छुं मखु
chhun makhu
nothing in Newari is छुं मखु (chhun makhu).
Meaning: not any thing (pron)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of छुं (chhun), meaning 'thing' and मखु (makhu), meaning 'is not'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase छुं मखु functions as a predicate, which means it is used to state that 'there is nothing' or 'it is nothing'.
How do you pronounce it?
chhun makhu
Did you know?
- Newari uses a complex system of honorifics, so while मखु (makhu) is common, there are different ways to negate existence depending on the social status of the person being addressed.
- Newari is a Tibeto-Burman language, so the logic of building 'nothing' through negation follows a linguistic structure very different from the Indo-European logic of English.
- In Newari, the word छुं (chhun) can shift its meaning based on context to mean 'anything' or 'something' rather than just 'nothing'.
Examples in context
- खँ नं छुं मखु।khan na chhu makhū.There is nothing to say.
- भितय् छुं मखु।bhitay chhu makhū.There is nothing inside.
- थहाँ छुं मखु।thāhā chhu makhū.That is nothing.
Example conversation
Rajesh and Maya are talking about what is inside a small box.
- माया Mayaराजेश, थु बक्सय् छु दु?Rajesh, thu baksay chhu du?Rajesh, what is in this box?
- राजेश Rajeshथुब्वय् छुं मखु दु।thubway chhũ makhu du.There is nothing in here.
- माया Mayaछुं मखु दु? थिगु बक्सय्?chhũ makhu du? thigu baksay?Nothing? In a box like this?
- राजेश Rajeshअँ, छुं मखु दु।ã, chhũ makhu du.Yes, there is nothing.
