Burmese Language Intro

CONTENTS
begins on: page nº tape nº

Introductory:
About this course 5
About Burmese 8
author
Burmese By Ear Part 1. Foundations
or 1 StatementsBurmese
and questions,
By numbers
Ear 1-9999, and prices
Okell, a graduate ofEssential Myanmar
The Queen's College, or Essential Myanmar 14 1A
rd, was Lecturer in Burmese (Myanmar) at 2 Going to do, want to do, please do, and counting
chool of Oriental and African Studies, 31 1B
First Published in England in 2002 by Audio-
ersity of London, until his retirement in
Forum, Sussex Publications Limited, Microworld
Part 2. First needs
Since then he has undertaken short-term
ing engagements in Thailand, the USA 3 Language House,
help 4 Foscote Mews, London
43 W9 2HH. ISBN 2A
By and 4 1 86013 758
Cafés and restaurants x 47 2A
on, and is active in developing materials
John Okell 5 Taxis 55 2B
e study of Burmese.
6 Shops Audio-Forum relinquished70 publication rights 3A
in
7 2006, after
Taking photographs which the course
79was distributed by3A
has made numerous visits to Burma
nmar), is the designer of the Ava Burmese 8 Asking thethe author.
way 83 3A
or computers, and acts as consultant for
From 2009 it has been available for downloading
us Burma-related activities. He is a
free of charge from the website of SOAS, Uni-
Part 3. First conversations
arch Associate at the School of Oriental and
an Studies, and Chairman of the Britain- 9 Your visit versity
to Burmaof London. 88 3A
a Society in London.Available
He was for free download
awarded the from 10 Asking names and ages 104 3B
e Grand Prize for 1996http://www.soas.ac.uk/bbe/
for his work on 11 Asking about work 112 4A
ese By Ear. The website of 12 Asking about family 118 4A
The School of Oriental and African Studies, 12+ Parents, brothers and sisters 125 —
University
dition to articles on Burmese grammar,of London
istics, and lexicography, Okell has
shed Burmese/Myanmar: a dictionary of Part 4. Review 4B
matical forms (with Anna Allott, 2001), On the tapes, the Review sections are all placed together on
ese: an introduction (4 vols, 34 tapes, 1993), Tape 4 Side B, following the end of the Lessons. In the
steps in Burmese (1989), A guide to the booklet each Review section is located immediately after
nization of Burmese (1971), and A reference the group of Lessons it reviews.
mar of colloquial Burmese (2 vols, 1969).
Burmese By Ear 5
ABOUT THIS COURSE BURMESE BY EAR or ESSENTIAL

Appendices The language has two names: Burmes
Outline description of Burmese — BBE is a systematically graded foundation
See “Aboutcourse inbelo
Burmese”
1 pronunciation 127 modern colloquial Burmese. It aims to give you a confident and
2 script 136 enjoyable start in speaking Burmese, focussing on what you are
3 grammar 144 most likely to need when you visit Burma: To “survival language”
start using the cours
4 the number system 162 for cafés, taxis, shops, Simply
and soput on,Tape
and 1“social
in yourlanguage”
player and for follow
5 Topical vocabularies for — getting to know people hear.
and making friends.
The tapes carryYou will teaching
all the find that an
5.1 food and drinks 173 Burmese is a much easier language
Burmese by to learn
Ear, so than
you many people
can learn every
5.2 sites and placenames 178 think. without using the booklet at all. The bo
5.3 kin terms 182 reference and backup only. For more de
5.4 you and I 184 BBE has several advantages
course” below. over the conventional trav-
5.5 this, that and what 186 eller’s phrase book. First, it begins by giving you a grounding in
5.6 traditional Burmese clothing 187 the rudiments of Burmese grammar, concentrating exclusively
6 Further reading 189 on the high-frequency elements you need Helpfor survival
yourself and social
to learn: two vi
7 General vocabulary English-Burmese 193 purposes. So instead of1.having
After to parrot-learn
each lengthy
Exercise, wind backand un-
the tape
memorable phrases, you cise learn
untilhow
youto canmake
speakup theyour
answersownwith
The audio sentences and say what you
2. Atwant
thetoend
say.of each Unit, insert Tape 4
The audio for Burmese by ear, six hours of playing time, was work through the Review Sections on Si
originally issued on four cassette tapes, distributed as follows: Secondly, you take arepeat
speaking
each part in the
Review exercises
until you canand answ
Side at start — Side at start — dialogues in BBE, so you rately.
have active practice in talking, and
1A Lesson 1.1 begins 3A Lesson 6.1 begins what you learn takes root.
1B Lesson 1.6 continues 3B Lesson 9.2 continues
2A Lesson 2.2 continues 4A Lesson 10.4 continues Thirdly, because you take in the whole course Whythrough your
wind back?
2B Lesson 4.5 continues 4B Reviews for all Units begin ear you achieve an accurate
This pronunciation effortlessly
is a highly compressed from the
course. In ord
start — instead of having to try
material and
into themake sense
narrow of baffling
compass of four t
For the web edition the audio has been converted to mp3 format. romanized spellings and out inadequate
much of the written
reviewdescriptions of
and repetition
Neither the text nor the audio files have been changed to reflect sounds. would have given you. This means that
the transfer from tape to mp3. So when you read or hear a provide the repetition you need to fix the
reference to a particular tape, please understand it as referring to Fourthly, you can memory.
listen to the tapes
Hence thewhen your eyes
importance and
of the two
the corresponding track on the mp3 files. The new format makes hands are occupied, so instead of having to find time in the day
it easier to find your place on the audio as each Lesson and each to sit down and study, you can learn Burmese while you’re
Section has its own track: walking or washing or travelling or driving.
Track 1 Lesson 1.1 Track 5 Lesson 1.2
Track 2 Lesson 1.1 pronunciation Track 6 Lesson 1.2 pronunciation Course structure
Track 3 Lesson 1.1 numbers Track 7 Lesson 1.2 numbers EF
Track 4 Lesson 1.1 numbers pron Track 8 Lesson 1.2 numbers pron The course is divided into four “Parts”. Before you can feel
etc at all confident with a new language you need to get to know the
Burmese
6 By Ear Burmese By Ear Burmese By Ear Burmese By Ear
7
pescommon
— how to sentence
make statements,
types — how howtoto
make
ask statements, how to ask In some of the practice In dialogues
some of you
the will
practice
finddialogues
— as youyo
— so
questions,
Part 1 ofand
BBEsoconcentrates
on — so Part on1just
of BBE
that.concentrates on just that. will in real life — that the
will
Burmese
in real life
speaker
— thatsays
thesomething
Burmese speake
you
mese
Youwith
can surprisingly
get by in Burmese
few sentence
with surprisingly
types, few sentence types, can’t follow. These passages
can’t follow.
are put These
in deliberately.
passages are Theyputare
in d
ssons
so the
soonfocus
changes
of thefrom
lessons
sentence
soon types
changesto from sentence types to there to acclimatise youthere
to theto experience
acclimatise(so
youyouto the
won’texperience
panic
waiters,
situations:
talking
talking
to shopkeepers,
to waiters, and
talking
so on.
to shopkeepers, and so on. when it happens for real) whenandit to
happens
give youforpractice
real) andin to
making
give yo
appropriate responses: “Could
appropriate
you say
responses:
that again?”,
“Could“I’m
yousorry:
say that
I
Part 1 areAlsolessons
built on
intothePart
Burmese
1 are lessons
numberon the Burmese number don’t understand”, and so don’t
on. understand”, and so on.
, and
system
separate
and counting,
sections on andpronunciation.
separate sections on pronunciation.
of Many
Burmese of the
are sounds
the same of as
Burmese
the sounds
are the
of same as the sounds of What’s in the book What’s in the book
a speaker
English, ofso
English
if you’re
it won’t
a speaker
be hard
of English
to get it won’t be hard to get
However,
those sounds
there are right.
otherHowever,
sounds inthere
Burmese
are other sounds in Burmese All the explanations andAll
practice
the explanations
of the course
andare
practice
on theof
often
thatget
English
wrong, speakers
and if you
oftendo,
getthe
wrong,
resultsand if you do, the results tapes. The book is an unnecessary
tapes. Theextra.
book is
It an
provides
unnecessary
— extra. It
youcancan
befind
quite you’ve
serious:
saidyou
something
can find quite
you’ve said something quite
oudifferent
meant tofromsay — what
sometimes
you meant disastrously
to say — sometimes disastrously 1. a summary, for each lesson,
1. a summary,
of the new
for each
structures
lesson,and
of the
wordsnew
atedifferent.
sections for The pronunciation
separate sectionstraining
for are
pronunciation training are you have learned from the youtapes,
have learned
helpful if
from
youthewanttapes,
a quick
helpfu
ou there
don’t to
fallensure
into that
thattrap.
you don’t fall into that trap. overview of what you learned
overviewlastof
time,
whatoryou
a reminder
learned oflast
some
time, o
words or structures you’vewords
forgotten
or structures you’ve forgotten
“first needs”:
Part 2 istheabout
kinds“first
of things
needs”:you’re
the kinds of things you’re 2. a written reminder of 2.
thea orally
written presented
remindermaterial,
of the orally
helpful
presented
for
and
likely
understand
to want tosoon
sayafter
and you
understand
arrive insoon after you arrive in those who can memorise those
language
who canmorememorise
easily iflanguage
they see it mor
waiters
Burmaand — shopkeepers,
talking to waiters
asking
and theshopkeepers,
way asking the way written down — but don’t written
let the
downromanization
— but don’t mislead
let theyou
roma
is and
aboutsomeeting
on; and people
Part 3 is
socially:
about meeting
introduc-people socially: introduc- into producing strange pronunciations
into producing strange pronunciations
friends,
ing yourself,
and finding
making
out friends,
about each
andother.
finding out about each other. 3. notes and explanations3.that
notesareand
tooexplanations
detailed for the
thattape
are too detail
4. in the appendices, for4. reference
in the appendices,
purposes, fora brief
reference
outlinepurpos
of
iew Section.
Part 4Most
is theofReview
the course
Section.
is madeMost
upof the course is made up Burmese grammar, of the Burmese
pronunciation,
grammar,of of
thethe
script,
pronunciation
and the
ch of
oneshort
introduces
“lessons”:youeach
to two
oneorintroduces
three newyou to two or three new number system; and a vocabulary.
number system; and a vocabulary.
tructures,
words orandphrases
gives you
or structures,
some practice
and gives
with you some practice with
d again
them.theEvery
tape now
will advise
and againyouthe
to listen
tape will
to advise you to listen to In the book, Burmese words In theandbook,
phrases
Burmese are written
words andbothphr
ThetheReview
relevantruns
Review.
through TheallReview
the language
runs through all the language in Burmese script and in a Burmese
romanization.
script andThere
in aisromanization.
no widely
last
you’ve
few lessons,
learnedgiving
in the you
last an
fewoverview
lessons, giving
of you an overview of accepted system for romanizing
acceptedBurmese.
system forSome
romanizing
methods Burmese.
fail to
d, and
whatreminding
you’ve covered,
you of andany reminding
words andyou of any words and make all the distinctionsmake
you need
all the
to distinctions
make in pronunciation,
you need to andmake
e slipping
structures
fromthat
your
may memory.
be slipping from your memory. other methods are awkward other to
methods
read, soare
noawkward
one system to read,
has yet
so n
been devised that satisfiesbeeneveryone.
devised that Thesatisfies
system everyone.
used in theTh
ou may Another
find the Review
way youSection
may findhelpful
the Review
is Section helpful is book is just one among bookmany.is Rather
just onethan
amongrelying
many.on aRather
roman- than
r months
when somehave weeks
passedorsince
monthsyou have
workedpassed since you worked ization it is better to learn
ization
wordsit is
bybetter
ear, or
to to
learn
learnwords
to read
by the
ear, o
and
through
you just
thewant
lessons,
to brush
and you
up what
just want
you to brush up what you script. script.
Section
learned.
letsThe
youReview
have some
Section
practice
lets you
with-
have some practice with-
to the
out explanations
having to listen
in the
to the
lessons
explanations
all over in the lessons all over
again.
Burmese
9
ABOUT BURMESE ABOUT BURMESE Not everyone accepts the Notchange

everyoneof name.
acceptsInternational
the change of
organizations like the UNorganizations
have naturally
like the
acted
UN onhave
notification
naturally
mar Burmese and Myanmar from the government; and from
thethe
international
government; business
and the community,
international
who need to avoid governmental
who need displeasure,
to avoid governmental
have adopted displeasu
the
population
Theof
indigenous
Burma is made
population
up of of
several
Burma is made up of several new name without reservation.
new name Foreigners
without reservation.
and BurmeseForeigner
expa-
inguistic
different
groups.
ethnic Just
and aslinguistic
the United
groups.
King-Just as the United King- triates who oppose the miltary
triates who
government,
oppose the and miltary
contestgovernment
its right
d Welsh
dom hasanditsEnglish
Scots and
inhabitants,
Welsh and so English
does inhabitants, so does to rule, deliberately persist
to rule,
in using
deliberately
the old persist
names Burmese
in using andthe old
Shan,
Burma
Kayah,
have
Mon,
Karens,
Kachin,
Shan,
andKayah,
others.Mon,
TheKachin, and others. The Burma as a symbol of their
Burma opposition
as a symbolandofdefiance.
their opposition
A third an
ps largest
is the Burmese,
of these groups
who account
is the for
Burmese,
nearly who account for nearly group, which includes thegroup,
author
which
of this
includes
course,
thecontinue
author ofto this
use co
ation.
70% of the total population. the old names on the grounds
the old names
that those
on the
are grounds
the names thattheir
those
audience is familiar with,
audience
whereasis familiar
there arewith,
still many
whereaspeople
there a
ame for themselves
The Burmese and
nametheirfor
language
themselves
has and their language has who don’t yet know the who
new don’t
name yetMyanmar.
know the new name Myanma
Myanmar
two forms:in formal
you use
contexts
Myanmar (e.g.in
informal
book contexts (e.g. in book
of university
titles or the departments),
names of university
and Bamar departments),
in and Bamar in Speakers of Burmese Speakers of Burmese
on.informal
The name conversation.
of the country The innameother
of the country in other
French,
languages
German,
— English,
Thai, Japanese
French, — German,
is based
Thai, Japanese — is based The population of Burma The
is estimated
population atof
around
Burma45 ismillion.
estimated
on. on
Thethe
difference
informal between
version. the
Thetwodifference
forms isbetween the two forms is Of these, around 70% are Of mother
these, around
tongue 70%
speakers
are mother
of Burmese,
tongue
speakers
rather oflike
English
the waytalkspeakers
informallyof English
about talk informally about and most members of and the ethnic
most members
minoritiesoflearn
the ethnic
Burmese minorit
at
ut address
going toletters
“Holland”
to “The
butNetherlands”.
address letters to “The Netherlands”. school or in the course ofschool
trading
or and
in the
travelling.
course of Outside
trading and
Burmatrave
there are groups of speakers
there in
areThailand
groups ofandspeakers
Bangladesh,
in Thailand
many an
vernment In 1989
announced
the government
that they wanted
announced that they wanted of them refugees fleeingofpersecution.
them refugees There
fleeing
are also
persecution.
quite large
Ther
singforeigners
the words to “Burma”
stop using and
the“Burmese”.
words “Burma” and “Burmese”. expatriate groups in Australia
expatriate(particularly
groups in Perth),
Australiathe(particularl
US, the
theInstead
world to
theyusewanted
“Myanmar”
the world
for the
to use
coun-
“Myanmar” for the coun- UK, and Japan. UK, and Japan.
us try
people,
and its
andindigenous
“Bamar” for people,
the majority
and “Bamar” for the majority
group.
ethnicSoand
members
linguistic
of the
group.
ethnic Sominorities
members of the ethnic minorities You will find many people You will in Burma
find many whopeople
can speak in Bu
e ——would
Karen,befor
Myanmar
exampleby — nationality
would be Myanmar
and by nationality and English well, and othersEnglish
who remember
well, andaothers
bit from
who schooldays.
remember a
heKaren
majority
by group
race; while
wouldthealso
majority
be Myanmar
group would also be Myanmar All staff in immigration,All
customs,
staff intourist
immigration,
shops andcustoms,
most hotels
tourist s
eirbyrace
nationality,
would bebut Bamar.
their Previously,
race would thebe Bamar. Previously, the are English speakers. However,
are English it is
speakers.
useful toHowever,
learn to speak
it is usefu
at
made
samebydistinction
using “Burmese”
was madefor by
theusing
national-
“Burmese” for the national- least a little Burmese forleast
two areasons.
little Burmese
One isforthat
two
you reasons.
will findOne
theity
race.
and “Burman” for the race. that English speakers are thatless
English
common speakers
once are
youless
are common
off the o
beaten track. The other beaten
reasontrack.
is thatThea other
foreignreason
speakeris that
of
ou learn The fromlanguage
this course
youislearn
the language
from thisofcourse is the language of Burmese is still a rarity,Burmese
and it gives
is still
genuine
a rarity,
pleasure
and it gives
to many genu
t isthe
recognized
“Bamar”,as but
theasnational
it is recognized
languageasofthe national language of Burmese to find that you Burmese
have takento find
the that
trouble
youto have
try and
taken learn
the tro
ed asthea country
lingua franca
and isby
used
theasKaren
a lingua
and franca
Shan by the Karen and Shan the language. And you thewill
language.
receive aAnd warmer
you reception
will receive as aa w
roups,
and other
the government
ethnic groups, referstheto government
it as refers to it as result. result.
“Myanmar”.
Burmese
11
ge The Burmese language includes a three-way contrast

includes(voiced,
a three-way
voiceless
contrast
and aspirate,
(voiced,e.g.
voice
g-k-kh) at five points of g-k-kh)
articulation,
at fiveit points
has sixofpairs
articulation,
of plain and
it has
hips among
Precise
many
relationships
of the languages
among related
many of the languages related breathed continuants (e.g.breathed
l-hl), and
continuants
distinguishes
(e.g. l-hl),
four types
and distin
of
t fully
to Burmese
worked are
out,not
butyet
thefully
following
workedfamily
out, but the following family syllable by means of a syllable
combination by means
of pitch
of aand
combination
voice qualityof pit
of current
tree willthinking
give an idea
amongof current
specialists.
thinking among specialists. (high vs low, creaky vs(high plain).
vs low,
Notable
creaky
features
vs plain).
of Burmese
Notable
syntax are that the verbsyntax
is always
are that
final the
in the
verbsentence,
is always that
final
all in
Tibetan Sino-Tibetan subordinate clauses precede
subordinate
the mainclauses
clause,precede
that relative
the main
clauses
claus
precede their head noun, precede
that markers
their head
corresponding
noun, that tomarkers
English corr
prepositions follow the noun,
prepositions
and that follow
the counting
the noun, system
and that
usesthe
Sinitic
Tibeto-Burman Tibeto-Burman classifiers. classifiers.
The two styles of Burmese

The two styles of Burmese
Baric Bodic
Burmic Baric
Kareni Burmic Kareni
c c When Burmese speakersWhen write Burmese
a letter tospeakers
a friend write
they write
a letter
just as they speak. However,
just as when
they speak.
they are However,
writing something
when they a
weighty, like an academic weighty,
article like
or an anapplication
academic article
to a govern-
or an app
n varieties Lolo- other
Kuki-Chin Tibetan varieties Lolo- other varieties
Kuki-Chin ment department or a noticement department
to display on orthea notice
wall, they
to display
use a on
i of
Naga Burmese langs
Kanauri of Karen
Naga Burmese langs of Karen markedly different style. markedly
The normaldifferent conversational
style. The normalstyle is co
, Chinese
Meithei Gurung, (E Burma,
Meithei (E Burma, usually called the “colloquial”
usuallystyle,
called andthethe
“colloquial”
formal onestyle,
is called
and th
g Jinghpaw etc Tamang JinghpawW etc W the “literary” style. The thedifference
“literary”lies style.
almost
Theentirely
differencein the
lies a
(Assam, Limbu (Assam,
Thailand) Thailand) grammar words: the words grammar
for if, words:
but, when, thefrom,
words and,
forand
if, but,
so on.
when
a, Manipur, N (N India, Manipur, N You use one set of grammar You use
words onein settheof colloquial
grammar wordsstyle and in thea
Burma, Nepal, Burma, different set for the literary
different
style. set
Forforexample:
the literary style. For exam
as) Yunnan) Himalayas) Yunnan) The Burmese for: The
fromBurmese because for:but from
plural becaus
In colloquial style: In
gá colloquial
ló style:
dáw gá
dwe ló
In literary style: In
hmáliteraryywéstyle: mu hmá
myá ywé
Loloish: Burmish:
Loloish: Burmish: Apart from a few exceptions,
Apart allfrom thea other
few exceptions,
words — nouns all theandother
Lolo (Yi), Lahu, Lisu Burmese,
Lolo (Yi),Maru,
Lahu, Lisu Burmese, Maru, verbs and so on — remain verbs
the and
samesoinon both
— remain
styles. the same in both
Akha AtsiAkha Atsi
(Yunnan, N Burma, (Burma,
(Yunnan,
Yunnan)
N Burma, (Burma, Yunnan) The contrast between The the twocontrast
stylesbetween
can be the
seentwomoststyle
Thailand, Vietnam) Thailand, Vietnam) clearly in fiction. All theclearly
narrative
in fiction.
in the text
All is
the
written
narrative
in literary
in the tex
style, but the dialogue, when
style, but
the characters
the dialogue,are when
sayingthe
things
character
to
d from data in ATable
guide adapted
to the languages
from dataofinthe
A guide to the languages of the
world
ritt Ruhlen (1987) The
and by majorRuhlen
Merritt languages of and The major languages of
(1987)
each other, is all written each
in theother,
colloquial
is all written
style. in the colloquial sty
heast Asia by Bernard
East and Southeast
Comrie (1990,Asia
London,
by Bernard Comrie (1990, London,
Routledge). Routledge). What you learn in this course
What youis all
learn
in the
in colloquial
this coursestyle.
is all in
To study the literary style
Toyou
study
need
thetoliterary
learn tostyle
readyou
theneed
script.
to learn
em and The
structure
soundofsystem
Burmese andand
structure
its rela-of Burmese and its rela-
nglish
tivesand
differ
the from
moreEnglish
familiarandEuropean
the more familiar European
striking
languages
ways.in The
several
phonology
strikingof
ways.
Burmese
The phonology of Burmese
Burmese
13
terature
Burmese script and literature the roman letters, but not
the many
romanagree
letters,
onbut
hownot
themany
soundsagree
of on
Burmese should be spelled
Burmese
in theshould
alien alphabet.
be spelled
You’ll
in thefind
alien
thealph
own script.
BurmeseIt was
has adapted
its own script.
for Burmese
It was adapted for Burmese same sound romanized same
as Mesound
or Mayromanized
or Mei or Mey
as Meoror
Mae,
Mayandor M
the
around
script 1100
used AD
by the
from Mon
thepeople
script used
for their
by the Mon people for their many other sounds havemany
just asother
many sounds
variants.
have just as many varia
turn
language,
was derived
and that
ultimately
in turn was
fromderived
a scriptultimately from a script
ndia
devised
between
and500
used
BCin andIndia
300between
AD. Many 500ofBC and 300 AD. Many of The problem is that BurmeseThe problem
has several
is that
sounds
Burmese
for which
has seve
a and
the South
languages
East of
Asia
India
are and
written
Southin East
scripts
Asia are written in scripts there are no obvious characters
there areinno theobvious
roman characters
alphabet. in
The thebest
roma
mederived
source, from
so, although
the sameatsource,
first sight
so, although
the at first sight the you can hope for is that you
any can
one hope
book for
should
is that
beany
consistent
one book fromshou
e, Thai,
characters
Javanese,
of Burmese,
Khmer and Thai,the
Javanese,
rest mayKhmer and the rest may beginning to end, and that
beginning
the letters
to end,
it chooses
and thatto represent
the letterstheit cho
each
notother,
look they
muchdo like
share
eachmany
other,common
they do share many common sounds of Burmese are notsounds
too implausible.
of Burmese are Remember
not too implausible
that any
nd features.
an outlineYouof the
willBurmese
find an script
outlinesystem
of the Burmese script system romanization system, however
romanization
carefully
system,
designed,
howevercan’t
carefully
avoid d
in Appendix 2. using some letters thatusingstandsome
for one
letters
sound
thatinstand
English
for one
and so
another in Burmese. Soanother
you need in Burmese.
to make a conscious
So you need effort
to make
to
s in Burmese
The earliest
are stonetexts
inscriptions
in Burmese record-
are stone inscriptions record- produce the sound youproduce
hear onthe thesound
tapes, you
not the
hearsound
on theyou tapes
monasteries
ing the foundation
and pagodas,of monasteries
and donationsand pagodas,
of and donations of think you ought to hear when
think you
you ought
read theto hear
romanization.
when you read the
religion.
land toFrom
the Buddhist
around the religion.
1400s and
From 1500s
around the 1400s and 1500s
s onweBuddhist
have long history
poemsand on teaching,
Buddhist and history and teaching, and Body language Body language
king
others
andinhispraise
exploits.
of theThere
king are
andalso
his exploits.
early There are also early
nd prose
history.
textsInonsucceeding
law and history.
centuriesInthere
succeeding centuries there Every culture has its set Every
of conventional
culture hassigns
its set
andof gestures
convention
onswere
in literary
severalcreation,
innovations of which
in literary
the most
creation, of which the most that show respect or causethat show
offence.respect
Things
or cause
to remember
offence. inThi
introduction
momentousofwas fiction
the inintroduction
the early 1900s.
of fiction in the early 1900s. Burma: Burma:
eseContemporary
publishing covers Burmese
muchpublishing
the same rangecovers much the same range Treat older people and Treat
Buddhistoldermonks
peoplewith
andrespect.
BuddhistAlso
monk
re: as
newspapers
any modern andculture:
magazines,newspapers
novels andand magazines, novels and Buddha images and other Buddha
religiousimages
objects.
and other religious ob
cal,short
thriller,
stories
detective,
(historical,
courtroom,
thriller, propa-
detective, courtroom, propa- Don’t tower over peopleDon’tseniortower
to yourself:
over people
lowersenior
your head
to yourse
a
omantic,
gandist,
comical,
allegorical,
social,romantic,
psychological,
comical,etc),
social, psychological, etc), little if you have to pass little
close ifinyou
fronthave
of them.
to pass close in front
poems,
comic memoirs,
strips, plays,
travelogues,
poems,biographies,
memoirs, travelogues, biographies, Don’t point your feet towards
Don’t a point
senioryour
person.
feet towards a senior pe
ays,autobiographies,
educative writing essays,
and educative
manuals and writing and manuals and Don’t touch people on the Don’t
head.touch people on the head.
history,
studieseconomics,
of literature,technology,
history, economics,
religion, technology, religion, Behave modestly: don’tBehavewear revealing
modestly:clothing,
don’t wearand revealing
avoid
tc.medicine,
There is also
business,
an active
etc. film
There andis also
video an active film and video hugging and kissing in public.
hugging and kissing in public.
ations
industry.
in whatever
All publications
medium are in subject
whatever to medium are subject to Use both hands to hand Usesomething
both hands to to
a person
hand something
senior to to
. strict state censorship. yourself, and to receive something
yourself, and from
to them.
receive something fro
Take off shoes and socks Takebefore
off shoes
entering
and a socks
housebefore
or the
ente
e Romanizing Burmese grounds of a monastery grounds
or pagoda. of a monastery or pagoda.
Keep calm and courteous Keep
in allcalm
situations.
and courteous in all situations
n’t read People
and write
who Burmese
can’t read
script
andhave
writetoBurmese script have to
enting
findBurmese
a way ofwords
representing
and namesBurmese
in other
words and names in other For a full account of what’s
For apolite
full account
and what’s
of what’s
offensive
polite
in an
r since
writing
the systems.
first days Ever
of contact
since with
the first
visitors
days of contact with visitors Burmese society, see Culture
Burmese shock
society,
Burma,
seeby
Culture
Saw Myat
shock Yin
Burm
have
from
attempted
the Westto people
write have
Burmese
attempted
words toin write Burmese words in (details in Appendix 6). (details in Appendix 6).
Burmese
14 By Ear Burmese By Ear Unit 1: First words Unit 1: First words
15
UMMARY AND NOTESSUMMARY AND NOTES phrases like “isn’t it?”, phrases
“don’t you?”,
like “isn’t
“won’t
it?”,they?”,
“don’tand you?”,
so “
E LESSONS ON
FOR
THE
THE
TAPES
LESSONS ON THE TAPES on. on.
-deh is a suffix that has two
-dehfunctions:
is a suffix that has two functions:
REMINDER REMINDER 1. It is used to show you 1.are
It making
is used to a statement,
show you are as in:making a sta
ential information this
All the
course
essential
contains
information
is on thethis course contains is on the Pu-deh. It’s hot.
Pu-deh. It’s hot.
ng with all the practice
tapes,
in talking
along with
and listening.
all the practice in talking and listening. É -deh. It’s cold.
É -deh. It’s cold.
only contains summaries,
This bookletadditional
only contains
notes, summaries,
and additional notes, and
e lists. On its own it will
reference
not help
lists.
youOn learn
its to
own it will not help you learn to
2. It is used when you are 2. Ittalking
is usedabout
whenindividual
you are talkingBurmese abou
speak Burmese. speak Burmese. words, as in: words, as in:
Pu-deh. To bePu-deh.
hot. To be hot.
RDS
PART
AND1.SENTENCE
FIRST WORDS
TYPES
AND SENTENCE TYPES É -deh. To beÉcold.
-deh. To be cold.
For a summary of essential For aBurmese
summary grammar
of essential
see Appendix
Burmese gra
NTSUNIT
AND1.QUESTIONS,
STATEMENTS AND QUESTIONS, 3. 3.
S 1-9999, ANDNUMBERS
PRICES 1-9999, AND PRICES Adjectives. Although we Adjectives.
have to translate
Although we ,have
pu-deh é-dehtoandtranslate
the
others with the English adjectives:
others with“hot”,the English
“cold”,adjectives:
and so on,“hot”in
T? 1.1. IT IS …, ISN’T IT? terms of Burmese grammar termstheyof Burmese
must be grammar
classified theyas verbs:
must b
“to be hot”, “to be cold”,“to
etc.be hot”, “to be cold”, etc.
New words “It”. Burmese does have “It”.
words
Burmese
for “it”,
doesbuthave
when words
it’s obvious
for “it”, b
p¨ty\ pu-deh to be hot, pïttisy\hot to be hot, it is hot what you’re talking about what
youyou’re
normallytalking
leaveabout
themyou out.normally
So in
A;ty\é-deh to be cold,eA;ty\
it is cold to be cold, it is cold the question — the question —
kac\;ty\ to
kaún-deh be good,
ekac\it is
; good
ty\ to be good, it is good K aún-deh-naw? It’s good, isn’t it?
K aún-deh-naw? It’s good, isn’
rty\ yá-deh to be all right,
rty\it is all right
to be all right, it is all right all you are actually sayingallin
youBurmese
are actually
is “Is saying
good, right?”
in Burmese is
Sentences Writing and pronouncing Writing

Burmese.
and Burmese
pronouncingis normally
Burmese. written
Burme
It’s hot,p¨t
p¨ty\ena\Pu-deh-naw?
" isn’t
y\eit?
na\" It’s hot, isn’t it? in its own script, whichinisitswhat
ownyou script,
see which
in the central
is whatcolumn
you see i
A;ty\Éena\ " It’s
-deh-naw? cold, isn’t
eA;ty\ it?
ena\" It’s cold, isn’t it? above. Learners who haven’t
above.yet Learners
learnedwhoto read
haven’t
Burmeseyet learned
script to
kac\;ty\ ena\" It’s good,
K aún-deh-naw? isn’t
ekac\ ;ty\ it?ena\" It’s good, isn’t it? have to use a romanizationhave—to a use
methoda romanization
of representing — a Burmese
method of r
It’s all right, isn’t
rty\ena\Y"á-deh-naw? rty\ e na\ " it? It’s all right, isn’t it? sounds in roman letters.sounds
That isin what
roman youletters.
see inThatthe left
is what
handyou
column. As Burmese has column.
some sounds
As Burmesewhichhas aresome
not used
soundsin w
Notes English, and a romanization
English,
has and
to trya romanization
and representhas themto with
try and
which
Suffixes.
is attached
Any word
to the which
end ofisother
attached
words to the end of other words familiar roman letters, not
familiar
all theroman
letters letters,
stand fornotthe
allsounds
the letters
youstan
. Forisexample,
called a “suffix”.
in EnglishFor -ingexample,
is a suffix:
in English -ing is a suffix: may expect. That is one may of expect.
the reasonsThatwhyis oneit itofisthe
farreasons
more
o make youtalking,
add ittotofill
talktoto
make
make filling
talking,
andtosofill to make filling and so effective to learn througheffective
your ears
to learn
fromthrough
the tapes your
rather
earsthan
from
ry important
on. Suffixes
in Burmese,
are verybecause
important theyin are
Burmese, because they are from the printed page. fromGuidance
the printed
on pronunciation
page. Guidance is givenon on
pron
almost theall
bits
thethat
grammar:
carry almost
ideas alllikethe
“did”,
grammar: ideas like “did”, the tape in each of the the
firsttape
eight inlessons.
each of the Always
first eight
followlessons.
the
”, “if”“don’t”,
and many“will”,
others.
“in”, “if” and many others. pronunciation you hearpronunciation
on the tape, and youdon’t
hear try
on totheread
tape,
newand
- n aadd
you w is to
a suffix
a statement
that youwhenaddyou to awant
statement when you want words aloud from the page.wordsAtaloud
the endfromof the
thispage.
booklet At you
the end
will of
with someone
you. Youtocan agree
think
with
of it
you.
as meaning
You can think of it as meaning find a description of all find
the sounds
a description
of Burmese,
of all the
a note
sounds
of which
of Burm
ten more“right?”,
appropriate
but it’s to
often
translate
more -appropriate
naw with to translate -naw with
Burmese
17
e toroman
represent
letters
them,
we use
and to
anrepresent
outline ofthem,
the and an outline of the 1.2. YES, IT IS. 1.2. YES, IT IS.
em.Burmese writing system.
Sentences Sentences
Pronunciation points S1 stands for “Speaker 1”,S1 andstands
S2 forfor“Speaker
“Speaker2”. 1”,Weanduse S2 this
for “S
nts that Pronunciation
need attention points
are mentioned
that need attention are mentioned convention to show when one
convention
sentenceto is show
a response
when to one
another.
sentence is a
ey occur on
in the
the first
tape fewas they
Lessons.
occur For
in the
an first few Lessons. For an S1 Pu-deh-naw? S1p¨t y\ e na\
Pu-deh-naw? " It’s hot,
p¨ isn’t
t y\ eit?
na\ "
sounds overview
of Burmese, of theand sounds
the roman
of Burmese, and the roman S2 H ouq-kéh. Pu-ba-deh.S2huH
touq-kéh.
\k´." p¨påty\ " Yes, it is.
Pu-ba-deh. hut\k´." p¨påty\"
to represent
symbols
them, used
see Appendix
here to represent
1. them, see Appendix 1. S1 É -deh-naw? S1 É -deh-naw?
eA;ty\ e na\ " It’s cold, isn’t it?
eA;ty\ ena\"
S2 H ouq-kéh. S2huHtouq-kéh.
\k´." Yes, it is.
hut\k´."
: Plain P and aspirate P: É -ba-deh. eA;påty\ "
É -ba-deh. eA;påty\"
pn\;ty\ ' Pm\;ty\
pán-deh, " to spurt,
p ’án-deh pn\;ty\to catch
' Pm\;ty\" to spurt, to catch S1 K aún-deh-naw? S1ekac\ ;ty\ena\"
K aún-deh-naw? It’s good, isn’t
ekac\ ;ty\it?ena\"
K: Plain K and aspirate K: S2 H ouq-kéh. S2huH
touq-kéh.
\k´." Yes, it is.
hut\k´."
p^' Kun\®p^" k ’oun-bi.It’s allkugone,
kun\®koun-bi, n\®p^' KuIt’s
n\®p^" It’s all gone, It’s K aún-ba-deh. ekac\ ;påty\"
K aún-ba-deh. ekac\;påty\"
started jumping. started jumping. S1 Y á-deh-naw? S1rty\ ena\"
Y á-deh-naw? It’s all rty\
right,eisn’t
na\" it?
ne:High tone and low tone: S2 H ouq-kéh. Y á-ba-deh.S2huH
touq-kéh.
\k´." rpåty\ " Yes, it is.
Y á-ba-deh. hut\k´." rpåty\"
p¨ty\ ' p¨;ty\
pu-deh, pú-deh to be p¨ hot,
ty\to ' p¨be
;ty\ to be hot, to be
stuck together stuck together Notes Notes
H ouq-kéh. Literally “It isHso.” UsedLiterally
ouq-kéh. like “Yes” “Itinis English
so.” Used to show
like “Ye
Numbers you agree with what someone you agree has with
said. what
Also someone
to show you has said.
are
— lé ts\ _N˙s\_
tiq— quM;_el;
hniq— 1—2—3—4
´ n— lé
thou ts\_N˙s\_quM;_el; 1—2—3—4 following what they sayfollowing
— you hear whatit athey
lot when
say —someone
you hearisit a
e script
For figures
see Appendix
in Burmese 2 (outline
script see
of Burmese
Appendix 2 (outline of Burmese listening to a caller on thelistening
phone. to a caller on the phone.
script). -ba (in pu-ba-deh etc) is -abasuffix
(in pu-ba-deh
people add etc)inistoa show
suffix they
people areadd
being polite. So both P u-ba-deh
being polite. and P So bothmean
u-deh “It’s hot”,
P u-ba-deh and P u
Pronunciation points but the first is a little more
but polite
the first
andis courteous,
a little more thepolite
secondanda co
: Plain T and aspirate T: little more casual, even little
brusque.moreFor casual,
practice
evenon brusque.
the tapeFor we pr
etac\ ;ty\'
taún-deh, to ask,etac\;ty\' to ask, use the politer option […] use the politer
-ba-deh option […]
throughout. Note that -ba
-ba-deh throug
is
eTac\ ;ty\
t ’aún-deh to thump
eTac\;ty\ to thump not needed in questions: not it needed
is perfectly
in questions:
polite to ask it isPperfectly
u -d e h -
N:Plain N and breathed N: naw? (rather than Pu-ba-deh-naw?
naw? (rather ) than Pu-ba-deh-naw? )
na' na,
N˙a hna sore, na'
noseN˙a sore, nose
ns\' niq,
N˙s\ hniq sink, ns\
two' N˙s\ sink, two Pronunciation point Pronunciation point
Glottal stop: Vowels e and eh: Vowels e and eh:
ts\'tiq,
N˙shniq, c ’auq one, two,
\' e®Kak\ ts\' six
N˙s\' e®Kak\ one, two, six lé-deh, léh-deh el;ty\ y\ to be el;ty\
' l´tléh-deh
lé-deh, heavy, to fall
' l´ ty\over to
Burmese
For a summary
number systemof the Burmese
see Appendix
number 4. system see Appendix 4. we-deh, weh-deh ewty\ ' wy\ ty\
we-deh, weh-dehto share out,
ewty\ ' to buy
wy\ t y\ to
Numbers Numbers
lé— ngá el;_cå;
lé— ngá 4—5
el;_cå;
c ’auq— k ’ un-hniq e®Kak\ _KuN˙sk\ ’un-hniq 6—7
c ’auq— e®Kak\_KuN˙s\
Burmese
19
Pronunciation point Numbers Numbers

Consonant ng- : k ’ un-hniq— shiq 7—8 KuN˙s\_r˙s\
KuN˙s\_r˙ks’\ un-hniq— shiq 7—
cå; ngá five cå; five kó— tăs ’ eh kui;_ts\ S y\
kó— tăs ’ eh 9—10kui;_ts\Sy\ 9—
1.3. NEW WORDS Pronunciation point Pronunciation point

Aa;ty\
á-deh to be Aa;ty\
free to be free Vowels o and aw : Vowels o and aw :
l˙thlá-deh
y\ to be l˙
pretty
ty\ to be pretty o-deh, aw-deh Auity\'o-deh, y\ to be Au
eAa\taw-deh old, to' shout
ity\ eAa\ty\ to
sp\tsaq-teh
y\ to be hot
sp\ t(to
y\ taste) to be hot (to taste)
’kikcaiq-teh
\ty\ to like’kik\ty\ to like 1.4. NO, IT ISN’T. 1.4. NO, IT ISN’T.
Notes Sentences Sentences

nding
-t eh.in After
-q theasuffix
word -dehending (seein1.1)-q the
is pro-
suffix -deh (see 1.1) is pro- S1 Caiq-teh-naw? ’kiS1
k\tCaiq-teh-naw?
y\ena\" You like
’kikit,\tdon’t
y\ena\"you? Yo
n saq-tnounced
eh and cai q-t, eh
-t eh as in
above.
saq-t eh In and
the samecai q-t eh above. In the same S2 Măcaiq-pa-bú. S2 Măcaiq-pa-bú.No, I don’t. åB¨;"
m’ki kp
\ åB¨ ; " m’ki k p
\ No
d endingway in after
- q thea wordsuffixending
- b a (see in 1.2)
- q theis suffix - b a (see 1.2) is S1 Y á-deh-naw? S1 eY
rty\ na\á-deh-naw?
" It’s allrty\
right,ena\isn’t
" it? It’
ample:pronounced -pa ; example: S2 Măyá-ba-bú. S2 Măyá-ba-bú.
mrpåB¨ ;" No, itmrpåB¨
isn’t. ;" No
S2
sp\pSaq-pa-deh.
åty\" It is hot
sp\ptoåty\
taste" It is hot to taste
) ( not Saq-ba-deh.) Notes Notes
s are examples
These twoofchanges the “Voicing
are examples
Rule”. of Forthe “Voicing Rule”. For M ă […] -b a -b ú . “It isn’t M[…]”
ă […]or “I-bdon’t
-b a ú . “It […]”
isn’t etc.
[…]” Moră -“Iisdon’t
the
ix 1. more,
Whensee we Appendix
need to refer 1. When
to these wetwoneed to refer to these two “negative prefix”: it is attached
“negativetoprefix”:the beginning
it is attached
of a word,to the b
give both
suffixes
the normal
again, we and give
theboth
voiced theforms:
normal and the voiced forms: and conveys the meaning and“not”;
conveysandthe when
meaning
you’re“not”;
making and a w
-pa/-ba , -teh/-deh . negative statement, instead negative
of using
statement,
the suffix
instead
-t eh/- of
dehusing
, youthe
mese“You”
does andhave“I”.
words Burmese
for “you”doesand have “I”,words
as for “you” and “I”, as use the suffix -p ’ ú/-bú . use the suffix -p ’ ú/-bú .
t most it of
does
thefor
time “it”,
it’sbut
quite
most clearof the
from time
the it’s quite clear from the -ba (in M ăpu-ba-bú etc) is the
-ba (insame polite suffix
M ăpu-ba-bú etc) isasthe
thesame polite
-pa/- ba in s
hat yousituation
are talking
who about,
or what soyou
peopleare talking
simply about, so people simply Pu-ba-deh etc. It is a signal that you
Pu-ba-deh etc.areIt being
is a signal
polite. thatSoyou
youare
rds. So,
leaveforout
example,
those words.
in this exchange:
So, for example, in this exchange: will hear people saying will bothhear people saying
M ăpu-ba-bú and M ăpu-bú
both M.ăpu-ba-b
Both
w? S1 You like it, don’t you? You like it, don’t you?
Caiq-teh-naw? mean the same thing, but mean thethefirst
same is more
thing,polite
but the than first
theis m
S2
Caiq-pa-deh. Yes, I do.
H ouq-kéh. Caiq-pa-deh. Yes, I do. second. second.
ayingallin you
Burmese
are inisfact — saying in Burmese is — “No”. Burmese doesn’t“No”. use a wordBurmesethat doesn’t
corresponds
use a directly
word that to co
w? S1 Like, right?
Caiq-teh-naw? Like, right? “No”. When you’re asked “No”.if you When like
you’re
something
asked and if youyou like
S2
Caiq-pa-deh. True. Like.
H ouq-kéh. Caiq-pa-deh. True. Like. want to answer “No”, you want justtosay
answer
“Not “No”,
like”. you just say “Not
Pronunciation points Pronunciation point Pronunciation point

L: Plain L and breathed L: Plain C and aspirate C: Plain C and aspirate C:
elac\tlaun-deh,
y\' to burn,
elac\ty\' to burn, ceq-teh, c ’ eq-teh k¥k\tceq-teh,
y\' K¥k\tc ’y\ to learn
eq-teh by
k¥k\ theart, totcook
y\' K¥k\ y\ to
el˙ac\thlaun-deh
y\ to store
el˙away
ac\ty\ to store away
eaky
Plain
high
hightone:
tone and creaky high tone: Numbers Numbers
rty\' yá-deh,
ya;ty\yá-deh to be rty\
all right, to itch
' ya;ty\ to be all right, to itch thoun-nyá quv thoun-nyá 0 quv
Burmese
21
aq S1 ty\ l^Pun’oún
Teh-li-p \; nMpåt\ What’s
nan-baq your
ty\ l^Pun\; nMpåt\ What’s your Ná măleh-ba-bú. na;mlv\NápåB¨ ;"
măleh-ba-bú. I don’t understand.
na;mlv\ påB¨;"
By\ elak\ l
beh-lauq-léh? "
´ telephone
By\ elak\l´" telephone ´ -ba-bú.
Zé măcı́ eZ;mÂk^ ; påB¨ ;
Zé măcı́" ´ -ba-bú. It isn’t expensive.
eZ;mÂk^ ; påB¨ ;"
number? number? You don’t say Măná-leh-ba-bú
You don’t say Măná-leh-ba-bú
or Măzé-cı́ ´ -ba-bú. or Măzé-cı́´ -b
un-S2 el;el;K∑ n\K∑n’\q
Lé-lé-k ’ un-k uM;på" It’s 44773.
un-thoún- el;el;K∑n\K∑n\quM;på" It’s 44773.
ba. Numbers Numbers
tăs ’ eh— hnăs ’ eh ts\
tăsS y\_hnăs
’ eh— N˙s\S’y\
eh 10–20–30
ts\Sy\_N˙s\Sy\
“telephone number”.
Teh-li-p ’oún nan-baqExamples
“telephone of number”.
English Examples of English thoún-zeh qu ;
M Sy\
thoún-zeh quM;Sy\
een adoptedwords thatinto have
Burmese.been adopted
Some speakers
into Burmese. Some speakers lé-zeh— ngá-zeh el;Sy\
lé-zeh—_ngá-zehcå;Sy\ 40–50–60
el;Sy\_cå;Sy
h loanwordspronounce with English
a goodloanwords
English accentwith a good English accent c ’auq-s ’ eh e®Kak\ S y\
c ’auq-s ’ eh e®Kak\Sy\
glish), (usually
and others
Britishpronounce
English),them and others
with apronounce them with a k ’ un-năs ’ eh— shiq-s’ eh KukN’un-năs
˙s\Sy\_’eh— shiq-s’ eh70–80–90
r˙s\Sy\ KuN˙s\Sy\_r˙s\Sy
cent. strong Burmese accent. kó-zeh ku i;Sy\
kó-zeh kui;Sy\
?” Beh-lauq-léh
Literally “how “what
much?” is?” Literally “how much?” tăya ts\
tăya r a 100
ts\ ra
f k ’Kun-hniq
’ un . A Kushort
N˙s\ often
formused of k ’in saying
un-hniq KuNphone
˙s\ often used in saying phone
numbers. -s ’ e h /- ze h “ten”. In compound
-s ’ e h /- ze hnumbers
“ten”. In (e.g.
compound
t ă s ’ e h – h nnumbers
ă s ’ e h –
ke Thoun-nyá
care not to“zero”.
confuseTake this word
care not
withto thoún
confuse this word with thoún thoún-zeh ) -s ’ eh is voicedthoún-zeh
to -zeh except
) -s ’ eh after
is voiced
a syllable
to -zeh ending
except a
m the second“three”:syllable
apart from nyá , the
a major
second
difference
syllable nyá , a major difference in - q or in - ă . Changing in the- q or
pronunciation
in - ă . Changing from thes ’ pronunci
to z is
a high istone
that (“three” has a high
thoún ) where “zero”tonehas(thoún
a low) where “zero” has a low known as “voicing”. known For more as “voicing”.
see “Voicing ForRule”moreinsee
tone (thoun ). Appendix 1. Appendix 1.
word - b aending
(or - p ainafter
- q ). a A word
suffixending
addedinto- qa). A suffix added to a t i q /t ă - “one”. When tthe i q /t ănumbers
- “one”. t i qWhen , h n i qthe
, k’u numbers
n -h n i q are tiq,
you are sentence
being polite,
to show like
you theare being
-pa/- ba in polite,
P u - like the -pa/- ba in P u - combined with s ’ eh , they combined
are shortened, with sso ’ ehinstead
, they are of shortened,
tiq-s ’ eh,
ba-deh etc. you hear:
hniq-s’ eh, k ’ un-hniq-s’ eh hniq-s ’ eh, tăs
k ’ un-hniq-s
’ eh, hnăs’ eh
’ eh,you hear: tăs
k ’ un-năs ’ eh’.eh,
We call this change from Wet iqcall to tthis
ă etc change from t iq to
“weakening”. It ttakes
ă etc “w
Pronunciation points place when tiq, hniq, k ’ un-hniq
place when are combined
tiq, hniq, kwith any are
’ un-hniq other com
Consonant ny- : word: t ăs ’ eh “one ten”, word: h n ă ya t “two
ăs ’ eh hundreds”,
“one ten”, hkn’ăun-nătya “two ’ aunhu
quvthoun-nyá zero quv zero “seven thousands”, tăk ’weq “seven “onethousands”,
cup”, and so tăkon.’weq “one cup”, an
Final nasal -n :
quM;' thoún,
ty\lteh-li-p three,qu
^Pun\; ’oún telephone
M;' ty\l^Pun\; three, telephone Pronunciation point Pronunciation point
Plain S and aspirate S: Plain S and aspirate S:
1.5. NEW WORDS sán-deh, sm\;ty\sán-deh,
' to try out,'
sm\;ty\
s ’án-deh Sn\;ty\ s ’án-deh to be
Sn\strange
;ty\
na;lv\ná*leh-deh
ty\ to understand
na;lv\ty\ to understand
Literally “ear (ná ) goes round”
a ) goes round” 1.6. VERY, A LITTLE, NOT
1.6. VERY,
VERY A LITTLE, NOT VERY
eZ;Âk^;zé
ty\
*cı́-deh to be expensive
eZ;Âk^ ;ty\ to be expensive
Literally “price (zé ) is great”.
zé ) is great”. theiq qip\ theiq very
qip\
néh-néh nń´ (ornéh-néh
nv\;nv\;) nń´ (or nv\;nv\;)
a little
Notes
remind
*. We you
usethat
thethe
* tonegative
remind prefix
you that
goesthe negative prefix goes Example sentences Example sentences
lement,
before
not before
the second
the first:
element, not before the first: Theiq é-ba-deh. qip\ Theiq
eA;påty\ "
é-ba-deh. It’s very
qip\ cold.
eA;påty\"
Burmese
23
qip\ Theiq åty\" I like qi

’kik\pcaiq-pa-deh. it pvery much.
\ ’kik \påty\" I like it very much. s ’ éh-tiq, Sy\.tss\’'éh-tiq, Sy\.ts\'
sp\påty\"saq-pa-It’s a n´bit
nń´ Néh-néh n´ hot
sp\pto
åty\taste.
" It’s a bit hot to taste. s ’ éh-hniq, etc sqv\ etc
Sy\.N˙ss\' ’éh-hniq, Sy\.N˙s\' sqv\
deh.
nń´ Néh-néh
eZ;Âk^;påty\ It’s a n´
"´ -ba-
zé*cı́ bitn´ expensive.
eZ;Âk^;påty\" It’s a bit expensive. Variant. Variant.
deh. etcplace
In place of c ’auq-s ’ éh-lé In you may sometimes
of c ’auq-s ’ éh-lé etc
hear
you may ’ somet
c ’ auq-s eh-
. qip\ Theiq
mp¨påB¨măpu-ba-bú.
;" It’s not
qipvery
\ mp¨phot.
åB¨;" It’s not very hot. néh lé , literally “sixty and four”.
néh lé , literally
More examples:
“sixty and four”. More ex
a- qip\ Theiq
na;mlv\ påB¨ ; "
ná măleh-ba- I don’t
qi understand
p \ na;mlv\ påB¨ ; " I don’t understand ngá-zéh-kó cå;Sy\
ngá-zéh-kó k
. ;
i u 59 cå;Sy\.kui;
bú. very much. very much. or ngá-zeh-néh kó or or
ngá-zeh-néh
cå;Sy\n´≥ kukó i; or cå;Sy\n´≥
thoún-zéh-c ’auq qu ;
M Sy\ e
.
thoún-zéh-c ’auq ®Kak\ 36 M;Sy\.e®Kak\
qu
Notes or thoún-zeh-néh c ’auq or or thoún-zeh-néh
quM;Sy\n´≥ e®Kak\ c ’auq or quM;Sy\n´≥
negated
T h e i q used
verb means
with a “Itnegated
is so, verb
but notmeans “It is so, but not
extremely”; example: 1.7. NEW WORDS 1.7. NEW WORDS
ú = “It’sTheiq
not very hot”,
măpu-ba-bú = “It’s not very hot”,
It is hot,in butthenot
sense
extremely
of: “It is
hot”.
hot, but not extremely hot”. zé*c ’o-deh eZ;K¥oitzé*c
y\ ’o-deh to be cheap
eZ;K¥oi ty\
hat Word
theiq and order. Notice that
caiq-pa-deh come in and
theiq that caiq-pa-deh
order: come in that order: Literally “the price is sweet”
Literally “the price is sweet”
” — the “very opposite
much order
I like”from
— the English.
opposite The
order from English. The ne*kaún-deh enekac\ ;ty\
ne*kaún-deh to be well ;ty\
enekac\
rmese rule all isverbs
that come
in Burmese
at the all
endverbs
of thecome at the end of the Literally “status is good”.Literally
N e *k “status
a ú n -d e his
-n good”.
a w “You’re N e *kwell,
a ú n -d e
sentence. aren’t you?” is a common aren’t
greeting,
you?” like
is a“How
common are you?”
greeting, like “
ăs ’in*pye-deh ASc\ e ®pty\
ăs ’in*pye-deh to work out well
ASc\ e ®pty\
Pronunciation point Used in connection with, Usedfor in
example,
connection whether
with,your for example,
accom- w
Consonant
sonant th- : t- and consonant th- : modation is satisfactory, modation
or whether is satisfactory,
you are comfortableor whether in yo
eh tu ;
M ty\ ' qu
toún-deh, ;
M ty\ to be tu
thoún-deh stupid,
M;ty\' to
quuse
M;ty\ to be stupid, to use the back seat, etc. the back seat, etc.
Numbers Numbers Numbers

e round
Numberstensbetween
are madethe
in round
the same
tensway
are as
made in the same way as tăya— hnăya— thoún-ya tăya— ts\hnăya—
ra_N˙s\ra_qu M;ra
thoún-ya 100–200–300
ts\ra_N˙s\ra_
es: in English; examples: lé-ya— ngá-ya— c ’auq-ya lé-ya—el;ra_cå;ra_e®Kak\
ngá-ya— c ’auq-ya ra 400–500–600
el;ra_cå;ra
e®Kak\Sc ’y\ .el;’éh-lé
auq-s 64 e®Kak\Sy\.el; 64 k ’ un-năya— shiq-ya— kó-ya Ku N s
˙ r
\ a_r˙ s r
\ a_ku
k ’ un-năya— shiq-ya— kó-ya ;
i ra 700–800–900
KuN˙s\ra_r˙s\ra
cå;Sy\ngá-zéh-kó
.kui; 59 cå;Sy\.kui; 59 tăt ’aun ts\eTac\
tăt ’aun 1000
ts\eTac\
etc
Weakening. The numbersWeakening.
tiq, hniq, kThe numbers
’ un-hniq weaken
tiq, before
hniq, ky’ un-h
a
e sNotice
’ eh (or thatzeh ) the syllable
“ten” is normally
s ’ eh (or
changed
zeh ) “ten”
to is normally changed to “a hundred”, in the same
“away
hundred”,
as they in dothe
before
same way
z ehas“ten”
s ’ eh/ they do
w tones ’ éish changed
(or z é h ) to
(lowcreaky
tone tone)
is changed
when to creaky tone) when (Lesson 1.5). (Lesson 1.5).
er number.
followed by another number.
9 inclusive
The numbers often 11
lose
to the
19 inclusive
first syllable.
often Inlose the first syllable. In 1.8. IS IT? DO YOU? 1.8. IS IT? DO YOU?
place of —
ts\Sy\ tăs.t’s\éh-tiq,
' 11,ts\Sy\.ts\' 11, Example sentences Example sentences
ts\Sy\ \' sqv\ etc 12,ts\
.N˙s’éh-hniq,
tăs etcSy\.N˙s\' sqv\ 12, etc S1 Ná leh-dhălá? S1 Ná
na;lv\ leh-dhălá? Dona;lv\
qla;" you understand?
qla;"
you often hear —
Burmese
25
huS2
t\kH ´." ouq-kéh. Yes,
hut I do.
\k´." Yes, I do. Notice that the syllable ya
Notice
“hundred”
that theissyllable
often changed
ya “hundred”
to yá (low
is ofte
na;lv\Ná påty\ "
leh-ba-deh. na;lv\ påty\" tone changes to creaky tone)
tone changes
when followed
to creakyby tone)
anotherwhennumber.
followed
sp\S1
qla;"
Saq-thălá? Is it
sp\hot to taste?
qla;" Is it hot to taste? You may hear either tăya Youkó-zéh
may hear either
shiq or tăyátăya
kó-zéh
kó-zéh . The
shiqshiq or t
S2 Măsaq-pa-bú. No, it isn’t.
msp\ påB¨ ; " msp\ påB¨ ;" No, it isn’t. same tone change occurssamewithtone
s ’ eh change occurs 1.6).
“ten” (Lesson with s ’ eh “ten” (Le
Notes Variant. Variant.

Voicing.
hălá is voiced The to suffix except
-dhălá-thălá is after
voiced a sylla-
to -dhălá except after a sylla- In place of tăyá kó-zéh shiq In place
etc you of tăyá
may kó-zéh
sometimes shiq hear
etc you may som
tăya-néh
ble ending
ee “Voicing Rule”inin-qAppendix
. See “Voicing 1. Rule” in Appendix 1. kó -zé h sh i q , literally “a hundred
kó -zé h sh i q ,and literally
ninety “aeight”.
hundredMore and n
-nawQuestions
encourage ending
S2 toinanswer
-naw encourage
Yes, whereas S2 to answer Yes, whereas examples: examples:
n -t hălá /- dh ălá don’t
questions ending attempt to /-push
in -t hălá dh ăláS2
don’t
in attempt to push S2 in hnăyá c ’auq-s ’ éh ngá hnăyá N˙cs \ra.e®Kak\
’auq-s ’ éhS y\.cå;
ngá N˙s265
\ra.e®Kak
ompareeither
these
direction.
two examples:
Compare these two examples: or hnăya-néh c ’auq-s ’ éh ngá or
or hnăya-néh c ’auq-s ’ éh ngá
N˙ s r
\ an´ ≥ e®Kak\ S y\ c
. å; or N˙s\ran
Do you like
’kik\qCaiq-thălá?
la;" ’kikit?
\qla;" Do you like it? k ’ un-năyá-hnăs ’ eh KuN˙s\ra.N˙s\S
k ’ un-năyá-hnăs ’ eh y\ KuN720
˙s\ra.N˙s\S
You do like
’kik\tCaiq-teh-naw?
y\ena\" ’kikit, don’t
\ty\ ena\"you?You do like it, don’t you? or KuN˙s\ran´≥ hnăs
or k ’ un-năya-néh hnăs ’ eh or k ’ un-năya-néh ’ eh
N˙s\Sy\ or KuN˙s\ra
There is a similar variant There
for numbers
is a similar in tensvariant andforunits
numbers
(Lesson in te
Earlier you learned
e-kaún-deh-naw? “You’re well, aren’t you?”
Ne-kaún-deh-naw? “You’re well, aren’t you?” 1.6). 1.6).
g. as
Thea question
form of greeting.
also occurs
The
in question
three other also occurs in three other
four:
versions. Here are all four: 1.9. THIS AND THAT 1.9. THIS AND THAT
1 Ne-kaún-deh-
enekac\ ;ty\ena\" You are well,
enekac\ ;ty\aren't
ena\" You are well, aren't
new? you? you? da då da this då
(nearer me)
2 Ne-kaún-dhălá?
enekac\ ;qla;" Are you well?
enekac\ ;qla;" Are you well? éh-da A´dåéh-da thatA´
(nearer
då you)
3 Ne-kaún-lá?
enekac\ ;la;" Are you well?
enekac\ ;la;" Are you well?
4 Ne-kaún-yéh-lá?
enekac\ ;r´.la;" Are you well?
enekac\ ;r´.la;" Are you well? Example sentences Example sentences
Da saq-thălá? då sp\
Daqsaq-thălá?
la;" Is this
då hot
sp\qtola;"
taste?
e, As
all greetings
four are used formulae,
interchangeably.
all four are usedThe interchangeably. The Da é-dhălá? då eA;qla;"
Da é-dhălá? Is this
då cold?
eA;qla;"
listsecond
uses the form
regular
in this
question
list uses ending
the regular
you question ending you ´ -dhălá?
É h-da zé cı́ A´dåÉ h-da
eZ;*Âk^ Is that
´ -dhălá?
zé;qla;"
cı́ A´dexpensive?
å eZ;*Âk^;qla;"
he have
third just
is a learned.
reduced version
The third of is
that.
a reduced
And version of that. And É h-da caiq-pa-deh. A´dåÉ h-da
’kik\pcaiq-pa-deh.
åty\" I like that
A´ d å ’kione.
k\påty\"
ffix
the fourth
-yéh usesof
in place the suffix
the suffix-yéh in: place
-dhă- see the
of the suffix -dhă- : see the
n Appendix
verb suffixes3 (outline
sectiongrammar).
in Appendix 3 (outline grammar). Notes Notes
answer
In all
is the
foursame:
cases the answer is the same: Word order. Notice that Word
in sentences
order. Notice like Éthat
h-daincaiq-pa-deh
sentences lik
enekac\ ;påty\"
Ne-kaún-ba-deh. I’menekac\
fine. ;påty\" I’m fine. Burmese word order isBurmesethe opposite wordoforder
English.
is theInopposite
English of
you say “I like that one”, you butsay in “I
Burmese
like that
youone”,
say but
“Thatin Burmes
one I
Numbers like”. The rule is that inlike”.
Burmese Theall
ruleverbs
is that
come
in Burmese
at the endallofver
he round
Numbers hundreds
between are the
made
roundin hundreds
the same are made in the same the sentence. We noticed thethe sentence.
same rule Wewith
noticed
t heiqthe
in same
Lesson rule
examples:
way as in English; examples: 1.6. 1.6.
ts\
tăyára.k ui;Sy\.rshiq
kó-zéh ˙s\ 198ts\ra.kui;Sy\.r˙s\ 198 This and that. There isThisno clear-cut
and that.boundaryThere is between
no clear-cut boun
da and
ngá hnăyá c ’auq-s ’ éh ngá 265
N˙ s r
\ a. e®Kak\ S y\ c
. å; N˙ s r
\ a. e®Kak\ S y\ c
. å; 265 é h -d a : don’t be surprised
é h -difa :we
don’t
sometimes
be surprised
translate
if wed asomet
as
etc “that” and éh-da as “this”.
“that” Theand boundary
éh-da asis“this”.
equallyThevague
boundar
in
Burmese
27
a) “TheEnglish:
date: this
compare
is what(a)I “The
want date:
to discuss”
this is what I want to discuss” c ’auq-t ’aun ngá-ya e®Kak\
c ’auq-t eTac\
’aun cå;ra
ngá-ya e®Kak\ 6500
eTac\ c
that is
with
what
(b)I “The
want date:
to discuss”.
that is what I want to discuss”. N˙ s e
\ Tac\ . ku ;
i
hnăt ’aún kó-ya ngá-zéh hnăt ’aún kó-ya ngá-zéhra cå;Sy\ . cå;
N˙ s e
\ 2955
Tac\ . kui;r
” and
Other
“that”:
words seefor
the“this”
Topical
and Vocabulary
“that”: seefor
the Topical Vocabulary for ngá ngá
t”. “this, that and what”. tăt ’ts\
tăt ’aún hnăyá thoún-zéh lé aúneTac\ . N˙sthoún-zéh
hnăyá ts\e1234
\ra. quM;Sy\lé. el; Tac\. N˙s\r
aun “thousand”
Notice that the syllable t ’Notice may bet ’changed
that the syllable aun “thousand” to t ’aún ma
Numbers (low tone changed to (low creaky) tone when
changed followedto creaky)
by anotherwhen f
ts\
tăt ’aun—eTac\hnăt
_N˙s’\eaun
Tac\ 1000–2000
ts\eTac\_N˙s\eTac\ 1000–2000 number. You may hear number.either c ’auq-tYou’aunmayngá-ya
hear either
or c ’auq-t
c ’auq-t
’aún’aun
un qu ;
M eTac\ _ el;eTac\
thoún-daun— lé-daun 3000–4000
quM;eTac\_el;eTac\ 3000–4000 ngá -ya . The same tone ngá
change-ya . occurs
The same withtone s ’ ehchange
“ten” and occurs ya w
aun cå;eTac\_e®Kak\
ngá-daun— eTac\
c ’auq-t ’aun 5000–6000
cå;eTac\_e®Kak\eTac\ 5000–6000 “a hundred” (Lessons 1.6, “a1.8).
hundred” (Lessons 1.6, 1.8).
-t ’aun kKu N˙s\eTac\
’ un-năt _r˙s\eshiq-t
’aun— Tac\ ’aun 7000–8000
KuN˙s\eTac\_r˙s\eTac\ 7000–8000 Numbers beginning with Numbers one thousand
beginning often
withlose onethe thousand
first
kó-daun— tăthaún ;
ku ;
i eTac\ _ ts\ eqac\ 9000–10000
kui;eTac\_ts\eqac\; 9000–10000 syllable. In place of tăt ’aún
syllable. In place
tăya (1100), tătof
’aún
tăt ’hnăyá
aún tăya (1100), t
ngá-zeh
(1250) etc, you will hear(1250)
t ’aún etc,
tăyayou
, t ’aún
will hear ngá-zeh
hnăyá , etc.
t ’aún tăya , t ’aú
mbersWeakening.
tiq, hniq, k ’The numbers
un-hniq weaken tiq,before un-hniq weaken before t ’aun
hniq, kt ’’aun There is a similar variationThere for is
numbers
a similarbeginning
variation with for numbers
tăs ’ eh
ual (Lesson
“a thousand”
1.5). as usual (Lesson 1.5). (Lesson 1.6). (Lesson 1.6).
housand”
Voicing.is voiced
T ’ a u n “a
to thousand”
d a u n except is after
voiced a to d a u n except after a
-q orsyllable
in -ă . Itending in -qthe
is obeying or in
same
-ă . rule
It is as
obeying the same rule as Variant. Variant.
sson 1.5). See “ten”
s ’ eh/z eh the examples,
(Lesson 1.5).and “Voicing
See the examples, and “Voicing In place of c ’auq-t ’aun ngá-ya
In placeetc of you may’aun
c ’auq-t sometimes
ngá-ya etc
hear you may s
c ’auq-
1. Rule” in Appendix 1. t ’ aun-néh ngá-ya , literally “six thousand
t ’ aun-néh ngá-ya , andliterally
five “six
hundred”.
thousand
More examples: More examples:
1.10. NEW WORDS hnătN˙’s
hnăt ’aún kó-ya ngá-zéh ngá \eTac\
aún . kui;ra
kó-ya cå;Sy\
ngá-zéh 2955
. cå;N˙s\eTac\
ngá . kui;r
or hnăt ’aun-néh kó-ya ngá- or hnăt
N˙s\e’Tac\
aun-néh
n´≥ kui;kó-ya ngá- . cå;
ra cå;Sy\ N˙s\eTac\n´≥
to want (something)
ty\ lo-jin-deh luiK¥c\ty\ to want (something) zéh ngá zéh ngá
y\ to order (e.g. a drink in atocafé)
hma-deh m˙ aty\ order (e.g. a drink in a café) tăt ’aún hnăyá thoún-zéh lé ts\ehnăyá
tăt ’aún Tac\. N˙thoún-zéh
s\ra. quM;Sy\lé. el; ts\e1234
Tac\. N˙s
to have meat
;påty\ ăthá*pa-deh in (“meat contain”)
Aqa;påty\ to have meat in (“meat contain”) or tăt ’aun-néh hnăyá or
or tăt ’aun-néh hnăyá
ts\ e Tac\ n ≥
´ N˙ s r
\ a. qu ;
M or
Sy\ . ts\ eTac
thoún-zéh lé el; lé
thoún-zéh el;
Notes There are similar variants
There
for numbers
are similar
invariants
tens andfor
units
numbers
and inin
you keep the Make
lo-jin-deh. low tone
sureon
you
lo- keep
goodthe
andlow
low.
tone on lo- good and low. hundreds and units (Lessons
hundreds
1.6 and
and
1.8).
units (Lessons 1.6 and 1.8).
o withIf ayou pronounce
high tone, the lo
word
withsounds
a highlike
tone,
a the word sounds like a
ng youcoarse
want way
to have
of saying
sex. you want to have sex. 1.11. WHICH ONE? 1.11. WHICH ONE?
Pronunciation point Example sentences Example sentences

M:Plain M and breathed M: Beh-ha By\haBeh-ha Which one By\has
ha meat in? Whic
mt\ty\maq-teh,
' to be
mt\steep,
ty\' to be steep, ăthá*pa-dhăléh? Aqa;*påql´ "
ăthá*pa-dhăléh? Aqa;*påql´"
m˙t\ty\hmaq-teh to make a mark
m˙t\ty\ to make a mark Beh-ha saq- By\haBeh-ha saq- Which one
By\ishhot
a to taste?
Whic
thăléh? sp\ql´thăléh?
" sp\ql´"
Numbers Beh-ha By\haBeh-ha Which one By\ishcool?
a Whic
e round
Numbers
thousands
betweenarethemade
round
in thousands
the same are made in the same é-dhăléh? eA;ql´ "
é-dhăléh? Which ones are "
eA;ql´ Wh
examples:
way as in English; examples: cooler/the coolest? coo
Burmese
29
Notes REVIEW FOR UNIT 1: FOUNDATIONS,

REVIEW FOR UNIT PART
1: FOUNDATIONS,
1 P
ch Beh-ha
thing?”: literally
“which one?”. “whichAlso thing?” used “which
whereone?”. Also used where Review exercises are recorded
Reviewinexercises
the Review
are recorded
Section, on
in Tape
the Revie
4
wouldEnglish
say “which speakers things?”
would “which
say “which
ones?”:things?” “which ones?”: Side B. Side B.
ve ways
Burmeseof distinguishing
does have ways singular
of distinguishing
and singular and
n’t always
plural,have
buttoyou usedon’t
them.always have to use them. Phone numbers Phone numbers
hich?
Questions
What? Why?that ask etcWhich?
(in thisWhat?
case beh-ha
Why?) etc (in this case beh-ha ) Tape Tape Learner
end in
ts voiced version
-t hălé h (or its
-dhălé h ).voiced
Questionsversion
that-dhălé h ). Questions that thoún-c ’auq- 36369thoún-c
quM;e®Kak\ ui; 36369
quM;e®Kak\k36369
’auq- quM;e®Kak\quM;e®K
ith a Yes
can orbe aanswered
No end in with a Yes or .a Com-
-thălá/-dhălá No end in -thălá/-dhălá . Com- thoún-c ’auq-kó thoún-c ’auq-kó
pare these two: tiq-thoun-nya-tiq- 10104tiq-thoun-nya-tiq- 10104
ts\quvts\quvel;10104 ts\quvts\quv
? By\h " Which one
a p¨ql´pu-dhăléh?
Beh-ha By\ ishthe
a p¨hot
qlóne?
" Which one is the hot one? thoun-nya-lé thoun-nya-lé
A´då Ép¨q la;" Is
h-da pu-dhălá? that one A´ hot?
d å p¨ qla;" Is that one hot? hniq-k ’ un-hniq- 27558hniq-k
N˙s\KuN’un-hniq-
˙s\cå;cå;r˙s\ 27558
27558 N˙s\KuN˙s\cå;cå;r˙s
ngá-ngá-shiq ngá-ngá-shiq
Numbers Tape Learner
Tape Learner
S1då Da elak\l´" How much
By\beh-lauq-léh? isethis?
då By\ lak\l´" How much is this? What’s your What’s
Teh-li-p ’ oún your
nan-baq beh- ty\l
Teh-li-p ^Pun\;nMnan-baq
’oún påt\
pa. S2el;Sy\ It’s 46 el;Sy\
. c ’auq-caq-pa.
Lé-zéh kyats. . It’s 46 kyats. phone number? phone number?
lauq-léh? By\elak\l´"
lauq-léh?
e®Kak\k¥p\på" e®Kak\k¥p\på" It’s 33669 It’s 33669
Thoún-thoún-c ’auq-c ’auq-kó-ba. 33669-på"
Thoún-thoún-c ’auq-c ’auq-ko
ofcaq
Burmese
“kyat”.currency.
The unitInof2009
Burmese
the official
currency. In 2009 the official It’s 11005 It’s 11005
Tiq-tiq-thoun-nyá-thoun-nyá-ngá-ba. 11005-på"
Tiq-tiq-thoun-nyá-thoun-nyá
6 kyats
exchange
to US dollar,
rate was
but6 on
kyats
the to
street
US dollar,
you but on the street you It’s 42278 It’s’ un-niq-shiq-pa.
Lé-hniq-hniq-k 42278 42278-på"
Lé-hniq-hniq-k ’ un-niq-shiq-p
000 kyats
couldtoget
thearound
dollar. 1000 kyats to the dollar.
Update on prices in 2013 Update on prices in 2013 Prices in Burmese currencyPrices in Burmese currency
tten in 1996.
This Incourse
the intervening
was written years
in 1996.
the cost
In the
of intervening years the cost of
isen spectacularly.
living in Burma
A cuphas
of tea,
risenforspectacularly.
example, that A cup of tea, for example, that
Tape Tape Learner
in 1996 cost
cost300
underkyats
20 in
kyats
2013. in 1996
A ballcost
point
300penkyats in 2013. A ball point pen tăjaq 1-k¥p\ tăjaq 1 kyat
1-k¥p\
he time of that
writing
costwould
8 kyats
costataround
the time1000
of writing
kyats would
in cost around 1000 kyats in shiq-s ’ éh hnăcaq 82-k¥p\shiq-s ’ éh hnăcaq82 82-k¥p\
kyat
rule, 200 kyats
2013. isAsnowa general
the lowest
rule,denomination
200 kyats is innow the lowest denomination in thoún-zéh k ’ un- 37-k¥p\thoún-zéh k ’un- 37 37-k¥p\
kyat
ple pricesuse,
usedandin BBE
the example
should be prices
multiplied
used inby BBE should be multiplied by
013 prices.about 15 to reflect 2013 prices. năcaq năcaq
ds Voicing.
the word In caqcompounds
is voiced tothe jaqword
exceptcaqafteris voiced to jaq except after c ’auq-ya ngá-zeh 650/- c ’auq-ya ngá-zeh650650/-
kyat
k ’ un-nă-q., or
With aftert ă-
h nhowever,
ă or k ’ un-nă
you. With
say t ăjaq
t ă- .however, you say t ăjaq . lé-daún kó-ya 4900-/-
lé-daún kó-ya 4900 kyat
4900-/-
ing Rule”For morein Appendix
see “Voicing 1. Rule” in Appendix 1. Tape LearnerTape Learner
mbersWeakening.
’ un-hniq weaken tiq, before
hniq, kcaq’ un-hniq weaken before caq How much is How much is
Da beh-lauq-léh? då Da
By\beh-lauq-léh?
elak\l´"
sson 1.5).
“kyat” as usual (Lesson 1.5). this? this?
en Round
a number numbers.
of kyatsWhen ends a innumber
a 0, the of
word kyats ends in a 0, the word It’s 6 kyat. It’s 6 kyat.
C ’auq-caq-pa. 6-k¥p\ på"
C ’auq-caq-pa.
mples:caq is omitted; examples: It’s 21 kyat. It’stăjaq-pa.
H năs ’ éh 21 kyat. 21-k¥p\
H năsp’ éh
å" tăjaq-pa.
ts\eTac\ tăt ’aun 1000
ts\kyats
eTac\ 1000 kyats It’s 174 kyat. It’s 174 ’kyat.
Tăyá k ’ un-năs éh lé- 174-k¥p\
Tăyá k p’å"un-năs ’éh lé-
cå;ra ngá-ya 500cå;ra
kyats 500 kyats jaq-pa. jaq-pa.
biguity, If there’s
people any mayambiguity,
add a word people
meaning may add a word meaning It’s 10 kyat. It’s 10 kyat.
Tăs ’ eh-ba. 10-på"
Tăs ’ eh-ba.
n g á -y“money”:
a , or a word n g w emeaning
n g á -y a , “Burmese
or a word meaning “Burmese It’s 530 kyat. Ngá-yaIt’s 530 kyat.
thoún-zeh- 530-på"
Ngá-ya thoún-zeh-
currency”:
gwe ngá-ya . Bă ma ngwe ngá-ya . ba. ba.
It’s 8900 kyat. Shiq-t ’It’s
aún 8900 kyat.
kó-ya-ba. 8900-på"
Shiq-t ’aún kó-ya-ba.
Burmese
31
S1 Do you want this one?

