Introduction

This book started as a mixed-up vocabulary list from my studies

in the Manjushri Institute for Tibetan Culture in Darjeeling in 2008, and
after being asked by a friend to compile my notes to give to other
students I began working. My teachers in the Manjushri Institute, Gen
Dawa and Gen Lobsang, filled our days with various expressions and
colloquialisms which I have never seen in any textbooks. I have added
many words and eliminated others, organized them into sections,
checked spellings, and added example sentences for many verbs and
expressions where extra context is necessary. For checking and editing
the content I relied mainly on people born in India or on friends who
have been living in India for 10+ years to reflect as much as possible the
dialect spoken in the refugee population. Even then, there is some
variation from one refugee settlement to the next and this book will
primarily reflect the dialect spoken in Himachal Pradesh, specifically in
the Dharamsala and Bir areas.
This book should take up where the other textbooks such as The
Manual of Standard Tibetan, Colloquial Tibetan, etc. leave off. One
who has studied such textbooks should have a good foundation and
know many basic terms, sentence structures, and vocabulary dealing
with coming, going, eating, sleeping--what is called in Tibetan "eating
and drinking language1." What is provided here should help to bring one
to the next level--to be able to express one's feelings and desires, discuss
politics, religion and other complex topics. I did not include many
specific Buddhist terms as there are an abundance of other resources for
learning them2. This text is by no means complete or consistent in style
or choice of words. Some basic words are included and some are left
out by my own laziness or by my assumption that the reader would have
some basic knowledge. Many common and useful words are also surely
missing out of my own ignorance.
This book is a side project of mine and is still a work in
progress. Please distribute it freely and updates will be made available
online as I continue to add more example sentences, mp3s etc..Thanks
1 Tib:
2 I highly recommend the LTWA's Lectures on Tibetan Religious Culture for a great
introduction to the type of language used in traditional Buddhist discourse.
Lectures contains many more complex expressions and Dharma vocabulary which
are necessary to begin studying Buddhist philosophy in Tibetan language.

to all my Tibetan teachers and friends for their help and thanks to
Wangdrak, Karma Sherab, and Karma Tsering for making the example
sentences and recordings. May any merit that comes from the making
and study of this book become a cause for the spread of the Buddha's
teachings and for the liberation of all beings.
Justin Kirkwood (Sherab Gyaltsen)
Sherab Ling Monastery March, 2012

Exceptions in spoken Tibetan in India

1. The grammatical particles such as and and are often

completely left out of sentences.
2. The subjects of sentences such as "I" or "you" are often left out of
sentences.
3. The past tense verb ending is often said without the .

ex. Where did you go? I

went to the main temple.
ex.
last night? Yes, I did.

Did you make food

4. The auxiliary verb ending is not as frequently used as in the

Lhasa dialect textbooks, and is used in most cases in it's place.
ex. I saw Kunsang. I was very sick.

I understood.

5. is still used as a main verb in the following types of expressions,

and is always used together with :

Was the food delicious? It was

very delicious.

Did you have fun? Yes I had fun.

How was work? It was ok.
6. The suffix letter is usually completely silent as in:

Making them sound more like je, tse, ri, t pa, etc., as
opposed to jel, tsel, ril, tol pa, etc.

for example:

1

7. Not only but the other suffixes are not pronounced very strongly
either. Most new students over-pronounce all of the suffix letters and
then don't understand native speakers who pronounce them very
softly or not at all.

Prefix pronunciation

The prefixes often make sound when they lead the

second syllable of a two syllable word. and are much more
common making the nasal sounds n, m, or ng. For example:

"mindu "tsondu "shandre/"shamdre"

zhipchu "khandon "gyantsen
"gyantso "kendzeg "nyapchoo
"zhimjug "chuksum" "drupzhi"
"kyenche"

BUT this rule is more rare with and and doesn't always apply as in

"posar" not "poksar."

Spelling and verb tenses

I have spelled all verbs following the correct spelling for the
most common pronunciation of the verbs following the spellings in the

. Most verbs retain one pronunciation in all tenses

with variation of the verb endings. The following verbs often change in
the past tense.

becomes becomes O becomes or

Though the correct past tense form of O is or . In colloquial
Tibetan(in India) O is commonly used in all three times. When words
are pronounced differently from the spellings I have made the main
entry with the correct spelling with a note on the correct pronunciation.

---Different Pronunciations
The verb "to know" is pronounced as whenever followed
directly by as in the standard verbal use in the present and future
tenses as in: (inji kay shin ki yo pay) or in the

future as in: (ma ong pa shin gi rey) and also with:

(pronounced 1) whereas as the noun meaning

"consciousness" and the noun meaning "acquaintance" are both

pronounced as they are spelled. In the past tense is pronounced as
spelled as in .......but this is not always the case. Many
people speaking the "refugee dialect" say and for

Voluntary and Involuntary Verbs

I am assuming that most of those using this book already know how to
construct basic sentences and the correct use of the different verb

endings such as
etc. I have not labeled verbs as voluntary or involuntary except in cases
where there are two(voluntary and involuntary) forms of the same verb
placed together or in cases where it is not clear. They are labeled as
(vol.) and (inv.). All involuntary verbs such as being sick, feeling hot,
being hungry, being scared, etc. in the first person present tense will
only be followed by , or , or for the future tense
for example: I am hot I am scared

 I understood
If you don't eat well, you'll get sick.
Do you see? Yes, I see. (inv)
Are you looking/watching? Yes, I'm
looking/watching (vol)

Do you hear/understand? Yes, I

hear/understand. (inv)

1 1 Are you listening? Yes, I'm listening.(vol)

English and Hindi Mixing

In the refugee community many Hindi and English words are
commonly mixed in with Tibetan to make strange combinations like
"check " and "try ." People use the Hindi words for many
vegetables and a mix of Hindi and English terms for modern objects.
There are new dictionaries for modern inventions, scientific terms, etc.,
but very few people use or understand these words. Although from one
side it is best to speak pure Tibetan, communication is most important,
so learning these types of mixed expressions and a few Hindi words is
very helpful.

you will never see: O as the ending is showing

first person voluntary action.
***There is an exception to this rule with the verb (to be able to):
In the negative it retains the involuntary ending as in the following:
ex. O
But, it will often use the voluntary first person ending in
the positive sense.
ex.

