ናፊቐካ
nafeqeka
The English phrase "I miss you" is translated into Tigrinya as ናፊቐካ (nafeqeka).
Meaning: I miss you (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The root of the word, ናፊቐ, expresses the feeling of longing or missing someone.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form changes depending on whom you are addressing. Use ናፊቐካ when speaking to a male, ናፊቐኪ when speaking to a female and ናፊቐኩም when addressing more than one person or using a formal tone. You may also add እዩ to the end of the phrase (as in ናፊቐካ እዩ) to emphasize the statement, though the base form is most common.
How do you pronounce it?
nafeqeka
Did you know?
- Tigrinya uses a unique script called Ge'ez, where the word ናፊቐካ is written in a system that functions as an abugida, meaning each character represents a consonant and a vowel combined.
- When you use the formal version ናፊቐኩም to show respect to an elder, you are grammatically treating them as a group. This is a common way in Tigrinya culture to show high levels of deference and politeness.
- In many Ethiopian and Eritrean contexts where Tigrinya is spoken, expressing this level of longing is often reserved for very close family or romantic partners. Using it too casually with acquaintances can be seen as overly intimate.
Example conversation
Two friends talking on the phone after a long time.
- ሰላም Selamሰላም ዳዊት፡ ከመይ ኣለኻ?Selam Dawit, kemey alekha?Hello Dawit, how are you?
- ዳዊት Dawitሰላም ሰላም፡ ጽቡቕ ኣለኹ።Selam selam, tsibuq alekhu.Hello, I am doing well.
- ሰላም Selamናፊቐካ፡ ክመዓዜ ትመጽእ?Nafiqeka, kime'aze timets?I miss you, when are you coming to visit me?
- ዳዊት Dawitኣነ እውን ናፊቐኪ።Ane iwin nafiqeki.I miss you too.
