चिरञ्जीवी भव
chiranjivi bhawa
The Nepali way to say "bless you" is चिरञ्जीवी भव (chiranjivi bhawa).
चिरञ्जीवी भव is used as a way to say "bless you" to someone who has sneezed. While it serves this purpose, it is a traditional blessing. In modern, casual settings, many Nepali speakers might simply ignore a sneeze or use more casual well-wishes instead of this specific phrase.
Meaning: said to somebody who has sneezed (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase चिरञ्जीवी भव literally translates to "may you be long-lived" or "may you live a long life."
How do you pronounce it?
chiranjivi bhawa
When do people say it?
The phrase functions as a traditional blessing. In modern daily life, however, you may notice that people do not always use such formal expressions following a sneeze.
Did you know?
- The word चिरञ्जीवी refers to someone who is immortal or possesses an unnaturally long life, linking the phrase to mythological figures who never age.
- Nepali culture often pairs blessings like चिरञ्जीवी भव with a physical gesture, such as a light touch on the head or shoulder by an elder.
- Using this specific phrase can be seen as an act of 'asirwad', which is a formal bestowal of blessings from an elder to a younger person.
Example conversation
Pratiksha and Dipesh are sitting in a living room.
- प्रतिक्षा Pratikshaदिपेश, तिमीलाई के भयो?Dipesh, timīlāī ke bhayo?Dipesh, what happened to you?
- दिपेश Dipeshमलाई हाच्छ्युँ आयो।Malāī hācchyūñ āyo.I sneezed.
- प्रतिक्षा Pratikshaचिरञ्जीवी भव!Chirañjīvī bhava!Bless you!
- दिपेश Dipeshधन्यवाद, प्रतिक्षा।Dhanyavāda, Pratikshā.Thank you, Pratiksha.
