अभिवादन
abhivadan
The English word "greeting" is translated into Nepali as अभिवादन (abhivadan).
The term refers to the acknowledgement of a person's presence or arrival. While अभिवादन is the noun for greeting, common ways to actually greet someone include using नमस्ते, नमस्कार or the informal कस्तो छ?
Meaning: acknowledgement of a persons presence or arrival (noun)
Which one should you use?
For formal greetings, you might use नमस्ते or नमस्कार. The latter, नमस्कार, is often used by older generations or within more traditional settings. For an informal greeting among peers and acquaintances, you can say कस्तो छ?, which translates to "How are you?"
How do you pronounce it?
abhivadan
When do people say it?
When using the formal greeting नमस्ते, it is customary to place your palms together in front of your chest and slightly bow your head. Similarly, you can accompany the formal greeting नमस्कार with the traditional gesture of placing your palms together in front of your chest.
Did you know?
- In some parts of Nepal, particularly in more traditional or rural areas, the greeting नमस्कार is often accompanied by a slight touch of the feet of a person of higher status to show profound respect.
- Unlike English greetings that often ask 'How are you?', the essence of नमस्ते is a spiritual acknowledgement that the divine spark in one person recognizes the divine spark in another.
- The gesture accompanying the greeting नमस्ते is called 'anjali mudra' in Sanskrit, symbolizing the union of two hands and the equality of the two people meeting.
Examples in context
- नमस्ते। आज तपाईंलाई कस्तो छ?Namaste! How are you today?
- नमस्कार। तपाईंलाई भेटेर मन पर्यो।Namaskar! It's a pleasure to meet you.
- कार्यक्रममा औपचारिक अभिवादन गरियो।Kāryakrammā aupachārik abhivādana gariyo.A formal greeting was given at the program.
- अभिवादन गर्दा मुस्कुराउनु पर्छ।Abhivādana gardā muskurāunu parcha.You should smile when giving a greeting.
Example conversation
Dipesh and Srijana are discussing a social event.
- दिपेश Dipeshतिमीलाई कस्तो लाग्यो?Timīlāī kasto lāgyo?How did you feel?
- सृजना Srijanaत्यहाँको अभिवादन धेरै आत्मीय थियो।Tyahāṅko abhivādana dherai ātmīya thiyo.The greeting there was very warm.
- दिपेश Dipeshहो, सबैजना मिलनसार थिए।Ho, sabaījanā milansār thie.Yes, everyone was friendly.
- सृजना Srijanaमैले त्यहाँ धेरै कुरा सिकें।Maile tyahāṅ dherai kurā sike.I learned a lot there.
cheers! very helpful.