Basic Conversational Manipuri : 1
Well, a lot of my friends tried to ‘GOOGLE SEARCH’ the Manipuri language translation and it’s so.... sad to know that there are very minimal words being translated into English. So, I thought to myself, Why not share a little knowledge and my vague understanding of the language might bring about a little difference for those who are trying to reach out to learn Manipuri.Â
So, I will start with the basics and very few words at a time. I am not a pro in this too but, hoping to make a little difference. And also, the tone I am using is casual day to day and friendly one. Manipuri language is very twisted as there are different terms and tones and trust me, that can trigger a sense of disrespect to the one you are conversing with. So, one has to be very careful. These words are just for a casual conversation, just to brush up your basic conversational skills.Â
Also, if there is any kind of error or words that I have used in a wrong sense or something that led to a different meaning, Please, please feel free to comment and I will do the necessary changes.Â
We usually don’t have a translation for hi/hello, instead, we are more used to addressing someone you meet with a how is going? or how are you? So, I will start with that.
1. How is it going?/ How are you? Â Â Â Kamaina tourigey? Nungairibo?
2. I am fine, and you? Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Nungairiye. Nangdi?
3. What is your name? Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Nangi Ming Kari kouwi?
4. My name is Suzania. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Eigi Ming Suzania Kouwi.
5. Where are you from? Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Nang kadaideino?
6. I am from Manipur. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Ei Manipur deine.
7. Bye                         Chatlukhigey/ Chatle
8. Take care                    Phajana leiyo
These are the basic conversation that usually takes place when you meet someone for the first time or meeting an acquaintance. Of course, you don’t ask your friends where are they from, whenever you meet them!! Du’uh..  So, you might want to stick to only, 1,2 and your conversation... and then towards the end 7 and 8.. There you go.. Pro as hell!! :)
Now, these are a must as,Â
1. I/ My/ mine- Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Ei/Â Eigi
2. You/ (him/her)/ Them - Nang/ ma/ moi (Moi also means fart but you might want to use it only around people you are comfortable with :))
3. Yours/ His/Hers/ Theirs - Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Nangi/ Â Magi/ Moigi
4. Female/ Girl/ Lady - Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Nupi
5. Male/ Boy - Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Nupa
6. Elder Sister - Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Eche/ Che
(commonly used as it is more casual, while Eche is little bit formal)
7. Younger Sister - Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Echanupi/ EnaonupiÂ
(We usually don’t call them with these terms, this is more to inform or tell someone else that, she is my younger sister. We just address them by their names. For Example, Suzania is my younger sister. Suzania eigi Enaonupi/ Echanupi ne.)
8. Elder Brother - Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Eyamba/ Tamo/ Dada/ DaÂ
(Eyamba is more formal than the rest. Da is the most used word for brother, more common n more casual)
9. Younger Brother - Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Enaopa.Â
(The same goes for this too. For Example, Peter is my younger brother. Peter eigi enaonupa ne.)
10. This/ That - Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â (asise/sise)/ aa-deiseÂ
(you can or you need not drag the aaaaadeise, which I always do, just to address to something/ someone that is far away but you can still see it. We have a really cute way of saying ‘that’ :))
11. why?/ what? / where? / who? - Keigi?/ Keino?/ Kadaidano?/ Kanano?
Well, that's all for the day and I will be back with more exciting words the next time. Till then, Phajana Leiyo ko. (Ko is something I am addicted to, well, most of the Meiteis are very familiar with using ‘ko’. It’s like agreeing with something that you just said or trying to get the person on the receiving end to agree with you. For example, let's go shopping. You want to get the other person agree to you, so, you go like this. ‘Shopping chatluse ko..... And If they don’t agree just keep saying ko! ko! ko! ko! (Like I do to piss the hell outta the person :) Ya.. i AM ANNOYING AT TIMES) and if they still don’t agree just gear up and do a K.O. and go by yourself.... :)