S1 Da
Dolo-jin-dhălá?
you want this one?
då luDa iK¥c\q la;"
lo-jin-dhălá?
Question and answer S2 Not very much. S2 Theiq
Not very much.
mălo-jin-ba- qi p \ mlu
Theiq pmălo-jin-b
K
i ¥c\ åB¨;"
Learner
Tape Learner bú. bú.
t S1NeYou’re well, aren’t
kaún-deh-naw? enekac\ ;ty\ena\"
Ne kaún-deh-naw? enekac\;ty\ena\" S1 Which one do you S1 Beh-ha
Which lo-jin-
one do you By\ h a
Beh-ha lo-jin-
you? want? want?
dhăléh? luiK¥c\dhăléh?
ql´"
S2H ouq-kéh.
Yes I am.Ne kaún- hut
H \k ´.'
ouq-kéh. Ne kaún- hut\k´.' S2 I want that one. S2 ÉI h-da
wantlo-jin-ba-
that one. A´då Éluh-da
iK¥c\påty\ "
lo-jin-ba-
ba-deh. enekac\
ba-deh. ;påty\" enekac\;påty\" deh. deh.
n’tS1Y á-deh-naw?
This is all right, isn’trty\ ena\"
Y á-deh-naw? rty\ena\" Which one did you Which hma-
Beh-ha one did youBy\h a m˙aql´
Beh-ha "
hma-
it? order? order?
dhăléh? dhăléh?
S2H ouq-kéh.
Yes it is. Y á-ba- hut
H \k´.' rpåty\
ouq-kéh. "
Y á-ba- hut\k´.' rpåty\" Which one has meat Which ăthá
Beh-ha one has
pa- meat
By\h a Aqa;
Beh-ha ăthá pa-
deh. deh. in it? in it?
dhăléh? påql´ "
dhăléh?
S1NáYou understand,
leh-deh-naw? na;lv\ ty\ena\"
Ná leh-deh-naw? na;lv\ty\ena\" Does this one have Does this one have
Da ăthá pa-dhălá? då Aqa;
Da ăthá pa-dhăl
don’t you? meat in it? meat in it? påqla;"
S2NáNo I don’t.
măleh-ba-bú. na;mlv\ påB¨;"
Ná măleh-ba-bú. na;mlv\påB¨;" Is this one free? Is this
Da one free?
á-dhălá? då Aa;qla;"
Da á-dhălá?
ll S1Ă sIt’s working out all
’in pye-deh-naw? ASc\
Ă se ®pty\
’in ena\"
pye-deh-naw? ASc\e®pty\ena\"
right, isn’t it? Greetings Greetings
S2Ă sNo
’in it isn’t.
măpye-ba-bú. ASc\ me®ppåB¨
Ă s ’in ;"
măpye-ba-bú. ASc\ me®ppåB¨;" How are you? How are you?
Ne kaún-deh-naw? en Ne
ekac\ ;ty\ena\"
kaún-deh-naw?
Ne kaún-dhălá? en Ne
ekac\ ;qla;"
kaún-dhălá?
A lot and a little Ne kaún-lá? en Ne
ekac\ ;la;"
kaún-lá?
Learner
Tape Learner Ne kaún-yéh-lá? en Ne
ekac\ ;r´.la;"
kaún-yéh-lá?
It’s very
Theiq hlá-ba-deh. pretty. qi p\ l˙phlá-ba-deh.
Theiq åty\" qip\ l˙påty\" I’m fine. Ne I’m fine.
kaún-ba-deh. en Ne
ekac\ ;påty\"
kaún-ba-deh.
TheiqIt’s very hot.
pu-ba-deh. qi p\ p¨påty\
Theiq "
pu-ba-deh. qip\ p¨påty\"
It’s aé-ba-deh.
Néh-néh bit cold. n´ n ´ eA;påty\ "
Néh-néh é-ba-deh. nń´ eA;påty\"
It’s azé
Néh-néh bitcı́éxpen-
-ba-deh. nŃéh-néh
n´ eZ;Âk^;zé
påty\ ´ -ba-deh.
cı́ nń´ eZ;Âk^;påty\ UNIT 2. UNIT 2.
sive. GOING TO DO, WANTGOING
TO DO,TO
PLEASE
DO, WANT
DO, COUNTING
TO DO, PLEASE
Theiq zévery
It’s cheap.
c ’o-ba-deh. qi p\ eZ;K¥oi
Theiq zé pcåty\
’o-ba-deh. qip\ eZ;K¥oipåty\
o TheiqIt’s not very hot to qi
măsaq-pa-bú. p\ msp\măsaq-pa-bú.
Theiq påB¨;" qip\ msp\påB¨;" 2.1. EATING AND DRINKING
2.1. EATING AND DRINKING
taste.
. TheiqIt’s not very good. qi
măkaún-ba-bú. p\ mekac\
Theiq ;påB¨;"
măkaún-ba-bú. qip\ mekac\;påB¨;" New words New words
ba Ba ba what?
Ba
This and that sá-deh sa;ty\sá-deh to eat
sa;ty\
Learner
Tape Learner thauq-teh eqak\t y\
thauq-teh to drink
eqak\ty\
ne?S1 Da
Docaiq-thălá?
you like this one?
då ’kiDa
k\q la;"
caiq-thălá? då ’kik\qla;"
S2 Theiq
Not very much.
măcaiq-pa- qip\ m’ki
Theiqk\pmăcaiq-pa-
åB¨;" qip\ m’kik\påB¨;" Some foods and drinks Some
known foods
in Burma
and drinks
under known
their foreign
in Burma u
bú. bú. names names
u S1 Beh-ha
Which caiq-
one do you By\h a
Beh-ha caiq- By\ha Cocacola, Pepsi, Seven-Up,
Cocacola,
Fanta, Sparkling,
Pepsi, Seven-Up,
Vimto,Fanta,
limejuice
Sparkl
like?
thăléh? ’kik\q l´"
thăléh? ’kikq \ l´" Horlicks, Ovaltine, Milo,Horlicks,
cocoa, coffee
Ovaltine, Milo, cocoa, coffee
S2 ÉI h-da
like that one.
caiq-pa-deh. A´då É’ki k p
\ åty\ "
h-da caiq-pa-deh. A´ d å ’ki k\påty\" beer, whisky, rum beer, whisky, rum
Burmese
32 By Ear Burmese By Ear Unit 2: Eating and drinking
Unit 2: Eating and drin
33
ger, hotdog,
sandwich,
biscuit
hamburger,
(= US cookie)
hotdog, biscuit (= US cookie) Word order. As noted Word
earlierorder.
(1.9), in
AsBurmese
noted earlier
the verb
(1.9),
is in
theBu
last element in the sentence:
last element
K ouq tin
hauq-pa-deh “I drank
the sentence: K ouq at ha
Example sentences Coke” is literally “Coke drank”.
Coke” is literally “Coke drank”.
? S1
pk\Peq-si
s^ eqak\ qla;" Did you
thauq-thălá? pk\sdrink a qla;"
^ eqak\ Did you drink a
Pepsi? Pepsi? Numbers Numbers
S2meqak\ påB¨ ; "
Măthauq-pa-bú. No, Imeqak\
didn’t.påB¨;" No, I didn’t. Prices in dollars. Dollars Prices
are counted
in dollars. in muchDollars theare
same counted
way as in m
S1BaBaeqak\ ql´"
thauq-thăléh? WhatBadideqak\
you ql´" What did you kyats; example: kyats; example:
drink? drink? lé-daw-la lé-daw-la 4-edÅla $4 4-edÅl
h. S2kut
K \ ouq
eqak\ påty\" I drank
thauq-pa-deh. kuta\ Coke.
eqak\påty\" I drank a Coke. s ’ éh-ngá-daw-la 15-edÅla
s ’ éh-ngá-daw-la $15 15-edÅl
tăyá k ’ un-năs ’ éh thoún-daw-la 173-edÅla
tăyá k ’ un-năs $173
’ éh thoún-daw-la 173-edÅ
S1hMB
Hagåan-ba-ga sá-deh-You hMdoBeat
agåham- You do eat ham- There is one important difference. There is one Whenimportant
you were difference.
saying round When yo
sa;ty\
naw? ena\" burgers,
sa;ty\don’t
ena\" burgers, don’t numbers of kyats you omitted numbers theofword kyatscaq you, butomitted
when the youwordhave ca
you? you? a round number of dollars a round
you keep number the word
of dollarsdaw-la you
butkeep put the it inwo
S2msa;påB¨ ;"
Măsá-ba-bú. No, Imsa;påB¨
don’t. ;" No, I don’t. front of the number; examples: front of the number; examples:
S1BaBa sa;ql´ "
sá-dhăléh? WhatBa dosa;ql´
you eat?
" What do you eat? daw-la lé-zeh edÅla lé-zeh
daw-la el;Sy\ $40
edÅla el;Sy
h. S2eha. edå≥ sa;påty\ " I
H áw-dáw sá-ba-deh. eat hotdogs.
eha. edå≥ sa;påty\ " I eat hotdogs. daw-la tăyá ngá-zeh edÅla ts\
daw-la tăyá ngá-zeh r a. cå;Sy\ $150
edÅla ts\ra. c
daw-la shiq-t ’aun edÅla shiq-t
daw-la r˙s\eTac\
’aun $8000
edÅla r˙s\eTac
Notes The same principle operates The same
for anythingprinciple else
operates
you can for count.
anything We el
from
ba “what?”
beh-ha “which
is derived one?” from Questions
beh-ha “which
con- one?” Questions con- call it “the Round Number callRule”.
it “the Examples:
Round Number Rule”. Example
uestions containing
taining ba, like b equestions
h -h a , takecontaining
the suffix b e h -h a , take the suffix s ’ éh-kó-ga-lan sSy\ .kui; gåln\
’ éh-kó-ga-lan 19
Sy\ gallons
.kui; gåln\
the note in Lesson 1.11).
-thăléh/-dhăléh (see the note in Lesson 1.11). ga-lan hnăs ’ eh gåln\ N˙
ga-lan hnăs ’ eh s S
\ y\ 20
gåln\gallons N˙s\Sy\
e suffixes
Present-pa-deh and past. andThe suffixes
-pa-bú ´ (or their voiced
-pa-deh and -pa-bú´ (or their voiced hnăyá kó-zéh ngá-main hnăyá N˙s\ra. ku i;Sy\. ngá-main
kó-zéh cå;muic\ 295
N˙s\rmiles
a. kui;Sy\. c
-ba-bú forms
), which
-b a -dmark
e h and statements,
-ba-bú ), which
and the mark statements, and the main thoún-ya mu c
i \ qu
main thoún-ya;
M ra 300 miles
mu c
i \ quM;ra
hăl á , suffixes
and -t e h -t-nhăl (or-t their
a wé h, hăl á , voiced
and -t e hforms
-n a w (or their voiced forms There is one exception toThere the Round is one Numberexception Rule.
to theAlthough
Round Numbe the
-deh-naw ), which
-dhăléh, mark
-dhălá, andquestions,
-deh-naw ),can which
refermark questions, can refer number 10 ends in a zeronumber and is mathematically
10 ends in a zero a and
roundis mathematic
number,
nt or eitherto theto past.
the present
So, for example,
or to the P past.
e q -s i So, for example, P e q -s i it is treated in speech as it anisunround
treated number: in speech as an unround number
mean eithert hauq-t“Dohăláyou
? can drink
mean Pepsi?”
either or
“Do “Did
you drink Pepsi?” or “Did s ’ eh daw-la sSy\
’ eh daw-laedÅla 10
Sy\ dollarsedÅla
Which you meaning
drink Pepsi?”
the speaker Which hasmeaning
in mind the is speaker has in mind is s ’ eh ga-lan Sy\
s ’ eh ga-langåln\ 10 gallons
Sy\ gåln\
om the usually
context. obvious
It is surprising
from the context.
how rarely It is surprising how rarely s ’ eh main sSy\
’ eh main muic\ 10
Sy\ miles muic\
uity –there and ifisaanysentence
ambiguityis ambiguous,
– and if a there
sentence is ambiguous, there and so on. and so on.
use toare makewordsone’s onemeaning
can useclear.to make one’s meaning clear.
Burmese
Singular is similarly
and plural. economical
Burmese in is indicat-
similarly economical in indicat- When combined with dWhena w -l a combined
the numbers with w -l a the
t iq,d ahniq, number
k ’ un-hniq
lural. ing A sentence
singular and like H plural.
an-ba-ga A sentence
sá-dhălá?like H an-ba-ga sá-dhălá? weaken in the usual way:
weaken
tădaw-lain, the usual way: tădaw-la
lé-zéh-hnădaw-la and so, on.lé-zéh-hn
Did you caneat meana hamburger?”
either “Didor you“Did
eatyou
a hamburger?”
eat or “Did you eat
n, there hamburgers?”
are ways of Again,indicatingthere singular
are ways andof indicating singular and 2.2. GOING TO DO 2.2. GOING TO DO
but you plural
don’tin always
Burmese, needbuttoyou usedon’t
them.always need to use them. To make statements or To askmake
questions
statements
about orfuture
ask questions
events, you abou
use a different set of verb
usesuffixes.
a different
Essentially
set of verb
all suffixes.
you are doing
Essenti
is replacing -teh/- deh with
is replacing
-m eh , but -teh/
the -correspondence
deh with -m eh , is
buta little
the cor
Burmese
35
theobscured.
following Compare
two sets of
thesentences.
following They
two sets of sentences. They Numbers Numbers
“to
usedrink”.
the verb thauq-teh “to drink”. Counting cans and bottles
Counting cans and bottles
loún lu M; loún canluorM; bottle
Present/past Peq-si lé-loún Peq-siM; lé-loún four
pk\s^ el;lu pk\bottles
s^ el;luofM; Pepsi
1eka\KPaw-p ^ eqak\ qla;" Did eka\
’i thauq- youP(do you)
^ eqak\ qla;" Did you (do you) bi-ya tăloún B^ya bi-ya
ts\luM;tăloún a can
B^yofa beer
ts\luM;
thălá? drink coffee? drink coffee? Variants. You may also hear
Variants.
people Youcount
mayinalso hear
pălı́n “bottles”.
people count in
2meqak\ påB¨;"
Măthauq-pa-bú. No, meqak\
I didn’tp(I åB¨;" No, I didn’t (I Weakening. The numbers Weakening.
’ un-hniq weaken tiq,before ’ un-hn
hniq, kloún
don’t). don’t). “can/ bottle” as usual (Lesson
“can/ bottle”
1.5). as usual (Lesson 1.5).
3Ba Ba eqak\ ql´"
thauq-thăléh? WhatBadid you q
eqak\ (do
l´" What did you (do
you) drink? you) drink? 2.3. WHERE, HERE AND 2.3.
THERE
WHERE, HERE AND THERE
h. 4ku k
i K o-kó thauq-pa-deh. kuik(I
;
i u eqak\ p åty\ " I drank drink)påty\"
ui; eqak\ I drank (I drink) New words New words
cocoa. cocoa. beh-hma By\m˙abeh-hma where?
By\m˙a
Future di-hma d^ m a
˙ di-hma here
d^m˙a
a? 1eka\KPaw-p ^ eqak\ mla;" Are eka\
’i thauq-mălá? youPgoing ^ eqak\tomla;" Are you going to éh-di-hma A´d^m˙a éh-di-hma there
A´d^m˙a
drink coffee? drink coffee?
2meqak\ påB¨
Măthauq-pa-bú. ; " No, I’m not.påB¨;"
meqak\ No, I’m not. Example sentences Example sentences
3Ba Ba eqak\ ml´"
thauq-măléh? WhatBaareeqak\ you ml´" What are you Di-hma pu-deh-naw? d^mDi-hma
˙a p¨ty\pu-deh-naw?
ena\" It’s hotd^mhere,
˙a p¨tisn’t
y\ena\it?
"
going to drink? going to drink? Beh-hma é-dhăléh? By\ m˙a eA;ql´
Beh-hma " WhereBy\
é-dhăléh? is itm˙acool?
eA;ql´"
4kuikKui; o-kó eqak\ my\"
thauq-meh. I’m ku
going to drink
ikui; eqak\ my\" I’m going to drink É h-di-hma é-ba-deh. A´dÉ^mh-di-hma
˙a eA;påty\ " It’s cool
é-ba-deh. A´dover there. "
^m˙a eA;påty\
cocoa. cocoa.
Notes Notes
n each
Noteset,
that
-t eon
h /- dline
eh 4 in each set,to
corresponds -t e-m
h /-e
dhe .h corresponds to -m e h . 1. The suffix -h m a means 1. “in” or “on”
The suffix -h m ora “at”.
meansNotice “in” or that
“on” d i - or
olite suffix
You can-pa/use
- ba the polite
with both suffix -pa/-and
-t eh/- deh ba with both -t eh/- deh and h m a and é h -d i -h m a come
hma before
and éthe h -d iverb
-h m a in come
Burmesebefore– the ve
-meh : opposite way round from opposite
English.way round from English.
auq-pa-deh thauq-teh = thauq-pa-deh 2. Notice that the beh in2.beh-hm Noticea that
“where? the beh (in in which
beh-hm place?)”
a “where? is
auq-pa-meh thauq-meh = thauq-pa-meh the same word as the bthe same
e h in b e hword
-h a “which as the one?” b e h in (Lesson
b e h -h a “w
People
-pa/- ba moretend oftentowith
use -teh/ dehmore
-pa/--ba thanoften
withwith -teh/- deh than with 1.11). 1.11).
y we -m use , which- ba-deh
eh-pa-deh/ is why we hereuse but-pa-deh/
not -pa-
- ba-deh here but not -pa- 3. Notice also that di-hm 3.a Notice
“here” also
and that éh-di-hm
di-hm a a“there”
“here” corre-
and éh-
n principle
meh/-ba-meh you can; but
addin orprinciple
omit -pa/-bayouwith
can add or omit -pa/-ba with spond to da “this” and éh-da spond to da(Lesson
“that” “this” and 1.9).éh-da “that” (Less
meh . both -teh/-deh and -meh . 4. Questions containing4.beh-hm Questions
a, like containing
questionsbeh-hm containing
a, like b aqu
In -léh
lá or questions,
(lines 1before
and 3),-lá-mor is weakened
eh-léh (lines 1 and 3), -m eh is weakened and b e h - h a , take the suffix
and b-tehhă-lhéah,/- dtake
h ă l éthe
h (see
suffix the-tnote
h ă l é hin
/- d h
he way to -min ăwhich
, reflecting the way
-t eh/- deh is weakened
in whichto -t eh/- deh is weakened to Lesson 1.11). Lesson 1.11).
ame environment.
-t h ă /- d h ă in the For same
“weakening”
environment. see For “weakening” see
Lesson 1.5. Numbers Numbers
is In
nothe
change;
negative
so “Ithere
didn’t
is no
drink”,
change;
“I don’t
so “I didn’t drink”, “I don’t Counting by cups and glassesCounting by cups and glasses
ot going
drink”,
to drink”
and “I’m
are all
not going to drink” are all Măthauq-pa-bú.
Măthauq-pa-bú. k ’weq/gweq K∑k\ k ’weq/gweq cup K∑or
kglass
\
kaw-p ’i hnăk ’weq eka\ Pkaw-p ’i hnăk ’weqtwo cups
^ N˙ s K
\ k
∑ \ eka\ P^ of
N˙scoffee
\K∑k\
laı́n-jú c ’auq-k ’weq luic\;Âkø; e®Kak\
laı́n-jú six glasses
K∑k\ ’weq
c ’auq-k luic\;Âkø;ofe®Kak\
lime-K∑k\
juice
Burmese
37
mbers
Weakening.
t iq, hniq, The numbers
k ’ un-hniq weaken before
t iq, hniq, k ’ un-hniq weaken before 2.5. WANTING TO … 2.5. WANTING TO …
son 1.5).
k ’weq as usual (Lesson 1.5).
edVoicing.
to gweq except
K ’weq is
after
voiced
-ă and
to gweq
-q . For
except
moreafter -ă and -q . For more […]-c ’in-/ […]- […]-K¥c\
[…] […]-K¥c\
- -c ’in-/ […]- to want to -[…]
in Appendix
see “Voicing1. Rule” in Appendix 1. jin- jin-
2.4. NEW WORDS Example sentences Example sentences

Di-hma t ’ain-ba- ic\påty\"t ’ain-ba- Wed^msit
d^m˙a TuDi-hma ˙a here.
Tuic\påty\"
Dåt\puM daq-poun photograph
Dåt\puM photograph deh. deh.
Ruik\ty\yaiq-teh to hit, strike,
Ruik\t y\ stamp to hit, strike, stamp Di-hma t ’ain-jin- d^m˙a TuDi-hma
ic\K¥c\påty\ "
t ’ain-jin- Wed^m
want
˙a Tuicto
\K¥c\sit here."
påty\
Dåt\puM daq-poun
Ruik\ty\ yaiq- to take
Dåt\pauM Ruphoto-
ik\ty\ to take a photo- ba-deh. ba-deh.
teh graph graph K aw-p’i măthauq- eka\P^ Kmeqak\ åB¨;" I don’t
aw-p’i pmăthauq- eka\Pdrink coffee.
^ meqak\ påB¨;"
Tuic\ty\
t ’ain-deh to sit
Tuic\ty\ to sit pa-bú. pa-bú.
rp\ty\yaq-teh to stop
rp\ty\ to stop K aw-p’i măthauq- eka\P^ K aw-p’i măthauq-I don’t
eka\Pwant
^ to
c ’in-ba-bú. meqak\c ’Kin-ba-bú.
¥c\påB¨;" drink coffee.
meqak\ K¥c\påB¨;"
Example sentences Ba sá-dhăléh? Ba sa;ql´ "
Ba sá-dhăléh? What
Ba does he"eat?
sa;ql´
d^m˙a Dåt\ \my\" I’md^mgoing
puM Ruikdaq-poun
Di-hma ˙a Dåt\to
puM take
Ruik\may\" I’m going to take a Ba sá-jin-dhăléh? Ba sa;K¥c\ q l´ " What
Ba sá-jin-dhăléh? Ba does he
sa;K¥c\ want
ql´ "
yaiq-meh photograph here. photograph here. to eat?
Tuic\ml´" t ’ain- Where
By\m˙aBeh-hma By\myou ˙a Tugoing
ic\ml´" to Where you going to
măléh? sit? sit? The suffix -c ’in- is voicedThe suffix
to -jin- except
-c ’in-after
is voiced
-q . See
tothe
-jin-examples,
except after
d^m˙a rp\Di-hma
mla;" yaq- Are
d^myou
˙a rp\going
mla;"to Are you going to and “Voicing Rule” in Appendix
and “Voicing1. Rule” in Appendix 1.
mălá? stop here? stop here? Don’t confuse […]-jin-deh Don’t confuse
“to want [to […]
do something]”
-jin-deh “to want with[to
[…]do s
lo-jin-deh “to want [something]”
lo-jin-deh(Lesson
“to want 1.10).
[something]” (Lesson
Numbers
, platefuls,
Counting portions
by helpings, platefuls, portions Numbers Numbers
p∑´ pwéh/bwéh helping
p∑´ or plateful helping or plateful Counting discrete items Counting discrete items
or portion or portion k ’ ú/gú Ku k ’ú/gú item, Kuunit, article
Ps\r˙\Ac\pK’iq-sh-in-chiq
¥s\ N˙s\p∑´ two Ps\platefuls
r˙\Ac\K¥s\ N˙of
s\pfish
∑´ two platefuls of fish han-ba-ga c ’auq-k ’ ú hMBhan-ba-ga
agå e®Kak\Kcu ’auq-k six
’ ú hamburgers
hMBagå e®Kak\Ku
hnăpwéh and chips and chips s ’ ı́n-w ı́c ’ hnăk ’ ú Sc\ s ’ ı́n-w ı́c ’ hnăk ’ ú two sandwiches
;wi K ¥\ N˙ s K
\ u Sc\;wiK¥\ N˙s\Ku
; el;p∑´ lé-bwéhfour
Bit\Bc\beiq-bı́n Bit portions of ´
\Bc\; el;p∑ four portions of han-ba-ga thoún-gú hMBhan-ba-gaagå quM;Ku thoún-gú three hM hamburgers
Bagå quM;Ku
baked beans baked beans s ’ ı́n-w ı́c ’ lé-gú Sc\;swi’ı́n-w
K¥\ el;Kuı́c ’ lé-gú four sandwiches
Sc\;wiK¥\ el;Ku
mbersWeakening.
t iq, hniq, The numbers
k ’ un-hniq weaken before
t iq, hniq, k ’ un-hniq weaken before
son 1.5).pwéh as usual (Lesson 1.5). In Burmese, instead of asking
In Burmese,
for three instead
hamburgers,
of askingyou for ask
threefor:
ham
ed Voicing.
to bwéh except
pwéh isafter
voiced
-ă and
to bwéh
-q . For
except
more after -ă and -q . For more “hamburger three units”, “hamburger
in just thethree sameunits”,
way asinyou justaskthefor
same
in Appendix
see “Voicing 1. Rule” in Appendix 1. “coffee three cups” or“coffee
“Pepsithree
five bottles”.
cups” or “Pepsi
Compare fivethebott
examples above with – examples above with –
kaw-p ’i thoún-gweq eka\kaw-p
P^ quM;K∑’i k \ three cupseka\
thoún-gweq of coffee
P^ quM;K∑k\ thre
Peq-si ngá-loún pk\sPeq-si five bottles/cans
^ cå;luM;ngá-loún of Pepsi
pk\s^ cå;lu M; five
Burmese
39
numbers
Counting alsoin follows
round numbers
the same also
pattern
follows the same pattern
c): (“dollars five-tens” etc):
edÅla
daw-la ngá-zeh fifty dollars
cå;Sy\ edÅla cå;Sy\ fifty dollars 2.7. POLITE TAGS: “SIR”
2.7.AND
POLITE
“MADAM”
TAGS: “SIR” AND “MADAM
epåc\paun
cå;rangá-ya five hundred
epåc\ cå;ra five hundred
pounds pounds K ’in-bya Kc\b¥a Sir / Madam Kc\
K ’in-bya (man b¥a speaking)
Sir / Madam (m
Shin r˙c\ Sir
Shin/ Madam (woman
r˙ c \ speaking)
Sir / Madam (w
toVoicing.
gú exceptK ’after
ú is voiced
-ă andto . See
-q gú except
the exam-
after -ă and -q . See the exam-
Rule”ples,
in Appendix
and “Voicing 1. Rule” in Appendix 1. Example sentences Example sentences
mbers
Weakening.
’ un-hniq weaken tiq, before
hniq, kk’ un-hniq
’ ú weaken before k ’ ú Di-hma t ’ain-ba. ic\på" Please
d^m˙a TuDi-hma sit here.
t ’ain-ba. d^m˙a Tuic\på" Please s
5). as usual (Lesson 1.5). Di-hma t ’ain-ba d^m˙a TuDi-hma
ic\på (same,
t ’ain-bawith d^mpolite
˙a Tuic\ptag,
å man
(same, w
K ’in-bya. Kc\b¥a" K ’in-bya.speaking) Kc\b¥a" speaki
LEASE
2.6. PLEASE
DON’T DO
… … PLEASE DON’T … Di-hma t ’ain-ba d^m˙a TuDi-hma
ic\på (same,
t ’ain-bawith d^mpolite
˙a Tuic\ptag,
å (same, w
Shin. r˙c\" Shin. woman speaking) r˙c\" woma
Example sentences
Tuic\på" T ’ain-ba. Please
Tuic\psit
å" down. Please sit down. Burmese polite tags areBurmese
like “Sir”
polite
and tags
“Madam”
are like
in “Sir”
English
andin“M
mTuic\pån´ ≥ "
Măt ’ain-ba-néh. Please
mTu c
i don’t
\pån´≥" sit Please don’t sit that they show politeness
that and
theyare
show
tagged
politeness
onto the
andendareoftagge
a
down. down. sentence. sentence.
d^m˙a rp\Di-hma
på" yaq-pa. Please
d^m˙a stop
rp\på"here. Please stop here.
d^m˙a mrp\ pån´≥"
Di-hma măyaq- Please
d^m˙a don’t
mrp\pån´stop
≥" Please don’t stop They are different from “Sir”
They and
are different
“Madam” from
in two
“Sir”
ways:
and “Madam”
pa-néh. here. here. 1. They are more widely 1. They
used than
are more
in (British)
widely English.
used thanFor in (B
example, people use themexample,
to strangers
peoplewhen
use them
they toarestrangers
asking w
Notes the way, and customers the
use way,
themand
to shopkeepers.
customers use them to shop
an To
order,
make youa request
replace or an order,
-teh/-deh with you replace
-pa/-ba . -teh/-deh with -pa/-ba . 2. In English both men 2. and
In English
women both
use “Sir”
men toand a women
man anduse
o do
To something,
ask someone you notreplace
to do something,
-p ’ ú/- bu´ with you replace -p ’ ú/- bu´ with “Madam” to a woman.“Madam” In Burmeseto a the
woman.
genderIndifference
Burmese t
mall but
-néh crucial
. Notice difference
the small between
but crucial “Please
difference between “Please works the other way round:
worksmale
thespeakers
other way use
round: male
K ’in-bya speake
to both
doesn’t
don’t(or we[…]”don’t
andetc) “It doesn’t
[…]”: (or we don’t etc) […]”: men and women, and womenmen and speakers
women, use
and women
Shin speakers
to both men
néh. d^Di-hma ån´≥" Please don’t
m˙a mrp\pmăyaq-pa-néh. d^m˙astopmrp\phere.
ån´≥" Please don’t stop here. and women. and women.
bú. d^ m a
˙ mrp\ p åB¨ ;
Di-hma măyaq-pa-bú. " It doesn’t stop here.
d^ m a
˙ mrp\ p åB¨;" It doesn’t stop here.
2.8. GREETINGS 2.8. GREETINGS
The
and Măt in T ’ain-ba
’ain-ba-néh
-pa/-ba is theand
same Mătpolite suffix is the same polite suffix
’ain-ba-néh
ng in […]
you-pa-deh
have been
, andusing
if youinleave[…]-pa-deh
it out you
, and if you leave it out you S1 Min-găla-ba. mgçS1
lapå" Greetings. mgçlapå"
Min-găla-ba. Greetin
a request,
are still but making
withouta - prequest,
a /- b a it but without - p a /- b a it sounds
sounds S2 Min-găla-ba. mgçS2
lapå" Greetings. mgçlapå"
Min-găla-ba. Greetin
peremptory:
Tuic\på" T ’ain-ba. Please
Tuic\psit å" down. Please sit down. Notes Notes
Tuic\" T ’ain! Sit down!
Tu c
i "
\ Sit down! M i n -g ă l a -b a literally means
M i n -g ă“auspiciousness”
l a -b a literally means
or “blessings”.
“auspiciousn
mTuic\pån´ ≥" ’ain-ba-néh. Please
Măt mTuicdon’t\pån´≥" sit Please don’t sit Unlike the European languages, Unlike thetraditional
EuropeanBurmese
languages,greetings
tradition
down. down. are based not on the time are based
of daynot (“Good
on themorning”,
time of day“Good
(“Goo
mTuic\n´≥"Măt ’ain-néh! Don’t
mTuicsit \n´≥"down! Don’t sit down! evening” etc), but on the evening”
situation etc),
(“Where
but on are
the you
situation
going?”,
(“Wh
Burmese
41
en?”,
“Where
“Havehaveyou you
eatenbeen?”,
yet?”, “Have
“You’re you
here
eaten yet?”, “You’re here Counting Counting
n). very
M in-găla-ba wasso
early!” and deliberately createdwas
on). M in-găla-ba as deliberately created as Tape LearnerTape Learner
ng an
for all-purpose
teachers and greeting
pupils in
forschools
teachers
inand
the pupils in schools in the one glass of laı́n-jú one glass of
tăk ’weq lutăk
laı́n-jú ic\;Âkø;
’weq1-K∑k\
hing1930s,
the English
explicitly
time-of-day
matching greetings.
the English time-of-day greetings. limejuice limejuice
2 cups of coffee kaw-p ’i 2hnăk
cups’weqof coffee kaw-peka\ P^ 2-K∑
’i hnăk k\
’weq
ers,Some
pestered
Burmese
by foreigners
speakers,for
pestered
“the Burmeseby foreigners for “the Burmese 4 bottles of beer 4 bottles
bi-ya lé-loún of beer B^ y a
bi-ya lé-loún 4-lu M;
haveforresorted
Good morning”,
to offering
have
M i nresorted
-g ă l a -b a to
asoffering
a M i n -g ă l a -b a as a 10 cans of 7-Up 10 cans
S ’ éh-bı́n-aq of 7-Up
s ’ eh-loún S´bc\;Ap\s ’eh-loún
S ’ éh-bı́n-aq 10-
unanswerable
stopgap answerquestion,
to an unanswerable
and so the phrase question, and so the phrase luM;
beyond
has begun
the schoolroom.
to spread beyond
You will the find
schoolroom.
it You will find it 5 hotdogs háw-dáw 5 hotdogs
ngá-gú eha.engá-gú
háw-dáw då. 5-Ku
ners,
usedand
mostly
occasionally
to foreigners,
in publicandannounce-
occasionally in public announce- 8 sandwiches sı́n-w ı́c8
’ sandwiches
shiq-k ’ ú sı́n-wSc\
ı́c ’ ;wi K¥\ 8-Ku
shiq-k ’ ú
elyments,
betweenbut one
veryBurmese
rarely between
speaker one and Burmese speaker and
areanother
teacher–and
unless
pupil.
they are teacher and pupil. Going to do something Going to do something
Tape Learner
Tape Learner
2: FOUNDATIONS,
REVIEW FOR UNIT PART
2: FOUNDATIONS,
2 PART 2 I’m going to KI’m
aw-p going
’ i to
thauq-meh. eka\ K Paw-p
^ ’i thauq-m
recorded
Reviewinexercises
the Review
are recorded
Section, on
in Tape
the Review
4 Section, on Tape 4 drink coffee. drink coffee. eqak\my\"
Side B. What are you going to BaWhat are you
thauq-măléh? going to
Ba Ba eqak\ ml´"
thauq-măléh?
drink? drink?
Prices in dollars What are you going to BaWhat are you going to
hma-măléh? BaBam˙ahma-măléh?
ml´"
Tape Learner Learner order? order?
15-edÅla
s ’ éh ngá-daw-la 15 dollars
s ’ éh ngá-daw-la 15 dollars Are you going to SAre
’ ı́n-wyou going to
ı́c ’ hma-mălá? Sc\S;wi’ı́n-w
K¥\ ı́c ’ hma-m
kó-ya k ’ un-năs ’ éh thoún- kó-ya973
973-edÅla dollars
k ’ un-năs ’ éh thoún- 973 dollars order a sandwich? order a sandwich? m˙amla;"
daw-la daw-la Are you going to Are you
Pu-dı́n going to
sá-mălá? p¨dc\Pu-dı́n
; sa;mla;" sá-mălá?
daw-la edÅla-2000
hnăt ’aun daw-la2000
hnătdollars
’aun 2000 dollars eat a pudding? eat a pudding?
daw-la edÅla-4860
lé-daun shiq-ya daw-la4860 dollars
lé-daun shiq-ya 4860 dollars I’m going to I’m going
Pu-dı́n to K ’in- p¨dc\Pu-dı́n
sá-meh ; sa;my\ sá-meh K
c ’auq-s ’ eh c ’auq-s ’ eh eat a pudding eat a pudding
bya. Kc\bbya. ¥a"
LearnerTape Learner (+ male tag). (+ male tag).
It’s 1 dollar.
Tădaw-la-ba 1-edÅlapå"
Tădaw-la-ba 1-edÅlapå" I’m going to I’m goingyaiq-meh
Daq-poun to Dåt\ puM Ruik\my\yaiq-m
Daq-poun
C ’auq-sIt’s
’ éh 68 dollars.
shiq-daw-la-ba 68-edÅlapå"
C ’auq-s ’ éh shiq-daw-la-ba 68-edÅlapå" take a photograph take a photograph
Shin. r˙ c "
\ Shin.
H năya It’s 295 ngá-daw-la-ba
kó-zéh dollars. H năya 295-edÅlapå"
kó-zéh ngá-daw-la-ba 295-edÅlapå" (+ female tag). (+ female tag).
It’s 10 dollars.
S ’ eh-daw-la-ba Sy\edÅla-på"
S ’ eh-daw-la-ba Sy\edÅla-på"
Daw-la It’s 450ngá-zeh-ba
lé-yá dollars. Daw-la edÅla-450-
lé-yá ngá-zeh-ba edÅla-450- Wanting to do something and
Wanting
Here andto dothere
something and Here and there
på" på" Tape LearnerTape Learner
Daw-la It’s 7000 ’dollars.
k ’ un-năt edÅla-7000-
aun-ba Daw-la k ’ un-năt ’aun-ba edÅla-7000- I want to take a Daq-poun I want to take
yaiq-c ’in- a Dåt\ puM Ruik\K¥c\yaiq-c
Daq-poun påty\’"in-
på" på" photograph. ba-deh. photograph. ba-deh.
I want to take a Di-hmaI want to take a Di-hma
daq-poun d^ m a
˙ Dåt\puM daq-poun
photograph yaiq-c ’photograph
in-ba-deh. Ruik \K¥c\påty\
yaiq-c "
’in-ba-deh.
here. here.
Burmese
43
Where
Beh-hma do you
daq-poun By\ m˙a Dåt\pdaq-poun
Beh-hma uM By\m˙a Dåt\puM At this point in the course
At this
youpoint
haveincovered
the course
all the
youessential
have cov
want to take a
yaiq-c ’in-dhăléh? Ruik K
\ ¥c\ ql´ "
yaiq-c ’in-dhăléh? Ruik\K¥c\ql´" grammar you need for saying
grammar andyou
understanding
need for saying
a surprisingly
and underst
photograph? wide range of Burmese wide
sentences.
range Accordingly
of Burmese sentences.
the focus ofAccord
the
Beh-hma Where yaq-c do you By\
’in- Beh-hma m˙a rp\K¥c\yaq-c
ql´"’in- By\m˙a rp\K¥c\ql´" lessons changes from sentence
lessons types
changes
andfrom
grammar
sentence
to situations
types and g
want to stop?
dhăléh? dhăléh? and topics: cafés, taxis,and
family
topics:
andcafés,
so on.
taxis,
Some
family
additional
and so o
Di-hmaDo you’in-
yaq-c want to d^mDi-hma
˙a rp\K¥c\q la;"’in-
yaq-c d^m˙a rp\K¥c\qla;" grammar points will begrammar
introducedpoints
wherewillnecessary,
be introduced
but from
where
dhălá?stop here? dhălá? here on what you most need
here is
ontowhat
expand
youyour
mostvocabulary.
need is to expand yo
Di-hmaDo you want to d^mDi-hma
t ’ain-jin- ˙a Tuic\K¥c\t ’q la;"
ain-jin- d^m˙a Tuic\K¥c\qla;"
dhălá?sit here? dhălá? UNIT 3. LANGUAGE HELP
UNIT 3. LANGUAGE HELP
Di-hmaI don’t want to d^mDi-hma
măt ’ain-jin- ˙a mTuic\Kmăt
¥c\påB¨ ;
’ain-jin- d^m˙a mTuic\K¥c\påB¨;
ba-bú sit here (+male Kc\ba-bú
K ’in-bya. b¥a" K ’in-bya. Kc\b¥a" 3.1. SORRY: I DON’T UNDERSTAND.
3.1. SORRY: I DON’T UNDERSTAND.
tag).
I want
É h-di-hma to sit
t ’ain-jin- A´dÉ^mh-di-hma
˙a Tuic\K¥c\pt ’åty\
ain-jin- A´d^m˙a Tuic\K¥c\påty\ Ná măleh-ba-bú. na;mlv\
NápåB¨ ;" I don’t
măleh-ba-bú. understand.
na;mlv\ påB¨;"
ba-dehthere Shin.(+female r˙ c "
\
ba-deh Shin. r˙c\" S ’áw-rı́-naw? eSar^;ena\ "
S ’áw-rı́-naw? I’meSar^
sorry.
;ena\"
tag). Variants Variants
S ’áw-rı́-béh-naw? na\" I’meSar^
eSar^;p´Se’áw-rı́-béh-naw? sorry.
;péna\"
Do and don’t. S ’áw-rı́-béh. eSar^;p´S"’áw-rı́-béh. I’meSar^
sorry.
;p´"
LearnerTape Learner
Di-hmaPlease sit here.
t ’ain-ba. d^ ma
˙ Tuic\på"t ’ain-ba.
Di-hma d^m˙a Tuic\på" The suffix -béh adds a slight
The suffix
emphasis
-béh in
adds a slight
S ’áw-r emphasis
ı́-béh(-naw?) but
in S
Please
É h-di-hma don’t
măt ’ain- sit A´dÉ^mh-di-hma
˙a mTuic\pån´măt ≥" ’ain- A´d^m˙a mTuic\pån´≥" the meaning remains unchanged.
the meaning remains unchanged.
ba-néh.there. ba-néh.
Please don’t
H an-ba-ga măsá-ba- eat hM B Hagå msa;pån´
an-ba-ga ≥"
măsá-ba- hMBagå msa;pån´≥" 3.2. PLEASE SAY THAT3.2.
AGAIN.
PLEASE SAY THAT AGAIN.
néh. a hamburger. néh.
Di-hmaPlease
yaq-pa.stop here. Di-hma
d^ m a
˙ rp\på" yaq-pa. d^m˙a rp\på" T ’aq pyáw-ba-oún. Tp\e®papåAu M;" Please Tp\
T ’aq pyáw-ba-oún. sayethat again.
®papåAu M;" Pl
Please
É h-di-hma don’t stop
măyaq- A´dÉ^mh-di-hma
˙a mrp\pån´≥"măyaq- A´d^m˙a mrp\pån´≥"
pa-néh.there. pa-néh. New words New words
Please
Daq-poun măyaiq-don’t takeDåt\ p uM mRuik\pån´măyaiq-
Daq-poun ≥ r˙c\" Dåt\puM mRuik\pån´≥ r˙c\" pyáw-deh e®paty\
pyáw-deh to say e®paty\ to
pa-néha Shin.
photograph pa-néh Shin. t ’aq*pyáw-deh t ’aq*pyáw-dehto say again,
Tp\e®paty\ to repeat
Tp\e®paty\ to
(+female tag). T ’aq pyáw-ba. T ’aq pyáw-ba.Please Tp\
Tp\e®papå" sayethat
®papå"again. Pl
Daq-pounI won’t take a Dåt\
măyaiq- puM mRuik\påB¨
Daq-poun ;
măyaiq- Dåt\puM mRuik\påB¨; T ’aq pyáw-ba-oún. Tp\e®papåAu M;" Please Tp\
T ’aq pyáw-ba-oún. sayethat again
®papåAu M;" Pl
pa-bú photograph
K ’in-bya. Kc\ b ¥a"
pa-bú K ’in-bya. Kc\b¥a" (more friendly). (
(+male tag). A common variant is: A common variant is:
Pyan pyáw-ba-oún. ®pn\ e®papåAu Please ®pn\
Pyan M;pyáw-ba-oún.
" saye®papåAu
that again.
M;" Pl
ndGreetings
foreigners)(schoolroom and foreigners)
[greeting]
Min-găla-ba. mgçl apå"
Min-găla-ba. mgçlapå" 3.3. DID YOU SAY 50? 3.3. DID YOU SAY 50?
[response]
Min-găla-ba. mgç l apå"
Min-găla-ba. mgçlapå"
Repeat the unclear wordRepeat
with the
thequestion
unclear word
suffix with the
-lá ; as in question
line 3
in this example dialogue:in this example dialogue:
Burmese
44 By Ear Burmese By Ear Unit 3: Language help
Unit 3: Language45he
då S1
By\Daelak\ l´" How
beh-lauq-léh? då much
By\elak\ is this?
l´" How much is this?
S2 Ngá-zeh-ba.
cå;Sy\ på" It’scå;Sy\
50 kyats. på" It’s 50 kyats. Bă ma săgá bmaska;Bă ma săgá Burmese
bmaska;
S1 Ngá-zeh-lá?
cå;Sy\ la;" Did you say
cå;Sy\ la;"50? Did you say 50? = Myan-ma săgá = ®mn\m=aska;
Myan-ma săgá(“Burmese
= ®mn\maska;
huS2
t\kH ouq-kéh, ngá- Yes, it’s 50.cå;Sy\på"
´.' cå;Sy\ på" hu t k
\ '
. ´ Yes, it’s 50. language”)
zeh-ba. Bă ma pye bma®pv\Bă ma pye Burma
bma®pv\
= Myan-ma pye = ®mn\m=a®pv\
Myan-ma pye (“Burmese coun-
= ®mn\ma®pv\
K ENGLISH?
3.4. CAN YOU SPEAK ENGLISH? try”)
Bă ma ă myó- bmaAm¥oiBă
;qm^ ;
ma ă myó- Burmese
bmaAm¥oilady,
;qm^;
S1
Agçl ip\ska; săgá Can you
Ín-găleiq Agçlspeak
ip\ska; Can you speak thă mı́ = Myan- = ®mn\maAm¥oi ;qm^=; Myan- Burmese
thă mı́ woman
= ®mn\maAm¥oi ;qm^;
e®patt\ qla;"
pyáw-daq-thălá?English?
e®patt\qla;" English? ma ă myó-thă mı́ ma ă myó-thă mı́
u . S2 Măpyáw-daq-pa-bú
me®patt\ påB¨;" No,. I me®patt\
can’t. påB¨;" No, I can’t.
Variants In 1989 the government Indecreed
1989 thethatgovernment
these two forms decreedwere
thattothese
be
Agçl ip\lui
Ín-găleiq-lo Can you
pyáw- Agçl speak
ip\lui (in) Can you speak (in) given different meanings.given different
M yan-m a was meanings.
to be usedMfor referring
yan-m a was to
e®patt\ qla;"
daq-thălá? English?
e®patt\ qla;" English? to anything involving theto whole
anythingcountry,
involvingor allthe
its whole
ethnic country,
groups o
Mătaq-pa-bú
mtt\ påB¨;" . No, I mtt\
can’t.påB¨;" No, I can’t. (Shan, Karen, Kachin etc),
(Shan, andKaren,
B ă m aKachin
was toetc), and for
be used B ă mthe
a wa
shortened variant forisMăpyáw-daq-pa-bú
Mătaq-pa-bú a shortened variant . for Măpyáw-daq-pa-bú . Burmese ethnic group only.
BurmeseAt theethnic
samegrouptime itonly.
was decreed
At the samethat tim
English and other languages
Englishshould
and other marklanguages
the distinction
shouldby mar
New words replacing “Burma” with replacing
“Myanmar”,“Burma” andwith“Burmese”
“Myanmar”,with a
e®paty\
pyáw-deh. to say, e®paty\
speak to say, speak “Myanmar” or “Bamar”“Myanmar”
as appropriate. or “Bamar”
Although as appropriate.
Burmese is
e®patt\ ty\
pyáw-daq-teh. to know how to
e®patt\ speak
ty\ to know how to speak the language of the ethnic
the“Bamar”,
language and of thenotethnic
the mother
“Bamar”,tongueand n
ska;săgá word, words,
ska; language word, words, language of the other races, it isof officially
the othercalledraces, “Myanmar”
it is officiallyon called
the
ip\ska; săgáEnglishAgç
AgçlÍn-găleiq language
lip\ska; English language grounds that it is thegrounds
national thatlanguage
it is the of “the
national
Unionlanguag
of
AgçlÍn-găleiq-lo
ip\lui in English
Agçlip\lui in English Myanmar”. Some foreign Myanmar”.
writers have Some
adopted
foreignthewriters
changes,
have andado
or
Bă ma săgá orBurmese
bmaska; or
language
bmaska; Burmese language others continue to use the
others
old terms,
continue either
to use
to flaunt
the oldtheir
terms,
opposi-
either
®mn\maska;
Myan-ma săgá ®mn\maska; tion to the government, tion
or because
to the government,
they believe their or because
readerstheyarebel
bmaluBă i orma-lo or i Myan-
®mn\malu bmalui or ®mn\malui
in Burmese in Burmese not yet familiar with thenot
newyet names.
familiar with the new names.
ma-lo
3.5 AND 3.6. WHAT’S THAT
3.5 AND
CALLED
3.6. WHAT’S
IN BURMESE?
THAT CALLED IN
Notes IT’S CALLED “thăyeq-thı́”
IT’S CALLED “thăyeq-thı́”
mese
“You”
leavesandout “I”.words
Burmese
for “You”
leavesand out“I” words for “You” and “I”
who you
when areitreferring
is clear who
to. See
youthearenote
referring
at to. See the note at S1 É h-da Bă ma-lo beh- S1A´dåÉ h-da
bmaluBă i By\ WhatA´
lui beh-
ma-lo isdthat called
å bmalu i By\lui
Lesson 1.3. lo k ’aw-dhăléh? lo k ’"aw-dhăléh? in Burmese?
eKÅql´ eKÅql´"
mese
“Burmese”.
for “Burmese” The Burmese
has two for
forms:
“Burmese”
B ă m a, has two forms: B ă m a, S2 Thăyeq-thı́-ló k ’aw- S2
qrk\ q ;
^ lu ≥
i It’s
Thăyeq-thı́-ló k ’aw- called
qrk\ “Thăyeq-
q^;lui≥
oquialwhich
(and theis more
formcolloquial
which gave(andthethe
worldform which gave the world ba-deh. eKÅpåty\
ba-deh. " thı́” . eKÅpåty\"
”), and
theMword
y a n - m“Burma”), and
a , which is more
M y aformal.
n - m a , which is more formal.
ind MTypically,
y a n - m a in youformal
find M writing
y a n - m aand in formal writing and New words New words
and you use B ă m a inand
announcements, conversation
you use Band ă m a in conversation and beh-lo By\lui beh-lohow (“which
By\lway”)
ui how (“wh
dence.
personal
Examples: correspondence. Examples: k ’aw-deh eKÅty\ to
k ’aw-dehcall, to be called
eKÅty\ to call, to b
Burmese
46 By Ear Burmese By Ear Unit 3: Language help
Unit 3: Language47he
me]-lui≥ [name]
suffix [name]-lu
-ló marking endi≥ of name suffix
or marking end of name or S1 É h-da Bă ma-lo A´dS1
å bmalu i By\
É h-da lui
Bă ma-lo What’s that called
A´då bmalu i By\linui
quotation; like a spoken quotation;
(”) like a spoken (”) beh-lo k ’aw- eKÅql´beh-lo
" k ’aw- Burmese?
eKÅql´ "
Note dhăléh? dhăléh?
useTake
the -lo
care not to with
in beh-lo confuse
the the
-ló in
-lo[name]
in beh-lo
-ló .with the -ló in [name]-ló . S2 “Ngăpyáw-dhı́”-ló c˙kS2
\ep¥aq^ ;lui≥ They’re
“Ngăpyáw-dhı́”-ló called
c˙k\ep¥aq^ ;lui≥
nrelated
They words.
are entirely unrelated words. k ’aw-ba-deh. eKÅpåty\ "
k ’aw-ba-deh. eKÅpåty\" ”
“ngăpyáw-dhı́
S1 T ’aq-pyáw-ba- Tp\S1
e®papåAu M;"
T ’aq-pyáw-ba- Please say that
Tp\e®papåAu M;"
3: LANGUAGE
REVIEW FORHELP UNIT 3: LANGUAGE HELP oún. oún. again.
recorded
Review in
dialogues
the Review
are recorded
Section, on
in Tape
the Review
4 Section, on Tape 4 S2 “Ngăpyáw-dhı́”-ló c˙kS2
\ep¥aq^ ; eKÅtapå" They’re
“Ngăpyáw-dhı́”-ló called
c˙k\ep¥aq^ ; eKÅtapå"
Side B. k ’aw-da-ba. k ’aw-da-ba. “ngăpyáw-dhı́”
S1 “Ngăpyáw-dhı́”- c˙kS1\ep¥aq^ ;la;"
“Ngăpyáw-dhı́”- Did you
c˙k say;la;"
\ep¥aq^
or The
this review
and subsequent
material for Unitsthis
inand
the subsequent
Review Units in the Review lá? lá? “ngăpyáw-dhı́”?
m ofSection
“reviewtakes
dialogues”.
the form Hereof “review
in thedialogues”.
book- Here in the book- S2 H ouq-pa-deh huS2
t\påty\ ' Kc\
H ouq-pa-deh b ¥a" That’s
hut\pright
åty\(+ tag).
' Kc\ b¥a"
gues
let are
the simply
review written
dialogues outarein simply
playtextwritten out in playtext K ’in-bya. K ’in-bya.
Speaker
format:2Speaker
… and so 1 …, on.Speaker
On the2tape… and the so on. On the tape the “Ngăpyáw-dhı́”- c˙k\ep¥aq^ ;påp´"
“Ngăpyáw-dhı́”- It is “ngăpyáw-dhı́
c˙k \ep¥aq^;påp´" ”.
hereformat
are four
is different.
phases to Thereeach exchange:
are four phases to each exchange: ba-béh. ba-béh.
you in
1. English
The promptwhattells
to say.
you in English what to say. K ’in-byá Bă ma ’in-byá Bă ma You
Kc\b¥a; Kbmaska; Kc\speak Burmese
b¥a; bmaska;
uiet while
2. Theyou
tape speak
keeps inquiet
Burmese.
while you speak in Burmese. săgá pyáw-da e®patasăgáqip\ppyáw-da
^tap´" very well. qip\p^tap´"
e®pata
e tape3,repeats
A speaker
youron utterance,
the tape torepeats
confirm
your or utterance, to confirm or theiq pi-da-béh. theiq pi-da-béh.
aid. correct what you said. S1 Ná măleh-ba-bú. S1 NápåB¨
na;mlv\ ;"
măleh-ba-bú. I don’t
na;mlv\understand.
påB¨;"
ond Burmese
4. You hearspeaker
a second
responding
Burmese to speaker
what responding to what S ’áw-rı́-naw? eSar^;ena\ "
sorry.;ena\"
you said. Bă ma săgá theiq bmaska; qipsăgá
Bă ma \ theiqI don’t
bmaska;speak qimuch
p\
For example: măpyáw-daq- me®patt\ p åB¨ ;
măpyáw-daq- " Burmese.
me®patt\ p åB¨;"
her what1.this
Prompt:
is called.
Ask her what this is called. pa-bú. pa-bú.
2. Learner:
da Bă ma-lo beh-lo k ’aw-dhăléh?
É h-da Bă ma-lo beh-lo k ’aw-dhăléh?
r 1 (repeats):
3. Tape speaker
É h-da Bă m1a-lo
(repeats):
beh-lo kÉ’ aw
h-da
- Bă m a-lo beh-lo k ’ aw - UNIT 4. CAFÉS AND RESTAURANTS
UNIT 4. CAFÉS AND RESTAURANTS
dhăléh?
r 2 (responds):
4. Tape “N
speaker
găpyá w2-dh
(responds):
ı́”-ló k ’ aw -ba-
“N găpyá w -dh ı́”-ló k ’ aw -ba- 4.1. ORDERING FOOD4.1.
AND ORDERING
DRINK FOOD AND DRINK
deh.
setAll
in Burma.
the dialogues
Remember
are setthat
in Burma.
the Burmese
Remember that the Burmese S1 Ba hma-măléh? BaS1m˙aBa
ml´"hma-măléh? What
Ba will you
m˙aml´ "
ometimes
speakersuseon words
the tape
andsometimes
phrases youuse have
words and phrases you have order?
s isnot
deliberate:
yet learned.
the words
This isare
deliberate:
there to give
the words are there to give S2 K aw-p’i hnăk ’weq S2P^ KN˙s
eka\ \K∑k\’i ep;på"
aw-p We’d
hnăk ’weq eka\like
P^ N˙sto\K∑k
have
\ ep;på"
coping
you with
somethepractice
same in
situation
coping inwith
realthe
life.
same situation in real life. pé-ba. pé-ba. two cups of coffee.
S1 K aún-ba-bi. S1 ;på®p^
ekac\ "
K aún-ba-bi. Fine.
ekac\;på®p^"
Review Dialogue
Burma.
Scene: S1
At is
a fruit
a foreign
stall visitor
in Burma.
and S2
S1 is
is mind-
a foreign visitor and S2 is mind- Variants Variants
anas
ing. aS1
shop
picks
that
upsells
somebananas
bananas. and
S1 picks
asks up
– some bananas and asks – S1 Ba hma-jin- BaS1m˙aBa
K¥c\q l´"
hma-jin- What
Ba wd you
m˙aK¥c\ ql´like
" to
dhăléh? dhăléh? order?
Burmese
48 By Ear Burmese By Ear Unit 4: Cafes and restaurants
Unit 4: Cafes and restau
49
BaS1y¨Ba
ml´"yu-măléh? What
Ba will you
y¨ml´ " What will you pauq-si epåk\spauq-si
^ Chinese
epåk\sdumpling
^ 4
have? have? ye-géh-moún erK´mun\≥ye-géh-moún iceerK´

cream
mun\≥
kuS2
t\ ts\ luM;n´tăloún-néh
K ouq ≥ We’d
kutlike
\ ts\tolhave
uM;n´≥ We’d like to have keiq-moún kit\munkeiq-moún
\≥ cake
kit\mun\≥
spåklc\ ts\
Săpa-kălinl ;
M u one Coke and
spåklc\ ts\one
luM; one Coke and one
ep;på" tăloún pé-ba. Sparkling,
ep;på" please. Sparkling, please. Notes Notes
1. Y e-nwé-ján = “plain tea”,
1. Yliterally “plain
e-nwé-ján = “plain
warm tea”,
water”.
literally
Also“plain w
New words called ye-nwé (“warm water”),
called ye-nwé (“warm
lăp ’ eq-ye-ján (“plain
water”),
tea”)lăp
, ’ eq-ye-
ep;ty\pé-deh to give,
ep;ty\bring to give, bring ăcán-ye (“plain infusion”). A variety
ăcán-ye (“plain of infusion”).
tea, made weak A variety
and of t
y¨ty\yu-deh to take, choose
y¨ t y\ to take, choose taken without milk or sugar,takencheap
without andmilk
widely
or sugar,
available,
cheap and w
A-n´≥ BA-néh B A-n´B
A and ≥B A and B provided free in cafés. provided free in cafés.
2. Samusa (or samosa). 2. A patty
Samusa filled
(orwith
samosa).
meat A orpatty
potato.filled with
Notes 3. Parata. An Indian savoury3. Parata.
pancake.
An Indian savoury pancake.
x: it-néh
is attached
“and” istoathe suffix:
enditofisthe
attached
preceding to the end of the preceding 4. Chinese dumpling. Steamed4. Chinesewhitedumpling.
dumplings, Steamed
with awhite dum
standword,
between andthe doesn’t
two words
stand like
between “and”. theIftwo words like “and”. If savoury filling. “Manapua”. savoury filling. “Manapua”.
of moreyourthan list two
consists
items,
of the
more suffix
than - ntwo é h items, the suffix - n é h
er thenormally
second-last comes
item:after the second-last item: 4.3. DO YOU HAVE ANY
4.3.…DO
? YOU HAVE ANY … ?
A, B, CA,-n´B, ≥ DC-néh D A, A, B, and
B, C C-n´≥ D D A, B, C and D
n this idiomatic
K aún-ba-bi “Fine”.
expression
In this
theidiomatic
usual suffix expression the usual suffix S1 Bi-ya shı́-dhălá? B^y S1a Bi-ya
r˙iqla;" Do you have
shı́-dhălá? B^ya any beer?
r˙iqla;" Do y
ed by-t e-bhi/-/-dpei h
, which
is replaced
slightly
by changes
-b i /- p i , which
the slightly changes the S2 Shı́-ba-deh. r˙ipS2
åty\Shı́-ba-deh.
" Yes, we have.
r˙ p
i åty\ " Yes,
meaning: Beh-hnăloún yu- By\N˙sBeh-hnăloún
\luM; Howyu- many
By\cans
N˙s\luM;would How
ekac\;påty\
K aún-ba-deh. It is good
ekac\ ;påty\ It is good măléh? y¨ml´"măléh? you like?y¨ml´" you
ekac\;på®p^
K aún-ba-bi. That’s fine.
ekac\ ; på®p^ OK. That’s fine. OK. A variant A variant
Very well then. Very well then. S1 Să mu-s’a yá- sm¨S1
Sa Să
rmla;" Could we
mu-s’a yá- sm¨have some
Sa rmla;" Coul
mălá? mălá? samusa? sam
NK
4.2. FOOD AND DRINK S2 Y á-ba-deh. S2 Y"á-ba-deh.Yes, yourpåty\
rpåty\ can. " Yes,
Beh-hnăk ’ ú yu- \Ku y¨ml´" ’úHow
By\N˙sBeh-hnăk yu- many
By\would
N˙s\Ku y¨myou
l´" How
he The
items listpractised
below gives
on the
thetape.
itemsFor practised
a fulleron the tape. For a fuller măléh? măléh? like? like
cabulary
list see for thefoods
Topical
andVocabulary
drinks. for foods and drinks.
Tmc\;eÂka\ t ’ă mı́n-jaw fried rice
Tmc\ ; eÂka\ fried rice If there isn’t any If there isn’t any
Âka\ ’wéh-jaw fried
eKåk\Sk∑é’auq-s noodles
eKåk\ S∑éÂka\ fried noodles S2 Măshı́-ba-bú. mr˙S2 No, we haven’t
ipåB¨Măshı́-ba-bú.
;" mr˙ipåB¨;" any. No, w
Asim\;eÂka\ăseı́n-jaw fried vegetables
Asi m ;
\ eÂka\ fried vegetables K oun-dhwá-bi. kun\q∑aK We’ve run
;®pôun-dhwá-bi.
" kunout.
\q∑a;®p^" We’v
etak\etauq-tauq-caw
tak\eÂka\ fried minced
etak\ etak\ meat
eÂka\ fried minced meat S ’áw-rı́-naw. eSar^;ena\ " I’m sorry.
S ’áw-rı́-naw. eSar^;ena\" I’m s
lim\ema\lein-maw-ye
rv\ orange
lim\ema\ juice
rv\ orange juice
N∑a;Nui≥ ornwá-nó,
just Nui≥ nó N∑a;Nui≥ or just Nui≥
milk milk New words New words
lk\Pk\ rv\
lăp ’ eq-ye tealk\Pk\rv\ tea shı́-deh r˙ity\ to exist, r˙to
shı́-deh itbe
y\ to ex
ereN∑;Âkm\ ;
ye-nwé-ján plain tea
ereN∑ ; 1
Âkm\ ; plain tea 1 [somewhere], to have [som
sm¨Sa să mu-s’a samusa
sm¨Sa 2 samusa 2 beh-hnă- By\N˙sbeh-hnă-
\- how many By\[bottles,
N˙s\- cans,how
platapăla-ta parata
plata 3 parata 3 cups, etc] cup
Burmese
51
rty\ yá-deh to get, torty\

obtain to get, to obtain 4.5. IS THAT ALL? 4.5. IS THAT ALL?
X rmla;"
X yá-mălá?Shall weXget X? Would Shall we get X? Would
rmla;"
we get X (understand we get X (understand New words New words
“if we asked you for “if we asked you for S1 Da-béh-lá? dåp´S1 Da-béh-lá? Is that
la;" all?
dåp´ la;" Is
it”)? Is X available? it”)? Is X available? or Da-béh-naw? dåpórena\Da-béh-naw?
" That’sdåp´
all,
ena\is" it? Th
koun-deh or
kun\ty\ to run out,
kunbe used up, to run out, be used up,
\ty\ S2 Da-ba-béh. S2 " Da-ba-béh. Yes, that’s
dåpåp´ dåpåp´"all. Ye
sold outkun\q∑a;ty\
kun\q∑akoun-dhwá-deh
;ty\ sold out or Shı́-ba-dhé-deh. r˙ipor
åeq;ty\ " There’s
Shı́-ba-dhé-deh. more. There’s
r˙ipåeq;ty\ " Th
something else. s
Notes Note Note
e runK ouout”. Fori the
n -d h w á-b “We’ve
verbrun suffix
out”. Forsee
-bi /- pi the verb suffix -bi /- pi see Shı́-ba-deh. “ThereShı́-ba-deh.
is something”. “There is something”.
Appendix
Verb Paradigms
3 (outline grammar).
in Appendix 3 (outline grammar). Shı́-ba-dhé-deh. “ThereShı́-ba-dhé-deh.
is something else”. “There is something else”
w á -deh. The or
K oun-deh use of -dhw áá -deh.
koun-dhw (“to go”)
Theadds use of
a -dhw á (“to go”) adds a The suffix -t h é /- d h e´ conveys
The suffix
the meaning
-t h é /- d h e´ “additional,
conveys the more,
meanin
ement: suggestion
“be used of upmovement:
+ go, get used “be up,
usedrun up + go, get used up, run further”. further”.
out”.
4.6. WHAT’S THAT or THIS?
4.6. WHAT’S THAT or THIS?
AVE
4.4.
…THEN
. WE’LL HAVE … .
Da ba-léh? då Da
Bal´ "
ba-léh? What isdåthat?
Bal´"
r and
Dialogue.
customer. Café waiter and customer. Să mu-s’a-ba. sm¨Să
Sapå"
mu-s’a-ba. It’s a samusa.
sm¨ S apå"
BaS1m˙aBa
ml´"hma-măléh? WhatBa wd you
m˙aml´ " like to What wd you like to Să mu-s’a-lá? sm¨Să
Sala;"
mu-s’a-lá? A “samusa”?
sm¨Sala;"
order? order? H ouq-kéh. Să mu-s’a. huHtouq-kéh. Yes,
\k´.' sm¨Sa"Să mu-s ’a.a samusa.
hut\k´.' sm¨Sa"
liS2 rv\ r˙iqla;" shı́-Doliyou
m\ema\Lein-maw-ye m\ema\have
rv\ r˙any
iqla;" Do you have any
dhălá? orange juice? orange juice? Notes Notes
liS1
m\ema\Lein-maw-ye
rv\ Noliwe haven’t
m\ema\ rv\ No we haven’t Da ba-léh? literally “That
Dawhat-question”.
ba-léh? literallyBurmese
“That what-question”.
doesn’t need B
mr˙ieta.măshı́-dáw-ba-
påB¨; Kc\b¥a" (polite tag).
mr˙ e
i ta. påB¨; Kc\b¥a" (polite tag). a word that corresponds a word
to “is”that
(compare
corresponds to “is” (comp
D a beh-lauq-lé h?
bú, K ’in-bya “How much is that?” Lesson“How 1.11).
much is that?” Lesson 1.11).
kun\q∑aK ;®pôun-dhwá-bi.
" It’skurun
n\q∑aout.
;®p^" It’s run out. -ba. Remember that -pa/ - ba Remember
-ba. is suffixed to that
an-pa/
answer
- ba istosuffixed
convey to
Pn\taeta. rpåty\
P ’an-ta-dáw yá-" But we
Pn\ t have
aeta. got
rpåty\" But we have got politeness, and is not part
politeness,
of the name
and is(see
notalso
partLesson
of the 1.4
name
ba-deh. Fanta. Fanta. numbers: 34119-ba. ). Sonumbers:
the name34119-ba.
of the object
). Soisthe
“săname
m u-s’aof
”,the
d^lS1 Di-lo-s ’o P ’an-ta In d^
S
i u i u Pn\ taqu ;
M lu ;
M that
luiScase,
ui Pn\tbring
aquM;luM; In that case, bring not “să mu-s’a-ba ”. not “să mu-s’a-ba ”.
ep;på" thoún-loún pé- us ep;på" three cans of us three cans of
ba. Fanta. Fanta. 4.7. IS THERE A TOILET
4.7.
HERE?
IS THERE A TOILET HERE?
S2 Y"á-ba-deh.
rpåty\ Certainly.
rpåty\" Certainly.
S1 Di-hma ein-dha d^mS1
˙a AiDi-hma
m\qa r˙ilein-dha
a;" Is there
d^m˙a Aiamtoilet
\qa r˙ila;"
New words shı́-lá? shı́-lá? here?
d^luiSui di-lo-s ’o or in that
d^luiScaseui (“this + in that case (“this + S2 Shı́-ba-deh. r˙ipS2
åty\Shı́-ba-deh.
" Yes,r˙ipthere
åty\"is.
d^luiSuirdi-lo-s
c\ ’o-yin way + say (+ if)”)
d^ lS
i u r
i u c\ way + say (+ if)”) Di-beq-hma. d^Bk\mDi-beq-hma.
˙a" It’sd^this
Bk\mway.
˙a"
or or
S2 Măshı́-ba-bú. mr˙S2
;" No,
mr˙there
ipåB¨;"isn’t.
Burmese
53
eSar^;ena\ "
sorry.
;ena\" I’m sorry.
REVIEW FOR UNIT 4: CAFÉS
REVIEW AND
FORRESTAURANTS
UNIT 4: CAFÉS AND REST
Notes Review dialogues are recorded
Review in
dialogues
the Review
are recorded
Section, on
in Tape
the Revie
4
pleasant”)
E i n - d h a=(“house
toilet. Ă
+ mpleasant”)
y á-d h oú n =e itoilet.
n -d h a Ă m y á-d h oú n e i n -d h a Side B. Side B.
et”) =(“many
public toilet.
+ use + toilet”) = public toilet.
”, “this
Di-beq way”.
“this direction”, “this way”. Review Dialogue Review Dialogue
Scene: A café in Rangoon. Scene:
S1 is the
A café
waiter.
in Rangoon.
S2 is a foreign
S1 is the
visitor
waiter.
who S2
4.8. SETTLING UP has gone in for a cup of tea has
withgone
a friend.
in for a cup of tea with a friend.
S1 Beh-hma t ’ain-jin- By\ S1m˙aBeh-hma
Tuic\K¥c\ql´ Where
t ’ain-jin- By\mwould
˙a Tuic\Kyou
¥c\ql´
h. S1
puik\S M r˙c\;my\
Paiq-s We’ll settle
’an" shı́n-meh. puik\Sup
M r˙now.
c\;my\" We’ll settle up now. dhăléh, K ’in- Kc\b¥a" dhăléh, K ’in- likeKc\to sit?
b¥a"
By\Beh-lauq
elak\ What does
By\it come to?
elak\ What does it come to? bya? bya?
k¥ql´ "
cá-dhăléh? k¥ql´ " S2 Di-hma é-dhălá? d^mS2 Di-hma é-dhălá?Is it
˙a eA;qla;" d^mcool
˙a eA;qla;"here?
S2 Shiq-caq-pa. Eight kyats.
8/-på" 8/-på" Eight kyats. S1 H ouq-kéh. É -ba- huS1
t\kH eA;påty\É" -ba-Yes,
´." ouq-kéh. hutit is. eA;påty\"
k
\ "
. ´
deh. T ’ain-ba. Tuic\på" deh. T ’ain-ba. PleaseTuic\psit
å" down.
New words S2 K aún-ba-bi. S2 ;på®p^
ekac\ "
K aún-ba-bi. Right.
ekac\;på®p^"
puik\SM paiq-s ’an money puik\SM money S1 Ba hma-măléh, BaS1m˙aBa ml´hma-măléh,
Kc\b¥a" What
Ba would
m˙aml´ you Kc\b¥a"
r˙c\;ty\shı́n-deh to clear up, to settle
r˙c\;ty\ to clear up, to settle K ’in-bya? K ’in-bya? like to order?
By\elak\beh-lauq how much By\elak\ how much S2 Lăp ’ eq-ye S2Pk\
lk\ ts\K∑k\n´≥ Give
rv\’eq-ye
Lăp lk\usPk\
ar cup
v\ of ts\tea
K∑k\n´≥
k¥ty\cá-deh to come to, to add up to to come to, to add up to
k¥ty\ tăk ’weq-néh bc\tui ts\
tăkK ∑k\ ep;på" and
’weq-néh bc\atglass
ui ts\Kof∑k\ ep;på"
V in-to tăk ’weq V in-to tăk ’weq Vimto.
EAVING
4.9. PAYING AND LEAVING pé-ba. pé-ba.
S1 V in-to măshı́-ba- bc\S1
tui mr˙ Kc\b¥a" Webc\have
ipåB¨; măshı́-ba-
V in-to tui mr˙no Vimto.
ipåB¨ ; Kc\b¥a"
S1
puik d^m˙a" ’an di-hma.Here’s
\SM Paiq-s puik\Sthe
M d^mmoney.
˙a" Here’s the money. bú, K ’in-bya. eSar^;ena\ "
bú, K ’in-bya. I’m sorry.
eSar^ ; ena\ "
S2 Cé-zú tin-ba-deh.
ek¥;z¨ ; tc\ påty\ " Thank you. påty\"
ek¥;z¨ ; tc\ Thank you. S ’áw-rı́-naw? S ’áw-rı́-naw?
or ;pĆé-zú-béh.
ek¥;z¨ Thanks.
ek¥;z¨;p´ Thanks. S2 Di-lo-s ’o nwá-nó d^lS2
uiSui Di-lo-s ’o nwá-nó In d^
N∑a;Nui≥ rmla;" that
luiScase,
ui N∑a;Nucould
i≥ rmla;"
q∑aS1
;my\Thwá-meh-naw.
ena\" Goodbye.
q∑a;my\ena\" Goodbye. yá-mălá? yá-mălá? we have some
S2 ;på®p^
ekac\ "
K aún-ba-bi. Goodbye.
ekac\;på®p^" Goodbye. milk?
S1 Y á-ba-deh. Beh- S1 Y"á-ba-deh.
rpåty\ \ Yes.
By\N˙s\K∑kBeh- How" many
rpåty\ By\N˙s\K∑k\
Notes. hnăk ’weq yu- y¨ml´"hnăk ’weq yu- glasses
y¨ml´would
" you
is C
a éshade
-zú -bémore
h “Thanks”
casual is
than
a shade
C é -zúmore casual than C é -zú t in-ba-
t in-ba- măléh? măléh? like?
deh. S2 Tăk ’weq. S2
ts\ K∑kTăk
\" ’weq. One ts\glass.
K∑k\"
ly:Thw
“I’m going
á -m eh-nawto go
literally:
– is that
“I’m
OK?”.
going There
to go – is that OK?”. There S1 Lăp ’ eq-ye S1Pk\
lk\ ts\K∑k\n´≥ One
rv\’eq-ye
Lăp lk\cup Pk\ofrv\
teats\ and K∑k\n´≥
e.g. are many variants, e.g. tăk ’weq-néh N∑a;Nui≥ ts\ K k
∑ "
\
tăk ’weq-néh oneN∑ glass
a ;Nu ≥
i of
ts\ K k
∑ milk.
"
\
®pn\mPyan-meh-naw.
y\ena\" I’m going
®pn\my\home
ena\" I’m going home nwá-nó tăk ’weq. rpåty\nwá-nó a;" ’weq. Fine.
" dåp´ltăk rpåty\ Is that
" dåp´ every-
la;"
now – OK? now – OK? Y á-ba-deh. Da- Y á-ba-deh. Da- thing?
q∑a;påAu ;
M my\ "
Thwá-ba-oún-meh. I will go now.
q∑ a;påAu ;
M my\ " I will go now. béh-lá? béh-lá?
fine”, “Yes, that’s
K aún-ba-bi = “That’s
all right”.
fine”,The
“Yes,
standard
that’s all right”. The standard S2 Shı́-ba-dhé-deh. r˙ipS2
åeq;ty\ "
Shı́-ba-dhé-deh. No.r˙ipthere’s
åeq;ty\ more.
"
bye phrase.
response to a Goodbye phrase. É h-da ba-léh? A´då ÉBal´ "
h-da ba-léh? WhatA´ d åis that?
Bal´ "
Burmese
55
S1 eka\
dåk Âka\på" Those
®pn\≥ekaw-byán-
Da-gá dåkare spring
eka\ ®pn\≥eÂka\på" Those are spring S1 Lăp ’ eq-ye S1Pk\
lk\ ts\K∑k\' One
rv\’eq-ye
Lăp lk\cup Pk\ofrv\ tea,ts\
one K∑k\'
jaw-ba. rolls. rolls. tăk ’weq, nwá-nó N∑a;Nui≥ ts\ K k
∑ n
\ ≥
´
tăk ’weq, nwá-nó glass
N∑ a of
;Nu ≥
i milk,
ts\ K k
∑ and
n
\ ≥
´
sp\S2
qla;"Saq-thălá? Are
sp\they
qla;" hot (to Are they hot (to tăk ’weq-néh eka\®pn\tăk
≥eÂka\ ts\Ku"
’weq-néh one spring
eka\ roll.ts\
®pn\≥eÂka\ 32Ku"
taste)? taste)? kaw-byán-jaw 32-k¥p\kaw-byán-jaw
på" kyats please.
32-k¥p\ p å"
qipS1\msp\Theiq
påB¨;" măsaq-pa-Notqivery.
p\msp\påB¨;" Not very. tăk ’ ú. Thoún- tăk ’ ú. Thoún-
nń´p´ sp\bú.
påty\ "
Néh-néh- They’re
nń´p´ just a little
sp\påty\ " They’re just a little zéh hnăcaq-pă. zéh hnăcaq-pă.
béh saq-padeh. hot. hot. S2 Thoún-zéh S2 Thoún-zéh
32-k¥p\ la;" 32 32-k¥p\
kyats? la;"
S2 Ăpåqla;"
Aqa; thá pa-dhălá? DoAqa;
they have meat
påqla;" Do they have meat hnăcaq-lá? hnăcaq-lá?
in them? in them? S1 H ouq-kéh-ba. huS1
t\kH ´.på"ouq-kéh-ba. That’s hut\k right.
´.på"
S1 Măpa-ba-bú,
mpåpåB¨ ; Kc\b¥a" No, they don’t.
mpåpåB¨ ; Kc\b¥a" No, they don’t. S2 Paiq-s ’an di-hma. S2
M d^mmoney.
˙a"
då qk\Kq t\l∑t\pDa
’in-bya. ´" They
då are
qk\vegetar-
qt\l∑t\p´" They are vegetar- S1 Cé-zú tin-ba-deh. S1 ;tc\
ek¥;z¨ Cé-zúpåty\ " Thank
tin-ba-deh. ek¥;zÿou.
;tc\påty\"
theq-thaq-luq- ian ones. ian ones. S2 Thwá-meh-naw? q∑aS2
;my\Thwá-meh-naw?
ena\" Goodbye.
q∑a;my\ena\"
péh. S1 K aún-ba-bi, K ’in- S1 ;på®p^
ekac\ Kc\b¥a" K ’in-Goodbye.
K aún-ba-bi, ekac\;på®p^ Kc\b¥a"
S2
d^l uiSui Di-lo-s
ts\Ku ep;på"
’o tăk ’ ú In d^
pé- that
luiScase,
ui ts\Kbring
u ep;på" In that case, bring bya. bya.
ba. us one. us one.
S1
ts\ KulTăk
a;" ’rpåty\ One.
ú-lá? Y" á-ba- ts\KFine.
ula;" rpåty\" One. Fine. UNIT 5. TAXIS UNIT 5. TAXIS
dåp´la;" deh. Da-béh- Is that
dåp´ l everything?
a;" Is that everything? The words you learn inThe
thiswords
Unit can
youalso
learn
beinused
this for
Unit
bicycle
can also
lá? trishaws, and for ponytrishaws,
carts in Mandalay
and for pony
andcarts
Maymyoin Mandala
and
S2 Da-ba-béh.
dåpåp´ " That’s
dåpåpáll.
" That’s all. other towns. other towns.
S1 ;på®p^
ekac\ Kc\b¥a" K ’in-Very
K aún-ba-bi, well.
ekac\ ;på®p^ Kc\b¥a" Very well.
bya. 5.1. WHERE TO? 5.1. WHERE TO?
have After
finished
S2 andeating
her friend
and drinking,
have finished
S2 says:
eating and drinking, S2 says:
d^mS2
˙a AiDi-hma la;" Is there
m\qa r˙iqein-dha d^m˙a Aiamtoilet
\qa r˙iqla;" Is there a toilet S2 Beh thwá-măléh? S2 q∑
By\ Beha;ml´ " Where
thwá-măléh? By\ are you"
q∑a;ml´
shı́-dhălá? here? here? going to?
r˙ipS1
åty\Shı́-ba-deh,
Kc\b¥a" K ’in-Yes,
r˙ipthere
åty\ is.Kc\b¥a" Yes, there is. or Beh thwá-jin- or q∑
By\ Beha;K¥c\thwá-jin-
ql´" Where
By\ do q∑ayou
;K¥c\qwant
l´"
ehad^Bbya.
k\m˙aH" áw-di Thisehad^way.
Bk\m˙a" This way. dhăléh? dhăléh? to go to?
Suic\enak\ e P;m˙
beq-hma. a" At the
Su c
i e
\ back
nak\ eof the
P;m˙ a" At the back of the or Beh-go-léh? or kuil
By\ "
´
Beh-go-léh? Where
By\k to?
uil´"
S ’ain-nauq-p ’ é- shop. shop. S2 Săt ’ărı́n H o-teh S2 ;Săt
sTrc\ y\ H o-teh I’msTrc\
huit’ărı́n going ;hutoitthe
y\
hma. thwá-meh. q∑a;my\thwá-meh.
" Strand Hotel.
q∑ a ;my\ "
table
Whenshe S2says:
returns to the table she says: S1 Y á-ba-deh. S1 Y"á-ba-deh.
rpåty\ Allrpåty\
right. "
S2 Paiq-s ’an
puik S
\ M r˙ c;
\ my\ " shı́n- We’ll settle
puik\S M r˙c\;up
my\now.
" We’ll settle up now. or K aún-ba-bi. or K aún-ba-bi.
ekac\ ;på®p^ " Fine. ;på®p^"
ekac\
By\elak\meh. k¥ql´" How By\much
elak\does it "
k¥ql´ How much does it Teq-pa. tk\på"Teq-pa. Gettk\in.på"
Beh-lauq cá- come to? come to? or Teq. or " Teq.
tk\ Gettk\in (less
" courte-
dhăléh? ous).
Burmese
56 By Ear Burmese By Ear Unit 5: Taxis Unit 5: Taxis
57
New words Ngá-daq-cı́ P ’ăyá cå;Tp\ÂNgá-daq-cı́

k^;Bura; Ngadatkyi
P ’ăyá cå;Tp\Âk^;Pagoda
Bura;
By\ beh where
By\ to where to yoún Ru ;
M yoún office
Ru ;
M
tk\tteq-teh
y\ to mount,
tk\ty\go up, get to mount, go up, get Myan-ma T ’ăreh- Myanmar Travel
Myan-ma Myanmar
RuM; Myanmar
T ’ăreh- Travel
Travel RuM;
into into beh Y oún beh Y oún office
than-yoún qMRuM; than-yoún embassy
qMRuM; (“envoy +
Notes office”)
here arethwá-m
Beh you going ăléh?to?”
“Where
and Săt
are’ărı́n
you H going
o-tehto?” and Săt ’ărı́n H o-teh Brı́-t ı́sh or Byı́-t ı́- RuM; ı́sh or Byı́-t ı́-British
Brı́-t
®bitiqYqM ®bitiqEmbassy
YqMRuM;
oing tothw theá -mStrand
e h “I’m Hotel.”
going Notice
to the Strand
that in Hotel.” Notice that in shá Than-yoún shá Than-yoún
Where Burmese
are youyou going say
to“Where
go to?” and
are you going
Săt ’ăr ı́n to go to?” and Săt ’ăr ı́n Ă me-rı́-kan Than- Aemrik
Ăn\me-rı́-kan
qMRuM; American
Than- Aemrikn\Embassy
qMRuM;
I’m going
H o-t eh to go
t hwto the
á-m ehStrand
“I’m going
Hotel.”to goYou to the Strand Hotel.” You yoún yoún
use
hwá-deh . thwá-meh not thwá-deh . Á w-sătré-lyá ÂqseÂt;l¥qM RuM;
Á w-sătré-lyá Australian
ÂqseÂt;l¥qM Embassy
RuM;
m eh “I’m
Săt ’ărı́ngoing
H o-teh to thwá-m
the Strand
eh “I’m
Hotel.”
going “The
to the Strand Hotel.” “The Than-yoún Than-yoún
es before
Strand “I’m Hotel”
goingcomes
to” thebefore
opposite
“I’morder
going to” the opposite order le-yin-yoún elya√\le-yin-yoún
RuM; airline
elya√\ office
RuM;
o Lesson
to English.
1.9: É h-da Seecaiq-pa-deh
also Lesson“I1.9: likeÉ h-da
that caiq-pa-deh “I like that T ’aı́n Le-yin-yoún Tuic\;elya√\ R ;
M u
T ’aı́n Le-yin-yoún Thai AirwaysRoffice
Tu c
i ;
\ elya√\ uM;
t one one”,
I like”. literally “That one I like”. B ı́-mán Le-yin- B ı́-mánRuM;Le-yin- Bangladesh
Bimn\;elya√\ Bimn\;elya√\ Biman
RuM;
se does
Note not alsoneedthat to Burmese
use a word
doescorrespond-
not need to use a word correspond- yoún yoún office
“to”. ing
There to theis aEnglish
suffix (-go/
“to”.
- ko There
) that canis a be
suffix (-go/- ko ) that can be Myan-ma Le-yin- ®mn\maelya√\ ;
M u Myanmar
Myan-ma Le-yin- ®mn\maelya√\
R Airways RuM;
biguity,
used buttoit avoid
is normal ambiguity,
to use no butsuffix
it is normal
at to use no suffix at yoún yoún office
all.
Notes Notes
S 5.2. DESTINATIONS B o-jou q : short for Bo-jouq A unq : Sshort
B o-jou ’ á n “General
for Bo-jouq
Aung
A unSan”,
S ’ á n the
“Gen
national leader who won national
independence
leader whofor Burma
won independence
from the
he The
items list
presented
below gives
on the
thetape.
itemsFor
presented
a fuller on the tape. For a fuller British, but was assassinated
British,
by but
a rival
wasinassassinated
1947. by a rival in
cabulary
list see for
thesites
Topical
andVocabulary
places. for sites and places. M ăha Ban-dú-lá : a talented general
M ăha who: a
Ban-dú-lá commanded
talented general
the king’s
who co
armies in campaigns against armies
theinBritish
campaigns
in 1824-1825.
against the British in
lm\; lán road,
lm\street
; road, street Ă naw-yăt ’a : a Burmese king who reigned
Ă naw-yăt ’a : a Burmese
at Pagan
king1044-1077.
who reigned at
buil\K¥op\Bo-jouq
lm\; Lán Bogyoke
buil\K¥op\lStreet
m\; Bogyoke Street
ollm\;Ban-dú-lá Maha
mhabNÎMăha mhabNÎBandoola
ollm\ ; Maha Bandoola 5.3. CHECKING THE FARE
5.3. CHECKING THE FARE
Lán Street Street
Aena\rĂTalm\ ; ’a Lán Anawrahta
naw-yăt Aena\rTalm\ Street
; Anawrahta Street Before getting into the taxiBefore getting into the taxi
88 buil88 lm\; Lán 88 88
\K¥op\Bo-jouq Bogyoke
buil\K¥op\Street
lm\; 88 Bogyoke Street S1 Beh-lauq pé-yá- By\ S1elak\
Beh-lauqep;rml´ " How
pé-yá- By\much
elak\shall I
ep;rml´ "
45 mhabNÎ45 Măha 47 45
ollm\Ban-dú-
; Maha Bandoola
mhabNÎ ollm\; 47 Maha Bandoola măléh? măléh? have to pay?
lá Lán Street Street S2 H năya pé-ba. S2 Hep;på"
200/- năya pé-ba. Give me 200
200/- ep;på"kyats.
Bura; p ’ăyá pagoda
Bura; pagoda S1 K aún-ba-bi. S1 ;på®p^
ekac\ "
K aún-ba-bi. OKekac\ ;på®p^ "
to Buddha(also images
used to and
referthe
to Buddha himself)
images and the Buddha himself) Thwá-meh. q∑a;my\Thwá-meh.
" Let’s
q∑ago.
;my\(Literally
"
eRWtig uMB ura;
Shwe-dăgoun Shwedagon
eRWtig uMBura;Pagoda Shwedagon Pagoda “We’ll go”)
P ’ăyá
S¨;elBu
S ’rú-le
a; P ’ăyá Sule
S¨;Pagoda
elBura; Sule Pagoda
Burmese
59
y At the end of the journey S2 Y á-ba-deh. S2 Y"á-ba-deh.