Honorifics and Humilifics

Here I have only included the most common honorifics that one might
use with one's teachers and when meeting lamas. For those interested,
there are specific books on the honorific terms. Most of the Tibetans I
know in India don't know many of the honorifics and only use the basic
terms for coming, going, eating, and a few others. Here I have labeled
the honorifics as (H), highly honorifics as (HH) and humilifics as (h)-the humilific being when one puts oneself in a lower position to a senior
as in: etc. In my experience, the best way to learn
honorifics is to watch movies and television series from Lhasa, which
are full of honorific speech and which are easy to find in India.

Nominalizing particles
3
is usually pronounced or
for example:

driver a troublemaker

O one that goes directly to Delhi.

meat thenthuk a room with no
bathroom

coward tea with no sugar(chini is Hindi)

a person who came from Tibet
pointless

3 The word doesn't seem to exist in literary Tibetan, so this is a phonetic

spelling.

The particles 4 (spelled here as as per the pronunciation) and

have similar meanings that express that something is "to be done" in the
near future or as a nominalizing particle. is more common.

this is something for making monks robes.

I need something to stir(this)with.
I need to buy some skin cream.
O I will go tomorrow.

O These days going to Tibet is difficult.

Did you get to visit/see Rinpoche?
I have a wish to learn Tibetan.
Do you have any interest in studying

only/solely

ex.

Adjectives and Adverbs

intentionally/on purpose

ex.
4 Some colloquial textbooks have spelled this word as thought spelled as such
the meaning is either "upper" or "non-existence." as spelled here has many
meanings, but in this context should only be understood as per the meanings shown
in the examples.

really famous

loud/noisy

skinny(person)/dry/dead(tree,grass,flower etc.)

rare
ex.O

ordinary

ex. 1

quiet/silent/peaceful(places or people)

straight, direct(road, speech)

ex.
bus O

twisted/winding/bent/crooked/indirect(speech)

ex.

Buddhism?

Studying is very important.

famous

direct(speech or description of a person's character)

ex.

strange/unusual/weird
brightly colored/multicolored

ex.

naughty/ignores teachers, parents, etc.

ex.

haphazard/disorderly

sufficient/appropriate /mostly

ex.

old, frail people

ex.

ex.
luxurious
square(4 sided) triangle

detailed/extensive/elaborate/luxurious
ex.

rich

without interruption/continuously

ex. 1

a long time

hunched back

ex. 1

useful

uncomfortable/describes something that doesn't perform it's

intended function properly.

broad/extensive/wide

ex.

open/spacious/open minded/at ease

ex.

ex. police

contradictory

excitable/hyperactive/exciting

ice or the solidified form of any liquid(wax, oil, etc.)

ex.

stubborn

ex.

tough/hard or solid/difficult to understand.

Pronounced more commonly as

private, one's own

ex. 1

round

real/authentic

shy

bothersome/irritating
ex. 1

exactly the same

equal/even

rich person (pronounced nyargen)

bottom/depths

deeply

ex. to believe deeply

ex.

deep/profound

fluently

exactly the same

funny (English mix word)

simple/convenient

difficult/inconvenient

ex.

ability

ex.

highly capable/able to do anything

danger or possibility

really heavy

dangerous

ex.

complicated/problematic

powerful/strong

stable
ex.

capable/skilled
heavy

pathetic

ex.

smooth(speech or texture)

ex.

deep

close

far away

straight

name)

extra
firm/tight/strict

familiar sight(person etc.)/sound(person's

slow

ex.

narrow(road/valley)

earnestly/urgently/no joking

perfect/very good(often used to describe language ability)

important point/essence

ex.

fierce/brutal/wrathful

like this/like this/like that

in this way/in that way

(pronounced as above dindres)

"like this pronounced as doogs not dug se

very greedy

like/similar to
ex.

various

--- to do miscellaneous(aka bad) things

single piece(lump)/ or the main point of something

ex.

ugly

usually used in the negative to describe someone who is

always fidgeting around or someone who can't sit still.

short tempered
tolerant/patient

true/truth

looks happy, joyful(about people)

very

(it's) very good

very very/extraordinary

ex.

arrogant

generally/commonly

bright/clever

good behavior

beneficial/helpful/useful

probably

young guys/girls

old man/old woman (not polite)

very important

tiny

minute/detailed

ex.

subtle and coarse

old monk (pronounced lar gen)

brave

coward

show off/showy appearance

middle(status not location) often said twice as

crowded space/antisocial or narrow-minded

ex.

at least

ex.

maximum
actually
impolite/bad behavior
not like/different
naked

these all mean indispensable

special/specific/exception to the rules

insane/crazy

small or unimportant things or foods

ex.

completely

ex.

continuously/or to continue from a previous point

precious
rough(language or texture)

ex.

diligent/hard working

nervous/jittery/restless

ex. coffee

critical/urgent/emergency

sensitive(emotionally or physically)

----

very crowded(with people)

to crowd/to push to the front of a line etc.

ex.

grand/imposing/handsome
ex.

fine/powdery

deceitful

coarse/roughly

roughly/not in detail (often pronounced )

ex.

in detail/precise

ex.

selfish

independent/one who can take care of oneself

scary or huge

1 naturally

young

----

messy/out of order

ex.

profound
glittering/sparkling

nature(the nature of something)

1 1

ex.

flat/level
wet
cute(children etc.)

strange/amazing/surprising

polite/good behavior

ex.

light(not heavy)

sensitive(emotionally)

thin (commonly pronounced )

ex.

again/another

step by step/gradually

suitable/becoming/good looking

worthwhile/appropriate

sharp minded/intelligent

not so clear

very

shameless/brazen

Negative

hard working
ex.

