LITERARY TIBETAN FOR BEGINNERS Introduction, Vocabulary and Basic Grammar of Literary Tibetan

Geshe Jampa Khechok

First Edition 2009

Copyright © 2009 Geshe Jampa Khechok

Please do not reproduce any part of this book by any means whatsoever without our permission.

Geshe Jampa Khechok Emaho Buddhist Center 1402 N. Miller Road Suite B1 Scottsdale, Arizona 85257

Phone Number 480-278-3142 Email: [email protected]

Table of Contents Preface 1.

Lesson 1: Consonants

1

2.

Lesson 2: Vowels

8

3.

Lesson 3: Suffixes

11

4.

Lesson 4: Prefixes

16

5.

Lesson 5: Subscripts

20

6.

Lesson 6: Subscripts (Continued)

31

7.

Lesson 7: Superscripts

33

8.

Lesson 8: Tibetanized Sanskrit Letters

43

9.

Lesson 9: Punctuation

46

10.

Lesson 10: Most Complex Tibetan Syllable, Numbers,

48

Days of the Week, How to Read Tibetan Prose, Tibetan Verse Bibliography

58

Preface

By the kindness of His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, Spiritual and Temporal Supreme Head of Tibet, and many spiritual masters of the four lineages of Tibetan Buddhism who have been teaching in the west since the 1960s until now, many people have become interested in Tibetan Buddhism. They have studied and practiced well for many years and now we can see that there are many high scholars and practitioners growing in the western countries. Buddhist teaching in Tibet started in the Seventh Century as many great Tibetan translators started to work translating the Sanskrit Buddhist texts of India into the Tibetan language. Many western and eastern scholars have praised and mentioned that Buddhist texts of the Buddha's own words (Ka-gyur) and commentary texts (Ten-gyur) by Indian Buddhist masters translated in the Tibetan language as authentic and precise. Many say the meaning is very clear in the Tibetan works. Many westerners are learning the Tibetan language as they see that it is important to learn the Tibetan language in order to study and practice more advanced Tibetan Buddhist practices. I am very pleased and appreciate that there are now many Tibetan language books in English to assist in learning the Tibetan language, both by Tibetan and foreign scholars. In my small book, I have tried to explain, by easy and clear definition of Tibetan consonants, vowels, prefixes, suffixes, etc., the necessary basics of the Tibetan language so that people can learn how to write and read the basic Tibetan language. In the last two years, I have taught Tibetan language classes to students at Emaho Buddhist Center, Scottsdale, Arizona. I have gained a little experience in knowing how to

explain things in a way that will help students easily understand the language. I have used these methods in this book. Tibetan children growing up in the west, who do not have much opportunity to learn the Tibetan language in their schools, will get some benefit of understanding of the language from this book and the simple presentation. Lastly, I would like to express my sincere thanks to Bill Wares (Thupten Tsering) for editing, computer entry, and valuable suggestions. Jampa Khechok Scottsdale, AZ USA 2009

Lesson 1 I. Consonants During the Reign of King Songtsen Gampo (7th Century), Tibet became a powerful country and established relationships and trade with many neighboring countries. Also, Buddhism was admired by and beginning to influence the king and people of Tibet. However, there was no written language at that time. To further develop foreign relationships and trade with other countries, and to learn and practice Buddhism comprehensively, the king sent Thumi Sambota and sixteen youths to India to learn the Sanskrit language and literature, and to invent a script for Tibetan. After studying for a decade in India, Thumi Sambota succeeded in creating a new Tibetan script.

In general, Tibetans use two different scripts for writing. These are "Uchen" (Big Head) and "Ume" (No Head). Variations on the Ume script include "Tsugring" (Long Leg), "Drugtsa" (Fancy), and "Kyugyik" (Cursive). Everyday writing is usually done in the cursive script. Uchen letters are used in Buddhist Scriptures, publications, and all texts. Today, many individuals who are interested in learning Tibetan are using the Uchen script for reading and writing. There are 30 consonants in the Tibetan alphabet. These 30 consonants are divided into 7½ categories (Rows). A category consists of 4 letters (consonants). In the last of the 7½ categories, there are only 2 letters.

