Colloquial Amdo Tibetan Textbook 2013 安多口语

The Tibetan Writing System
30 : Thirty Consonants

: Four Vowels

: Four Subscripts
7 These 7 letters may take a
subscript.


subscript.


subscript.

12 These 12 letters may take

a subscript.

: Three Superscripts

a superscript.


superscript.


superscript.

Stacked Letters
both a superscript and a subscript.

5 These 5 letters may
take both a superscript and a subscript.

5 These 5 letters may
take both a superscript and a subscript.

A dditional Letter
10 10 Suffixes

5 5 Prefixes
2 2 Second Suffixes
20
20 that are not used as prefixes or suffixes

Composition of Words
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
Lesson 1
Greetings
How are you?
Sentences

How are you?

A re you well?
Very well.
Imverywell, too.
How
is
your
are
your
health?

How
studies?

Dawa:
A re you well?
Tashi:
I am well. A re you well?
Not too busy.
Dialogue
Dawa:
I am also well.
Drolma:
Tsering, how are you?

Tsering:
How are you, Drolma?
Drolma:
Tsering:
Have you been unwell these days?

No, no, very well. How is your health?

Drolma:
Very well, thank you.
Nyima:
Tashi, where are you working lately?
10
Tashi:
I am working in a bank lately.
Nyima:
How is your work these days?
Tashi:
Not too busy. How are your studies?
Nyima:
SinceIjuststarted,itsnottoobusy.
Tashi:
Do you have a lot of homework every day?
Nyima:
Itsalittlebitmuch.
Notes
A re you well?
11
A n everyday greeting. The other person will reply, Iamwell,depending

on their physical health. This is used for general acquaintances.
How are you?

A n everyday greeting. It is appropriate for all
situations and people. The other person will reply, Wellor How
areyou?
Vocabulary
you

you(plural)
I, me
we, us
he, him
12
they
those two
she, her
well
all
father, dad
mother, mom
teacher
student
body
work
busy
family members
parents
13
Proper Names
Tsering
Dawa
Tashi
Drolma
Nyima

and
Vocab
Sentence Building
How are you?
14
A re you two well?
How are you
all lately?
A re your
parents unwell?
A re all your
family members well and happy?
Did he leave?
Is she coming?
How is their (that
pairs)work?
How are all
their health?
How is his
15
brothersillness?
Notes
Is she coming?

In Tibetan, there are three forms of the
verb to come: (past) (present and future ) and (imperative). The
auxiliary is also used with to indicate past tense, and is used with
to indicate future tense.
Exercises
1 Fill in the blanks for the dialogue.
1) A :
B:
2) A
B:
C:
3)
16
Make a dialogue for the following
situations.
1)
2)
3)
3
1)
Reading practice
Read aloud and write.
2) Compare the pronunciation and

meaning of the words in each pair.
17
3) Explain the difference

between the words in each pair.
18
Lesson 2
Meeting New People

What Is Your Nam
Sentences
My name is Tsering.
I am very pleased to meet

you.

She is not a
teacher. She is a student.

I will introduce you.
Where are you going?
Is Teacher Nyima at
home?

Come in.
19
Dialogue
Tsering:
My name is Tsering. I am A merican. What is your
name?
Drolma:
My name is Drolma.
Tsering: I am very pleased to meet you.
Drolma:
I am very pleased to meet you, too.
Tsering: What is her name? What country is she from?
Drolma:
Her name is Metok. She is French.
20
Tsering: Is she a teacher?
Drolma:
She is not a teacher. She is a student.
Drolma:
Tashi, who is that?
Tashi:
Drolma, I will introduce you. This is my elder
brother.
Jampa:
Drolma:
Tashi:
My name is Jampa. I am very pleased to meet you.
I am very pleased to meet you, too.
21
Drolma:
I am going to Qinghai Nationalities University.

Where are you two going?
Jampa:
We two are going to the store.
Drolma: Ok. Goodbye! (lit. Be well!)

Tashi / Jampa:
Ok. Goodbye!
Tsering: Is Teacher Dawa home?
22
Drolma:
Yes, he is. You are?
Tsering: IamTeacherDawasstudent.MynameisTsering.A nd
you?
Drolma: MynameisDrolma.IamTeacherDawasdaughter.Come
in.
Tsering:
Ok, thank you.
Notes

, , and can all be used for direct questions. When someone asks,
What is your name? the other person can reply
, My name
is Tsering.

23
is used for the third person. For example:

What is his name? to which one can reply, His name
is Tsering.
You? means
Who are you?
New Words
name
to be called

to know, to meet
happy, pleased
what
student
24
who

this

elder brother
country

introduce
to go
to go
where
home
store

university
to try
dormitory
25
Proper Names

Qinghai (Kokonor)
A merican
French
Qinghai Nationalities University
Vocab and Sentence
Building
I will introduce
[you].
I will
introduce you.
I will
introduce you to him.
26
I will
introduce you (pl).
Introduce [me].
Introduce me.
Introduce him.
Introduce
everyone.
Exercises
1 Fill in the blanks in the dialogue.

1) A :
B:
A :
27
B:
2) A :
B:
A :
B:
3) A :
B:
A :
B:
A :
4) A :
B:
A :
2 Answer the questions.

1)
28
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
3 Write dialogues for the following
situations.
1)
2)
4 Read several times:

5
1) Read aloud and write.
29

6 Recite aloud and use in a sentence.

30
Lesson 3
Directions
Where do you live?

Sentences

Where do you live?
31
I live in the
exchangestudentsdormitory.
What is the room number? (lit.
What is the number on the door?)

Do
youknowwhereTashiTseringshomeis?
You are welcome to come.
She goes regularly.
Where do you get on the
bus?
Dawa:
Where do you live?
32
Dialogue
Tashi:
I live in the exchange students dormitory.
Dawa:
Which building? Which floor?
Tashi:
Building 1,third floor.
Dawa:
What room number?
Tashi:
308
308
Number 308. Where do you live?
28201
28 5 201
Dawa:
I live at 28 Ganggyen Road, building 5, 2nd floor,

number 201. You are welcome to come.
33
Tashi:
Thank you.
Dondrup:
Tsering,doyouknowwhereTashisfamilyhomeis?
Dorje:
I dont know. Yangtso knows. She goes there
regularly.
Dondrup:
Oh, thank you. I will go and ask her.
Dorje:
Ok.
Dondrup:
Yangtso,doyouknowwhereTashiTseringshome
is?
34
Yangtso: It is across from the Tibetan hospital. A re you going

to his home?
Dondrup:
Yes.TomorrowImgoingtohishome.
Yangtso: Ifyoudontknowhowtogo,tomorrowwewillboth
go together.
Dondrup: Thatsgreat.Thankyou!
Yangtso: Yourewelcome.(lit.Youdonthavetothankme.)
3
Yangtso:
Where is Qinghai Nationalities University?
35
Tsekyi:
ItsonBayi RoadinthecitysEastdistrict.
Yangtso:
Is it far from the bus station?
28
Tsekyi:
28
Itsnotfar.If you take the public bus, bus number
28 will bring you there. [lit. you will reach there
by taking bus number 28.]
Yangtso: Where do I get on the public bus?
Tsekyi:
You can get on here.
36
Yangtso:
Tsekyi:
Thank you.
Yourewelcome.
New Words
house, building
often, regularly
together
to live
road
room (door) number
to know
opposite
how
37
to go
before,
previous,
in
front

after, later, behind
far
near
place
automobile, vehicle
public bus
bus station
taxi
Proper Names
Road
Tibetan Hospital
38
Yangtso
Ganggyen
Bayi Road
thecitysEast
district
Tsekyi
Vocab and
Sentence Building
Where is
the Red Cross Hospital?
Where is
Xinhua Bookstore?
Where is the
library?
Where is the
airport?
39
Where is your
house?
Where is your
home?
Where is
youruncleshouse?
Where
isyourteachershouse?
Exercises
1 Recite aloud and use in a sentence.
40
2 Write a check mark next to the correct sentence and

an x next to any errors.
1)
2)
3)
4)
3 Write dialogues for the following

situations.
1)
2)
41
3)
4 Listen and write.