rpåty\ Allrpåty\
right. "
S1 H năya-naw?
200/-ena\ " It was 200 kyats,
200/-ena\ " It was 200 kyats, or K aún-ba-bi. or ;på®p^
ekac\ "
K aún-ba-bi. OK.ekac\;på®p^"
wasn’t it? wasn’t it? Teq-pa. tk\på"Teq-pa. Gettk\
in.på"
huS2
t\påty\ "
H ouq-pa-deh. Yes, that’s
hut right.
\påty\ " Yes, that’s right.
New words New words
New words myá-deh m¥a;ty\myá-deh to be a lot, to be too much
m¥a;ty\ to be
ep;rty\
pé-yá-deh to have to give, to
ep;rty\ to have to give, to sháw-deh elYa.tsháw-deh
y\ to reduce, tot
elYa. bring
y\ downto red
pay pay
hut\thouq-teh
y\" to be
hutright,
\ty\"true to be right, true Notes Notes
Sháw-ba-oún-lá? “CouldSháw-ba-oún-lá?
you bring it down “Could
a bit more?”
you bring
Adding
it down
Notes -oú n-lá to a request has-oú
then-lá
effect
to aofrequest
being more
has the
persuasive,
effect of be
anspé-yá-deh
“to give”: pé-deh
Inserting means
-yá- “to
intogive”
pé-deh Inserting
(or -yá- into pé-deh (or more like coaxing: more like coaxing:
he sense
other
of verbs)
“have to, adds
must”:
the sense
e.g. of “have to, must”: e.g. Sháw-ba. “Please reduce
Sháw-ba.it”. “Please reduce it”.
Tuic\ty\t ’"ain-deh.He satd^mhere.
d^m˙aDi-hma ˙a Tuic\ty\" He sat here. Sháw-ba-oún. “Please reduce it further”.
Sháw-ba-oún. “Please reduce it furth
h. d^m˙aDi-hma
Tuic\rty\ " He had
t ’ain-yá-deh. d^m˙atoTu
sitic\rhere.
ty\" He had to sit here. Sháw-ba-oún-lá? “How about reducing it “How
Sháw-ba-oún-lá? further?”.
about red
h. cå;edÅla " I’ll give
ep;my\pé-meh.
Ngá-daw-la them $5.
cå;edÅla ep;my\" I’ll give them $5. B e h -l a u q pé -m ăl é h? “How much
B e h -l a u q péwill
-m ălyou
é h? pay?”
“How much
Noticewill
the yo
cå;edÅla ep;rmy\
Ngá-daw-la " I’ll have
pé-yá- to giveep;rmy\" I’ll have to give
cå;edÅla important difference made importantby adding
difference
-yá tomade by adding
this question:
meh. them $5. them $5. Beh-lauq pé-yá-m ăléh? “How Beh-lauq much will Iăléh?
pé-yá-m have “How
to pay?
much
How will
much should I pay?” much should I pay?”
ma are
Fares.
subject
Prices
to in
serious
Burmainflation.
are subject
Thetotaxi
serious inflation. The taxi
ere normal
fares used
in 1997
herewhen
were the
normal
course
in was
1997 when the course was 5.5. NEGOTIATING THE
5.5.FARE
NEGOTIATING
2 THE FARE 2
8 (therecorded.
date of some
By 2008
minor
(therevisions)
date of some
the minor revisions) the
d town lowest
were fares
2000-3000
around
kyats.
town were 2000-3000 kyats. S1 Tăyá lé-zeh pé- S1 Tăyá
140/- ep;my\ "
lé-zeh pé- I’ll140/-
give you K140.
ep;my\ "
meh. meh.
THE
5.4.FARE
NEGOTIATING
1 THE FARE 1 Y á-mălá? rmla;"Y á-mălá? How about that?
rmla;"
S2 Măyá-bú Bya. S2 ;b¥a"
mrB¨ Măyá-bú Bya. I can’tmrB¨do;b¥a"that.
nńS1
´ m¥a;påty\ "
Néh-néh That’s
myá-ba- a bit too "
nń´ m¥a;påty\ That’s a bit too or Néh-deh Bya. n´tory\bNéh-deh
¥a" Bya. That’s
n´ t too
y\ b¥a"little.
deh. much. much. or Di-lauq măsháw- lak\Di-lauq măsháw-I can’t
dêor drop it that
dêlak\
elYa.påAu M;la;"
Sháw-ba-oún-lá?Could
elYa.you bring it
påAuM;la;" Could you bring it nain-ba-bú. melYa.Nnain-ba-bú.
uic\påB¨;" much. Nuic\påB¨;"
melYa.
down a bit more? down a bit more? S1 Beh-lauq sháw- By\S1elak\
Beh-lauq ml´" How
elYa.sháw- By\much
elak\will you
elYa. ml´"
S2elak\
By\ Beh-lauq pé-jin- How By\much
elak\do you How much do you măléh? măléh? take off?
ep;K¥c\q l´"
dhăléh? want to q
ep;K¥c\ pay?
l´" want to pay? S2 Tăyá k ’ un-năs ’ eh S2 Tăyá
170/- ep;på"k ’un-năs ’ehGive me 170.
170/- ep;på"
or Beh-lauq pé-
By\ elak\ ep;ml´ " How much will
By\ elak\ you"
ep;ml´ How much will you pé-ba. pé-ba.
măléh? pay? pay? or Tăyá k ’ un-năs ’ eh or Tăyá
170/- Ta;på"k ’ un-năs ’ ehMake it 170.
170/- Ta;på"
S1 Tăyá
150/- ep;my\ "
ngá-zeh I’ll150/-
pé- pay you 150 "
ep;my\ I’ll pay you 150 t ’á-ba. t ’á-ba.
meh. kyats kyats S1 K aún-ba-bi. S1 ;på®p^
ekac\ "
K aún-ba-bi. OK.
ekac\;på®p^"
rmla;"Y á-mălá? Will you accept
rmla;" Will you accept Thwá-meh. q∑a;my\Thwá-meh.
" Let’s
q∑ago.
;my\"
that? that?
Burmese
61
New words Di-hma yaq-yá- d^m˙a rp\Di-hma Do we

rmla:" yaq-yá- d^mhave
˙a rp\rtomla:"
stop Do
Bya [short for Kb¥a’in-bya : see 2.7]
[short for K ’in-bya : see 2.7] mălá? mălá? here? Should we (or h
ty\ néh-deh to be a little, too little
n´ t y\ to be a little, too little I) stop here? I
lak\ di-lauq this much, d^so much
elak\ this much, so much Beh-hma yaq- By\ m a
˙ Beh-hma yaq-Where are we going to W
rp\ m l´ " By\ m a
˙ rp\ m l´ "
lYa.Nuic\ty\ to be able to
sháw-nain-deh reduce
elYa. Nuic\ty\ to be able to reduce măléh? măléh? stop? s
a;ty\ t ’á-dehto put at, toTa;ty\
set at, to “make
to put
it” at, to set at, to “make it” Beh-hma yaq-yá- By\m˙aBeh-hma Where
rp\rml´" yaq-yá- domwe
By\ ˙a rp\have
rml´to " W
măléh? măléh? stop? Where should s
THE
5.6.FARE
NEGOTIATING
3 THE FARE 3 we (or I) stop? w
S1
nń´ Néh-néh " That’s a n´bit
m¥a;påty\myá-ba- steep.
n´ m¥a;påty\ " That’s a bit steep. Answers Answers
deh. H ouq-kéh, di-hma hut\kH´." ouq-kéh,
d^m˙a Yes, we’ll
di-hma hut\k stop
´." d^mhere.
˙a Ye
påAuM;la;" How about
elYa.Sháw-ba-oún-lá? elYa.bringing
påAuM;la;"it How about bringing it yaq-meh. rp\my\"yaq-meh. rp\my\"
down a bit? down a bit? H ouq-kéh, di-hma hut\kH ´." ouq-kéh, Yes, please
d^m˙a rp\på"di-hma hut\k´."stop
d^m˙ahere.
rp\på" Ye
u. S2
melYa. Nuic\påB¨;" I can’t reduce
Măsháw-nain-ba-bú. melYa.Nit.
uic\påB¨;" I can’t reduce it. yaq-pa. yaq-pa.
. ordå An´
Da S uM;p´" That’s the
ănéh-zoún-béh. då lowest
An´SuM;p´price.
" That’s the lowest price. Di-hma măyaq- d^m˙a mrp\ ;" I don’t
K¥c\påB¨măyaq-
Di-hma d^mwant
˙a mrp\to
K¥c\stop
påB¨;" Id
ı- S1
eAa\ " d^ l S
i u i u Oh.
A w. Di-lo-s ’o măsı́- In that
eAa\ case
" d^ l I
S
i u i u Oh. In that case I c ’in-ba-bú. c ’in-ba-bú. here. h
ms^;eta. påB¨;"
dáw-ba-bú. won’t take yourpåB¨
ms^;eta. taxi. ;" won’t take your taxi. Lo-ba-dhé-deh. luipåeq;ty\ " There’s
Lo-ba-dhé-deh. luipstill some" way
åeq;ty\ Th
to go. t
New words Shé-ná-hma yaq- er˙>na;m˙Shé-ná-hma We’reer˙going
a rp\my\" yaq- >na;m˙atorp\stop
my\" W
An´SuM; ănéh-zoún the lowest,
An´SuM; the least the lowest, the least meh. meh. just over there. ju
s^;ty\ sı́-deh to ride, travel in or on
s^;ty\ to ride, travel in or on
New words New words
Notes lo-deh luity\" to be lacking,lu
lo-deh toitbey\"missing
to be lacking, t
t ride
M ăs(in your=taxi)”.
ı́-ba-bú “I won’t ride
M ăs ı́-dá(in your taxi)”.
w -ba-bú = “I M ăs ı́-dá w -ba-bú = “I shé-ná-hma just over there (ahead-vicinity-in”)
er˙>na;m˙a shé-ná-hma er˙ > na;m˙ a just over there
r taxi)won’t
after ride
all” –(in
with
yourthetaxi)
implication
after all”that
– with the implication that
to, but
you his
fully
highintended
fare has to,
made but you
his high
change
fare has made you change Notes Notes
uffix -táw/
your mind.
- da´ w with The suffix -táw/
a negated verb- daconveys
´ w with a negated verb conveys The suffix -yá - adds the
The suffix
idea of “have
-yá - adds
to, should,
the idea ought
of “have
to”. to
nger,the
notmeaning
any more, “nonot
longer,
after all”.
not any more, not after all”. Compare Lesson 5.3 and Compare
5.4: B eh-lauq
Lesson pé 5.3-yá
and 5.4:h “How
-m ălé B eh-lauq
much shall I have to pay?”
much
as against
shall I have to pay?”
Beh-lauq as against
pé-măléh “HowBeh
P 5.7. WHERE TO STOP much will you give me?”much will you give me?”
Lo-ba-deh “something isLo-ba-deh
missing, there
“something
is someisway
missing,
to go”.thereLo-is s
Questions ba-dhé-deh “something is still missing,
ba-dhé-deh “something
there is still
is still
somemissing,
way t
d^m˙a rp\Di-hma yaq-c ’Do
K¥c\qla:" inyou
d^m˙awant toqstop
rp\K¥c\ la:" Do you want to stop to go”. Compare Lessonto4.5:go”. Compare Lesson
Shı́-ba-dhé-deh “There 4.5:isShı́-ba-dhé-
more to
dhălá? here? here? come”. come”.
d^m˙a rp\Di-hma
mla:" yaq- Are wed^m˙a(orrp\you) going
mla:" Are we (or you) going
mălá? to stop here? to stop here? REVIEW FOR UNIT 5: TAXIS,
REVIEW PART
FOR 1UNIT
(LESSONS
5: TAXIS,
5.1–5.7)
PART 1 (LE
Review dialogues are recorded
Review in
dialogues
the Review
are recorded
Section, on
in Tape
the Revie
4
Side B. Side B.
Burmese
63
S2 Tăya-dáw néh- S2 Tăya-dáw

100/-eta. n´påty\ néh- K100 is too little
100/-eta. (+
n´påty\
Review Dialogue 1 ba-deh K ’in-bya. Kc\b¥a" ba-deh K ’in-bya.tag). Kc\b¥a"
goon.
Scene:
S1 A is street
a foreign
in Rangoon.
visitor andS1S2is isa aforeign
taxi visitor and S2 is a taxi Tăyá tăs ’ eh pé- 110/- Tăyá tăs ’ eh pé- How
ep;påla;" about
110/- you
ep;påla;"
pproaches
driver. the
Thedriver,
foreigner
whoapproaches
is sitting in thehis
driver,
taxi, who is sitting in his taxi, ba-lá? ba-lá? giving me K110?
and asks – S1 Tăyá tăs ’ eh-lá? S1 Tăyá tăs ’ eh-lá? Did
110/-la;" you say 110?
110/-la;"
S1 Á -dhălá?
Aa;qla;" Are you free?
Aa;qla;" Are you free? S2 H ouq-kéh. Tăyá huS2
t\kH 110/-n´≥ TăyáThat’s
´." ouq-kéh. hut\k right. For ≥
´." 110/-n´
huS2
t\kH Aa;påty\Á -ba-Yes,
´." ouq-kéh. I am
hut \k´." (+Aa;påty\
tag). Yes, I am (+ tag). tăs ’ eh-néh laiq- luik\my\ "
tăs ’ eh-néh laiq- K110
lu k
i I’ll
m
\ take
y\ " you
Kc\b¥a" deh K ’in-bya. Kc\b¥a" meh. meh. there.
By\q∑aBeh
;K¥c\q l´"
thwá-jin- Where
By\q do you
∑a;K¥c\ want
ql´ " Where do you want S1 K aún-ba-bi. S1 ;på®p^
ekac\ " q∑a;my\"
K aún-ba-bi. OK. Let’s
ekac\ go.
;på®p^ " q∑a;my\"
dhăléh? to go? to go? Thwá-meh. Thwá-meh.
BimS1n\;elya√\ R ;
M u
B ı́-mán le-yin- I want
Bimn\;to go to Rthe
elya√\ uM; I want to go to the S2 É h-di-hma A´dS2^m˙a ÉmTu ic\pån´≥"
h-di-hma Don’t
A´d^msit
˙a mTuthere,
ic\pån´≥"
q∑a;K¥c\yoún
påty\thwá-jin-" Biman
q∑a;K¥c\airline
påty\" Biman airline măt ’ain-ba-néh. măt ’ain-ba-néh. please.
ba-deh. office. office. Di-hma t ’ain-ba. ic\på" t ’ain-ba. Sitd^here.
d^m˙a TuDi-hma m˙a Tuic\på"
By\S2RuM;l´
Beh " yoún-léh? Which By\Roffice?
uM;l´" Which office? Ă s ’in pye-deh- ASc\eĂ s ’in pye-deh- That’s all
®pty\ e na\ " ASc\ right,ena\
e®pty\ I "
BimS1n\;elya√\
B ı́-mánRuM;le-yin-
på" TheBiBiman
mn\;elya√\ Airline
RuM;på" The Biman Airline naw? naw? hope?
yoún-ba. office. office. S1 H ouq-kéh. Ă s ’in huS1
t\kH ´." ouq-kéh. Ă s ’inYes,
hutit’s
\kfine.
´."
S2" Bi
eAa\ A w. B ı́-mán-lá? OheAa\
mn\;la;" – Biman,
" Bimn\;is it?
la;" Oh – Biman, is it? pye-ba-deh. ASc\epye-ba-deh.
®ppåty\" ASc\e®ppåty\"
tk\på" Teq-That’s
rpåty\Y"á-ba-deh. rpåty\all right. pGet
" tk\ å" That’s all right. Get
pa. in. in. When you get near the Biman
When office
youthe
getdriver
near the
asksBiman
– office the driver a
By\S1elak\
Beh-lauqep;rml´ "
pé-yá- HowBy\much
elak\shallep;rml´ I " How much shall I S2 Beh-hma yaq- S2m˙aBeh-hma
By\ rp\K¥c\qlýaq-" Where
By\mdo you
˙a rp\ K¥c\want
ql´"
măléh? have to pay? have to pay? c ’in-dhăléh? d^m˙a rp\cr’in-dhăléh?
mla;" to stop?
d^m˙a rp\Should
rmla;" I
BimS2n\;kuBil a;"
ı́-mán-go-lá? ToBiBiman?
mn\;kuila;"Give me To Biman? Give me Di-hma yaq-yá- Di-hma yaq-yá- stop here?
hwåelak\ Hăwa-lauq pé- umm – K120. ep;epå≥"
ep;epå≥ " hwåelak\ umm – K120. mălá? mălá?
120/-"báw. Tăyá 120/-" S1 Lo-ba-dhé-deh. luS1
ipåeq;ty\ "
Lo-ba-dhé-deh. We’re not there
luipåeq;ty\ " yet.
hnăs ’ eh. Shé-ná-hma yaq- a rp\my\" yaq-We’ll
er˙>na;m˙Shé-ná-hma stopa just
er˙>na;m˙ rp\mover
y\"
S1 Tăyá hnăs ’ eh-lá?120120/-la;"
120/-la;" kyats? 120 kyats? meh. meh. there.
huS2
t\påty\ Kc\b¥a"
H ouq-pa-deh That’s
hut\prightåty\(+Kc\tag).
b¥a" That’s right (+ tag). S2 Di-hma-lá? d^mS2
˙ala;"
Di-hma-lá? You
d^mmean
˙ala;" here?
K ’in-bya. S1 H ouq-kéh. Di- huS1
t\kH´." ouq-kéh.
d^m˙a" Di- Yes
huhere.
t\k´." d^m˙a"
nńS1
´ m¥a;påty\
Néh-néh " myá-ba-That’s a bit too "
nń´ m¥a;påty\ That’s a bit too hma. hma.
deh. much. much. Tăyá tăs ’ eh-naw? 110/-ena\ "
Tăyá It was
tăs ’ eh-naw? 110 kyats
110/-ena\ "
elYa.påAu M;la;"
Sháw-ba-oún-lá? HowelYa.about drop-
påAuM;la;" How about drop- wasn’t it?
ping it? ping it? S2 H ouq-pa-deh huS2
t\påty\ Kc\b¥a"
H ouq-pa-deh That’s
hut\pright
åty\(+Kc\
tag).
b¥a"
S2elak\
By\ Beh-lauq pé-jin- How
By\much
elak\do you How much do you K ’in-bya. K ’in-bya.
ep;K¥c\q l´"
dhăléh? want to q
ep;K¥c\ pay?
l´" want to pay? S1 Paiq-s ’an di-hma. S1
M d^mmoney.
˙a"
S1 Tăya pé-meh. I’ll give you 100"
100/- ep;my\ " 100/- ep;my\ I’ll give you 100 S2 Cé-zú tin-ba-deh. S2 ;tc\
ek¥;z¨ påty\
Cé-zú " Thank
;tc\påty\"
rmla;"Y á-mălá? kyats.
rmla;"Would you kyats. Would you S1 Thwá-meh-naw? q∑aS1
;my\Thwá-meh-naw?
ena\" Goodbye.ena\"
q∑ a ;my\
accept that? accept that? S2 K aún-ba-bi. S2 ;på®p^
ekac\ "
ekac\;på®p^"
Burmese
65
Review Dialogue 2 Laiq-pó-pé-nain- luik\pui≥eLaiq-pó-pé-nain-

p;Nuic\mla;" Would
luik\pyou
ui≥ep;Nube able
ic\mla;"
goon.
Scene:
S1 ais street
a foreign
in Rangoon.
visitor andS1S2is isa aforeign
taxi visitor and S2 is a taxi mălá? mălá? to take us?
ags driver.
down a Thetaxiforeigner
and the driver
flags down
asks –a taxi and the driver asks – S2 Beh-dáw thwá- S2eta.
By\ ql´" When
q∑a;K¥c\thwá-
Beh-dáw By\do eta.you q∑awant
;K¥c\ql´"
By\S2l´Beh-léh
b¥a" Bya? Where
By\l to´ (+
b¥a"tag)? Where to (+ tag)? jin-dhăléh? jin-dhăléh? to go?
34S1mhabNÎ ollm\; lé I’m34going
Thoún-zéh mhabNÎ to o34
llm\; I’m going to 34 or Beh ăc ’ ein thwá- or AK¥i
By\ n\ q∑ăca;ml´
Beh ’ ein " What
thwá- By\time
AK¥inare
\ q∑ayou
;ml´"
q∑a;my\Măha
" Ban-dú-lá Mahaq∑ a Bandula
;my\ " Maha Bandula măléh? măléh? going to go?
Lán thwá-meh. Road.. Road.. or Beh-hnăna-yi or N˙sBeh-hnăna-yi
By\ \nar^ q∑a;ml´" What By\time areq∑you
N˙s\nar^ a;ml´"
S2 Y á-deh. Teq. OK. Climb in.
rty\ " tk\ " rty\ " tk\ " OK. Climb in. thwá-măléh? thwá-măléh? going to go?
By\S1elak\ ep;rml´
Beh-lauq " How
pé-yá- By\much
elak\will I
ep;rml´ " How much will I S1 Né-leh thwá-jin- en≥S1
ly\Né-leh thwá-jin- Ween≥want ly\ to go at
măléh? have to pay? have to pay? ba-deh. q∑a;K¥c\ba-deh.
påty\" midday.
q∑a;K¥c\påty\"
S2 Hk¥my\
250/- "
năyá ngá-zeh It’ll cost
250/- you
k¥my\K250.
" It’ll cost you K250. S2 Y á-ba-deh. Laiq- S2 Y"á-ba-deh. Laiq-
rpåty\ Yes, I can "take you.
rpåty\
cá-meh. pó-pé-nain-ba- luik\pui≥epó-pé-nain-ba-
p;Nuic\påty\" luik\pui≥ep;Nuic\påty\"
S1 Tăyá ngá-zeh-lá?
150-la;" K150?
150-la;" K150? deh. deh.
mhuS2t\BMăhouq-p
¨;" 250-på" ’ ú. No, K250.
mhu t\B¨;" 250-på" No, K250. or Măyá-bú. S ’áw- or Măyá-bú.
mrB¨ ; " eSar^ ;ena\"S ’áw-No,mrB¨
I can’t.
;" eSar^ I’m;ena\"
H năyá ngá-zeh- rı́-naw. Măá- mAa;påB¨ ;"
rı́-naw. Măá- sorry. I’m not
mAa;påB¨ ;" free.
ba. ba-bú. ba-bú.
S1 H năyá ngá-zeh- K250?
250/-la;" 250/-la;" K250?
lá? New words New words
S2 bDa-báw
dåepå≥ ¥a" 250/-" Bya. That’s
dåepå≥right (+ tag).
b¥a" 250/-" That’s right (+ tag). di-né dên≥ di-né today dên≥ today
H năyá ngá-zeh. K250. K250. măneq-p ’an mnk\Pn\ măneq-p tomorrow
’an mnk\Pn\ tomorrow
nńS1
´ m¥a;påty\
Néh-néh " myá-ba-That’s a bit too "high.
nń´ m¥a;påty\ That’s a bit too high. beh-dáw By\eta. beh-dáw when? (general
By\eta.use) when? (ge
elYa.påAu deh.M;la;"Sháw-ba- Can you
elYa. bring
påAu M;la;"it Can you bring it beh-ăc ’ ein By\AK¥in\ beh-ăcat’ein
what time?
By\(“which
AK¥in\ time”)
at what ti
oún-lá? down? down? beh-hnăna-yi at what time?
By\N˙s\nar^beh-hnăna-yi By\N˙s\nar^ at what ti
S2 NMăsháw-nain-ba-
melYa. uic\påB¨;" då NomelYa.
I can’t.Nuic\pThat’s
åB¨;" då No I can’t. That’s (“at what hour”) (“at wha
" Da ănéh- theAn´
An´SuM;p´bú. lowest
SuM;p´" I can the lowest I can măneq mnk\ măneq morning mnk\ morning
zoún-béh. go. go. né-leh en≥ly\ né-lehmidday (“day en≥ly\ + middle”) midday (“
S1" dÂl
eAa\ w.uiSui Di-lo-s ’o In eAa\
that"case I won’t
d^luiS ui In that case I won’t nyá-ne ven nyá-neafternoon (“evening
ven sun”)
afternoon
ms^;eta.măsı́-dáw-ba-
påB¨;" take the taxi after
ms^ ; eta. p åB¨ ;" take the taxi after nyá v nyá evening, night
v evening, n
bú. all. all. laiq-pó-deh to take (someone somewhere)
luik\pui≥ty\laiq-pó-deh lu k
i p
\ ≥
i u t y\ to take (so
S2 ;på®p^
ekac\ "
K aún-ba-bi. Very
ekac\well.
;på®p^" Very well.
Notes and variants Notes and variants
NT5.8
TO AND
GO 5.9.
TOMORROW.
WE WANT TO GO TOMORROW. di-né “today”: also di-găné and“today”:
di-né găné . also di-găné and găné .
ABLEWOULD
TO TAKEYOUUS?BE ABLE TO TAKE US? măneq-p ’an “tomorrow”:măneq-p
also măneq-p
’an “tomorrow”:
’yan , măneq-p
also , neq-p ’an
’yinmăneq-p , ,
’yan
neq-p ’yan , and neq-p ’yin . neq-p ’yan , and neq-p ’yin .
S1 PMăneq-p
mnk\ n\en≥ly\ ’an né- We mnk\wantPn\toen≥go to
ly\ We want to go to laiq-pó-deh “to take (someone somewhere)”:
laiq-pó-deh “to take (someone
people oftensomewhere)”
add the
cå;Tp\Âleh
k^;BuNgá-daq-cı́
ra; thecå;Tp\
Ngadatkyi
Âk^;Bura; the Ngadatkyi suffix -pé - (from the word suffix “to- (from
pé --pé give”),the
making
word laiq-pó-pé
pé - “to give”
-
’ăyá "thwa-jin- Pagoda
q∑a;K¥c\Ppåty\ q∑a;K¥c\tomorrow
påty\" Pagoda tomorrow d e h , which acknowledges d e h the
, which
fact acknowledges
that you are doing the factyourthat
ba-deh. at midday at midday passengers a service, andpassengers
therefore sounds
a service,
more
andpolite.
therefore
In the
sound
Burmese
67
e phrase
dialogue
also carries
abovethe thesuffix
phrase also “to
-nain- carries
be the suffix -nain- “to be S2 Shiq-na-yi-gwéh- S2 KShiq-na-yi-gwéh-
8-nar^ ∑´m˙a lapå" Please come
8-nar^ K∑´m˙a at half
lapå"
able
laiq-p ó - p éto”,
- n a i nmaking
- d e h . For - p- ésee
l a i q- -npaói n - n a ialso
n - d e h . For - n a i n - see also hma la-ba. or 8-nar^ K ´ ∑ lapå"
hma la-ba. or
past eight.
8-nar^ K ´ ∑ lapå"
Lesson
q măshá 5.5: D i -l auq
w -nain-ba-bú “I can’t
măshá drop it that
w -nain-ba-bú “I can’t drop it that or Shiq-na-yi- or Shiq-na-yi-
much”. gwéh la-ba. gwéh la-ba.
S1 Y á-ba-deh. S1 Y"á-ba-deh.
rpåty\ Fine.
rpåty\"
E 5.10. FIXING A TIME S2 Shiq-na-yi-gwéh- S2 KShiq-na-yi-gwéh-
8-nar^ ∑´m˙a d^m˙a I’ll8-nar^
wait here
K∑´m˙a dâtm˙ahalf
New words hma di-hma esac\.enmy\ "
hma di-hma past eight.
esac\ .enmy\"
nar^ na-yi hour,
nar^clock hour, clock saún-ne-meh. saún-ne-meh.
mins\ mı́-niq minute
mins\ minute S1 K aún-ba-bi. S1 ;på®p^
ekac\ "
K aún-ba-bi. Very well.
ekac\ ;på®p^"
Examples of times New words New words
el;nar^
lé-na-yi four o’clock
el;nar^ four o’clock la-deh laty\la-deh to come
laty\
kui;nar^
kó-na-yi nine
kui;o’clock
nar^ nine o’clock saún-ne-deh esac\.enty\
saún-ne-deh to wait
esac\.enty\
ku ;
i nar^ Sy\ c
. å;mi ns\
m ı́-niq kó-na-yi s ’ éh-ngá-m ı́-niq 9:15
ku ;
i nar^ Sy\.cå;mins\ 9:15
Notes Notes
Notes Another
Beh ăc ’ ein la-yá -m ălé h?Beh ăc ’ ein occurrence of the
la-yá -m ălé h? Another suffixoccurre-yá -
Noteweaken
un-hniq that tiq,ashniq,
usual (see Lesson
k ’ un-hniq weaken
1.5, as
1.7,
usual (see Lesson 1.5, 1.7, “have to, should, ought “have to”. For to, earlier
should,examples
ought to”. seeFor Lessonearlier
1.9): 5.3 Beh-lauq pé -yá -m ălé5.3 “How much
h? Beh-lauq should
pé -yá I pay?”,
-m ălé h? “Howand much
ts\nar^tăna-yi one o’clock
ts\ nar^ one o’clock Lesson 5.7 “Where
Lesson 5.7 Beh-hma yaq-yá-măléh? Beh-hmashould I stop?”. “Whe
yaq-yá-măléh?
KuN˙s\nar^k ’un-năna-yi seven
KuN˙s\no’clock
ar^ seven o’clock There
Beh ăc ’ ein la-yá-m ăléh? Beh ăc ’areein a couple
la-yá-m of common
ăléh? There are variants
a couple
berAnd
Ruletheis observed
Round Number(see 2.1):
Rule is observed (see 2.1): for l a - “to come” in thisfor context.
l a - “to come”You may in this
hearcontext.
l a -g é h - “toYou
N˙s\nar^ hnăna-yi
mins\ N˙s\Smı́-niq
y\ 2:20
N˙s\nar^ mins\ N˙s\Sy\ 2:20 come round” or “to come comeback” round”
or “toorcome “to come
over”;back” or la-k or’aw-
“to co
hnăs ’ eh “to come and fetch”; e.g.“to come and fetch”; e.g.
e®Kak\ncar^ mins\
’auq-na-yi mı́- 6:30
e®Kak\nar^ mins\ 6:30 S1 Beh ăc ’ ein la- By\S1AK¥i
Beh n\ laK´ .rml´
ăc ’ ein " What
la- By\time
AK¥inshould
\ laK´.rml´ I "
quM;Sy\niq thoún-zeh qu;M Sy\ géh-yá-măléh? géh-yá-măléh? come round?
s sometimes
Half past the shortened.
hour is sometimes
For example,shortened.
for For example, for S2 Shiq-na-yi-gwéh 8-nar^ S2 KShiq-na-yi-gwéh
∑´ laK´.på" Please
8-nar^ come
K∑´ laK´ round
.på"
he pattern
“6.30”, above,
in place
youofmay
the pattern
hear – above, you may hear – la-géh-ba. la-géh-ba. at half past eight.
e®Kak\ncar^ K∑´
’auq-na-yi-gwéh 6:30e®Kak\nar^K∑´ 6:30 You may also hear la-ze-jin-deh You may “toalsowant hear(someone)
la-ze-jin-dehto come”, “to want (so
times.
andThe so suffix
on for-kother gwe´ h means
’wéh/-times. “and-k ’wéh/- gwe´ h means “and
The suffix and the variants la-géh-ze-jin-deh and the variants and la-kla-géh-ze-jin-deh
’aw-ze-jin-deh . and l
a half”. Example: Example:
S1 Beh ăc ’ ein la- By\S1AK¥i
Beh n\ ăc ’ein la- What By\time
AK¥inwould\
AT
5.11.
8:30.
PLEASE COME AT 8:30. géh-ze-jin- laK´.esK¥c\ ql´"
géh-ze-jin- you like
laK´ meq
.esK¥c\ tol´"
dhăléh? dhăléh? come round?
S1AK¥i
By\ Beh n\ larml´ " What
ăc ’ ein la-yá- By\time
AK¥inshould
\ larmlÍ " What time should I S2 Shiq-na-yi-gwéh 8-nar^ S2 KShiq-na-yi-gwéh
∑´ laK´.på" Please
8-nar^ come
K∑´ laK´ round
.på"
măléh? come? come? la-géh-ba. la-géh-ba. at half past eight.
Shiq-na-yi-gwéh-hm a : the suffix -hm a “at, on,

Shiq-na-yi-gwéh-hm a : in”
theissuffix
optional
-hm awith
“at, on
times. For examples of both
times.
options
For examples
see the sentences
of both options
above. see
Burmese
69
S3 Á -ba-deh K ’in- S3 Á -ba-deh

Aa;påty\ Kc\b¥a"K ’in- Yes, I will. AtKc\what
Aa;påty\ b¥a"
5: TAXIS,
REVIEW PART
FOR 2UNIT
(LESSONS
5: TAXIS,
5.8–5.11)
PART 2 (LESSONS 5.8–5.11) bya. Beh By\AK¥i n l
\
bya. Beh"
´ time?
By\ A K¥i n l
\ "
´
recorded
Review in
dialogues
the Review
are recorded
Section, on
in Tape
the Review
4 Section, on Tape 4 ăc ’ ein-léh? ăc ’ ein-léh?
Side B. S2 Lé-na-yi s ’ éh- S2 Lé-na-yi
4-nar^ 15-mins\"s ’éh- At 4-nar^
4:15. 15-mins\"
ngá-m ı́-niq. ngá-m ı́-niq.
Review Dialogue S3 Lé-na-yi s ’ éh- S3 Lé-na-yi
4-nar^ 15-mins\l s ’a;"
éh- 4:15? That’s
4-nar^ 15-mi all
ns\la;"
de the
Scene:
railway
Mandalay,
station.outside
A foreign
the railway
visitor (S2) station. A foreign visitor (S2) ngá-m ı́-niq-lá? rpåty\ngá-m " ı́-niq-lá? right.
rpåty\I’m " free.
onywants
cart driver
to arrange (S1) for
to fetch
a pony
hercart
the driver
following (S1) to fetch her the following Y á-ba-deh. Á - Aa;påty\ "
Y á-ba-deh. Á - Aa;påty\"
morning. ba-deh. ba-deh.
By\S1 lu ik\pui≥elaiq-pó-pé-
Beh p;rml´ Where
By\ canluikI\ptake
ui≥ep;rml´ Where can I take Beh thwá-măló- By\ q∑Beh a;mlu i≥l´
thwá-măló- Where
By\ are youi≥l´
q∑a;mlu
Kc\b¥a" yá-măléh K ’inyou Kc\(+
b¥a"tag)? you (+ tag)? léh K ’in-bya? Kc\b¥a" léh K ’in-bya? planning Kc\b¥a" to go?
bya? S2 P ’ăyá-jÍ thwá- BurS2a;Âk^P;’ăyá-jÍ
q∑a;my\ "
thwá- We’re
Bu going
ra;Âk^ ; q∑to the"
a;my\
S2 Pn\Măneq-p
mnk\ Bura;Âk^’an ; I want
mnk\to
Pn\ go Burtoa;Âk^
the; I want to go to the meh. meh. Great Pagoda.
q∑a;K¥c\Ppåty\ " thwá- Great
’ăyá-jı́ Pagoda
q∑a;K¥c\ påty\" Great Pagoda S3 A w. P ’ăyá-jı́-lá? S3 A w. P ’ăyá-jı́-lá?Oh,
eAa\ ' Bu r a;Âk^ ;la;" the' Great
eAa\ Bura;Âk^;la;"
luik\pui≥ep;Nu ic\mla;"
jin-ba-deh. tomorrow.
luik\pi≥u ep;Nuic\mla;" tomorrow. Myeq-hnădaw m¥k\N˙aeta\ qs\ta
Myeq-hnădaw Pagoda, is it? qs\
m¥k\N˙aeta\ Dota
Laiq-pó-pé-nain- Could you take me Could you take me thiq-ta thwá-cÍ- q∑a;Âkv\ .K¥c\ty\
thiq-ta la;" you
thwá-cÍ- q∑want
a;Âkv\to .K¥c\go
ty\la;"
mălá? there? there? jin-deh-lá? jin-deh-lá? and watch the
S1 Beh ăc ’ ein thwá-What
By\ A K¥i n \ By\time
AK¥indo\ you What time do you ritual face-wash-
q∑a;K¥c\jin-dhăléh?
ql´" want to go?
q∑a;K¥c\ ql´" want to go? ing?
S2 q∑
mnk\ a;K¥c\påty\
Măneq " I want
thwá-jin- mnk\toq∑go inpthe
a;K¥c\ åty\" I want to go in the S2 Ná măleh-ba-bú. S2 NápåB¨
na;mlv\ ;" I don’t
măleh-ba-bú. na;mlv\understand.
påB¨;"
ba-deh. morning. morning. S ’áw-rÍ-naw? eSar^;ena\ "
S ’áw-rÍ-naw? I’meSar^
sorry. ;ena\"
4-nar^KLé-na-yi-gwéh-
∑´m˙a" At 4-nar^
4:30. K∑´m˙a" At 4:30. S3 K eiq-sá măshÍ- kiS3
sßmr˙ipKåB¨ ; b¥a"
eiq-sá măshÍ- Never
ki s m
ß mind.
r˙ p
i It’s
åB¨;b¥a"
hma. ba-bú bya. mT¨;l˙pba-bú
åB¨;" bya. nothing
mT¨;l˙important.
påB¨;"
S1' 4-nar^
eAa\ A w. K ∑´m˙aeta. I’meAa\
Lé-na-yi- not' free
4-nar^ atK4:30
∑´m˙aeta. I’m not free at 4:30 Măt ’ ú-hlá-ba-bú. Măt ’ ú-hlá-ba-bú.
mAa;påB¨ ; Kc\b¥a"
gwéh-hma-dáw (+ mAa;påB¨
tag). ; Kc\b¥a" (+ tag). Beh-hma la-k ’aw- By\m˙aBeh-hma la-k ’aw-Where By\mdo ˙a you want
măá-ba-bú K ’in- ze-jin-dhăléh? laeKÅesK¥c\ ql´"
ze-jin-dhăléh? melaeKÅesK¥c\
to pick you qup? l´"
bya. S2 Mán-dălé H o-teh- mN S2
†el;hu t
i y\ m a
˙ på" At
Mán-dălé H o-teh- the
mN e
† Mandalay
l;hu t
i y\ m a
˙ på"
r˙ipåty\" shı́- I have
q∑a;sraThwá-zăya to go
q∑a;sra r˙ipsome-
åty\" I have to go some- hma-ba. hma-ba. Hotel.
eSar^;ena\ "
ba-deh. S ’áw- where.
eSar^;Sorry.
ena\" where. Sorry. S3 Mán-dălé H o-teh. mN S3
†el;hu The
ity\" H o-teh.
Mán-dălé mN Mandalay
†el;huity\"
rı́-naw? K aún-ba-bi. ekac\;på®p^ "
K aún-ba-bi. Hotel.
ekac\Fine.
;på®p^"
huiBk\Hl˙ v\;Sra
o-beq hléh- HowhuiBabout
k\ l˙v asking
How about asking
\;Sra The foreigner would normally
The agree
foreigner
a fare
would
at this
normally
point, but
agree
to keep
a farethe
at th
em;Âkv\s ’.păya
åla;" mé-cı́-ba- that driver.påla;"
em;Âkv\ over
that driver over scene short we’re omittingscene
that phase.
short we’re
The dialogue
omitting resumes
that phase.
withThe
thedia
lá. there? there? foreign lady confirming tthe
foreign
arrangement.
lady confirming tthe arrangement.
over
Thetoforeign
a second
lady
pony
walkscart
over
andtospeaks
a second
to the
pony cart and speaks to the
driver of that one (S3).
S2 Pn\Măneq-p
mnk\ mnk\ ’an Will you
mnk\ Pn\be free to-
mnk\ Will you be free to-
Aa;mla;"măneq á-mălá? morrow morning?
Aa;mla;" morrow morning?
Burmese
70 By Ear Burmese By Ear Unit 6: Shops Unit 6: Shops
71
S2 ®Pn\
mnk\ mnk\ 4-nar^
Măneq-p ’yan I’llmnk\
wait®Pn\for
mnk\you4-nar^
at I’ll wait for you at or Ba weh-jin-ló-léh? or BaBawy\ K¥c\lui≥l´" What would
weh-jin-ló-léh? Ba wy\youK¥c\lui≥l´"
15-mins\măneq
m˙a lé-na-yi the Mandalay
15-mi ns\ m a
˙ the Mandalay like to buy?
mN †el;hu ity\m˙a
s ’ éh-ngá-mÍ-niq- Hotel
mN †etomorrow
l;huity\m˙a Hotel tomorrow S2 Pó-săkaq shı́-lá? S2pui≥sPó-săkaq
kd\ r˙ila;"shı́-lá?Do youpui≥have
skd\ any
r˙ila;"
hma Mán-dălé morning
esac\.enmy\ " esac\ at 4:15.
.enmy\ " morning at 4:15. postcards?
H o-teh-hma S1 Shı́-ba-deh. Di-hma.S1r˙ipShı́-ba-deh.
åty\" d^m˙a" Di-hma. Yes I have.
r˙ipåty\Here.
" d^m˙a"
saún-ne-meh. S2 C ı́-meh-naw? S2Âkv\ .my\ena\"
C ı́-meh-naw? Do youÂkv\mind
.my\ifena\
I"
S3 ;på®p^
ekac\ Kc\b¥a" K ’in- Goodbye.
K aún-ba-bi ekac\;på®p^ Kc\b¥a" Goodbye. have a look at
bya. them?
S1 C ı́-ba. S1 C ı́-ba.
Âkv\ p
. å" No, do.Âkv\.på"
UNIT 6. SHOPS Y á-ba-deh. rpåty\ "
Y á-ba-deh. That’s rpåty\
all right.
"
RICE
6.1.AND
ASKING
PAYING
THEUP
PRICE AND PAYING UP New words New words
weh-deh wy\ty\ weh-deh to buy wy\ty\ to buy
då By\Da elak\ l´" How
beh-lauq-léh? då much is this?
By\elak\ l´" How much is this? ălo *shı́-deh Alui r˙ity\ to need, to want
ălo *shı́-deh Alu i r˙ t
i y\ to nee
S2 S ’ éh-ngá-jaq-pa.15 15/-på"
15/-på" kyats. 15 kyats. lo-jin-deh luiK¥c\ty\lo-jin-deh to wantlu(something)
iK¥c\ty\ to wan
S1 ;på®p^
ekac\ "
K aún-ba-bi. OKekac\;på®p^" OK cı́-deh Âkv\.ty\ cı́-deh to lookÂkv\at .ty\ to look
y¨my\"Y u-meh. I’lly¨
take
my\"it. I’ll take it. shı́-deh r˙ity\ shı́-deh to have, toy\be (somewhere)
r˙it to hav
d^m˙a" Di-hma. Hered^m˙ayou
" are. Here you are. Some imported items in Some
shopsimported
are known items
by their
in shops
English
are names
known b
S2 Cé-zú tin-ba-deh.
ek¥;z¨ ; tc\ p åty\ " Thank you.
ek¥;z¨ ;tc\påty\" Thank you. in Burmese: e.g. film, plaster,
in Burmese:
postcard,
e.g. cigarette,
film, plaster,
sellotape,
postcard,
ball cig
q∑aS1;my\Thwá-meh-naw.
ena\" Goodbye.
q∑a;my\ena\" Goodbye. pen, T-shirt, and others. pen, T-shirt, and others.
S2 ;på®p^
ekac\ "
ekac\;på®p^" Goodbye.
Notes Notes
New words l o - ji n - d e h : literally: “need+want
l o - ji n - d e h : to”.
literally:
Clearly
“need+want
the wordto”. has C
y¨ty\yu-deh to take
y¨ty\ to take changed its meaning since changed thisits compound
meaning was sincefirstthis put
comp
together. Don’t confuse together. – Don’t confuse –
Variants […] lo-jin-deh “to want [something]”[…] lo-jin-dehwith “to want [something]” w
då By\Da
elak\ n´≥
beh-lauq-néh How
då much is this?
By\elak\ n´≥ How much is this? […]-jin-deh “to want [to do […]something]”:
-jin-deh “to wante.g. [to do something
erac\;ql´ "
yaún-dhăléh? (“With
erac\;how
ql´" much (“With how much P ’ălin lo-jin-ba-deh. Plc\ påty\" I wantPlc\
luiK¥c\lo-jin-ba-deh.
P ’ălin a film.
luiK¥c\påty\"
do you sell this?”) do you sell this?”) T ’ain-jin-ba-deh. Tu c
i K
\ T ’ain-jin-ba-deh. I want to sitpåty\
¥c\ p åty\ " Tu c
i K
\ ¥c\ down. "
då By\Da
lui beh-lo
erac\;ql´ " How
yaún- då much
By\lui iserac\
this?;ql´" How much is this? plaster = Band Aid in theplaster USA. = Band Aid in the USA.
dhăléh? (“How do you sell (“How do you sell sellotape = Scotch tape in sellotape
the USA. = Scotch tape in the USA.
this?”) this?”) ball pen = ball point penball in the pen UK.= ball point pen in the UK.
T …?
6.2.YES.
HAVE YOU GOT …? YES. Variant Variant
In place of C ı́-meh-naw? In
youplace
mayof hear –
C ı́-meh-naw? you may hear –
S1BaBaAlu ˙ipåql´" What do
ăloirshı́-ba- Bayou
Aluneed?
ir˙ipåql´" What do you need? C ı́-yá-aun. Âkv\ r
. eAac\ "
C ı́-yá-aun. Can IÂkv\
have a look?
.reAac\ "
dhăléh?
or BaBalulo-jin-dhăléh?
iK¥c\ql´" What do
Bayou
luiKwant?
¥c\ql´" What do you want?
Burmese
73
T …?
6.3.NO.
HAVE YOU GOT …? NO.
6.5. HOW MANY? 6.5. HOW MANY?
S2
plasta shı́-lá?Do you
r˙ila;"
Păla-săta have any
plasta r˙ila;" Do you have any
sticking plaster? sticking plaster? New word New word
S1
mr˙ipMăshı́-ba-bú.
åB¨;" No, I mr˙
haven’t.
ipåB¨;" No, I haven’t. beh-hnă- … By\N˙sbeh-hnă-
\ … … How
By\many
N˙s\ ……?
or
mr˙ieMăshı́-dáw-ba-bú.
ta.påB¨;" No, I mr˙
haven’t
ieta.påB¨ any
;" No, I haven’t any
more. more. Countwords Countwords
kun\qK oun-dhwá-bi. I’ve run
a
∑ ;®p^ " kunout.\q∑a;®p^" I’ve run out. The following are the countwords
The following usedare onthe
thecountwords
tape. For a used
fulleron
eSar^S ’;aw-rı́-naw?
ena\" I’m sorry.
eSar^;ena\" I’m sorry. list see Appendix 4 (the number
list see Appendix
system). 4 (the number system).
ı́- S2
eAa\A" w.kiK sß eiq-sá ;" Oh. IteAa\
mr˙ipåB¨măshı́- doesn’t
" kisß mr˙ipåB¨;" Oh. It doesn’t k ’weq K∑k\ cup, glass (of drink)
k ’weq K∑k\ cup, glass (of drink)
ba-bú. matter. matter. bú B¨ ; packet (ofbúplasters,B¨ ; cigarettes),
packetjar
(of(of
plasters,
coffee),cigar
tube (of toothpaste) tube (of toothpaste)
Notes leiq li p \ roll (of film,
leiq toilet paper)roll (of film, toilet paper
li p \
Literally
K eiq-sá“activity + not +
măshı́-ba-bú. Literally
exist”: hence
“activity
“it’s+ not + exist”: hence “it’s k ’we eK∑ reel (of tape)
k ’we eK∑ reel (of tape)
sn’t matter”.
no bother”, “it doesn’t matter”. loún luM; bottle, can;loún also countword
luM; bottle,
for bags,
can; also countwo
n’t M
any”.
ăsh ı́-ba-bú “I haven’t
M ăsh ı́-dá w -ba-bú .any”.
“I haven’t anyw -ba-bú . “I haven’t any
M ăsh ı́-dá envelopes, hats, … envelopes, hats, …
ger have
any any”.
more. The I nosuffix
longer-táw/
have
- daany”.
´ w with The
a suffix -táw/- da´ w with a k ’ ú Ku item, unitk ’(for
ú samusa,
Ku postcard,
item, unit…)(for samusa, p
eys thenegated
meaning verb “no
conveys
longer,thenotmeaning
any more, “no longer, not any more,
mparenot after all”. Compare
M ăsı́-dáw-ba-bú. “I won’t take (your
M ăsı́-dáw-ba-bú. “I won’t take (your Example sentences Example sentences
6. taxi) after all” in 5.6. S1 Păla-săta beh-hnă- plasta
S1 Păla-săta beh-hnă- How plasta
many boxes of H
bú yu-măléh? By\ N s
˙ B
\ ;
¨ y¨
bú yu-măléh?m l´ " plaster
By\will you
N˙s\B ¨; y¨ml´"
Y 6.4. THINGS TO BUY have?
New words S2 Tăbú yu-meh. S2 Tăbú yu-meh. I’ll take
ts\ B ;
¨ y¨ m y\ " ts\one.
B¨; y¨my\" I
e words
The following
practisedare onthe
thewords
tape. practised
For other on the tape. For other S1 P ’ălin beh-hnă-leiq Plc\
S1 PBy\ ’ălinN˙s \lip\ How Plc\
beh-hnă-leiq manyBy\ rolls
N˙sof
\lip\ H
nt things
to buyyou look may
in the
wantEnglish-Burmese
to buy look in the English-Burmese yu-măléh? y¨mlýu-măléh?
" film will you
y¨ml´ " have?
vocabulary. S2 Tăleiq yu-meh. S2 lTăleiq
ts\ ip\ y¨my\ "
yu-meh. I’ll take
ts\one.
l p
i \ y¨my\" I
\ purse
k\SMAitpaiq-s (“money
’an-eiq bag”)
puik\S MAit\ purse (“money bag”)
shoulder bag (see it
y\Ait\ lweh-eiq l∑ y A
\ note
\ below)
shoulder bag (see note below) 6.6. DIFFERENT KINDS
6.6. DIFFERENT KINDS
Ait\ sa-eiq envelope (“letter
saAitbag”)
\ envelope (“letter bag”)
writing paper
er;sk˚øsa-yé-seq-ku (“letter-write
saer;sk˚ ø writing paper (“letter-write New words New words
paper”) paper”) da-myó dåm¥oida-myó
; that kind dåm¥oi; that
Tup\ hat
ouq-t ’ouq(“head binding”)
Ë;Tup\ hat (“head binding”) thoún-myó quM;m¥oithoún-myó
; three kinds
quM;m¥oi; thre
ă myó-myó Am¥oiă;m¥oi ;
myó-myó various kinds
Am¥oi;m¥oi; var
Note di-pyin or dı́-pyin or d^.®pc\or dı́-pyin
d^®pc\di-pyin apart from this
d^®pc\ or(“this
d^.®pc\ + apa
a “hang-from-the-shoulder
l w e h -e i q is literally a “hang-from-the-shoulder
bag”. A bag bag”. A bag outside”) ou
d cotton
wovenwithofa wool
long integral
and cotton
loopwith
to drape
a long integral loop to drape
der. from
Also called
your shoulder.
“Shan bag” Also
in English
called “Shan bag” in English Sample exchanges Sample exchanges
em arebecause
made manyin the of
Shan
them
State.
are made in the Shan State. S1 Da-myó caiq-lá? S1
dåm¥oiDa-myó a;" Do you like
; ’kik\lcaiq-lá? dåm¥oi;this
’kikkind?
\la;" Do
Burmese
75
S2 ; qip\ theiq I don’t like

dåm¥oiDa-myó dåm¥oithat; qipkind
\ I don’t like that kind
m’kimăcaiq-pa-bú.
k\påB¨;" very much. m’kik\påB¨;" very much. Colours named after objects Colours named after objects
- d^.®pc\D ı́-pyin
Ba ba shı́-dhé-What dod^you .®pc\ Ba have What do you have lein-maw-yaun li m e
\ ma\erac\ orange [“colour
lein-maw-yaun lim\eof ma\eorange”]
rac\ orange [“c
r˙ieq;ql´
dhăléh? " apart from this? "
r˙ e
i q;ql´ apart from this? k ’ăyán-yaun Krm\;erac\k ’ăyán-yaunpurple [“colour
Krm\;of aubergine”]
erac\ purple [“c
hı́- S1
d^.®pc\D ı́-pyin Besides
N˙s\m¥oi; hnă myó that
shı́- d^ .®pc\ we N˙s\mhave
¥oi; Besides that we have pán-yaun pn\;erac\ pán-yaun pink [“colour pn\of;erac\flowers”] pink [“colo
r˙ipåeq;ty\
ba-dhé-deh. " two other r˙ipkinds.
åeq;ty\" two other kinds. shwe-yaun eRW e rac\ gold
shwe-yaun [“coloureRW of
e gold”]
rac\ gold [“colo
. or
dåp´ r˙ p
i åty\ " That’s
Da-béh shı́-ba-deh. all
dåp´ I have.
r˙ipåty\" That’s all I have. ngwe-yaun ec∑erac\ ngwe-yaun silver [“colour
ec∑eof rac\silver”]silver [“co
mı́-gó-yaun m^ ; Ku ;
i erac\ grey [“colour oferac\
mı́-gó-yaun m^ ; Ku ;
i smoke”]grey [“colo
Note Needless to say, the list above Needlessis indefinitely
to say, the list
extendable.
above is indefinitely
isBathere?”.
shı́-dhăléh? “What is there?”.
Ba shı́-dhé-dhăléh? “WhatBa else
shı́-dhé-dhăléh? “What else
Sh is there?”. Compare
ı́-ba-dhé-deh “There isShmore to come”“There
ı́-ba-dhé-deh in is more to come” in If pressed, you can always
If pressed,
fall back
youoncan
comparison:
always fallpoint
back to
on c
4.5, and Lo-ba-dhé
h “something is still -deh
missing,
“something
there is is
still
still missing, there is still something and say – something and say –
7. some way to go” in 5.7. di-ăyaun d^ A erac\ this colour dÂerac\
di-ăyaun this colour
Colours 6.7. I’LL LEAVE IT THANKS

6.7. I’LL LEAVE IT THANKS
sk for
In case
different
you want
colours
to ask
herefor
is different
a list of some
colours here is a list of some
lpful.
words that may be helpful. New words and phrasesNew words and phrases
Basic colour words In that
Di-lo-s ’o măweh- d^luiSui Di-lo-s ’o măweh- case
d^luiSui I’ll leave it. In
Aerac\ăyaun colour
Aerac\ colour dáw-ba-bú. mwy\eta. påB¨;"
dáw-ba-bú. mwy\eta.påB¨;"
A®pa ăpya blue
A®pa blue C ı́-oún-meh-naw? Âkv\.AC
uM;my\ ena\" I’ll keep
ı́-oún-meh-naw? Âkv\on
.AuM;looking.
my\ena\" I’l
Asim\; ăseı́n green
Asim\; green I’ll think about it I
Awå ăwa yellow
Awå yellow
An^ ăni redAn^ red Sample exchange Sample exchange
A®Pø ăp ’yu white
A®Pø white S1 Néh-néh myá-ba- nńS1
´ m¥a;påty\ "
Néh-néhThat’snńa´ bit
myá-ba- expensive.
m¥a;påty\ " Th
AVui ănyo brown
AVui brown deh. deh.
Ank\ ăneq black
Ank\ black Sháw-ba-oún-lá. elYa.påAu M;la;" How elYa.
Sháw-ba-oún-lá. about dropping
påAu M;la;" Ho
the price? t
Example S2 Măyá-bú-bya. S2 ;b¥a"
mrB¨ Măyá-bú-bya.No. mrB¨;b¥a" No
pa r˙ila;" Do you have
Ă pya shı́-lá? A®paa r˙blue
ila;"one?Do you have a blue one? Măsháw-nain-ba- I can’tmelYa.
melYa.NMăsháw-nain-ba-
uic\påB¨;" dropNuic
it.\påB¨;" Ic
Do you have any blue ones?
Do you have any blue ones? bú. bú.
Ait\A®Pø I like
Sa-eiq-ăp ’yuthe white
saAit\Aenvelope.
®Pø I like the white envelope. S1 A w. Cé-zú tin- S1' A w. Cé-zú tin-
eAa\ Oh. Thanks.
eAa\' Oh
kik\påty\ " I like the white
caiq-pa-deh. ’kik\penvelopes.
åty\" I like the white envelopes. ba-deh. ek¥;z¨;tc\ påty\"
ba-deh. ek¥;z¨;tc\påty\"
modified
Colour words
by the may
addition
be modified
of – by the addition of – C ı́-oún-meh-naw? Âkv\.AC
uM;my\ ena\ " I’ll
ı́-oún-meh-naw? keep on
Âkv\ .AuM;looking.
my\ena\" I’l
-rc\. -yı́n deep
-rc\ . deep S2 K aún-ba-bi. S2 ;på®p^
ekac\ "
K aún-ba-bi. As you wish.
ekac\ ;på®p^" As
-Nu -nú pale
-Nu pale
e.g.
A®parc\ăpya-yı́n
. deep blue.
A®parc\ deep blue
AwåNu ăwa-nú pale yellow
AwåNu pale yellow
Burmese
77
Notes S1 Theiq măcaiq-pa- qipS1\ m’ki k\påB¨

Theiq ;" Not
măcaiq-pa- qivery
p\ m’kimuch.
k\påB¨;"
t buy it”. M ăweh-dáw-ba-bú
M ăweh-ba-bú “I won’t buy´ “Iit”.
won’t buy it
M ăweh-dáw-ba-bú´ “I won’t buy it bú. bú.
ix -dáw-/
after
- taáll”. Theasuffix
w- with negated verb
-dáw-/ - ta´ conveys
w- with a negated verb conveys S2 Beh-ha caiq- S2haBeh-ha
By\ ’kik\qcaiq-
l´" Which
By\h kind
a ’kido you
k\q l´"
nger,thenotmeaning
after all”.“no longer, not after all”. thăléh? thăléh? like?
ng Ctoı́-meh-naw?
have a look “I’m
– OK?”.
goingCto have a look – OK?”. C ı́-oún-meh-naw?
ı́-oún-meh-naw? S1 É h-da caiq-pa- A´dS1
å ’ki
Ék \påty\
h-da "
caiq-pa- I like
A´dthat one.
å ’kik \påty\"
ng – OK?”.“I’ll keep
Theonsuffix
looking
-oún-–conveys
OK?”. The contin-
suffix -oún- conveys contin- deh. deh.
extra,uation,
more. something extra, more. S2 H ouq-kéh. H lá- huS2
t\kH l˙påty\"H lá- Right.
´." ouq-kéh. hut\kIt´."isl˙
pretty.
påty\"
ba-deh. ba-deh.
6: SHOPS
REVIEW FOR UNIT 6: SHOPS Thăye-léh kaún- qa;erl´ ekac\;ty\
Thăye-léh " The
kaún- leather ekac\
qa;erl´ is good
;ty\"
recorded
Review in
dialogues
the Review
are recorded
Section, on
in Tape
the Review
4 Section, on Tape 4 deh. deh. quality too.
Side B. S1 225-jaq-naw? S1 225-jaq-naw?
225-k¥p\ ena\" It was 225 ewasn’t
225-k¥p\ na\" it?
S2 H ouq-pa-deh. huS2
t\påty\ "
H ouq-pa-deh. Yeshuit
t was.
p
\ åty\ "
Review dialogue 1 S1 Néh-néh myá-ba- nńS1
´ m¥a;påty\ " myá-ba-That’s
Néh-néh a bit too "
nń´ m¥a;påty\
ntsS1,
to buy
a foreign
a purse.
visitor,
He goes
wants
into
to abuy
shopa purse.
that has He goes into a shop that has deh. deh. much.
nter,
some
andpurses
picks out
on the onecounter,
he quiteand
likes.
picksHeout
asksone he quite likes. He asks Sháw-ba-oún-lá. elYa.påAu M;la;"
Sháw-ba-oún-lá. HowelYa.about bringing
påAuM;la;"
the shopkeeper (S2) – it down a bit?
A´dS1
å bmalu
É h-dai By\ lui
Bă ma-lo What’s that called
A´då bmalu i By\l inui What’s that called in S2 Sháw-ló măyá- S2lSháw-ló
elYa. ui≥ mrB¨;" măyá- I can’t
elYa.bring
lui≥ mrB¨that ;"
eKÅql´beh-lo
" k ’aw- Burmese?
eKÅql´ " Burmese? bú. bú. down.
dhăléh? Da ănéh-zoún- då An´ Da ănéh-zoún- That’s
S ;
M u eZ;p´ " my
då An´ Slowest
uM;eZ;p´"
S2
puik it\på" ’an-eiq-pa.It’spucalled
\SMAPaiq-s “paiq-
ik\SMAit \på" It’s called “paiq- zé-béh. zé-béh. price.
s’an-eiq”. s’an-eiq”. S1 A w. C ı́-oún-meh- eAa\
S1" Âkv\
A w. .A my\ena\" Oh.eAa\
C uM;ı́-oún-meh- Then
" Âkv\I’ll.Acarry
uM;my\ena\"
puikS1 \SMAPaiq-s
it\la;" ’an-eiq-lá?“Paiq-s’an-eiq”?
puik\SMAit\la;" “Paiq-s’an-eiq”? naw. naw. on looking.
huS2t\påty\H ouq-pa-deh. Yes.
" hut\påty\" Yes. S2 K aún-ba-bi. S2 ;på®p^
ekac\ "
K aún-ba-bi. Asekac\
you wish.
;på®p^"
då S1 By\Da elak\ l´"
beh-lauq-léh? Howdå much
By\elak\is that?
l´" How much is that?
S2 225-jaq-pa.
225-k¥p\ på" 225225-k¥p\
kyats. på" 225 kyats. Review Dialogue 2. Review Dialogue 2.
Tp\ S1 e®papåAu ;
M "
T ’aq-pyáw-ba- Please
Tp\ could M;you
e®papåAu " Please could you Scene: Another shop. S1 isScene:
a foreign
Another
visitor
shop.
and S2
S1 is
is the
a foreign
shopkeeper.
visitor and
oún. say that again? say that again? S2 Ba-ălo shı́-ba- BaS2Alu r
i p
i ˙ åql´
Ba-ălo shı́-ba- What
Ba would
Alu r
i p
i ˙ you
åql´
S2 225-jaq-pa.
225-k¥p\ p å" 225225-k¥p\
kyat. på" 225 kyat. dhăléh K ’in- Kc\b¥a" dhăléh K ’inlike,
Kc\Sir?
b¥a"
S1 Ba
d^.®pc\ r˙ieq;ql´
Di-pyin ba shı́-" Whatd^.®pc\else
Bador˙ieyou
q;ql´" What else do you bya? bya?
dhé-dhăléh? have? have? S1 Sa-eiq shı́-lá? S1t\Sa-eiq
saAi r˙ila;" shı́-lá? Have
saAiyou
t\ r˙got
ila;"any
S2 Láw-láw-zeh
elaelaSy\ quM;m¥oi;p´ At elaelaSy\
the moment we quM;m¥oi;p´ At the moment we envelopes?
r˙ipåty\thoún-myó-béh
" have three" types.
r˙ipåty\ have three types. S2 Shı́-ba-deh Bya. r˙ipS2
åty\Shı́-ba-deh
b¥a" Bya. Yes,
r˙ipIåty\
have.b¥a"
shı́-ba-deh. Di-hma. d^m˙a" Di-hma. Here
d^m˙ayou
" are.
dåry\' Da-yeh,
dåry\' dåry\ " This
da-yeh, one,
dåry\ this one,
' dåry\ ' dåry\" This one, this one, S1 C ı́-meh-naw? Âkv\S1 .my\ e na\ "
C ı́-meh-naw? Do you
Âkv\ .mmind
y\ena\"if I
da-yeh. and this one. and this one. have a look?
dåm¥oi; ’ki k\qla;"
Da-myó caiq- Dodåm¥oi
you ; like
’kikthat
\qla;" Do you like that S2 C ı́-ba. S2 .på"C ı́-ba.
Âkv\ Please
Âkv\do.
.på"
thălá? kind? kind? Y á-ba-deh. rpåty\Y"á-ba-deh. Norpåty\
problem."
Burmese
79
S1 Ba
d^.®pc\ r˙ieq;ql´
D ı́-pyin " What
ba shı́- d^.®pc\else
Bador˙ieyou
q;ql´" What else do you S1 K eiq-sá măshı́- kiS1
sß mr˙Kipeiq-sá
åB¨;" măshı́- Never
kisß mind.
mr˙ipåB¨;"
dhé-dhăléh? have? have? ba-bú. ba-bú.
S2 mr˙
Bam˙ iB¨;b¥a" măshı́- I don’t
Ba-hmá Bam˙ havemr˙iB¨;any-
b¥a" I don’t have any- Sa-eiq-ká s ’ éh- saAit\k 11-k¥p\se’na\
Sa-eiq-ká éh-" The envelope
saAi was ena\"
t\k 11-k¥p\
bú bya. thing else. thing else. tăjaq-naw? tăjaq-naw? 11 kyats wasn’t it?
d^ts\m¥oiDi
;tv\ tă ;myó-déh-
p´ I just
d^thave this
s\m¥oi;tv\ ;póne I just have this one S2 H ouq-pa-deh k ’in- huS2
t\påty\ Yes.
Kc\b¥a" k ’in-
H ouq-pa-deh hut\påty\ Kc\b¥a"
r˙ipåty\béh" shı́-ba-deh. kind. r˙ipåty\" kind. bya. bya.
take
The it customer
after all. decides to take it after all. The customer hands over the
The money
customer hands over the money
då S1By\Da elak\ l´"
beh-lauq-léh? How då much
By\elak\ is this?
l´" How much is this? S2 Cé-zú tin-ba-deh. ek¥;z¨
S2 ;tc\ påty\
Cé-zú " Thank
;tc\påty\"
S2 S ’ éh-hnăcaq-pa 12 kyats, Sir.
12-k¥p\ p å Kc\ b ¥a" 12-k¥p\ på Kc\ b ¥a" 12 kyats, Sir. S1 Thwá-meh-naw? q∑ S1 Thwá-meh-naw?Goodbye.ena\"
a ;my\ ena\ " q∑ a ;my\
k ’in-bya. S2 K aún-ba-bi. S2 ;på®p^
ekac\ "
ekac\;på®p^"
nńS1
´ m¥a;påty\
Néh-néh" myá-ba-That’s a bit too "
nń´ m¥a;påty\ That’s a bit too
deh. much. much. UNIT 7. TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS
UNIT 7. TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS
elYa.påAu M;la;"
Sháw-ba-oún-lá. How
elYa.about reduc-
påAuM;la;" How about reduc-
ing that? ing that? 7.1 AND 7.2. EXCUSE ME
7.1 AND
(TO MEN
7.2. EXCUSE
AND TOME
WOMEN)
(TO MEN AND
S2elak\
By\ ep;K¥c\
Beh-lauq l´" How
pé-jin- By\much
elak\doep;K¥c\
wantl´" How much do want
léh? to pay? to pay? Normally you attract someone’s
Normallyattention
you attract
by someone’s
using a kinattention
term,
S1
ts\ Sy\ ep;my\
Tăs "
’ eh pé-meh. I’llts\
give youep;my\
Sy\ 10 " I’ll give you 10 choosing one that is appropriate
choosingtoone
thethat
gender
is appropriate
and relative
to age
the of
gend
kyats. kyats. the person you want tothespeak
person
to. you
The want
list below
to speak
givesto.a short
The lis
rmla;"Y á-mălá? How about that?
rmla;" How about that? selection which will provide
selection
you which
with a will
termprovide
suitableyou
for with
almosta ter
dêS2 eta. elYa.lui≥ I can’t
lak\Di-lauq-táw reduce
dêlak\ eta. itelYa.
by lui≥ I can’t reduce it by all occasions. all occasions.
sháw-ló măyá- that
mrB¨;b¥a" much.
mrB¨ ;b¥a" that much.
bú bya. Ú-lé Ë;el; Ú-lé uncle
Ë;el;
S1elak\
By\ Beh-lauq ml´" How
elYa.sháw- By\much
elak\would
elYa.ml´" How much would Daw-daw edÅedÅDaw-daw aunt
edÅedÅ
măléh? you reduce it? you reduce it? Ă ko Akui Ă ko brother
Akui
S2
ts\ k¥p\Tăjaq-táw
eta. elYa.l ui≥ I could
sháw- ts\ktake
¥p\eta.offelYa.
a lui≥ I could take off a Ă má Am Ă má sister
Am
rty\"ló yá-deh. kyat.
rty\" kyat. Thá qa; Thá sonqa;
11-k¥p\S ’éh-tăjaq pé- How about you
11-k¥p\ How about you Thă mı́ qm^; Thă mı́ daughter
qm^;
ep;luiklaiq-pa-lá?
\påla;" paying
ep;luikme 11
\påla;" paying me 11
kyats? kyats? Common responses to “Excuse
Common me”responses to “Excuse me”
S1 ;på®p^
ekac\ " y¨my\" Y u- Allekac\
K aún-ba-bi. right. I’ll
;på®p^ " take
y¨my\it." All right. I’ll take it. H ouq-kéh? hut\kH Yes?
´." ouq-kéh? hut\k´." Yes?
meh. Ba-léh? Bal´ " Ba-léh? What is it? Bal´ " What is
saer;sk˚ ø r˙ila;"
Sa-yé-seq-ku Dosaer;sk˚
shı́- you have
ø r˙any
ila;" Do you have any Bya? b¥a" Bya? Yes? (man b¥a" speaking) Yes? (m
lá? writing paper? writing paper? Shin? r˙c\" Shin? Yes? (woman r˙c\" speaking) Yes? (w
S2 Sa-yé-seq-ku-
saer;sk˚ øeta. I haven’t
saer;sk˚ any writ-
øeta. I haven’t any writ-
mr˙ieta.dáw
påB¨;"măshı́- ingmr˙
paper left.
ieta.påB¨ ;" ing paper left. Note Note
dáw-ba-bú. B y a ? is a shortened form
B y aof
? isK ’ ian -b
shortened
y a , the polite
form tag
of Kfor
’ i n -bmale
y a , the
kun\q∑aK
;®pôun-dhwá-bi.
" It’skuall
n\qsold.
∑a;®p^" It’s all sold. speakers. speakers.
eSar^;ena\ "
S ’áw-rı́-naw. Sorry.
eSar^;ena\" Sorry. Shin? is the same word as the polite
Shin? is the same
tag forword
female
as the
speakers.
polite tag for
Burmese
80 By Ear Burmese By Ear Unit 7: Taking photographs
Unit 7: Taking photogr
81
e alsoBya?
used and
when the listener
Shin? are also hasn’t
used when
caughtthe listener hasn’t caught P ı́-bi or P ı́-ba-bi : literally “I’ve
P ı́-bi orfinished”
P ı́-ba-bi : literally
or “It’s over”.
“I’ve finished”
For the o
They’re
what
used
you’ve
like said.
“I begThey’re
your pardon?”
used likein“I beg your pardon?” in verb suffix -bi/- pi see Verb verb suffix -bi/-in
Paradigms pi Appendix
see Verb Paradigms
3 (outline in
English. grammar). grammar).
IF 7.3.
I TAKE
DO YOU
A PHOTOGRAPH?
MIND IF I TAKE A PHOTOGRAPH? REVIEW FOR UNIT 7: TAKING
REVIEW FORPHOTOGRAPHS
UNIT 7: TAKING PHOTOG
Review in
dialogues
the Review
are recorded
Section, on
in Tape
the Revie
4
d^mS1
˙a Dåt\ puM
Di-hma I’d like
daq-poun d^mto takepa
˙a Dåt\ uM I’d like to take a Side B. Side B.
åty\’"in-ba- photograph
Ruik\K¥c\pyaiq-c Ruik\K¥c\phere.
åty\" photograph here.
deh. Review Dialogue 1 Review Dialogue 1
rty\eYna\á-deh-naw?
" That’srty\
all right
ena\" isn’t it? That’s all right isn’t it? S1 is a foreign visitor. HeS1 wants
is a foreign
to take avisitor.
photograph
He wants
of a shop,
to take
so ahepho
S2 Y á-ba-deh. Yes that’s all"right.
rpåty\ " rpåty\ Yes that’s all right. asks the woman shopkeeperasks (S2)the
if she woman
minds.
shopkeeper (S2) if she minds.
Ruik\på" Y aiq-pa. Go ahead.
Ruik\på" Go ahead. S1 Ă má. AmS1 Ă má. Excuse
Am me.
S1 K ’ăná-lé-naw?
K%el;ena\ " Just aK%el;ena\
moment, "OK? Just a moment, OK? S2 Shin? r˙cS2
\" Shin? Yes?
r˙c\"
k´" K éh. There.k´" There. S1 Di-hma daq-poun d^mS1 Di-hma daq-poun d^like
˙a Dåt\ p M u I’d to take
m˙a Dåt\ puM a
®p^;®p^" P ı́-bi. I’ve taken
®p^;®p^" it. I’ve taken it. yaiq-c ’in-ba- Ruik\K¥c\pyaiq-c
Ruik\K¥c\påty\here.
"
deh. deh.
Alternative ending Y á-deh-naw? rty\eYna\á-deh-naw?
" It’srty\
all right,
ena\" isn’t it?
d^mS1
˙a Dåt\ puM
Di-hma I’d like
daq-poun d^mto takepa
˙a Dåt\ uM I’d like to take a S2 S ’ain-go daq- SuS2
ic\kui SDåt\ puM daq- You’re
’ain-go Suic\kgoing
ui Dåt\ptouM take
Ruik\K¥c\pyaiq-c Ruik\K¥c\phere.
åty\" photograph here. poun yaiq-meh? ?" yaiq-meh? a photograph
Ruik\my\poun Ruik\my\?" of
deh. the shop?
" That’srty\
all right
ena\" isn’t it? That’s all right isn’t it? Y á-ba-deh Shin. rpåty\Y á-ba-deh
r˙c\" Shin. Yes, that’s all
rpåty\ r˙c\"right.
S2 ;" Măyá-bú.
mrB¨ No it’s not;"all right.
mrB¨ No it’s not all right. Y aiq-ta-báw. Ruik\taepå≥ "
Y aiq-ta-báw. OfRucourse you
ik\taepå≥ " can.
mRuik\pån´ ≥" Don’tmRu
Măyaiq-pa-néh. take a photo-
ik\pån´ ≥" Don’t take a photo- The photographer takes oneTheshot, photographer
and then decides takes toonetake
shot, another.
and then decid
graph. graph. S1 K ’ăná-lé-naw? S1 K ’ăná-lé-naw?
K%el;ena\ " Just a moment,
K%el;ena\ "
mRuik\K¥c\Măyaiq-c I don’t
påB¨;" ’in-ba- mRuwant
ik\K¥c\ptoåB¨be
;" I don’t want to be please.
bú. photographed. photographed. K éh. P ı́-bi. k´ " ®p^ ; ®p^ "
K éh. P ı́-bi. There.
k´" ®pÎ’ve
;®p^" finished.
S1 ;på®p^
ekac\ "
K aún-ba-bi. All right.
ekac\;på®p^" All right. Cé-zú tin-ba-deh. ek¥;z¨;tc\ Cé-zú påty\ "
tin-ba-deh. Thank
ek¥;zÿou.
;tc\påty\"
mRuik\påB¨ ;"
Măyaiq-pa-bú.I won’t
mRutake
ik\påBöne.
;" I won’t take one. S2 Y á-ba-deh Shin. rpåty\
S2 Yrá-ba-deh ˙c\" Shin. That’s
rpåty\ all r right.
˙c\"
Da-néh Shin beh dån´ ≥ r˙ c \ By\ N
Da-néh Shin beh c
i u c
\ k
M By the
dån´ ≥ way,
r˙ c \ By\whatNuic\cMk
New words nain-ngan-gá latal´ "
nain-ngan-gá country
latal´ do" you
K% k ’ăná a moment,
K% an instant a moment, an instant la-da-léh? la-da-léh? come from?
K%el;k ’ăná-lé a littleK%el;
moment a little moment S1 Ná măleh-ba-bú. na;mlv\
S1 NápåB¨ ;"
măleh-ba-bú. I don’t
na;mlv\understand.
påB¨;"
®p^;ty\pı́-deh to finish
®p^ ;ty\ to finish Bă ma săgá theiq bmaska; Bă ma săgá theiqI don’t speak
qi p \ bmaska; qimuch
p\
măpyáw-daq- me®patt\ påB¨;"
măpyáw-daq- Burmese.
me®patt\påB¨;"
Notes pa-bú. pa-bú.
n use
K éhwhen
is a word
you’ve
youjust
canfinished
use when
oneyou’ve
thing just finished one thing
on toand
another.
you’reIngoing
English
on to
you
another.
might say
In English you might say
or “Well”
“There”
or “Now”.
or “Right” or “Well” or “Now”.
Burmese
82 By Ear Burmese By Ear Unit 8: Asking the way
Unit 8: Asking the
83 w
kiS2
sß mr˙Kipeiq-sá
åB¨; r˙cmăshı́-
\" It doesn’t
kisß mr˙ipmatter.
åB¨; r˙c\"I It doesn’t matter. I UNIT 8. ASKING THEUNIT
WAY 8. ASKING THE WAY
Alka; ba-bú Shin. was just
Alka; curious. was just curious.
em;entapå"Ă lăgá mé-ne- em;entapå" 8.1. WHERE CAN I GET
8.1.
A… WHERE
NEARCAN
HERE?
I GET A … NEAR HER
da-ba.
q∑aS1
;my\Thwá-meh-naw?
ena\" Goodbye
q∑a;my\ethen.
na\" Goodbye then. The question The question
huS2
t\kH´. r˙ouq-kéh
c\" Shin. Fine.
hutGoodbye.
\k´. r˙c\" Fine. Goodbye. S1 O uq-t ’ouq weh- S1p\ O
Ë;Tu wy\ K¥c\’ouq
uq-t påty\ " I’dË;Tu
weh- likepto buy
\ wy\ K¥c\apåty\
hat. "
ekac\;på®p^ "
K aún-ba-bi. ekac\ ;på®p^" jin-ba-deh. jin-ba-deh.
Di-ná-hma beh- d^na;m˙aDi-ná-hma beh- Dod^you
By\m˙a rml´ na;m˙aknow
By\mwhere
˙a rml´
Review Dialogue 2 hma yá-măléh hma yá-măléh I could
qi(q)la;" get one
qi(q)la;"
urmese
S1 is man.
a foreigner, S2 a Burmese man. thı́-(dhă)lá? thı́-(dhă)lá? near here?
S1 Ú-lé.
Ë;el;" Excuse
Ë;el;" me. Excuse me.
S2 Balu
b¥a" p e
\ p;rml´
Bya? Ba louq- " Yes?
b¥a" What
Balu can I do "
p\ep;rml´ Yes? What can I do Answer 1 Answer 1
pé-yá-măléh? for you? for you? S2 Shı́-ba-deh. r˙ipS2
åty\Shı́-ba-deh.
" There are "some.
r˙ipåty\
d^mS1 Di-hma daq-pounI’dd^like
˙a Dåt\ p M u to take
m˙a Dåt\ puM a I’d like to take a or Y á-ba-deh. or Y"á-ba-deh.
rpåty\ You can get
rpåty\ " one.
Ruik\K¥c\pyaiq-c
Ruik\K¥c\påty\here.
" photograph here. S2 Di-beq thwá-ba. q∑a;på" thwá-ba. God^this
d^BS2k\ Di-beq Bk\way.
q∑a;på"
deh.
" It is all right,
rty\ ena\" isn’t it? It is all right, isn’t it? Answer 2 Answer 2
S2" Ë;el;ku
eAa\ i Dåt\puM Oh.eAa\
A w. Ú-lé-go You’re
" Ë;el;ku think-
i Dåt\puM Oh. You’re think- S2 Di-ná-hma d^nS2
a;m˙aDi-ná-hma
mr˙ipåB¨;" There aren’t
d^na;m˙ a mr˙ipany
åB¨;"
Ruik\mludaq-poun
i≥la;" yaiq- ing of taking one
Ru k
i m
\ lu ≥
i l a;" ing of taking one măshı́-ba-bú. măshı́-ba-bú. around here.
măló-lá? of me, are you? of me, are you? H o-beq-hma yá- huiBk\mH˙ao-beq-hma
rmy\" yá- You’d get
huiBk\ m˙asome
rmy\way
"
mRuik\n´≥bMăyaiq-néh
¥a" Bya.No,mRuplease
ik\n´≥b¥a"don’t. No, please don’t. meh. meh. over there.
påB¨;" ’in-ba- I don’t
mRuik\K¥c\Măyaiq-c mRuik\Kwant
¥c\påB¨to;" be I don’t want to be Answer 3 Answer 3
bú. photographed. photographed. S2 Măthı́-ba-bú. mqiS2påB¨Măthı́-ba-bú.
;" I don’t know.
mqipåB¨ ;"
S1 T ’aq-pyáw-ba- Could
Tp\ e®papåAu ;
M " Tp\eyou®papåAusay
M;" that Could you say that S ’áw-rı́-naw? eSar^;ena\ "
sorry.;ena\"
oún? again, please? again, please?
S2" Dåt\
eAa\ A w. puM Daq-poun
mRuik\Pui≥ Oh. I was
eAa\ " Dåt\ asking
puM mRuik\Pui≥ Oh. I was asking New words New words
e®patapå" măyaiq-p ’ó you not
e®patapå"to take a you not to take a di-ná-hma near here (“this
d^na;m˙a di-ná-hma d^na;m˙a+ area + near
in”) here (
pyáw-da-ba. photograph. photograph. yá-deh rty\ yá-deh to get, to obtain
rty\ to get, to o
Măyaiq-se-jin-ba-I don’t
mRuik\esK¥c\ p åB¨ ; " mRuik\ewant
sK¥c\pyou
åB¨;"to I don’t want you to thı́-deh qity\ thı́-deh to know qity\ to know
bú. take one. take one. di-beq d^Bk\ di-beqthis way d^Bk\ this way
S1 K aún-ba-bi.
ekac\ ; på®p^ " Allekac\
right.;på®p^" All right. ho-beq-hma over there huiBk\m˙a
huiBk\m˙a ho-beq-hma over there
mRuik\påB¨ ;"
Măyaiq-pa-bú. I won’t
mRuik\pthen.
åB¨;" I won’t then.
Notes Notes
D i-ná -hm a beh-hm a yá -m
D i-ná
ălé h-hm
t haı́-dhălá
beh-hm ? A
a long
yá -m sentence. It is? A
ălé h t h ı́-dhălá
built up like this – built up like this –
Beh-hma yá- By\m˙aBeh-hma
rml´" yá- Where could
By\ I get" one? W
m˙a rml´
măléh? măléh?
Burmese
Unit 8: Asking the
85 w
By\m˙aBeh-hma
rml´ yá- Do you
By\know where
m˙a rml´ Do you know where sá-daw-zeq sa;eta\Sk\ “food-honorific-proffer”
sá-daw-zeq sa;eta\Sk\ “food-h
qiqla;"
măléh thı́- could I
qi get
q one?
la;" could I get one? sá-yeiq-myoun “eat-refuge,
sa;rip\‘mM sá-yeiq-myoun sa;riphaven”
\‘mM “eat-re
dhălá? pyaw-pwéh-sá- “enjoy-banquet-eat-
ep¥a\p∑´sa;RuM pyaw-pwéh-sá- ep¥a\p∑´sa;RuM “enjoy-
d^na;m˙aDi-ná-hma
By\m˙a beh- Do you know
d^na;m˙ where
a By\ m˙a I Do you know where I youn youn establishment” establ
rml´ qi yá-măléhcouldrml´
qla;"
hma get oneqiqnear
la;" could get one near
thı́-dhălá? here? here?
“Where
B e h -h mcana yá I -mgetă lone?”
é h ? “Where Noticecan that I get
the one?” Notice that the 8.3. HOW DO I GET TO
8.3.
…?HOW DO I GET TO …?
Burmese“Where
ălé h , literally has yá -m shall
ălé hI, get
literally
one?”“Where It’s shall I get one?” It’s
king “Where
as if you wouldwere Iaskingget one “Where
(if I wanted
would I get one (if I wanted Bo-jouq Lán buil\K¥op\Bo-jouq
lm\; Lán I want
buil\Kto
¥op\lgom\;to
to)?” thwá-jin-ba-deh. q∑a;K¥c\thwá-jin-ba-deh.
påty\" Bogyoke
q∑a;K¥c\pStreet.
åty\"
ere” is used where
H o-beq-hm a “over the there”
placeisreferred
used where to is the place referred to is Beh-lo thwá-yá- By\luiBeh-lo
q∑a;rml´ "
thwá-yá- HowBy\do lui I q∑
get there?
a;rml´ "
way. quite a long way away. măléh? măléh?
á-mDi-ná-hm
ăléh thı́-dhălá?
a beh-hm “Do youăléh
a yá-m know where I “Do you know where I
thı́-dhălá?
here?”. couldA common
get one near variant here?”.
of thisA question
common variant of this question Note Note
h-hm ais:yáD-m i -ná
ăl é-hm
h măt h ı́-bú ? a This
a beh-hm yá -mversion
ăl é h măt h ı́-bú ? This version Beh-lo thwá-yá-m ăléh? : Beh-lo “how”,
thwá-yá-m
t hwăléh? : Beh-lo
á-yá-m ăléh? “how”,
“shouldt hw
I a
don’tappears
know where to say I“Icould don’tget knowone wherenear I could get one near go”. go”.
n used here”,
to implybut itthe is unspoken
often usedquestion to imply“… the unspoken question “…
uld help I wonder
me?”. if you could help me?”. REVIEW FOR UNIT 8: ASKING
REVIEW FORTHE UNIT
WAY 8: ASKING THE WA
Review in
dialogues
the Review
are recorded
Section, on
in Tape
the Revie
4
NEAR
8.2. HERE?
IS THERE A … NEAR HERE? Side B. Side B.
d^na;m˙aDi-ná-hma a;" Is there

huity\ r˙ilho-teh d^na;m˙aa hotel
huity\near
r˙ila;" Is there a hotel near Review Dialogue 1 Review Dialogue 1
shı́-dhălá? here? here? Scene: a street in a town inScene:
Burma. a street S1 is
in aa foreign
town invisitor,
Burma. andS1S2is aa fo
Burmese man. Burmese man.
to Places
ask for. you may want to ask for. S1 Ú-lé. S1 Ú-lé.
Ë;el;" Excuse
Ë;el;" me.
those
Thepractised
words below on the
are
tape.
thoseFor practised
a fuller on
listthe tape. For a fuller list S2 É . eA;"S2 É . Yes?
eA;"
ulary
see for
thesitesTopical
andVocabulary
places. for sites and places. S1 Sa-eiq weh-jin- saAiS1t\Sa-eiq
wy\K¥c\weh-jin-påty\" I want saAit to\ buy
wy\Kan ¥c\påty\"
restaurant
mc\;Suic\ t ’ă mı́n-zain (“rice
Tmc\ ;Suic\ shop”) restaurant (“rice shop”) ba-deh. ba-deh. envelope.
k\Pk\rv\ S c
i u \ café (“tea shop”)
lăp ’ eq-ye-zain lk\ P k\rv\Suic\ café (“tea shop”) S2 Ba weh-jin-deh? Ba S2 Ba weh-jin-deh? You
wy\ K ¥c\ t y\ ? Bawant wy\Kto¥c\t
buy y\?
eA;Suic\ ăé-zain cold drinks bar ic(“cold
AeA;Su \ things
cold drinks bar (“cold things what?
shop”) shop”) T ’aq-pyáw-ba- Tp\ e T ’aq-pyáw-ba- Please
®papåAu ;
M " say that
Tp\e®papåAu M;"
S;Suic\ s ’é-zain chemist’s shop
eS;Su ic\ (“medicine chemist’s shop (“medicine oún. oún. again.
shop”) shop”) S1 Sa-eiq-pa. saAiS1t\p å"
Sa-eiq-pa. AnsaAi
envelope.
t\på"
S2 A w. Sa-eiq-lá? eAa\S2 saAi t l
\
A w. Sa-eiq-lá?a;" Oh.eAa\An envelope.
saAi t\la;"
Note Di-dáw … ? dêta. Di-dáw
?" …? So d^… ? ?"
eta.
ds Restaurant
often use more
signboards
elegantoften
or pretentious
use more elegant or pretentious S1 Di-ná-hma beh- d^ nS1 Di-ná-hma beh- Do you aknow
a;m˙ a By\ m a
˙ rml´ d^ n a;m˙ By\mwhere˙a rml´
names than t ’ă mı́n-zain ; e.g.
n ; e.g. hma yá-măléh qila;"hma yá-măléh I could qila;" get one
;eqak\S uic\ “eat-drink-shop”
sá-thauq-s ’ain sa;eqak\Suic\ “eat-drink-shop” thı́-lá? thı́-lá? around here?
Burmese
Unit 8: Asking the
87 w
r˙ipS2 " d^Bk\ q∑a;"Di- There