+ negative verb-

left-over
ex.

loose/relaxed

to relax

insistent

never

Various Verbs

ex.
to work hard

Positive

always

almost everyday

generally

occasionally

sometimes

ex.
to stop/prohibit/block

often

to stir/to mix up

ex. police

everyday/every morning

usually

to be tired

ex.

Frequency Adverbs

+neg verb +neg verb

so so/ok

verb+ rarely

more than

ex.

seldom

to prohibit

ex. 1
to hide someone else, or to cover something up with a cloth etc.
ex.O
to pull out(weeds/teeth)/to pluck(flowers/fruits)
ex.

to lift something up

to be born

ex.O

to be born(H)

ex.

(vol)(inv)

to spread out/to be spread out

ex.

birthday(H)

ex.

to have something of yours stolen

ex.trainmobile

ex.

to spoil someone

ex.pesha

to develop a habit/addiction or to be spoiled

ex.

opponent

ex. BrazilGermany

to defeat one's opponent

ex.

to be shocked

to dry/to become skinny

to stretch the body

ex.

to translate

ex.

to steal something(secretly)

ex.

to be killed(H)/to kill someone worthy of respect

ex. 1

birthday

to become separated

ex.O
to become separated(friends/spouse)
ex.

to watch your mouth/mind what you say

ex.
to open(objects-boxes, envelopes, etc.)

-- to close(objects-boxes, envelopes, etc.)

ex.

to provide or to pay for food for others

ex.O 1

ex.O

ex.

to cover a pan/pot ( pronounced )

to pervade
ex.

to advertise

ex.Dharamsala
to bring/take/carry

ex.

bring it/take it!

to misunderstand

to prepare

ex.

to bring

to mishear

ex.

ex.TV

to respect/to show respect

ex.

to get someone's secret(from them/sweet talking etc.)

advertisement

joke to make someone laugh/to tell a joke

ex.joke

ex.

to laugh

ex.

to be hit

ex.

ex.

to fight(physically or verbal)

ex.

to separate/to divorce

ex.

close your mouth/"shut up/be quiet

to take/lead someone

to die(H)

to die(HH)

ex.O

ex.

to be able to compete with

ex.

to turn on the power

to turn off the power

for the power to go out

to slip and fall

to slap someone with the palm of the hand

ex.

expenses

to cover/pay for the expenses

ex.OO

to cross(river/border)
ex.ONepalO

to move(not moving your house/room)

ex.

to take time
ex. 1
to stick to(paint on your clothes/bad habits/sickness)
ex.TB TB

to change(inv)

ex.

to change(vol)

to be victorious

ex.

to begin

ex.

to carry the responsibility

---

to divide/split up(physical objects pizza etc.)

ex.

to slap someone on the cheek

to get revenge(violently)

ex.

to lock a door

lock

to knock on the door

to wait
ex. I'm waiting for Kunsang.

to roll up(thanka etc.)

ex.

to order(food in a restaurant, mail-order books, etc.)

ex.

ex.

to check/investigate(bags in a security check)

ex.

(vol)(inv)

ex.

to cut

ex.

O
(vol) (inv)

to break

glass
ex.O

to become wide awake(after morning exercise/coffee)

ex.Coffee

to punish/to fine

to flood

ex. JapanO
to jump
to catch up

ex.1O

to fall behind

to abuse/to bully/mistreat(physically)

ex.

ex.police

to be woken up

ex.

to punish

happen

to beat someone

to make(someone do something)/or to allow something to

to put into action/ to practice Dharma

ex.

ex.glass

to end/to finish

to abuse/bully/mistreat(verbally)

to find
ex.

to reach for something

(vol)

to scatter/to destroy

ex.

to destroy(physical objects only)

ex.

to tie

ex.O

ex. BirOO

to plant a seed/plant

ex.

to take something out(of a pocket/bag etc.)

to fold (often pronounced )

ex.

to coincide with(coincidentally)

ex. O

to coincide with(intentionally)

to fit through some opening(doorway, window etc.)

ex.
to meet/to bump into(the wall or bump shoulders with a person)

to lightening

to leave a place/to graduate from school/to release a new product

ex.
to win/to get/to gain
ex.
to pull/to smoke(cigarette)
ex.

to do something to completion(finish college etc.)

ex.O

to be exhausted(physically)
ex.

to register/to book(hotel/bus ticket etc.)

to praise

ex.

to bully(usually from bigger person to smaller)

ex.DelhiOtrain ticket

to act in accordance with

ex.

to bother someone you respect(h.)

to cast a spell(black magic)

ex.O
to connect two objects together
ex.

to disappear

ex.

ex. 1

to accomplish one's work/goal

to smell(inv.)

ex.

to smell(vol.)

to frown/show a bad expression

ex.

to take care of/look after

to pretend to be something or to have something

ex.

to recite a text
ex. 1
to have an accident falling down(person/car/motorbike)
ex.

to have a car/motorbike accident

ex.

to shake out/dust out the carpets etc.

ex.

owner/caretaker

ex.Train 1

do as you wish

ex.OO

to be honest/to act honestly

to lay(foundation of a house/carpets/floor tiles etc.)

ex.

scent

to tighten/to make more strict

ex.

to be good/better or to recover from sickness

to shake/shiver(from cold or nervousness)

ex.

ex. 1

to sink in water

to choose

ex.mobile

to spread(products, information, religions, etc.)

ex.Asia

to rub/to sharpen(knife)
ex.

to have an accident(people, cars, motorbikes-anything

where two things collide)

ex.

ex.O

to be enough/sufficient

to move(one's place of residence) or to move up in classes

ex.

ex.room

to add
ex.

ex.

