ज्वजलपा
jwajalapa
The English phrase "namaste" can be translated into Newari as ज्वजलपा (jwajalapa).
ज्वजलपा is used as a greeting when meeting someone or as a respectful way to say goodbye.
Meaning: a greeting (noun)
Which one should you use?
While the term "namaste" is common in many South Asian languages, ज्वजलपा is the specific Newari equivalent used for greetings.
How do you pronounce it?
jwajalapa
Did you know?
- Newari is a Tibeto-Burman language, meaning ज्वजलपा belongs to a completely different language family than the Indo-Aryan 'Namaste'.
- The gesture accompanying ज्वजलपा mirrors the 'Anjali Mudra', a sacred hand position used in many Himalayan religious traditions.
- In the Kathmandu Valley, using ज्वजलपा instead of the more common 'Namaste' can be a conscious way for speakers to preserve their ancestral heritage against the influence of Hindi and Nepali.
Examples in context
- ज्वजलपा।jwajalpā.Namaste.
Example conversation
Sarita and Rajesh meet on the street.
- सरिता Saritaज्वजलपा, राजेश!jwajalapa, rajesh!Hello, Rajesh!
- राजेश Rajeshज्वजलपा, सरिता!jwajalapa, sarita!Hello, Sarita!
- सरिता Saritaछला खँलस?chhala khals?How are you?
- राजेश Rajeshजि बांला।ji banla.I am fine.
