1

KTWG’S KAREN LANGUAGE COURSE

We welcome all to our Karen language course. We developed this course for foreigners
working with the Karen people in refugee camps along the Thai-Burma border. The course
provides basic phrases for everyday use. You can also click the audio file to listen to the
proper pronunciation. Our course is organized into 15 sections:

Section 1: Greetings
Section 2: Personal Information
Section 3: Hobbies
Section 4: At The Tea Shop
Section 5: Shopping
Section 6: School and Children
Section 7: How Are You Feeling?
Section 8: Not Very Well Today
Section 9: Family Photos
Section 10: What’s The Time?
Section 11: On The Phone
Section 12: Where’s The Hospital
Section 13: Days Of The Week
Section 14: Months Of The Year
Section 15: Numbers
Section 16: Some Basics

GOOD LUCK!!
Section 1: Greetings Section 2: Personal Information Section 3: Hobbies Section 4: At The Tea Shop Section 5: Shopping Section 6: School and Children Section 7: How Are You
Feeling? Section 8: Not Very Well Today Section 9: Family Photos Section 10: What’s The Time? Section 11: On The Phone Section 12: Where’s The Hospital Section 13: Days Of
The Week Section 14: Months Of The Year Section 15: Numbers Section 16: Some Basics
 2

1. GREETINGS (Click Here To Listen)

*DRvXt*hRI hgaw ler ah hgay Good morning.
*DRvXt*hRI hgaw ler ah hgay Good morning.
etd.ql.{gI na oh hsoo ahh? Are you well?
,td.ql.IeRrD. ya oh hsoo. Na maw? I am well. And you?
,td.ql.I ya oh hsoo. I am well.
etD.rhR0HRvH{gI na aw may wee lee ahh? Have you eaten?
rh><0HRvH may, wee lee. Yes, I have eaten.

[gvXt*hR<o&./o&.rk. hah ler ah hgay, thara/tharamu Good afternoon, teacher.

[gvXt*hR hah ler ah hgay Good afternoon.
na aw may wee lee ahh? Have you eaten?
etD.rhR0HRvH{g
Her er, ta wee dee ba No I haven't.
[X.tX<w0HR'H;b.
na ga aw htee ahh? You want some water?
eutDxH{g
may, ta-blu Yes, thanks.
rh><w>bsK;

Section 1: Greetings Section 2: Personal Information Section 3: Hobbies Section 4: At The Tea Shop Section 5: Shopping Section 6: School and Children Section 7: How Are You
Feeling? Section 8: Not Very Well Today Section 9: Family Photos Section 10: What’s The Time? Section 11: On The Phone Section 12: Where’s The Hospital Section 13: Days Of
The Week Section 14: Months Of The Year Section 15: Numbers Section 16: Some Basics
 3
2. PERSONAL INFORMATION (Click Here To Listen)

erHR'fvJ. na mee di leh? What’s your name?

,rHRrh>== ya mee may ---
xH.b.eRo;ck'd.r; htee bah na tha ku doh ma
,Rph>uD;o;ck'd.r; ya say gaw tha ku doh ma
e[Jw>vD>zJvJ. na heh ta law hpeh leh?
,[JvXth.uvJ> yah heh ler ay gal leh
ew>zH;w>rRrh>rekRvJ. na ta hpee ta ma may ma nu leh?
,rRw>vXw>qg[H. ya ma ta tar-ler ta hsah-hee
ezsDeo;vH{g na hplaw na tha lee ahh?
rh><,zsDo;vH may, ya hplaw tha lee
ezdtd.ySJR*RvHvJ. na hpoh oh pgeh hga lee leh?
cH*R kee-hga
ydmrk.ySJR*RydmcGgySJR*RvJ. poh-mu pgeh hga, poh-kwah pgeh hga
leh?
ydmrk.w*RydmcGgw*R poh-mu ta hga poh-kwah ta hga
eud;M>ezdtrHR'fvJ. na goh nay na hpoh a mee di leh?
rlxl'D;zJ0g Moo Htoo daw Peh Wah
e'Dyk>0J>td.ySJR*RvJ. na daw pu weh oh pgeh hga leh?
ydmrk.cH*RydmcGgoX*R poh-mu kee-hga, poh-kwah ther-hga
My name is ---
Nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you too.
Where do you come from?
I come from England.
What is your job?
I work in the hospital.
Are you married?
Yes, I’m married.
How many children do you have?
Two children.
Boys or girls?
One boy and one girl.
What are their names?
Moo Htoo and Peh Wah
How many brothers and sisters do you
have?
Two sisters and three brothers.

eo;td.ySJReH.vJ. na tha oh pgeh nee leh? How old are you?

