonal
'he may enter'
yifellig yihonal
'he may want'
When used with the gerund, the form /yihonal/ indicates that the action of
the verb might have taken place, e.g.
hedo yihonal.
'He might have gone.'
gebtew yihonal.
'They might have entered.'
folliga yihonal.
'She might have wanted.'
/yihon yihonal/ with some speakers.
The verb form /yihonal/ is often used with the word / m m a l b a t / 'perhaps',
e.g.
m m a l b a t yihed yihonal.
'Perhaps he may go. '
m m a l b a t meSihafun agnitaw yihonal.
'Perhaps she might have gotten
the book.'
Instead of the above verb constructions (i.e. imperfective plus /yihonal/
and gerund plus /yihonal/), the relative clauses / y e m m d ) - / and / y ( e ) - / may
be used without changing the meaning of the sentence, e.g.
/ato lemma bebabur yimeTa yihonal/
or
'Mr. Lemma may come by t r a m '
/ato lemma yemmlmoTaw bebabur yihonal/
and
i
/ato lemma bebabur moTto yihonal/
or
'Mr. Lemma might have come by t r a m '
p
/ato lemma yemeTTaw bebabur yihonal/
Note 18.2
'~
The use of /gena/ 'yet', 'still', 'just'.
ahun Sihifete gena Tiru aydellem.
'My writing is not good yet.'
According to the context the word /gena/ may correspond to various
meanings m
English, e.g.
gena sirayen alCerreshum.
'I haven't finished my work yet.'
gena wede timihirtbet lhedallehu.
'I still go (or: I'll still have
to go) to school.'
and m
combination with /ahun/ 'now':
m i s a w m ahun gena bella.
'He has just finished his lunch,
ahun gena Tiru sira serrah.
'Now finally you did a good job.'
In answer to a question /gena/ combined with a form of the verb
(i.e. /nen, neh, n e s / etc.) corresponds m
s i r a h m Corrisehal t
meaning to English
'be '
'not yet', e.g.
'Have you already finished to
work?'
gena non.
'Not yet.' '
timihirtwan Cerresect
'Did she complete her education?'
gena nec.
'Not yet.'
Transform Model Drills
Outline
Imperfective
Short Imperfective + /yihonal/
Perfective
Gerund + /yihonal/
nog© yihedal
nege yihed yihonal.
t m a n t hed©
t m a n t hedo yihonal.
Model:
Drill
kobbed© nog© yihedal.
kebbede nog© yihed yihonal.
sirrisir ifolligallohu.
sirrisir lfellig yihonal.
gwaddennocce wodo bahiru dar hedu.
gwaddennocce wede bahiru dar
hedew yihonal.
yeksbbsd© lij lhitwan tayalloc.
yokobbode lij lhitwan tay
yihonal.
yersiwo lij abbatiwon ayyec.
yersiwo lij abbatiwon ayta
yihonal.
lhotelu wisT beTam Tiru
muziKa mnisomall©n.
wondimmenna balebetu izzih hotel
wisT vino TeTTu.
lhotelu wisT beTam Tiru muziKa
m s e m a yihonal.
wondimmenna balebetu izzih
hotel wisT vino ToTTitow
yihonal.
yih mekina sefi s i r a w m ayweddim.
yih mokina s©fi s i r a w m aywedd
yihonal.
anto y e w a s m g t o m n ayyer
alweddedhim.
bemmimeTaw s a m m m t wede zzih
lmeTallehu.
ballefow wer wedezzih
meTTaccihu.
isswa nego kaddis absba
timmell©sall©c.
ante y e w a s m g t o n m ayyer
alweddedh yihonal.
bemmimeTaw s a m m m t wodezzih
imeTa yihonal.
ballofew wer wodezzih
meTitaccihu yihonal.
isswa nege kaddis abeba
timmelles yihonal.
tinant kaddis abeba temellesec.
tinant kaddis aboba tomollisa
yihonal.
raten nege ibelallehu.
raten noge lbola yihonal.
ratun bella.
ratun belto yihonal.
yih migib kasanna katkilt
yisserra yihonal.
yisserral.
tesorto yihonal.
teserra.
setiyyowa gonzobwan nogo
setiyyowa genzobwan nogo
timenozzir yihonal.
timenezzirallec.
setiyyowa genzobwan menezzorec.
setiyyowa genzobwan monzira
yihonal.
zare wode sinimabet tihedalleh t
arb silehon© m m a l b a t lhed yihonal..
nege maleda wede biro yihedallu t
m m a l b a t lhed yihonal.
nege Tiwat antenna balebetih
m m a l b a t m n m s o r a s s e r yihonal.
mm
tiserallaccihu.
wed© mennafosa mehed man yifelligal.
temariwoc yihedu yihonal.
kezzih befit torara a y t e s a l t
kezzih befit alayyehum, m m a l b a t
wed©fit ay yihonal.
tinant lzzih z m a b zennobe t
tinant alzonnsbom, m m a l b a t zare
yizenb yihonal.
t m a n t m n a lomisa yebollaccihut
weT Tiru nebber t
ato lemman tawKewalloh t
awo, Tiru nebber, n e g e r g m yozarew
ye to sale Team y m o r e w yihonal.
me
alawKowim, m m a l b a t woyzaro
almaz tawKew yihonal.
t©mariwoc wedamerika lemehed
yismammu yimeslihal t
m m a l b a t yismammu yihonal.
woyzero Tirunes l e m m yamerika
mekina gezzac.
genzeb y m o r a t yihonal.
weyzero Tirunes timihirtbet
bitgeba, Tiru yimeslihal t
m m a l b a t Tiru yihonal.
kezzih befit lzzih bota moTtaccihu
nebber t
m m a l b a t moTten yihonal.
wedaddls ketoma tihedallaccihu t
m m a l b a t libsaccimn lebsen
m n i h e d yihonal.
yato yohannism balobet wodo wiCC
mmalbat
m w e s d a t yihonal.
gudday minister tiwosdwatallaccihu t
m m a l b a t hedon muziKa
zare mata wodo hotel tihedallaccihu t
yihonal.
mmalbat
wodo sinimabet lomin hedu.
msoma
sinimawm wedde-wit
yihonal.
gursa seTtot yihonal.
asallafiw lomin lomman woddodow.
beTam Tiru bet yigozubbet
astomariwoc bogonzobaccow
yadorgubbotal.
Tiru sira bomosrat m m
mm
tagonnallaccihu.
yihonal.
m m a l b a t wedamerika
mnihed
yihonal.
m o k i n a w m lomin soTTat.
mmalbat
simimmmnet
adrigew
yihonal.
innat inna a b b a t h m lomayot
lefasika boal lhed yihonal.
wodagorih mece tihedalleh.
weyzero Tirunos genzob lernm
yasfelligatal.
lelijwa kot lemasseffat
yihonal.
tinantinna z m a b zennobe t
yellom, alzennebim.
amerika beTam bird new t
awo, beTam bird new; g m
yillemmed yihonal.
temariwoc lomin ibetaccew alnebborum.
wedo timihirtbet hedew yihonal.
sinimaw besint soat yalK yimoslisal.
baratt soat yalK yihonal.
ato lomma mist agebba t
yellem,lskahun alagobbam.
m m a l b a t bezzih amet yageba
yihonal.
astemariwoc yot allu t
lKa lemamTat wodaddis ketoma
hedew yihonal.
lomin addis mekina lemegzat
tifelligallec.
m m a l b a t asfolligwat yihonal.
yewiCC gudday ministru lernm bete
kristiyan ayhedum.
lemettaweK ayfelligum yihonal.
almaz zare besilk lomin alTerraccinnim.
silkun alasKoTToleccim yihonal.
temariwoc besint seat libsaccewm
yilebsallu.
almaz lTirunes bet wisT batsera,
min tagennallec.
almaz ibet wisT min tiserallec.
lskammist seat libsaccewm
yilebsu yihonal.
Tirunes mulu libs tigezallat
yihonal.
wede sinima lemehed tizzegaJJ
yihonal.
kebbeden lernm ahun attiTerawim.
bebet wisT aynor yihonal.
wedo betaccihu lemehed b e s m t
kehaya deKiKawocc behwala
seat tizzegajjallaccihu.
mnizzegajj yihonal.
timihirt m i n i s t e r m man yawKewal.
mekakkelenfiaw lij yawKew yohonal.
zare wedageriwo debdabbe yiSifallu t
m m a l b a t and aCCir debdabbe lSif
yohonal.
wendimmis mece yimeTal.
gena hulott amet yiKoyyal.
lemma m m
gena ahun meTTa.
gize meTTa.
ahun gena wedebetih mehed allebbih |
awo, hejje
m g i d o c gena albellum t
gena naccew.
m i s a h m yebellah gena ahun new \
ahun new.
man new gena ahun Konjo lij ayyehu yale.
lemma new.
gena genzeb sattagen, lornm mekina
mekina magnet beTam
megzat follogh.
immellesallehu.
silefelleghu new.
gena wedetimihirtbet tihedalleh t
awo, gena lhedallehu.
gena misa tibelalleh \
gena ibelallehu.
wedaddis abeba m e h e d h m mece neggeruh.
gona ahun semmahu.
lemma ministrun agennaccew t
yellem, gena yiTobbiKal.
yelakhullihm debdabbe gena
gona nen.
alanebbebhewim t
s i r a w m gena aljemmorhim t
gena nefl.
gena wede sinimabet mehed tifelligalloh t
awo, ifelligallehu.
temariwoc wed© betaccew hedu t
awo, gona ahun hedu.
gona izzih tiKoyyallaccihu t
awo, mKoyyallen.
loTiyyaKew gena mels alsoTTehim t
gena nefl.
dirset
wana
swimming
mnihid.
wondimme Tiru yiwaflnal.
wa fine- m © wa nfle t- y lwa nna 1
to swim
similar, alike
yenenna yanto m©kina temesasay naccew.
Tiru meSihafoc
to choose, to select,
lmorTallehu.
m©mr©T
to elect, to prefer
to benefit
(TRANS)
sir aw lflnan moTK©m yicilal.
besiraw beTam
to benefit
(iNTR)
mniTToKKemallen.
meTToKem
ato kebbedenna ato yohannis yamet r e f t a c c e w m beKirb Kenoc wisT
silemmiyagennu tegenantew, min mdemmiseru mennegager follegu.
ato yohannis berefte gize wedand yewana bota hejje mewannet
ifelligallehu ale.
ato kebbede gin,
wedand
terara lay kelijoccu gar
m e w T a t m n a yereftun gize izziya masallef fellege.
hulottum yereftaccewm
gize abrew lemasallef yemmifelligut neger temesasay silalhone, wodoyyemorreTut
bota hedu.
hulettum yeref t a c c e w m gize Cerrisew simmellesu, y a y y u t m m n a
neger bemonnegager liTTeKKemu yicilu yihonal.
TiyyaKewoc
ato kebbedenna ato yohannis yeref t a c c e w m gize mec yageflnallu.
jQVQftacc9¥in
gize k G m a g n o t a c c G W bofit m m
madrog follegu.
ato yohannis bereftu gize yet mehed fellege.
ato kebbede bereftu gize yet mehed fellege.
l e m m lereftaccew abrew wedand bota alhedum.
yereftun gize kolijoccu gar masallef yefellego man now.
yayyutmmna
y e s e m m u t m neger lemennegager l e m m fellegu.
ant© y e r o f t i h m gize iterara lay asallifehal t
yennant© yereft gize mece new.
beketemaw wisT yewana bota all© ^
yesemmutm
Unit 19
Basic Sentences
kebbede
excuse m e , pardon me
yiKirta
air, weather
ayyer
Excuse m e , sir, how is the weather
m
yiKirta getaye, yowasington ayyer
Washington?
m d e t now.
John
moKo-momoK-yimoKal
to be warm, to get warm
It's very warm m
w a s m g t o n bebegaw werat beTam
Washington during
yimoKal.
the summer months.
kebbede
to be cool, to get chilly
mebred
as a matter of fact
mdiyawim
It's not very hot m
Addis, m
it gets a little bit chilly
fact
addis abeba bizu aymoKim, mdiyawim
m
mata mata t m n i s yibordal.
the evening.
John
muKet
warmth
Has it been warm m
Addis lately
addis abeba ballefut werat muKet
nebbor t
('previous months')?
kebbede
river
wenz
Yes, (as) it was very hot m
awo, ballefew wer addis abeba beTam
Addis
last month [and] everybody went
muKet silenobber, sewoc hullu
('while going') to the river to
wodo wenz lyyehedu, bemewannet
swim ('spent their time
gizeyaccewm asallefu.
m
swimming').
John
bahir
sea
It was very warm m
Washington
ballefew amet w a s m g t o n beTam
last year [too] and my wife
muKet silonebber, m e n n a balebete
and I went with our two children
kehulett
to the sea [shore] to swim.
wede bahir heden nebber.
lijoccaccm gar lowana
kebbede
shore, bank
dar
family
beteseb
Did you and your family have a
ibahiru dar kobetesebiwo gar Tiru
gize nobborowot t
good time at the beach?
John
Yes we had a very good time
('we
awon, bedessita gizeyaccinin
spent our time with pleasure').
asallof m .
Grammatical Notes
Note 1 9 . 1
Comparative and Superlative
kepastasuttaw yedorow w©T Toam
The chicken stew tastes better
('has
beTam Tiru new.
better taste') than the
macaroni.
kekobbed© bet yelemma bet Tiru
Lemma's house is better than
new.
Kebbede's.
Amharic does not have comparative or superlative forms of adjectives.
The comparison is expressed by using the prefix / k ( e ) - / 'from' m
with the postposition /yiliK/ 'more'.
combination
The postposition /yiliK/ is optional.
Examples*
kezziya meSihaf yiliK yih meSihaf
'This book is better than that
Tiru new.
one
('book').'
or:
kezziya meSihaf yih meSihaf Tiru now.
kezzih ketema yiliK ya ketema ruK new.
'That city is fartehr [from here]
than this one.'
or t
kezzih koTema ya ketema ruK now.
ketemariw yiliK astomariw yawKal.
'The teacher knows more than the
or:
student.'
ketemariw astomariw yawKal.
kene bet yiliK yersu bet tilliK now,
'His house is bigger than mine. '
or:
kene bet yersu bet tilliK new.
2i+l
yih irsas kezziyannaw yiliK rejjim
'This pencil is longer than
new.
that one.
or t
yih irsas kezziyannaw rejjim now.
The superlative is formed by means of the prefix / k ( © ) - / and the word
/hullu/ 'all'.
Example, s;
ketemariwoc hullu yih tomari
'This is the most intelligent
asteway new.
kelijageredocc hullu yene lij
student ('from all').
'My daughter is the prettiest
Konjo nec.
of all the girls.'
Comparative and Superlative degrees may also be expressed by using the
words /beTam/ 'much', 'more' (for the comparative) and /ljjig beTam)
much',
'very
'too much' (for the Superlative), e.g.
yih irsas t m n i s now.
'This pencil is small.'
yih irsas beTam t m n i s new.
'This pencil is smaller ( 'very
small').
yih irsas ljjig beTam t m n i s new,
'This pencil is the smallest
( 'too
small').
Various degrees of comparison may be also expressed by the verbs
denoting state, condition, wish, liking, etc.
used m
combination with
the prefix / k ( e ) - / .
Examples:
w a s m g t o n koniwyork yimoKal.
'Washington is warmer than New
York.'
w a s m g t o n koniwyork beTam yimoKal.
'Washington is much warmer than
New York.'
w a s m g t o n koniwyork ljjig beTam yimoKal.
'Washington is very much warmer
than New York.'
yih bet keleloccu betoc yissalal.
'This house is better than the
other houses.'
yih bet keleloccu betoc beTam yissalal.
'This house is much better than
the other houses.'
yih bet keleloccu betocc ljjig beTam
yissalal.
'This house is much better by
far than the other houses.'
yih bet kobetoccu hullu yissalal.
'This house is the best ( 'better
than all the houses').
yih bet kobetoccu hullu beTam yissalal.
'This house is by far the best of
all the houses. '
yih bet kobetoccu hullu ljjig beTam
'This house is the very best one.'
yissalal.
kekebbede lemman lwoddallehu.
'I like Lemma better than Kebbede.'
kekebbede lemman beTam lweddallehu.
'I like Lemma much better than
Kebbede.
kekebbede lemman ljjig beTam
'I like Lemma much better by far
lweddallehu.
than Kebbede.'
kewetet bunna ifelligallehu.
'I'd rather have coffee than milk.'
kewetet bunna beTam ifelligallehu.
'I'd like coffee better than milk.
kewetet bunna ljjig beTam ifelligallehu.
'I'd like coffee much better than
milk.'
yene mekina kelemma mekina Keyy new t
awo, yante mekina kelemma mekina
Keyy new.
yeprezidantu bet kebetoc hullu ljjig
awo, kebetoc hullu ljjig boTam
beTam noCC new t
noCC new.
yollom, kebetoc hullu ljjig beTam
noCC aydellem.
addisu betih keleloccu betoc beTam
awo, seffi new.
seffi new t
yellem, seffi aydellem.
yeityoPiya ayyer kezzih ager ayyer
awo, kozzih ager ayyer Tiru new.
Tiru new t
yellem, kezzih ager ayyer Tiru
aydellem.
kezzih irsasinna kezziya irsas
yihififiawin lweddallehu.
yetun tiweddalleh.
kezzihinnawinna kezziyannaw sow
yannaw sew ljjig beTam astoway
now.
yetinnaw ljjig beTam asteway now.
kehulottu betoc beTam
seffiwm
awo, beTam s e f f i w m lweddallehu.
tiweddalleh t
yellem, beTam s e f f i w m alweddim.
yihinnaw temari astoway now f
yihinnaw temari kezziyannaw
beTam asteway new.
*) prezidant - president
21;3
kehulettu terarawoc yotu beTam
yafinaw bo Tarn tilliK new.
tilliK new.
kesostu temariwoc y e t m f i a w m ljjig
hulettonnawm temari ljjig
boTam tiwoddalloh.
boTam lweddewallehu.
kotilliKunna kotinnisu mennafesawoc
tilliKun beTam mweddallen.
yetifinawm boTam tiweddallaccihu.
awo, w a s m g t o n yimoKal.
kaddis aboba w a s m g t o n yimoKal t
yellem, w a s m g t o n aymoKim.
t
yennante ager kefina ager beTam Tiru new
awo, yeflna ager beTam Tiru new.
yellem, yeflna ager kennante
beTam Tiru aydellom.
ketilliKu tinnisun biro tiweddalleh t
awo, t m n i s u n lweddallehu.
yollem, t m n i s u n alweddim.
yezarew ayyer k o t m a n t u Tiru new t
awo, yezarew k o t m a n t u Tiru new.
yellem, yezarew k o t m a n t u Tiru
aydellem.
keKidamenna kehud yetinn&w beTam
Kidame beTam yimoK nebber.
yiraoK nobbor.
Tiwatu kemataw y i b e r d a l t
awo, Tiwatu yiberdal.
yellem, Tiwatu ayberdim.
0
kemuKetmna kebird yetun tiwoddalloh.
bird lweddallehu.
kewenzunna kobahiru yetinnaw ruK new.
wenzu beTam ruK new.
kante lij yiliK yato lemma lij rej31m
awo, rejjim new.
new t
kezziyannaw yiliK yihinnaw sew meTfo
now t
kato yohanmsinna koweyzero Tirunes
yollom, rejjim aydellem.
awo, meTfo new.
yollem, meTfo aydellem.
yato yohannis Tiru new.
amarinna yoman Tiru now.
yante kifl kezzihmnaw beTam widd new t
awo, yene kifl kezzihmnaw
beTam widd new.
yeTirunes TerePeza kante TerePeza
yellem, ayissalim.
yissalal t
karengwadew meSihaf b i C a w m yimerTal t
awo, b i C a w m yimerTal.
keKeyyu mekina yiliK neCCun beTam
yellem, beTam alfelligewim.
tifelligewalleh t
kezarenna kenege wedageraccihu mece
mohed tifelligallaccihu.
konege yiliK zare mehed
m f elligallen.
yellem, beTam Tiru aydellem,
kersiwo amarinna yiliK yebalebetiwo
beTam Tiru new t
kelibs yiliK Camma timerTalleh t
Camma beTam lmerTallehu.
kebira yiliK Tejj lemeTeTTat
yellem, To 33 lemeTeTTat
tifelligalleh t
alfelligim.
kedoro weT yiliK yasa weT tiweddalleh t
awo, yasa weT lweddallehu.
kewissaw yiliK dimmetwan tiweddalleh t
hulottunim alweddim.
dirset
sleep
kemennitaye tonessahu.
lemma arfido yimeTal.
to be late in the morning
beard
marfod
Tim yellennim.
bezzih wer wisT Timmen alillaCCim
telaCCe-mellaCet-yillaCCal
to shave
porch, veranda
miste beborendaw lay
teKemmiTallec.
fenced yard, compound, palace
lgibbiye wisT gazeTa anebballehu.
fresh
atkiltu beTam lemlom new.
nice, pleasant
issu beTam asdessac sew new.
tree
and rej31m zaf lgibbiye wisT alle.
friend
wede wana mdemmihed
lobalmjeraye
mogrewallehu.
abeba
mnisseTaTTallen.
teseTaTTo-messoTaTet-
to give each other, to exchange
yisseTaTTal
near by
botemaribetu aKrabbiya hotel alle.
direction
yamerikan embassi aKTaCCa beyet
new.
b e s a m m m t wisT kesira kemminnarflbbaccew kehulettu Kenocc andu t m n a n t
lhud silenebber, m e n n a balebete kemennitaccm arfiden tenessan.
me
fiten lskittaTTebmna Timen iskillaCC libsenim lskilebs diros
balebete Kurs azzegajta wede migibbet T e r r a c c m .
m e m gebicce migben
kebellahu behwala, balebete libswan lebsa lskitweTanna wodo bete kristiyan
iskmnihed dires, beberendaye lay mserasser nebber.
begibbiye wisT y a l l u t m
lemlemmna asdessac abebawoccmna zafoc simmelekket balmjeraye ato yohannis
wodowana loinohed tezegajto simeTa ayyehutinna selamta tesoTaTTen.
mem
lewana wede yetinflaw wenz mdemmihed biTeyyiKew wedand ruK wenz
mdemmihed neggeren.
mikniyatum baKrabbiyaw y a l l e w m wenz silemmayawK new.
behwala gin aKTaCCawm asayyiccew wede wenzu sihed, m e
kebalebete gar wede
bete kristiyan hedhu.
TiyyaKewoc
kesira yemmittarfubbaccew Kenoc s m t naccew.
yeKenoccus sim man yibbalal.
lemmanna balebetu komennitaccew m m
gize tenessu.
l e m m beTam arfidew tenessu.
yato lemma balebet Kurs sittazzegaj issu m m
K u r s a c c e w m kebollu behwala ato lemma m m
yisera nebber.
aderrege.
ato lemma iberendaw lay sinserassor m a n m n ayyo.
kebalmjeraw gar s i l e m m tenegaggeru.
nigiggiraccewm keCerrosu bohwala balinjeraw yet hede.
ato yohannis kebalebetu gar yet hede.
Unit 20
Basic Sentences
John
yommimoTaw s a m m m t Tiru Kon bihon,
Let's go to the mountains next
wodo toraraw abron m n i h i d .
week if the weather ('day')
is good.
kobbodo
to happen, to occur; to attach
aggaTTomo-maggaTom-yaggaTTimal
by chance, accidentally
mdaggaTami
Tegre
tigre
mdaggaTami bemmimeTaw
[I'm sorry but] since (by chance)
sammmt
I'm going to Tegre next week,
wede tigre silemmihed, korsiwo
I won't be able to go with you
gar wed© toraraw lemehed alcilim.
(to the mountains).
John
Why are you going to Tegre?
wed© tigre, l o m m yihedallu.
kobbodo
abbate wodaddis aboba lememTat
(Because) my father is planning
to come to Addis [and] I have
silassebu, irsaccewm l©mamTat
to go [there] and bring him.
mshed a l l e b b m .
John
In what direction is Tegre?
tigre b©y©t aKTaCCa yiggenfial.
kobbodo
North
Tegre is m
semen
the North.
John
tigre bostesemen yiggennal.
around
province
zuriya
who?/which?/ (plural)
TeKlay gizat
Which are the other provinces around
Addis Ababa?
mneman
baddis abeba zuriya yommiggennut
leloc teKlay gizatoc
naccow.
mneman
kebbede
east
misraK
Hararge
harerge
west
mi 'rab/mnrab
Wallaga
wellegga
south
debub
Arusi
arusi
Harar is to the east, Wallaga to
bostomisraK harorge, bostomnrab
the west and Arusi to the south.
wellogganna, bestedebub arusi
naccew.
John
When will you be back from Tegre?
kotigre mec yimmellosallu.
kobbodo
I will be back m
ten days.
kassir Ken behwala immellesallehu.
John
to wish
temenne-memmennet-yimmefmal
I wish you a good trip [and] give
melkam guzo immennilliwotallohu.
my best regards to your father.
labbatiwo selamtayen yaKribullin.
kebbede
I certainly will.
issi aKerballehu.
John
Goodbye.
Tena yisTillin.
kebbede
Amen
amen
Goodbye.
amen, Tena yisTillin.
Grammatical Notes
Note 20.1
Verb Classification, Chart VI: Two-Radical Verbs with infinitives:
mela2, melo2, mele2, and mele2.
Following are some examples of verbs of this class, which have
occurred m
the units:
Infinitive
Perfective
Imperfective
msSaf
'to write '
Safe
yiSifal
m©cal
'to be able '
cal©
yicilal
m©lak
'to send '
lako
yilikal
m©yaz
'to hold '
yaz©
yiyizal
mswal
'to spend the day'
wal©
yiwilal
m©mar
•to pardon'
mar©
yimiral
m©bon
'to be '
hon©
yihonal
memot
'to die '
mot©
yimotal
monor
'to exist'
nor©
ymoral
m©Kom
'to stand'
Komo
yiKomal
moroT
'to run'
roT©
yiroTal
mozor
'to tour '
zor©
yizoral
memoK
'to be warm'
moKo
yimoKal
Type 3
mohed
'to go '
hed©
yihedal
Type k
mos©T
'to sell '
soT©
yisoTal
m© t©w
'to leave'
t©w©
yit©wal
Type 1
Type 2
As illustrated by the above examples, the vowel between the two radicals
m
the three basic forms is:
Infinitive
Perfective
Imperfective
Type 1
-a-
-a-
-i-
Type 2
-o-
-o-
-o-
Type 3
-e-
-e-
-e-
Type k
-©-
-o-
-o-
P o l l o w m g are the charts of this class of verbs.
The examples selected
for these charts are:
Chart VI/l
1)
Underived
/mewal/
'to spend the day'
2)
Passive-Reflexive
/m©wwal/
'to be spent ('of
3)
Causatives m
/a-/
/mawal/
'to postpone'
If)
Causatives m
/as-/
/maswal/
'to cause to spend the day'
the day')
Vl/2
Chart
1)
Underived
/moKom/
'to stand'
2)
Passive-Reflexive
/meKKom/
'to sing hymns '
3)
Causatives m
/a-/
/maKom/
'to erect'
1+)
Causatives m
/as-/
/masKom/
'to have some one erect something'
Chart V l / 3
1)
Underived
/mohed/
'to go '
2)
Passive-Reflexive
/moggeT/
'to be decorated '
3)
Causatives m
/a-/
/mageT/
'to decorate '
i|)
Causatives m
/as-/
/masgeT/
'to have some one decorate
something'
VIA
Chart
1)
Underived
/moCes/
'to smoke
2)
Passive-Reflexive
/moCCos/
'to be smoked'
3)
Causatives m
/maCes/
'to smoke [TRANS]'
i)
Causatives in / a s - /
/masCos/
'to cause to smoke'
f
/a-/
[INTR]'
Chart VI/I
Two-Radical Verbs, Type
/mola2/
Causative Causative
Underived PassiveReflexive
m /a-/ m /as-/
Infinitive
mowal
mowwal
mawal
maswal
Perfective
walo
towal©
awal©
aswal©
Imperfective
yiwilal
yiwwalal
yawilal
yaswilal
Jussive
yiwal
yiwwal
yawil
ya swil
Imperative
wal
(towal)
awil
a swil
Gerund
wilo
towilo
awilo
aswilo
way
(toway)
away
a sway
mewaya
mewwaya
mawaya
maswaya
Noun of Agent
Noun of
Instrument
Chart Vl/2
Underived
/melo2/
Causative
Pass rveReflexive
m
/a-/
Causative
m
/as-/
Infinitive
moKom
moKKom
maKom
masKom
Perfective
Komo
toKom©
aKom©
asKom©
Imperfective
yiKomal
yiKKomal
yaKomal
yasKomal
Jussive
yiKum
yiKKom
yaKum
ya sKum
Imperative
Kum
(toKom)
a Kum
asKum
Gerund
Komo
toKomo
aKumo
asKomo
Noun of Agent
Kwami
t©Kwami
aKwami
asKwami
Noun of
Instrument
moKomiya
moKKomiya
maKomiya
masKomiya
Chart Vl/3
/mole2/
Underived
PassiveReflexive
Causative
in / a - /
Causative
m /as-/
Infinitive
mehed
moggeT
mageT
masgeT
Perfective
hed©
tegeT©
ageTe
asgeTe
Imperfective
yihedal
yiggeTal
yageTal
yasgeTal
Jusslve
yihid
yiggeT
yagiT
yasgiT
Imperative
hid
(tegeT)
agiT
asgiT
Gerund
hido/hedo
tegeTo
agiTo
a sgiTo
hiya j/ha j
togiyaC
agiyaC
asgiyaC
mohe ja
meggeCa
mageCa
ma sgeCa
Noun of Agent
Noun of
Instrument
Chart
Vl/U
Two-Radical Verbs, Type /mol©2/
Underived
PassiveReflexive
Causative
in / a - /
Causative
m /as-/
Infinitive
moCos
moCCos
maCos
masCes
Perfective
Cos©
tsCos©
aC©s©
asCes©
Imperfective
yiCesal
yiCCesal
yaCosal
yasCssal
Imperative
Cis
(t©C©s)
aCis
asCis
Jussive
yiC is
yiCCss
yaCis
yasCis
Gerund
Ciso/Ceso
t©C©so
aCiso
asCiso
Noun of Agent
Ciyas/Cas
teCiyas
aC iyas
asC iyas
Noun of
Instrument
moCosa
meCCesa
maCesa
masCosa
Note 20.2
Verb: Impersonal Constructions
f
giyon hotel dohna yimeslefinal.
'The Gion Hotel seems good to me.
bomottamome mikniyat wodo hospital
'Since I am ill, I'll have to go
mohed yasfolligonnal.
to the hospital.
The above examples show that some verbs have different meanings when
used impersonally.
verbs
/asfollogo-masf©llog-yasfolliga1/
'to cause to want'
used impersonally
'to be necessary, to need'
e.g.
/yasf©lligennal/
'I need '
/tesemma-messomat-yissemma1/
' to be heard'
'to feel'
e.g. /bird yissemmawotal/
'you (pol.) feel cold'
/gobba-mogbat-yigobal/
1
'to understand'
e.g. /yigobannal/
to enter '
'I understand'
/aygobannim/
'I don't understand'
/yigobawotal/
'you (pol.) understand'
/tegebba-meggebat-yiggobbal/
'ought to'
'to be married '
e.g.
/yiggebbaflnal/
'it is necessary for m e '
/yiggebbaha1/
'it is necessary for you', etc,
/tayyo-mottayet-yittayyal/
' to appear'
'to be seen'
e.g. / y i t t a y y e M a l /
' it appears to m e '
Note 2 0 . 3
Verb:
Present Perfect of Verbs denoting
The Present Perfect of verbs denoting
usually to the situation existing a
'state' or
'state' or
'condition'.
'condition' refers
time of speaking, e.g.
toKommiTowal.
'He's sitting. '
Kommiyallehu.
'I'm standing. '
rasen ammonnal.
'I have a headache ('it has
hurt my head to me ' ) . '
tonnitalloc.
'She 's sleeping . '
Outline t
Infinitive
Affirmative Imperfective
Negative Imperfective
Model:
and meSihaf moSaf
ifelligallehu.
and meSihaf lSifallehu.
and meSihaf alSifim.
Drills
lemma addis meSihaf meSaf yiweddal.
lemma addis meSihaf yiSifal.
lemma addis meSihaf aySifim.
lennatwa mekina molak tifelligallec,
lennatwa mekina tilikallec.
lennatwa mekina attilikim.
w a s m g t o n kand wer behwala memoK
yijemmiral.
w a s m g t o n kand wer behwala
yimoKal.
w a s m g t o n kand wer bohwala
aymoKim.
kand sammint behwala wodageraccm
mehed m f elligallen.
kand s a m m m t bohwala
wedaggeraccm
mhedallen.
kand sammint behwala
wedagoraccm anhedim.
wed© betwa sithed meroT tiweddallec,
wede betwa sithed tiroTallec,
wede betwa sithed attiroTim.
wede temaribet sihect m i s a w m
moyaz fellege.
wede temaribet sihed
m i s a w m yiyizal.
wede temaribet sihed
m i s a w m ayizim.
addis ketema mewal tifelligallaccihu.
addis ketema tiwilallaccihu.
addis ketema attiwilum.
as temar Iwoccaccm temariwoc mohon
yifelligallu.
astemariwoccaccm
temariwoc
yihonallu.
astemariwoccaccm temariwoc
ayhonum.
addis aboba wisT manor ifolligallohu.
addis aboba wisT morallohu.
addis aboba wisT alnorim.
lkifl wisT lomin moKom yif©lligallu.
lkifl wisT lomin yiKomallu.
lkifl wisT lomin ayKomum.
wasinetonin m©zor ticilallaccihu ^
w a s m g t o n m tizorallaccihu t
w a s m g t o m n attizorum t
izzih kifl wisT bird yissommahal t
awo, yissommafinal.
yollom, ayissemmannim.
yefellegsiw mekina teseTTos t
awo, tesoTTen.
yollem, altoseTTennim.
yszare K©n yimoKaccihuwal \
awo, boTam yimoKenal.
yollom, aymoKonim.
addis abeba wisT yiberdaccihuwal ^
awo, yibordenal.
yellem, ayberdenim.
sijara sittaCos, r a s i h m yammihal t
awo, yammennal.
yollem, ayammefinim.
lemma yeneggereh yig©bahal t
awo, yigebannal.
yellom, aygebannim.
yan©bb©b©w m©Sihaf yigebaccowal ^
awo, yigobaccewal.
yellem, aygobaccowim.
bunna
sitTeTTa
rashin yissalihal
t
awo, yissalennal.
yellom, ayissalonnim.
b©ssat s m t birr yikkeffelihal.
hulettbirr yikkeffelennal.
dobdabbe mece yidersihal.
kand Ken bohwala yidorsennal.
yih mekina loman yiggobbal.
leTirunes yiggobbatal.
wedageraccm mohed yiggobbanal t
awo, mohed yiggobbacclhuwa1.
yellem, mohed ayiggobbaccihum.
addisu bet leman yisseTTewal.
lone yissoTTonnal.
abbatmna n n a t h m kayyeh, sint gize honoh.
sost amet honon.
yih aCCir TerePeza loman yiggebbawal.
lessu yiggebbawal.
yenfia TeKlay gizat Tiru yimeslihal t
wodefit *
beTam Tiru yommihon
yimeslennal.
/wedefit/
'm
the future'
kohulett Kenoc behwala
wedaddis aboba m d e m m i t h e j moc
ymneggeronfial.
ymneggerisal.
wodo russiya bithed yibordih yimeslihal t
awo, yibordennal.
k o t m a n t u zare yiberdal ^
awo, yiberdal.
yellem, ayberdim.
r a s i h m t m n i s tesaleh ^
awo, t m n i s tesalen.
yollem, altesalennim.
keniwyorkmna k e w a s m g t o n yetu ketema
w a s m g t o n beTam dess yilaccewal,
dess yilaccewal.
amarinna KwanKwa yigebasal.
awo, t m n i s yigebannal.
yollem, aygobannim.
lmekinaw wisT muKet weys bird yissemmahal,
bird yissommannal.
assir seat bitseru s m t birr
haya birr yisseTTenal.
yissoTTaccihuwal.
yemminnaggerew KwanKwa yigebahal
hakimbet
bithed yissalihal
1
yellem/ aygobannim.
1
awo, yissalennal.
ato yohannismna weyzero Tirunes
awo, yissommannal.
sinnegaggeru yissemmahal t
1
yellem, ayissommanfiim.
lemma yemoTTa yimeslihal t
awo, yemeTTa yimoslennal.
yellom, yemeTTa aymeslennim.
dirset
yamerika hizb bebizu miliyon
yiKKoTToral.
to be numerous, to be counted
toKoTTere-moKKoTer-yiKKoTToral
kebbedenna lemma silageraccew
yiCCewawwotallu.
to discuss, to exchange
opinions
teC ewawwetu-meCC ewawetyiCCewawwetallu
mdihum
(/mdezzihum) temariwoc
agennehu.
thus, and also
migbun tekaffeln.
mekkafel-yikkaffelal
to share
to be happy, to be pleased
abbatun silayyo todesseto.
meddoset
bizu sira siloserrahu dekkemefi.
medkem
to be tired
play, game, sport
wodo tenis Cewata lhedallehu.
matter, topic
Cewata lomeCCowawet meTTan.
situation, condition(s)
abbate silone huneta
(or: hunate)
maweK yif©lligallu.
dinkwan lemegzat ifelligallehu.
tent
zaf tekkelu.
metkel
poletika
to stick, to plant, to set
policy, politics
yato lemmanna yato yohannis yoreftaccow gize ballofew s a m m m t silenebber,
wede bahir lewana hedew nebber.
yommiKKoTTeru sewoc agennu.
bezzihim bahir dar lewana yehedu bebizu meto
kennessum gar bemewanflotmna bemeCCewawet
yallaccowm m i g b m n a meTeTT tekaflew bemoblat, beTam tedossitew nebber.
mdihum
andand
gizem mewanfiet sidekmaccew, teKommiTew lela liyyu liyyu Cowatawoc lyyeteCowawwetu,
silalem
poletikanna huneta ymnegaggorallu.
balebetoccaccowim
gar kewanu behwala, migib sertew r a t a c c e w m bollu.
kelijoccaccow
d m k w a n a c c o w m bobahiru dar
teklew land s a m m m t yahil keKoyyu behwala wede betaccew temellesu.
TiyyaKewoc
lewana wode bahir yehedu m n e m a n naccew.
lernm wede wana hedu.
m a n n m yizew hedu.
lewana kehedu behwala, lzziya m a n n m agennu.
izz iya s m t
sewocc agennu.
r
l e m m todessetu.
wanaw sidekmaccew m m
aderregu.
lzziya bota sint gize Koyyu.
lzziya beKoyyubbet gize yot y m o r u nobbor.
balebetoccaccow gizeyaccewm m d e t asallefut.
kand s a m m m t behwala wedet hedu.
l e m m wedageraccew temellesu.
wana leTena y i T o K m a l t
Unit 2 1
Basic Sentences
serratonna
employee, worker
An Ethiopian student who has completed
and yoityoPiya temari timihirtun
his studies [ m Ethiopia] wishes to
keCerrese behwala, wedamerika
go to America.
ager lemohed silemmif©llig,,
He goes to the U.S.
Embassy and talks with the visa officer.
wedamerikan embassi hedo,
('Because an Ethiopian student after
silevizaw gudday koembassiw
having finished his studies wants to
serratenna gar tenegaggore.
go to the American country, he went
to the American Embassy and talked
with an Embassy employee about the
visa business.')
lemma
How do you do, sir.
TenayisTillm getaye, sime lemma
My name is
( 'called ') Lemma,
yibbalal.
visa
viza
officer
sum
Visa Officer
yeviza sum
yeviza sum
Please be seated.
lemma
ibakkiwo yiKKemoTu.
(All right) thank you.
yeviza sum
issi ameseggmallehu.
What may I do for you, Mr. Lemma?
lemma
I came to get a visa for America
mm
ladrigilliwo, ato lomma.
wedamerika lemohed silommifellig,
('Because I want to go to America,
viza mdisseTTen ifelligallohu.
I want a visa to be given to m e . ' ) .
yeviza sum
Why do you want to go to America?
lemin wedamerika mehed
yifelligallu.
lemma
timihirten lzziya lomoKoTTol
(it is) because I'd like to
continue my studies there.
silommifollig now.
yoviza sum
university
yunivorsiti
At which university do you want
yetinriaw yunivorsiti wisT lamemmar
to study?
yif©lligallu.
lomma
At American University m
Washington
('In the American University which
is found m
Washington.').
wasington wisT bemmiggennew
bamerikan yuniversiti wisT
n©w.
yoviza sum
Has the university accepted you
yih yuniversiti yiKK©bb©liwotal T
('Does the university accept
you')?
lomma
recently, just; m
the
boKirb Kon
near future, soon
Yes sir, I have just received
awori; gotaye.
('it has reached me') the
letter of acceptance
yunivsrsitiw
mdemmlKKebbelon ahun boKirb
('a
K©n debdabbe dorsonnal.
letter which accepts me')
from the university.
yoviza sum
May I see the letter?
isti debdabbewm liyew.
lemma
Certainly ('with pleasure'), sir.
bedossita getaye.
bosint meto yemmlKKoTToru sewocc
m m a l b a t behulettmna besost meto
agenneh.
yemmiKKoTToru sewocc agefinehu.
bemeto yemmlKKoTToru temariwoc
awo, bizu tamariwoc ayyehu.
wede timihirt minister sib.edu
ayyeh t
zare wede wiCC gudday minister
m m a l b a t ato lemma yawK yihonal.
yemmimoTawin sew man yawKal.
astomariyacclhu kotemariwoccu gar
yellom, ayfolligim.
silepoletika moCCewawet yifelligal t
innezzih sewoc keyet agor meTTu.
kamerika meTTu.
m i g b i h m kemo.ngedonna gar mekkafel
awo, beTam lwoddallehu.
tiweddalleh t
bereftaccihu gize wede ityoPiya
bereftaccm gize wedeityoPiya
lomehed yemmitfelligut lemeddeset
yemmmhedew yemmiyasdessitu
new t
n o g e r o c c m lemayet new.
zare mata wedaddis abeba m e h e d m n a
mfia m e h e d m n a meddeset
meddeset yemmifellig man now.
m f elligallen.
abrohew wedaddis ketema bittihed
awo, boTam yidekmenfial.
yidekmihal t
kaddis abeba wedezzih ager sittimeCi
awo, beTam dekkemen.
beTam dekkemes.
wedaddis ketema hedaccihu Cewata
k©s©at behwala he den m n a ya lion.
attayum t
kennante mekakkel poletika
kebbedenna lemma naccew.
yemmimmaru m n e m a n naccew.
migib man yiserallaccihuwal.
lhitoccaccm yisorullmal.
beityoPiya wisT wend lij migib yisoral
Ken Ken mnatoccaccew wed© sira
sihedu lijoccaccewm wedet yilikallu
t
yollem, aysoram.
m m a l b a t wede timihirtbet yiliku
yihonal.
w i s s a w m abliteh* yot tihedalleh.
wedaddis ketema lhedallehu.
d m k w a n yetokkelaccihubbet bota
lwenzu dar nebber.
yet nobber.
/mablat/
'to feed'
gwaddennoccih dinkwanaccewin yet
awo, awKallehu.
mdetekk©lu tawKalleh t
innataccihu hulgize iyy©m©TTac
awo, b © s a m m m t and gize lyyemoTTac
tayaccihuwallec t
tayenalloc.
ato lbjuna hulgize wodageru lyyohedo
mdaggaTami hulgize ayhedim.
m n a t u n yayal t
kowasmgton bostesemen y a l l o w m
awo, awKewallehu.
kotoma tawKalloh t
Sohay bomisraK atwoTam yal© man now.
and temari new, simun gin alawKewim.
bebetih zuriya yon©bb©rut l©mlom
bokiremt m j i bebega ayttayyum.
zafoccmna abobawoc yot allu.
yebirow sum beTam Tiru lemmiserut
bizu genzeb seTTaccew.
sewoc min seTTaccew.
boKirb gize wisT wedofina yunivorsiti
1
yeityoPiya temaroc naccow.
00
yemmimeTu m n e m a n naccow -. ^'
Timun telaCto yet mehed
mdemmifollig
m m a l b a t wodo siraw yihed yihonal.
tawKallaccihu t
bezzih aKTaCCa, ibahiru aKrabbiya
awo, ammist betocc allu.
betocc allu t
ato lemma TiyyaKe siTeyyiK man mellese.
I W I C C
gudday minister gibbi wisT bizu
awo, boTam bizu zafocc allu.
lemlom zafocc allu t
beTam yommifelligow neger
bebird lomin maTTah.
silallen new.
awtobus siTebbiK new.
l e m m arfideh timoTalleh.
dirset
high, elevated, prominent
bokeffltefina bota lay morallohu.
authorities
yewiCC gudday minister balosilTanoc
wedezzih kotema meTTu.
any, every
m a n n a c c Q w i m temari wodo timihirtbet
mohed yiggebbawal.
siraw ketoTarrallin behwala
lim©Ta lcilallohu.
to be processed, to be checked;
to be distilled, to be sifted
teTarra-meTTarat-yiTTarral
mdemrnimoTa arregaggoTellm.
to assure, to confirm
marregageT-yarregaggiTal
tomariwoc hullu ye temari betun
rules, regulations
denb yawKallu.
timihirten bewasmgton wisT
feSSemhu.
to complete, to accomplish,
mefeSSem
to be completed, accomplished
meffeSem
ato lemma beityoPiya wisT yemmisseTTewm timihirt keCerrese behwala
lekeffitenna timihirt wedamerika lemehed assebe.
and Ken beTiwat tenesto sile vizaw lemennegager wedamerikan embassi
hede.
lzziyam y e v i z a w m sum agnito selamta keseTTew behwala, wedamerika
lemehed mefellegun gelleSellet.
yevizaw sum yemmigebabbetin yuniversitinna
mdezzihum keyuniversitiw balesilTanoc debdabbe magfietun Teyyekew.
ato lemma
keyuniversitiw balesilTanoc yederresewm debdabbe b^K'errebellet gize, yevizaw
sum mannaccewim neger yeteTarra mehonun karregaggeTe behwala, v i z a w m lato
lemma liseTew fellege.
mannacewim sew letimihirt wedamerika lemehed sifellig, bemejemmeriya
yemmiggebbawm denb mefeSSem allebbet.
yih denb bemmiggebba kaltefeSSeme,
viza magnet asceggari mehonu yetawweKe new.
TiyyaKewoc
ato lemma wedamerika lemehed l e m m fellege.
mece wedamerikan embassi hede.
l e m m wedamerikan embassi lemehed fellege.
bamerikan embassi wisT m a n n m agenne.
levizaw sum m m
gelleSellet.
yevizaw sum ato lemman m m
ato lemma levizaw sum m m
yevizaw sum lato lemma m m
TeyyeKew.
asayyew.
liseTew fellege.
and temari letimihirt wedamerika sihed, m m madreg yiggebbawal.
and sew yemmiggebbawm denb kefeSSeme, viza magnet asceggari
new t
Unit 22
Basic Sentences
yoviza sum
Who's going to take care of your
amerika bommimmarubbot gize wisT,
gonzob man yikoflilliwotal.
expenses ('who will pay money
for you') while you're studying
m
America?
lomma
My parents,
a b b a t m n a nnate naccow.
yoviza sum
government
mongist
Has the Ethiopian government given
yoityoPiya mongist wedamerika
you permission to go and study
m
hedew m d i m m a r u feKdolliwotal T
America?
lomma
Yes, it has (given me the
awon, feKdollmnal.
permission).
yoviza sum
How much [ m l U.S. dollars is
betesebocciwo bewer s m t yamerikan
your family going to pay you
birr yikefluwotal.
per month?
lemma
They're going to pay me three
sost meto yamerikan birr
hundred American dollars.
yikeflunnal.
yoviza sum
to explain, to show
masreddat
Do you have a letter showing
sost meto birr
mdemmikefluwo
that they're going to pay
yemmiyasredda debdabbe
you 300
allewot?
dollars?
lemma
Ye s, I do.
awo, alien.
yoviza sum
May I see it?
isti liyow.
lemma
issi, yihowinna.
Certainly (and) here it is.
yeviza sum
application
mam©Ikeca
form
form
application form
yemamelkeca form
to fill, to fill out
molla-memulat-yimolal
Very good.
melkam.
Then take this applica
mgidiyass y i h i n m n
tion form and fill it out right
yemamelkeca form bifelligu
here, or, if you wish, do it at
lzzih, bayfelligu betiwo
home and send it back to me.
yiwsedunna, moltow yilakullifi.
('Then take this application form
and fill it out here if you want,
at home if you don't want, and
send it to me.')
lemma
Since I don't have much time I'd
like to complete it here
bizu gize silolellefl, lzzihu
('if
biCorris fiKade new.
I complete here, this is my
desire ' ) .
yeviza sum
to bother, to cause
mascegger
trouble or difficulty
Sehafi
secretary
Very good.
If you come across
any difficult questions
the application form ('if
Tiru.
m
mamelkecaw lay
yemmiyascoggiruwo TiyyaKewoc
you
binoru, m e n weyim Sehafiyen
have questions that cause you
liToyyiKu yicilallu.
difficulty') you can ask either
me or my secretary.
lomma
All right, sir.
issi getaye.
yeviza sum
We'11 call you when the visa is
ready.
vizaw sizzegajj mTorawotallon.
ministru simoTu, min madrog
ministru simeTu, solamta mosTet
yasfolligal.
yasfolligal.
bobizu si yommiKKoTToru sowocc
lemayet felligge nebber, gin
ayyoh t
lay alcalhum.
aggotaccihu boKirb Kon wodaddis
besilk Terto noggeren.
aboba indommimoTa noggoraccihu t
sowiyyew iyyehedo mdiyastornir
azizzew nebber, gin lemehed
azzezhew t
alcalem.
m m a l b a t bimeTallin, lhed yihonal.
yemamelkecaw form simoTallih
wedamerika letimihirt tihedalleh t
yebirow sum Tiwat likk besost
awo, besost seat gebtew mesrat
seat birowaccew tegentew,
allebbaccew.
siraccewm mesrat allebbaccew t
betih hulett kifil silallew, andun
irsu kefellego lemosTet
kifil legwaddennah lemesTot
lfoKdallehu.
tifeKdalloh t
yeketemaw polls wodemmifelligew
awo, limorawo yicil yihonal.
sow limeran yicilal t
ato lemma wedamerika
mdihed
awo, f0K1jjelletallohu.
feKdewilletal t
yetegenfiew genzob beserratennocu
fit toKoTTere t
v
sumu silazzeze beserratennoccu
fit teKoTTero.
astemariw kiflu wisT mdegebba
timihirt yijemmiralt
andand gize yijemmiral andand
gize degmo ayjemmirim.
g a z e T a w m mdanebbobe yabbatun
awo, liyarregaggiT cale.
mohed arregaggeTe t
mengist bifeKdillin bandu TeKlay
gizat wisT mesrat lcilallehu t
wenzu bimola wede wana tihedalleh t
mengist kef©KKedollih mosrat
ticilalleh.
m m a l b a t lhed yihonal.
kebetaccihu behulott seat meTtaccihu,
mm
gazeTawoccm
tiserallaccihu.
mnanobballen.
wedebete mditmeCi biTeyyiKis
awo, bedessita lmeTallehu.
timeCalles' t
amarinna biyastemiruh, bower
birr tiseTaccowalleh.
smt
hulett meto birr isoTaccewallohu.
bewiCC gudday minister wisT sira
awo, mseTewallen.
tisoTutallaccihu t
zare keseat befit wede biroh mehed
awo, mehed nebborebbin.
alnebberebbihim t
wedage.-ih sinmeTa
mdmTeyyiKih
now.
adrassah yet new.
silagere bmegraccihu,
adrassaye timihirt minister
mnantem
silageraccihu tmegrunnallaccihu t
anto silagerih keneggerkon
innam
silagoraccm
mnmegrihallen.
bezzih wer wisT zinab silommizenb,
bird yemmihon yimeslihalt
weyzerit almaz yeTeyyeKhatm
neggereccih t
hulgize z m a b kezennebe yiberd
yihonal.
yemmawKew neger yellom a l e c c m n a
neggeroccin.
lmeTallehu silalec tiTebbiKatalleh t
awo, m e n lemayet silemmitmoTa
iTebbiKatallehu.
zare Sehafih wede biro
lemm
almeTTaccim.
raswan silammemat wede hakim
bet hedallec.
silewondimmih kamerika memTat semmah t
awo, t m a n t m n a and sew neggeren.
wede ketema keman gar mehed
k e b a l m j o r o c c a c c m gar mehed
tifelligallaccihu.
m f elligallen.
kezzih befit yet hedaccihu nebber.
wedaddis ketema heden nebber.
ibet kallut sewoc m a n n m Terrah.
ato lemman m n a abba tun
Terrahuwaccew.
genzebun siyagen sirrisir yemmihed
yimeslihal
t
kiremtu saymeTa wedageraccihu
tihedallaccihu t
kesira sitweTa wedenfia bet
timeTalleh t
weyzerit almaz sitmeTa yet
tiKoyyallec.
wedaddis abeba sithedu lmenged lay
mm
awo, m m a l b a t wedaddis abeba
land s a m m m t yihed yihonal.
awo, kand wer behwala
wedageraccm
mhedallen.
wede ketema silemmihed, memTat
alcilim.
m m a l b a t kato yohannis gar
tiKoyy yihonal.
minimm alayyenim.
ayyaccihu.
m g l i z ager wisT silayyehew neger
hullu litnegren tifelligalleh t
awo, yemmitfelligutm
bittiTeyyiKufl
m e gr a c c lhuwa 11 ehu.
almaz t m a n t m m
silamerika
mditnegrat
temariwoc
TeyyeKeccih.
timihirtbetoccmna
mdmograt
TeyyeKeccm.
lommanna mistu mdimoTunna wodo wonz
awo, Konu simoK hedon
hedon m d m w a n tif olligalloh t
ifelligallehu.
awo, izziya heden
wodo ityoPiya hedaccihu amerikan
embassi m d i t s o r u tifelligallaccihu t
amarinna KwanKwa
mdmwan
beTam mfelligallon.
amarinna KwanKwa
mdittimmar
mdmsera
yenoggereh sew man new.
mdimmar
wendimme neggeren.
dirsot
duty, obligation, responsibility
giddetaw silehone, lennatu
genzeb lake.
abbate keTiwat lskahun asTebboKen.
masTebbeK
to keep waiting
ato lemma yemmibbalew ityoPiyawi tomari wedamerika lemehedmna,
timihirtun lemeKeTTel silefollege, wedamerikan embassi m e h e d m n a , viza
moTayyeK giddetaw hone.
ato lemmam wedamerikan embassi leviza kemohedu
befit koityoPiya mengist mefeSSem yommiyasfelligewm neger koGorrse behwala,
wedeembassi hedenna, y e v i z a w m sum ato jon yommibbalutm amerikawi tegenanno.
ato jonim ato lemman l e m m wedamerika mehed mdemmifollig, yet timihirtbet
mdommigeba, sint amot mdemmiKoyy, letimihirtu man mdemmikeflillet
keTeyyeKut behwala, and form seTTutmna, mdimola azzezut.
ato lemmam formun molto siCerris, lato jon seTaccewmna, v i z a w m
teKobbele.
ato jon v i z a w m lato lemma siseTut silasTobboKhuh aznallehu alu.
ato lemma m m i m m aydel lgzlyabher yisTillin alenna, wede betu hede.
