| Nepal Bhasa | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| नेपाल भाषा | ||||
| Spoken in | Nepal | |||
| Region | South Asia | |||
| Ethnicity | Newa people | |||
| Native speakers | 840,000 (date missing) | |||
| Language family |
Sino-Tibetan
|
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| Dialects |
Sindhupalchok Pahri
|
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| Writing system | Devanagari, Kutakshari script, Ranjana script, Prachalit script, Brahmi script, Gupta script, Bhujimol script, Golmol script | |||
| Official status | ||||
| Official language in | Nepal India (in Sikkim) |
|||
| Regulated by | Nepal Bhasa Academy Nepal Bhasa Parishad |
|||
| Language codes | ||||
| ISO 639-2 | new | |||
| ISO 639-3 | new | |||
|
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Nepal Bhasa (नेपाल भाषा, Nēpāl bhāṣā, also known as Newah Bhaye and Newari) is one of the major languages of Nepal. It is the mother tongue of about 3% of the people in Nepal (see the list of languages of Nepal). It is spoken mainly by the Newars, the indigenous inhabitants of the Kathmandu Valley. Although Nepal Bhasa is classified as a Sino-Tibetan language, it has been greatly influenced by Indo-Aryan languages.
Outside Nepal, Nepal Bhasa is also spoken in India, particularly in Sikkim where it is one of the 11 official languages.[1]
The earliest occurrences of the name Nepal Bhasa can be found in the manuscripts Narad Sanhita, dated 1380 AD, and Amarkosh, dated 1389 AD.[2] [3]
On 8 September 1995, the then His Majesty's Government decided that the name Nepal Bhasa should be used instead of Newari.[4] However, the decision was not implemented, and on 13 November 1998, the Minister of Information and Communication directed all public mass media to use the name Nepal Bhasa instead of Newari language.[5]
Nepal Bhasa is spoken by around a million people in Nepal according to the 2001 census.
With an increase in emigration, various bodies and societies of Nepal Bhasa-speaking people have emerged in countries like the US, the UK, Australia and Japan.
The earliest examples of Nepal Bhasa are stone and copper plate inscriptions. Manuscripts and palmleaf documents are later instances. The language largely replaced Sanskrit as the official language of stone inscriptions in medieval Nepal.
Nepal Bhasa can be classified into old era and new era. Although there is no specific demarcation between the two, the mid-Rana regime of Nepal, i.e., 966 to 1061 N.S. is taken as the period of demarcation between the two.[8]
The earliest known (dated) document in Nepal Bhasa is called "The Palmleaf from Uku Bahal" which dates from 1114 AD.[9]
Nepal Bhasa: छीन ढाको तृसंघष परिभोग। छु पुलेंग कीत्य बिपार वस्त्र बिवु मिखा तिवु मदुगुन छु सात दुगुनव ल्है।
chīna ḍhākō tr̥saṃghaṣa paribhōga, chu pulēṃga kītya bipāra vastra bivu mikhā tivu maduguna chu sāta dugunava lhai.
which is a general discussion of business transactions. This document dates from the Licchavi period. Hence, it can be inferred that although the official language of the period was Sanskrit, Nepal Bhasa was already in use.
The language continued growing in the medieval period, and enjoyed royal patronage. Noted royal writers include Mahindra Malla, Siddhinarsingh Malla, Jagatprakash Malla etc. An example of the language used in that period is provided by lines of Mooldevshashidev written by Jagatprakash Malla[10]
- धु छेगुकि पाछाव वाहान
- तिलहित बिया हिङ लाहाति थाय थायस
(dhu chēguki pāchāva vāhāna : tilahita biyā hiŋa lāhāti thāya thāyasa)
which is a description of Shiva, and the use of a tiger skin as a seat for Shiva.
The language replaced Sanskrit as the administrative language during this period.
Nepal Bhasa faced a setback after the unification of Nepal in the 18th century, as the language of the hill people became the court language.[11] Nepal Bhasa was replaced as the language of administration by Nepali after the advent of the Shah dynasty.[12] Furthermore, the literature and scripts of the language were put into the shadow during the 104 years of aristocratic "Rana rule" (1846–1950 AD).[13] During this time, legal documents written in Nepal Bhasa were declared unenforceable and any evidence in Nepal Bhasa was declared null and void. There was no state support thereafter.[14] It was forbidden to create literature in Nepal Bhasa, and writers were sent to jail.[15]
During the autocratic Panchayat rule of King Mahendra, which followed the coup d'état that deposed the democratically elected bodies of Nepal, a new policy of "Ek Bhasa, Ek Rashtra" (One language, one nation) was enforced. This policy made Nepali language the only state language, and the other languages were in shadow as "ethnic" or "local" languages.