-----

in brief

to become dark

to greet someone(h.)

to kick someone out(from school etc.)

ex.KangraO

ex.



to postpone/to delay



to clean one's nose

to quit/abandon(bad habits etc.)

ex.Dharamsala

to press(buttons etc.)/to push down/to oppress/to subdue

to kneel on the ground

to wipe

ex.

to harm

ex.

condensed/abbreviated form of a word

ex. Weizhing

to take off clothes or shoes/to kick someone out

ex.

to harm

to blow
(often pronounced )

the core meaning/essential point

----- in brief

to gather/collect/abridge/condense

-----

ex.

to compare

to benefit(vi.)

to fly

to waste(knowingly)

ex.

ex.

to go to waste(inv.) or to be
broken(electronic items)

ex.

to rob someone(forcefully-not in secret)

to line up/to queue up

to stand in line

to get off(bus/taxi/horse)/to come down the stairs

ex.

to use

ex.

to spread(butter on bread/skin cream on skin etc.)

ex.

to flee/to run away (pronounced in as )

to pour

ex.

to spill

to thunder

to soak(clothes in water)
ex.

to bury/to hide(things)
ex.1

to stick on/to attach

glue/tape/adhesive

ex. 

to set an example
to close your eyes

to name someone

-- nickname
ex.

continuously/or to continue from a previous point

ex.

to make a fire

to push

ex.

--

to shoot a gun
gun

bullets

to burn something (often pronounced )

ex.

ex.

to eliminate/destroy

ex.

(pronounced )

ex.O

to rape

ex.

ex.

to be complete/to have none missing(pieces of a chess game, etc.)

ex.
to substitute for/to act on behalf of

ex.
---

sexually excited

to dye fabrics

to respect the rules/to uphold tradition

to get burned(inv)

to paint(walls, house, etc.)

to stop an activity

ex.

to guess

ex.

with words like good or bad it means to consider something in

that way---or alone means to respect someone

to gather/puja offering foods

ex.

to clean

to search for

to put in(in a class/school, or into a container)

to slander

ex.

to crowd/to push to the front of a line etc.

ex.

to fight(physically)
ex.

to smile

to climb(steps/mountain/tree) (often pronounced )

ex.
to avoid/to be cautious(mostly about food or harmful things)
ex.

ex.

to serve(one's country, parents, monastery, etc.)

ex.

to do some shameful activity

----- shameful(pronounced shandre/shamdre)

ex.

to research

ex.
to proofread/to edit

ex.

to incite fear

ex.

to hit(a person, a ball, to kick a ball)

to melt

"forget it! don't do it "stop it!"

to ride(horse or motorcycle)
ex.
to hold/capture to reach an amount (pronounced 1)
ex.1

(inv) to stick in/stab

ex.O

(vol) to stick in(thorn in foot(inv)/or to stab someone with a

knife, plug in a power/headphone cord, etc.(vol))

to serve a lama(lama's attendants are called )

ex. 1

ex.

to point at something with one's finger

ex.O

to fall(objects)/to drip
to be intoxicated

---1 (two ways to read---rapsi means drunk person, ra si is a verb to

be drunk)
ex.1

to make a shape from something/to teach someone

a lesson/to beat someone/to transform the mind/to adjust

ex.

to flip over/to turn over

ex.Kung fu

to make a hole(vol. or inv.)

hole

ex.

ex.

to shine

ex.

to improve(vol)

ex.

to improve(inv)

ex.O

(H)

to get up(from bed) or to stand up

to hide oneself ( hide and seek)

ex.
to lend or to borrow
ex.O
to throw/to drop intentionally

to cover something(with a cloth etc.)

ex.
to be in accord/to accord with
ex.
to depend on

ex.

to tear or to be torn
to fall(person falling down)
ex.

to help

ex.

to touch with the hand

ex.

to hold in one's hand

ex.policeO

to put into action

ex.

ex.

to commit suicide

to stand(as in "stand here" or "stand over there")

ex.

to imitate someone

ex.OO

to leave something accidentally

ex.bus

to return(often with other verbs) O

ex.

to beg
ex. pesha

to lose(objects, opportunities)
ex.

to have an influence/effect

ex.

to try hard/to apply effort/to cheer up

ex.

to fit inside
ex. 1
to lose(games etc.)/to slip(out of one's hand or bad words from
one's mouth)

to spend a lot of time together with

to write one's signature

ex. RCO

to have and earthquake

for the sun to set

ex. O

to dig the ground in search of something/to mine

to clear/to remove/to get rid of

ex.

to save(money etc.)

ex. 1pesha

to bother/annoy someone

ex.

to be possible

ex.

to protect

ex.

for wind to blow(wind which moves things and breaks trees.)

ex.

for wind to blow(very cold air/not strong wind)

ex.