5 Make a sentence using each of the
following phrases.
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
6 Practice reading these words several times.
42
Lesson 4
Making a Purchase
43
What do you want to buy?

Sentences


What are you going to buy?
How much is one gyama of
apples? [1 gyama = 0.5 kg]

One gyama costs 3 gor 5 zho.
Do you need anything else?
No.
Taste it. [lit. Try the flavor.]
Shopkeeper: What are you going to buy?
44
Dialogue
Dawa:
Imgoingtobuyanorange.Howmuch per gyama?
Shopkeeper: These are 10 gor for two gyama.
Dawa:
Thatsexpensive.
Shopkeeper:
Those are three gyama for 10 gor.
Dawa:
A re these good?
Shopkeeper: Taste one.
Dawa:
Ok, measure three gyama for me.

45
Shopkeeper: Thatstengor. Now do you want anything else?
Dawa:
Do you have bananas?

Shopkeeper: Yes, how many do you want?
Dawa:
Weigh this for me.
Shopkeeper: Its2gyama, 5 sang. OK?
Dawa:
How much does it cost?

Shopkeeper: Its7gor, 5 zho. Give me 7.
Dawa:
Ok,Illgive you 10 gor.
46
Shopkeeper: Here.Illgiveyouback3gor.
Dawa:
Ok, thank you!
Shopkeeper: Yourewelcome.Ifyouneedanythinglateron,
come here.
Dawa:
Ok, see you later.
Shop owner: What do you want to buy?
Drolma:
Do you sell salt and vinegar?
47
Shop owner:
Yes.
Drolma:
Please sell me a packet of salt and a bottle of
vinegar.
Shop owner: OK, here.
Drolma:
How much?
Shop owner: The two together come to 4 gor, 5 zho.
Drolma:
Oh,Idonthavechange.
Shop owner: Thatsnoproblem. I can give you change.
48
Drolma: Oh,thatsgreat.Here.
Notes

and mean one
and two, respectively. They are often used withunits of measurelike gyama and
amounts like a cupful.
New Words
need
apple
orange
banana
gyama (0.5 kg)
sang (tael = 38 g)
to measure
49
unites of measure
gor (a dollar)
zho (a dime)
kar (a cent)
flavor
other, something else
to give
to give back
cup, cupful
price
beer
environment
salt
50
vinegar
Proper Names
shopkeeper
shop
owner
department store
attendant
Vocab and
Sentence Building
I want to buy an
orange.
A re you going to buy

a banana?
51
They are going to buy

fruit.
My mother says she

is going to buy eggs.
Exercises
1 Read the price tags below according

to Amdo dialect.
9.50
1.56
73.37
90.53
100
81.84
25.05
42.57
10.01
35.7
3.25
55.55
68.88
11.99
20
2 Write sentences using the following words.

1)
2)
3)
4)
52
5)
6)
3 Fill in the blankswith the appropriate grammatical
particle.
4 Complete the dialogue.

1) A :
B:
A :
B:
2) A :
A :
B:
B:
3) A :
53
B:
5 Read aloud several times.
6 Read aloud and copy.
54
Lesson 5
Taking
Changing Buses
the Bus
Sentences
Does
this bus go to the train station?
Please sell me two tickets.

How many stops are there before we reach our bus stop?
I can speak a little
Tibetan.
Do you
need to change buses to go to the Tibetan medicial museum?
Which way is closest?
55

A lthough it is closest to go straight, because there
are so manyvehicles,youwontgettherequickly.
Dialogue
Jampa:
Driver, does this bus go to the train station?
Drive:
Yes it does. Get on the bus.
Jampa:
Please sell me two tickets. How much money?
Drive:
Ok, here. Two gor.
56
Jampa:
Here. I only have a five-gor bill.
Driver:
Ok,Illgiveyouthreegor back.
Jampa:
Driver, have we reached the train station?
Driver:
There are three more stops. Do you know how to speak
Tibetan?
Jampa:
Driver:
I can speak a little.

Oh, what country are you two from?

Jampa:
I am French and he is Japanese.
57
Driver:
Oh, welcome to Tibetan areas.
Jampa:
Thank you.
Driver:
Jampa:
Wevearrivedatthetrainstation.

Ok, driver, thank you. Goodbye!
Drolma:
Driver:
Drolma:
Driver, please sell me a ticket.

I am going to the Tibetan medical museum, so to

go there do I need to change buses?
58
Driver:
You will have to change.
Drolma:
Where do I change?
Driver:
34
34
You change at West Gate, and then take bus number
34.
Drolma:
How much is one ticket?
Driver:
One gor.
Drolma:
Ok, thank you.
59
Driver:
Yourewelcome.
Jampa:
Taxi!
Driver:
Where are you going, sir?
Jampa:
I am going to the South Gate athletic field, so which

way is closest?
Driver: A lthough going straight is closest, because there

aresomanyvehicles,youwontgettherequickly.
Jampa:
Oh in that case, is there a different way?
60
Driver:
You can go by the highway, but you have to go a little

bit round about.
Jampa:
Ifwecangettherequickly,itsnoproblem if we
have to go a little round about.
Driver:
Ok, in that case, we will take the highway.

Notes
To change

The verb
means to change, exchange, or transfer. The forms are: (future); (present);
(past); (imperative).
New Words
train
61
station, stop
ticket
to
arrive,
to
reach

Tibetan medicine
museum
to
change,
to
exchange

country
France
Japan
driver, captain
West Gate
copy book
62
highway
Proper Names
train station
Tibetan medical museum
France
Japan
Vocab and Sentence

Building
?
Does this bus go to the bus station?
Where is that plane going to land?
63
Where is this plane flying to?
Does this train go to Lhasa?
Where
are you going to go by bicycle?
Where is
he going by automobile?
I am going
to Lhasa by train.
Shall
we go to Yushu by plane?
Exercises
64

1) A :
B:
2) A :
A :
B:
B:
3) A :
B:
2 Use the following phrases in a sentence.

1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
3 Fill in the blanks.
1)
65
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
4
Create a dialogue for the following situation.
5 Reading practice
1) Read aloud and copy.

66
3) Explain the difference

between the words in each pair.
67
Lesson 6
Eating at a Restaurant
Have you eaten
Tibetan food before?
Sentences
Have you eaten Tibetan food
before?

I still have not eaten Qinghai mutton.
Letsgoandtasteit.
Please take your time
ordering.

Waiter, the bill please.
68
[lit. A ttendant, please calculate.]

Please come again.
Dialogue
Tsering: IheardthatmuttonandnoodlesoupareQinghais
famous foods.
Lhamo:
Oh!Istillhaventhadthem.HaveyoueatenTibetan
food before?
Tsering: I ate a couple types of Tibetan food at Yangkhyim

Restaurant.

Lhamo:
How was the taste?
69
Tsering: I thought it was really delicious.

Lhamo:
Tell me the names of some Tibetan dishes!

Tsering:
For vegetarian food, there is a lot, like

yogurt-rice, droma-rice (rice with droma root),
yogurt, tsampa (barley meal), milk noodle soup, and
so on. There are many meat dishes, such as meat sausage,
blood sausage, mutton, beef, momos (dumplings),
noodle soup, meat rice
Lhamo:
I still have never eaten a Tibetan dish. How about if
you take me?
70
Tsering: When are you free?
20
Lhamo:
If you are free the evening of the 20th, how about

we go eat Tibetan food? Itsmytreat.[lit. I am
inviting you as a guest.
Tsering: Ok, we will be in touch then.
Lhamo:
Ok, see you then.

Waiter:
Welcome.
71
Lhamo:
Do you have Tibetan food here?
Waiter:
Yes, this is the menu. Please take your time

ordering. [lit. Please order your food slowly.]
Lhamo:
Please bring us one plate of momos, one plate of fried

mutton, and two bowls of noodle soup.

Waiter:
Lhamo:
Waiter:
What kind of tea will you drink?
Please bring one thermos of sweet tea.

Ok, please wait a little bit.