TiyyaKewoc
wedeamerika
yemmihedew
tomari sim man yibbalal.
ato lemma wedamerika l e m m yihedal.
bamerika wisT ato lomma s m t amet yiKoyyal.
letimihirtu man yikeflillotal.
yato jon sira m m d m
now.
v i z a w m lemagnet min adorrege.
ato lomma v i z a w m lemagnet wedet hede.
v i z a w m teKebbilo lato jon min alaccew.
and ityoPiyawi wedamerika lemehed min madreg allebbet.
Unit 23
.sic Sentences
yohannis
vie m i t y
sef or
bank
bank
ibakkiwo lzzih sefer bank allot
Excuse me is there a bank near
by ('m
this vicinity')?
kobbodo
kift
open
ahun kift aydollom m j i , monorun
There is one, but it's not open
all©.
now ( 'although it is not open
now there is its existence').
yohannis
mokksf©t
to be open
What time does it open?
min gize yikkoffotal.
kobbodo
all day long
The banks m
K©nun bomulu
yih inna sofsr yall©w ba/ik
our vicinity are
open only m
yemmikkeff©t©w Tiwat bicca
the morning, but
the others are open all day
n©w.
leloc gin, Konun b©mulu
long.
kift naccow.
yohannis
check
cek
[As] I need money right away, I'll
have ('it
ahun gonzab ifolligallohunna,
is an obligation') to
wodo lela bank hejje, giddeta
go to another bank and cash a check.
cek mom©nz©r allsbbin.
k©bb©d©
The First
Ksdamawi
Haile Selassie
hayl© sillase
City square
addsbabay
to be near
m©Kr©b
Then the bank on the Haile Selassie I
mgidiyass iKodamawi hayl©
Square is the nearest for you, go
sillase addebabay yallow
to that one.
bank yiKorbiwotallmna,
lzziyafinaw yihldu.
yohannis
awo, a d r a s s a w m bawKow, lzziya
Yes, it would be better for me to
go there and cash [my check],
mohedinna, momonzor
if I [only] knew the address.
yissalonnal.
kobbodo
It's not so difficult to find the
bank.
bankun lomagflot boTam ascoggari
Haven't you ever been
aydellem.
kezzih befit
('gone') to the Haile Selassie
lhaylesillase addebabay
Square before?
hedew yellem?
yohannis
to borrow (.things)
tewase-mewwas-yiwwasal
library
meSihafbet/bete meSahift
Yes, I often go to the American
awo, meSihaf lomowwasmna
library (to borrow and return
lememelles wedamerikan
books).
meSihafbet bizu gize
he j jallehu.
kobbodo
side
gon
If you know the American Library,
yamerikanin meSihafbet kawweKut,
the bank is [right] next to it.
banku kessu gon new.
yohannis
to miss, to lack
I won't miss it.
a TTa-ma Ta t-ya Ta 1
I'll go [there]
issuniss alaTawim, tolo derisse
immediately ('quickly') and be
lmeTallehu.
('come') [right] back.
kobbodo
to be straight, to have
meKnat
good luck, to succeed;
to be jealous, to envy
O.K. good luck.'
issi yiKnawo.
Grammatical Notes
Note 2 3 . 1
The Plural affix / i n n ( e ) - /
baddis aboba zuriya yommiggenriut
leloc teKlay gizatoc m n o m a n
What are the other provinces
around Addis Ababa?
naccew.
yedoro weT kerme m K u l a l w a .
The chicken stew with eggs.
The affix / m n ( e ) - / is prefixed to the question word /man/ 'who', 'what'
to indicate that the question refers to more than one thing or person.
This
is the same affix which is prefixed to personal and demonstrative pronouns
their plural forms, as m
m
/ante/ 'you (sing).) - / m n a n t o / 'you (pi.), /issu/
'he' - / m n e s s u / 'they', /yih/ 'this' - / m n o z z i h / 'these', etc.
The affix / m n ( e ) - / with the prefix preposition / k ( e ) - / means
ing',
'with', e.g. /kennelijoccu meTTa/ 'he came with his children'.
'includ
/mn(e)-/
may be also prefixed to the names of persons (or to their titles, ranks, etc.)
to indicate that this person is not alone but is either a member of a group,
e.g. / m n a t o kebbede suK/ 'the store of Mr. Kebbede and his associates', or
that this person is accompanied by some other persons, e.g. / m n a t o kebbede
meTTu/ 'Mr. Kebbede and his group came'.
Note that when the noun with the prefix / m n ( o ) - / is the subject of the
sentence the verb is m
the plural.
Examples 1
m n o m a n meTTu.
'Who (pi.) came? '
m n e m a n m n tawKalleh.
'Whom (pi.) do you know?'
m n o z z i h sewoc m n o m a n naccew.
'Who are these people? '
wedennato lemma bet m n i h i d .
'Let's go to the Lemmes' place'.
yennato kebbede hotel lzzih
'The hotel of Mr. Kebbede and his
yiggennal.
ato kebbede kenne betesebu
wedaddis ketema hede.
temariw kenne gwaddennocu
lzzih meTTa.
associates is here.
'Mr. Kebbede went to Addis Katama
with his family. '
'The student came here with his
friends'.
Note 2 3 . 2
Question Words.
m i n al© ^
'What did he say?'
yih sow man now.
'Who is this man?'
man meTTa.
'Who came?'
simih man new.
'What's your name? '
yih wonz man yibbalal.
'What's the name of this river?'
yih sew man yibbalal.
'What's the name of this man?'
yih wissa man yibbalal.
'What's the name of this dog?'
koyet meTTu.
'Where did they come from? '
s i l e m m meTTu.
'Why did they come? '
wedet hedu.
'Where did they go?'
lndemin adderu.
'How did you spend the night?'
wedaddis ko-toma beyetinfiaw
'By which bus can I go to Addis
awtobus mohed lcilallohu.
yetun ayyehew.
All the question words m
Ketema? '
'Which one did you see?'
the above sentences have occured m
the Units
1 through 2 3 .
Note 2 3 . 2 . 1 .
/man/ 'who', 'what'.
As illustrated by the above sentences /man/ may be used
m
questions referring to persons, animals or things.
Note that the direct object form of /man/ is / m a n n m /
'whom', e.g.
/ m a n n m ayyeh/ 'whom did you see? '
Here are some examples of the question word /man/ used with various
prefixes.
leman neggerhew.
'Who did you talk to?'
('To
wedeman tihedalleh.
whom...')
'Whose place are you going to?'
( 'To whom... ')
sileman tassiballeh.
'Who are you thinking about?'
('About whom...')
m d e m a n ymnaggeral.
'Who is he speaking like?'
( 'Like whom... ')
'Who did you hear from? '
keman sommah.
('Prom whom...')
'Who did he come with? '
komangar meTTa.
('With whom...')
'Whose car did he go m ? '
beman mokina hedo.
( 'By whose car... ')
yeman feres Teffa.
'Whose horse was lost? '
keman befit Komeh nebber.
'Who were you standing m
front of?'
('In front of whom...')
'Who did you go m
keman behwala gebbah.
after? '
( 'After whom... ')
'Whose house did he go to?'
iman bet hede.
( 'to whose house... ')
'What town will you get to?'
lskeman kotema tihedalleh.
('As far as what town...')
The form /inneman/ (plural of /man/) discussed m
Note 2 3 . 1 is often
replaced by /manman/, e.g.
'Who are these people?
m n o z z i h sewoc manman naccow.
The question words / m n o m a n / and /manman/ are used almost interchangeably.
There is however a slight difference m
the response to these question words.
The answer to the /manman/ question is a complete enumeration of persons or
things referred to m
may consist m
the question.
The answer to the / m n o m a n / question
naming just one person, e.g.
Question
m n o z z i h sewoc manman nacew.
Answer
m n o z z i h sewoc ato kebbede, ato
lemmanna ato yohannis naccew.
'These people are Mr. Kebbede,
Mr. Lemma and Mr. John.
Question
m n o z z i h sewoc m n o m a n naccow.
Answer
m n o z z i h sewoc m n a t o kebbede
naccow.
'These people are Mr. Kebbede and
his group.'
Note 2 3 . 2 . 2 .
/min/ or / m m d i n / 'what'.
The question words / m m / and / m m d m / mean
'what', / m m d m / is
used with the verb form /now/ 'is' only, while / m m / is used m
situations.
all other
It should be noted, however, that / m m new/ is used as equiv
alent to the English
'What happened? ', whereas / m m d m
new/ means just
'what
is it? '
Examples:
yih m m d m
new.
'What is this? '
mm
tifelligalleh.
'What do you want? '
mm
ayyeh.
'What did you see?'
mm
sira tawKalleh.
'What [kind of] job do you know?'
In addition to the regular plural form / m m o c / the form /minmin/ is
used to indicate that the answer is supposed to include more than one thing,
Examples:
mmoccm
ameTTahillin.
'What did you bring me?'
minmin bellu.
'What did they eat? '
lTorePezaw lay yallu negoroc
'Which objects are on the table?
mmmm
mmmm
naccew.
aynet meSihafoc manbeb
tifelligalloh.
mmmm
aynet atkilt gezzah.
'What kind of books do you want
to read? '
'What kind of vegetables did you buy?'
/ m m / used with various prefixes*
l e m m meTTa.
'Why did he come? '
s i l e m m meTTa.
'What did he come for?
indemin senebbetu.
'How did you spend the week?'
kemin yeteserra new.
'What is it made of? '
bemin meTTah.
'By what [means of transportation]
did you come?'
l m m addorh.
'Where did you spend the night.'
k e m m befit hone.
'Before what (i.e. prior to what
event) did it happen? '
k o m m behwala hone,
l s k e m m Ken dires izzih
tiKoyalleh.
'After what did it happen?'
'Up to what day are you going to
stay here? '
Note that both /man/ and / m m / may be used with noun suffix pronouns, e.g.
mannaccihu lemohed yifelligal.
'Which one of you wants to go?
m i n h m ammemoh.
'Which [part of your body] hurts?
yih mine now.
'What [part] of my [body] is this?
Note 2 3 . 2 . 3
/yet/ 'where'
Here are some examples of the question word /yet/ 'where' used
with various affixes:
keyet timeTalleh.
'Where are you coming from? '
beyet weTTa.
'Through which [door] did he exit? '
m d e t s i r a w m serra.
'How did he do his work?'
wedet lemehed tifelligalleh.
'Where do you want to go?'
lskeyet dires abren m n i h i a .
'How far ('up
to where') shall we go
together?'
lyet m n i g g e n a n .
Note 2 3 . 2 . 1 |
'Where shall we meet?'
/yetu/ 'which'; /yotinnaw/ 'which', 'which one'; /manninnaw/
'which one'.
The question words /yotinnaw/ and /manninnaw/ may be used
interchangeably, /yetinnaw/ and /manninnaw/ may refer to both persons and
things, but /yetu/ usually refers to things only.
Examples 1
yetun mekina gezzah.
'Which car did you buy? '
yetun tifelligalleh.
'Which [one] do you want?'
leyetinfiaw
'Which teacher did you tell [it] to?
astemari neggerk.
wede yetinnaw kifil gebbah.
'Which room did you enter?'
sile yetinnaw lij tonegaggoru.
'What child did they speak about? '
y e t i n n a w m awtobus tiyizalleh.
'Which bus are you going to take?'
k e y e t m n a w meSihaf anebbebih.
'From which book did you read? '
keyetifinaw sew gar yiserallu.
'With whom ('which person') do you
work?'
beyetinflaw babur meTTaccihu.
'What t r a m did you come by?
isk© yetinnaw Tabiya dires
'Which station did you get to?
he dacelhu.
lyetinnaw bet wisT Koyyeh.
'In which house did you stay? '
manninfiaw temari meTTa.
'Which student came? '
m a n n m n a w m hakim lemayet
'Which doctor do you want to see? '
tifelligalleh.
Note 2 3 . 3
/manninnawim/ or /mannaccewim/,
'every', 'each'; 'every one',
'each one'.
The forms /manninnawim/ and /mannaccewim/ are used
They correspond m
one',
interchangeably.
meaning either to the English indefinite pronouns
'each one' or to the adjectives
'every
'every', 'each'.
Examples:
manninnawim (/mannaccewim) serratenfla
s i r a w m mesrat allebbet.
manninnawim
(/mannaccewim) bogize
'Every employee must do his
work.
'Every one must come on time.'
momTat allebet.
The direct object suffix / - m / is infixed before the ending /-im/ of
these forms, e.g.
manninflawmim neger mayet
'You (pi.) must see everything.'
yasfelligaccihuwal.
mannaccowmim moKKebol yasceggiral.
'It's difficult to accept
everyone (or everything).
Examples of /manninnawim/ and /mannaccewim/ used with prefixes 1
lemannaccowim
temari
asreddiccallohu.
silemanninnawim sew lemennagor
alfelligim.
Note 23.14.
'I've explained
[it] to each
student.'
'I don't want to speak about
every person.'
/mannim/ 'any one' 'anybody',
'no one', 'nobody' and / m m i m m /
'anything',''nothing'.
The forms /mannim/ and /minimm/ are used with a negative verb form
and correspond m
and
'anything',
meaning to English 'any one', 'anybody',
'nothing' respectively.
'no one', 'nobody'
The negative suffix /-(i)m/ may or may not be used, e.g.
mannim almoTTa.
ort
'Nobody came',
mannim almoTTam
mannim alneggerefi.
ort
'Nobody told me',
mannim alnoggoroflnim.
lomannim sow mdittinnaggar alf ollig.
,,
°
'I
or i
—
lomannim sow m d i t t m n a g g o r alfolligim.
minimm alalhu.
&
&
or:
, ,,
,
. .-,-,r .T
don't want you to tell lit]
,
to any one'.
J
J
J
'I didn't say anything',
m i n i m alalhum.
minimm aydel.
or:
'It doesn't matter',
minimm aydellem.
bekise wisT minimm yelle.
or:
'There's nothing m
my pocket',
bekise wisT m m i m m yellem.
It should be noted that when /mannim/ is used as a direct object of the
verb the suffix / - m / is infixed before the ending /-im/.
/minimm/does not
take any direct object suffix:
Examples:
manninimm alayyehu(m).
'I didn't see anybody'
but i
m m i m m alayyehu(m) .
Note 2 3 . 5
'I didn't see anything'.
/minimm/used with the prefix / m d e - / .
The f o r m / m d e m i n i m m / is used, m
the sense of 'no matter how',
'some how', 'by all means', 'anyhow', 'under any circumstances'.
It is
usually combined with the Gerund forms of the verbs /malet/ 'to say' or
/mehon/ 'to become'.
Examples:
mdominimm derrese.
'He arrived somehow'.
m d e m m i m m tegenanfiu.
'They met a n y h o w .
m d e m m i m m bilo f e t e n e w m allefe.
'He passed the exam by using every
resource.'
lndemimmm bilon addis aboba
'We '11 go to Addis Ababa under
any circumstances.'
inhedallori.
m d e m m i m m biyye timihirten
'No matter what happens I shall
iComsallohu.
complete my education'.
'No matter how, I'11 reach my
lndommimm honfie idorsallohu.
destination'.
'She paid her debt despite
mdominimm hona idawan koffoloc.
everything.'
yet sofor bank yiggen yimeslihal.
addis ketoma wisT hulett bankoc
m d a l l u awKallohu.
yetun mekina tekefto agennehow.
me
simeTa Keyyu mekina kiftun
hono ayyehut.
yetinnawin bet m e k f o t m n a mezgat
ticilalleh.
yewiCC gudday minister serratennoc
bemulu yet m d e h e d u tawKallaccihu t
addis ketoma wedallew bete moSahift
hulettun betoc bicca mekfotmna
mezgat lcilallehu.
zare sira silemmayseru wed©
mesriyabetaccew alm©TTum.
ato kebbede new.
yommihed man now.
lzzih kallut sewoc wendimmiwo
manninnaw new.
addis abeba wisT yetinnawan
setiyyo aytehat nebber.
lsetoc mokakkel yetoKemmeTew
rejjimu sew new.
Keyy libs yelebbesocciwan set
ayiccat nebber.
sile manninnaw nogor tmegrennalloh.
s i l e m m i m m neger alnegrihim.
yesoTTehenflm gonzeb leman m d i s e T e w
lennate
tifelligalleh.
mditseTillm
ifelligallehu.
sile yetinflaw ager mennager yifelligal.
silamerika mennager yifelligal.
y e t m f i a w m mekina mewwas tifelligalleh.
t m m swan mekina mewwas
ifelligallehu.
yetifinoccu astemariwoc lereft
hullum bemulu yihedallu.
wedamerika yihedallu.
m n e m a n amarififia mdimmaru
kewiCC gudday minister serratennoc
tifelligalleh.
and weyim hulett sewoc m d i m m a r u
ifelligallehu.
y e t m f i a w m TerePeza tewasew.
addisun TerePeza tewase.
m i s a c c o w m l e m m izzih meblat
izzih misa lemeblat beTam widd new.
ayfelligum.
y i h m debdabbe lemannmnaw sew
letimihirtbetu
sum mesTet allebbih.
mesTet a l l e b b m .
sitmeTu mannim sew alayyaccihum t
yollem, mannim sew alayyenim.
mannim biTeyyiKaccihu sile serranew
yellem, annmnaggerim.
attmnaggerum t
almaz wede wana sithed yemmitbelaw
yellem, m m i m m alwessedec.
m m i m m alwessedec t
silebeteseboccih m m i m m alsemmah t
yollem, lskahun m m i m m alsemmahu.
ageraccihu mece dersaccihu
kand
wer befit dersen temellesn.
terneliesaccihu.
mannifinawm sew meTrat felligaccihu
yato y o h a n n i s m abbat meTrat
nebber.
felligen nebber.
yetinnawoccun betoc ligezu
besteKenn y a l l u t m hulott betoc
yifelligallu.
megzat yif©lligallu.
yetinnawoccun gazeTawoc a m b b o h
iTeroPezaw lay y a l l u t m anbibbe
Cerresh.
Cerreshu.
silemannmflawoccu ageroc mastemar
sile ityoPiyanna amerika mastemar
ticilalleh.
lcilallohu.
wedagoraccihu kenneman gar mehed
kennalmaz gar mohed mf©lligallen.
tifelligallaccihu.
ato yohannis izzih yemeTTaw, m d i m e T a
awo, m d i m e T a sileneggernew new.
sileneggeraccihut new t
dirset
life
nuro asceggari new.
stranger
kebbede losewu bada now.
exit
mewCa
entrance
megbiya
wede betu kemehedu befit yamenotta
nebber.
amenetta-mamentat-yamonettal
to hesitate; not to know what
to do
botaw tasassatan.
to be m
error, to be mistaken,
to miss
tasasata-massasat-yissasata]
Taga bilo simun TayyaKaw.
to come near
Taga malat
faTan bilah na.
to be quick, to hurry
faTan malat
ato yohannis addis ababa wisT nuro kojemmerebbet Kan jemmiro, lskazare
diras lagaru m g i d a lasawu bada nabbar.
magbiya ayawKawim..
bazzihu mikniyat yakatamawm nawCanna
mdaggaTami and Kan wadabank lamahedmna cek lamemenzer
falligo, mangadu Taffabbatinna, Komo siyamanatta ato kabbadan ayyaw.
ato
kabbadam ato yohannis mengod yotasasatow mohonun silawwoKo, Toga bilo
lirodawot lcilallohu t
alonna, y o h a n n i s m ToyyoKow.
baKrabbiya yallow bank yot naw alow.
adrassa neggerewmna,
yohannisim foTon bilo
kobbadom yeityoPiya m o n g i s t m bank
g u z o w m KoTTolo.
yohannisim cekun limonozzir wodo
banku hedo.
TiyyaKewoc
ato y o h a n n i s m lageru m g i d a lesewu bada yaderregew m m d m
new.
ante wedand addis ager sithed m d e z z i h yall© neger yissemmahal t
yohannis cek lememenzer yefellegow l e m m d m new.
mengodu beTeffabbet gize m m
aderrego.
yohannis lmenged lay Komo l e m m amenetta.
ato kebbede lato yohannis yeyetinnawm bank adrassa soTTew.
kebbede kezziya behwala m m
yohannis m m
aderrege.
serra.
ante lageru m g i d a yehonkibbet gize nebbere t
ato yohannis lornin tosasate.
ato kebbede ato y o h a n n i s m m m
bilo TeyyeKew.
Unit 2k
Basic Sentences
yohannis
(To the bank teller)
ibakkiwo yihin cek
I'd like you to cash this check
for m e , please.
mdimenezzirullin ifolligallohu.
yobank sorratona
bank teller
identification
mottaweKiya
by the way
lemehonu
All right, I'll cash it.
By the
issi imonezzirilliwotallehu.
way, do you have ('hold') any
lemehonu yemottaweKiya wereKet
identification (paper)?
yizewal t
yohannis
Yes, I have a document showing
a*wo, amerikan embassi yommisera
that I am an American and that I
amerikawi mehonen yemmigelS
work at the U.S. Embassy.
weroKet allefi.
yebank sorratona
to suffice, to be sufficient
mebKat
enough, sufficient
boKi
That will do.
May I see it?
issu beKi new. gin mayet
('but I want to see it')
ifelligallehu.
yohannis
Here it is, sir,
yihew getaye.
yebank sorratena
back
jerba/zerba
to sign
meferrem
O.K. Thank you.
Sign your name on
the back of the check, [please].
issi lgzlyabher yisTillin. boceku
jerba lay simiwon yiferrimubbet.
yohannis
Here you are ('Here it is, I have
signed on i t ' ) .
yihow ferremhubbet.
ye bank serratefia
tadiya
then
tadiya m d e t
(Then) how do you want your money?
('how
mdimonezzirilliwo
yifelligallu.
do you want me to cash it
for you')
yohannis
owner
bale
five dollar bill
balammist birr
make for me
yargullin
Make it five and ten [dollar]
balammist m n a , ba las sir
bills (for m e ) .
yargullin.
yebank serratona
to borrow (money)
Here you are, sir.
mebboder
By the way,
yihow getaye.
lemohonu kobank
genzeb mobbeder yifelligallu f
would you like to borrow some
money from the bank?
yohannis
loan
biddir
For the time being, I don't need
any loan.
legizew biddir ayasfolligenrlim.
In two months, however,
kehulett wer behwala gin,
I'll come to borrow some money.
lemebbeder lmeTallehu.
yobank serratona
Very good, as you wish.
melkam, mdefellegu.
yohannis
Thank you very much.
beTam aôseggmallehu.
yobank serratona
You're welcome.'
minimm aydel.
Useful Words
ato kebbeden botelQyy beTam awKewallehu.
especially,
particularly
t m a n t betoleyy Tiru Ken nebber.
genzebaccewm izzih bank wisT masKemmoT
to put,
ayfelligum.
to save
to set
(money),
aside
libsun abbatu bet wisT asKemmoTo.
gonzebwan kebank mawTat tifelligallec.
to take out, to withdraw,
to cost, to come up to
mekinaw kesi birr belay yawoTal.
wedamerika lemehed kamerikanna keityoPiya
mengistoc feKad mawTat yasfelligal.
was lemagnet wedaddis kotoma mohed allebbin.
guarantee
yene was hulett birr lebanku keffele.
yamerika hizb keityoPiya hizb beKuTir yibelTal.
ato yohannis kato lemma yibelTal.
mebleT
to be more, to be bigger,
to increase, to exceed,
to excel
and Tiru bet mekkorayet ifelligallehu,
to rent
yelemma bet assir birr tekorayye.
band wer wisT and Tiru bet mesrat yiccalal,
wede ityoPiya bebabur mehed ayiccalim.
meccal
genzobun leman mabodder tifelligalleh.
to
De p o s s i b l e
to lend
s m t meto birr mabedder ticilalloh.
yebirtukanun gimmas lelemma seTTehut.
half
and Ken kegimmas isoralliwotallehu.
ibank wisT kalleh genzeb s m t welled
tagennalleh.
bamet bemeto
interest
ammist welled lseTihallohu.
bamerika wisT bizu noggadewoc yiggennallu.
lenoggade genzeb mabedder yasfelligal.
merchant
(money)
tirfun loman seTTehew.
profit
band amot wisT and si birr tirf agefinallehu.
yemokinayen borr asaddisallohu.
entrance way, passage, doorway
berrun zogto ibetu toKommiTowal.
bomoskotu gebto yeberrun mozgiya koffotow.
yemoskotun mozgiya kowisT zogto beberru woTTa.
meskot
window
mozgiya
door panel, sash
bower s m t domoz tagennalleh.
salary, wage
yallefew wer d e m o z h m loman seTTehew.
Grammatical Notes
Note 21+.1
Short form of/madreg/ 'to do', 'to make'
balammistmna balassirbirr yargullin.
Make it five and ten dollar
bills (for m e ) .
The form /mareg/ (short form of /madrog/)
'to do, ' 'to make' is used by
some Amharic speakers.
Other forms of this verb are:
Note 21+.2
Imperfective
/yaregal/
Jussive
/yarg/
Imperative
/arg/
The use of /giddeta/ 'obligation', 'necessity' with /allebbin/,
/allebbih/, /allebbet/ etc.;
/honebbin/, /honebbih/, /honobbet/
etc., and /nebberebbin/, /nebberebbih/, /nebberebb©t/, etc.
wedo lela bank hejje giddeta cek
m©m©nz©r allebbin.
'I have to go to another bank and
cash the check.'
In Note 11+.2 the use of the suffix /- (1) bb( 1) - — (1) bbe-/ with the verb
forms /alle-/ and /nebber-/ was discussed.
The forms /alio/ and /nebber/, and also the form /hone/, when combined
with the suffix /-(i)bb(1)---(i)bbe-/, express obligation or necessity.
The
sense of urgency or compulsion may be enhanced by adding the word /giddeta/
to the construction.
Examples:
yezare sammint abbaten mayet
'I have to see my father next
week.
allebbifi.
Kidame libs lemogzat wede ketema
'I absolutely have to go downtown
mehed giddeta allebbifi.
bemmimeTaw amet timihirten meCerres
1
to buy some clothes on Saturday.'
'I must complete my studies by
the next year.'
asfellagi honebbifl.
rasen silammemen hakimun mayet
giddeta honebbin.
'Since I have a headache I
(absolutely) must see the
doctor. '
Note that the verb forms /alio-/ and /hone-/ with the suffix / - d ) b b ( i ) — / ( i ) b b e - / may be used almost interchangeably,
/hone-/, however, may imply
that the action has to be performed by the actor under compulsion.
The verb form /nebber©/ with the suffix / - d ) b b ( i )
either
'had to' or
(i)bbe-/ may mean
'should have done so-and-so', e.g.
ballefew amet wed© ityoPiya mohed
nobberebbet.
'He should have gone (or. he had
to go) to Ethiopia last year.
kehulott amet befit yihin debdabbe
moferrem giddeta nebberebbaccew.
'They really should have signed
(or: had to sign) this letter
two years ago.'
As illustrated by the above examples the word /giddeta/ is used for
emphasis only and may be left out.
/giddeta/ used with the prefix (b(e)-/ corresponds m
English
meaning to the
'by force', e.g.
lebaw begiddeta genzobun
wessedebbet.
'The thief took his money by
force. '
Outline:
Relative Construction
->
Noun of agent
Model:
yommifellig sew
fellagi
Drills
meSihaf yemmittaneb set nec,
meSihaf anbabi nec.
bet yemmisora sew yimeslal.
bet seri yimeslal.
1
bizu areKe yemmiTeTTa S Q W new.
bizu araKe TeCCi new.
mekina yemmiyaddis S Q W
mekina addas m f elligallen.
mfelligallen.
leserratennoc migib yemmiyaKerb
m f elligallen.
leserratennoc migib aKrabi
m f elligallen.
bunna yemmittasallif lij alleccis t
bunna asallafi alleccis t
libsen yemmiyalebsen sew alien.
libsen albas alien.
lgzlyabherm yemmiyamesegginu
lgziyabherin amesgann m n o m a n
m n o m a n naccew.
naccow.
y i h m irsas yemmigeza man new.
y i h m irsas gozi man new.
and sini bunna yemmidegim man new.
and s m i bunna degami man new.
kancinna kene yemmidekim man new.
kancinna kene dekami man new.
kamerika ityoPiya band Ken
kamerika ityoPiya band Ken deras
alle t
yemmiders allet
lzzih bet wisT yemmiyarefd man new.
lzzih bet wisT arfaj man new.
silk yemmidewwil alle t
silk dewway all© t
kemeSihaf betu meSihaf lemewsed
kemeSihaf betu meSihaf lemewsed
yemmifeKid man new.
feKa j man new.
misa lemeblat yemmifellig man new.
I W I C C
gudday minister wisT gudday
yemmifeSSim lemma new.
misa lemoblat fellagi man new.
iwiCC gudday minister wisT
gudday feSSami lemma new.
lemigbu genzebun yemmikefl man new.
l©migbu genzebun kefay man new.
sewoccun wede betu yemmiTera kebbede
sewoccun wede betu Tori kebbed©
new.
new.
wana kene gar yemmijemmir sew alle t
wana kene gar jemmari alio t
ibank wisT genzeb lemasKommeT
yellem, ayasfelligim.
mottaweKiya wereKet yasfelligalt
kebank beKi genzeb aweTTah t
and asrammist birr awTiccallehu.
kobanku jerba y a l l e w m suK megzat
besost si birr biseTew,
ticilalleh t
cek lemomenzor s i m h m moforrem
yasfelligalt
lgezawallohu.
awo, kessum belay was yasfelligal.
kebank mawTat yefelleghew
balammistmna
kebank k9tebeddorhew genzeb
awo, balassirmna
balammist
new.
balassir birr new t
smt
tiseTenflalleh.
hulott balassir birr
lseTihallehu.
yegenzeb biddir bitfellig, banku
yofelleghutm yahil yiseTennal.
s m t yiseTih yimeslihal.
banku allebbet safer yekiray bet
magnet yiccalal t
awo, hulett yemmikkerayyu
betocc magnet yiccalal.
kebanku serratennoc, bet lemekkerayet
yemmifelligutm sewoc tawKalleh t
awo, awKaccewallohu.
bankoc Tiwat Tiwat yommikkeffetubbetm
awo, maweK ifelligallehu.
soat maweK tifelligalloh t
yebanku serratennoc Konun bemulu
yellem, Konun bemulu ayserum.
yiserallu t
genzobun addis ketema allow bank
wisT masKommeT yifelligal t
yifelligal.
kobbodo ibank wisT yasKemmeTewm
genzeb m a w T a t m n a
awo,, biccal, lzziya masKemmeT
leTirunes
gimmasun awTito mabedder
yifelligal.
mabeddor yifelligal t
keityoPiya mengist bank yeteboddorewm
gena almellesem.
genzeb mollose t
lageru bada kohone, banku genzeb
mdet
abedderew.
awo, boTam amentita nebber.
amentita nobbor t
wedagoraccihu lemehed lomin
m m a l b a t sira annagonfiim
tamenottallaccihu.
yihonal.
ibank wisT lalleh genzob wollod
smt
mdehone
alawKim.
genzebwan ityoPiya mengist bank wisT
lemasKommoT
bewmetu m d e t
bamet sost meto birr
tagenflalloh.
agennallohu.
ibank wisT yasKommeThowin gonzob
mawTat ticilalleh
awo, sifellig aweTawallehu.
t
neggadewoc hullu ibank wisT gonzob
hullum yellaccowim.
allaccew t
banku bower wisT sint tirf yagonnal.
bewmetu
ante bank mokfot tifelligalloh
alawKewim.
t
gonzob silelellen, mekfet
alcilim.
yebankun genzeb yemmiyabeddirew
yohannis yibbalal.
sew sim man new.
wede sinima mehed giddeta allebbin t
kalfellegh sinima mehed giddeta
yellebbihim.
yihin bet labbatu giddeta megzat
allebbet t
awo, y i h m bet gezto labbatu
mesTet giddetaw new.
yato lemman bet begiddeta kefteh gebbah t
yellem, begiddeta alkeffethutim
begiddeta m m
begiddeta minimm mesrat alcilim.
aynet sira mesrat
ticilalleh t
l e m m genzebun begiddeta mewsed
tifelligalleh.
wede ityoPiya m e h e d m n a agerun
mayet giddeta allebbih t
wede ityoPiya kemehede befit yegiddeta
genzebun begiddeta lemewsed
alfelleghum.
awo, m e h e d m n a agerun mayet
giddeta allebbin.
awo, amarinna memmar allebbih.
amarinna maweK allebbin t
weyzero Tirunes giddeta wede hakim
awo, giddeta mehed allebbat.
mehed allebbat t
wede timihirtbet mehed salfellig
giddeta mehed allebbin t
kebbede giddeta mehed allebbet t
awo, batweddim giddeta wede
timihirtbet mehed allebbih.
kalfellogo giddeta mehed
yellebbetim.
wed© timihirtbet mehed nebberebbet f
beteleyy zare giddeta mehed
nebberebbet.
libsun lzzih masKemmeT giddeta
nebberebbet t
lijun giddeta ketomaribet mawTat
awo, libsun giddeta masKemmeT
nebberebbet.
awo, mawTat nebberebbet.
nebberebbet t
yih irsas kezziyannaw mebloT nebberebbet t
awo, mebleT nebberebbet.
ato yohannis was magnet giddeta honebbet t
awo hulett wasoc magnet giddeta
honebbet.
mekina mekkerayet giddeta nebberebbat t
yellem, giddeta mekkerayet
alnebberebbatim.
mekina mekkerayetinna wedageru
mehed nebberebbet t
lemohonu amarinna memmar giddeta
nebberebbat t
awo, mekina tekerayto wedageru
mehed nebberebbet.
awo, giddeta amarinna memmar
nebberebbat.
awo, mawTat allebbifi.
lemehonu mettaweKiya weroKet giddeta
mawTat allebbis t
wedamerika lemehed beKi genzeb magnet
awo, beKi genzeb magnet
giddeta honebbiwo t
honebbin.
ato lemma j e r b a w m sllemmiyammew
awo, giddeta honebbet.
medhanit mofelleg giddeta honebbet t
cekun kemewsedaccow befit meferrem
awo, giddeta honobbaccew.
giddeta honobbaccew t
wodagerih sittihed genzeb giddeta
awo, demozen silalagennohu,
mebboder allebbih t
mebboder allebbifi.
biddir kebank mebboder allebbih t
awo, mebboder allebbifi.
genzob mobbedermna lennatih melak
awo, demozen lskagen dires
giddeta honobbih t
mebboder giddeta honebbin.
'
gimmas d e m o z h m lebet kiray mekfel
v
awo, hulgize yodemozen gimmas
giddeta honobbih t
lobet kiray mekfel giddeta
honebbin.
addis abeban kezzih befit tawKewalleh t
awo, awKew nebber.
ahun gin
kayyehut bizu gize silehone,
giddeta mehed m n a ,
mdegena
mayet allebbifi.
feTen biyye kebet mewTat nebberebbin t
awo, feTen bileh mowTat
nebberebbih.
banku yihin sefer megzat nebberebbet t
awo, megzat nebberebbet.
izzih sira lemagnet giddeta
awo, mglizinna mecal
mglizinna
mecal nebberebbet t
nebberebbet.
wed© Kedamawi hayl© sillase addebabay
kato lemma gar KeTero silallefi,
mehed giddeta honobbih t
mehed giddeta honebbin.
dirset
Emperor, imperial
king
ityoPiya yonigusenogest ager nat.
nigus
yeityoPiya nigusonegest keff yalo
genzob allew.
to be elevated, high, important
keff malet
big (pi.)
tililliK betoc serra.
branch
zafu bizu K r m C a f allew.
inhabitant, dweller
yowasington kotema newari newo f
to improve
timihirten massasal ifelligallehu.
assasale-yassasilal
commerce
yewendimme sira nigd new.
to develop , to increase
beKirb gize nigden masfafat
ifelligallehu.
a s f a f f a - ya sf a f f a 1
economy
ikonomi/ekonomi.
nigd yaboleSSigal.
to enrich
abeleSSege-mabelSeg
yehizbun yenuro doreja assasale.
level, standard,rank, steps
simun mansa t alfelligim.
to mention; to raise, to lift
anessa-yanesal
effort
bebizu Tiret wedamerika memTat cale.
department, office
iwiCC gudday minister mesriyabet
wisT lserallohu.
timihirte beyyegizew yissasalal.
to improve d n t r . ) to be improved
tesasale-messasal
silo bank
beityoPiya wisT kemmiggennut bankoc hullu yeityoPiya nigusenegest
mengist bank kehullum keff yale new.
wisT new.
yemmiggennewim baddis abeba ketema
bozzih bank wisT bizu serratennoc yiggennallu.
betililliK ketemawoc hullu K r m C a f o c c allut.
ageroc wisT K r m C a f beKirb gize keftowal.
keityoPiya wiCCim bandand
lemissale ballofut sost ametat wisT
and tilliK K r m C a f bosudan wisT keftowal.
yeityoPiya nigusenegest mengist bank biddir leityoPiyawiyan yabeddiral.
neggadewoccmna yemengist serratennoc mdezzihum yeketemaw nowariwoc hullu
nurowaccowm lemassasalmna nigdaccewm lemasfafat genzeb yibbedderallu.
neggadewoccim kebank bommiyagennut genzeb welled yikeflallu.
kezzihim belay
banku yagerun ikonomi lemabelSogmna, yehizbun yenuro dereja lemansat bizu
Tiret yadergal.
ballofut ametat wisT yih bank kemannaccewim yemengist mesriyabetoc bizu
m e s s a s a l m adrigowal.
TiyyaKewoc
beityoPiya wisT kallut bankoc yommibelT y e t m n a w new.
yezzih bank K r m C a f o c yemmiggennut yet new.
bezzih bank wisT sint serratennoc yiggennallu.
beityopiya wisT K n n C a f o c c allut t
yih bank biddir loman yiseTal.
l e m m gudday yabeddiraccowal.
gonzebun yetebodderut sewoc s m t welled yikeflallu.
banku betoleyy yommiyadergow Tiret l e r n m d m new.
genzob lemasKemmeT bewor s m t gize wedebank tihedalleh.
ibank wisT lasKemmeThew genzeb bamet s m t welled tagennalleh.
g e n z o b m bebank wisT masKommeT l e m m yiTeKmal.
bosudan wisT s m t KriCafocc allu.
Unit
25
Basic Sentences
kebbede
Tena yisTillin ato yohannis.
Good afternoon, Mr. John.
yohannis
Tena yisTillin ato kebbede.
Good afternoon, Mr. Kebbede.
kebbede
ibakkiwo yigbu.
Come on m , please.
yohannis
lgzer/ lgziyabher
God
issi lgzer yisTillin.
Thank you.
kebbede
to be late
thinking that ('by
zogeyye-mezegyet-yizegeyyal
bemalot
saying')
(Because) you were so late, Mrs.
bizu gize bomezogyetiwo, aymeTum
Trunesh and I were afraid ( 'very
bemalet, m e n n a weyzaro Tirunes
disappointed') (thinking that)
aznen nebber.
you were not going to come.
But we are delighted that you have
ahun gin silemeTTu beTam dessita
come (now).
yissemmanal.
yohannis
I'm very sorry, indeed.
I (had)
b e w m e t u aznallehu.
Kedem biyye
left my house at exactly eight
idersallehu bemalet, kebete likk
('two') expecting that I'd arrive
behulett seat tenesicce nebber.
[much] earlier.
name of a hospital
m
ras balca
Addis Ababa
to change
melewweT / meKoyyer
anyhow
yehonewhono
Anyhow [it happened] because just
yehonewhono, ras balca hospital
as I came near the Ras Balcha
aTegeb siders, yemekinaye gomma
Hospital I had a flat tire
silefenedda, lskilowwiTew (or:
( 'Because the tire of my car
blew up') and had to wait
until I changed it.
lskiKeyyirew) dires meKoyyet
giddeta honobbin new.
Useful Words
addis t>nr mogzat if elligallehu.
pen
bi'iren lekebbed© lseTowallohu.
to sleep, to lie down
balga lay motonnat alfelligim.
box
wissaw b e s a T m wisT tonfiitowal.
chalk
and s a T m Tomene (or: cok) seTTehut.
bizu Temone megzat yasfelligenal.
gla ss
and birCiKo wotet ToTTahu.
weak
and s m i K o C C m bunna iTeTTallehu.
slender, slim, thin
and K e C C m set felligas nebber.
key, lock
lebetu Kulf yellennim.
izzih and Kulf nebberen.
button
lekotu Kulf yellewim.
to count
yallennin genzob meKuTer ifelligallehu.
KoTTere-meKuTer-yiKoTral
needle
merfew yet alle.
merfe kogoboya megzat yiccalalt
towel
ibakkiwo f o T a w m yamTullin.
soap
izzih samuna yollem.
imettaTebiya betu wisT hulett
washroom
samunawocc allu.
milaCC gezicce mollaCet i f e l l i g a l l Q h u ,
razor
y©lemma wendim beTam wefram now.
fat, thick
lhitu g m
fine, nice, kind
K o C C m nec.
yelomma l h i t m n a wendim beTam degg
sewocc naccew.
automobile repair shop
garaz
Grammatical Notes
Note 25.1
Repetition and Reduplication.
Note
25.1.1
Repetition
The repetition of nouns was discussed in Note 12,1|
(/mata mata/
'every evening', /Tiwat Tiwat/ 'every morning', /lhud lhud/ 'every Sunday',
etc.) and that of the pronouns m
Note 2 3 . 2 . 1
(/man m a n / 'who' (pi.), / m m m m /
'which', ' wha t (pi.))
As stated m
the Note 1 2 . 1 | the repetition of nouns denoting days
of the week and that of the nouns denoting
'day', 'night', 'evening',
'morning',
etc. indicate their repeated occurance, e.g.
mata mata yizenbal.
'It r a m s every evening. '
Tiwat Tiwat m m
'What are you d o m g every morning. '
tadorgalloh.
Kidame Kidame wodosinimabet
'We go to the movies every Saturday. '
mhedallon.
The repetition of pronouns (Note 2 3 . 2 . 1 )
refer to the nouns m
indicates that these pronouns
plural.
manman yimoTallu.
'Who (pi.) is going to come.''
mmmm
'What [things] do you know?'
tawKalleh.
The word /and/ 'one' has the form /andand/ meaning
andand sewoc meTTu.
'some', e.g.
'some people came.
The repeated adjectives emphasize the plurality of nouns they modify,
e.g.
dohna dohna sewoc meTTu.
'Many good people came. '
bizu bizu setoc yimeTallu.
'A lot of women will come.'
meTfo meTfo irsasocc algezam.
'I'm not going to buy a lot of
bad pencil.'
seffi soffi betocc lserallehu.
'I'm going to build many large
houses.'
Note
25.1.2
Partial Reduplication.
betililliK ketemawoc hullu
K r m C a f occ allut.
'It has local offices m
city ( ' m
every large
large cities').
Some Amharic adjectives indicating dimensions or colors have reduplicated
forms when modifying nouns m
plural.
Examplesi
/tilliK ketema/
/tililliK (or: tilalliK)
'a large city'
ketemawoc/
/tinnis wenber/
/timnnis
'a small chair'
'large cities '
(or: t m a n n i s )
wenberoc/
'small chairs'
/seffi bet/
'a large house'
/sefaffi betoc/
'large houses'
/rejJim sew/
'a tall person'
/rejajjim sewoc/
'tall persons'
/KeCCm lij/
'a thin child'
/ K o C a C C m lijoc/
'thin children
/wefram feres/
'a fat horse'
/wofafram feresoc/ 'fat horses'
/aCCir irsas/
'a short pencil'
/aCaCCir irsasoc/
'short pencils
/neCC dimmet/
'a white cat'
/noCaCC dimmetoc/
'white cats'
/Keyy mekina/
'a red car'
/Koyayy mekinawoc/ 'red cars'
/TiKur beKlo/
'a black mule'
/TiKwaKur beKlowoc/ 'black mules'
The reduplicating element, as seen from the above examples, is a single
consonant plus vowel, reduplicating the double consonant of the word, so
/re-jj-im/ is reduplicated /re-ja-jjim/.
Using C for consonants, this reduplication may be shown as follows:
After
Note that m
single.
The reduplication is
- e -
-Ca
- 1 -
-Ci- o_r -Ca-
(-)a-
-Ca-
case of /wefram - wefafram/ the reduplicated consonant is
Note also that the last example is of single /K/ followed by /u/.
The reduplication is /Kwa/.
Note 25.1.3
(The / w / may be said to be due to / u / ) .
Complete reduplication
In addition to the part ally reduplicated forms mentioned m
the
above note, some adjectives denoting colors may have completely reduplicated
forms with the sense of 'somewhat' ( ompare the English suffix
'-ish'
'blackish' 'whitish', etc.)
Examples:
Keyy
- red
KeyyaKeyy
-
'reddish'
neCC
- white
neCCaneCC
-
'whitish'
TiKur - black
TiKuraTiKur -
'blackish'
The reduplication is the whole word connected by the vowel /a/.
2.9k
m
Note 25.2
/ m m madregiya now/ 'what is it used for'
In Note 1 6 . 6 the formation of Nouns of instrument was discussed.
The noun of instrument of the verb /madreg/ 'to do', 'to perform', is often
used m
the sense
'something which is used for'.
Thus the question /yih
madrogiya new/ corresponds approximately in meaning to the English
mm
'what is
it used for ', e.g.
Question;
moSihaf m m
madregiya new.
'What is a book used for?'
Answer:
meSihaf manbebiya new.
'A book is used for reading.
Drill
The student will asnwer the questions by using the appropriate nouns of
instrument.
irsas min madregiya new.
moSafiya new.
berr m m
megbiya new.
p
madregiya now.
p
bet min madrogiya new.
menoriya new.
wenber m m
madregiya now.
meKKemeCa new.
bi'ir min madrogiya new.
moSafiya new.
mekina min madregiya now.
moheja new.
alga min madrogiya new.
motefina now.
woreKot min madregiya new.
moSafiya now.
silk min madregiya now.
mennegageriya new.
meSihaf min madrogiya new.
Camma m m
madregiya new.
moskot min madregiya new.
meSihafbet min madregiya now.
mongod min madregiya now.
p
manbebiya new.
weym memmariya new.
moheja now.
mennafesa new.
manbebiya new.
p
hakimbet min madrogiya new.
moheja now.
s a T m min madrogiya new.
mettamemiya new.
p
soat min madrogiya new.
yeKa masKemmeCa now.
cok weiym Temene min madregiya new.
yeseat meKuToriya new.
s m i min madregiya new.
moSafiya new.
yobunna meTeCCa new.
birCiKo m m madregiya new.
•
yewiha meTeCCa new.
yeKa megza now.
genzob m m madregiya new.
mekfoca now.
Kulf m m madregiya new.
yedebdabbe melakiya new.
anbolik m m madregiya new.
melekkiya new.
metir min madregiya new.
memmariya new.
timihirtbet m m
madregiya new.
genzeb masKemmeCa new.
bank m m
madregiya new.
mesfiya new.
merfe m m madregiya new.
yeKa moseCa new.
geboya m m madregiya new.
yemekina maddesa new.
garaz m m madregiya new.
mettaTebiya new.
samuna min madregiya now.
meggwaza new.
babur m m madregiya new.
yawtobt43_.meKomiya new.
yawtobus Tabiya m m madregiya new,
mellaCa now.
milaCC m m madregiya new.
Kidame Kidamenna lhud lhud yet
tihedallaccihu.
Ken Ken hulgize wedo meSihafbet
mhedallen, mata mata gin wede
sinimabet mhedallen.
tililliK betoc serto, meseT
awo, meseT yifelligal.
yifelligal t
andand neggadewoc bamet wisT
smt
tirf magfiet yicilallu.
and si birr tirf magfiet yicilallu.
sono sefto yot tihedalleh.
wede wana lhedallehu.
Ken Ken titeflnallaccihu t
yohonowhono w o n d i m m i h m mata mata
yellem, anteflflam.
awo, mata mata ayewallehu.
tayowalleh t
d o m o z h m bewer bower tiKKobbelalloh ^
awo, bewer bewer lKKebbelallehu.
lhud lhud wede mesriyabet
yollem, lhud yereft Ken silehone,
tihedallaccihu t
wode mesriyabet anhedim.
ato yohannis keff lyyale hede t
awo, beTam keff bilowal.
sefaffi betocc ageflnaccihu t
awo, ageflnen.
andand neggadewoc bizu tirf
awo, yagefmallu.
yagenflallu t
awo, hulett neGaCC dimmotocc allun.
t
neCaCC dimmetoc alius
r
rejajjim irsasocc alluh t
awo, allun.
lijoccih lomin K o C a C C m o c honu.
m e K o C C m silehonku new.
TiKwaKur beKlowoc aytowal t
awo, ayiccallehu.
Koyayy sowoc meTtow nobbor t
awo, hulett sowoc meTtow nebber.
mata mata mesratinna Ken Ken memmar
m m a l b a t yicil yihonal.
yicilal t
TiKwaKuroccun wissoc loman seTTehaccew.
lelijocce soTTehuwaccew.
beTam degagg sowoc tawKallaccihu t
awo, bizu degagg sewoc innawKalien.
mskina alleh t
awo, hulett Konjo Konjo mekinawoc
allun.
aCaCCir wendoc polis mehon yicilallut
yollem, aycilum.
hotelu sofaffi kifloc allut *
awo, ammist sefaffi kifloc allut.
Ksyayy libsoc gezzac
t
awo, sost Koyayy libsoc gezzac.
Keyayy barneTawoc tigozalleh ^
ahun genzeb silelellon, megzat
alcilim.
dirset
friendship
woda jinnet kohullu yebelleTo
neger now.
lemmanna kebbede beTam
yittewawweKallu.
to know each other, to be
acquainted, to be introduced
tewawweKo-mettewawoKyittewawweKal
liju ihitoccun gabbozaccew.
to invite
party, reception
gabboze-mogabez-yigabbizal
legibza wodo hotel lhedallehu.
yelomman gibza akebberhu.
to respect, to honor,
to accept, to celebrate
to start
bealun tinant akebbore.
makber
mokinayen masnessat alcalhum.
basrahulett seat kemafinitaye
asmssan.
to start, to wake up (Trans)
to drive
masnessat
mokina mendat lweddallehu.
t m a n t gabzon nobbor, d a r u g m
however
lemehed alcalkum.
g i z e w m beCewata aTeffa.
aTeffa-maTfat-yaTefal
to waste, to spend, to squander,
to spoil, to extinguish
abbate b e d m g o t kageru meTTa.
suddenly, unexpectedly-
tirafik
traffic
higg yeteserraw lesow new.
law
bizu sewoc h i g g m yiTisallu.
Taso-meTas-yiTisal
to violate; to crush
bomagistu meTicce ayihallohu.
next day
yesira gizeyaccewm bunna
bemeTeTTat abbelassut.
innatu lijwan abbelassecciw.
abbelasse-mabbelaset-yabbelassal
to spend, to waste, to spoil
ato kebbedenna ato yohannis bewedajmnet kebizu gize jemmiro
silemmittewawweKu, and Kon ato kebbede ato y o h a n n i s m lorat ibetu gabbezew.
ato yohannisim g i b z a w m akbiro besost seat bato kobbedo bet mdiggefl Kalun
soTTe.
likk hulett seat sihon, ato yohannis m o k i n a w m asnossito lyyenedda,
guzowin wedato kobbedo bet KoTTele.
d a r u g m gimmas menged
mdotegwaze
yemekinaw gomma silefeneddabbet, g o m m a w m lemeKoyyer solasa deKiKa aTeffa.
g o m m a w m kaddesew behwala m e k i n a w m asnessito lyyenedda sihed, b o d m g e t
polis aKumot yotirafikm higg sileTase bemagistu wede polis Tabiya
wereKet agenne.
mdiKerb
bezzih mikniyat bizu gize silabbelasse, ato kebbode bet
keseatu asallifo derrese.
