Nyob zoo, koj nyob li cas?
The English phrase "hi, how are you?" is translated into Hmong as Nyob zoo, koj nyob li cas?
This phrase is a common greeting used to say hello and ask about someone's well-being.
What does it mean word for word?
The greeting part, Nyob zoo, literally translates to "stay well" or "live well".
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase koj nyob li cas?, which is the standard way to ask "how are you?", the word koj is the singular second-person pronoun used for "you".
Did you know?
- In Hmong culture, greeting elders may involve specific gestures of respect that accompany the phrase Nyob zoo, depending on the specific clan or region.
- Hmong is a tonal language, meaning the pitch of your voice can change the entire meaning of a word like nyob or zoo.
- The word zoo meaning 'good' may have been borrowed from the Old Chinese word 良, which also meant 'good'.
Examples in context
- Nyob zoo, koj nyob li cas?Hi, how are you?
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries koj, nyob, zoo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
