How to Say “Hello” in Noongar

kaya
In Noongar, hello is kaya.
Kaya is a general and casual way to express a greeting.
Meaning: greeting (intj)

Which one should you use?

You may also encounter Wanjoo! which can mean both hello and welcome.

Did you know?

  • The Noongar people of South West Australia traditionally used specific greetings based on the season, as their calendar is divided into six distinct seasons rather than four.
  • The Noongar language is currently undergoing a powerful revival process, leading many non-Indigenous people in Perth to use kaya as a sign of respect and reconciliation.
  • In Noongar culture, a greeting is often accompanied by a gentle touch or a nod, emphasizing connection over mere words.

Examples in context

  • Kaya.
    Hello.
    This example shows how to use kaya as a standalone greeting.
    Tatoeba #8657206 by ecorralest101, translation #1858850 by LanguageExpert
  • Kaya, kumarran.
    Hello, how are you?
  • Kaya, karragu.
    Hello, friend.

Example conversation

Sarah sees Daniel walking in the park.

  1. Sarah

    Kaya, Daniel.
    Hello, Daniel.
  2. Daniel

    Kaya, Sarah.
    Hello, Sarah.
  3. Sarah

    Kumarran?
    How are you?
  4. Daniel

    Yira, djinang.
    Yes, good.

Sources

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Joyce Amanda
Joyce AmandaHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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