Thought and Feeling

kindness

ex.

old thinking(not adapting to modernity)

ex. it's not his fault.

for someone/something to make one angry

to become habit

to get accustomed to/to get used to

ex.

to trick/to deceive
to get tricked/deceived
to be distracted or obsessed with something

ex.

confused/confusing

to be confused

to regret

to meditate

arrogant/egotistical

to be shy/embarassed

to know someone or to recognize someone or something

ex.

to hate/to hold a grudge

habit

------ shameless

ex. who made you angry?

to understand

ex. he is embarassed.

to be angry

fault

deceitful

acquaintance

to recognize(for any kind of recognition but also for

the recognition of reincarnate lamas.)

strong fear/panic

to be content

plans
experience

to gain experience

to be bored/lazy/lethargic/tired

ex.

to become acquaintances

to make one bored or irritated

lazy/bored


1

to dream

"I'm sleepy

confidence

to have one's desire fulfilled (pronounced

from the bottom of one's heart

greedy, selfish, strong desire to obtain something

very greedy

to persevere

to decide(for oneself) I've decided

to tolerate hardship or suffering/to endure

to decide(someone else)

very tolerant of hardship/suffering

to make up after fighting

to look down on people/to condemn people

simple minded/absent minded

to pay attention/to take interest....or

to forget

to faint
to remember(after a long time forgetting) or....
to regain consciousness

to remind

whatever comes to mind

ex. .

to like(used for liking appearances or people or objects or

for liking what someone says, their viewpoint etc.)

ex. O

ex. 1

no problem/no need to worry

ex.

to remember/to occur to one/to miss

superstitious/paranoid/hyper-conceptual

+ neg.

I am interested in.......

to suspect/to doubt

superstitious belief

very interested

ex. O

pride/proud(not negative)

ex.

arrogant

to be jealous

fascination/interest

ex.

Studying scriptures fascinates me.

show off/showy appearance

to be fascinated/obsessed

ex.

to distinguish(good from bad/or into categories)

to be kind and affectionate(not necessarily romantic)

to be disappointed

to memorize

future dreams

wild thoughts

ex.

to be jealous

to respect or to consider something(as good/bad/etc.)

ex.

love-both romantic, and familial

to love

to give love

feeling

shameful(pronounced shandre/shamdre)

to do some shameful activity

to be scared/afraid

to incite fear
to be sick of or disgusted by(something you liked beforefriend/food etc.)

to have no other choice/to be fed up or desperate

ex.

to believe/to trust

ex.

to be interesting/appealing

to pay attention to/to heed (often used in negative)

ex.

to blame

deceitful

to be patient

on the pretext

pretending to be something

to ignore

selfish

to concentrate/to focus

to hope
angry(generally/character trait)

affection(not necessarily romantic)

cute(children etc.)

character/disposition

to be/become sad

(H)

to worry

to be moved(emotionally-usually sadness)

unkind/spiteful

kind/good-natured

keep it in mind/don't forget

to be discouraged/disappointed after failure

to fall in love

to keep a secret

to think(I think......)
ex. 1

1

unimaginable/unthinkable

to think carefully/to be considerate of others

for something to come to your mind(inv.)

(H)

beyond my expectations

to see to it that you know

ex.

to be amazed/shocked

to relax

to consider/to think(about
something)(vol.)

to talk/to have a conversation

to ask a question(H)

to get off subject/ to go on a tangent

to yell
to invite or to call out to someone hey tashi!

to tease/to make fun of(playful)

to provoke/instigate or to create divisiveness

to gossip/spread rumors

to order or command
to lie

talk/conversation(H)

to ask a question(casually)

to console/to comfort

for one's mind to wander/to be distracted

opinion

Communication

to criticize/to point out one's faults

in agreement/harmonious

to criticize(behind someone's back)

to fight verbally(harsh words etc.)

to listen to authority(parents, teachers, advice, etc.)

to talk back(to one's parents/teachers etc.)

to accept(to an agreement/
philosophical position)

to get one's point across/to convey meaning

to discuss/to plan(friendly/informal)

to discuss(often with some planning/organization)

to explain

to confess/to acknowledge/to accept(that someone is who

they say they are or that they did something)
to introduce
to say pointless things

"mind your own business!"

to interfere

to complain

to debate(monastic philosophical debate only)

to swear/promise/oath

interview
to ask a question(more formal than )

to invite(h)

to swear(oath/promise)

expression/body language

to flatter/to kiss up
to make fun of/to ridicule

to connect with someone one is already connected to

to make a connection(newly)

to boast or brag

to agree

ex.

to debate(monastic or other)/dispute

to lie

"they say" "he/she said" (often pronounced )

to exaggerate

to clarify

to speak one's opinion

to give advice

to scold/reprimand

to give advice(H)

to talk with no shame act brazenly

to insist

insistent

Religion

offering money distributed to monks

to offer money to monks

the three jewls(common expression of i swear!)

past and future lives ex.

past life/lives

future life/lives

undershirt/thin shirt worn under monk's robes

---
---

monks' lower robe

monks' upper shawl-type robe

---
---
---

monks' vest-like upper robe

monks' ceremonial yellow patched shawl
monks floor-mat (pronounced ding wa)

to recite prayers/scripture

monks robes

---

vow-holding layperson

novice monk

to become a monk

to disrobe(quit being a monk)

a person who has disrobed

novice nun
fully-ordained monk

fully-ordained nun

shrine in a monastery dedicated to the protectors

meditation instruction

Muslim religion

to meditate

meditation retreat center of a monastery

a non-religious person

Dharma center

Dharma history text

monk's debate courtyard

monk's masked dance

to do the cham dance

place for the cham dance

to visit a temple/monastery

to make religious offerings

place in a monastery for offering butter lamps

to offer butter lamps

altar
"I swear! (this is the name of the main Buddha statue
in the in Lhasa named )

audience with a Lama

to rejoice ex. I

faith

charnel ground(sky burial place)

vow(monks vow, layperson's vow, etc.)

an important pilgrimage place

sponsor/donor

to make animal sacrifice

blind faith
to make aspirational prayers

monastic vows/discipline

to set animals free/to save animals from slaughter

to keep one's vows

to benefit(vi.)