The implementation of this policy made Nepali the state language. The continued primacy of the language over 30 years made Khas or Nepali language the lingua franca as well. Oher languages, including Nepal Bhasa, were cast aside, as the population could not use it for official, educational or legal purposes.
The period between 1908 to 1940 is considered as the renaissance era of Nepal Bhasa.[16] During this period, authors like Nisthananda Bajracharya, Siddhidas Mahaju, Jagat Sundar Malla, Yogbir Singh Kansakar, Shukraraj Shastri, Dharmaditya Dharmacharya started writing, translating, educating and restructuring the language.
The publication of a modern grammar, reader and children's story books by Shukraraj Shastri, translation of the ancient epic Ramayan, writing about the morals and ethics by Siddhidas Mahaju, "education in mother tongue" movement by Jagat Sundar Malla and other literary activities in the era marked the renaissance. Also, research on the language began in this period. It was proven that this language was a Sino-Tibetan language and not an Indo-Aryan language (as was believed) in this era. Also, the renaissance marked the revival of the word "Nepal Bhasa" to name the language rather than the Khas imposed term "Newari".
Some of the lines of Siddhidas Mahaju (N.S. 987–1050) read as follows:
- सज्जन मनुष्या संगतनं मूर्ख नापं भिना वै
- पलेला लपते ल वंसा म्वति थें ल सना वै
(sajjana manuṣyā saṃgatanaṃ mūrkha nāpaṃ bhinā vai / palēlā lapatē la vaṃsā mvati thēṃ la sanā vai)
which state that even a moron can improve with the company of good people just like a drop of water appears like a pearl when it descends upon the leaves of a lotus plant.
In the 1950s following the overthrow of the Rana dynasty and the advent of democracy, restrictions on publication in Nepal Bhasa were removed. Books, magazines and newspapers appeared. In 1952, Pushpa Ratna Sagar published a Nepal Bhasa grammar entitled Subodh Nepal Bhasa Vyakaran, the first major work since Shukraraj Shastri's grammar published in 1928.
Many writers and thinkers have contributed to the modern form of Nepal Bhasa. They include Chittadhar "Hridaya" and Durga Lal Shrestha.
With the dissolution of parliament and the end of democracy in 1960, Nepal Bhasa and other languages of Nepal entered a second Dark Age. They were not permitted to be broadcast on Radio Nepal or other government media under the slogan of एक देश, एक भाषा नीति "One nation, One language" of the Panchayat era. As the government did not allow private broadcasting in Nepal, this denied the language access to the mass media. Also, the term Newari was used to address the language instead of Nepal Bhasa which met fierce criticism and resistance. This marked the beginning of the Nepal Bhasa movement. As the language was banned from the mass media, people started producing audio cassettes.
Also, the first Nepal Bhasa movie Silu marked the beginning of Nepal Bhasa cinema. The Nepal Bhasa movement aimed to end the "One nation, one language" policy. Some lines from the famous poet Durga Lal Shrestha of this era are as follows[17]-
:घाः जुयाः जक ख्वइगु खः झी
We are crying because we are wounded, We are shouting because of the pain. All in all, we are demonstrating signs that we are not dead yet."
- स्याःगुलिं सः तइगु खः
- झी मसीनि ! झी मसीनि !
- धइगु चिं जक ब्वैगु खः
The restoration of democracy marked the privatization of media. Various concerned people and organizations are working on the development of Nepal Bhasa by themselves. Nepal Bhasa has several newspapers, a primary level curriculum, several schools, several F.M. stations (selected time for Nepal Bhasa programs), regular TV programs and News (in Image TV Channel), Nepal Bhasa Music Award (a part of Image Award), several websites (including Nepal Bhasa wikipedia) etc.
