Goodbyes in Khasi (with audio)

Depending upon the type of conversation, combining or leaving out elements from each example after gaining more confidence is encouraged.

 

After a conversation between Bari and Kut (who may know each other):

Bari: Ngan leit noh mo!

Kut: To katta, sa ïa kynduh pat. [Alternatively: To katta, sa ïashem pat.]

 

A semi-formal conversation between Bari and Kut (who got to know each other during the course of the conversation):

Bari: To katta, ngan leit noh. Sa ïashem pat mo!

Kut: Hooid to, sa ïakynduh pat!

 

Alternative semi-formal/formal conversation between Bari and Kut (who got to know each other yet during the course of the conversation):

Bari: To katta, Bah Rang, ngan leit noh. Shong suk ho!

Kut: Hooid to, Bah Bari, phi ruh sa leit suk.

 

Very informal (After a visit with a friend or relative who are informal with each other):

Bari: Mo, ngan leit noh!

Rang: To kata!

Audio:

With translations:

Please note that the English translations may sound awkward because the sentences may not be something one says in English.

 

After a conversation between Bari and Kut (who may know each other):

Bari: Ngan leit noh mo! (I will go now ok!)

Kut: To kata, sa ïa kynduh pat. (Ok then, may we meet again.) [Meaning is similar for the alternative sentence]

 

A semi-formal conversation between Bari and Kut (who got to know each other during the course of the conversation):

Bari: To kata, ngan leit noh. Sa ïashem pat mo! (Okay then, I will go now. May we meet again!)

Kut: Hooid to, sa ïakynduh pat! (Yes okay, may we meet again!)

 

Alternative semi-formal/formal conversation between Bari and Kut (who got to know each other yet during the course of the conversation):

Bari: To kata, Bah Rang, ngan leit noh. Shong suk ho! (Ok then, Mr Rang, I will go now. May you live in peace/with ease!)

Rang: Hooid to, Bah Bari, phi ruh sa leit suk (Ok then, Mr. Bari, may you also go in peace/with ease).

 

Very informal (After a visit with a friend or relative who are informal with each other):

Bari: Mo, ngan leit noh! (Ok, I’ll go now!)

Rang: To kata! (Ok then!)

Hello in Khasi (audio added)

An informal/semi-formal conversation between Bari and Kut (who may know each other):

Bari: Kumno?

Kut: Nga biang, phi pat?

Bari: Nga ruh nga biang.

 

A semi-formal conversation between Bari and Rang (who don’t know each other yet):

Bari: Khublei, kumno phi long?

Rang: Nga biang, phi pat?

Bari: Nga ruh nga biang.

 

A formal conversation between Rang and Kut (who do not know each other):

Rang: Khublei ïaphi, phi long kumno?

Kut: Khublei ïaphi ruh, nga khlaiñ, phi pat?

Rang: Nga ruh nga khlaiñ.

 

Audio:

The above conversations with thought for thought translations:

An informal/semi-formal conversation between Bari and Kut (who know each other):

Bari: Kumno? (Hi/Hello, how are you?)

Kut: Nga biang, phi pat? (I’m fine, and you?)

Bari: Nga ruh nga biang. (I too am fine.)

 

A semi-formal conversation between Bari and Rang (who don’t know each other yet):

Bari: Khublei, kumno phi long? (Hello, how are you?)

Rang: Nga biang, phi pat? (I’m fine[1], what about you?)

Bari: Nga ruh nga biang. (I’m fine too!)

 

A formal conversation between Rang and Kut (who don’t know each other):

Rang: Khublei ïaphi, phi long kumno? (Hello to you, how are you?)

Kut: Khublei ïaphi ruh, nga khlaiñ. Phi pat? (Hello to you too, I’m fine, what about you?)

Rang: Nga ruh nga khlaiñ. (I too am fine.)

 

Notes:

There is no exact equivalent to the English “hi” and “hello” in the Khasi language. The closest in current usage are the words, “khublei” and “kumno?” They are acceptable functions for “hi” and “hello” in the Khasi language. They are, presently, standard salutations in Khasi for all formal, semi-formal and informal occasions.