Bn religion
bodhisattva vows

empowerment to Vajrayana practice

auspicious days

holiday

the section of a monastery which performs prayer and ritual

a prayer service/an association

(H)

to teach Buddhist text

instruction on Buddhist text

the household of a lama/also the organization of monks who

maintain the lama's possessions after a lama dies. (usually pronounced
la brang--not la trang)

service

to go on pilgrimage

(H)

to take a vow

to stretch out the sounds in monastic chanting

samaya- tantric commitments

to gain faith

to lose faith

to put into action/ to practice Dharma

to receive an empowerment

beneficial/helpful/useful

--

border(of two countries/states)

--

to stop doing something

to stay in retreat

to perform miracles/magic

footprint
to serve a lama. Lama's attendants are called

reincarnation/reincarnate lama

ex.

Christianity

for one's bad karma to ripen upon oneself

custom/tradition

a monk's room

the philosophical university section of a monastery

when monks line the sides of the street wearing their

ceremonial yellow robes to welcome a lama.

pratimoksha-the vows of individual

to gain merit

opportunity

blessing/protection string given by lamas

thanka painter

to lower the price

for a price to increase

electrician
competition

sign in front of a business

uniform(clothes)
to trade/exchange(change money)

to shop

application/to fill out an application

(inv) (vol)

Business

advertisement

to confirm/to settle

to examine/investigate

not so good(things/quality/person)

to advertise

to compete

materials/quality

to suffer a loss

electronics shop

to get an opportunity

to miss an opportunity

loss

holiday(Hindi)

to lose merit

to gain profits

holiday/free day

liberation

a monk's roommate

profit

option/solution

to volunteer/to do voluntarily

machine

break(between classes/tea break etc.)

to use

useless

a prayer service/an association

to take care of animals

to earn one's livelihood

to strive/to make effort

connection

free

to give someone a job

to quit a job

responsibility

to connect with someone one is already connected to

worker

to make a connection(newly)

carpenter

to live one's life

to give with a contract(or some obligation/paperwork)

to measure

to investigate/to inquire

to sew

to fix/repair

to become self-reliant/able to earn one's own livelihood

to examine in detail

factory

to buy religious items

to have a meeting

very good quality

quality

to photocopy

to try (often said as "try ")

to write one's signature

change(money)
ex.

to work hard, to be diligent

Politics

tailor shop

to give bribes

embezzlement/corruption

to protest/shout slogans

bodyguards(for the Dalai Lama etc.)

refugee

to file a lawsuit

tax

lawyer

environmental protection

human rights

to support
dynasty/royal lineage

nationalism

to sentence/to pass a verdict

judge

to reform

protest

terrorist

to renovate/rebuild

police
rights

to make up after fighting/to reach an accord

century

oil

petrol/gasoline/motor oil

new arrivals reception center for Tibetans in Dharamsala

and Kathmandu

courthouse

rule/law

state/province

to appoint/elect

to take bribes

proof/evidence

witness

economics/finance

minister
society/social

socialism

authority

"the middle path" the policy of H.H. the Dalai Lama

concerning Tibetan freedom

peaceful protest walking through the market which the

Tibetans hold often in India

capitalism

generation

race

citizen/subjects

communist

communism

to oppress
to invade

prison

partiality(spelling??)

embassy

hunger strike

political candidate

culture

the cultural revolution

to release/to let go

policy

to execute

intelligence agency

journalist/newspaper reporter

news

new arrivals(people who come to India from Tibet)

Places and commonsense objects

to investigate/to enquire

Tibetan settlement

prisoner

to kill and shed blood

democracy

to give up one's life for some greater cause

to vote

local people
independence

pillar

leather

socks

stairs

string
needle(sewing or medical)

environment

refrigerator

 

shadow

meadow/plain(grassy place)

sleeves

cave

electrical outlet

loudspeaker/sound system

speaker

candy

domestic animals

echo
plastic/rubber
wallet/purse
pillow
rope

pocket

staff/stick

coral

shortcut

telescope/binoculars

light switch

smoke

heavy blanket

bag (in India the Hindi word is more commonly used.)

electric wire

floors of a building

electric stove

steep incline/steep hill

1

trash

wall(made from packing mud into frames)

mattress

grassland/meadow

wall(made from stacking bricks/stones etc.)

electric heater

matches/lighter

oil/kerosene lamp

dust

upstairs/the roof

reflection

shirt worn under a chuba

landscape/scenery

turquoise

solitary place in the mountains(for meditation retreat etc.)

wild animals(usually means herbivores/deer etc.)

gloves

bottom of a valley/remote place

Dharma language

Dharma terms

perfect/very good(often used to describe language ability)

electric fan

forest

one's own native language(regional dialect)

colloquial/vernacular language

mirror

light bulb

downstairs/lower

lower Dharamsala

border(of two countries/states)

crack(in rocks/road etc.)

to speak Tibetan

to write(book, poem, etc.)

author

the most basic level in any language(coming and going,

eating, etc.)

custom

history

Language and Culture

pronunciation ex.

spoken/colloquial language
story

to speak English

nomadic language

Tibetan literary language

synonym

ex.

handle of a bag/shoulder strap

fluently

handle

Education

the five main subjects of Buddhist philosophical

study
-- pramana-logic

--

prajnaparamita

permission

-- madhyamika

Dharma language

-- vinaya

Dharma terms

-- abhidharma

to catch up

to fall behind

assistant teacher in shedra

to review

cursive/shorthand Tibetan handwriting style

holiday/free day

(H)
(h)

holiday(Hindi)

to count

uniform(clothes)

rules/discipline(school/monastery)

percentage

thirty percent

one subject in Tibetan grammar dealing with spelling

this is the name of a good Tibetan dictionary

one hundred percent

Abhisamayalankara (main text studied for

prajnaparamita class in most monasteries)

synonym

page of a pecha
to make a mistake

ex.