Even after the restoration of democracy and the Loktantra revolution, the state owned media addresses the language as Newari. Also, after the Supreme Court banned the use of Nepal Bhasa and any other language of Nepal in any administrative activity, the Nepal Bhasa movement merged with other languages movements to fight for linguistic rights.
The main dialects are [18]:-
This is the most preserved form of language and resembles the old Nepal Bhasa.
This dialect has similar vocabulary as the Yala subdialect of Yen-Yala-Kyepu dialect. However, the language is spoken with a Tamang language tone.
now-a-days,in this district tamang cast lives than other cast's people. in new Nepal's constitution assembly the largest party of Nepal proposed in tamsaling rajya for this district in their federation module..
This dialect is used in Chitlang, a place south of Kathmandu valley in Makawanpur district.this is one of the biggest newari basti at chitlang. Balami cast is stay in there. Recently a new committee named "Balami Samaaj" has been established to give a new identity rather than Newar but as the government has categorized balami in newar, this attempt fails.
Also known as ञ-यल-क्येपु भाय् Ña-Yala-Kyēpu Bhāy, this is the most dominant form of language and very close to the standard form of language used in academics and media. It is also the most widely used dialect. Variations are seen in the use of the words, specially nouns, amongst the Buddhists and Hindus. The pronunciation also differ from place to place. E.g.: the people in Kathmandu pronounce ल "water" as la while the people in Bhaktapur say na, which means "muddy water" for the people of Kathmandu.
Also known as Khvapa Bhāy ख्वप: भाय्, this dialect is more archaic than the standard. Variations exist in the use of this form of language in Bhaktapur, Banepa, Panauti and Dhulikhel.
In addition to these dialects, there are a few sub-dialects spoken in Kathmandu valley and other parts of Nepal. These are spoken in surrounding villages of Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur, Lubhu, Chitlang and Dolakha. The dialect spoken in Bandipur is the oldest form of Khwapa Bhaaye. The dialect spoken in Chainpur, Bhojpur, Terathum, Palpa is related to Kathmandu and Patan. The dialect spoken in Ridi, Baglung, Arughat (Gorkha) is closer to Bhaktapur. (Bhaktapur is also known as Bhadgaon.)
The sounds are traditionally listed in the order vowels, diphthongs, anusvara and visarga, stops and nasals (starting in the back of the mouth and moving forward), and finally the liquids and fricatives, written in IAST as follows (see the tables below for details):
The earliest form of written grammar in modern times was developed by Shukraj Shastri in 1928 and Nisthananda Bajracharya. Shastri studied Sanskrit, English and Hindi grammar[19] before creating his masterpiece called Nepal Bhasa Wyakarana, which is based largely on that of Sanskrit but with great study of Nepal Bhasa as well.
Nepal Bhasa has been written in a variety of abugida scripts. The scripts which have been used to write this language are:
Over the centuries, Nepal Bhasa has been written in many scripts, all of which are descended from the Brahmi script. All the scripts proceed from left to right, and include two separate sets of characters – a vowel set and a consonant set. Devanagari is the most widely-used script at present, as it is common in Nepal and India. Ranjana script was the most widely-used script to write Nepal Bhasa in ancient times. It is experiencing a sort of a revival due to recent cultural awareness. The Prachalit script, being similar to Devanagari, is also in use. The Brahmi and Golmol scripts are rarely used at present.
