Tag: exclamations

  • To, Ani, Wow, Mo, Ade

    Ani – Ka ktien kaba pynpaw ïa ka jingkyndit ne ka jingbym lah shah shuh/ Oh my!; expressing surprise or being overwhelmed by something.

    Ade – Ka ktien kaba pynpaw ïa ka jingiaroh/ Wow!; expressing admiration.

    Wow/ Waw – Ka ktien kaba pynpaw ïa ka jingkyndit ne ka jingsheptieng bad kaba ju pyndonkam bad ka ktien "ani"/ Oh no! ; expressing alarm, fear or shock.

    To – Ka ktien kaba pynpaw ïa ka jingshon jingmut ne ka jingïahap jingmut, ka jingsngewhun bad jingskhem; ñiuma; koit/ Okay; all right; expressing satisfactory affirmation.

    Mo – Ka ktien kaba pyndonkam kum ka jingpynshisha bad ka jingpynskhem, kum haba ong "kam long kumta?" / Isn't it?; eliciting confirmation.

    Ni – Ka ktien kaba pynpaw ïa ka jingdom ne ka jingbymlah ngeit/ Oh please; expressing annoyance or disbelief.

    Interjections and exclamations form an important part of the Khasi language. They give it its characteristic tone and flow. 🗣️🗣️

    Khublei Shibun Dan Challam @micromotives ba phi la phah ïa kine ki kyntien kiba ngi ju pyndonkam man la ka por tangba kiba ngim ju pyrkhat ban ai da ka jingbatai kaba shai 🙏😄

    🟡 Editing and translation into Khasi by @speakyourroots

  • Ani!

    A simple three letter Khasi word that is used to express pain, surprise, joy and sometimes even anger and disgust depending on how it is said. The variation in the tone adds a plethora of meaning to the expression, I use it frequently especially when I am unsure of how I am supposed to react to something and when I am usually speechless. My Khasi equivalent to the English version of “hmmm” for when I do not know what to say. I think in Mizo it also means paternal aunt. My friend’s daughter calls me Ani Bibiana (because I am friends with her father). Unsure of the spelling in Mizo, but the pronunciation is the same. One word, so many meanings.

    Ani!" sent by @bibianaryntathiang 😳😨😰😱😫😓😖 Ani! Thank you for sending this! 😂😂

    Bibiana Ryntathiang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of English, St Mary's College, Shillong, Meghalaya.