åty\Shı́-ba-deh. is somewhere.
r˙ipåty\ " d^Bk\ q∑a;" There is somewhere. S2 Că má-lá? Ă mălé S2 Că má-lá? Ă mălé
k¥mla;" Me?!
k¥mla;"Good heavens
beq thwá. Go this way. Go this way. Táw. Beh Amel;eta\
Táw. Beh" above!
Amel;eta\ However "
er˙>na;tc\ et∑>my\"twé- You’ll
Shé-ná-din see it just
er˙>na;tc\ et∑>my\" You’ll see it just pyáw-daq-măléh By\e®patt\ ml´
pyáw-daq-măléh should
By\eI®patt\ be able ml´to
meh. ahead of you. ahead of you. Maun-yin-yeh. emac\rc\Maun-yin-yeh.
ry\" speak English,
emac\ r c\ r y\ "
S1 ;tc\
ek¥;z¨ påty\
Cé-zú r˙c\ Thank
tin-ba-deh ek¥;zÿou
;tc\(+ tag). r˙c\
påty\ Thank you (+ tag). Caún-hmá m˙ mtk\K´.ta" young
ek¥ac\;Caún-hmá ek¥ac\man? ;m˙ mtk\ I K´.ta"
(or Kc\bShin
¥a")" (or K ’in- (or Kc\b¥a")" măteq-k ’ éh-da. k´' tuit ui e®paÂksu
măteq-k i≥
’ éh-da. never
k´' even
tuitui went e®paÂksu toi≥
bya). K éh. To-do Suirc\eta. d^ n
K éh. To-do a;m˙ a school.
Su r
i c\ e Anyway,
ta. d^ n a;m˙ a
S2 Y á-ba-deh
rpåty\ b¥a" Bya. That’s all right.
rpåty\ b¥a" That’s all right. pyáw-já-zó s ’o- AeA;Su ic\
pyáw-já-zó s ’o- to cut
AeA;Suthe ic cackle,
\
yin-dáw di-ná- påB¨;" di-ná- there
mr˙ieta.yin-dáw mr˙ieisn’t
ta.påB¨ a cold
;"
Review Dialogue 2 hma ăé-zain lk\Pk\ hmarv\S uic\el;e drinks
ăé-zain lk\Pbar k\rin v\S this
uic\el;e
n in
Scene:
Burma.a street S1 is
in aa foreign
town invisitor, Burma. andS1S2is aa foreign visitor, and S2 a măshı́-dáw-ba- ta. r˙it y\"
măshı́-dáw-ba- area
ta.any r˙itmore,
y\" but
Burmese woman. bú. Lăp ’ eq-ye- ˙a" Lăp ’eq-ye- there
huiBk\mbú. huiBisk\amlittle
˙a" café
S1 Daw-daw.
edÅedÅ" Excuse
edÅedÅ" me. Excuse me. zain-lé-dáw shı́- zain-lé-dáw shı́- – over there.
S2 Ba-léh Táw?
Bal´ eta\ "
. What is it (+ tag)?
Bal´ eta\ "
. What is it (+ tag)? deh. H o-beq- deh. H o-beq-
d^nS1 AeA;Suic\ ăé- Is there
a;m˙aDi-ná-hma d^na;m˙aa cold AeA;Suic\ Is there a cold hma. hma.
r˙ila;" zain shı́-lá? drinks
r˙ila;"bar near drinks bar near S1 Cé-zú tin-ba-deh. S1 ;tc\
ek¥;z¨ påty\
Cé-zú " Thank
;tc\påty\"
here? here? S2 Y á-ba-deh Maun- S2 Y á-ba-deh
rpåty\ emac\rc\" Maun-That’s all right,
rpåty\ emac\rc\"
S2tĂ
Arc\ un\;yin-doún-gá
k d^m˙a di-There
Arc\used tun\;kto d^be m˙a There used to be yin. yin. young man.
r˙iK´.ty\hma emac\shı́-géh-
rc\" one in the old
r˙ K
i t
. ´ y\ emac\ r c\ " one in the old
mN˙s\keta. Suic\r˙c\
deh Maun-yin. days,
mN˙syoung \keta. man. Suic\r˙c\ days, young man. Review Dialogue 3 Review Dialogue 3
Măhniq-ká-dáw, But
SuM;q∑a;tala; Sulast year, I
M;q∑a;tala; But last year, I Scene: a street in a town in
Scene:
Burma.a streetS1 is
in aa foreign
town invisitor,
Burma. andS1S2is aa fo
mqiB¨;" s ’oún- don’t
Bala;s ’ain-shin Bala; know mqiB¨;" don’t know Burmese man. Burmese man.
pit\Ta;lu ik\ta qti
dhwá-da-lá ba- whether
pit\Ta;lu theikshop-
\ta qti whether the shop- S1 Ă ko. S1i" Ă ko.
Aku Excuse
Akui" me.
Ta;mipåty\ "
lá măthı́-bú, keeper died or or
Ta;mi påty\ " keeper died or or S2 H ouq-kéh K ’in- huS2 H ouq-kéh K ’in- Yeshu(+
t k
\ . ´ Kc\ b ¥a" tag)?
t\k ´. Kc\b¥a"
peiq-t ’á-laiq-ta what, but I noticed what, but I noticed bya. bya.
thădı́ t ’á-m ı́-pa- the shop was the shop was S1 Ă naw-yăt ’a Lán S1 rĂ
Aena\ Talm\ ; ’a Lán I want
naw-yăt Aena\to go to ;
rTalm\
deh. closed. closed. thwá-jin-ba-deh. q∑a;K¥c\thwá-jin-ba-deh.
påty\" Anawrahta
q∑a;K¥c\påty\ Street.
"
S1 NápåB¨
na;mlv\ ; Kc\b¥a" I don’t
măleh-ba-bú na;mlv\ understand
påB¨; Kc\b¥a" I don’t understand Beh-lo thwá-yá- By\luiBeh-lo
q∑a;rml´ "
thwá-yá- HowBy\dolui I q∑
get there?
a;rml´ "
K ’in-bya. (+ tag). (+ tag). măléh? măléh?
eSar^;ena\ "
sorry. ;ena\" I’m sorry. S2 Ba lán-léh? S2 Ba
Balm\ ;l´"lán-léh? What street?
Balm\ ;l´" Did
bmaska; Bă maqipsăgá
\ theiqI don’t
bmaska; speak qimuch
p\ I don’t speak much Gaw-răk ’á Lán- Gaw-răk ’á Lán- you say Gawrakha
egÅrKå;lm\ ;la;" egÅrKå;lm\ ;la;"
me®patt\ påB¨;"
măpyáw-daq- Burmese.
me®patt\påB¨;" Burmese. lá? lá? Street?
pa-bú. S1 Măhouq-pa-bú. S1
mhu t\pMăhouq-pa-bú.
åB¨;" No.mhuAnawrahta
t\påB¨;"
edÅedÅDaw-daw
Agçlip\ska;
Ín- Can you speak
edÅedÅ Agçlip\ska; Can you speak Ă naw-yăt ’a Lán- Aena\rĂTalm\ ;på"
naw-yăt ’a Lán- Street.
Aena\ rTalm\;på"
e®patt\ qla;"
găleiq săgá English?
e®patt\qla;" English? ba. ba.
pyáw-daq-
thălá?
Burmese
88 By Ear Burmese By Ear Unit 9: Your visit to Unit
Burma9: Your visit to
89 Bu
S2' A w. Ă naw-yăt ’aOh,

eAa\ Anawrahta
eAa\ ' Oh, Anawrahta S2 H ouq-kéh. Néh- huS2
t\kH´." ouq-kéh.
nń´ Néh-Yes,
hut I can
\k´." speak
nń´ a
Aena\rLán-lá?
Talm\;la;" Măthı́- Street.
Aena\ I
r don’t
Talm\ ; la;" Street. I don’t néh pyáw-daq- e®patt\ p åty\ "
néh pyáw-daq- bit.
e®patt\ påty\"
mqipåB¨ba-bú
;b¥a" Bya. know.
mqipåBÏ am
;b¥a"sorry. know. I am sorry. pa-deh. pa-deh.
eSar^;ena\ "
S ’áw-rı́-naw? I'm not from
eSar^ ; ena\ " I'm not from
kÁn\eta\ k rn\kun\k
Cănaw-gá Y an- Rangoon.
kÁn\eta\k I’mrn\
only
kun\k Rangoon. I’m only Compliments Compliments
mhut\Bgoun-gá
¨;" K%p´ here
mhufort\Ba ¨;short
" K%p´ here for a short S1 Bă ma săgá S1 Bă ma
bmaska; săgáqip\ You
e®pata speak Burmese
bmaska; e®pata qip\
Alv\l atael"
măhouq-p ’ ú. visit.
Alv\ l atael" visit. pyáw-da theiq ekac\;tap´ "
pyáw-da theiq really well!
ekac\ ;tap´ "
K ’ăná-béh ăleh- kaún-da-béh. kaún-da-béh.
la-da-le. or Bă ma săgá or Bă ma
bmaska; e®pata
săgá You speak Burmese
bmaska; e®pata
Amel;'Ă mălé. Theiq Wow. Amel;' It’s very hot, Wow. It’s very hot, pyáw-da ăyán tap´" ăyán wonderfully!
Arm\; p^pyáw-da Arm\; p^tap´"
qip\p¨tpu-deh-naw?
y\ena\" isn’t
qipit? \p¨ty\ena\" isn’t it? pi-da-béh. pi-da-béh.
huS1
t\kH ´. qi p p
\ p
¨ åty\
ouq-kéh. Theiq" Yes,hu it
t is.
k
\ ´. qip\p¨påty\" Yes, it is. S2 A w. Cé-zú tin- S2" A w. Cé-zú tin- Oh,
eAa\ thank
eAa\ " you.
pu-ba-deh. ba-deh. ek¥;z¨;tc\ påty\"
ba-deh. ek¥;z¨;tc\påty\"
k´' q∑aK;my\
éh. ena\ " Well,
Thwá-meh- k´' goodbye
q∑a;my\ena\then." Well, goodbye then. Theiq măpyáw- qip\ Theiq măpyáw- I can’t qip\ speak much
naw? daq-thé-ba-bú. me®patt\ eq;påB¨;"
daq-thé-ba-bú. yet.
me®patt\eq;påB¨;"
S2 ;på®p^
ekac\ "
ekac\;på®p^" Goodbye. S1 Bă ma-za-gáw S1 Bă ma-za-gáw Can
bmasaeka you read
bmasaeka
p ’aq-taq-thălá? Pt\tt\ q la;"
p ’aq-taq-thălá? Burmese
Pt\ tt\as well?
qla;"
S2 Măp ’aq-taq-thé- S2 tMăp
mPt\ t\eq;påB¨ ;"
’aq-taq-thé- Not yet.
mPt\ tt\eq;påB¨;"
T TO
UNIT
BURMA
9. YOUR VISIT TO BURMA ba-bú. ba-bú.
or H ouq-kéh. Néh- huor
t\kH
´." ouq-kéh.
nń´ Néh-Yes,
hutI can
\k´." read
nń´ a
of Unit
the commonest
9 covers seven
topics
of you’ll
the commonest
be asked topics you’ll be asked néh p ’aq-taq- Pt\tt\ påty\
néh "
p ’aq-taq- little.
Pt\tt\påty\"
withabout
your in
visit.
connection with your visit. pa-deh. pa-deh.
PEAK
9.1. BURMESE!
TOPIC 1: YOU SPEAK BURMESE! New words New words
săgá ska; săgá words ska; word
rmese
The reaction to your Burmese săgá pyáw- săgá pyáw-to talk,
ska; e®paty\ speak,
ska; converse to tal
e®paty\
S1 Bă ma săgá
bmaska; You can speak
bmaska; You can speak deh deh
e®patt\ ty\ena\"
pyáw-daq-teh- Burmese,
e®patt\can’t
ty\ena\" Burmese, can’t săgá pyáw- ska; e®patt\
săgá ty\ to know
pyáw- how
ska; to talk,
e®patt\ ty\to to kn
naw? you? you? daq-teh daq-teh be able to talk be a
or Bă ma săgá
bmaska; Can you speak
bmaska; Can you speak sa sa sa writing,
sa text writi
e®patt\ q la;"
pyáw-daq- Burmese? qla;"
e®patt\ Burmese? sa p ’aq-teh sa p ’aq-tehto read
sa Pt\ty\ sa Pt\ty\ to rea
thălá? sa p ’aq-taq- sa Pt\tt\
satpy\ to know
’aq-taq- how
sa Pt\ tto
t\tread
y\ to kn
or Bă ma săgá
bmaska; So bmaska;
you can speak So you can speak teh teh
e®patt\ t y\
pyáw-daq-teh Burmese,
e®patt\can
ty\you? Burmese, can you? pi-deh p^ty\ pi-deh to be p^
accurate,
ty\ well to be
hut\lhouq-lá?
a;" hut\la;" pronounced pro
or Bă ma săgá
bmaska; Hey – you can
bmaska; Hey – you can ăyán Arm\; ăyán tremendously, stunning-trem
Arm\ ;
e®patt\ påla;"
pyáw-daq-pa-lá! speak Burmese!
e®patt\ påla;" speak Burmese! ly, amazingly ly, a
Burmese
91 Bu
Notes Alternative question Alternative question

(spoken language)”
Bă ma săgá “Burmese
and (spoken
Bă ma salanguage)”
or Bă m a- and Bă ma sa or Bă m a- S1 Ba lu-myó-léh? S1 mBa
Bal¨ What nationality
¥oi;l´"lu-myó-léh? Bal¨m¥oi;l´"are you? Wha
ng)”: za you“Burmese
may also(writing)”:
hear Myan-ma you may
săgá also
and hear Myan-ma săgá and S2 Dutch lu-myó-ba. S2 Dutch lu-myó-ba.
dt\ K ¥\ l m
¨ ¥oi ; på" I’m Dutch.
dt\ K ¥\ l m
¨ ¥oi ; på" I’m D
h have the same
M yan-m a sa meanings,
which have butthe
aresame
moremeanings, but are more
.4). formal terms (see 3.4). New words New words
deh “I can speak
Néh-néh a bit”. A common
pyáw-daq-pa-deh “I can speak
variant a bit”. A common variant la-deh laty\ to come
la-deh laty\ to come
is – beh-gá By\k where from? By\k
beh-gá where from?
nń´p´ Néh-néh-béh I can nń´pspeak
´ only a I can speak only a nain-ngan Nuic\cM country, state
nain-ngan Nu c
i c
\ M country, state
e®patt\ påeq;ty\"
pyáw-daq-pa- little so far.
e®patt\ påeq;ty\" little so far. lu-myó l¨m¥oi; race, nationality
lu-myó l¨(“man
m¥oi; +race,
kind,nationality
type”) (“
dhé-deh.
The suffix
eans “only”, and-bé
the
h means
suffix -t“only”,
hé /- dheánd
with
the suffix -t hé /- dhe´ with Notes Notes
ns “sopositive
far, as yet”.
verbs means “so far, as yet”. Take care to distinguish Takethe three carebasic
to distinguish
place suffixes:
the three basic plac
about …- ka
-gáw/ ?”.
´w A“and
suffix
howthat
about
asks… the ?”.previous
A suffix that asks the previous -ká /- ga´ “from”, -h m a “in,
-káat”,
/- ga´ and
“from”,
no suffix
-h m a(sometimes
“in, at”, and no
- gosuffix
-ko/ )
ew topic;
question
example–
about a new topic; example– “to”. Examples: “to”. Examples:
pk\s^ ’ki k\qla;"
Peq-si caiq- Dopk\
you
s^ like
’kikPepsi?
\qla;" Do you like Pepsi? Tha-zi-gá la-ba- qasv\Tha-zi-gá
k lapåty\ " Heqasv\
la-ba- comes kfromlapåty\"
thălá? deh deh Thazi.
hut\kH
´.' ’ki " Yes,
k\påty\Caiq-
ouq-kéh. I do.
hut \k´.' ’kik\påty\" Yes, I do. Tha-zi-hma ne- m˙a enpåty\"ne- Heqasv\
qasv\Tha-zi-hma lives m
in˙a Thazi.
enpåty\"
pa-deh. ba-deh ba-deh
kut\eka _
K ouq-káw — How kutabout
\eka _ Coke – How about Coke – Tha-zi thwá-ba- qasv\Tha-zi
q∑a;påty\ "
thwá-ba- Heqasv\
went to
q∑Thazi.
a;påty\"
’kik\lcaiq-thălá?
a;" do’ki
you
k\llike
a;" that do you like that deh deh
too? too?
ithThe suffixverbs
negated conveys
-thé/- dhe´ withthenegated
meaning verbs
“soconveys the meaning “so Variants. Variants.
amplefar, – yet, as yet”; example – Beh-gá la-da-lé h? “Where do you
Beh-gá come
la-da-lé h? from?”
“Where The do you
threecome
se- f
mAa;påB¨ ;"
Măá-ba-bú. It’smAa;påB¨
not free.;" It’s not free. quences [verb]-da-léh? [verb]
quences [verb][verb]
-dhăléh? -da-léh? [verb]
-léh? are -dhăléh?
all used [v
mAa;eq;påB¨ ;"
Măá-dhé-ba-bú. It’smAa;eq;påB¨
not free yet.;" It’s not free yet. in much the same way: in much the same way:
’s really good”: a variant,
Ă yán kaún-da-béh “it’s really
mildlygood”:
exclama-
a variant, mildly exclama- Beh-gá la-da- Where doBy\
By\kBeh-gá la-da- youkcome from? Where
-ba-dehtory, onvery
“it’s Theiq good”.
kaún-ba-deh “it’s very good”. léh? latal´ "
léh? latal´"
Beh-gá la- By\kBeh-gá la-Where doBy\
youkcome from?
Where
dhăléh? laql´dhăléh?
" laql´"
E ARE
9.2. TOPIC
YOU FROM?
2: WHERE ARE YOU FROM? Beh-gá la-léh? By\kBeh-gá Where doBy\
lal´" la-léh? youkcome
lal´from?
" Where
S1kBeh-gá
By\ laql´la-
" Where
By\k dolaql´
you come
" Where do you come The same is true of questions
The same endingis true
in -láof
: questions ending in -lá :
dhăléh? from? from? In-gălan-gá la- Agç l n\ k Do
In-gălan-gá la- you come
Agçlfrom
n\k Do yo
or NuicBeh
By\ laql´" What
\cMk nain-ngan- By\country do
Nuic\cMk laql´ " What country do da-lá? latala;" da-lá? England?latala;" Engl
gá la-dhăléh? you come from? you come from? In-gălan-gá la- Agç l n\ k
In-gălan-gáDola-you come from Eng- Do yo
Agç l n\ k
AgçS2
ln\In-gălan-gá
k lapåty\la- " I come
Agçlfrom Eng-
n\k lapåty\ " I come from Eng- dhălá? laqla;" dhălá? land? laqla;" land?
ba-deh. land. land. In-gălan-gá la-lá? Agçln\In-gălan-gá
k Dola-lá?
you come
Agçlfrom
n\k Eng- Do yo
lala;" land? lala;" land?
Burmese
93 Bu
quial term has thus been

quial
given,
term in
has
those
thuscontexts,
been given,
a hint
in of
thos
suffix
You -ta/-da
will also
in statements:
hear the suffix -ta/-da in statements: contempt or hostility. contempt or hostility.
I come
Agçln\In-gălan-gá
k la- from England.
Agçln\k I come from England.
latapå"da-ba. latapå" Formerly the Burmese nameFormerly
for Burmathe Burmese
itself also
name
hadfor official
Burma anditsel
I come
k la- from England.
Agçln\k I come from England. colloquial variants: colloquial variants:
lapåty\ "
ba-deh. lapåty\ " Myan-ma Nain-ngan ®mn\ Burma (official)
maNuic\cM Nain-ngan
Myan-ma ®mn\maNuic\cM Bu
toAt
keep
thiswith
stagethe
it is
familiar
best toforms
keep with
(la-dhălá
the ?familiar forms (la-dhălá ? Bă ma Nain-ngan bmaNu
Bă maic\cM Nain-nganBurma (colloquial)
bmaNuic\cM Bu
r own speaking,
la-ba-deh etc) for
butyour
you need
own speaking,
to know the but you need to know the However, in 1989 the military
However, government
in 1989 the of military
Burma ruled governmen
that
an variants
recognisesothem
that when
you canothers
recognise
use them.
them when others use them. the form M y a n -m a should
the beform used M ya for
n -mthe
a should
whole country
be used and for th
matters concerned with matters
it, while concerned
the form with it,a while
B ă m shouldthe be fo
Names of countries limited to the ethnic Burmese.
limited to(The the combination
ethnic Burmese. B ă m a(The com
N ain-
ofThe
the Burmese
countries names of the of
world
the countries
are mostly of the world are mostly n g a n was thus to become
n g ameaningless,
n was thus toasbecome the ethnicmeaningless,
Burmese as
ishmodelled
names; for onexample:
the English names; for example: have no one state of their
have
own.)no oneThe state
new distinction
of their own.) is observed
The new d
Agç ln\
In-gălan England Agçln\ England in printed material in Burma,
in printed andmaterial
in spoken in public
Burma,addresses,
and in spok
Aemri k
Ă merı́-ká America Aemrik America but in everyday conversation
but in the everyday
traditional
conversation
meanings thearetradition
still
g¥amn^
Ja-măni Germany g¥amn^ Germany preserved. The same ruling
preserved. is applied The sameto theruling
English is applied
terms
A^ tl^
I-tăli Italy A^tl^ Italy “Burma” and “Myanmar”: “Burma”
see About andBurmese
“Myanmar”: in theseeintroduction
About Burme
g¥pn\
Jăpan Japan g¥pn\ Japan to this booklet. to this booklet.
Ac\ duin^;r˙a;
In-do-nı́-shá Indonesia Ac\duin^;r˙a; Indonesia
Á w-sătré-lyá Australia ÂqseÂt;l¥
ÂqseÂt;l¥ Australia In many cases, and particularly
In many cases,for theandcolloquial
particularly
forms, forthe
the c
areCountry
not based names on English
that areversions
not based include
on English versions include word nain-ngan “country” word may be replaced
nain-ngan “country”
by pye may(e.g. be replaced
Y ó-dăyá
the following: P y e ), which means the Psame
y e ), which
thing; means
or it maythe be
same
omitted
thing;alto-
or it m
tRu
Tăyouqt\Nuic\cNain-ngan
M China tRut\Nuic\cM China gether: people say Jăpangether:
thwá-mehpeople
“I’msay
going to go
Jăpan to Japan”.
thwá-meh “I’m goi
n ®pc\ qs\Nuic\cM Nain-ngan
Pyin-thiq France ®pc\qs\Nuic\cM France
ngan q^ rilkçLin-ga
Thi-rı́ Sri Lanka q^rilkçaNuic\cM Sri Lanka
aNuic\cM Nain-ngan
untries
Anotherhavegroup an official
of countries
name and
have a an collo-
official name and a collo- 9.3 AND 9.4. TOPIC 3: HOW
9.3 AND
LONG
9.4. TOPIC
HAVE YOU
3: HOW
BEEN
LONG HAV
ablequial
to “The name,Netherlands”comparable to (official)
“The Netherlands”
and (official) and HERE? HAVE YOU BEEN HERE?
HEREHAVE
LONG?
YOU BEEN HERE LONG
) in“Holland”
English: (colloquial) in English:
Tu
T ’icaı́n
\;NuicNain-ngan
\cM Thailand (official)
Tuic\;Nuic\cM Thailand (official) S1 (Bă ma-pye) S1 (Bă
(bma®pv\ erak\enta How
) ma-pye) long )iserak\
(bma®pv\ it since
enta
n Y i;ódya;Nu
yu \cM Thailand (colloquial)
-dăyá icNain-ngan yui;dya;Nuic\cM Thailand (colloquial) yauq-ne-da By\elak\ Âka®p^l´" you
yauq-ne-da came
By\ (to Âka®p^l´"
elak\
ngan q^ rilkçLin-ga
Thi-rı́ Sri Lanka (official)
aNuic\cM Nain-ngan q^rilkçaNuic\cM Sri Lanka (official) beh-lauq ca-bi- beh-lauq ca-bi- Burma)?
q^ huiL\NuicNain-ngan
Thi-ho \cM Sri Lanka (colloquial)
q^huiL\Nuic\cM Sri Lanka (colloquial) léh? léh?
S2 Thoún-baq shı́-bi. quM;S2
pt\ Thoún-baq
r˙i®p^" I’ve
shı́-bi. qubeen
M;pt\ r˙here
i®p^" three
overnment
When the wishes
Burmese to express
government
disapproval
wishesof to express disapproval of weeks.
ons,
Thai
as it
policies
has doneandduring
actions,
the
asmilitary
it has done
and during the military and
2001-2002,
verbal skirmishes
the state-run of 2001-2002,
media have theused
state-run media have used
he Ycustomary
ó-dăyá in place
T ’ a ı́n of the customary
N ain-ngan . The collo-
T ’ a ı́n N ain-ngan . The collo-
Burmese
95 Bu
Alternative version S ’ e h -ye q -l a u q sh ı́-b i “It’s

S’ehbeen
-ye q -labout ten
a u q sh ı́-bdays”.
i “It’s been
A common
about ten
S1 (Bă
(bma®pv\ erak\enta Is it(bma®pv\
) ma-pye) long since you
) erak\ enta Is it long since you variant is – variant is –
Âka®p^lyauq-ne-da
a;" ca- came (to Burma)?
Âka®p^ l a;" came (to Burma)? S ’ eh-yeq-lauq- Sy\rk\ Se lak\p´
’ eh-yeq-lauq- It’sSy\
been rk\only
elak\about
p´
bi-lá? béh shı́-ba-dhé- r˙ p
i åeq;ty\ "
béh shı́-ba-dhé- ten days
r˙ p
i so
åeq;ty\ far.
"
S2 " Ca-bi.
Âka®p^ Sy\lelak\S ’ eh-lá- Yes: it’s"been
Âka®p^ Sy\labout
elak\ Yes: it’s been about deh. deh.
r˙i®p^" lauq shı́-bi. tenr˙months.
i®p^" ten months. The suffix -p ’ éh/- be´ h meansThe suffix
“only”,-p ’and the
éh/- be´ h means
suffix -t“only”,
hé /- dheánd
or Măca-dhé-ba-bú.
mÂkaeq;påB¨ ;" No: it’s been about
mÂkaeq;påB¨ ;" No: it’s been about means “so far, as yet”. Compare
means “so
the
far,
similar
as yet”.
variant
Compare
in 9.1.the sim
Sy\rk\ e lak\ r˙
S ’ eh-yeq-lauq ®
i p^ " ten days.
Sy\ rk\ elak\ r˙i®p^" ten days.
shı́-bi. 9.5 AND 9.6. TOPIC 4: WHERE
9.5 ANDARE
9.6. TOPIC
YOU STAYING?
4: WHERE ARE YOU
HOW MUCH DOES IT HOW COST?MUCH
IS IT DOES
ALL RIGHT?
IT COST? IS IT
New words
ty\ to take time,
ca-deh Âkaty\to take a long
to take
time time, to take a long time S1 Beh-hma téh- S1m˙aBeh-hma
By\ téh-" Where
t´(en)(q)l´ By\mare
˙a týou
(en)(q)l´"
to arrive
k\ty\ yauq-teh erak\ t y\ to arrive (-ne)(dhă)léh? (-ne)(dhă)léh? staying?
arrivingerak\
k\enta yauq-ne-da and being
enta here arriving and being here S2 H o-teh-hma téh- huS2
ity\H
m˙ao-teh-hma
ténpåty\ " I’mhustaying
téh- ity\m˙a in
téanpåty\"
yeq day rk\ day ne-ba-deh. ne-ba-deh. hotel.
paq week pt\ week S1 Ă k ’án-gá beh- S1;KĂBy\
AKn\ elak\
k ’án-gá beh- How much
AKn\ is ethe
;K By\ lak\
lá month l month lauq pé-yá- ep;r(q)l´
lauq" pé-yá- rent?
ep;r(q)l´"
hniq year N˙ s\ year (dhă)léh? (dhă)léh?
S2 Tănyá ngá-zeh. ts\S2 50" ngá-zeh. K50
v Tănyá ts\av night.
50"
Notes or Tălá hnăt ’aun. ts\ 2000"hnăt ’aun. K2000
orl Tălá ts\la month.
2000"
—
Băca-bi-lá? Literally: Your
m a-pye yauq-ne-da arrivingLiterally:
— ca-bi-lá? and Your arriving and S1 É h-di-hma téh- A´dS1
^m˙a Ét´h-di-hma
rta téh- Is it all right
A´ d m
^ a
˙ t´ staying
rta
has itstaying
been long? in Burma – has it been long? yá-da ăs ’in pye- ASc\eyá-da®pla;" ăs ’in pye- there?
ASc\e®pla;"
—Băbeh-lauq
m a-pye yauq-ne-da — ca-bi-léh?— Literally:
beh-lauq Your — ca-bi-léh? Literally: Your lá? lá?
g in Burma
arriving – how
and staying
much – in has Burmait been – long?
how much – has it been long? S2 Theiq ăs ’in-pye- qipS2\ ASc\ e®ppåty\
Theiq " It’sqiworking
ăs ’in-pye- p\ ASc\eout
®ppåty\"
erbC asuffix ? i /-For
- b i - l á -b p i see
the Verb
verb suffix
Paradigms -b i /- p i insee Verb Paradigms in ba-deh. ba-deh. very well.
e grammar).
Appendix 3 (outline grammar). or Theiq ăs ’in qipor\ ASc\ ăs ’in ;" It’sqi
Theiqme®ppåB¨ not working
p\ ASc\ out ;"
me®ppåB¨
ForBăthe
m atwo andforms M yan-mof a.
theForname
theof twotheforms
coun-of the name of the coun- măpye-ba-bú. măpye-ba-bú. very well.
try see 3.4.
ong yet, not long so“not
Măca-dhé-ba-bú far”.long
Foryet, not long
-thé/-dhé with so far”. For -thé/-dhé with New words New words
Lessonnegated
9.1. verbs see Lesson 9.1. téh-deh t´ty\ or téh-deh
tv\;ty\ to stay t´ty\ or tv\;ty\ to sta
d to-l aquantities
u q : a suffix with
added
the meaning
to quantities “about,
with the meaning “about, ı́n Ac\; ı́n inn Ac\; inn
approximately”: caún-zaun caún-zaun student
ek¥ac\;eSac\ hostel
ek¥ac\ ;eSac\ (dorm) stude
quM;luM; thoún-loún three
B^ya bi-ya B^ycans
a quof M;lubeer
M; three cans of beer (“school building”) (“sc
B^ya bi-ya thoún-loún-about
quM;luM;elak\ B^ythree
a quM;lu cans of
M;elak\ about three cans of meiq-s’we ein mit\eS∑Aimmeiq-s
\ ’ we a friend’s
ein mi t e
\ house
S∑ A m
i \ (“frienda frie
lauq beer beer house”) hou
cå;N˙s\ ngá-hniq five years
cå;N˙ s\ five years ăk ’án-gá AKn\;K ăk ’án-gá rent (“room
AKn\;K charge”) rent (
cå;N˙s\elak\
ngá-hniq-lauq about
cå;N˙sfive
\elak\years about five years téh-yá-da t´rta téh-yá-da staying, t´rthe ta stay stayi
Burmese
97 Bu
Notes S2 A w. Cé-zú tin- S2" A w. Cé-zú tin- Oh.

eAa\ Thank
eAa\ " you
“Where are
h? Beh-hma you staying?”:
téh-ne-dhăléh? “Where
the suffix
are you
-ne staying?”: the suffix -ne ba-deh Shin. ek¥;z¨;tc\ p åty\
ba-deh Shin. (+ tag).
ek¥;z¨ ; tc\ påty\
y, non-permanent,
indicates temporary,
activity;non-permanent,
compare: activity; compare: r˙c\" r˙c\"
Ba sa;ql´ "
Ba sá-dhăléh? WhatBa do you "eat? or
sa;ql´ What do you eat? or Theiq măpyáw- qip\ Theiq măpyáw- I can’t
qip\ speak much
What did you eat? What did you eat? daq-thé-ba-bú. me®patt\ eq;påB¨;"
me®patt\eq;påB¨;"
Ba sa;enql´ "
Ba sá-ne-dhăléh?WhatBa are you
sa;enql´ eat-
" What are you eat- S1 Măhouq-p ’ ú. S1
mhu t\BMăhouq-p y\" No,mhu
¨;" qip\p^t’ú. yout\Bcan.
¨;" qiYou
p\p^ty\"
ing? or What were ing? or What were Theiq pi-deh. Theiq pi-deh. speak very accu-
you eating? you eating? rately.
similar to-da
Té h-yá “staying”:
yauq-ne-da “arriving”
similar toinyauq-ne-da
Lesson “arriving” in Lesson Beh-hma téh- t´l´" téh- Where
By\m˙aBeh-hma By\mare
˙a týou
l´"
9.3. léh? léh? staying?
night”:
Tănyáliterally
ngá-zeh“One
“K50night:
a night”:
50”.literally “One night: 50”. S2 Meiq-s ’we ein- S2
mit Aim\m˙a ’we ein- I’mmit
\eS∑Meiq-s staying
\eS∑Aimin\m˙a a
hma téh-ne-ba- ténpåty\ "
hma téh-ne-ba- friend’s
t´ e house.
npåty\ "
room
Please
charges
treat the
used hotel
in the
roomexercises
chargesasused
for in the exercises as for deh. deh.
n hs
practice
made only.
actual Inflation
charges rise
hs made
dramatically.
actual charges rise dramatically. S1 É h-di-hma téh- A´dS1
^m˙a Ét´h-di-hma
rta téh- Does
A´dstaying
^m˙a t´rta there
yá-da ăs ’in pye- ASc\eyá-da®pla;" ăs ’in pye- work
ASc\ out all right?
e®pla;"
9: YOUR
REVIEW VISIT
FORTO UNIT
BURMA,
9: YOURPART
VISIT1 TO BURMA, PART 1 lá? lá?
6) (LESSONS 9.1 TO 9.6) S2 Theiq ăs ’in pye- qipS2\ ASc\ e®ppåty\
Theiq " Yes,
ăs ’in pye- qipit\ works out
ASc\e®ppåty\ "
recorded
Review indialogues
the Review
are recorded
Section, on
in Tape
the Review
4 Section, on Tape 4 ba-deh. ba-deh. very well.
Side B. S1 K aún-ba-deh S1 ;påty\
ekac\ b¥a'
K aún-ba-deh That’s
ekac\good.
;påty\It’s
b¥a'
Bya. Theiq qip\ekac\
Bya.;påty\ "
Theiq splendid.
qip\ekac\;påty\"
Review Dialogue 1 kaún-ba-deh. kaún-ba-deh.
n inScene:
Burma. a street
S1 isinana elderly
town inBurmese
Burma. man. S1 is S2an elderly Burmese man. S2 S2 K éh. Thwá-meh- k´S2
' q∑aK;my\
éh. ena\ " Well.
Thwá-meh- I’lla;my\
k´' q∑ be going.
ena\"
hasisjust
a foreign
asked woman
him thewho
wayhasto somewhere.
just asked him the way to somewhere. naw? naw?
S1 M;Ne-ba-oún
enpåAu b¥a" Bya. Hold on M;ab¥a"
enpåAu minute. Hold on a minute. S1 H ouq-kéh. K aún- huS1
t\kH
´." ouq-kéh. Right.
ekac\;på®p^"K aún- Goodbye.
hut\k ´." ekac\;på®p^"
By\NuicBeh latal´" What
Nuic\cMk latal´ " What country do ba-bi. ba-bi.
gá la-da-léh? you come from? you come from?
S2 Kăne-da-gá
kendåk lapåty\la- " I come kendåkfromlapåty\" I come from Review Dialogue 2 Review Dialogue 2
ba-deh. Canada. Canada. S1 is a woman in charge ofS1a isshop.
a womanS2 isin a foreign
charge of man
a shop.
who has
S2 just
is a for
S1 Băerak\
bma®pv\ ma-pye yauq-Have
enta you been
bma®pv\ erak\in
enta Have you been in bought something in the shop
bought
and something
is about to inleave.
the shop and is about to lea
a;" ca-bi-lá? Burma
Âka®p^lne-da Âka®pâllong
a;" Burma a long S1 Shin-gá ba-lu- r˙cS1
\k Bal¨ m¥oi;l´ba-lu-
Shin-gá " What
r˙c\knationality
Bal¨m¥oi;láre
"
time? time? myó-léh? myó-léh? you?
S2 Măca-dhé-ba-bú.
mÂkaeq;påB¨ ;" No, not long ;"
mÂkaeq;påB¨ No, not long S2 Ă me-rı́-kan-lu- S2 k
Aemri Ăn\me-rı́-kan-lu-
l¨m¥oi;på" I’mAemri
American.
kn\l¨m¥oi;på"
elak\ r˙i®p^" shı́- I’vets\
ts\pt\Tăpaq-lauq been
pt\ehere
lak\about
r˙i®p^" I’ve been here about myó-ba. myó-ba.
bi. a week. a week. S1 Y auq-ne-da beh- S1 eY
erak\ auq-ne-da beh-How
nta long
erak\ have you
enta
S1 Bă ma săgá-dáw But you can speak
bmaska;eta. bmaska;eta. But you can speak lauq ca-bi-léh? By\elak\ Âka®p^l´" been
lauq ca-bi-léh? here?
By\ elak\ Âka®p^l´"
ekac\;ekac\ ;
kaún-gaún Burmese
ekac\;ekac\very; Burmese very S2 C ’auq-yeq-lauq S2 C ’auq-yeq-lauq I’ve beenrk\
e®Kak\ r k\ e lak\ r˙ ®
i p^ " e®Kak\ here about
elak\ r˙i®p^"
e®patt\ qa;p´
pyáw-daq-thá- well.
e®patt\qa;p´ well. shı́-bi. shı́-bi. six days.
béh.
Burmese
99 Bu
S1 Bă ma
bmaska; e®pataeta.
săgá Butbmaska;
your Burmese is
e®pataeta. But your Burmese is K éh. Thwá-meh- k´" q∑aK;my\
éh. ena\ " Well.
Thwá-meh- k´" I’ll be getting
q∑a;my\ ena\"
mWt\entap´ "
pyáw-da-dáw superb!
mW t e
\ ntap´ " superb! naw? naw? along.
hmuq-ne-da- S1 K aún-ba-bi Shin. S1 ;på®p^
ekac\ l´ Allekac\
r˙c\" enac\Shin.
K aún-ba-bi right. Come
;på®p^ andl´
r˙c\" enac\
béh. Naun-léh la-leh- påAuM;" la-leh- visit
lalv\Naun-léh here again.
lalv\ p åAu ;
M "
S2
Tp\ e®papåAu
T ’aq M;pyáw-ba-
" Could
Tp\eyou say
®papåAu M;" that Could you say that ba-oún. ba-oún.
oún. again, please? again, please? S2 K aún-ba-bi. S2 ;på®p^
ekac\ "
K aún-ba-bi. OK.ekac\;på®p^"
S1 Bă ma
bmaska; e®pata
săgá I said that you
bmaska; e®pata I said that you
ap´lui≥" theiq speak
qip\p^tpyáw-da qip\pBurmese
^tap´lui≥" speak Burmese 9.7 AND 9.8. TOPIC 5: WHY
9.7 AND
HAVE
9.8. YOU
TOPIC
COME
5: WHY
TO HAVE
BURMA?
YOU
pi-da-béh-ló. very well. very well.
S2" qi
eAa\ p\ Theiq
A w. Oh. I can’t
eAa\ " qipspeak
\ it Oh. I can’t speak it A question A question
me®patt\ eq;påB¨;
măpyáw-daq- much yet (+eq;påB¨
me®patt\ tag). ; much yet (+ tag). Bă ma-pye ba bma®pv\BăBaki sßn´≥ ba What
ma-pye haveBaki
bma®pv\ you sßn´≥
Kc\b¥a" thé-ba-bú K ’in- Kc\b¥a" keiq-sá-néh la- laql´keiq-sá-néh
" la- come to
laql´ Burma
"
bya. dhăléh? dhăléh? for?
S1 Bă ma-za-gáw How
bmasaeka about
bmasaeka How about Some answers Some answers
Pt\tt\ p ’q la;"
aq-taq-thălá? Burmese
Pt\tt\writing
qla;" – Burmese writing – Ă louq-néh la-ba- lapåty\"la-ba-I came
Alup\nĂ´≥ louq-néh Aluphere with my
\n´≥ lapåty\ "
can you read it? can you read it? deh. deh. job.
huS2
t\kH
´." ouq-kéh.
nń´ Néh-Yes,
hutI can
\k´." read
nń´ a Yes, I can read a Ă yaún-ăweh Aerac\Ă;Awy\ kisßn´≥
yaún-ăweh I came on;Awy\
Aerac\ business.
kisßn´≥
Pt\tt\ påty\
néh "
p ’aq-taq- little.
Pt\tt\påty\" little. keiq-sá-néh la- lapåty\ "
keiq-sá-néh la- lapåty\"
pa-deh. ba-deh. ba-deh.
wm\S1 W ń
;qapåty\ r˙c\"
u tha-ba-deh I’mwm\
delighted
;qapåty\ r˙c\" I’m delighted Ă leh-béh la-ba- Alv\pĂ´ leh-béh
lapåty\ "
la-ba- I have
Alv\just come for "
p´ lapåty\
t´l´" Beh-hma (+ By\
By\m˙aShin. tag).m˙aWhere
t´l´" are (+ tag). Where are deh. deh. a visit.
téh-léh? you staying? you staying? Tú-riq-pa-béh. t¨;rs\pTú-riq-pa-béh.
åp´" I am
t¨;just a "tourist.
rs\påp´
huS2
ity\H m˙ao-teh-hma
ténpåty\ " I’mhustaying
téh- ity\m˙a intéanpåty\" I’m staying in a A variant question A variant question
ne-ba-deh. hotel. hotel. Bă ma-pye ba bma®pv\BăBalu p\Pui≥ ba
ma-pye What haveBalu
bma®pv\ you p\Pui≥
S1 eĂ
ASc\ ®pla;"
s ’in pye-lá? Is that
ASc\working
e®pla;" out Is that working out louq-p ’ó la- laql´louq-p
" ’ó la- come to Burma
laql´ " to
all right? all right? dhăléh? dhăléh? do?
huS2 ´." ouq-kéh. Ă s ’inYes,
t\kH hut it is.
\k´." Yes, it is. Some more answers Some more answers
ASc\epye-ba-deh.
®ppåty\" ASc\e®ppåty\" Daq-poun yaiq-p ’ó puM Ruik\Pui≥ yaiq-pI’ócame
Dåt\Daq-poun here
Dåt\ puM Rutoiktake
\Pui≥
S1 Ă k ’án-gá beh- How much
AKn\ ; K By\ elak\ AKn\ doelak\
;K By\ you How much do you la-ba-deh. lapåty\ "
la-ba-deh. photographs. "
lapåty\
ep;rl´lauq
" pé-yá-léh? have to pay
ep;rl´ " for the have to pay for the Lweh-eiq weh-bó la- l∑yLweh-eiq
\Ait\ wy\Pweh-bó
ui≥ I came
la- l∑here
y\Aitto\ wy\ buyPui≥
room? room? ba-deh. lapåty\
ba-deh. " Shan bags.
lapåty\ "
S2
ts\ 80/- shiq-s ’eh I pay
v Tănyá ts\K80
v 80/- a night. I pay K80 a night. Thú-te-thăná louq- quetqn lup\Pui≥ louq-
Thú-te-thăná I came quhere
etqn to do lup\Pui≥
ep;rpåty\ "
pé-yá-ba-deh. ep;rpåty\" p ’ó la-ba-deh. lapåty\ "
p ’ó la-ba-deh. research.
lapåty\"
S1 Ă mălé! Zé cı́- Heavens!
Amel;" Amel;" It’s Heavens! It’s Ă louq louq-p ’ó la- AluĂplouq
\ lup\Plouq-p
ui≥ I
’ó la-came here
Alu p\ lutopwork.
\Pui≥
eZ;Âk^;deh-naw?
ty\ena\" expensive,
eZ;Âk^;ty\ isn’tena\"it? expensive, isn’t it? ba-deh. lapåty\
ba-deh. " lapåty\"
huS2
t\kH´." ouq-kéh.
qip\ Yes, it’s very
Theiq hu t k
\ "
. ´ qi p \ Yes, it’s very A false assumption A false assumption
eZ;Âk^;zé
påty\ "
cı́-ba-deh. expensive.
eZ;Âk^;påty\" expensive. Ă leh-béh la-da- Alv\pĂ´ leh-béh
latala;"la-da- Have you
Alv\ p´ just come
latala;"
lá? lá? for a visit?
Burmese
101 Bu
The answer 9.9. TOPIC 6: WHAT DO9.9.YOU

TOPIC
THINK
6: WHAT
OF BURMA?
DO YOU THINK OF
mhut\pMăhouq-pa-bú.
åB¨;" No.
mhut\påB¨;" No. Three questions on the
Three
samequestions
topic, using
on the
slightly
samedifferent
topic, usi
lapåty\"la- I came
Alup\nĂ´≥ louq-néh Alupwith my
\n´≥ lapåty\ " I came with my words. words.
ba-deh. job. job.
Question 1 Question 1
New words S1 Bă mapye-hma S1 Bă
bma®pv\ m˙amapye-hma
ASc\ Are things
bma®pv\going all
m˙a ASc\ Ar
Alup\ ălouq work,
Alujob
p\ work, job ăs ’in pye-lá? e®pla;"ăs ’in pye-lá? right e®pla;"
for you in r
Alup\ ălouq
lup\ty\louq-teh to do apjob,
Alu \ lupto
\twork
y\ to do a job, to work Burma? B
Aerac\ăyaún-ăweh
;Awy\ business, trading
Aerac\;Awy\ business, trading or Bă mapye-hma or Bă
bma®pv\ enrta Is living
m˙amapye-hma in Burma
bma®pv\ m˙a enrta Is
(“buying + (“buying + ne-yá-da ASc\ ne-yá-da
e®pla;" working
ASc\oute®pla;"
all right? w
selling”) selling”) ăs ’in pye-lá? ăs ’in pye-lá?
Alv\ ăleh a visit,
Alv\ for a visit a visit, for a visit or Di-hma ne-yá-da d^mor
˙a enrta
Di-hmaASc\ Is living
ne-yá-da d^m˙a here working
enrta ASc\ Is
quetqn
thú-te-thăná research
qu etqn research ăs ’in pye-lá? e®pla;"ăs ’in pye-lá? out alle®pla;"
right? o
quetqn lup\ty\
thú-te-thăná to do research
quetqn lup\ty\ to do research S2 H ouq-kéh. huS2
t\kH´." ouq-kéh. Yes, ithuis. t\k´." Ye
louq-teh Ă s ’in pye-ba- ASc\eĂ ®ppåty\ "
s ’in pye-ba- ASc\e®ppåty\"
mhut\pMăhouq-pa-bú.
åB¨;" Nomhu
(“that is;not
t\påB¨ " No (“that is not deh. deh.
correct”) correct”) or H ouq-kéh. Theiq huor
t\kH
´." ouq-kéh.
qip\ Yes, it’s
Theiq hutworking
\k´." qip\ out Ye
ăs ’in pye-ba- ASc\eăs ’in pye-ba- very well. e®ppåty\"
®ppåty\ " ASc\ v
or being
If yourinownBurma
reason
is not
forone
being
of these,
in Burma
you is not one of these, you deh. deh.
ou may
needfind
in the
theEnglish-Burmese
words you need vocabulary
in the English-Burmese vocabulary or K aún-gaún or ;ekac\
ekac\ ;
K aún-gaún It’s working out ;very
ekac\;ekac\ It’
klet.at the end of this booklet. ăs ’in pye-ba- ASc\eăs®ppåty\ "
’in pye-ba- well. ASc\ e ®ppåty\ " w
deh. deh.
Notes or Măs ’ó-ba-bú. or Măs
mSu ;
i påB¨ ;" ’ó-ba-bú. It’s not
mSubad.
i;påB¨;" It’
Ba “What
ăléh? have you
keiq-sá-néh come for?”:
la-dhăléh? “Whatkeiq-sá
have you come for?”: keiq-sá
or “activity”,
means “business”
so literallyorthe “activity”,
phrase means
so literally the phrase means Question 2 Question 2
ss” or“with
“for what
whatactivity”.
business” or “for what activity”. S1 Bă ma-pye-hma S1 Bă
bma®pv\ m˙ama-pye-hma
(enrta) Dobma®pv\
you enjoy being
m˙a (enrta)
The“only,
means suffix just”; compare:
-p ’ éh/-béh means “only, just”; compare: (ne-yá-da) ep¥a\la;"
(ne-yá-da) (living)
ep¥a\lin
a;"Burma?
leh- la-ba-deh. I have
Alv\ Ălapåty\ " Alv\ come for a "
lapåty\ I have come for a pyaw-lá? pyaw-lá?
visit. visit. or Bă ma-pye-hma or Bă
bma®pv\ m˙ama-pye-hma
enrta Dobma®pv\
you enjoy being
m˙a enrta
Alv\pĂ´ leh-béh
lapåty\ "
la-ba- I have
Alv\ just come for "
p´ lapåty\ I have just come for (ne-yá-da) ep¥a\r´.l(ne-yá-da)
a;" (living) ina;"
ep¥a\r´.l Burma?
deh. a visit. a visit. pyaw-yéh-lá? pyaw-yéh-lá?
The“to,
means suffix
in order to”.
-p ’ ó /- bo´ means
See the“to,examples
in order to”. See the examples S2 H ouq-kéh. huS2
t\kH ep¥a\påty\" Yes,
´." ouq-kéh. I do.
hut \k´." ep¥a\påty\"
above. Pyaw-ba-deh. Pyaw-ba-deh.
or H ouq-kéh. Theiq huor
t\kH ´." ouq-kéh.
qip\ Yes,
Theiq I enjoy
hut \k´." qiitp\ very
pyaw-ba-deh. ep¥a\påty\ "
pyaw-ba-deh. much.påty\"
ep¥a\
or Ă yán or ; ep¥a\
Arm\ Ă yánpåty\" I enjoy
Arm\;itep¥a\
hugely.
påty\"
pyaw-ba-deh. pyaw-ba-deh.
Burmese
103 Bu
Question 3 H ouq-kéh, néh- hut\kH

´.' nóuq-kéh,
n´ p¨påty\ " Yes,
néh- hutit’s
\ka´.' bit
nń´ hot.
p¨påty\"
S1 Bă
bma®pv\ enrta How do
m˙ama-pye-hma you mfind
bma®pv\ living How do you find living
˙a enrta néh pu-ba-deh. néh pu-ba-deh.
By\lui ne-yá-da in Burma?
enql´" beh-lo By\ l i u enql´ " in Burma? H ouq-kéh, theiq hut\kH
´.' qi p\ p¨påty\
ouq-kéh, " Yes,
theiq hutit’s
\kvery
´.' qiphot.
\ p¨påty\"
ne-dhăléh? pu-ba-deh. pu-ba-deh.
S2 ;påty\
ekac\ "
K aún-ba-deh. It’s good.
ekac\;påty\" It’s good. H ouq-kéh, ăyán hut\kH´.' Arm\ ;
ouq-kéh, ăyán Yes,
hutit’s
\kstupen-
´.' Arm\;
orpåty\
ep¥a\ "
Pyaw-ba-deh. I’m having
ep¥a\ p a good
åty\ " time. I’m having a good time. pu-ba-deh. p¨påty\pu-ba-deh.
" dously
p¨påty\ hot.
"
Theiq măpu-ba- påB¨;" măpu-ba- It’sqinot
qip\ mp¨Theiq very
p\ mp¨ påB¨hot.
;"
New words bú. bú.
ekac\;ekac\ ;
kaún-gaún well ekac\;ekac\; well Ne-ló kaún-ba- enlui≥ ekac\
Ne-ló;påty\ " It’senlu
kaún-ba- good to live
i≥ ekac\ in. "
;påty\
Sui;ty\s ’ó-deh to be bad
Sui;ty\ to be bad deh. deh.
ep¥a\ty\
pyaw-deh to enjoy oneself,
ep¥a\ ty\ have a to enjoy oneself, have a Ă ne-daw-ba-béh Aeneta\ påp´"
Ă ne-daw-ba-béh It’sAeneta\
just about
påp´"right.
good time good time Caiq-pa-deh. ’kik\påty\ "
Caiq-pa-deh. I like
’ki it.
k p
\ åty\ "
Notes
ing,Ne-yá-da
the stay”, “staying,
from ne-deh living,“tothestay,
stay”,
to live”.
from ne-deh “to stay, to live”. New words New words
da “arriving”
Compareinyauq-ne-da Lesson 9.3,“arriving”
and t é h-yá
in-daLesson 9.3, and t é h-yá -da ya-dhi-ú-dú climate, weather
raqÛtu ya-dhi-ú-dú raqÛtu climate, w
n 9.6. “staying” in Lesson 9.6. ăne-daw just right (“living
Aeneta\ăne-daw + suitable”)
Aeneta\ just right (
u enjoy it? Are you
Pyaw-yéh-lá? “Doenjoying
you enjoy yourself?”
it? Are you A enjoying yourself?” A
ălá ? variant
and P yaw of-lá ? , giving
P yaw a and
-dhălá ? slightly
P yawmore
-lá ? , giving a slightly more Note Note
o the animated
question, flavour
suggesting to the
“Arequestion,
you really suggesting “Are you really Ne-ló kaún-ba-deh Literally “Live-ing
Ne-ló is good.”
kaún-ba-deh Literally
-ló is“Live-ing
a suffix that
is goo
(I doenjoying
hope you yourself?
are or I can (I dohardly
hope youbelieveare or I can hardly believe has several functions, and hasone
several
of them
functions,
is similar
andtooneEnglish
of them
“- is
that you are)”. ing”. ing”.
“WhatB e h -liso itn e
like?
-d h ă l éHow
h ? “What
do you is find
it like?
it?”.How do you find it?”.
es it stay?”
Literally “How does it stay?” REVIEW FOR UNIT 9: YOURREVIEW VISIT
FORTO UNIT
BURMA,
9: YOURPART
VISIT2 TO B
(LESSONS 9.5 TO 9.10) (LESSONS 9.5 TO 9.10)
’T YOU
9.10. FIND
TOPICIT7:HOT?
DON’T YOU FIND IT HOT? Review dialogues are recorded
Review indialogues
the Review
are recorded
Section, on
in Tape
the Revie
4
Side B. Side B.
Questions
p¨ty\ePu-deh-naw?
na\" It’sp¨hot
ty\isn’t
ena\" it? It’s hot isn’t it? Review Dialogue Review Dialogue
mp¨B¨;la;"
Măpu-bú-lá? Isn’t it too
mp¨B ¨;la;"hot for Isn’t it too hot for S1 is is a Burmese man, and
S1 isS2isaaforeign
Burmesewoman.
man, and
SheS2
hasa just
foreign
saidwom
you? you? something in Burmese, so S1
something
says – in Burmese, so S1 says –
bma®pv\Bă p¨ty\ena\" It’sbma®pv\
m˙ama-pye-hma hot inmBurma
˙a p¨ty\ena\" It’s hot in Burma S1 H a! Bă ma săgá ha'S1 bmaska;
H a! Bă ma săgá Hey!
ha'So you can
bmaska;
pu-deh-naw? isn’t it? isn’t it? pyáw-daq-pa- e®patt\ påkla;"
pyáw-daq-pa- speak Burmese!
e®patt\ påkla;"
raqÛtu mp¨ B;
¨
Y a-dhi-ú-dúla;" Isn’t the
raq^ Utu climate too
mp¨B¨;la;" Isn’t the climate too gălá? gălá?
măpu-bú-lá? hot for you? hot for you? S2 H ouq-kéh, néh- huS2
t\kH ´." ouq-kéh, néh- Yes,
hut I can
\k´." speak a
Answers néh pyáw-daq- nńé®patt\
néh ppyáw-daq-
åty\" bit.nńé®patt\påty\"
hut\kH påty\" pu-ba-Yes,
´.' pöuq-kéh, hutit is
\k´.'hot.
p¨påty\" Yes, it is hot. pa-deh. pa-deh.
deh.
Burmese
104 By Ear Burmese By Ear Unit 10: Asking names
Unit
and
10:ages
Asking names
105 an
S1NuicBeh
By\ latal´" What
Nuic\cMk latal´ " What country do where in English you would
where sayin“you”
English
oryou
“yours”.
wouldForsayexample,
“you” or “
Aemrik n\ k la;"
gá la-da-léh? you come
Aemri k from?
n\ k la;" you come from? if you wanted to say “Is
if you
this your
wantedcar?”
to say
in Burmese,
“Is this your
and youcar?”
Ă merı́-kan-gá- Are you from Are you from were talking to someonewere
calledtalking
Tin Maung,
to someone
you’dcalled
say “IsTin
this
Maung,
Tin
lá? America? America? Maung’s car?”. Maung’s car?”.
mhuS2
t\pMăhouq-pa-bú.
åB¨;" No, mhut\påB¨;" No,
k lapåty\la- " I comeAgçlfrom Eng-
n\k lapåty\ " I come from Eng- Most Burmese names areMost made Burmese
up of twonames
syllables;
are made e.g. up of two sy
ba-deh. land. land. Tin H lá tc\l˙ Tin H lá Tintc\Hla l˙
S1 BăBaki
bma®pv\ ma-pye sßn´≥ ba- What has brought
bma®pv\ Bakisßn´≥ What has brought Myá Sein ®msi n \ Myá Sein Mya Sein
®msi n \
lal´" keiq-sá-néh la- you to Burma?
lal´ " you to Burma? Thán Ú qn\;Ë; Thán Ú Thanqn\Oo ;Ë;
Alv\q k\qĂk\leh
léh? Are you q
Alv\ here
k\qjust k\ Are you here just Some names have three syllables;
Some names e.g.have three syllables; e.g.
latala;" theq-theq la-da- forlatala;" a visit? for a visit? Tin Maun W ı́n tc\ e mac\Tin Maun W ı́n Tintc\
w c\ ; Maung emac\wc\Win ;
lá? K ’in Sán Nweh Kc\sn\;N∑Ky’in\ Sán Nweh Khin Kc\sSan n\;N∑y Nweh
\
mhuS2
t\pMăhouq-pa-bú.
åB¨;" d^m˙a No, I came
mhu t\påB¨to ;" work
d^m˙a No, I came to work H lain W ı́n S ’we lO c
i w
\ c\ ;H lain W ı́n S ’we Hlaing Win Swe
eS∑ lO c
i w
\ c\ ;eS∑
lup\Pui≥ ălouq here.
Alup\ Di-hma Alup\ lup\Pui≥ here. Some two-syllable names Some have two-syllable
one of the names
syllables havedoubled
one oftothe
lapåty\ " ’ó la-ba-
louq-p lapåty\" make up three in all: make up three in all:
deh. Í Í K ’in Ai A iKÍc\Í K ’in I I KhinAiAiKc\ II
S1" Alu
eAa\ A w. p\nĂ´≥ louq-néh Oh. So" itAlu
eAa\ was p\nyour
´≥ Oh. So it was your Maun Maun Nyún emac\eMaun mac\V∑nMaun \≥ Maungemac\
Nyún Maung emac\VNyunt∑n\≥ M
lataku i;"
la-da-gó. joblataku
that brought
i;" job that brought Thı́n Thı́n É qc\ ; Thı́n Thı́n É Thin Thin Aye
qc\ eA; qc\ ;qc\ e A; Th
bma®pv\Bă m˙ama-pye-hma
enrta you here. How
bma®pv\ m ˙a enrta do you here. How do Less commonly, you come Lessacross commonly, peopleyou
with come
names across
thatpeople have w
enl´" beh-lo you
By\lui ne-yá-da find
By\ lui living
enl´" in you find living in four syllables, like – four syllables, like –
ep¥a\r´.lne-léh?
a;" Pyaw- Burma?
ep¥a\r´.lDo
a;" you Burma? Do you Maun Maun Só Tı́n emac\ emac\sui;Maun
Maun Maung
tc\. Só Tı́n Maung
emac\emac\Soe sui;tc\ Tint
. Ma
yéh-lá? enjoy it? enjoy it? or only one syllable, likeor – only one syllable, like –
S2; ep¥a\
Arm\ påty\
Ă yán pyaw-ba- " I’mArm\
enjoying
; ep¥a\pit åty\" I’m enjoying it H lá l˙ H lá Hla l˙ Hl
deh. hugely. hugely.
d^kS1 raq^ Utu ya-dhi-ú-dúDon’t
Di-gá d^k you
raq^find
Utu the Don’t you find the Most of the name elementsMost of
arethe words
name that
elements
mean something
are words t
mp¨B¨;la;" măpu-bú-lá? climate here is too
mp¨B¨;la;" climate here is too precious or desirable; e.g.
precious or desirable; e.g.
hot? hot? H lá l˙ H lápretty, attractive
l˙ pretty, attr
qipS2\ mp¨Theiq
påB¨;" măpu-ba- It’sqinot very
p\ mp¨ påB¨hot.
;" It’s not very hot. Thán qn\ ; Thána million (for good fortune)
qn\ ; a million (
Aeneta\ p
bú. åp´ " It’s just right.
Aeneta\ p åp´" It’s just right. Myá ®m Myá emerald ®m emerald
Ă ne-daw-ba- Sein sin\ Sein diamond sin\ diamond
béh. W ı́n wc\; W ı́nradiant wc\; radiant
K ’in Kc\ K ’inlovable, loving
Kc\ lovable, lo
AMES
UNITAND
10. ASKING
AGES NAMES AND AGES Maun emac\ Maun younger brother
emac\ younger b
Thı́n qc\; Thı́nfragrant qc\; fragrant
MES
10.1. BURMESE NAMES É eA; É cool, calm eA; cool, calm
ortant
Namesin Burmese
are moresociety
important
thaninthey
Burmese
are in society than they are in By tradition Burmese names
By tradition
are notBurmese
family names.
names are
Younot
Burmese
the West you
because
often use
in Burmese
a person’syouname
often use a person’s name could find a man called Htay
couldMaung,
find a man
withcalled
a wifeHtay
called
Maung,
Win Swe
with a
Burmese
Unit
and
10:ages
Asking names
107 an
d called
Myint,Cho andZinoneNwe
childand
called
another
Cho called
Zin Nwe and another called S1 Albert-lá? Albert
S1 Albert Albert
(Did you
-lá?
-la;" say)
-la;"
e names
Than Tut.has any
Nonerelationship
of the names to the
hasothers:
any relationship to the others: Albert?
they’re all individual. S2 H ouq-pa-deh. S2
hutH\pouq-pa-deh.
åty\" Yes. Albert.
hut\påty\"
you mayHere meetand a woman
there you
whomayhas meet
addeda her
woman who has added her Albert-ba. Albert
Albert-ba.
-på" How Albert
about -på"you:
er husband’s
own to avoid nameconfusion
to her own
when to living
avoid or
confusion when living or Meiq-s ’we-gáw? — mit\eMeiq-s
S∑eka’we-gáw?
_ what
— miistyour
\eS∑eka _
bassadors’
travelling wives
abroad:
oftenambassadors’
find it convenient
wives to
often find it convenient to nan-meh beh-lo namv\ By\luibeh-lo name?
nan-meh namv\ By\lui
ame doHla
thisMaung”
(hence “Madame
etc). And Hlasome Maung”
parentsetc). And some parents k ’aw-dhăléh? eKÅql´ "
k ’aw-dhăléh? eKÅql´"
own
addnames
elementsto their
of their
children’s
own names
names. to their
But children’s names. But S1 Cănáw nan-meh-gá S1
k¥ena\ My name
. namv\nan-meh-gá
Cănáw k k¥ena\is. namv\
Ko k
are
families
the exception.
that do this There
are are
the also
exception.
some There are also some K o Ze-yá -ba. ku e
i zy¥på"
K o Ze-yá -ba. Zeyya (man
ku e
i zy¥på"
stern
Burmese
nameswho like use
“Kenneth”,
Western“Gladys”
names like and
“Kenneth”, “Gladys” and speaking)
amesso (often
on, either
originating
as nicknames
in schooldays),
(often originating
or to in schooldays), or to or Că má nan-meh-gá or k¥mCă namv\ k
má nan-meh-gá My name is Mak
k¥m namv\ Ma
estern
make friends.
life easier for Western friends. Ma Ma É -ba. mamaeA;på"
Ma Ma É -ba. Aye (woman
mamaeA;på"
speaking)
al to use It issomeone’s
exceptional nameto on
use its
someone’s
own: name on its own: S2 Twé-yá-da wún-tha- S2 Twé-yá-da wún-tha-
et∑ > rta I am happy
et∑>rtato have
a prefix
normallyin front
people of it use
– words
a prefixlike
in Mr
frontand
of it – words like Mr and ba-deh. wm\;qapåty\
ba-deh. " met you.
wm\;qapåty\"
Dr.
MrsTheandonly
Colonel
people and you
Dr. wouldn’t
The onlyuse people you wouldn’t use S1 Cănaw-léh wún-tha- S1k¥ena\ l´
Cănaw-léh I am happy
wún-tha- k¥ena\ltoo ´
children,
prefixesorforclose
are friends
small children,
of your orown close
age.friends of your own age. ba-deh. wm\ ; qapåty\
ba-deh. " (man speaking).
wm\ ; qapåty\ "
ixedIf you
nameuse forananyone
unprefixedelse itname
soundsforquite
anyone else it sounds quite or Că má-léh wún-tha- or
k¥ml´ I am happy
Că má-léh wún-tha- k¥ml´ too
mmonest
offensive.
prefixes
The twoare commonest
– prefixes are – ba-deh. wm\ ; qapåty\
ba-deh. " (woman speaking).
wm\;qapåty\ "
r men;Úfrom the Ë; word U (for
meaning
men; from
“uncle”)
the word meaning “uncle”)
(for women;
Daw from
edÅ the
Dawword
(for for
women;
“aunt”) from the word for “aunt”) New words New words
areOthers
– you may meet are – nan-meh namv\ nan-mehnamenamv\ name
Ko (forK younger
o men;
ku i from
Ko “brother”)
(for younger men; from “brother”) beh-lo By\lui beh-lo how By\lui how
Ma (forMáyoungermwomen;Ma from
(for“sister”)
younger women; from “sister”) k ’aw-deh eKÅty\ k ’aw-dehto call, to be called
eKÅty\ to call, t
Maung (for boys;
Maun from “younger
emac\ Maung (for boys; from “younger meiq-s’we mit\eS∑ meiq-s’wefriendmit
(also
\eS∑ used for “you”)
friend (
brother”) brother”) cănaw kÁn\eta\ oftencănaw I (man eta\ often
speaking)
kÁn\ I (man s
Teacher (male) Sra
S ’ăya Teacher (male) written k¥ena\ written k¥ena\
Teacher (female)
S ’ăya-má Sram Teacher (female) cănáw kÁn\eta\. often
cănáw my (man ta\. often
kÁn\espeaking) my (ma
Major Bo-hmú buil\mØ; Major written k¥ena\. written k¥ena\.
GeneralBo-jouq buil\K¥op\ General că má kÁn\m often că má I, my kÁn\ m oftenspeaking)I, my (w
(woman
written k¥m written k¥m
NTRODUCING
10.2–10.3–10.4–10.5.
YOURSELF
INTRODUCING YOURSELF twé-deh et∑>ty\ twé-dehto meetet∑>ty\ to meet
twé-yá-da et∑>rta beinget∑
twé-yá-da able
>rtato meet, having
being ab
S1 By\lui beh-lo WhatnMismv\
nMmv\Nan-meh your name?
By\ lui What is your name? the opportunity to meet the op
eKÅql´ "
k ’aw-dhăléh? eKÅql´" wún-tha- wm\;qaty\ wún-tha-to be wm\
happy
;qaty\ to be ha
Albert
S2 Albert
-på"-ba. Albert-på"
Albert. Albert. deh deh
Albert
or Albert
-lui≥-ló k ’aw-ba- Albert-lui≥
It’s Albert. It’s Albert. -léh -l´ -léh also -l´ also
eKÅpåty\
deh. " eKÅpåty\"
Burmese
Unit
and
10:ages
Asking names
109 an
Notes Among friends and family Among people