In overall writing system of Nepal Bhasa, there are four form of alphabets:
The vowels, called MaAkha (माआखः) used in Nepal Bhasa are
| Orthography | अ | आ | इ | ई | उ | ऊ | ए | ऐ | ओ | औ | अं | अः | ऋ | ॠ | ऌ | ॡ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roman | a | aa | i | ii | u | uu | e | ai | o | au | am | aha | ru | Ru | lru | lRuu |
| IPA | /ə/ | /ɑː/ | /i/ | /iː/ | /u/ | /uː/ | /eː/ | /əi/ | /oː/ | /əu/ | /əⁿ/ | /əʰ/ | /ru/ | /ruː/ | /lru/ | /lruː/ |
Even though ऋ, ॠ, ऌ, ॡ are present in Nepal Bhasa, they are rarely used. Instead, some of the experts are suggesting to include अय्(aya)and आय्(aaya) in the list of vowels.[20]
The consonants, called BaAkha(बाआखः), used in Nepal Bhasa are:
| क | ख | ग | घ | ङ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| k /k/ |
kh /kʰ/ |
g /ɡ/ |
gh /ɡʱ/ |
ng /ŋ/ |
| च | छ | ज | झ | ञ |
| ch /cɕ/ or /ts/ |
chh /cɕʰ/ |
j or z /ɟʝ/ or /dz/ |
jh or zh /ɟʝʱ/ or /dzʱ/ |
ny /ɲ/ |
| ट | ठ | ड | ढ | ण |
| t /ʈ/ |
th /ʈʰ/ |
d /ɖ/ |
dh /ɖʱ/ |
n /ɳ/ |
| त | थ | द | ध | न |
| t /t̪/ |
th /t̪ʰ/ |
d /d̪/ |
dh /d̪ʱ/ |
n /n̪/ |
| प | फ | ब | भ | म |
| p /p/ |
ph or f /pʰ/ or /f/ |
b /b/ |
bh /bʱ/ |
m /m/ |
| य | र | ल | व | |
| y /j/ |
r /ɾ/ |
l /l/ |
v or w /v/ or /w/ |
|
| श | ष | स | ह | |
| s /ɕ/ |
sh /ʃ/ |
s /s/ |
h /h/ |
|
| क्ष | त्र | ज्ञ | ||
| ksh /kʃ/ |
tr /t̪ɾ/ |
gny /ɡɲ/ |
The use of ङ and ञ was very common in the old form of language. However, in the new form, specially in written, the use of these characters has diminished. The use of ण, त, थ, द, ध, न, श, ष, क्ष, त्र, ज्ञ (in darker color above) are limited by the new Grammar books to the loan words only.
Besides the consonants mentioned above, some complex consonants called China Akha (चिना आखः) are also used. These China Akha represent the Sino-Tibetan characteristics of the language. The most used of these complex consonants, which by some are considered individual letters, are [21]:
The numericals used in Nepal Bhasa have ten digits from 0-9. The numericals used in Ranjana script are as follows (from 0 to 9)
The same numericals in Devnagari are:
| ० | १ | २ | ३ | ४ | ५ | ६ | ७ | ८ | ९ |
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
Main article: Nepal Bhasa literature
Nepal Bhasa literature has a long history. It has the fourth-oldest literature of the Sino-Tibetan languages (the first, second and third being Chinese, Tibetan and Burmese respectively).
Dramas are traditionally performed in open Dabu (stage). Most of the traditional dramas are related to deities and demons. Masked characters are central to such dramas. Music forms an important part of drama. Most of them are narrated with the help of songs sang at intervals. The drama as such resembles dance in many cases. The theme of most of the drama is to create a social wellbeing with morals illustrating the rise, turbulence and fall of evil. There are fixed dates in the Nepal Sambat (Nepal Era) calendar for performance of specific drama. Most of the dramas are carried out by specific Guthis.
Poetry writing constituted a pompous part of medieval Malla aristrocracy. Many of the kings were well renowned poets. Siddhidas Mahaju and Chittadhar Hridaya are two great poets in the language.
This is a relatively new field of literature compared to other fields. Most of the fiction were written in poetry form till the medieval era. So, almost all of prose fiction belong to the modern Nepal Bhasa. Collective short stories in Nepal Bhasa are more popular than novels.
The art of verbal story telling is very old in Nepal Bhasa. There are a variety of mythical and social stories that have aided in establishing the norm of Kathmandu valley. Stories ranging from the origin of Kathmandu valley to the temples of the valley and the important monuments have been passed down verbally in Nepal Bhasa and very few are present in written form. However, with an increase in literacy rate and an awareness amongst the people, those stories have been penned down. Stories on other topics have also taken root.
Nepal Bhasa is the mother tongue of Newars. Newars form a very diverse community with people from the Mongolian, Aryan and—according to some—even Dravidian races. Newars follow Hinduism and Buddhism, and are subdivided into 64 castes. The language therefore plays a central unifying role in the existence and perpetuation of Newar community. The poet Siddhidas Mahaju concluded that the Newar community and its rich culture can only survive if Nepal Bhasa survives (भाषा म्वासा जाति म्वाइ).
Relative to many other languages of Nepal, Nepal Bhasa enjoyed promotions in various areas since Kathmandu become the capital of the country, as the Newar community rose in ranks throughout the government, royal courts and businesses.