one Tibetan grammar subject dealing with spelling,

pronunciation, and gender

examination
pronunciation

to excuse oneself

poetry

to give permission

book cover

to take notes between the lines in a book

mistake

to make corrections

to give permission(HH)

one volume(unbound pecha)

to read texts

to write example sentences(while studying

grammar etc.)

break(between classes/tea break etc.)

to speak Tibetan

the Great Tibetan/Chinese Dictionary(the best

Tibetan dictionary)

Tibetan literary language

memorization examination

to give a memorization exam(student's action)

to receive the memorization exam(teacher's action)

to speak English

Madhyamakavatara by Chandrakirti(basis for

madhyamika class in most monasteries)

foundation(of a house or basic knowledge)

-- astrology based on Chinese system

-- astrology based on Indian system
--

exams(debate, oral explanation,

written)

to write(book, poem, etc.)

scientist

to refute someones position in a philosophy

debate(accompanied by a particular gesture of
slapping the back of one hand into the palm of the other.)

this is a command meaning "explain why the just given

was valid."

one line of a verse

verse

research

to proofread/to edit
written exam

to take a test

to pass a test

handwriting/fonts
to self-study/to do homework
the five sciences

-- grammar

to calculate

science

elemental astrology

to set an example

astrology

--

logic class in most monasteries)

author

famous pramana text by Dharmakirti(main text of

-- logic
-- medicine

-- arts and crafts

-- Buddhist philosophy

to applaud/to slap one's hands together(gestures made in

monk's debate)

history

page number

the name of a foundational text of Tibetan grammar which

deals with grammatical cases and case-marking particles
shortcut for

collected works(of a particular author)

(H)

to teach

number(phone number, room number etc.)

Food and Hygiene

to dry/to become skinny

to boil(vol)

to shit
to vomit

to be disgusted/revolted(bad food/bad behavior)

blood pressure
gall bladder/bile to have jaundice or disease
of the gall bladder(Tibetan medicine talks a lot about bile.)

to be boiling(inv)

strong/thick (soups or drinks-tea, coffee, alcohol etc.)

flour(many people use the hindi word "attar")

to swell(sprained ankle, burns etc.)

spicy(chili)
for steam to come from your mouth on cold days

boiled water

infectious/contagious disease

to have a headache

to have diarrhea

to cough

to feel dizzy

Indian/western medicine

to sweat

diabetes (chini is hindi for sugar)

to rest

sweet

bitter

O to knead dough(for momo/bread)

sour

to give an injection

to urinate
cure/remedy for disease

to be sore after exercise

healthy ex.

oil
skin

to peel the skin(apple/potato etc.)

to massage (often said malaije tang(broken english)

to be suitable(food/water/weather/place) or to pass a test

doctor

to medicate

to take a pulse

to have a fever

to feel hot

salty ex.

ligaments

to trample/smash/knead

to taste the food

Tibetan doctor(H)

to exhale

to inhale

to breathe

to sprain a ligament

ingredients for cooking(most people use the hindi "masala")

to see the doctor

Tibetan medicine

to take medicine

to crush(sesame to make sesame oil etc.)

hygiene/health care

to be hit/infected

medicine

nurse

to get a wound/sore/cut

sick person/patient

sickness

raw/uncooked

Tibetan steamer(for momo and tingmo)

to be sick

to scratch an itch or to scratch someone while fighting

to get better/recover from sickness

to scratch an itch

to get a cold

to have a cold

fat/grease/oil/skin cream

to have pain
deaf person

to have an itch

to have pain

sinuses

soap

pills
to rot/or become spoiled(food) ex.

bones

blind person

steam

to have sinus sickness

to steam(food)

weak/thin (soups or drinks-tea, coffee, alcohol etc.)

to have nausea

to perform an operation

seed

toothbrush

toothpaste

fresh(food)

beans/lentils/peas (often pronounced )

alive
cooking pot/aluminum

to sneeze
Tibetan doctor

Games and Hobbies

to play football

to have fun

to hit/to be hit

to have a picnic

to play the flute

competition

to compete

to place a bet/gamble

to run
to play cards

to watch a show(live or television)

to have a performance or to broadcast a show on television

to have a party
to pass the time

to play ball

to score a goal in football, or to put a ball in the pocket in pool,

snooker, karem, etc.

to joke or to play

to dance

to sing

to exercise

"just joking"(h.)

to play dice

English and Hindi Words

car

in turns

all, completely

backwards/opposite/upside down

to chat

relaxed

to relax(Tibetan Hindi mix.)

plate
bag
wish

sugar

banana
aloo---potato

mobile (cell phone)

phone
mug
chewing gum
pen
biscuit(cookie)
chance
fail(pronounced like pail)
bus
ray-lee (railway)
train
half-pants(shorts) ((pronounced "happy"))
pass (usually means visa)

bucket(broken English?)

Unsorted left-overs

room price(per day/month etc.)