friends
oftenandusefamily
kin terms peoplefor of
Nan-meh —“What
k ’aw-dhăléh? beh-lois—your name?” Liter-
k ’aw-dhăléh? “What is your name?” Liter- “I” – the words for “Father”,
“I” – “Sister”
the words etc.forChildren
“Father”, and“Sister”
youngetc.
is called?
ally: Name
Note the
– howparallel
– is called?
with É h-da
Note—the parallel with É h-da — women often use their names;
womene.g. often
a girl
use named
their names; e.g.Sán
M á Sán a gir
Bă ma-lo —“What
— k ’aw-dhăléh? beh-lois—that called in “What is that called in
k ’aw-dhăléh? might say might say
. Burmese?” See 3.5. Sán Sán-léh sm\;sm\;l´
Sán’ki k\påty\" I like
Sán-léh it ;too.
sm\;sm\ l´ ’kik\påty\"
withAlbert
the polite
-ba. The suffix.
name with the polite suffix. caiq-pa-deh. caiq-pa-deh.
eh.Albert
“It’s Albert.” Literally: Albert-end-of-
-ló — k ’aw-ba-deh. “It’s Albert.” Literally: Albert-end-of- Literally: “San San likes Literally:
it too.”
variant
quote
answer.
– is called.
For -lóAsee
variant
3.5. answer. For -ló see 3.5. This is the second gender-specific
This is the pairsecondof words
gender-specific
you’ve met: pair
ay Albert
‘Albert’?-lá?Was
“Didthatyou‘Albert’?”
say ‘Albert’? For Was that ‘Albert’?” For men always say cănaw men and kalways
’ in-bya , say
andcănaw
women and always
k ’ in-byasay, an
see 3.3.
checking questions see 3.3. că má and shin (for the polite
că mátags
andseeshinLesson
(for the
2.7).
polite tags see Les
That’s right. Yes.”
H ouq-pa-deh. “It isSimilar
so. That’s
to H right.
ouq-kéh. Yes.” Similar to H ouq-kéh. cănáw nan-m eh “my name (male
cănáw nan-mspeaker)”.
eh “my Most
namepossessives
(male speaker)” in
urmese
Meiq-s uses
’we “friend”.
a range of Burmese
words foruses “you” a range of words for “you” Burmese simply precedeBurmese the nounsimplypossessed
precede
without
the noun
change; posse
most frequent
and “your”. are (a)Thekinmost
terms,frequent
such asare (a) kin terms, such as Ú-lé
Ú-lé e.g. e.g.
“aunt”, “uncle”,
etc (forDaw-daw
more see“aunt”,
7.1 andetc 7.2);(for
(b)more
a see 7.1 and 7.2); (b) a Bo-jouq + daq-poun = Bo-jouq
Bo-jouq + daq-poun
daq-poun = Bo-jou
má “teacher”,
title suchThan-ă maq-cı́ “teacher”,
as S ’ăya-má “Ambassador”; Than-ă maq-cı́ “Ambassador”; General + photograph General = The + General’s
photograph photograph
= The G
me (if (c)
you theknow
person’s
it), normally
name (ifwithyou know
a prefix it), normally with a prefix
allback,
(seethe10.1);
word or,used
as a above:
fallback, the word
Meiq-s ’we used above: Meiq-s ’we Ú H lá + ouq-t ’ouq Ú H=lá + lá
Ú H ouq-t ’ouq
ouq-t ’ouq = Ú H lá
“friend”. U Hla + hat U Hla
= U Hla’s
+ hat hat = U Hla
about you?”
M eiq-s The“How
’we-gáw suffix about you?”
-káw/- ga´ w carries
The asuffix -káw/- ga´ w carries a
w about meaning
…?” and likehas“how
the effect
about of …?”repeating
and has the effect of repeating Că má + nan-meh =
Că má Că+ nan-meh
má nan-meh = Că má
n about a previous
a new topic; question
e.g. about a new topic; e.g. I + name I = My+name
name = My na
S1 Ne-kaún-deh-
enekac\ ;ty\ena\" You’re
enekac\well,
;ty\ I hope?
ena\" You’re well, I hope?
naw? However, if the first noun However,
(the possessor)
if the first
ends
nounin a(the
lowpossesso
tone
huS2 ´." ouq-kéh. Ne- Yes,
t\kH hutI am.
\k´." Yes, I am. syllable, that syllable is syllable,
given a creaky
that syllable
tone tois mark
given posses-
a creaky
enekac\ ;påty\"
kaún-ba-deh. enekac\;påty\" sion: sion:
George
S1 George
-eka"-gáw? How George
about George?
-eka" How about George? S ’ăya + daq-poun = S ’ăyá
S ’ăya + daq-poun
daq-poun = S ’ăyá
(understand: is he well too?)
(understand: is he well too?) Teacher + photograph Teacher = Teacher’s
+ photograph
photograph = Teache
ker)”
c ă nand
a w “Ică (male
m á “I speaker)”
(female speaker)”.
and că m áThe“I (female speaker)”. The K o Tin + ouq-t ’ouq = K o+Tı́n
K o Tin ouq-t ’ouq
ouq-t ’ouq = K o Tı́n
for “I”. commonest
As you have termsseen,
for “I”.Burmese
As you nor-have seen, Burmese nor- Ko Tin + hat Ko Tin
= Ko+Tin’s
hat hat = Ko Tin
s for mally“you”omits and “I”,
words but forwhen“you”thereandis “I”,
a but when there is a
as here change
(“I’m of happy
subject,
tooas– ashere
well(“I’m
as you”),
happy too – as well as you”), Cănaw + nan-meh = Cănáw
Cănaw + nan-meh
nan-meh = Cănáw
ne in you to show
need whoto putyou oneareintalking
to show about.
who you are talking about. I + name I = My
+ name = My na
say c u Careful speakers
n -d a w and c u n -msay
á , but
c u nthe slightly
-d a w and c u n -m á , but the slightly
sed aboveshortenedare more
formscommon.
used above Originally
are more common. Originally Cănáw nan-m eh-gá “myCănáw
name”.nan-m
The suffix
eh-gá “my name”.
-ká/- ga´ drawsThe
atten-
suffix
your the honoured
words servant”
meant “your and honoured
“your female servant” and “your female tion to a new subject in tion
the conversation.
to a new subject
It has
in the
an conversation
effect like
ly. servant” respectively. “on the other hand” or“on “asthe
for”,
other
but hand”
is much or weaker
“as for”,than
but i
those phrases are in English.
those phrases are in English.
Burmese
Unit
and
10:ages
Asking names
111 an
e totwé-yá-da
meet, having “being theableopportunity
to meet, having to meet” the opportunity to meet” Ă theq thoún-zeh shı́-bi. “I am 30
Ă theq years old.”
thoún-zeh The
shı́-bi. “I round
am 30 number
years old.
meet”.from Compare
t w é -deh “to meet”.“arriving”
yauq-ne-da Compare in yauq-ne-da “arriving” in rule applies to counting rule
years
applies
as it does
to counting
to counting
years
kyats
as itand
does
ing” 9.6,9.3, ne-yá-da
téh-yá-da“staying,
“staying” living,
9.6, ne-yá-da
the stay” “staying, living, the stay” almost everything else. almost
When theeverything
number else.
ends in
When
a zero,
the you
numb
9.9. omit the word hniq “year.”
omit For
the counting
word hniqkyats
“year.”
see 1.11.
For countin
For
m happy.”
w ú n-t ha-ba-dehLiterally“I“my am happy.”
stomach (Literally
w ú n ) is “my stomach (w ú n ) is the verb suffix -bi see Verb
the Paradigms
verb suffix in
-bi Appendix
see Verb Paradigms
3 (outline in
pleasant.” grammar). grammar).
baT - dweéh- y“I am
á - d a whappy
ú n - t h a -to
b ahave
- d e h met
“I am you.”
happy to have met you.”
ng I am Literally
happy.” “At meeting I am happy.” REVIEW FOR UNIT 10:REVIEW FOR UNIT 10:
a-deh. “I am happy
Cănaw-léh too.” Literally
wún-t ha-ba-deh. “I am“I-too
happy – too.” Literally “I-too – ASKING ABOUT NAMES ASKING
AND ABOUT
AGES NAMES AND AGES
fix -léh means “also,
be-happy” Thetoo, suffixas -léh
well”;
means e.g. “also, too, as well”; e.g. Review dialogues are recorded
Review in
dialogues
the Review
are recorded
Section, on
in Tape
the Revie
4
dêS1
n≥ Aa;ty\ e
Di-né á-deh-na\ " You are free today,
d^ en≥ Aa;ty\ ena\" You are free today, Side B. Side B.
naw? aren’t you? aren’t you?
huS2
t\kH ´." ouq-kéh. Yes. hut\k´." Yes. Review Dialogue Review Dialogue
nk\Pn\l ´ Aa;påty\
Neq-p ’an-léh á- " And nk\ I’m
P n\ free
l ´ Aa;påty\ " And I’m free Scene: A train in Burma. S1Scene:
is a A
young
trainwoman
in Burma.
visiting
S1 isBurma
a youngandwoman
S2
ba-deh. tomorrow as well. tomorrow as well. is young Burmese man. Imagine
is youngthat
Burmese
they have
man.struck
Imagine
up athat
conver-
they ha
sation while travelling. The
sation
youngwhile
mantravelling.
says – The young man says –
E YOU?
10.6. HOW OLD ARE YOU? S2 Nan-meh beh-lo namv\ S2 Nan-meh
By\lui beh-lo What’s namv\your
By\name
lui
k ’aw-dhăléh, eKÅql´k ’aw-dhăléh,
Kc\b¥a" (+ eKÅql´
tag)? Kc\b¥a"
S1 ĂBy\
Aqk\ beh-lauq How
theqelak\ Aqk\ old are
By\you?
elak\ How old are you? K ’in-bya? K ’in-bya?
r˙i®p^l´" shı́-bi-léh? r˙i®p^l´" S1 Lucy-ló k ’aw-ba- Lucy
S1 -lu i≥ eKÅpåty\
Lucy-ló " MyLucy
k ’aw-ba- name
-luisi≥ eKÅpåty\
Lucy. "
S2 Ă theq thoún-zéhI am 33 years
Aqk\ qu ;
M Sy\ . qu ;
M N˙ s\ Aqk\ old.
quM;Sy\ . quM;N˙s\ I am 33 years old. deh. deh.
r˙i®p^" thoún-hniq shı́- r˙i®p^" S2 Goofy-lá? Goofy
S2 Goofy-lá?
-la;" Goofy
Is that Goofy?
-la;"
bi. S1 Măhouq-pa-bú. S1
mhu åB¨;" Lucy-
t\pMăhouq-pa-bú. No: t\påB¨;" Lucy-
Lucy.
mhu
or Ăqu
Aqk\ r˙i®p^" I am
M;Sy\thoún-zeh
theq 30 years
Aqk\ old.r˙i®p^"
quM;Sy\ I am 30 years old. Lucy-ba. på" Lucy-ba. på"
shı́-bi. S2 A w. Lucy-lá? S2" Lucy
eAa\ Lucy-lá? Oh.
A w. -la;" eAa\ " Lucy-la;"
It’s is it?
Twé-yá-da wún- Twé-yá-da wún- I’m happy to have
et∑>rta et∑ > rta
New words tha-ba-deh, wm\;qapåty\ Lucy" met
tha-ba-deh, wm\you Lucy. Lucy"
;qapåty\
Aqk\ ătheq ageAqk\ age Lucy. Lucy.
N˙s\ hniq year
N˙s\ year S1 Că má-léh wún- S1 Că
k¥ml´ wm\má-léh
;qapåty\ wún- And I’m happy
k¥ml´ too
wm\;qapåty\
tha-ba-deh, r˙c\" tha-ba-deh, (+ r˙
tag).
c\" How
Notes Shin. Ă ko- Akuieka' namv\
Shin. Ă ko- about
Aku you?
ieka' namv\
Ă theq — “How
shı́-bi-léh? old—
beh-lauq areshı́-bi-léh?
you?” Literally:
“How old are you?” Literally: gáw? — nan- By\luigáw?
eKÅql´ — "nan- What’s
By\lyour ui eKÅql´"
– have?” “Age – how much – have?” meh beh-lo meh beh-lo name?
t hoú
Ă tn-hniq
heq — —t hoú ı́-bi. h“I t am
sh n-zé 33 years
hoú n-hniq — old.”
sh ı́-bi. “I am 33 years old.” k ’aw-dhăléh? k ’aw-dhăléh?
3 years Literally:
– have.”“Age
Compare– 33 years
Bă m – have.”
a-pye Compare Bă m a-pye yauq-
yauq- S2 Cănáw nan-meh- S2 . Cănáw
k¥ena\ namv\knan-meh-Myk¥ena\
name is San
. namv\ k
“I’ve been
h ı́-bi. ne-da in Burma
thoún-hniq for“I’ve
sh ı́-bi. threebeen
years”
in Burma for three years” gá Sán Maun- sm\;emac\ p å"
gá Sán Maun- Maung.
sm\ ; emac\ p å"
(9.3, 9.4). ba. ba.
Burmese
112 By Ear Burmese By Ear Unit 11: Asking aboutUnit
work11: Asking about
113 w
S1
Tp\ e®papåAu M;"
T ’aq-pyáw-ba- Could
Tp\eyou say
®papåAu M;" that Could you say that S2 S ’ăya-wun louq- S2 S ’lu
Srawn\ p\enpåty\
ăya-wun " I amworking
louq- Srawn\ lup\easnpåty\
a "
oún. again? again? ne-ba-deh. Ú emac\eka Ú doctor.
Ë;emac\ne-ba-deh. Ë;emac\How
emac\eka
sm\S2
;emac\ på" Maun-ba. Sansm\Maung.
Sán ;emac\på" San Maung. Maun Maun- Alup\lMaun
up\enla;"
Maun- about
Aluyou:
p\lup\eare
nla;"
kuS1
ism\;emac\ l a;"
K o Sán Maun-lá? It’s Ko San Maung
ku s
i m\ ; emac\ l a;" It’s Ko San Maung gáw? — ălouq gáw? — ălouq you working?
is it? is it? louq-ne-lá? louq-ne-lá?
huS2
t\påty\ " Lucy-k Yes.
H ouq-pa-deh. hut You
\påty\ " Lucy-k Yes. You speak
speak S1 H ouq-kéh. Louq- huS1
t\kH ´." ouq-kéh.
lup\enpåty\ " Yes,
Louq- hutI am.
\k´." lup\enpåty\"
bmaska; e®pata
Lucy-gá Bă ma Burmese
bmaska; verye®pata Burmese very ne-ba-deh. ne-ba-deh.
qip\ekac\ ;tap´
săgá "
pyáw-da well.
qip\ekac\;tap´" well. S2 Beh-hma louq- S2m˙aBeh-hma
By\ lup\ql´" louq- Where
By\mdo you
˙a lu p\ql´"
theiq kaún-da- thăléh? thăléh? work?
béh. S1 Le-yin-yoún-hma S1 Le-yin-yoún-hma
elya√\ RuM;m˙a I work
elya√\ at an
RuM;m˙airline
a
qipS1\ Theiq măpyáw- I can’t qip\ say much yet I can’t say much yet louq-pa-deh. lup\påty\ "
louq-pa-deh. office.
lup\påty\"
me®patt\ e q;påB¨
daq-thé-ba-bú, ; (+ tag).
me®patt\ eq;påB¨; (+ tag).
r˙c\" Shin. r˙c\" New words New words
S2 Ă theq beh-lauq How old are
Aqk\ By\ e lak\ Aqk\ By\you?elak\ How old are you? ălouq louq-teh Alu p\ luplouq-teh
ălouq \ty\ to work,
Alupto\ lu
do a y\
p\t job
r˙i®p^l´" shı́-bi-léh? r˙i®p^l´" ălouq louq-pa-deh Alu p\ luplouq-pa-deh
ălouq \påty\ He/she
Aluworks, has
p\ lup\påty\
N˙sS1
\Sy\H. qu M;N˙’séh\ r˙thoún-
năs i®p^" I’mN˙s
23.
\Sy\. quM;N˙s\ r˙i®p^" I’m 23. a job.
kuism\;emac\ e ka'
hniq shı́-bi. K o Howku isabout
m\;emac\you?
eka' How about you? ălouq louq-ne-ba-deh Alu \enpåty\ He/she
p\ luplouq-ne-ba-deh
ălouq Aluis
p\ working.
lup\enpåty\
Aqk\ Sán By\Maun-gáw?
elak\ HowAqk\ old are
By\you?
elak\ How old are you?
r˙i®p^l´" — ătheq beh- r˙i®p^l´" Words for occupations and Words workplaces
for occupations and workplaces
lauq shı́-bi-léh? The following are the words The following
introduced are
onthe
thewords tape. introduced on
S2 k
k¥ena\ Aqk\ 30
Cănaw-gá ătheqI’mk¥ena\30 (+ktag). Aqk\ 30 I’m 30 (+ tag). dărain-ba dRuic\Ba dărain-ba driver dRuic\Ba driver
r˙i®p^ Kc\thoún-zeh
b¥a" shı́- r˙ ®
i p^ Kc\ b¥a" in-jin-ni-ya Ac\ g ¥c\ n y
^ a engineer
in-jin-ni-ya Ac\ g ¥c\ n y
^ a engineer
bi, K ’in-bya. koun-dheh kun\qv\ koun-dheh businessman kun(“goods
\qv\ + businessm
dealer”) dealer”)
ABOUT
UNITWORK
11. ASKING ABOUT WORK caún-s ’ăya ek¥ac\;Sra caún-s teacher
’ăya (“school
ek¥ac\;+ Sra teacher”) teacher (“s
caún-s ’ăya-má ek¥ac\;Sram caún-s teacher (“school
’ăya-má ek¥ac\;+ Sram teacher teacher
+ (“s
HAVE
11.1–11.2.
A JOB?DO
WHERE
YOU HAVE
DO YOU
A JOB?
WORK?
WHERE DO YOU WORK? female”) female”)
s ’ăya-wun Srawn\ s ’ăya-wun doctor (“teacher
Srawn\+ burden”) doctor (“te
S1p\ Ă
Alu lulouq louq-ne- Are
p\enqla;" you
Alu p\ working?
lup\enqla;" Are you working? ăsó-yá ăhmú- Asu ;
i rAmO T m\ ;
ăsó-yá civil servant (“government
ăhmú- Asu ;
i rAmO T m\ ; civil+ serva
dhălá? dán dán affairs + bear, carry”) affairs +
huS2
t\kH´." ouq-kéh.
lup\enpåty\ " Yes,
Louq- I am.
hut \k´." lup\enpåty\" Yes, I am. le-yin-yoún elya√\RuM;le-yin-yoún airline office (“air-vehicle
elya√\ RuM; airline
+ offi
ne-ba-deh. office”) office”)
BaS1Alu
Bap\ ălouq louq- What
Ba job
Aluarep\ you What job are you ban-daiq B%\tuik\ ban-daiq bank (“bank B%\ building”) tuik\ bank (“ban
lup\enql´ "
ne-dhăléh? doing?
lu p e
\ nql´ " doing? koun-daiq ku n t
\ k
i u \ koun-daiq department ku store
n t
\ k
i u (“goods
\ departmen
building”) building”
sa-daiq satu k
i \ sa-daiq post office (“letter building”)
satu k
i \ post office
poun-hneiq- puMN˙ip\tuik\ poun-hneiq- printing press
puMN˙ip\t (“image uik\ +printing p
taiq taiq impress + building”) impress +
Burmese
115 w
teacher: school teacher (male)

teacher:
> school teacher
teq-kătho (male) >
s ’ăya-má teq-kăth
dditional
The following
words for areoccupations
additional words
you may for occupations you may caún-s ’ăya ek¥ac\;Sra" caún-s ’ăya
tk˚ek¥ac\
quil;Sra"
\Sram" tk˚quil
find useful (female) > caún-s ’ăya-má(female)trishaw
> caún-spedaller > s ’aiq-ká-
’ăya-má trishaw pe
in accountantlawyer > shé-ne er˙>en lawyer > shé-ne er˙>en
> săyı́n-gain ek¥ac\;Sram" university ek¥ac\;Sram" university
dhă má Suik\ka;qma; dhă má S
sarc\;kumanager
ic\ > man-ne-ja mn\emanager
ng¥a > man-ne-ja mn\eng¥a teacher (male) > teq-kătho teacher writer,
(male)author (male) > sa-yé-
> teq-kătho writer, aut
agent, middle-man
pwéh-zá market stall-holder
> pwéh-zá> zé-dheh
market stall-holder > zé-dheh s ’ăya tk˚quil\Sra" (female) > tk˚sq
s ’ăya ’ăya ra" (female)
uil\Ssaer;Sra" (female)
> s>’ăya sa
p∑´sa; eZ;qv\ eZ;qv\ sa-yé-s ’ăya-má saer;Sram" sa-yé-s ’
qukarchitect
a >
missionary (male) > tha-dhăna-
bı́-thú-ka pi qk
u a missionary (male) > tha-dhăna-
ss\barmy
uil\ officerbyú > siq-bo
s ’ăya ss\
qaqna‘pSra
buil\ byú s ’ăya qaqna‘pSra Notes Notes
Sraartist
/bg¥^>-băji-s
missionary (female)
’ăya pn\;K¥^ Sra /bg¥^ > -tha-
missionary (female) > tha- Ă louq louq-ne-ba-deh “He/she is working.” “He/she
Ă louq louq-ne-ba-deh The suffix
is -n
workin
e is
/ dhăna-byú s ’ăya-má dhăna-byú s ’ăya-má attached to a verb to express
attachedtemporary
to a verbaction;
to express
e.g. – temporary a
> sa-yé-
author,writer (male) > sa-yé-
qaqna‘pSram qaqna‘pSram Ba meq-găzı́n Ba mg© zc\ ; Pt\ q
Ba meq-găzı́nl´ " WhatBa magazine
mg©zc\; Pt\do
ql´"
male) s>’ăya saer;Sra"
monk: Buddhist (female) >
monk >monk:
p ’oún-jı́Buddhist monk > p ’oún-jı́ p ’aq-thăléh? p ’aq-thăléh? you read?
r;Sram" sa-yé-s ’ăya-má 9 novice monk > Bu
Bun\;Âk^;saer;Sram" ko-n\;Âk^; 9 novice monk > ko- Ba meq-găzı́n Ba Ba meq-găzı́n What
mg© zc\ ; Ba magazine
mg©zc\; are
hehbusinessman yin>ku koun-dheh
irc\ yin kuirc\ p ’aq-ne-dhăléh? Pt\enql´ "
p ’aq-ne-dhăléh? you reading?
Pt\ enql´"
kun\qv\nun: Buddhist nun > meh-thi-lá- nun: Buddhist nun > meh-thi-lá- Compare Beh-hm a t éh-ne-dhăléh?
Compare Beh-hm“Where a are you staying?”
t éh-ne-dhăléh? “Where
in
clerk > săyéyin saer;my\q^lrc\ yin my\q^lrc\ 9.5. 9.5.
nurse (male)
un dentist > thwá-s ’ăya-wun > naq-s nt\ nurse
s"
\ (male) > naq-s nt\s\"
q∑a;Srawn\(female) > naq-s-má nt\s(female) \m" > naq-s-má nt\s\m" 11.3. NOT IN WORK 11.3. NOT IN WORK
Director > hnyun-cá-yé-hmú
e-hmú thu-na-byú s ’ăya-má thu-na-byú s ’ăya-má
uty Direc-
VWn\Âka;er;mØ 9 Deputy Direc-
q¨n; a‘pSram" q¨na‘pSram" S1 Ă louq louq-ne- S1p\ Ă
Alu lulouq louq-ne- Are
p\enqla;" you
Alu p\ working?
lup\enqla;"
, > dú-hnyun-cá-yé-hmú
e-hmútor peasant, farmer > leh-dhă
, peasant,
má farmer > leh-dhă má dhălá? dhălá?
istantduVWn\Âka;er;mØ
ly\;q 9 ma;
Assistant ly\qma; S2 Mălouq-pa-bú. S2
mlu p\påB¨ ;"
Mălouq-pa-bú. No. mlup\påB¨;"
-hnyun-cá- photographer
Director > daq-poun-s
> leq-t ’auq-hnyun-cá- photographer
’ăya > daq-poun-s ’ăya E in-hmú keiq-sá Aim\mOkEisßin-hmú keiq-sáI look
lup\påty\ " Aim\mafter the
Okisß lu p\påty\"
yé-hmú Dåt\puMSra Dåt\puMSra louq-pa-deh. louq-pa-deh. house.
r;mØ; lk\eTak\ policeman > yéh-ăya-shı́
VWn\Âka;er;mØ ; policeman
rÁrar˙i > yéh-ăya-shı́ rÁrar˙i or Mălouq-táw-ba- orp\eta.
mlu påB¨;"
Mălouq-táw-ba- Not any
mlu longer.
p\eta. påB¨;"
taeditor > eh-di-ta
reporterAy\ > thădı́n-dauq
d^ta reporter > thădı́n-dauq bú. pc\sc\ y¨
bú.l k
i u ®
\ p^ " I am
pc\ retired.
s c\ y¨ luik\®p^"
wn\Temployee
m\; >qtc\
wun-dán
;eTak\ wn\Tm\; qtc\;eTak\ Pin-sin yu-laiq- Pin-sin yu-laiq-
dhăfarmer,
má sailor >>thı́n-báw-dhá
peasant leh-dhă má qeBç sailor
aqa;> thı́n-báw-dhá qeBçaqa; pi. pi.
ly\qma; sales assistant > kaun-ta-săyé sales assistant > kaun-ta-săyé or Mălouq-thé-ba- orp\eq;påB¨
mlu ;"
Mălouq-thé-ba- Not yet.
mlu p\eq;påB¨;"
film actor >ekac\
mı́n-dhá youq-shin
tasaer; mı́n-dhá ekac\tasaer; bú. ek¥ac\;bú. I am attending
ek¥ac\ ;
s > youq-Rup\r˙c\mc\secretary
;qa;" actress
> săyé
> youq-
saer; secretary > săyé saer; Caún teq-ne-ba- tk\enpåty\ "
Caún teq-ne-ba- school.
tk\enpåty\"
shin
c\mc\;qm^ shopkeeper
;" mı́n-dhă mı́ Rup\r>˙cs
\m’c\ain-shin shopkeeper
;qm^;" Su ic\r˙c\ > s ’ain-shin Suic\r˙c\ deh. deh.
éh-lán- singer
guide: tourist > ăs ’o-daw
guide > éh-lán- singer > ăs ’o-daw ASuieta\
ASuieta\
hnyun soldier
Ev\.lm\;VW > nsiq-thá
\ ss\qa; soldier > siq-thá ss\qa; New words New words
insurancestudent
AamKM > a-má-gan
(male) > caún-dhá
AamKM student (male) > caún-dhá ein-hmú-keiq-sá Aim\mOkein-hmú-keiq-sá
isß housework
Aim\mOkisß (“house
a labourer > ălouq-thă
ek¥ac\;qa;" má (female) > caún- ek¥ac\;qa;" (female) > caún- affairs activity”)
Alup\qma;dhu ek¥ac\;q¨" dhu ek¥ac\;q¨"
Burmese
117 w
Alup\ Ămlu p\påB¨

louq ;" HeAlu
mălouq-pa- doesn’t
p\ mluwork.
p\påB¨;" He doesn’t work. REVIEW FOR UNIT 11:REVIEW
ASKINGFOR ABOUT
UNITWORK
11: ASKING ABOUT
bú. Review dialogues are recorded
Review in
dialogues
the Review
are recorded
Section, on
in Tape
the Revie
4
Alup\ Ămlu p\eta.
louq påB¨;" HeAlu
mălouq- doesn’t
p\ mluwork
p\eta.påB¨;" He doesn’t work Side B. Side B.
táw-ba-bú. any more. He no any more. He no
longer works. longer works. Review Dialogue Review Dialogue
Alup\ Ămlu p\eq;påB¨
louq ;" HeAlu
mălouq- doesn’t
p\ mluwork
p\eq;påB¨;" He doesn’t work Scene: A café in Rangoon.Scene:
S2 isAa café young in Rangoon.
man visitingS2 Burma,
is a young whoma
thé-ba-bú. yet. He hasn’t yet yet. He hasn’t yet happens to be sharing a table
happens
with to S1,bea sharing
Burmesea woman
table with
named S1, aDawBurm
taken a job. taken a job. Saw Yin, and her husbandSawand Yin,
daughter.and her They
husband
get talking,
and daughter.
and at one They
pc\sc\ pin-sin pension,
pc\sc\ retirement pension, retirement point S1 asks – point S1 asks –
pc\sc\ y¨ ty\ yu-deh to take
pin-sin pc\sc\a y¨
pension,
ty\ to to take a pension, to S1 Bă ma-pye ba- S1 BăBaki
bma®pv\ ma-pye sßn´≥ ba- What brought
bma®pv\ Bakiyou sßn´≥
retire retire keiq-sá-néh la- lal´ r˙ c "
\
keiq-sá-néh la- to Burma?
lal´ r˙ c "
\
Pin-sin yu-laiq-pi. pc\sc\taken
pc\sc\ y¨ l k
i u ®
\ p^ I have my
y¨luik \®p^ I have taken my léh, Shin? léh, Shin?
pension. I am pension. I am S2 Ă louq-néh la-ba- S2p\nĂ
Alu lapåty\ la-ba-I came
´≥ louq-néh Alupwith my job
\n´≥ lapåty\
retired. retired. deh, K ’in-bya. Kc\b¥a" deh, K ’in-bya. (+ Kc\ tag).
b¥a"
tk\tteq-teh
y\ to go
tk\upty\to, attend to go up to, attend S1 A w. Ba ălouq S1" Ba
eAa\ A w. Alu Bapălouq
\ Oh. What
eAa\ " Bajob Alu arep\
ek¥ac\;caún
tk\t y\"
teq-teh to attend
ek¥ac\; school
tk\ty\" to attend school louq-ne-dhăléh? lup\enql´ "
louq-ne-dhăléh? you
ludoing?
p e
\ nql´ "
S2 Ban-daiq-hma S2tBan-daiq-hma
B%\ uik\m˙a I work
B%\t inuik a\mbank.
˙a
Notes louq-pa-deh. lup\påty\ "
louq-pa-deh. lu p p
\ åty\ "
“Hemălouq-t
-búĂ. louq doesn’t áwork
w -ba-búany . more.
“He doesn’t He nowork any more. He no S1 A w. Ban-daiq- S1' B%\
eAa\ uik\m˙ala;" Oh.eAa\
A w. tBan-daiq- In' aB%\ bank tuikis \mit?
˙ala;"
e suffix longer
-táw/-works.”
da´ w with The suffix -táw/
a negated verb- daćon-
w with a negated verb con- hma-lá? hma-lá?
“no veys longer, thenotmeaning
any more, “no notlonger,
afternot all”.
any more, not after all”. S2 Daw Sáw Y in- S2 Daw
edÅesarc\ Sáw Y in- How
eka' abouteyou?
edÅesarc\ ka'
w -ba-bú Compare
= “I won’t M ăsride
ı́-dá w(in your=taxi)
-ba-bú “I won’t
after ride (in your taxi) after gáw? — ălouq Alup\ gáw? — ălouq Are
lup\enqla;" you
Alu p\ working?
lup\enqla;"
all” in 5.6
hı́-dáw-ba-bú. “Iand
haven’t any any more.“IIhaven’t
Măshı́-dáw-ba-bú. no any any more. I no louq-ne-dhălá? louq-ne-dhălá?
n 6.3. longer have any” in 6.3. S1 Mălouq-pa-bú, S1
mlu p\påB¨ ; r˙c\"
Mălouq-pa-bú, Nomlu
I’mp\pnot
åB¨;(+r˙ctag).
\"
búĂ “He mălouq-t
. louq doesn’t work yet.. “He
hé -ba-bú He hasn’t
doesn’t yetwork yet. He hasn’t yet Shin. E in-hmú- Aim\mOkShin.
isß lup\pEåty\ " I look
in-hmú- Aim\mafter the
Okisß lu p\påty\"
uffix taken a ´job.”
-thé/- dhe withThe suffix -thé/
a negated verb conveys
- dhe ´ with a negated verb conveys keiq-sá louq-pa- keiq-sá louq-pa- household.
(indicating) She
(indicating)
yet”. the Compare
meaningmă“not yet”.
p yá w -d a q -tCompare
h é -b a -b ú “I
mă p yá w -d a q -t h é -b a -b ú “I deh. Ë;eza\wdeh.
c\;k indicates
Ë;eza\wher
c\;khus-
9.1 and can’t speak yet” in “It
măca-dhé-ba-bú 9.1hasn’t been long
and măca-dhé-ba-bú “It hasn’t been long (indicating) Ú Srawn\(indicating)
på"∑ Ú band. U Zaw
Srawn\ på"∑ Win
far” in yet,9.4.
it’s not long so far” in 9.4. Zaw W ı́n-gá Zaw W ı́n-gá is a doctor.
ariant
Pin-sin. for this
A common
word is ănyeı́n-zá
variant for A®cithis word
m\;sa; “a is ănyeı́n-zá A®cim\;sa; “a s ’ăya-wun-ba. s ’ăya-wun-ba.
ne who lifelives
of peace”
in peace”.
or “one who lives in peace”. S2 A w. S ’ăya-wun- S2' Srawn\
eAa\ A w. Sl a;"
’ăya-wun-Oh. So' he’s
eAa\ a la;"
Srawn\
havePin-sin takenyu-laiq-pi
my pension”. “I have The taken
verbmy suffix
pension”. The verb suffix lá? qm^;eka'
lá? doctor. How
qm^;eka'
e meaning -l aiq-pithatconveys
the action
the meaning
has been thatcom-the action has been com- Thă mı́-gáw? — Alup\ Thă nqla;" — about
lup\emı́-gáw? Aluyour
p\ lup\enqla;"
pleted. ălouq louq-ne- ălouq louq-ne- daughter?
dhălá? dhălá? Is she working?
Burmese
family
12: Asking about
119 fa
S1p\ Ă
Alu mlu p\eq;påB¨
louq ;" Not
mălouq- yet.
Alu p\ mlup\eq;påB¨;" Not yet. Variants Variants
ek¥ac\;thé-ba-bú. She’s at ;school.
ek¥ac\ She’s at school. E in-daun-néh-lá? Aim\eTac\ n´≥la;" Are Ai
E in-daun-néh-lá? you married?
m\eTac\ n´≥la;"
tk\enpåty\ "
Caún teq-ne-ba- tk\enpåty\" (“household-with-
deh. question”)
Y ı́-zá shı́-ba-deh. rv\;sa; Y ı́-zá shı́-ba-deh.I have
r˙ipåty\ rv\a;sa; girlfriend/
r˙ipåty\
boyfriend
ABOUT
UNITFAMILY
12: ASKING ABOUT FAMILY New words New words
estions
This on
Unitmarriage
covers questions
and children.
on marriage
There and children. There ein-daun Ai m \eTac\ ein-daun household
Aim\eTac\
pewasn’t
to coverroom
talk on
about
the parents
tape to cover
and brothers
talk about parents and brothers ein-daun shı́-deh Aim\eTac\ ein-daunr˙ity\ shı́-dehto be Aimmarried
\eTac\ r˙it(“to y\
t we’ve
and sisters
addedasa well,
few words
but we’ve
and phrases
added a for
few words and phrases for have a house-
he those
booklet.
topics
You’ll
herefind
in the
them
booklet.
set outYou’ll
at the find them set out at the hold”)
end of this Unit. ăpyo Ap¥oi ăpyo a spinster,
Ap¥oi an un-
married woman or
RRIED?
12.1. ARE YOU MARRIED? girl
ăpyo-jı́ Ap¥oiÂkâ̆pyo-jı́
; an Ap¥oi
oldÂk^ spinster
;
S1
Ai m\eTac\ r˙iqla;"
E in-daun shı́- Are Ai
you married?
m\eTac\ r˙iqla;" Are you married? lu-byo-jı́ l¨ p ¥oi Â k^ ;
lu-byo-jı́ an old
l¨ p ¥oi Â bachelor
k^ ;
dhălá? kwéh-deh or k∑´ty\kwéh-deh or k∑´q∑a;ty\ or to split,
k∑´ty\separate, or k∑´q∑a;ty\
r˙S2
ipåty\ "
Shı́-ba-deh. Yes,r˙Iipam.
åty\" Yes, I am. kwéh-dhwá-deh kwéh-dhwá-deh divorce
or Măshı́-ba-bú.
mr˙ p
i åB¨ ; " No, ipåB¨;"
mr˙ No, kwéh-dhwá-ba-bi k∑´q∑a;på®p^ "
kwéh-dhwá-ba-bi Wek∑have
´q∑a;på®p^ split
" up,
l¨p¥oiÂk^ ;på"
Lu-byo-jı́-ba. I’m länpold
¥oiÂk^;på" I’m an old separated. I am
bachelor. bachelor. divorced.
oripåB¨
mr˙ ; "
Măshı́-ba-bú. No, mr˙ipåB¨;" No, s ’oún-deh or SuM;ty\s ’or oún-deh or
SuM;q∑a;ty\ SuM;ty\tooranSuend,
to come M;q∑a;ty\
Ap¥oiÂk^
Ă ;pyo-jı́-ba.
på" I’m Ap¥oi
an old
Âk^;på" I’m an old s ’oún-dhwá-deh s ’oún-dhwá-deh to die
spinster. spinster. s ’oún-dhwá-ba-bi SuM;q∑a;på®p^ "
s ’oún-dhwá-ba-bi S/he has
SuM;q∑ died.
a;på®p^ "
orieta.
mr˙ påB¨;"
Măshı́-dáw-ba-bú. No. mr˙ieta.påB¨;" No. ă myó-thă mı́ Am¥oi;qm^ ;
ă myó-thă mı́ woman,
Am¥oi;qm^ lady;
; wife
k∑´q∑aK;på®p^ "
wé-dhwá-ba-bi.We have split" up.
k∑´q∑a;på®p^ We have split up. ă myó-thá Am¥oi ; qa;
ă myó-thá man, gentleman;
Am¥oi ; qa;
orieta.
mr˙ p åB¨ ; "
Măshı́-dáw-ba-bú. No. mr˙ e
i ta. p åB¨;" No. husband
Am¥oi;qm^ ;
Ă myó-dhă mı́ My Am¥oi
wife;qm^has; died. My wife has died. Notes Notes
. SuM;q∑as;på®p^ "
’oún-dhwá-ba-bi. SuM;q∑a;på®p^" E in-daun măshÍ-dá w -ba-búE in-daun “I am măshÍ-dá
not married any longer”.
w -ba-bú “I am notFor marr
orieta.
mr˙ påB¨;"
Măshı́-dáw-ba-bú. No. mr˙ieta.påB¨;" No. the suffix -táw/- da´ w withthe negated verbs,
suffix -táw/ - dameaning
´ w with negated “no longer, verbs,
Ă myó-dhá s ’oún-My Am¥oi
Am¥oi;qa; husband
;qa; has My husband has not any more”, see 5.6, 6.3, not11.3.any more”, see 5.6, 6.3, 11.3.
SuM;q∑adhwá-ba-bi.
;på®p^" died.
SuM;q∑a;på®p^" died. E in-daun cá -bi-lá ? “AreE you in-daun (is he) married
cá -bi-lá ? “Areyet?” youA(isquestion he) marri
S1
Ai m\eTac\ a;" Are Ai
k¥®p^lcá-bi-lá?
E in-daun you married
m\eTac\ k¥®p^la;" Are you married more appropriate to persons more in appropriate
their twenties,to persons the age in when
their tw
yet? yet? people usually get married. people The usually
alternative
get married. E in-daun Theshalter
ı́-
S2t\k
hu H´.'ouq-kéh. Yes,hu
k¥®p^" Cá-bi. Itam.
\k´.' k¥®p^" Yes, I am. dhălá? “Are you (is he) married?” dhălá? “Are canyoube used
(is he)for married?”
older people can be
or Măcá-dhé-ba-bú.No, not yet.
mk¥eq;påB¨ ; " mk¥eq;påB¨ ;" No, not yet. as well. Notice the different as well. answers
Notice to the two
different questions:
answers to t
Question Answer Question Yes Answer
Answer NoYes
E in-daun cá-bi-lá? H ouq-kéh.
E in-daunCá-bi.
cá-bi-lá? Măcá-dhé-ba-bú.
H ouq-kéh. Cá-bi.
Burmese
family
12: Asking about
121 fa
Yes,Ishe
heis.
married yet? No,
Yes,
nothe
yet.
is. No, not yet. S1 Thá-lá? Thă mı́- S1 Thá-lá?
qa;la;' Thă mı́- Is it qa;la;'
qm^;la;" a son or qm^
a ;la;"
lá? lá? daughter?
a? H ouq-kéh.
E in-daunShı́-ba-
shı́-dhălá?
Măshı́-ba-bú.
H ouq-kéh. Shı́-ba- Măshı́-ba-bú. S2 Thá-ba. S2 Thá-ba.
qa;på" It’s aqa;på"
son.
deh. deh. or or
Yes,Ishe heis. married? No, Yes,
he’shenot. is. No, he’s not. S2 Ngá-yauq shı́-ba- S2 Ngá-yauq
cå;eyak\ r˙ipåty\ " I have
shı́-ba- five. r˙ipåty\"
cå;eyak\
-bi/- piForseethe verb
Verb suffix -bi/- pi
Paradigms in Appendix
see Verb Paradigms
3 in Appendix 3 deh. deh.
(outline grammar). S1 Thá-de-lá? S1 Thá-de-lá?
qa;et∑ la;' Are qa;et∑
they sons
la;'or
w áK-deh , s ’ oú n-deh
w éh-deh or kw éorh-dhw á -deh ,ás-deh
s ’ oú n-dhw . Theor s ’ oú n-dhw á -deh . The
’ oú n-deh Thă mı́-de-lá? qm^;et∑
Thălmı́-de-lá?
a;" daughters?
qm^;et∑la;"
o”) adds use of a suggestion
-dhwá (“to of go”) movement:
adds a suggestion“split of movement: “split S2 Thá thoún-yauq, S2 Thá thoún-yauq,Three sons
qa; qu ;
M eyak\ " qa; and two
quM;eyak\ "
rated”, and “end go, and
get separated”,
go, come to“end an end”. and go, come to an end”. thă mı́ hnăyauq. qm^; thă
N˙s\emı́
yak\ "
hnăyauq. daughters.
qm^; N˙s\eyak\"
a-dehCompare
“to be all koun-dhwá-deh
gone, sold out”“to in be
4.3.all gone, sold out” in 4.3.
h ăĂmı́ are há
m yó-t fairly
andrespectful, almost
ă m yó-t h ă mı́ are fairly
neutralrespectful, almost neutral New words New words
d andterms wife, for which
husband
is why and wewife,teachwhich them is why we teach them k ’ălé kel;
k ’ălé child kel; child
you may here. meet Otherare terms
– you may meet are – -yauq -eyak\
-yauq countword for people: coun
-eyak\
’in-bún
Kc\p∑n\;' kzn^ ; and
elevated,
zănı́ Kc\deferential,
p∑n\;' zn^; elevated, deferential, see note see
sometimes pretentious sometimes pretentious -de or sometimes -dwe -et∑ -de or sometimes
plural-dwe
suffix:-et∑
see note plura
a;' min\;m and
eyak\¥yauq-cá casual, verging
eyak\¥a;'onminthe \;m casual, verging on the Variant Variant
meı́n-má disrespectful; also = disrespectful; also = Meı́n-k ’ălé-lá? Meı́n-k ’ălé-lá? Is it
min\;kel;la;' mina\;kel;la;'
girl or a boy?
man, male and woman, man, male and woman, Y auq-cá-lé-lá? eyak¥\Ya;el;la;"
auq-cá-lé-lá? eyak¥\a;el;la;"
female female You will find a list of words
You will
for find
other
a relatives
list of words
in the
forTopical
other rel
lc\' mya; lin and măyá contemptuous,lc\' mya; except incontemptuous, except in Vocabulary for kin terms.
Vocabulary for kin terms.
some set compounds some set compounds
like lin-ba-dhá “stepson”like lin-ba-dhá “stepson” Notes Notes
K ’ ălé beh-hnăyauq sh ı́-dhălé
K ’ ălé h? “How many
beh-hnăyauq children
sh ı́-dhălé h? do “Howyou ma
HILDREN
12.2. HOW
DOMANY
YOU HAVE?
CHILDREN DO YOU HAVE? have?” The word -yauq is have?” The word
a countword for-yauq
people. is aExamples:
countword f
meiq-s’we lé- mit\eS∑meiq-s el;eyak\
’we lé- four
mitfriends
\eS∑ el;eyak\
S1 K ’ălé
kel; r˙ila;"
shı́-lá? Do you
kel; have r˙ilany
a;" Do you have any yauq yauq
children? children? s ’ăya-wun Srawn\s ’ăya-wun
N˙s\eyak\ two doctors
Srawn\ N˙s\eyak\
S2 H ouq-kéh, shı́-ba-
hu tk
\ "
. ´ r˙ p
i åty\ " Yes,hu
Ithave.
\k´." r˙ipåty\" Yes, I have. hnăyauq hnăyauq
deh. ăko thoún-yauq Akui quăko thoún-yauq three
M;eyak\ Akubrothers
i quM;eyak\
oripåB¨
mr˙ ;"
Măshı́-ba-bú. No, mr˙
I haven’t.
ipåB¨;" No, I haven’t. thă mı́ tăyauq qm^ ; ts\ e yak\
thă mı́ tăyauq one daughter
qm^ ; ts\eyak\
orieq;påB¨
mr˙ ;" No, mr˙
Măshı́-dhé-ba-bú. I haven’t
ieq;påBäny
;" No, I haven’t any tú-riq beh- t¨;rs\ tú-riq
By\N˙sbeh-\eyak\ how t¨;many
rs\ By\ tourists
N˙s\eyak\
yet. yet. hnăyauq hnăyauq
S1 K ’B
kel; ˙s\eyak\ Howkel;
y\Nbeh-hnăyauq
ălé many Bchildren
y\N˙s\eyak\ How many children Compare other countwords Compare
in 6.5.other countwords in 6.5.
r˙iql´shı́-dhăléh?
" do you have?
r˙iql´ " do you have? Thá-lá? Thă mı́-lá? “Is itThá-lá?
a son orThă
a daughter?”
mı́-lá? “Is itThis
a son
is or
thea stan-
daught
S2 Tăyauq shı́-ba- I have one.
ts\ eyak\ r˙ p
i åty\ " ts\ eyak\ r˙ipåty\" I have one. dard pattern for questions dard pattern
taking the for form
questions
“A or taking
B?”. th
deh. Examples: Examples:
Burmese
family
12: Asking about
123 fa
eka\P^lKa;'
aw-p’i-lá? Tea or Pcoffee?
eka\ ^la;' Tea or coffee? [noun]-ăcı́ [noun][noun]
-AÂk^;-ăcı́ [noun]
the older [noun],
-AÂk^the
; th
lk\Pk\ r v\ l a;"
Lăp ’ eq-ye-lá? lk\ Pk\rv\la;" larger [noun] l
d^m˙ala;' A´d^m˙ala;" É h- Here
Di-hma-lá? d^m˙aor
la;'there?
A´d^m˙ala;" Here or there? [noun]-ăngeh [noun][noun] [noun]-Acy\
-Acy\-ăngehthe younger [noun], th
di-hma-lá? the smaller [noun] t
ons, daughters”.
Thá-dwe The suffix
thă mı́-dwe “sons,-de daughters”.
(sometimes The suffix -de (sometimes [noun]-ălaq [noun][noun] [noun][noun]
-Alt\-ălaq the middle -Alt\(not th
pronounced
attached to a noun-dwe marks ) attached
it as plural: to a noun marks it as plural: practised on tape) p
nd” meiq-s
meiq-s ’ ’
we “friend”
we-de “friends” meiq-s’we-de “friends”
elope” sa-eiq sa-eiq-de “envelope” “envelopes” sa-eiq-de “envelopes” Notes Notes
” éh-da-de “that”
éh-da “those things” éh-da-de “those things” Beh-ăyweh shı́-bi-léh? “What age is he/she?”
Beh-ăyweh shı́-bi-léh? When
“Whataskingage is about
he/she?
e doesNote not that use -de/ - dw e in
Burmese doesall the not contexts
use -de/- dw e in all the contexts children, people more often children,
use beh-ăyw
people more oftensize”
eh “what use beh-ăyw
than
s a plural;
where e.g.
English
whereuses English
a plural;
uses e.g. “any”
where
or English uses “any” or ăt heq beh-lauq “how old”. ăt heqCompare
beh-lauqĂ“how old”. Compare
t heq beh-lauq sh ı́-bi- Ă
“some”: léh? “How old are you/is s/he?”
léh? “How inold
10.6.
are you/is s/he?” in 10.6.
Sa-eiq “Doshı́-lá?
you have any envelopes?” “Do you have any envelopes?” Thá-gá shiq-hniq, thă mı́-gá c ’auq-hniq
Thá-gá shiq-hniq,
shı́-bi
thă“My son
mı́-gá is 8 and my
c ’auq-hniq shı́-bi
meseAnd has awhere number theand Burmese
a countword:
has a number and a countword: daughter is 6.” Notice daughter the contrastive
is 6.” suffix
Notice-káthe
/- gacontrastive
´ : see the
-ba. “Give
P ’ălin me two
hnăleiq rolls of film.”
pé-ba. “Give me two rolls of film.” note in 10.5. Adding the
note
suffix
in 10.5.
produces
Adding
an effect
the suffix
similar
produce
to
haven’t
M ă s h ı́ -any
d h é -yet.”
b a - b ú For
“I haven’t any
- t h é /- d h e´ with
yet.”
a For - t h é /- d h e´ with a “my son on the one hand“my…son
andonmy thedaughter
one hand on…the
and
other
my d
ning “not
negated yet” verb
compare meaning
the examples
“not yet”incompare9.4, the examples in 9.4, …”, but not so strong. …”, but not so strong.
11.3, 12.1.
REVIEW FOR UNIT 12:REVIEW
ASKING FOR
ABOUT
UNITFAMILY
12: ASKING ABOUT
E THE
12.3.CHILDREN?
HOW OLD ARE THE CHILDREN? Review dialogues are recorded
Review in
dialogues
the Review
are recorded
Section, on
in Tape
the Revie
4
Side B. Side B.
kel; KBy\ ’ălé A R∑y\
beh-ăyweh How kel; old is
By\yourAR∑y\ How old is your
r˙i®p^l´" shı́-bi-léh? child?
r˙i®p^l´" child? Scene: The platform of the Scene:
Shwedagon The platform
Pagoda. ofImagine
the Shwedagonthat a foreign
Pagoda.
e®Kak\NC˙s’\ auq-hniq
r˙i®p^" She is six.
shı́-bi. e®Kak\ N˙s\ r˙i®p^" She is six. visitor, a man in his 40s named
visitor, Roland, a man in hashisfound
40s named
a seat in Roland,
a shady
has f
child
or, for more than one child spot. There’s a Burmese spot. lady of There’s
about athe Burmese
same age lady there
of about
already,
the s
kel;et∑
K ’ălé-de beh- How old are your
kel;et∑ How old are your whose name is Daw Aye Aye whose Shwe, name andisthey
Dawget Ayetalking.
Aye Shwe, This and
dialogue
they ge
By\AR∑ăyweh-de l´" children?
y\et∑ r˙i®p^shı́- By\AR∑y\et∑ r˙i®p^l´" children? is a part of their conversation.
is a part of their conversation.
bi-léh?
S1 E in-daun shı́- AimS1 \eTac\ r˙iqla;shı́- AreAiyou
E in-daun m\eTac\ married
r˙iqla;
qa;k Thá-gá
r˙s\N˙s\' qm^ ;k Myqa;kson isr˙eight,
s\N˙s\' qm^ and;k My son is eight, and dhălá, Ro-lan? Roland "
dhălá, Ro-lan? Roland
Roland? "
shiq-hniq,
e®Kak\Nthă i®p^" c ’auq- mye®Kak\
˙s\ r˙mı́-gá daughter
N˙s\ r˙i®pîs" six. my daughter is six. S2 Măshı́-ba-bú. mr˙S2
;" No. mr˙ipåB¨;"
hniq shı́-bi. Lu-byo-jı́-ba. l¨ p ¥oi Â k^ ; på"
Lu-byo-jı́-ba. I’mlän old
p¥oiÂk^ ;på"
qmôr;AÂk^ 14-N˙s\" Myqm^
;kmı́-ăcı́-gá
Thă older
;AÂk^daughter
;k 14-N˙s\" My older daughter bachelor.
qm^;Acy\ k 10-N˙s\
s ’ éh-lé-hniq, is 14,
qmând my
;Acy\ k 10-N˙s\ is 14, and my S1 H a ha. ha S1 H a ha.
ha" Haha ha. ha"
r˙i®p^" thă mı́-ăngeh-gá younger
r˙i®p^" daughter younger daughter Bă ma săgá bmaska; Bă ma e®pata
săgá You speak e®pata
bmaska;
s ’ eh-hniq shı́-bi. is 10. is 10. pyáw-da theiq qip\ ekac\ ;påty\
pyáw-da theiq Burmeseqip\ ekac\ very well
;påty\
New words kaún-ba-deh r˙ c "
\ kaún-ba-deh (+ polite
r˙ c "
\ tag)
AR∑y\ ăyweh size; age
AR∑y(of
\ children) size; age (of children) Shin Shin
Burmese
family
12: Asking about
125 fa
S2 ;tc\
ek¥;z¨ påty\
Cé-zú " Thank
;tc\påty\" Thank you. S1 Thă mı́-gá ein- qm^S1;k Thă \eTac\ ein- The
Aimmı́-gá daughter
qm^ hasn’t
;k Aim\eTac\
qip\ Theiq măpyáw- I can’t qip\ say much I can’t say much daun măcá-dhé- mk¥eq;påB¨ ; "
daun măcá-dhé- got married
mk¥eq;påB¨ yet.
;"
me®patt\ eq;påB¨;"
me®patt\eq;påB¨;" yet. ba-bú. ba-bú.
Daw É É Shwe- How about you?
edÅeA;eA;eRW e ka' edÅeA;eA;eRW eka' How about you?
Aim\eTac\
gáw? E in-daun Are
r˙iqla;" Aiyou married?
m\eTac\ r˙iqla;" Are you married? UNIT 12 EXTENSION. UNIT 12 EXTENSION.
shı́-dhălá? PARENTS, BROTHERSPARENTS,
AND SISTERS
BROTHERS AND SISTERS
huS1
t\kH
´.' r˙ouq-kéh.
ipåty\" Shı́- Yes
huIt
am.
\k´.' r˙ipåty\" Yes I am.
ba-deh. The following words and The phrases
following are not
words
practised
and phrases
on theare tape.
not p
S2 KBy\
kel; ˙s\eyak\ How
’ălé Nbeh- many
kel; children
By\ N˙s\eyak\ How many children They are noted here for reference.
They are noted here for reference.
r˙iql´"hnăyauq shı́- dor˙you
i l´have.
q " do you have. S1 Ă p ’ e-ă me shı́- S1 Ă p ’ e-ă
AePAem me shı́- Are
r˙ieq;qla;" your parents
AePAem r˙ieq;qla;"
dhăléh? dhé-dhălá? dhé-dhălá? still alive? (see
quM;S1
eyak\ r˙ipåty\" shı́- I have
Thoún-yauq three.r˙ipåty\"
quM;eyak\ I have three. note)
ba-deh. S2 H ouq-kéh. Shı́- huS2
t\kH r˙ipåty\" Shı́- Yes,
´." ouq-kéh. hutthey
\k´." are.
r˙ipåty\"
quM;S2
eyak\ la;"
Thoún-yauq-lá? Did
quyou saylthree?
M;eyak\ a;" Did you say three? ba-deh. ba-deh.
huS1t\kH´." ouq-kéh.
quM;eyak\" Yeshuthree.
t\k´." quM;eyak\" Yes three. or Ă me shı́-ba-deh. or r˙Ăipme
Aem " AeP MyAem
åty\shı́-ba-deh. mother is. "My
r˙ipåty\ AeP
qa; N˙sThoún-yauq.
\eyak\' qm^; Twoqa;sons
N˙s\eand
yak\one
' qm^; Two sons and one Ă p ’ e s ’oún- SuM;q∑a;på®p^
Ă p ’ e" s ’oún- father
SuM;q∑has died.
a;på®p^ "
ts\eyak\ Thá" hnăyauq, daughter.
ts\eyak\" daughter. dhwá-ba-bi. dhwá-ba-bi.
thă mı́ tăyauq. or Măshı́-dáw-ba- mr˙or
ieta.Măshı́-dáw-ba-
påB¨;" No.
mr˙ieta.påB¨;"
By\S2 Beh-ăyweh-de
AR∑ y \et∑ r˙i®p^l´" How By\big AR∑arey\et∑ they? r˙i®p^l´" How big are they? bú. SuM;q∑a;på®p^
bú. " They have
SuM;q∑ a;på®p^died.
"
shı́-bi-léh? S ’oún-dhwá-ba- S ’oún-dhwá-ba-
S1 Thá-ăcı́-gá
qa;AÂk^ ;k 24-N˙s\" The older son
qa;AÂk^ is 24.s\"
;k 24-N˙ The older son is 24. bi. bi.
qa;Acy\ k 22-N˙ s"
\
hnăs ’ éh-lé-hniq. The younger
qa;Acy\ k son
22-N˙ iss\" The younger son is S1 Nyi-ăko maun- S1kuieNyi-ăko
vÂ mac\N˙m maun- Dov^you Akuhave iemac\Nany
˙m
qm^;k Thá-ăngeh-gá
19-N˙s\ r˙i®p^" 22.qm^;k 19-N˙s\ r˙i®p^" 22. hnă má shı́- r˙iqla;" hnă má shı́- brothers
r˙iqla;"and
hnăs ’ éh- The daughter is 19. The daughter is 19. dhălá? dhălá? sisters?
hnăhniq. S2 H ouq-kéh. Shı́- huS2
t\kH r˙ipåty\" Shı́- Yes,
´." ouq-kéh. hutI have.
\k´." r˙ipåty\"
Thă mı́-gá s ’ éh- ba-deh. ba-deh.
kó-hniq shı́-bi. S1 Beh-hnăyauq shı́- S1N˙sBeh-hnăyauq
By\ \eyak\ r˙iql´"shı́- How
By\many do you
N˙s\eyak\ r˙iql´"
AimS2
\eTac\ k¥®p^la;"
E in-daun cá-bi- Have
Aim\ethey
Tac\ got k¥®p^la;" Have they got dhăléh? dhăléh? have?
lá? married yet? married yet? S2 Ă ko tăyauq, ă má S2 Ă ko tăyauq, ă máI have
Aku i ts\ e yak\ Akui an ts\older
eyak\
huS1
t\kH ouq-kéh.;kThá-Yes.
´.' qa;AÂk^ hutMy \k´.'older
qa;AÂk^ son;k Yes. My older son tăyauq-néh nyi- eyak\n´≥ v^mnyi- brother,
Amts\tăyauq-néh Amts\an older
eyak\ n´≥ v^m
Aim\eTac\ ăcı́-gá ein-daun is married.
k¥®p^ " Ai m e
\ Tac\ k¥®p^ " is married. má hnăyauq N˙s\eyak\ r˙ p
i åty\
má hnăyauq " sister and two
N˙ s e
\ yak\ r˙ p
i åty\ "
Acy\kcá-bi. Ă ngeh- The
Aim\eTac\ younger
Acy\ k Aimone \eTac\ is The younger one is shı́-ba-deh. shı́-ba-deh. younger sisters.
mr˙ieta.gá påBëin-daun
;" notmr˙
married
ieta.påBäny ;" not married any S1 points to her companionS1 points to her companion
k∑´q∑a;på®p^ "
măshı́-dáw-ba- more.
k∑ q
´ a
∑ ;på®p^ " more. S1 Da-gá că má ăko- dåk
S1 k¥m Akucăipå"
Da-gá This
má ăko- dåkis my
k¥mbrother.
Akuipå"
bú. K wéh- He is divorced. He is divorced. ba. ba.
dhwá-ba-bi. S2 A w. Twé-yá-da S2" et∑
eAa\ Twé-yá-da Oh.
A w.>rta I am
eAa\ happy
" et∑ >rta to
S2" qm^
eAa\ A w.;eka" Thă mı́-gáw? Oh. How
eAa\ " qmâbout
;eka"the Oh. How about the wún-tha-ba-deh. wm\;qapåty\ "
wún-tha-ba-deh. have
wm\;met you. "
qapåty\
daughter? daughter?
Burmese
127
Words for siblings APPENDIX 1 APPENDIX 1

Akui ăko older brother
Akui older brother OUTLINE DESCRIPTION
OUTLINE
OF THE
DESCRIPTION
SOUNDS OF BURMESE
OF THE SOU
Am ă má older sister
Am older sister
mac\ maun youngeremac\
brother (of younger brother (of BBE is a tape-based course,
BBE sois ayou
tape-based
will receive
course,
all the
so you
listening
will re
woman) woman) and pronunciation training
and you
pronunciation
need as you training
work through
you needthe as y
v^ nyi younger brother
v^ (of man)younger brother (of man) lessons. Written descriptions
lessons.areWritten
no substitute
descriptions
for hearing
are noand
subs
v^m nyi-má youngerv^ sister
m (see note)younger sister (see note) imitating. The purpose imitating.
of the notesThe
below
purpose
is simply
of thetonotes
provide
below
m hnă má younger sister (see note)younger sister (see note)
N˙ m an overview of the sound
ansystem
overview
of Burmese.
of the sound system of Burmes
vÂkuiemac\ N˙m or maun-
nyi-ăko brothersvând iemac\N˙m or brothers and sisters
Akusisters
just emac\hnă
N˙m má or just just emac\N˙m The following notes are Theadapted
following
from “The
notessounds
are adapted
of Burmese”,
from “The
maun-hnă má which appeared as Appendix which 1appeared
in my longer
as Appendix
course Burmese:
1 in my anlong
introduction to the spoken introduction
language (published
to the spoken
by Northern
language (published
Illinois
Notes University, 1994) University, 1994). .
ăl áĂ?p ’“Are
e-ă m eyour parents
sh ı́-dhé -dhălstill
á ? “Are
alive?”
your The
parents still alive?” The
nveyssuffix the meaning
-t hé /- dhe´“still”.
conveys Compare
the meaning
these “still”. Compare these The parts of the syllableThe parts of the syllable
two sentences: For describing the soundsFor
ofdescribing
Burmese, itthe
is sounds
helpful of
to Burmese,
think of the
it is
B%\tBan-daiq-hma
uik\m˙a Alup\ Is he
B%\working at the
tuik\m˙a Alu p\ Is he working at the syllable as being made upsyllable
of twoas
parts:
being made up of two parts:
ălouq louq-ne- bank?
lup\enqla;" lu p e
\ nqla;" bank?
dhălá? 1. the “head”, which is a1.consonant
the “head”, (like
which is aa consonant
m-) or consonant with (like m-)
B%\tBan-daiq-hma
uik\m˙a Alup\ Is he
B%\ tuikworking
still \m˙a Alup\ Is he still working a second consonant (likeamy- )
second consonant (like my-)
lup\eneq;qla;"
ălouq louq-ne- at the
lu p e
\ bank?
neq;qla;" at the bank? 2. the “rhyme”, which is2. a vowel
the “rhyme”,
(like -a )which is a vowel
or a vowel with (like
a final
-a ) or
e´ -dhălá?
d h é consonant (like -an ) consonant (like -an )
heyM are noálonger
ă s h ı́-d living.”.
w -b a -b ú “They are Forno thelonger
suffixliving.”. For the suffix In addition, every syllable
In addition,
has a “tone”, everymarked
syllable(inhasthis a “tone”,
tran- m
gated-táw/-dáw
verb see 5.6, with6.3, a negated
11.1, 11.3. verb see 5.6, 6.3, 11.1, 11.3. scription) by an accent (as
scription)
in -á ): see
bythe
an heading
accent (as in -á ): see
“Tones” below.
the hea
“younger
N y i -m á sister”.
and h n ăIn m áearlier
“younger timessister”.
n y i - m á In earlier times n y i - m á
unger referred
sister of to a woman,
the younger and sister
hnă m áoftoa the
woman, and hnă m á to the So the word pyoún “to smile”
So theisword
madepyoún
up of“to
– smile” is made up of
man.younger
In contemporary
sister of a Burmese,
man. In contemporary
however, Burmese, however, the head py- the head py-
sed, and
h n ă mn á is árarely
y i -m is used used, forand
the nyounger
y i -m á is used for the younger the rhyme oun the rhyme oun
and women.
sisters of both men and women. the tone ´ the tone ´
“brothers
Nyi-ăko and sisters”.
m aun-hnă m á Another
“brotherswordand sisters”.
you Another word you All syllables have a vowel
Alland
syllables
a tone,have
but anot
vowel
every
and
syllable
a tone,has
but n
may which
n , a term hear isincludes
t há -jı́n , a
the
termspeaker
whichand includes the speaker and a head. For example, the a syllable
head. For example,
aún the syllable
has the rhyme aun and
aúnthe
has t
nd sisters;
his/her so Thá-jı́n
brothersthoún-yauq
and sisters; so Thá-jı́n thoún-yauq shı́-ba-deh
shı́-ba-deh tone ´-, but no head. tone ´-, but no head.
re arewould
three of mean
us all“There
told” are (e.g.three
the speaker
of us all told” (e.g. the speaker
and two others). Remember that there isRemember
no standard thatmethod
there isofnorepresenting
standard me
wordsForforarelatives
fuller list see
ofthe words
Topical
for relatives
Vocabu- see the Topical Vocabu- Burmese sounds in the roman
Burmese alphabet:
sounds the
in the
examples
roman below
alphabet:
are th
lary for kin terms. presented in the system presented
used in thisinbooklet,
the system
but used
otherinbooks
this bookle
and
r toDa-gá
a person.
“this”For cansuffix
refer -gá/
to a person.
- ka´ see Lesson
For suffix -gá/- ka´ see Lesson courses use a variety of different
courses use
conventions.
a variety of different convention
10.5.
Burmese
128 By Ear Burmese By Ear Appendix 1 Sounds Appendix 1 Sounds
129
Heads s’ S same as s but saspirated:

’ S samesee under
as s but
Aspirates
aspirated:
below
see un
ption roman script description sh y˙/r˙ as in English shore
sh y˙/r˙ as in English shore
glish bore
b b as in English bore t t as in French tort:
t see
tunderas in
Aspirates
French tort:
belowsee under As
lian ciao,
c ork¥ ’cello;as
something
in Italian ciao,
like ch
orin
’cello; something like ch in t’ T as in English tore:
t’ see
T under
as inAspirates
English tore:
belowsee under A
sh chore, but made withEnglish
thechore,
flat ofbut
themade with the flat of the th q as in English thaw
th (not
q English
as in English
though)thaw (not English
ue (not the tip) againsttongue
the palate;
(not theand
tip)made
against the palate; and made w w as in English war;
w and
w seeasunder
in English
Medial
war;
consonants
and see und
out aspiration: see under
withoutAspirates
aspiration:
belowsee under Aspirates below below below
c but caspirated:
’ K¥ same
see under
as c but
Aspirates
aspirated:
belowsee under Aspirates below y y as in English your;
y and
y see as under
in English
Medial
your;consonants
and see und
below below
glish door
d d as in English door z z as in English zone
z z as in English zone
n English
dh this,[q˙]there
like
(not
th in
th English
in English this,thin,
there (not th in English thin,
thigh) 1. Aspirate consonants 1. Aspirate consonants
glish gore
g g as in English gore Burmese has two sets of Burmese
corresponding
has twopairs
setsof
ofconsonants.
correspondin
glish hoar
h h as in English hoar Those in the first set are:Those in the first set are:
l but aspirated:
hl l˙ see sameunder
as l but
Aspirates
aspirated:
below see under Aspirates below Roman Roman Script
m buthm aspirated:
m˙ same
see under
as m but
Aspirates
aspirated:below see under Aspirates below k’ t’ p’ c’ s’ k’ t’ K p’ T c’ P s’ K¥ S K T
n buthn aspirated:
N˙ same
see under
as n but
Aspirates
aspirated:below see under Aspirates below k t p c s k t k p t c p s k¥ sk t
ng buthng aspirated:
c˙ same
see under
as ng but
Aspirates
aspirated:below see under Aspirates below
ny buthnyaspirated:
V˙ same see under
as ny but
Aspirates
aspirated:belowsee under Aspirates below Those on the first line are Those
knownon the as “aspirate”
first line are consonants,
known as and “aspir
w buthw aspirated:
w˙ same
see under
as w but
Aspirates
aspirated:belowsee under Aspirates below those on the second are those known onas the the second
corresponding
are known “plain”
as the or corr
n Italian
j Giorgio;
g¥ something
like gi in Italian
like j Giorgio;
in English something like j in English “unaspirated” consonants. “unaspirated”
The difference consonants.
between The the twodifference
sets
ut made with the flat jaw,ofbut
themade
tongue with
(not the
theflat of the tongue (not the is that the aspirate consonants
is that thehave aspirate a short consonants
puff of breath have a
gainst the palate tip) against the palate expelled after the consonant expelled
is pronounced
after the consonantand before is the
pronounced
vowel
French k corps:k seelikeunder
c inAspirates
French corps: below see under Aspirates below begins; while after a plain begins;
consonant
while there after aisplain
no audible
consonant breath: there
Englishk ’ core:
K seelike
under
c inAspirates
English core:below see under Aspirates below the vowel begins immediately the vowel the begins consonant
immediately has been the c
glish law
l l as in English law pronounced. pronounced.
glish more
m m as in English more Put this way, this distinction
Put this may way, soundthis distinction
unfamiliar, may but so
glish nor;
n see
n alsoasunder
in English
Final nor;
consonants
see also under Final consonants you have probably heard youexamples
have probably of bothheard aspirate examples
and plain of bo
w below consonants, perhaps without consonants,
being awareperhaps of thewithout
difference.
being awareMost o
n English
ng long c oarlike ng in English long oar speakers of English use aspirate
speakersconsonants
of English in usewords
aspirate likeconsonants
kill, till,
n Italian
ny gnocchi;
v like something
gn in Italian
like nignocchi;
in Englishsomething like ni in English pill. To a Burmese ear these pill. words
To a Burmese
sound like earkthese words
’ill, t ’ill, p ’ill. sound
Plain li
, but made with thesenior, flat ofbut
themade
tongue with (notthethe
flat of the tongue (not the consonants on the other consonants
hand are used on the inother
French handandare Italian:
used in
gainst the palate tip) against the palate think of French words like thinkcasse,
of French
tasse, passe.wordsFrenchlike casse, and tasse,
Italian pass
nch port:
p see
p underas in
Aspirates
French port:
belowsee under Aspirates below speakers (and Indians speakersand Pakistanis(and Indians even more and noticeably)
Pakistanis ev
glish pore:
p’ see
P underas inAspirates
English pore:
belowsee under Aspirates below often use these plain consonants
often use these when plain they speak
consonants English when – a th
top: see
q under [t\] Final
glottal
consonants
stop: see below
under Final consonants below habit that contributes tohabit makingthattheir
contributes
Englishto soundmaking “foreign.”
their Eng
glish raw
r (mostly
r asused
in English
in foreign
raw loan
(mostlywords)
used in foreign loan words) They say kill, till, pill instead
Theyof sayk ’ill,
kill,t ’ill, ’ill. instead
till,ppill Burmese ofuses
k ’ill, both
t ’ill, p ’il
glish soar:
s see
s underas inAspirates
English soar:
belowsee under Aspirates below sets and gives equal status sets to
andeach,
gives so equal
pá and status to each,
p ’ á (for example) so pá a
Burmese
131
ds:are
pá means
two different
“cheek”words:
and p ’pá
á means
means“frog”.
“cheek” and p ’á means “frog”. e eA e like é in French
eA élève like é in Fre
the
Careful
tapes listening
will help toyou
therecognize
tapes willand
help you recognize and e in eh Ay\ e in eh like e in English Ay\ sell like e in En
ts differently.
pronounce the two sets differently. e in eq Ak\ e in eq like e in English Ak\ set like e in En
ei in eiq and ein Ainin\ eiq like
Ait\' ei andaein in English late
Ait\' Ai n\ and like
lane a in En
andThe
plain
paired
consonants
aspirateinand
the plain
secondconsonants
set are in the second set are i A^ i like i in English
A^ ravine like i in En
these: i in iq and in i in
As\' A√\ /Ac\iq and
like
in i in English sit /and
As\' A√\ Ac\ sin
like i in En
Roman Script Script aw eAa\ aw like aw in English
eAa\ saw like aw in E
hw hng hnc˙ hm hny
N˙ m˙hl hwV˙ l˙ c˙ w˙ N˙ m˙ V˙ l˙ w˙ o Aui o like eau in French
Aui peau like eau in F
w ng nc m nny ml wv lc w n m v l w ou in ouq & oun Aunin
Aut\' ou \ ouqlike
& oun
o in English tote
Aut\' Au n\ andlike
toneo in En
are
Those
sometimes
on the called
first line
breathed
are sometimes
or voiceless
called breathed or voiceless u A¨ u like u in English
A¨ Susan like u in En
e pronounced
consonants. likeTheytheare
plain
pronounced
set, but with
like the plain set, but with u in uq and un A∑t\' uA∑in
n\ uq and like un
oo in English
A∑t\' A∑foot
n\ andlikefulloo in E
y through
breath expelled
the nosequietly
(through
through
the mouth
the nose
for (through the mouth for
begins.
hl hw ) before voicing begins. Final consonants Final consonants
-n -c\ -√\ -n\ -m\ represents
-n -c\ nasalization,
-√\ -n\ -m\ represents nasalizatio
hmm hm
in “Hmm
is like – English
let me see”
hmm in “Hmm – let me see” as in French un, bon, vin,as Jean
in French un, bon, v
in is
hl Llandudno
like Welsh ll in Llandudno -q -k\ -s\ -t\ -p\ represents
-q -k\a -s\
glottal
-t\ stop,
-p\ represents a glottal sto
wh hw
in “breathy”
is like English
pronunciations
wh in “breathy”
of what, pronunciations of what, as in “Cockney” Englishas “The
in “Cockney”
ca’ sa’ on theEnglish
ma’ ,” “The ca’
where, etc. where, etc. or (in our transcription) “The
or (incaq
oursaq
transcription)
on the maq.” “The caq
Note that neither -n norNote
-q arethat
very
neither
satisfactory
-n nor symbols
-q are very forsatisfa
the
onants
The remaining
in this set consonants
– hng, hn, in this
hny set – hng, hn, hny – are
– are Burmese sounds they are Burmese
used tosounds
represent,
theybecause
are used they
to represen
stand
e mechanism
produced by
as hm.
the same mechanism as hm. for quite different soundsforinquite
English.
different
Don’t sounds
let themin English.
deceive youDon’t
into saying “Win” wheninto yousaying
should “Win”
be saying
whenWyou should
ı́n , or be sa
“Chick”
2. Medial consonants when you should be saying when you
C ’iq . should be saying C ’iq .
ts may beSome
followed
consonants
by a “medial”
may be followed
conso- by a “medial” conso-
nant: y or w ; e.g.: Tones Tones
an-myan quickly
y in myan-myan
®mn\®mn\ quickly ®mn\®mn\ Tones are marked in theTones
transcription
are marked
usedinhere
the transcription
by accents (oruse
wé-né birthday
w in mwé-né
em∑;en≥ birthday em∑;en≥ absence of accent) placed
absence
over the
of accent)
vowel. placed
They are
over
illustrated
the vowel.
here with the vowel a. here with the vowel a.
Rhymes
and (for
-n see
descriptions
the note onofFinal
-q and
consonants
-n see thebelow)
note on Final consonants below) a Aa low pitch, called
a “low”
Aa tone
low pitch, called “low” tone
(marked here by having (marked
no printed
here
accent)
by having no
ipt roman description script description á Aa; high pitch á Aa; high pitch
] ă like a in English
[A] about like a in English about spoken with normal or relaxed
spokenthroat:
with normal or rela
a like a in English
Aa car, like a in English car, “plain high tone” “plain high tone”
but closer to a in French butcar closer to a in French car á Aa. high pitch spoken
á with
Aa. ahigh
tightened
pitch spoken
throat: with a tighten
in aq and
t\' aAn\ like an
a in English cat and can
At\' An\ like a in English cat and can “creaky high tone” “creaky high tone”
Auicin\ aiq like
k\' ai andiain
in English
Auik\' site
Auic\ and sine
like i in English site and sine
ak\au in auq
' eAac\ like
& aun
ou in English
eAak\' lout
eAac\and
like
lounge
ou in English lout and lounge
Burmese
133
kinds
There
of syllable
are twoin
other
Burmese.
kinds of
Though
syllable
they
in Burmese. Though they thoún + t ’aun thoún + –
thoún-daun not thoún-t
t ’aun ’aun
thoún-daun
: – not thou
thedon’t
three-way
have acontrast
place injust
the described,
three-way they
contrast just described, they because t ’ is “voiced” to because
d. t ’ is “v
mpleteness.
are listed here for completeness. three + thousand three
three + thousand three thousand
thousand
Not all consonants can be Not
voiced.
all consonants
The voiceable can beconsonants,
voiced. The and
voice
followed
aq by ahigh
At\ glottal
pitch,
stop,
followed by a glottal stop,
their voiced counterparts,their
are voiced
the following:
counterparts, are the following
d a “stopped” syllable
called
(may
a “stopped”
be pronouncedsyllable (may be pronounced this row: k c t thiss row:p k th c t s p
low pitch when followed
with lowby pitch
a highwhen
tone)followed by a high tone) and this: k ’ c’ t ’ and s ’this:p ’ k ’ c’ t’ s’ p’
only
ă on[A]
the vowel
low pitch,
ă. Aonly
syllable
on thewith
vowel
the ă. A syllable with the
voice to: g j d voice z to:b g dh j d z b
el ă is called a “weak”
vowel ăsyllable,
is calledor a a “weak” syllable, or a
uced” or “unstressed”“reduced”
syllable.or It
“unstressed”
may be syllable. It may be There is one exception There
to the is voicing
one exception
rule: it does
to the notvoicing
operate rule
ounced with highpronounced
pitch if sandwiched
with high pitch if sandwiched when the first syllable ends
when in the first syllable ends in -q : e.g.
-q : e.g.
een two high tones.between two high tones. shiq + s ’ eh shiq-s
shiq ’ eh –+nots ’ ehshiq-zeh : shiq-s ’ eh – not shiq-ze
voicing is suspended after voicing
-q . is susp
es Schematically,
can be arrangedthe
like
tones
this:can be arranged like this: eight + ten eight + ten
eighty eighty
creaky stoppedplain weak
creaky stopped weak And consonants that are And
notconsonants
in the “voiceable” that are list
notremain
in the “voice
un-
changed anyway; e.g. changed anyway; e.g.
á high aq
Aa./A pitch á Aa; á—Aa./A
At\ aq At\ — lé + ya lé- no change
lé-ya + ya lé-ya- no change
— low pitch — a Aa ă [A]— — ă [A] because y is not voiceable.
because y is no
four + ten forty
four + ten forty
ngá-main -+ no change ngá-main- no change
oodIt that
should
“low bepitch”
understood
and “high
that pitch”
“low pitch”
are and “high pitch” are ngá + main ngá main
relative terms: because m is not voiceable.
because m is n
ns lower"low"
than neighbouring
means lower
highs,than
andneighbouring highs, and five + mile five miles+ mile
five five miles
ns higher"high"
than neighbouring
means higher
lows.than neighbouring lows.
n isolation
A syllable can’t
spoken
readily
in isolation
be identified
can’tasreadily be identified as Further examples: Further examples:
lowhaving
pitch either
(thoughhigh
it may
or low
be pitch
distinguished
(though it may be distinguished pu + teh pu + (not
pu-deh teh pu-teh ) pu-deh (not pu-teh )
n pitch,
by features
namely other
creakiness,
than pitch,
glottal
namely
stop, creakiness,
or glottal stop, or t is voiced to d (see 1.3) t is voiced to d
weak vowel). be hot + suffix it isbehothot + suffix it is hot
t ’ain + pa t ’ain-ba (not
t ’ain + pa t ’ain-pa ) t ’ain-ba (not t ’ain-pa )
p is voiced to b (see 2.6) p is voiced to b
*** *** sit + suffix sit +sit
please suffix
down please sit down
ombination:Syllables
voicing and
in combination:
weakening voicing and weakening
á + thălá á-dhălá (not á-thălá )
á + thălá á-dhălá (not á-thălá )
th is voiced to dh (see 1.8)
th is voiced to d
1. Voicing
be free + suffix arebe
youfree + suffix
free? are you free?
areWhen
joinedtwo
together
syllablesto form
are joined
a compound
together to form a compound
ngá + caq ngá +(not
ngá-jaq caqngá-caq ) ngá-jaq (not ngá-caq )
a word,
changethere
in the is second
often a syllable:
change initsthe
firstsecond syllable: its first
c is voiced to j (see 1.11) c is voiced to j (
, e.g.
consonant is “voiced”, e.g.
five + kyat five
five + kyat
kyats five kyats
lé – not
lé-zeh + slé-s
’ eh’ eh : lé-zeh – not lé-s ’ eh :
thoún + k ’weq thoún + k(not
thoún-gweq ’ weq ’weq
thoún-k )
thoún-gweq (not thou
because s ’ is “voiced” to because
z. s ’ is “voiced” to z .
k ’ is voiced to g (see 1.14)k ’ is voiced to g
four + ten
forty forty
three + cup three
three cups + cup three cups
Burmese
135
t ’án “palm” tweakens

