जिगु नां
jigu naang
जिगु नां (jigu naang) is how you say "my name is" in Newari.
This phrase is used to identify yourself when introducing your name to others.
Meaning: a way to identify oneself (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
जिगु (jigu) literally means "my" and नां (naang) means "name".
How does it change in a sentence?
To complete the sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
jigu naang
Did you know?
- While जिगु नां is the standard way to say 'my name is', in traditional Newar society, people are often identified by their 'guthi' or social kinship group rather than an individual name.
- In Newari culture, the word नां can refer not just to a given name but also to the reputation or 'fame' a person carries within the community.
- While English uses 'is' to connect a subject to a name, Newari speakers often omit a verb entirely when using जिगु नां, letting the nouns stand alone.
Examples in context
- जिगु नां रश्मी।jigu na rashmi.My name is Rashmi.
- जिगु नां बिबेक खः।jigu na bibek kha.My name is Bibek.
Example conversation
Rashmi and Bibek meet for the first time at a park.
- रश्मी Rashmiनमस्ते, जिगु नां रश्मी ख।Namaste, jigu naan Rashmi kha.Hello, my name is Rashmi.
- बिबेक Bibekनमस्ते रश्मी, जिगु नां बिबेक ख।Namaste Rashmi, jigu naan Bibek kha.Hello Rashmi, my name is Bibek.
- रश्मी Rashmiछला नां बिबेक खः, भ्वय्।chhala naan Bibek kha, bhway.So your name is Bibek, I see.
- बिबेक Bibekअँ, जिगु नां बिबेक ख।aan, jigu naan Bibek kha.Yes, my name is Bibek.
