እግዚአብሔር ይማርህ
igzi’abhēr yimarikh
To say "get well" in Amharic, use እግዚአብሔር ይማርህ (igzi’abhēr yimarikh).
While the phrase is used to wish someone a recovery from illness or injury, it is an idiomatic expression rather than a literal translation of the English phrase.
Meaning: to recover from illness or injury (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to May God forgive/pity you, where እግዚአብሔር means God and ይማርህ means may He forgive or pity you.
Which one should you use?
The form of the phrase changes based on whom you are addressing. Use እግዚአብሔር ይማርህ for a male, እግዚአብሔር ይማርሽ for a female and እግዚአብሔር ይማርዎ for a group or to show respect to an elder or a stranger.
How do you pronounce it?
igzi’abhēr yimarikh
When do people say it?
The phrase carries a religious tone, as it is a prayer for God's mercy, but it functions as the standard way to express well-wishes for someone's health.
Did you know?
- The word እግዚአብሔር is derived from Ge'ez, the ancient liturgical language of Ethiopia that functions similarly to Latin in Western Christianity.
- In some contexts, this phrase can be used not just for physical illness but also for someone experiencing deep grief or emotional hardship.
- Unlike English, where 'get well' is a directive or wish for a result, እግዚአብሔር ይማርህ is grammatically a petition asking a third party, God, to intervene.
Examples in context
- እግዚአብሔር ይማርህ።igziabihier yimarih.May God heal you.
- ቶሎ እግዚአብሔር ይማርህ።tolo igziabihier yimarih.May God heal you quickly.
- እግዚአብሔር ይማርህ፣ ወንድሜ።igziabihier yimarih, wondime.May God heal you, my brother.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries እግዚአብሔር, CC BY-SA 4.0.