72
Lhamo:
Waiter, the bill please.

A ll togetherits115gor.
Waiter:
Lhamo:
Ok, here.
Waiter:
Please come again. [lit. We welcome you to come
again.]
Lhamo:
Thank you.
New Words
to
make
appointment

theater performance
73
an
to have experienced
mutton, lamb
taste, flavor
sometimes
to meet
noodle
soup
(with
handmade
noodles)

vegetarian food
delicious
yogurt-rice
droma-rice (droma is a type of
root)
yogurt
tsampa (barley meal)
milk noodle soup
74
meat dishes
meat sausage
blood sausage
beef jerky
momo dumplings
meat-rice
friend mutton

twenty
contact
menu
plate, platter

sweet tea
thermos
75
the bill, please
Proper Names
Yangkhyim Restaurant
Vocab and Sentence

Building
Drink milk
tea.
Eat tsampa.
Eat yogurt. [lit.
Drink yogurt.]
76
Eat meat.
Have you had
breakfast?
Have you eaten lunch?
A re you going to eat

dinner?
Have some noodle soup!

1) A :
B:
A :
B:
A :
77
Exercises
B:
2) A :
B:
A :
B:
A :
B:
A :
B:
2 Make sentences using the following words.
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
78
8)
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
4
Create a dialoge for the following situation:
5 Correct the following and identify the error.
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
79
80
Lesson 7
Going to the Bank
ImGoingtoExchange
Money.
Sentences
I spent all my money!
81

I heard that you can only exchange
money at the Bank of China.
IfIdont go
exchangesomenow,Iwonthaveanymoney.

How much are you exchanging?

Can I write it like this?
Count it.
Letsgoquickly.

I can get money from the A TM
outside.
Dialogue
82
Dawa:
Ispentallmymoney,soifIdontgo exchange some

now,Iwonthave any money.
Dondrup: I heard that you can only exchange money at the Bank
of China.
Dawa:
Shall we go and ask?

Dondrup:
Ok,letsgo.
Dawa:
Can we exchange money here?

Clerk:
Dawa:
Yes you can. What kind of currency did you bring?
US dollars.
83

Clerk:
How much are you exchanging?

500
Dawa:
Imexchanging500USdollars.How many Renminbi is

one US dollar exchanged for?
6 2
Clerk:
Six gor, two zho, and one kar. Please write the
currency amount and your name.
Dawa:
Can I write it like this?
Clerk:
Youcan.Heresthemoney.Countit.
Dawa:
Thank you.
84
Dondrup:
Itsgetting late. [lit.Itsnottooearly.]
Letsgoquickly.
2
Lhamo:
Dorlma, where are you going?
Drolma: Imgoingtothebanktogetsomemoney.Whereare
you going?
Lhamo:
I am also going to the bankto send some mone to my

elder sister. Lets go together.
Drolma:
Idontneed to go inside the bank. I can get money
85
from the A TM outside. You go and come back, and

I will wait here.
Lhamo:
Ok,IwillgosenditandcomebackwhenImdone.
Clerk:
Do you need to withdraw money?
Lhamo:
No. I need to send some money, so please give me the

form to
where I am sending it.

Clerk:
Ok, the deposit slip? Here you go.
Lhamo:
Yes. Thank you.
Notes
How much, how many
86

The word means .
In Amdo dialect, when is followed by the particle, it becomes .
To count

The verb means
to count or to count out an amount
. The forms are
: (present); (future); (past);
(imperative).
New Words
money, currency
to use, to spend
bank
to ask
to be able
US dollars
Renminbi
87
five hundred
amount
to write

this kind
to count
fast, quickly
to take out, withdraw
A TM machine
deposit slip
to wait
Proper Names
88
telephone number
US dollars
Renminbi

Bank of China
A gricultural Bank of China
China Construction Bank
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China
Vocab and Sentence

Building

2102 10
2 102 10
Although it is a little far from our school to the Bank of China, if you take the
public bus, there is a public bus stop across from the school. From there, if you take
the public bus number 2, 102, or 10, etc., to Huangguang, you can exchange currency
from any country.
89

Becausewedonthavemuchtimenow,wewontwaitforhim.

This is his book. Please give it to him.

Please ask what his phone number is.

We two will wait for Tsering a little bit.

I need to go and exchange some money.

90
Please come with me.
Exercises

1) A :
B:
A :
B:
A :
2) A :
B:
2 Write sentences using the word given.

1)
2)
3)
4)
91
B:
5)
6)
7)
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
4Create a dialogue for the following situation.
5 Correct the following and identify the error.

1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
92
10)
Lesson 8
Going to the Post Offic
I A m Going to Go Mail
93
Something.
Sentences
I am going to go mail
something.
Does the package need to
arrive quickly?
55 A lltogether,itsfifty-five
gor.
Hey, are you Tsering?
A little bit faster.
Please give me
the package that was sent to me.
Please write your
name on this slip.
94
Dialogue
Dawa:
Lhamo, are you free today?
Lhamo:
Imfree.[lit.Iamnotunfree.]Whatdoyouneed?
Dawa:
Could you come with me to go send this Tibetan
medicine?
Lhamo:
Where do you need to go to send it? [lit. From where

do you need to send it?
Dawa:
I have to send it from the post office.

Lhamo:
In that case, I also want to go send a Tibetan robe

tomyfamily.Letsgotogether.
95
Dawa:
Ok,letsgo.

Clerk:
What do you two need to send?
Dawa:
I need to send some Tibetan medicine and she needs

to to send a Tibetan robe.
Clerk:
Does the package need to arrive quickly?
Dawa:
Yes.
Clerk:
Write the address, sender, contact telephone number,

etc., on this express delivery slip.
Dawa:
Ok, here. How much does it cost?
96
55
Clerk:
A lltogether,itsfifty-five gor.
Dawa:
Ok, here. Thank you.
Clerk:
Youre welcome.
Deliveryman:
Hey, are you Tsering?
Tsering:
Yes, I am. Who are you?
Deliveryman:
I am a deliveryman for the express delivery
97
company. Since there is a package for you from

Beijing, I have brought it here. Please come to the
door to receive it.
Tsering: Ok, please wait a little, and I will come quickly.
Deliveryman:
Ok. Please be quick.

Tsering:
Deliveryman, I am tsering. Please give me the

package that was sent to me.
Deliveryman:
Please write your name on this slip.
Tsering:
Ok, here. Thank you.
98
Deliveryman:
Yourewelcome.
New Words
today
free time
to help, can be added to the end of
to have
anotherverbtomeanpleasedo
x

to send
to go
from where, where
Why? What do you need?
Howabout?Howisitif?
what
99
post office
also, and
home, family
to go
to arrive
express delivery slip
to deliver, bring to
someone

door, gate
come (imperative)
to give
Proper Names
express delivery company
100
Vocab and Sentence

Building

2102 10

2
102 10
Although it is a little far from our school to the post office, if you take the public
bus, there is a public bus stop across from the school. From there, if you take the
public bus number 2, 102, or 10, etc., to Bayi Road, you can send things to any place.
I regularly send clothes, medicine, books, etc., to my family from there.
Exercises

1) A :
B:
101

A :
B:
2) A :
B:
A :
B:
B:
3) A :
B:
A :
B:

1)
2)
3)
4)
102
5)
6)
3 Reading practice.

4 Recite and write sentences using the

given word.

103
Lesson 9
Making
a Phone Call
Does her phone work?
Sentences
Can I take a look?
104
Will any
SIM card work with this one?
Can you be a little
faster?
You can
choose from these numbers.
The phone doesnthavepower.
[ie.,Thebatterysdead.]
Does her phone work?
Dialogue
Nyima:
Merchant:
Shop owner, do you sell A pple brand phones?

Yes. These are new.
105
Nyima:
Can I take a look?
Merchant:
Of course. Here.
Nyima:
How much is this?
Merchant:
It is 4,500 gor.
Nyima:
Will any SIM card work with this one?
Merchant:
China Telecom SIM cards wont, but China Mobile

and China Unicom SIM cards will both work.
Nyima:
Do you have China Unicom SIM cards here?
106
Merchant:
Yes, you can choose from these numbers.
Nyima:
Ok, I want this number.
Merchant:
Ok, wait a little bit.
Nyima:
Can you be a little faster?
Merchant:
Ok.
Tsering:
Lhamo:
Thispublicparkssurroundingsareverynice.

