Amharic · Travel & Places
ከተማ
ketema
City; town
Beginnernoun
Definition
A large town where many people live and work.
Example
አዲስ አበባ የኢትዮጵያ ዋና ከተማ ናት።
Addis Ababa is Ethiopia's capital city.
Etymology
The word 'ከተማ' (ketema) has roots in the Ge'ez language, where it referred to urban areas or societal centers. Over time, it has preserved its meaning in contemporary Amharic.
How & Where It’s Used
'ከተማ' is commonly used in both spoken and written forms, often in contexts discussing geography, urban studies, and demographics. It retains a formal nuance in official documents.