tha
The Kikuyu word for "please" is tha.
tha is used as an interjection to make a request more polite.
Meaning: interjection to make a polite request (intj)
Did you know?
- Kikuyu is a tonal language, meaning the pitch used when saying tha can change the meaning of the word entirely. Using the wrong tone might turn a polite request into a different word.
- In certain Kikuyu-speaking regions, the politeness of a request is judged more by the speaker's use of plural pronouns for a single person than by the use of the word tha.
- The word tha is used sparingly compared to the English 'please'. In Kikuyu, politeness is frequently embedded in the verb conjugation rather than relying on a separate interjection.
Example conversation
Njeri is asking Njoroge for help in the kitchen.
- NjeriTha, nînduthe kîndû kîmwe, Njoroge.Please, help me with one thing, Njoroge.
- NjorogeNî kîî, Njeri?What is it, Njeri?
- NjeriTha, kîra nî kîî kîrî haha.Please, tell me what is here.
- NjorogeNî kîrîndî kîa mîmere.It is a basket of vegetables.
