নমস্কাৰ
nomoskar
The Assamese word for "namaste" is নমস্কাৰ (nomoskar).
নমস্কাৰ is used as a respectful greeting when meeting someone or as a polite way to say goodbye.
Meaning: a greeting (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 'namaste' is widely understood due to Hindi influence, নমস্কাৰ is the standard and more natural way to say this greeting in Assamese.
How do you pronounce it?
nomoskar
When do people say it?
When saying নমস্কাৰ, it is customary to join your palms together in front of your chest in a prayer-like gesture.
Did you know?
- Though নমস্কাৰ is the common form, you may encounter the word প্ৰণাম in Assamese when someone touches the feet of an elder, which is a much more intense form of greeting than a standard 'hello'.
- The phrase নমস্কাৰ is derived from the Sanskrit root namas, meaning 'bow' or 'reverence', and kara, meaning 'doing'.
- Assamese has a distinct social etiquette where নমস্কাৰ is used even when the speaker is the one being honored, as a way of acknowledging the divine spark in the other person.
Examples in context
- মই তেওঁক নমস্কাৰ জনালোঁ।Moi teuok namaskar jonalu.I offered him a namaste.
Example conversation
Mounita and Akash meet at a community event.
- মৌনিতা Mounitaনমস্কাৰ, আকাশ!Nomoskar, Akash!Hello, Akash!
- আকাশ Akashনমস্কাৰ, মৌনিতা। আপোনাক লগ পাই ভাল লাগিল।Nomoskar, Mounita. Apunak log pai bhal lagil.Hello, Mounita. It is nice to meet you.
- মৌনিতা Mounitaধন্যবাদ। আপোনাৰ ঘৰৰ সকলো ভালে আছে নে?Dhonyobad. Apunar ghoror xokol bhaley ase ne?Thank you. Is everyone at your home doing well?
- আকাশ Akashহয়, সকলো ভালেই আছে।Hoy, xokol bhaley ase.Yes, everyone is doing well.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “namaste” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