’án “palm” in: t ’ăleq “palmweakens
frond” in: t ’ăleq
2. Weakening but not in: butbud”
t ’án-bú “palm not in: t ’án-bú “palm bud”
s ’an “hair” sweakens
’an “hair” in: s ’ăzú “switch
weakens
of hair”
in: s ’ăzú
ed You
fromwillthe have
tapes learned
that whenfrom
youthejoin
tapes
thethat when you join the but not in: but not in:
s ’an-zá “hairline” s ’an-zá “hairline”
“awords
hundred”for “one”
to make and“one
“a hundred”
hundred”,tothemake “one hundred”, the And in some words, oneAndspeaker
in some will
words,
use aone
weakened
speakerform
will u
is first
“weakened”:
of the two words is “weakened”: where another would use
where
the full
another
form. would use the full form.
tăyatiq(not+ tiq-ya
ya ) tăya (not tiq-ya )
one one + hundred one hundred
hundred
akened,
When its a syllable
rhyme is is replaced
weakened,by its
therhyme
vowelis replaced by the vowel
-ă .
gularly
Weakening
with tiq,occurs
hniq, regularly
k ’ un-hniq with
(“one,tiq,
two,
hniq, k ’ un-hniq (“one, two,
e joined
seven”)
to awhen
following
they are
word;joined
e.g.to a following word; e.g.
weq hnăk ’weq (not
hniq + khniq-k
’weq ’weq )
hnăk ’weq (not hniq-k ’weq )
ass two glasses + glass two glasses
two
q k ’ un-hniq(not
k ’ un-năcaq + caq )
k ’ un-năcaq
k ’ un-hniq-caq (not k ’ un-hniq-caq )
yat sevenseven kyat + kyat seven kyat
rs regularly
Weakening in also
combinations
occurs regularly
in which in -m
combinations
eh in which -m eh
d by
or -lá or -léh ;ise.g.
-teh/-deh followed by -lá or -léh ; e.g.
+ lá thwá-mălá+ lá
thwá-meh thwá-mălá
(not thwá-meh-lá) (not thwá-meh-lá)
you ’ll
+ question go W illy ou go?
+ question W illy ou go?
+ léh ba lo-jin-dhăléh
ba + lo-jin-deh + léh ba lo-jin-dhăléh
(not ba lo-jin-deh-léh) (not ba lo-jin-deh-léh)
+ question
what + What
you do
wan t you
+ question
want? What do you want?
xtra change here
Note from
thedextra
to dhchange
. here from d to dh .
extsInweakening
most otheroccurs
contexts sporadically
weakeningand occurs sporadically and
unpredictably; e.g.
n: ngá “fish”
ngăgin “grilled
weakens
fish”in: ngăgin “grilled fish”
“smoked
ngá-caq-tin but not in:fish” ngá-caq-tin “smoked fish”
weakens
thu “person”
in: thăk ’ó “thief”
weakens in: thăk ’ó “thief”
but not in:
thu-na “invalid” thu-na “invalid”
weakens
thá “child”in: thăú “firstborn”
weakens in: thăú “firstborn”
but not in:
thá-laún “embryo” thá-laún “embryo”
Burmese
136 By Ear Burmese By Ear Appendix 2 Script Appendix 2 Script
137
APPENDIX 2 APPENDIX 2 syllable = headsyllable = + rhyme

head +
CRIPTION
OUTINE
OF BURMESE
DESCRIPTION
SCRIPT OF BURMESE SCRIPT [initial consonant, or initial [initial
[single
consonant,
vowel, or
orvowel
initial
and second consonant] and
withsecond
final consonant]
consonant]
Contents FEE = F FEE = + EE
F +
ure: heads
1. Syllable
and rhymes
structure: heads and rhymes FILL = F FILL = + ILL
F +
writing2.heads
Characters for writing heads FRILL = FR FRILL = + ILL
FR +
writing3.rhymes
Characters for writing rhymes FLEE = FL FLEE = + EE
FL +
ers 4. Other characters
5. Irregularities 1.1. Heads 1.1. Heads
ng 6. Further reading In Burmese script the head
In Burmese
of a syllable
script
maythebehead
either
of a syllable may
• an “initial consonant”;•for
anexample,
“initial consonant”;
the consonants for example, the co
Introduction written: p lwritten:n pq l n
pronounced: p- l-pronounced:
n- p-
th- l- n-
for reading
A fulland
tutorial
writingforBurmese
reading script
and writing Burmese script or or
r this
would
booklet.
be tooWhat
longyou
for this
will booklet.
find below
What
is you will find below is • an initial consonant combined
• an initial
with
consonant
a secondcombined
consonant,with a seco
t explains
simply anhowoverview:
the script
it works
explains
and
how
gives
theascript works and gives a referred to below as a “medial
referred consonant”;
to below asfor a “medial
example,consonant”;
the
ndlist
regular
of thecharacter
characters
combinations.
and regular character combinations. combinations combinations
written: ®p l¥written:N˙ ®p
q∑ l¥ N˙
lphabet The
consists
Burmese
of 33alphabet
consonants
consists
and 18
of 33 consonants and 18 pronounced: py- pronounced:
ly- hn- py-
thw- ly- hn-
e attached
symbolsto which
the consonants.
can be attached
The attached
to the consonants. The attached There are only four medial
There
consonants
are only infour
Burmese
medialscript.
consonants in Bu
owels,
symbols
medial
represent
consonants,
vowels,tones
medial
or other
consonants, tones or other
addition
features.
8 “free-standing
There are in addition
characters”.
8 “free-standing
The characters”. The 1.2. Rhymes 1.2. Rhymes
attached
consonants
symbols
and are
the combined
attached symbols
to form are combined to form The rhyme of a syllable mayThe rhyme
be written
of a with
syllable
either may be written with
bles
syllables,
are combined
and syllables
to formare words
combined
and to form words and • an attached vowel symbol;• an e.g.
attached vowel symbol; e.g.
sentences. written: p^ l¨written:na p^qui l¨ na
pronounced: pi lupronounced:
na pi
tho lu na
1. Syllable structure or or
• a consonant marked as•aafinalconsonant
consonant
markedby carrying
as a finalthe
consonant b
rposes the
Forsyllable
learningispurposes
the basic theunitsyllable
of the is the basic unit of the “killer” symbol -\; e.g. “killer” symbol -\; e.g.
e can
script.
be analysed
Each syllable
into acan “head”
be analysed
and a into a “head” and a written: pn\ written:nt\
ln\ pn\
qk\ ln\ nt\
the“rhyme”.
name given “Head”
to theisinitial
the nameconsonant
given (or
to the initial consonant (or pronounced: pan pronounced:
lan naq pan
theq lan naq
combined
an initialwith
consonant
a second combined
consonant),
withanda second consonant), and or or
for
“rhyme”
the remainder
is the name
of theforsyllable,
the remainder
namely of the syllable, namely • a combination of an attached
• a combination
vowel symbolof anand attached
a finalvowel
conso-
symb
weltheand
vowel
a final
(or consonant)
the vowel and and athe
final
tone.
consonant) and the tone. nant; e.g. nant; e.g.
English
Somemayexamples
help to
from
clarify
English
the structure:
may help to clarify the structure: written: pun\ liwritten:
n\ enac\ puqunik
\ \ lin\ enac\
pronounced: poun pronounced:
lein naun poun
thaiq lein naun
Burmese
139
1.3. Tones 2.2. Medial consonants 2.2. Medial consonants

rhyme
Tonesand are are
partmostly
of the represented
rhyme and are by the
mostly represented by the -¥ ®- -∑ -¥ -˙ ®- -∑
d -. two
; e.g.tone marks -; and -. ; e.g.
-y- -y- -w--y- h- -y- -w-
n\≥ liwritten:
n\; na; puquni≥ \≥ lin\; na; qui≥
oún pronounced:
leı́n ná poún
thó leı́n ná thó The following combinations
The following
of consonant
combinations
and medialofconsonant
consonant a
enting
Othertonewaysare of
usedrepresenting
for certaintone
rhymes.
are used for certain rhymes. have modified pronunciations:
have modified pronunciations:
k¥ K¥ g¥ - r˙ k¥ K¥ g¥ - r˙
ing2.heads
Characters for writing heads Âk ®K ®g ®c y˙ Âk l¥®K ®g lY ®c y¥
y˙ qYl¥ l
c- c ’- j- ny- sh- c-ly- or j- orny-
c ’-y- hly- sh- sh-
y- ly-
sh-or y- hly- o
s (set
2.1.out in traditional
Initial consonantsalphabetical
(set out inorder)
traditional alphabetical order)
K gk G K c g G c
3. Characters for writing3.rhymes
Characters for writing rhymes
- g- k- g- k ’- ng- g- g- ng-
S z s ZS v z √ Z v √ 3.1. Attached vowel symbols

3.1. Attached
and tonevowel
marking
symbols and tone mar
- z- s- z- s ’- ny- z- ny- z- ny- ny-
low tone -a1 -^ 2
-¨low tone
e- -a1 e-a\
-y\ -^ 1 -¨-u22i e--v\ -y\ e-
-a -i -u -e -eh
-a -aw
-i -u
-o -i/e/eh
-e -eh -a
@ £ ! $ @ %£ $ %
1 2 1 1 22
- d- t- d- t ’- n- d- d- n- high tone -a; -^; -¨high
; tone
e-; -´-a; e-a
-^; -¨-u; i; e-;
-v\; -´ e-
-á -ı́ -ú -é -éh
-á -áw
-ı́ -ú
-ó -Í/é/éh
-é -éh -a
T dt DT n d D n
- d- t- d- t ’- n- d- d- n- 3 2 3 1 22
creaky tone - -i -ucreakye-.tone -´. - e-a.
-i -u-ui≥ e-.-V\. -´. e-
P b p B P m b B m -á -ı́ -ú -é -éh
-á -áw
-ı́ -ú
-ó -ı́/é/éh
-é -éh -á
’- b- p- b- p ’- m- b- b- m-
Notes Notes
r ly w r ql w q 1. The vowel symbol -a 1. isThe vowel to
modified symbol
the elongated
-a is modifiedform -å to th
r r- l- y- w-
y- or r- th- l- w- th- with certain consonants,withthus:certain consonants, thus:
Kå gå då på wå Kå (and gå similarly
då påfor eKå wå egÅ(and
etc) similar
h L Ah L A The reason for using theThe modified
reasonform
for using
is to avoid
the modified
ambiguity form
- l- - * h- l- -* between combinations between
with the combinations
form -a and certainwith the form
initial
consonants; e.g. for theconsonants;
syllable p a e.g. forwrote
if you the syllable
p + -apthe a if y
s used to* write
This syllables
symbol isthat
used
have
to write
no initial
syllables that have no initial result would be pa which result would be
is identical with
pa which
the consonant
is identicalh w
as consonant, such as pronounced h . Modifying pronounced
the shape h(p. Modifying
+ -å = på) avoids
the shape this(p
A^, an written An\
i written
, oun written written
A^, an Au n\ An\, oun written Aun\ ambiguity. ambiguity.
t” A occupies
The “consonant”
the position A of
occupies
the initial
the position of the initial 2. The vowel symbols 2. The-¨vowel
-u and symbolsto
are modified -u the
and elongated
-¨ are modif
e writtenconsonant
syllable, but
in the
is read
written
aloud syllable,
as “nobut is read aloud as “no forms -o and -ø when thereformsis no
-o room
and -øforwhen
them there
to occupy
is no room
their for
t”. initial consonant”. normal position; e.g.: normal position; e.g.:
Burmese
141
K¥- + -up\ is written K¥op\ K¥- + -up\ is written K¥op\ 3.4. Tone marking in syllables
3.4. Tonewith
marking
a finalin
consonant
syllables with a final
p¥- + -¨ is written p¥ø p¥- + -¨ is written p¥ø Syllables with a stop final (-q ) arewith
Syllables pronounced with
a stop final (-qa) high
are pro
g¥- + -ui is written g¥oi g¥- + -ui is written g¥oi tone and can occur with tone
no and
other, cansooccur
they carry
with no no other,
tone mark
so they
ence
3. of
Note
a written
that the
vowel
absencesymbol
of a is
written
just asvowel symbol is just as other than their own stopother
final.
than Syllables
their own
withstop
a nasal
final.final
Syllables
(-n )
presence
significant
of one. asAthe head presence
with noof written
one. A head with no written occur in three tones, marked
occurasininthree
this example:
tones, marked as in this exam
ed with
vowel
the rhyme
is pronounced
-á ; e.g. with the rhyme -á ; e.g. ln\ ln\≥ ln\ ln\\; ln\≥
d as má, l˙ read as hlá
m read
, etc.as má, l˙ read as hlá , etc. lan lán lan lán lán
low tone creaky high
lowtone
tone plaincreaky
high tone
high tone
3.2. Final consonants
s stop
nasalfinals
finals nasal finals 3.5. Stacked pairs of consonants
3.5. Stacked pairs of consonants
-t\ -s\
-c\ -k\-n\\ -t\ -c\ -n\\ In certain words correctInspelling
certain requires
words correct
that thespelling
initial requires
conso-
alternatives -√\
-p\ -m\ or-p\ -M -√\ -m\ or -M nant of one syllable should
nant of beone
written
syllableunderneath
should be thewritten
final u
pronounced -iq
-aq -in -eq-an -aq -in -an consonant of the precedingconsonant
syllable.
of the Forpreceding
example,syllable.
the wordFo
pronounced s ’an-dá is written
pronounced
– s ’an-dá is written –
lk\Examples
lc\ lm\ or lMlk\
ls\ or ln\ lc\ lm\ or lM or ln\ not Sn\d – with the d on thenot line
Sn\din– thewithusual
the dway
on the line in t
leq pronounced
lin liq
lan leq lin lan but Sn∂ – with the d of the
but
second
Sn∂ – with
syllabletheunderneath
d of the second
the final
syllable
n u
of the first. of the first.
mes Graphically
written -y\ theandrhymes
-v\ should
written
be included
-y\ and -v\ should be included Note that when two consonants
Note thatare when “stacked”
two consonants
in this way,
are the“stack
ver,
inasthis
they
section.
are pronounced
However, without
as they are
a final
pronounced without a final upper consonant is writtenupper
without
consonant
its killer
is written
stroke -\without
: not Sn\its killer
∂ but
ally
-q listed
or -n , among
they are
theusually
vowellisted
symbols.
among Seethe vowel symbols. See Sn∂ . Sn∂ .
3.1 above.
Not all pairs of consonants
Notcan
all be
pairs
stacked.
of consonants
The following
can be is
stacked.
a list
vowel
3.3. Combinations
symbol and final of vowel
consonant
symbol and final consonant of the pairs that can. of the pairs that can.
n ofFor
diphthongs
the pronunciation
in the roman
of diphthongs
transcription
in the roman transcription k˚ k g© gÌ kç k˚ Kç k gç g© Gç1 gÌ - kç Kç g
e note at the foot ofsee
thethe
page.
note at the foot of the page. sß sÍ zΩ zÛ2 ◊ß sß ◊Í sÍ ◊Ω zΩ ◊Û2 zÛ2 v ◊ß ◊Í ◊
¡ ™2 # ¢
2
⁄¡¤™ ‹ #
2 2 2
› ¢ ∞⁄
2
¤ ‹
2
stop
-uik\ finalse- ak\ -it-ut \ \ -uik-∑\ t\ e- ak\ -ut\ -∑t\
t† tÊ d∂ dÎ N † t† N Ê tÊ N∂ d∂ NÎ dÎ N~ N † N Ê N
alternatives -ip-u\ p\ -∑p\ -up\ -∑p\ pπ p∏ b∫ bı mπ pπ m∏ p∏ m∫ b∫ mı bı mμ mπ m∏ m
pronounced
-aiq -auq -eiq
-ouq -aiq-uq -auq -ouq -uq l¬ œ2 l¬ œ 2
nasal
-uic\ finals
e- ac\ -in-u\ n\ -uic\ -∑n\ e- ac\ -un\ -∑n\ Unstacked equivalents ofUnstacked
the aboveequivalents of the above
alternatives -im-u\ m\ or -uM -∑m\ or -∑M -um\ or -uM -∑m\ or -∑M -k\k- -k\K- -g\g- -g\G-k\
- k-c\-k-k\
- K-c\
-K--g\g-c\
- g-g\
- G -c\-G-c\
- k-- -c\K-
pronounced
-ain -aun -ein
-oun -ain-un -aun -oun -un -s\s- -s\S- -z\z- -z\Z--s\s-√\
- s-s\
- S -√\-S--z\z-√\
- z--z\Z-√\
- Z--√\s-√\
- √-√\
- S-
-!\!- -!\@- -£\£- -£\$--!\-%\
!- !-!\
- -%\
@- @-£\
- -%\
£- £-£\
- -%\
$- $-%\
- -%\
!-% -%\
- @- -
c\ Examples
elak\ lu
lipt
\ \ lumic\ \ or l∑
l∑ M or l∑n\ lup\
elak\ l∑m\ or l∑M or l∑n\ -t\t- -t\T- -d\d- -d\D-t\
- t -n\-t-t\
- T-n\-T-d\
- d-n\
- d--d\D-n\
- D-n\
- t-n\-n-n\
- T-
-p\p- -p\P- -b\b- -b\B--p\p-m\
- p--p\P-m\
- P--b\b-m\
- b-b\
- B -m\-B--m\p-m\
- m--m\P-
n pronounced
lauq louq
leiq lun
lain lauq louq lun
-l\l- -q\q- -l\l- -q\q-
Burmese
143
in 1.
stacked
Unlike pairs
other
the
finals
finalin
consonant
stacked pairs
c\ is the final consonant c\ is Other mismatches follow Otherpartially
mismatches
predictable
followpatterns.
partially The
predic
he linepositioned
instead ofabove
on thethe
line.
line instead of on the line. most pervasive of these is
most
the pervasive
Voicing Rule;
of these
examples:
is the Voicing Rule;
pes2.for
Note
these
modified
pairs. shapes for these pairs. spelling apparentlyspelling
pronounced actually
apparently
pronounced
pronounced act
el;Sy\.el;Ku lé-s ’ éh-lé-k
el;Sy\ ’ ú .el;Ku lé-s ’ éh-lé-k ’ ú
lé-zéh-lé-gú
4. Other characters na;K¥c\påty\ ná-c ’in-pa-teh
na;K¥c\påty\ ná-c ’in-pa-teh
ná-jin-ba-deh
wel4.1.
syllables
Free-standing vowel syllables For more on the VoicingFor
Rulemore
see the
on the
appendix
Voicing
onRule
sounds.
see the appen
I U A [E]* I Âq U [E]* Âq
ı́ ú á é ı́ áw ú é áw
Another frequently encountered
Another frequently
mismatchencountered
is “weakening”:
misma
when a syllable is written
whenwith
a syllable
a full rhyme
is written
but pronounced
with a full rhy
È Ë Aa E È eÂqa\ Ë E eÂqa\ with the vowel ă ; e.g. with the vowel ă ; e.g.
spelling apparently pronounced
spelling apparently
actually pronounced
pronounced act
i u a e i aw u e aw tiq-k ’ ú ts\Ku
ts\Ku tă-k ’ ú ’ ú
tiq-k
kula;Tuic\ kú-lá-t ’ain
kula;Tuic\ kă-lă-t ’ain’ain
kú-lá-t
rds this syllable
* In certain
is read
words
withthis
a high
syllable
tone éis. read with a high tone é. Tn\;lk\ t ’án-leqTn\;lk\ t ’ă-leq
t ’án-leq
ables
4.2.(used
Abbreviated
in literary
syllables
style Burmese)
(used in literary style Burmese)
j Òf &c\; j Ò &c\; 6. Further reading 6. Further reading
ywé hnaiqı́ lăgaún
ywé hnaiq lăgaún For details of irregularForcombinations,
details of irregular
mismatches, combinations,
traditionalmi
names of the symbols, handwriting,
names of thedecorative
symbols, handwriting,
styles, a character
decorat
4.3. Figures identification chart, and identification
more, see – chart, and more, see –
4 5 1 6 2 7 3 8 4 9 5 0 6 7 8 9 0 Burmese: an introduction to
Burmese:
the script
anby
introduction
John Okell: to 1993,
the script
Northern
by John
4 5 1 6 27 3 8 4 9 5 0 6 7 8 9 0 Illinois University (text and
Illinois
7 audio
University
cassette(text
tapes)
and 7 audio casse
For a programmed introduction,
For a programmed
with writingintroduction,
practice, seewith
— writin
An introduction to the Burmese
An introduction
writing system
to thebyBurmese
H D Roop:writing
1972,
system
5. Irregularities Yale University Press Yale University Press
en with
Somea words
combination
are writen
of vowel
with symbol
a combination
and of vowel symbol and
oundfinal
in the
consonant
standardnotsystem;
found e.g.
in the
licstandard
\ lein or system; e.g. lic\ lein or
ways
muK\ mof working
ou q . Thereoutarehow
waysto of
pronounce
working out how to pronounce
y are
thesetoowords,
detailedbuttothey
set are
out too
in this
detailed
brief to set out in this brief
n 6 summary.
below. See Section 6 below.
ombinations
In many words,
of words,
or combinations
there is a mismatch
of words, there is a mismatch
and
between
the pronunciation.
the spelling and
Somethemismatches
pronunciation. Some mismatches
are unique; e.g.
ently pronounced
spelling apparently
actually pronounced
pronounced actually pronounced
B^; bı́
beı́n beı́n
-yı́n-hngá
q¨rc\;c˙a; thu-yı́n-hngá
să-yı́n-hngá să-yı́n-hngá
Burmese
144 By Ear Burmese By Ear Appendix 3 Grammar
Appendix 3 Gramma
145
APPENDIX 3 APPENDIX 3 phrase” is used as a wide-cover

phrase” is
term
usedtoas
include
a wide-cover
“adverbs”
term
and
to in
RIPTION
OUTLINE
OF BURMESE
DESCRIPTION
GRAMMAROF BURMESE GRAMMAR other elements. Example:
other elements. Example:
noun phrase 1 noun phrase
noun2phrase
noun
1 phrase
noun3 phrase
verb2phrase
noun phras
aws together
This section
the grammar
draws points
together that
theare
grammar points that are k¥m Am¥oi;qa; bmaska;k¥m Am¥oi;n´qa;
n´ bmaska; na;lv\påty\
nń´ "
A noted
reference
in the
in lessons.
the form A “(Lreference
1.1)” tells
in you
the form “(L 1.1)” tells you că má ă myó-thá Bă ma săgá
că má ă myó-thá
néh-néh Bă ma săgá
ná-leh-ba-deh.
néh-néh
t introduced
that the pointin Lesson
was first
1.1.introduced
For more in detail
Lesson 1.1. For more detail my husband Burmese
my husband
a little Burmeseunderstanda little
see — language language
on toBurmese:
the spokenan introduction
language, Book to the
2, Appendix
spoken language, Book 2, Appendix “My husband understands
“My a little
husbandBurmese.”
understands a little
Northern 4Illinois
(John University,
Okell, Northern
1993)Illinois University, 1993)
colloquial
A reference
Burmese,
grammar(John
of colloquial
Okell, OxfordBurmese, (John Okell, Oxford 1.2 Word order (L 1.6) 1.2 Word order (L 1.6)
, Oxford, University
1969) Press, Oxford, 1969) Notice that Burmese order
Notice
is thethat
reverse
Burmese
of English:
order is the reverse of
ictionary
Burmese/Myanmar:
of grammaticala forms,
dictionary
the appendix
of grammatical forms, the appendix Burmese: Burmese – Burmese:
a little – (I) understand
Burmese – a little – (I) unde
atical description“,
“Outline grammatical
(John Okelldescription“,
and Anna (John Okell and Anna English: (I) understand
English:
– a little –(I)
Burmese
understand – a little – Bu
ress, Richmond,
Allott, Curzon
England,
Press,
2000)Richmond, England, 2000)
1.3 Pronouns and referents 1.3 Pronouns
(L 1.1, 1.3)and referents (L 1.1, 1.3)
Contents Burmese does have words Burmese
corresponding
does havetowordsthe English
corresponding
he, it,
1. Sentences they, etc. But when boththey,speaker
etc. and
But hearer
when both
know speaker
what isand
underheare
tructure
1.1 The standard structure discussion, pronouns and discussion,
other referents
pronouns are normally
and otheromitted;
referents a
1.2 Word order e.g. Context: continuation e.g.
fromContext:
the example
continuation
above. from the example abo
referents
1.3 Pronouns and referents noun phrase 1 noun phrase noun
2 phrasenoun1 noun
phrasephrase
3 verb2 phrasenoun phras
ctives
1.4 Verbs and adjectives – tRup\ska; – nń´ tRup\ska; na;lv\påty\ nń´ "
es 1.5 Is/are sentences
– –
Tăyouq săgá néh-néh
Tăyouq săgá
ná-leh-ba-deh.
néh-néh
2 Suffixes
(He omitted) Chinese language
(He omitted)
a littleChinese language
understand a little
sentence
2.1 Some
suffixes
common sentence suffixes
“(He) understands a little “(He)
Chinese.”
understands a little Ch
phrase
2.2 suffixes
Some common phrase suffixes
verb
2.3 suffixes
Some (tense
common
etc) verb suffixes (tense etc)
Context: S2 tries a drink given
Context:
her by
S2S1.
tries a drink given her by S1.
verb
2.4 suffixes
Some (modality
commonetc)verb suffixes (modality etc)
noun
2.5 suffixes
Some common noun suffixes noun phrase 1 noun phrase
noun2phrase
verb1 phrase
noun phrase 2 verb phrase
ationship to(marking
verb) relationship to verb) – – – ’kik\ty\–ena\" ’kik\ty\en
noun
2.6 suffixes
Some(expanding:
common noun plurality
suffixes
etc)
(expanding: plurality etc) – – – –
caiq-teh-naw? caiq-teh-na
nces 3 Compound sentences (You omitted) (it omitted)
(You omitted)
like-statement-right?
(it omitted) like-statem
4 Verb paradigms S1: “You like it, don’t you?”S1: “You like it, don’t you
1 Sentences noun phrase 1 noun phrase

noun2phrase
verb1 phrase
noun phrase 2 verb phrase
– – – – "
’kik\påty\ ’kik\påty
ructure.
1.1 The standard structure. – – – –
caiq-pa-deh. caiq-pa-de
sentence
The typical
consists
Burmese
of onesentence
or moreconsists
“noun of one or more “noun (I omitted) (it omitted)
(I omitted)
like-polite-statement
(it omitted) like-polite-
y aphrases”
“verb phrase.”
followedInby
this
a “verb
context
phrase.”
“noun In this context “noun S2: “Yes, I do.” S2: “Yes, I do.”
Burmese
Appendix 3 Gramma
147
tives
1.4 (L Verbs
1.1.) and adjectives (L 1.1.) 5. Another category of suffix
5. Another categoryone
subordinates of suffix
sentence to
subordinates
translate
Although p¨twe have to, eA;ty\
y\ pu-deh translateé-deh
p¨ty\andpu-deh , eA;ty\ é-deh and another. another.
he English
similar words
adjectives:
with“hot”,
the English
“cold”, adjectives:
and so “hot”, “cold”, and so
mese on,grammar
in terms they
of Burmese
must begrammar
classifiedthey
as must be classified as 2.1 Some common sentence
2.1 Some
suffixescommon sentence suffixes
beverbs:
cold”,“to
etc.be hot”, “to be cold”, etc. 1 [sentence]-på -ba/-papå1
1 [sentence]-
[sentence] polite
[sentence] 10.2) 1
2 (L 1.4,-ba/-pa
e verb
noun
phrase
phrase verb phrase 2 [sentence]-la; 2 [sentence]-
[sentence] -lá la; question:
[sentence]
yes -lá
or no 3 4
5 (L 1.8)
p¨påty\
nń´ " p¨påty\"
pu-ba-deh.
néh-néh pu-ba-deh. 3 [sentence]-l´ 3 [sentence]-
[sentence] -léh l´ question:
[sentence]
information
-léh
4 (L 1.11)
be ahot-polite-statement
little be hot-polite-statement
“It is rather hot.” “It is rather hot.” 4 [statement]-ena\ 4 [statement]-
[statement] -naw ena\ It is
[statement]
so, isn’t it?-naw
3 (L
1.1)
(L1.5
1.11, Is/are
4.6) sentences (L 1.11, 4.6) 5 [I’m going to …]- [I’m
5 going
[I’m going
to …]to- …]-
You [I’m
don’t
going
mindto …]if I-
entifies
A sentence
an item,that
or identifies
equates two
an item,
items,or equates two items, ena\ naw ena\ do,nawdo you? (L 3.9)
rb normally
phrase in hasthe no
Burmese
verb phrase
equivalent.
in the It
Burmese equivalent. It 6 [request]- ena\ [request]-
[request]
6 -naw ena\ Please
[request]
do it,-naw
if you
n phrases:
contains just two noun phrases: don’t mind.
e1 noun
noun
phrase
phrase
2 1 noun phrase 2
eka\
dåP^ eka\P^ Note 1. The suffix -på is pronounced
Note 1. The suffix
-pa after
-på the
is pronounced
final consonant
-pa aft
-q and is voiced to -ba after
-q and
other
is voiced
finals. to
Examples:
-ba after other finals. Ex
da ’i
kaw-p kaw-p ’i
1. -på is not voiced: -pa 1. -på is not 2.
voiced:
-på is voiced:
-pa -ba 2. -p
coffee
that coffee
“That is coffee.” “That is coffee.”
då ehals\ på då ehals\
då på
eka\P^ på då
areSentences
referred to
of here
this type
as “is/are
are referred
sentences”.
to here as “is/are sentences”. da H áw-liq pa da H áw-liq
da kaw-p ’i
pa ba da
that Horlicks polite that Horlicks that polite
coffee polite that
2 Suffixes “That is Horlicks.” “That is Horlicks.”
“That is coffee.” “
nt A
that
“suffix”
is attached
is an to
element
the end that
of is
a word,
attached
liketo the end of a word, like This is the effect of the Voicing
This is the
Rule:
effect
see of
Voicing
the Voicing
in Appendix
Rule: see
1. V
ordsthe
like
English
learning,
-ingthinking,
in wordsetc.likeMost
learning,
of the
thinking, etc. Most of the Voiced and unvoiced alternatives
Voiced and forunvoiced
other suffixes
alternatives
are shown
for other
in
ation
grammatical
in a Burmese information
sentence in is acarried
Burmese by sentence is carried by the same way in the notes the
below.
same way in the notes below.
s are
suffixes.
used with
Most just
suffixes
one part
areofused
speech.
with just one part of speech.
Note 2. The sentence Notesuffix2.-på
The
- b asentence
/- p a takessuffix
this -på
position
- b a /- p a
o sentences
1. Suffixesshow
attached
whether
to sentences
the sentence show
is awhether the sentence is a
(sentence-final) in is/are
(sentence-final)
sentences. For in is/are
-på - b asentences.
/- p a in verbFor
stion or
statement
a command.or a question or a command.
o phrases
2. Suffixes
carryattached
meanings to phrases
like “also”,carry meanings like “also”, sentences see under verbsentences
suffixes (modality)
see under verbbelow.suffixes (modality
on. “however”, and so on. Note 3. Questions ending w encourage
Notein3.-n aQuestions endingyourinlistener
-n a w encou
to
o verbs
3. Suffixes
indicate attached
tense (did
to verbs
go, willindicate
go etc)tense (did go, will go etc) answer Yes (like “isn’t it?”,
answer
“don’t
Yesyou?”,
(like “isn’t
“won’t it?”,
they?”,
“don’tandyou?”,
so “
do, mayanddo,modality
want to do,
(canisdo,
doing,
may do,
etc).want to do, is doing, etc). on), whereas questions on),
ending
whereas
in -t hălá
questions ending
/- dh ălá don’t in -t hălá
attempt to/- dh
o nouns
4. Suffixes
signalattached
relationships
to nouns
in thesignal
samerelationships in the same push him/her in either direction.
push him/her(L 1.8)
in either direction. (L 1.8)
positions
way(went
as English
to Rangoon,
prepositions
comes(went from to Rangoon, comes from
and for
England,
expansion
go by(marking
car) and plurality,
for expansion (marking plurality, Note 4. Questions that ask Note
for4.information
Questions that(Which?
ask for
What?
information
Why?
coordination, etc). etc) end in -thăléh (or itsetc) end version
voiced in -thăléh (or its). voiced
-dhăléh Questions
version
that-dh
Burmese
Appendix 3 Gramma
149
h acan
Yesbe or answered
a No end within -t hălá
a Yes /- dhor a. No
ălá Com-
end in -t hălá /- dh ălá . Com-
pare these two: noun phrase verb phrase
noun phrase sentence
verb phrase
suffix
By\h " Which one
a p¨ql´pu-dhăléh?
Beh-ha By\is hathep¨q hotl´"one?
Which one is the hot one? 9-nar^ lamy\ 9-nar^ ena\lamy\
A´då Ép¨q la;" Is that
h-da pu-dhălá? one
A´ d åhot?p¨ q la;" Is that one hot? kó-na-yi la-meh kó-na-yi naw
la-meh
nine o’clock come nine o’clock right? come
tions
Note
in 5.
-lá Parallel questions in
imply alternatives (L-lá
12.2).
imply
See
alternatives (L 12.2). See
“I’ll come at 9.0. WIll that
“I’ll
become
all right?”
at 9.0. WIll that be a
the example below.
suffixes
Examples of sentence suffixes noun phrase verb phrase
noun phrase sentence
verb phrase
suffix
noun phrase
noun2 phrase 1 sentence
noun phrase
suffix 2 sentence suffix 9-nar^ laK´. 9-nar^ ena\laK´.
eka\P^ då la;eka\P^ la; kó-na-yi la-géh kó-na-yi naw
la-géh
kaw-p ’i da lá kaw-p ’i lá nine o’clock come nine o’clock right? come
coffee that question
coffee question “You will come at nine, won’t
“You will
you?”
come at nine, won’
“Is that coffee?” “Is that coffee?”
2.2 Some common phrase
2.2 suffixes:
Some common phrase suffixes:
phrase noun
sentence
phrase noun phrase sentence noun phrase sentence
A suffix
1 2A
2B suffix 2B suffix 1 [phrase]-l´ 1 [phrase]-
[phrase] -léh l´ also (L[phrase]
10.3) -léh also
dåla; eka\
lk\P^ k\rv\ la; lk\Pk\rv\ la; 2 [phrase]-eta. 2 [phrase]-
[phrase] -dáw/-táweta.as for,[phrase]
however -dáw/-táw as f
dalá lăp ’ eq-ye
kaw-p ’i lá
lá lăp ’ eq-ye lá 3 [phrase]-eka or 3 [phrase]-
[phrase] -gáw or ekahow or about?
[phrase](L-gáw
9.1, or
10.4, how
that
question coffee
tea question tea question era yáw era 11.1) yáw 1
“Is that coffee or tea?” “Is that coffee or tea?” 4 [phrase]-p´ 4 [phrase]-
[phrase] -béh/-p ’ éh just, only
[phrase]
[less-béh/-p
than you’d
p´ ’ éh just
think] (L 9.4, 9.7) t
noun phrase
noun phrase
suffix 2 sentence suffix
5 [phrase]-p´ 5 [phrase]-
[phrase] p´ emphatic
-béh/-p ’ éh [phrase]
(L 3.1, 9.1) ’ éh emp
-béh/-p
eka\P^ då på eka\P^ på
kaw-p ’i da ba kaw-p ’i ba
Examples Examples
coffee that polite
coffee polite
e (and I am“That
expressing
is coffee
deference).”
(and I am expressing deference).” noun phrase + phrase suffix
noun phrase
verb phrase
+ phrase
± sentence
suffix suffix
verb phrase
k¥m -l´ wm\k¥m
;qapåty\
-l´ " wm\;qapåty
noun phrase
noun phrase
suffix 2 sentence suffix că má -léh wún-tha-ba-deh
că má -léh wún-tha-ba
Ba eka\då
P^ l´ Ba eka\P^ l´ I -also am pleased
I -also am pleased
“I’m pleased too.” “I’m pleased too.”
’i
ba kaw-pda léhba kaw-p ’i léh
what coffee
that question
what coffee question
“What coffee is that?” “What coffee is that?” noun phrase + phrase suffix
noun phrase
verb phrase
+ phrase
± sentence
suffix suffix
verb phrase
Aem -eta. m’ki
Aemk\p-eta.
åB¨;" m’kik\påB¨;
noun phrase
noun phrase
suffix 2 sentence suffix ă me -dáw măcaiq-pa-bú
ă me -dáw măcaiq-pa-
eka\P^ då ena\eka\P^ ena\ mother -however mother
not like-however not like
kaw-p ’i da kaw-p ’i
naw naw “My mother, however, doesn’t
“My mother,
like it. however,
” doesn’t
coffee that right?
coffee right?
That is coffee, isn’t it?” “That is coffee, isn’t it?”
Burmese
Appendix 3 Gramma
151
se suffix
noun phrase
verb phrase
+ phrase
± sentence
suffix suffix
verb phrase ± sentence suffix
’kiAeP
k\qla;
-eka ’kik\qla; [verb]-my\ + la; [verb]-
[verb]- my\ or
mla; + [verb]-
la; m˙a[verb]-
la; mla; or [verb]
ăp ’ e -gáw
caiq-thălá caiq-thălá [verb]-meh + lá [verb]
[verb] -meh or
-mălá + [verb]
lá [verb]-mălá or [verb]
-hma-lá
about father
like + question
-how about like + question
out your father:“How
does he
about
like your
it?” father: does he like it?” Both these variants are also
Bothcommon
these variants
beforeare
sentence
also common
suffix -léh
befor
(-l´) “question”; and the (-
second
l´) “question”;
variant (and the asecond
-da, -hm ) is often
variant
found (-da
(-på) “polite”(L
before sentence suffix -babefore 9.2). -ba (-på) “polite”(L 9.2
sentence suffix
se suffix
noun phrase
verb phrase
+ phrase
± sentence
suffix suffix
Alv\
lapåty\
-p´" lapåty\" The question ending [verb]- The question ending
qla; [verb] [verb]-
-dhălá has one
qla;further
[verb]-d
la-ba-deh.
Ă leh -béh la-ba-deh. variant: [verb]-r´.la; [verb] variant:
-yéh-lá[verb]-
(L 9.9).
r´.lThis
a; [verb]
form-yéh-lá
is most
(Loften
9.9). T
came
visit -only came heard in two formulaic questions:heard in two formulaic questions:
ave just come for a visit.”
“I have just come for a visit.” r´.la;" Are you well?
Ne-kaún-yéh-lá? enekac\;Ne-kaún-yéh-lá? enekac\ (How areAre
;r´.la;" you?)
you w
Pyaw-yéh-lá? ep¥a\ r l
. ´ a;" Are you enjoying yourself?
Pyaw-yéh-lá? ep¥a\ r l
. ´ a;" Are you e
se suffix
noun phrase
verb phrase
+ phrase
± sentence
suffix suffix
Tuicd^\pmå˙a -p´ Tuic\på Note 2. For more on [verb]
Note -b
2.i /- pFor more
i see on [verb]
under Verb -b
paradigms
i /- p i see un
t ’ain-ba-béh
di-hma t ’ain-ba below. below.
atic sit
here -emphatic sit
“Please sit just here.” “Please sit just here.” Examples Examples
noun phrase verb phrase
noun phrase
+ verb suffix verb phrase + verb suffi
verb
2.3suffixes
Some(tense
common
etc):verb suffixes (tense etc): senen≥ erak\
senen≥-ty\ erak\ -ty\
Săne-né yauq
Săne-né
-teh yauq -teh
1 [verb]-
b]-deh/-teh 1 ty\statement
1 [verb]
(past or present)
-deh/-teh 1 statement (past or present) Saturday arrive
Saturday
past or present arrive past or pres
(L 1.1, 2.1) (L 1.1, 2.1) “They arrived on Saturday.”
“They arrived on Saturda
2 [verb]-
b]-meh 1 statement
my\ 1 [verb]
(future,
-meh intention)
1 statement
(L (future, intention) (L or “They arrive on a Saturday
or “They(regularly).”
arrive on a Saturday (re
2.2) 2.2)
3 [verb]-®p^statement
b]-bi/-pi [verb]
(has now happened)
-bi/-pi statement
2 (has now happened) 2 noun phrase verb phrase
noun phrase
(L 7.3, 9.3) (L 7.3, 9.3) senen≥ erak\
senen≥-my\ erak\ -my\
verb] m-[verb]-
4 -bú/-p ’ ú statement
B¨; mă-(negative)
[verb]-bú/-p(L’ ú1.4)
statement (negative) (L 1.4) Săne-né yauq
Săne-né
-meh yauq -meh
b] 5 [verb] request, [verb]
command (positive) request, command (positive) Saturday arrive
Saturday
future arrive future
(L 2.6) (L 2.6) “They are going to arrive“They
on Saturday.”
are going to arrive on Sa
verb] m-[verb]-
6 -néh request,
n´≥ mă- command
[verb]-néh
(negative) request, command (negative)
(L 2.6) (L 2.6) noun phrase verb phrase
noun phrase
mN †el; erak\
mN †el;-®p^la;" erak\ -®p^la;"
xesNote 1. The
-teh/-deh andtwo suffixes
-meh (-ty\-teh/-deh
' -my\) usually
and -meh (-ty\' -my\) usually
Mán-dălé yauq
Mán-dălé
-pi-lá? yauq -pi-lá?
when
take combined
a variant withform sentence
when combined
suffix -l áwith sentence suffix -l á
Mandalay arrive
Mandalay
has now happened-question
arrive has now ha
(-la;):
“Have they got to Mandalay
“Haveyet?”
they got to Mandalay
[verb]-
[verb]- ty\ or+ [verb]-
qla; la; [verb]-
tala; orqla;
[verb]-orla;
[verb]-tala; or [verb]-la;
[verb]
[verb] -deh or
-dhălá [verb]-da-lá
+ lá [verb]or [verb]
-dhălá or-lá[verb]-da-lá or [verb]-lá
Burmese
Appendix 3 Gramma
153
10 m-[verb]-eta.- mă- [verb] [verb]-eta.-

10 m--dáw-/-táw- notmă-
[verb]
[verb]
any more, notno
-dáw-/-táw-
verb phrase
noun phrase
+ verb suffix verb phrase + verb suffix after all a
mq∑
mN †eal;
; -B¨; mq∑a; -B¨; (L 5.6, 6.3, 11.3) (
măthwá
Mán-dălé
-bú măthwá -bú 11 m-[verb]-eq;- mă- [verb] [verb]-eq;-notmă-
11 m--dhé-/-thé- [verb]
[verb]
yet
-dhé-/-thé- no
not-go
Mandalay
statement not-go statement (L 9.1, 9.3, 11.3) (
ey didn’t go to Mandalay.”
“They didn’t go to Mandalay.”
hey won’t go to Mandalay.”
or “They won’t go to Mandalay.” Note 1. The verb suffix Note - p a1.
/- b aThe
- hasverbthe suffix
same -effect
p a /- b a -as has
the th
: both show
sentence suffix -p a /- b a -sentence that
suffix -p athe
/- b a speaker
- : both show is being that
verb phrase
noun phrase
+ verb suffix verb phrase + verb suffix polite. The difference is polite.
in the position
The difference
of the suffix.
is in the Inposition
sentences of th
Tu
d^mic˙a\på
— Tuic\på— with a verb -pa/- ba- is placed
with aafter verbthe
-pa/verb
- ba- andis placed
before afterthe the
verbverb
t ’ain-ba
Di-hma
— t ’ain-ba — suffix indicating tense ([verb]
suffix-ba-deh,
indicating tense
[verb] ([verb]
-ba-bi, etc), whereas
-ba-deh, [verb
Here
sit [request] sit [request] in is/are sentences -p ain - is placed
/- b ais/are after-pthe
sentences a /- bsecond
a - is placed noun: aft
“Please sit here.” “Please sit here.” [noun 1] [noun 2]-pa/-ba .[noun 1] [noun 2]-pa/-ba .
Examples of verb suffixes

Examples
(modality
ofetc)
verb suffixes (modality etc)
verb phrase
noun phrase
+ verb suffix verb phrase + verb suffix noun phrase noun phrase
verb phrase verb phra
mTu
Aícd\p^må˙a -n´≥ mTuic\på -n´≥ verb +verb sfx +verbverb
sfx +verb sfx
măt ’ain-ba
É h-di-hma
-néh măt ’ain-ba -néh (mod) (tense) (mod)
not-sit
There[request] not-sit [request] qip\ qipp¨\ -på- -ty\ p¨ -på-
Please don’t sit there.” “Please don’t sit there.” Theiq Theiq
pu -ba- -deh pu -ba-
Very beVery
hot polite statement
be hot polite
verb
2.4 suffixes
Some(modality
common verb etc): suffixes (modality etc):
“It is very hot.” “It is very hot.”
erb] [verb]-på-
1 -ba-/-pa- 1 shows
[verb]
the-ba-/-pa-
speaker is1 being shows the speaker is being
polite (L 1.2) polite (L 1.2)
noun phrase noun phrase
erb] [verb]
2 -jin-/-c ’in-
-K¥c\ - want
[verb]
to [verb]
-jin-/-c ’(L
in- 2.5) want to [verb] (L 2.5)
verb +verb sfx +verbverb
sfx +verb sfx
erb] [verb]-Nuic\- be [verb]
3 -nain- able to-nain-
[verb] (L 5.5) be able to [verb] (L 5.5) (mod) (tense) (mod)
erb] [verb]-tt\- know
4 -daq-/-taq- [verb]
how to [verb], be know how to [verb], be
-daq-/-taq- d^m˙a d^Tu
m˙aic\ -K¥c\- -ty\ Tuic\ -K¥c\-
able to [verb] (L 9.1) able to [verb] (L 9.1)
Di-hma t ’ain
Di-hma -jin- -deh t ’ain -jin-
erb] [verb]
5 -yá- -r- can,
[verb]
may,-yá- must, have to can, may, must, have to
Here Here
sit want statementsit want
[verb] (L 5.3, 5.7, 8.3) [verb] (L 5.3, 5.7, 8.3)
“We want to sit here.” “We want to sit here.”
erb] [verb]-en-
6 -ne- be [verb]
[verb]-ing
-ne- be [verb]-ing
(L 9.5, 11.1) (L 9.5, 11.1)
erb] [verb]-ep;- [verb]
7 -pé- [verb]for-pé-
someone’s [verb] for someone’s
sfx +verb sfx
benefit (L 5.9) benefit (L 5.9)
(mod) (tense) (mod)
erb] [verb]
8 -dáw-/-táw-
-eta. - [verb]
[verb]at -dáw-/-táw-
last, finally [verb] at last, finally
dêlak\ melYa.
dêlak\ -Nuic\- -B¨; melYa. -Nuic\-
erb] [verb]-eq;- still
9 -dhé-/thé- [verb]
[verb], [verb] more still [verb], [verb] more
-dhé-/thé-
Di-lauq măsháw
Di-lauq -nain- -bú măsháw -nain-
[verb]-AuM;-
erb]-oún- (L[verb]
4.5, 5.7, 6.6, 9.4)
-oún- (L 4.5, 5.7, 6.6, 9.4)
This much not reduce
This much
can statement
not reduce can
(L 3.2, 5.4, 6.7) (L 3.2, 5.4, 6.7)
Burmese
Appendix 3 Gramma
155
can’t drop it that much.”

“I can’t drop it that much.”
noun phrase
verb phrase verb phrase verb +verb sfx +verb sfx verb +verb sfx
sfx +verb sfx +verb sfx (mod) (tense) (mod)
(mod) (tense) (mod) (tense) – –q∑a; -eta.- my\ q∑a; -eta.-
bmaska;
e®pa -tt\- -qla;"e®pa -tt\- -qla;" – –
thwá -dáw- -meh thwá -dáw-
pyáw
Bă ma săgá
-daq- -thălá?pyáw -daq- -thălá? – – go finally statementgo finally
speak
Burmese
know how statement-
speak know how statement- “I am going now.” “I am going now.”
question question
an you speak Burmese?”
“Can you speak Burmese?” noun phrase noun phrase
verb +verb sfx +verb sfx verb +verb sfx
noun phrase
verb phrase verb phrase (mod) (tense) (mod)
sfx +verb sfx +verb sfx – – r˙i -eq;- ty\" r˙i -eq;-
(mod) (tense) (mod) (tense) – – shı́ -dhé- -deh shı́ -dhé-
Sy\
lanar^m˙a-r- -my\ la -r- -my\ – exist
– still, more statementexist still, more
S ’ eh-na-yi-hma
la -yá- -meh la -yá- -meh “There’s still more. There’s
“There’s
something
still more.
else.”There’s some
come
At ten o’clock
must statement
come must statement
ll have to come at
“You
ten will
o’clock.”
have to come at ten o’clock.” noun phrase noun phrase
noun phrase
verb +verb sfx +verb sfx verb +verb sfx +verb sfx Alup\ mlu
Alupp\ \ -eta.- B¨;" mlup\ -eta.-
(mod) (tense) (mod) (tense) Ă louq mălouq
Ă louq -táw- -bú. mălouq -táw-
tv\
ek¥ac\
; ;eSac\
-en-m˙a ty\ tv\; -enty\ Work not
Work
do any more statement
not do any more
Caún-zaun-hma
téh -ne- -deh téh -ne- -deh “He doesn’t work any more.”
“He doesn’t work any mo
l At
stay
a student
-inghostel
statement
stay -ing statement
staying in a student
“She
hostel.”
is staying in a student hostel.” noun phrase noun phrase
noun phrase
verb +verb sfx +verb sfx verb +verb sfx +verb sfx Alup\ mlu
Alupp\ \ -eq;- B¨;" mlup\ -eq;-
(mod) (tense) (mod) (tense) Ă louq mălouq
Ă louq -thé- -bú. mălouq -thé-
luAiikm\pui≥ -ep;- my\ luik\pui≥ -ep;- my\ Work not
Work
do yet statement
not do yet
laiq-pó
E in -pé- -mehlaiq-pó -pé- -meh “He doesn’t work yet.” “He doesn’t work yet.”
Home
take benefit statement
take benefit statement
“I’ll take you home.” “I’ll take you home.”
Burmese
Appendix 3 Gramma
157
un2.5
suffixes
Some (marking
common noun
relationship
suffixesto(marking
verb): relationship to verb): noun + noun suffix (rel) noun
verb phrase
+ noun± suffix
sentence
(rel)
suffix
verb phras
Bakisß -n´≥ Baki
laql´
sß -n´"≥ laql´"
[noun]-m˙ain/at/on
un]1-hma [noun]
[noun]
-hma (L 2.3, 5.11)
in/at/on [noun] (L 2.3, 5.11) Ba keiq-sá -néh Ba keiq-sá
la-dhăléh?
-néh la-dhăléh
[noun] -k or
un]2-gá/-ká or from [noun]-gá/-ká
(L 9.2) or from [noun] (L 9.2) What matter with came with
What matter came
-ken
á/-ká-ne gá/-ká-ne “What brought you here?”
“What brought you here
un]3 or [noun]
[noun]-or to [noun]
[noun]
(L 5.1)
or [noun]- to [noun] (L 5.1)
o/-ko [noun]-ku i go/-ko noun + noun suffix (rel) noun
verb phrase
+ noun ± suffix
sentence
(rel)
suffix
verb phrase
[noun]-n´≥ with/by
un]4-néh [noun]
means
-néhof [noun] with/by
(L means of [noun] (L qa; no suffix or -k s\N˙s\ no
r˙qa; r˙i®p^suffix
" or -k r˙s\N˙s\ r˙i®p^"
9.7) 9.7) Thá- no suffix or -gá Thá-
shiq-hniqno suffix or -gá
shı́-bi. shiq-hniq s
un]5 or [noun]
[noun]-or this noun
[noun]
is the
or subject
[noun]of- the
this noun is the subject of the Son subject has
Soneight subject years has eight y
á/-ká [noun]-k verb (L 10.5, 12.3)
gá/-ká verb (L 10.5, 12.3) “My son is eight years old.” “My son is eight years ol
un]6 or [noun]
[noun]-or this noun
[noun]
is the
or object
[noun]of- the
this noun is the object of the
o/-ko [noun]-kuverb i (notgo/-ko
introduced in the verb (not introduced in the noun + noun suffix (rel) noun
verb phrase
+ noun ± suffix
sentence
(rel)
suffix
verb phrase
Lessons) Lessons) k¥m no suffix or -kui k¥mpuM no
Dåt\ suffix
Ruik\my\" or -kui Dåt\puM Ruik\m
me]7-ló[name]-lusuffixi≥ [name]
marking -lóend of namesuffix
or marking end of name or
Că má no suffix or -go má no suffix
daq-poun
Că or -go
yaiq-meh. daq-poun y
quotation; like a spoken (”)quotation;
(L like a spoken (”) (L
Me object will
Me photograph
object will photo
3.5, 10.2) 3.5, 10.2)
“He’s going to take a picture
“He’sofgoing
me.” to take a picture
Examples
noun + noun suffix (rel) noun
verb phrase
+ noun± suffix
sentence
(rel)
suffix
verb phrase
suffix (rel) noun
verb phrase
+ noun± suffix
sentence
(rel)
suffix
emr^ -lui≥ eKÅpåty\
emr^ -lui≥ " eKÅpåty\"
puenpåty\
qim\ -m˙a" enpåty\"
Meri -ló k ’aw-ba-deh.
Meri -ló k ’aw-ba-de
Păthein
ne-ba-deh.
-hma ne-ba-deh.
Mary quoted Mary
is called
quoted is called
Pathein
live in live
“She is called Mary.” “She is called Mary.”
“I live in Pathein.” “I live in Pathein.”
2.6 Some common noun2.6
suffixes
Some (expanding:
common nounplurality,
suffixescoordi-
(expandin
suffix (rel) noun
verb phrase
+ noun ± suffix
sentence
(rel)
suffix
nation, etc) nation, etc)
ken qim\ -k "or ken
pulapåty\ lapåty\"
á-ne la-ba-deh.
Păthein -gá or -gá-ne la-ba-deh. [noun]-tui≥
1 1 [noun]
[noun] -dó/-tó-tui≥ [noun]
[noun]
and-dó/-tó
Pathein
comefrom come associated [noun]s
“I come from Pathein.” “I come from Pathein.” (see example below)
2 [noun]-et∑ 2 [noun]
[noun] -dwe -et∑ [noun]s
[noun](L-dwe
12.2)
suffix (rel) noun
verb phrase
+ noun± suffix
sentence
(rel)
suffix
verb phrase ± sentence suffix 3 [quantity]-elak\ [quantity]
3 [quantity]
-lauq -elak\ approximately,
[quantity]-lauq about
x or -kui \ no suffix
puq∑qaim;påty\ " or -kui q∑a;påty\" [quantity] (L 9.4)
x or -go Păthein no suffix or -go
thwá-ba-deh. thwá-ba-deh. 4 [noun1]-n´≥ [noun2] [noun1]
4 [noun1] -n´≥ [noun2]
-néh [noun2] [noun1] and
[noun1] [noun2]
-néh [noun2]
Pathein
went to went (L 1.6, 4.1)
“I went to Pathein.” “I went to Pathein.”
Burmese
Appendix 3 Gramma
159
5 [noun1]
[noun1] [noun2] or
[noun2] [noun1]’s
or [noun1][noun2]
[noun2](Lor [noun1]’s [noun2] (L
[noun1]
[noun1]-yéh [noun2]
-r´ . [noun2]
9.5, 10.5) -yéh [noun2] 9.5, 10.5)
[noun1] Compound sentence (Simple
Compound
sentences
sentence
1 + 2) (Simple sentences 1 + 2
or or or sentence 1 sentence
sentence
1 2 sentence 2
[noun1] -creak-creak
[noun1] [noun1]-creak Dat\puM Ruik\Pui≥ Dat\
bma®pv\
puM Ruiklapåty\
\Pui≥ " bma®pv\
[noun2]
[noun2]
1 1 [noun2] 1 daq-poun yaiq-p ’ó daq-poun
Bă ma-pye yaiq-p ’ó
la-ba-deh. Bă ma-pye
photograph take-to photograph
to Burma take-to
come to Burma
henNote
[noun1]
1. Used
endsonly
in a low
whentone
[noun1]
syllable.
ends in a low tone syllable. “I came to Burma to take“Iphotographs.”
came to Burma to take phot
Examples Suffixes that are used toSuffixes

make compound
that are used sentences
to make in compound
this way
e-dóË;el;tui≥ UncleÚ-lé-dó
and associates, you
Uncle and associates, you are called “subordinating aresuffixes”.
called “subordinating
Burmese usessuffixes”.
a large rangeBurme
and your colleagues, and your colleagues, of subordinating suffixes of (e.g.
subordinating
[verb]-rc\ suffixes
[verb]-yin (e.g.
“if [verb]
[verb]”,
-rc\
countrymen, family, etc countrymen, family, etc [verb]-lui≥ [verb]-ló “because
[verb]
[verb]”,
-lui≥ [verb]
[verb] “because
-ló -t´ .AKå [verb]
[verb]”, [verb]
-déh-ăk ’a -
mÍ-dwe or -de daughters
qm^;et∑ thă mÍ-dwe or -de daughters “when [verb]”), and the “whenorder is[verb]”),
always the
andsamethe order
as the isexample
always the
edÅla
-la 30-lauq aboutdaw-la
30-elak\ 30 dollars
30-lauq about 30 dollars above: the subordinated above:
sentence
the precedes
subordinated the main
sentencesentence.
precede
Aemn´ ≥
e-néh ăp ’ eAeP mother and father
ă me-néh ăp ’ e mother and father Only three subordinating Only
suffixes
threearesubordinating
introduced in suffixes
this course.
are intro
e thá or qa; or my uncle’s
Ë;el; son
Ú-lé thá or my uncle’s son They are: They are:
Ë;el;r´
e-yéh thá > qa; Ú-lé-yéh thá
edÅedÅ≥
w-dáw thá qa; my aunt’s
Daw-dáwson thá my aunt’s son 1 [verb]-Pui≥ 1 ’ó[verb]-
[verb]-bó/-p in order
Pui≥ to[verb]
[verb], to [verb]
-bó/-p ’ó in order
(L 9.8)to [v
2 [verb]-ta [verb]-da/-ta
2 [verb]-
[verb]-ing[verb]
ta (makes verb into
-da/-ta [verb]-ing
noun) (m
ences
3 Compound sentences (L 9.3, 9.6, 9.9) (L 9.3, 9.6, 9
ntence isA one
compound
which contains
sentencetwois one
or more
which contains two or more 3 [verb]-lui≥ [verb]-ló 3 [verb]-
[verb]-ing
lui≥ [verb]
(see example
-ló below)
[verb]-ing (se
he simple
suffix at
sentences.
the end of The
thesuffix
first at
sentence
the end of the first sentence (L 9.10) (L 9.10)
nceshows
is partthat
of a the
combined
sentence
sentence
is part ofand
a combined
that sentence and that
me.isExample:
there is more to come. Example: Examples of subordinating
Examples
suffixesof subordinating suffixes
sentence 1 sentence
sentence
1 2 sentence 2
Simple sentence 1 saAit\ wy\Pui≥ saAieZ;
t\ wy\q∑
Pui≥ a;ty\" eZ;
rb phrase noun phrase verb phrase sa-eiq weh-bó sa-eiq
zé weh-bó
thwá-deh. zé
k\ty\" Dat\puM Ruik\ty\" envelope to buy envelope
market to buy
went market
iq-teh. daq-poun yaiq-teh. “He went to the market to
“Hebuy
went
some
to envelopes.”
the market to buy som
ke photograph take
tographs.” “I take photographs.” sentence 1 sentence
sentence
1 2 sentence 2
– et∑>rta – – et∑wm\
>rta;qapåty\" –
Simple sentence 2 – Twé-yá-da – – wún-tha-ba- –
Twé-yá-da
rb phrase noun phrase verb phrase deh.
apåty\" bma®pv\ lapåty\" – meet-ing you – – meet-ing
be happy
you –
-ba-deh. Bă ma-pye la-ba-deh. “I am to have met you (happy
“I am to
at have
meeting
metyou).”
you (happy at m
me to Burma come
Burma.” “I came to Burma.”
Burmese
Appendix 3 Gramma
161
sentence
sentence
1 2 sentence 2 Requests and commands Requests and commands
ak\enta bma®pv\
By\elak\ erak\
Âka®p^
ental´" By\elak\ Âka®p^l´" [verb]-ba. 1 [verb]
[verb] 1
-på"-ba. 1 [verb]
please do-på"
[verb]
1 1
uq-ne-daBă ma-pye
beh-lauq yauq-ne-da
ca-bi-léh? beh-lauq ca-bi-léh? mă- [verb]-ba-néh. 1 m-[verb]
mă- [verb] 1
-pån´≥"-ba-néh. 1 m-[verb]
please do not
-pån´[verb]
≥" 1
riving to Burma
how mucharriving
has been long?
how much has been long? 1
ong have you been

“How
in Burma?”
long have you been in Burma?” Still and not yet Still and not yet
[verb]-bi-lá? [verb]
[verb]
-®p^l-bi-lá?
a;" has[verb]
it [verb]-ed
-®p^la;"yet?
sentence
sentence
1 2 sentence 2 mă- [verb]-dhé-ba- m-[verb] [verb]
mă- [verb]-dhé-ba- it hasn’t [verb]-ed
-eq;påB¨ ; " m- -eq;påB¨;"
lui≥ d^m˙a– enlu i≥ ;påty\–"
ekac\ ekac\;påty\" bú. bú. yet, isn’t [verb] yet
-ló –
Di-hma ne-ló –
kaún-ba-deh. kaún-ba-deh. [verb]-bi. [verb]
[verb]
-®p^" -bi. [verb]
it has [verb]-d
-®p^" now.
ve-ing here
– live-ing
is good – is good mă- [verb]-dáw-ba- m-[verb]
mă- [verb] åB¨;" it’sm-
-eta.p-dáw-ba- [verb]
not going to påB¨;"
-eta.
od living here.” “It is good living here.” bú. bú. [verb] after all
[verb]-dáw-meh. [verb]
[verb]
-eta. -dáw-meh.
my\" it is[verb]
just about
-eta.mto
y\"
s 4 Verb paradigms [verb] (at last)
rawsThetogether
following
for list
comparison
draws together
some high
for comparison some high [verb]-ne-ba-dhé- [verb]
[verb]-ne-ba-dhé- it is[verb]
-enpåeq;ty\ " still [verb]-ing.
-enpåeq;ty\"
ns frequency
of verb suffix
combinations
and sentence
of verb
suffix.
suffix
In the
and sentence suffix. In the deh. deh.
d aslist
a cover
“someone”
term for
is used
“someone,
as a cover
something,
term for “someone, something, [verb]-ba-oún. [verb]
[verb]
-påAu-ba-oún.
M;" [verb]
please [verb]
-påAumore,
M;"
somewhere” etc. please continue
[verb]-ing.
ions Statements and questions [verb]-ba-oún-lá. [verb][verb]
-påAu-ba-oún-lá.
M;la;" how [verb]
about [verb]-
-påAu M;la;"
[someone]
[someone] [someone]
[someone] does/did [someone] does/did ing more, could
[verb]
[verb] -ba-deh.
-påty\ " [verb]-påty\"
[verb] [verb] you continue
[someone]
[someone] does/did
[someone][someone] does/did [someone] [verb]-ing? (L 5.4)
[verb]
[verb]-dhălá?
-qla;" [verb]
[verb]? -qla;" [verb]? Exclamations Exclamations
[Ba [etc]
ba etc] [Ba etc]
[who/what/which] [who/what/which] Theiq [verb]-da- [verb][verb]
qip\ Theiq -tap´-da-
" it’s qi p\ [verb]
really [verb] ! (L"
-tap´
[verb]
[verb]
-ql´ -dhăléh?
" [verb]-ql´
does/did [verb]?
" does/did [verb]? béh! béh! 9.1)
[someone]
[someone] [someone]
[someone] will [someone] will [verb]-laiq-ta! [verb]
[verb] -laiq-ta!
-luik \ta" Wow! [verb]
It’s-lu
[verb]
ik\ta" !
[verb]
[verb]
-my\-meh.
" [verb]-my\"
[verb] [verb]
[someone]
[someone] will
[someone]
[someone] will [someone] Note 1. The polite suffix Note
-b a /-1.
p aThe
is not
polite obligatory
suffix -b ain/- prequests.
a is not ob
[verb]
[verb] -mălá?
-mla;" [verb]-mla;"
[verb]? [verb]? You will hear requests and Youcommands
will hear requests
in the formand “[verb]”
commands andin t
[Ba [etc]
ba etc] [Ba etc]
[who/what/which] [who/what/which] “ mă - [verb]-né h ” ; but a request
“ mă - [verb]with
-néno
h ” ;polite
but a suffix
request can with
sound
no po
[verb]
[verb]
-ml´-măléh?
" [verb]
will [verb]?
-ml´" will [verb]? very peremptory, so it is very
prudent
peremptory,
to use itsoinit all
is prudent
requests to until
use i
[someone]
[someone] [someone]
[someone] does/did [someone] does/did you are sure of what youyou areare
doing.sure of what you are doing.
m-[verb]
mă- [verb]
-påB¨;-ba-bú.
" m-[verb]
not/ will not
-påB¨;" not/ will not
[verb] [verb] Note 2. The verb suffix Note 2. nowadays
-yéh is The verb suffix
virtually
-yéhconfined
is nowadaysto a v
[someone]
[someone] does/did
[someone][someone] does/did [someone] couple of polite formulaic
couple
inquiries
of polite
andformulaic
to questionsinquiries
implying and t
[verb]
[verb] -yéh-lá?
-r´>la;" [verb]
[verb]? –-r´
I find
>la;"it [verb]? – I find it disbelief: “Do you reallydisbelief:
like it?! (I“Do
thought
you really
you’dlike
hateit?!
it.)”
(I etc.
thought
hard to believe. 2 hard to believe. 2
Burmese
162 By Ear Burmese By Ear Appendix 4 NumbersAppendix 4 Number
163
APPENDIX 4 APPENDIX 4 Weakening with numbersWeakening with numbers

IPTION
OUTLINE
OF THE
DESCRIPTION
BURMESE NUMBER
OF THE BURMESE NUMBER tiq + ya tăyatiq 100+ ya
100 tăya 100
SYSTEM SYSTEM hniq + ya hnăyahniq 200+ ya
200 hnăya 200
k ’ un-hniq + ya k ’ un-năya
k ’ un-hniq700+ ya
700 k ’ un-năya 700
cript
Figures in Burmese script
The Voicing Rule The Voicing Rule
3 4 0 5 1 6 2 7 3 8 4 9 5 10 6 7 8 9 10 --q + s ’ eh ---s ’ eh e.g.--q + s ’ eh
c ’auq-s ’ eh,shiq-s ’ eh e.g. c ’auq-s
---s ’ eh 60,’eh,
80 shiq-s
3 4 0 5 1 6 2 7 3 8 4 9 5 10 6 7 8 9 10 --ă + s ’ eh ---s ’ eh e.g.--ă +’ eh,
tăs ’ eh,
s ’ ehhnăs ---s ’keh’ e.g.
un-năs ’ ’
tăs
eh eh,
10, hnăs
20, ’ eh,
70 k
-- + s ’ eh ---zeh e.g.-- thoún-zeh,
+ s ’ eh lé-zeh, e.g. thoún-zeh,
---zeh ngá-zeh 30, 40,lé-zeh
50
The number system
Compound numbers Compound numbers
1 tiq
s ’ éh-tiq 11 1 s ’’éh-tiq
hnăs éh-tiq 21
11 hnăs ’ éh-tiq 21 shiq-t ’aun ngá-ya shiq-t ’aun
c ’auq-s ’ eh(-néh)
ngá-ya hniq: c ’8562
auq-s ’ eh(-n
2
s ’ éh-hniqhniq 12 2 s ’’éh-hniq
hnăs éh-hniq 22
12 hnăs ’ éh-hniq 22 eight thousand five hundred eight thousand
six tens (and) five hundred
two: six
8562
tens (and
3 thoún 13
s ’ éh-thoún 3 s ’’éh-thoún
hnăs éh-thoún 23
13 hnăs ’ éh-thoún 23 The initial tă- in a compound
The initial
number tă- beginning
in a compound
with number
tăs ’ eh
4 lé
s ’ éh-lé 14 4 s ’’éh-lé
hnăs éh-lé 24
14 hnăs ’ éh-lé 24 or tăt ’aun is frequently omitted;
or tăt ’aune.g.is frequently omitted; e.g.
5
s ’ éh-ngángá 15 5 s ’’éh-ngá
hnăs éh-ngá 25
15 hnăs ’ éh-ngá 25 tăs ’ éh-kó usually stăs’ ’
éh-kó
éh-kó 19 usually s ’ éh-kó
6 ’auq
s ’ éh-c c ’auq 16 6 s ’’éh-c
hnăs éh-c’’auq
auq 26
16 hnăs ’ éh-c ’auq 26 tăt ’aún-ngá-ya ’aún-ngá-ya
usually ttăt ’aún-ngá-ya 1500
usually t ’aún-nga
7 ’un
s ’ éh-k 17
k ’ un(-hniq) 7 s ’’éh-k
hnăs éh-k’’un
un 27
17 hnăs ’ éh-k ’ un 27
(-hniq) (-hniq)
(-hniq) (-hniq) Ordinal numbers Ordinal numbers
8 shiq 18
s ’ éh-shiq 8 hnăs
s ’’éh-shiq
éh-shiq 28
18 hnăs ’ éh-shiq 28 There are three ways of expressing
There are three ordinalways numbers.
of expressing ord
9 kó
s ’ éh-kó 19 9 hnăs
s ’’éh-kó
éh-kó 29
19 hnăs ’ éh-kó 29 1. Ordinal numbers taken 1. from
Ordinal
Palinumbers taken from Pali
hnăs10 ’ehtăs ’eh 20 10thoún-zeh
hnăs ’ eh 30
20 thoún-zeh 30 pTm păt ’ă má pTm first [Pali pătpathama
’ă má ] first [Pa
dutiy dú-t ı́-yá dutiy second dú-t [Paliı́-yá
dutiya ] second
10 tăs ’eh 100
tăya 10tăt ’aun
tăya 1000
100 tăt ’aun 1000 ttiy tá-t ı́-yá ttiythird [Pali ı́-yá ]
tá-t tatiya third [P
20 hnăs ’eh
hnăya 200 20hnăthnăya
’aun 2000
200 hnăt ’aun 2000 stutÊ sădouq-t ’á stu t Ê fourth [Pali
sădouq-tcatuttha’á ] fourth [
30 thoún-zeh
thoún-ya 300 30thoún-daun
thoún-ya 3000
300 thoún-daun 3000 p◊ßm pyin-ză má p◊ß m fifth [Pali pañ
pyin-ză má cama ] fifth [Pa
lé-ya lé-zeh 400
40 40lé-daun
lé-ya 4000
400 lé-daun 4000 S™m s ’aq-t ’ă má S™m sixth [Pali chat
s ’aq-t t hama ]
’ă má
• •
sixth [P
50 ngá-zeh
ngá-ya 500 50ngá-daun
ngá-ya 5000
500 ngá-daun 5000 qt†m thaq-t ’ă má qt†m sevenththaq-t [Pali ’satthama
ă má ] seventh
60 c ’auq-s600
c ’auq-ya ’ eh 60c ’auq-t
c ’auq-ya
’aun 6000
600 c ’auq-t ’aun 6000 A™m aq-t ’ă má A™m eighth [Pali aq-t ’ăat t hama ]
má eighth [
• •
70
k ’ un-năya 700
k ’ un-năs ’ eh 70k ’ un-năt
k ’ un-năya
’aun 7000
700 k ’ un-năt ’aun 7000 nwm năwă má nwm ninth [Pali
năwă navama
má ] ninth [P
80 shiq-s ’800
shiq-ya eh 80shiq-t ’aun
shiq-ya 8000
800 shiq-t ’aun 8000 dqm dá-thă má dqm tenth [Pali má ]
dasama
dá-thă tenth [P
90
kó-ya kó-zeh 900 90kó-daun
kó-ya 9000
900 kó-daun 9000
Most people know the first Mostthree
peopleof this
know list,
the butfirst thethree
remainder
of this li
are less and less frequently are less
used and theless
higher
frequently
they come usedupthethehigh
0 zero
thoun-nyátăt ’aun 1,000 tăt ’aun 1,000
number scale. Pali ordinals number
above scale. Pali
dá-thă máordinals
are usedabove in scholarly
dá-thă má
tăk ’ ú tăthaún1 10,000 tăthaún 10,000 texts, but are rare in colloquial
texts, but
speech.
are rare in colloquial speech.
tăs ’ eh tătheı́n10 100,000 tătheı́n 100,000
tăya tăthán100 1,000,000 tăthán 1,000,000 2. In some contexts cardinal
2. Innumbers
some contexts
are used
cardinal
as ordinals;
numberse.g.are us
Burmese
165
Sy\tn\;
eh-dán sTenth Standard
’ eh-dán Tenth Standard The Round Number Rule:
The Round Number Rule:
(in school) (in school) COUNTWORD+NUMBER+TENS/HUNDREDS
COUNTWORD+NUMBER+TENS/HUND
etc
e®Kak\
auq-s ’ éh S y\. kui;N˙’séh\T´ cin’auq-s
kó-hniq-t his 69th year
’ éh kó-hniq-t ’ éh in his 69th year
Standard order Standard
Round number
order order Round number or
by 3.
theOrder
formula
is expressed
CARDINAL by the
+ formula CARDINAL + number + countword number
countword
+ countword
+ number + tens/hundreds
countword +etc
numb
auq (or myauq-téh ) NOUN
COUNTWORD + myauq
; e.g.
(or myauq-téh ) NOUN; e.g. hnăs ’ eh-kó măniq m ’ı́-niq
hnăs eh-kó măniq
thoún- zeh
m ı́-niq thoún-
r˙s\Âkim\e®mak\ hniq-
iq-cein-myauq Eighth Annual hniq-
shiq-cein-myauq Eighth Annual 29 minutes 29 minutes
30 minutes 30 minutes
N˙s\păsı́-ăwé
aq-leh t\lv\ Meeting (“eight-
paq-leh ăsı́-ăwé Meeting (“eight- N˙s\Sy\.kui;mins\ N˙s\S
miny\s\.kui;mins\quM; Sy\
mins\ quM;
Asv\;Aew; time-myauq time-myauq ”minutes three ”minutes
tens” three
annual meeting”) annual meeting”)
cå;rk\e®mak\t´. en>
á-yeq-myauq-téh né the fifth day (“five- né
ngá-yeq-myauq-téh the fifth day (“five- lé-ya kó-zéh kó mi-ta lé-ya
mi-ta
kó-zéh ngá-
kó mi-ta yami-ta ngá-
day-myauq-téh day-myauq-téh 499 metres 499500
metres
metres 500 metres
day”) day”) el;ra kui;Sy\.kui; m^ta el;ra
m^takui;Sy\
cå;.kui; m^ta ram^ta cå;
Sy\.N˙s\eyak\e®mak\
éh-hnăyauq-myauq the twelfth soldier
s ’ éh-hnăyauq-myauq the twelfth soldier “metres five hundreds”
“metres five
ss\qa;
iq-thá (“twelve-person-
siq-thá (“twelve-person-
myauq soldier”) myauq soldier”) hnăya hnăs ’ éh-ngá daw-la
hnăya hnăs ’ éh-ngá
daw-la hnăyá-thoún-
daw-la zeh
daw-la hnăyá-t
225 dollars 225230
dollars
dollars 230 dollars
Counting N˙s\ra. N˙s\Sy\. cå; edÅla N˙s\redÅla
a. N˙s\Sy\. N˙cå;
s\ra. edÅla
quM; Sy\
edÅla N˙s\ra. q
“dollars 200 + 3 tens”
“dollars 200 + 3
rases
Two-part number phrases
MBER
Standard
+ COUNTWORD
order: NUMBER + COUNTWORD tăya s ’ éh-c ’auq tan tăya s ’ éh-c ’auq
tan tăyá
tantă s ’tan
eh tăyá tă
countword number countword 116 tons 116110
tons
tons 110 tons
mi-ta thoún 3 metres
mi-ta 3 metres ts\ra Sy\.e®Kak\tn\ ts\tn\
ra Sy\.e®Kak\
ts\rta. n\ts\ Sy\
tn\ ts\ra. t
măniq 15 minutes
s ’ éh-ngá măniq 15 minutes “tons 100 + 1 ten”
“tons 100 + 1
daw-la 39 dollars
thoún-zéh-kó daw-la 39 dollars
EXCEPTION: The word EXCEPTION:
s ’ eh "ten" on its
The own,
word
although
s ’ eh "ten"
it ends
on its
inow
twords
Weakening
(as for with
tens and
countwords
hundreds (asetc):
for tens and hundreds etc): 0, is not subject to the Round
0, is not
Number
subject
Rule.
to the Round Number Rule.
+ mi-ta
tiq tă mi-ta + mi-ta
1 metre
tă mi-ta 1 metre Sy\m^ta s ’eh mi-ta 10 mmetres
Sy\ ^ta s ’eh mi-ta 10 met
+ măniq s ’ éh-hnă măniq
s ’ éh-hniq + măniq
12 minutes
s ’ éh-hnă măniq 12 minutes Sy\edÅla s ’eh daw-la Sy\ 10 edollars
dÅla s ’eh daw-la 10 doll
+ daw-la thoún-zéh
thoun-zéh + daw-la thoún-zéh k ’ un-nădaw-la
k ’ un-hniqk ’ un-nădaw-la Sy\mins\ s ’eh măniq Sy\ 10 mminutes
ins\ s ’eh măniq 10 min
37 dollars 37 dollars
Three-part number phrases
Three-part number phrases
Standard order: NOUNStandard
+ NUMBER order:
+ COUNTWORD
NOUN + NUMBER + CO
Number phrases withNumber units ofphrases
measurement
with units
like the
of me
metres, dollars and minutes
metres,in dollars
the examples
and minutes
above in
have
theonly
examp
two components: the number
two components:
and the countword.
the number
When
andyou
the are
count
specifying quantities ofspecifying
some substance,
quantities
theofnumber
some substance,
phrase
Burmese
167
nents:
contains
the noun
three+components:
the number the + the
noun
count-
+ the number + the count- other than -k ’ ú/- gu´ , sometimes
other than
called
-k ’“classifying
ú/- gu´ , sometimes
countwords”
called “classi
or
ngword
unit).(i.e.
Examples:
the measuring unit). Examples: “classifiers”; e.g.: “classifiers”; e.g.:
noun
countword number phrase countword number phrase noun number noun
countword number phrase countword numbe
k ’weq
laı́n-jú csix
’ glasses
auq of
k ’limejuice
weq six glasses of limejuice two T-shirtst ’ eh two T-
ti-shaq hnă t ’ eh
ti-shaq hnă
limejuice
glass six glass T-shirt two T-shirt
garment two garment for(using
(using the countword
lu
K∑kic\;Âkø;
\ e®Kak\ K∑k\ t^r˙t\ N˙s\ t^
Tv\r˙t\ N˙clothes)
s\ Tv\ clothe
Peq-si
pălı́n six bottles ofpălı́n
lé Pepsi six bottles of Pepsi one ball-point pen one ba
báw-pin tă c ’aún
báw-pin tă c ’aún
Pepsi
bottle four bottle ball pen one ball
longpen (using the countword
thing one long thingfor(using
pk\
pulsc\^ ; el; pulc\; eBapc\ ts\ eBapc\
eK¥ac\; pens, knives,eK¥ac\
ts\ teeth,
; sticks,
pens, k
’ălin
pleiq three rolls ofleiq
thoún film three rolls of film legs etc) legs et
film
roll three roll three friendsyauq three f
meiq-s’we thoún yauq ’we
meiq-s thoún
Plc\
lip\ quM; lip\ friend three friend
person (using the countword
three person for(using
q bi-ya
bú ssixteen cans bú
’ éh-c ’auq of beer sixteen cans of beer mit\eS∑ quM; mieyak\
t\eS∑ persons)
qu M; eyak\ person
beer
can sixteen can 24 light bulbs 24 ligh
mÍ-dhÍ hnăs ’ éh-lé mÍ-dhÍ
loún hnăs ’ éh-lé loún
k\ B^
Bÿ;a Sy\.e®Kak\ B¨; light bulb twenty light
round bulb (using the countword
twenty round for(using
m^;q^; four m^thing
;q^; round things:
four balls, fruit,round
thing
Counting as “items” N˙s\Sy\.el; luM; N˙cans,
s\Sy\etc)
.el; luM; cans, e
y the
Burmese
same pattern
uses exactly
when the
counting
same pattern
discrete when counting discrete
gers,
items
biscuits,
such as calendars
hamburgers,etc. In
biscuits,
place ofcalendars
the etc. In place of the k ’wé hnă ’wé
kkaun two dogs
hnă kaun two do
used
unitinofthe measurement
examples above, used inyou theuse
examples
the above, you use the dog two dog
animal two animal
(using the countword for(using
countword
iced -gú ) “item”.
-k ’ ú (or voiced -gú ) “item”. eK∑; N˙s\ eK∑
ekac\
; N˙animals,
s\ birds, fish, etc) anima
ekac\
noun
countword number phrase countword number phrase seq-beı́n lé seq-beı́n
zı́ four bicycleszı́
lé four b
k ’ ú
han-ba-ga csix hamburgers
’auq k ’ ú six hamburgers bicycle four bicycle
mount four mount
(using the countword for(using
hamburger
item six item sk\B^; el; sk\
s^; B^; vehicles, cars,
el; s^; boats, etc, vehicl
hn\
Ku Bagå e®Kak\ Ku and riding animals) and rid
k ’ ú
pyeq- eight calendars
shiq k ’ ú eight calendars The Round Number Rule:The Round Number Rule:
kitem
’ădein eight item NOUN+NUMBER+TENS/HUNDREDS
NOUN+NUMBER+TENS/HUNDREDS
etc et
calendar
Ku r˙s\ Ku In three-part number phrases
In three-part
containing
numbera round
phrases
number,
containing
the
®pkdin\ round number replaces the
round
countword:
number replaces the countword:
pó-săkaq
gú three postcards
thoún gú three postcards noun number noun
round number number numberroundphrase
number
postcard
item three item replacing countword replacing countword
puKui≥skd\ quM; Ku pó-săkaq thoún pó-săkaq
zeh thoún thirty
zeh postcards
postcard three postcard
ten three ten
words
“Classifying” countwords pui≥skd\ quM; puSy\
i≥skd\ quM; Sy\
s are
Some placed
discrete
in “classes”
items arefor placed
counting
in “classes” for counting
hese
purposes,
items there
andare
for specific
these items
countwords,
there are specific countwords,
Burmese
169
t ’aun
ti-shaq hnă two thousand T-
t ’aun two thousand T- Days in the month Days in the month
T-shirt
thousand two thousand
shirts shirts rk\en≥ rk\en≥
yeq-né day of the month
yeq-né
t^
eTac\
r˙t\ N˙s\ eTac\ Sy\.e®Kak\rk\en≥ Sy\’auq
s ’ éh-c .e®Kak\ rk\en≥
yeq-né thes ’sixteenth
éh-c ’auq yeq-né
siq-thá
ya thoún three
ya hundred three hundred N˙s\Sy\rk\en≥ hnăs N˙s’\S
ehy\yeq-nérk\en≥ thehnăs
twentieth
’ eh yeq-né
soldier
hundred three hundred
soldiers soldiers By\N˙s\rk\en≥l´" Beh-hnăyeq-né-léh? What
By\ N s
˙ r
\ k\ e n≥ l"
´ date?
Beh-hnăyeq-né-léh?
ss\
raqa; quM; ra By\N˙s\rk\en≥ laml´" By\ N s
˙
Beh-hnăyeq-né la- r
\ k\ e n≥ What
laml´ " date will
Beh-hnăyeq-né la-
a sı́-găreq
zeh hnăyá ngá250zeh
cigarettes 250 cigarettes măléh? (they) come?
măléh?
cigarette
ten 200 + 5 ten
s^Sy\
;krk\ N˙s\ra. cå; Sy\ Weekdays Weekdays
en≥ né en≥ dayné(of the week)
DATES tngçeN∑en≥ tngçeN∑en≥
Tănı́n-gănwe-né Sunday
Tănı́n-gănwe-né
tnlçaen≥ tnlçaen≥
Tănı́n-la-né Monday
Tănı́n-la-né
Years Agçåen≥ Agçåen≥
In-ga-né Tuesday
In-ga-né
hniq N˙s\ year
hniq year budÎh¨;en≥ budÎh¨;en≥
Bouq-dăhú-né Wednesday
Bouq-dăhú-né
-k ’ ú/ -gú -Ku unit
-k ’ ú/ -gú unit Âkaqped;en≥ Âkaqped;en≥
Ca-dhăbădé-né Thursday
Ca-dhăbădé-né
Example: 1964 = eqaÂkaen≥ eqaÂkaen≥
Thauq-ca-né Friday
Thauq-ca-né
ts\ee®Kak\
Tac\. Sy\ku
. i;ra.
el;Ku N˙se®Kak\
\ Sy\. el;Ku N˙s\ senen≥ senen≥
Săne-né Saturday
Săne-né
Tăt ’aún
c ’auq-s ’ éhkó-ya
lé-gú c ’auq-s ’ éh
hniq lé-gú hniq By\en≥ laml´" By\en≥
Beh-né laml´"
la-măléh? What day la-măléh?
Beh-né will
undreds
One thousand
six tens ninefour
hundreds
units year
six tens four units year (they) come?
senen≥ lamy\" senen≥ la-meh.
Săne-né lamy\" They are coming
Săne-né la-meh.on
Seasons Saturday.
rainy season
i mui;raq^ (June to October)
mó-ya-dhi rainy season (June to October)
cool
dhieSac\ seasons ’(November
;raq^ aún-ya-dhi to
cool
February)
season (November to February) If you find it difficult toIfmemorise
you find it
the
difficult
names toof memorise
the days ofthe
thenam
hi eN∑hot
raq^season nwe-ya-dhi
(March to May) hot season (March to May) week don’t worry unduly: week most
don’tof worry
the people
unduly:
you most
are likely
of the
tope
meet will know the English meetnames
will know
anyway.
the English names anyway.
Months
l month
lá month Dates in Burmese run from
Dates
large
in Burmese
units to small:
run from large units to sm
g¥n\nwår^l
-ri-lá January
Jan-năwa-ri-lá January ts\eTac\ kui;ra el;Sy\. ts\
r˙s\Keu Tac\
N˙s\' g¥n\
kui;nra
wårêl;Sy\
l' el;rk\
. r˙se\Kn≥u N˙s\' g¥n\nwår^l
ePePa\wår^l
wa-ri-lá February
P ’ e-baw-wa-ri-lá February Tăt ’aun kó-ya lé-zéh shiq-k ’ ú’aun
Tăt hniq,
kó-ya
Jan-năwa-ri-lá,
lé-zéh shiq-k ’ ú hniq, Jan-nă
lé-yeq-né
mt\l March,
Maq-láetc March, etc One-thousand nine-hundredOne-thousand
four-tens
nine-hundred
eight-units four-ten
year,
January month, fourth day January month, fourth day
Burmese
There iscalendar,
a traditional
withBurmese
months based
calendar,
on with months based on = The fourth of January, =nineteen
The fourth
hundred
of January,
and forty
nineteen
eight hundre
ingthe
of waxing
the moonand
andwaning
a yearofthat
the starts
moon inand a year that starts in
meseApril,
are familiar
but mostwith
Burmese
the Western
are familiar
systemwith the Western system TIME TIME
mes and
of the
themonths,
English so
names
the Burmese
of the months,
month so the Burmese month Hours and minutes Hours and minutes
here.
names are not given here. AK¥in\ ăc ’AK¥i
ein n\ time
ăc ’ ein
nar^ na-yinar^ hour
na-yi
Burmese
171
mins\ or măniq
mı́-niq minute
mı́-niq or măniq minute PRICES PRICES
quM;nar^
thoún-na-yi three o’clock
thoún-na-yi three o’clock
KuN˙s\nar^
k ’ un-năna-yi seven o’clock
k ’ un-năna-yi seven o’clock eZ; or APui; or ăp
zé eZ; or’óAPui; price
zé or ăp ’ó
e®Kak\nar^K∑´
c ’auq-na-yi-gwéh half past six o’clock
c ’auq-na-yi-gwéh half past six o’clock puik\SM or ec∑ paiq-s ’anM or
pu k
i S
\ orec∑
ngwe money
paiq-s ’an or ngwe
kui;nar^s ’Sy\
kó-na-yi éh-ngá 9.15
.cå;mins\
kó-na-yi s ’ éh-ngá 9.15 k¥p\ caq k¥p\ kyat
caq (= 100 pya) 1
măniq măniq ®pa; pyá®pa; pyapyá(100 pya = 1
Sy\ nar^
s ’ eh-na-yi s ’ eh Sy\ mn
i s\ 10.10
s ’ eh-na-yi s ’ eh 10.10 kyat)
măniq măniq r˙s\k¥p\ r˙
shiq-caq s k
\ ¥p\ eight kyats (often
shiq-caq
el;nar^
lé-na-yi thoún-zéh- 4.35
lé-na-yi thoún-zéh- 4.35 written 8/-)
qu ;
M Sy\
ngá-măniq c
. å;mi ns\ ngá-măniq r˙s\Sy\. e®Kak\k¥p\ shiq-sr˙s\S y\. e®Kak\
’ éh-c ’auq-caqk¥p\ eighty-six kyats
shiq-s ’ éh-c ’auq-caq
By\ A K¥i n \
Beh ăc ’ ein la-măléh?laml´ What
Behtime will
ăc ’ ein you
la-măléh? What time will you (86/-)
come? come? Sy\.r˙s\k¥p\ e®Kak\®pa; Sy\ r
. s
˙ k
\
s ’ éh-shiq-caq c ’auq- ¥p\ e®Kak\ ® eighteen
pa; kyats and
s ’ éh-shiq-caq c ’auq-
pyá sixpyá
pya (18/06)
Rule The
applies
Round to Number
minutes (other
Rule applies
than “10
to minutes (other than “10 N˙s\k¥p\K∑´ N˙s\k¥p\K’wéh
hnăcaq-k ∑´ two kyats and
hnăcaq-k ’wéha half
oesminutes”
to other itself)
units: as it does to other units: (2 kyats and 50
mins\ ngá-zeh
mı́-niq cå;Sy\ 50 minutes
mı́-niq ngá-zeh 50 minutes pya, 2/50)
(minutes 5 tens) (minutes 5 tens)
ts\nar^
tăna-yi mins\ hnăs
mı́-niq N˙s\S’eh 1.20 or mı́-niq
y\ tăna-yi 1 hr and
hnăs ’ eh 1.20 or 1 hr and Note 1. The pya was in Note
use1.tillThe
the pya
earlywas
1990s,
in usebuttill
inflation
the early
20 mins (1 hr, 20 mins (1 hr, drove its value so low that
droveit its
is no
value
longer
so low
in use
thattoday
it is no
(2001).
longer
mins 2 tens) mins 2 tens) The word is sometimesTheusedword
for prices
is sometimes
in US orused
UK forcurrency,
prices in
ns\ lé- s12.40 or 12 hrs when pya = US cent or UK
when
penny.
pya = US cent or UK penny.
Sy\.N˙s\nar^ mimı́-niq
s ’ éh-hnăna-yi ’ éh-hnăna-yi mı́-niq lé- 12.40 or 12 hrs
zehel;Sy\ and 40 mins
zeh and 40 mins
After numbers the Voicing After Rulenumbers
makes the into jaq ,Rule
caq Voicing and pyá
makesintocaq
(12 hrs, mins 4 (12 hrs, mins 4
byá , except after -q , or afterbyá , h except
n ă - or after
n ă - (see
-q , ortheafternoteh nin ă -Section
or n ă - (se
tens) tens)
10): 10):
el;k¥p\ el;k¥p\
lé-jj a q hnăs ’ éh- four kyats
lé-jj a q and
hnăs ’K4/25
éh- four
Parts of the day
N˙s\Sy\.cå;®pa; ngá-b a´\Sy\.cå;®pa; twenty-five
bN˙ysá ngá-b a´
b y á twe
mnk\
măneq morning,
măneq a.m. morning, a.m.
pya pya
ven
nyá-ne afternoon,
nyá-ne p.m. afternoon, p.m. e®Kak\k¥p\ r˙s\®pa; c ’auq-c e®Kak\
c a q shiq-k ¥p\ r˙ s ®
\ six kyats
pa; c ’auq-cand K6/08 six ky
c a q shiq-
nyáv night,
nyá evening night, evening eight ppya eigh
´
p y á
a ´
y á
a
mnk\ Ku Ns
˙ n
\ ar^
măneq k ’ un-năna-yi 7.45 a.m. k ’ un-năna-yi
măneq 7.45 a.m. KuNc˙sa\kq ¥p\ N˙s\®pa; sevenkkyats
KuN˙s\k¥p\ N˙s\®pa; k ’un-năc ’un-năc c a q K7/02 seven
el;Sy\.cå;mins\
lé-zéh-ngá-măniq lé-zéh-ngá-măniq and two pya and
hnăp a´
p y á hnăp a´
p y á
nyávkó-na-yi mins\N˙s\Sy\9.20
kui;nar^ mı́-niq p.m.
nyá kó-na-yi mı́-niq 9.20 p.m.
hnăs ’ eh hnăs ’ eh The Round Number Rule Theapplies
Roundto Number
currencyRule
as toapplies
other units:
to currenc
en≥ly\
né-leh midday
né-leh midday ®pa; cå;Sy\ ®pa; pya fivepyá
cå;Sy\ tensngá-zeh
50 pya pya five ten
pyá ngá-zeh
nyávqn\ ;eKåc\
thăgaun midnight
nyá thăgaun midnight el;Sy\.eforty-four
el;Sy\.el;k¥p\ lé-zéh-lé-jaq K44/40 forty-four
l;k¥p\ lé-zéh-lé-jaq
®pa; el;Sy\ ´ -zeh
pyá lé kyat, pya
®pa; el;Sy\ ´ -zeh
pyá lé kyat, pya
four tens four tens
Burmese
172 By Ear Burmese By Ear Appendix 5 Topical vocabularies
Appendix 5 Topical vocab
173
APPENDIX 5 APPENDIX 5
ed When
in round kyatnumbers,
are countedthe word
in round
k¥p\ numbers,
caq is the word k¥p\ caq is TOPICAL VOCABULARIES
TOPICAL VOCABULAR
usually omitted:
eh or
N˙s\Sy\' (money)hnăstwo’ eh orK20 (money) two K20 Topical vocabularies Topical vocabularies
˙s\Sy\tens
ec∑N’eh
e hnăs ngwe hnăs ’ eh tens 5.1 Food and drinks 5.1 Food and drinks
or ngwe
el;ra' (money)lé-ya fouror ngwe
K400 (money) four K400 5.2 Sites and placenames5.2 Sites and placenames
a ec∑ el;ra hundreds lé-ya hundreds 5.3 Kin terms 5.3 Kin terms
5.4 You and I 5.4 You and I
h currency
The number as with
ten, other
with currency
units, is exempt
as with other units, is exempt 5.5 This, that and what 5.5 This, that and what
berfrom
Rule:the Round Number Rule: 5.6 Traditional Burmese 5.6
clothing
Traditional Burmese clothing
Sy\edÅla
aw-la ten-dollar $10
s ’ eh-daw-la ten-dollar $10
maqSy\mt\ ten-mark s ’ eh-maqDM10 ten-mark DM10 TOPICAL VOCABULARY
TOPICAL
5.1 VOCABULAR
FOOD AND DRINKS FOOD AND DRINKS
currency:
except with Burmese currency:
orts\ Sy\' money one
ngwe tenor K10
tăs ’ eh ngwe money one ten K10
The list below gives a selection
The list of
below
commongivesitems
a selection
to choose
of common
from
ec∑ts\Sy\ and add to. Smaller cafésandand
addrestaurants
to. Smallertendcafés
to and
specialise
restaurants
in
eh tăs ’ eh
one type of cuisine, mostly
one type
Indian,of cuisine,
Chinese,mostly
Burmese Indian,
or Euro-
Chine
pean, according to the racial
pean,origins
according
of the
to proprietor.
the racial origins
Largerofes-
the p
use
Fractions
till the 1980s)
of a kyat (in use till the 1980s)
tablishments offer a wider
tablishments
range. offer a wider range.
q ts\mt\ one quarter tă maq K-/25 one quarter K-/25
quM;mt\ three quarters
-maq K-/75 three quarters
thoún-maq K-/75
Drinks Drinks
mú cå;m¨ ; five mu ngá-mú K-/50 five mu K-/50 ăye Arv\ ăyejuice Arv\ juice
lein-maw-ye lim\ema\rv\ lein-maw-ye orange juice lim\ema\rv\ orange juice
than-băya-ye qMpurarv\ than-băya-yelime juice qMpurarv\ lime juice
can-ye ÂkMrv\ can-yesugar caneÂkM juice
rv\ sugar cane juice
p ’yaw-ye eP¥a\rv\ fruit juice (“infused
p ’yaw-ye eP¥a\rv\ juice”) fruit juice (“infu
bı́-laq-ye Bilp\rv\ bı́-laq-ye sweet carbonated
Bilp\rv\drink (“foreign
sweet carbonate
juice”) juice”)
lăp ’ eq-ye lk\Pk\rv\ lăptea ’ eq-ye lk\Pk\rv\ tea
nwá-nó, nó N∑a;Nui≥ or just nwá-nó,
Nui≥ milk nó N∑a;Nui≥ or just Nui≥ milk
nó-é Nui≥eA; nó-écold milk Nui≥eA; cold milk
p ’a-lu-da Pål¨då faluda
p ’a-lu-da Pål¨då faluda
ye er ye water er water
ye-nwé-ján plain tea (“water
ereN∑;Âkm\; ye-nwé-ján + warm
ereN∑;Âkm\ ; plain
+ crude”)
tea (“water
ye-jeq-é erk¥k\eA; ye-jeq-é chilled boiled water
erk¥k\ eA;(“waterchilled
+ boiled
boiled wa
+ cold”) + cold”)
ăyeq Ark\ ăyeq alcoholic drink
Ark\ alcoholic drink
Burmese
175
Café snacks ngá cå; ngá fish cå; fish