Those flowers are also really great. I want to take
107
a picture.
Tsering: Call Drolma and tell her to come.
Lhamo:
Oh!Myphonedoesnthavepower.
Tsering:
Ok, in that case, I will call.
Lhamo:
Tsering:
Ok, you call and I will go and buy drinks.
Ok.
Lhamo:
Did you call?
Tsering: I called,butitdidntgothrough.
108
Lhamo:
Youdonthaveasignal,or?

Tsering: No, her phone is switched off.
Notes
This

The word means . In Amdo dialect, the word followed by a particle becomes
.
To carry out

The word signifies carrying out or completing an action. The forms are:
(future); (present); (past); (imperative).
New Words
telephone
109
brand
of course you can
these
to choose
SIM card
public park
environment,
flower
really, truly
surroundings
to take a photo
photograph
drinks, beverage
network signal
to wash
110
vegetables
to make tea
island
Proper Names
A pple cell phone
Korea
China Telecom
English
China Mobile
South
Tibetan
China Unicom
Vocab and Sentence

Building
In springtime, when all sorts of flowering trees in the public park are in bloom,
the public park truly looks like a land of flowers. Whereas in autumn, when all sorts
of fruits are ripe, the public park truly looks like a heaven of fruit.
111
I will send you a message online.

I called my South Korean friend and spoke in Tibetan but he

didnt understand. Then I spoke in English, and he
understood.
Lets take a photo
together.
Exercises

1) A :
B:
A :
B:
2) A :
B:
112
A :
B:
A :
3) A :
B:
A :
B:
2 Use the given word in a sentence.

1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
1)
2)
3)
4)
113
4Create a dialogue for the following situation.
5 Correct the following and identify the error

(s).
1)
2)
3)
4)

114
Lesson10
Home
How many people are

there in your household?
Sentences
How many people are there in

your household?
What does your mother
do?
My mother and me.
In our
home, there are Father and Mother, and also my younger
brother.
115
He is studying English.
His wife is a nurse.

Theydonthavechildren.
Dialogue
Tsering:
Lhamo, how many people are there in your household?
Lhamo:
Four people. How many people are there in your
household?
Tsering:
Lhamo:
Two people, my mother and me.
What does your mother do?
116
Tsering: She is a teacher. She works at the university.

2
Jampa:
Tashi:
Tashi, who is there in your household?

Father and Mother, and also my younger brother.
Jampa:
Is your younger brother a student?
Tashi:
Yes, he is studying English.
Jampa:
Tashi:
Does your mother work?
Shedoesntwork.
117
Jampa:
Tashi:
Jampa:
Tashi:
Who is there in your household?

Father, Mother, and my elder sister.
Does your elder sister work?

Yes, she does. She works in a bank. What does your
elder
brother do?
Jampa:
He is a doctor.
118
Tashi:
Is he married?
Jampa:
He is married and his wife is a nurse.
Tashi:
Do they have children?
Jampa:
No.
Notes
Who is there in your household?
The sentences and both mean Who is there in your

household? The phrases and both mean your home or your family.
To do

The words , , and are all forms of the verbto do: (past) (present
119
and future) and (imperative).
New Words
to have, to exist
to not have, to not exist
to get married
to study, studies
English
bank
wife
hospital
nurse
class
120
computer
telephone
cell phone
cordless phone
text message
Proper Names
Qinghai
Nationalities University International Educational Exchange
Center
Vocab and Sentence
121
Building
Does your family

have cattle and sheep?
Where is your
home?
How many
cattle and sheep does your family have?
How do you go to
your home?
His elder
brother has two children.
Her
younger brother is single.
122
80 My mother is 80
years old.
My household
has four people.
Exercises

1) A :
B:
A :
B:
2) A :
A :
B:
B:
A :
B:
2 Create a dialogue for the given situation

.
1)
123
2)
3 Fill in the blanks with the words provided.
5 Compare and identify the words in each pair.
124

Grammar1
125
Tibetan writing developed in the 7th century when Master Thonmi, following
the wishes of the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo, made great efforts to study the
spoken language of Tibet and the written language of India and created a Tibetan
writing system that perfectly matched Tibets spoken language. Thonmi studied the
features of all three Tibetan dialects (Amdo, Central, and Khampa) in detail and
organized Tibetan grammar into eight grammatical cases: (1) the nominative, (2) the
accusitive, (3) the instrumental, (4) the dative, (4) the ablative, (6) the genetive, (7)
the locative, (8) the vocative.
126
The first case, the nominative, is called the essence naming case in Tibetan
because it identifies only the name of the thing under discussion and not any special
characteristics, etc., it may have.
For instance, when you say flower, the only information the listener gets is the
name of a flower, but it doesnt give us the shape or color of the flower, and so on.
There are two types of nominative words in Tibetan: assigned and derived. These
depend on whether or not there is a reason or etymology behind the word. For
instance, there is no inherent reason why the word should mean sun. The person
who first created the word merely assigned a name according to his or her own liking,
so it is called an assigned term. But when we refer to the sun as the one
with hot rays , we are using a term for the sun
that is derived from the suns own
properties, so this is known as a derived term.
127
The Tibetan language uses a group of grammatical particles called ladon

particles to mark several grammatical situations. The first situation that uses ladon
particles is the second case, the accusative. In Tibetan, the accusative is called the
patient case because it identifies the object or patient of the action. In written Tibetan,
the particles used to mark the object are , , , , , , and , and they are used
depending on the suffix of the word they follow : words ending in a suffix take ,
words ending in suffixes or or second-suffix take , the suffixes , , , , ,
and take , and words ending in the suffixes or and words without a suffix add
or take . The particles and can be used wit h any words . However, in Amdo
dialect, the particles do not follow this system . Instead, the ladon particles closely
mirror the suffix of the word they follow . For example, in go to the west, the
particle is used to match the suffix
of . Furthermore, these particles are also
used for the fourth and seventh cases
, and conditions known as nature and
timeframe, and so on.

The accusative case = object + ladon particle + verb
Examples: go to the east go to the west go to the south
flow to the North go to school give to mother went to the
East go to the restaurant watch TV poor tea for the
guest go where? went to the store
128
The second situation that uses the ladon particles is the seventh case, the locative.
This case is called the locative because it indicates the location of an action or object.
It takes the same particles as the second case, but in Amdo dialect, the letter is used
in most situations.
The seventh case = location + particle + object located there + verb of existence:
There is a classroom on the fourth floor.
The seventh case = object + location + particle + verb of existence :
The classroom is on the fourth floor.
Examples: There is a house in the east . There is hair on the
head. There is a student in the classrom. there is a doctor in
the hospital. There is a pen on the table. Mother is at home.
Review Exercises

1) A B:
129
:
2)
3)
4) A :
B:
A :
B:
5) A :
B:
A :
B:
130
B:
6) A :
B:
A :
B:

1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
3 Reading practice.
131
3) Compare the words in each

pair and identify their differences.
4 Recite aloud and make a sentence using

the given word.

132
133
Lesson
11
My
Studies

How Have Your
Studies Been Lately?
Sentences
How Have Your Studies

Been Lately?
What department and
college do you study in?
134
What do you study?
Have you made a

study plan?

