ገንዘብ
gänzäb
The Amharic word for money is ገንዘብ (gänzäb).
ገንዘብ is used to refer to currency or money in a general sense.
Meaning: currency (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
gänzäb
Did you know?
- The Ethiopian currency ብር translates literally to 'silver', reflecting a historical period when the value of money was tied to the metal content of the coins.
- When people talk about 'losing money' due to bad luck, they might use phrases that suggest the money has 'escaped' or 'fled', treating the concept of ገንዘብ as something with its own agency.
- When discussing money in a social or religious context, Ethiopians may use euphemisms to avoid mentioning ገንዘብ directly, as talking openly about wealth can be seen as boastful or impolite.
Examples in context
- ገንዘብ እፈልጋለሁ።genzeb efeligalew.I need money.
- ገንዘብ የት አለ?genzeb yet ale?Where is the money?
- ብዙ ገንዘብ አውጥቼአለሁ።bezu genzeb awtichealew.I spent a lot of money.
Example conversation
A woman is asking her boyfriend about the budget for a trip.
- ቤተልሔም Betelhemናቲ፣ ለጉዞው በቂ ገንዘብ አለን?Nati, leguzow beqi genzeb alen?Nati, do we have enough money for the trip?
- ናቲ Natiአዎ፣ በቂ ገንዘብ አለኝ።Awo, beqi genzeb alegn.Yes, I have enough money.
- ቤተልሔም Betelhemጥሩ ነው፣ በጣም ደስ ብሎኛል።Tiru new, betam des bilognal.That's good, I am very happy.
- ናቲ Natiአይዞሽ፣ አያሳስብሽም።Ayzosh, ayasasibishim.Don't worry, don't worry about it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “money” translations and entries ገንዘብ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
