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Sayings

Kumaoni language has a number of very interesting and apt sayings. I will try and translate them into English and hope they do not loose their essence.

  • JYITHJU BOL KE MARNI KAMARE TOD DINI.

(JYITHJU IS THE ELDER BROTHER OF THE HUSBAND)It means that my Brother - in - law is always so sarcastic that when he speaks it seems that your spine has fractured.

  • KHET PAT HAREGE LASUN MEIN JOR.

The literal meaning is that a person who has no knowledge of farming, will only  grow garlic.

  • NIRBUDDHI RAJEKI KATHE KATH.

It means that there are a number of stories of a king who is an idiot.

  • SASULE BUARI THHE KO, BUARIL KUKUR THHE KO, KUKURL PUCHEDI HELE DE.

Mother in law ordered her daughter in law, who in turn ordered the dog, who just wagged his tail. It means that if you leave the task to others it will never be completed.

  • ADDAIN BAMAN KE BHESEIN KHEER

It means that if Kheer (sweet rice) is served to a brahmin who has already over eaten , he will complain that the kheer smells of the buffalo. (Brahmins in India are infamous for overeating)

  • MERI PAILAG TERI KATHAP.

It means that when I touch your feet (for paying obeisance), you just ignore me. (Good deeds not being reciprocated.)

  • DATULI APANE TARAF KATON.

A sickle always cuts towards your self.  It means that one  will always take the side and support  his /her near & dear ones.

  • DUDIYAR GORUK LAAT SAHINI PADANCHU.

You have to tolerate the kicks of a cow who gives milk.

  • JO GAON NI JAAN WEEK BAAT KE PUCHAIN.

It means there is no point in asking directions to a village where you do not intend going.

  • AAG LAGE PANI DAURAN

It means running for water after burning down a place, i.e. trying to help after creating a problem.

  • AEKE KHADAK PINALU.

It means sweet potato of same place, i.e. birds of the same feather.

  • KUNAL KE DEKHENCHA MUNAL DEKHO.

It means do not waste time in seeing one's horoscope, see that persons persona.

  • TUKE MEIN TAUR.

It means a discussion ending in bad blood.

  • GHAREKE CHA BHADHAULI MEIN KHALA.

Since you are from the family you will not mind eating in the wok / pan.

  • DAI KHANI WAL BHAJI GO PATAL CHATNI WAL HAAT PAD.


The person who stole the curd ran away but the one licking the plate was caught i.e. the actual culprit ran away and a fall guy was caught.
 

Kumaoni Words

 

RELATIONSHIPS

 

  • MOTHER - IJA

 

  • FATHER - BABU

 

  • GRAND FATHER - BARBAJYU

 

  • GRAND MOTHER - AAMA

 

  • SON - CHAYAL

 

  • DAUGHTER - CHELI

 

  • DAUGHTER IN LAW - BUARI

 

  • SON IN LAW - JAWAIN

 

  • GRANDSON - NAATI

 

  • GRAND DAUGHTER - NAATIN

 

  • YOUNGER SISTER - BAIN

 

  • ELDER SISTER - DIDI

 

  • YOUNGER BROTHER - NAN BHAU

 

  • ELDER BROTHER _ DAJU

 

  • UNCLE - KAK / JHETH JA

 

  • AUNTY - KAKI / BHIN BUA/ THUL IJA

 

  • BRIDE/GROOMS FATHER - SAMDHI

 

  • BRIDE/GROOMS MOTHER - SAMDHIN

 

  • YOUNGER SIBLING - BHAU

 


BIRDS & ANIMALS

 

  • DOG - KUKUR

 

  • CAT - BIRAL

 

  • COW- GORU

 

  • HORSE - GHOR

 

  • MONKEY - BANAR

 

  • CROW - KAW

 

  • SPARROW - DHINOR

 

  • PARROT - SU

 

  • MAINA BIRD- SITOL


OTHER THINGS
 

  • SNOW - HYUN

 

  • RAIN - BARKH

 

  • BRIGHT SUN LIGHT - GHAM

 

  • WIND - HAW

 

  • SUN RAYS - TYUR

 

  • WATER SPRING - NAUL

 

  • DOOR - DWAR

 

  • LOCK - TAL

 

  • ROAD/ PATH - RAST / BAAT

 

  • BIG - THUL

 

  • SMALL - NAN

 

  • CLOTHES - LUKUD

 

  • LEAVES - PATT

 

  • RICE - BHAT

 

  • VEGETABLES - SAAG

 

  • TEA - CHAHA

 

  • HILL TOP - DAN

 

  • DOLL - GUDI





 
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