እባክህ
əbakəh
The English word "please" is translated to Amharic as እባክህ (əbakəh).
እባክህ is used as an interjection to make a polite request.
Meaning: interjection to make a polite request (intj)
Which one should you use?
The form used depends on who you are addressing: እባክሽን is used for a female, እባክዎ is used for formal respect and እባካችሁ is used for a group.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form changes based on the gender and number of the person being addressed. Use እባክሽን (əbakəsh) when addressing a female, እባክዎ (əbakəwo) when addressing a superior or someone requiring formal respect and እባካችሁ (əbakachihu) when addressing a group of people.
How do you pronounce it?
əbakəh
Did you know?
- The word እባክህ comes from the root meaning 'to entreat' or 'to beg', making a polite request sound more like a sincere plea.
- While እባክህ is the direct translation for 'please', Amharic speakers often use a polite imperative verb form to express politeness without needing a separate word for 'please'.
- Amharic is a Semitic language, and the structural logic behind እባክህ is related to the way requests are formed in Ge'ez, the ancient liturgical language of Ethiopia.
Examples in context
- እባክህ ቀስ ብለህ ተናገር።ebakih qes bileh tenager.Please speak slowly.
- እባክህ በሩን ዝጋልኝ።ebakih berun zigallign.Please close the door for me.
- እባክህ ቁጭ በል።ebakih quch bel.Please sit down.
Example conversation
Elias is asking Betelhem for a pen.
- ኤልያስ Eliasእባክህ ስርያ ስጪኝ።ibakih sirya sichiñ.Please give me a pen.
- ቤተልሔም Betelhemአይደለም፣ የለኝም።ayidelem, yeleñim.No, I don't have one.
- ኤልያስ Eliasእባክህ ፈልገው።ibakih felgew.Please look for it.
- ቤተልሔም Betelhemእሺ፣ አየዋለሁ።ishi, ayewalehu.Okay, I will see.