TiyyaKewoc
ato kebbede ato y o h a n n i s m l e m m gabbezow.
ato kobbede g i b z a w m akbiro meTTa t
besint seat bato kebbede bet m d i g g e n n Kalun seTTe.
guzowin besint seat jemmere.
m e k i n a w m asnessito wedet hede.
gimmas menged mdetegwaze yemekinaw gomma min hone.
g o m m a w m lemaddos min yahil gize aTeffa.
g o m m a w m kaddese bohwala m m
aderrego.
ato y o h a n n i s m bomenged lay man aKomew.
polisu l e m m aKomew.
bemagistu wedet meKreb nebberebbet.
wede gibza mehed l e m m yiTeKmal.
bewer s m t gize gibza tihedalleh.
Unit 26
Basic Sentences
Tirunes
Good afternoon, Mr. John.
Tena yisTillifi ato yohannis,
How-
indemin sonobbotu.
have you been?
yohannis
dohna, lgzlyabher yimmesgen.
Very well thank you and you?
irsiwoss t
Tirunos
a s t©waww©Ke-ma s towaweKyastowawwiKal
to introduce
ato kobbedo, ato y o h a n n i s m
Mr. Kebbede, would you please
introduce Mr. John to the guests.
kengidoccaccm gar astewawKaccow.
m d i h u m yemmibbellanna
And then let him have something to
eat and drink ( 'also take him to
yommiTTeTTa
neger wedallobbet wisedaccew.
where there are things to be
eaten and drunk').
kebbede
Tiru hassab now, Tirunes.
That's a good idea, Trunesh. Come,
yimTu
Mr. John, let me introduce you
kengidoccu gar lastewawKiwot,
to the guests.
ato yohannis.
yohannis
All right, but before you introduce
issi.
n e g o r g m kengidoccu gar
me ('before my being introduced')
kemettewaweKe befit ljjen
I'd like to wash my hands.
mettaTeb ifelligallehu.
kebbed©
then
mgidiyas
Then let me show you the washroom.
m g i d i y a s mettaTebiya betun
lasayyiwo.
samunanna foTa bemettaTebiya bet
The soap and towels are in the
wisT yiggenfial.
washroom.
yohannis
Thank you.
ame s e gg m a 1 1 ©hu.
Useful Words
instead of
bokobbodo fanta ine imoTallohu.
to wash
libsun maTob yifolligal.
dirty, dirt
K o s a s a w m libs aTTobe.
clean
libsu boTam niSuh now.
secret
misTir l m o g r i h ifolligallohu.
poor
issu doha sow aydollom.
dihoc
the poor, poor people
rich
habtam sow yofollogowm yigozal.
well off
abbate baloSogga nobbor.
even though, although
minimminkwan bimoTa alayyeflfiim..
vicinity
lzzih godoma hotel alle t
r
. „ ôed
approximately
director, head, chief
t
yebetu waga assir birr gedoma new,
yebanku gezi ityoPiyawi now.
governor
sometimes
agere g o z i w m tawKalloh t
xfî'v
andande addis abeba yihedal.
dark
ibet wisT Gellema now.
light, bright
birhan bomoskotu yigebal.
opposite, antonym
molkam yemeTfo toKarani new.
percent
banku bemoto aratt welled
yikef lenflal.
around, approximately
betimihirtbetaccew wisT sost si
yommihonu tomariwoc yiggonnallu.
mean, bad
yih wissa kifu new.
Grammatical Notes
Note 2 6 . 1
Word formation:
Suffix /-(i)nnet/
w e d a j m n o t kehullu yebelloTe
noger new.
'Friendship is greater than
anything.'
The suffix /-(i)nnet/ (/-innot/ after consonants and /-nnot/ after
vowels) may be affixed to nouns and adjectives to form abstract nouns. The
general meaning is 'pertaining to'.
Thus:
'friend'
weda jinnot
'friendship'
'kind'
deggmnet
'kindness'
kifu
'mean'
kifunnot
'meanness'
innat
'mother'
mnatinnot
'motherhood'
and
'one '
andinnot
'unity'
Keyy
'red'
Koyyinnot
'redness'
habtam
'rich'
habtammnot
'richness'
we da 3
Note 2 6 . 2
Verb:
The use of the verb /moKnat/ 'to straighten',
'to have
good luck', 'to be 3ealous'.
issi yiKnawo.
O.K. good luck.'
The verb /moKnat/ has several meanings:
1)
2)
'To straighten', 'to become straight', e.g.
yoToroPezaw lgir Konna.
'The leg of the table is
straightened.'
'To have good luck', when used m
the Jussive with verbs suffix
pronouns, e.g.
3)
yiKnan
'May I have good luck. '
yiKnah
'May you (m) have good luck.•
yiKna s
'May you (f) have good luck.'
yiKnawo
'May you (pol.) have good luck.'
yiKnaw
'May he have good luck.'
yiKnat
'May she have good luck. '
yiKnan
'May we have good luck.'
yiKnaccihu
'May you (pi.) have good luck.'
yiKnaccow
'May they have good luck.'
'to be jealous', 'to envy' when used m
lay/.
The suffix /-(i)bb(i)
combination with /b(o)-..,
(i)bbo-/ may or may not be used
with this construction, e.g.
ato yohannis bomistu lay
yiKonal (ori yiKonabbatal).
'Mr. John is jealous of his
wife'.
kebbede bewondimmu lay Kenna
'Kebbede envies his brother.'
(ori Konnabbot).
The derived form /toKanna-moKKanat-yiKKahnal/ of the same verb (see
Note 3I4..2)
is also used in combination with the suffix /-(i)ll(i)
and verb suffix pronouns m
the sense of 'to go smoothly',
(i)lle-/
'to be straight
ened out', e.g.
siraw teKannallot.
'The work went smoothly for him.'
guddayu yiKKannallmal.
'The business will be straightened
out (for u s ) .
1
The instructor will say the sente: Lee m
column A.
The student will
repeat the sentence and then say the s ntence again using the reduplicated
form of the adjective and the appropr
te form of the verb.
'B'
'A '
seffi bet allow,
sefaffi betocc allut.
t m n i s irsas soTTon.
tininnis irsasoc soTTon.
rojjim lij allat.
rejajjim lijocc alluwat.
aCCir TerePeza gezzehu.
aCaCCir TeroPezawoc gezzahu.
TiKur wissa allew.
TiKwaKur wissocc allut.
noCC anbessa meTTa.
noCaCC anbosoc moTTu.
Keyy mokina yigezal.
Koyayy mekinawoc yigezal.
tilliK sew ayyehu.
tililliK sewocc ayyehu.
K e C C m u n sewiyye iTerawallehu.
KeCaCCmoccun sewoc lToraccewallehu.
wefram bere algezam.
wefafram berewoc algezam.
yehonewhono w o n d i m m i h m hedeh
awo, ballefew wer hejje ayyehut.
ayyehew t
Kedem m a l e t m n a memTat
yasfelligewal t
lzzih Komeh m m tisoralleh.
awo, bohulett soat lzzih moggefinet
allebbet.
awtobusu yimeTal bemalot
iTebbiKallohu.
lhud wede mesriyabet tihedallaccihu t
mmalbat
m h e d yihonal.
sira lemagfiet bizu Tiret a d n g e h
awo, boTam bizu Tirot adrigge
nebber t
nebber.
lijih yebetun dereja mewTat
yellem, gena t m n i s nat.
ticilalloc t
astemari mehon ayabeleSSigim
t
beTam yabeleSSigal.
yetimihirt minister seTTefi.
timihirtbetun lemasfafat genzeb
yet ageflneh.
awo, yemmiyabeleSSig yimeslefSfial.
nigd yemmiyabeleSSig sira
yimeslihal t
ato kebbede addis abeba wisT
newari naccew
awo, izziya yastemirallu.
t
banku bizu K r m C a f o c c allut t
hulett K i r m C a f o c bicca allut.
niguse negestu wedezzih ager mece
karatt wer behwala yimeTallu.
yimeTallu.
niguse negestun kezzih befit
yellem, alayyehuwaccewim.
aytehaccewal t
and sew besiraw keff malet bifellig,
•
mm
timihirtun massasal yasfolligewal.
madreg allebbet.
aratt meto birr new.
yewor demozih s m t new.
nigden kalasfaffahu demoze
demozih liyabeloSSigih yicilal t
liyabeleSSigefl aycilim.
yemekinawm meskot yezeggahew
yellem, ato yohannis new.
ante neh t
betih sint meskotocc allut.
siddist moskotocc allut.
mezgiyawm b e m m
beKulf zeggahut.
zoggahow.
yemekinaw mozgiya soffi now t
beTam seffi aydellem.
yeberrun mezgiya yekeffetow man
yato yohannis set lij nebberec.
nebber.
ante yemekinahm berr zegtehew
nebber
awo, zegiccew nebber.
t
yennanto bank bemeto s m t welled
siddist birr kamsa santim yiseTal.
yiseTal.
wede wiCC ager mehed tirf allew
t
m n a n t e ketoma wisT sint neggadewoc
yiggennallu t
yih beTam asceggari TiyyaKe new.
hamsa yemmihonu neggadewocc allu.
suK mekkerayet yemmifelligu
awo, awKallehu.
neggadewoc tawKalleh t
yezzih suK kiray kezziyannaw yibelTal t
awo, bassir birr yibelTal.
hulett wasoc biseTih hulett meto birr
awo, abeddirihallehu.
tabeddirenflalleh t
wasih sint meto birr likefl new t
and meto birr likefl new.
mekinaw sint aweTTa.
hulett si ammist meto birr aweTTa.
kebank sint birr mdaweTallih
haya birr awTallin.
tifelligalleh.
temariw wedamerika lemehed genzeb
kebank tebeddere.
keman tebeddero.
banku sint gonzeb aboddorow.
yegenzebun KuTir beteleyy
alawKewim.
genzebun sibbedder lebanku ferromo f
awo, ferremo.
lemehonu mettaweKiya wereKet binorih,
bewas fanta issun mesTet yiccalal t
awo, yiccalal.
genzeb kebank lemebbeder sint gize
yifejal.
and sammint yifejal.
yelemman birr lekebbede alseTTehewim 1
yellem, alseTTehutim.
lhotelu wisT lemin metennat atfelligim.
mikniyatum lhotel wisT metefifiat
\
dess silemmaylefi new.
yenebberehm and s a T m birCiKo
leman seThew.
gena alseThutim.
astemariw Temone yifelligal t •
K e C C m mehon tifelligalleh t
awo, yifelligal.
betun beKulfu kefteh saTmuninna
awo, K e C C m mehon if elligallehu.
birCiKowm asgebbahew t
yellem, alasgebbahutim. mikniyatum
Kulf alnebbereftfiim.
l i b s i s m yemmittisefibbet merfe
alles t
ahun yellefinim, wedefit gin ageff
yihonal.
foTa lemegzat wedegebeya man yihedal.
yato tesemma balebet tihedallec.
samuna geztes f o T a w m maTeb
yellem, zare wede gebeya mehed
tifelligiyalles t
lmettaTebiya bet wisT min
alcilim.
K o s a s a w m foTa innaTballen.
tadergallaccihu.
wede gebeya sittihed milaCC
littigezallift ticilalleh t
genzeb yelleflfiim m j i , lgezallih
nebber.
weframu bere yeman new t
yato yohannis yimeslenrial.
miniMinkwan deha bihon degg sew
awo, beTam degg sew new.
aymeslihim t
yeTirunesmna yelemma w e d a j m n e t
awo, yigebannal.
misTiru yigebahal t
lemma kagere geziw gar lemettewaweK
awo, lemettewaweK beTam yifelligal.
yifelligal t
agere geziw m g i d o c c u n megabez
awo, yifelligallu.
yifelligallu t
yagere geziw gibza m d e t nebber.
beTam Tiru nebber.
s e w m makber beTam Tiru neger
awo, beTam Tiru neger new.
aymeslihim t
ato lemman b e s m t seat tasnessawalleh.
baratt seat gedema asnessawallehu.
m e k i n a w m asnessito wedet ager hede.
wedaddis ketema sineda ayyehut.
yenebberehm genzeb hullu yet aTeffahew.
bizu neger gezzahubbet.
b e d m g e t kemenffitaw y m n e s s a l
t
addis abeba wisT beTam bizu tirafik
awo, andande y m n e s s a l .
awo, beTam bizu tirafik alle.
alle t
izzih bemeTTah bemagistu yet hedeh
nebber.
lemman lemayet wedaddis ketema
hejje nebber.
l i j h m kelije gar mnastewawKaccew t
beTam Tiru hassab new.
yih migib hullu zare mata mebbelat
awo, hullum maleK allebbet.
allebbet t
wetetuss meTTeTat allebbet t
wetetu band Ken meCCeres
yellebbetim.
zare kalhedk ingidiya mece tihedalleh.
m m a l b a t nege lhed yihonal.
Cellema yebirihan teKarani m d e h o n e
awo, awKallohu.
tawKalloh t
izzih ager bizu habtam sewocc allu t
awo, bizu habtam sewocc allu.
geziw beTam habtam sew new t
awo, amerika wisT bizu genzeb
allew.
beTam geta bittihon begenzebih min
tadergibbetalleh.
and timihirtbet lserabbetallehu.
belommanna beyohanms fanta wede
kaliforniya manman hedu.
yato kebbede hulettu lijoccu hedu.
K o s a s a w m kebet man aweTTaw.
weyzero Tirunes aweTTacciw.
m m a l b a t keseat behwala a Tib
zare Kosasa l i b s i h m taTballeh t
yihonal.
libse niSuh new t
awo, libsih hullu niSuh now.
ibet yenebberewm niSuh foTa man
lijoc wede wana wessodut.
WOS SedOW.
habtam S9W begenzebu m m
yadergibbetal.
and S9W geta l 9 m 9 h o n bifellig,
madrgg
mm
yefollegewm neger yigezabbetal.
l e t m n a Ken m o s r a t m n a
yasf9llig9wal.
gonzob
masKemmeT yasfelligewal.
yeTirunes abbatinna nnat bal9S9gga
awo, beTam baleSegga naccew.
naccgw t
W 9 d 9 betih lemin b9C9ll9maw hedk.
mehed giddetaye nebber.
ibet wisT bgTam Cgllgma new t
yellem, beTam Cellema aydellem.
betu beKi birhan allow t
awo, allow.
yoCelloma toKarani m m d m
now.
yeCellema toKarani birhan new.
yewasington bankoc bom©to sint
bemeto sost weyim aratt yisoTallu.
wollod yisoTallu.
b©m©to sobat w©ll©d tifelligalleh t
yellem, alfolligim.
astemariyacclhu kifu new, weyis degg.
beTam degg sew naccow.
dirset
libse beTam Kossoso.
to get dirty
meKosses
zafu derroKo.
to dry up
medroK
m i s a c c e w m tomeggobu.
to eat, to be fed
memmegeb
zare Tirri alleh t
invitation
ato yohannis yemekinawm gomma kelewweTut behwala t m n i s
m n a t o kebbede bet derresu.
zegyitew
irsaccew mdederresu koff yale dossita hone,
kezziya bohwala weyzero Tirunes ato kebbede ato y o h a n n i s m keleloccu m g i d o c
gar mdiyastewawwiKaccew noggerecciw.
ato yohannisim ljjaccow beTam Kossiso
silenobber kemettewaweKaccow befit mettaTob fellogu.
ato kobbedem lato
yohannis mottaTebiya betun asayyito, samunanna foTa aKerrebollaccew.
ato yohannis ljjaccewm taTbow bofoTa kaderreKu bohwala wodo mgid'abet
hedew, keleloccu m g i d o c gar towawwoKu.
inna
temeggebu.
kezziya behwala migib Kerrebellaccew
lTirriw bet wisT dess yemmiyassefi gize nebberaccew.
TiyyaKewoc
ato yohannis innato kebbede bet min gize derresu.
lemin tinnis zegyitew derresu.
irsaccew lTirriw bota mdederresu min hone,
weyzero Tirunes lato kebbede m m
neggerecciw.
ato yohannis ljjaccewm l e m m mettaTeb fellegu.
ato kebbede lato yohannis m m
aKerrebellaccew.
ato yohannis ljjaccewm taTbew m m
aderregu.
ijjaccewm befoTa kaderreKu behwala m m
kengidoccu ketewawweKu behwala m m
aderregu.
serru.
lTirriw bet wisT m d e t yalle gize asallefu.
Unit 27
Basic Sentences
yohannis wodengida kifl yigobal,
John enters the living room.
mgidoc
Welcome ('be alive'), Mr. John.'
nor ( o n
y m u r u ) ato yohannis.
yohannis
mekber
to be rich
Oh, please be seated.'
bogziyabher, begziyabher,
yiKKemeTu.
or
yikberu.
( 'Be rich')
kebbed©
Gojjam
gojjam
You've met all these people, haven't
you.
But let me introduce you to
lzzih y a l l u t m sewoc hullu yawKallu.
yehonewhono, ato lemmanna, ato
Mr. Lemma and Mr. Tesemma who have
tesemma kogojjam ahun silomeTTu,
just arrived from Gojjam.
kennessu gar lastewawKiwot.
yohannis
Very well.
issi.
kebbede
Mr. John, this is Mr. Lemma and
this is Mr. Tesemma
ato yohannis, irsaccew ato lemma
( 'he is
yibbalallu,irsaccew degmo, ato
called Mr. Lemma and he is
tesemma yibbalallu.
called Mr. Tesemma').
yohannis
(word expressing approval)
How do you do.
Welcome [to Addis]
('I am glad you entered well').
inkwan
lndemin naccihu, inkwan dehna
gobbaccihu.
lommanna tes©mma
Nice to be here ('we 're glad you
remained well').
inkwan dohna Koyyun.
kebbede
ato yohannis, m i n aynot meTeTT
What shall I offer you to drink,
Mr. John?
lisTiwot.
yohannis
I'd like ('it's my great desire')
Tolla biseTufl beTam foKade now.
to have ('if you give me') a
[glass of] local beer.
kobbodo
Very good ('with pleasure').
bedessita.
Grammatical Notes
Note 2 7 . 1
Suffix /-©/ 'pertaining to' m
In Note 6 . 1
compound words.
the use of the prefix / y ( e ) - / equivalent to English
'of' (or the apostrophe-plus-s possessive suffix) was discussed.
The same
'possessed-possessor' relationship is sometimes expressed by the suffix /-©/
in compound Geez *^ loan words.
Here are some examples taken from the previous units:
/bet© kristiyan/
'church'
( 'house of Christians')
/betossb/
'family'
('house of man')
/bet© moSahift/
'library'
('house of books')
/bet© mengist/
'palace '
('house of the government')
/agere gezi/
'governor'
('ruler of the country')
/balebet/
' spouse'
( 'house owner')
/balosilTan/
'authorities'
('possessor of the power')
/haylesillase/
'Haile Selassie'
('power of Trinity')
/amote mihret/
'A.D. '
( 'the year of Mercy')
/niguse_ negest/
'Emperor'
('king of kings')
/zemene yohannis/
'The year of John'
.)
Geez is now a dead language.
It was spoken m
end of the first part of the Middle Ages.
Ethiopia until the
Its position m
porary Ethiopia may be compared with that of Latin m
world.
Church.
contem
the Western
Geez is still the only liturgical language of the Coptic
Note 2 7 . 2
The use of plural after numerals.
The plural suffix /-(w)oc(c)/ (Note 3-6)
m
Amharic after numerals.
is not necessarily used
Thus some speakers may say /sost moSihaf alien/
'I have three books' or /sost sew meTTa/ 'three people came' instead of more
common /sost meSihafocc allun/ and /sost sewoc meTTu/.
It should also be noted that the word /birr/ 'dollar' is not
pluralized m
Amharic after a numeral, e.g.
sost birr alien.
Note 2 7 . 3
'I have three dollars'.
The use of /and...yommihon(u)/ m
'approximately', 'about', 'around', 'some'.
kebank and asrammist birr
'I withrew some fifteen dollars
awTiccallehu.
from the bank'.
botimihirtbetaccew wisT sost
'There are about three thousand
si yemmihonu temar iwoc yiggenfiallu.
students m
their school'.
The word /and/ 'one ' combined with the form /yemmihon(u)/ is used to
modify nouns.
The resulting construction corresponds m
'approximately',
'about', 'around',
meaning to English
'some', e.g.
and assir meSihafoc yemmihonu
'I have about ten books',
allun.
Either of the words /and/ or /yemmihonu/ may be left out.
Thus the
above sentence may also be said:
/and assir meSihafocc allun/
or
/assir meSihafoc yemmihonu allun/
without changing the meaning.
If the noun modified by the numeral is m
the form /yommihon/ is used m
singular (see Note 2 7 . 3 above)
lieu of /yemmihonu/, e.g.
and assir birr yemmihon alien.
'I have about ten dollars'.
and sost sew yemmihon meTTa.
'About three persons came'.
It should be noted that whenever the speaker wishes to express a small
number of units of a given substance, (such as 'five litres of gasoline',
'three kilograms of sugar', etc.) he may use the feminine form /yemmittihon/
m
'approximately', etc., e.g.
and sost litir yemmittihon
benzin bicca alleccin.
'I have just three litres of
gasoline'.
The construction /and...yemmihon(u)/ may be used interchangeably with
/and. . .yah.il/.
Thus the sentence
m
Amharic:
ort
'I have about three thousand dollars' may also be said
/and sost si birr yahil alien/ or.
/and sost si birr alien/,
/sost si birr yahil allefi/.
ato yohannis meTto yet gebba.
kemeTTa behwala wede
mgidoccu
kifl gebba.
ato yohannis wodo m g i d o c kifl
m g i d o c hullu nor alut.
0
sigeba, m g i d o c m m
alut.
0
ato yohannis degmo begziyabher ale,
ato yohannis m m
ale.
ato kebbede astewawweKaccew.
kegojjam y e m e T T u t m sewoc kato
0
yohannis gar man astewawweKaccew.,
m k w a n dehna gebbaccihu alaccow.
kengidoccu gar ketewawweKe bohwala
0
mm
alaccow.
kegojjam y o m o T T u t m m g i d o c now.
ato yohannis inkwan dohna gebbaccihu
yalew m a n n m new.
0
ato y o h a n n i s m now.
m g i d o c c u inkwan dehna Koyyun yalut
m a n n m new.
ato kebbede ato y o h a n n i s m min
TeyyeKew.
ato yohannisiss m m melleso.
mm
aynet meToTT lamTallih bilo,
TeyyeKew.
ato yohannisim Telia ifelligallehu
bilo, melleso.
ato yohannis wedato kebbede bet
lemin meTTa.
ato kebbeden lemeTeyyoK meTTa.
and ammist birr yemmihon littabeddiren
ticilalleh t
yellem, gena demoz altoKebbelhum.
kowissoccih kifuw yetmfiaw new.
ibet wisT lemanbeb beKi birhan alle t
V V
>
neCCu wissaye new.
awo, meskotu sikkeffet, beKi
birhan yiggonnal.
andande lerat wedehotel tihedalleh t
awo, lhedallohu.
0
yennante TeKlay gozi man naccew.
ato lemma naccew.
m n a n t o sefer gedema bank alle t
yellem.
m m i m m m k w a n wendimmih baynor
l e m m lnnan attiToyyiKenim.
gize silelellefl new.
awo, beTam habtamoc naccew.
yobalebetih welajoc baleSeggawoc
naccew t
sira bemesTet merdat yiccalal.
d i h o c c m b e m m aynet menged merdat
yiccalal.
yellem, alfelligim.
l i b s i h m wede mekina sefibet mewsed
tifelligalleh t
Kosasa l i b s i h m
tifelligalleh
awo, ifelligallehu.
mdiyaTibillih
t
lemma libsun zare maTeb yifelligal t
awo, yifelligal.
ato kebbedenna ato yohannis yot
bamerika wisT yittewawweKu nebber.
yittowawweKu nobbor.
kegibzaw behwala ato yohannis yet
temolliso wede betu hede.
hedo.
dirsot
m g i d a w i n , sira allammidewallehu.
to make familiar, to make s.o.
allammede-mallamed-yallammidal
acquainted with something.
lwoyzero Tirunes bet tegabbozku.
to be invited
immediately, at once
togabbeze-meggabez-yiggabbezal
sirawin wodiyaw Cerrosew.
ato yohannis yewiCC ager sew bemehonu, ato kebbede ager liyallammidew
fellege.
and Ken wede betu meTto mdiggabbez ato y o h a n n i s m ToyyoKew.
ato
yohannisim bato kebbed© hassab siletesmamma, g i b z a w m bedossita teKebbele.
ato yohannis wodato kebbedo bet mdederrese m g i d o c c u hullu bedessita
teKebbelut. wodiyaw kato lemmanna kato tesemma gar ketewawweKe behwala wede
tezegajjellet bota hedo toKemmoTe.
kezziyam behwala ato kobbodo yommifelligowm meTeTT aKribollet,
meTeTTaccewm iyy©T©TTu Cewataccswm jemmeru.
TiyyaKewoc
ato kobbodo m m
follogo.
ato kobbodo ato y o h a n n i s m lomogaboz lomin follogo.
ato kobbodo ato y o h a n n i s m yot gabbezew.
ato yohannis b e m m tesmamma.
ato yohannis legibzaw wodet hede.
ato y o h a n n i s m m g i d o c c u m d e t teKebbelut.
ato yohannis koman gar tegenanne.
ato kebbede lato yohannis m m
aKerrebollet.
ityoPiyawi wedaj alleh t
beityoPiyawi beteseb wisT lemeggabez tifelligalloh t
Unit 28
Basic Sentences
tesemma
ato yohannis, irsiwo amerikawi
Mr. Kebbede told me you were
American, Mr. John.
m d e h o n u ato kebbode neggerun.
I'd
like (therefore) to ask you
silezzih t m n i s
silageriwo
some questions about your
liTeyyiK lweddallehu.
country.
yohannis
f eKadehria
willing
I'll be delighted ('willing') to
lemaweK yemmifelligutm hullu
tell ('explain to') you anything
ligolSilliwo feKadenna nen.
you want to know.
tesemma
young man, youth, young
weTTat
tall, long (referring to
rejajjim
many persons or things)
Are all American men as tall as
yamerikan weTTatoc hullu mdersiwo
rejajjimoc naccow t
you are?
yohannis
No, not all, but most of them
yellem t hullum aydellum. n e g e r g m
are tall.
abzaflnawoccu rejajjimoc naccew.
tesemma
How's the climate over there
yageru ayyer m d e t new.
('of the country')?
yohannis
In some places the climate is
bad, but generally, ('m
bandand botawocc ayyeru meTfo now.
most
babzafinawoccu gin, beTam Tiru.
places') it's very good.
new.
tesemma
How many people ('students') go
('are found') to school in America?
bamerikan timihirtbe toe wisT s m t
temariwoc yiggonnallu.
yohannis
to believe
mam on
I really don't know how many.
b o w m o t u sint m d o h o n u alawKim.
However, I believe the students
d a r u g m bobizu miliyon
can be counted by several
yemmlKKoTTeru tomariwocc
millions.
m d a l l u amnallohu.
tesemma
simagille
old, old man
If I weren't an old man, I would
simagille balhon noro, wedamerika
like to go to America to study.
mehedinna memmar beweddedhu
nebber.
yohannis
If you have children ('boys
wend weyim set lijocc m d a l l u w o
or girls') you can send
wedamerika melak yicilallu.
them to America.
tesemma
useful, beneficial
TeKami
I don't have any children, but
lijocc yollunnim, n e g e r g m
I realize the usefulness of
timihirt memmar beTam TeKami
education ('I understand that
mehonun astewilowallehu.
studying is very useful').
agriculture, farming, farm
irsa
engineer
mehandis
engineering
mohandismnet
In particular people who study
betoleyy sile irsanna sile medhanit,
(about) agriculture, medicine
degmo sile mohandismnet
or engineering benefit very
yemmiyaTenu sewoc beTam
much [by their studies].
yiTTeKKomallu.
Tirunes
Dinner ('things to be eaten') is
ready.
yemmibbella neger tozegajtowalmna,
Let's go to the dining
wede migibbetu m n i h i d .
room.
tesemma
to feel hungry
rabe-merab-yiribal
I'm hungry
r lbofinal
as a matter of fact
ka lus
A very good idea.
As a matter of
boTam Tiru assab now.
fact I 'm hungry.
kalus
t m n i s ribonnal.
yohannis
to be thirsty
Tomma-moTmat-yiTomal
I'm thirsty
Temtoflnal
And I'm both hungry and thirsty.
m e m ribonnal Temtonnallim.
Grammatical Notes
Note 28.1
Hypothetical Conditional:
The affix / b ( o ) - / with Perfective
Verb Forms.
simagille balhon noro, wodamerika
'If I weren't an old man, I
m e h e d m n a mommar beweddedhu
would like to go to America
nebbor.
to study.
In note lij-• 3 the use of simple and indefinite conditional was discussed.
The sentence above illustrates the use of unreal or hypothetical conditional.
The Hypothetical Conditional is formed as followst
M a m clausei
Affix / b ( e ) - / prefixed to Perfective verb forms, plus
the verb form /nebber/.
'If clause:
Affix / b d ) - / prefixed to short imperfective forms,
pins the verb form /noro/.
Examples:
gonzeb binoron norc, wede sinimabet
behedhu nebber.
t m a n t m n a bayih noro, debdabbewm
besoTTohuh nebber.
'If I had money I would have
gone to the movies.'
'If I had seen you yesterday
I would have given you the
letter.
genzeb bagen noro, mekina
begezzahu nebber.
t m a n t m n a mata z m a b bayzenb
noro, sirrisir b e h e d m nebber.
bittiTeyyiKen noro, beneggerhuh
nobbor.
'If I had money I would have
bought a car.
'If it hadn't r a m e d yesterday
we would have gone for a walk.
'If you had asked me, I would
have told you. '
Note 28.2
Verbi Affix /ind(e)-/ used with verb forms /alio-/ and /hon©/.
wond weyim set lijocc m d a l l u w o ,
wedamerika melak yicilallu.
In Note 10.2.1
'If you have children you can
send them to America. '
various / m d ( e ) - / constructions were discussed.
The
sentence above illustrates the use of this affix with the verb form /all©-/
plus object suffix pronouns.
The resulting forms correspond usually to the 'if sentences m
English.
The basic difference between the forms /binoron/, /binorih/, /binorew/, etc.
'If I have', 'if you have', 'if he has', etc. and / m d a l l e n / , / m d a l l e h / ,
/ m d a l l e w / , etc.
'If I have', 'if you have', 'if he has', etc. consists
m
the fact that while the / b ( i ) - / forms refer more to the future situation the
/ m d ( e ) - / forms refer rather to a condition existing at the moment of speak
ing.
Examples:
gize binorih, wede sinimabet
mnihid.
gize m d a l l e h , wedo sinimabet
mnihid.
gonzob binorew, wedamerika
yihedal.
genzob m d a l l e w wedamerika
yihedal.
sira binoron wede sinima
ahhedim.
sira m d a l l e n , wede sinima
anhedim.
meShafoc binoraccew, wede
meShafocc mdallaccaw wede
'If you have time let's go to
the movies.'
'If you have time ('right now')
let's go to the movies. '
'If he has money he '11 go to
America.'
'If he has money ( 'right now')
he'll go to America'.
'If we are busy we won't go to
the movies.'
'If we're busy ('right now')
we won't go to the movies. '
'If they have books they'll go
to school.'
'If they have books (right now)
they'll go to school. '
The affix / m d ( © ) - / may be prefixed to the perfective of the verb
/mohon/.
The resulting forms (i.e. / m d e h o n h u / , / m d o h o n h / , / m d e h o n e / ,
etc., may be said to correspond more frequently to an English meaning, such
as 'if it is the case that I am, you are, he is, it i s / etc.
('right n o w ' ) ,
while the / b ( i ) - / forms may be said to correspond more frequently to 'if I
am, if you are, if he is, if it is, ' etc. ( m the future).
UNIT
BASIC COURSE
28
Examples:
'If the weather is good tomorrow,
nogo ayyeru Tiru bihon, wede
I '11 go to the mountains. '
teraraw lhedallehu.
'If the weather is good ('right
ayyeru Tiru m d e h o n , wed© teraraw
now') I'll go to the moun-
lhedallehu.
tains. '
'If he is ('proves to be ') a
Tiru temari bihon wedamerika
good student I'11 send him
llikewallehu.
to America. '
Tiru temari m d e h o n ©
'If this is the case that he is
wedamerika
a good student, I'11 send
llikewallehu.
him to America. '
'If he's going to be a student
temari bihon, sira yagennal.
he can get a job.'
'If it is the case that he is
temari m d e h o n sira yagennal.
a student he can get a job.'
Konjo bittihon bal tagennallec.
'If she turns out to be a pretty
girl she '11 find a husband. '
Konjo mdehonec bal tagennallec.
'If she's a pretty girl she'll
find a husband.'
'If he proves to be educated
awaKi bihonu wedawroPa yihedallu.
he'll go to Europe.
awaKi m d e h o n u wedawroPa yihedallu.
'If he is ('right now') an
educated person he'11 go
to Europe.
As stated m
to the English
Note 10.2
the / m d ( e ) - / constructions may also correspond
'as soon as' clauses.
may, therefore, be ambiguous.
The meaning of these constructions
Thus, for example, the sentence /genzob
m d a l l e w wedamerika yihedal/ may mean both
'if he has money he'll go to
America' and 'he'll go to America, as soon as he has money'.
Note 28.3
Verb:
Impersonal Verbs
reft silalnobberat raswan
yammatal.
'She suffers from headaches
because she didn't have
any rest. '
kalus t m n i s ribonnal.
'As a matter of fact I'm
hungry.'
'And I 'm both hungry and thirsty.'
m e m n b o n n a l Tomtonnalim.
Impersonal constructions were discussed m
Note 20.2.
The above examples
illustrate the use of the Impersonal Verbs, i.e. verbs that can be used only
m
impersonal constructions which consist of a third person singular masculine
verb form plus a suffix (object) pronoun.
Examples:
rabon or. ribonfial.
'I'm hungry'
yiribenfial.
'I'll be hungry'
ammomaccihu
_or:
ammowaccihuwal.
'you (pi.) are sick'
ammowaccihu nobbor.
'you (pi.) were sick'
yamma c clhuwa1.
'you (pi.) will be sick'
These examples show that both the Perfective and the Present Perfect
forms refer to the situation existing at the time of speaking ('I'm
'you're sick').
hungry',
It should also be noted that the Amharic Impersonal verbs
are transitive and may, therefore, have a direct object, as m
/rasen ammofinal/
4
'I have a headache' ('it hurts my head'), /injera ribonnal/ 'I am hungry
( 'for bread'), /wiha Tomtonal/ 'we are thirsty ('for water') '.
Transform Drills
Drill 1
Transform sentences m
m
column 'A' (Simple Conditional) into sentences
Column 'B' (Hypothetical Conditional).
Model
kobbodo bihed, lhedallehu.
kebbede bihed noro, bohedhu
nebber.
'A'
wendimme bamerika wisT binor,
wedezziya lhedallehu.
misa meblat bifollig, ibelallehu.
'B'
wendimme bamerika wisT binor
noro, wedezziya behedku nebber,
misa meblat bifellig noro,
bebellahu nebber.
kebbede kamerika bimeTa, hejje
lT e yyiKewa11ehu.
kebbede kamerika bimeTa noro,
hejje boTeyyeKhut nebber.
sira bittagen, lela sira
atfelligim.
bunna meTeTTat bifelligu, wede
bunnabet yihedallu.
wedewasington bithed w a y t h a w s m
tayallec.
lemma lzzih bimeTa and kifl
lkkerayyilletallehu.
TiyyaKe biTeyyiKen, melsun
lseTewallehu.
amerika wisT gwaddenfloc binorun,
m n e s s u n lemayet lhedallehu.
sira bittagen noro, lela sira
balfellegec nebber.
bunna meTeTTat bifelligu noro,
wede bunnabet behedu nebber.
wedewasington bithed noro,
w a y t h a w s m bayyec nebber.
lemma lzzih bimeTa noro, and
kifl betekerayyehullet nebber.
TiyyaKe biTeyyiKefi noro, melsun
besoTTehut nebber.
amerika wisT gwaddenfloc binorun
noro, m n o s s u n lemayet
behedhu nebber.
lonnate genzob melak bifellig,
kebank lbbeddorallehu.
addis libs masseffat bitfellig,
wedaddis ketema tihedallec.
lennate genzob melak bifellig
noro, kebank betebedderhu nebber.
addis libs masseffat bitfellig
noro, wedaddis ketema behedec
nebber.
sirawan bammist seat bitCerris
wodebetwa begize tihedallec.
sirawan bammist seat bitCerris
noro, wedebetwa begize
behedec nebber.
meShaf lemomelles wedo meShafbet
bihedu, abirrewo lhedallehu.
meSihaf lememellos wed©
meSihafbet bihedu noro,
abirrewo behedhu nebber.
lzzih ager binoru, timihirt
yimmarallu.
Timun mellaCet bifellig, milaCC
yigezal.
sirawin siseru bimmelekket,
lzzih ager binoru noro,
timihirt betemaru nebber.
Timun mellaCet bifellig noro,
milaCC begezza nebber.
s i r a w m siseru bimmelekket noro,
issum mesrat yicilal.
issum mesrat becale nebber.
wodezzih ager bittimmellos
wedezzih ager bittimmelles noro,
abren mhedallen.
genzobu bimmenezzer leTirunes
assir birr lseTatallehu.
abren bohedn nobbor.
genzobu bimmenezzer noro,
leTirunes assir birr
beseTTehuwat nebber.
lzzih memTat bimmen, iTerawallehu.
lzzih memTat bimmen noro,
boTerrahut nebber.
gommaw bifenedda, boseatu
medres aycilim.
SIIQ
guzowaccew mennegager
gommaw bifenedda noro, beseatu
modres balcalem nobbor.
sile guzowaccew mennegager
bifelligu, wedabbataccow
bifelligu noro, wodabbataccew
bet yihedallu.
bet behedu nebber.
silageru binnagger, msemawallen.
silageru binnagger noro,
besemmanew nebber.
konfia gar wedageru lemehed
bifellig, izzih yimeTal.
kenna gar wedageru lemehed
bifellig noro, izzih bemeTTa
nebber.
me
bimeTa, issum yimeTal.
m e bimoTa noro, issum bomeTTa
nebber.
liyayis biwedd, zare yimeTal,
liyayis biwedd noro, zare bomeTTa
nebber.
Drill 2
Substitute / m d ( e ) - / forms (Co
T
'B') for / b d ) - / forms (Column A')
'A '
'B
r
sira binorew yimeTal.
sira m d a l l e w , yimeTal.
wendim binorih Tiraw.
wendim m d a l l e h , Tiraw.
genzeb binoraccew, yiseTuhal.
genzeb mdallaccew, yiseTuhal.
Kenu Tiru bihon, yimeTal.
Kenu Tiru m d e h o n e , yimeTal.
gize bincron, lhedallehu.
gize m d a l l e n , lhedallehu.
wendimmu amerika bihon,
wendimmu amerika m d e h o n ,
ayewallehu.
ayowallehu.
mokina binoris, siCat.
mekina m d a l l e s , siCat.
mekinah Tiru bihon
mekinah Tiru m d e h o n
ifelligewallehu.
ketemaw Kirb bihon, a l m a z m
inniyat.
ifelligewallehu.
ketemaw Kirb m d e h o n , a l m a z m
mmyat.
wedeketema lemoned feKadenna neh t
rasen ammonnal m j i lemehediss
feKadenna nebberhu.
rejajjim wendimmoc alluwaccihu t
hullum rejajjimocc aydellum.
riboh m d e h o n hedon m i s a c c m m
merab ribonnal gin ahun sira
allebbin.
mnibla t
mohandis mehon tiweddalleh t
awon, beTam lweddallehu.
wiha biTemman m m
wede hotelbet mhedallen.
mnadergallen.
yersa timihirt beTam TeKami
awon, beTam TeKami new.
yimeslaccihuwal t
kebbede l e m m begize hede.
silerabew, ratun libela hede.
rasaccihun ammowacclhuwa1 t
yellem, alammemenim.
l g n h i n biyammih m m
addis mekina igozallehu.
tadergalleh.
simagille abbat alius t
awon, abbate simagille naccew.
bageru wisT bizu weTTatocc allu t
yellem, weTTatoc bebizu ayiggenflum.
tesemma m m
Temtonfial alen.
aleh.
rejajjim lijoc l e m m wedezzih meTTu.
sinima lemayet meTTu.
weTTat mehon tiweddalleh t
mdoleloccu hullu weTTat mehon
lweddallehu.
genzob magnet l e m m
tifelligalleh.
and lersa yemmihon meret lemegzat
assibbeyallehu.
yesemmahewm neger littamnew calh t
lemamen asceggeren.
ityoPiyan lemayet feKadenna neh t
awon, beTam feKadenna nen.
irsaccewm biyasfaffu Tiru yimeslihal t
awon, beTam Tiru. new.
lijis m m
mehandismnet yimmaral.
yimmaral.
beityoPiya wisT bizu mehandisocc allu t
TiKitoc beyyebotaw yiggennallu.
yohannis l e m m tefina.
tarnimmeyallehu bilo tefina.
bizu birCiKo Telia lemin ToTTa.
wiha sileTemmaw new.
The Verb /ale, malet, yilal/ 'to say' has an irregular gerund, i.e.:
biyye
'I, saying / having said'
bileh
'you (m), saying / having said'
biles
'you (f), saying / having said'
bilo
'he, saying / having said'
bila
'she, saying / having said'
bilen
•we, saying / having said'
bilaccihu
'you (pi), saying / having said'
bilew
'they (he, she, you - p o l ) , saying / h a v m
said'
In direct quotations, the gerund of the verb /alo/ comes after the words
which are spoken and is followed by the main verb,, e.g.:
almoTam bilo neggeren.
'He told me ('saying')« 'I'm not coming',
lhedallehu bila neggereccm.
'She told us ('saying').
'I'm going'.
Following is an example of gerund used with verb suffix pronouns:
folliggeh
'(i) having wanted you ( m ) '
felligges
you (f)
folliggewot
you (pol.)
felliggew
him/it
felliggeyat
her
felliggeyaccihu
you (pi)
folliggeyaccow
them
felligehon
'(you) having wanted m e '
felligehow
»
'
'
him/it
felligehat
'
'
'
her
felligehen
'
'
felligehaccew
'
'
foillgesin
'
felligesat
1
felligosaccew
'
them
»(you~f.) having wanted m e '
felligosiw
f elligosm
' u s
'
f
1
'
him/it
'
'
her
'
'
us
'
'
them
to dance
medonnes lwoddallohu.
hassabun kosow gar mekkefafol
yiweddal.
to share
tekefaffole-mekkefafelyikkefaffelal
thanks
meSihafun bitseTefi noro, misgana
baKorrebhullih nebber.
wendimme wedamerika sihed,
a b b a t a c c m m lemessenabet hede.
to bid goddby
tesenabbete-messenabetyissenabbetal
gibza beityoPiya wisT yetelemmede neger new.
be 'al bemmihonibbot gize
hullu, gibza beyyebetu weym boyyeseferu yidderregal. yegibzawim aynet bandand
neger yeteleyayye bihonim"/"f)oTeKlallaw yetemesassole new.
abzaflfiawin gize beityoPiya wisT gibza tilliK zigijjitm yiToyyiKal.
mikniyatum gabazoccu m g i d o c c a c c o w m lemasdosset bizu aynet m i g b m n a meTeTT
silemmiyazegajju new.
yegibzaw Tirri letogabazoccu Kedem bilo yillakillaccewal.
Tirriw
yederresaccow sewoccim likk beTirriw moseret beteTeyyeKubbet botanna seat
meggennet yiggebbaccowal.
gibzaw kernejjemeru befit, m g i d o c c u memTat sijemmiru, balebetoccu weTtew
m g i d o c c a c c o w m yiKKebbelallu.
yetelommedewm selamta ketoseTaTTu bohwala, wede marefiyabet
mdihedu
yiTTeyyeKallu. betewessenew seat gibzaw sijjemmer, m g i d o c c u b a n d m n e t
m i g b m n a meTeTTun meggaboz yijemmirallu.
bizu gize legibzaw yetezegajjew m i g b m n a meTeTT liyyu liyyu aynet
kemehonu yetenessa, yegibzaw gize rejjim now.
migib mdetefeSSem© TiKit nigiggir ketaderrege behwala, Giffera woiym
dans yijjommeral.
bezzih seat m e k w a n m t m n a woyzazirt keyyesifraccow
lyyetenessu yidennisallu.
andand gizem tegabazoccu bomonnegagermna hassab
bomekkofafel bicca saydennisu yimmellesallu.
dansu kotefeSSeme behwala,
m g i d o c c u misganaccewm lyyaKerrebunna, balebetoccun lyyetesonabbetu,
wodayyebetaccew yihedallu.
TiyyaKewoc
gibza beityoPiya wisT m m
yiTeyyiKal.
beityoPiya wisT silemmidderregew gibza tenager.
araerikawiyan m g i d o c c a c c e w m m d e t yiKKebbelallu.
tegabazoccu gibzaw kernejjemeru befit yet yarfallu.
gibzaw ketejemmeress behwala m m
yadergallu.
togabazoc beseatu lgibzaw bota yimeTallu t
dans kernejjemeru befit yemmidderregewm asredda.
bedansu wisT m g i d o c c u m m
mdemmiyadorgu boTeKlallaw gileS.
dans medonnes yawKallu t
kezzih befit ityoPiyawi bet tegabzew nebber t
Unit 2 9
Basic Sentences
lemma
weyzero Tirunes, kageris moce
When did you arrive ('come from
meTTas.
your home ') Mr s. Trune sh?
Tirunos
and sammint yahil ho no final, antess t
It's been about a week, and you?
lomma
wela j
parent
I've been here for a long time. By
me
re j jim gize hononfial. lemehonu
yenen welajoc tawKiyaccewalles t
the way, do you know my parents?
Tirunes
certainly, of course
mdeta
to be close to each other
teKerarrebe-moKKerarebyiKKerarrebal
Of course I know them ('why
I know them?)
don't
m d e t a , l e m m alawKaccewim.
As a matter of
mdiyawim yantenna yone welajoc
fact, have you forgotten that
beTam yeteKerarrobu wedajoc
our parents are very close
mehonaccowm ressah t
friends?
lemma
to forget
0 yes, I forgot it.
zenegga-mezengat-yizeneggal
By the way
zengiccew new.
lemohonu ketomaw
lyyetosasale hedowal t
is the city improving?
Tirunes
old
aroge
to be demolished
mefres
Yes indeed.
All the old buildings
awo, beTam m j i .
yemmittawKaccew
that you know have been demolished
aroge betoc hullu fersew, adaddis
and replaced by the brand new ones.
betoc tesertewal.
lomma
botimihirtbetaccm aTageb
Has the slum area near our school
yonobborow Kosasa sofor
been demolished?
forsowal t
Tirunos
to play
toCawwoto-moCCawet-yiCCawwotal
field
me da
playground
moCCawoca meda
Yes it has, and [the place] is now
awo, issu ferso lotomariwoc
a playground for the students.
moCCawoca meda honowal.
lomma
Have the streets of the city become
yokotomaw mongodocc ahun niSuh
honowal t
cleanter] now?
Tirunos
awo, Colloma yanobborut mongodoc
Yes, the streets that used to be
boletrik birhan agiTowal.
dark are lit ('decorated') with
electric lights.
Grammatical Notes
Note 29.1
Verb Classification:
Three-Radical Verbs m / - a - /
ato yohannis kisun yidabbisal t
Is Mr. John searching his pockets?
ato kobbodo ato y o h a n n i s m
Mr. Kebbede has invited Mr. John
lerat ibetu gabbezew.
to his house for dinner.
The above examples illustrate the use of three-radical verbs m
which
the first radical is followed by the vowel /a/.
The distribution of vowels and consonants m
by the Chart VII.
these verbs is illustrated
The examples selected for this chart are.
Underived:
/megaboz/
'to invite '
Passive:
/meggaboz/
'to be invited'
Causative m
/as-/: /masgaboz/
'to ask to m v i t e '
Chart VII
Underived
Passive
Causative
Infinitive
magaboz
moggaboz
masgaboz
Perfective
gabboze
togabbezo
asgabboz©
Imperfective
yigabbizal
yiggabbozal
yasgabbizal
Jussive
yigabz
yiggaboz
yasgabz
Imperative
gabz
togaboz
asgabz
G-erund
gabzo
togabzo
asgabzo
Noun of Agent
gabaz
t©gabaz
asgabaz
Noun of Instrument
megabeza
meggabeza
masgaboza
Note 2 9 . 2
The use of /mikniyatu/ 'the reason
1
in combination with /silo-/
and / s i l o m m d ) - / forms followed by /now/.
rtikniyatum gabazoccu m g i d o c c a c c o w m
'and this is because the hosts
lomasdassot bizu aynot m i g b m n a
prepare all sorts of meals
moTeTT sllemmiyazz©gajju n©w.
and drinks in order to please
their guests'.
The word /mikniyat/
'reason' with or without the definite suffix /-u/
may be used optionally in combination with /silo-/ and / s i l a m m d ) - / forms.
The resulting constructions plus the verb form /now/ correspond approximately
in meaning to English
'this is because...' constructions, e.g.
mikniyatum gonzob silagonnohu
n©w.
mikniyatu wondimmu lzzih silamoTTa
now.
•and this is because I got
some money
1
'this is because his brother
came here'
The form consisting of the affix / b ( o ) - / prefixed to an infinitive form
with a noun suffix pronoun may be used almost interchangeably with the
/sil(o)-/ constructions.
Thus, for example, the above sentences may be:
mikniyatum gonzob bomagnote now.
'and this is because I got
some money'
mikniyatu wondimmu lzzih bomamTatu
now.
'This is because his brother
came here
1
Note 2 9 . 3
/k(e)-...yetenessa/ 'so... that...' (to such a degree or extent),
'due to the fact that'...
lelitu muKet kornohonu yotonossa
'The night was _so hot that I
couldn't sleep.'
metonnat alcalhum.
The preposition / k ( o ) - / is used m
combination with the word /yotonossa/.
The resulting construction corresponds m
'so... that'
clauses.
Examples:
komodkomu yotonossa lisora
alcalom.
'He was so tired that he couldn't
work'.
kodikamu * ^ yotonossa
'He was so tired that he was
liyannogaggiron alcalom.
habtam kornohonu yotonossa
tilliK mokina gozza.
unable to talk with me'.
'He was so rich that he could
buy a big car.
izzih m d e t e n n u man noggoroh.
wendimme neggeren.
lokobbod© and s a T m
yellem, alawKim.
mKulal
mdosoTTohut tawKalloh t
Tomone yot m d a l l o tawKalloh t
awo, awKallohu.
a b b a t m n a nnatwa konegar mdomminoru
awo, neggerhuwat,
noggorhat t
f o T a w m moce mdiyaTbew tif©lligalloh.
ahun mdiyaTbew ifelligallehu,
libsu beTam niSuh m d i h o n tifelligalleh t
awo, beTam niSuh yihun,
izzih bet wisT deha sow m d a l l e maweK
ato kebbede new,
yemmifellig man new.
saynegrih b e d m g e t
mdimeTa
yellem, alfelligim.
tifelligalleh t
m e k i n a h m m d i n e d a w tifeKdilletalleh t
awo, ifeKdilletallehu.
ljjun befoTaw mdiyadorK neggerhew t
awo, neggerhut.
abbatwa seffi irsa m d a l l e w keyet
wendimwa neggeren.
semmaccihu.
.)
/dikam/
'tiredness, fatigue'
wefram mdemmihon tawK nobbor
t
awo, awK nebber.
mdemmimeTa nogrohal t
awo, negron nebber.
wodagoru simmelles lzzih mdommiyarf
awo, neggeren.
noggoroh.
Kulfun indiyamoTaw noggorhow t
yollom, alnoggerhutim.
migbu yot mdibbolla
lzzih mdibbella
tif©lligalloh.
abbatinna nnatin mdemmimeTu
ifelligallehu.
awo, mogrihallehu.
t m e gr e M a i l eh t
p
s m i w i n ToroPeza lay mdiyasKemmiTew
awo, noggerhut.
neggerhow t
p
fitun besamuna mdittaTTob lingorowt
awo, nigerew.
b o d m g o t mdemeTTa tawKalloh t
awo, mdemeTTa awKallehu.
p
birhan bihon wodo betih tihedalleh t
awo, lhed yihonal.
simagillew ibet mdogobba bunna
awo, seTTehut.
soTTehew t
sowiyyew mdogobba medennes jommero t
yellem, aljemmerem.
