እወድሻለሁ
əwaddəshallähu
The English phrase "I like you" is translated into Amharic as እወድሻለሁ (əwaddəshallähu).
Depending on the context of your relationship, እወድሻለሁ can mean both "I like you" and "I love you".
Meaning: I like you (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The verb is composed of the root ወደደ (to love/like), the first-person subject marker and the second-person feminine object marker.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form changes based on the gender of the person being spoken to. Use እወድሃለሁ (əwaddəhallähu) when speaking to a man. Use እወዳችኋለሁ (əwaddachihwallähu) when speaking to more than one person or when using the formal "you".
How do you pronounce it?
əwaddəshallähu
Did you know?
- In traditional Ethiopian poetry known as 'Qene', expressions of love like እወድሻለሁ are often hidden behind 'Semna Worq' or 'wax and gold', where the true meaning is a hidden secret.
- Amharic is a Semitic language, meaning the root ወደደ is a distant relative of words for love and desire found in Arabic and Hebrew.
- The word እወድሻለሁ is derived from a root that also describes 'desiring' or 'wanting' something, making the line between 'liking' and 'craving' very thin in Amharic.
Examples in context
- እወድሻለሁ።ewedeshalew.I like you.
- በጣም እወድሻለሁ።betam ewedeshalew.I like you very much.
- እወድሻለሁ፣ ማር።ewedeshalew, mar.I like you, honey.
Example conversation
A young man expresses his feelings to a woman in a park.
- ኤልያስ Eliasሄለን፣ እወድሻለሁ።Helen, ewedeshalew.Helen, I like you.
- ሄለን Helenኤልያስ፣ እኔም እወድሃለሁ።Elias, enem ewedehalew.Elias, I like you too.
- ኤልያስ Eliasበጣም ደስ ብሎኛል።betam des biloñall.I am very happy.
- ሄለን Helenእኔም ደስ ብሎኛል።enem des biloñall.I am happy too.