1

2 Literary Tibetan for Beginners

A. The 30 Uchen Consonants And Transliteration:

!&+048<@-

#(,159=A-

HĀ

Ā

KĀ

CHĀ

TĀ

PĀ

TSĀ

ZHA

RA

KHĀ

CHHĀ

THĀ

PHĀ

TSHĀ

ZA

LA

$).26:>-

%*/37;?-

SHĀ

SĀ

GA

JA

DA

BA

DZA

'A

NGA

NYA

NA

MA

WA

YA

4 Literary Tibetan for Beginners

C. Consonants Categorized By "TONE" High Tone

High Tone

!&+04-

#(,15>?@-

KĀ

KHĀ

CHĀ

CHHĀ

TĀ

THĀ

PĀ

PHĀ

TSĀ

TSHĀ

SHĀ

SĀ

HĀ

Low Tone and Longer

$).26-

Low Tone

%*/37;<=89:-

GA

NGA

JA

NYA

DA

NA

BA

DZA

MA

WA

YA

RA

LA

ZHA

ZA

'A

Consonants 5

D. Consonant Pronunciation Guide:

!#$%&()*+,./0123-

KĀ - "k" as in king, kin KHĀ - "k" as in quit, curb GA - "g" as in give, gift NGA - "ng" as in going, king CHĀ - "ch" - as in chant, cherry CHHĀ - "chh" as in China, chimney JA - "j" as in jump, jug NYA - "ny" as in canyon, Daniel TĀ - "t" as in Tara, tardy THĀ - "th" as in therapy, thunder DA - "d" as in Dharma, dart NA - "n" as in not, no PĀ - "p" as in pot, Papa PHĀ - "ph" as in path, passenger BA - "b" as in box, boat MA - "m" as in mouse, mother

456789:;<=>?@A-

TSĀ - "ts" as in physic, Tse Tse fly TSHĀ - "tsh" as in Tsering, Tsok,

DZA - "dz" as in Tsar, zebra WA - "w" as in work, white ZHA - "zh" as in seizure, treasure ZA - "z" as force 'A - "ah" as in art, all YA - "y" as in yak, yellow RA - "r" as in ram, road LA - "l" as in London, lamp SHA - "sh" as in shampoo, shut SA - "s" as in sale, sum HĀ - "h" as in hero, hat Ā - "a" as in academia, apart, (like the indefinite article - a - as in "a bird"

6 Literary Tibetan for Beginners

E. Vocabulary - Single Consonant Words 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

#%()*./123-

(KHĀ) = mouth

11.

(NGA) = I 12. (CHHĀ) = part/pair 13.

(JA) = tea

14.

(NYA) = fish

15.

(DA) = now

16.

(NA) = if, sick (PHĀ) = father

17.

(BA) = cow

18.

(MA) = mother

19.

5D79;<=>?-

(TSHĀ) = hot (TSHĀ) = salt (WA) = fox (ZA) = eat (YA) = single of a pair (RA) = goat (LA) = mountain pass, (prep. to, at, for, on) (SHĀ) = flesh, meat (SĀ) = ground, earth, soil

F. Vocabulary - Two Consonant Words 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

!-2#-2$-0)-3*-0+-=/-2-

(KĀ - WA) = pillar

8.

(KHĀ - WA) = snow

9.

(GA - PA) = where

10.

(JA - MA) = Tea Maker (person) (NYA - PA) = fisherman

11.

(TĀ - LA) = plantain (NA - WA) = sick

12. 13.

1-35-29-2;-3G-2A-3-

(PHĀ - MA) = parents (TSHĀ - WA) = hot, fever (ZA - WA) = to eat (YA - MA) = sinus (RA - WA) = fence (Ā - MA) = mother

Consonants 7

II. How To Read The Consonant A.

2-

(BA) is sometimes pronounced (WA).

How

22-

(BA). (BA) is pronounced is

determined according to position and usage.

If

2-

is the second syllable of a word, it is pronounced WA.

Examples:

B.

Word

Pronunciation

Meaning

:PR-29-2-

DrO-WA

to go, beings, transmigrators

ZA-WA

to eat

When the consonant letter

2-

.-

(DA) is a prefix of the root letter

is pronounced WA.

Examples: Word

Pronunciation

Meaning

.2J/-0.LJ<-3J.-

WEN-PA

solitary place

YER-ME

inseparable

2-

(BA), then

8 Literary Tibetan for Beginners

Lesson 2 Vowels A. The vowels in Tibetan are called YANG-

.L%?-

The 4 Vowels - Signs and Sounds are:

A

= "i";

ä

= "u";

= "e";

= "o".

J

The 4 Vowel Names are

A

ä

$A-$82?-G-

J :PJ%-0RR /-
A-

R

GI-GU SHAB - KYU DRENG-PO NA-Ro

- "AH" is an unwritten vowel sound, inherent in all 30 consonants. Without the "AH" sound, all the consonants are considered lifeless. If a syllable is only a single consonant and vowel, the vowel is expressed soon after

the consonant (see Examples in Table below)

If the root letter has a superscript or a subscript, then there is another way of reading the vowel, which will be explained later.

