Phrasebook for everyday life

107 phrases, words and numbers in Nagamese, Ao (Chungli) and Sema (Sümi), contributed by speakers, with English translations: ready to copy and use.

Everything here comes from the same speaker-contributed dataset that conditions the translator. None of it is machine-generated, and entries are corrected when speakers report a problem: the fixes are listed in the corrections log. The Ao and Sümi sections are shorter than the Nagamese one because those languages have far less written material behind them. Filter by language with the pills below, or search in English or in the target language.

One thing to know before you start: in Nagamese, greetings and thanks are the English words: Hello, Good morning, Thank you. Mainland greetings such as namaste are not used in Nagaland. The local touch is Bhaat khaishe?: “Have you eaten?”

Nagamese

Greetings & Introductions

HelloHellogreetings are said in English
Have you eaten? (everyday greeting)Bhaat khaishe?
Yes, I have eaten.Hoy, moi khaishe.
Thank youThank yousaid in English
How are you? (formal)Apni kinika ase?
How are you? (informal)Toi kinika ase?
I am fine.Moi bhal ase.
What is your name?Apni laga naam ki ase?
My name is …Moi laga naam …
Where are you from?Apni kot para ahise?
I was born in Kohima.Moi laka jonom Kohima de hoishe.

Everyday Conversation

What are you doing?Apni ki kuri ase?
I am eating.Moi khai ase.
I ate.Moi khaishe.
I will go.Moi jabo.
Where are you going?Apni kot jabo?
I didn't eat.Moi khai nai.
I am very tired.Moi bishi tired ase.
I know.Moi jane.
I don't know.Moi najane.
How do you know?Apni kineka jane?
I love you.Moi tomai bhal pau.
This is very good.Itu bishi bhal ase.
I do not speak Nagamese.Moi Nagamese kobo najane.

Essential Words

yeshoy
nonai
goodbhal
badbiya
many / a lotbishi
a littleolop
nowetiya
tomorrowkali
hereyete
theretate
thisitu
thatutu
lovemorom
pleasemorom para
butkintu
becausekarone

Ao (Chungli)

Greetings & Introductions

What is your name?Na tenüng shiba?

Everyday Conversation

I know.Ni metet.
I don't know.Ni memetet.
How do you know?Na kechi jagi metet?
I love you.Ni na meimer.
This is very good!Iba ya kanga tajung!
This is not good.Iba ji majung.
I don't speak Ao.Ni Ao oshi mejembi.

Essential Words

knowmetet
lovemeimer
goodtajung
badmajung
verykanga
goao
comearu
eatachi
drinkajem
sleepmejang
speakoshi
nametenüng
whoshiba
whatkechi
wherekong
whenkodang
howkoda
whykechiba
elder brotherodi

Numbers

1ka
2ana
3asem
4pezü
5pungu
6terok
7tenet
8ti
9teku
10ter

Sema (Sümi)

Greetings & Introductions

Where do you live?Noye khila ngo cheni kea?

Everyday Conversation

I love you.Niye no kimiye ani.
I love to read books.Niye kakuqo phini keu kimye cheni.
He is at home.Pa aki-lo ani.
He will eat.Pa cü-nani.
He went.Pa wu-ve.
He did not eat.Pa cü-mo-e.
He cannot go.Pa wü-lu-mla.
There is a house.Aki ani.

Essential Words

houseaki
wateralou
languagetsah
goodgholo
badküsüghu
motherza
fatherpuh
childaphi
GodAlhou
treeasübo
persontimi

Numbers

1Lakhi
2Kini
3Küthü
4Bidi
5Pungu
6Tsügho
7Tsüni
8Tache
9Toku
10Chichi

How to use these phrases

A phrase list is a starting point, not a language. Three things will get you further than memorising more entries.

  • Learn the formality rule before you learn more vocabulary. Nagamese distinguishes apni (formal) from toi (informal), and using the wrong one with an elder reads as disrespect rather than as a beginner's error. Use apni whenever you are unsure.
  • Notice the patterns. Once you see that laga marks possession and ase does the work of "is", half of the Nagamese list stops being a list and starts being a system. The grammar guide lays it out.
  • Say them out loud. Spelling in all three languages is unstandardised and Ao tone is never written, so text under-specifies the spoken language. The pronunciation guide covers what the letters actually mean.

For longer, situation-organised sets, see 80 Nagamese phrases for getting around, greetings in all three languages, and counting.

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