,o;td.=====eH. ya tha oh --- nee I am _____ years old.
etd.w>vD>zJvJ. na oh ta law hpeh leh? Where do you live?
,td.vXrk>,l> ya oh ler Mu Yoo I live in Mae Sariang.
ew>rRrh>rekRvJ. na ta ma may ma nu leh? What is your job?
,rh>uFdo&. ya may kyoh thera I'm a teacher.
'D;eJew>rRrh>w>rekRvJ. daw neh na ta ma may ta ma nu leh? And what is your job?
,rh>ySRuFdzd ya may pgah kyoh hpoh I'm a student.
 4
uoH.o&.'d.pd ga thee thara doh soh Doctor
uoH.o&.rk. ga thee tharamu Nurse
ySRuG>ySR[k; pgah gwa pgah hu Midwife
ySRok;zd pgah thu hpoh Soldier
uFdo&. thara (tharamu)
Teacher
ySRxlpHmzd pgah htoo see hpoh
Farmer
ySRxgw>zd pgah htah ta hpoh
Weaver
us;up> gla ga sar
hee ga sar mu Shopkeeper
[H.up>rk.
Housewife

Section 1: Greetings Section 2: Personal Information Section 3: Hobbies Section 4: At The Tea Shop Section 5: Shopping Section 6: School and Children Section 7: How Are You
Feeling? Section 8: Not Very Well Today Section 9: Family Photos Section 10: What’s The Time? Section 11: On The Phone Section 12: Where’s The Hospital Section 13: Days Of
The Week Section 14: Months Of The Year Section 15: Numbers Section 16: Some Basics
 5
3. HOBBIES (Click Here To Listen to Phrases) (Click Here To Listen to Extra Vocabulary)

w>o;pJ ta tha seh Hobbies

zJw>qXuwD>obshvXe*D>tcgetJ.'d;rRrekRvJ. hpeh ta hser ga taw tha blay ler na What do you like to do in your free
hgaw a kah na eh doh mah ma nu leh? time?
,tJ.'d;xgw><cGJ;w><eRrD. ya eh doh htah ta, kweh ta, nah I like weaving and knitting. And
maw? you?

,tJ.'d;vdmuGJzsX.xl'D;zsX.CR ya eh doh loh gweh hpler htoo daw hpler
hkah
rh>eb.o;*JRuvHmph>{g may na bah tha hgeh ga lee say ahh?
rh><,tJ.w>*JRuvHm may ya eh ta hgeh ga lee
,Jph>uD;<,tJ.w>*JRuvHm yeh say gaw, ya eh ta hgeh ga lee
rh>etJ.o;0H.w>ph>{g may na eh tha wee ta say ahh?
rh><,tJ.w>ol.0H.o;qX may ya eh ta thoo wee tha hser
'D;,tJ.'hwe>ph> daw ya eh day ta na say
cJtHRyu'houd;w>rD. keh ee pa ga day tha goh ta maw
I like playing football and caneball.
And do you like dancing?
Yes, I love dancing.
Me too, I love dancing.
And do you like singing?
Yes. I love singing.
And I like playing the guitar.
Let's make music together!

qDql. hsaw hsoo Badminton

zsX.ySD> hpaler pgaw Volleyball
yD>xH paw htee Swimming
w>wrJRpkcd. ta t'mae hsu koh Boxing
w>c;tD.w> ta ka aw ta Hunting
w>Ch> ta hka Running
w>cG;J ta kweh Knitting
w>q; ta hsa Sewing
z;vHm hpa lee Reading
vJRqlo&d. leh hsoo th'roh Going to church
w>zlxD.w>vGJ> ta pu htaw ta lweh Painting
w>whw>*DR ta tay ta hgaw Drawing
 6
Phrases.
,o;[hIIIII ya tha hay … I hate…
,wb.o;b.IIIIII ya ta bah tha bah … I don't like…
,b.o;IIIII ya bah tha … I like…
,tJ.IIIII ya eh … I love…

Section 1: Greetings Section 2: Personal Information Section 3: Hobbies Section 4: At The Tea Shop Section 5: Shopping Section 6: School and Children Section 7: How Are You
Feeling? Section 8: Not Very Well Today Section 9: Family Photos Section 10: What’s The Time? Section 11: On The Phone Section 12: Where’s The Hospital Section 13: Days Of
The Week Section 14: Months Of The Year Section 15: Numbers Section 16: Some Basics
 7
4. AT THE TEA SHOP(Click Here To Listen to Phrases) (Listen to Extra Vocabulary)
eHRvXt*hR nee ler ah hgay Hello!
eHRvXt*hR nee ler ah hgay Hello!
,tJ.'d;tD.w>wrHR ya eh doh aw tah ta mee I'd like to eat something.
etJ.'d;tD.w>rekRvJ. na eh doh aw ta ma nu leh? What do you want to eat?
,tJ.'d;tD.rhR ya eh doh aw may I'd like to eat rice.
eutD.'D;xD;n.{g na ga aw daw htoh-nya ahh? Would you like it with pork?
qDn.td.{g hsaw-nya oh ahh? Have you got chicken?
td. oh Yes.
0Ho;plR[h.,RqDn.wcG; wee-tha-soo hay ya hsaw-nya ta kwah Please give me one plate of chicken..
rh>etJ.'d;tD.'D;w>rekR'H;vJ. may, na eh doh aw ta ma nu dee leh? Ok! And what else do you want?
,tJ.'d;tDxH ya eh doh aw htee I want to drink water.

tyShRvDRwJmqH;tgvJ. a pgay law teh hsee ah leh? How much does it cost?
,J>qHb; yeh-hsee bah Fifty baht.
w>bsK; ta-blu Thank you.