T i r u n e s m lzzih m d a l l o c TeyyeKaccihuwat t
awo, TeyyeKnat.
a l m a z m addis aboba wisT mdayyaccihuwat
awo, noggernew.
p
labbatwa neggeraccihut t
p
temariwoc m d e m e T T u timeTalleh t
awo, lmeTallehu.
genzob mdagennaccihu, yet mehed
wede kanada mehed
tifelligallaccihu.
kaddis abeba moce temellesk.
m f elligallen.
lemman mdayyehut temellesku.
p
sewoccun moce ayyaccihuwaccow.
marefiya bet wisT m d e g e b b u
ayyenaccew.
siraccihun mdofeSSomaccihu bunna
awo, mTeTTallen.
tiTeTTallaccihu t
temariwoc bunna m d e K o m u ToTTu t
awo, m d e K o m u ToTTu.
lijoc kabbataccow
wedennataccow hedu.
mdetesenabbotu
yot hedu.
p
arogew mokina garaz wisT m d a l l e ,
addis mekina gezzu t
awo, gezzu.
genzeb yalagennehibbet mikniyat
l o m m d m new.
silalserrahu now.
yolemman welajoc yommittiTeyyiKibbot
mikniyat l e m m d m new.
ToyyiKillin silalen new.
wendimmih wedamerika yehedebbet
mikniyatu timihirt silefellege
new.
mikniyatu l e m m d m new.
t m a n t mata giyon hotel l e m m hedaccihu.
medonnes silefellegm new.
astemariw t m a n t l e m m almoTTam.
mikniyatu silezeneggaw new.
izzih bet yemeTTaccihubbet mikniyat
mikniyatu anten lemayet
silefellegm new.
l e m m d m new.
l e m m ibet algebbahim.
Cellema silehone new.
lemmanna balebetu l e m m abrew almeTTum.
mikniyatu sileteleyayyu new.
m e k i n a h m lemin Koyy Kelem Kebbahat.
Keyy Kelom silasdesseten new.
astemariwm l e m m tif elligallaccihu.
mikniyatu messenabet
-
silefellegm new.
amerikawlyan amarinna l e m m yimmarallu.
mikniyatu beTam TeKami
silehone new.
ahun wede hotel mohed
misa lemeblat silefellegm
lemm
new.
tifelligallaccihu.
ahun wedebetaccihu mehed yefellegaccihu
bizu temariwoc l e m m
mikniyatu
siraccmm
silefeSSamm new.
l e m m d m new.
silersanna
beTam TeKami silehone new.
silomehandismnet yimmarallu.
m n e z z i h sowoc l e m m izzih meTTu.
siletegabbezu yimeslefifial.
dirsot
health
ato lemma sileliju T e n m n e t
TeyyoKat.
heavy
s a T m u kobbad new.
load
sekimun wodebetu wessedo.
responsibility
tilliK halafinnot yallobbet sira
alien.
ato kebbede agerun yagoleggilal.
to serve
ageleggele-magelgel
wede sinima lemehed kebbedenna
Tirunes teKeTaTTeru.
to make a date or appointment
(with each other)
meKKoTaTer-yiKKeTaTToral
ato lemmanna weyzero Tirunes botoloyayyu behulett amotaccew w a s m g t o n
wisT siletegenannu beTam dess alaccew.
ato lemmam welajoccun beTam
silemmiweddaccewmna, sileTenmnetaccew maweK silefellege, w o d i y a w m u
silennossu TeyyeKat.
isswam kemennesatwa befit
debdabbem mdameTTaccillet neggerecciw.
silolela negar moTeyyoK jommere.
nuro mossasal nobbor.
mdeTeyyeKeccaccowmna
ato lommam beTam dess a l e w m n a ,
keTiyyaKewoccu andu silagerunna hizbu
weyzero Tirunesim beTam mdetesasale sitnegrew beTam
koff yale dessita tesemmaw.
ato lemma a n d m ager lemassasal kebbad sekim
mohonun sileramiyawK halafinnetun yewossedutm sewoc beTam amesoggenaccew.
weyzero Tirunesim bemisganaw tesmammac.
kezziya behwala hulettum wedageraccew temellisew, h i z b a c c e w m magelgel
giddetaccew mehonun tenegaggerunna lemata giyon hotel diros teKeTaTrew
teleyayyu.
TiyyaKewoc
ato lemmanna weyzero Tirunos keyet ager naccew.
ato lemma wedamerika mece meTTa.
weyzero Tirunesis mece meTTac.
weyzero Tirunes yet arrefec.
hulettu sewoc silemin teCewawwetu.
ato lemma bornejemmeriya s i l o m m TeyyeKat.
Tirunes lato lemma m m
ameTaccillot.
hulettonna gize min TeyyeKat.
isswass m m
mols seTTecciw.
silagerunna hizbu mossasal m m
wedageraccew temellisew m m
neggerecciw.
mesrat yifelligallu.
ato lemmanna Tirunes lemeggenannet KeTero yet aderregu.
ato lemma weyzero T i r u n e s m keTeyyoKat TiyyaKewoc andu min nebber.
leTiyyaKew m m
mels seTTecciw.
Unit 30
.sic Sentences
John
ibakkih wondim, yezzih bota sim
Excuse me, what is the name of
this place
man yibbalal.
('brother')?
kobbodo
(name of a river, name
awas
of a town)
It's called
awas vibbalal.
'Awash'.
John
bokotomaw wisT bizu sewocc
Are there many people living
here ( ' m
ymorubbotal |
this town')?
kobbodo
berkett malet
to be numerous
awo t
Yes, the population ('the number
yesewu KuTir berkett yale new.
of people') is quite large.
John
masneffat
to have someone inflate
something
metenfes
to breathe, to leak (air)
('Please') we've had a flat tire.
ibakkih yemekinaccm gomma tenfiso
Where can it be fixed ('as the
nebber m n a , yet masnef fat
tire of our car blew up, where
mcilallen.
can we have someone inflate it')?
kebbede
to be far
Not far ('a little far') from here
there is a large garage.
raKK malet
kezzih tinnis raKK bilo and tilliK
garaz alle.
to inflate
menfat
yard
gwaro
behind the house
kebetu gwaro
dogmo and yomoklna gomma
There is also one next door ('behind
this house ) where they pump up
yomminofanna tininnis nogoroccin
tires and make minor repairs.
yommiyaddis kozzih bet gwaro all©,
1
Mary
mojommoriya yomminnarflbbet bota
John, don't you think it would be
good to get a place to stay
magnet dohna aymoslihim, jon f
( 'rest') first?
John
Yes, you're right.
Mr. Kebbede,
awo,
I W m o t s i n now.
ato kobbodo,
is there a hotel where Cwe
dohna m i g b m n a , menfiitabet
could get! good food and
yallow hotel yet yiggennal.
lodging ('sleep')?
kobbodo
Would you like one downtown or
ikotomaw mekakkel, woyiss lzzih
in this vicinity?
sofer yifelligallu.
John
('If possible') one m
this vicinity
biccal lzzih sofor bihon, aykefam,
would be all right ('not bad').
Grammatical Notes
Note 3 0 . 1
Compound verbs with /malet/
anten bemayete dess alen.
nd /madreg/
'I'm pleased to see you ( 'because
of my seeing you'.)
yeityoPiya nigusenegest mengist
bank kehullu keff yale new.
'The Imperial Bank of Ethiopia is
the most important bank
[m
Ethiopia]. '
Kedemm bilo meTTa.
'He came early. '
KuCC belu.
'Sit don.' '
feTenn biloh na.
'Come quickly.' '
Toga bilo simun TeyyeKew.
'He came nearer and asked his name.'
yesewu KuTir berkott yale now.
'The population is quite large. '
kozzih t m n i s raKK bilo and
'There 's a large garage not far
tillik garaz alle.
from here.'
The infinitives of these verbs are:
/doss malot/
'to be pleased'
/kaff malot/
'to be important'
/Kodomm malot/
'to be somewhat earlier'
/KuCC malot/
'to sit down'
/foTTonn malot/
'to be quicker'
/Toga malot/
'to be somewhat
/barkett malot/
'to be larger '
/raKK malot/
'to be somewhat farther'
'nearer'
The first part of these compound verbs may be:
l)
2)
a derivative noun (not used independently as a m e n m g f u l w o r d ) , e.g.
/dess malet/
(/dossita/
'pleasure')
/keff malet/
(/keffita/
'height')
an onomatopoetic word (imitating the sound of an action), e.g.
/waw malot/
'to bark'
/miyaw malet/
'to mew'
/imbwa malet/
'to bellow'
/u'u malot/
'to call for help'
etc.
3)
a noun derived from a verb, e,
/raKK malet/
(/raKe-meraK/ 'to be far')
/berkett malet/
(/berekkete-meberket/
'to increase ')
/feTenn malet/
(/feTTene-mefTen/ 'to be quick')
etc.
(This type of compound verb forms the inconclusive aspect of the
corresponding simple verbs, described in Note
30.1.1).
Compound verbs with /malet/ are intransitive.
Their transitive counter
parts are formed by substituting the verb /madrog/ for /malet/, e.g.
/KuCC madrog/
'to seat, ' to cause to sit down'
/keff madrog/
'to elevate '
etc.
The Gerund of the compound verbs with /malot/ is often used adverbially,
e.g.
Kedomm bilo meTTa
'He came earlier'
raKK bilo hedo
'He went farther '
Toga bilo toKerameTo
'He sat nearer '
KuCC bilo yibelal
'He eats sitting'
The verb /dess malet/ 'to please' is an impersonal verb (see Note 20.2).
The
most used forms of this verb are:
Present
dess alefi
'I'm pleased/happy ( 'it pleases me ') '
dess aleh
'You're pleased/happy ('it pleases y o u ' ) '
doss alow
'He's pleased/happy ('it pleases h i m ' ) '
etc.
Present Perfect
dess bilon nobbor
'I've been pleased/happy'
dess bilohal
'You've been pleased/happy'
doss bilotal
'He's pleased/happy'
etc.
Past Perfective
dess bilon nebbor
'I was pleased/happy'
doss biloh nobbor
'You were pleased/happy'
doss bilot nebber
'He was pleased/happy'
etc.
Imperfective
dess yilennal
'I'll be pleased/happy'
doss yilihal
'You'll be pleased/happy'
dess yilewal
'He'll be pleased/happy'
etc.
Note that both the Present and the Present Perfect tenses may be used
as equivalents to English
'I'm happy, you're happy, ' etc. or 'I'm pleased,
you're pleased', etc.
Note 30.1.1- Verb*
Inconclusive Aspect
The inconclusive aspect describes the action or the state
of the verb as not entirely completed or as being of a very short duration.
It may describe an action which is not completely finished or is not thoroughly
performed or a state which is of a somewhat incomplete character, such as
'somewhat sad,' 'somewhat thirsty,' 'somewhat farther', 'pretty near', etc.
Examples:
Inconclusive Aspect
gobba
'he entered'
>;eba ale
'he came m
for a very
short time'
azzon©
'he was sad'
azenn ale
'he was somewhat sad'
follogo
'he looked for'
felegg adorrege
'he looked for (not
very tnoroughly)'
As a general rule the transitive verbs form the Inconclusive Aspect with
/madreg/ and the intransitive verbs with /malet/, e.g.
Inconclusive Aspect
memTat
'to come '
meTa malot
'to drop m
mesTet
'to give '
soTett madreg
'to give reluctantly'
for a while'
or
'to give a small amount'
The first parts of these compound verbs (i.e. the verbal nouns) are
formed as followst the distribution of vowels m
is the same as m
l)
three-and two-radical verbs
the perfective.
Three-Radical Verbs.
The last radical is always long.
The second radical of Type A verbs is
always short, and that of Type B verbs is usually short, but may be long.
Perfective
Type A
Type B
Verbal Noun
wessede
wesedd
neggere
negerr
fellege
felegg
melleso
melless
2)
Two-Radical Verbs ending m
/-a/.
The second radical is short, e.g.
Perfective
3)
Verbal Noun
gebba
goba
moTTa
meTa
bella
bela
woTTa
woTa
ToTTa
ToTa
Two-Radical Verbs ending m / - o / .
The second radical of Type A verbs is short, that of Type B verbs
may be either short or long.
The / - t / of the infinitive is affixed to the verbal noun m
the
form of a long /-tt/, e.g.
Type A
Type B
i|)
Perfective
Verbal Noun
seTTe
soTott
ayyo
ayatt
leyyo
loyyott/leyott
Two-Radical Verbs, Type la2e, lo2o, le2o and lo2e
The second radical is always long, e.g.
Perfective
5)
Verbal Noun
Saf©
Saff
zoro
zorr
hedo
hedd
soT©
soTT
Pour-Radical Verbs
The vowel after the second radical is lost, the third radical is
short and the fourth one is long, e.g.
Perfective
Verbal Noun
sonobbsto
sonbott
monozzoro
monzorr
0
kebetu gwaro Tiru moCCawoca meda
awo, letemariwoc yeteserra all©.
allaccihu t
arogewoc betoc mofros allebbaccew t
awo, m©fr©s allebbaccew.
betihinna timihirtbetin yiKKerarreballu t
awo, beTam yiKKerarreballu.
Teninnotih kotinantu zare m d e t now.
zare beTam dehna nefl.
kezzih. wedageriwo moce monnesat
kand s a m m m t behwala innessallehu.
yifelligallu.
kewiCC gudday ministru gar meKKeTaTor
awo, ifelligallehu.
yifelligallu t
lijihmna ante timmesasselallaccihu t
beTam
yetimihirtbetun halafinnet wessedh t
awo, wessedhu.
wede niw york mece monnesat
zare keseat behwala
annimmesassolim.
mnmnessallen.
tifelligallaccihu.
mece timmellesallaccihu.
bemagistu mnimmeliesalien,
izzih gedema hotel alle t
awo, hulett Tiru hotelocc allu.
lemma l e m m yomengistun higg yiTisal.
agere geziw beTam habtam new t
awo, beTam habtam new.
kabbatmna kennate gar mettewaweK
awo, yasfelligennal.
yasfelligihal t
Cellema bet wisT l e m m teKemmeTih.
birhan silelelle new.
ras hotel gedema lela hotel tawKalloh t
yellom, alawKim.
tinantinna lgibzaw bota hedaccihu
awo, hedon nobber.
nebber t
kelema gon yeKomew man new.
wendimmu new.
zare lemisa yogabbezohm sew tawKalloh t
yellem, alawKim.
izzih ager yemeTTah b e d m g o t new t
yellom, b e d m g o t aydellem.
ketimihirt ministru gar tewawweKaccihu t
awo, tewawweKm.
yenen mekina mendat tifelligalleh t
yellom, alfelligim.
betun niSuh yaderregew man new.
yene balebet nec.
wedo niwyork bemehedih dess aleh t
awo, beTam dess alefi.
Kedemm bilo yomeTTaw yeman sum new.
yes err a tonfioccu sum new.
KuCC bila gazeTa yemmittanebbew set
astemar iya c c m nat.
man nat.
kemeSihafbet feTenn bilaccihu
moTtaccihu m m
lastemariyacoin yemisgana
debdabbe Safin.
sorraccihu.
A
lemma Tega bilo m m
neggerewo.
mohandisoccu kohakimoccu raKK bilew
rabefi bilo neggeren.
yellem, abrew teKommoTu.
toKemmoTu T
serratennoc borkett bilow bimoTu
mmalbat m C o m s e w
yihonal.
s i r a w m zare yemmitCerrlsut
yimeslaccihuwal T
A
addis bet bemosratu dess alow T
awo, boTam dess alow,
foTenn bila heda m m
yiza meTTac.
m m i m m yiza almeTTaccim.
m g i d o c b e s m t seat meTTu.
keseatu Kedemm bilew meTTu.
KuCC biles tenaggers T
A
awo, KuCC biyye tenaggerhu.
kabbatmna kennatu gar y m o r a l T
yellem, t m n i s raKK bilo b i c c a w m
ymoral.
Kedemm bilo kebbadun sekim wessede T
yellem, alwessedem.
Kedemm bila keman gar teKoTaTTorec.
kewendimwa gar teKeTaTTerec.
KuCC bilo m m
m m i m m alayyem.
ayye.
genzebun leyohannis siseTew Tirunes
mm
melless bila aytaw hedac.
alec.
KuCC bilo kayyeh behwala m m
Kedemm bilaccihu hedaccihu
aleh.
mm
nege lmeTallehu bilo hede.
wede sinimabet mhedallen.
tiserallaccihu.
dess biloflflal bilo yenoggoreh sew
yante lij nat.
man new.
raKK bilo yeteKommeTowm sow tawKalloh t
awo, awKallehu.
Tega bilew binegrun tisemalloh f
awo, 1somallehu.
yebirtukan C i m m a K i w m raKK adrigo
lemma new.
A
yesKemmeTow man now.
algaw lay KuCC bilo m m
yadergal.
leTirunes Kerobb bileh neggerhat T
amarinna meSihaf yanebbal.
awo, Kerebb biyye neggerhuwat.
A
y i h m arefte nogor Saff adrigo
yoseTTaccihu man new.
ato lemma new.
t m n i s areKe TeTa madrog tifelligalleh t
arogitwa setiyyo Kedemm bila meTTac T
kagennehu dess yilennal.
A
awo, Kedemm bila meTTac.
m n a t w a n lemayet mehedwan
yato lomma lij geba bila min
neggereccin.
neggereccin.
addisun libs lebess adrigo yet lihed
wedesiraw lihed yifelligal.
yifelligal.
ljjun taTebb adrigo m m
misawin libela new.
lisera new.
bunnayen TeTa adrigge lhedallehu.
wede yuniversiti mece mehed
tifelligalleh.
dirset
sewiyyew sigeba mistun asKeddemat,
to cause to precede, to let
masKeddem
s.o. go first, to cause to
be early
on his part, as far as he is
bebokkulu
s i r a w m Cerrese.
concerned
l K a w m beKlo lay Cane.
to load
meCan
straight ahead
beKeTTita hid.
ato yohannisinna woyzero meri ityoPiyan bemekinaccew lyyezoru lemayet
tesmammu.
weyzero meri loguzowaccew yemmiyasfelligaccewm neger hullu
asKeddima mazzegajet jommerec.
ato yohannisim bobekkulu s i r a w m Cerriso
loguzow tezegajje.
zigijjitu kalleKe behwala, l K a e c e w m bemekinaccew C m e w wode awas
guzowaccewm jemmeru.
teneffosebbaccew.
awas ketema mdederresu yemekinaccew gomma b e d m g e t
yetoneffesewm gomma lemasaddes wedand tinnis garaz
lemehed fellegu.
bemongedaccow lay ato kebbeden silagennut garaz yemmiggenriibbetm bota
ToyyoKut.
ato kebbedem beKeTTita wed© garazu silemerraccew mekinaccewm
wesdew g o m m a w m asneffu.
TiyyaKewoc
ato yohannisinna woyzoro meri m i n lemayet tesmammu.
weyzero meri m m
azzegajjec.
ato yohannis m m
aderroge.
kezigijjitu behwala m m
adorregu.
l K a c c e w m b e m m Ganu.
bemekinaccew wedet hedu.
awas ketema sidersu m m
neger agennaccew.
gommaccewm lemasaddos wedet hedu.
bemengedaccew lay mannin agennu.
ato kebbeden m m
bemeCerresa m m
TeyyeKut.
aderregu.
bemekina meggwaz tiweddalleh t
Unit 31
Basic Sentences
kebbede
meggerhuwaccihu garaz aTogob,
There's a good hotel near the
dohna hotel alio.
garage I was telling you about.
Mary
to charge ('to
maskoff©1
have
someone pay')
That would be best (of a l l ) .
By
issu kohullum yetesale n©w.
the way, how much do they charge
l©m©honu b©K©n s m t
per day?
yask©ffllallu.
kobbodo
I think it's three fifty a day
lomonflitabetu boKon sost birr
for a (bed) room, but I don't
kohamsa santim yimeslennal.
know about the meals.
lemigib gin alawKim.
John
That's all right for one day.
land Ken m m i m m ayd©l.
Let's call a taxi and go.
mniTranna
taksi
mnihid.
kobbodo
to carry
m©ss©k©m
porter
tesokkami
except that, unless
b©stoKer / beKer
There are only porters, no taxis,
m
tesekkami kaltegenne besteKer,
Awash ( 'Except a porter is
found, a taxi is not found
bawas wisT taksi ayiggennim.
m
Awa s h ' ) .
John
Then ('my brother') will you please
call a porter for us.
yene wendim, isti ibakkih
tesekkami T r a l l m .
kebbede
How many porters do you want?
s m t tesekkamiwoc tif elligallaccihu.
Mary
to remain, to be left over
moKrot
to hang (Trans.)
anTol9TTolo-manTolT©lyanToloTTilal
to carry by hand
Two will do.
bojj manTolTol
We'll carry the rest
[of the baggage] ourselves
hulott yiboKallu.
('by
bejjaccm
y e K o r r o w m inna
mnanToloTTilowallon.
our hands').
breakable, fragile
tesobbari
to be careful
moTTenKoK
As the contents ('things') of
('m')
bozzih s a T m wisT yallow nogor
this box are breakable, carry it
tosobbari silohono, toTonKiKoh
carefully.
toSokkomow.
Mary
to put down, to unload
aworr©do-mawred-yaworda1
Put the things down and place them
lKawin awridinna kalgaw girge
at the foot of the bed.
asKommiTsw.
John
How much shall I pay you?
sint likfolacelhu.
tosakkami
It's two dollars and fifty cents
all together.
boToKlallaw hulott birr kamsa
santim now.
Grammatical Notes
Note 3 1 . 1
/bo-...bokkul/ ' m the direction o f
ato yohannisim bobokkulu s i r a w m
Gorriso loguzow tozogajjo.
'as far as one is concerned'
'As for Mr. John, having finished
his job he was ready for the
trip'.
The preposition / b ( e ) - / combined with the postposition /bokkul/ may be
used interchangeably with the preposition /bost(©)-/ (Note I4..6.I).
Thus
/bostomisraK/ 'to the North' may be said /bomisraK bekkul/j /bostodsbub/ 'to
the South', /bodobub bekkul/, etc.
The form /bebekkul-/ used with the noun suffix pronouns means
'as far
as one is concerned', 'as for', e.g.
bobokkule yersiwon hassab
'As far as I am concerned I agree
lKKobbolallohu.
with your idea.'
babekkulaccow timihirtaccowm
'As for them, they completed their
C e r n s e w wedageraccew tomellesu.
studies and returned to their
country.'
Note 3 1 . 2
The use of /bicca/ 'only' with Noun Suffix Pronouns and the direct
object suffix /-(i)n/, equivalent to English
'alone', 'by one
self.
tinnis raKK bilo b i c c a w m
ymoral.
'He lives alone not very far
from here. '
When the word /bicca/ 'only' is used with noun suffix pronouns and the
direct object suffix /(i)n/ (Note
to English
, the resulting construction corresponds
'alone' or 'by myself', 'by himself' etc.:
biccayen
'I alone'
biccahm
'you(m) alone '
biccasm
'you(f) alone'
biccawm
'he alone '
biccawan
'she alone'
biccaccmm
'we alone '
biccaccihun
'you (pi.) alone'
biccaccowm
'they alone '
Examples:
biccayen morallohu.
'I live alone'.
biccawan wedaddis abeba hedec.
'She went to Addis alone'.
m e n n a balebete b i c c a c c m m
'My wife and I dined alone',
m i s a c c i m n bellan.
p
yeweyzerit a l m a z m m n a t nebber.
degg sew new yalhew m a n m n nebber.
ministrun lggenannallehu ale.
legenzeb ministru silk kedewwelo
p
behwala m m
ale.
beTirunes fanta formun lemoferrom
yeTirunes balebet new.
yefeKKede man new.
p
feTen bileh kefoKu lay foTanna samuna
littamoTallm ticilalleh t
awo, lameTallaccihu lcilallehu,.
gazeTa yemmiSifutm sewoc gibza
yegabbezh ante neh t
awo, m e nen.
b e g m b o t wer demozu, kegebeya
mm
begimmasu yemekina gomma gezza,
neger gezza.
begimmasu gin m m
mdegezzabbet
gena algelleSellmnim.
lgonnu teKemmiTo m j e r a beweT
bewiCG gudday minister wisT
p
yemmiserew sew new.
yemmibbelaw sew man new.
yellem, yene balmjeroc hullu
baleSegga b a l m j e r a alleh t
yegenzeb biddir yemmittiTeyyiK
dihoc naccew.
mm
and berenna hulett lamoc lemegzat
lemegzat new.
new.
zare cekaccihun teKebbilaccihu
mm
menziren adaddis Cammawoc
tadergutallaccihu.
m e k i n a h m yetinnaw garaz wisT
mgezabbetallen.
bante bet aTegeb ballew garaz
asgebbiteh tihedalleh t
wisT asgebbiccat lhedallehu.
lasallafiw sint santim gursa seTTehew.
asrammist santim seTTehut.
gunfan siyizih m m
wede hakimbet lhedallehu.
tadergalleh.
lemma beyyegizew lyyemeTTa
awo, hulgize hamus hamus lyyemoTTa
yigobennaccihuwal t
yigobennenal.
biddirun mece tikeflennalleh.
lhud ikeflihallehu.
immebetih kamerika bizu neger megzat
awo, lemegzat tifelligallec.
p
tifelligallec t
lzzih ager yemeTTahew yeikonomi
timihirt lememmar new t
dabbonna pasta sutta meblat
yellem, yemehandismnet
timihirt
lemommar new.
m j e r a beweT m j i lela alfelligim.
tifelligalleh t
ikeflallehu y a l h e w m genzeb lebale
suKu keffelkew t
wedefit ikeflewallehu m j i kezzih
befit alkeffelhutim.
lhitih wedebetwa yehedecciw begrwa new t
yellem, belemma mekina new.
leKurs m K u l a l , yebellu m n e m a n naccew.
lemma kenne wendimmoecu new.
zare Tiwat irsaw wisT m m
abebawoccmna zafoc itekil nebber,
yiseru nebber.
ityoPiya wisT keffitennaw terara man
ras dasan yibbalal.
yibbala.1.
Ken kokeb mayet yiccalal t
yellem, ayiccalim.
izzih ketema wisT keffitenna timihirt
awo, hulett keffitenna
bet a l l e | •
timihirtbetocc allu.
zare KeTeroh keman gar new.
kandit Konjo lijagered gar new.
mesriyabetaccihu lela K i r m C a f allew t
awo, and K i r m C a f addis abeba
wisT allew.
b i c c a h m wedegwaro m e h e d m n a atkiltun
maTeTTat ticilalleh t
issi, karatt behwala lhedallehu.
lijhininna b a l e b e t h m asKeddimeh
wedagerih tilikaccewalleh t
yellem, biccaccewm allikaccewim.
lgwaro b i c c a w m yallew mekina
yeman now.
biccawan beKlowan meCan ticilallec t
yelomma yimeslennal.
awo, m d e t a . y e m m i t C m a t biccawan
new.
yomekinawm waga b i c c a h m askeffoleh t
awo, hullunim biccayen keffelku.
l K a w m kemekinaw lay b i c c a w m
awo, awerredew.
awerredew t
TerePezawm b i c c a h m lmekinaw lay
awo, lCmewallehu.
meCan ticilalleh t
lzziya tilliK bet wisT yemmitnoru
awo, b i c c a c c m m new.
biccaccihun new t
isinimabet yehedu biccawon nobberu t
yellem, kelijoc gar nebberku.
biccawan menor yommitfellig l e m m d m new.
alawKim.
b i c c a h m and Termus areKe meTeTTat
ticilalleh.
yellem, alcilim.
sirahin b i c c a h m jommireh, b i c c a h m
Cerreskew t
yellem, wendimme reddafi.
dirset
meSihafun asyazhut.
to have (o_r to help) s.o.
masyaz
carry something; to pawn;
to have s.o. arrested
ato yohannisinna weyzero meri yemekinaccew gomma
diros
wodand
hotel hedew lemader
lskittaddesillaccew
follegu.
bawas kotoma wisT yommiyawKut sow ato kebbode bicca silehone, wedo hotel
mdiwosdaccew ToyyoKut.
ato kebbode kehullu yetosale hotel folligo silageflne
wedezziya yizowaccew hede.
beketemaw wisT taksi silelelle l K a c c e w m behulett tesekkamiwoc asyizew
wede hotelu dorresu.
ihotelu mdederresu yotosekkomubbetm waga letesokkamiwoccu keflew,
lKaccewm kalgaccew girge asKemmeTut.
lelitun izziya adrew bemagistu
wedaddis aboba temellesu.
TiyyaKewoc
ato yohannisinna weyzero meri l e m m lhotel addoru.
ba*ras ketoma wisT yommiyawKut sew man new.
ato kebbede wedet wessedaccew.
beketemaw wisT taksi alle
t
l K a c c e w m m d e t wede hotelu adorresut.
letesokkamiwoccu m m
keffoluwaccew.
l K a c c e w m yet asKemmoTut.
bemagistu wedet hedu.
bemokina meggwaz tiwoddalloh, woyis bebabur megwaz tiwoddalloh.
Unit 3 2
Basic Sentences
Mary
fire
isat
how pleasant, how wonderful
alorn now
ohJ
mde
How pleasant it is inside the house.'
t
ibet wisT m d e t alem now, ibakkih.
wiCCiwimma isat aydellem, m d e .
But oh.' isn't it awfully hot
( 'fire ') outside.'
kobbodo
to burn, to light
aKKaTTole-maKKaTol-yaKKaTTilal
This is nothing ( 'what have you seen
seen?').
mm
aytew.
mdesat
yemmiyaKKaTTilibbet werat
The hottest ('which
gena yimeTal.
burn like fire') months are
still to come I
Mary
to get worse
base-mobas- yibisal
you mean to say
maletih new
Do you mean to say the weather will
kezzih yemmibis gize alle maletih
new.
be worse?
kebbede
It most certainly
[will].
beTam m j i .
Mary
tadiya sew m d e t menor yicilal-
Then how can people live [here]?
kebbede
thin, light
During this season the people
start wearing light clothes.
sis
bezzih werat wisT hizbu sis libs
melbes yijemmiral.
Mary
If light clothes help them ('if
besis libs bicca yomuKotun gize
they
can spend the hot season only by
kasallofutiss dohna now. m e s s
wearing light clothes') so much
kowiha wisT yommiwoTa aymeslennim,
the better.
As for me, I would
rather stay m
water ('I
don't
think I would go out of water. ')
kobbodo
to astonish
mogrem
I wonder ('it astonishes me')
yigormennal
koKoyyubbot manninnawim nogor
By staying a long time in the same
place ('with it') one gets used
yillommodal.
to everything.
silonnanto ager bird s m n a s s i b ,
When we think
about the cold [weather] of your
lomissale inna
m d e t mdemmitnoru yigermenal.
country we also ( 'for example ')
wonder how you can live there.
Mary
custom habit
limd
malaria
weba
Of course it may be a matter of
limad
l w m e t i m yelimd neger sayhon
getting used to it ('it may be a
ayKerim.
a customary thing').
m d e t new.
By the way
lemehonu wobawiss
is there a lot of malaria here
('how
is malaria here')?
kebbede
They say it used to be bad, but
and gize beTam meTfo nebber
it's better now.
yilallu.
ahun gin dehna new.
Mary
help, assistance
lrdata
We're very grateful to you for all
ato kebbede, silerdatah hullu
your help, Mr. Kebbede.
beTam
mnameseggmihallen.
John
to appear, to emerge
If you ever happen to come to Addis
biKK malet
m m a l b a t wedaddis abeba biKK
Ababa, our address is the American
yemmittil m d e h o n , adrassaccm
Embassy.
amerikan embassi new.
kebbede
I'm planning to go there m
boKirb gize wisT lemehed
the
near future and as soon as I
ass iballehunna m d e dorr eshu
arrive I'll call on you.
1TeyylKacclhuwa11ehu.
John
Be sure not to forget.
Good bye
mdatresa.
now.
bel ahun
TenayisTillin".
kobbedo
melkam guzo.
Bon voyageJ
Grammatical Notes
Note 32.1
Suffix /-ge/.
kalgaw girge asKemmiTew.
Place it at the foot of the bed.
The suffix / - g e / is affixed to nouns denoting parts of the human body
to form new nouns connected m
Note 3 2 . 2
meaning with these parts, e.g.
/lgir/
'foot'
/girge/
'bottom part'
/ras/
'head'
/rasge/
'upper part'
/ I J J /
'hand, arm'
/ljjige/
'sleeve'
/wegeb/
'waist'
/wegebge/
'waist line'
Verb:
/ m d e h o n ( 0 ) / used with / y ( e ) - / and / y e m m d ) - / relative
forms, 'if', ' m case'.
m m a l b a t wodaddis abeba biKK
'If ever you happen to come
yommittil m d e h o n , adrassaccm
('appear') to Addis, our
amerikan embassi new.
address is the American
Embassy.
The form / m d o h o n ( e ) / may be translated
'if it be'.
The imperfective
relative, used with this form, indicates a possible situation, or one which
may occur m
the future.
The perfective relative, used with this form,
refers to a definite act, having the 'completed' or 'considered completed'
meaning characteristic of the perfective aspect.
Compare the following imperfective relative sentences with the corre
sponding perfective ones:
Imperfective
Perfective
yemmithed m d e h o n , nigeren.
yehedk m d e h o n nigeren.
'Tell -me if you're going'
'Tell me m
('if
('if
it be that you are the
one who is going').
case you go'
it be that you are
the one who will have
gone').
wodekotema yemmithed m d e h o n , Tiran.
wedeketoma yehedk m d e h o n , Tiran.
'If you go downtown, call me'.
'Call me m
( 'if it be that you are the one
('if
who will be going')
case you go downtown'.
it be that you are the one
who will have gone')
As illustrated by the above examples the / m d e h o n / clauses may correspond
approximately to English
'if', or
' m case' clauses.
^/
Other examples:
1)
yommimeTa m d e h o n astawKen.
'If he comes, let me know.'
2)
yemeTTa m d e h o n astawKen.
'Let me know m
3)
yemmittittammem m d e h o n wede
'If you get ill go to see a
hakim hid.
2+)
yotammomk m d e h o n wede hakim
hid.
case he comes. '
doctor. '
'In case you get ill go and see
a doctor. '
The / y e m m d ) - / relative clauses with / m d e h c n / may be used more or less
interchangeably with the conditional forms m
m
/ b d ) - / and / k ( e ) - / described
Notes 11+.3 and 1 5 » 5 « 1
Thus, for example, /yommimeTa m d e h o n astawKen/ may be said /bimeTa
astawKen/ or /kemeTTa astawKen/ without any significant change m
Note 3 2 . 3
the meaning.
/ m d o h o n ( e ) / used with the Short Imperfective and Gerund
'whether
(or n o t ) ' .
/ m d e h o n ( o ) / may be also used with the Short Imperfective or the
Gerund.
The resulting clauses correspond m
not' clauses.
meaning to English
'whether or
/ m d e h o n ( o ) / with a Short Imperfective refers to a present or
future situation, and with a Gerund to a past situation, e.g.
nege yimeTa m d e h o n nigeren.
'Tell me whether he '11 come
tomorrow. '
t m a n t m n a motTo m d e h o n , nigerefi.
'Tell me whether he came
yesterday.'
Note 32.1+
Verb:
Infinitive with Noun Suffix Pronouns used with verb
forms /now/ and /nobbor/
'Do you mean to say that the
kezzih yemmibis gize alle
weather will be worse? '
maletih new f
The verb forms /now/ 'is', or /nebber(e)/ 'was' may be affixed to an
Infinitive plus a noun suffix pronoun.
The resulting forms ('one's doing so-and-so is' or 'one's doing so-and-so
was') are used to indicate what one is/was doing (cr is/was about to do) at
that precise moment, and corresponds approximately to the English
'just doing
so-and-so' or 'just about to do so-and-so', e.g.
/moblate new/
'I'm just eating' '
(or:
/mehedu nebber/
'I'm just about to eat')
'(At that moment) he was going'
(or: 'he was just about to go')
These forms are often used m
situations m
which one describes what he
is (or was) about to do when interrupted, e.g.
rat m o b l a t a c c m new.
'Oh, we 're just eating (about
to eat) dinner.'
irsiwo simeTu m e mehede nebber.
'When you came, I was just about
to leave. '
In some situations the form with /nebber/ may indicate what one meant
or was intending to do, e.g.
astomariw lskimeTa mastemare
nebber.
When used m
'I just meant to teach until
the teacher came.
negative, these forms may correspond approximately to
English: 'unless this is so-and-so, then it will mean my (his, your, etc.)
doing so-and-so' or: 'had it not been so-and-so, then it would have meant
my (his, your, etc.) doing so-and-so', e.g.
bohulott seat kalmeTTah,
wedebete mehede new.
beseatu batmeTa noro, m i s a c c m m
m o b l a t a c c m nebber.
'Unless you come at two it will
mean my going home.'
'Had you not come m
time, it
would have meant our eating
the lunch.'
kobbodo zare yemeTTa m d o h o n , yot
lgiyon hotel liyarf yicilal.
yarfal.
b a l m j e r a h wedamerika yohed©
mdohon,
sost amet yahil new.
sint amot liKoyy yifelligal.
ibabur Tabiya benzin yaTTaccihu
wede ketema memmeles allebbin.
m d e h o n , keyet tagennallaccihu.
ferensaymna yetemaru m d e h o n , wede
awo, band wer wisT mehed lcilallehu.
ferensay ager mehed yicilallu t
mekinawa Tiru yehonecc
mdehon
awo, lgezatallehu.
tigezatalleh t
m g i d a w silagerih yoTeyyeKoh
mdehon
awo, megrewallohu.
tmegrewalleh t
Tirunos genzeb yemmitfellig
mdohon
yellom, alsoTatim.
genzeb tiseTatalleh t
genzebun tikeflih
mdohon
awo, liToyyiKat ifelligallehu.
tiToyyiKatalleh t
setiyyewa betun tikkeray m d e h o n
yellom, alToyyeKnatim.
ToyyeKacclhuwat t
nege keseat behwala yemeTTahu m d e h o n
kirayun linegrun yicilallu
mnezziya sewoc yemeTTu m d e h o n
tmegrunnallaccihu
mekinaye yeKossese
awo, mogrihallehu.
t
awo, m n m e g r l h a l l e n .
t
mdehon
awo, aTbewallehu.
taTbewalleh t
menoriya b o t a h m yelewweTk
mdohon
addisun adrassa tmegrennalloh
awo, mograccihuwallehu.
t
addis libs yegezzah m d e h o n a r o g e w m
awo, lseTallehu.
ledihoc tiseTalleh t
mamelkeca yiSifu m d e h o n tawKalleh t
awo, awKallehu.
setiyyewa marefiyabet tenflita m d e h o n
yellem, alawKim.
tawKalleh t
mesriyabetun behulett seat yizegaw
kenna mannim ayawKim.
m d e h o n man yawKal.
medhanit yegezzah m d e h o n kene suK
tigezalleh t
awo, lgezallehu.
0
mettaweKiya waraKat yallan m d e h o n
cek memenzer lcilallohu t
awo, yefelleghewm cek memenzer
lemma ibet gabto m d a h o n tawKallaccihu t
ticilalleh.
yellem, annawKim.
niguso nogostu nigiggir yadargu m d e h o n
yellem, alawKim.
tawKalleh t
mistih misTirun tawK m d e h o n TeyyeKhat t
yellem,
betu moKo m d e h o n ayyehew t
yollem, alayyohutim.
l K a w m anTolTilew yimeTu m d e h o n
yollem, alawKim.
alTeyyeKhuwatim.
tawKalleh t
meSihafoccun kemeSihaf bet mogzatih new t
awo, mogzate now.
weTun bezeyt mesratih nebber t
awo, mesrate nebbor.
ahun z m a b mezriebu new t
awo, meznebu new.
lebetu zeTena zeTen birr mekfelaccew
awo, mekfelaccew nebber.
nobber t
l K a w m ahun meCanaccow nobber t
awo, neCanaccew nebber.
mnelemma slmeTu anto y e m e k i n a h m
yollem, masneffate alnebberem.
gomma masneffatih nebber t
ante kabbarih gar sittiCCewawwet
kelijwa gar meCCawetwa nebber.
balobetih m m mesratwa nebber.
inna y o h a n n i s m smnagennow wedagoru
meggwazu nebber
awo, meggwazu yimeslennal.
t
zare kebank genzeb mebbederih new t
smKaccihun yizaccihu lesirrisir
awon mebbedere new.
r
f
mehedaccihu new t
letimihirt genzob kemengist meKKebelih
awo, m e h e d a c c m new.
new t
ante kebank sitweTa issu megbatu
awon, meKKebele new.
nebbor I
m n a n t e sittmnessu isswa meKKemeTwa
nebbor t
yellem, issum newTatu nebber.
awo, meKKemetwa nebber.
ahun melleyayotaccihu nebbor t
awo, melleyayetaccm nebber.
m n a wedesira s m n i h e d , issu keyet
kageru yimeslennal.
memmelosu nebber.
Tirunes zare Tiwat bowonz aTogob
mm
mesratwa nebber.
menseraserwa nebber.
awo, metergomu new.
yohannis meSihafun k a m a r m n a wede
m g l i z m n a metorgomu now 1
kambasadoraccihu gar mottowaweKaccihu
awo, mettewaweKaccm nebber,
nobbor t
wodowonz sinmoTa m m
madrogaccihu nebbor.
mowarifietaccm nebber.
wede babur Tabiya mehedaccihu nebberI
awo, m e h e d a c c m nebber.
Tibs siga meblataccihu new ^
awo, m e b l a t a c c m new.
keweyzerit Tirunes gar mewannetaccihu
awo, mewannetaccm new.
new t
wereKetun lewiGC gudday minister
awon, zare mesTetaccm new.
mesTetaccihu now t
a w o n , momTataccow
yeityoPiya weyzazirt wedamerika
new.
memTataccew new t
yezare sammint wedowiCC ager
awo, m e h e d a c c m new.
mehedaccihu new t
lKaccihun lmekinaw lay meCanaccihu new t
awo, m e C a n a c c m new.
dirset
'one day', 'once upon a time'
keiletat and Ken.
time
llet
time (pi.)
lletat
'kmd-hearted'
yato kebbede nnat libboKin naccow.
heart
libb
kind
Km
kand amet behwala wedeityoPiya
lomehed KorroTe.
to decide, to cut
meKureT-yiKorTal
to say good bye to each other
tesenebabbote-messenebabetyissenebabbetal.
keilotat and Ken ato jon balebetun weyzero merin yizo, wedawas hede.
awas mdederresu yato jon yemekinaw gomma silofeneddabbet, wedaddis
abeba temellisew mehed alcalum.
y e m o k i n a w m gomma lomasaddes garaz sifellig mdaggaTami ato kebbeden
silagennow, yegomma maddosa bota TeyyeKew.
ato kebbedem l i b b e K m sew
silenebber, yegomma maddosa bota felligo, g o m m a w m mdittaddos aderrogellet.
gizew beTam muKet kemehonu yetenessa, weyzero merinna, ato jon boTam
silodekkomaccow, awas wisT lomador KorroTu.
lageru m g i d a silohonu, ato kobbodo l K a c c o w m betesekkami asyizo wodand
dohna hotel merraccow.
lhotelu' mdedorrosu, tesekkamiw l K a c c o w m wodokiflaccow asgebbito,
yetesokkemebbetm waga teKebbilo, wodobetu hede.
ato j o n m n a woyzoro meri kato kobbodo gar TiKit kotonogaggoru behwala,
ato
kebbede
tesonabto wedebetu mehed fellege.
m n e s s u m siladerrogellaccew melkam lrdata kameseggenut behwala wedaddis
abeba simeTa mdiTeyyiKaccew, adrassaccowm seTTut.
irsum a d r a s s a w m teKebbilo
tesenebabtew teleyayyu.
TiyyaKewoc
tesekkamoc yengidoccun lKa yet asgebbu.
v
A
ato kobbedo tesekkamiwoccun keyet ameTTaccew.
ato kebbedenna ato jon yet tewawweKu.
weyzero merinna ato jon wedet yihedu nebber.
ato kebbede kemehedu befit kato yohannis gar m m
tonegaggore.
ato yohannismna weyzero meri l e m m wedaddis aboba memmelos alcalum.
Unit 33
Basic Sentences
abbebo
How do you do, sir,
TenayisTillm getaye, sime abbobe
My name's
Abbebe.
yibbalal.
alomu
How do you do, Mr. Abbebe.
TenayisTillin ato abbebe.
My
sime
alemu new.
name ' s Alemu.
abbeb©
melkam.
Well, Mr. Alemu, what can I do
ato alemu,
mm
ladirgilliwot.
for you?
alomu
(As) I see your things seem to be
mdemmimmelekketew
lKawocciwo
very expensive, but I would still
hullu beTam widd yimeslunnal,
like to ask [about them] ('it will
n e g e r g m meTeyyeK aykefam.
not be bad to ask').
abbebe
As a matter of fact they are not
expensive.
b'ewmetu widd aydellum.
Many people say they
bizu
sewoc rikkas new lyyalu,
are cheap and they send their
gwaddennoccaccewm wedenna
friends to our store.
suK yilikuwaccewal.
By the way, what kind of things
lemehonu irsiwo yemmifelligut
do you want?
mm
aynet lKa new.
alomu
to itemize, to list; to
mezerzer
give small change; to
scatter
(Because) I'd like to buy a lot
laddis bet yemmiyasfelligu bizu
of things (which are needed)
lKawoc lemegzat
for [my] new house.
bezzih wereKet lay
I've listed
them on this piece of paper.
silemmifollig,
zerzirreyaccewallehu.
abbobo
Well, then, let me see
isti rasiwo yommif©lligutm lKa
( 'know')
what things you (yourself)
liwoKowinna,
want [to buy], and we'll
silaynotu inninnegaggorlbbotallon.
silowagawmna
discuss (about) the prices
and [particular] variety
('kind').
alomu
me
The things I (myself) want are
rase yommifolligew kezzih
yemmiKeTTilutm
(as follows) ('those which
lKawoc new.
continue from here ' ) :
mattress
f ras
pillow
tras
yebeteseb alga kennefrasunna,
A double ('family') bed with
mattress and pillows, two
kenn©
hulett
tmmnis
small beds with mattresses
algawoc kennefrasaccewmna,
and pillows, a large dining
ksnnetrasaccew, and seffi
room table with six chairs,
yeraigib TerePeza kesiddist
wemberoc gar.
fote
easy chair
aratt fotewoc.
four easy chairs,
ornament, decoration
geT
light, lamp
mebrat
decorative table lamps.
geT yallaccew yeTerePeza mebratoc.
abbebe
Very well.
melkam, mojemmeriya algawoccun
Let me show you the
lasayyiwot.
beds first.
alemu
to extinguish
terekkoso-metorkosyiterekkusal
ash tray
I'll also need four ash trays.
yesijara meterkosa
issi, m d i h u m aratt yesijara
meterkosawoc yasfelligunnal.
abbebo
Yes, you may need them.
Unfortunately
('however') I don't have ('it
found') them m
find ('it
m
awon, sayasfolliguwot ayKorum.
is not
yohonowhono bone suK wisT ayi
my store but you may
ayiggonnim.
is possible to find') them
negorgm
inna to
kobbodo suK magflat yiccalal.
the store of Mr. Kebbede and his
associates.
Grammatical Notes
Note 3 3 . 1
Verb:
/ s - / Negative combined with the forms of the verb /KorromeKrot/ 'to remain'.
awon,sayasfolliguwot ayKorum.
Negative / s - / constructions
'Yes you may probably, need them. '
(see Note 1 2 , 6 ) are used m
combination with
the forms of the verb /maKrot/.
The approximate English equivalents of the resulting constructions may
be illustrated by the following examples:
1)
/ s - / Negative used with Affirmative forms of /moKrot/:
saymoTa yiKoral
'he may not come (despite the fact
that he is supposed to do s o ) '
saymoTa Korro
'he didn't come (despite the fact
that he was supposed to do s o ) '
2)
/ s - / Negative used with negative forms of /moKrat/
saymoTa ayKorim
'he will probably come'
saymoTa alKarrem
'he might have come '
As shown by the above examples the affirmative forms of the verb /moKrat/
m
these contructions indicate that the action of the / s - / verb may not take
place (imperfective) or did not take place (Perfective) contrary to one 's
expectations, whereas the negative forms of the same verb imply that the
action of the / s - / verb will probably take place (imperfective) or might have
taken place (Perfective).
salmoTa iKorallohu
'I may not come'
satmoTa tiKoralloh
'You may not come'
satmoCi tiKoriyalloa
'You (f) may not come'
saymoTa yiKoral
'He may not come'
satmeTa tiKorallec
'She may not come'
sanmeTa iriKorallon
'We may not come'
satmeTu tiKorallaccihu
'You (pi.) may not come'
saymeTu yiKorallu
"They may not come'
salmeTa Kerrehu
'I didn't come (despite expectation)
satmeTa Kerreh
'You didn't come
'
'
satmeCi Kerres
'You (f) didn't come
'
'
saymoTa Korro
'He didn't come
'
'
satmoTa Kerrec
'She didn't come
'
'
sanmeTa Korron
'We didn't come
'
'
satmoTu Kerraccihu
'You (pi) didn't come
saymoTu Kerru
'They didn't come
salmeTa a l K e n m
'I '11 probably come'
satmeTa
'You'll probably come'
atKenm
'
'
satmeCi atKerim
'You (f) probably come'
saymoTa
'He'll probably come'
ayKenm
satm9Ta atKerim
'She '11 probably come '
sanmsTa anKsrim
'We '11 probably come'
satmeTu atKsrum
'You (pi.) '11 probably come'
saymoTu ayKerum
'They'll probably come'
salm9Ta alKgrrghum
'I might have come '
satmeTa alKerrehim
'You might have come'
satmeCi alKerrosim
'You (f) might have come'
saymeTa alKerrem
'He might have come'
satmeTa alKerreccim
'She might have come'
sanmeTa alKerrenim
'We might have come'
satm9Tu alKerraccihum
'You (pi.) might have come'
saymoTu alKerrum
'They might have come'
'
wedaddis abeba kemehedaccm befit
mmalbat
sattagennut atKerum.
lemman yemminnagennew yimeslihalt
lzzih ketema wisT weba yalle
awo, saynor ayKerim.
yimeslihalt
abbatih letimihirtbetu lrdata
awon, sayKorTu alKorrum.
lemesTet KorreTu t
l K a w m kemekinaw lay awerredut t
sayawerdut alKerrum.
innatun lemayet lmeTallehu bilo
yellom, almeTTam.
saymeTa Kerre t
inmeTallen kalu saymeTu yiKerallu t
kand seat behwala saymeTu ayKerum.
bezzih amet lijih metTa
mmalbat
satTeyyiKih
sattiTeyyiKen atKerim.
tiKerallec t
almaz wendimwan satTeyyiK Kerrec ^
yeTeyyeKocc aymeslefinim.
amerika wisT bet widd new t
awo, widd sayhon ayKerim.
wendimmih ibet wisT new t
awo, sayhon ayKerim.
w i s s a w m hakimbet wessedaccihut t
almaz satwesdew alKerreccim.
yacci set hulgize ibetaccihu timeTallec t
and hulett gize satmeTa alKerreccim.
amerikawi sewiyye hakimbet
tinant keseat befit saymeTa
meTto
nebber t
alKsrrem.
astemarih min aynet meTeTT yiTeTTal.
Tejj sayTeTTa ayKerim.
mekinaye yet mdshonec tawKalleh T
babur Tabiya sathon atKerim.
feresu lemin wede wenz hede.
wiha sayTemaw alKerrem.
irsasinna weroKet b e m m
gonzeb sayagenn alKerrem.
gezza.
inna t a c c e w m lemayet lijoccu
mdet
hedu.
kabbataccew mekina saywesdu
alKerrum.
lhitih l e m m yenen meSihaf wossedoct
sattissasat
land amot wedeityoPiya
awo, satfellig atKerim.
mehedmna
alKerreccim.
mastemar tifelligallec t
yozzih sow sira m i n d m now.
mehandismnet sayhon ayKerim.
ibet wisT yallew sewiyye man new.
tegabaz sayhon ayKerim.
yewiCC gudday ministeru yeseTTaccewm
sayikkefaffelut alKerrum.
gonzob m m
aderregut.
yefina timihirtbet temariwoc yot hedu.
sinimabet sayhedu ayKerum.
yegezzaccat mokina Kelom m m
semayawi sayhon a y K e n m .
aynot new.
wede bete kristiyan besint seat
baratt seat sayhon a y K e n m .
yihedallu.
lKawin ibet wisT man agebbaw.
serrateflnoc sayhonu ayKerum.
lesetiyyewa yeseTTuwat m i n d i n new.
yassir birr m m i z z a r i
sayhon
ayKenm.
dirset
eye
aynen silammemen wedehakim hedku.
benefit, usefulness, advantage
timihirt bizu Tikim allew.
list
ye temariwoccun sim zirzir siTefi.
and Ken abbeb© besuK wisT sail©, alemu moTTanna rasun kabbebe gar
astewawwoKe.
r
alemu addis bet silegezza, betun beliyyu liyyu ySêfe°iKawoec
fellege.
yebet lKawocc bizu gize beTam widd naccew.
silemmiyasdessitunna
bizu TiKim silemmisoTu, alemu lemegzat KorreTe.
wede suK mdegebba, lesuKu balebet lato abbebe
yeKawocc zirzir asayyow.
tmmms
liyageTew
gin layn
yommifelligaccowm
yeKawoccum zirzir fras, tras, yebeteseb alga,
algawoc, yemigib TerePeza, siddist wenboroc, aratt
fotewoccmna
geT yallaccew yeTerePeza mebratoc nebberu.
ato alemu lKawoccun and band ketemelekkete bohwala, belela Ken meTto
yobet lKawoccun lemegzat tesmamto wede bet temellese.