A little better
than last term.
Dialogue
Tsering: Jampa, where are you studying now?
Jampa:
Now I am studying at Qinghai Nationalities
University.
Tsering: What department and college do you study in?
135
Jampa:
I am studying in the foreign exchange center.
Tsering: What do you study?
Jampa:
I am studying written and spoken Tibetan.
Tsering:
Is it difficult?
Jampa:
Very difficult. There is a big difference between

written Tibetan and spoken A mdo dialect. Sometimes
my head hurts.
Tsering:
Yeah, since Tibetan doesnt have a standard
136
dialect,itsdifficulttostudyadialectand
writing together. Work hard!
2
Dondrup: Tashi, this term do you have a lot of classes?
Tashi:
Not too many.
Dondrup:
Have you made a study plan?
Tashi:
Yes,Igetupatsixoclockinthemorningand
read for an hour. In the afternoon, I have a
conversation in A mdo dialect with Tibetan friends.
137
In the evening, I study by myself for two hours.
Dondrup:
Oh, you are really good. Studying like that, how is

the improvement in the level of your written and
spoken Tibetan?
Tashi:
A little better than last term.
New Words
lately
studies
department
college
138
(within
university)

to study, to learn
plan
to make
last term
than, in comparison
written Tibetan
spoken Tibetan
class
morning
written language
difference, discrepancy
to get up
book
139
time, hour
to look, to read, to
watch

afternoon
conversation,
dialogue
really, truly
level
improvement
to wash
to convene class
to dismiss class
Proper Names
Qinghai Nationalities University
140
foreign exchange center
Vocab and Sentence

Building

14 8
6
This term I have fourteen hours of written and spoken Tibetan class. Of these,
eight hours are for written language class and six hours are for spoken Amdo dialect
141
class. The teachers for these two classes are not the same. The written language
teacher is Teacher Tashi Drolma, and the spoken language teacher is Teacher Lhamo.
In the course of our lessons, both of them often introduce us to many Tibetan customs
and culture, and so we all are very happy to lsiten to their lessons. Moreover, they
both take interest in our health and help us in our lives. We all like them both a lot.
Class usually starts at 8:30 in the morning. At noon, class lets out at 12:30. In the
afternoon, class starts at 2:30 and lets out at 4:30.
Exercises

1) A :
B:
A :
B:
2) A :
B:
A :
A :
B:
142
2 Create a dialogue for the given situation

.
1)
2)
3)
3
Describe your daily schedule.
4 Read several times.

5 Compare and identify the words in each pair.
143
Going
Lesson
to the Hospital
Sorry to Bother You.
12
First
Sentences
please
get
registration form.

Whats wrong?
How do I take this medicine?

What illness did he get?
144
How is your illness now?

Take care of your health.
Dialogue
Drolma: Nurse, is the doctor in?
Nurse:
The doctor is in. First please get a registration
form.
Drolma: Ok, how much is it?
Nurse:
Ten gor. Please sit here and wait for your turn.
[lit. Go in order.]
145
Drolma: How many people are ahead of me?
Nurse:
There are five people.
Drolma:
Ok, thank you.
Nurse:
Yourewelcome.
Doctor:
Whatswrong?[lit.Howareyounotwell?]
Drolma: Doctor, my stomach has been hurting for two or three

days, and it still is not better.
146
Doctor:
Dontworry.[lit. No problem.] Probably something

you ate did not agree with you. Go and take this
medicineandyouwonthaveaproblem.
Drolma: How do I take this medicine?
Doctor:
You can take it both morning and evening.

Drolma: Thank you. Sorry to bother you.
Doctor:
Yourewelcome.
Tashi:
Drolma,whydidntDawacometoclasstoday?
147
Drolma: He was sick last week, so he went tothePeoples

Hospital.
Tashi:
What illness did he get?
Drolma: Thesaiditsprobablyappendicitis.
Tashi:
In that case, when class gets out, shall we both go
to see him?
Drolma: Yes,lets do that.

4
Tashi:
Dawa, how is your illness now?
148
Dawa:
Nowitsalittlebetter.
Tashi:
Can you eat and drink? [lit. How is your eating and
drinking?
Dawa:
Idontwanttoeat much.
Drolma: You should eat well and take care of your health. [lit.
Take care of your body.]
Dawa:
Ok.
Tashi:
Dontworry.Feelbetterandtakecareofyour
health.
149
New Words
nurse
doctor
registration form
order, sequence
I am not well.
stomach
to hurt
day, sun
Its
no
problem.

150
medicine
to take medicine
morning and night

hospital
appendicitis
to eat and drink
body
to worry
to
recover
from
an
illness
Proper Names
Red Cross Hospital
PeoplesHospital
Vocab and Sentence

Building

151

TodayIhaveatoothache,soIcantgotoschool.

Today I went to the Red Cross Hospital to see a doctor.

I got lost on the way to the hospital.

I asked a passerby the way to the
hospital, but he couldnt tell me.
A :
A :
A : Excuseme,howdoesonegotothePeoplesHospital?
B:
B:
B: Idontknow.Pleaseasksomeoneelse.
152
Exercises

1) A :
B:
A :
B:
2) A :
A :
A :
B:
B:
B:
2 Create a dialogue based on the given

situation.
1)
153
2)
3)
4)
5)
3

154
Lesson 13
My Birthday
Your Birthday?
155
When Is
Sentences
Whatsthedatetoday?
Today is the 20th of

September.

Today is
not Thursday. Yesterday was.
What are you doing tonight?
When is your
birthday? [lit. What day of what month is your birthday?]
Can we go to his
house in the morning?
Tsering: Whatsthedatetoday?
156
Dialogue
Drolma:
Today is the 20th of September.
Tsering:
Is today Thursday?
Drolma: Today is not Thursday. Yesterday was.
Tsering:
What are you doing tomorrow night?
Drolma:
I have to go online to write a message to my friend.

What are you doing?
Tsering:
ImgoingtowatchTV.
157
Dawa:
Tashi:
Dawa:
Tashi:
Dawa:
When is your birthday?

On the 15th of March. When is your birthday?
On the 18th of May.

The4thofthismonthisNyimaYudronsbirthday.
What day of the week is the 4th?
Tashi:
Sunday.
Dawa:
A re you going to his house?
Tashi:
Yes. A re you going?
158
Dawa:
Imgoingtoo.
Tashi:
Can we go in the morning?
Dawa:
Yes.
Dawa:
Nyima Yudron, Happy Birthday! [lit. Wishing you

auspicious circumstances for your birthday.]
Tashi:
Happy Birthday! May all your activities increase

like the waxing moon! [lit. Offering you auspicious
prayers and wishes
that all your activities may
increase like the waxing moon.]
159
Nyima Yudron:
Thankyou.PleasesitandIllpouryoutea.
Dawa:
Ok, thank you.
Nyima Yudron:
Youtwoeatthiscake,andIllgocook
mutton.
Tsering:
Oh, this is really great. I really like eating
mutton. Thank you.
New Words
how much, how many
160
day of the week
evening, night
to do
birthday
morning
afternoon
book
TV
song
message, letter
bar
year, age
auspicious wishes
tea
161
to drink
party
library
his home, his house
to pour tea

cake
mutton

to cook meat
Proper Names
Nyima Yudron
162
Vocab and Sentence

Building
21
This Friday is my friends brithday. This year, he is
twenty-one years old. In the afternoon, I have to go wish
wish him happy birthday.

TomorrowisSeptember2,anditsFriday.
Exercises

1) A :
B:
163
A :
B:
2) A :
B:
A :
B:
3) A :
B:
A :

situation.
1)
2)

164
5 Recite each word and use in a sentence

.

165
Lesson 14
Buying T
ibetan Clo
thes
166
I Want to Buy a
Tibetan Dress.
Sentences
I want to buy a Tibetan
dress.
Today is the Tibetan festival.
There are really a lot of people.
Imgoingtolookatthat
Tibetan dress.
Can I try this
Tibetan dress on?
This Tibetan dress is a
little bit small.
Today is hot,
soitsbetter to wear a cloth dress.
Dialogue
167

Merchant:

Drolma: I want to buy a Tibetan dress, and can I look at that

one?
Merchant:
Yes of course.
Drolma: Can I try this on?
Merchant:
Yes, of course.
Drolma: This is a little bit small. Do you have one bigger than
it?
168
Merchant: SincetheJuneTibetanfestivaliscomingup,Ive
sold all the other Tibetan dresses.
Drolma: Oh,inthatcase,Illgolookelsewhere.Thankyou.
Merchant:
!
Yourewelcome.
Lhamo:
Elder sister, are you going to the June Tibetan
festival today?
Tsomo:
Yes, for sure. Today all the Tibetans in Xining are

going to the festival.
169
Lhamo:
Well, are you going to wear Tibetan clothes?
Tsomo:
Yes.
Lhamo:
A re you going to wear a wool dress or a cloth
dress?
Tsomo:
Today is hot,soitsbettertowearaclothdress.
Lhamo:
Tsomo:
Ok,whenImdonewashingmyhair,letsgo.

