to all my Tibetan teachers and friends for their help and thanks to
Wangdrak, Karma Sherab, and Karma Tsering for making the example
sentences and recordings. May any merit that comes from the making
and study of this book become a cause for the spread of the Buddha's
teachings and for the liberation of all beings.
Justin Kirkwood (Sherab Gyaltsen)
Sherab Ling Monastery March, 2012
I understood.
Making them sound more like je, tse, ri, t pa, etc., as
opposed to jel, tsel, ril, tol pa, etc.
for example:
1
7. Not only but the other suffixes are not pronounced very strongly
either. Most new students over-pronounce all of the suffix letters and
then don't understand native speakers who pronounce them very
softly or not at all.
Prefix pronunciation
BUT this rule is more rare with and and doesn't always apply as in
---Different Pronunciations
The verb "to know" is pronounced as whenever followed
directly by as in the standard verbal use in the present and future
tenses as in: (inji kay shin ki yo pay) or in the
endings such as
etc. I have not labeled verbs as voluntary or involuntary except in cases
where there are two(voluntary and involuntary) forms of the same verb
placed together or in cases where it is not clear. They are labeled as
(vol.) and (inv.). All involuntary verbs such as being sick, feeling hot,
being hungry, being scared, etc. in the first person present tense will
only be followed by , or , or for the future tense
for example: I am hot I am scared
I understood
If you don't eat well, you'll get sick.
Do you see? Yes, I see. (inv)
Are you looking/watching? Yes, I'm
looking/watching (vol)
Nominalizing particles
3
is usually pronounced or
for example:
driver a troublemaker
only/solely
ex.
intentionally/on purpose
ex.
4 Some colloquial textbooks have spelled this word as thought spelled as such
the meaning is either "upper" or "non-existence." as spelled here has many
meanings, but in this context should only be understood as per the meanings shown
in the examples.
really famous
loud/noisy
skinny(person)/dry/dead(tree,grass,flower etc.)
rare
ex.O
ordinary
ex. 1
quiet/silent/peaceful(places or people)
twisted/winding/bent/crooked/indirect(speech)
ex.
Buddhism?
famous
ex.
strange/unusual/weird
brightly colored/multicolored
ex.
ex.
haphazard/disorderly
sufficient/appropriate /mostly
ex.
ex.
ex.
luxurious
square(4 sided) triangle
detailed/extensive/elaborate/luxurious
ex.
rich
without interruption/continuously
ex. 1
a long time
hunched back
ex. 1
useful
broad/extensive/wide
ex.
ex.
ex. police
contradictory
excitable/hyperactive/exciting
ex.
stubborn
ex.
round
real/authentic
shy
bothersome/irritating
ex. 1
equal/even
bottom/depths
deeply
ex.
deep/profound
fluently
simple/convenient
difficult/inconvenient
ex.
ability
ex.
danger or possibility
really heavy
dangerous
ex.
complicated/problematic
powerful/strong
stable
ex.
capable/skilled
heavy
pathetic
ex.
smooth(speech or texture)
ex.
deep
close
far away
straight
name)
extra
firm/tight/strict
slow
ex.
narrow(road/valley)
earnestly/urgently/no joking
important point/essence
ex.
fierce/brutal/wrathful
very greedy
like/similar to
ex.
various
ugly
short tempered
tolerant/patient
true/truth
very
very very/extraordinary
ex.
arrogant
generally/commonly
bright/clever
good behavior
beneficial/helpful/useful
probably
young guys/girls
very important
tiny
minute/detailed
ex.
brave
coward
ex.
at least
ex.
maximum
actually
impolite/bad behavior
not like/different
naked
insane/crazy
ex.
completely
ex.
precious
rough(language or texture)
ex.
diligent/hard working
nervous/jittery/restless
ex. coffee
critical/urgent/emergency
sensitive(emotionally or physically)
----
ex.
grand/imposing/handsome
ex.
fine/powdery
deceitful
coarse/roughly
ex.
in detail/precise
ex.
selfish
scary or huge
1 naturally
young
----
messy/out of order
ex.
profound
glittering/sparkling
1 1
ex.
flat/level
wet
cute(children etc.)
strange/amazing/surprising
polite/good behavior
ex.
light(not heavy)
sensitive(emotionally)
ex.
again/another
step by step/gradually
suitable/becoming/good looking
worthwhile/appropriate
sharp minded/intelligent
not so clear
very
shameless/brazen
Negative
hard working
ex.
