छिगु खँ छु दु?
chhigu khã chhu du?
The phrase "how are you?" in Newari is translated as छिगु खँ छु दु? (chhigu khã chhu du?)
The phrase is a common greeting used to ask someone about their current well-being or situation. Depending on the context and level of familiarity, different versions can be used, such as the informal Ké sancha? or the Bhaktapur variation Khe cha?
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase छिगु खँ छु दु? literally translates to "Your matter what is?" or "What is your news?"
Which one should you use?
छिगु खँ छु दु? is the polite way to ask the question, whereas थःगु खँ छु दु? is the informal version used when speaking to friends or younger people. The phrase Ké sancha? also serves as an informal way to ask "How are you?"
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Bhaktapur, the phrase Khe cha? is used to ask "How are you?" casually.
How do you pronounce it?
chhigu khã chhu du?
Did you know?
- Newari is a Tibeto-Burman language, meaning the structure of its greetings differs fundamentally from the Indo-Aryan languages like Nepali spoken in the same region.
- While an English speaker might answer 'How are you?' with 'I am fine', a Newari speaker responding to छिगु खँ छु दु? might simply list a piece of recent news or an event that happened to them.
- In many Newar social settings, the greeting is often accompanied by a slight nod or a specific physical stance to acknowledge the listener's status, especially when using the polite छि form.
Examples in context
- छिगु खँ छु दु?chigu khã chhu du?How are you?
Example conversation
Maya and Amit meet each other in the market.
- माया Mayaनमस्ते अमित, छिगु खँ छु दु?Namaste Amit, chigu khan chu du?Hello Amit, how are you?
- अमित Amitजी बांला, माया। छिगु खँ छु दु?Ji banla, Maya. Chigu khan chu du?I am fine, Maya. How are you?
- माया Mayaजी नं बांला।Ji nan banla.I am also fine.
- अमित Amitब्वारु, म्येया।Bwaru, myeya.Okay, then.