TiyyaKewocc
abbebe yet nebber.
alemu yet hedo.
alemu l e m m yebet iKa lemogzat fellege.
yebet lKawocc widd naccew t
yebet lKawocc yemmiseTut TiKim m m d m
ato alemu lato abbebe m m
new.
asayyew.
yoKawoccun zirzir Saf.
ato alemu lKawoccun saygeza l e m m
temollese.
mm
aynet yebet lKawocc megzat yifelligallu.
mm
aynet yobet lKawocc m d i n o r u h
tifelligalleh.
Unit
3k
Basic Sentences
alemu
isti a l g a w m
Then let's see the bed.
mniyew.
abboba
modern
zomonawi
grandchild
yolijlij
In addition to being new and modern,
yih alga addismna
zomonawi
this bed is a strong one which will
kemahonum bolay, lelijlij
pass from generation to generation
yommiyalf Tenkarra alga now.
('to
the grandchild').
strength, firmness, solidity-
Tmikkare
comfortable, convenient
miccu
Besides, the mattress is known for
m d i h u m frasu boTmikkarew
its sturdmess and comfort.
yotawwoKanna miccu now.
alomu
annogagor
way of saying
Although I know nothing about the
silalganna fras T m i k k a r e
sturdmess of beds and mattresses,
balawKim, mdannogagoriwo
they seem to be good according to
Tiru yimoslonnal.
what you're saying.
isti silawagaw
Now let's discuss the price.
mnmnogagorlbbot,
abbobo
As you see ('it') the price is one
mdommimmalekkotut wagaw and moto
hundred and fifty Ethiopian
hamsa yeityoPiya birr now.
dollars.
alomu
One hundred and fifty Ethiopian
dollars for one bed is [too]
much
and moto hamsa yaityoPiya birr
land alga widd now.
('expensive').
exact, correct, honest
Tell me your final ('the
exact')
price and let me buy it.
lrgiTenfia
lrgiTannawm waga
ligzaw.
ymgorunnmna
abbebe
lKaw beTam Tiru silehone, widd
It's not much for such a good
article ( 'as the thing is
aydellem.
very good, it's not expensive'),
new.
b e w m e t u rikkas
really it's quite inexpensive.
alemu
to shine, to glitter
biliCliC malet
ability
aKm
mmimmmkwan
Although this thing looks shiny
and nice, I can't afford
/ aKim
lKaw biliCliC
bilmna
Tiru meslo bittayyim, land alga
('it's
beyond my ability') to pay one
and meto hamsa birr mekfel kaKrae
hundred and fifty dollars for
belay new.
one bed.
abbebe
to be hurt, to be harmed
tegodda-meggodat-yiggoddal
or damaged
I don't believe the price is too
bewagaw yetegoddu aymeslonnim.
high ('you are hurt by the
yehonewhono denbenfioccen
price').
masdesset silemmifellig, band
However, since I wish
to please my customers I'll let
meto arba birr lseTilliwotallehu,
you have it for one hundred and
forty dollars.
alemu
oh.'
ere
to be too much, to increase
m
mebzat
number
Oh, please, one hundred and forty
ere ibakkiwo, and meto arba birr
dollars is too much for me.'
yibezabbifmal.
abbeb©
Then how much would you like to pay?
lemehonu besint megzat yifelligallu.
alemu
One hundred and thirty dollars will
do ('will be enough for you').
moto solasa birr yibeKawotal.
abbebo
harm, damage, loss
gudat
however
honom
beTam gudat now.
I'd be losing a lot, but since
honom yewedefit
you're going to become my
denbefifiaye silemmihonu, balut
customer, I'll sell it to you
waga
isoTilliwotallehu.
for the price you mentioned.
Grammatical Notes
Note 3k'1
Verb:
Frequentative form.
The Frequentative Form usually indicates a fracturing of the
process of the action or state of the verb or gives a reiterative character
to the verb.
Examples:
Frequentative Form
/monger/
'to tell'
/menegager/
'to tell bit by bit'
/mefellog/
'to look for'
/mefelaleg/
'to look here and there for
/memrat/
'to lead '
/memerarat/
'to lead one by one'
/meleyyet/
'to separate'
/meloyayet/
'to sort out', to separate'
/memenzer/
'to change money'
/memenezazer/
'to chan£ie money into bills
(or coins) of various
denomination'
/meSaf/
'to write '
/meSaSaf/
' to scribble '
/mezor/
'to turn'
/mezwazwar/
'to circulate'
/mesoT/
'to sell'
/mesasaT/
'to sell now and then'
As can be seen from the above examples, the frequentative verbs have
only one single type, e.g.
Simple Form
Frequentative Form
Type A
/monger/
/menegager/
Type B
/mefelleg/
/mefelaleg/
The penultimate consonant is reduplicated.
consonant plus /a/.
The reduplication is a single
The two-radical verbs of the class /mehon/ have an addi
tional /w/ before the /a/, e.g. /mezor/ - /mezwazwar/, /maKom/ - /maKwaKwam/.
Where the penultimate consonant of the simple form is preceded by another
consonant, the frequentative form has an / e / preceding the reduplicated con
sonant, as m
/monger/ - /menegager/ or /memrat/ - /memerarat/, etc.
Following is the Chart of the Frequentative Verbs.
CHART VIII
Frequentative Verbs
Regular Three-
Regular Two-
Radical Verbs
Radical Verbs
manegager
momorarat
mofolaleg
meleyayot
nogaggere
morarra
felallege
leyayyo
ymogaggiral
yimorarral
yifolalligal
yileyayyal
y m o g a g ( i)r
yimorara
Infinitive
Perfective
Imperfective
Jussive
yifolalg
yiloyay
negagr
merara
folalg
leyay
nogagro
morarto
folalgo
loyayto
nogagari
morari
folalagi
loyayi
monogagoriya
momorariya
mofolalegiya
moloyaya
Imperative
Gerund
Noun of Agent
Noun of
Instrument
Four-Radical
Verbs
Other Two-Radical Verbs
memonezazor
meSaSaf
mozwazwar
monezazzoro
SaSafo
zwazwaro
yimonozazziral
yiSaSifal
yizwazural
yimonozazir
yiSaSif
yizwazur
monozazr
SaSaf
zwazur
monozazro
SaSifo
zwazuro
monozazari
SaSafi
zwazwari
momonozazoriya
moSaSafiya
mozwazwariya
co
Note 31+.2
Verb:
Reciprocal Form.
yamerikanna yeityoPiya gibza
yimmesassolallu t
Are the American and the Ethiopian
parties similar?
hassabun kesew gar mokkefafel
yiweddal.
He likes to share his ideas with
others.
wendimme wedamerika
sihed,
abbataccinm lemossenabet hede.
When my brother was leaving for
America, he went to say goodbye
to our father.
ato kebbedenna ato yohannis
Mr. Kebbede and Mr. John, having
tesenebabtew, wodeyyageraccew
said goodbye to each other,
hedu.. v.j
left for their respective
countries.
ato kebbede kemehedu befit kato
yohannis gar m m
tenegaggore.
What did Mr. Kebbede discuss
with Mr. John before he left?
Now let's discuss (about the)
isti silewagaw
mnmnegagoribbet.
prices.
We shared the food.
migbun tekaffelm.
The above examples illustrate the use of the reciprocal verbs.
reciprocal verbs may have two forms:
The
a simple reciprocal form (e.g.
/meffaleg/) and a reduplicated one (e.g. /meffolalog/).
The simple reciprocal
verbs have an /-a-/ following the first radical of three- and two- radical
passive verbs, e.g.
Passive
Simple Reciprocal
3-rad:
/meffeleg/
/meffaleg/
2-rad:
/memmorat/
/mommarat/
The four-radical reciprocal verbs have an /-a-/ following the second
radical of the corresponding Passive verb, e.g.
Passive
Reciprocal
/memmonzer/
/memmenazor/
The reduplicated reciprocal verb is the passive form of the frequentative
verb, e.g.
Frequentatlve
Reduplicated Reciprocal
3-rad*
/mefelaleg/
/meffelaleg/
2-rad:
/memerarat/
/memmerarat/
lj.-rad:
/memenezazer/
/memmonezazer/
Here are some examples of the Reciprocal Verbs*
Basic Form
/mofollog/
'to look for'
Simple Reciprocal
Reduplicated Reciprocal
/moffaleg/
/moffolalog/
'to look for each
'to look for each other
other'
/mokfol/
'to divide'
repeatedly'
/mokkafol/
/mokkofafol/
'to share'
'to be divided among
several persons'
/mowded/
'to like'
/mewwadod/
'to like each other'
/magfiet/
'to find'
/monger/
'to tell'
/memenzer/
'to change'
/mewKes/
'to reprove '
/ meggenanet /
'to meet'
m
/mennager/
/mennegager/
'to talk'
'to discuss'
/memmenazer/
/memmenezazor/
'to exchange'
'to exchange repeatedly'
/mewwaKes/
/mewweKaKes/
'to reprove each
'to reprove each other
other'
/mosenbet/
'to spend a few
repeatedly'
/mossenabet/
/messenebabot/
'to bid goodbye'
'to bid goodbye to each
days'
other '
As seen from the above examples the simple and the reduplicated forms of
the reciprocal verbs may have the same meaning.
used interchangeably by the speakers of Amharic.
They are, therefore, sometimes
The reduplicated form,
however, may imply that either the action of the verb is performed repeatedly
or that more than two persons are involved m
the performance of their action.
Sometimes only one of the two forms is used (e.g. /mowwaded/, or
/meggenannet/).
Sometimes the meaning of the two forms is clearly different,
e.g. /tenaggere/ 'he talked', /tenegaggore/ 'he discussed', /togabbu/ 'they
got married', /tegebabbu/ 'they understood each other'.
It should be noted that where the meaning is clearly reciprocal the
plural forms only are used, as m
or m
/inniffolallogallon/
/tofolallogu/ 'they looked for each other'
'we are looking for each other', etc.
Where, however, the meaning of reciprocity has been lost and the verb
implies simply that more than one person is involved, the singular forms are
equally used as m
/tenaggere/ 'he talked'; /tosonabboto/ 'he bade goodbye'.
As shown by Chart IX, reciprocal verbs have only one pattern with regard
to the distribution of vowels and consonants, thus /monnagor/ (from /mengor/Type A)
and /meffaleg/ from /mefelleg/ - Type B) are of the same type.
CHART IX
Reciprocal Verbs
Three-Raclical
Two-Radi cal
Simple
Reduplicated
Simple
Reduplicated
monnager
raonnogagor
memmarat
memmerarat
moffaleg
moffolalog
messaTet
messoTaTet
tonaggoro
tonogaggor©
temarru
temorarru
tofallogu
tsfolallogu
tesaTTu
teseTaTTu
ymnaggeral
yinnogaggeral
yimmarrallu
yimmerarrallu
yiffallogallu
yiffolallogall u yissaTTallu
yisseTaTTallu
yinnagor
yinnogagor
yimmeraru
Pour-Radic al
Simple
Reduplicated
memmenazor
Infinitive
Perfective
Imperfective
yimmaru
Jussive
yiffalogu
yiffelalegu
yissaTu
yisseTaTu
tonager
tonogagor
temaru
temeraru
tofalogu
tefelalegu
tesaTu
tesoTaTu
tonagro
tenegagro
temartow
temerartew
tofalgow
tef©lalgew
tesaTtew
teseTaTtew
tonagari
tenegagari
tomariwoc
temerariwoc
tofalagiwoc
tefelalagiwoc
tesaCiwoc
teseTaCiwoc
monnagoriya
mennegagoriya
memmariya
memmerariya
moffalogiya
meffelalegiya
messaCa
messeTaCa
Imperative
Gerund
Noun of
Agent
Noun of
Instrument
memmenezazer
temonazzeru
temenezazzeru
yimmonazzerallu
yimmenezazzerallu
yimmenazeru
yimmenezazeru
temenazeru
temenezazeru
temenazrew
temonezazrew
temenazariwoc
temenezazariwoc
memmenazeriya
memmenezazeriya
C\J
ingidoc genzob losowoc soTaTTu t
awon, t m n i s genzob soTaTtew hedu.
lzzih lyyezwazwarku lskitmeTu
beTam Tiru new.
liTobbiKaccihu t
bunna degagmo koToTTa metennat yicilal
t
litenna yemmicil aymeslofinim.
lKaccewm lhotelu adorarsew yet hedu.
wedesinimabet hedu.
lemma T i r u n e s m lyyeTorarra
awon, andande yiTeyayyiKatal.
silabbatwa
yiTeyayyiKatal t
gonzebun kefaflo leman seTTow.
lehulottu lijoccu seTTaccow.
betaccewm zogagtow yot yehedu
m m a l b a t wodennataccew bet hedow
yimeslihal.
yihonal.
mekinaccewm kofaftow m m
yiserallu.
misaccihun belaltaccihu wana
lKaccewm yasgoballu.
awon, m m a l b a t
m h e d yihonal.
tihedallaccihu t
meSihafun folalgeh agenflehow t
gonzob k© temar iwoc wosassedunna
awon, agenfiehut.
mm
lKawocc gezzu.
gezzu.
astemariw temar iwoccun siyamesegaggm
yellem, abirre alnebberhum.
abreh nebbor t
g e n z o b h m memenezazer
lemm
tifelligalleh.
m m i z z a r i beTam silemmifellig
new.
wendimmoccihin ayayteh temellosk t
awo, ayayicce temelosku.
negerun semamto yet hede.
wede mesriyabetu hede.
mnekebbede yet hedu.
m i s a c c e w m belaltew weTTu.
t m n i s serarten wed© b e t a c c m mehed
awon, t m n i s sorartaccihu mehed
mcilallen t
s i r a w m jemamreh l e m m
ticilallaccihu.
towkow.
sira mefelaleg kejemmerk s m t gize
gize silolellen new.
and sammint hononnal.
honeh.
lemma hulgize yiToyyiKaccihuwal t
andande lyyemeTaTTa yiTeyyiKenal.
yegezzahwaccowm mokinawocc aytohal t
awo, ayiccallehu.
silegibzaw yamesegaggonuwaccihu
ato lemmanna weyzerit Tirunes
sewoc sim manman yibbalal.
yibbalallu.
bunna degagmo yeTeTTaw sewiyye
awon, wendimme new.
wendimmiwo now t
b u n n a h m TeTaTteh yot hedoh nobber.
meflnita bet silk idewwil nebber.
lelijoccu gonzob soTaTto wodo siraw
awon, tinantinna keseat behwala
temellese t
temellese.
hulgize gonzob tibbodaddorallacihu t
yellem, annibbedadderim.
lemmanna balebetu beTam
yellem, alawKim.
indemmimmesegaggonu tawKalleh t
antenna wendimmih tittemammenallaccihu t
awon,
lnmttemammenallen.
ljjaccewm teTaTbow m i s a c c e w m bellu t
awo, toTaTbew bellu.
yohannisinna Tirunes b a l m n a mist
lemehon yiffeKaKKedallu t
Tirunes m n a
mnatwa
ibete kristiyan
awo, tefelalgew tegenannu.
wisT yiffelallegu nebber t
silebetu kiray zare tifferarromalleh t
awo, ifferarromallehu.
astemariwoc bamet s m t
and assir gize yahil
gize
yiggebabbozallu.
yiggebabbozallu.
abbatihmna ant© negerun
awo, tegelalleSm.
tegelalleSaccihu t
wedamerika yemmithedibbetin mikniyat
yollem, gona alteCewawwetnim.
teOewawwetaccihu t
be s m t
baratt soat gedema n©w.
seat 1 erne ggena rifle t
teKoTaTTeraccihu.
kebalobetis gar tegonafmes t
awo, tegenannehu.
genzebun mece tikkefaffelallaccihu.
zare keseat behwala
mnikkefaf f ela lien.
lemmanna yohannis teKerarbow y m o r a l l u t
yellom, torariKew y m o r a l l u .
antenna lhitih l e m m
me
teraraKaccihu.
addis ketema menor
silefelleghu now.
Tirunes m n a wendimwa l e m m
teleyayyu.
issu wedamerika lemehed
silefollege new.
lemmanna abbatu beTam yimmesasselallu t
awo, beTam yimmesasselallu.
yewiCC gudday
siladdis abeba timihirtbet
ministrunna
ministru s i l e m m
yetimihirt
tenegaggeru.
almazmna Tirunes tesenebabbetu t
tenegaggeru.
awon, tesenebabbetu.
Tirunosinna yohannis m m
beTam Tiru libs tosoTaTTu.
tosoTaTTu.
abbatiwonna ministru towawweKu t
yellom, altewawwoKum.
antenna wondimmih tiTTerarrallaccihu t
awo, mniTTerarrallen.
lemmanna yohannis m m
k o t m n a krabat yissoTaTTallu.
yissoTaTTallu.
genzebun temenezazzeraccihu t
awo,
inn©kobbodo bizu neger tesasaTu t
awo, bizu tesasiTowal.
lhotelu wisT m m
bunna bicca now.
tegebabbezaccihu.
temariwoc rasaccewm teleCaGCu t
tomenozazzerm.
yellem, gena naccew.
dirset
liju kabbatu gar silalem poletika
tekorakkere.
to argue, to dispute, to
mekkeraker
bargain, to haggle
lowliness, low
yohannis kokebbede betimihirtu
zlKKitonna new.
yene mekina kante mekina bewaga yansal.
to be less, to decrease
manes
ato alemu lyyozore besuKu wisT y a l l u t m algawoc hullu ketemelekkote
bohwala, andennawm alga lemegzat fellege.
yih alga Tenkarranna miccu
komehonum belay addismna zemenawi nebber.
yalgaw waga and meto hamsa birr silonebberenna, lato alemu beTam widd
moslo siletayyow, bezzih waga lejnegzat alfellegem.
bewagaw kato abbebe gar
ketekerakkeru behwala, ato alemu a l g a w m band meto solasa birr lemegzat
fellege.
beyetim bota, yoKaw aynet kewagaw gar yetemesassele new.
Tiru kehone, wagaw beTam keff yale yihonal.
m d e z z i h u yansal.
lKaw beTam
lKaw ziKKitenna kehone, wagaw
ato alemu legezzaw alga and meto solasa birr yokeffelebbet
mikniyatu yalgaw aynet Tiru mehonun bemaweK now.
TiyyaKewocc
ato alemu lyyezore m m
ato alemu m m
tomolokkota.
lemegzat fellege.
l e m m algawin lemegzat fellege.
yalgaw waga sint nebbor.
ato alemu lalgaw sint keffele.
ato abbebonna ato alemu bewagaw tekerakkeru t
yeKaw aynet kewagaw gar yimmesasselal t
ato alemu lalgaw and meto selasa birr yekoffelebbet mikniyatu
mmdm
new.
yebet iKa lemegzat sitfellig wedet tihedalleh.
bebetih wisT bizu aynet yebet lKawocc alluh t
Unit 3 5
Basic Sentences
alomu
When are you going to send me the
l K a w m moc yilikullinflal.
things?
abbob©
to deliver, to transfer
masrokkob
m
lohullum
general
at any rate, anyway, anyhow
lohullum nog©r
As I don't have anyone now [to
ahun s©w sil©lell©n, n©ge keseat
deliver the merchandise] I'll
behwala lasrekkibiwot lcilallehu.
be able to deliver them tomorrow
lohullum nogsr, silk
afternoon.
id©wwililllwotallehu.
In any case, I'll
give you a ring.
alomu
down payment
Kebd
to take delivery, to receive
merr©k©b
Then I'll give you half of the
mgidiyass gimmasun waga
price right now as a down
ahun lssTiwotallehu,
payment
gin lKawin sirrokk©b
and I'11 pay you
the rest upon the delivery
mdeKebd
yeKerrewm
ikofliwotall©hu.
of the goods.
abbeb©
receipt
d©rr©s©n
dish, plate
sahm
knife
billawa
fork
sukka
spoon
mankiya
shot-glass
melskkiya
All right.
Before I write you a
issi.
d©rr©s©n k©m©Safe b©fit
receipt, would you like to see
lela ysmmif©lliguwaccsw y©bet
some other household articles
lKawoc mdssahin, billawa, sukka,
(that you want) such as plates,
mankiya, s m i , birCiKo, melekkiya
knives, forks, spoons, cups,
m d i h u m leloc lKawoc mayot
glasses, shot-glasses and other
yifelligallu t
things?
alemu
weTbet
kitchen
mnezzihin yewoTbet lKawoc Kodem
I've already bought these kitchen
biyye geziccallehu.
things (before).
a s tawwo s e-ma s tawe s-
to remind, to remember
yastawwisal
gin silastawwesun
But I thank you for reminding me.
ameseggmallehu.
I'11 bring you other customers
wedefit leloc dembennoc
m
ameTa11IWOtallehu.
the future.
abbebe
issi, dess yilennal,
I'll be very pleased,
Useful Words
amiak s i r a h m yikfolih.
God
l a g e r a c c m yabKan.
to be worthy of; to cease
mabKat
mengodu m e k i n a w m
to let pass, to help to pass
yassegaggiral.
a ssegaggere-massegageryassegaggiral
birth, birthday, Christmas
zare yelidot be'alen akebberku.
Easter, Resurection
b o t m s a 'e magist wedamerika
hedku.
enemy
ato yohannis bizu Telatoe nebberut,
generous, kind
abbate beTam cer sew new.
highway
beityoPiya wisT bizu awra
godanawoc yissorrallu.
mam,
chief, principal
street, avenue
awra
godana
Grammatical Notes
Note 35«1
The use of the word /inkwan/ m
welcoming and congratulatory
expressions.
m d o m i n naccihu.
m k w a n dohna
How are you?
Welcome
[to Addis].
gebbaccihu.
The word / m k w a n / has no equivalent in English.
It may express approval,
joy, satisfaction, pleasure, etc. and is used idiomatically mainly m
welcoming
or congratulatory expressions.
Here are some examples of the most common expressions with / m k w a n / :
/mkwan/
1)
Expression
m k w a n dohna moTTah (or: gabbah) .
'Welcome ('you came well') '
2)
m k w a n lewonzih aboKKah.
'Welcome home'.
('[God]
Response:
inkwan dohna Koyyoh.
('you stayed well')
bamlakih.
'With [the help of] (your) God'
made you worthy of
your country ( 'river') ' ) .
3)
m k w a n kezemon zomon yassegaggoreh.
'Happy New Year.' ' ( '[God] is the
one who helped you to pass
m k w a n abro assogaggoron.
('He helped both of us
to pass ' ) .
from one year to the other')
1+)
inkwan laddisu amot aderresoh.
'Happy New Year' ('[God]
caused you to arrive
inkwan abro adorroson.
('He caused both of us
to arrive ' ) .
to the new year ')
5)
m k w a n lolidotu adorrosoh.
'Merry Ghristams.' '
m k w a n abro adorroson.
( '[God]
caused you to arrive to
Christmas ')
6)
m k w a n lobirhane t m s a 'ew
adorrosoh.
'Happy Easter.' ' ( '[God]
caused you to reach the
light of Resurrection').
inkwan abro adorroson.
7)
m k w a n mariyam mareccis.
bamlakis.
'Congratulations.' ' ( 'St.
Mary had mercy upon
you'). (Said to a woman
who had a now baby).
Note 3 5 ^ 2 .
The use of /inkwan/ m
combination with /yiKrinna/ 'let it be
left' as equivalent to English
not',
'let alone'...
'whether... or
'even though', etc.
In addition to the usage described m
Note 3 5 * 1 above, /inkwan/ may
also be used in combination with the Jussive form of the verb /moKrat/ plus
suffix /-(i)nna/ 'and'.
to English
'let alone',
The resulting constructions correspond approximately
'whether... or not',
'even though' clauses.
It should be noted that the form /yiKrinna/ may or may not be used.
Examples:
inkwan gonzob liyabeddirih
(yiKrinna)
alleniiim aylih.
'He will not even admit ('tell
you') that he has money, let
alone lending you some'.
inkwan letomariwoc,lastomariwoc
alsoTTam.
'He didn't even give it to the
teachers let alone the
students.'
inkwan wiski yiKrinna woynim
ayToTTam.
inkwan lewedajoccu yiKrinna,
loTolatoccum cor now.
inkwan bokromt, bebegam lemehed
yasceggiral.
'He doesn't even drink wine,
let alone whisky.'
'He's even generous to his
enemies, let alone his friends.
'It's even hard to get there
summer, let alone m
In expressions corresponding roughly to the English
m
winter.'
'whether... or not'
clauses /inkwan/ is usually combined with the verb used both m
the affirm
ative gerund and the negative / b d ) - / forms, e.g.
inkwan terniro yiKrinna, bayimmarim
m k w a n astoway new.
inkwan genzeb agnito, bayagonfiim
mdehabtam menor yiweddal.
'He is [naturally] intelligent,
whether he is educated or not'
'He likes to live like a rich
man, whether he's got money
or not'.
abbatih sint yelijlijocc alluwaccew.
asrammist wond m n a
set
yelijlijocc alluwaccew.
yiccin mokina bigezat Tmikkare
yallat yimeslihal t
awo, boTam Tmikkare yallat
yimeslennal.
wedebank lemohed miccu gize allewo t
nege m d e h o n e new m j i , zare
yellennim.
noge lrgiTefina wedageris yemmithej
mmalbat
lhed yihonal.
yimeslisal t
kefina gar wede hakimbet mehed
tifelligallec
ahun yemmithed
aymeslennim.
t
m o k i n a h m sitseT tegoddah t
yellom, altegoddahum.
addis ketema wisT bizu denbennocc
hulott bicca naccew.
aH u h
t
yaddis abeba hizb bizat s m t
new.
kennezzih mekinawoc mekakkel
KuTrun alawKim.
alawKim.
yetiflflaw Tenkarra yimeslihal.
kolomma gar silemin tekerakkeraccihu.
silemekinaw waga
lziKKitenfiaw kifl wisT s m t
hamsa yemmihonu temariwocc allun.
temariwocc
tekerakkerm.
alluwaccihu.
kotimihirtbet yagennehew genzeb
yellem, alannesennim.
anneseh t
yelomman mekina wesdoh asrekkebhew t
yellem, gena alasrekkebhutim.
mditsoTaccew y e s e T T e h u h m gonzeb
legimmasoccu bicca
seTTehuwaccew.
lohullum seTTehaccew t
lehotelu kifl Kebd seTTeh t
awo,
yamerika mengist leityoPiya mengist
awo., semiccallehu.
assir birr seTiccallehu.
genzob mesTetun semtehal t
genzebun sittiKKebbel derresen
awo, seTiccewallohu.
seTTehew t
m i s a h m b e s a h m lasKommiTillih t
issi, asKemmiCillin.
weyzero almaz sukka, billawanna,
yellem, nege lgezallehu
mankiya gezzac t
and birCiko wiha tifelligalleh t
aleccmna wede betwa hedec.
ahun alfelligim.
yemmiseTihin areKe bemelekkiya
awo, yimoslonnal.
melekkat yifelligal t
kaddis abeba y e m e T T a w m iKa mece
merrekeb tifelligallaccihu.
weTbet yeteKommoTecciwa set sim
zare kessat behwala merrekeb
m f elligallen.
almaz new.
man new.
kebbede s i m h m astawwesew t
yellem, alastawwosswim.
yezare s a m m m t wedageraccihu mehed
awo, m f elligallen.
tifelligallaccihu t
weyzero almaz welajoccwan TeyyeKeccaccew t
yollem, alTeyyeKeccaccowim.
lhotelu wisT Tiru migibbet alle t
awo, boTam Tiru migibbet alle.
yehonewhono nog© m n a
yollem, neg© memTat ancilim.
bet
timeTallaccihu t
wed© gojjam yemmiwesdew awra godana
yollem, gena alteserram.
tesertowal t
agero geziw beTam cor saw yimesluhal t
awon, beTam cer s©w naccew.
T e l a t h m tiweddalleh t
alweddim.
y e t m s a ' e bo'al mace n©w.
yenoge s a m m m t n©w.
lidet mece n©w.
betahisas haya zeTen Ken new.
z m a b u zenbo mabKatu now t
yollem, gsna yizenbal.
sowoccu sortow abeKKu t
yollem, gena yiserallu.
sint awra dorowocc *) alluh.
assir yommihonu allun.
begodanaw lay sew yihedibbetal t
yollem, ayhedibbetim.
iskem©skerem yemmiyassegaggirlh
awo, alien.
migib alleh t
bawraw godana lay bizu mekinawoc
aytehal t
selasa yommihonu tililliK
mekinawoc wedaddis abeba
sihedu ayiccallehu.
wendimmih cor sew bemohonu sow hullu
yiwoddowal t
leTelatih cor bittihon,
cer mehonun yommiyawKu sewoc
hullu yiweddutal.
mm
tagennallsh.
bizu wedajocc agennallehu.
wenzu bekiremt yassegaggiral t
yollem, ayassegaggirim.
*)
awra doro - 'cock', 'rooster'.
dir59t
neggadew W9d9 gojjam l9m9hed
m Q k i n a w m yasdnal.
to have loaded
masCan
algaw ketegezza bohwala, wediyaw
wodato
algmu bet lomgwsgd altecalem.
mgkniyatum ato abbebg lgglzew yommiredaw SQW baTegebu silelello ngw. bemagistu
ato abbgbg algawin bgmQkina a s d n o
WQdato
alomu bet lakow.
bQmQjgmmQrIya ato alQmu gimmasun waga mdgKgbd kgflo silonQbbQr,
yoKorrobbetm gonzob algawin sirrekkQb keffele.
kozzlya gize jQmmiro ato alemunna ato abbebe bgTam siletewawweKu, ato
alomu yommigozawm lKawocc hullu kato abbebe suK yigeza ngbbgr.
kezzihim
belay gwaddennoccun hullu lyyameTTa kato abbgbo gar silastewawweKaccew, ato
abbebe bizu dembefifioc agenfie.
TiyyaKewoc
ato algmu algawin wgdiyaw l e m m alterekkebem.
ato alemu algawin mec lemagnnet cale.
ato abbebe algawin b e m m lakew.
mejemmeriya ato alemu yekeffelew genzeb m m
yibbalal.
ato abbebenna ato alemu m d e t tewawweKu.
ato alemu lKawin hullu yemmigezaw keyet nebber.
ato abbebe m d e t bizu dembefifioc lemagnnet cale.
yebet l K a h m yemmitgezabbaccew suKoc s m t naccew.
Unit 3 6
Basic Sentences
kebbede
When did you come from America to
ato yohannis.
Ethiopia, Mr. John?
kamerika
wodeityoPiya mece meTTah.
John
I came to Addis a few days ago
addis abeba kogobbahu, TiKit
('it has been a few days sincf
Konoc hononnal.
I entered Addis').
kobbodo
Are you planning to stay
m
ityoPiya wisT bizu gize moKoyyot
tassiballeh t
Ethiopia for a long time?
John
to tour, to go sightseeing,
tezewawwere-mezzewawer-
to visit places
y I Z z ©wawworal
Yes, I'm going to stay [here]
awo, TeKlay gizatoccun hullu
until I've toured all the
lyyetezewawwerku lskay dires
provinces ('until I see
iKoyyallehu.
while touring').
By the way, how many provinces
are there m
Ethiopia
lemehonu ityoPiya sint TeKlay
('does
gizatocc alluwat.
Ethiopia have')?
kobbodo
Eritrea
ertra
Begemidir
begemidir
Bale
bale
Wallo
wello
Shoa
sowa
Sidamo
sidamo
Kafa
kefa
Ilubabor
illubbabor
Gomo Gofa
gemugofa
ityoPiya asraratt ToKlay
Ethiopia has fourteen provinces.
Their names are: Begemidir,
gizatocc alluwat. simaccewim
Go jam, Tigre, Wallo, Shoa, Arusi,
begemidir, gojjam, tigre,
Sidamo, Kafa, Ilubabor, Gomo Gofa,
wello, sewa, arusi, sidamo,
kefa, illubbabor, gemugofa,
Walaga and Hararge.
wollegga, harerge, ertranna,
bale naccew.
John
sifat
size, width
Which is the largest province
keTeKlay gizatoc hullu besifat
( 'from all the provinces which
yetinnaw yibelTal.
one is larger by the size')?
kobbodo
besifat kehullu yemmibelTew
The largest province is Hararge
and the smallest one is Arusi.
TeKlay gizat harerge new.
kehullum yemmlyansew TeKlay
gizat degmo, arusi new.
Useful Words
yoTana hayiK beityoPiya wisT
kemmiggennut hayiKoc hullu
tilliK new.
hayiK / hayK
lake
yeTana hayiK
beTana hayiK wisT bizu asawocc
lake Tana
allu.
liju fire lemegzat wedesuK hede.
hakim frafre mdibela azzezen.
fruit
bebetaccm aTegeb bizu zaf
beKKele.
mebKel
various fruits
bamerika wisT frafre bebizu
yibeKlal.
aseb
to grow (INTR)
Assab (port m
Ethiopia)
Massaua
(port in Ethiopia)
miSiwwa
beteraraw aTogob wiha monoGCo.
to spring, to emerge, to originate
momonCot
wenzu keyet yimeneCCal.
Nile
abbay boTam tilliK wonz now.
babbay wisT mewanfiet beTam
asceggari new.
agriculture
g i b r m n a beityoPiya wisT
tesasilowal.
begibrmna yemminoru bizu
sewocc allu.
hide, skin
Camma yemmisserraw koKoda now.
yebere Koda lobizu negoroc
yiToKmal.
seed, g r a m
ityoPiya bizu aynet lhil
tabeKlallec.
to grow
[TRANS]
mabKel
lhil lemigib yiToKmal.
merkeb lemegzat wed© awroPa
ship
lhedallehu.
amerika
leityoPiya
and tilliK
merkeb seTTat.
jelba kemerkob beTam yansal.
boat
beTana hayiK lay jelba lihed
yicilal.
yemiSiwwa wodeb seffi new.
port
addisun wedeb hejje mayst
ifelligallehu.
mengodu m©kina ya s ke da1 t
kezzih lskeniwyork s m t
seat
yaskedal.
to cause to go, to let go
border, frontier
ma sked/mashed
yeityoPiya weson seffi new.
Grammatical Notes
Note 3 6 . 1
Relative constructions used m
combination with impersonal forms
of the verb /memsel/ 'to seem'.
The / y ( o ) - / and /yemm(i)-/ relative constructions
often used m
'I think',
(Note 1 0 . 1 . 1 )
are
combination with the verb forms /yimoslonnal/, /yimeslihal/, etc.
'you think', etc. or /moslonnal/, /meslohal/, etc.
'you thought', etc. (Note
'I thought',
20.2).
The resulting constructions correspond m
(you, etc.) think that you (he, she, etc.) did (_or:
meaning to English 'I
will do) so-and-so' or:
'I (you, etc.) thought that you (he, she, etc.) had done (or:
would do)
so-and-so'.
Examples t
wodo betu yohedo yimoslonnal.
'I think he went home'.
zare gonzob yommiyagofl yimoslonnal.
'I think he'll get money today'.
gonzobun yagonnu moslonnal.
'I thought that you had received
the money'.
agerun yemmigoben meslotal.
'He thought that he would visit
the country'.
The Impersonal forms of the verb /memsel/ which can be used m
these
constructions are:
1)
Imperfective:
yimoslonnal, yimeslihal, etc.
2)
Perfective:
messelefl, messeleh, etc.
3)
Present-Perfect:
moslonnal, meslohal, etc.
k)
5)-
Imperfect:
yimeslen nebber, yimeslih nebber, etc.
Past-Perfect:
meslofi nebber, mosloh nebber, etc.
ityoPiya sint TeKlay gizatocc
a 1luwa t.
ityoPiya ahun asraratt TeKlay
gizatocc alluwat.
kassir amet befit sint TeKlay
gizatoc nebberuwat.
asrahulett bicca nebberu.
ertrawiyan bemulu amarinna yawKallut
yellem, hullum aydellum.
ertra yemmittiggennew
bemisraK
yemmittiggonnew besemen new.
ityoPiya now, woyiss bomirab.
keffitenfia torarawoc yemmiggenflut
bebegemidir wisT yimeslonnal.
yot now.
bemekakkelennaw ityoPiya
yemmiggonnut
harerge, wollo, sewanna, arusi
ToKlay gizatocc m n e m a n naccew.
naccew.
bemisraKiss m n e m a n yiggennallu.
harergenna bale naccew.
bemnrabiss bekkul yallut TeKlay
kef a, wellegganna, illubbabor
naccew.
gizatoc manman yibbalallu.
gomugofanna sidamoss beye't bekkul
m n e s u bestedebub naccew.
naccew.
yeTana hayiK beTam tilliK new t
awo, beTam tilliK hayiK new.
yeTana hayiK beyetinnaw TeKlay
begojjammna
gizat wisT new.
bebegemidir
mekakkel new.
t
ityoPiya wisT bizu frafre yibeKlal t
awo, yibeKlal.
abzannaw gin
harerge wisT new.
kehullum besifat yemmibelTow TeKlay
gizat man new.
harerge new.
kehulluss besifat yemmiyansow
TeKlay gizat man now.
arusi new.
abzannaw bunna yemmimeTaw keyet now.
kekefa, sidamonna harerge new.
ityoPiya wisT bizu wenzocc
yiggennallu t
awo, beTam bizu wenzoc
ityoPiya wisT beTam y i m o K a l t
yiggennallu.
kandand ziKKitenna botawoc
besteKer abzannaw bota aymoKim.
ityoPiya wisT yabzannaw sow sira
yabzannaw sow sira g i b r m n a new.
mmdm
new.
ityoPiya wedewiCC ager yemmitseTaccew
min aynet negoroc naccew.
Koda bunnanna yezeyit lhloc
naccew.
sigass wede wiCC ager tiseTallec t
awo, meseT jemmirallec.
beityoPiya wisT bemmiggennut wenzoc
boTiKitoc wenzoc jelbawoc
lay merkeboccmna
yihedubbaccowal.
jelbawoc
yemmihedibbaccew wenzoc
yihedubbaccowal t
gin ye H u m .
yeityoPiya kiromt mdamerika
yiberdalf
merkeb
kiremt
yellem, ayberdim.
beityoPiya wonzoccmna hayKoc bizu
awo, babzannawoccu wisT
asa yiggonflibbaccowal t
ityoPiya wisT yemmibeKlutm
wedewiCC agor b e m m
yiggeflnibbaccewal.
frafrewoc
bomerkebmna bayroPlan now.
tilikallaccihu.
addisu awra godana band gize sint
aratt mekinawoc yaskedal.
mekinawoc yaskedal.
yabbay wenz jelba yaskedal t
awo, yaskedal.
ityoPiya sint wedebocc alluwat t
hulett tililliK wedebocc alluwat.
yowedeboccu sira manman yibbalal.
asebinna miSiwwa yibbalallu.
yeityoPiya hayKoc hullu jelba
hullum t m n i s
yaskedallu t
jelbawoc mashed
yicilallu.
baddis aboba ketema aKrabbiya
bizu frafrewoc yibeKlallu.
frafrewoc yibeKlallu t
yabbay wenz koityoPiya weTto wedet
keityoPiya weTto wede sudan
yihedal.
yihedal.
beityoPiya TeKlay gizatoc hullu
awo, beTam yetelemmede now.
g i b r m n a yetelemmedo new t
ityoPiya lewiGC agorocc bizu Koda
awo, bizu Koda tiseTallec.
tiseTallec t
ityoPiya wisT yemmibeKlew yehil
awo, beTam bizu new.
aynet bizu new t
kegojjam wedo begemidir beTana hayiK
beTana hayiK lay merkeb yellem.
lay bemerkeb mehed yiccalalt
n e g e r g m tililliK jelbawoc
silallu, bennessu mehed
yiccalal.
ityoPiya wisT jolba mekkerayetinna
awon, yiccalal.
menseraser yiccalal t
abbay beTam TilliK wenz now t
awo, kalom tililliK wenzocc andu
issu now.
legibzaw yemeTTutm
sewoc
yollem, yemmawKaccew
yommittawKaccew yimeslihal 1
aymoslennim.
tilliKun meSihaf yemmitgezaw yimesliha
yezare assir amet sew wed© CereKa
awo, lgezaw yihonal.
awo, m m a l b a t kassir amot befit
yemmihed yimeslihal t
labbatu silk yemmidowwil yimeslihal
t
yihed yihonal.
t
lemma f e t o n a w m yemmiwesd yimeslihal t
awo, yommidewwil yimeslennal.
yellem, yemmiwesd
aymeslonnim.
bemmimeTaw amet wedageraccin
yellem, annimmellesim.
yemminnimmolles yimeslihal t
bizu TiyyaKewoc yemmlTeyyiKu yimeslisal t
yellem, yemmiTeyyiKu aymeslennim.
wedefit addis bank yemmikeftu
awo, yikeftallu.
yimeslaccihuwalt
p
z m a b yemmizenb yimeslihal t
awo, yizenb yihonal.
p
Timun yetelaCCe yimeslihal t
awo, tolaGCtowal.
kebbede sijara yemmiyaCes yimeslihalt
awo, yaCQsal.
m n a l m a z kenna gar sirrisir yemmihedu
yimeslihalt
awo, yihedallu.
p
mnelemma astemari lemehon yemmicilu
awo, yicilallu.
yimeslihalt
l K a w m yemmissekkemillih yimeslihal t
awo, yissekkemillinnal.
m e k i n a w m lefina yemmiseTillm
yellem, aysoTillmim.
yimeslihalt
p
liju abbatun yemmiTebbiK yimeslihal t
awo, yiTebbiK yihonal.
ato yohannis genzeb yelakullih
meslohal t
awo, y e l a k u l l m meslonnal.
lomma wedebetu yehede m e s l o h a l t
awo, yohede moslonnal.
jermeninna yemmawK meslohalt
awo, yommittawK meslon nobber.
lomma saysora yekebbore mosloh nebber t
yellem, almesselenfiim.
satsera genzeb yemmittagen m e s l o h a l t
yellem, almessolenfiim.
mekinaccewm yemmilewwiTu messoloh t
awo, meslon nobber.
bunna yemmmTeTTa me si oh nebber t
awo, yemmitToTTu meslon nebber.
mnoyohannis m i s a c c o w m yobellu meslohal t
awo, yobellu meslonnal.
lomma y o m e k i n a w m gomma yeKeyyere mosloh
awo, yeKeyyerew meslon nebber.
nebber t
astomariwo Tiwat yemmimeTa meslowot
awo, meslon nobbor.
nobber t
t m a n t z m a b yemmizenb mosloh nebber t
awo, yemmizenb meslon nobber.
temariwoc higg yeTasu meslowaccihu nebbor t
awo, meslon nobber.
lijis timihirtun yoKoTTelo meslos nebber t
awo, yeKeTTele meslon nobber.
zafun yeKorreThut mosloh nebber t
awo, yeKorreThew meslon nebber.
dirset
tinantinna yowiCC gudday
minis t e r m gobefmen.
megobnet
to visit
situation
yobetu aKKomamoT boTam Tiru now.
news
tomariwoccu yalom wore yisomallu.
w o r e w m somten, kotoroddan bohwala
wedagoraccm
hedm.
morrodat
to learn, to find out,
to understand
yohannis yotobalo amerikawi ityoPiyan lemegobnst
wodaddis
aboba moTTa.
addis aboba gebto TiKit Kenoc yahil koKoyye behwala, leloccun ToKlay
gizatoc
lomegobnet follogo.
kaddis aboba kemennesatu bofit, siloToKlay gizatoccunna silo
aKKomam©Taccow lomaweK, ato kobbodon Toyy©K©w.
ato kebbedem b©T©Klallaw
asr©ddaw.
ahun ityopiya asraratt ToKlay gizatocc alluwat.
simaccowim begemidir,
gojjam, tigre, wollo, sewa, arusi, sidamo, kofa, illubbabor, gomugofa,
well©gga, harorge, ertranna bale yibbalal.
addis aboba yommiggonfiow besewa ToKlay gizat wisT now.
besowa zuriya
yallut ToKlay gizatoc arusi, wollo, gojjam, wollogganna harorge naccew.
har©rge kohullum seffi TeKlay gizat new.
gizat new.
arusi gin kehullu yannese TeKlay
yohannis m d e z z i h y a l l o w m were TeyyiKo keteredda behwala, lKawin yizo
guzowin jemmer©.
TiyyaKewoc
yohannis ityoPiyawi new f
yohannis keyet meTTa.
wedaddis abeba l e m m meTTa.
yohannis ato kebbeden m m
TayyeKew.
yeityoPiya TeKlay gizatoc sint naccew.
simaccew manman yibbalal.
addis abeba beyetmnaw ToKlay gizat wisT yiggennal.
besewa zuriya yemmiggennut TeKlay gizatoc m n e m a n naccew.
keTeKlay gizatoccu hullu soffi yetinnaw new.
koToKlay gizatoccu hullu yemmiyansew yetinnaw now.
ant© ityoPiyan lemegobfiot tif elligalloh t
bizu agoroc gobnitehal t
Unit 3 7
Basic Sentences
John
Is the weather m
the provinces
yoyyandandu ToKlay gizat ayyer
( 'every -province ') as good as
m d a d d i s abeba melkam new T
m
Addis?
kebbede
No, the weather m
yellem t
every province
yoyyandandu ToKlay gizat
ayyer yeteleyayye new.
is different.
John
What is the warmest region
koityoPiya yetinnaw kifl beTam
m
yimoKal.
Ethiopia?
kebbede
lowne ss
zlKKita
that is to say
malet
lowland (below 5500 feet)
Kolla
Most of the time it's very hot in
abzafifiawin gize, boKeyy bahir
the low regions around the Red
zuriyanna beziKKitenna botawoc,
Sea, that is to say, m the
malet beKollaw wisT beTam
'Kolla' area.
yimoKal.
feet)
highland region (above
KezKazza
cold
[and] it's cold m
the highland
regions, that is to say,
the
dega
m
bekoffitenna botawoc, malet
bedegaw, KezKazza new.
'Dega' area.
midland, temperate region
weynadega
(between 5500 and 8000 feet)
agreeable, suitable, moderate,
,
*
tesmami
comfortable
The temperature m
the central
bemekakkalennaw bota, malet
regions, that is (to say), m
beweynadegaw yemmiggennew
the 'Woynadega' area, is moderate.
ayyer tesmami new.
John
rainy season, winter
yekiremt worat
ityoPiya sint yekiromt worat
How many rainy seasons are there
m
alluwat.
Ethiopia?
kebbede
borodo
hail, snow
There are two rainy seasons
ityoPiya wisT hulott yekiromt
m
Ethiopia, but there is no snow
weratocc allu.
m
mdonnante kiremt beredo
winter ('it
does not have
negorgm
yellewim.
snow like your winter')
John
aytew yawKallu
have you ever seen
beredo aytew yawKallu t
Have you ever seen snow?
kobbodo
I have never seen
ayicce alawKim
No, I have never seen snow until
yollem, lskahun dires beredo
now.
ayicce alawKim.
John
strenth, power, force
hayl / hayil
Is the r a m very heavy?
beTam behayl yizenbalt
kobbodo
powerful
haylenna
strength, might
haylennannet
property
nibret
Yes, sometimes the r a m
awo, andande haylenna
is very
zmab
heavy, and because of the
yizenbal.
intensity of the r a m s
haylennannet yetenessa,
the
kozmabum
rivers overflow and cause
wenzoccu beTam yimolunna,
considerable damage ('destroy
nibret yaTefallu.
the property').
John
danger, accident
adega
dangerous
adegenna
ahun yozinabu worat Kerbowal.
Now that the rainy months are
approaching do you think it
silezzih ToKlay gizatoccun
would be dangerous to go by
bemekina lyyetegwazhu lemayet
car to see the provinces?
adegenna yimeslewotalt
kebbede
or, whether
be-... hon© be-...
mountainous
teraramma
alrplane
awroplan/ ayroplan/roplan
Ethiopia is a mountainous country
bekremt hone bebegaw, ityoPiya
and the roads are not very good
teraramma ager kemehonwa
either m
yetenessa, bizu melkam mengedoc
winter or m
summer.
So, it will be much better if
yolluwatiminna, bawroplan bihedu
you go by plane. (' m
yissalal.
m
winter or
summer as Ethiopia is a
mountainous country, she does
not have many good roads and it
will be better if you go by plane')
John
airline
ayyer menged
T
By the ây, do [the planes of] the
lemohonu yeityoPiya ayyermengod
Ethiopian airlines land ('rest')
beyyeTeKlay gizatu wanna ketemoc
at the principal cities of every
yarfalt
province?
kobbodo
Yes, they land at the main cities
awo, beyyeTeKlay gizatu wanna
of every province.
ketemoc hullu yarfal.
John
Then I'm going to travel by plane.
mgidiyass bawroplan lggwazallehu.
I'm very grateful to you for your
siladerregullin lrdata
help.
ameseggmiwotallehu.
Goodbye.
TenayisTillin,
kobbodo
Goodbye, I wish you a nice trip.
TenayisTillin.
melkam guzo
lmmefinill IWO ta llehu.
Grammatical Notes
Note 3 7 . 1
Verb:
The use of the verb /mawoK/ 'to know' with the Gerund as
equivalents to English
so' and
'have ever done (or: been) so-and-
'have never done (or: been) so-and-so'.
berodo a^tow yawKallu t
'Have you ever seen snow?'
yollem, lskahun dires beredo
'No, I've never seen snow until
ayicce alawKim.
now.
The Imperfective of the verb /maweK/ 'to know' is used m
with the Gerund of another verb m
combination
questions equivalent to English
'have you
(I, he, she, etc.) ever done (or: been) so-and-so' (the latter indicated by
the gerund).
The person involved m
the action or state of the verb is
indicated both by the Gerund and the Imperfective personal affixes to /maweK/.
The same construction occurs with the Negative Imperfective of the verb
/mawoK/ m
statements or questions equivalent to English
'you (l, he, she,
etc.) have never (or: haven't you, etc. ever) done (or: been) so-and-so'.
Examples:
felligge awKallohu t
'have I ever wanted?'
felligeh tawKalleh t
'have you (m) ever wanted?'
felliges tawKiyalles t
'have you (f) ever wanted?'
felligo yawKal t
'has he ever wanted?'
felliga tawKallec t
'has she ever wanted?'
felligen innawKallen t
'have we ever wanted?'
felligaccihu tawKallaccihu t
'have you (pi) ever wanted?'
folligew yawKallu t
'have they ever wanted?'
felligge alawKim.
'I have never wanted'
felligeh attawKim.
'you (m) have never wanted'
felliges attawKim.
'you (f) have never wanted'
felligo ayawKim.
'he has never wanted'
felliga attawKim.
'she has never wanted'
felligen annawKim.
'we have never wanted'
felligaccihu attawKum.
'you (pi) have never wanted'
felligew ayawKum.
'they have never wanted'
The interrogative of the second column would be /folligge alawKim
etc. 'haven't I ever wanted', etc.
would be /folligge awKallohu/, /felligeh tawKalloh/, etc.
wanted', etc.
t /,
The affirmative of the first column
This form may sometimes occur m
'I have once
the answers to the questions,
e.g.
Answer
Question
gonzob agfiiteh tawKalloh t
and gize agnicce awKallohu.
'Have you ever got any money?'
beniwyork wisT noreh tawKalloh t
'Have you ever
lived
m
I got it only once.'
norre awKallohu.
New
[Yes] I have (lived onece)
York?