+ negative verb-
left-over
ex.
loose/relaxed
to relax
insistent
never
Various Verbs
ex.
to work hard
Positive
always
almost everyday
generally
occasionally
sometimes
ex.
to stop/prohibit/block
often
to stir/to mix up
ex. police
everyday/every morning
usually
to be tired
ex.
Frequency Adverbs
so so/ok
verb+ rarely
more than
ex.
seldom
to prohibit
ex. 1
to hide someone else, or to cover something up with a cloth etc.
ex.O
to pull out(weeds/teeth)/to pluck(flowers/fruits)
ex.
to lift something up
to be born
ex.O
to be born(H)
ex.
(vol)(inv)
ex.
birthday(H)
ex.
ex.trainmobile
ex.
to spoil someone
ex.pesha
ex.
opponent
ex. BrazilGermany
ex.
to be shocked
ex.
to translate
ex.
to steal something(secretly)
ex.
birthday
to become separated
ex.O
to become separated(friends/spouse)
ex.
ex.
to open(objects-boxes, envelopes, etc.)
ex.
ex.O 1
ex.O
ex.
to pervade
ex.
to advertise
ex.Dharamsala
to bring/take/carry
ex.
to misunderstand
to prepare
ex.
to bring
to mishear
ex.
ex.TV
ex.
advertisement
ex.joke
ex.
to laugh
ex.
to be hit
ex.
ex.
to fight(physically or verbal)
ex.
to separate/to divorce
ex.
to take/lead someone
to die(H)
to die(HH)
ex.O
ex.
ex.
ex.
expenses
ex.OO
to cross(river/border)
ex.ONepalO
ex.
to take time
ex. 1
to stick to(paint on your clothes/bad habits/sickness)
ex.TB TB
to change(inv)
ex.
to change(vol)
to be victorious
ex.
to begin
ex.
---
ex.
to get revenge(violently)
ex.
to lock a door
lock
to wait
ex. I'm waiting for Kunsang.
ex.
ex.
ex.
ex.
(vol)(inv)
ex.
to cut
ex.
O
(vol) (inv)
to break
glass
ex.O
ex.Coffee
to punish/to fine
to flood
ex. JapanO
to jump
to catch up
ex.1O
to fall behind
to abuse/to bully/mistreat(physically)
ex.
ex.police
to be woken up
ex.
to punish
happen
to beat someone
ex.
ex.glass
to end/to finish
to abuse/bully/mistreat(verbally)
to find
ex.
(vol)
to scatter/to destroy
ex.
ex.
to tie
ex.O
ex. BirOO
to plant a seed/plant
ex.
ex.
to coincide with(coincidentally)
ex. O
to coincide with(intentionally)
to lightening
ex.O
to be exhausted(physically)
ex.
to praise
ex.
ex.DelhiOtrain ticket
ex.O
to connect two objects together
ex.
to disappear
ex.
ex. 1
to smell(inv.)
ex.
to smell(vol.)
ex.
ex.
to recite a text
ex. 1
to have an accident falling down(person/car/motorbike)
ex.
ex.
ex.
owner/caretaker
ex.Train 1
do as you wish
ex.OO
ex.
scent
ex.
ex.
ex. 1
to sink in water
to choose
ex.mobile
ex.Asia
to rub/to sharpen(knife)
ex.
ex.
ex.O
to be enough/sufficient
ex.
ex.room
to add
ex.
ex.
-----
in brief
to become dark
to greet someone(h.)
ex.KangraO
ex.
to postpone/to delay
ex.Dharamsala
to wipe
ex.
to harm
ex.
ex. Weizhing
to harm
to blow
(often pronounced )
----- in brief
to gather/collect/abridge/condense
-----
ex.
to compare
to benefit(vi.)
to fly
to waste(knowingly)
ex.
ex.
to go to waste(inv.) or to be
broken(electronic items)
ex.
to stand in line
to use
ex.
to pour
ex.
to spill
to thunder
to soak(clothes in water)
ex.
to bury/to hide(things)
ex.1
glue/tape/adhesive
ex.
to set an example
to close your eyes
to name someone
-- nickname
ex.
ex.
to make a fire
to push
ex.