wRolwRo.xH ta thoo ta tha htee fruit juice

=wCh.o. - ta hkay tha - orange
=eJ;o. - neh tha - pineapple
=zDo. - hpaw tha - apple
=uxHydm - ga htee poh - sugar cane
vmz;xH la hpa htee tea
cDzH. kaw hpee coffee
xH htee water
cd;(cf) koh coke
wRqH.xH ta hsee htee lemonade
w>ek>xH ta nu htee milk
rhR may rice
 8
cD;qGJ kaw hsweh noodles
ud;w,d. goh ta yoh ku ti yaw
tH.uF.uGh ee kyah gway ijakwe
prlRpR sa moo sar samosa
xd;n. htoh-nya pork
qDn. hsaw-nya chicken
n. nya fish
w>'d;w>v. ta doh ta la vegetables
tHo.qX ee tha hser sugar
ud. goh bread
w>qXud.vd. ta hser goh loh candy
qD'H. hsaw dee egg

cDeDCh kaw naw hkay dry noodles

n.'X nya der tinned fish
n.Ch nya hkay dried fish
ob.bd.cd. tha bah boh koh cabbage
t;vl a loo potato
wuDRo. ta gaw tha eggplant

ta gaw hsee tha tomato

wuDRqH.o.
ta hkay tha orange
wCh.o.
teh taw tha watermelon
wJmwDo.
pa ther hgaw onion
yoX*DR
pa ther wah garlic
yoX0g

Section 1: Greetings Section 2: Personal Information Section 3: Hobbies Section 4: At The Tea Shop Section 5: Shopping Section 6: School and Children Section 7: How Are You
Feeling? Section 8: Not Very Well Today Section 9: Family Photos Section 10: What’s The Time? Section 11: On The Phone Section 12: Where’s The Hospital Section 13: Days Of
The Week Section 14: Months Of The Year Section 15: Numbers Section 16: Some Basics
 9
5. SHOPPING
*DRvXt*hRI,tJ.'d;yShRw>wcg hgaw ler a hgay. Ya eh doh pgay tah ta Good morning. I'd like to buy
kah something.
eo;vDw>rekRvJ. na tha law ta ma nu leh? What do you need?
,o;vDr;r; ya tha law ma ma I need dry noodles.
eo;vDySJRbd.vJ. ya tha law pgeh boh leh? How many packets do you need?
,o;vDcHbd.ItyShRqH;tgvJ. ya tha law kee-boh. A pgay hsee ah leh? I need two packets. How much is that?
wqH;b; ta-hsee bah 10 baht.
w>bsK; ta blu Thanks.

,o;vDw>ek>xH ya tha law ta-nu-htee I need milk.

eo;vDySJR'XvJ. na tha law pgeh der leh? How many bottles do you need?
,o;vDoX'X ya tha law ther der I need three bottles.

,o;vDtHo.qX ya tha law ee-tha-hser I need sugar.

eo;vDySJRbd.vJ. na tha law pgeh boh leh? How many packets do you need?
,o;vDwbd. ya tha law ta boh I need one packet.
*DRvXt*hR hgaw-ler-ah-hgay Good morning
*DRvXt*hR hgaw-ler-ah-hgay Good morning
ob.bd.cd.td.{g tha-bah-boh-koh oh ahh? Have you got cabbage?
wtd.b. ta oh bah No, I haven't.
t;vltd.{g a-loo oh ahh? Have you got potatoes?
wtd.b. ta oh bah No, I haven't.
wuDRo.td.{g ta-gaw-tha oh ahh? Have you got eggplant?
wtd.b. ta oh bah No, I haven't.
wuDRqH.o.td.{g ta-gaw-hsee-tha oh ahh? Have you got tomatoes?
td.<eo;vDqH;tgvJ. oh, na tha law hsee ah leh? Yes. How many do you want?
cHuHvdItyShRvDRwJmqH;tgvJ. kee gee-loh. A pgay law teh hsee ah leh? Two kilos. How much is that?
cHqH;b; kee-hsee bah Twenty baht.
w>bsK; ta blu Thanks

6. SCHOOL AND CHILDREN
ezdtd.ySJR*RvJ.I na hpoh oh pgeh hga leh?
,zdtd.vGH>*RIrk.cH*R<cGgcH*RI ya hpoh oh lwee hga, mu kee hga,
kwah kee hga
t0Joh.vJRuFd{g ah weh thay leh kyoh ahh?
rh>t0Joh.vJRuFdud;*RvDRI may ah weh thay leh kyoh goh hga
law.
,zdcGgt'd.w*Rtd.wqHCD;eH.'D;xD. ya hpoh kwah ah doh ta hga oh ta
0JwDR'd.wkmuFdvDRI hsee hkaw nee daw htaw weh taw doh tu
kyoh law
,zdcGgtqH;w*Rtd.wqHCkeH.'D;xD.0J ya hpoh kwah ah hsee ta hga oh ta
wDRxDuFdvDRI hsee hku nee daw htaw weh taw htaw
kyoh law
,zdrk.t'd.w*Rtd.wqHcHeH.'D;t0J ya hpoh mu ah doh ta hga oh ta hsee
xD.wDRcX.o;uFdM.vDRI kee nee daw a weh htaw taw ker tha
kyoh nay law
,zdo'gtd.CkeH.'D;t0JrRvdwDRcD.xH; ya hpoh tha dah oh hku nee daw ah
vDRI weh ma loh taw kaw htee law
e0RM.tw>rRrh>rekRvJ. na wa nay ah ta ma may ma nu leh?
t0Jrh>uFdo&.w*R<t0Jod.vdw>'G;vX ah weh may kyoh tha-ra ta hga, a
wDRxDuFdI weh thoh loh tar dwa ler taw htaw kyoh
ew>zH;w>rRrh>rekRvJ. na ta hpee ta ma may ma nu leh?
,rh>ph>uD;uFdo&.w*R<,od.vdw>vX ya may say gaw kyoh tha-ra ta hga,
wDRcD.xH;uFdI ya thoh loh ta ler taw kaw htee kyoh
10
How many children do you have?
I have four children, two girls
and two boys.
And do they go to school?
Yes, they all go to school.
My eldest son is 18, he’s in Post
Ten.
My second son is 16, he’s in High
school.
My eldest daughter is 12, she’s in
Middle School.
My youngest is 6, she’s in
Kindergarten.
What is your husband's job?
He is a teacher, he teaches
Maths at the High School.
What is your job?
I'm a teacher too. I teach at the
Kindergarten.
 11

