እብድ
ʾəbd
The Amharic word for "crazy" is እብድ (ʾəbd).
The word እብድ is used to describe someone who is insane or demented. It can function as an adjective meaning "crazy" or as a noun meaning "a crazy person."
Meaning: insane, demented (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective እብድ does not change its form to indicate a feminine subject.
How do you pronounce it?
ʾəbd
Did you know?
- In some traditional contexts, people described as እብድ were historically viewed with a mix of fear and spiritual curiosity, sometimes believed to be touched by the divine or spirits.
- In certain contexts, calling someone እብድ is used as a playful compliment among close friends to describe someone who is impressively bold or daring.
- In Ethiopian social etiquette, calling an elder እብድ is a severe taboo and is seen as much more offensive than it would be to call a peer the same name.
Examples in context
- እሱ እብድ ሰው ነው።esu ebd sew new.He is a crazy person.
- ያ እብድ በጣም ይጮኻል።ya ebd betam yichokhal.That crazy man shouts a lot.
Example conversation
Abel and Helen are talking about a strange man in the street.
- አቤል Abelሄለን ያ ሰው እብድ ነው?Helen ya sew ibid new?Helen, is that man crazy?
- ሄለን Helenአዎ፣ በጣም እብድ ይመስላል።Awo, betam ibid yimesilal.Yes, he looks very crazy.
- አቤል Abelምን እያደረገ ነው?Min iyaderege new?What is he doing?
- ሄለን Helenብቻዬን አትሂድ፣ አደገኛ ሊሆን ይችላል።Bichayen atihid, adegenya lihon yichilal.Don't go alone, he might be dangerous.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “crazy” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