Vowels 9 Sign

Name

Position

$A-$-

A

ä J

Sound

ABOVE

"I" (as in me)

Example


GI-GU

RI = mountain

82?-G-

2-

BELOW

"u"

SHAB-KYU

BU = boy

:PJ%-0R-

3J-

ABOVE

"e" as in (eh)

DRENG-PO

ME = fire

/-
8R-

R

ABOVE

"o"

NA-RO

ZHO = yogurt

B. Method Of Spelling - Vowels In Conjunction With Consonants:

!A!!J!R#A##J#R-

Spelling

Pronunciation

KA-GI-GU

KI

KA-SHAB-KYU

KU

KA-DRENG-PO

KE

KA-NA-RO

KO

KHA-GI-GU

KHI

KHA-SHAB-KYU

KHU

KHA-DRENG-PO

KHE

KHA-NA-RO

KHO

$A$$J$R%A%%J%R-

Spelling

Pronunciation

GA-GI-GU

GI

GA-SHAB-KYU

GU

GA-DRENG-PO

GE

GA-NA-RO

GO

NGA-GI-GU

NGI

NGA-SHAB-KYU

NGU

NGA-DRENG-PO

NGE

NGA-NA-RO

NGO

10 Literary Tibetan for Beginners

C. The Four Vowels Joined With the Thirty Consonants

!A#A$A%A-

!#$%-

!J#J$J%J-

!R#R$R%R-

4B5B6B7A-

4567-

4K5K6K7J-

4S5S6S7R-

&A(A)A*A-

&()*-

&J(J)J*J-

&R(R)R*R-

8A9A:A;A-

89:;-

8J9J:J;J-

8R9R:R;R-

+A,A.A/A-

+,./-

+J,J.J/J-

+R,R.R/R-

A?A-

<=>?-

J?J-

R?R-

0A1A-

01-

0J1J-

0R1R-

@A- @- @J- @RAA- A- AJ- AR

2A3A-

23-

2J3J-

2R3R-

Suffixes 11

Lesson 3 I. Ten Suffixes A. The suffix letters go after the root letter. Because these letters go after the root letter, they are called Suffixes The 10 Suffixes are:

$- %- .- /- 2- 3- :- <- =- ?These 10 letters go after most of the 30 consonants. Example: WORD

=$*

#%*

=

=

Final Pronunciation

TO SPELL: SAY …

= LA

# KHA

An * is below each suffix letter

+

+

$GA

%NGA





=$LAG

#%KHANG

12 Literary Tibetan for Beginners

B. Suffix Reading Most of the 10 suffix letters sound the same as they are pronounced.

.-

However,

(DA) and

?-

(SA) as suffixes are spelled as they are, but change the sound

by adding an "e" sound to the root letter. These suffix letters themselves are silent in the final pronunciation. Examples: WORD

(.-

(

=

*

$?-

+

CHA

$

=

*

When

(NA) and

.DA

+

GA

/-

Final Pronunciation

TO SPELL: SAY …

=-

?SA

(.-



CHHE

$?-



GE

(LA) are used as suffix letters, the root letter should

read as if it has a vowel "e" (DRENG-PO) added to it, but these two suffix letters are not silent. Their sounds should be there. Examples: Word

1/
Spelling

Final Pronunciation

PHA-NA

PHEN

RA - GI-GU-RI-NA

RIN

DA-LA

DEL

KHA-NA-RO-KHO-LA

KHOEL

Suffixes 13

C. Examples Of Words Using The Ten Suffixes

Word

Phonetic Pronunciation

Meaning

Word

1.

=$-0-

LAG-PA

hand

2.

#%-*0-

KHANG-PA

house

NE-PA

patient (in hospital)

3.

CHHEN-PO

big

4.

THAB

oven/stove

5.

1. 2.

*

/.-0-

3.

* 4.

(J/-0R-

5.

,2-

rope

CHHANG

alcohol

2R.-

BOE (BÖ)

Tibet


RIN-PA

price

#2-*

KHAB

needle

LAM

path

DA

arrow

CHHAR-PA

rain

PHUL-WA

offered

CHHOE (CHHÖ)

dharma

*

8A3-0R-

ZHIM-PO

delicious

6.

7.

* .$:2-

GA-WA

happy

7.

8.

,<-0-*

THAR-PA

nirvana, salvation

8.

NYEL-WA

sleep

9.

LE

action/karma

10.

10.

