نمستے
namaste
نمستے is the Kashmiri word for "namaste".
نمستے is used as a noun to express a greeting.
Meaning: a greeting (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
namaste
Did you know?
- The phrase نمستے is written in the Perso-Arabic script for Kashmiri, even though the word itself originates from Sanskrit.
- While نمستے is used in Kashmiri, it is often perceived as a formal or 'external' greeting, whereas locals more frequently use the more culturally specific السلام علیکم (As-salamu alaykum) or نمستے in specific religious contexts.
- Kashmiri culture often favors specific physical gestures, such as a slight bow or placing a hand over the heart, to accompany a greeting, rather than just relying on the word itself.
Example conversation
Zainab meets Salman at a community event.
- زینب Zainabنمستے، سلمان صاحب!Namaste, Salman sahib!Namaste, Mr. Salman!
- سلمان Salmanنمستے، زینب صاحبہ!Namaste, Zainab sahibah!Namaste, Ms. Zainab!
- زینب Zainabتۄہہ کیتھ کٔنژِ؟Toh kyath kanzi?How are you?
- سلمان Salmanمےٚ واریاہ خٲر کھۄتھ۔Me varyah khar khoth.I am doing very well.