Nepal Bhasa faced a decline during the Shah era when this language was replaced by Khas Kura (later renamed Nepali) as the national language and after the introduction of the "One nation, one language" policy of King Mahendra. The then Royal Nepalese Government spent a lot for Sanskrit education and a Sanskrit University was approved during those times—although Sanskrit is virtually not spoken by anyone in Nepal—because Khas Kura's roots lie in Sanskrit. There were very few resources available then for even primary-level education in Nepal Bhasa. There were no programs broadcast in Nepal Bhasa in the state radio, Radio Nepal. Even after programs in Nepal Bhasa began to be broadcast, the language was referred to as "Newari", a term considered derogatory by Newars. Even today, there are no programs in Nepal Bhasa in the state television, Nepal Television, although it broadcasts a Bollywood Hindi movie every Saturday (although it is used as lingua franca in Terai, Hindi is mother tongue of less than 1% population in Nepal) and often Pakistani serials (in Urdu) as well. The Supreme Court of Nepal has also banned any use of Nepal Bhasa even for trivial matters in official purposes of any part of Nepal. These factors have led to a resentment among Newar community and a feeling of "second class" citizen in one's own state.
This fact has been used for political advantages by many parties of Nepal. Many slogans are translated into Nepal Bhasa, although very few important documents of political parties are ever translated into Nepal Bhasa.
Statement sentence-
This language is a SOV (subject–object–verb) language. For instance, "My name is Bilat (Birat)" is "Jigu Na'aa Bilat Khaa'a " which word by word translation becomes, "My(Jigu) Name(Na'aa) Bilat is(Khaa'a)".
Interrogative sentence-
Wh-question:
In case of Newari language, Wh-questions are rather "G-questions" with "when/which" being replaced by "Gublay/Gugu" respectively. There is an additional "Guli" which is used for "How much/How many". A S-word "Soo" is used for "who". "Chhoo/Schoo (with a silent 's')" is used for "What", and "Gathey" is used for "How".
i. Suffix- "Chaa" and "Ju" are two popular suffixes. "Chaa" is added to signify "junior" or "lesser". But when added to a name, it is used derogatorily. For example, kya'ah-chaa means nephew where "chaa" is being added to kya'ah(son). When added to name like Birat for "Birat-chaa", it is being used derogatorily. The suffix "ju" is added to show respect. For example, "Baa-ju" means "father-in-law" where "ju" is added to "Baa(father)". Unlike "chaa", "ju" is not added to a first/last name directly. Instead, honorific terms like "Bhaaju" is added for males and "Mayju" for females. Example, "Birat bhaaju" for a male name (Birat) and "Suja Mayju" for a female name (Suja).
ii. Prefix – "Tap'ah" is added to denote "remote" or "distant" relative ('distance' in relationship irrespective of spatial extent). A distant (younger) brother (kija) becomes "tap'ah-kija". "Tuh" is added to denote "higher". Father (baa)'s senior brother is referred to as "Tuh-baa".