w>'G; tar dwa Maths

tJuvH; eh ga lee English
y,DR pa yaw Burmese
unD ga nyaw Karen
xH&l>uD>oJ; htee hgoo gaw theh Politics
pdRyD> soh paw History
pJth. seh ay Science
w>td.ql.td.csh ta aoh hsoo aoh klay Health
[D.cd.*DR haw koh hgaw Geography

uFdtuvkmvXuD>y,DRylR kyoh a'ga lu ler gaw pa yaw pu Schools in Burma

wDRbsDuFd taw blaw kyoh Nursery
wDRcD.xH; taw kaw htee Kindergarten
wDRzk. 1=4wDR taw hpu 1 taw tu 4 taw Primary standard 1 - 4
wDRcX.o; 5=7wDR taw ker tha 5 taw tu 7 taw Middle standard 5 - 7
wDRxD 8=10wDR taw htaw 8 taw tu a'taw 10 High standard 8 - 10
wDR'd.wkm 11=12wDR taw doh tu 11 taw tu 12 taw Post Ten standard 11 – 12

Section 1: Greetings Section 2: Personal Information Section 3: Hobbies Section 4: At The Tea Shop Section 5: Shopping Section 6: School and Children Section 7: How Are You
Feeling? Section 8: Not Very Well Today Section 9: Family Photos Section 10: What’s The Time? Section 11: On The Phone Section 12: Where’s The Hospital Section 13: Days Of
The Week Section 14: Months Of The Year Section 15: Numbers Section 16: Some Basics
 12
7. HOW ARE YOU FEELING?

weHRtHRewl>b.'fvJ. ta nee ee na too bah di leh? How are you feeling?

weHRtHR,o;ck'd.r; ta nee ee ya tha ku doh ma I'm very happy today.
b.rekRtCdvJ. bah ma nu a hkoh leh? Why?
rh>vX,'Dyk>0J>rk.zsDo;weHRtHRtCd may ler ya daw pu weh mu hplaw tha Because my sister is getting
ta nee ee a hkoh married today.
tdvDRv;'d.r; oh, law la doh ma Oh, that's wonderful!

weHRtHRewl>b.'fvJ. ta nee ee na too bah di leh? How are you feeling?

weHRtHR,o;tk;'d.r; ta nee ee ya tha u doh ma I'm sad today.
b.rekRCdvJ. bah ma nu a hkoh leh? Why?
rh>vXweHRtHRrk>xHuvJRtrJ&HuRtCd may ler ta nee ee Mu Htee ga leh a- Because Moo Htee is going to
meh-ree-ga a hkoh America today.
rk.xHM.rh>rwRvJ. Mu Htee nay may ma ta leh? Who is Moo Htee?
t0Jrh>,w>tJ.wDI a weh may ya ta eh taw He is my boyfriend.

ewl>b.'fvJ. na too bah di leh? How are you feeling?

,ol.yd>o;0;'d.r; ya thoo poh tha wah doh ma I'm very excited.
b.rekRtCdvJ. ba ma nu a hkoh leh? Why?
rh>vXcJrqh.rh>,eHRtd.zsJ.trk>eHRtCd may ler keh ma hsay may ya nee oh Because tomorrow is my birthday.
hpleh a mu nee a hkoh

na too bah di leh? How are you feeling?

ewl>b.'fvJ.
ya too bah mu keh ler law na maw? I'm fine. Everything is ok. And
,wl>b.rkmcJvXmvDRIeRrD.
you?
ya too ba mu keh ler law I'm feeling good.
,wl>b.rk.cJvXmvDRI

Section 1: Greetings Section 2: Personal Information Section 3: Hobbies Section 4: At The Tea Shop Section 5: Shopping Section 6: School and Children Section 7: How Are You
Feeling? Section 8: Not Very Well Today Section 9: Family Photos Section 10: What’s The Time? Section 11: On The Phone Section 12: Where’s The Hospital Section 13: Days Of
The Week Section 14: Months Of The Year Section 15: Numbers Section 16: Some Basics
 13
8. NOT VERY WELL TODAY