Ok. Be quick.
Notes
To buy
170
The verb means to pay a price in exchange for an object

. The forms are:
(future and present); (past and imperative).
New Words
Tibetan dress or
cloth
robe

dress
(cotton)

wool or felt dress

sheepskin dress
upper garment
sheepskin hat
fox fur hat
171
Tibetan festival
to gather
to be permissable
of course you can

than, in comparisson
to finish
towashoneshair
be quick
monastery
things
sorts of
Proper Names
Tibetan market
172
all
Xining City
Tsomo
Vocab and Sentence

Building
There is a Tibetan market at the Xining City bus station. There are
not only a lot of Tibetan things for sale, but there are also all sorts of
Tibetan clothes for sale.
A :
A A : What are you going to buy?
B: Do you
have sheepskin robes and wool robes for sale here?
A :
B:
Yes.
sheepskin hats?
A :
Yes.
173
Well, do you have
Exercises
1 Correct the following and identify the error(s).

1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
10)

1)
2)
3)
4)
174
5)
6)
7)
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
4
Create a dialogue for the given situation.
5 Read thepassage aloud and answer the following

questions.

1)
2)
3)
4)
175

Lesson 15
Receiving
Guests
Welcome.
176
Sentences
Imnotevenalittletired.
Is this your
first time coming to the lake?

I came here once
before.
This is a nomad tent.
Heisaskingifyourewell.

Eat dinner here
tonight.
Dialogue
Jampa:
Tsering, here you are. [lit. Have you arrived?]
177
Tsering: Yes. Here I am. Thank you for coming to pick me up.
Jampa:
Yourewelcome.Didyouhavetroubleontheroad?
A re you tired?
Tsering: Nottoobad.Imnotevenalittletired.
Jampa:
Thatsgood.Thecarisoutside.Illtakeyouto
go see Lake Kokonor.
Tsering: I have two foreign friends with me.
Jampa:
Letsbringthembothandwellallgotogether.

Tsering:
Ok, thanks!
178
Dondrup:
Tsering, welcome to Lake Kokonor.
Tsering:
Thanks.
Dondrup:
When did you arrive in Qinghai?
Tsering:
I came today.
Dondrup:
Youdidnthavetroubleontheroad?
Tsering:
No.
Dondrup:
Is this your first time coming to Lake Kokonor?
179
Tsering: No. I came here once before.
Dondrup: Hey, where are these two from?
Tsering: They are from foreign countries. They are both asking
ifyourewell.
Dondrup:
Yes. I welcome you both to Tibetan areas. This is

anomadtent.Tonightwellstayhereandeat
dinner.
Tsering: Ok,thatsgood.
180
Dondrup:
Ok, Jampa, bring them and go inside.
Jampa:
Ok.
New Words
welcome

Imnottired.
first time
Lake Kokonor
before, previously
nomadic areas
farming areas
181
tent (made of black yak
hair)

cloth tent (made of canvas)

tonight, this evening
dinner
Thank you.
Yourewelcome.
No problem.
friend
we
all
together
I am carsick.
one word
to send
to arrive
182
Proper Names
Lake Kokonor
foreign
countries
Vocab and Sentence

Building
Today I
didntgetcarsickontheroad.
Did the letter I
sent you arrive?

183
When I came to Qinghai,Ididntknowhowtospeakevenone

word of Tibetan.
A : Does he get carsick?
B: He
sometimes gets carsick.
Exercises

1) A :
A :
2) A :
A :
B:
B:
B:
B:
A :
B:

situation.
184
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
3

5 Copy and read aloud.

185
Grammar
(2)
186
The third situation that takes ladon particles is the fourth case, the dative. This
case does not merely identify an action being down to an objectit indicates the
reason or beneficiary of the action, and therefore in Tibetan it is called the reason and
purpose case. Example sentences: He went to sow seeds . Go
to learn drawing . Exercise for physical health . Buy
rice for food . In order to specifiy the reason or purpose of the action
, you ca n add
phrases like , , and , which all mean in order to.

The difference between the second and fourth cases
(accusitive and dative ) is
similar to the difference between saying where you are going and why you are going .
The respectiv e answers are likewise different
: I am going to the top of the
mountain, versus I am going to herd sheep.

Memorizing this summary verse can help you remember the main features of the
dative case:
The fourth situation that takes ladon particles is adverbial phrases. In Tibetan this
187
is called nature because the ladon is used to indidcate that the object has the same
nature as the action being performed on or by it. For instance, become red,
where red is the object and become is the action . There is no action of becoming
other than becoming red, and the red does not indicate anything other than the
becoming. Thus, the action and object share the same nature.
Example sentences: Translate Tibetan into Chinese . Be
sure of the truth . Shine as light . Grow clear .
Make him know. Grow softer.
Memorize the following summary verse:
=+++
=++
The five situation where ladon particles are used is to indicate the time of action,
whether it be past and completed, presently understay, or yet to occur in the future. In
Tibetan, ladon phrases that chiefly indicate timeframe are known as timeframe.
Example sentences: Get o ut of bed in the morning . Go
home at noon. Learn written language during first period.
Timeframe = time + ladon + action
For example: Study regularly. Get up in the morning.
Exercises with Ladon particles
1 Indentify the following grammatical
188
situations.
2Write three sentences for each of the five situations in which
ladon particles are used.
Review Exercises

1) :
2)

189
3)
4) A :
B:
A :
B:
5) A :
B:
A :
B:
A :
B:
2
Answer the questions.
190
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
3 Indentify the following grammatical

situations.
191
Lesson 16
Going on a Trip
Going on a Trip
Sentences
Shall we go on a
192
trip somewhere this weekend?

What occasion is that
day?

This holiday is one of the four
Buddhist holidays.

Later, it gradually grew and
developed into four monastic colleges.
Dialogue
Lhamo:
Jampa, shall we go on a trip somewhere this
weekend?
193
Jampa:
Saturday is the 15th day (full moon) of the 4th

Tibetan month, so how about we go to Kumbum
Monastery?
Lhamo:
What occasion is that day? [lit. What day is that
day?]
Jampa:
That day is the anniversary of three of the

Buddhas deedsentering his mothers womb,
coming to enlightenment, and passing into nirvana.
This holiday is one of the four Buddhist holidays.
Lhamo:
Oh, what are the other three holidays?

194
Jamp:
The other three are the Holiday of Miracles on the

full moon of the 2nd Tibetan month, the Holiday of
Teaching the Dharma on the 6th day of the 6th Tibetan
month, and the Holiday of Returning from the God
Realms on the 22nd day of the 9th Tibetan month.
Lhamo:
Well, could you tell me a little bit about the history

of Kumbum Monastery?

1588

1588
195
Jampa:
Kumbum Monastery is a Geluk monastery in Qinghai

ProvincesHuangzhongcounty.A ccording to the
third Dalai Lama, Sonam Gyatso, it was founded in
1588 on the birthplace of Je Tsongkhapa Lozang
Drakpa by Dulwa Choje Ozer Gyatso. Later, it
gradually grew and developed into four monastic
colleges.
Lhamo:
Well, aside from Tibetan monks, are there other

monks at Kumbum monastery?
Jampa:
A side from Tibetan monks, there are also Tu,

Chinese, Mongol, and other monks.
196
Lhamo:
Can we spend the night there?
Jampa:
Yes,Illfindaplacetostay.
Dondrup: Tsering, what are you planning to do during vacation?
Tsering:
I am probably planning to go visit Dunhuang. You?
Dondrup:
Istilldontknow.Whatmadeyouwanttogoto
Dunhuang?
Tsering:
I read a book about Dunhuang previously, and

Dunhaungscultureistrulyamazing.
197
Dondrup:
How about you give me a short introduction to

Dunhuang culture?