| English | Nepal Bhasa Devanagari |
Nepal Bhasa Roman script |
Khas Bhasa (Nepali) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hello | ज्वजलपा | Jvajalapā! | Namaste |
| What is your name? | छिगु नां: छु खः ? | Chigu nāṁḥ chu khaḥ? | Tapa'ee'ko naam k' ho? |
| My name is ___ | जिगु नां: ___ ख: | Jigu nāṁ: ___ khaḥ. | Mero naam ___ ho |
| Happy New Year | न्हूदँया भिंतुना | Nhūdaṁyā bhintunā | Na'ya barsh'a ko'o shubkamana |
| Thank You | शुभाय् | Śubhāy | Dhandyabad |
| Welcome | लसकुस | Lasakusa! | Swagat chha |
| Yes | खः | Khaḥ | Ho |
| No | मखु | Makhu | Ho'eena |
| Okay | ज्यु | Jyu | Thik chha |
| Not Okay | मज्यु | Majyu | Thik chha'ee'na |
| Friend | पासा | Pāsā | Saathi |
| Organization | गुथि | Guthi | Sansthan |
| House | छें | Chēṁ | Ghar |
| Human | मनु | Manu | Manaw |
| Medicine | वास: | Vāsaḥ | Owkhati/ Owsadhi |
| News | बुखं | Bukhaṁ | Samachar |
| Dance | प्याखं | Pyākhaṁ | Naach |
| Man | मि:जं | Miḥjaṁ | Manchhe |
| Woman | मि:शा | Miḥśā | Aa'ee'maa'ee |
| Gentleman | भाजु | Bhāju | Mahodaya |
| Madam | म्येजु | Myēju | Mahodaya |
| Young Man | ल्याम: | Lyāmaḥ | Yuwa'a |
| Young Lady | ल्यासी | Lyāsī | Yuwa'ati |
| Song | म्ये | Myē | Geet |
| Stage | दबली, दबू: | Dabalī, dabūḥ | munch |
| Palace | लाय्कू | Lāykū | Durbar |
| Office | ज्यास: | Jyāsaḥ | Karyalaya |
| Shop | पस: | Pasah | Pasal |
| Courtyard | चूक | Cūka | Chowk |
| Brain | न्ह्यपु | Nhyapu | Dimag |
| Heart | नुगः | Nugaḥ | Mutu |
| Water | लः, ना | Laḥ, Nā | Pani |
| Rain | वा | Vā | Warsha'aa |
| Wife's parents place | Suhsuh | Suhsurali | |
| I don't understand Nepal Bhasa | जित: नेपाल भाषा मवः | Jitaḥ Nēpāl bhāṣā mavaḥ | Ma'laee Nepal Bhasa aa'un'da'een'a |
| Earthquake | Bho'khabo | Bhukampa |
| English | Devanagari | Roman script | Khas Bhasa (Nepali) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mother | मां | Māṁ | Aa'maa |
| Father | अबु | Abu | Ba'aa |
| Grandmother | अजी | Ajī | Ba'jya'ee |
| Grandfather | अजा | Ajā | Baaj'ey |
| Brother (Elder) | दाजु | Dāju | Dai |
| Brother (younger) | किजा | Kijā | Bhai |
| Sister (elder) | तता | Tatā | Didi |
| Sister (younger) | कें | Kēṁ | Bahini |
| Uncle (Mother's brother) | पाजु | Pāju | Mama |
| Uncle (Father's brother) | त: बा / क: का | Taḥbā (elder brother), Kaḥkā (younger brother) | Thool-buwa (elder brother) / Kaka (younger brother) |
| Uncle (Father's sister's husband) | पाजु | Pāju | Phoophajyu |
| Aunty (Father's sister) | निनी | Ninī | Phoophoo |
| Aunty (Mother's sister) | त:मा | Taḥmā | Thool-ama (elder sister)/Kanchhi amaa (younger sister) |
| Aunty (Father's elder brother's wife) | त: मा | Taḥmā | Thooli-ama |
| Aunty (Father's younger brother's wife) | मामा | Mama | Kaki |
| Aunty (Mother's brother's wife) | मल्जु | Malju | Maijyu |
| Son | काय: | Kāyaḥ | Chhora |
| Daughter | मयाह: | Mayāhaḥ | Chhori |
| Nephew (Brother's son) | कय:चा | Kayaḥcā | Bhatija |
| Niece (Brother's daughter) | मयाह: चा | Mayāhahcā | Bhatiji |
| Nephew (Sister's son) | भिन्चा | Bhincā | Bhanja |
| Niece (Sister's daughter) | भिन्चा | Bhincā | Bhanji |
| Grandchild | छ्ये | Chyē | Nati/Natini (male/female) |
| Daughter-in-law | ब्हऔ | Bḥa'au | Buhari |
| Son-in-law | जीलाजं | Jīlājaṁ | Jwaeen (nasalised 'n') |
| Wife's parents | ससः बा | Sasaḥ bā (Father) / Suh'suhmaa (Mother) | Suhsurobaa (Father) / Saasoo (Mother) |