weHRtHRySRuFdzdw[Jb.vGH>*RIt0Joh.td.zJvJ.I
pDR0gtd.wql.b.It0Jb.w>[XzXvlI
tJ.phvJRzJvJ.I
t0Jtd.wql.tgtgb.It0Jtcd.o.
CHqgI
o;wDvJRzJvJ.I
t0Jtd.wql.b.It0JtvdRud>I
'D;rlrltd.zJvJ.It0Jqd;uhph>{gI
ud>w*hRIrlrlM.pJRcHxDbdvDRI
ta nee ee pgah kyoh hpoh ta heh bah Four students are not here today.
lwee hga. A weh thay oh hpeh leh? Where are they?
Saw Wah oh ta hsoo bah. A weh bah Saw Wah is not very well. He’s
tar her hper loo got diarrhoea.
Eh Say leh hpeh leh? And where is Eh Say?
a weh oh ta hsoo ah ah bah. A weh a She is not very well. She has a
koh tha hkee hsah headache.
Tha Taw leh hpeh leh? Where is Tha Htaw?
a weh oh ta hsoo bah. A weh a loh He is not very well. He has a
goh fever.
daw Moo Moo oh hpeh leh? A weh hsoh And where is Moo Moo? Is she ill too?
gay say ahh?
goh ta hgay. Moo Moo nay seh kee Don’t worry. Moo Moo is always
htaw boh law late.

w>td.ql.td.csh ta oh hsoo oh klay Health

etd.ql.td.csh{gI na oh hsoo oh klay ahh? How are you feeling?
,td.wql.tgtgb.I ya oh ta hsoo ah ah bah. I'm not feeling well.

,cd.o.qgI ya koh tha hsah I have a headache.

,vdRud>I ya loh goh I have a fever.

,cD.vh>cd.qgI ya kaw lay koh hsah My knee hurts.

,cD.qgI ya kaw hsah My leg hurts.

,rJqgI ya meh hsah I have a toothache.

,[XzXqgI ya her hper hsah I have a stomach ache.
,ul; ya goo I have a cough.
 14
rd>yS>tuh>t*DRwz. moh pgah a gay a hgaw ta hpa Parts of the body
cd.o. koh tha Head
cd.ql. koh hsoo Hair
rJmcsH meh klee Eye
eg'h nah day Nose
udmylR goh poo Mouth
yshR play Tongue

e> nah Ear

udmbd goh boh Neck
zHb.cd. hpee bah koh Shoulder
o;egyS> tha nah pga Chest
pkwDR su taw Arm
pk'k. su du Hand
pkeX su ner Fingers

[XzX her hper Stomach

cD. kaw Leg
cD.vm kaw lah Foot
kaw ner Toes
cD.eX
tha Heart
o;

Section 1: Greetings Section 2: Personal Information Section 3: Hobbies Section 4: At The Tea Shop Section 5: Shopping Section 6: School and Children Section 7: How Are You
Feeling? Section 8: Not Very Well Today Section 9: Family Photos Section 10: What’s The Time? Section 11: On The Phone Section 12: Where’s The Hospital Section 13: Days Of
The Week Section 14: Months Of The Year Section 15: Numbers Section 16: Some Basics

9. FAMILY PHOTOS (Click Here To Listen)
ydmrk.w*RM.rh>rwRvJ.
t0Jrh>,'Dyk>0J>rk.It0Jtd.vXbDuD;I
t0JrRw>vXUNHCR.
'D;w>ydmcGGgw*RM.cDrD.I
t0Jrh>,'Dyk>0J>cGGgIt0Jtd.vX0h>wul.
t0Jrh>uoH.o&.'d.pdw*RvDRI
'D;ySRw&XM.rh>rwRvJ.
t0JtHRrh>,rd,ygIt0Joh.td.vXrJ>v;tlIt0J
oh.tJ.'d;vJRvXcJe'>I
tM.w*RrD.I
tM.rh>,zHIt0Jtd.teH.cGHqHI
w>ydmrk.zdw*RM.rD.
t0Jrh>,zd'd.rk.It0Jtd.(12)eH.I
t0J'd.w>*hR'd.r;I
poh mu ta hga nay may ma ta leh?
a weh may ya daw pu weh mu. A weh oh
ler baw kaw. A weh ma ta ler UNHCR
daw ta poh kwah ta hga nay kaw
maw?
a weh may ya daw pu weh kwah. A weh
oh ler way ta goo a weh may ga thee tha He’s a doctor.
ra doh soh ta hga law.
daw pga ta rer nay may ma ta leh?
a weh ee may ya moh ya pah. A weh
thay oh ler meh la oo. A weh thay eh
doh leh ler keh-na-da.
a nay ta hga maw
a nay may ya pee. A weh oh a nee kwee
hsee
ta poh mu hpoh ta hga nay maw?
a weh may ya hpoh doh mu. A weh oh ta
hsee kee nee
a weh doh tar hgay doh ma!
15
Who is that woman?
That’s my sister. She lives in Bangkok.
She works for UNHCR.
And who is that man?
That’s my brother. He lives in Yangon.
And who are they?
These are my parents. They live in Mae
La Oon. They want to go to Canada.
And who is that?
This is my grandmother. She is 90
years old.
And who is that girl?
This is my niece. She is 12.
She’s beautiful!
 16

[H.zdCDzd hee hpoh hkaw hpoh Family.

zH hpee Grandmother
zk hpu Grandfather
rd>y> moh pah Parents
rd> moh Mother
y> pah Father

rk>*> muhga Aunt

zgwH> hpah tee Uncle
'Dyk>0J> daw pu weh Siblings
'Dyk>0J>cGg daw pu weh kwah Brother
'Dyk>0J>rk. daw pu weh mu Sister

0R wa Husband
rg mah Wife
zdrk. hpoh mu Daughter
zdcGg hpoh kwah Son

vHR lee Grandchild

vHRrk. lee mu Granddaughter
lee kwah Grandson
vHRcGg
daw ta kwah Cousin
'DwcGg
hpoh doh mu Niece
zd'd.rk.
hpoh doh kwah Nephew
zd'd.cGg
ma Son-in-law
rm deh mu Daughter-in-law
'J.rk. mee pga poh mu Mother-in-law
rHRyS>ydmrk. mee pga poh kwah Father-in-law
rHRyS>ydmcGg
 17

10. WHAT’S THE TIME? (Click Here To Listen)

ySJRe.&H.vJ. pgeh na ree leh? What time is it?