erKýe-géh-moún
mun\≥ iceerK´
cream
mun\≥ ice cream ú U ú egg U egg
kitkeiq-moún
\mun\≥ cake
kit\mun\≥ cake ceq-ú Âkk\ ceq-ú
U chicken Âkk\
egg U chick
i-ca-kwé
A^Âkaek∑ ; dough stick;
A^Âkaek∑ dough stick béh-ú BÚbéh-ú duck eggBÚ duck
B^sbi-săkiq
ks\ biscuit
B^sks\ (cookie) biscuit (cookie) péh-byá p´®pa;péh-byá tofu, bean curd
p´®pa; tofu,
p¨dc\pu-dı́n
; pudding
p¨dc\; (like a set pudding (like a set pyi-jı́-ngá ®pv\pyi-jı́-ngá
Âk^;cå; squid ®pv\Âk^;cå; squid
custard) custard) ngăshı́n cå;r˙ngăshı́n
√\≥ eel cå;r˙√\≥ eel
epåc\paun-moún
mun\≥ bread
epåc\mun\≥ bread ăthéh Aq´ or Aqv\;
ăthéh liver Aq´ or Aqv\; liver
nan-byá
nM®pa; Indian
nM®pa; nan bread Indian nan bread kăli-za kl^ kăli-za
za giblets kl^za giblet
t ’áw-baq
eTapt\ butter
eTapt\ butter nan-yó nMRui;nan-yó rib nMRui; rib
ouq paun-moún
epåc\mun\≥eTapt\ qut\ buttered
t ’áw-baq-thouq epåc\bread
mun\≥eTapt\qut\ buttered bread weq-u-jaún wk\weq-u-jaún
AëK¥ac\; sausage wk\AëK¥ac\; sausa
q nan-byá nM®pa;eTapt\ qut\ buttered
t ’áw-baq-thouq nan
nM®pa;eTapt\ qut\ buttered nan gănán k%n\ gănán
; crab k%n\; crab
péh-byouq
p´‘pt\ boiled
p´‘pt\dried peas boiled dried peas k ’ăyú KRu k ’ăyú oyster KRu oyste
sm¨S săamu-s’a samusa
sm¨Sa samusa theq-thaq-luq qk\ theq-thaq-luq
qt\l∑t\ vegetarian
qk\foodqt\l∑t\ veget
platapăla-ta parata
plata parata
Pk\pT ’ eq-t
up\ ’ouq wonton
Pk\Tup\ wonton – Methods of cooking – Methods of cooking
epåk\pauq-sis^ Chinese
epåk\sdumpling
^ Chinese dumpling -p ’ouq -Put -p \’ouq baked -Put\ baked
eka\ kaw-byán-(leiq)-jaw
®pn\≥(lip\)eÂka\ spring roll
eka\®pn\ ≥(lip\)eÂka\ spring roll -hlaw -el˙ -hlawa\ parched-el˙a\ parch
Aqu ăthouq
p\ dressed
Aqup\ salad dressed salad -kin/-gin -kc\ -kin/-gin baked, roast,
-kc\ grilled baked
g¥c\jı́n-dhouq
;qup\ fresh
g¥c\;ginger
qup\ salad fresh ginger salad -paún/-baún -paún/-baún
-epåc\ ; steamed-epåc\; steam
Krn\k;’ăyán-jin-dhı́-dhouq
K¥√\q^;qup\ tomato salad
Krn\;K¥√\ q^;qup\ tomato salad -pyouq/-byouq -‘pt\-pyouq/-byouq boiled -‘pt\ boiled
puz∑nbăzun-dhouq
\qup\ prawn
puz∑n\qsalad
up\ prawn salad -caw/-jaw -caw/-jaw
-eÂka\ fried -eÂka\ fried
-s ’i-byan -S^-s®pn\ ’i-byan stewed -S^®pn\ stewe
Hot meals -thouq -qu-thouq
t\ dressed -qusalad
t\ dress
– Starches -ăc ’auq -ăc ’auq
-Ae®Kak\ dried -Ae®Kak\ dried
Tmc\t ’ă;mı́n cooked rice
Tmc\; cooked rice kaun-loún ekac\kaun-loún
luM; whole (e.g.
ekac\ chicken)
luM; whole
k ’auq-s
eKåk\ S∑´ ’wéh noodles eKåk\S∑´ noodles -loún -lu-loún
M; ball (e.g.-lu
fish-ball)
M; ball (e
nn\;nán-jı́
Âk^; thick noodles
nn\;Âk^; thick noodles ăsaq Asp\ ăsaq spicy, hotAsp\ to taste spicy
ca-zan
ÂkazM vermicelli
ÂkazM vermicelli ăc ’in AK¥√\ăc ’in sour tasting
AK¥√\ sour t
ăc ’o AK¥oiăc ’o sweet AK¥oi sweet
– Proteins c ’o-c ’in K¥oiKc¥√\’o-c ’in sweet and K¥oiKsour
¥√\ sweet
Aqa; ăthá meat Aqa; meat
wk\weq-thá
qa; pork (“pig
wk\meat”)
qa; pork (“pig meat”) – Names of dishes – Names of dishes
Amá̆qméh-dhá
a; beef (“beef
Am´qmeat”)
a; beef (“beef meat”) hı́n hc\; hı́n curry
hc\; cur
Sit s ’\q
eiq-thá
a; mutton (“goat
Sit\qa;meat”) mutton (“goat meat”) t ’ă mı́n-jaw t ’ă mı́n-jaw
Tmc\;eÂka\ fried rice
Tmc\ ;eÂka\ frie
B´q béh-dhá
a; duck (“duck
B´qa;meat”) duck (“duck meat”) dan-bauq t ’ă mı́n dan-bauq
dn\epåk\ Tmc\; t ’ă mı́n pulao riceTmc\;
dn\epåk\ pu
Âkk\ ceq-thá
qa; chicken Âkk\
(“poultry
qa; meat”)chicken (“poultry meat”) k ’auq-s ’wéh-jaw eKåk\S ∑éÂka\ ’wéh-jaw fried
k ’auq-s noodles
eKåk\ S∑éÂka\ frie
puz∑nbăzun
\ prawn puz∑n\ prawn k ’auq-s ’wéh-byouq eKåk\S ∑´‘pt\ ’wéh-byouqboiled
k ’auq-s eKåk\noodles
S∑´‘pt\ boi
Burmese
177
ăseı́n-jaw
m\;eÂka\ fried
Asivegetables
m\;eÂka\ fried vegetables k ’ăyán-dhı́ Krm\;q^k;’ăyán-dhı́ aubergine,
Krm\;q^; brinjal, aub
tak\tauq-tauq-caw
etak\eÂka\ fried
etak\mincedetak\meat
eÂka\ fried minced meat eggplant
hc\moún-hı́n-gá
;Kå; fish soup eaten
mun\≥h c\;Kå; with noodles
fish soup eaten with noodles k ’ăyán-jin-dhı́ k ’ăyán-jin-dhı́
Krm\;K¥√\ q^; tomato
Krm\;K¥√\q^; tom
srató-zăya to-zaya
tui≥sra to-zaya kaiq-lan kuik\lkaiq-lan
n\ Chinese
kuik\lkale n\ Ch
c\;K¥oihı́n-jo thin
hc\soup
;K¥oi thin soup kănyuq kV∑tkănyuq
\ asparagus
kV∑t\ asp
kăzún kn\s∑nkăzún
\; water
kn\scress
∑n\; wa
– Flavourings kăzún-ú kn\s∑nkăzún-ú
\;U sweet
kn\spotato
∑n\;U sw
pi orngăpı́
cpi fish paste
cå;pi or cpi fish paste măjı́-dhı́ mn\k¥v\măjı́-dhı́
;q^; tamarind
mn\k¥v\;q^; tam
or cpi
å;pi péh-ngăpı́ soypćbean
å;pi orsauce
cpi soy bean sauce moun-hnyı́n mun\vc\moun-hnyı́n
; mustard
mun\vc\; leaf mu
¥√\ ăc ’in sour sauce
AK¥√\ sour sauce moun-la(-ú) moun-la(-ú)
mun\la(U) radish
mun\la(U) rad
; orjı́nK¥c\; ginger
g¥c\; or K¥c\; ginger moun-la-ú-ni moun-la-ú-ni
mun\laUn^ beetroot
mun\laUn^ bee
t\ ngăyouq chilli
cRut\ chilli moun-la-ú-wa moun-la-ú-wa
mun\laUwå carrot
mun\laUwå car
; s ’á saltSa; salt ngăyouq-thı́ cRut\qngăyouq-thı́
^; chilli
cRut\q^; chi
t\engăyouq-kaún
kac\; pepper
cRut\e(corns)
kac\; pepper (corns) p ’ăyoun PRuM p ’ăyoun pumpkin
PRuM pu
pán-gaw-bi pán-gaw-bi
pn\;egÅB^ cauliflower
pn\;egÅB^ cau
– Plants péh p´ péh bean,
p´ pea, pulse bea
-pin plant -pc\ plant péh-bin-bauq péh-bin-bauq
p´pc\epåk\ bean
p´pc\sprouts
epåk\ bea
-thı́ fruit -q^; fruit péh-daún-she pétac\péh-daún-she
.r˙v\ runner
pétac\ bean
.r˙v\ run
-yweq leaf -R∑k\ leaf peı́n-ú pin\;U peı́n-ú taro
pin\;U tar
-ú tuber -U tuber pyaún-bú e®pac\;P¨pyaún-bú
; maize,
e®pac\sweet
;P¨; corn ma
-yó stem -Rui; stem s ’ălaq-yweq Slt\sR’ălaq-yweq
∑k\ lettuce
Slt\R∑k\ lett
-pán flower -pn\; flower thăk ’wá-dhı́ qK∑a;q^thăk ; ’wá-dhı́ cucumber
qK∑a;q^; cuc
-sı́ seed -es. seed yoún-băde(di)-dhı́ or t^)q^; lady’s
yoún-băde(di)-dhı́
RuM;pet( fingers,
RuM;pet( or t^)okra
q^; lad
– Vegetables – Fruit – Fruit

c\;q^hı́n-dhı́-hı́n-yweq
;hc\;R∑k\ vegetable
hc\;q^;hc\;R∑k\ vegetable áw-za-dhı́ Âqzaqấw-za-dhı́
; custard
Âqzaqâpple
; cus
urry-fruits + curry-leaves”)(“curry-fruits + curry-leaves”) ceq-mauq-thı́ Âkk\eceq-mauq-thı́
mak\q^; rambutan
Âkk\emak\q^; ram
l¨;a-lú potato
Aal¨; potato cwéh-gáw-dhı́ cwéh-gáw-dhı́
kÁékaq^ ; pomelo
kÁékaq^; po
q^; bú-dhı́ gourd
B¨;q^; gourd dú-yı́n-dhı́ dú-yı́n-dhı́
d¨;rc\;q^ ; durian
d¨;rc\;q^; du
c ’in-baun
epåc\ roselle
K¥√\epåc\ roselle lein-maw-dhı́ lim\ema\lein-maw-dhı́
q^; tangerine
lim\ema\q^; tan
k\hceq-hı́n-gá-dhı́
c\;Kå;q^; bitter
Âkk\gourd
hc\;Kå;q^; bitter gourd ma-lăka-dhı́ malkaq^ma-lăka-dhı́
; guava
malkaq^; gu
k\qceq-thun-byu
∑n\®Pø garlic
Âkk\q∑n\®Pø garlic măyán-dhı́ mrn\;q^măyán-dhı́
; marian
mrn\;q^; ma
k\qceq-thun-ni
∑n\n^ onion
Âkk\q∑n\n^ onion meq-mán-dhı́ mk\mn\meq-mán-dhı́
;q^; damson
mk\mn\;q^; da
B^T gaw-bi-douq
up\ cabbage
egÅB^Tup\ cabbage meq-mun-dhı́ mk\m∑nmeq-mun-dhı́
\q^; peach
mk\m∑n\q^; pea
gaw-răk
rKå;q^ ; ’á-dhı́ chayote
egårKå;q^; chayote mı́n-guq-thı́ mc\;k∑tmı́n-guq-thı́
\q^; mangosteen
mc\;k∑t\q^; ma
hmo mushroom
mOi mushroom na-naq-thı́ nant\na-naq-thı́
q^; pineapple
nant\q^; pin
hmyiq bamboo
mYs\ shoots bamboo shoots ngăpyáw-dhı́ ngăpyáw-dhı́
c˙k\ep¥aq^ ; banana
c˙k\ep¥aq^; ban
oún-dhı́ Aun\;qôún-dhı́
; coconut
Aun\;q^; coc
Burmese
179
q^; p ’ăyéh-dhı́ water

Pr´qmelon
^; water melon yaq-kweq rp\k ∑k\
yaq-kweq neighbourhood,
rp\k∑k\ quarter neig
q^;pán-dhı́ apple
pn\;q^; apple myó-neh ‘mi>ny\
myó-neh Township
‘mi > ny\ Tow
q^; peı́n-néh-dhı́ jackfruit
piN~´q^; jackfruit taı́n tuictaı́n
\; Division
tuic\; Div
s\qsăbyiq-thı́
^; grape
sp¥s\q^; grape pyi-neh ®pv\pyi-neh
ny\ State ®pv\ n y\ Stat
ak\qshauq-thı́
^; grapefruit
er˙ak\q^; grapefruit Bo-jouq Lán builBo-jouq
\K¥op\lm\; Lán Bogyoke
buil\KStreet
¥op\lm\; Bog
(but tastes like lemon) (but tastes like lemon) Măha Ban-dú-lá Lán mhabNÎ
Măha ollm\ ;
Ban-dú-lá Maha Bandoola
Lán mhabNÎ ollm\ Street
; Ma
Tapt\ t ’aw-baq-thı́
q^; avocado
eTapt\pear q^; avocado pear Ă naw-yăt ’a Lán Aena\ r Talm\ ;
Ă naw-yăt ’a Lán Anawrahta
Aena\ r Street
Talm\ ; Ana
praq^ than-băya-dhı́
; lime
qMpraq^; lime K án-ná Lán km\K;na;lm\
án-ná ;Lán Strandkm\Road;na;lm\; Stra
rk\q thăyeq-thı́
^; mango
qrk\q^; mango K oun-dheh Lán v\lm\; Lán Merchant
kunK\qoun-dheh kun\qStreet v\lm\; Me
huiL\ethi-ho-zı́
s. cashew
q^huiL\enuts
s. cashew nuts Pán-zó-dán pn\;Pán-zó-dán
Sui;tn\; Pansodan
pn\;SuStreet
i;tn\; Pan
s\eta\thiq-taw-dhı́
q^; pear
qs\eta\q^; pear Shwe Boun-dha Lán eRWBShwe uMqalm\ ;
Boun-dha Shwe Bontha
Lán eRW BuMqalm\ Street
; Shw
Bçathı́n-báw-dhı́
q^; papaya
qeBçaq^; papaya Pye Lán ®pv\Pyelm\;Lán Pyay Road
®pv\l(Prome m\; Pya
q^; zı́-dhı́ wild
S^;plum
q^; wild plum Road) R
Ú W ı́-sa-rá Lán Ë;wiÚsarlm\ ;
W ı́-sa-rá Lán U Wisara
Ë;wisRoad
arlm\; UW
– Other foods 88 Bo-jouq Lán 88 88 \K¥op\lm\; Lán 88 Bogyoke
builBo-jouq 88 builStreet
\K¥op\lm\; 88 B
c\munpaun-moún
\≥ bread
epåc\mun\≥ bread 45 Măha Ban-dú-lá 45 45 mhabNÎ
Măha ollm\ ; 47 Maha
Ban-dú-lá 45 Bandoola
mhabNÎollm\; 47 M
Tapt\ t ’áw-baq butter
eTapt\ butter Lán Lán Street S
sks\bi-săkiq biscuit,
B^sks\ cookie biscuit, cookie
c ’ ı́s cheese
K¥is\ cheese Religious centres Religious centres
arv\ ngan-pya-ye fish sauce
cM®parv\ fish sauce p ’ăyá Burp ’a;ăyá pagoda
Bura; pa
Nui≥ nwá-nó milk
N∑a;Nui≥ milk (also used to refer to Buddha(also images used to and referthe
to Buddha himself) images and th
ka;thăjá sugar
qÂka; sugar Shwe-dăgoun P ’ăyá eRW t g
i B
M u
Shwe-dăgoun P ’ăyá r
u a; Shwedagon
eRW t g
i B
M u Pagoda
ura; Sh
s ’i oilS^ oil S ’ ú-le P ’ăyá S¨S;elBu’ ú-le rPa;’ăyá Sule Pagoda
S¨;elBura; Su
On\≥ ’i-hmoún
ka\P^mkaw-p instant
eka\Pcoffee^mOn\≥ instant coffee Ngá-daq-cı́ P ’ăyá Ngá-daq-cı́ P ’ăyá Ngadatkyi Pagoda
cå;Tp\ Â k^ ; Bu r a; cå;Tp\ Â k^ ; Bu r a; Ng
n\≥ nó-hmoún milk
Nui≥mOnpowder
\≥ milk powder Bo-tăt ’aun P ’ăyá buil \ts\eTac\
Bo-tăt ’aunB a; Botahtaung
Pur’ăyá buil\ts\ePagoda Tac\Bura; Bo
S^ nó-zi condensed
Nui≥S^ milk condensed milk Meh-lă mú P ’ăyá my\ lmuBurmú
Meh-lă a; P ’ăyá Mailamu my\lPagoda muBura; M
ka;luthăjá-loún
M; sweets,
qÂka;lu candy M; sweets, candy ze-di est^
ze-di pagoda
est^ pa
Kăba-é Ze-di kmı aeA;est^
Kăba-é Ze-di WorldkmıPeace
aeA;est^ Pagoda W
p ’oún-jı́ caún Bu n ;
\ Âk^
p ’oún-jı́ caún ; ek¥ac\ ; monastery
Bu n ;
\ Âk^ ; ek¥ac\ ; m
ICAL VOCABULARY
TOPICAL
5.2 VOCABULARY 5.2 yeiq-tha ripyeiq-tha
\qa meditation
rip\qa centre m
ES AND PLACENAMES
SITES AND PLACENAMES Măha-si Y eiq-tha Măha-si Y eiq-tha The Mahasi Meditation Th
mhasv\ r p
i q
\ a mhasv\ r p
i q
\ a
Centre C
mesA selection
of places of
andthesites
names
you of
may
places
needand
to sites you may need to băli bl^băli mosque
bl^ m
know p ’ăyá shiq-k ’ó-jaún Bu r a;r˙ K
i ;
i u
p ’ăyá shiq-k ’ó-jaún ek¥ac\ ; church
Bu (“lord-revere-
r a;r˙ K
i ;
i u ek¥ac\ ; ch
Homes and addresses monastery”) m
Aimein
\ house,Aihome
m\ house, home
lm\lán
; road, street
lm\; road, street Offices Offices
tuik
taiq \ building
tuik\ building yoún RuM; yoún officeRuM; of
Burmese
181
®mn\Myan-ma
maTry\by\
T ’R uM; Myanmar
ăreh-beh Travel
®mn\maTry\ office
by\ RuM; Myanmar Travel office
Y oún Public buildings Public buildings
wn\wun-jı́-yoún
Âk^;RuM; ministry
wn\Âk^(“Minister’s
;RuM; ministry (“Minister’s youn RuM youn large public
RuM building large publi
office”) office”) bu-da-youn railway station
B¨taRubu-da-youn
M B¨taRu (“station
M railway
build- sta
qMR uM;
than-yoún embassy
qMRuM; (“envoy- embassy (“envoy- ing”) ing”)
office”) office”) youq-shin-youn cinema (“image-moving
Rup\r˙c\Ryouq-shin-youn
uM Rup\r˙c\RuM cinema
+ (“im
®bit q
i YqM R ;
M u British
Byı́-t ı́-shá Than-yoún ®bit Embassy
iqYqMRuM; British Embassy building”) building”
Aemri kn\qMRuM; Than- American
Ă me-rı́-kan AemriEmbassy
kn\qMRuM; American Embassy seq-youn sk\RuM seq-younfactory (“machine
sk\RuM building”)
factory (“m
yoún ălouq-youn Alup\Rălouq-youn
uM workshop (“work
Alup\RuM building”)
workshop
ÂqseÂt;l¥qM RuM;
Á w-sătré-lyá Australian
Than- Embassy
ÂqseÂt;l¥qM RuM; Australian Embassy tăreiq-s ’an-youn tirsÍatăreiq-s
n\RuM zoo (“animal
’an-youn tirbuilding”)
sÍan\RuM zoo (“anim
yoún ăthan-hlw ı́n-youn AqMlăthan-hlw
Wc\.RuM broadcasting
ı́n-youn AqMstation
lWc\.RuM (“sound-
broadcastin
elya√\ RuM;
le-yin-yoún airline officeRuM;
elya√\ airline office broadcast-building”) broadcas
TuTic\;’aı́n
elya√\ RuM;
Le-yin-yoún Thai Airways
Tuic\;elya√\office
RuM; Thai Airways office Myan-má Ă than ®mn\ma.AqM Voice
Myan-má Ă thanof Myanmar
®mn\ma.AqM(national
Voice of M
BimBn\ı́-mán
;elya√\ R ;
M u Bangladesh Biman
Le-yin-yoún Bi mn\ ; elya√\ RuM; Bangladesh Biman broadcasting station) broadcas
office office s ’ é-youn eS;RuM s ’é-youn hospital (“medicine
eS;RuM building”)
hospital (“m
®mn\Myan-ma Myanmar
maelya√\Le-yin-yoún
RuM; Airways
®mn\maelya√\ RuM; Myanmar Airways s ’ é-gán eS;Kn\s;’é-gán clinic (“medicine
eS;Kn\; room”)clinic (“me
office office yéh-t ’a-ná r´@an yéh-t ’a-nápolice station
r´@an police stati
tra;Ru M;
tăyá-yoún law court
tra;RuM; law court t ’aun eTac\ t ’aun prison eTac\ prison
Ín-sein T ’aun \eTac\ TInsein
Ac\;sinÍn-sein ’aun Jail Ac\;sin\eTac\ Insein Jail
Hotels and restaurants ein-dha Aim\qaein-dha toilet Aim\qa toilet
huit ho-teh y\ hotel
huit(or
y\ restaurant) hotel (or restaurant)
ka-ra-o-ke
karaAu iek karaoke
karaAuiek karaoke Markets and shops Markets and shops
sTrc\Săt;’hu ărı́n
ity\ H o-teh Strand
sTrc\Hotel
;huity\ Strand Hotel zé eZ; zé market eZ; market
dg unDăgoun
\huity\ H o-teh Dagon
dg un\hHotel
uity\ Dagon Hotel Bo-jouq Zé buil\K¥op\Bo-jouq
eZ; ZéBogyoke Market
buil\K¥op\eZ; Bogyoke M
sKn\Săk ;qahu ity\ H o-teh Sakantha
’án-dha sKn\;qahu Hotel
ity\ Sakantha Hotel Thein-jı́ Zé qim\Âk^Thein-jı́
;eZ; ZéTheingyi qi
Market
m\Âk^;eZ; Theingyi
Y óit
Rui;mhu -máy\ H o-teh YomaRui;mhuHotel
ity\ Yoma Hotel Lăha-byin Zé lha®pc\ Lăha-byin
eZ; The
Zé Openlha®pc\
Air MarketeZ; The Open
Ac\Ín-yá
;ya;liLeiq o-teh Inya
H y\
p\huit Ac\Lake
;ya;li Hotelp\huity\ Inya Lake Hotel s ’ain Suic\ s ’ain shop Suic\ shop
qmμThă
thumădá ity\ H o-teh President qmμthuit Hotely\ President Hotel sá-thauq-s ’ain sa;eqak\ Suic\ restaurant
sá-thauq-s ’ain (“eat-drink
sa;eqak\ Suic\ + restauran
shop”)
krwi k\huity\H o-teh Karaweik
Kărăweiq krwik\hHall uity\and Karaweik Hall and ăé-zain AeA;Su ăé-zain
ic\ cold drinks bar ic\
AeA;Su cold drink
Restaurant Restaurant (“cold things + shop”) (“cold t
“Buildings” lăp ’ eq-ye-zain lk\Pk\ lăpr’v\ Suic\ café (“tealk\
eq-ye-zain shop”)
Pk\rv\Suic\ café (“tea
taiq brick or stone tuikbuilding
\ brick or stone building daq-poun-zain daq-poun-zain
Dåt\puMS uic\ photography
Dåt\pshop
uMSuic\ photograp
tuikban-daiq
\ bank (“bank B%\building”)
tuik\ bank (“bank building”) (“photograph shop”) (“photo
k\ pyá-daiq museum (“exhibit
®ptuik\ building”) museum (“exhibit building”) zăbin-hnyaq-s ’ain ˙p\Suic\ barber’s
SMpc\Vzăbin-hnyaq-s ’ain SMpc\V˙p\Suic\ barber’s
k\ sa-daiq post office (“letter
satuik\ building”) post office (“letter building”) (“hair cut shop”) (“hair c
tuik\ koun-daiq departmentku store
n\tuik\ department store s ’an-thá-zain \ hairdresser’s
SMqSusic’an-thá-zain SMqSuic\ hairdresse
(“goods building”) (“goods building”) (“hair beautify shop”) (“hair b
uik\ library (“text-study
v\.tsa-cı́-daiq saÂkv\.tuik + \building”)
library (“text-study + building”) s ’ é-zain eS;Susic’\é-zain chemist’seS;Su
(“medicine
ic\ shop”)
chemist’s
Burmese
183
zănı́ zn^; zănı́ wife (deferential)

zn^; wife (defer
Educational institutes k ’in-bún husband (deferential)
Kc\p∑n\; k ’in-bún Kc\p∑n\; husband (d
tk˚teq-kătho
quil\ university
tk˚quil\ university yauq-cá eyak¥\a; yauq-cá husband (casual)
eyak¥\a; husband (c
Y an-goun
rn\k University
un\tk˚quilTeq-kătho
\ rn\kun\tofk˚Yangon
quil\ University of Yangon meı́n-má min\;m meı́n-máwife (casual)
mi n ;
\ m wife (casu
caún
ek¥ac\ ; monastery,
ek¥ac\; school monastery, school yı́-zá rv\;sa; yı́-zá sweetheart,rv\ fiancé/e
;sa; sweethear
ăt ’ eq-tán
ATk\ caún
tn\;ek¥ac\ ; high ATk\
schooltn\;ek¥ac\; high school ăs ’ eq ASk\ ăs ’eq sweetheart,ASk\ fiancé/e sweethear
caún-zaun
ek¥ac\ ;eSac\ hostel, dorm
ek¥ac\ ;eSac\ hostel, dorm thá qa; thá son qa; son
thă mı́ qm^; thă mı́ daughter qm^; daughter
Open air places myı́ e®m; myı́ grandchild e®m; grandchild
pán-jan garden, pn\ park
;®KM garden, park meiq-s’we mit\eS∑ meiq-sfriend
’ we mi t e
\ S∑ friend
(“flower enclosure”) (“flower enclosure”) ú-lé Ë;el; ú-lé uncle Ë;el; uncle
ú-yin garden, Uy¥a√\
park garden, park daw-daw/ ădaw edÅedÅ/AedÅ aunt
daw-daw/ ădaw edÅedÅ/AedÅ aunt
>Uy¥a√\ People’s®pv\
Pyi-dhú Ú-yin Park
q¨>Uy¥a√\ People’s Park ă má Am ă má sister (older
Am than self) sister (olde
kn\ye-kú-ganswimming erk¨pool
;kn\ swimming pool ăko Akui ăko brother (older than
Aku i self) brother (ol
(“water-cross + pool”) (“water-cross + pool”) maun emac\ maun brother (ofemac\
female, younger brother (of
k∑cgauq-kw
\; golf course
ı́n (“golf
egåk\ k∑c\; field”)golf course (“golf field”) than self) than self)
á-kăzá-gw
sa;k∑ c\; sports
ı́n field
Aa;ksa;k∑c\; sports field nyi v^ nyi brother (of male,
v^ youngerbrother
than (of
(“strength-play + field”)(“strength-play + field”) self) self)
nyi-má v^m nyi-másister (younger than self)sister (you
v^ m
Transport tu t¨ tu nephew t¨ nephew
a√\kle-yin-gw
∑c\; air
ı́n field elya√\
(“air-vehicle
k∑c\; + field”)
air field (“air-vehicle + field”) tu-má t¨m tu-má niece t¨m niece
p\ le-zeiq airport (“air elSiport”)
p\ airport (“air port”)
\ dock, embarcation
aSipthı́n-báw-zeiq qeBçaSip\ pointdock, embarcation point Kin terms are frequentlyKin
modified
terms are
in one
frequently
of two ways.
modified in one of
(“ship port”) (“ship port”) 1. They may be duplicated,
1. They
whichmayhasbethe
duplicated,
effect of making
which has
them
the e
t\ ká-geiq bus depôt (“car
ka;gi t\ gate”) bus depôt (“car gate”) sound more affectionate;sound
e.g. more affectionate; e.g.
c\ hmaq-tainbus stopm˙t\tuic\ bus stop ădaw AedÅ ădaw aunt AedÅ aunt
railway B¨
RuM) bu-da(-youn) station
ta(RuM) railway station daw-daw edÅedÅ daw-daw– auntie edÅedÅ – auntie
ă me Aem ă me mother Aem mother
me-me emem me-me– mummy emem – mummy
ICAL VOCABULARY
TOPICAL
5.3 VOCABULARY 5.3 and so on for almost all the
andkinso on
terms.
for almost all the kin terms.
KIN TERMS KIN TERMS
2. They may be followed2.by They
a suffix
mayindicating
be followed
relative
by a suffix
age: most
indicat
Pui; ăp ’ó grandfather APui; grandfather frequently frequently
P∑a; ăp ’wá grandmother AP∑a; grandmother -jı́ -Âk^ ; -jı́ older -Âk^; older
eP ăp ’ e father AeP father -lé -el; -lé younger -el; younger
em ă me mother Aem mother -laq -lt\ -laq middle -lt\ middle
husband, boyfriend
m¥oi;qa; ă myó-thá Am¥oi;qa; husband, boyfriend
wife,
m¥oi;qm^;ă myó-thă girlfriend
mı́ Am¥oi;qm^; wife, girlfriend
Burmese
185
Examples: speaker)” and că má “I (female

speaker)”
speaker)”.
and că má
Careful
“I (female
speakers
speaker)”
kuiÂk^; ăko-jı́ older brother
AkuiÂk^; older brother say cun-daw and cun-má ,say butcun-daw
the slightlyand shortened
cun-má , but forms
the slightly
Åel; daw-léyounger aunt edÅel; younger aunt cănaw and că má are more common.
cănaw and căOriginally
má are more thecommon.
words Ori
a;lt\ thá-laqmiddle sonqa;lt\ middle son meant “your honoured servant”
meant “your and “your
honouredfemale servant”
servant” and “yo
respectively. respectively.
ICAL VOCABULARY
TOPICAL
5.4 VOCABULARY 5.4 (b) Among friends and family(b) Among
(and in friends
someand contexts
family to(and
strangers)
in some
YOU AND I YOU AND I people often use kin terms people
for “I”often
– the
usewords
kin termsfor “Uncle”,
for “I” – the w
“Sister”, “Son” etc (L 10.4).
“Sister”, “Son” etc (L 10.4).
words
Burmese
that correspond
does have words
to you that
and Icorrespond
and it to you and I and it (c) Teachers and Buddhist (c)monks
TeachersoftenanduseBuddhist
their title: monks
S ’ăyaoften use
onouns,
and other
but most
English
of the
pronouns,
time it’sbut
quite
most
clear
of the time it’s quite clear (male) or S ’ăya-má (female)
(male)
“Teacher”,
or S ’ăya-má (female)
P ’oún-jı́ “Monk”,“Teacher”,
etc. P
ho or
from
what
theyou
situation
are talking
who or
about,
whatsoyoupeople
are talking about, so people A lay person speaking toAalay monkperson
refersspeaking
to him/herself
to a monk as refers t
e words
simply(Lleave
1.3). out
Forthose
example,
words
in the
(L 1.3).
follow-
For example, in the follow- Tăbyı́-daw (male) or Tăbyı́-daw-má
Tăbyı́-daw (female)
(male) or“Your disciple”.(fema
Tăbyı́-daw-má
ing exchange: (d) Children and young (d) women
Children
oftenand use young
their names
women to often
refer to
use th
w? S1 You like it, don’t you? You like it, don’t you?
Caiq-teh-naw? themselves; e.g. a girl named
themselves;
Má Sáne.g.Sána might
girl named say Má Sán Sa
S2
Caiq-pa-deh. Yes, I do.
H ouq-kéh. Caiq-pa-deh. Yes, I do. sm\;sm\
Sán Sán-léh caiq-pa-deh.Sán k\påty\" I like
;l´ ’kicaiq-pa-deh.
Sán-léh sm\;it
sm\too.
;l´ ’kik\p
ayingall
in you
Burmese
are inisfact
– saying in Burmese is – Literally: “San San likes Literally: it too.”
w? S1 Like, right?
Caiq-teh-naw? Like, right?
S2
Caiq-pa-deh. True. Like.
H ouq-kéh. Caiq-pa-deh. True. Like. Words for he, she, and it Words
are normally
for he, omitted
she, and in
it are
the normally
same wayomitte as
words for you and I . Whenwordsyou forneed
you and
one, Iyou
. When
can use
you need
thu ; e.g.one,
d using
Whena you
wordcan’t
for avoid
“you” using
(as you
a word
couldn’t,
for “you” (as you couldn’t, Că má caiq-teh. k¥mCă’ki
mákcaiq-teh.
\ty\" I like
k¥mit.’kik\ty\"
fine.
for How
example,
are you?”)
in “I’myou
fine.
have
Howa range
are you?”)
of you have a range of Thu măcaiq-pa-bú. q¨ Thu măcaiq-pa-bú. She
m’ki k p
\ åB¨ ;" q¨doesn’t.
m’kik\påB¨;"
common
options. are
Thelisted
mostbelow
commonin order
are listed
of below in order of
frequency. Plural pronouns Plural pronouns
Equivalents for English Equivalents
we, you (plural)
for English
and theywe, areyou
made
(plur
(a)“uncle”,
U-lé kin terms, such as
Daw-daw “aunt”,
Ú-lé “uncle”,
etc (forDaw-daw “aunt”, etc (for by adding the suffix -dó to
bythe
adding the suffix
singular form; -dó
e.g.to the singular form
) more see L 7.1, 7.2) singular singular
plural plural
(b)“teacher”,
a-má a title suchThan-ă
as S ’ăya-má
maq-cı́ “teacher”, Than-ă maq-cı́ cănaw I cănaw-dó I
cănaw we (man speaking)
cănaw-dó w
shin-p ’“Ambassador”,
ăyá “Reverend Sir” Ă shin-p ’ăyá “Reverend Sir” că má I căcă
mámá-dó I we (woman căspeaking)
má-dó w
(if (c)
you theknow
person’s
it), normally
name (ifwithyou know
a prefix
it), normally with a prefix thu he, she, it thu
thu-dó he, she,
theyit thu-dó th
(see L 10.1) You and I using kin termYou and I using kin term
word (d)Meiq-s
as a fallback, the word
’we “friend” (L 10.4)
Meiq-s ’we “friend” (L 10.4) Daw-daw I (Aunt) Daw-daw
Daw-daw-dó I (Aunt)
we Daw-daw-dó w
Daw-daw you (Aunt) Daw-daw Daw-daw-dó you you
(Aunt)
(plural)Daw-daw-dó y
casions
Similarly
when there
you are
are occasions
forced to use
when a word
you are forced to use a word You and I using title You and I using title
yingfor“And
“I” (e.g.
I amwhen
happy saying
to have
“And
metI you.”).
am happy to have met you.”). S ’ăya I (Teacher) S ’Săya’ăya-dó I (Teacher)
we S ’ăya-dó w
entsThe
forBurmese
“I” are equally
equivalents
variedfor
(L“I”
10.5).
are equally varied (L 10.5). S ’ăya you (Teacher)S ’Săya
’ăya-dó you you
(Teacher)
(plural)S ’ăya-dó y
You and I using name You and I using name
common
(a) Perhaps
equivalents,
the mostin common
courteousequivalents,
speech in courteous speech Sán Sán I (San San) Sán SánSán I (San
Sán-dó weSan) Sán Sán-dó w
uals, are
between
the words
social equals,
cănaw are the words cănaw “I (male
“I (male Sán Sán you (San San)SánSánSán you you
Sán-dó (San(plural)
San) Sán Sán-dó y
Burmese
187
ICAL VOCABULARY TOPICAL

5.5 VOCABULARY 5.5
HIS, THAT AND WHAT THIS, THAT AND WHAT Other interrogatives Other interrogatives
noun]
beh By\ [noun] ^ d^ [noun]
éh-di A´ddi ho hui [noun]
éh-di A´d^ ho hui [noun] ba [noun] what ba[noun]?
[noun] what
Ba [noun][noun]?
which [noun] this [noun]
[noun] [noun]
that [noun] that [noun] – Da ba zé-léh? – What – Da
market is that? – What
ba zé-léh? då BaeZ;l´ market " is that?
[noun]? that [noun]
ar speaker) (near speaker) that [noun]
there (some there (some – Da ba-léh? – What – Da
is that?
ba-léh? – What
då Bal´ is that?
"
(near listener) way off) (near listener) way off) beh-lauq how much
beh-lauq how
By\emuch
lak\ *
Examples beh-lauq ca-ja for how long ca-ja
beh-lauq for
By\howelak\ long
ÂkaÂka
q d^beh-beq
Bk\ di-beq
éh-di-beq ho-beq
d^B k\ hu iBk\
éh-di-beq ho-beq huiBk\ beh-hnă- how many …
beh-hnă- how
By\Nmany … By\N˙-
˙s\- also written
/that
By\Bk\ A´d^Bk\ this/thatthat wayA´d^Bk\ that way beh-hnă-na-yi at what time
beh-hnă-na-yi at
By\ what
N˙s\nar^ time
y that wayway
which way? over there
that way over there beh-doún-gá whenbeh-doún-gá
(in the past) when
By\t(in un\;kthe * past)
ho-lán huilm\; ho-lán huilm\; beh-dáw whenbeh-dáw
(in the future) when
By\eta. (in the future)
n beh-lán
d^l m\; By\ l m\ ;
éh-di-lándi-lán d^ l m\that
; road
éh-di-lán that road beh-lo how, beh-lo
in what way how,
By\lin ui *what way
/thatwhich road?
A´d^lm\; this/thatthere A´d^lm\; there beh-ăc ’ ein at what time’ ein
beh-ăc at
By\ what
AK¥intime \ *
d beh-ha By\ ha roadroad ho-ha huihthat
that a road ho-ha huiha beh-dhu who beh-dhu who
By\q¨
d^hawhich thing? A´d^hdâ hathat thing,
éh-di-ha di-ha éh-di-ha A´d^ha that thing, ba-p ’yiq-ló why ba-p ’yiq-ló why
Ba®Ps\lui≥
which one?
thing, that thing, that onethat thing,
this thing, that one ba-jaún why, ba-jaún
for what reason why, BaeÂkac\ for . what * reason
one that onethis one that one ba-louq or ba-louq-p ’ó why, to doorwhat,
ba-louq what’ófor
ba-louq-p why, Balu to pdo
\(Pui≥)what, wha
Referring to place
ma d^
beh-hma
m˙a By\m˙a di-hma
éh-di-hma d^ho-hma
m˙a hu im˙a
éh-di-hma ho-hma huim˙a * These items have corresponding
* These items
demonstrative
have corresponding
forms: demons
his place,
in which A´d^m˙a in this place,
in that place,
A´d^m˙a in that place, di-lauq, éh-di-lauq this much, that
di-lauq, much
éh-di-lauq this much,
dêlak\ ' A´that much
dêlak\
hereplace? (at) (at) here(at) there
in that place, in(far
that place, (at) there (far di-lo, éh-di-lo in thisdi-lo,
way,éh-di-lo
in that way ind^this way,
lui' A´ d^lui in that way
where? right (at) off) right (at) off) da-jaún for this reason
da-jaún for this reason
dåeÂkac\ .
there there éh-da-jaún for that reason
éh-da-jaún for
A´dthat reason
åeÂkac\ .
beh By\ éh-di A´ddi^ d^ ho hui éh-di A´d^ ho hui etc etc
his place,
to which to that place,
to this place,
to that to that place, to that
here
place? (to) there (to) heredistant place,
(to) there distant place,
(to) where? (to) there (to) there TOPICAL VOCABULARY
TOPICAL
5.6 VOCABULAR
beh-gá By\
d^k éh-di-gá
k di-gáA´d^kd^kho-gá huéh-di-gá
ik A´d^k ho-gá huik TRADITIONAL BURMESE
TRADITIONAL
CLOTHINGBURMESE CL
m this
from which
from that
from thisfrom that
from that from that
ce, place? place, place, distant place,
place, distant place,
gaún-baún ; gaung-baungeKåc\
eKåc\;epåc\gaún-baún (Burmese
;epåc\; turban:
gaung-baung
a cloth(Bu
m here
from where?
from there
from herefrom there
from there from there wrapped round head and wrapped
tucked rou
in to leave a corner protruding)
in to leave a c
Referring to things
eı́n-ji Ak¥Ç upper garment
eı́n-ji Ak¥Ç(shirt, blouse,
upperjacket,
garment
ba Ba éh-da A´ddaå då ho-ha huéh-da
iha A´då ho-ha huiha
coat) coat)
/that
what thing?
that thing
this/thatthat thing
that thing that thing
thăbeq, păwa qBk\' pwå tabet păwa
thăbeq, or pawaqBk\
(woman’s' pwå light
tabetscarf
or pawa
for (w
ng thing over there over there
formal occasions) formal occasi
(also used to (also used to
man’s formal
taiq-poun-eı́n-ji tuik\puMAk¥Çtaiq-poun-eı́n-ji tujacket
ik\puMAk¥Ç man’s formal ja
mean “the mean “the
loun-ji luMK¥v\ loun-ji longyi, sarongluMK¥v\ longyi, sarong
wossaname”) wossaname”)
Burmese
188 By Ear Burmese By Ear Appendix 6 Further reading
Appendix 6 Further
189rea
păs ’paso
ó (long longyi
puSui; for men,
paso
worn
(long
on longyi for men, worn on APPENDIX 6 APPENDIX 6
formal occasions) formal occasions) FURTHER READING FURTHER READING
tamein (longTB^
t ’ă mein longyi for women,
tamein worn
(long longyi for women, worn
by stage dancers) by stage dancers) Learning Burmese: self-study
Learning Burmese: self-study
y\ suq-cehvest, undershirt
s∑p\k¥y\ vest, undershirt Spoken language Spoken language
baw-li woman’s bodice
eBa\l^ woman’s bodice Burmese: An IntroductionBurmese:
to the Spoken
An Introduction
Language, Books to the1Spoken
and 2, Langu
by
p\ hnyaq-pthong sandals
’ănaq V˙p\Pinp\ thong sandals John Okell. 1994, CenterJohn for Burma
Okell. Studies,
1994, Center Northern
for Burma
IllinoisStud
p\ rubber
jăpan-p sandals
’ănaq g¥pn\Pinp\ rubber sandals University. All in scriptUniversity.
and roman,All within 12
script
tapesand forroman,
Book 1wit
and 14 tapes for Book 2.and Book
14 tapes
1 laysfor
theBook
groundwork,
2. Book 1with lays th
copious exercises on tape,copious
covering
exercises
high-frequency
on tape, coveringsentencehig
structures, pronunciation,structures,
question pronunciation,
and answer, numbers, question an
prices, want to, have to,prices,
pleasewant
do, andto, have
so on.to,Itplease
ends with
do, anda
set of dialogues, again with
set of
plenty
dialogues,
of oralagain
practice,
withcovering
plenty of12ora
situations, including survival
situations,
(shops,
including
taxis and survival
so on) (shops,
and t
social (Where are you from?
socialAre(Where
you married?
are you from? Shall Arewe meet
you ma
again? and so on). Bookagain?
2 extends
and your
so on).competence
Book 2 extends in the your
12
situations. Includes a full
situations.
vocabulary,Includes
an outline
a full grammar,
vocabulary,
and notes on social customs,
and notes
talkingon about
social language,
customs, talking
talkingab
to monks. to monks.
Beginning Burmese, by W Beginning
S Cornyn Burmese,
and H D byRoop.
W S Cornyn
1968, Yaleand H
Univ Press, 501pp, reprinted
Univ 1987.
Press, Book
501pp, + reprinted
25 tapes including
1987. Book
exercises. Dialogues, explanations
exercises. Dialogues,
and exercises,explanations
including and
sections introducing thesections
script; copious
introducing
drills.theHelpful
script; copious
expla-
nations of grammar. Tapes nations
available
of grammar.
separately.Tapes Inquiries
available to se
Center for Southeast AsianCenter Studies,
for Southeast
University Asian of Studies,
Hawaii, U
Moore 416, 1890 East-West MooreRoad,416,
Honolulu
1890 East-West
HI 96822 Road, Honolu
A reference grammar of colloquial
A reference Burmese,
grammar 2 vols,
of colloquial
by JohnBurmese,
Okell. 2
1969, London, Oxford UP. 1969, A London,
description,
Oxford noUP.
exercises,
A descript
no
training in script. Vol 2 training
is a listinofscript.
grammatical
Vol 2 is forms
a listwith
of gra
translations and examples.translations and examples.
Burmese/Myanmar: a dictionary
Burmese/Myanmar:
of grammatical a dictionary
forms, by John of grammatica
Okell
and Anna Allott. Curzon and Press,
Anna Allott.
Richmond, Curzon
England,Press,Dec Rich
2000. A dictionary-style2000.
listingAofdictionary-style
the grammatical listing
suffixes
of theof gr
Burmese (the equivalents Burmese
of with, (the
to, when,
equivalents
if, etc). of with, to, when
Phrase books Phrase books

Practical Myanmar, by SUN
Practical
Associates.
Myanmar,1995,
by SUN
Pranom
Associates.
Supavi- 1
molpun, Book Promotionmolpun,
and Service
Book Promotion
Ltd, Bangkok.
and Service
Small L
format, 347 pp. Contents:
format,
pronunciation
347 pp. Contents:
and grammar,
pronunciation
social
Burmese
190 By Ear Burmese By Ear Appendix 6 Further reading
Appendix 6 Further
191rea
life, common
customs and
phrases,
home arrival
life, common
in Myanmar,
phrases, arrival in Myanmar, The modern Myanmar-English
The modern
pocketMyanmar-English
dictionary, by Saya
pocket
U Soedictio
at thetravelling
hotel, eating
around,
and drinking,
at the hotel,
shopping
eating and drinking, shopping Thway. 2nd reprint 1996, Thway.
Sape Hin-le-o-gyi,
2nd reprint 1996,
Yangon.
Sape524
Hin-le-o-
pp.
making andfriends,
bargaining,
living making
in Myanmar,
friends,at living
a in Myanmar, at a English-Myanmar Dictionary,
English-Myanmar
compiled and Dictionary,
pub by compiled
Burma
st telegraph
doctor’sand
office,
telephone,
post telegraph
ministries
and and
telephone, ministries and Language Commission, Language
2001, Yangon.
Commission,1621 2001,
pp, with
Yango
tments,government
English Myanmar
departments,
vocabulary.
English All
Myanmar vocabulary. All examples of English usage.
examples of English usage.
d in three
words cols:
areEnglish,
presentedroman,
in three
script.
cols: English, roman, script. Students’ English-English/Myanmar
Students’ English-English/Myanmar
dictionary, by SAM Translation
dictionary
by Burmese
David Bradley.
phrase book,
1988byandDavid
laterBradley.
editions, 1988 and later editions, and Publishing. 1994, Rangoon.
and Publishing.
1568 pp.1994,
Comprehensive,
Rangoon. 1568
ralia, South
LonelyYarra
Planet,Australia,
125 pp. Lonely
V compact:
Planet, 125 pp. V compact: and generous with examples.
and generous with examples.
Has roman
small pocket
and Burmese
size. Has script.
romanSections
and Burmese script. Sections
grammar,
on: pronunciation,
greetings, smalltalk,
grammar, accommo-
greetings, smalltalk, accommo- Burmese customs Burmese customs
ound,dation,
aroundgetting
town, inaround,
the country,
around food,
town, in the country, food, Culture shock Burma, by Saw
Culture
Myatshock
Yin.
Burma,
1994,by
London,
Saw Myat
Kuperard.
Yin. 199
imes and
shopping,
dates, numbers.
health, times and dates, numbers. 207 pp. 207 pp.
Dos and Don’ts in Myanmar,
Dos and
by Don’ts
Win Pe.in Book
Myanmar,
Promotion
by Winand
Pe.
Learning the script Service Ltd, Bangkok, 1996,
Service
pp 151-153
Ltd, Bangkok, 1996, pp 151-153
on Burmese:
to the script,
an introduction
by John Okell.
to the
1994,
script,
Center
by John Okell. 1994, Center
Northern
for Burma
Illinois
Studies,
University.
Northernc.450Illinois
pagesUniversity. c.450 pages Where to find more Where to find more
. The andmethod
7 x 60" largely
tapes.avoids
The method
relying largely
on avoids relying on Burma (World bibliographical
Burma series
(World132),
bibliographical
by P. Herbert.
series
Oxford,
132), by
lents:romanized
students learnequivalents:
by associating
students script
learn by associating script Clio Press, 1991. 327 pp.
Clio
A Press,
very well
1991.
selected
327 pp.bibliography,
A very well s
age with
symbols
sound onfrom
the page
the tapes.
with sound
Includesfrom the tapes. Includes with illuminating comments
with on
illuminating
almost all comments
entries. on almost a
beticalsections
order, onthealphabetical
Burmese names order, of the
the Burmese names of the
g, andletters,
displayhandwriting,
typefaces. and display typefaces. Book suppliers Book suppliers
Burmese
An introduction
writing system,
to theby
Burmese
H D Roop.
writing 1972,
system, by H D Roop. 1972, John Randall, 47 Moreton JohnStreet,
Randall,
London
47 Moreton
SW1V 2NY. Street,071
London
630
ess. A Yale
programmed
University teach-yourself
Press. A programmed
course, teach-yourself course, 5331 5331
u are which
alreadyassumes
familiaryouwith
arethe
already
pronuncia-
familiar with the pronuncia- U Thant Thaw Kaung, Nandawun,
U Thant Thaw Nº YKaung,
Thukhawady,
Nandawun, KabaNº Aye
Y Th
tion. Pagoda Road (next to Sedona
PagodaHotel),
Road (next
Yankinto Tnsp,
Sedona Yangon.
Hotel), Y
Ph 571498, 542744. Email Ph 571498,
mbcbook@mptmail.net.com
542744. Email mbcbook@ or
Literary style nandawun@yahoo.com. nandawun@yahoo.com.
on Burmese:
to the literary
an introduction
style, by John
to the
Okell.
literary
1994,
style, by John Okell. 1994, U Ba Kyi, Pagan Bookshop,U Ba100
Kyi,
37th
Pagan
Street,
Bookshop,
Yangon. 100 37th Street,
Studies,
Center
Northern
for Burma
Illinois
Studies,
University.
Northern
c 200Illinois University. c 200 Stationery, Printing and Stationery,
PhotographicPrinting
Stores
andTrading,
Photographic
72 Bo St
pe of pp
readings
and 1 ofx 60’
the tape
texts.of A
readings
selectionof of
the texts. A selection of Aung Kyaw Street, Botahtaung,
Aung Kyaw YangonStreet, Botahtaung, Yangon
ool readers,
passages with
from “interludes”
school readers,
of material
with “interludes” of material Tamarind Books, PO BoxTamarind
49217, Greensboro,
Books, PO NCBox27419,
49217,USA.
Greensboro
ph
, provided
from other
with vocabularies
sources, provided
and exercises.
with vocabularies and exercises. 919 852-1905, fax -5510 919 852-1905, fax -5510
White Lotus Co. Ltd, GOP White
Box Lotus
1141, Bangkok
Co. Ltd, GOP
10501Box Thailand,
1141, Bangko
ph
Dictionaries 662-2861100, fax 662-2131175.
662-2861100, fax 662-2131175.
Myanmar
®mn\ma AEnglish
gçlip\ABidictionary"),
Dan\ ("Myanmar
by ®mn\
English
masaAP∑dictionary"),
´ >" by ®mn\masaAP∑´>" Copies of John Okell’s Burmese:
Copies ofan John
introduction
Okell’s …Burmese:
can be anobtained
introduct
35 pp,1993,
overRangoon.
30,000 entries.
635 pp,
With
overetymolo-
30,000 entries. With etymolo- from: The Center for Burma
from:Studies,
The Center
Northern
for Burma
Illinois
Studies,
Univer-Nor
n, and gies,
sketches.
pronunciation,
Very useful.
and sketches.
Effectively Very useful. Effectively sity, 412 Adams Hall, DeKalb,
sity, 412Illinois
Adams 60115,
Hall, USA.
DeKalb, FaxIllinois
0101 6
er B-Esupersedes
dictionaries.
all earlier B-E dictionaries. 815 753 1651, phone 815815753753
1771.
1651,
Orphone
Probsthain’s
815 753bookshop
1771. Or P
Burmese
192 By Ear Burmese By Ear Appendix 7 General vocabulary
Appendix 7 General vocab
193
Probsthain,
in London:
41 Great
Arthur
Russell
Probsthain,
Street, London
41 Great Russell Street, London APPENDIX 7 APPENDIX 7
@soas.ac.uk.
WC1B 3PH. Ph 7636
ms61@soas.ac.uk.
1096. At SOASPh ext
7636 1096. At SOAS ext GENERAL VOCABULARY
GENERAL
ENGLISH-BURMESE
VOCABULARY ENGLI
distributors
2923. OrBaythe
Foreign
UK distributors
Language Books,
Bay Foreign Language Books,
sinessUnit
Centre,
3(b)Frith
FrithRoad,
Business
Aldington,
Centre, Ash-
Frith Road, Aldington, Ash- This vocabulary contains This
all vocabulary
the words introduced
contains allon
the
the
words
tapes,intr
HJ, England.
ford, KentPhone:
TN25 (+44)
7HJ, England.
01233 720020.
Phone: (+44) 01233 720020. and a selection of other and
wordsa selection
you mayof find
other
useful.
words Turn
youtomaythefin
1272. Fax:
E-mail:
(+44) 01233 721272. E-mail: Topical Vocabularies in Appendix
Topical Vocabularies
5 for separate
in Appendix
lists of food
5 for
andsep
books.co.uk.
sales@baylanguagebooks.co.uk. drinks, sites and placenames,
drinks, kin
sites
terms,
and placenames,
You and I, “this,
kin terms,
that Y
and what”, and traditional
andBurmese
what”, and
clothes
traditional Burmese clothes
ught
Learning
language Burmese:
coursestaught language courses
courses
In Burma/Myanmar
for foreign learners courses
are given
for foreign
at thelearners are given at the Symbols Symbols
gn Languages,
University119-131
of Foreign
University
Languages,Avenue,
119-131 University Avenue, In the entries below – In the entries below –
anmarYangon
(Burma). 11081,
Phone
Myanmar
+95 1 531713.
(Burma). Also
Phone +95 1 531713. Also > marks the beginning of>the marks
Burmese
the beginning
translation
of the
or equiva-
Burmese tra
cial language
at severalschools.
commercial
Looklanguage
in the Yellow
schools. Look in the Yellow lent lent
riatesPages,
for recommendations.
or ask expatriates for recommendations. 9 introduces an example9or introduces
phrase or an
compound
example or phrase or com
also
Burmese
given courses
at the School
are alsoof given
Orientalat and
the School of Oriental and the figures refer to the lesson
the figures
in which
referthe
toword
the lesson
is introduced
in which th
niversity
African
of London,
Studies,and University
at universities
of London,
in and at universities in on the tapes. Entries without
on thefigures
tapes. are
Entries
for words
withoutnotfigures
used are
, Paris,
Berlin,
Australia,
Heidelberg,
the USA,Paris,
Russia,
Australia,
China,the USA, Russia, China, on the tapes. on the tapes.
Thailand.
Japan, Korea, and Thailand.
nine-week
There iscourse
an intensive
held every
nine-week
summer course
in the
held every summer in the absorbent cotton, cotton absorbent
wool > airline
cotton, cotton
office wool > airline offi
> le-yin-yoún
he South
USA.EastIt is
Asian
calledStudies
The South
SummerEast Insti-
Asian Studies Summer Insti- gún g∑m\; gún g∑m\; elya√\RuM; 5.2 elya√\R
gives tute
you (SEASSI).
a concentratedIt gives
doseyouof language
a concentrated dose of language accompany, follow > laiq-teh
accompany, airport
follow > le-zeiq elSip\" (“air
> laiq-teh airport > le
of classwork
learning:a 4day,
hours
fiveofdays
classwork
a week, a and
day, five days a week, and luik\ty\ luik\ty\ port”) port”)
k. plenty of homework. accountant > săyı́n-gain accountant 9 Are your parents alive
> săyı́n-gain
alive still 9 Are
Otherwise try – sarc\;kuic\ sarc\;kuic\ living? > Ă p ’e-ă me shı́-dhé- living?
a Burmese
Private lessons
speaker.withAdvantages:
a Burmeserelatively
speaker. Advantages: relatively afternoon > nyá-ne ven 5.9afternoon >dhălá? ven 5.9 r˙ieq;qla;"
nyá-neAePAem dhălá? A
d to suit
cheap,
your canschedule.
be timedDisadvantage:
to suit your schedule.
the Disadvantage: the again 9 Could you pleaseagainsay 9 Could 12Eyou please say 12E
ve much
teacher
experience
may notinhavethe needs
much of experience
foreign in the needs of foreign that again? > T ’aq-pyáw-ba- all right:
that again? > T ’to be all right >all
aq-pyáw-ba- right: to
yá-deh
learners. oún Tp\e®papåAuM;" 3.2 rty\ M;1.1
oún Tp\e®papåAu " 3.29 That will be all rty\ 1.
k and
Self-study,
tapes. withAdvantages:
book and cheap,
tapes.canAdvantages:
be cheap, can be age, old > ătheq Aqk\ 9 age,
Howold > ătheqright,Aqk\won’t9 it?How > Y á-deh-right, w
schedule.
timedDisadvantage:
to suit your schedule.
you haveDisadvantage:
no one you have no one old are you? > Ă theq beh-old are you?naw? > rty\ " 7.3; to benaw?
beh-
Ă theqena\ all rt
ct, and
to urge
encourage,
you on.correct, and urge you on. lauq shı́-bi-léh? Aqk\ right, to
lauq shı́-bi-léh? work out OK > ăs
Aqk\ right,
’in to
By\elak\ r˙i®p^l´" 10.6 By\elak\pye-deh 10.6 *e®pty\ 1.7pye-deh
r˙i®p^l´" ASc\
Contacts: agent, middle-man > pwéh-zá all 9 Is that>all?
agent, middle-man all 9 Is tha
> Da-béh-lá?
pwéh-zá
ageSOAS
learning
Burmese
web pages:
language learning web pages: p∑´sa; p∑´sa; dåp´la;" 9 That’s everything, dåp´la;"
uk/SouthEastAsia/Burmese/home1.html
http://www.soas.ac.uk/SouthEastAsia/Burmese/home1.html air field > le-yin-gw ı́n is it?
air field > le-yin-gw ı́n> Da-béh-naw? dåp´ is
e na\it?
" >
rerJustin
in Burmese:
Watkins,
justin.watkins@soas.ac.uk
Lecturer in Burmese: justin.watkins@soas.ac.uk elya√\k∑c\; (“air-vehicle elya√\
+ (“air-vehicle
k9∑c\;Yes, that’s all. + 9 Yes, th
> Da-ba-béh.
cturer
JohninOkell,
Burmese:
retired
jo@soas.ac.uk
Lecturer in Burmese: jo@soas.ac.uk field”) field”) dåpåp´" 9 No, there’s some- dåpåp´" 9
Burmese
195
thing else.
-dhé-deh. backside, anus > p ’in Pc\ backside, anus > p ’in Pc\
> Shı́-ba-dhé-deh. breast > yin-dhá rc\qa; breast > yin-dhá
bus stoprc\>qhmaq-tain
a; m˙tbus
\tuic\ stop >
r˙ipåeq;ty\bad: "to4.5 be bad > s ’ó-deh Su bad:
i;ty\to" be bad > s ’ó-deh Sui;ty\" briefcase > leq-s ’wéh-eiq briefcase business,
> leq-s ’wéh-eiq
commerce, trade
business,
> c
ostamount
> cá- to, come 9 It’s not to, cost bad > cá- 9 It’s not bad > măs ’ó-ba-bú
măs ’ó-ba-bú lk\S∑Áit\ lk\S∑Áităyaún-ăweh
\ keiq-sá ăyaún-ă
muchdeh k¥ty\ mSu9i;påB¨
How ;" 9.9 much mSui;påB¨;" 9.9 bring down, drop, reduce,isß 9.7
bring down, drop, reduce, Aerac\ ;Awy\ k Aerac\;A
> Beh- does itbag amount> eiq to? Ait>\" Beh- handbag,bag purse> eiq Ait\" handbag, purse lower (price) > sháw-dehlower businessman,
(price) > sháw-deh merchant > businessm
koun-
y\elak\ > paiq-sBy\
lauq cá-dhăléh? ’an-eiq elak\ puik\SMAit\"> paiq-s ’an-eiq puik\SMAit\" elYa.ty\" 9 How about elYa.ty\"dheh 9 How kunabout
\qv\ 11.1 dheh kun
k¥ql´" 4.8 shoulder bag > lweh-eiq shoulder bag > lweh-eiq reducing the cost? Sháw-ba- reducing buttock
the cost? > tin-bá Sháw-ba- tc\på; buttock >
h Band A-n´9≥ A B andl∑By>\AAit -néh
\ B A-n´≥ B l∑y\Ait\ oún-lá? elYa.påAuM;la;" 5.4 oún-lá?buy
elYa. >pweh-deh
åAuM;la;" 5.4 wy\ty\ 6.2 buy > weh
4.1 ball point pen > báw-pin ball
eBapc\ point pen > báw-pin eBapc\ broadcasting station > ăthan-
broadcastingcafé > station > ăthan-
lăp ’ eq-ye-zain café > lăp ’ e
Pc\ anus, backside 6.2 > p ’in Pc\ 6.2 hlw ı́n-youn AqMlWc\.RuM (“sound-
hlw ı́n-youn lk\AqM Pk\lrWcv\ \.RuM S (“sound-
uic\ (“tea shop”) lk\Pk\r
> dı́-pyin
apart: apart bamboo from > thiswá>wå; dı́-pyin bamboo > wá wå; broadcast + building”) broadcast8.2 + building”) 8.2
haved^.®pc\ 9 Band What Aid, do you have> păla-săta
plaster Band Aid, plaster > păla-săta brother (older than self) brother cake >than
> ăko (older self) > ăko
keiq-moún kit\mun\≥ cake4.2 and > keiq
D ı́-pyin apartba from this? >6.2
plasta D ı́-pyin ba plasta 6.2 Akui 7.1, (of male, younger Akui 7.1, see (of the
male, Topical younger Vocabularysee for the T
bandage >d^.®paq-t
c\ Ba shı́-dhé-dhăléh? pc\ Ba ı́ pt\t^; bandage > paq-t ı́ pt\t^; than self) > nyi v^ 12E; (of than self)food > nyi and drinks
v^ 12E; (of food and
r˙ieq;ql´ " 6.6 bracelet > leq-kauq
bangle, bangle, bracelet > leq-kauq female, younger than self) > calendar
female, younger> than pyeq-k self) > ®pk
’ădein calendar
din\ >
qukarchitect
a > bı́-thú-ka
lk\ekak\ biquka lk\ekak\ maun emac\ 12E; see also the call: to
maun emac\ 12E; seeto
call, also be the called >call: k ’aw-to call
arm, hand bank> leq > lk\ban-daiq B%\tuikbank \ (“bank > ban-daiq B%\tuik\ (“bank Topical Vocabulary for kinTopical Vocabularydeh eKÅty\ for" kin 9 What is that deh eKÅt
armpit > jaı́n building”)
g¥oic\; 11.2 building”) 11.2 terms terms called? > É h-da beh-lo k ’aw- called?
ss\barmy
uil\ officer >
barber’s > zăbin-hnyaq-s ’barber’s
siq-bo ss\ b l
i u \ ain > zăbin-hnyaq-s ’ain brothers and sisters, siblings
brothers
> and sisters, siblings >
dhăléh? A´ d å By\ l i u eKÅql´dhăléh?
"
s√\t arrange
y\ > si-zin-deh
SMpc\V˙p\Ssûics\ √\(“hair-cut
ty\ + SMpc\V˙p\Suic\ (“hair-cut + nyi-ăko maun-hnă má or maun- 3.5, 9 It ismá
nyi-ăko maun-hnă called or maun- “X” > “X” 3.5,-ló9 It
eh arrive, reach > yauq-teh
shop”) shop”) hnă má (vÂkui)emac\N˙m 12Ehnă má (v^ kA kui)emac\N˙m{12E
’aw-ba-deh X}lui≥ eKÅpåty\ k ’aw-ba-
"
erak\tbasket y\ > c ’ ı́n ®Kc\; basket > c ’ ı́n ®Kc\; brown > ănyo AVui brown > ănyo 3.6AVui 3.6
Sra artist > băji-s
battery ’ăya>pn\ daq-k;K¥^Sra ’ éh Dat\K´ battery > daq-k ’ éh Dat\K´ building: brick or stone building:camera brick or>stone kin-măra kc\mra camera > k
gweq belt >
ashtray > s ’ é-leiq-pya-gweq
k ’ ăbaq Kå;pt\ belt > k ’ăbaq Kå;pt\ building > taiq tuik\ building >
can [verb] > [verb]-nain- can
taiq tu k
i \ or [verb]
eS;lipbit, \®paK∑aklittle
\ > néh-néh nń´ bit, 1.6 a little > néh-néh nń´ 1.6 Burmese, Myanmar > BăBurmese,ma bma Myanmar -hnain- [verb] > Bă -Nu maicbma\- 9 I can’t -hnain- [
auq-saspirin
’ é >black > ăneq Ank\’ é
gaún-kaiq-pyauq-s black > ăneq Ank\ or Myan-ma, Myă ma ®mn\ma" or Myan-ma, lower Myă themaprice ®mn\ma" this much lower
> th
“head- eKåc\;kublood
ik\ep¥ak\ > ethwé
S; (“head-eq∑; blood > thwé eq∑; Burma, Myanmar (country) Burma, Myanmar (country)
Di-lauq măsháw-nain-ba-bú Di-lauq
dicine”) ache-removeblouse > + bălauqs
medicine”) Belak\blouse s\ > bălauqs Belak\s\ > Bă ma or Myan-ma + pye > or
Bă ma or dêMyan-ma
lak\ melYa. + pye Nuic\poråB¨;" 5.5,dê5.6lak\
Å/AedÅaunt7.2 > daw-daw
blue > ăpya edÅedÅ/AedÅ A®pa 7.2 blue > ăpya A®pa pyi or nain-ngan bma®pv\' pyi or nain-ngan
can, bottle (countword) > can,
bma®pv\ ' -loúnbottle
Vocabularysee alsobone > ăyó ARu
the Topical Vocabulary
i; bone > ăyó ARui; ®mn\maNuic\cM" Burmese ®mn\maNuic\cM"-luBurmese
M; 2.2 pălı́n pulc\; -luM; 2.2
book
for kin terms > sa-ouq saAu p\ book > sa-ouq saAup\ (language) > Bă ma or Myan- card: >greetings
(language) Bă ma or card Myan- > kaq-pyá
card: greet
> sa-yé-
author,writer bottle, can (countword)
(male) > sa-yé- > bottle, -loún can (countword) > -loún ma + săgá bmaska; or ma + săgá ®pa;" birthday
kd\bmaska; or card > kd\®pa;"
male) s>’ăya saer;Sra" -luM; 2.2,(female) pălı́n pul >c\; -luM; 2.2, pălı́n pulc\; ®mn\maska; 3.4, 9 in Burmese 3.4, 9 inkaq-pyá
®mn\m>aska;mwé-né Burmese em∑;>en≥–kd\mwé-né
®pa;"
r;Sram" sa-yé-sbox, chest,
’ăya-má trunk, suitcase
saer;Sram" box,> chest, trunk, suitcase > Bă ma-lo bmalui 3.5; and see Christmas
Bă ma-lo bmalu i 3.5; and card see> K ’ăriq- Christm
r > bachelor:
lu-byo- old bachelor
thiq-ta, tiq-ta > lu-byo- eqt†a thiq-ta, tiq-ta eqt†a About Burmese in the intro- About Burmese să maqinkaq-pyá
the intro- Krsßmt\kd\să®pa;" maq k
bra
jı́ l¨p¥oiÂk^ ; 12.1
> băra-si-ya Bras^ya bra > băra-si-ya Bras^ya duction ductioncardigan, sweater > s ’weh-ta cardigan, s
ú n back
ek¥a >orcábracelet,
w or cá wbangle -goú n ek¥a or bracelet, bangle > leq-kauq
> leq-kauq bus depôt > ká-geiq ka;gibust\ depôt >S∑ká-geiqy\ta ka;git\ S∑y\ta
ek¥akun\; lk\ekak\ lk\ekak\ (“car gate”) (“car gate”)
Burmese
197
s ’ eqcassette player > keq-s