Various relational affixes may be prefixed to the Short Imperfective or
Perfective (where this is required by the construction) of the verb /mawoK/
as equivalents to such English expressions as
/serteh yommittawK/,
'that you have ever done'
'because I have never heard' /sommicce
silommalawK/,
'if you have never eaten' /boltoh kalawweKh/, etc.
yamerikanm agor gobnitew yawKallu t
wedefit megobnot
ifolligallohu
m j i , kozzih befit gobniccew
alawKim.
yaddis aboban kotema aKKemameT
yiweddutal t
mannacowmim y©kotema aKKemamoT
wedijje alawKim.
silelijrwo were semtew yawKallut
yellem, semicce alawKim.
yemmithedubbetm bota aytaccihut
tawKallaccihu
yellem, aytenow annawKim.
t
iKolla wisT bizu gize noraccihu
yellem, noron annawKim.
tawKallaccihu t
lkoffitonna bota lay lemenor
yellem, felligge alawKim.
felliges tawKiyalles t
KezKazza bunna TeTTiteh tawKalleh t
yellom, TeTTicce alawKim.
yaddis abeba ketema ayyer
dega new t
mdeweyna
me
addis abeba hejje alawKim.
silezzih silayyeru l m o g r i h
alcilim.
bekiremtu werat wedaddis abeba
yollem, hedon annawKim.
hedaccihu tawKallaccihu t
bamerika wisT beredowin weddehew
weddijjew alawKim.
tawKalleh t
haylenna z m a b sizenb aytaccihu
awo, aytonal.
tawKallaccihu t
bamerika wisT yekremtun werat
aytewut yawKallu t
awo, ballofew yokiremt werat
amerika wisT nebberku.
lwasmgton wisT menged Teftoh yawKal t
and gize Tefton nebber.
nibretih Teftobbih y a w K a l t
awo, Toftobbin yawKal.
beKen kehamsa birr belay aTfitaccihu
awo, andande
mnaTofallen.
tawKallaccihu t
yemekina adega dersobbih y a w K a l t
yellom, dersobbin ayawKim.
iterara lay honeh ketemawin aytehew
awo, and gize ayiccewallehu.
tawKalleh t
bayroplan hedeh tawKalleh t
awo, he jjallohu.
yeityoPiya yayyer menged keityoPiya
awo, lbizu botawoc hedowal.
wiCC hedo yawKal t
benna bet bekkul siyalfu aytehaccew
tawKalleh t
m e k i n a h m arengwade Kolem Kebbiteh
awo, ballefow Kidame siyalfu
ayiccaccowallehu.
yellem, Kebbiccew alawKim.
tawKalleh t
rashin ammoh yawKal t
kand amet befit yammenfi nebber.
betaccihun bezzih amet asaddisaccihut
awo, asaddisenew nobber.
tawKallaccihu t
mglizinna KwanKwa astemireh tawKalleht
awo, and amet astomirreyallehu.
bamarinna and aynet dirset azzegajteh
awo, azzegajiccallohu.
tawKalloh t
amerika kamoTTah bete kristiyan
awo, bizu gize hejjallehu.
hedeh tawKalleh t
igaraz wisT serteh tawKalleh t
ahun yemmiseraw igaraz wisT new.
keityoPiya kemeTTah jemmiro wedagerih
bizu gize Siffe alawKim.
debdabbe Sifeh tawKalleh t
beferes teguzeh tawKalleh t
awo, teguzzeyallehu.
kezzih befit izzih meTteh tawKalloh t
yellem, meTicce alawKim.
b a m a r m n a yeteSafe meShaf anbibeh
awo, bizu gize anbibbeyallehu.
tawKalloh t
yezare amet lassir sammint yahil
I G W I C C gudday minister sira sertew
sencceya llehu.
yawKallu t
kewedajoccu,gar noro yawKal t
sira kernejemmeru befit kewedajoccu
gar y m o r nebbor.
dirset
teraraw wenzun yawwa ss m o w a 1 .
to border
awwas s e ne-mawwa sen-yawwa s s m a 1
merete hulett si birr tegemmete.
meggemet
to be estimated
beseleKo wisT bizu frafre yibeKlal,
valley
bizu wenzoc wede bahir yifessallu.
mefses
to flow
characteristics, conditions
yagerun Tebay maweK yiTeKmal.
behaviour, manner, character
y e w a s m g t o n ayyer Tebay meTfo now.
climate
zIKK
bal©
bota morallohu.
ziKK malet
to be low
ityoPiya yemmittiggennew besemen misraK afrika wisT new.
yommiyawwassmwatim ageroc, bosemenmna bomirab sudan, bedebub kenya,
bemisraK Key b a h i r m n a yesumale republik naccew.
yeityoPiya sifat aratt meto semaniya si skwer maylocc sihon, yohizbwa
KuTir behayanna behaya hulett miliyon mekakkel yiggemmetal.
beityoPiya wisT bizu wenzoc yifessallu.
yeityoPiya yayyer Tebay besost kifloc yekkeffelal.
dega yibbalal.
yemejemmeriyaw kifl
yihim kifl beTam keffitennanna KezKazza new.
kifl weynadega yibbalal.
hulettennaw
yezzih bota ayyer beTam Tirunna leTena tesmami new.
sostennaw kifl Kolla yibbalal.
yih bota ziKK yalenna ayyeru muKet new.
TiyyaKewoc
ityoPiya yommittiggenfiew yot now.
ityoPiyan yemmiyawwassmuwat m n e m a n naccow.
sudan yommiggennew keityoPiya misraK new t
yeityoPiya sifat s m t new.
beityoPiya wisT s m t hizb yiggoflnal.
boityoPiya wisT bizu teraroc yiggennallu t
s m t yayyor Tobayoc yiggennallu.
simaccewm Tira.
degaw
keweynadegaw
b e m m yilleyayyal.
y o K o l l a w m m n a y e d e g a w m liyyunnet asrodda.
beityoPiya wisT beyetinnaw kifl lemenor tiweddalleh.
Unit 3 8
Basic Sentences
John
abzannaw yeityoPiya hizb
What is the main occupation of the
Ethiopian people do m
mm
yiseral.
Ethiopian people ( 'What do
general')?
kobbodo
The majority of Ethiopians
gam
their livelihood by agriculture.
yemminorow begibrmna now.
John
farming
yersa sira
Are modern farming
[methods]
zomonawiw yersa sira boTam
yetolemmede now \
commonly used?
kobbodo
method, system
zede
Modern methods of farming are not
zemenawiw yersa zede gona boTam
yet very common, but they have
yetelemmed© aydellem.
been introduced
ahun banand botawoc tojemmirowal.
('begun')
m
negergm
some areas.
John
farmer
gebere
What kind of agricultural products
abzanfiawm gize yeityoPiya
do Ethiopian farmers generally
geberewoc yemmiyabeKlut
grow?
mm
aynet lhil new.
kobbodo
g r a m ; raw (adj. )
Tre / Tire
cereals
TraTre
a kind of Ethiopian millet
Tef
from which / m j o r a / is made
They grow a great variety of cereals,
legumes and fruits, as well as
vegetables.
frafrewoc m d i h u m atkiltoc
Besides we have a
kind of g r a m which is called
bizu liyyu liyyu TraTrewoccmna
yabeKlallu.
'Tef'.
kezzihim belay Tef
yemmibbal and aynet lhil alien.
John
What do you mean by cereals?
TraTre sittil, m m maletih new.
('When you say cereals, what
do you mean to say')?
kebbede
beans
baKela
peas
ater
wheat
smde
oats
a Jja
barley
gebs
corn
beKollo
Cereals ( 'those which are called
/TraTre/) are like,
TraTre yommibbalut
beans,
mdebaKela,
ater, s m d e , ajja, gebs, beKollo
yallut naccew.
peas, wheat, oats, barley [and]
corn.
black seed
nug
flax
telba
castor-oil seed
gulo
sunflower, wool
suf
And the oil seeds are:
black seed,
degmo lezeyit yommihonu lhiloc
flax, castor-oil and sunflower
m d e n u g , telba, gulo, suf yallut
seeds.
naccew.
besemen misraK yeityoPiya wesen
besemen misraK wesenwa Keyy bahir
m d e t new.
ityoPiya wisT bizu
new.
seleKowocc allu t
awo, bizu allu.
yageriwo ayyer Tebay m d e t new.
beTam Tiru aydellem.
beityoPiya wisT degaw bird now t
beTam bird aydellem.
yaddis aboba ketema keffltenna new t
awo, beTam keffitonna new.
iKollaw wisT min aynet lhil yibeKlal.
baKela, Tef, beKolo, s u f m n a ater
yibeKlal.
silegibrmna yemmimmaru
ityoPiyawiyan
izzih allu t
J+Ol
awo, bizu temariwocc allu.
addisu yegibrmna zede ageritwan
awo, yemmirodat yimoslonnal.
yireda yimeslihal t
k e T e f m n a kebeKollo m j o r a yetinnaw
yoTef m j o r a now.
yetelemmede new.
A
areKe yemmisserraw k e m m aynet
k©gobs, kobeKollo,
kosmdenna
kajja new.
TraTre new.
nug l e m m yiTeKmal.
lezeyit beTam Tiru. new.
lelass lezeyit yemmihonu m m
aynot
suf telbanna gulo allu.
lhilocc allu.
A
m n o z z i h yezeyit lhiloc yet bota
bebizu botawoc yibeKlallu.
yibeKlallu.
A
lomehonu geberewocc
mnezzihm
awo, mabKol yemmifelligu
yezeyt lhiloc wedefit bebizuw mabKol
yimoslonnal.
yifelligallu t
kegojjam wedebegemidir lhil bejelba
andande
mlikallon.
likaccihu tawKallaccihu t
yezeyit l h i l o c c m wede wiCC ager
f
v
awo, mseTallon.
tiseTallaccihu t
ledabbo yemmihonut
lhiloc
s m d e n n a ajja naccew.
yetinnoccu naccow t
Tef koityoPiya wiCC yotawweK©
keityoPiya wiCC yetawweKe
lhil new t
ageraccihu baKela, a tor, s m d e
aymeslennim.
awo, manninfiawmim aynot lhil
ajjanna gebs yaboKlal t
yaboKlal.
yomoretih weson seleKow new t
awo, wosonu seleKow new.
yenoraccihubbot ager ayyer Tebay
awo, beTam Tiru nebber.
beTam Tru nebber t
kedegawmna keKollaw ayyer Tebay
yedegaw ayyer beTam KezKazza
yetinflawm woddedhow.
silenebber, alweddedhutim.
yeKollaw gin silemmimoK
A
dohna nobbor.
A
beziKKitefifiaw bota wisT TraTre
mabKol yiccalal t
awo, bizu aynet TraTrewoc mabKol
yiccalal.
g i b r m n a boTam Tiru sira yimeslihal t
awo, beTam Tiru yimoslonnal.
Tef k©ityoPiya wodo wiCC agor
yellem, ager wisT m j i , wodewiCC
yisseTal t
ayisseTim.
awo, bizu yezeyit lhiloc
beityoPiya wisT bizu nug tolbanna
gulo yiboKlallu t
yiboKlallu.
yamerika hizb frafre meblat
awo, boTam yiweddal.
yiweddal t
yabbay wenz keyet
mdemmimoneC
yellem, annawKim.
tawKallac'cihu t
babbay wenz lay bizu merkeboccinna
yellem, ayhedum.
jelbawoc yihedallu t
ityoPiya wedewiCC ager yemmitseTaccew
Kodawoc m m
bizu liyyu liyyu aynet naccew.
aynot naccew.
ityoPiya jelbanna merkeboc tiserallec t
tinmnis
jelbawoc mesrat
ticilallec. merkeb gin mesrat
atticilim.
keweyna deganna koKolla ayyer
lene
yetinnawin yiweddallu.
yewenadogaw
ayyer
yismammannal.
amerika wisT m b r o t alleh t
bizu aydellem m j i alien.
dirset
industry
industri
lije morramed cale.
amerika beTam yoterammedecc
ager nec.
to progress, to advance;
morramed
to walk
ancient, formerly, m
the
Tint beferes meggwaz yetolemmede
old times
nebbor.
ityoPiya beindustri yeterammedec ager silalhonec, abzannaw hizbwa
yemmmorew begibrmna new.
kometo zeTena ammist yemmihonew hizb bersa
lay yiggonnal.
yahunu yersa zede k e T m t u beTam yetesasale honowal.
geberewoc yoTintun zede yiTTeKKomubbetal.
bandandim botawoc
babzannawoccu botawoc gin
geberewoccu addisun yersa zode beseffiw yiserubbotal.
honom, addisun yersa
zede beTeKlay gizatoccu hullu lomasfafat bizu gize yasfelligal.
yeityoPiya geberewoc hullun aynet lhil lemabKel yicilallu. abzafJnawoccu
gin yemmiyabeKlut lhil, Tef, baKela, ater, s m d e , ajja, gebs, beKollonna
m n e z z i h m 'yomesasselu naccew.
yabeKlallu.
degmo, lezeyit yemmihonu liyyu liyyu lhiloc
TiyyaKewoc
ityoPiya boindustri yotorammodoc agor noc t
beityoPiya wisT wanna sira m m d i n new .
yahunu yersa zede m d e t new.
geberewoc y e T m t u n zede yiTTeKKemubbetal t
addis yersa zede beityoPiya wisT yisserrabbetalt
yeityoPiya geberewoc min yaboKlallu.
siddist yehil aynetoc Saf.
min aynet yezeyit m i l bamerika wisT yiboKlal.
kok
Unit 39
Basic Sentences
John
ato kobbodo, yeityoPiya goberewoc
Mr. Kebbede, can you tell me what
;
kinds of fruit the Ethiopian
mm
aynot frafre
mdommiyaboKlu
farmers grow?
linogrun yicilallu T
kobbodo
lemon
lomi
banana
muz
citron
tir m g b
tangerine
mondorin
papaya
papaya
pomegranate
roman
They grow lemons, bananas, oranges,
awo,
m d o l o m i , muz, birtukan,
citrons, tangerines, papayas,
t i r m g o , mondorin, papaya,
pomegranates [and] grapes.
roman, woyn y a l l u t m frafrewoc
yaboKlallu.
raspberry
mjorre
wild roses, eglantine
Koga
Besides, fruits like raspberries
and wild roses grow m
kozzihum bolay beCakka wisT
the
mdonjorre, Koga, yallu frewoc
forests.
yiboKlallu.
There are a great many varieties
m j o r r e bebizu liyyu liyyu aynot
of raspberries.
yikkoffolal.
John
Do they cultivate different kinds
bizu liyyu liyyu aynot atkilt
yaboKlallu t
of vegetables?
kobbodo
cabbage
gommon
potato
dmnic
carrot
karot
lettuce
selaTa
tomato
timatim
dubba
fruit of genus Cucurbita:
pumpkin, squash, and others
boTam bizu aynot aydollom.
Not very many, but they do grow
potatoes, carrots, lettuce,
yohonow hono, gommon d m n i c ,
tomatoes, and many varieties
karot, solaTa, timatimmna
liyyu liyyu aynot dubbawoe
of pumpkin and the like.
yaboKlallu.
John
geberewoc mnezzihin negeroc
Do the farmers grow these things
to sell or for their own use?
lemeseT new, weyiss lerasaccew
migib new.
kobbodo
Until recently it used to be for
lskezare dires lerasaccew bicca
their own [use] only, now they
nebber.
(have) started to grow things
mabKel
ahun gin lemeseT
jemmirewal.
to sell.
John
lomehonu ItyoPiya wisT bizu
By the way, are there many
industries m
industrlwocc allu t
Ethiopia?
kebbede
to be civilized
meselTen
to dare, to risk, to venture
medfor
to cause to dare, etc.
masdeffer
here and there
alfo alfo
Since Ethiopia is not an industrially
advanced
('civilized') country,
ityoPiya be'industri yeseleTTenoc
ager silalhonec, bizu industriwoc
I wouldn't (venture to) say that
allun biyye lemennager
we have many industries, but some
ayasdefflrennim.
small industries can be found here
t i n m n i s industriwoc alfo alfo
and there.
yiggonnallu.
honom, andand
John
What kind of industries do you have,
lemissale m m m i n
aynet
industriwocc alluwaccihu.
for example?
kebbede
cotton, textile
TiT
sugar
slkwar
nail
mismar
biscuit, cracker
biskut
We have cotton mills, shoe, sugar,
yeTiT, yeCamma, yosikwar, yomismar,
nail and soap factories, as well
yosamuna yomoToTTmna, yobiskut
as industries [producing] drinks
industriwoc allun.
and biscuits.
Useful Words
at least
barneTaw biyans haya birr yawoTal.
color
yoCammaye molk Tikur now.
molkwa Konjo now.
appearance
migbu yiTaffiTal.
moTafoT
to taste good
Grammatical Notes
Note 3 9 - 1
Verb:
The use of /yollom t / m
combination with the Short
Imperfective and Gerund forms, m
kezzih befit lhayle sillase
addebabay hedew yellem t
negative questions.
'Haven't you been ('gone') before
to Haile Selassie Square?
The word /yellem/ with a sharply rising pitch / t / is used m
questions.
/yellem t / is combined with the Short Imperfective m
referring to the present or future action, and with the Gerund m
negative
questions
questions
referring to past action.
Examples:
ato kebbeden tayew yellem t
'Aren't you going to see Mr.
Kebbede?
ato kobbeden aytehew yellem t
'Haven't you seen Mr. Kebbede?
K u r s i h m Tibs m K u l a l tibela
'Aren't you going to have fried
yellem t
K u r s i h m Tibs m K u l a l belteh
yellom t
eggs for your breakfast?
'Haven't you had fried eggs for
your breakfast?
Aren't you going to write a
nege lennatih debdabbe tiSif
letter to your mother tomorrow?
yellem t
tmantmna
lennatih debdabbe
Didn't you write a letter to your
Sifeh yellem t
mother yesterday?
baddis abeba ketoma aKrabbiya biskut
yemmisserrabbet
awon, alle.
industri allot
amerika wisT benebberhibbet gize
awon, bizu tililliK industriwoc
bizu industriwoc gobenneh t
gobnicceyallehu.
kegobennehaccew ageroc mekakkel
me
kegobennehuwaccow ageroc
beindustri beTam keff yalo man
beindustri beTam keff yalew
new.
amerika new.
agerih k o T m t u ahun bizu industriwocc
awon, bizu industriwocc alluwat.
alluwat t
yogibrinna sira agerih wisT
awo, k o T m t u ahun lyye-tesfaf f a
ryyetesfaffa hedowal t
hedowal.
kelominna kebirtukan CimmaKi
awo, bizu liyyu liyyu meTeTToc
yemmisserru meTeTTocc allu t
muzinna t i n n g o yimmosasselallu
yisserrallu.
t
yollem, beTam yeteleyayyu
firewoc naccew.
bizu birtukan yemmiyaboKil gebere
awon, birtukan bizu gonzob
dohna genzeb magnet yicil
liyamoTa yicilal.
yimeslihalt
t i n n g o , mender in. birtukan^ papayanna
hullum
and TeKlay gizat wisT
roman beyyeTeKlay gizatu
yemmibeKlu aymeslennim. honom
yiggennallu t
beyyeTeKlay gizatu biyans and
aynot fire yiggefifiibbeTal.
geborewoc mjorrenna Kega bebizu
andand geborewoc TiKit
yiteklallu t
geberewoc gommen, dmnic, karotj
solaTa, timatimmna
mjorrenna
Kega yiteklallu.
awon, bizu geberewoc
dubba
mnozzihin
atkiltoc yabeKlallu.
yabeKlallu t
TiT kewiCC agor tigezallaccihu,
lnfia kewiCC agor
mgozallen.
woyiss lewiCC ager tiseTallaccihu.
yelomi CimmaKi meToTTat tifelligalleh t
kOQ
yollem, yelomi CimmaKi alwoddim.
Tiwat muz meblat tiweddalleh t
yellem,
amerika wisT tiringo ayteh tawKalleh t
yollem, ayicce alawKim.
kesuK yebirtukan CimmaKi gezzah t
yellem, algezzahum.
alweddim.
mehedinna megzat
yeromaninna
ahun
ifelligallehu.
yellem, beTam yeteleyayyu naccew.
yowoyn fire
yimmosasso lallu t
sint aynot gommomnna
mdigoza
bo sammmt
hulett aynet gommomnna
dinnic
aynot d m n i c
tifolligalloh.
sint aynot frafrewoc
hulett
giza.
sost aynet frafrewoc
ibelallehu.
tibelalleh.
hulgize kerat befit selaTanna
hulgize aydellem.
timatim tibolallaccihu t
ityoPiya wisT d m n i c
andande
beyyebotaw
yibeKlalt
negergm
mbelallen.
mmimmmkwan
beTiKit botawoc
baybeKil, babzannaw botawoc
yibeKlal.
bamerika wisT s m t aynet liyyu
bewmetu
alawKim.
liyyu dubbawoc yiggennallu.
selaTa ketimatim gar yiwoddallu t
awon, beTam Tiru new.
dubba min aynet melk allew t
bizu liyyu liyyu aynet melk allew.
yslomi CimmaKi kosikwar gar
auon, beTam
yiTaffiTal.
amerika wisT Kega yibeKlal t
yellem, m e
alayyehum.
weyn geztaccihu meblat
awo, ingezanna
yiTaffiTal t
mbelallen.
tifelligallaccihu t
lerat yemmitfolligut
m j e r a now,
woyiss dabbo.
lorat yemmmfelligew
mji
dabbo aydellem.
mnekebbede yegommen weT beTam
yellem,
yiwoddallu t
ayweddum.
laddisu amet wedageris hedes
awo, hejjallehu.
yellem t
lemmimoTaw amet awroPa tihedu yellem t
awo,
tmant
mnataccihun aytaccihu yellem f
zare silewiCC gudday minister
tmnagger
mhedallen.
awo, aytonal.
awo,
mnaggerallehu.
yellom t
kelijoccu gar sirrisir mehed assibew
yollem t
m j e r a new
awo, assibbeyallehu.
bommimoTaw sammint tiwannu yellem t
awo,
ato lemman aytesiw yellem t
awo, ayiccewallehu.
besoloKow mekakkol bunna teklaccihu
yellem,
mwannallen.
altekkelmim.
yollem t
semiz geztesillm yellem t
yollem, algezzahullihim.
lemmanna tesemma wedaddis abeba
awo, hedowal.
hedew yollem t
bassir seat bunna meToTTat assibew
yellem, alassebhum.
yellom t
temariwoc moTtew yellom t
yellem, almeTTum.
gonzeb yagennu yellem t
awon, agennallehu.
genzob agnitew yellem t
awon, agniccallehu.
simagillewoccun wedebetih Tertehaccew
awo, Tericcaccewallehu.
yellem t
nege addis semiz tigezillin
awo, igozallihallohu.
yollem t
dirsot
stream
bizu m m C o c wedabbay wenz
yifessallu.
source (of income)
legeberewoc yegenzeb
mmC
yehonew TiT new.
timihirt beityoPiya wisT
tosfaftowal.
to expand
tesfaffa-mesafat-yisaffal
yeityoPiya meret beTam habtam silehone bizu aynet atkiltoccmna
firafirewoc yibeKlallu.
katkilt, m d e dinnic, karot, selaTa, timatim,
dubbanna gommen yallut yibeKlallu.
geberewoccu TiKitoccun atkiltoc
lerasaccew migib lyyaderregu bizuwoccun yiseTallu.
beityoPiya wisT yemmibeKlut firafirewoc bizu aynetoc naccew. lemissale
m d e lomi, muz, birtukan, t i n n g o , mender in, papaya, romanmna, weyn
yemesasselut yibeKlallu.
yegonzeb m m C
andand gize firafirewoc lyyeteseTu legeberewoc
honewal.
beityoPiya wisT yemmiggennut industriwoc boTam tililliK aydellum.
yeTiT, yeCamma, yesikwar, yemismar, yesamuna, yebiskut, yemeTeTTmna yebet
lKa industriwoc bebizu yiggennallu.
wedefitim beTam lyyetosfaffu yihedallu.
TiyyaKewoc
yeityoPiya moret m d e t now.
min aynot atkiltoc yiboKlallu.
atkiltoccu l o m m
yiTeKmallu.
ityoPiya yefirafirewoc agor nat t
mm
aynot firewoc yiboKlallu.
geberewoc firewoccun yiseTallu t
beityoPiya wisT yemmiggennutm yeindustriwoc sim zirzir Saf.
and ager Industriwoccun lomasfafat m m
madreg yiggebbawal.
Unit 2+0
Basic Sentences
John
cattle and other domesticated
kebt
animals
forest
dur
beast
awre
wild animal
yodur awre
Will you please tell me m
isti ibakkiwo sileityoPiya
brief
about domestic and wild animals
kobtoccmna yodur awrewocc
in Ethiopia.
aynot boTiKitu y m g o r u n .
kobbodo
sheep
beg
goat
flyyel
camel
gimel
The domestic animals of Ethiopia
are:
cows, oxen, sheep, goats,
yeityoPiya kebtoc, lam, bore,
beg, fiyyel, ahiyya, feres,
donkeys, horses, mules, camels,
beKlo,
etc.
yemosasselu naccew.
gimelmna
elephant
z lhon
giraffe
KoCCme
leopard
nebir
hyena
jib / zib
wolf
tekula
jackal
Kebero
As for wild animals, there are:
mnezzihin
yedur awrewoc degmo, anbessa,
lions, elephants, giraffes,
zihon, K o C C m e , nebir, jib,
leopards, hyenas, wolves,
tekula Keberonna
jackals, and others.
yemosasselu naccew.
animal
msisa
cats, dogs, and other
yebet
domestic animals
msisa
mnezihin
BASIC
UNIT
COURSE
kozzihim belay mdowissanna
In addition to this there are
domestic animals such as dogs
yallu yebet
and cats.
yiggennallu.
I4.0
dimmet
msisawocc
John
What are the' m a m export items of
abzannawm gize ityoPiya lewiCC
Ethiopia ( 'What kind of things
ager yemmitsoTaccew m m
does Ethiopia sell to foreign
negoroc naccew.
aynot
countries most of the time')?
kobbodo
As I'm m a
hurry to go [back]
ahun wedesira lemehed silecekkolhu,
to work, I don't have time to
h u l l u n m lizerezzirilliwot gize
enumerate them all, but the
yellennim.
gm
wannawoccu,
most important of them are
bunna, Kodanna, yozeyit lhloc
coffee, hides and oil seeds.
na c c ew.
John
to have .. released
masfettat
to take someone's time
sira masfettat
All right I don't want to take
your time.
issi, ahun sira lasfettawo
Goodbye.
alfelligimmmna,
yibelu
TenayisTillin.
kobbodo
Goodbye.
amen, TenayisTillin.
Useful Words
geberew feresoccun yimoggibal.
to feed
memeggeb
mm
to raise, to breed
aynet kebtoc taroballaccihu.
marbat
to hunt
lelit madden ayiccalim.
hunt m g
aden Kellal sira aydellem.
Grammatical Notes
Note 1+0.1
The use of /bel/, /yibelu/, /belu/ (the Imperative forms of the
verb /malet/ 'to say') as equivalents to English
yibelu TenayisTillin.
'Goodbye then. '
yibelu lskmniggenan dires
'Well, goodbye
TenayisTillin.
( 'until we meet
again').
The verb form /bel/ (polite:
used m
'then', 'well'.
/yibelu/, plural:
/belu/) is frequently
familiar or friendly expressions such as:
bel TenayisTillin.
'Goodbye then.'
bel mniCCewawet.
'Well, let's talk. '
bel innihid.
'Let's go then.'
bel yihun.
'O.K. then, ('let
bel mdatresa.
'All right, be sure not to forget.'
it be so').'
awon, hulett yemmihonu yebet
bizu yebet msisawoc ibetih wisT
msisawocc allun.
aHuh t
ldur wisT awre ayteh tawKalleh t
awon, beKeddemlet and anbessa
ayyehu.
yebet msisawoc ldur wisT yadrallu t
yellem, ayadrum.
biyadru, yedur
awrewoc yibeluwaccewal.
abzannawm gize yebet
mm
msisawoc
issu m d e
m s i s a w aynet new.
lemissale wissanna
aynet migib yimmeggeballu.
dimmet
abzannawm gize siganna wetet
yimmeggeballu.
bizu aynet kebtoc wede wiCC ager
yellem, anseTim.
tiseTallaccihu t
geberewoc k e b t o c c m lemeseT
awo, yareballu.
yareballu t
ItyoPiya wisT kebt marbat tilliK
awon, abzanfiaw yeityoPiya hizb
sira new t
yemminorew bersanna kebt
bemarbat new.
klk
lgebeya
meseT yemmitfelliguwaccewm
mniwesdmna
mseTaccewallen.
msisawoc yet
11 s e Tuwa c c gwa1la c clhu.
ggberewoc bizu kgbtoc alluwaccew t
awo, bizu kebtocc alluwaccew.
wgba oallebbet sifra
awon, y m o r u yimoslonnal.
msisawoc
ymorallu t
kobt marbat tilliK TiKim allow t
awon, beTam bizu TiKim allew.
and sow s i y a d d m boTam mgTTenKeK
awon, meTTenKeK yasfelligewal.
yasfelligewal t
gwaddennah m d a n t o aden madden
awo, beTam yiweddal.
yiweddal t
yihinnaw feres kezziyannaw
beTam aybelTim.
yibelTalt
ityoPiya wisT weTTatocc adgn
awo, t m m n i s
yaddmallu t
awrewoccm
yaddmallu.
lewetet yemmihonut msisawoc beTam
bizu naccew t
beTam yetawweKecciw lam nat.
n e g o r g m gimelmna
fiyyel
dogmo wetet yiseTallu.
irsiwo yegimolmna yefiyyel wetet
yellem, TeTTicce alawKim.
TeTTitew yawKallu t
bizu awrewoc yommiggennubbetm
dur littasayyen ticilalleh t
yellem, lasayyiwo alcilim.
mikniyatum silemmalawKew new.
kozihomnna kanbessa yetu tilliK new.
kanbessa zihon beTam tilliK new.
KeCCine yebet m s i s a nat 1"
yellom, yedur awre nat.
ityoPiya wisT yenebir Koda yisseTal t
awo, keff yale genzeb yaweTal.
tokulanna Kebero yimmesasselallu t
yellem, boTam ayimmosasselum.
izzih ager jib aytew yawKallu t
yellem, kemeTTahu jemmiro
lskahun jib alayyehum.
and beTam Tiru yewetot lam
smt
and meto birr yahil taweTallec.
birr taweTallec.
yersa bore m m
yahil yaweTal.
issu beTam widd n9w.
yebet m s i s a arbiteh tawKalleh t
yellem, alargbbahum.
g i m e l m k e K e C C m e meleyyet
awo, hulettu yeteleyayyu
yiccalalt
msisawoc silehonu, meleyyet
asceggari aydellem.
kebeKlonna keferes yetinnaw
m s i s a new.
Km
feres hulgize K m
yibbalal.
msisa
beKlo keff yale gonzob yaweTal.
kebeKlonna kahiyya yetinnaw bizu
genzob yaweTal.
amerika wisT ahiyya ayteh tawKalleh
yellem, ayicce alawKim.
yabbatih sira kebt marbat now t
awon, kebt marbat new.
ibetih wisT dimmet alleh t
awo, hulett dimmetoc allufi.
wissawo Tiru new t
awon, beTam Tirunna K m
new.
dirsot
tamed
lemmada m s i s a ldur wisT ayadrim.
lzzih dur wisT aden madden
tekelekkele.
to be prohibited, forbidden
mokkelkol
without
yalefeKad.
beityoPiya wisT bizu liyyu liyyu aynot kebtoc, yebet m s e s o c c m n a
awrewoc yiggenfiallu.
yodur
andand yodur awrewoc beleloc ageroc wisT silemmayiggennu
lyyetesoTu wed© wiCC ager yihedallu.
beToKlallaw, bebizu yemmiggennut kebtoc m d e lam, bere, beg, fiyyel,
ahiyya, beKlo, feresmna gimel yemesasselu naccew.
mnezzihim kebtoc lebizu
negeroc silemmiyageleggilu, geberewoc hullu mdennezzih yallu kebtoc
alluwaccew.
andand sewoc bebetaccew wisT wissanna dimmet m d e lemmada
msisa
yasKemmiTallu.
kedur awrewoc wanna wannoccu anbessa, zihon, nebir, K e C C m e , jib, tekula,
Keberonna m n e z i h m yemosasselu naccew.
yodur awrewoc lemadden b©higg
y©t©k©l©kk©l© bemehonu, mannim sew yalefeKad l i y a d d m aycilim.
TiyyaKewoc
beityoPiya wisT kebtoc yiggenfiallu t
yekobtoccun sim Tira.
beityoPiya wisT m m
aynet yedur awrewoc yiggenfiallu.
l e m m andand yedur awrewoc wede wiCC ager yillakallu.
kebtocc l e m m
yageleggilallu.
dimmetoc yet y m o r a l l u .
wissa l e m m yiTeKmal.
mannim sew lemadden yicilal t
Keberonna jib bamerika wisT yiggenfiallu t
bamerika wisT yemmiggennutm yedur awrewoc sim Tira.
Unit 41
Basic Sentences
John
operator
mazoriya
to cause to meet, to
connect
maggenanriet
Ministry of the Interior
yagor gizat minister
Hello, operator, give me the
halo mazoriya, ibakkis yagor gizat
Ministry of the Interior, please.
ministerin aggenanriin.
Operator
kaman gar lemeggenanriet yifelligallu,
With whom do you wish to speak
getaye t
('meet'), sir?
John
development
limat
director
direkter
I'd like to speak with Mr. Kebbede,
kelunat kifl wanna direkter, kato
the Director General of the
kobbedo gar lomennagagor
Development Section.
ifelligallehu.
Operator
Just a minute, I'll connect you.
TiKit yiKoyyu, aggenafiniwotallehu.
kebbodo
who are you?, who is it?
('who shall I say')
I'm [Mr.] Kebbede.
man libel
With whom am
kebbede nen.
I speaking, sir?
John
agreement
wil
dam
giddib
man libel getaye t
I»m [Mr.] John, (I am) the chief
m e yohannis non.
bewilu mosoret
engineer who came to start the
yawaSin wonz giddib sira
work on the Awash River dam
lomojammer yomeTTahu, wanna
according to [our] agreement.
mehandis neh.
kobbodo
hope
tesf a
to expect
moTTobabeK
Oh yes, I remember.
Mr. John?
How are you
awo, astawwisallahu.
ato yohannis t
We were looking
forward to your coming
inniTTebabbaK
r
( we
m d o m i n allu
momTatiwon betosfa
n 9
bbor.
were expecting with hope your
1
coming ).
kageriwo mece meTTu.
When did you arrive (from your
country)?
John
I came to Addis two days ago.
addis aboba kegobbahu hulott Kan
hononrial.
to cause to be tired
madkem
to
zend / ga
darugin guzoye beTam rejjim
but because I was tired from the
long journey (^because my
silenebberinna, siladekkemen.
journey was very long and be
kezzih Kodem biyye irsiwo zend
cause it made me tired*) I
lunoTa alcalhum.
couldn*t come to see you earlier.
kebbede
That*s all right.
Have you had
minimmaydel
ahun beKi reft
agenriu t
enough rest now?
John
Oh yes, I've rested enough.
awo, beKi reft agniccallohu.
so that, in order to
zond
to beg, to ask for a
favor
melemmen
ahun gin addisu yawas* giddib
Now I'd like to see the site of
the new Awash Dam.
Could you
yemmisserrabbetm bota lomayot
give me your assistance in this
ifelligallehunna, lrdatawon
matter ('I beg that you give me
yadergulliri zand llemminallehu.
your assistance').
kebbede
With pleasure.
By the way, when
bedessita.
do you expect to leave?
lemehonu mec lemehed
assibewal.
John
bemmimeTaw s a m m m t mejemmeriya
I've decided to leave Addis at
kaddis abeba lomennesat
the beginning of the next week.
KoriCCallehu.
kebbede
tesfa madrog
to hope, to wish, to
promise
Very well.
beTam Tiru now.
I wish you a nice
trip, ('that your trip be
guzowo
mdiKKannalliwo tesfa adergallehu,
straightended')
d a r u g m kemehediwo befit bezzih
However, it would be good if we
[could] meet this week before
s a m m m t wisT tegenanten rat
you leave, have dinner together
abren b m b e l a n n a , bmniCCewawwet
and discuss the matter.
melkam sayhon ayKerim.
John
It will be my pleasure.
dessitaye new.
to be convenient, to
be comfortable
memmecet
to inform
mastaweK
Just tell me what time will be
mgidiyass yemmimmecciwon seat
convenient for you, and let's
yastawKunhmna, giyon hotel
meet at the Gion Hotel.
dires inniggenan.
kebbede
Good.
How about making it
Saturday at eight p.m.?
melkam new.
Kidame kemissitu
bohulett seat binnadergewiss t
John
All right.
tesmami now.
kobbodo
Meanwnile, if you [wish to] come
lskozziya diros ibiroye meTtew
to my office to ask me any
TiyyaKewoc mdalluwot biTeyyiKun"
questions, I'll be glad to
lememelles feKadenna nan.
answer them.
John
Then I'd like to come to your
ingidiyass nego bammist soat
office at eleven a.m. tomorrow
ibirowo diros meTicce,
1
with a few ('and present m y )
TiyyaKewoccen lomaKreb lweddallahu.
questions.
kobbodo
O.K.
1*11 be expecting you then
(»at this time*).
l&s'i bazzih soat iTebbiKiwotallahu.
Goodbye,
is k mniggenan dires TenayisTillin,
then ('until we meet again*).
John
Goodbye.
amen.
TenayisTillin.
Grammatical Notes
Note 4l.l
Postpositions:
The use of /zend/ or /ga/ as a postposition with
or without relational affixes.
beityoPiyawian zend sijara maCes
yatelemmede aydollom.
irsiwo zend luneTa alcalhum.
Smoking cigarettes is not customary
among the Ethiopians.
I couldn't come to [see] you.
The postpositions /zend/ or /ga/ are used interchangeably by the
speakers of Amharic.
While /ga/ is used commonly in spoken Amharic,
particularly in Addis, /zend/ is used elsewhere, as well as in more
formal speech and in written Amharic.
It should be noted, however, that
/zend/ is used more often with reference to persons while /ga/ usually
refers to objects or places.
The meaning of these postpositions varies according to the context
and the relational affixes which may be prefixes to the word they modify.
Note 41.1.1
/ke- ...zond-ga/ 'from
1
The postposition /zand/ or /ga/ may be in combination with the
relational affix / k o - / (or /to-/ in some dialects) 'from', e.g.
kekebbede ga (or:
zand)
'I've got a letter from Kebbede'.
debdabbe derreseri.
Note 41.1.2
/ l - ...zend~ga/ 'with', «at», 'by'
The postpositions /zend/ or / g a / combined with the relational affix
/ i - / mean 'with', 'by', 'at',
this meaning.
/zend/ or /ga/ alone may also be used in
For example:
ine zend (or: ga) yinoral.
He lives with me.
iTarePezaw ga nobber.
It was by the table.
ibabur Tabiyaw ga agafinehut.
I met him at the station.
Note 41.1.3
/be- ...zend/ 'among'
Used with the relational affix /be-/ the postposition /zend/ means
'among'.
(/ga/ is not used in combination with this affix, and some
speakers would prefer the use of /makakkal/ 'among' instead of /zand/.)
besawoc zand liyyu liyyu
limadocc allu.
Note 41.1.4
e.g.
There are many various customs
among the people.
/zand~ga/ 'to'
The postpositions /zend/ or /ga/ may be used instead of /wede-/
•to' with verbs of motion when they refer to a person (not a place), e.g.
naga lemma ga (or:
zand)
I'm going to [see] Lemma tomorrow,
lhedallehu.
but:
wedesinima mhedallen.
We're going to the movies.
Note 4 1 . 1 . 5
/izzih zend~izzih ga/ 'over here* and /izziya zend~izziya ga/
'over there *.
Used with /izzih/ 'here* and /izziya/ 'there* these postpositions
mean 'over here* and 'over there*, respectively, e.g.
izzih ga (or: zend) asKemmiTew.
Put it over here.
izziya ga (or: zend) asKemmiTew.
Put it over there.
Note 4 1 . 2
Verb:
Note 4 1 . 2 . 1
The use of /zand/ as a postverb.
/zend/ with Short Imperfective.
lrdatawon yadergulliri zend
('I beg that you assist me.*)
llomminallohu.
The Postverb /zend/ is used with the Short Imperfective to mean
!
1
s o that*, 'that , 'in order to', e.g.
yifellig zend
'so that he may look for'
yinagr zend
'so that he may tell'
Note 4 1 . 2 . 2
/ke ...zend/ with Perfective
The Postverb /zend/ may be used with the Perfective in combination
with the relational affix /ke-/.
The resulting form corresponds approxi
mately to the English 'due to the fact that', 'since', e.g.
kemeTTahu zand
and
TiyyaKe
liTeyyiKih ifelligallehu.
Note 41.3
Since I've come I'd like to ask
you a question.
The use of the form /kenoren/, /kenoreh/, etc. in equivalent to
English 'If I do have', 'if you do have', etc.
The affix / k ( e ) - / may be prefixed to the perfective form of the
verb /manor/ 'to exist'.
The resulting form with the verb suffix pronouns
is used almost interchangeably with the form /kallen/, /kalleh/, etc.
'if I do have', if you do have', etc. which was discussed in Note 1 5 . 5 . 1 *
e.g.
genzeb kenoren wede sinimabet
lhedaliohu.
meSihafu kenoreh siTeri.
If I do have money I'll go to
the movies.
If you do have the book, give it
to me.
The negative form of this construction is:
kalnoren
If I don't have
kalnoroh
If you don't have
etc.
Note 41.4
The verb /manor/ 'to exist' used impersonally as an equivalent
to English 'will have
1
and 'may have'.
Impersonal verbs were discussed in Note 20.2
The Imperfective Impersonal form of the verb /manor/ 'to exist'
corresponds in meaning to English 'I'll have', 'you'll have', etc.
/ymorenrial/ 'I'll have'
/aynorenriim/ 'I won't have'
/ y m o r i h a l / 'you'll have'
/aynorihim/ 'you won't have'
etc.
etc.
/ymoreri yihonal/, / y m o r i h yihonal/, etc., means 'I may have', 'you may
have', etc. and /aynoreri yihonal/, /aynorih yihonal/, etc. - 'I may not
have', 'you may not have', etc. and /yinoribbiiinal/, / y m o r i b b i h a l / etc. 'I'll have to', 'you'll have to', etc.
Examples:
yammimeTaw amat bet ymorenrial.
'I'll have a house next year.'
yammimaTaw amat bet yinorari
'I may have a house next year',
yihonal.
It should be noted, however, that a more definite idea of
'possession' is usually expressed by the verb /magnet/ 'to find', 'to get',
rather than by the Impersonal form of the verb /manor/, e.g.,
naga genzeb aganriallehu.
'I'll have (or: get) money
tomorrow.
ganzab kagaririehu lersiwo
isaTiwotallehu.
'If I have (or: get) money, I'll
give it to you'.
'have'
Outline:
Present
Drill One:
Future
/manor/
Model:
bet allow.
bet yinorewal.
'He has a house.'
'He'll have a house.'
tinnis ayroplan allat,
tinnis ayroplan yinoratal.
tilliK irsa allow.
tilliK irsa yinorewal.
Tiru mesriyabet allaccew.
Tiru mesriyabet ymoraccawal.
and tilliK birCiKo Tejj allewo,
and tilliK birCiKo Tejj yinoriwotal
iTabiya wisT mekina alios,
iTabiya wisT mokina y m o r i s a l .
ibete kristiyan wisT bizu
ibeto kristiyan wisT bizu
weuborocc alluwaccew.
teraraw bizu tililliK zafocc allut,
wenborocc yinoraccewal.
teraraw bizu tililliK zafocc
yinorutal.
Tirunes and set lij allat,
Tirunes and set lij yinoratal
yeTerePeza seat alien.
yeTerePeza seat yinorenal.
wadesuK mehed allebbih,
wedesuK mehed yinorebbihhal.
nogo memTat allebbih.
nege memTat yinoribbinnal.
innataccewin meTeyyoK allebbaccew,
m n a t a c c e w m meTeyyoK ymoribbaccewal,
hakimbet hejje a l m a z m mayet
hakimbet hejje a l m a z m mayet
allebbih.
yinoribbinnal.
Drill Two:
/magnet/
Model:
genzeb alien.
genzeb aganriallehu.
*I hcve money.*
tl'll have money.
I S U K wisT bi-zu negerocc allew.
isuK wisT bizu negerocc yagenflal.
amerika wisT bizu genzeb alien.
amerika wisT bizu genzeb
1
innagerinal1en.
ibetwa wisT tinni^ yezeyit
ibetwa wisT tinnis" yezeyit
Termus allat.
Termus tagennallec.
sis libs allat.
sis libs tagennallec.
addis abeba wisT wedaj allew.
addis abeba wisT wadaj agerine.
lkifil wisT meSihafocc alluwaccew.
lkifil wisT meSihafocc yagannallu.
igaraz" wisT tilliK Keyy mekina
igaraz" wisT tilliK Kayy mekina
alien.
agaririallahu.
besaTnu wisT ammist si birr
allewot.
besaTnu wisT ammist si birr
yagannallu.
asallafiw and bet allew.
asallafiw and bet yaganrial.
zare kasaat behwala llemma zand
zare mahed alcilim.
tihedalleh t
lTirunes ga y a l l a w m sew iyye sim
awon, awKawallahu.
tawKawalleh t
lgetah zend dersah meTTah t
yellam, gena ahun lihed new.
Tirunes kaddis abeba sitmaTa
abbatwa zend yunasianna1.
yemmittarfew iman zand new.
laraft mahed yammitfalligu
abbataccihu zand new t
awo, a b b a t a c c m zand new.
lgiddibu ga yeKomut sewoc mehandisoc
yellem, wannaw direkterinna Sehafiw
naccew.
naccew t
ljnehandisu zend hedaccihu sil em in
silegiddibu new.
teCewawwetaccihu.
inenna lemma zend yallew gazeTa
yeman indehone tawKallaccihu t
yellem, annawKim.
unehandisu ga y a l l e w m jelba
tiwesdut zend man neggeraccihu.
and setiyyo neggereccin.
izzih hotel wisT innarf zend
awon, yiffeKKedillmnal.
yiffeKKedillmnal t
Tiru sinima tayu zend kerina gar
memTat tif elligallaccihu f
awon, memTat mfelligallen.
kezzih ga yewessedaccihutm
inKulal yet aderregaccihut.
ibet wisT aderregnew.
izzih kemeTTaccihu zend lemin
sinima aytaccihu athedum.
and ager habtam tihon zend min
Tiru sinima kalle mnayallen.
bizu serratennoc yasfelligatal.
madreg yasfelligatal.
beKeddemlet lhakimu ga yenebberew
awo, m e
zend new.
sowiyye ahun ante zend new t
inna zend yenebberewin sowiyye
awo, awKallohu.
tawKalleh t
gommawin yi&eTillin zend yeneggerhut
yellem, zare alayyehutim.
sewiyye ante zend meTto nebber f
formun yunolut zend seTTehaccew t
awon, seTTehuwaccew.
ldinkwanu wisT intenna zend feKad
yasfelllgenal t
awon, feKad yasfelligaccihuwal.
yallefewin demozaccin
mnagen
zend min madreg yasfelllgenal.
ledirekteru menger yasfelligaccihuwal.
lTirunes zend yallewin genzeb
wessedhew t
unehandisu zend
yellem, alwessedhutim.
mditwesdew
yeneggerhuhm mekina gena
alwessedhewim t
yellem, gena alwessedhutim.
bicil
zare keseat behwala lwesdewallehu.
yekebbede balebet ante ga meTta
and Ken bicca wila wedagerwa
sint Ken senebbetec.
temellesec.
lemma kemesriyabetu tesenabto iman
mnatinna abbatu zend hede.
zend hede.
Tirunes ahun unan zend nat.
aggotwanna akistwa zend nat.
zare misaccihun tibelu zend llemma
zare mehed ancilxm, nege gin
ga athedum t
me
zare ine ga timeTu zand man
bicca lhed yihonal.
weyzero Tirunes neggereccm.
neggeraccihu.
bizu genzeb alleh t
legizew yellehhim.
wedefit gin
y m o r e h yihonal.
awon, bezzih amet ameTat nobbor.
and yelijlij bitnorih, amerika
tameTat nebber t
bizu yegeT lJCa binoriS, leman
leyohannis mist lseTatallehu.
tiseCiwalles.
fotewui lemewsed mece timeTalleh.
nege gize silemminoren uneTallehu.
zare keseat behwala gize kenoreh,
hakimu hakimbet wisT ayiggenriim.
lemin hakimbet athedim.
dirset
pleasant, gay, happy
kebbede dessitenha sow new.
voice
dimSu beTam Tiru new.
silamerika awerrallih.
to tell, to talk, to describe
mawrat
TenayisTillin tebabalu.
to say to each other
mebbabal
ato yohannis yemmibbalut amerikawi mehandis silawaS wanz giddib'
kaityoPiya mangist gar badarragut wil masarat kagaraccaw betenessu
bahulettannaw Kan addis ababa gabbu.
karejjim guzo yatanassa baTam dakmaw nebberinna, hulett Kenoc yahil
bahotel wisT karrefu behwala, ato kebbeden besilk tegenaritew, sile
memTataccew keneggeruwaccew behwala, mac magganarinet indemmicilu KeTero
TeyyaKu.
ato kabbade badasslteriria dunS inkwan dahna gabbu kaluwaccaw
behwala, silamerika ware TeyyeKwaccew.
kezziyam TiKit kawerru behwala,
lammimaTaw Kidame behulatt saat giyon hotel mnigganan tebabilaw
teleyayyu.
TiyyaKewoc
ato yohannis wede ityoPiya lemin maTTu.
ato yohannis silk l e m m dewwelu.
ato kebbedenna ato yohannis besilk s i l e m m tenegaggeru.
ato yohannis yeyet ager sew naccew.
giddibu yemmisserraw yet new.
ato kebbedenna ato yohannis mec lamaggananriet tesmammu.
basilk sint seat awerru.
bamerika wisT silallut tililliJC giddiboc nigeren.
Unit 42
Basic Sentences
kebbede
It's nice to see you ('you
well*)-
came
inkwan dohna meTTu.
How are you getting
agerun
telammedut^
along here (*did you get used
to the country*)?
yohannis
I'm O.K. ('I am not
saying anything )
minimm alii
1
I'm O.K.
I'm still getting used
m m i m m alii,
gena bemellamed
lay neh.
to [things].
kebbede
Please be seated.
bewemberu lay yiXKemeTu.
yohannis
Thank you.
The climate in
mdesemmahut
Addis is very good, [just] as
yaddis abeba ayyer beTam
I had been told ('as
melkam new.
I've
heard*).
kebbede
Except for the fact there's no
beredo bicca yellenim m j i ,
snow the climate here is very
ayyeruss beTam asdessac new,
pleasant.
tea
say
By the way, would you like tea
lemehonu s'ay way is s bunna
or coffee ('shall tea or
yimTalliwot.
1
coffee come for y o u ) ?
yohannis
I'd prefer coffee, thank you.
bunna imerTallehu.
ameseggmallehu,
kebbede
bunnaw lskimeTa dires silawas'
You can ask me some questions
(that you have
wenz giddib y a l l u w o t m TiyyaKew
about the
HTeyyiJCun yicilallu.
Awash River Dam while we're
waiting for our coffee ('until
the coffee comes').
yohannis
to be planned, projected,
proposed
mettaKed
legiddibu yetaKKedew bota beTam
I don't know whether the proposed
site will be very suitable
for a dam (or n o t ) .
tesmami mehonuninna alernehonun
•
What do
alawKim.
mm
yimesliwotal.
you think?
kebbede
properly, sufficiently
bedenb
fertile
lem
Should the Awash river valley
yawas wenz seleKo bedenb wiha
get enough water, it would be
kagerme, beTam lem yihonal
(considered) an extremely
tebilo yemmiggemmet bota new.
fertile area.
geTer
underdeveloped, un
cultivated
However, due to the lack of water
d a r u g m wiha balemagrietu seleKow
the valley has remained un
geTar hono Kertowal.
cultivated.
When you visit the site, you'll
botawin hedew bayyut gize
be able to realize its richness.
yeseleKowm habtaminnet
lirreddut yicilallu.
yohannis
irrigation
masno
electric
eletrik / letrik
including
Cimmir
Is the Ethiopian Government
yeityoPya mengist giddibun lemesrat
thinking of building the dam
yassebew lemesno bicca new,
for irrigation only, or for
weyiss leletrik hayil Cimmir new.
electric power too?
kebbede
aim, goal, purpose
For the time being the main
a lama
legizew yemengistu wanna alama
purpose of the government is
lemesno bicca new.
only (for) irrigation.
opinion, standpoint
asteyayet
report
rapor
But we'd like you to give
negergin irsiwo botawin aTnitew
1
("explain ) your opinion in
bemmimeTubbot gize asteyayetiwon
your report after you've
boraporiwo lay m d i g e l S u l l m
studies the site (and come
m f elligallen.
back).
Then we'll think about how the
plans may be improved
kezziya behwala lissasal yemmig
('the
g e b b a w m neger mnassiballen.
things which ought to be
improved * ) .
Useful Words
village
yenorubbet mender beTam seffi
alnebberem.
civilization, progress
yamerika slllTTane beTam keff
yale new.
sweet
TafaC migib lemeblat alweddun.
bitter
merara modhanit lelijoc attisTu.
sour
komTaTa migib leTena Tiru aydellem.
estimate
yeKawin gxmmit besilk nigeren.
expert, specialist
awaKi lemehon bitfellig wede
timihirtbet hid.
ciggir indayagehnen Tenkarra sira
problem, difficulty
mesrat yasfelligenal.
seed
yehil zer megzat allebbih.
race, origin, breed
ante keyet zer neh.
Grammatical Notes
Note 42.1
Verb:
Progressive Form
gona bemellamed lay neh.
I am still in the process of
getting used [to i t ] .
The infinitive with the prefix / b e - / and followed by /lay/ "on*
is used to describe an action in the process of being performed or a state
in the process of undergoing a change.
The present progressive is formed using the above plus the verb
forms /-neh/, /-neh/, /-new/, etc.
1
1
'I a m , 'you a r e , 'he is', etc., or
their negative counterparts /aydellehum/, /aydellehim/, /aydellem/, etc.
'I am not', 'you are not', 'he is not', etc. e.g.
/bemehed lay neri/
'I am in the process of going.'
/bemehed lay aydellehum/
'I am not in the process of going.'
The past progressive is formed by adding the verb forms /nebberhu/,
/nebberh/, /nebber(e)/, etc. 'I was', 'you were', 'he was', etc. or their
negative counterparts /alnebberhum/, /alnebberhim/, /alnebberem/, 'I was
not',
'you were not', 'he was not', e.g.
/bemehed lay nebberhu/
'I was in the process of going'.
/bemehed lay alnebberhum/
'I was not in the process of going.'
The past progressive may also be formed by adding /nebber-/ (or /alnebber-/)
verb forms to the / s ( i ) - / contructlons (Note 12.6).
The personal endings
of the verb /nebber-/ are optional, e.g.
sihed nebberku.
or:
sihed alnebberkum.
sihed nebber.
or:
sihed
'I was in the process of going'.