English words
glass

special feature/characteristic
difference

ex.

try to try

joke funny (also pronounced )

landlord/house owner

to rent a room

check to check
phone to make a phone call

division/section/group/part

order
salary/fare(taxi)/fees(school)

branch of a monastery

boss/person with responsibility

invitation letter

museum

internet

causes and conditions

favorable conditions/conditions to be fulfilled

misfortune/bad circumstance

facilities/infrastructure

opening ceremony

address

material things

ghost/spirit/demon

owner

copy/reproduction of books/papers

opposite

reason

marijuana/hashish (some young guys call it "moogs")

power/potential

kind/type

away from oneself

towards oneself

each other/back and forth/reciprocal/mutual

broom

part

obstacle

one's innermost thoughts/feelings

philosophical or religious view

cigarettes

to sweep

award/prize
busy ex. I am busy.
(often pronounced as )

sign(road signs etc.)

omen

this side

the other side/the far side

to and from/back and forth etc.

gift

monsoon

situation

lay people

goal/aim/ambition

time(one time, two times)

ex.

activities/ceremony

date according to Tibetan calendar

date according to western calendar

date

1 day(period of 24 hours)

what's the date?

married couple
woman who marries into a man's family

man who marries into a woman's family(from the perspective

of the wife's family-he is our mag pa.)

limbs(arms and legs) or branch(of a bank etc.)

branches of a tree

leaves

petals of a flower

trunk of a tree or stem of a flower

luck ex. O
all

length

temperature

size

amount

height

speed

weight

calendar

ex.

chart/diagram

Units of Measure

Prepositions (post-positions in Tibetan)

about

from the beginning

above/on

at the end
after

across

against/along

at

before

behind

beneath/under
beside

between

down

during

for

from

never

"come whenever"

with/together with

on the edge/on the side

"say anything."
in any case....

without

"whatever you need is there"

"what happened?

up/upwards

+ neg. Verb

since

towards oneself

a moment

till/until

some time ago(vague)

ex.

in

near

practical

ex.

everywhere/all over the place

from all over the place

as fast as possible

anyway....(skip the details and give main

point)

Various Expressions

one piece

three pieces

just words
ex.

as well as one is able

whatever you think/whatever comes to mind

what kind of...?

ex.

sometime

from the point of view of....

ex.

therefore/since that's the case

via/by way of

from my side/in my mind/opinion

as far as I know

sooner or later

not even one/nothing at all

ex.

day by day

"what a pity how sad or with small children how cute!

--also means compassion
around here (pronounced di war)
a little while ago(vague-from a few minutes ago to a few days

ago)
just/for no special reason
ex.

in brief

therefore

all at once/all in one swoop

the core meaning/essential point

in brief

because of this/relying on this

condensed/abbreviated

since

ex.

one after the next

ex.

+ neg

"exactly"or "exactly that"

this word shows ownership(spelling uncertain--only colloquial)

ex.

after some time

for the time being/temporary

"that sucks!"

"it's too late. "it's late."

for example

it is late

inside
ex. come in!

only/except

ex.

secondary action while I was.... on my way to...

1

unwillingly/reluctantly

just because/by only...

ex.

+ neg. Verb never

O O

ex.

ex. O

---
---

to act as a substitute/to act on behalf of

representative of a government/lama

"the same old/ back where it was before

ex.
ex.

each ex.

all

in place of/instead of

must

oneself/exactly that

to/at the place of.....

ex.

fortunately/unfortunately

ex. O

ex.

to base upon

ex.

from the place of......

ex. O

not only that

really/extremely

to the extreme/matter of life and death

ex.
one's own/for oneself(often said )

from one's own side

almost

suddenly/all of the sudden

Fill in the blank and pattern-based

expressions
verb+ present continuous grammatical particle,
ex. "I will continue looking."
**This also can show two actions being done simultaneously-ex.

/
ex.

to offer to do something for someone else

verb +

easy/convenient/comfortable to do that verbal action

ex. O

verb +
ex.

i'll carry these things for you.

to want to.....

verb + to be uncomfortable/shy/bored to do something

(expresses hesitation or resistance to doing something.)
ex. O 1 i'm shy to meet lamas
verb + to have the courage to do something
ex.

verb + reason for doing something

ex. O

+verb++verb

must do(no other choice)

ex.OO

+verb+

must do(no other choice)

ex.
verb +

to try to do that verb

ex.
verb +

about to(do that verbal action)

pronounced O and is often repeated as in:

ex.

verb +

almost did(that verbal action) pronounced O

ex.

verb + + verb of course

ex.
verb +

of course

OO

completed action i already did

ex. I already ate.

verb +

he already went to Tibet.

to have experienced that verbal action

ex. O I have been to Bodhgaya

verb + no need to do (that verb)

ex.
verb + unless

don't do(verb) or else....

ex.
verb +

allowed(to do that verbal action)

ex.O

verb +

ready/about to(to do that verbal action)

ex.O

verb + to slip/fall into doing......(bad habits etc.)

ex.
verb + to be used to doing something
ex.

verb+ O you will get used to...

ex. O

ex.
ex.

verb + or I intend to do /i will do(that verbal action)

verb + or he/she intends to do/will do(that verbalaction)
-or that action is to be done
-or to be used for that purpose

verb+ in order to do (that verb)

verb + or + = shouldn't do

ex.

I will wash these clothes.

Verb + to get to do something

ex.

ex. O

+ verb+

these clothes are to be washed.

this is for spreading on the skin.

verb+ To have to have done(that verb)

ex. O

really new
really white(this pattern works with many words)

to get bigger(inv)/to make bigger(vol)

***this formula can be used with many adjectives

5O

to get smaller(inv)/to make smaller(vol)

O O
O

to get worse

to get better(inv)/to make better(vol)

verb ++imperative verb

to come, come.(go/stay)

if you want

these are all questions as in:

ex.
In Lhasa dialect, these all express some doubt, but in Kham and
Amdo dialects are the standard way of asking questions.
verb+ "when it comes to"
ex.

adjective+ how.....

how many

for how long

5 In proper Tibetan grammar this should read O , but this common formula is
most often expressed with all adjectives followed by the particle "" regardless of
the spelling.