ወደዚህ ና
wedezīhi na
The English phrase "come here" is translated into Amharic as ወደዚህ ና (wedezīhi na).
This phrase is a command used to tell someone to move toward the speaker's current location.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of ወደዚህ (wedezīhi), which means "to here" and ና (na), which means "come".
Which one should you use?
The forms differ based on whom you are addressing: ወደዚህ ና is used for a single male, while ወደዚህ ነይ is used for a single female and ወደዚህ ኑ is used for multiple people.
How does it change in a sentence?
Amharic command forms change based on the gender and number of the person being addressed. Use ወደዚህ ና for one male, ወደዚህ ነይ for one female and ወደዚህ ኑ for a group.
How do you pronounce it?
wedezīhi na
When do people say it?
When beckoning someone in Amharic culture, it is common to extend your hand with your palm facing downwards.
Did you know?
- The plural form ወደዚህ ኑ is used not just for groups of people, but also as a way to show heightened respect when addressing a single person of high status.
- When using the gesture of a downward palm to say 'come here', be careful not to mimic Western beckoning gestures with an upward palm, which can be perceived as much more aggressive or disrespectful in some Ethiopian circles.
- The word ወደዚህ (wedezīhi) comes from a root that describes movement toward a specific point, a logic shared with other Semitic languages like Arabic.
Examples in context
- ወደዚህ ና።wedezih na.Come here.
- ልጄ፣ ወደዚህ ና።lijie, wedezih na.My child, come here.
- እባክሽን ወደዚህ ና።ebakish wedezih na.Please come here (to a female).
Example conversation
Elizabeth is calling Elias over to help her in the kitchen.
- ኤልሳቤጥ Elsabethኤልያስ፣ ወደዚህ ና።Elias, wedezih na.Elias, come here.
- ኤልያስ Eliasእሺ፣ እየመጣሁ ነው።ishi, iyemettahu new.Okay, I am coming.
- ኤልሳቤጥ Elsabethይህንን ዕቃ እርዳኝ።yihinnin iqa erdagn.Help me with this item.
- ኤልያስ Eliasእሺ፣ አሁን እረዳሻለሁ።ishi, ahun iredashallehu.Okay, I will help you now.
