कलाः
kalāḥ
The Newari word for wife is कलाः (kalāḥ).
कलाः is a noun used to refer to a female partner in a marriage.
Meaning: female partner in a marriage (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
kalāḥ
Did you know?
- Newari possesses a rich vocabulary for kinship that allows a speaker to distinguish the 'wife' of a maternal uncle from the 'wife' of a paternal uncle.
- The usage of कलाः is part of a linguistic tradition that preserves ancient Tibeto-Burman roots, separating it from the Indo-Aryan languages spoken in much of India.
- The word कलाः exists within a language family that has heavily influenced the development of Nepali, though Newari is an indigenous language of the Kathmandu Valley.
Example conversation
Rashmi and Amit are talking about family members.
- रश्मी Rashmiजिगु कलाः न्ह्यलाः वनेगु खः।jigu kala: nhyala: vanegu kha:.My wife is going ahead.
- अमित Amitखँ, छगु कलाः तसः वइ।kha: chagu kala: tasah vai.Yes, your wife will come soon.
- रश्मी Rashmiकलाः यायेन तसः वइ।kala: yaayen tasah vai.The wife will come soon.
- अमित Amitजिनी तसः भेटे।jini tasah bhete.I will meet her soon.