=wqHcHe.&H.
=Cd;e.&H.wcD
=eGHe.&H.wqH;,J>rH;eH;
=oXe.&H.ub.vd.'H;wqH,J>rH;eH;
(cHe>&H>vGH>qH,J>rH;eH;)
-ta hsee kee na ree - twelve o' clock
-hkoh na ree ta kaw - half past eight
-nwee na ree ta hsee yeh mee nee -quarter past seven
-ther na ree ga bah loh dee ta hsee yeh - quarter to three (2:45)
mee nee (kee na ree lwee hsee yeh mee
nee)

e[H;M>*DRw>tD.vXySJRe.&H.vJ. na hee nay hgaw ta aw ler pgeh na ree When do you have breakfast?
leh?
eGHe.&H. nwee na ree Seven o'clock.

e[H;M>rk>xl.w>tD.vXySJRe.&H.vJ. na hee nay mu htoo ta aw ler pgeh na When do you have lunch?
ree leh?
wqHcHe.&H. ta hsee kee na ree Twelve o'clock.

e[H;M>[gw>tD.vXySJRe.&H.vJ. na hee nay hah ta aw ler pgeh na ree When do you have dinner?
leh?
Cke.&H. hku na ree Six o'clock.

na ga leh meh hsaw hsee yee leh? When are you going to Mae Sot?
euvJRrJqD;qH;,HmvJ.
keh ma hah ther na ree This afternoon at three o'clock.
cJr[goXe.&H.
 18

weHRtHR ta nee ee Today

w*DRtHR ta hgaw ee This morning
w[gtHR ta ha ee This afternoon
weRtHR ta na ee Tonight

reRuXm ma na ger Last night

r[gwEGH ma hah ta nwee last week
r[gwvg ma hah ta lah Last month
r[gweHR*DRcD ma hah ta nee hgaw kaw Yesterday morning

cJrqh.*DRcD keh ma hsay hgaw kaw Tomorrow morning

qlrJmngweH.(cJr[d) hsoo meh nyah ta nee (keh ma hoh) Next year
qlngwvg hsoo nyah ta lah Next month

rl;wz. mu ta hpar Festivals

c&Hmtd.zsJ.rk>eHR Kree oh hpleh mu nee Christmas day
unDeH.xD.oDrk>eHR ga nyaw nee htaw thaw mu nee Karen New Year
zdo.rk>eHR hpoh tha mu nee Children's day
ySRb.uDb.cJrk>eHR pgah bah gaw bah keh mu nee Refugee day
unDw>yX>qXrk>eHR ga nyaw ta per hser mu nee Karen Resistance day
uD>olvhRrk>eHR gaw thoo lay mu nee Kaw Thoo Lei day
unD'Duvkmw>xl.zsJ;ok;rk>'d.rk>eHR ga nyaw daw ga lu ta htoo hpleh thu mu KNLA day
doh mu nee
*XRo;rk>eHR hger tha mu nee KNDO day
unD'Duvkmrk>eHR ga nyaw daw ga lu mu nee KNA day

Section 1: Greetings Section 2: Personal Information Section 3: Hobbies Section 4: At The Tea Shop Section 5: Shopping Section 6: School and Children Section 7: How Are You
Feeling? Section 8: Not Very Well Today Section 9: Family Photos Section 10: What’s The Time? Section 11: On The Phone Section 12: Where’s The Hospital Section 13: Days Of
The Week Section 14: Months Of The Year Section 15: Numbers Section 16: Some Basics
 19
11. ON THE PHONE

[Jvd. heh loh? Hello?

*DRvXt*hR=,rHRrh>vRrk>ph,uwJw>'D;
o&.rk.vX>xluoh{g
0Ho;plRcJtHRySRwtd.vX0JR'X;eDw*Rb.
ewJudRvR0gb.{g
,wJwb.b.
0Ho;plR,wJySRunDusdmwb.tgtgb.
hgaw-ler-a-hgay, ya mee may La Mu
Say ya ga teh ta daw tha-ra-mu Ler Htu
ga thay ahh?
wee tha soo, keh ee pga ta oh ler weh
der naw ta hga bah. na teh goh la wah
bah ahh?
ya teh ta ba bah
wee tha soo, ya teh pga ga nyaw gloh ta
bah ahh ahh bah.
Good morning, my name is La Mu
Say, can I speak to Ler Htu, please?
I'm sorry, nobody is in the office.
Do you speak English?
No, I don't.
I'm sorry, I don't speak much Karen.

eqJ;usXu'guhRvXcJr[goXe.&H.uoh{g na hseh gler ga dah gay ler keh ma har Can you phone again after three o'clock
ther na ree ga thay ahh? please?
oh thay OK.
w>bsK;=*DRvXt*hR ta-blu. hgaw ler ah hgay Thanks, goodbye.
*DRvXt*hR hgaw ler ah hgay Goodbye.
 20

ewJ,dRusdmb.{g na teh yoh gloh ba ahh? Do you speak Thai?