climb up, get ’up
eq onto, get
climb
into up, get up onto, get into dhăléh? dhăléh?
By\elak\ k¥ql´ " By\ elak\ k¥ql´"
cá-yé-hmú cá-yé-hm
kk\Sk\ (taxi etc) > teq-teh tk\ty\ (taxi
" etc) > teq-teh tk\ty\" 4.8 4.8 lk\eTak\VWn\Âka;er;mØ; lk\eTa
q-kcassette
’we tape5.1
> keq-s ’ eq-k’we 5.1 cotton > c ’i K¥v\ cotton > cdistant:’i K¥v\ to be distant, a long distant: to
kk\Sk\ clinic
eK∑ > s ’é-gán eS;Kn\; clinic > s ’é-gán eS;Kn\; cotton wool, absorbent cotton way
cotton>wool, absorbent cotton > > wé-deh ew;ty\ way > w
certain
certain: > to be (“medicine
definite, certain
room”)> (“medicine room”) gún g∑m\; gún g∑mDivision
\; > taı́n tuic\; Division >
y\ clotheqK¥aty\
the-ja-deh > ăwuq-sá, ăt ’ eh Awt\ cloth
s' > ăwuq-sá, ăt ’eh Awt\s' cup, glass > k ’weq K∑k\ 2.3cup, glassdivorced, > k ’weq K∑separatedk\ 2.3 9 Wedivorced,
have
ratecharge:
per room ATv\ charge, rate per ATv\ dark: to be dark > hmaun-deh dark: to be dark split > uphmaun-deh
> K wéh-dhwá-ba-bi split up
> ăk ’án-gá
room (in clothing
hotel etc) > ăwuq-ăsá
> ăk ’án-gáAwt\ clothing
Asa; > ăwuq-ăsá Awt\Asa; em˙ac\ty\ em˙ac\ty\ k∑´q∑a;på®p^" 12.1 k∑´q∑a;på
9.6 overcoat > laún-kouq
AKn\;K coat, coat, overcoat > laún-kouq daughter > thă mı́ qm^; 7.2,daughter
12.2 >
dock, embarcation pointdock,
thă mı́ qm^ ; 7.2, 12.2 > thı́n-emb
expensive
cheap: to beelac\ cheap, inexpensive
;kut \ elac\;kut\ see also the Topical Vocabularysee also the qeBçaSip\ (“shipbáw-zei
Topical Vocabulary
báw-zeiq
ty\ 1.7 > zé*c ’cold
o-dehdrinks ty\>1.7
eZ;*K¥oibar ăé-zaincold drinks bar > ăé-zain for kin terms for kin terms port”) port”)
torechemist’s
> s ’ é- shop,
AeA;Su ic\ (“cold>things
drugstore s ’ é- + AeA;Suic\ (“cold things + day > -yeq -rk\ 9.3 day > -yeq doctor
-rk\ > 9.3s ’ăya-wun Srawn\ doctor
11.1 > s ’
cine zain eS;Su ic\ (“medicine
shop”) 8.2 shop”) 8.2 dead, died 9 They are dead dead, > died doll, 9 They image, arestatue
dead > ăyouq doll,ARuimag
p\
cold:
shop”) 8.2 to be cold > é-deh cold:
eA;ty\ to be cold > é-deh eA;ty\ S ’oún-dhwá-ba-bi SuM;q∑a;på®p^ " dollar > daw-la
S ’oún-dhwá-ba-bi a;på®p^" 2.1dollar > da
SuM;q∑edÅla
cheroot > s1.1; to feel cold > c ’án-deh
’ é-báw-leiq 1.1; to feel cold > c ’án-deh 12.1 12.1 dorm, hostel > caún-zaundorm, hos
eS;epå≥lipK¥m\
\ ;ty\ K¥m\;ty\ deep [colour] > [colour]-yı́ndeep -rc\ [colour]
. ek¥ac\ > [colour]
;eSac\ -yı́n -rc\. ek¥ac\;eS
chest
rc$pt\ ) > yin
colour
or yin-baq
> ăyaun
rc\(Aerac\
pt$ colour > ăyaun Aerac\ defecate > c ’ ı́*pa-deh eK¥;*påty\
defecate " >
dress > ga-wun
c ’ ı́*pa-deh gåwn\ (English
eK¥;*påty\ " dress > ga
2 child > k ’comb > bı́ 12.2
ălé kel; B^; comb > bı́ B^; cin-jı́*sún-deh k¥c\Âk^;*s∑n\≥t
cin-jı́*sún-deh
y\" “gown”) k¥c\Âk^;*s∑n\≥ty\" “gown”
chin > mécome
em; > la-deh laty\" come come > la-deh laty\" come definite: to be definite, certain
definite: > to
drink:be definite,
to drinkcertain > thauq-teh > drink: to d
church > p ’ăyá
o-jaún round, come
shiq-k over > la-géh-
’ó-jaún round, come over > la-géh- the-ja-deh eqK¥aty\ the-ja-deheqak\ eqK¥aty\ ty\ 2.1 eqak\t
d-revere + iKui;ek¥ac\
Bura;r˙ deh laK´; (“lord-revere
.ty\" come +and fetch
deh laK´.ty\" come and fetch dentist > thwá-s ’ăya-wun dentist > driver thwá-s> dărain-ba dRuic\Badriver
’ăya-wun or ká- > da
monastery”) > la-k ’aw-deh laeKÅty\ 5.11 > la-k ’aw-deh laeKÅty\ 5.11 q∑a;Srawn\ q∑a;Srawn\dhă má ka;qma; or yin-maún dhă má k
cigar
S;®pc\ ;lip>\ s ’come to, amount
é-byı́n-leiq eS;®pc\;to,
lipcost
\ come
> cá- to, amount to, cost > cá- department store > koun-daiq departmentya√\ store ; 11.1
> koun-daiq
emac\ ya√\emac
krk\cigarette
6.2 > sı́-găreq
deh k¥ty\ 9 How
s^;krk\ 6.2 muchdeh k¥ty\ 9 How much kun\tuik\ (“goods building”) kun\tuikdrop, \ (“goods building”)
reduce, lower, bring drop, redu
ar (general
cigarette, cheroot,
does it cigar
come(general
to? > Beh-lauq
does it come to? > Beh-lauq 11.2 11.2 down (price) > sháw down (p
lip\ term) > scá-dhăléh?
’ é-leiq eS;li p\ elak\ cá-dhăléh? By\elak\
By\ descend, come down, getdescend,out > come elYa.down,ty\" 9get How outabout > elYa.ty
un cinema
Rup\r˙c\RuM > youq-shin-youn
k¥ql´" 4.8 Rup\r˙c\RuM k¥ql´" 4.8 s ’ ı́n-deh Sc\;ty\ s ’ ı́n-deh Sc\ reducing
;ty\ the cost? Sháw-ba- reducin
building”)
(“image-moving
commerce,+trade, building”)
business
commerce,
> trade, business > dictionary > ăbı́-dan ABidictionary
Dan\ >oún-lá?
ăbı́-danelYa. ABipDåAu an\M;la;" 5.4 oún-lá?
mentcivil servant, government
ăyaún-ăweh-keiq-sá ăyaún-ăweh-keiq-sá died, dead 9 They are dead died, > dead 9 They are
drugstore, dead > shop
chemist’s drugstore,
> s ’ é-
mú-dánservant >Aerac\
ăsóyá;Awy\ kisß 9.7
ăhmú-dán Aerac\;Awy\kisß 9.7 S ’oún-dhwá-ba-bi SuM;q∑a;på®p^
S ’oún-dhwá-ba-bi
" zain eS;Su \ 8.2
SuicM;q∑ a;på®p^" zain eS
condom
Asui;rAmO Tm\; 11.1 > kun-doún k∑n\dcondom
uM; > kun-doún k∑n\duM; 12.1 12.1 dumpling > pauq-s ’ i dumpling
epåk\ S ^ 4.2
clerk > săyé
contain,
saer;include, have incontain,> pa- include, have in > pa- difficult: to be difficult >difficult:
k ’ eq- to andbe difficult
see the Topical > k ’ eq-Vocabulary and see t
lented
clever:
> to bedeh clever,
påty\talented > deh påty\ teh Kk\ty\ teh Kk\ty\ for food and drinks for food
taw-dehcorrect:
eta\tto y\ be right, true, correct:
correct to be right, true, correct Director > H nyun-cá-yé-hmú
Director > dust > p ’oun PuM" to be dusty
H nyun-cá-yé-hmú dust > > p ’ou
> hman-deh
climate, weather
dhi-ú-dú > ya-dhi-ú-dú
m˙n\ty\ > hman-deh m˙n\ty\ VWn\Âka;er;mØ; 9 Deputy Direc- VWn\Âka;er;mØ p ’oun ; 9 Deputy
t ’ u-deh Pu Direc-
M*T¨ty\ or p ’oun t ’u
9.10come to, amount tocost,
raqÛtucost, > cá-come to, amount to > cá- tor > Dú H nyun-cá-yé-hmú tor > Dú H’ nyun-cá-yé-hmú
p oun t ’ á-deh Pu M*Tty\" p ’oun t ’á
deh k¥ty\ 9 How muchdeh k¥ty\ 9 How much duVWn\Âka;er;mØ; 9 AssistantduVWn\Âka;er;mØ
ear > ná ; 9 orAssistant
năyweq na;(R∑k ear
\) > ná or
does it cost? > Beh-lauq cá- does it cost? > Beh-lauq cá- Director > Leq-t ’auq H nyun- Director earring
> Leq-t > ’năgaq
auq H nyun- na;kp\ earring > n
Burmese
199
easy: to be
h-deh easy >
excuse me > use kin term excuse
lweh-deh 7.1 andme > use kin term 7.1 and finish > pı́-deh ®p^;ty\" 9 I’ve
finish > pı́-deh ®p^;ty\" 9q∑I’ve
go > thwá-deh a;ty\" 5.1, go go
> thwá-
l∑y\ty\ 7.2 and see the Topical Vocabu-
7.2 and see the Topical Vocabu- finished now > P ı́-bi ®p^;®p^finished
" 7.3 now
beyond, > P ı́-bi ®p^;®p^" >7.3
go past beyond
lun-dhwá-
1 eat > sá-dehlary 2.1 and I
for You
sa;ty\ lary for You and I five > ngá cå; (5) 1.2 five > ngá cå; deh (5)l∑1.2
n\q∑a;ty\ deh l∑n\q
taeditor > eh-di-ta
expect, look out for > hmyaw-
Ay\ d t
^ a expect, look out for > hmyaw- flashlight, torch > leq-hneiq daq- going
flashlight, torchto>[verb]
leq-hneiq > [verb] going to [v
daq- -meh
eight > shiq ne-deh 1.3 enty\
r˙s\ (8) emYa\ ne-deh emYa\enty\ m ı́ lk\N˙ip\Dåt\m^; m ı́ lk\N˙ip[verb]
\Dåt\m^;-my\ 2.2 and see [verb]-m
expensive:
w ı́nelastic band to be
> thăye-gw ı́n expensive
expensive:
> to be expensive > flower > pán pn\; flower > pánGrammar
pn\; outline Gramma
qerk∑c\; zé*cı́-deh eZ;*Âk^;ty\ 1.5zé*cı́-deh eZ;*Âk^;ty\ 1.5 follow, accompany > laiq-teh gold > shwe
follow, accompany > eRW " 9 gold colour
laiq-teh gold >>shw
etac\ elbow eye > myeq-sı́
Ss\ > tădaun-ziq tMetac\
m¥k\Ssi s\ eye > myeq-sı́ m¥k\si luik\ty\ shwe-yaun eRWerac\
luik\ty\ shwe-ya
face
else 9 What
ou have? > else do you have?N˙a> face > myeq-hna m¥k\N˙a
> myeq-hna m¥k\ foot, leg > c ’i or c ’i-dauq foot, leg >
golf
c ’i or
course > gauq-kw ı́n golf course
c ’i-dauq
factory > seq-youn
Ba Ba shı́-dhé-dhăléh? Ba sk\RuM factory > seq-youn sk\RuM e®K(eTak\) e®K(eTak\egåk\
) k∑c\; (“golf field”) egåk\k∑c
6.6
r˙ieq;ql´"(“machine building”) (“machine building”) four > lé el; (4) 1.1 four > lé Good 1.1
morning,
el; (4) Good after-
Good mor
about faecesto>feel
adembarrassed: c ’ ı́ eK¥;" defecatefaeces
bad about > > c ’ ı́ eK¥;" defecate > free: to be free, not engaged
free:>to noon,
á-be free, notetc > see Lesson
engaged > á- 2.8 noon, et
one > imposingc ’on someone
ı́*pa-deh >
eK¥;*påty\ c ’ ı́*pa-deh eK¥;*påty\" cin-
" cin- deh Aa;ty\ 1.3 deh Aa;ty\ good: 1.3
to be good > kaún-deh good: to be
y\ á*na-deh jı́*sún-deh
Aa;*naty\k¥c\Âk^;*s∑n\≥ty\jı́*sún-deh
" k¥c\Âk^;*s∑n\≥ty\" friend > meiq-s’we mit\eS∑friend
9.5, > meiq-s ekac\’ we
; ty\
mi t e
\ 1.1
S∑ 9.5, ekac\;t
mbarrass- fan (electric)
embarrassing: > pan-ka pn\fan
to be embarrass- ka"(electric) > pan-ka pn\ka" and see the Topical Vocabulary
and seeGoodbye
the Topical > Vocabulary
Thwá-meh-naw? Goodbye >
n-dehing > á-na-zăya*kaún-deh
(hand-held) > yaq-taun (hand-held) > yaq-taun for kin terms for kin terms q∑a;my\ena\" 4.9, Thwá-mehq∑a;my\e
y\ Aa;nasra*ekac\
yp\etac\
;ty\ yp\etac\ from [place] > [place]-ká/-gá
from [place]q∑>a;my\ " 5.3-ká/-gá
[place] q∑a;my\"
qMRembassy
uM; > than-yoún
farmer, peasant qMRuM;> leh-dhăfarmer,
má peasant > leh-dhă má [place]-k 9.2 [place]government
-k 9.2 servant, civil governme
2 (“envoy office”) 5.2
ly\ q ma; ly\ q ma; fun: to be enjoyable, to be fun: servant >to
funto>be enjoyable, be funăhmú-dán
ăsó-yá > servant
wn\Temployee
m\; > wun-dán
father > ăp ’ ewn\
AePTm\12E
; andfathersee the> ăp ’ e AeP 12E and see the pyaw-zăya*kaún-deh Asui;rAmOTm\; 11.1
pyaw-zăya*kaún-deh Asui;rAm
Ac\engineer
g¥c\n^ya > in-jin-ni-ya
Topical Vocabulary
Ac\g¥c\n^yfor
a kinTopical Vocabulary for kin ep¥a\sra*ekac\;ty\ grandchild
ep¥a\sra*ekac\ ;ty\> myı́ e®m; see grandchild also the
11.1 terms terms garden, park > pán-jan pn\ garden,
;®KM park > pán-jan
Topical Vocabulary
pn\;®KM for kinTopical V
English (language)
n-găleiq- fetch: come>and fetch > la-k
Ín-găleiq- fetch: ’aw-come and fetch > la-k ’aw- (“flower enclosure”) or ú-yin
(“flower termsenclosure”) or ú-yin terms
4 săgá Agçl deh
ip\ska; 3.4
laeKÅty\ 5.11 deh laeKÅty\ 5.11 Uy¥a√\ Uy¥a√\ grandfather > ăp ’ó APui; see grandfathe
also
f, have
enjoy:
a to few:
enjoytooneself,
be little,havefew a> néh-deh
few: to be little, few > néh-deh gasoline, petrol > daq-s ’i gasoline,
Dat\S^ petrol > daq-sVocabulary
the Topical ’i Dat\S^ for the kinTopi
deh good time n´t>y\pyaw-deh n´ty\ genitals (male) > yauq-cá-in-ga
genitals (male) terms > yauq-cá-in-ga terms
njoyable,
ep¥a\ty\ 9.9, to be
fiancé/e, enjoyable,> ăsfiancé/e,
sweetheart ’ eq sweetheart > ăs ’ eq eyak¥\a;Agçå" (female) > eyak¥\grandmother
a;Agçå" (female) > ăp
> ’wá AP∑grandmoth
a; see
to be funASk\
ya*kaún- or yı́-zá rv\;sa; see ASk\
> pyaw-zăya*kaún- also or yı́-zá rv\;sa; see also meı́n-má-in-ga min\;mAgçå meı́n-má-in-ga also the minTopical
\;mAgçå Vocabularyalso for the
the Topical Vocabulary for the
ty\ deh ep¥a\sra*ekac\ ; ty\ kinTopical Vocabulary for kin get into (taxi etc) > teq-teh
get into (taxikin etc) > teq-teh
terms kin term
n > enter:
win-deh to cometermsor go in > win-deh terms tk\ty\" 5.1 tk\ty\ green
" 5.1> ăseı́n Asim\; green > ăs
wc\ty\film > p ’ălin Plc\ (Englishfilm > p ’ălin Plc\ (English give > pé-deh ep;ty\" 9 give
Please > pé-deh
Greetings!
ep;ty\>"see 9 Please
Lesson 2.8 Greetings!
t\ envelope
6.4 > “film”)
sa-eiq saAi 6.2t\ 6.4 “film”) 6.2 bring us two cups of coffee bring > us grey
two> cups of coffee
mı́-gó-yaun grey > mı́-
m^;Kui;>erac\
byeqeraser,
K´P¥k\ rubber > k ’ éh-byeq
film actor > youq-shin film actor > youq-shin mı́n-dhá
K´P¥k\ mı́n-dhá K aw-p’i hnăk ’weq pé-ba eka\
K aw-pP^ ’guide: tourist
i hnăk ’weq pé-baguideeka\>Péh-lán-
^ guide: tou
some-
escort, take Rusomeone
p\r˙c\mc\;qa;" actress > youq-
some- Rup\r˙c\mc\;qa;" actress > youq- N˙s\K∑k\ ep;på" 4.1 hnyun
N˙s\K∑k\ ep;på" 4.1Ev\.lm\;VWn\ hnyun E
h where > laiq-pyá-deh
shin mı́n-dhă mı́ Rup\r˙c\mc\;qm^ ;" mı́n-dhă mı́ Rup\r˙c\mc\;qm^;"
shin give permission > k ’w ı́n*pyú-deh
give permissionhair (of > head) > zăbin SMphair
k ’w ı́n*pyú-deh c\ (of he
fine 9 Fine, OK > K aún-ba-bi
luik\®pty\ fine 9 Fine, OK > K aún-ba-bi K∑c\.*‘pty\ K∑c\.*‘pty\hairbrush > băraq Brt\ hairbrush
evening > nyá ekac\v ;5.9
på®p^" 4.1 ekac\;på®p^" 4.1 glass, cup > k ’weq K∑k\ 2.3glass, cup > k ’weq K∑k\ 2.3
finger > leq-c ’aún lk\eK¥ac\ finger
; > leq-c ’aún lk\eK¥ac\; glue > kaw eka\ glue > kaw eka\
Burmese
201
á-zain hospital
hairdresser’s > s ’ é-youn eS;RuM hospital > s ’ é-youn
> s ’an-thá-zain eS;RuM husband, boyfriend (normal husband,karaoke boyfriend bar(normal
> ka-ra-o-ke karaoke ba
tify +SMqSuic\ (“hair-beautify
(“medicine building”) + (“medicine building”) level of politeness) > ă myó-thá level of politeness)
karaAuiek > ă8.2 myó-thá karaAuie
shop”)hostel, student hostel, dorm hostel,
> student hostel, dorm > Am¥oi;qa; 12.1, (deferential)Am¥oi > ;qa; 12.1, (deferential)
kerosene, paraffin > > ye-nan-zi
kerosene,
Hallo > see Lesson 2.8
caún-zaun ek¥ac\ ; eSac\ caún-zaun ek¥ac\;eSac\ k ’in-bún Kc\p∑n\;" (casual) > k ’in-bún Kc\ ernMp∑nS \;"^ (casual) > ernMS^
hand, arm hot:> leq
to be lk\hot > pu-deh p¨t hot:
y\ 1.1,
to be hot > pu-deh p¨ty\ 1.1, yauq-cá eyak¥\a; see also the yauq-cá key > tháw
eyak¥\ a; see
eqa. also the key > tháw
-s ’handbag,
an-eiq to feel
purse hot > ’aiq-teh
> paiq-s an-eiq Auik\t toy\feel hot > aiq-teh Auik\ty\ Topical Vocabulary for kinTopicalkey-chain Vocabulary > for
kı́-ckin ’ eı́n k^;K¥inkey-chain
\;
it\ 6.4
puik\SMAhot: to be hot to taste, spicy hot:>to be hot to taste, spicy > terms terms kind > -myó -m¥oi;" 9 that kind > -my
handkerchief
n-păwa saq-teh sp\ty\ 1.3
> leq-kain-păwa saq-teh sp\ty\ 1.3 I > see the Topical Vocabulary I > see for the Topical
da-myó dåm¥oi;" 9 three
Vocabulary for kinds >
da-myó
lk\kuichotel
\pwå > ho-teh huity\ 8.2 hotel > ho-teh huity\ 8.2 You and I You and I thoún-myó qu ;
M m¥oi ; " 9 many thoún-m
happy: tohour
wún*tha- > na-yi> nar^
be happy 5.10
wún*tha- hour > na-yi nar^ 5.10 ice cream > ye-géh-moúnice erKćream mun\≥ > kinds,
ye-géh-moún all sorts erK´ > măunmyó-myó
\≥ kinds, a
am deh wm\house
;*qaty\ " 9 Ai
> ein I am house > ein Aim\ 9.5, friend’s
m\ 9.5, friend’s 4.2 and see the Topical Vocabu- 4.2 and see the;m¥oi
Am¥oi ;" 6.6 Vocabu-
Topical Am¥oi;m¥oi;"
you >happy tohouse have met > meiq-syou > ’ we ein house > meiq-s’we ein lary for food and drinks lary forkind: food andto be drinks
kind > thăbáw*kaún- kind: to be
ba-deh Twé-yá-da mit \eS∑Aim\ 9.5
wún-tha-ba-deh mit\eS∑Aim\ 9.5 image, statue, doll > ăyouq image, ARup\ statue,dehdoll > ăyouq ARu
qeBa*ekac\ ;ty\ p\ deh qeB
y\" 10.3et∑>rta housework > ein-hmú-keiq-sá
wm\ ; qapåty\ " 10.3 housework > ein-hmú-keiq-sá in that case > di-lo-s ’o d^lin uiSthat
ui 4.4 caseknee> di-lo-s
> dú d¨’o; d^luiSui 4.4 knee > dú
.4 hat > ouq-t ’ouq Okispß 11.3
Aim\mË;Tu \ 6.4 Aim\mOkisß 11.3 in: to come or go in, enterin: > to win-comeknowor go > in, enterqi>twin-
thı́-deh y\ 8.1know > th´
have, there
h, yá-deh how is >
about [noun]?
shı́-deh, yá-deh> [noun]
how- about [noun]? > [noun]- deh wc\ty\ deh wc\kyat
ty\ (Burmese currency)kyat > caq (Burm
you have
r˙ity\" rty\ " 9 Do[noun]
káw/-gáw you have -eka 10.4
káw/-gáw [noun]-eka 10.4 include, contain, have ininclude, > pa- contain, k¥p\ 1.11 have in > pa- k¥p\ 1.11
shı́- any coffee?
how long? K aw-p9’i How shı́- long have how long? 9 How long have deh påty\ deh påty\labourer > ălouq-thă má labourer >
you ’been
mălá? dhălá? K aw-p here? > Y auq-ne-da
i yá-mălá? you been here? > Y auq-ne-da inexpensive: to be inexpensive, inexpensive:Alu to p be\qinexpensive,
ma; Alup\qm
P^ rmla;"
eka\P^ r˙iqbeh-lauq
la;" eka\ca-bi-léh?
P^ rmla;" beh-lauq ca-bi-léh? cheap > zé*c ’o-deh eZ;*K¥oicheap > zé*c ’o-deh eZ;*K¥oi
ty\ lacquerware > yún-deh ty\ y∑lacquerwa
n\;Tv\
hildren 4.3;>9 I have three
erak\ enta children
By\elak\> erak\enta By\elak\ 1.7 1.7 lavatory, toilet > ein-dha lavatory, Aim\qa t
Âka®p^ l ´ 9.3
K ’ălé-thoún-yauq shı́-ba-deh
ı́-ba-deh Âka®p^ l´ 9.3 inn > ı́n Ac\; 9.5 inn > ı́n Ac\;4.7 9.5 4.7
åty\"kel;12.2 how manyr˙X?
quM;eyak\ ipåty\ " 12.2 how
> Beh-hnă- X-léh?
many X? > Beh-hnă- X-léh? insecticide > pó-thaq-s ’ é insecticide lawyer
> pó-thaq-s> shé-ne ’ é er˙>en lawyer > s
seehe,
theshe, it > By\ ˙s\-and
thu Nq¨ or By\
see the
N˙-X-l´" 4.3
By\N˙s\- or By\N˙-X-l´" 4.3 pui;qt\eS; pui;qt\eleather
S; > thăye qa;er leather > t
or YouTopical
and Vocabulary
and see thefor Topical
You andVocabulary and see the Topical Vocabulary insurance > a-má-gan AamKM insuranceleg, > a-má-gan
foot > c ’i AamKM or c ’i-dauq leg, foot >
I for this, that and what for this, that and what intend, plan > ăsi-ăsin shı́-deh
intend, plane®K(eTak\ > ăsi-ăsin) shı́-deh e®K(eTak
head > gaún howeKåc\
much?
; > Beh-lauq-léh? how much? > Beh-lauq-léh? AsÂs√\ r˙ity\ AsÂs√\library
r˙ity\> sa-cı́-daiq saÂkv\ library
.tuik\ > s
hear > cá-deh By\ elak\l´" 9 How much
Âka;ty\ By\iselak\l´" 9 How much is introduce to someone > introducemeiq- to(“text-study
someone > + building”)(“text-st
meiq-
tword)
helping, that?
> portion (countword) >
Da beh-lauq-léh? dåthat? Da beh-lauq-léh? då s’ eq*pé-deh mit\Sk\*ep;ty\ lighter,
s’ eq*pé-deh mit match
\Sk\*ep;ty\ > mı́-jiq m^;®Ks\ lighter, ma
-pwéh/-bwéh
By\-p∑ ´ 2.4 l´" 1.11, 9 HowBy\elak\l´" 1.11, 9 How
elak\ iron > than qM iron > than like:
qM like this > di-lo d^lui like: like th
here,
-hma d^m˙ain thismuch
place does> di-hma
it come
d^m˙a to? >muchBeh- does it come to? > Beh- it, he, she > thu q¨ and seeit,the he, shelike: > thu to q¨ like and
> caiq-teh
see the ’kik like:
\ty\to like
al Vocabu-
2.3 and see the cá-dhăléh?
lauq Topical Vocabu- By\elak\ lauq cá-dhăléh? By\elak\ Topical Vocabulary for YouTopical 1.3
and Vocabulary for You and 1.3
d whatlary for this, that"and
k¥ql´ 4.8 what k¥ql´" 4.8 I I line up, queue > tán*si-deh line up, qu
kuhold,
ic\ty\,grasp how?> kain-deh
> beh-loku By\
ic\tl 9 How> beh-lo By\lui 3.5 9 How
y\ui ,3.5 how? item, unit (countword) > -k item,
’ ú/-gú unit (countword)
tn\ ; *s^ t y\ > -k ’ ú/-gú tn\;*s^t
deh hold fast is > it? What
kain-t is it like? > Beh-lo
’á-deh is it? What is it like? > Beh-lo -Ku 2.5 -Ku 2.5 lipstick > hnăk ’án-ni-s ’ó-zé lipstick > h
kuic\Ta;ty\ ne-dhăléh? By\lui enqlńe-dhăléh? " 9.9 By\lui enql´" 9.9 ivory > s ’in-zweh Sc\s∑y\ ivory > s ’in-zweh NOt\Km\;Sc\ n^Ssui;eS;
∑y\ NOt\Km\;n
home, house > ein
and see Aithem\ Topical Vocabulary and see the Topical Vocabulary jacket (“jerkin”) > ja-kin g¥akc\
jacket (“jerkin”) listen > >ná*t ja-kin
’aun-dehg¥akc\ listen > na
for this, that and what for this, that and what jeans > jı́n-baún-bi g¥c\;eBac\jeans ;B^ > jı́n-baún-bi
na;*eTac\ g¥c\t;eBac\
y\ ;B^ na;*eTa
Burmese
203
little:
eh-néh nńa´ little, a bit 9>Is
married he married?
néh-néh > E in- 9 Is he married? > E in-
nń´ married > tha-dhăna-byú-s ’ăya-má> tha-dhăna-byú-s
near: near here > di-ná-hma
’ăya-má near: near
> néh-deh
1.6, to bedaun
little,shı́-dhălá?
few > néh-deh
Aim\eTac\daun shı́-dhălá? Aim\eTac\ qaqna‘pSram qaqna‘pSram d^na;m˙a 8.1, to be near > nı́-deh d^na;m˙a 8
n´ty\ r˙iqla;" 12.1 9 Is he married r˙iqla;" 12.1 9 Is he married moment > k ’ăná K% 9 Justmoment
a ;ty\K% 9 Just a
> kn^’ăná n^;ty\
live > ne-deh yet? > E in-daun cá-bi-lá? yet? > E in-daun cá-bi-lá?
enty\ moment please > K ’ăná-lé- moment neck > leh-dain
please or leh-bı́nneck > leh
> K ’ăná-lé-
has it time 9 Ai
long How
m\eTac\ longk¥®p^
haslita;" Aim\eTac\ k¥®p^la;" naw? K%el;ena\" 7.3 lv\tuic"\ or
naw? K%el;ena\ 7.3lv\pc\; lv\tuic\
been? match,
a-bi-léh? > Beh-lauq lighter > mı́-jiq m^;®Ks\
ca-bi-léh? match, lighter > mı́-jiq m^;®Ks\ ek¥ac\; need:
monastery, school > caúnmonastery, schoolto need
> caún> lo-deh
ek¥ac\lu; need:
ity\" to ne
9.3 9 By\
Haselak\
matter 9 Itl
Âka®p^ ´" 9.3 9 Has
doesn’t matter matter
> 9 It doesn’t matter > money > paiq-s ’an puik\SM money
4.8 > paiq-s
to need, \SM 4.8
want
’an puik (something) to >
need
bi-lá? it been long? > Ca-bi-lá?
K eiq-sá măshı́-ba-bú kisß K eiq-sá măshı́-ba-bú kisß monk: Buddhist monk >monk: p ’oún-jı́Buddhist monk
lo-jin-deh luiK>¥c\pt y\ 1.10 lo-jin-de
’oún-jı́
longÂka®p^
yet. la;"mr˙
9.4,
ipåB¨9 ;Not
" 6.3long yet. mr˙ipåB¨;" 6.3 Bun\;Âk^; 9 novice monk > Bu 9 novice monk >
n\;Âk^;neighbourhood,
ko- quarter neighbour
ko- > yaq-
meat > ăthá Aqa;" 9 Does
> Măca-dhé-ba-bú it > ăthá Aqa;" 9 Does it
meat yin kuirc\ yin kuirc\ kweq
rp\k∑k\ kweq rp
It’s been have
mÂkaeq;påB¨ ;" 9.4,
meat 9 It’s been
in it? > Ă thá*pa-
have meat in it? > Ă thá*pa- month > lá l 9.4 month > nephew
lá l 9.4 > tu t¨ see also the nephew
Topi- >
> Thoún-
about three weeks.
dhălá? > Thoún-
Aqa;*påqla;" 1.10;
dhălá? Aqa;*påqla;" 1.10; morning > măneq mnk\ 5.8 morning > măneq mnk\ 5.8for kin terms
cal Vocabulary cal Voca
t\elak\ baq-lauq meat,
shı́-bi minced and fried >meat, minced and fried >
quM;pt\elak\ mosque > băli bl^ mosque >newspaper
băli bl^ > thădı́n-za qtc\ newspape
;sa
r˙i®p^" tauq-tauq-caw tauq-tauq-caw mosquito > c ’in ®Kc\" mosquitoes
mosquitoniece
> c ’in>®Kc\ " mosquitoes
tu-má t¨m see alsoniece
the > tu-
nt, along
longway: toetak\ be distant,
etak\eaÂka\ long4.2 and see etak\etak\eÂka\ 4.2 and see bite > c ’in kaiq-teh ®Kc\ bite > c ’inTopical
kaiq-teh Vocabulary
®Kc\ for kinTopical V
y\ way > wé-deh the Topical
ew;ty\ Vocabulary for the foodTopical Vocabulary for food kuik\ty\" kuik\ty\"terms terms
" 9look
Do > cı́-deh and .ty\" 9 Do
drinks
Âkv\ and drinks mother > ă me Aem 12E and see >nine
mother ă me>Aem 12E
kó ku and
i; (9) 1.3
see nine > kó k
a look? you medicine
> mind if I have > s ’aé look?
eS; > medicine > s ’é eS; the Topical Vocabulary for the no >Vocabulary
kinTopical mă- [verb]-ba-bú no > mă-
for kinm-[verb] - [v
y\ena\"C6.2, meditate > tăyá-á*t
ı́-meh-naw? Âkv\ m
. y\ e 6.2, meditate > tăyá-á*t ’ouq-teh
na\"’ouq-teh terms terms påB¨ ; 1.4 påB¨ ; 1.4
around 9 I’ll
> keeptra;Aa:*Tu
looking around t\ty\"> medita- tra;Aa:*Tut\ty\" medita- mouth > păzaq på;sp\ mouth > noodles
păzaq på;sp\> k ’auq-s ’wéh eKåk\ noodles
S∑´ >
tion centre > yeiq-tha rip\q
C ı́-oún-meh-naw? tion
a centre > yeiq-tha rip\qa much, too much > myá-deh much, too much 4.2 and > myá-deh
see the Topical Vocabu- 4.2 and
Âkv\.Ameet
uM;my\ena\ > "twé-deh
6.7 et∑>ty\ 10.3, meet > twé-deh et∑>ty\ 10.3, m¥a;ty\" 9 That’s a bit toom¥a;ty\" 9lary That’s a bitand
for food toodrinks lary for f
a lotlot:> very, very much, a lot
s ’oun-já-deh >
SuMÂkty\ s ’oun-já-deh SuMÂkty\ much, too expensive. Néh- much,nose > hnăk ’aúnNéh-
too expensive. N˙aeKåc\; nose > hnă
theiq qi p \ 1.6
merchant, businessman > merchant,
koun- businessman > koun- néh myá-ba-deh nń´ notebook > hmaq-sú-sa-ouq
néh myá-ba-deh n´ n ´ notebook >
> clovable:
’iq- to be dheh kun\q>v\c11.1
lovable ’iq- dheh kun\qv\ 11.1 m¥a;påty\" 5.4 m¥a;påty\m˙" t5.4\susaAup\ m˙t\susaA
midday > né-leh en≥ly\ 5.8
săya*kaún-deh midday > né-leh en≥ly\ 5.8 museum > pyá-daiq ®ptuik museum
\ > pyá-daiq
nought, zero ®ptu > ik
thoun-nyá
\ nought,
quv ze
middle;ty\
K¥s\sra*ekac\ 9 the middle sonmiddle > thá- 9 the middle son > thá- (“exhibit building”) (“exhibit (0) 1.4
building”) (0) 1.4
rop,lower, bringălaq down, drop, 12.3
qa;Alp\ ălaq qa;Alp\ 12.3 Myanmar see under Burmese Myanmarnumber see under > nan-baq
BurmesenMpåt\ number 1.4 >
áw-deh milk >
reduce (price) > sháw-deh
nwá-nó or nó (N∑ a milk
;)Nu ≥
i 4.2 > nwá-nó or nó (N∑a;)Nui≥ 4.2 name > nan-meh nMmv\ 9 What’s
name > nan-meh nM mv\ 9 What’s
nun: Buddhist nun > meh-thi-lá- nun: Budd
bout elYa.ty\"and 9 How see the aboutTopical Vocabulary and see the Topical Vocabulary your name? > Nan-meh beh- your name? > Nan-meh
yin my\ q^lrc\ beh- yin my\q
Sháw-ba-reducingfor thefoodcost? andSháw-ba-
drinks for food and drinks lo k ’aw-dhăléh? nMmv\ By\ nurse (male)
lolkui ’aw-dhăléh? nMmv\> By\ naqslnt\ui snurse
\" (ma
;" 5.4 oún-lá?mind elYa.p9åAu Never
M;la;"mind 5.4 > K eiq-sá mind 9 Never mind > K eiq-sá eKÅql´" 9 I am called Ye eKÅql´" 9(female) I am called > naqs-má
Ye nt\s\m(female
"
; luggage > pyiq-sı́ măshı́-ba-bú
psßv\; kisß mr˙ipåB¨;"măshı́-ba-bú 6.3 kisß mr˙ipåB¨;" 6.3 Myint. Y éh Myı́n-ba r´®mc\.pMyint.
å" or Y thu-na-byú-s mc\.på" or
éh Myı́n-ba r´’®ăya-má thu-na-b
n mg©magazine
zc\; > meq-găzı́n
ministry > wun-jı́-yoún
mg©zc\; wn\ministryÂk^;RuM; > wun-jı́-yoún wn\Âk^;RuM; q¨na‘pSram"
Y éh Myı́n-ló k ’aw-ba-deh Y éh Myı́n-ló k ’aw-ba-deh q¨na‘pS
ng¥amanager > măne-ja (“Minister’s meng¥a office”) (“Minister’s office”) r´®mc\.lui≥ eKÅpåty\" 10.2 r´®mc\.lui≥o’clock
eKÅpåty\ " 10.2
9 nine o’clock 9 n
o’clock > kó-na-yi
map > mye-bounminute > mı́-niq,
e®mpu M măniq miminute
ns\ 5.10 > mı́-niq, măniq mins\ 5.10 nationality, race > lu-myónationality,
l¨m¥oi; race
ku i;nar^> 5.10
lu-myó l¨m¥oi; kui;nar^ 5
ketmarket
stall- >missionary
zé eZ;" market stall-
> tha-dhăna-byú- missionary > tha-dhăna-byú- 9.2 9.2 office > yoún RuM; 5.2, airline
office > yo
office
Z;qv\holder > szé-dheh ’ăya qaqna‘pSra"
eZ;qv\ (female) s ’ăya qaqna‘pSra" (female) > le-yin-yoún elya√\RuM; 5.2 > le-yin-
Burmese
205
ointmentpaper
;eS; > leı́n-zé
clipli>mkăliq
\;eS; kls\ paper clip > kăliq kls\ plaster, Band Aid > păla-săta
plaster, Band race, Aid nationality
> păla-săta > lu-myó race,
l¨m¥oinatio
;
h OK: to beparaffin,
rty\ OK > yá-dehkerosene
rty\> ye-nan-zi
paraffin, kerosene > ye-nan-zi plasta 6.2 plasta 6.2 9.2 9.2
right 1.1,
> to work ernMSout
^ all right > ernMS^ plastic > radio
plastic > păla-săteiq, păla-sătiq > re-di-yo
păla-săteiq, erd^yui radio > re-
păla-sătiq
*e®pty\ parata >
ăs ’in*pye-deh pălata
ASc\ plata 4.2
*e®pty\ parata
and > pălata plata 4.2 and plastit\' plasts\ plastirailway
t\' plasts\ station > bu-da or railway
bu-da- sta
1.7, 9 OK,see
aún-ba-bi Fine
the >
Topical Vocabularysee
K aún-ba-bi for the Topical Vocabulary for please [verb] > [verb]-pa/-ba please [verb] youn > [verb]
B¨ta(Ru M) (“station youn B¨t
-pa/-ba
ekac\;på®p^food" 4.1and drinks food and drinks [verb]-på" please don’t [verb] [verb]-på" please don’t [verb]
building”) building
u? > old 9 How
Ă theq parents
old are > you?ăp ’ e-ă>me Ă theq
AePAem parents 12E > ăp ’ e-ă me AePAem 12E > mă- [verb]-pa/-ba-néh m- > mă- [verb]
rain: to rain > mó*ywa-deh
-pa/-ba-néh m- rain: to rai
Aqk\ beh-lauq park, garden >
shı́-bi-léh? pán-jan pn\
Aqk\ park,
;®KM garden > pán-jan pn\;®KM [verb]-pån´≥ 2.6 [verb]-pån´ 2.6aty\
mui;≥ *R∑ mui;*R∑aty
0.6 9 HowBy\elak\(“flower r˙i®p^l´" 10.6 9 How
enclosure”) or ú-yin (“flower enclosure”) or ú-yin police station > yéh-t ’a-nápolice
r´@an station >
razor, razor’blade > mouq-s
yéh-t a-ná r´ @ an razor,
’ eiq-razo
Thá beh- old is your Uy¥a√\ son? > Thá beh- Uy¥a√\ policeman > yéh-ăya-shı́ policeman
rÁrar˙i >yeiq-dá
yéh-ăya-shı́
mut\Sit \då;i (“beard-
rÁ\riprar˙ yeiq-dá
qa; ăyweh pay > pé-deh
shı́-bi-léh? qa; ep;ty\ 9 How pay > pé-deh ep;ty\ 9 How polite tag > kshave
polite tag > k ’in-bya Kc\b¥a (male ’in-bya+Kc\ blade”)
b¥a (male g¥ot\ shave +
3, 9 theBy\AR∑ymuch \ r˙i®p^l´"shall 12.3,I 9have the to pay? much> shall I have to pay? > speaker), shin r˙c\ (female speaker), reach, r˙c\ (female
shin arrive > yauq-teh reach, arri
n > thá-
oldest son, older son
Beh-lauq > thá-
pé-yá-măléh? Beh-lauq pé-yá-măléh? speaker) 2.7 speaker) 2.7 erak\ty\ erak\ty
ăcı́ qa;AÂk^By\ ; 12.3
elak\ ep;rml´" 5.3 By\elak\ ep;rml´" 5.3 or cwe-
porcelain, enamel > cwe porcelain, read >
enamel’ > cwe or cwe-
p aq-teh Pt\ t y\ 9.1
read > p ’aq
pounds) (or tă- in farmer
one > tiq peasant, compounds) > leh-dhăpeasant,
má farmer > leh-dhă má deh eÂk∑(Tv\) deh eÂk∑ red
(Tv\ > ăni
) An^ red > ăni A
ts\ (1) 1.1 ly\qma; ly\qma; portion, helping (countword) portion,
> helping
reduce, (countword)
lower, bring>down, reduce, low
pencil >> klein-maw-yaun
orange (colour)
maw-yaun ’ éh-dan K´tM" pencil pencil > k ’ éh-dan K´tM" pencil -pwéh/-bwéh -p∑´ 2.4 -pwéh/-bwéh drop ´ 2.4 > sháw-deh drop (p
-p∑(price)
lim\ema\erac\sharpener > k ’ éh-dan-c ’ un-zeq sharpener > k ’ éh-dan-c ’ un-zeq post office > sa-daiq satupostik\ office >elYa. sa-daiq
ty\"satu 9 How ik\ about elYa.ty
w-ye orange juice > lein-maw-ye
K´ t K
M Án\ s k\ K´ tMKÁn\sk\ (“letter building”) 11.2 (“letter building”) reducing the 11.2cost? Sháw-ba- reducin
e the Topi-
lim\ema\pension
rv\ 4.2 and > pin-sinsee the pc\ sc\ 9pension
Topi- I am > pin-sin pc\sc\ 9 I am postage stamp > tăzeiq-gaún postage stamp elYa.påAuM;la;" 5.4 oún-lá?
> tăzeiq-gaún
oún-lá?
od andcal Vocabulary retired for>food Pin-sin and yu-laiq-pi retired > Pin-sin yu-laiq-pi tMSip\eKåc\; tMSip\erent:
Kåc\; to rent a house > einrent: hngá-to ren
drinks pc\sc\ y¨luik\®p^" 11.3 pc\sc\ y¨luik\®p^" 11.3 postcard > pó-săkaq pui≥skd\postcard
6.2 > pó-săkaq
ne-deh Aipu mi≥\sc˙kd\ 6.2 " 9.5ne-deh A
a;enty\
aurant
order:etc)to perfume
order (in >restaurant ye-hmwé etc) eremWperfume
; > ye-hmwé eremW; pottery > mye or mye-dehpottery >repeat mye or9 mye-deh Could you please repeat 9 C
10 > hma-deh petrol, gasoline
m˙aty\ 1.10 > daq-s ’i petrol, Dat\S^ gasoline > daq-s ’i Dat\S^ e®m(Tv\) e®m(Tv\) repeat that? > T ’aq-pyáw-ba- repeat t
> tout:
’weq- to comephotograph
or go out>>daq-poun t ’weq- photograph
Dåt\ puM" > daq-poun Dåt\puM" powder > paun-da epåc\dåpowder > paun-da oún Tp\epåc\ e®papåAudå M;" 3.2 oún Tp\e
teh T∑k\tto y\take a photograph daq- to take a photograph daq- pretty: to be pretty > hlá-deh
pretty: toreporter
be pretty >> thădı́n-dauq
hlá-deh reporter >
r ze-di
pagoda > p ’poun*ăyá Bur a; or ze-di
yaiq-teh y\ yaiq-teh Dåt\puMRuik\ty\
Dåt\puMRuik\tpoun* l˙ty\ 1.3 l˙ty\ 1.3qtc\;eTak\ qtc\;eT
est^ 5.2 2.4; photographer > daq-poun 2.4; photographer > daq-poun printing press > poun-hneiq-taiq
printing press research > thú-te-thăná quresearch
> poun-hneiq-taiq etqn" >
painkiller
-pyauq-s ’ é > gaún-kaiq-pyauq-s ’ é
s ’ ăya Dåt\ p S
M u ra" photography s ’ăya Dåt\puMSra" photography puMN˙ip\tuik\ 11.2 puMN˙ip\tuik\ 11.2
9 to do research > thú-te-9 to do
eKåc\;kuik\eshopp¥ak\e>S; daq-poun-zain shop > daq-poun-zain prison > t ’aun eTac\ prison > t ’aun thănáeTac\ louq-teh quetqn thăná lo
e + (“headache-remove +
Dåt\ p S
M u c
i u \ (“photograph Dåt\ puMSuic\ (“photograph purple > k ’ăyán-yaun Krm\purple
;erac\ > k ’ăyán-yaun
lup\ty\ 9.8Krm\;erac\ lup\ty\
medicine”) shop”) shop”) purse, handbag > paiq-s ’purse,
an-eiq handbag restaurant > paiq-s
> sá-thauq-s
’an-eiq ’ain restaurant
r]-nú
pale
-Nu[colour]pill >> s[colour]
’ é-byá eS;®pa; -nú -Nu pill > s ’ é-byá eS;®pa; puik\SMAit\ 6.4 \ 6.4
puik\SMAitsa;eqak\ Suic\" t ’ă mı́n-zain sa;eqak
pink > pán-yaun
pants, underpants
tw ı́n-gan- > ătw ı́n-gan- pn\;erac\ pink > pán-yaun pn\;erac\ put, place > t ’á-deh Ta;ty\ put," place >Tmc\ t ’á-deh \" (“eat-drink
;SuicTa;ty\ " + Tmc\;Suic
c\;B^ baún-bipipe At∑(for c\;KMesmoking)
Bac\;B^ > s ’é-dan pipe (for smoking) > s ’ é-dan put in > t ’ éh-deh Tv\.ty\put in > tshop”) ’ éh-deh8.2 Tv\.ty\ shop”) 8
writing
paper > seq-ku eS;tM sk˚ø ' writing eS;tM queue, line up > tán*si-deh queue, line up >9tán*si-deh
retired He is retired > Pin-sin retired 9 H
u paper plan, intend > ăsi-ăsin shı́-deh
> sa-yé-seq-ku plan, intend > ăsi-ăsin shı́-deh tn\;*s^ty\ tn\;*s^ty\ yu-laiq-pi pc\sc\ y¨luik\®p^" yu-laiq-p 11.3
saer;sk˚ø As^ 6.4As√\ r˙ity\ AsÂs√\ r˙ity\
Burmese
207
back return:
> toscript:
return, get backscript
Burmese > > Bă
script:
ma- Burmese script > Bă ma- singer > ăs ’o-daw ASuieta\ singer > ăssteel > than-mănı́
’o-daw ASuieta\ qMm%i steel > tha
rak\tpyan*yauq-teh
y\ za or Myan-ma-za
®pn\*erak\ty\bmasa' za or Myan-ma-za bmasa' sister (older than self) > ăsister
má Am (older
stockings
than self) > taiq-ts
> ă mátuAm
ik\tstockings
\s\ >
andrice see > the
t ’ă mı́n®mn\
Tmc\
masa ; 4.2
9.1and see the ®mn\masa 9.1 7.2, (younger than self) >7.2, stomachthan
nyi-(younger > baiq
self) >\ nyi- stomach >
buik
or foodTopical secretary >
and Vocabulary for food and săyé saer;" secretary
(female) > săyé saer;" (female) má v^m 12E and see the Topical
má v^mstop,
12E and
stand see>the Topical
yaq-teh rp\tstop,
y\ 2.4,
stand
drinks secretary > săyé-má saer;m secretary > săyé-má saer;m Vocabulary for kin terms Vocabulary 5.7for kin terms 5.7
) >ride,
sı́-deh takesell > yaún-deh
(taxi, bus etc) >erac\ ;ty\sell > yaún-deh erac\;ty\
sı́-deh sit > t ’ain-deh Tuic\ty\ 2.4sit > t ’ain-deh
street,
Turoad
ic\ty\>2.4 lán lm\; 5.2street, road
5.6
s^;ty\ sellotape, Scotchtape > ssellotape, ’ eh-lo- Scotchtape > s ’ eh-lo- six > c ’auq e®Kak\ (6) 1.2 six > c ’auq student (6) 1.2 > caún-dhá
e®Kak\ (male) student (m
right 9 It’s just
Ă ne-daw- teiqrightSy\l > uit ip\ 6.2
Ă ne-daw- teiq Sy\luitip\ 6.2 skin > ăye-byá Aer®pa; skin > ăye-byá ek¥ac\ ;qa;" (female) > caún-
Aer®pa; ek¥ac\;q
9.10 ba-béhseparated,Aeneta\påp´ " 9.10
divorced 9 We separated,
have divorced 9 We have skirt > săkaq skt\ skirt > săkaqdhuskt\ek¥ac\;q¨" dhu ek¥
ectright:
> split up
to be right, > K wéh-dhwá-ba-bi
correct > split up > K wéh-dhwá-ba-bi sleep > eiq-teh Aip\ty\ sleep > eiq-teh suit > Ai
suq-wuq-soun
p\ty\ s∑t\wsuit
t\suM > suq-
hman-dehk∑m˙´q n\t y\ " 12.1
∑a;på®p^ k∑´q∑a;på®p^" 12.1 small: to be small > thé-dehsmall: to suitcase,
be small box,> thé-deh
chest, trunk suitcase,
> b
suqring: finger ring
settle up, > leq-suq
pay the bill > paiq-s settle’anup, pay the bill > paiq-s ’an eq;ty\ thiq-ta, tiq-ta eqt†a
eq;ty\ thiq-ta,
lk\s∑p\ shı́n-deh puik\SM r˙c\;ty\ 4.8 shı́n-deh puik\SM r˙c\;ty\ 4.8 soap > s ’aq-pya Sp\®pa" soap
soap > s ’aq-pya
sun > ne Sp\en"®pa"tosoap
be sunnysun > > ne e
5.2road, street > lán lm\ ; 5.2
seven > k ’ un-hniq or k ’ un seven (in > k ’ un-hniq or k ’ un (in powder, detergent > s ’aq- powder, detergent > s ’aq-
ne*tha-deh en*qaty\ " ne*tha-d
room
room (incharge, compounds
rate per room (in ) KuN˙scompounds
k ’ un-nă- \ (7) k ’ un-nă- ) KuN˙s\ (7) pya-hmoún Sp\®pamOn\≥ sweatSp\
pya-hmoún > ®cpamO
’wén\≥eKÁ; sweat > c ’w
AKn\;hotelK 9.6 etc) > 1.2ăk ’án-gá AKn\;K 9.6 1.2 socks > c ’i-eiq e®KAit\ socks > csweater,
’i-eiq e®KAicardigan
t\ > s ’weh-ta
sweater, ca
byeq rubber,
K´P¥k\ erasershampoo > k ’ éh-byeq
> gaún-shaw-zé K´P¥k\ shampoo > gaún-shaw-zé soldier > siq-thá ss\qa; soldier > siq-thá
S∑y\t ss\a qa; S∑y\ta
n\truny\" 9out It > koun-deh
eKåc\;elYa\ kuenS;\ty\" 9 It eKåc\;elYa\eS; son > thá qa; 7.1, 12.2 seeson
also> thásweet:
qa; 7.1,to12.2 see also
be sweet > c ’o-deh
sweet: to b
sold out has run Shan
out,bag,We’re shoulder
sold out bag > Shan
lweh- bag, shoulder bag > lweh- the Topical Vocabulary for the kinTopical K¥oiVocabulary
ty\ for kin K¥oity\
a;®p^" 4.3 koun-dhwá-bi eiq l∑ kuyn\A qit \ 6.4
∑a;®p^ " 4.3 eiq l∑y\Ait\ 6.4 terms terms sweetheart, fiancé/e > ăssweethear ’ eq
qeBç sailor
aqa;> thı́n-báw-dhá
she, he, it > qeBç thu q¨ and seeshe,
aqa; the he, it > thu q¨ and see the sorry > s ’áw-rı́-naw? s ’áw-rı́-béh, ASk\ or yı́-zá
sorry > s ’áw-rı́-naw? rv\;sa; see ASk\
s ’áw-rı́-béh, also o
sales assistant
ta-săyé > kaun-ta-săyé
Topical Vocabulary for YouTopical and Vocabulary for You and s ’áw-rı́-béh-naw? eSar^;ena\ the Topical
s ’áw-rı́-béh-naw?
" eSar^ Vocabulary
;ena\" for the kinTopi
ekac\tasaer; I I eSar^;p´" eSar^;péna\" 3.1 eSar^;p´" terms eSar^;péna\" 3.1 terms
4.2 and >shirt
Sasamusa să mu-s> shaq-eı́n-ji
’a sm¨Sa 4.2 \Ak¥Ç shirt > shaq-eı́n-ji r˙p\Ak¥Ç
r˙pand speak: to be able to speak speak:
> swim >
to be able to speak >
ye*kú-deh er*k¨ ; swim
ty\ " > ye
bularysee for the shoes
Topical> Vocabulary
shú-p ’ănaq for RØ;Pinp\shoes > shú-p ’ănaq RØ;Pinp\ pyáw-daq-teh e®patt\ty\ 3.4
pyáw-daq-tehswimming e®patt\costume ty\ 3.4 > ye-kú- swimm
food and shop
drinks> s ’ain Suic\" shopkeeper shop > s ’ain Suic\" shopkeeper > spectacles > myeq-hman m¥k\ spectacles
m˙n\ >wuq-soun
myeq-hman erk¨ m¥k\
;wt\m˙ns\ uM" wuq-sou
pd\sanitary towel > paqdSu
s ’ain-shin pd\ic\r˙c\ s ’ain-shin Suic\r˙c\ spinster: old spinster > ăpyo-jı́
spinster: oldswimming
spinster >pool > ye-kú-gan
ăpyo-jı́ swimm
aúnschool,
ek¥ac\;monastery
shorts > baún-bi-do
> caún ek¥ac\ eBac\ ; shorts
;B^tui > baún-bi-do eBac\;B^tui Ap¥oiÂk^; 12.1 Ap¥oiÂk^; 12.1
erk¨;kn\ (“water-cross + erk¨;kn
chool.9 > shoulder
She is attending school. >> păk ’ oún pKu ;
M shoulder > păk ’oún pKuM; sports field > á-kăzá-gw ı́nsports field pool”)
> á-kăzá-gw ı́n pool”)
k¥ac\; Caún teq-ne-dehshoulder bag, ek¥ac\ Shan ; bag >shoulder lweh- bag, Shan bag > lweh- Aa;ksa;k∑c\; (“strength-play Aa;ksa;k∑T-shirt > ti-shaq t^r˙p\ 6.2 T-shirt > ti
c\; (“strength-play
high tk\enpåty\ eiq "l∑11.3;
y\Ait high\ 6.4 eiq l∑y\Ait\ 6.4 + field”) + field”)take (someone somewhere) take>(some
aún schoolshow > pyá-deh
> ăt ’ eq-tán caún®pty\ show > pyá-deh ®pty\ stand, stop > yaq-teh rp\t stand,
y\ 2.4stop > laiq-pó-deh
yaq-teh rp\lu tik y\\pui≥2.4
ty\ or laiq- laiq-pó-d
ATk\t siblings,
n\;ek¥ac\brothers
; and sisterssiblings,
> brothers and sisters > State > pyi-neh ®pv\ny\ State > pyi-neh pyá-deh
®pv\ny\ luik\®pty\ 9 Could pyá-deh
k;scissors > kaq-cı́ maun-hnă kt\emá Âk;or nyi-ăko maun- maun-hnă má or nyi-ăko maun- station: railway station >station:
bu-da railway you take station us > there?
bu-da> Laiq-pó- you tak
> sScotchtape,
’ eh-lo- sellotape
hnă má (vÂ > ku i)emac\N˙m 12Ehnă má (vÂkui)emac\N˙m 12E
s ’ eh-lo- or bu-da-youn B¨ta(RuM) or bu-da-youn B¨ta(RuM)
pé-nain-mălá? pé-nain-
teiq Sy\ silk
luit> pó
ip\ 6.2
pui; silk > pó pui; (“station building”) (“station building”)
lu k
i p
\ ≥
i u e p;Nu c
i m
\ la;" 5.9; take,lu ik\pui≥ep
silver > ngwe ec∑" 9 silversilver > ngwe ec∑" 9 silver stay (in hotel, with friend) stay
> (in hotel, have with (infriend)
café, shop > etc) > yu- have (in
(colour) > ngwe-yaun ec∑e(colour) rac\ > ngwe-yaun ec∑erac\ téh-deh t´ty\ (tv\;ty\téh-deh ) 9.5 t´deh ty\y¨t y\ 4.1;
(tv\ ;ty\take,
) 9.5 ridedeh y¨t
Burmese
209
eh (taxi, bus K
s^;ty\ etc) > ’sı́-deh
aw-p i yá-mălá?
s^;ty\ a;" ’i yá-mălá? eka\P^ r˙ila;"
eka\P^ r˙Kilaw-p toothpaste > thwá-taiq-s ’ étoothpaste
very,>very much, ’aé lot > very,
thwá-taiq-s theiq very
5.6 eka\P^ rmla;" 4.3 eka\P^ rmla;" 4.3 q∑a;tuik\eS; q∑a;tuik\eS;qip\ 1.6, ăyán Arm\; 9 You qi have
p\ 1.6,
talented
talented: > there,
to be clever,
in that talented
place (nearer > there,you)in that place (nearer you) torch, flashlight > leq-hneiq-daq-
torch, flashlight > leq-hneiq-daq-
a wonderful pronunciation! a wond
taw-deh eta\ > éh-di-hma
ty\ A´d^m˙a 2.3; (over > éh-di-hma A´d^m˙a 2.3; (over m ı́ lk\N˙ip\Dåt\m^; m ı́ lk\N˙ip>\Dåt\ m^; pi-da-béh! Arm\; > Ă yán
Ă yán
talk > săgá*pyáw-deh
there, some way off) > ho- there, some way off) > ho- tourist > tú-riq t¨;rs\ 9.7 tourist > tú-riq
p^ttäp´;"rs\9.19.7 p^tap´" 9
ska;*e®paty\ hma huim˙a" over there > ho- hma huim˙a" over there > ho- township > myó-neh ‘mi>ny\ townshipvisit
> myó-neh
9 Just for visit 9 Just
a visit > ăleh-béh
‘mi>ny\
me tampon > use trade name
beq-hma huiBk\m˙a" 8.1; and see
beq-hma huiBk\m˙a" 8.1; and see trade, business, commerce trade,
> business, Alv\ p´' 9.7
commerce > Alv\p´'
e titape
p\eK∑(audio)the > teiq-k
Topical ’weVocabulary
tip\eK∑ for the
this, Topical Vocabulary for this, ăyaún-ăweh-keiq-sá wait > saún-ne-deh esac\.ewait
ăyaún-ăweh-keiq-sá nty\> saú
rv\tea4.2,
> lăp ’ eq-yethat and what
lk\ P k\ r v\ 4.2, that and what Aerac\;Awy\kisß 9.7 Aerac\;Awy\ 5.11 k s
i ß 9.7 5.11
án plain tea they >> thu-dó q¨tui≥ and see
ye-nwé-ján they
the > thu-dó q¨tui≥ and see the tray > bán bn\; tray > bánwake
bn\; up > nó-deh Nui;ty\ wake up >
e the Topi- 4.2 andVocabulary
ereN∑;Âkm\;Topical see the Topi- for YouTopical
and Vocabulary for You and trishaw pedaller > s ’aiq-ká-
trishaw pedaller
walk > lán*shauq-teh
> s ’aiq-ká- walk > lán
od andcal Vocabulary I for food and I dhă máSuik\ka;qma; dhă má Sulm\
ik\k;*elYak\
a;qma; ty\ lm\;*el
drinks thing, object, luggage > pyiq-sı́ thing, object, luggage > pyiq-sı́ trousers > baún-bi eBac\;B^ trousers > want [to verb]
baún-bi eBac\;>B^[verb]-cwant [to v
’in-/-jin-
r (male)
teacher: > school teacher (male) >
psß v ;
\ psßv\; true: to be true, correct >true:
hman- [verb]
to be true, correct > hman-
-K¥c\ 2.5; want: to need,
[verb] -K
ra" caún-sthis, that (nearer
’ăya ek¥ac\ ;Sra" me) > da this,
då 1.9that (nearer me) > da då 1.9 deh m˙n\ty\ deh m˙n\ty\ want (something) > lo-jin-deh want (s
ya-má(female) > 9 this
caún-s way > di-beq d^Bk\94.7
’ăya-má this way > di-beq d^Bk\ 4.7 two > hniq or hnă- N˙s\ (2)two
1.1 > hniq or iK¥c\tN˙y\s\ 1.10,
luhnă- (2) 1.19 What doluyou iK¥c\ty
niversity
ek¥ac\;Sram" and 11.1;
see theuniversity
Topical Vocabulary and see the Topical Vocabulary umbrella, sunshade > t ’ ı́ umbrella,
T^; sunshade
need? > Ba > t ’ălo
ı́ T^;shı́-ba- need? >
q-kătho-teacher (male) for this, > that and what
teq-kătho- for this, that and what uncle > ú-lé Ë;el; 7.1 see uncle
also the
> ú-lé dhăléh?
Ë;el; 7.1BaseeAlu alsoirthe 6.2
˙ipåql´" dhăléh?
(female)s ’ăya three
> tk˚ quil > \S ra" (female)
thoún quM; (3) 1.1 > three > thoún quM; (3) 1.1 Topical Vocabulary for kinTopicalwatch,
Vocabulary
wristforwatch
kin > leq-paq-
watch, wri
tie (clothing)
teq-kătho-s ’ăya-má > neq-tain nk\ tie t(clothing)
uic\ > neq-tain nk\tuic\ terms terms na-yi lk\pt\nar^" watch na-yi lk
tk˚quil time
\Sram" > ăc ’ ein AK¥in\ 9 at what time > ăc ’ ein AK¥in\ 9 at what underpants, pants > ătw ı́n-gan-
underpants,strap
pants> >leq-paq-na-yi-có
ătw ı́n-gan- strap >
n telephone >time? teh-li-p >’oún
beh-ăc ’ ein-léh? time? > beh-ăc ’ ein-léh? baún-bi At∑c\;KMeBac\;B^ baún-bi At∑
lk\c\;pKMt\
eBac\
nar^’;ki
B^;
lk\pt\n
e number ty\l^Pun\;By\ 1.4,A phone
K¥in\l´ number
5.11 By\AK¥in\l´ 5.11 way:
understand > ná-leh-deh understand this way > di-beq d^B
> ná-leh-deh way:
k\ 8.1
this w
aq > teh-li-ptissue,
’oún paper nan-baq tissues > tiq-shú tissue, paper tissues > tiq-shú na;*lv\ty\ 1.5 1.5
we > see the Topical Vocabulary
na;*lv\ t y\ we > see th
to make ty\al^Pun\;ts\ nMpåt\ RØ; 1.4, to make a ts\RØ; unit, item (countword) > -k unit, item (countword)
’ ú/-gú for You and>I -k ’ ú/-gú for You
phonetoday
s ’ eq-teh call > > p ’di-né
oún*sd^ en≥ and variants
’ eq-teh today > di-né dên≥ and variants -Ku 2.5 -Ku 2.5 weather, climate > ya-dhi-ú-dú weather, c
Pun\;*Sk\t 5.8y\ 5.8 university > teq-kătho tk˚ university
quil\ >raq^ Utu 9.10tk˚quil\
teq-kătho raqÛtu
10)ten1.3 > tăs ’toe
eh ts\ > cS ’i-jaún
y\ (10) 1.3 ;
e®KeK¥ac\ toe > c ’i-jaún e®KeK¥ac\; urine > s ’ ı́ S^; or thé eq;" urine > s ’week
ı́ S^; or(countword)
thé eq;" > -paq/-baq week (coun
toilet, lavatory
Thank you > Cé-zú tin-ba-deh
n-ba-deh > ein-dha toilet,
Aim\qa"lavatory > ein-dha Aim\qa" urinate > thé*pauq-teh urinate > thé*pauq-teh
-pt\ 9.3 -pt\ 9.3
9 ek¥;z¨; tc\ public " 4.9
påty\convenience > ă myá-
public convenience > ă myá- eq;*epåk\ty\" cin-ngeh*sún- well:
eq;*epåk\ ttoy\"becin-ngeh*sún-
well > ne*kaún-deh
well: to be
-dathat
A´då(nearerdhoún you) >ein-dha éh-da A´ Am¥a;qu
då \qa" ein-dha Am¥a;quM;Aim\qa"
M;Aimdhoún deh k¥c\cy\*s∑n\≥ty\" deh k¥c\cy\ en*ekac\
*s∑n\≥ty\ " " 9 You’re well,
;ty\ en*eka
eh-di 1.9 9 thattoilet [noun] paper
> éh-di> ein-dha-dhoún- toilet paper > ein-dha-dhoún- useful: to be useful > ăthoún*cá-
useful: to beI useful > ăthoún*cá-
hope? Ne-kaún-deh-naw? I hope?
nd see[noun]
the d^ [noun]
A´seq-ku Aimand \qaqu see theø
M;sk˚ seq-ku Aim\qaquM;sk˚ø deh AquM;*k¥ty\ en*ekac\;ty\ena\" 1.7
deh AquM;*k¥ty\ en*eka
or this,Topicaltomorrow
Vocabulary> for this, ’an tomorrow
măneq-p mnk\Pn\ > măneq-p ’an mnk\Pn\ ăseı́n- what?
vegetables, fried mixed >vegetables, fried> mixed
ba-léh > " 9 What
ăseı́n-
Bal´ what?is > ba
that and what and variants 5.8 and variants 5.8 jaw Asim\;eÂka\ 4.2 and see the that?4.2
jaw Asim\;eÂka\ > Daandba-léh?
see the då Bal´that?
" >
h, yá-deh tongue >
there is, have > shı́-deh, yá-deh
sha lYa tongue > sha lYa Topical Vocabulary for foodTopical 4.6, 9 What
and Vocabulary forisfood
your
and 4.6, 9 W
phone
you haver˙ity\"toothrty\>" thwá 9 Do q∑ you a;" have
toothbrush
tooth > thwá q∑a;" toothbrush > drinks drinks number? > Teh-li-p ’oún nan- number
any coffee?
shı́-lá? thwá-taiq-tan
K aw-p’i shı́-lá? q∑a;tuik\tM" thwá-taiq-tan q∑a;tuik\tM" baq beh-lauq-léh? baq beh
Burmese
211
l´" l^Pwho?
y\elak\ty\ > Beh-dhu-léh?
un\;nMpåt\ By\elak\l´"By\who?
q¨l´ > Beh-dhu-léh? By\q¨l´ write > yé-deh er;ty\" write
write > yé-deh \k´. 1.2,"(=
huter;ty\ write
that is correct)hut\k´. 1
> Ba 1.4 9 what and [noun]?
see the > Topical
Ba Vocabulary
and see the Topical Vocabulary out for someone > yé-pé-deh > H ouq-pa-deh
out for someone hut\påty\>" H
> yé-pé-deh 5.3ouq-
un]-l´ [noun]
2.1; -léh?
for this,Ba [noun] that and -l´what 2.1; for this, that and what er;ep;ty\ you > see the Topical Vocabulary
er;ep;ty\ you > see t
Vocabularyand seewhy?
the Topical > ba-pVocabulary
’yiq-ló-léh? why? > ba-p ’yiq-ló-léh? writer, author writer, author for You and I for You
at for this, that
Ba®Ps\ andlwhat ui≥l´ 9 for what pur- Ba®Ps\lui≥l´ 9 for what pur- (male) > sa-yé-s ’ăya (male)young 9 the
> sa-yé-s youngest son,
’ăya young 9 th
when? (future)
dáw-léh? pose? > beh-dáw-léh?
> ba keiq-sá-néh-léh? pose? > ba keiq-sá-néh-léh? saer;Sra" (female) > sa-yé- (female)son
saer;Sra"younger > sa-yé-
> thá-ăngehyounge
n (= atBy\eta.l ´ 5.9,swhen
Baki ßn´≥l´ 9 Why(= at have you Bakisßn´≥l´ 9 Why have you s ’ăya-má saer;Sram" s ’ăya-má qa;Acy\
saer;Sram" 12.3 qa;Acy
what time)?
ăc ’ ein-léh? come > beh-ăc
to Burma? ’ ein-léh? > Bă ma-pye
come to Burma? > Bă ma-pye wrong: tozero,
wrong: to be wrong > hmá-deh nought
be wrong >> thoun-nyázero,
hmá-deh quv noug
n? (past)By\>AK¥in\l ´ 5.9 when? (past) >
ba-keiq-sá-néh la-dhăléh?ba-keiq-sá-néh la-dhăléh? m˙a;ty\ m˙a;ty\ (0) 1.4 (0) 1.4
beh-doún-gá-léh?
y\tuM;kl´ bma®pv\ Baki By\t sßnuM;kl´ 9.7
´≥ laql´"bma®pv\ Bakisßn´≥ laql´" 9.7 year (countword) > -hniq -N˙
year
s\" 9.4
(countword) > -hniq
zoo > tăreiq-s -N˙s\" 9.4tirzoo
’an-youn sÍan\>
RuM tărei
Vocabularyand see the orTopical
Ba louq-p ’ó la-da-léh? or
Vocabulary BaBa louq-p ’ó la-da-léh? Ba yellow > ăwa Awå yellow > ăwa (“animal
Awå building”) (“anima
at for this, that
lupand what " 9.8 and seeluthe
\Pui≥ latal´ p\Pui≥ latal´" 9.8 and see the yes (= I agree, I understand,
yes (= I agree, I understand,
where from?
-léh? > beh-gá-léh?
Topical Vocabulary for this, Topical Vocabulary for this, that’s right) > H ouq-kéh that’s right) > H ouq-kéh
ountryBy\ arekl´"that9 What and what country are that and what
ain-ngan- you from?wife(normal
> Beh-nain-ngan- level of politeness) wife(normal
> level of politeness) >
ă myó-thă
y\Nuic\cMkgá-(la-dhă)léh? By\ uic\cMk;qm^; 12.1,ă myó-thă mı́ Am¥oi;qm^; 12.1,
mı́NAm¥oi
(laq)l´"(deferential)
e the Topi- 9.2 and see the > zănı́ Topi- (deferential) > zănı́ zn^;, (casual)
zn^;, (casual)
is, thatcaland > meı́n-má
Vocabulary for this, \;m 12.1
minthat > meı́n-má min\;m 12.1 and see
andand see
what the Topical Vocabulary for the kinTopical Vocabulary for kin
l´" 9 to? >terms
By\where Beh-léh? By\l´" 9 terms
ng to?Where > wind
are you > legoing el" the to?wind > wind > le el" the wind blows,
blows,
By\ Beh thwá-măléh?to be windy By\> le*taiq-teh to be windy > le*taiq-teh
the Topical
q∑a;ml´" 5.1el*tu and ik see\tthe y\"Topical el*tuik\ty\"
that and wood >
Vocabulary for this, that and
thiq-thá qs\ q a; wood > thiq-thá qs\qa;
what wool > thó-mwé qui;em∑;" woollen wool > thó-mwé qui;em∑;" woollen
> where,
Beh- in which
jerseyplace > Beh- eı́n-ji jersey > thó-mwé eı́n-ji
> thó-mwé
.3 andhma-léh?
see qu
By\ ˙al´ 2.3 and see
i;em∑m;Ak¥Ç qui;em∑;Ak¥Ç
ry for the
this, workVocabulary
Topical > ălouq Alu \ 9.7, towork
forpthis, work, > ălouq Alup\ 9.7, to work,
that and what
do a job > ălouq*louq-teh do a job > ălouq*louq-teh
[noun]which- [noun]? Alu>p\*Beh lup\t y\ 9.8-
[noun] Alup\*lup\ty\ 9.8
which léh? By\workshop
[noun]-l´ > ălouq-youn
which workshop
Alu p\RuM > ălouq-youn Alup\RuM
[noun]? 9(“work
e? > Beh- which building”) one? > Beh- (“work building”)
11 andha-léh?
see worth:
By\hto al´be1.11 worth and the see price,
worth: to be worth the price,
ry for the
this,
Topicalgood Vocabularyvalue >for this, tn\good
tan-deh ty\ value > tan-deh tn\ty\
that and wrist
whatwatch > leq-paq-na-yi wrist watch > leq-paq-na-yi
white > ăp ’yulk\ A®Pøpt\nar^ lk\pt\nar^

Burmese Language Intro

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Burmese Language Intro

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CONTENTS

begins on: page nº tape nº

ABOUT THIS COURSE BURMESE BY EAR or ESSENTIAL

ABOUT BURMESE ABOUT BURMESE Not everyone accepts the Notchange

ge The Burmese language includes a three-way contrast

The two styles of Burmese

Sentences Writing and pronouncing Writing

Pronunciation point Numbers Numbers

1.3. NEW WORDS Pronunciation point Pronunciation point

Notes Sentences Sentences

Pronunciation points Pronunciation point Pronunciation point

qip\ Theiq åty\" I like qi

Numbers Numbers Numbers

Notes Variant. Variant.

Pronunciation point Example sentences Example sentences

Notes REVIEW FOR UNIT 1: FOUNDATIONS,

S1 Do you want this one?

2.4. NEW WORDS Example sentences Example sentences

have? have? ye-géh-moún erK´mun\≥ye-géh-moún iceerK´

rty\ yá-deh to get, torty\

New words Ngá-daq-cı́ P ’ăyá cå;Tp\ÂNgá-daq-cı́

y At the end of the journey S2 Y á-ba-deh. S2 Y"á-ba-deh.

New words Di-hma yaq-yá- d^m˙a rp\Di-hma Do we

S2 Tăya-dáw néh- S2 Tăya-dáw

Review Dialogue 2 Laiq-pó-pé-nain- luik\pui≥eLaiq-pó-pé-nain-

Shiq-na-yi-gwéh-hm a : the suffix -hm a “at, on,

S3 Á -ba-deh K ’in- S3 Á -ba-deh

S2 ; qip\ theiq I don’t like

Colours 6.7. I’LL LEAVE IT THANKS

Notes S1 Theiq măcaiq-pa- qipS1\ m’ki k\påB¨

d^na;m˙aDi-ná-hma a;" Is there

r˙ipS2 " d^Bk\ q∑a;"Di- There

S2' A w. Ă naw-yăt ’aOh,

Notes Alternative question Alternative question

quial term has thus been

Alternative version S ’ e h -ye q -l a u q sh ı́-b i “It’s

Notes S2 A w. Cé-zú tin- S2" A w. Cé-zú tin- Oh.

The answer 9.9. TOPIC 6: WHAT DO9.9.YOU

Question 3 H ouq-kéh, néh- hut\kH

Notes Among friends and family Among people

teacher: school teacher (male)

Alup\ Ămlu p\påB¨

Words for siblings APPENDIX 1 APPENDIX 1

Heads s’ S same as s but saspirated:

t ’án “palm” tweakens

APPENDIX 2 APPENDIX 2 syllable = headsyllable = + rhyme

1.3. Tones 2.2. Medial consonants 2.2. Medial consonants

S z s ZS v z √ Z v √ 3.1. Attached vowel symbols

APPENDIX 3 APPENDIX 3 phrase” is used as a wide-cover

1 Sentences noun phrase 1 noun phrase

10 m-[verb]-eta.- mă- [verb] [verb]-eta.-

Examples of verb suffixes

can’t drop it that much.”

Examples Suffixes that are used toSuffixes

ong have you been

APPENDIX 4 APPENDIX 4 Weakening with numbersWeakening with numbers

Café snacks ngá cå; ngá fish cå; fish

– Vegetables – Fruit – Fruit

q^; p ’ăyéh-dhı́ water

zănı́ zn^; zănı́ wife (deferential)

Examples: speaker)” and că má “I (female

ICAL VOCABULARY TOPICAL

Phrase books Phrase books

s ’ eqcassette player > keq-s