--
to shoot a gun
gun
bullets
ex.
ex.
to eliminate/destroy
ex.
(pronounced )
ex.O
to rape
ex.
ex.
ex.
---
sexually excited
to dye fabrics
to get burned(inv)
to stop an activity
ex.
to guess
ex.
to clean
to search for
to slander
ex.
ex.
to fight(physically)
ex.
to smile
ex.
ex.
to research
ex.
to proofread/to edit
ex.
to incite fear
ex.
to melt
to ride(horse or motorcycle)
ex.
to hold/capture to reach an amount (pronounced 1)
ex.1
ex. 1
ex.
ex.O
to fall(objects)/to drip
to be intoxicated
ex.
ex.Kung fu
hole
ex.
ex.
to shine
ex.
to improve(vol)
ex.
to improve(inv)
ex.O
(H)
ex.
to tear or to be torn
to fall(person falling down)
ex.
to help
ex.
ex.
ex.policeO
ex.
ex.
to commit suicide
ex.
to imitate someone
ex.OO
ex.bus
ex.
to beg
ex. pesha
to lose(objects, opportunities)
ex.
to have an influence/effect
ex.
ex.
to fit inside
ex. 1
to lose(games etc.)/to slip(out of one's hand or bad words from
one's mouth)
ex. RCO
to save(money etc.)
ex. 1pesha
to bother/annoy someone
ex.
to be possible
ex.
to protect
ex.
ex.
kindness
ex.
to become habit
ex.
to trick/to deceive
to get tricked/deceived
to be distracted or obsessed with something
ex.
confused/confusing
to be confused
to regret
to meditate
arrogant/egotistical
to be shy/embarassed
------ shameless
to understand
ex. he is embarassed.
to be angry
fault
deceitful
acquaintance
strong fear/panic
to be content
plans
experience
to gain experience
to be bored/lazy/lethargic/tired
ex.
to become acquaintances
lazy/bored
1
to dream
"I'm sleepy
confidence
very greedy
to persevere
to decide(someone else)
to forget
to faint
to remember(after a long time forgetting) or....
to regain consciousness
to remind
ex. .
ex. O
ex. 1
ex.
superstitious/paranoid/hyper-conceptual
+ neg.
I am interested in.......
to suspect/to doubt
superstitious belief
very interested
ex. O
pride/proud(not negative)
ex.
arrogant
to be jealous
fascination/interest
ex.
to be fascinated/obsessed
ex.
to be disappointed
to memorize
future dreams
wild thoughts
ex.
to be jealous
to love
to give love
feeling
shameful(pronounced shandre/shamdre)
to be scared/afraid
to incite fear
to be sick of or disgusted by(something you liked beforefriend/food etc.)
to believe/to trust
ex.
to be interesting/appealing
to blame
deceitful
to be patient
on the pretext
pretending to be something
to ignore
selfish
to concentrate/to focus
to hope
angry(generally/character trait)
cute(children etc.)
character/disposition
to be/become sad
(H)
to worry
to be moved(emotionally-usually sadness)
unkind/spiteful
kind/good-natured
to fall in love
to keep a secret
to think(I think......)
ex. 1
1
unimaginable/unthinkable
(H)
beyond my expectations
ex.
to be amazed/shocked
to relax
to consider/to think(about
something)(vol.)
to ask a question(H)
to yell
to invite or to call out to someone hey tashi!
to gossip/spread rumors
to order or command
to lie
talk/conversation(H)
to ask a question(casually)
to console/to comfort
opinion
Communication
in agreement/harmonious
to accept(to an agreement/
philosophical position)
to discuss/to plan(friendly/informal)
to explain
to interfere
to complain
to swear/promise/oath
interview
to ask a question(more formal than )
to invite(h)
to swear(oath/promise)
expression/body language
to flatter/to kiss up
to make fun of/to ridicule
to make a connection(newly)
to boast or brag
to agree
ex.
to debate(monastic or other)/dispute
to lie
to exaggerate
to clarify
to give advice
to scold/reprimand
to give advice(H)
to insist
insistent
Religion
past life/lives
future life/lives
---
---
---
---
---
to recite prayers/scripture
monks robes
---
vow-holding layperson
novice monk
to become a monk
novice nun
fully-ordained monk
fully-ordained nun
meditation instruction
Muslim religion
to meditate
Dharma center
to visit a temple/monastery
altar
"I swear! (this is the name of the main Buddha statue
in the in Lhasa named )
to rejoice ex. I
faith
sponsor/donor
blind faith
to make aspirational prayers
monastic vows/discipline
to benefit(vi.)