,wJb.wpJ;wpJ; ya teh bah ta seh ta seh I only speak a little bit.

0Ho;plRqJ;usXu'gvX wee tha soo gler ga dah ler Please phone again
=cJr[g - keh ma hah - this afternoon
=cJrk>qh.*DRcD - kem-mu-hsay hgaw-kaw - tomorrow morning
=cJrk>qh.[gcD - keh-mu-hsay hah-kaw - tomorrow afternoon

weHRtHRt0Jwtd.b.
t0Ju[JuhRvX ta nee ee a weh ta oh bah He isn't here today.
=cJrk>qh. a weh ga hah gay ler He will be back
=eGHvXu[Jrk>[;xD. - keh mu hsay - tomorrow
=cJuXmweGH - nwee ler ga heh mu hah htaw - next Monday
- keh ger ta nwee - next week
rh><wpd>zd ,uvJRud;tDR
may, ta soh hpoh. Ya ga leh goh aw Yes, one moment. I'll get her.

Section 1: Greetings Section 2: Personal Information Section 3: Hobbies Section 4: At The Tea Shop Section 5: Shopping Section 6: School and Children Section 7: How Are You
Feeling? Section 8: Not Very Well Today Section 9: Family Photos Section 10: What’s The Time? Section 11: On The Phone Section 12: Where’s The Hospital Section 13: Days Of
The Week Section 14: Months Of The Year Section 15: Numbers Section 16: Some Basics
 21
12. WHERE’S THE HOSPITAL

0Ho;plRw>qg[H.td.zJvJ. wee tha soo, ta hsah hee oh hpeh leh? Excuse me, where’s the hospital?

td.vXu0DR(4)I oh ler ga waw (lwee) It's in section four.

vJRvDRydmusJ'D;w&H;qlepkph.0HRqlngvJRw&H;qle
pkxGJwyRwuh>I
w>qg[H.M.td.0JvXw>vl>zdtzDcd.vXepkxGJw
uyRvDRI
leh law poh gleh daw ta ree hsoo na
su say wee hsoo nyah leh ter ree hsoo
na su htweh ta pa ta gay
ta-hsah-hee nay oh weh ler ta loo hpoh
a hpaw koh ler na su htweh ta ga pa law
Go down the road and take the first
turning left, then the second turning
right.
The hospital is at the top of the hill
on your right.

,HRqH;,HmvJ. yee hsee yee leh? How far is it?

cHqHrH;eH; kee-hsee mee nee Twenty minutes.

e[H. na hee Your house

ZOA 0JR'X; ZOA weh der ZOA office
UNHCR 0JR'X; UNHCR weh der UNHCR office
w>[h.uoH.'X; ta hay ga thee der Clinic
vmz;xHus; lah hpah htee gla Tea shop

tvD>cH a law kee Behind

trJmng a meh nyah In front of
wR*mvdmo; ta hga loh tha Opposite
bl;vdmo; boo loh tha Next to
bl;'D; boo daw Near

tcX.o;(bX.pXR) a ker tha (ber ser) Between

wcsK; ta klu Before
0HRtvD>cH wee a law kee After
 22

xHusd htee gloh River

wdR toh Bridge
zsX.xlysD hpler htoo plaw Football pitch
zsX.CRysD hpler hka plaw Caneball court
'Ju0DRjwJR deh ga waw treh Camp gates

usJ gleh Road

usJzd gleh hpoh Footpath
oh. thay Tree
yS>usg pga glah Forest
cDusJ kaw gleh Crossroads

xD.w>vl>zd htaw ta loo hpoh Go up the hill.

vDRw>vl>zd law ta loo hpoh Go down the hill.
cDxHusd kaw htee gloh Cross the river.
cDwdR kaw toh Go over the bridge.

Section 1: Greetings Section 2: Personal Information Section 3: Hobbies Section 4: At The Tea Shop Section 5: Shopping Section 6: School and Children Section 7: How Are You
Feeling? Section 8: Not Very Well Today Section 9: Family Photos Section 10: What’s The Time? Section 11: On The Phone Section 12: Where’s The Hospital Section 13: Days Of
The Week Section 14: Months Of The Year Section 15: Numbers Section 16: Some Basics
 23
13. DAYS OF THE WEEK (Click Here To Listen)

wEGHtwD>ylRrk>eHRwz. Ta Nwee Taw Pu Mu Nee Ta Pa Days of the week

rk>'J; mu Deh Monday

rk>q. mu Hsa Tuesday
rk>,l. mu yoo Wednesday
rk>ysJR mu pleh Thursday
rk>vh{dR mu lay- oh Friday
rk>zDz; mu paw pah Saturday
rk>bl. mu bu Sunday

Section 1: Greetings Section 2: Personal Information Section 3: Hobbies Section 4: At The Tea Shop Section 5: Shopping Section 6: School and Children Section 7: How Are You
Feeling? Section 8: Not Very Well Today Section 9: Family Photos Section 10: What’s The Time? Section 11: On The Phone Section 12: Where’s The Hospital Section 13: Days Of
The Week Section 14: Months Of The Year Section 15: Numbers Section 16: Some Basics
 24
14. MONTHS OF THE YEAR (Click Here To Listen)

vg lah Months

ovhR tha lay January

xhul. tay ku February
oGhuD thway kaw March
vgcHs lah klee April
'h.ng day nyah May
vgEGH lah nwee June
vgCd; lah ghoh July
vgcl; lah ku August
qH;rk> hsee mu September
qH;q. hsee hsa October
vgeD lah naw November
vgysKR lah plu December

