ጽብቕቲ
tsibuqti
The English word "pretty" is translated into Tigrinya as ጽብቕቲ (tsibuqti).
This adjective is used to describe someone or something as pleasant or attractive, especially when referring to women and children.
Meaning: especially of women and children: pleasant, attractive (adj)
Which one should you use?
The form ጽብቕቲ (tsibuqti) is the feminine form used specifically for women and girls.
How do you pronounce it?
tsibuqti
Did you know?
- When praising a child as ጽብቕቲ, some traditional Eritrean and Ethiopian families avoid direct praise to prevent the 'evil eye' and may use a protective phrase instead.
- Tigrinya uses the same root for 'pretty' as it does for the word 'clean'. To be truly ጽብቕቲ often implies a state of being neat and well-groomed.
- When speaking to an elder, even if they are 'pretty', you would rarely use this specific adjective to describe them directly, as it can feel too casual or overly focused on physical appearance.
Examples in context
- እታ ሓንቲ ጓል ጽብቕቲ እያ።eta hanti gwal tsibiqti eyya.That girl is pretty.
- ጽብቕቲ ሰበይቲ እያ።tsibiqti sebeyti eyya.She is a pretty woman.
Example conversation
Two people are discussing a young girl's appearance.
- ሰላም Selamዳዊት፡ በሊልካ ጽብቕቲ እያ?Dawit, belilka tsbikti eyya?Dawit, do you think she is pretty?
- ዳዊት Dawitእወ፡ ብጣዕሚ ጽብቕቲ እያ።Ewe, bitami tsbikti eyya.Yes, she is very pretty.
- ሰላም Selamዓይንታታ እውን ጽብቕቲ እያ።Ayntata ewn tsbikti eyya.Her eyes are also pretty.
- ዳዊት Dawitሰላም፡ ትኽእሊ ትብልያ።Selam, tkieli tibilya.Selam, you can say that.
