እንደምን ዋሉ
Endemen walu
The English phrase "good afternoon" is translated into Amharic as እንደምን ዋሉ (Endemen walu).
While it is the standard way to say "good afternoon" or "good day" during the afternoon hours, the phrase literally asks how one spent the time.
Meaning: greeting said in the afternoon (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase እንደምን ዋሉ literally translates to "How did you spend (the day/time)?"
How does it change in a sentence?
The form እንደምን ዋሉ is used for both plural subjects and to show respect to a single person. The singular/informal version of the greeting is እንደምን ዋልክ.
How do you pronounce it?
Endemen walu
When do people say it?
A common response to this greeting is ደህና ዋልኩ, meaning "I spent it well".
Did you know?
- While እንደምን ዋሉ asks about the day, Ethiopians often accompany such greetings with a series of repetitive questions about health and family before getting to the main point of a conversation.
- Using the informal version እንደምን ዋልክ with an elder or a stranger is not just a casual error but can be interpreted as a deliberate social insult.
- While እንደምን ዋሉ is used for the afternoon, the Amharic concept of 'day' is tied to the verb root for 'spending time', which can describe someone remaining in a specific emotional state or physical location all day.
Examples in context
- እንደምን ዋሉ፣ እመቤቴ።indemini walu, imebete.Good afternoon, my lady.
Example conversation
Dawit and Betelhem meet at a cafe in the afternoon.
- ዳዊት Dawitቤተልሔም፣ እንደምን ዋሉ?Betelhem, endemin walu?Betelhem, good afternoon!
- ቤተልሔም Betelhemእንደምን ዋሉ ዳዊት?Endemin walu Dawit?Good afternoon, Dawit!
- ዳዊት Dawitእንዴት ነሽ?Endet nesh?How are you?
- ቤተልሔም Betelhemደህና ነኝ፣ አመሰግናለሁ።Dehna negn, ameseginalehu.I am fine, thank you.