'I was not in the process of going',
alnebberem.
The /be- ...lay nebber-/ and /s(I)-...nebber-/ constructions are used
more or less interchangeably.
Note 42.2
Verb:
'whether ...(or n o t ) ' constructions.
These constructions involve the use of the Affirmative and the
Negative Infinitive with Possessive Suffix Pronouns and the Specific direct
object suffix in constructions which are equivalent to English 'whether...
(or n o t ) ' constructions.
legiddibu "yataKKedew bota beTam
I don't know whether the proposed
tesmami mehonuninna alemehonun
site will be suitable for a
alawKim.
dam (or n o t ) .
The 'whether ...or not' constructions may be formed in Amharic by
use of both the affirmative and negative infinitive forms with the appro
priate possessive (noun) suffix pronouns, set in apposition or linked by
the conjunctions /-(i)nna/ 'and' or /weyim/ 'or'.
These constructions may
have the following variants:
1) The two infinitives may be in apposition to each other, the
possessive suffix pronoun and the specific direct object suffix being
affixed to the negative infinitive only, e.g.
/madreg alemadregen alnegrihim./
I'm not going to tell you whether
I'll do it (or n o t ) .
('the
my doing not doing')
2)
The infinitive forms may be connected by the conjunction /weyun/
'or', with suffixes affixed to both forms, e.g.
/madregen wayim alemadregen
alnegrihim./
('the
my doing or the my not doing')
3)
The infinitive forms may be connected by the conjunction
/-(i)nna/ 'and' with suffixes affixed to both forms, e.g.
/madregemnna alemadregen
alnegrihim./
('the
my doing and the my not doing')
4)
The infinitive forms may be connected by the conjunction
/-(i)nna/ with suffixes affixed to the negative infinitive form only, e.g.
/ m a d r e g m n a alemadregen
alnegrihim./
('the
doing and my not doing')
In summary:
Neg.
Infinitive
Poss,
Suff,
Pr.
madreg
ale-madreg
-e
alnegrihim
doing
not doing
my
I'm not
going to
tell you
Poss,
Suff,
Pr.
Infin.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Dir.
Obj.
Conjunct,
madreg
-e
weyim
ale-madreg
-e
doing
my
or
not doing
my
madreg
-e
-inna
ale-madreg
-e
doing
my
and
not doing
my
-inna
ale-madreg
-e
and
not doing
my
-n
madreg
doing
Note 4 2 . 3
Dir.
Obj.
Verb
-n
-n
The use of / m m i m m alii/ 'I don't say anything', / m m i m m attil/
'You don't say anything', etc. in equivalent to English 'soso', 'fair to middling'.
m m i m m alii, gena bemellamed
13Y neri.
Oh, I'm O.K.
I'm still getting
used to [things].
The negative imperfective form of the verb /malet/ 'to say' without the
suffix /-(i)m/ is used in combination with / m m i m m / 'nothing' in idiomatic
expressions corresponding approximately to English 'so-so', 'fair to
middling,' etc.
addisu mekinah Tiru newt
'How's your new car?'
minimm ayil.
'So-so'.
yaddis abeba ketema tilliK newt
'Is Addis Ababa a large city?'
m m i m m ayil.
'Fair to middling'.
indemin alleh.
'How are you?'
m m i m m alii.
'I'm o.k.'.
minimm alii
m m i m m attil
m m i m m attiy
m m i m m ayil
m m i m m attil
m m u n m annil
m m i m m attilu
m m u n m ayilu
Transform Drill #1
Outline:
Imperfective
Present Progressive
Imperfect
Past Progressive
Model
ifelligallehu.
^
bemefelleg lay neh.
lfellig nebber.
>
bemefelleg lay nebberku.
and addis meShaf yanebbal.
and addis meSihaf bemanbeb lay new.
y a b b a y m giddib yiserallu.
y a b b a y m giddib bemesrat lay naccew.
yato lemman memTat yiTTebabbeKallu.
yato lemman memTat bemeTTebabeK lay
naccew.
bet yiseral.
bet bemesrat lay new.
bunna tiTeTTallec.
bunna bemeTeTTat lay nat.
rat yaKerbal.
rat bemaKreb lay new.
lijun libs yalebsal.
lijun libs bemalbes lay new.
feKad lKKebbelallehu.
feKad bemeKKebel lay nen.
balebetun kebeteseboccu gar
balebetun kebeteseboccu gar
yas tewawwlKal.
kebtoccaccewin wiha yaTeTTallu.
bemastewaweK lay new.
kebtoccaccewin wiha bemaTeTTat
lay naccew.
tunihirtaccewm yaTenu nebber.
tunihirtaccewm bemaTnat lay
nebberu.
m e k i n a w m yaTb nebber.
m e k i n a w m bemaTeb lay nebber.
rat tazzegaj nebberec.
rat bemazzegajjet lay nebberec.
kecemariwa gar dans yidennis
ketemariwa gar dans bemedennes
nebber.
lay nebber.
silk yidawwil nebber.
silk bemedewwel lay nebber.
ingidoccaccewin yigabbizu nebber.
ingidoccaccewin bemegabez lay
nebbaru.
labalinjeraw genzeb yiKoTr nebber.
labalinjeraw genzeb bemeKuTer lay
nebber.
Transform Drill #2
Change sentences in column A into one of the four possible *whether-or-not*
constructions (column B) according to the following model.
Model;
dassitanria mehonun alawweKhum.
*I didn't know that he was
pleased*.
dessitehha mehonuninna alemehonun
alawweKhum.
*I didn't know whether he was
1
pleased or n o t .
or:
dessitehha mehon alemehonun
alawweKhum.
or:
dessitehha mehonun weyim alemehonun
alawweKhum.
or:
dess it anna m a h o n m n a alemehonun
alawweKhum.
B
gazeTawin manbebaccihun alawKun.
gazeTawin manbebinna alemanbebaccihun
alawKim.
bayroplan mahedwan alneggerenim.
bayroplan mehed alemehedwan
alneggerenim.
irsasu maTfatun alastawweKem.
irsasu meTfatunmna alemeTfatun
alastawweKem.
zafun matkalaccewin alsemmanim.
zafun metkel alemetkelaccewin
alsemmanim.
ababawin masKemmeTun alayyehum.
ababawin masKemmeTinna alemasKemmeTun
alayyehum.
birCiKowin masbarwan
alnaggaracciJlim.
birCiKowin mesberwaninna
alemesberwan alneggereccihim.
KwanKwa maTnathin,alsemmanun.
KwanKwa maTnat weyim alomaTna.thm
alsemmanun.
mekina mendatun alawweKhum.
mekina mendat weyim alemendatun
alawweKhum.
fetena malefaccewin alsemmanun.
fetena malef alemalefaccewm
alsemmanun.
aynun mettamemun alneggeratim.
aynun mettamemuninna alemettamemun
alneggeratim.
kebtoccun meKuTerun alawweKhum.
kebtoccun meKuTerumnna alemeKuTerun
alawweKhum.
w e r e w m isswa mawratwan
w e r e w m isswa m a w r a t m n a
alemawratwan alneggerehhun.
alneggerehhim.
ityoPiya merkeb kamerika megzatwan
ityoPiya merkeb kamerika m e g z a t m n a
alemegzatwan alawweKhum.
alawweKhum.
medkemunmna alemedkemun
medkemun alneggerenim.
alneggerenun.
Cewataw maloKun alsemmanun.
Cewataw maleKun weyun alemaleKun
alsemmanun.
addis abeban memreTwan alawweKem.
addis abeban memreTwanmna
alememreTwan alawweKem.
yegiddibun sira masfafataccewm
alneggerutim.
yegiddibun sira masfafatmna
alemasfafataccewm alneggerutun.
ciggirhin leman litnegrew
tifelligalleh.
lijoccisin kemeggebs" behwala
a b r e S m wede sinimabet mehed
m m a l b a t lebalebete
megrat
yihonal.
awo, kante gar m e h e d m n a sinima
mayet beTam dess yilehhal.
tifelligiyalles t
yeseTTehat bunna beTam TafaC
awo, beTam TafaC nebber.
nebber f
Tire muz beTam merara new t
beTam merara aydellem.
yeityoPiya dunS yemmibbal gazeTa
awo, addis abeba ketema wisT new.
yemmiSSafew ityoPiya wisT new t
sileferensay ager indittawerallaccihu,
setiyyowan Terracelhuwatt
awo, Tertenatal.
mmalbat
nege timeTanna tawerallin yihonal.
izzih mender yemminorutin sewoc
awo,
awKallehu.
sim bemulu tawKalleh t
besiliTTane keff y a l u t m ageroc
awo, baTam dass yilehhal.
hedeh mayet tifelligalleh t
begimmit kebbede ahun yet
m m a l b a t addis ketama yidars
yemmiders yimeslihal.
yihonal.
timihirtbet hedeh lijoccun KoTreh
memTat ticilalleh t
awo, l i h e d m n a liKoTraccaw
ICllallehu.
ministrun bedenb ayyaccihuwaccew t
awo, ayyenaccaw.
kebbede beTam awaKi sew new
me
ato kebbeden alawKaccewim.
yemmilut lwinet new t
kegize gize ciggir dersobbih
awo, bizu gize bandand nageroc
mikniyat ciggir dersobbihrial.
yawKalt
yato kebbede lamoc zer m m
aynet
yellem, alawKim.
m d e h o n u tawKalleh t
kengidoccu gar telammedk t
awon, telammijjallehu.
lijih s i r a w m weddadew t
m m u n m ayil.
ageraccihu wisT say yibeKlalt
awo, yibeKlal.
kebunnanna kesay yetun tunerTalleh.
kesay bunna unerTallahu.
lelomi betaKKedew irsa
bunnanna mandarin takkelhubbet.
mm
tekkelhibbet.
ageraccihu lersa beTam lem newt
awo, beTam lem new.
yemmitnorew geTer new, weyiss
ketema wisT new.
ketama wisT.
yato lemman habtaminnet yesemmah
kegwaddehhaye semmahu.
keyet new.
giddibu yammiyasfellig lamesno
lehulettum lihon yicilal.
new, weyiss leletrik.
wedamerika yemmittihed b i c c a h m
new t
kene gar yihedallu.
timihirtaccihun keCarresaccihu
behwala alamaccihu m m d i n new.
siletmantu nigiggir asteyayetih
mmdm
yellem, akistenna aggote Cimmir
new.
ante silessu m m
wedageraccm
temellisen
lemengistaccm lemasrat new.
m e baTam Tiru nigiggir
yunaslenhal.
aynet rapor
me
dehna rapor isaTallehu.
tiseTalleh.
ibetih aTegeb m m C alle t
awon, and beTam tilliK minC alle.
yaddis abeba ketema lyyetesfaffa
awo, beTam tesfaftowal.
heda |
awo, igozawallehu.
wagaw kassir birr biyans
tigezawalleh t
biyans assir birr yaweTa yimeslihalt
awo, assir birr litseTew ticilalleh,
yesewiyyew melk m d e t yalle new.
beTam Keyy new.
l e m m lemma m d i m e T a atfelligim.
sira silemrniyasfetah new.
yelemma bet tilliK new t
m m i m m ayil.
t m a n t yebellaccihut rat Tiru
m m u n m ayil.
nebber t
seathin weddedhatt
m m i m m attil,
yaddis abeba hizb gimmit
m m u n m ayil.
bizu newt
lijoccuwo tesalaccewt
m m u n m ayilu,
rasiwon tesalewot t
m m u n m alii,
Kenu bird new t
m m u n m ayil.
wa&ington muKet nevv t
m m u n m ayil.
ketemawa lyyetesfaffac hedec t
m m u n m attil
dabbow TafaC new t
m m u n m ayil.
leTenaccihu dehna naccihu t
m m u n m annil
dehna naccihu t
m m u n m annil
aynihin tesaleh t
m m u n m alii.
Tiru temariwoc naccewt
m m u n m ayilu.
dirset
animal husbandry
siraye kebtribbi new.
strong, heavy, important, hard working
birtu sew bizu genzeb yagehhal.
mountain
betilliKu gara aTegeb and bet
alien.
shepherdj rude
yekebbede wendim irrehha new.
former, old, ancient, early
beKedmo gize sewoc bebeKlo
yiggwazu nebber.
yeityoPiya yuniversiti baddis abeba
wisT temeserrete.
to be established
memmesret
good afternoon
dehna wal.
(house) keeping
bet aTTebabeK tawKallec.
yohannis
yeityoPiya geberewoc beTam birtu mehonaccewin awKallohu.
ahun
abzahhawoccu geberewoc yet indemminoru littinegreh ticilalleh t
lemma
bizuwoccu geberewoc b e r S a c c e w aTegeb bemmiggehhut betininnis menderoc
wisT yinorallu.
yohannis
kebt ribbi beseffiw beityoPiya wisT yiggennalt
lemma
awon, gimmasoccu geberewoc yemmiggennut b e r S a sihon, guranas'occu
degmo kebt bemarbat new.
lemehonu wedezzih ager kemeTTah jemmiro kebtocc
ayteh attawKim t
yohannis
bizu kebtoc beyyemedawinna beyyegaraw aTegeb ayyiccallehu.
lemehonu
geberewoccu kebtoccaccewm m d e t adrigew yiTebbiKallu t
lemma
addisu yekebt ribbi zede beseffiw silaltelemmede, abzahhawoccu
geberewoc kebtoccaccewm berrehha yasTebbiKallu.
yih yeKedmo limad silehone,
geberewoccu beKollalu litewut aycilum.
yohannis
yeityoPiya ikonomi yetemeserretew bersa lay silehone, sile ityoPiya
geberewoc maweK beTam yiTeKmal.
beseffiw silasreddaheh ameseggmallehu.
dehna wal.
lemma
amen dehna wal.
TiyyaKewoc
yeityoPiya geberewoc indet naccew.
abzannawoccu geberewoc yet y m o r a l l u .
kebt ribbi beityoPiya tesfaftowalt
kebtoc yemmiggennubbet bota wedet new.
yekebtoc aTTebabek m d e t new.
yaddisu kebt ribbi zede beityoPiya wisT tesfaftowalt
bizu irrennocc
beityoPiya yiggennallu t
yerrenrioccu wanna sira mind in new.
geberewoc yemmikkettelut yeKedmo limad m m d i n new.
beityoPiya wisT bizu yeKedmo limadoc allut
leityoPiya ikonomi meseret yehonew m m d i n new.
band ager wisT yer&an sira lemasfafat m m
madreg yasfelligal.
Unit 43
Basic Sentences
yohannis
equipment
messariya
to have someone bring
something, to import
masmaTTat
logiddibu mesriya yommiyasfelligutin
Where shall we import the
messariyawoc keyet innasmoTTallon.
equipment pecessary for the
construction of the dam from?
kobbodo
to be bought, to be ruled
moggezat
to negotiate, to make an
arrangement, to agree
mewwawal
yommiyasfelligu messariyawoc hullu
We have arranged for purchasing
all the necessary equipment
kejermon ager indiggezzu
from Germany.
tewawilenal.
megazen
warehouse
We have [already] received some
TiKitoccu dersewin, bemegazenaccin
wisT yiggehhallu.
[items] and they are in our
warehouse.
keguzowo bemmimmellesubbet gize
We can show you the equipment
when you come back from your
messariyawoccun linnassayyiwo
trip.
mcilallen.
yohannis
entire
mella
entirely
bemella
Do you think that the dam under
lisserra yetaKKodew giddib y a w a s m
construction can irrigate the
wenz seleKo bemella wiha
entire Awash river valley?
lemaTeTTat yemmicil yunesliwotalt
kebbede
to be equal in size or
in value
makel
ahun yammisserraw giddib
We hope that the dam which is
being constructed will irrigate
yeselaKowm sost arattahha
about three quarters of (the
yammiyaklawin maret wiha
land of) the valley.
mdiyaTaTTa tesfa innadargallan.
to be thought, to be
mattaseb
planned
wedafit degmo kezzih yabelleTe
It has also been planned to
giddib indissarra tassibowal.
construct a bigger dam in the
future.
yohannis
to indicate, to show,
to point out
mamelket
map, plan
karta
kemehede befit yegiddibun sira
Before I go I'd like to see the
map which indicates the
yammiyamelekkitewin karta
construction work.
lamayat ifelligallehu.
kopi
copy
If possible I'd like very much
to have ('if
yemmiccal kehone, and kopi bissaTTan
it be given to
beTam lwedd nebber.
me') a copy.
kebbede
We can give you one.
and kopi lmseTiwot
mcilallen.
When you leave here, go to the
kezzih siweTu wede mehandis kifl
Engineering Section and ask
yigbunna, ato tesemman and kopi
Mr. Tesemma for a copy.
yiTeyyiKut.
inem iTerawinna, and kopi
I'll call him and remind him to
have a copy ready for you.
mdiyazzegajollliwo astawwisewallehu,
yohannis
I'm most grateful to you for
sile lrdatawonna, silaKerrebullih
your assistance and excellent
melkam assab beTam
suggestions.
ameseggmiwo tallehu.
I'll call you as soon as I get
back from Awash.
kawas' indetemelleshu iTerawotallehu.
kebbede
tekenawwene - mekkenawen -
to be accomplished
successfully
Fine.
yikkenawwenal
I hope your work will be
degg new.
sirawo indikkenawwenilliwo
mulu tesfa adergallehu.
successfully completed.
meKKaTer
to have an appointment
Be sure not to forget our
lerat yeteKaTTernewm KeTero
dinner appointment.
mdayzoneggut.
yohannis
I won't (forget).
I'll be waiting
alzeneggam.
for you at the Gion Hotel at
bezziyaw seat lgiyon
hotel iTebbiKiwotallehu.
that time.
kebbede
Very well.
Goodbye then.
melkam new.
yibelu TenayisTillin.
yohannis
amen, TenayisTillin.
Goodbye.
Grammatical Notes
Note 43.1
Benefactive or Causative Reciprocal Verbs.
mgidawin sira allammidewallehu.
I'll train the beginner ('I will
help the stranger to be acquainted
with the work').
lndemmimoTa arregaggeTellih.
He assured me that he would come.
tararaw wenzun yawwassinewal.
The mountain borders the river
(mutually).
These are examples of the 'Benefactive' Verbs.
the Benefactive (or:
forms see Chart X) :
The three basic forms of
Causative-Reciprocal) Verbs are as follows (for other
Three-Radical Verbs
Simple
Reduplicated
Infinitive
Perfective
Imperfective
malla2e3
alla22e3e
y-alla22i3-al
/maffaleg/
/affallaga/
/yaffalligal/
malla2a2e3
alle2a22a3e
y-al_la2a22i3-al
/maffalalag/
/affalallaga/
/yaffelalligal/
Two-Radical Verbs
Simple:
Reduplicated
ma11a2at
alla22a
y-alla22-al
/mammarat/
/ammarra/
/yammarral/
malle2a2at
alla2a22a
y-alla2a22a-l
/mammararat/
/ammararra/
/yammararral/
Four-Radical Verbs
Simple:
Reduplicated
malla2a3a4
all92a33a4a
y-alla2a33i4-al
/mammanazar/
/ammanazzara/
/yammana z ziral/
malla2a3a3a4
alla2a3a33©4a
y-alla2a3a33i4-al
/marnmanazazar/
/ammanazazzara/
/yammanazazziral/
As illustrated by the above examples the Benefactive verbs have
two forms, simple and reduplicated.
The reduplication is the same as that
of the reciprocal verbs.
The general meaning of the Benefactive or Causative-Reciprocal verbs
is either 'to help to perform the action of the verb
1
or 'to cause that
action to be performed mutually.'
The simple and the reduplicated forms may have the same meaning and
may be used interchangeably, according to local preference, e.g. /maffalag/
and /maffalalag/ 'to help to look for', /mawwasad/ and /mawwasasad/ 'to
help to carry'.
Sometimes the meanings of these two forms may be slightly different.
The reduplicated forms may imply a repeated action or may indicate that
more than two persons are involved in the performance of the action of the verb.
Finally, the meaning of the two forms may be completely different
(see examples below).
With some verbs the 'benefactive• or •causative-reciprocal' meaning
has been lost, e.g. /marregageT/ 'to assure'.
Some verbs have only one such form.
This form may be the simple one
1
as in /mawwaded/ 'to cause to like each o t h e r , or the reduplicated one as
in /maggabayayat/ 'to help to shop'.
The / a - / verbs have benefactive forms
in /as-/, e.g. /astawwaKa - mastaweK - yastawwiKal/ 'to inform
1
('to
cause
to be known') from /tawwoka - mattawaK - yittawwaKal/ the passive form of
/awwaKo - maweK - yawKal/.
The Benefactive verbs may be said to be causatives of the passive
forms.
Here are some other examples of the Benefactive verbs:
Basic form:
/mekfel/
'to divide
/melbes/
'to dress
1
1
y
Benefactive form:
Simple.
Reduplicated.
/makkafel/
/makkefafel/
'to divide between
two persons•
'to divide among
several persons'
/mallabes/
/mallebabes/
•to help somebody
dress someone'
'to cause several people
to dress each other'
/meTeyyaK/
/maTTeyayeK/
•to ask'
'to cause to inquire'
/malamman/
/mallamen/
/mallemamen/
'to help to beg'
•to help to beg'
/maKureT/
/maKKwareT/
/maKKorareT/
•to cut'
'to cause to stop'
'to beg
1
'to cross
'to cause to cut'
1
Chart X shows the distribution of vowels and consonants of the following
Benefactive verbs in their various forms:
1)
/maffaleg/ and /maffelaleg/
'to help to look for'.
2)
/mammarat/ and /mammerarat/
'to cause to lead each other'.
3)
/mammenazer/ and /mammenezazer/
'to help to change money'.
Benefactive or Causative Reciprocal "Verbs
Three-Radical
Four-Radical
Two-Radical
Simple
Reduplicated
Simple
Reduplicated
Simple
Reduplicated
Infinitive
maffalag
maffalalag
mammarat
mammerarat
\
mammanazar
mammanazazer
Perfective
affallaga
affalallaga
ammarra
ammararra
1
1 ammanazzara
|
Imperfective
yaffalligal
yaffalalligal
yammarral
yammararral
Jussive
yaffalg
yaffalalg
yammara
yammarara
yammanazir
yammanazazir
Imperative
affalg
affalalg
ammara
ammarara
ammanazir
ammanazazir
Gerund
affalgo
affalalgo
ammarto
ammararto
ammanazro
ammanazazro
Noun of
Agent
affalagi
affalalagi
ammari
ammarari
ammanazari
ammanazazari
Noun of
maffalagiya
maffalalagiya
mammariya
mammarariya
mammanaz ariya
mammanazazariya
1 yammanazziral
ammanazazzaro
yammanazazziral
lijih wedamerika yohedow silekebt
yellem, mehandisinnet lememmar new,
ribbi lememmar now t
kene gar wadegaraw mehed
tifelligallaccihu t
yekebtoccih irrohha birtu sew
keseat behwala bithed, abrenih
mhedallen.
awo, beTam birtu sew new.
yuneslihal t
Kedmo yetomesarretowin ketema
awo, m h e d i n n a
mnayewallen.
hedaccihu tayutallaccihu t
yehizb Tena aTTobabeK sira
awon, keKedmow ahun tesfaftowal.
lyyetesfaffa hede \
yeSihifet messariya yemmiss'eTibbet
awon, ibanku fitlefit and suK alle.
suK tawKalleh t
kamerika liyyu liyyu messariyawoc
megzat yifelligallu t
bizu messariyawoc
lemasmeTTat
keman gar mowwawal yasfelllgenhal.
izzih megazen wisT sint liyyu
feKad kagenhshu, megzat
ifelligallehu.
kewannaw direkter gar mowwawal
yasfelligiwotal.
ahun lmegraccihu alf elligim.
messariyawocc asKemmiTehal.
yameTTaSiwin yeweTbet lKa bemella
awo, bemella mellis's'ewallehu.
melles'iw t
atkiltun wiha lemaTeTTat
m m a l b a t zare mata salaTeTTaw
yemmitfelllgew mece new.
alKerun.
yawaS meret min aynet atkilt
bewmetu m m
yabeKl yimeslihal.
manninnaw in im. neger bedebdabbe
aynet atkilt
mdemmiyabeKl linegrih alcilun.
awo, amelkiccallehu.
amelekitehalt
yawa&in wenz giddib lkartaw lay
awon, amelkiccallehu.
amelkitehal t
arb mata wedesinimabet annihedim t
mehed kefellegaccihu, degg innihid,
yeTeyyoKaccihutin messariya
awo, l a k u l l m .
lakullaccihu t
siraw bemulu tekenawwenellaccihu t
yellem, altekenawwenellinim.
kambassaderu gar KeTero aderregh t
yellem, gena lemeKKaTer meTTahu.
kewiCC gudday ministru gar
awo, zenegganew.
meKKaTeraccihun zeneggaccihutt
zare bewiCC ager mengist meggezat
yemmifallig hizb yinor yuneslihalt
aymeslehhim.
gimmasu sinimabet, gunmasu dagmo
lgibbiw wisT yallew tilliKu biCa
migibbet m d i h o n tassaba.
bet min m d i h o n tassebo.
yih degg assab yimaslaccihuwalt
awo, dahna naw.
m n a l a m m a n bunna lamagabaz wada
awo, ahun mehede naw.
hotel lhedallehu alk t
KuTru s m t
yeseThew w e n b a r m n a TerePeza
m d a h o n alawKim.
bemella sint new.
awo, baTam bizu irrannocc allu.
kebt kemmiyarabaw sawiyye gar
yemminoru bizu irrahhocc allu t
dirsat
bizu zafoc bakramt werat yadgallu.
madag
to grow, to develop, to mature
not any, none, nobody, nothing
yalandacc mikniyat wadebiro
mahed ayasfelligim.
andacc
someone, anyone, something,
anything
wealth, riches
abbatu bizu habt allew.
masriyabetun siyaKKwaKumu j_zzih
alnebberhum.
aKKwaKwama - maKKwaKwam -
to establish, to found, to erect
yaKKwaKumal
yetassebawin sira indarrimisera
yittammanal.
to be believed, to be confident
mettamen
bahunu zaman bizu agaroc be'ikonomi lemadeginna yehizbaccawm
yenuro dereja lemas's'as'al bayyegizew b i z u Tiret yadargallu.
kennezzihim Tiratocc a n d u betililliK wenzoc lay g i d d i b
lyyeserru
bezuriyaw yemmiggehnewin maret bamesno wiha m d i T a T T a madrag naw.
wiha
bemaTat mikniyat gaTar h o n o yalandacc habt yinor yanebberew maret, baCCir
gize wisT balSigo mannaccewinun aynet m i l , firenna, atkilt siseT yittayyal.
kezzihim belay g i d d i b lela TiKim a l l a w .
kawiha yerrimiggennew yaletrik
hayil, I n d u s t r i lamaKKwaKwammna lemasfafat baTam asfellagi new.
yihinnin b a m a s s a b ahun yeityoPiya mengist bageru wisT bemmiggehhut
batililliK wenzoc lay g i d d i b lamesratmna, bemasno wiha bezuriyaw
yemmiggennutin botawoc lemaTeTTat asibowal.
lemmissale, beKirb gize yetefeSSemew yeKoKa giddib yeletrik hayil
bemesTetu TiKmu tawKowal.
wedefitim yihin yemosasselu giddiboc lemaKwaKwam siletassebe, yageru
ikonomi baCCir gize wisT adgo, yehizbun yenuro dereja indemmiyas'sasil
yittammenal.
TiyyaKewoc
bandand ageroc wisT yegiddib
sira lemin beTam asfellagi hone.
balem wisT betilliKmnetu
yetawweKew giddib yet ager new.
sunus man yibbalal.
giddib land ager hizb kemmiseTew
irsiwo giddib aytew y a w K a l l u t
TiKmoc TiKitoccun tenager.
amerika wisT bizu lem bota alle t
ityoPiya wisT yetawweKew giddib
man yibbalal.
ityoPiya wedefit lela giddib
lemesrat timmehhallec t
amerika ahun mdallefew gize
bagerwa wisT giddiboc tiserallec*t
Unit 44
Basic Sentences
yohannis
indemin walu, ato k o b b o d o t
Good afternoon ('how did you
1
spend the d a y ) Mr. Kebbede?
kobbodo
Good afternoon ('thank you, and
lgziyabher yimmesgen.
irsiwoss,
indemin w a l u t
1
how did you spend the d a y ) .
It's been quite a long time
ketegenahhen senebbetin.
since we saw each other.
yohannis
true, correct, sure
That's right.
lrgiT
We haven't had
lrgiT new.
time to see each other, because
sira silemmibezabbin
lemeggenannet gize alagehhenim.
we've been so busy ('because
the work increased to our
detriment').
one of these days
bezzih semon
pastime
masallefiya
bezzih semon kemesriyabete feKad
As I'm going to take leave from
my office one of these days,
silemmiwesd, ityoPiya wisT
could you tell me what there
silemmiggehnut liyyu liyyu
is to do and see ('the various
yereft gizen masallefiyawoc
kinds of entertainment') in
linegruh yicilallu t
Ethiopia?
Do you want to know [about ]
lemaweK yemmifelligut zemenawiwin
modern things or older ones?
aynet new, weyiss yeTintun.
yohannis
Tell me about both ('if you tell
me [about] both kinds, it won't
be bad').
hulettunim aynet binegruh, aykefam.
kebbede
an Ethiopian tournament game
sugs
(on horseback with sticks and
shields)
field-hockey
ganna
mgidiyamma y a T m t u aynet yagize
Well then, the older types of
entertainment are those such
masallefiya indawana, adan,
as swimming, hunting, the
gugsinna, ganna naccaw.
'Gugs' game and field-hockey.
yohannis
abzannaw yaityoPiya hizb
Are these kinds of entertainment
well known among the majority
innezzihin yareft gize
of the Ethiopian people?
masallafiya Cewatawoc yawKuwaccawal t
of course, certainly, very
much so
badanb nawa
childhood
lijinnat
indeta, badanb nawa t
Yes, indeed, very much so.
batalayy
Hunting and field-hockey es
adeninna, ganna laityoPiyawiyan
pecially are known to them from
kalljinnat jammiro abrawaccaw
childhood ('is
yaddaga nager naw.
the thing that
grew together with them starting
from the childhood').
yohannis
To what extent are swimming and.
wananna gugsiss yatun yahil
'Gugs' familiar to them?
yatalammedu naccaw.
kabbada
young, youth
Both swimming and 'Gugs' are
very popular among the young
people.
gulmasa
wananna gugs bagulmasoc makakkal
baTam yatawaddadu naccaw.
Grammatical Notes
Note 44.1
Verbal Nouns
yeityoPiya yegize aKKoTaTor.
Ethiopian calendar ('the way of
reckoning of time*)
yebetu aKKemamoT.
"The situation of the house.
Amharic has a great variety of verbal nouns.
1
The distribution of
consonants- and vowels in the verbal nouns used in the above phrases is
predictable from the corresponding verbs.
These verbal nouns are formed as follows:
Three-Radical Regular Verbs
Distribution of consonants and vowels:
alle2a2e3
Examples:
/akkefafel/ 'the way of dividing*
/keffele/ 'he divided'
/affelaleg/ 'the way of looking for'
/fellege/ 'he looked for'
/allebabes/ 'the way of dressing'
/lebbese/ 'he dressed'
(Note that the verbs in /-o-/,
such as /KoTTere/ have an / o / after the
first radical as in /aKKoTaTer/).
Two-Radical Regular Verbs in / - a / .
alle2a2
Examples:
/aggebab/ 'the way of entering'
/gebba/ 'he entered'
/awweTaT/ 'the way of coming out'
/weTTa/ 'he came out'
/ammeTaT/ 'the way of coming'
/meTTa/ 'he came'
Two-Radical Regular Verbs in /-a/.
Distribution of Consonants and vowels:
alla2a2
or
alla2a2at
Examples:
/assaTaT/
l
the way of giving'
/saTTa/
'he gave'
/allayayat/ 'the way of separating'
/layya/
'he separated'
/ammasasV or /ammasasat/
/masse/
'it's getting dark'
'the
way of spending the night'
Pour-Radical Verbs
ana2a3a3e4
Examples:
/ammanazazar/
'the way of changing
/manazzara/ 'he changed money'
'the way of spending
/sanabbata/ 'he spent a few days'
money
/assanababat/
time in someone's company'
/ammasagagan/ 'the way of thanking'
/amasaggana/ 'he thanked'
Two-Radical Verbs, Types / m a l a 2 / and /mal_a2/.
allala2
Examples:
/aSSaSaf/ 'the way of writing'
/Safe/ 'he wrote'
/allalak/ 'the way of sending'
/laka/ 'he sent'
/awwawal/ 'the way of spending
/wala/ 'he spent a day'
a day'
/assas'aT/ 'the way of selling'
/saTa/ 'he sold'
Two-Radical Verbs, Type /mal_o2/.
allwalwa2
Examples:
/ammwamwat/
'the way of dying*
/mote/
'he died*
/annwanwar/
'the way of living*
/nore/
'he lived*
/Kome/
'he stood up*
/aKKwaKwam/
'posture
1
Two-Radical Verbs, Type /mele2/.
alliyale2
Examples :
/aggiyageT/
'the way of decorating*
/ageTe/
'he decorated*
/akkiyahed/
'the way of going*
/hede/
'he went*
A number of / a - / verbs form the verbal nouns in /as-/, e.,
/astezazez/
'the- way of ordering*
/azzeze/
'he ordered'
/astodadog/
'the way of rearing*
/addege/
'he grew up'
/astelaleK/
'act of massacring*
/alleKe/
'to end'
/asteyayet/
'the way of seeing
/ayyo/
'he saw'
things'
kamerika
lyyameTTaccihu
yetekkelaccihut
awon, addegellm.
zaf addegellaccihut
kehedebbet ager ketemellese
andaccim sira alserram.
behwala min serra.
habtih bemulu yallew amerika wisT
yellem, asceggari aymeslehhim.
indehone kezziya mawTat
asceggari aymeslihimt
wedagerih temelliseh sittihed,
min aynet sira mesrat
mengist yemmiseTehhm sira
isera yihonal.
tifelligalleh.
besew kemettemamen boras
mettemamen yemmis's'al aymeslihimt
zare izzih ketema wisT mewal
ticilallaccihu t
m d e t a b o r a s mettemamen kehullu
5
yibelTal.
zare sira silallebbm mewal
ancilun.
labbatinna nnatih lem maret megzat
awo, lrgiTehna nah.
lrgiTanna nah t
bezzih samon wisT hakimbet
itahhallehu yala man new.
ballefaw amat lijoccihin lyyahedk
tigobehhaccew nabbar t
wandunmih wadageru mdemmihed
lrgiTeriha new t
Tiru yagize masallafiya bota
yatimihirtbetaccin direkter
naccaw.
awon, bayyagizew lyyahedku
lgobanhaccaw nabber.
minalbat bammimaTaw amat yihad
yihonal.
awon, badessita lhed nebber.
binor, abrah wadammmhedibbat
bota tihed nabbar t
y e T m t sawoccmna yazare sawoc
nuro yimmasasselal t
yaTint sewoc badan y m o r u nebber
yellem, bebizu negaroc
ayimmasassa1 un.
awo, lwinet naw.
yammibbalew l w m a t naw ^
yaTintu manoriyah yat nabber.
addis katema wisT nebber.
ageraccihu wisT gugs yetalammede
and gize beTam yetalammada Cewata
yegize masallefiya Cewata new t
gulmasa kehonk behwala min
Cewata tiwedd nabbar.
yetimihirt minister direktarmna
yawiCC gudday minister direkter
nebber, ahun gin aydellem.
ganna, gugsâdeninna wana beTam
lwedd nebber.
wedefit and addis meSihafbet
insarallan tebabalu.
min tababalu.
belijinnetih gaTer wisT norahal t
awo, yalijinnaten gize bemulu
yanorhut igaTer new.
hulgize lamisa sittihed
awon, Kedimme mastaweK allebbih.
lyyastawwaKh naw t
abbatih aCCir naccaw, ante
ayate rejjim nabberu.
indet rajjim honk,
yaddis ababa katema yetemesorretew
banigus minilik new.
beman naw.
kamahandisunna kahakimu gar KaTaro
yellem, arrassahutim.
madragihin rassahaw t
yannanta mesriyabet sint
assir yammihonu KrinCafocc allut.
KrinCafocc allut.
lemma baKaTerow seat baymeTa,
sattayew tihedalleh t
beKaTerow seat kaltagehhe,
salayaw lhedallehu.
dirset
participant
boguddayu tekafay lamahon alcilim.
utterly, completely
beCirras
-
doha new.
beCirrag mehed alcilun.
at all
lKaw sileteressa kebbede wedebet
memmeles allebbet.
to be forgotten
merresat
beityoPiya wisT bebizu yemmiKKoTTeru yebet w i s T m n a yewiCC Cewatawoc
allu.
kennezzihim beTam yetawweKut yewiCC Cewatawoc inde wana, gugs
adeninna, genna naccew.
m n e z z i h Cewatawoc kebota bota bemelleyayetaccew mikniyat, bandand
botawoc setoc leCewataw tekafay sihonu, bandand botawoc degmo setoc boCirras'
leCewataw tekafay lemehon aycilum.
babzahhaw yeityoPiya TeKlay gizatoc
wisT welajoc wendoc lijoccaccewm Kedem bilew Cewatawoccun yastemiruwaccewal.
gugs Cewata beTam asceggari kemehonu belay, beTam adegehha new.
zemen yih Cewata wede merresatu dersowal.
sayirressa ayKerim.
bahunu
yegenna Cewatam indihu wedefit
a d e n m n a wana gin beTam lyyetesfaffu hedewal.
setoccim
leCewataw tekafay mehon jemmirewal.
TiyyaKewoc
beityoPiya wisT beTam yetelemmedut yewiCC Cewatawoc inneman naccew.
behullum Cewatawoc setoc tekafay naccew't
beityoPiya wisT bandand botawoc setoc lemin yewiCC Cewatawoc ayyiCawwetum.
lijoccin Cewata man yastemiral.
gugs yemmibbalew Cewata indet yalle new.
gugs beTam Kellal Cewata new t
wedefit yemmirressaw Cewata yetinnaw new.
wana beityoPiya wisT beTam yetelemmeds newt
kegennanna kewana yetun tiweddalleh.
bamerika wisT beTam yetelemmedutin yewiCC Cewatawoc nigeren.
Unit 4 5
Basic Sentences
yohannis
gugs Cewata m m d i n new.
1
What kind of game is 'gugs ?
kebbede
stick, club
zeng
to fight
mewwagat
shield
ga&sa
to protect, to defend
oneself
memekket
gugs yemmibbalew Cewata beferes
The game called 'gugs' consists
of fighting on horseback with
teKemmito, bezeng mewwagatmna,
clubs and (protecting oneself
begas'sa memekket new.
with) shields.
yohannis
beTam adegehha Cewata new t
Is it a very dangerous game?
kebbede
awo, adegehha new.
Yes it is (dangerous).
yohannis
adegehha yehonebbet mikniyat
Why is it so dangerous?
m d e t new.
kebbede
It's because [in this] game
mikniyatu, Cewataw andand gize
bezeng mewwagat silallebbet new.
[people] sometimes fight with
sticks.
yohannis
as for this, ohl
yihimma
spear
Tor
war
Tormnet
player, sportsman
teCawac
OhI
yihunmat
That sounds (seems) like war.
Torinnet yimeslal.
lomohonu toCawacoccu liggoddu
By the way, do the players get
yicilallu t
hurt [in this play]?
kobbodo
meggodat bicca sayhon, momotim
They may not only get hurt but
they also may get killed
1
("die ).
yicilallu.
yohannis
life
hiywat
to kill
mogdal
killer, murderer
nafse geday
justice, judgment
f lrd
court of justice
flrdbet
to accuse
mekses
to be accused
mokkasos
If a person is killed ('his
and sew beCewataw wisT hiywetu
life
1
passes a w a y ) in the game,
biyalf, nefse gedayu bofirdbet
would the killer be taken to
yikkessesalt
court ('accused in court')?
kebbede
If he doesn't kill intentionally
awKo kalgeddelew beKer, bofirdbet
('knowingly'), he will not be
ayikkessesim.
brought to court.
yohannis
boxing
It's being considered in America
boks
andand Cewatawoc lemissale
mdeboks
to prohibit by law certain sports
yalle beTam adegehha bemehonu,
such as boxing because they are
bamerika wisT behigg
very dangerous.
indikkelekkel tassibowal.
Don't you think that the 'gugs'
gugsim m d e z z i h u m m a l b a t wedefit
game too may be prohibited in
beityoPiya wisT yemmikkelekkel
the future in Ethiopia?
yimesliwotalt
kebbede
popular
teweddaj
popularity
teweddajinnet
to be reduced
meKKenes
Now the popularity of 'gugs
1
is
bahunu gize yegugs teweddaj innet
lyyeteKennese hedowal.
diminishing.
quantity, abundance
bizat
as the time passes, in
the course of time
begize bizat
As a matter of fact it may com
r
pletely disappear ( be
1
left )
indiyawim begize bizat feSSimo
yiKer yihonal.
in the course of time.
Grammatical Notes
Note 4 5 . 1
The use of /bicca sayhon/ in expressions equivalent to English
'not only .... but also ....' constructions.
meggodat bicca sayhon, memotim
yicilallu.
They may be not only wounded but
also killed ('die').
The equivalent to English 'not only ... but also ...' constructions
is rendered in Amharic by the phrase /bicca sayhon/ 'only unless it
becomes' and the suffix /-(i)m/ 'and', affixed to the word so emphasized.
The word with the suffix /-(i)m/ may or may not be followed by the word
/Cimmir/ 'including'.
Examples:
issu bicca sayhon m e m Cimmir
Not only he but I also will go.
lhedallehu.
bi'ir bicca sayhon meSihafim
Cunmir lemegzat ifelligallehu.
meblat bicca sayhon meTeTTatim
ifelligallehu.
I'd like to buy not only pens
but also books.
I'd like not only [something] to
eat but also [something] to
drink.
Note 4-5.2
Note 4 5 . 2 . 1
Adverbials.
Adverbials in / b ( o ) / .
A great number of adverbials in Amharic are formed by prefixing the
affix / b ( o ) / to various words.
Following are some of such adverbials which have already occurred
in the previous units:
Note 4 5 . 2 . 2
boKahh
to the right
bagra
to the left
befit
before
bemella
entirely
bewinetu
really
behwala
afterwards
bandmnet
together
beCirras'
completely
bedinget
suddenly
beKeTTita
directly
bedenb
properly
Adverbials of time in /-(i)n/.
yebanku serratennoc Kenun bemulu
yiserallu.
The bank employees are working
all day long.
The direct object suffix /-(i)n/ is affixed to nouns denoting time,
1
1
such as 'day*, 'night , 'week , 'year', 'summer', 'winter', etc.
The
resulting forms correspond to English adverbial phrases 'all day long',
•during the whole night', 'all the summer', etc.
The form in /-(i)n/ is
often used in combination with the words /bemulu/ or /bemella/ 'completely',
'entirely', 'fully'.
Examples:
Kenun lserallehu.
'I work all day long'.
lelitun aTenallehu.
'I study all the night'.
sammintun bemulu serru.
'They worked during the whole week'
begawin teguzo ageru derrese.
'He came home after having
travelled all the summer.'
ametun "bemulu izzih'nora.
'He lived here all year long'.
seatun bemulu abren teKemmeTm.
'We sat together for the whole hour'
lelitun tehha.
'He slept all night long'
kiremtun bemella serrahu,
'I worked all the winter'
The same suffix /-(i)n/ may be affixed to nouns to form the adverbials
of manner, e.g.
ine mengaden hedku, issum
mengedun heda.
'I went my way and he went his
way'.
raKutun tahha.
'He slept naked'.
(raKut - naked)
The adverbial phrase /lgra mengaden/, /lgra m a n g a d h m / , etc. is used as an
equivalent to English 'on my way', 'on his way' etc., e.g.
lgra mengaden irsiwo bet
way'.
uneTallehu.
lgra mangadaccawm addis ababa
'He stopped in Addis on his
way back'.
darsew maTTu.
wadeharar sihed lgre mengedun
m n a t u n TeyyeKe.
Note 4 5 . 2 . 3
'I'll come to your house on my
'He visited his mother on his
way to Harar'.
Gerund forms used adverbially.
awKo kalgeddelew beKer, befirdbet
'If he doesn't kill intentionally
he will not be brought to court*
ayikkessesim.
Kedern bilo meTTa.
'He came early'.
In Note 30.1 the adverbial use of gerund (in particular the gerund
form of the compound verbs with /malet/) was briefly discussed.
The gerund forms are commonly used in this sense.
Most of the time
these adverbials correspond in meaning to the English adverbs in -ly.
Examples :
awKo
knowingly
/maweK/
'to know'
Kedmo
formerly
/meKdem/
'to precede'
tedesslto
happily
/meddeset/
'to be happy'
asslbo
deliberately
/massab/
'to think'
azno
sadly
/mazen/
'to be sad'
etc.
and the compound verbs with /malet/ (or: with /madreg/ for transitive verbs see Note
30.1.1):
Kedemm bilo
early-
raKK bilo
far
Kerebb bilo
near
zigg bilo
late
feTenn bilo
fast
weTa« bilo
outside
etc.
One should bear in mind that gerund forms in Amharic are Inflected for
person, gender and number (Note 11.2).
Useful Words
Temene werwiro kekifil weTTa.
to throw
advice
mewerwer
mikir lemaghet
wedastemariye
lhedallehu.
wiSSaw indiCCawwet
to set free
mslKeK
to be set free
melleKeK
teleKKeKe
prohibited
maCes izzih kilkil new.
custom
yeityoPiyan bahil lemaweK bizu
gize yifajal.
native
to be born
horseback riding
to gallop, to ride a horse
Switzerland
hippopotamus
yohannis yamerika tewellaj new.
mewweled
ato yohannis feres gilblya yawKal.
megaleb
swizerland
gumarre iTana bahir wisT yiggennal
bommimaTaw boga lemmiddorrogow
Cewata tekafay lemehon wede
leCewataw tekefay lemehon bicca
sayhon, lemayetim lhedallehu.
swizerland tihedalleh t
gugs meCCawet tifelllg indehon
yenen zenginna ga&Sa lisTih t
gugs yemmittilutin Cewata
mdet
mdemmittiCCawwetut beCirras"
ayicce alawKim.
zeng mewerwerinna gasSa memekket
awo, lcilallehu.
ticilalleh t
bezeng mewwagat beTam adegehha
awo, beTam adegehha Cewata new.
Cewata aymeslihim t
begize bizat yeboks Cewata amerika
wisT yiKer yimeslihalt
feres gilbiya kemayetaccew befit
awo, m m a l b a t indegugs Cewata
yirressa yihonal.
m e bet beCirras' almeTTum.
meTtew mikir TeyyiKewih nebbert
yegugs Cewata beCirraS yemmirressa
awo, ahunim terestowal.
yimeslihal t
nefse gedayu mece wedefirdbet
beKirb Ken yihedal.
yihedal.
nefsegedayu lfirdbet Kerbo, min
beneSa teleKKeKe.
fird teKobbele.
jon yengliz tewellaj mehonun
yellem, gena mesmate new.
semteh nebber t
wendimmih silemin meCCawet
beCirras' Cewata meCCawet ayfelligini.
yifelligal.
ityoPiya wisT anbessa megdel
bitfellig, wede yetinnaw
bemannmhawim TeKlay gizat wisT
anbessa moltowal.
TeKlay gizat tihedalleh.
anbessa megdel kilkil new t
awon, liyyu fiKad mawTat yasfelligal
kenebirinna, kanbessa weyim
zihon madden ifelligallehu.
kezihon, yetun madden
tifelligalleh.
kewelajoccih yagehhehew mikir
awon, beTam TeKami hono agehhehut,
TeKami hono agehhehew t
gugs lehiywet adegehha Cewata
awon, beTam adegehha new.
aymeslaccihum t
ante behiywetih Torinnet meda lay
tewagteh tawKalleh t
yellem, tewagicce alawKim.
agerih Torunnet adriga tawKallec t
agere kemannim gar tewagta attawKim.
beTorinnetu gize sint sew gedlehal.
ine andim sew algeddelhum.
yeityoPiya TeKlay firdbet yeramiggehrlew
addis abeba wisT new.
yet new.
leloi. TeKlay gizatocciss yerasaccew
awon, lyyandandu TeKlay gizat
yerasu firdbet allew.
fird betocc alluwaccewt
ahunim hizbu gugs yiCCawwetalt
ahun behigg tekelkilowal.
lemehonu begugs Cewata gize bizu
yellem, bizu sew aymotim nebber.
sew yimot nebber t
iflrdbet tekesseh tawKalleh t
yellem, tekesiSSe alawKim.
bageraccihu yeboks Cewata indegugs
yellem, beTam yetelemmede aydellem.
Cewata yetelemmede new t
kebetu waga sint birr teKennesellih.
ammist meto birr teKennesellih.
yennante ager bahil kamerika ager
awo, beTam yimmesasselal.
bahil gar beTam yimmesasselalt
beteweddajjinnetu bicca sayhon,
ato lemma beteweddajjinnetu
bedegginnetum Cunmir new.
tilliK sira lemaghet c a l e t
yehabt bizat teweddaj ayadergim,
yehabt bizat bicca teweddaj yaderg
gin beTam yiredal.
yimeslihal t
balebete amerikawit nat.
balebetih yewedet ager tewellaj
nat.
awo, izzih new.
lijoccih yetewelledut izzih new t
zare boks Cewata lemayet wede
yellem, lela bizu sira alleh.
Cewataw bota tihedalleh t
amerika wisT yeferes gilbiya
yet indehone botawin alawKim.
Cewata yemmittayyew yet new.
wede ityoPiya m e h e d m n a gugs
Tint nebber inji, ahuniss alfelligim.
meCCawet tifelligalleh t
ityoPiyawiyan kemin yeteserra
kegumarre Koda yeteserra new.
gaSSa allaccew*
dirset
desire
yesira flllagot allebbet.
minimm inkwan ato kebbedenna ato yohannis yeKirb wedajoc bihonu,
besira mebzat yetenessa hulgize lemeggenahhet alcalum.
ato yohannis yamet
reftaccewin kemesriyabetaccew wesdew silenebber, yereft gizeyaccewin
bedessita lemasallef yemmicilubbet bota lemagnet fellegu.
ato yohannis
lageru m g i d a bemehonaccewmna yagerun bahil beTam silemmayawKut, kageru
tewallaj kehonut, kato kebbede mikir TeyyeKu.
ato kabbadam yato yohannisin
fillagot kataraddu behwala , liyyu liyyu aynet Cewatawoc" wedet indemmiyagehhu
asradduwaccaw.
bahunu gize beityoPiya wisT y e T m t m n a
masallefiya Cewatawoc allu.
adan yallu naccew.
zemenawi yehonu yegize
y e T m t o c c u Cewatawoc inde wana, genna, gugsinna
zemenawi Cewatawoc degmo inde dans, S i m s ' i r ,
feres gilbiya yallu naccew.
adeninna
bandand botawoc addisuninna yeTintun aynet
Cewatawoc beseffiw yiCCawwetuwaccewal. beketemawoc wisT gin, abzahhaw hizb
yammiCCawwetew zemenawi Cewatawoccin bicca new.
beTint gize welajoc
lijoccaccewin kelijinnet jemmirew liyyu liyyu Cewatawoccin yastemiru nebber.
ahun gin indezzih yallew lunad lyyeteKennese silehede, wedefit yeTint
Cewatawoc lyyataressu mehedaccew ayKerim.
TiyyaKewoc
ato yohannis lato kebbede m m a c c e w new.
lemin hulgize altegenahhum.
ato yohannis min wessedu.
reftaccewm keyet wessedu.
ato yohannis min fellegu.
ato yohannis ato kebbeden min TeyyeKut.
lemin TeyyeKut.
ato kebbede min mellese.
beityoPiya wisT min aynet yegize masallefiya Cewatawoc allu.
y e T m t u Cewatawoc sun manman yibbalal.
yezemanawi Cewatawoccin sun Tira.
yatihhaw aynet Cewata beTam yetelemmede new.
Unit 46
Basic Sentences
yohannis
Good afternoon.
Do you have a
Tena yisTillin.
house for rent?
ibakkiwo lokiray
yemmihon bet allewof
tesemma
Yes, I have a lot of houses.
awo, bizu betocc allun.
lemehonu
(However) what kind of house
getaye yemmifelligut min aynet
would you like, sir?
bet new.
yohannis
separate, independent,
self sufficient
rasun yecale
bedroom
mehhitabet
What I want is a separate house
yemmifelllgew and rasun yecale
having at least two bedrooms,
biyans hulett mehhitabetoc, and
a kitchen, a bathroom, a
weTbet, mettaTebiyabet,
living room and a dining room.
marefiyabetmna, migibbet yallew
bet new.
tesemma
Any [particular] section you'd
lemehonu yet bota yimerTallu.
prefer?
yohannis
If possible ('I'll be pleased.if
biccal wedamerikan embasi gedema
it is) in the vicinity of the
bihon, dess yilehhal.
U.S. Embassy.
to look better
amare - mamar - yamral
If not (possible), I don't care
bayccal degmo seferu kamare,
where it is provided the
yetimm bihon gidd yellennim.
section is good.
tesemma
name of a street in Addis
m e s f m e harer menged
name of a hospital in
Addis
ras dessita hospital
I have a very nice house on Mesfine
and beTam Tiru bet bemesfine harer
Harer Street behind the Rasdesta
menged lay ras dessita hospital
Hospital.
jerba alleh.
yohannis
I like that area very much.
issun sefer beTam lweddewallehu.