Bn religion
bodhisattva vows
auspicious days
holiday
(H)
service
to go on pilgrimage
(H)
to take a vow
to gain faith
to lose faith
to receive an empowerment
beneficial/helpful/useful
--
--
to stay in retreat
to perform miracles/magic
footprint
to serve a lama. Lama's attendants are called
reincarnation/reincarnate lama
ex.
Christianity
a monk's room
to gain merit
opportunity
electrician
competition
to shop
(inv) (vol)
Business
advertisement
to confirm/to settle
to examine/investigate
not so good(things/quality/person)
to advertise
to compete
materials/quality
to suffer a loss
electronics shop
to get an opportunity
to miss an opportunity
loss
holiday(Hindi)
to lose merit
to gain profits
holiday/free day
liberation
a monk's roommate
profit
option/solution
to volunteer/to do voluntarily
machine
to use
useless
connection
free
to quit a job
responsibility
worker
to make a connection(newly)
carpenter
to investigate/to inquire
to sew
to fix/repair
to examine in detail
factory
to have a meeting
quality
to photocopy
change(money)
ex.
Politics
tailor shop
to give bribes
embezzlement/corruption
to protest/shout slogans
refugee
to file a lawsuit
tax
lawyer
environmental protection
human rights
to support
dynasty/royal lineage
nationalism
judge
to reform
protest
terrorist
to renovate/rebuild
police
rights
century
oil
petrol/gasoline/motor oil
courthouse
rule/law
state/province
to appoint/elect
to take bribes
proof/evidence
witness
economics/finance
minister
society/social
socialism
authority
capitalism
generation
race
citizen/subjects
communist
communism
to oppress
to invade
prison
partiality(spelling??)
embassy
hunger strike
political candidate
culture
to release/to let go
policy
to execute
intelligence agency
journalist/newspaper reporter
news
to investigate/to enquire
Tibetan settlement
prisoner
democracy
to vote
local people
independence
pillar
leather
socks
stairs
string
needle(sewing or medical)
environment
refrigerator
shadow
meadow/plain(grassy place)
sleeves
cave
electrical outlet
loudspeaker/sound system
speaker
candy
domestic animals
echo
plastic/rubber
wallet/purse
pillow
rope
staff/stick
coral
shortcut
telescope/binoculars
light switch
smoke
heavy blanket
electric wire
floors of a building
electric stove
1
trash
mattress
grassland/meadow
electric heater
matches/lighter
oil/kerosene lamp
dust
upstairs/the roof
reflection
turquoise
gloves
Dharma language
Dharma terms
electric fan
forest
mirror
light bulb
downstairs/lower
lower Dharamsala
to speak Tibetan
author
custom
history
pronunciation ex.
spoken/colloquial language
story
to speak English
nomadic language
synonym
ex.
fluently
handle
Education
study
-- pramana-logic
--
prajnaparamita
permission
-- madhyamika
Dharma language
-- vinaya
Dharma terms
-- abhidharma
to catch up
to fall behind
to review
holiday/free day
(H)
(h)
holiday(Hindi)
to count
uniform(clothes)
rules/discipline(school/monastery)
percentage
thirty percent
synonym
page of a pecha
to make a mistake
ex.
examination
pronunciation
to excuse oneself
poetry
to give permission
book cover
mistake
to make corrections
to give permission(HH)
to read texts
to speak Tibetan
memorization examination
to speak English
scientist
verse
research
to proofread/to edit
written exam
to take a test
to pass a test
handwriting/fonts
to self-study/to do homework
the five sciences
-- grammar
to calculate
science
elemental astrology
to set an example
astrology
--
author
-- logic
-- medicine
history
page number
(H)
to teach
to boil(vol)
to shit
to vomit
blood pressure
gall bladder/bile to have jaundice or disease
of the gall bladder(Tibetan medicine talks a lot about bile.)