()
336
Tsering: SomescholarssaythatDunhuangisacorruption
of the Tibetan name (one thousand caves ).
Dunhaungs caves were carved
in the year
336.
Dunhuangs cultureis a culture of a thousand lights

that was established over the course of many years
by many ethnic groups . Not only does it have old
Tibetan manuscripts and Chinese manuscripts, there
198
are also paintings. I really want to go.
Dondrup:
Hey,ifthatsthe case, how about we go together?
Tsering: Thatsgreat.Letsgotogetherduring vacation.
Notes
336
997
1900526
336
997 1900 5 26
Dunhuang is part of Dunhuang city in
Gansu Province. It was carved in the year 336 and sealed in the year
997. On May 26, 1900, it was reopened and Dunhuang culture has
important manuscripts for the study of the history and culture of Tibet
and related ethnic groups.
New Words
199
weekend

trip, tour
Tibetan calendar
Buddha Shakyamuni
holiday
Buddhist
history
Geluk
(a
Buddhist
sect)

to be born
to
gradually,
found,
to
establish

step
200
step
by
to expand, to grow
monastic college
to develop
monk
culture
amazing
scholar
some
a thousand caves
to translate
excavate
201
place to stay
cave
to
carve,
to
Proper Names
Kumbum Monastery
Huangzhong county
Gansu Province
Dunhuang city
Vocab and Sentence

Building
During summer vacation, I want to go on a trip somewhere,

butIdontknowwhereisbesttogo.Imreallyafraid
202
that the weather in Tibetan areas can change a lot.

A :
A
A : When you have free time, how about we go together to see
the lugu flowers at Lake Kokonor?
B:
B
B:Thatsgreat.Illbringmycameraandgo.
A :
A :
A : Ok. Bring your video camera, too, and go.
Exercises

1) A :
203
B:
A :
B:
A :
B:
2) A :
B:
A :
B:
A :
B:
A :
B:
204
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
4
5 Compare the pronunciation and
205
6 Spell the words aloud in

Tibetan style.
206
Lesson 17
Customs
Tibetan Customs
Sentences
How many years have you spent in Tibetan areas?
Do you know Tibetan customs?
For colors, they
value white a lot.

It represents
auspiciousness and stainlessness.
207
They can dance as soon as they can walk, and they

can sing as soon as they can talk.
Dialogue
Tsering:
Jampa, how many years have you spent in Tibetan

areas? lit. How many year have you spent since coming
to Tibetan areas?
Jampa:
IvebeeninTibetanareasthreeyears.
Tsering:
In that case, have you been to a Tibetan home?
Jampa:
Yes, I have. During summer and winter vacations, I
208
went to Tibetan homes with my friends.
Tsering: Do you know Tibetan customs?
Jampa:
I only know a little. For clothing, they normally

wear Western clothes, but for holidays they wear
Tibetan clothes. For food, they have meat, tsampa,
bread, noodle soup, vegetables, etc. For drinks, they
have milk tea, yogurt, and buttermilk, etc., and on
top of these there are also many fruits that grow in
Tibetan areas, such as strawberries, goji berries,
pears, walnuts, and grapes.
209
Tsering: Oh, is there anything else?
Jampa:
For colors, they value white a lot, because it

represents auspiciousness and stainlessness.
Tsering:
I heard that Tibetan people are all hospitable. Is
that true?
Jampa:
That is really true. On top of being hospitable,

they are also really kind.
Tsering:
I also heard that they can dance as soon as they

can walk and they can sing as soon as they can talk.
Is that true?
210
Jampa:
When the holidays arrive, there is not a single

personwhodoesntsingasonganddanceadance.
Itsreallywhatscalledasea of song and
dance.
New Words
life

customs
place, area
home
summer vacation
winter vacation
211
time, occasion
together
clothes
Western dress
Tibetan dress
holiday
food
drink
buttermilk
strawberry
goji berry
pear
walnut
grape
212
color
to value, to prefer
stainless, unpolluted
Ihaveheard
guest
kindness
to dance
auspicious
talk, speech
to talk
to sing
song and dance
ocean, sea
Proper Names
a sea of song and dance
213
Vocab and Sentence

Building

Before I went to Tibetan areas, I had merely heard that Tibet

is a sea of song and dance, but I did not know if this was really
true or not. Last year, I went with my Tibetan friend during
winter break to his home. When the New Year was celebrated, I
finally understood that the so-calledseaofsonganddance
was not just a saying.

214
No matter what place someone is from, they have their own

customs.Weshouldworkhardtovalueeachotherscustomsand
cultures and thus build a great bridge of friendship between
East and West.
Exercises

A :
B:
A :
B:
A :
B:
A :
215
B:

situation.
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
3
1)
2)
3)
4)

216
Lesson 18
Receiving
Guests
Sorry to Bother You.
217
Sentences
It would be good if you
went and looked yourself.

Sorry to bother you.
Is it a good place to stay?
A t that
intersection, turn right.

A 200 gor deposit.
Dialogue
Jampa:
Excuse me, is there a hotel near here?
Tsering: Yes, from here go straight, and the Contentment Hotel

will be on the right.
218
Jampa:
Is it a good place to stay?

Tsering: Idontknow.Itwouldbegoodifyouwentandlooked
yourself.
Jampa:
Ok, thank you. Is there a bank near here?
Tsering: Yes. A t that intersection turn right, and there is

an A gricultural Bank of China. A cross from that
there is a Bank of China.
Jampa:
Ok, thank you very much. Sorry to bother you.
219
Tsering: Yourewelcome.
2
Jampa:
Owner:
Owner, do you have single rooms here?

Do you want a basic room? Or do you want a standard
room?
Jampa:
I want two standard rooms.
150 300 200

500
Owner:
One room is 150 gor per night. Two rooms will be 300
gor with a 200 gor deposit. A ll together, 500 gor.
220
Jampa:
Owner:
Ok, here.
A lso, give me your identity card. I need to do the
registration.
Jampa:
Ok, here.
Owner:
Here. This is your deposit receipt and these are
the room keys.
Jampa:
Ok, thanks.
Owner:
Yourewelcome.Ifyouneedsomething,youcancall
here directly.
221
Jampa:
Ok.
New Words
hey, Excuse me.
Go straight.
the right side
intersection
to turn
opposite,
across
from

222
Sorry to bother you.

owner
bed
single room
basic room
standard room
deposit
identity card
registration
receipt
Proper Names
Contentment Hotel
223
key
directly
Vocab and Sentence

Building
Is there a hotel
near here?
restaurant
hospital
tea house
bookstore
placetopayonestelephonebill
Tibetan dress
Western dress
milk tea
coffee
Do you want a basic room?
224
Tibetan medicine
Or do you want a standard
Chinese medicine
room?
Can you go online in the

room?
Is there breakfast?
24 Is there hot water 24
hours a day?
Can one
make long-distance phone calls in the room?
You can only make
calls within the city.
Exercises
225
1) A :
B:
A :
B:
2) A :
B:
A :
B:
A :
B:

situation.
1)
2)
3)
4)
226
5)
3
4 A Colloquial Conversation

540

227
Lesson 19
A n Introduction to General Knowledge
How to Count the A ge
of Livestock
Horses

228
Cattle

Sheep

229
Paternal and Maternal Clan Names

Father and Uncles
paternal grandfather
great-grandfather
paternal uncle
maternal grandfather
maternal uncle
wifesfather-in-law
husbandsfather-in-law
Mother and A unts
230
paternal grandmother
maternal grandmother
paternal aunt
maternal aunt
wifesmother-in-law
husbandsmother-in-law
( sister-in-law)
daughter-in-law
Brothers and Sisters
elder brother
younger brother
elder sister
younger sister
Descendents
fraternal nephew
231
fraternal neice
sororal nephew
sororal neice
grandson
great-grandson
232
Lesson 20
A n Introduction to folklore
Columns
The column is a Tibetan cultural symbol that represents a
233
Tibetan familys wealth and fortune. Columns and the hearth

are said to be places where the family deities reside.
In herding areas, there are usually two columns in a tent,
representing the paternal side and the maternal side of the
family. A ccording to oral tradition, if the paternal column
cracks, it suggests there is some estrangement between the
family and the local deity. The family then needs to make
purifying smoke offerings or perform other rituals to clear
away obstacles. If the maternal column cracks, it suggests
there is disharmony between the women of the family. The family
then needs to correct this in the course of daily life to clear
away the disharmony and regain a life of harmony.
234
235
Kataks (White Silk Scarves)