1
Is there ('does it h a v e ) a good
wedewisT yemmiyasgebba dehna
menged allow t
road leading to this house ('to
inside')?
tesemma
garage
yemekina maKomiya
Yes, there's a very good road.
awo, beTam Tiru menged allow.
Besides, there's a garage for
kezziyam belay lemekinawo
your car.
maKomiya yemmihon bet allew.
yohannis
It sounds very good.
Can we go
indannegageriwo beTam Tiru yimeslal.
and see It?
lemehonu heden lemayet yiccalalt
tesemma
Certainly.
Let's go.
bedessita newa, m n i h i d .
yohannis
(Since) I like the place.
How
betun weddijjewallehunna,
about ('tell me') the rental?
silekirayu yingeruh.
tesemma
It's ('the house is*) two hundred
betu kemebratinna kewiha lela,
and fifty [Ethiopian] dollars
bewer hulett meto hamsa birr
a month not including electrl-
new.
city ('light') and water.
yohannis
Fine, I'll take ('rent') It.
melkam.
lkkerayyewallehu.
tesemma
to be cleaned, to be swept
meTTereg
wax
sem
to be polished
mewwelwel
All right.
dohna.
The house will be
betu teTargo basam
cleaned and the floor will be
indiwwalawwalilliwot mace
polished.
magbat yifelligallu.
When would you like
to move in?
('So
that the house
will be cleaned and polished
with wax for you, when do you
want to move in?')
yohannis
I'd like to move in this Friday
('if
arb bigaba, dass yilannal.
I move in Friday it will
please m e ' ) .
tasamma
mamokkar
to try, to attempt
larb
We'll try to have, it ready for
Friday [then].
indizzagajjilliwot
inmokklra11an.
yohannis
All right.
Goodbye.
iSSi.
TenayisTillin.
amen.
TenayisTillin.
tasamma
Goodbye.
Useful Words
wall
yabetu gidgidda rajjim naw.
ground floor
bamidirbet wisT isarallahu.
earth, ground
midir
toilet
gintbetu yat naw.
cupboard
tinantinna and tilliK Kum saTin
gazzahu.
curtain
yabetu maggaraja Kos&i&owal.
carpet
kawiCC agar yamaTTa m m T a f
wandimme saTTah.
floor
yabetu walal saffi naw.
Cammayen aswalawwilallahu.
maswelwel
to have polished
libsun asTerrege.
masTarrag
to have cleaned
inenna ato yohannis wil
teferarremin.
meffararam
to sign (both parties)
Grammatical Notes
Note 46.1
The prefix / k ( a ) - / 'from
1
used in combination with /wadih/
(or /wadazzih/) 'towards h e r e
1
and /wadiya/ (or /wadazziya/)
'towards there'.
The prefix / k ( a ) / is used in combination with the words /wadih/ and
/wadiya/.
The resulting constructions mean 'this side' (/k(a)/-...wadih/)
and 'that side' (/k(a)-...wadiya/) when used in connection with space, e.g
kazzih wenz wadih bizu zafocc
allu.
kamangadu wadiya and Konjo bet
alia.
'There are many trees on this
side of the river'.
'There is a pretty house across
('that side') the street'.
When used in connection with time the same constructions may mean 'since'
and 'after' respectively.
kand s a m m m t wadih alagahhahutim.
I haven't seen ('met') him since
[last] week.
kand s a m m m t wadiya agahhawallahu.
I'll meet him in ('after') a week,
lhedallehu kala wadiya, Karra.
After saying 'I'll go', he stayed.
attibla biyye kanaggarhuh wadih
Why did you eat after I told you
lamin ballah.
not to (eat).
/wadiya/ is used also to denote superior quality of persons or things, e.g.
kalmaz wadiya Konjo, man alia.
Who can be prettier than Almaz
('who
kaniwyork wadiya min katema
yiggahhal.
is pretty beyond Almaz').
What other city can be as exciting
as New York ('beyond New York
what city can be found').
Note that /k(a)-...belay/ may be substituted for /k(e)-...wadiya/,
yemmitfoiligutin yekiray bet aynet
yellem, gena bemefelleg lay nen.
agehhaccihu t
lemma yagehhellaccihun bet
alweddedaccihutim t
yegidgiddaw Kelem arengwade silehone,
alweddednewun.
lemehonu yet sefer bittagehhu
tifeKdallacelhu.
ante wedemmitnoribbet sefer
biggehhillm dess yilenal.
lemehonu kante bet jerba yallew
awo, yemmikkeray new.
bet yemmikkeray new t
wisTun gebteh aytehewal f
yellem, gebicce alayyehutun.
nege kebalebetu Kulf teKebbileh
is"si zare mata silk idewwilillaccewinna
littiTerah ticilalleh t
sint kiflocc yinorew yuneslihal.
Kulfun m d i l i k u adergallehu.
betu beTam tilliK silehone biyans
assir kifloc y m o r u t yihonal.
mengeduss mebrat allow t
awo, mebrat allow,
seferu lelitun bemulu birhan
awo, birhan new.
new malet newa t
tadiya yebetun kiray TeyyiKew
yellem, ressahut.
melsun agehhullih \
tadiya mece littiTeyyiKillih new.
nege TeyyiKe inegrihallehu.
sint mehhitabetmna mettaTebiyabet
lfoKlay sost mehhitabetmna hulett
mettaTebiyabet allut.
allow.
midirbetuss sint kiflocc allut.
midirbetu and marefiyabet,
m i g i b b e t m n a , and sintbet allut.
unehhitabetocc wisT Kum saTnocc
allu t
lSsi, m e
awo, besostum kifloc wisT beTam
Tiru Tiru Kum saTnocc allu.
izzih lemegbat bifellig,
irsiwo newo.
lewihanna lemebrat mannaccin
yikeflal.
lezzih m e yekeffelhu
mdehon
sost meto birr yihonal.
yebetu kiray s m t yihonal.
lewihanna lemebrat bewer yemmifejew
awo, kezziya belay aywesdun.
hayammist birr bicca new t
irsiwo b e s m t mekkerayet
yifelligallu.
irsiwo balut wagabakkerayyiwo
behulett meto seba ammist birr
biyakkerayyuh lgebabbetallehu.
yellem, hullunim irsiwo yicalu.
yemebratun waga yicilallu t
meskotoccu bemulu meggareja
alluwaccewf
awo, hullum balemeggareja naccew
marefiyabetuss minTaf allew t
marefiyabetu minTaf yellowim.
yemezgiyawoccu Kulfoc bemulu dehna
awo, hullum addis new.
yiserallu t
nege Kenun bemulu issun
tadiya welelun mece besem
sasTerrigmna
yasTerrigutal.
saswelewwil
lwilallehu.
iberru lay m e b r a t
silelelle,
awo, beTam dess yilennal.
indasgebballiwo yifelligallu t
tadiya b e t u n asTerrigew siCerrisu
awo, nege mata astawwiKiwotallehu.
linegruh yicilallu t
yebetun kiray yemmikefliwot
b e y y e w e r u m e j e m m e r i y a new, w e y i s s
beyyeweru mejemmeriya lay new.
meCerresa.
b e w e r u mejemmeriya g i m m a S u n
lersiwo miccu kehone, m e
meCerresa degmo y e K e r r e w m
likefliwo
gidd
yellennim.
lcilallehut
mgidiyass wilun mece
mnifferarem.
me
ahunim bihon gidd yellennim.
dirset
beKirb gize wisT yebet kiray
yiwweddedal.
to be expensive
mewweded
servant
askerun wedeketema lakew.
maid
geredwa ibet wisT tiserallec.
compound
bato kebbede aTirgibbi wisT Tiru
Tiru abebawocc allu.
fence
aTir
yebega libs bemeskerem silemmireks
bezziyan gize megzat y i s M a l a l .
to be inexpensive
the way of holdingj manner,
way
merkes
bezzih ayyayaz s i r a w m beKirb Ken
wisT inCerrisallen.
yebet kiray beityoPiya wisT beTam widd aydellem.
betililliK ketemawoc
wisT m d a d d i s abeba, asmeranna diredawa yebet kiray TiKit wededd yale new.
mikniyatum innezzih ketemawoc yenigd botawoc kemehonaccew belay, bizu
yewiCC ager sewoc silemminorubbaccew yebet kiray beyyegizew
lyyaddege
hedowal.
and sew bet lemekkerayet sifellig, wedebetu geta zend hedo silewagaw
mennegager allebbet.
yebetu kiray yemmiwwessenew betekerayunna bakkerayu
mekakkel bsmmidderregew simimminnet new.
tekerayu askerinna gered indihum
beteseb yallew indehone, tilliK bet yasfelligewal.
keketema weTa bilo
lemenor kefellege, rasun yecale aTir gibbi yallew bet beKellal waga yagennal.
bizu beteseb yallaccew sewoc yelijoceaccewm T e m n n e t lemeTebbeK
silu, keketema weTa bilew yikkerayyallu.
bizu amet bekiray bet kemeKKemeT
yiliK bet mesrat silemmireks, yeketemaw newariwoc yerasaccewin bet lemesrat
yiwoddallu.
keKirb gize jemmiro mengist betoc lyyeserra lehizb yakkerayyal.
yemesriya waganna' serratehha rikkaS bemehonu, mengist yemmiyakkerayyaccew
betoc kirayaccew beTam Kellal new.
bezzih ayyayaz yeKeTTele indehon wedefit
yebet kiray ciggir lyyeteKennese yihedal.
TiyyaKewoc
yebet kiray lemaghet yet mehed yasfelligal.
yebet kiray beityoPiya wisT m d e t new.
and beTam Tiru bet bewer s m t yikkerayyal.
ityoPiyanna amerika wisT bet yemefelleg zede and aynet new t
beityoPiyanna bamerika wisT yebet mefelleg zeden liyyunnot asredda.
ato yohannis bet yet agenne.
ato y o h a n n i s m bet man affallogew.
ato yohannis yetekerayyewm bet aynet baCCiru gileS.
yebet k i r a y m ciggir lemass'as'al mengist min yadergal.
Unit 47
Basic Sentences
yohannis
religion
haymanot
Mr. Kebbede, as you haven't yet
ato kobbodo, lskozare dires sile
told me much about the religion
ityoPiya hizb haymanot bizu
of the Ethiopian people, I
silalneggeruh, ahun mdinegrun
wonder if you can tell me now
ifelligallehu.
('I want you to tell me [some
thing about it] n o w ' ) .
kebbede
If I know what you want and am
maweK yemmif ell igut m m
mdehone
able to explain it, I'll be
kawweKhutinna masreddat kecalhu,
happy to ('let me') tell you
yiTeyyiKunninna lingeriwot.
what [ever] you ask.
yohannis
First of all, I'd like to know
mejemmeriya maweK yemmifelllgew
wnat religion the majority of
Ethiopians believe in.
yemmiyamnibbetm haymanot new.
kebbede
member of Orthodox or
Coptic Church
ortodoks
Although there are a lot of dif
m m i m m m k w a n ityoPiya wisT
ferent religions in Ethiopia,
bebizu yemmiKKoTTeru haymanotoc
the majority of the population
binoru, abzannaw hizb ortodoks
are orthodox.
new.
yohannis
What (kinds of) other religions
lelocciss ityoPiya wisT yemmiggenhut
are there ('found') in Ethiopia?
haymanotoc m m
kebbede
Catholic
katolik
Protestant
protestant
Moslem, Islam
islam
min aynet naccew.
I can't tell you because I don't
minimm inkwan hullunim balemaweKe
know all of them, but some of
linegriwo balcil, kobizuw
them are Catholic, Protestant,
TiKitoccu katolik, protestantinna
and Moslem.
islam naccow.
yohannis
to inherit
mewres
to be inherited; to be
confiscated
mowwores
Coptic
yeityoPiya ortodoks
Where did the Coptic religion
yeityoPiya ortodoks haymanot
come ('inherited') from?
yetewerresew keyet new.
kebbede
Greek, Greece
girik
the way of coming
ammeTaT
I believe it came from Greece
yeityoPiya ortodoks haymanot
('the coming of the Coptic
ammeTaTu kegirik sayhon ayKerim.
religion might have been from
Greece. ')
In what country did Ethiopia
ityoPiya yekristiyanm haymanot
accept Christianity?
yeteKebbelecciw besintehhaw
meto amet new.
kebbede
Ethiopia became Christian in the
ityoPiya kristiyan yehonecciw
fourth century A.D.
baratehhaw meto amet new.
yohannis
priest
Kes
pi.
Kesawist
to be allowed
meffeKed
Are Coptic priests allowed to
yeityoPiya ortodoks Kesoc mist
marry?
magbat yiffeKKedillaccewalt
kebbede
monk
menekus e/melekus e
Yes, except for monks, one must
awo, "beityoPiya betekristiyan
marry to become a priest of the
kemenekusewoc beKer, Kes lemehon
Coptic Church.
mist magbat allebbaccew.
yohannis
B y the way, can a priest remarry
lemehonu and Kes mistu bitmotibbet,
if his wife dies?
lela magbat yicilalf
kebbede
No, he cannot.
yellem,
aycilim.
yohannis
Very well.
thing.
Thank you for every-
lSs'i lehullum ameseggmallehu.
I appreciate it ('may
amlak yisTillin.
God give it for m e ' ) .
kebbede
Don't mention it.
Goodbye,
minimm aydel.
Tena visTillin.
The above conversation is meant to reflect Ethiopian thinking, not to
furnish historical Information.
Useful Words
mosque
bewasington wisT and beTam Tiru
mesgld alle.
liwah libsun awelleKe.
to take off, to unscrew,
to loosen
mawleK
yih meSihaf wedamarihha tetereggome.
to be translated
mettergom
bezzih safer wisT yemmlggehhut
and sew neggeren.
betoc beTam mewwededaccewin
keman semmah.
rejjunun semayawi foKbet lemegzat
kato lemma abbat gar tesmammaht
yellem, gena bemennegager lay nen.
yastemariw gered Tiru pastasutta
awo, Tiru tiserallec.
tisarallac t
itekerayyehew bet aTlr gibbi wisT
yamakina maKomiya alia t
lemmimeTaw amat mekina biraks
min aynet mekina tigezalleh.
yegeredihmna y a s k e n h yebet
awo, and seffi yemekina maKomiya
alle.
kadilak new a, lela min lgsza
yimeslihal.
awo, beTam asdessitohhal.
ayyayaz asdessetaht
yenigd ministru haymanot m i n d m
ortodoks yimeslehhal.
new.
ikotemaccihu wisT yemminorut
awo, beTam Tiru mesgid allaccew.
lslamoc mesgid allaccew f
ato yohannis bimot, nibretun
awo, andit set lij allecciw.
yemmiwers lij allew t
yato kebbede habt lemin tewerresebbet.
and yeserraw meTfo sira yinor
yihonal.
haymanotlh kegirik ortodoks
awon, beTam yeteKerarreba new.
haymanot gar yimmesasselal t
ityoPiya wisT Kes mist magbat
awon, yiffeKKedilletal.
yiffeKKadilletalt
menekusewocciss magbat
yellem, ayiffeKKedillaccewim.
yiffeKKedillaccewalt
amerika kemeTTah jemmiro ihud lhud
yetinnaw bete kristiyan
girik ortodoks bete kirstiyan
lhedallehu.
tihedalleh.
awroPa wisT timihirtbet merkesun
man neggereh.
addis ketema wisT yesuf libs
wendimme izziya yimmar nebberinna
kessu semmahu.
awo, TeyyeKhu.
mesSeTun besilk TeyyeKiht
yebete kristiyanu Sehafi Kes new f
awon, Kes new.
nege bete kristiyanu besint seat
b e s u n m m t seat kehaya deKiKa
yizzeggal.
yeslamoc mesgid Kidame Tiwat
yizzeggal.
awo, hulgize kift new.
kift newt
lmesgidu wisT and sew kemegbatu
befit Cammawin yegiddeta mawleK
allebbet t
awo, mawleK allebbet.
awon, abzannaw bete kristiyan wisT
ityoPiya ortodoks bete kristiyan
wisT sitgebbass mawleK giddeta
kemegbatih befit mawleK yasfelligal.
new t
yeityoPiya yebete kristiyan meShafoc
yellem, altetereggomum.
wedamaririna tetergumewal t
yebetekristiyanoccu huneta ahun
awo, tinnis tesasllowal.
tesaSllowalt
yelemma ammeTaT lemin m d e h o n e
yellem, aygebahhim.
yigebahalf
begojjammna betigre TeKlay gizatoc
ityoPiya wisT beyetihhaw TeKlay
gizat wisT bizu bete kristiyanocc
new.
allu.
dirset
to destroy, to delete
yeityoPiyan haymanot beKellalu
medemses asceggari new.
lgzlyabher alemin feTTere.
to create
mefTer
hassabun teKawwemhut.
to oppose
meKKawem
left-handed
gran silehone begra ljju yiSifal.
history
yeityoPiyan tarik lnnimmarallen.
bizu sewocc CefeCCefe.
to massacre, to slash
meCefCef
abbate yeneggeruh neger meTTekes
silemmiyasfelligew, beyyegizew
iTeKsewallehu.
to be mentioned
meTTeKes
to mention; to beckon, to wink
meTKes
ityoPiya yekristiyanm haymanot yeteKebbelecciw barattehhaw meto
amete mihiret new.
yehonew hono bizu gize haymanotwan lemedemses yetenessu
sewoc nebberu.
minimm inkwan innezzih sewoc beyyegizew addis assab
lyyefeTTeru haymanotwan lemedemses bimokkirum, ityoPiya innossun bemeKKawem
lskezare haymanotwan TebbiKa tiggehhallec.
and gize and gran mehammed yemmibbal sew kemisraK ityoPiya tenesto,
bekristiyanoc lay beTam tilliK gudat adrigo nebber.
yallaccewm aroge bete kristiyanocc aKKaTTele.
bizu y e T m t
tarik
Kesawistmnim CefeCCefaccew.
kessum lela andit yodit yemmittibbal haylohha set behayliwa tenesta,
yekristiyamn haymanot bemeKKawem bebete kristiyaninna bekristiyanoc lay
gudat madregwan betarik lay teSifo innagehhallen.
TiyyaKewoc
yekristiyan haymanot wede ityoPiya yegebbaw mec new.
yeityoPiya haymanot keyetihhaw haymanot gar yimmesasselal.
ityoPiya wisT yekristiyanin haymanot yeteKawwemutin sewoc sim Tira.
m n e z z i h sewoc h a y m a n o t m yeteKawwemu lemin yimeslihal.
ityoPiya wisT kemmiggehhut bizu haymanotocc TiKitoccun nigeren.
yeityoPiya Kesoc mist magbat yiffeKKedillaccewalt
Unit 48
Basic Sentences
yohannis
soma madrog
to hear as a rumor
ityoPiya laden miccu ager mehonwan
Before I came hear I had heard (as
a rumor) that Ethiopia was a
kememTate befit sema adrigge
good (convenient) place for
nebber.
hunting.
Now can you tell me all about
ahun siladen beseffiw liyasredduh
yicilallu t
hunting?
kebbede
First of all ('by
the way') have
lemehonu yefiKad wereKet allewott
you got a [hunting] license?
yohannis
Is it really necessary to have a
yefiKad wereKet yasfelligal, m d e .
hunting license?
kebbede
Yes it's necessary.
It's impos
awo, yasfelligal.
beityoPiya wisT
sible to hunt in Ethiopia
yale fiKad wereKet madden
without a license.
ayiccalim.
yohannis
Then where can you get a hunting
tadiya fiKadun keyet magnet
license?
lcilallehu.
to jot down
kebbede
Saff madreg
territory
gizat
Ministry of the Interior
yager gizat minister
tax, fees
KereT
You just write an application and
mamelkeca Saff adrigew, wedager
(if you) go to the ministry of the
gizat minister bihedunna, leSehafiw
interior and give it to the
biseTuwaccew, w e d i y a w m u
clerk.
KereTun askeffilew, yefiKad
He'll immediately have
you pay him the fees and give
you the license.
wereKetun yiseTuwotal.
yohannis
yihin neger zare keseat behwala
I'll do it this afternoon.
ifeSimallehu.
kebbede
hunter
ad dan
cruel, ruthless
Cekkah
to break or to tear into
pieces
sibirbirr madreg
addah kemehoniwo befit masseb
Before you become a hunter,
however, you ought to know
yemmiyasfelligiwo beTam
that there are very cruel and
Cekkahhinna s e w m
dangerous ('those that tear
yemrniyadergu awrewoc menoraccewin
people into pieces') animals.
maweK new.
sibirbirr
yohannis
sibbirr madreg
to break completely
No matter what they do to me ('let
indefellegut sibbirr yadergunnal
them break me completely as
inji, maddenen alaKomim.
they wish') I'll go hunting
('I'll not stop my hunting').
kebbede
It won't be bad if you plan care
fully ('think it over').
lehullum biyassibubbet aykefam.
For
lemissale tililliK awrewoccin
example, it would be better to
kemadden tininnis' awrewoccin
hunt small animals rather than
madden yis's'alal.
big ones.
yohannis
Where can you find those small
m n e z z i h tin inn IS awrewoc ye't
yiggennallu.
animals ?
kebbede
hill
korebta
grass
sar
to pick up here and there
meleKaK em
They can usually be found in the
m n a s u Tiwat Tiwat beyyomedawinna,
fields and on the hills where
boyyekorebtaw lay sareccewm
they graze every morning.
sileKaKKimu yiggohhallu.
yohannis
o.k.
yihun
O.K. I'll get my hunting permit
if I can and go hunting ('start my
yihun.
bicil, yefiKad wereKetun
awTicce, adenen ljemmirallehu.
hunting').
Structure Sentences
wood
mCet
I cut my hand while attempting
to cut the wood.
m C e t lisebr sil ljjen KorreThut.
stone, rock
Was your back hurt while you
were trying to lift the rock?
dingay
dingayun littanesa sittil, jerbah
mud
to get stuck
Did you get stuck in the mud
while you were trying to drive
the car?
to defend
He died while attempting to
tegodda t
CiKa
meddenKer
m o k i n a w m litneji sittiy, lCiKaw
wisT tedeneKKers' t
mekkelakkel
lageru likkelakkel sil, mote.
defend his country.
Her pencil broke while she was
attempting to write a letter.
steel, iron, metal
While we were about to buy a
steel table we saw a wooden one.
Did the lights go out while you
were attempting to see the picture?
debdabbe littiSif sittil, irsaswa
tesebbere.
biret
yebiret TerePeza lingeza sinnil,
yenCet TerePeza ayyen.
sinimawin littayu sittilu, mebratu
Teffa t
brick
Tub
When they were planning to build
bet liseru silu, yeTub waga
a house the price of bricks
teweddade.
went up.
Grammatical Notes
Note 4 8 . 1
The use of the / l ( i ) - / form in combination with /sil/, /sittil/,
/sil/, etc. 'while I'm saying', 'while you're saying', 'while
he's saying' etc. as equivalents to English 'while attempting,
trying, intending to do so-and-so'.
The Structure Sentences illustrate the use of the / s ( i ) - / form
(Note 1 3 . 1 . 1 ) in combination with /sil/, /sittil/ etc. 'while I'm saying',
'while you're saying', etc.
The resulting constructions correspond approximately in meaning to
English clauses 'while attempting', 'while trying' or 'while intending' to
do so-and-so.
These constructions may sometimes be used interchangeably with the
ones consisting of a first person singular or plural imperfective combined
with /sil/, /sittil/, etc.
Thus the first structure sentence may be:
m C a t isabrallahu sil, ljjen KorraThut.
The second:
dingayun anasallahu sittil jarbah tagoddat
The third:
s i n i m a w m m n a y a l l a n sittilu mabratu Taffa t
without changing the meaning.
Note 48.2
Verb!
Intensive Aspect.
sibbirr yadarguhhal.
They break me completely,
sibirbirr yammiyadargu awrewoc.
The animals that tear [you] to
pieces.
In contrast to the Inconclusive aspect (Note 3 0 . 1 . 1 )
the Intensive
aspect describes the action or the state of the verb as entirely completed.
The verbs of the Intensive aspect are compound.
The nominal part of these
compound verbs is followed by the verb /madreg/ or /malat/ like that of
the Inconclusive aspect, e.g. /sibbirr madreg/'to break completely'.
Some verbs may be used in a reduplicated intensive aspect.
The
nominal part of these compound verbs is a reduplicated form of the nominal
part of the regular Intensive aspect, e.g. /sibirbirr madrog/ 'to break
1
into pieces .
The distribution of consonants and vowels in the nominal part of the
Intensive aspect compound verbs is shown in the following chart:
Three-Radical Verbs
Underived
Form
Inconclusive
Aspect
Intensive
Aspect
/sobbere/
/saberr adorrege/
/sibbirr aderrego/
Reduplicated
Intensive
Aspect
/slblrbirr
adorrege/
'he broke'
'he broke slightly'
'he broke completely'
'he smashed'
('broke into
pieces')
Four-Radical Verbs
/menezzere/
/menzerr adorrege/
/minzirr aderrege/
/minzirzirr
aderrege/
'he changed'
(money)
'he changed money
partially'
'he changed money
completely'
'he changed all
his money'
Two-Radical Verbs
/seTTe/
/seTett aderrege/
/siTTitt aderrege/
/siTiTTitt
aderrege/
'he gave'
'he gave half
heartedly'
'he gave entirely'
'he spread
thoroughly'
The Intensive aspect is used less frequently than the Inconclusive one and
some types of verbs are not used in this aspect at all.
Note 4 8 . 3
Verb:
Conative Aspect.
The verbs In this aspect are compound verbs, the first part of which
is the infinitive with the prefix / m d e - / 'as though', and the second part
a form of the verb /madreg/ for transitive verbs, and /malet/ for intransi
tive verbs, e.g. /mdemefelleg madreg/, / m d e m e h e d malet/.
The verbs in the Conative Aspect denote an attempt or an intention
on the part of the actor to perform the action of the verb while the action
itself does not actually take place,
hus /indemefelleg aderrege/ means 'he
looked as though he was going to look
or', and /indemehed ale/ ' he made an
attempt to go* or 'it seemed that he i
s going to go'.
Examples:
indemamem aleh.
I feel as though I was sick.
indemeKom bilo hede.
Having made an attempt to stop he
kept on going.
indemehed bilo teKemmeTe.
He intended to go but sat down.
mdemegbat bilo weTTa.
He intended to come in but [changed
his mind and] went.
meskotun indemekfet aderregu.
They attempted to open the window.
Outline:
Perfective
Conative
Model:
abbatun fellege.
abbatun indemefelleg aderrege.
'He looked for his father'.
'It seemed that he was going to
look for his father'.
bewenber lay teKemmeTe.
bewenber lay indemeKKemet ale.
wedageru hede.
wedageru indemehed ale.
libsen awliKKe tehhahu.
libsen mdemawleK adrigge tennahu.
innatwan lemayet roTec.
m n a t w a n lemayet indemeroT alec,
temaribet dersew meTTu.
temaribet indemedres bilew meTTu,
lijageredwa a b e b a w m leKaKKemec.
lijageredwa a b e b a w m
mdemeleKaKem
aderregec.
sewiyyew irsasun werewwerew.
sewiyyew irsasun mdemewerwer aderregew.
lijitwa meSihaf anebbebec.
lijitwa meSihaf mdemanbeb aderregec.
m e k i n a w m mdiseTew abbatun lemmene,
m e k i n a w m mdiseTew abbatun mdemelemmen
aderrege.
betun arengwade Kelem Kebba.
betun arengwade Kelem mdemeKebbat
aderrege.
ljjun besamuna taTTebe.
ljjun besamuna mdemettaTeb aderrege.
sijara aCasa.
sijara mdemaCas aderrege.
ganzebun taKabbala.
genzebun indemeKKebel aderrege.
nagarun zaneggacciw.
negerun mdemezengat aderregecciw.
lwanbaru lay lndamaKKamaT bilo
yastamariwa lij new.
yatanassa man naw.
and nagar bimaTa agarhin
awon, faKadehha nah.
laraakkalakal faKadanha nah t
lesirrisir sittihedu betaccihun
awo, and temari HTebbiKillin new.
yammiTabbiKillaccihu saw
agahhaccihu t
siniwin yet asKammaThaw.
lemma zand asKammeThut.
y a b u n n a w m zaf CifCiff yadarragaw
manged serratennoc naccew.
man naw.
silakabt marbat imaSihafu wisT
yellem, gana altaTeKKesam.
taTaKKasa t
igazeTaw wisT yasawoccin sun
awon, meTKes yasfelligenal.
maTKas yasfelligal 1"
lemin yaministrun nigiggir sama
ahun lemesmat gize yellenim.
adrigaccihu attihedum.
yala makina wada gojjam mahed
yellem, ayiccalun.
yiccalalt
kannante makakkal yala Tirri
awo, hulettaccm altaTerranun.
yameTTa sew alle t
amerika wisT yale fiKad aden madden
yellem, yale fiKad madden ayiccalun.
yiccalalt
agar gizat minister wisT yammisera
awo, lzziya yammisera wendim alleh.
wandun alleh t
kedemozih KeraT sint tikeflalleh.
assir birr ikeflallehu.
serratennoc keff yale KereT
awon, KareTu beTam keffitahha naw.
yikaflallu t
kene gar ladan yammihed Tiru addah
tawKalleh t
ato yohannis unangadu dar Komo,
mm
yiseral.
aznallahu, yammawKew Tiru addah
yellem.
kato kebbede gar slleteKaTTere
issun yiTebbiKal.
ikorebtaw lay sar yemmileKaKKunut
yellem, yene ay dellum.
flyyeloc yante naccew t
kebtoccihin yet sar tabelaccewalleh.
lwenzu dar new .
yesetiyyowa yesira ayyayaz beTam
awo, minim ay1 l.
asdessac new t
bemmimeTaw amet yemeret waga
awo, beTam if elligallehu.
biKennis, meret gezteh bet
mesrat tifelligallent
addis abeba wisT yebet waga
merkesinna mewwededun
mdet
iketemaw wis' P yemmittawKew sew
indalle, ] .ssun bedebdabbe TeyyiKew.
lawK lcilallehu.
aTir gibbiyaccihu wisT yenebberecciwm
balebete we sda gara2 teweccat .
aroge mekina man wessedat.
la&kerih demozun keffelhew t
yellem, al keffelhutim.
wedefit yebet kiray mewwededunmna
yellem, lndet lawKew lcilallehu.
alemewwededun tawKalleh t
yebetun welel besem aswelewwelhew t
yellem, g,ena alaswelewwelhu tun.
yebatun rainTaf lilewwiTullih
yicilallu t
awo, addis m m T a f asgebbal 1 lwotallehu.
Kum s a T m u yeteserra kenCet new,
weyiss kebiret.
kenCet
yeteserra new.
yebetu gidgidda yeteserra kenCet
new, weyiss k e d m g a y .
mglizihha KwanKwa lememmar yet
yellem, keTub new.
m g l i z ager beTam Tiru
new.
timihirtbet mehed Tiru new.
betu k o T m t u ahun alamarem t
awo, beTam amrowal.
lgibbiyaccihu wisT mekina maKom
a w o , kilkil new.
kilkil new t
a r o g e w m bet leKKo, addisu bet
mece yigebal.
betu melleKeKun kesemmaccmu
kand sammint behwala
addisu bet
yigebal.
awo, kesemman Koyyitenal.
Koyyitaccihuwalt
izzih yemeTTah agerun lemayet newt
agerun lemayet
tunihirtim
berrun yesebberhew litkeft
bicca sayhon,
lememmar new.
awo, likeft s i l new.
sittil new t
yenCetun alga yagehhehew yebiret
alga litfellig sittil new t
awo, yebiret
alga lifellig sil new.
lemma yahedaw misa liseTut silu new t
awo, lisaTut silu naw.
Telia yaseTTaccihut ratun
yellem, kezziya befit naw.
libela sil naw t
lamma yadawwalallih rat litbala
awo, rat libala sil new.
sittil n e w f
lgrwan yeKorreTacciw zaf litKorT
awo, m C a t litKorT sittil new.
sittil new t
mekinaccawin lCiKa wisT
awo, linadu silu naw.
yedeneKKerut linadu silu new t
wegebaccewin yagoddut d m g a y u n
awo, d m g a y u n liyanesu silu new.
liyanesu silu new t
yamakinaccaw gomma yefeneddaw
awo, Tub liyameTu silu naw.
Tub liyamaTu silu newt
dirset
t m a n t yatanaggarhawm zare tentinhe
linnaggaraw alcilim.
to itemize, to analyze
metantan
kebbedenna wedaju bamanged lay
telallafu.
to pass by each other? to con
taminate
violation
mettelalef
at' kabbade behigg talaiafinnat
assir birr keffele.
temariw H K K a T T a naw.
to be punished* to be fined
meKKeTat
h i g g m yammiyalf sew hullu keff yale
a fine
maKKeCa yxKKeTTal.
and saw ityoPiya wisT lemaddan bifellig, madd n yemmifalligaccawin
awrewoc s i m m n a aynat m d i h u m KuTir bametenten and mamalkeca Sifo, wedager
gizat minister yizo mehed allabbat.
kazziyam guddayun kemmimmalakkatew
balesllTan zend yafiKad woraKet maswaTat allebbet.
yih saw beTayyeKew maserat yafiKadu woraKet sizzegajillat
yatawassenewm KeraT kaflo mewsad yicilal.
kezziya gize jemmiro, ityoPiya
wisT yetun lyyetezewawwere, yetemehhaccewin awrewoc madden yicilal.
negergin ketewessenew KuTir belay weyun yaltefeKKedelletui awre
gedlo biggeh, behigg telalafinnet tekesso, firdbet Kerbo yefiKad wereKetun
kemaTatum belay, meKKeCa yiKKeTTal.
silezzih and sew ityoPiya wisT
lemadden slfellig, fiKad masweTat bicca sayhon ketewessenew alfo indayaddin
meTTenKeK giddeta yihonibbetal.
TiyyaKewoc
and sew yefeKad woreKet lemagnet yet mehed allebbet.
bedebdabbew wisT min neger megleT allebbet.
yadenun feKad woreKet siyaweTa, m m
mekfel allebbet.
irsiwo ityoPiya bihedu, min aynet awrewoc madden yifelligallu.
amerika wisT laden yommihonu bizu aynet awrewocc allut
lemehonu lesiga yemmihonutm awrewoc bicca madden yifelligallu, weyiss
leloccmim yaddmallu.
and addah feKad kaweTTa behwala, lemadden yet yihedal.
adtiahhu yaltefeKedelletin awre gedlo biggeh, min neger yidersibbetal.
bizu addahhoc bamerika wisT yiggennallu t
irsiwo addah newott
Unit 49
Basic Sentences
(A visit to the Ministry of
(yewiCC gudday minis t e r m megobhet.)
Foreign Affairs.)
yohannis
Good afternoon, sir.
My name
TanayisTillih, getaye, sime
is Jones.
yohannis yibbalal.
kobbodo
Good afternoon,
Kebbede.
I'm
[Mr.]
TenayisTillm, kebbode lbbalallehu.
min ladirgilliwo getaye t
What can I do for
you, sir?
yohannis
kiburmnet
Excellency
and gudday silalleh, yekiburinnetiwon
(Since) I have some business [to
lrdata lemeTeyyeK meTTahu.
discuss with you and] I came
to ask your Excellency's help.
kebbede
size, amount, quantity,
proportion
meTen
as much as I can
betecaleh meTen
to try, to attempt
moTar
betecaleh meTen guddayiwon
I'll try to do my best to solve
lemefeSSem lTirallehu.
your problem.
yohannis
representative, envoy
Mr. Smith, the special repre
meliktehha/melaktehha
mister smiz yetebalu yamerika
sentative of the U.S.
mengist liyyu meliktehha beKirb
Government will soon arrive
gize addis abeba yigeballu.
in Addis.
Excellency (used as a
modifier)
kibur
silezzih kekibur ministru gar
I understand there are certain
formalities ('necessary prepara
lemeggenahnat yammiggabbaw
1
tions ) to be arranged in
zigijjit
connection with the meeting of
bamasseb, lazzihu gudday assabiwon
His Excellency the Minister.
lamaTayyaK maTTahu.
mdiddarragillaccaw
I, therefore, came to ask your
opinion about this matter.
kabbada
In order to take the necessary
kakibur yawiCC gudday ministru
steps to arrange for the
gar lamagganahhat asfallagiwin
meeting with His Excellency
zigijjit lamadrag ba'embassiyaccihu
the Minister of Foreign Affairs,
bakkul yammiggabbawin TiyyaKe
a proper request should be made
badanbu masarat
to us through your Embassy.
yasfelligal.
indiKarbillm
yanCatu rizmat sint metir naw.
simmint metir yahil new.
tunihirtbetaccihu kanCet
yallem, kadingay yateserra naw.
yeteserra newt
kaTub kataserranna kadingay
katasarra bet yetu. yabellaTa
kadingay yatasarraw bet yabelleTe
yiwweddedal.
widd naw.
yenCatun bet tito lTub bet wisT
yellam, yenCetun bet altawewim.
gebbat
yekabtoccu bes'Sita telalafi naw t
yallam, telalafi aydellem.
yih saw iyye yebes'Sitawin
indet mdawweKa alawKim.
telalafinnat indet awweKa.
zare Tiwat basaatu isiraw
yellem, altaKaTTam.
silalgebba taKeTTat
biKKaTTa noro, maKKaCaw sint
yihon nabber.
betecalaccew meTen lememTat
mokkirew nabber t
batecaleh maTan litredaw
feKadehha neh t
kalem tarik meSihafoc bizu
anbibehalt
m m a l b a t yegirnmas Ken damozun
yaTa nabber.
yallam, lememTat beCirras'
almokkerum.
yallam, gize silelellah, liradaw
alcilim.
batecalah meTen silawropa tarik
anbibbeyallehu.
izzih meSihafbet wisT silageraccin
yeteSafu bizu yetarik meSihafoc
yellem, bizu yetarik meSihafocc
ayiggehhum.
yiggahhallu t
tarikaccinin lamadamsas
yellem, alawKim.
yetenessawm saw sun tawKalleht
and sew yagerhinmna yehizbihin
betecaleh meTen lkkelakkelallehu.
tarik lemedemses binnessa min
tadergalleh.
keTeKKeshew behwala asallafiw
yellem, almeTTam.
meTto nebbert
arogewin l i b s i h m awliKeh,
yellem, almokkerhutim.
addisun mokkerhew t
izzih lememTat bizu Tirehalt
yellem, beCirras' lememTat alTarhum.
ballefew gize keyyageru bizu
yellem, beTam bizu alnebberum.
meliktehhoc meTtew n e b b e r t
wedam°""ika yemmihedut meliktehhoc
yellem, gena altemerreTum.
temerreTu t
m n a n t e mesriyabet wisT sint
and ammist yihonallu.
balesilTanocc allu.
lehizbu yeteseTTew denb beTam
beTam Tiru aymeslehnim.
Tiru yuneslihal t
lemehonu genzebun lemasmoTTat
yellem, aymeslehhim.
yemmiTir yuneslihalt
seatun awliKo yet asKemmeTew.
iTerePezaw lay yimeslehhal.
meliktehhaw m d e t balle bet wisT
l d m g a y bet wisT new.
new yemminor t
leyyandandaccew kemeto birr belay
yellem, ayiggebbaccewim.
yiggebbaccew yuneslihalt
inna meShafbet wisT sint yetarik
meShafoc yasfelligu yuneslihal.
silebetu kiray zerzireh neggerhaccewt
biyans hamsa yetarik meShafoc
yasfelligallu.
awo, manninnawmim neger
neggerhuwac c ew.
askerihinna geredih behigg
awo, assir birr teKeTTu.
telalafinnet meKKeTataccew
lwinet new f
izzih ager lemeKret mokkireh
yellem, almokkerhum.
nebber t
kabbatiwo zend yemeTTawin
meliktehha tegenahhut t
yellem, altegenahhehutim.
d
lewiCC gudday ministru
yetederregellaccew
aKKebabel
reception
beTam Tiru nebber.
ato kebbede bizu t i g 1 s t allew.
astemariw sinnagger temariwocc
patience
yaddammiTallu.
maddameT
to listen
wisâw g e t a w m tekettele.
mekketel
to follow
guddayu mdemmikkettelew new.
as follows
Majesty (used as a modifier)
- user is
girmawi
r
janhoy
Emperor
girmawi janhoy.
His Imperial Majesty
S u m a c c m i n ijj m n m e s a l l e n .
ljj mensat
to pay respect
wendimmun wedageru assenabbetew.
massenabet
to send away, to fire
wedewiCC gudday minister beyyegizew mehed bediplomatoc mekakkel
yetelemmede neger new.
diplomatoc I W I C C gudday minister gibbi wisT
sidersu yemmiggebbaw aKKebabelmna selamta yisseTTaccewinna, lemeggenahet
kemmifelligut sew gar indiggenahhu wedebirow yigeballu.
and Ken ato yohannis yemmibbalu amerikawi wedewiCC gudday minister
kato kebbede gar lemennegager hedu.
ato yohannis baddis abeba wisT
bemmiggehhew bamerikan embassi wisT yemmiseru serratehha naccew.
ato
yohannis ato kebbede biro indegebbu guddayaccewin lato kebbede aKerrebu.
ato kebbedem bedessita keteKebbeluwaccew behwala guddayaccewin betigist
addammeTuwaccew.
yato yohannis gudday mdemmikkettelew new.
mister smiz yetebalu
yamerikan mangist liyyu melaktehha wede ityoPiya silemmimeTu, yemmiyasfelligew
aKKebabel mdidderregillaccew new.
mister smiz kekibur yewiCC gudday
ministru gar beseffiw ketenegaggeru behwala girmawi j a n h o y m
ijj m d i n e s u
new.
ato kebbede yato y o h a n n i s m assab kaddammeTu behwala mannaccewinim
neger bedenbu meseret mdiffeSSem mnadergallen bilew assenabbetuwaccew.
TiyyaKewoc
wedewiCC gudday minister beyyegizew yemmihedu inneman naccew.
diplomatoc iwiCC gudday minister sidersu, m d e t yiKKebbeluwaccewal.
ato yohannis ityoPiyawi naccewt
ato yohannis yet yiserallu.
keman gar lemeggenahhet wedewiCC gudday minister hedu.
yato kebbede sira mindin new.
ato kebbedenna ato yohannis befit yittewawweKallu t
bebiro wisT min aderregu.
mister smiz wedaddis abeba lemin meTTu.
keman gar lemennegager follegu.
Unit 5 0
Basic Sentences
(A visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - continued)
yohannis
Would it be possible to arrange
girmawi jannoyin lemeggenahhetinna,
through you for him [to have]
ljj lemonsat bonnantow bekkul
an audience with His Majesty
lizzegajj yiccalal
the Emperor?
kebbode
to guarantee, to promise
Kal megbat
I cannot promise you this.
lezzih Kal ligeballiwot alcilun.
Protocol
protokol
Ministry of the Imperial
Court
gibbi minister
First the Protocol Section has
mejemmeriya yeprotokol kifl
to contact the Ministry of the
kegibbi minister gar
Imperial Court and reach an
mdinnegaggerinna, benegeru
agreement on this matter.
indismammubbet yasfelligal.
Then, if this is approved ('found
kezziya behwala asfellagi hono
necessary'), an appointment will
biggehh, KeTero yidderregillaccewal,
be granted to him.
yohannis
y i h m n i n lemennegager wede gibbi
Do I have to go to the Ministry
of the Imperial Court to discuss
minister mehed yasfelllgehhal
this matter?
kebbede
No, you don't have to go there.
yellem.
irsiwo wede gibbi minister
Since this is inter-departmental
mehed ayasfelligiwotim.
negeru
business, I'm now going to call
yemesriyabet gudday silehone,
the Chief of Protocol and we'll
ahun yeprotokol sumun Tericce
discuss the matter with him.
innmnegaggeribbetallen.
yohannis
Would it be possible for your
kiburinnetiwo baûddayu ahun
Excellency to discuss this
tanegagrobbet malsun wediyaw
matter now and give me the
liyastawiKah yicilalt
1
answer ('inform m e ) right away?
kabbada
haste, hurry
cikkola
This is not something that can
yih bacikkola yammihon nagar
be done in a hurry.
aydallam.
in detail
bazirzir
First we have to discuss it with
majammeriya kaprotokol s'umu gar
the Chief of Protocol and
reach a verbal agreement.
tanegagiran, yaKal simimminnat
Then
kadarragn behwala, mamalkaca
we have to write an application
Sifen, gu'ddsyun bazirzir lagibbi
and explain [the matter] in
ministr masraddat allebbin.
detail to the Minister of the
Imperial Court.
yohannis
to expedite
maffaTen
bizu gize yemmifaj kehone,
If it takes such a long time,
what can be done to expedite
negarun lamaffaTan, m m
the matter?
yasfelligal.
madrag
kebbede
procedure, routine
smasirat
Majesty
girmawinnat
It won't take much time, but as it
bizu gize ayfajim.
darugm
must follow the proper routine
denbehhawm yabiro s m a s i r a t
procedure, the Minister of the
makkatel silammiyasfallig,
Imperial Court has to present
yegibbi ministru rasaccew
the matter personally to His
guddayun lagirmawinnataccew
Majesty and wait for the reply.
aKirbaw, mels meTTebabeK
yasfelligaccewal.
yohannis
How many days will it take before
bosint Kenoc wisT irsaccaw mels
he will ('In how many days will
magnet yicilallu.
1
h e ) be able to get an answer?
kebbede
It will probably take two or
m m a l b a t hulett weyim sost Ken
three days.
yifej yihonal.
order
tizaz
But we'll let you know as soon
as we receive the order
gin tizazu kegibbi indemeTTallin
('the
wediyaw innastawwiKiwotallen.
order comes') from the palace.
yohannis
Well, then, shall I expect your
bezzih sammint wisT kersiwo zend
reply this week?
mels liTTebabeKat
kebbede
to inform
assemma - massemmat yassemmal
Yes, we'll let you know.
awo, innassemmawotallen.
Goodbye.
yibelu
Tena yisTillin.
yohannis
Goodbye and thank you very much.
Tena yisTillin,
Grammatical Notes
Note 50.1
Verb:
Emphatic Suffix / - a / 'well then', 'all right then',
'O.K. then.'
mels liTTebabeKat
'Shall I expect a reply then.'
An emphatic suffix / - a / may be affixed to verb forms.
The resulting
forms correspond approximately to the English 'well then', 'all right
then', 'O.K. then', 'indeed', 'certainly', etc.
with a sharply rising pitch / t /.
This suffix always coincides
Verb forms ending in / - a / do not have
this suffix, the emphasis being shown by the rising pitch only.
forms ending in / - e / have this vowel replaced by / - a / .
Verb
Verb forms ending
in / - i / have a /-y-/ glide and those ending in / - u / a /-w-/ glide before
the suffix /-a/.
Examples:
give '
Forms ending in /-a/.
/saTTa/ 'he gave'
/saTTat/ 'all right then.
he gave'
Forms ending in /-a/.
/inTaTTa/ 'let's drink'
/inTaTTat/ 'O.K. let's
drink*
Forms ending in
/-!/.
/Safi/ 'write(f)!'
/Safiyat/ 'all right.
write? (f])'
-
Forms ending in
/nigaru/ 'tell (pi.)!'
/nigaruwaf/ 'O.K., tell
(pi.)!'
Examples:
m a k i n a h m asaddisawa t
'O.K.
then, have your car repaired!'
ibet attigba t
'Then don't enter the house!'
zare kasaat bahwala attunTuwa t
'All right then, don't come in
the afternoon!'
'Well then, make good money
bizu ganzab magnet nawa t
('it
Is to make good money')!'
and Tiru dirsat Safat
'Then write a good s t o r y f
m e n lamayat felligo nebberat
'But he wanted to see me!'
lejanhoy Tiru aKKebabel
tederregallaccew t
awon, baTam Tiru aKKebabel
tedarragallaccaw.
y a m m i l u t m matargom ticilalleh t
yellem, matergom alcilim.
lemin tekettilaccihut hedaccihu.
beten lyullih silalen new.
polisu mdemmikkettelew yawK
yellem, beC±rraS ayawKimnabber.
nebbar t
girmawinnetaccew meTtaw banabbera
yellam, memTataccewm alsammahum.
gize TeyyaKhaccaw t
janhoy bizu set lijocc alluwaccaw t
awon, set lijocc alluwaccaw.
zare bammist seat j a n h o y m ijj
yallam, bammist seat mehed
lamansat tihedalleh t
alcilim.
bammimeTaw maksehho littayaccew Kal
yellem, Kal algebbahum.
gabtahal t
yagibbiwin aKTaCCa tawKutallaccihut
yellem, annawKewim.
lgibbiw aTagab yanabbaraw hotel
yellem, ahun yellem.
ahunim alia t
nagarun bazirzir lamasraddat
yellem, beCirraS alamenettam.
amanatta t
janhoy keprezidentu gar yamesallut
yellem, ayamas'um.
janhoy awroPan yagobahhu
basrazeTeh meto hamsaratt amete
bayatihhaw amata raihirat new.
mihiret new.
y a s o r r a w m sira bazirzir annano
yellem, andunim alammenem.
saffi anbolik allah t
yellem, beTam seffi aydellem.
danbahha bet sarrah t
yellem gena alserrahum.
betun sisaru baTam yaffaTTmallu t
yellem, beTam ayaffaTTmum.
lgibbl wisT yasKanimaTaccihutm
yellem, alwessednewim.
lKa wassadaccihut t
nagarun lasawoc massemmat
yellem, ayasfelligim.
yasfelligal t
yemeTTutin debdabbewoc bezirzir
awo, yasfelligal.
maTnat yasfelligalt
ato lemma wedamerika bemerkeb
yellem, alazzezhutim.
indihed azzezhew t
libsih indittaTTebillih tizaz
yellem, gena alseTTehum.
seTTeh t
yebete mengistun sinesirat
yellem, gena liTeyyiK new.
tawKewalleh t
addis borsa gezteh seTTehew t
yellem, alseTTehutim.
meKKeCawin askeffaluh t
yellem, alaskeffeluhnim.
banku yeteserra keTubinna kenCet
yellam, kedingay bicca new.
new |
meliktehhaw lgibbi meTTerathin
yellem, alneggerehhim.
neggereh t
bemin mikniyat yeteKeTTa
yimeslihal.
bewinetu alawweKhum.
dirset
sirawin behulett seat wisT
akkenawino, liTeyyiKiS yimeTal.
to accomplish, to complete
authority
makkenawen
and polis yale fiKad mekina
yemminedawin sew lemeyaz sllTan
allew.
to investigate, to examine
and polis yeyazewin sew 1ememermer
silTan allew.
Ambassador
yamerikan mengist addis ambasader
beKirb gize wisT wede ItyoPiya
yiliKal.
followers, suite, retinue
yejermen yewiCC gudday ministr
kennetekettayoccaccew Washington
wisT gebbu.
mister smiz yetebalu yamerika mengist liyyu meliktenha ityoPiyan
lemegobhet bayiroplan keniwyork ketema tenestew, wedaddis abeba tegwazu.
addis abeba kemegbataccew befit, ato yohannis yetebalu yamerikan
embassi serratehha wedeityoPiya yewiCC gudday minister hedew, kato kebbede
gar beseffiw tenegaggeru.
mister smiz keff yalu yemengist balesilTan bemehonaccew, ityoPiya
bemmigebubbet gize denbehhaw yeprotokol aKKebabel
mdidderregillaccewinna,
girmawinnetaccewin ijj indinesu yemmiyasfelligew neger indizzegajjlllaccew
hone.
y i h m n i n sira lemakkenawen silTanu yato kebbede bemehonu,
keprotokol kifl Sum gar tenegagrew and mamelkeca legibbi minister m d i S S a f
tederrege. yegibbiw minister guddayun mermirew legirmawi janhoy aKerrebu.
girmawi janhoy melkam feKadaccew mehonun bemastaweKaccew, yewiCC
gudday ministeru serratehha ato kebbede kamerikan embassi balesilTan kato
yohannis gar negerun azzegajju.
mister smiz addis abeba bemmigebubbet seat yeprotokol Sumunna
yamerikan ambasader kennetekettayoccaccew ayiroplan Tabiya dires hedew
ingidawin teKebbelu.
wede betemengist hedu.
bemagistu ingidaw girmawinnetaccewin ijj lemensat
TiyyaKewoc
mistor smiz siraccow mindin now.
keyet agar meTTu.
mister smiz addis abeba sigebu min aynet aKKebabel inciidderreg
lllaccew
yasfelligal.
lemin girmawinnetaccewin ljj lemensat follegu.
yato kebbede silTan mindin new.
lemin and mamelkecca legibbi minister indiSSaf tederroge.
guddayun man meremmerew.
guddayu ketemeremmere behuwala leman Kerrebe.
ingidawin yeteKabbelu sewoc inneman naccew.
kewiCC ager ingida simeTa teKebbileh tawKalleht
Final copy typed by Mrs. Irma C. Ponce - June) 19, 1961|
4 D
S G O V E R N M E N T PRINTING O F F I C E
1964 O
702-220(198)
For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office
Washington, D.C., 20402 - Price $2.25

FSI- Amharic Basic Course - Student Text

Transcription

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