አክስት
akist
The Amharic word for aunt is አክስት (akist).
አክስት is a noun used to refer to a parent's sister or a sister-in-law.
Meaning: a parent's sister or sister-in-law (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
akist
Did you know?
- In Ethiopian social etiquette, calling an older woman አክስት can be a way of showing respect to a stranger, even if you are not related to her.
- In many Ethiopian households, the distinction between a paternal aunt and a maternal aunt is culturally much more significant than the English word aunt suggests.
- In some formal Amharic addresses, calling an older woman አክስት is considered more polite than using her name, which could be seen as an insult.
Example conversation
Dawit is introducing his aunt to Sarah.
- ዳዊት Dawitሳራ፣ ይህቺ አክስቴ ናት።sara, yihichi akistie nat.Sara, this is my aunt.
- ሳራ Saraሰላም አክስት፣ ስለተዋወቅን ደስ ብሎኛል።selam akist, siletewaweqin des bilognal.Hello aunt, I am glad to meet you.
- ዳዊት Dawitአክስት አንቺንም ለማወቅ ጓጉታለች።akist anchinim lemawoq guwatalech.My aunt is also eager to meet you.
- ሳራ Saraበጣም አመሰግናለሁ።betam ameseginalehu.Thank you very much.