Even though “khublei” is regularly used as a function for expressing thanks, it is to be considered a contraction of, "U Blei un kyrkhu ïa phi!"[2] Which carries the meaning, "God will bless you!" The word “khublei” may be used in formal and semi-formal conversations. Occasionally, it may be used in informal situations.

"Kumno?" is a question. It stands for, “How?” It is, in turn, a short form of, “Kumno phi long?” which is, “How are you?” in English. One may use “kumno” in all informal situations and a few formal and semi-formal conversations. “Kumno?” perfectly stands in for the whole of, “Hello, how are you?”

“Biang” is a function for okay or fine or healthy in the above conversations. Healthy, because the questions, “Kumno phi long?” and “Phi long kumno?” also refers to the health of a person. Most often, the meaning in the question is about the health of a person. This may be the case because the Khasi culture leans more towards concrete ideas than abstract concepts. It means “nothing is missing, complete, full”, and even “peace among all parties”.[3] Yet, because of outside influence the function of such words may now include fine or okay.

“Khlaiñ” is a function for okay or fine or healthy for the same reason as “biang” above. There may be a slight indication that, “khlaiñ” is more formal, but both “biang” and “khlaiñ” may be used in any of the above conversations.

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[1] The missing, “thank you,” as in English conversations may be understood from the acknowledgement, “Nga biang, phi pat?”.

[2] Ïarington Kharkongor, “Khublei,” in Ka Dienshonhi: The Khasi Encyclopaedic Dictionary (Darkos Nongkhlaw: Shillong, 2013), 79.

[3] Ibid.

Hello & Goodbye in Khasi

Hello & Goodbye in Khasi

Kumno?!!

In the Khasi language there is no word for Hello or Hi. The Khasi people always start a conversation  with 'Kumno?' which is short for 'Kumno phi long?/Phi long kumno?' (How are you?).

Example dialogue#1 How are you?

Person A: Phi long kumno?(How are you?)              

                                                           

Person B:  Nga khlaiñ. Phi pat?(I'm fine. And you?)

Person A: Nga ruh nga khlaiñ.(I'm fine too.)

                    

Example dialogue#2 How are you?

Person A: Kumno? (How are you?)

Person B:  Shu biang hi. Phi?(I'm ok. You?)

Person A: Nga khlaiñ.(I'm fine.)

                    

Example dialogue#3 How are you? and Goodbye

Person A: Kumno?(How are you?)                                  

                                                            

Person B:  Nga khlaiñ. Phi?(I'm fine. You?)

Person A: Nga ruh nga khlaiñ. (I'm fine too.)              

                                                               

Person B:  Te phin leit shano?(So, where are you going?)

Person A: Ngan leit sha ïew. (I'm going to the market.)                  

                                             

Person B:  To kata sa ia kyndŭh pat.(Ok then. See you later.)

Example dialogue#4 How are you? and Goodbye

Person A: Kumno?(How are you?)                             

                                                       

Person B:  Nga khlaiñ. Phi?(I'm fine. You?)

Person A: Nga ruh nga khlaiñ.(I'm fine too.)         

                                                           

Person B:  Te kumno ki kam ki jam?(So, how's life?/how's work?)

Person A: Biang. And you?(It's fine.Phi pat?)                

                                                        

Person B:  Shu biang hi.To kata, ngan leit noh mo.(Just doing ok. Alright then I'll go .)

Person A: To.(Ok) 

                 

Example dialogue#4 How are you? and Goodbye

Person A: Kumno? Phi khlaiñ em? (How are you? Are you fine?)            

                                             

Person B:  Nga khlaiñ. Phi pat kumno?(I'm fine. What about you?)

Person A: Nga ruh nga khlaiñ.(I'm fine too.)                   

                                                         

Person B:  Ha ïng pat? Ki ïa khlaiñ em? (What about your family? They are fine right?)

Person A: Ki ïa khlaiñ lut.(They are all fine.)                         

                                                     

Person B:  Sa ai khublei lem ïa i mei jong phi.(Please give my regards to your mother.)

Person A: To.(Ok)