बांलाःम्ह
bāṁlāḥmha
The Newari word for handsome is बांलाःम्ह (bāṁlāḥmha).
The term is an adjective used specifically to describe a man as being attractive.
Meaning: of man: attractive (adj)
How do you pronounce it?
bāṁlāḥmha
Did you know?
- If you are speaking to an elder, using बांलाःम्ह to describe them might be seen as a breach of etiquette, even if intended as a compliment, due to the lack of honorific markers.
- In the Kathmandu Valley, where Newari is spoken, using a term for 'handsome' to describe a person's work or an object is a common way to show high praise.
- The suffix म्ह in बांलाःम्ह turns the adjective into a noun referring to the person, effectively turning 'beautiful' into 'the beautiful one'.
Example conversation
Punam and Sujan are looking at a photo of a cousin.
- सुजन Sujanथुज्यू बनलाःम्ह दुंन न्हुइ।thujyu banlahma dun na nhui.Look, this cousin is handsome.
- पुनम Punamअँ, व बांलाःम्ह खः।an, wa banlahma kha.Yes, he is handsome.
- सुजन Sujanव न्हुगु ल्वः क्यनाः वयागु।wa nhugu lwa kyana wa yagu.He came wearing new clothes.
- पुनम Punamव तसति खः।wa tasati kha.He is very neat.