Kataks have been used by the Tibetan people since ancient
times to show respect during religious worship and rituals, for
weddings and funerals, and on the New Year. They are also used
to show respect to oneselders and superiors. Since Tibetans
are a people that greatly values the color white, originally
kataks were white. Later, as contacts with other peoples and

places developed, gradually kataks in all five colors appeared
and they ofted incorporated auspicious motifs of other peoples.
For example, there are many designs such as the eight auspicious
symbols motif that originated in India and the Great Wall motif
from China. There are many accounts that tell about the origin
of kataks, but the account that seems to have the most truth
in it is this: the Tibetan people (whose wealth depended on
236
farming and herding) had an ancient custom of giving each other

sheeps wool. A s the times changed, this gift with a tangible
value was gradually replaced by the katak, representing a
culture of courtesy. The materials used for kataks have changed
as the custom has spread.
Wooden bowls
237
In Tibetan areas there are wooden bowls of all sizes. They

are used for drinking tea, making tsampa, and storing food
stuffs. Wooden bowls are beautiful, light, useful, sturdy, and
portable. Moreover, since wood is a natural material, it gives
a good taste to the tea or other beverage. Wooden bowls made
from various types of wood also have the ability to counteract
poison.
238
Cabinets
Most Tibetan cabinets are carved and painted. They are
mostly made from different types of wood. A s for decorations,
some retain the original color of the wood, while others are
painted. Tibetan cabinets are have four or five shelves.
Different silver or porcelain bowls and other expensive bowls
are palced on the top shelf. Pots and pans, such as copper pots,
are placed on the second and third shelves. The lowest shelf
holds various kitchen utensils. Tangka paintings and Buddha
statues are placed in the top portion of the cabinet. During
the annual festival, new offerings are set out to express
gratitude to the local deities for their protection during the
239
past year and to pray for their protection in clearing

hindrences and obstacles in the coming year.
Milk Pail
Milk pails are containers used by nomads to hold milk. There
are all different sizes of milk pails in Tibetan regions. The
pails are made of wood and held together by bands of wood used
240
to close up gaps between the wooden planks. There are also pails
with copper bands and bands engraved with different desgins.
These pails are both extremely practical and beautiful.
Saddle Pad
241
A saddle pad is made to the dimensions of the saddle and

is used to prevent the saddle from making sores on the horses
back. It is usually made from sheeps wool covered in cloth. Some
people just use a wool pad (without a cloth cover).
242
Latse cairns
Latse are constructed by piling up stones and earth at
mountain passes, on mountain peak, or at borders. The custom
of venerating latse in Tibetan areas goes back to ancient times.
The term latse literally can be understood as meaning
mountainpeak. However the meaning it conveys is vast and
profound.
243
Earthenware pots
Earthenware are vessles made from working clay into
different shapes. A fter drying them in the sun, they are heated
in fire to harden. By examining pots from the Kharob culture,
we can see that Tibetans have 5,000 years of ceramic history.
There are many types of Tibetan pottery, such as black pottery,
multicolored pottery, and white pottery, the majority of which
is used in religious activities.
ThislessonisexcerptedfromStoriesofThirty
Consonants.
244
Grammar
(3)
The sixth case, the genetive, is called the linking particle in Tibetan because it
indicates what something is connected to. It can generally be translated as of or the
245
possessive s, and it can also be used to link adjectives to nouns.

The particles used to mark this are , , , , and .
The are used as follows : after suffixes , , and ; after suffixes and ; after
suffixes , , , and ; and or after the suffix and words without suffixes.
Examples: a supreme body
your hand
load on your back
the river in front
nectar of speech
the nutrition of food
the bridges pillar
a woolen mat
my book
the towns merchandise

my bookshelf
The third case, the instrumental, uses the five genetive particles () with an
246
added suffix: , , , , and . In Tibetan this case is called the agentive

particle because it marks the agent of an action being performed either directly or
indirectly on an object. It can often be translated as by or with or it can be used to
mark the subject of a transitive verb. Memorize the summary verse:

The instrumental particles follow the same suffixes as the genetive particles.
Examples: made drunk by beer and eaten by a tiger
The father spo ke and the son listened .
You ofer
him words of praise .
sewn with a needle
warmed by warmth
scattered by the rain

skill
satiated by food
caught by words
the mouth
praised by all
discovered by
spoken with
written by hand.
In spoken Tibetan, mostly replaces all the other genetive and instrumental
particles. For instance, and
247
(
1.
2.
The fifth case, the ablative, uses the particles and to indicate the source
from which something has arisen, and thus it is called in Tibetan the source case . In
addition to marking the true source of something
, and can also indicate a
selection of a few from within a set of many or a n inclusion of all members in a set. It
d as from . The particle is also used to mark a
can most often be translate
comparisson and in that context can generally be translated as than
. Here is the
summary verse:
Examples of indicating source or origin: Rain falls from the sky.

A jewel is drawn from the sea.
eastern direction.
The sun rises from the
Draw milk from the cow.
Examples of indicating a selection

sandalwood is the most valuable .
teachers are supreme .
: Of all woods
Among learned people ,
Of all activities, studying is supreme .
Among actions, workings for the good of the people is best .

Dawa is younger than Tsering .
A horse is faster than a
donkey.
Examples of indicating an inclusion : from Beijing to Lhasa
from the first through the tenth
from head to he.
248
The eighth case, the vocative, refers to exclamations used to call out to others
of higher, equal, or lower status in direct address. In written Tibetan, the most
common exclamations are , , and and they are generally placed in front of the
name of the person addressed. In rare cases they are placed after th e name, but in both
cases they serve as vocatives. The summary verse:

The exclamation is used for ones superiors , such as professors and rulers ,
and so on. For ones peers, like classmates and friends, one uses either or .
Examples with the exclamation preceding the name:
Professor, please listen.
O,
listen, bosom friend! Train in knowledge without letting up .
249
Hey,
where are you two going?
Hey, come here quickly.
Examples with the exclamation preceding and following the name:
O, o friend rich
whose heart is rich in the ten sciences , do not go elsewhere but stay here , o!
O excellent classmate , give up procrastination and

laziness, o!
Additionally, these vocatives are used in spoken Amdo dialect, and there are also
exclamations such as , , and .
Review Exercises

1) A :
B:
A :
B:
2) A :
B:
A :
250
B:
A :
B:
A :
B:
2 Create a dialogue based on the give n
situation.
1)
2)
3)
4)
3Explain to the class how and why you came to Qinghai.


5 Indentify the given words.
251
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The Tibetan Writing System

12 These 12 letters may take a

6 These 6 letters may take a

12 These 12 letters may take

12 These 12 letters may take

10 These 10 letters may take a

11 These 11 letters may take a

3 These 3 letters may take

both a superscript and a subscript.

5 These 5 letters may

take both a superscript and a subscript.

5 These 5 letters may

take both a superscript and a subscript.

20 that are not used as prefixes or suffixes

How are you?

How are you?

I am well. A re you well?

Not too busy.

Tsering, how are you?

How are you, Drolma?

Have you been unwell these days?

No, no, very well. How is your health?

Very well, thank you.

Tashi, where are you working lately?

I am working in a bank lately.

How is your work these days?

Not too busy. How are your studies?

Do you have a lot of homework every day?

A n everyday greeting. The other person will reply, Iamwell,depending

How are you?

How are you?

A re you two well?

How are you

How is their (that

How are all

Make a dialogue for the following

Read aloud and write.

2) Compare the pronunciation and

3) Explain the difference

Meeting New People

I am very pleased to meet

teacher. She is a student.

Where are you going?

My name is Tsering. I am A merican. What is your

Tsering: I am very pleased to meet you.

I am very pleased to meet you, too.

Tsering: What is her name? What country is she from?

Her name is Metok. She is French.

Tsering: Is she a teacher?

She is not a teacher. She is a student.

Tashi, who is that?

Drolma, I will introduce you. This is my elder

My name is Jampa. I am very pleased to meet you.

I am very pleased to meet you, too.

Where are you going?

I am going to Qinghai Nationalities University.

We two are going to the store.

Drolma: Ok. Goodbye! (lit. Be well!)

Tsering: Is Teacher Dawa home?

Yes, he is. You are?

Ok, thank you.

is used for the third person. For example:

Qinghai Nationalities University

Vocab and Sentence