thiab
/tʰiə̯˥/
The English word "and" is translated into Hmong as thiab.
thiab is a conjunction used to connect two similar elements, such as nouns or actions, directly together.
Meaning: used to connect two similar words, phrases, et cetera (conj)
How do you pronounce it?
/tʰiə̯˥/
Did you know?
- Because the Romanized Popular Alphabet (RPA) uses letters to represent tones, the 'b' at the end of thiab is not pronounced as a consonant. Instead, it serves as a marker for the high-falling tone of the word.
- Because Hmong was traditionally an oral language, the written use of thiab in the Romanized Popular Alphabet (RPA) is a relatively recent development to standardize the spoken tongue.
- When listing people or family members, Hmong speakers often omit thiab entirely and simply list the titles. Using thiab too frequently in a list of names can sound unnatural or overly formal to a native ear.
Examples in context
- koj thiab kuvYou and IThis sentence shows how to use thiab when referring to people.
- Niam thiab txiv mus deb.Mother and father go far away.
Example conversation
Kao and Yee are discussing what to buy at the market.
- KaoPeb yuav yuang nqaij thiab n concentrated ncuav?Shall we buy meat and flour?
- YeeYog, thiab peb yuav yuav cov txiv ntoo.Yes, and we will buy some fruit.
- KaoKoj xav tau qab txhua yam thiab os?Do you want everything and more?
- YeeTsuas yog cov uas peb xav tau xwb.Only the things that we need.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “and” translations and entries thiab, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
