শ্বেতাঙ্গ
shetango
The Bengali phrase for "white person" is শ্বেতাঙ্গ (shetango).
শ্বেতাঙ্গ is used to describe a person with light skin and European descent.
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to white people in the plural, you can add the suffix '-ra' to the end of the word to form শ্বেতাঙ্গরা.
How do you pronounce it?
shetango
Did you know?
- Bengali has a specific distinction between 'white' as a color and 'white' as a racial trait, using সাদা ('sada') for the color and শ্বেত ('shwet') for the formal racial term.
- The word শ্বেতাঙ্গ is a compound of শ্বেত, meaning 'white', and অঙ্গ, meaning 'body part' or 'limb'. Literally, it describes someone with 'white limbs'.
- Because Bengali culture places high value on complexion, the root word শ্বেত is often used in poetry to describe things that are pure or sacred, like the 'white' light of the moon.
Examples in context
- সে একজন শ্বেতাঙ্গ ব্যক্তি।se ekjon shetango bekti.He is a white person.
- শ্বেতাঙ্গ মানুষজন এখানে অনেক দেখা যায়।shetango manushjon ekhane onek dekha jay.White people are seen often here.
- তাকে একজন শ্বেতাঙ্গ হিসেবে চেনা যায়।take ekjon shetango hishebe chena jay.He is recognized as a white person.
Example conversation
Rahul and Tania are discussing a person they saw in a tourist area.
- রাহুল Rahulওই লোকটিকে কি তুমি একজন শ্বেতাঙ্গ মনে করো?oi loktike ki tumi ekjon shetango mone koro?Do you think that man is a white person?
- তানিয়া Taniaহ্যাঁ, রাহুল, সে একজন শ্বেতাঙ্গ।hæ, rahul, se ekjon shetango.Yes, Rahul, he is a white person.
- রাহুল Rahulতার গায়ের রঙ খুব হালকা।tar gaier rong khub halka.His skin color is very light.
- তানিয়া Taniaতুমিও ঠিকই বলেছ।tumi-o thiki bolecho.You are right too.