Section 1: Greetings Section 2: Personal Information Section 3: Hobbies Section 4: At The Tea Shop Section 5: Shopping Section 6: School and Children Section 7: How Are You
Feeling? Section 8: Not Very Well Today Section 9: Family Photos Section 10: What’s The Time? Section 11: On The Phone Section 12: Where’s The Hospital Section 13: Days Of
The Week Section 14: Months Of The Year Section 15: Numbers Section 16: Some Basics
 25
15. NUMBERS (Click Here To Listen)

eD.*H> naw hgee Numbers

wX ter One
cH kee Two
oX ther Three
vGH> lwee Four
,J> yeh Five
Ck hku Six
eGH nwee seven
CD; hkaw Eight
cGH kwee Nine
wqH ta hsee Ten

wqHwX ta hsee ter Eleven

wqHcH ta hsee kee Twelve
wqHoX ta hsee ther Thirteen
ta hsee lwee Fourteen
wqHvGH>
ta hsee yeh Fifteen
wqH,J>
ta hsee hku Sixteen
wqHCk
ta hsee nwee Seventeen
wqHeGH
ta hsee hkaw Eighteen
wqHCD;
ta hsee kwee Nineteen
wqHcGH
kee hsee Twenty
cHqH
kee hsee ter Twenty one
cHqHwX kee hsee kee Twenty two
cHqHcH kee hsee ther Twenty three
cHqHoX kee hsee lwee Twenty four
cHqHvGH> kee hsee yeh Twenty five
 26
cHqH,J> kee hsee hku Twenty six
cHqHCk kee hsee nwee Twenty seven
cHqHeGH kee hsee hkaw Twenty eight
cHqHCD; kee hsee kwee Twenty nine
cHqHcGH

ther hsee Thirty

oXqH
lwee hsee Forty
vGH>qH
yeh hsee Fifty
,J>qH
hku hsee Sixty
CkqH Seventy
eGHqH nwee hsee
hkaw hsee Eighty
CdD;qH Ninety
cGHqH kwee hsee

ta ga ya One hundred
wu,R Two hundred
kee ga ya
cHu,R
ta ga htoh One thousand
wuxd Two thousand
kee ga htoh
cHuxd
ta ga gweh One million
wuuGJ>

Section 1: Greetings Section 2: Personal Information Section 3: Hobbies Section 4: At The Tea Shop Section 5: Shopping Section 6: School and Children Section 7: How Are You
Feeling? Section 8: Not Very Well Today Section 9: Family Photos Section 10: What’s The Time? Section 11: On The Phone Section 12: Where’s The Hospital Section 13: Days Of
The Week Section 14: Months Of The Year Section 15: Numbers Section 16: Some Basics
 27
16. SOME BASICS (Click Here To Listen)

,R ya I
eR na You
t0JydmcGg a weh poh kwah He
t0Jydmrk. a weh poh mu She
w>t0JtHR ta a weh ee It
y0Joh. pa weh thay We
ok0Joh. thu weh thay You
t0Joh. a weh thay They

, yer My
e ner Your
t0JydmcGGgt a weh poh kwah ah His
t0Jydmrk.t a weh poh mu ah Her
w>t0JtHRt hta a weh ee ah Its
y pa Our
ok0Joh.t thu weh thay ah Your
t0Joh.t a weh thay ah their

zJvJ. hpeh leh Where

b.rekRtCdvJ. bah ma nu ah hkoh leh Why
rwRvJ. ma ta leh Who
cgzJJvJ. a kah hpeh leh When
w>rekRvJ. ta ma nu leh What
 28
'fvJ. di leh How
qH;tgvJ. hsee ah leh How many
qH;,HmvJ. hsee yee leh How long
qH;,HRvJ. hsee yee leh How far
w>t0JtHR ta a weh ee This
w>t0JM. ta a weh nay That
w>t0JtHRwz. ta a weh ee ta hpa These
w>t0JM.wz. ta a weh nay ta hpa Those

eb.o;rhRvDRI na bah tha may law You like rice.

ewb.o;rhRb.I na ta bah tha may bah You don't like rice.
eb.o;rhRph>{gI na bah tha may say ahh? Do you like rice?

udRvR0gtD.n.tk.xHvDRI gol-la-wah aw nya-u-htee law The foreigner eats fish paste.

udRvR0gwtD.n.tk.xHb.I gol-la-wah ta aw nya-u-htee bah The foreigner doesn't eat fish paste.
udRvR0gtD.n.tk.xHph>{gI gol-la-wah aw nya-u-htee say ahh? Does the foreigner eat fish paste?

Section 1: Greetings Section 2: Personal Information Section 3: Hobbies Section 4: At The Tea Shop Section 5: Shopping Section 6: School and Children Section 7: How Are You
Feeling? Section 8: Not Very Well Today Section 9: Family Photos Section 10: What’s The Time? Section 11: On The Phone Section 12: Where’s The Hospital Section 13: Days Of
The Week Section 14: Months Of The Year Section 15: Numbers Section 16: Some Basics