to be boiling(inv)
spicy(chili)
for steam to come from your mouth on cold days
boiled water
infectious/contagious disease
to have a headache
to have diarrhea
to cough
to feel dizzy
Indian/western medicine
to sweat
to rest
sweet
bitter
sour
to give an injection
to urinate
cure/remedy for disease
healthy ex.
oil
skin
doctor
to medicate
to take a pulse
to have a fever
to feel hot
salty ex.
ligaments
to trample/smash/knead
Tibetan doctor(H)
to exhale
to inhale
to breathe
to sprain a ligament
Tibetan medicine
to take medicine
hygiene/health care
to be hit/infected
medicine
nurse
to get a wound/sore/cut
sick person/patient
sickness
raw/uncooked
to be sick
to scratch an itch
to get a cold
to have a cold
fat/grease/oil/skin cream
to have pain
deaf person
to have an itch
to have pain
sinuses
soap
pills
to rot/or become spoiled(food) ex.
bones
blind person
steam
to steam(food)
to have nausea
to perform an operation
seed
toothbrush
toothpaste
fresh(food)
alive
cooking pot/aluminum
to sneeze
Tibetan doctor
to play football
to have fun
to hit/to be hit
to have a picnic
competition
to compete
to place a bet/gamble
to run
to play cards
to have a party
to pass the time
to play ball
to joke or to play
to dance
to sing
to exercise
"just joking"(h.)
to play dice
car
in turns
all, completely
backwards/opposite/upside down
to chat
relaxed
plate
bag
wish
sugar
banana
aloo---potato
bucket(broken English?)
Unsorted left-overs
English words
glass
special feature/characteristic
difference
ex.
try to try
landlord/house owner
to rent a room
check to check
phone to make a phone call
division/section/group/part
order
salary/fare(taxi)/fees(school)
branch of a monastery
invitation letter
museum
internet
misfortune/bad circumstance
facilities/infrastructure
opening ceremony
address
material things
ghost/spirit/demon
owner
copy/reproduction of books/papers
opposite
reason
power/potential
kind/type
towards oneself
part
obstacle
cigarettes
to sweep
award/prize
busy ex. I am busy.
(often pronounced as )
omen
this side
gift
monsoon
situation
lay people
goal/aim/ambition
ex.
activities/ceremony
date
1 day(period of 24 hours)
married couple
woman who marries into a man's family
leaves
petals of a flower
luck ex. O
all
length
temperature
size
amount
height
speed
weight
calendar
ex.
chart/diagram
Units of Measure
about
at the end
after
across
against/along
at
before
behind
beneath/under
beside
between
down
during
for
from
never
"come whenever"
with/together with
"say anything."
in any case....
without
"what happened?
up/upwards
+ neg. Verb
since
towards oneself
a moment
till/until
ex.
in
near
practical
ex.
as fast as possible
point)
Various Expressions
one piece
three pieces
just words
ex.
ex.
sometime
ex.
via/by way of
sooner or later
ex.
day by day
ago)
just/for no special reason
ex.
in brief
therefore
in brief
condensed/abbreviated
since
ex.
ex.
+ neg
"that sucks!"
for example
it is late
inside
ex. come in!
only/except
ex.
1
unwillingly/reluctantly
ex.
O O
ex.
ex. O
---
---
ex.
ex.
each ex.
all
in place of/instead of
must
oneself/exactly that
fortunately/unfortunately
ex. O
ex.
to base upon
ex.
ex. O
really/extremely
almost
/
ex.
verb +
ex. O
verb +
ex.
to want to.....
+verb++verb
ex.OO
+verb+
ex.
verb +
ex.
verb +
verb +
ex.
of course
OO
verb +
ex.
verb +
ex.O
verb +
ex.O
ex.
ex.
verb + or + = shouldn't do
ex.
ex. O
+ verb+
really new
really white(this pattern works with many words)
5O
O O
O
to get worse
if you want
ex.
In Lhasa dialect, these all express some doubt, but in Kham and
Amdo dialects are the standard way of asking questions.
verb+ "when it comes to"
ex.
adjective+ how.....
how many
5 In proper Tibetan grammar this should read O , but this common formula is
most often expressed with all adjectives followed by the particle "" regardless of
the spelling.