| Husband's parents | ससः मा | Sasaḥma (Mother) | Suhsura (Father) / Saasoo (Mother) |
Common
| Meaning | Devanagari | Roman |
|---|---|---|
| Cooked Rice | जा: | Jāh |
| Rice | जाकि | Jāki |
| Poha (Beaten Rice) | वजी | Vajī |
| Meat (Buff / Chicken / Lamb / Pork) | ला: (मेइ ला / खाई ला / दुकुचिउ ला / फाई ला) | Lāh (mei lah / khai lah/ dukuchiu lah / fai lah) |
| Dry Meat (Jerky) | सुकुला: | Sukulāh |
| Yogurt | धौ | Dhau |
Special
| Devanagari | Roman | Ingredient |
|---|---|---|
| य: मरी | Yah Marī | Rice Flour, Meat, Chaku (sweet) or Maa(pulses) or Muu(pulses) |
| चट्टाँ मरी | chatanmari | Rice Flour |
| त: खा | Tah Khā | Terrin of Buffalo meat |
| स:न्या: खूना | Sahnyāh khūnā | Terrin of buffalo meat and tiny fresh water fish |
| से ला: | Sēlāh | Buffalo lungs |
| छोय् ला: | Chōy lāh | Meat (mainly Buffalo, Duck), chiles, onion, oil |
| वारा | Vārā | Maa (pulses) or Muu (pulses) |
| सम:य बजी | Samah ya bajī | Bāra, (bolied) Egg*, fresh water fish, pulses, Beaten Rice, Fried Beaten Rice, Ginger etc. |
| थ्व: | Tvah | type of alcohol |
| एला: | Ēlāh | Strong alcohol |
| English | Devanagari | Roman script | Khas Bhasa (Nepali) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ant | ईमू | Īmū | Kamila |
| Buffalo | Mehn (nasalised "n") | Rang'o/Bhaise | |
| Bull | Dohn (nasalised "n") | Goru | |
| Cat | भैचा | Bhaicā | Biralo |
| Cockroach | Bili | Sāngla | |
| Cow | Sahn (silent "n") | Gai | |
| Crow | को | Kō | Kag |
| Dog | खिचा | Khicā | Kukur |
| Duck | हें | Hēṁ | Hahns (slightly nasalised 'n') |
| Eagle | Emaa | Cheel | |
| Earthworm | Dumbi | Gadeaula | |
| Snakes | Ta:ha | Sarpa | |
| Elephant | Kisi | Hatti | |
| Fish | न्याँ | Nyām̐ | Machha |
| Hen/Chicken | खा: | Khāh | Kukhura |
| Horse | सल: | salah | ghoda |
| Kite | Bhutimali | Changaa | |
| Monkey | माक: | Mākah | Badar |
| Mouse | छू: | Chūh | Musa |
| Owl | Bhulukha | Latokosero | |
| Pigeon | वखूँचा | Vakhūm̐cā | Parewa |
| Pig | फा | Phā | Sungur |
| Sparrow | चखू: | Cakhūh | Bhangero (nasalised 'n') |
| Toad/Frog | बय्याँ | Bayyām̐ | Bhyaguta |
| English | Devanagari | Roman script | Khas Bhasa (Nepali) |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | तूयु | Tuyu | Seto |
| Black | हाकू | Haku | Kalo |
| Red | ह्याँगू | Hyau'n (nasalised 'n') | Rato |
| Green | Wau'n (nasalised 'n') | Hariyo | |
| Blue | Wo'chu'n (nasalised 'n') | Nilo | |
| Yellow | Mhasu'n (nasalised 'n') | Pahelo | |
| Brown | Siyugu (nasalised 'n') | Khairo |
(From the review article on "Dictionary of classical Newari compiled from manuscript sources." With the huge financial support of Toyota foundation, Japan, Nepal Bhasa Dictionary Committee. Cwasā Pāsā. Kathmandu: Modern Printing Press, Jamal 2000, pp. XXXV, 530. ISBN 99933-31-60-0")
| Words | Origin (orig. word) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| La:h (ल:) | Pali (Jala:h) | Water |
| Kaa:sa | Pali | Bronze |
| Kaji | Arabic | leader |
| Khaapaa (खापा) | Pali | Door (Original meaning in Pali was "door panel") |
| Kimi (कीमी) | Sanskrit (Krmi) | Hookworm |
| Adha:vata | Persian | Malice |
| Ka:h | Pali (Kana) | Blind (Original meaning in Pali was "one-eyed") |
| Dya:h | Pali (Dev) | Deity |
| Nhya:h | Pali (Na:sika) | Nose |
| Mhu:tu | Pali (Mukhena) | Mouth |
| Khicha: (खिचा) | Pali (Kukkura) | Dog |
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