Sometimes you don't have time to learn long lists of words and phrases. All you want to know are the bare essentials for communicating to get what you need, or where you need to go.
Here are the bare minimum of Tibetan words and phrases you need to know to survive.
Learn the Top 10 Phrases if you only have time for the barest minimum. If you need or want more, then take a look at the Top 20 Phrases, Top 30 Phrases and the Extra Phrases.
|
Hello.
How much is it?|
Here are ten more phrases that will help you make new friends and ask for directions ...
The Top 20 ... |
|
  |
Kêrânggi tsenlâ kârêrê? What is your name? Ngêmingla ... rê. My name is ... Kêrâng kusu depo yinbê? How are you? Depo yin. Kêrângyâng kusu depo yinbê? Fine. And you? ... kaba yörê? Where is ...? Sângchö kaba yörê? Where is the toilet? Gong da. Tujê sig. Sorry. Excuse me. Shu göya yömarê. No problem. Nga ... gö. I want ... Ngala ... mögö. I don't want ... |
|
Here are another ten phrases to help you make a little more conversation and to get around ...
The Top 30 ... |
|
   |
Kêrâng lungpa kanê yin? Where are you from? Nga otaliya-nê yin. I am from Australia. Khalakizin nângda. The bill, please. Nga lâmga lasha. I'm lost. Kâgrog nâng! Gurog nâng! Stop! Wait! Dê, phakê. Here, there. Teksi. Drükhâng. Nâmtâng. Chichö Lâkhodi kâgsa. Taxi. Hotel. Airport. Bus stop. Nga ... -la kapo yö. I like ... Nga ... -la kapo mê. I don't like ... chig, nyi, sum, shi, nga. one, two, three, four, five. dug, dün, kye, gu, chu/chutâmpa. six, seven, eight, nine, ten. *Or choose your country: Amirika - America Kanada - Canada Inji lungpa - England Arilen - Ireland Nuziland - New Zealand |
|
Here are some extra words and phrases you might find useful, especially if you have dietary needs or allergies ...
Useful Extras ... |
|
   |
Chirs! Cheers! yâgpo / dhukcha good / bad chenpo / chungchung big / small da nyepo / da ringpo near / far nyung wa / mâng wa less / more datung / dâng-ngê or dângpa another one / enough Nga sha misaken yin. I am vegetarian. Nga sha sagi mê. I don't eat meat. ... chasha ... ... chicken. ... nyasha ... ... fish. Batâm ngala phoggiyö. I am allergic to peanuts. Nyasha ... ... fish. Tsho khala ... ... seafood. Gonga ... ... eggs. |
Vowels:
â is pronounced weakly as schwa ə (e as in brother)
e is pronounced as e as in pet (ɛ)
ê is pronounced as e (e as in French été)
ö is pronounced as ir as in bird (ø)
ü is pronounced as German ü, ie. an i with rounded lips (IPA y)
n, ng or m after the vowel indicates a nasal vowel
Consonants:
c is pronounced as ch (without a puff of air)
h adds a puff of air after the consonant, ie. kh = kʰ
ng is pronounced as ng in singer (ŋ)
ny is pronounced as ny as in canyon (ɲ)
sh is pronounced as sh as in shop (ʃ)
â is pronounced weakly as schwa ə (e as in brother)
e is pronounced as e as in pet (ɛ)
ê is pronounced as e (e as in French été)
ö is pronounced as ir as in bird (ø)
ü is pronounced as German ü, ie. an i with rounded lips (IPA y)
n, ng or m after the vowel indicates a nasal vowel
Consonants:
c is pronounced as ch (without a puff of air)
h adds a puff of air after the consonant, ie. kh = kʰ
ng is pronounced as ng in singer (ŋ)
ny is pronounced as ny as in canyon (ɲ)
sh is pronounced as sh as in shop (ʃ)