A little Meiteilon goes a long way
The phrasebook.
Meiteilon (Manipuri) is the valley's lingua franca; the hills speak their own languages — Tangkhul, Thadou-Kuki, Paite, Rongmei and more. Even one greeting in the right language changes how you're received.
Pronunciations are simplified for travellers. Entries are awaiting native-speaker verification — corrections are welcome and credited.
Meiteilon (Manipuri)
Greetings
| Hello / respectful greeting | Khurumjarikhoo-room-ja-ree The all-purpose respectful greeting, said with palms together. |
| Have you eaten? (friendly greeting) | Chak charabra?chuck cha-rab-ra Asking if someone has eaten is a warm, common way to greet. |
| Thank you | Thagatcharitha-gat-cha-ree |
Basics
| Yes | Hoihoy |
| No | Nattenat-teh |
| Let's go | Chatlasichat-la-see |
Numbers
| One | Amaa-ma |
| Two | Ania-nee |
| Three | Ahuma-hoom |
| Four | Marima-ree |
| Five | Mangama-nga |
| Six | Tarukta-rook |
| Seven | Taretta-ret |
| Eight | Nipannee-pan |
| Nine | Mapanma-pan |
| Ten | Tarata-ra |
At the market
| How much is this? | Asi kayano?a-see ka-ya-no Your most-used phrase at Ima Keithel. |
| The price is high | Mamal wanglema-mal wang-leh |
| Please reduce it a little | Khara hanthabiyukha-ra han-tha-bee-yoo |
Directions
| Where? | Kadaida?ka-dai-da |
| Left | Oioy |
| Right | Yetyet |
Food
| Rice / a meal | Chakchuck |
| Water | Isingee-sing |
| Fish | Nganga |
| Very tasty | Yamna haobaniyam-na how-ba-nee |
Tangkhul
Tangkhul phrases are being verified with native speakers in Ukhrul — coming soon.
Thadou-Kuki
Greetings
| How are you? / greeting | Nadam maw?na-dam mo "Dam" (well) is the root of greetings across Kuki-Zo languages. |
Paite
Greetings
| Are you well? / greeting | Na dam maw?na dam mo |
| Thank you | Ka lungdamka loong-dam |
Rongmei
Rongmei phrases are being verified with native speakers — coming soon.
Where you'll use it: bargaining at Ima Keithel · ordering food