THAK-PA

*

*

9.

,$-0(%-*

Meaning

*

*

6.

Phonetic Pronunciation

* *=2=?-* *

=3* 3.:(<-0-* 1=-* 2*

(R?*

An * is below each suffix letter

14 Literary Tibetan for Beginners

II. Secondary Suffixes A. There are two secondary suffixes. Because they go not only after the root letter but also after the "suffix", they are called Secondary Suffixes. The 2 Secondary Suffixes are:

.-

The secondary suffix

and

?-

.-

(DA) goes after 

/- <- =-

?-

(SA) goes after 

$- %- 2- 3-

.-

is not used in modern Tibetan but was used in the distant past.

Ancient Word

Modern Word

Meaning

KA/.-

KA/-

went

CHHIN

CHHIN

I<.-

I<-

GYUR

GYUR

)=.

)=-

TSEL

TSEL

became

gave

Suffixes 15

?-

B. How To Read The Secondary Suffix When you spell the Secondary Suffix letter

?J-

?-

(SA):

you have to spell the letter

?-

(SĀ) as

(SĒ) sound.

Examples: Word

Spelling

Pronunciation

Meaning

,2?-

THA-BA-SE

THAB

method

$%?-

GA-NGA-SE

GANG

snow

C. Examples using the Secondary Suffix

Word 1

($?-0-

2

$%?-

Phonetic Pronunciation

Word

Meaning

CHHAK-PA

desire

GANG

snow

THAB

method

1

=J$?-0-

3

,2??J3?-

Phonetic Pronunciation

2

;%?-

YANG

vast

3

82?-*

ZHAB

feet (honorific)

TSHIM

satisfy

*

* SEM

mind

* An * is below each secondary suffix letter

Meaning good/better

* 4

(SA):

LEK-PA

* *

?-

4

5B3?*

16 Literary Tibetan for Beginners

Lesson 4 The Five Prefixes A. The Tibetan word for "prefix" is The 5 prefixes are:

}R/-:)$-

(NGÖN-JUK).

$- .- 2- 3- :-

NGÖN-JUK go before the root letter and they are totally silent. When spelling with a prefix - between saying the prefix letter and saying the root letter, you add an "O" sound Examples: Word

$?<-

Spelling

Pronunciation

Meaning

GA-'O'-SA-RA

SAR

new

DA-'O'-GA-DRENG-PO

GE

virtues

*

.$J*

Prefixes 17

B. Examples And Vocabulary - Words With Prefixes Word

Pronunciation

Meaning

CHIK

one

1

Word $;-

*

*

2

.$:-

2

.$J-2-

GE-WA

virtuous

3

28A-

3

* 29%-

ZANG

good/nice

4

3$R-

GO

head

DI

this

1

$&A$*

GA

ZHI

happy

four

* 4

5

3%<*

:(A-2*

NGAR

sweet

*

Pronunciation

Meaning

YU

turquoise

* CHHI-WA

death 5

:.A*

18 Literary Tibetan for Beginners

C. There are Nine Consonants that change sound/pitch when preceded by a Prefix or when they have a Superscript.

$- %--- )- ---*- .- /--- 2- 3--- ;-----

$-

---

GA



---

GAA

___

__

%-

NGA

)-

JA



NGHĀ



JAA

---

__ /-

NA



NHĀ

2-

BA



BAA

MA



MHĀ

WA



WHĀ

YA



YHĀ

___

__

3-

___

__

*-

NYA



NYHĀ

.-

DA



DAA

___

Upper Bars indicate Higher sound (tone) Lower Bars indicate Lower/Longer sound (tone)

__

2-

__

;-

Prefixes 19 For Example: Consonant

Normal Sound

$%)*./232;-

GA

Combined with Prefix or Superscript

Pronunciation with New Sound Produced

c3%:u~3.:$/3j.3:.2<- $;$-

GAA

NGA JA NYA DA NA BA MA WA YA

NGHĀ JAA NYHĀ DAA NHĀM BAA MHĀ WHĀR YHĀK

(Please note that Superscripts and the ways to use them and spell with them will be more fully covered in Lesson 7. Presently, concentrate on the changes in the sounds that are produced when Prefixes and Superscripts are used with these nine consonants.) * See explanation in Lesson 1 of the special case of

.-

(DA)as a prefix of

2-

(BA).

20 Literary Tibetan for Beginners

Lesson 5 Subscripts A. In Tibetan, Subscripts are called DOK-YIK (bound letter)

:.R$?-;A$-

The Four Subscripts are: YA-TA (YA bound), RA-TA (RA bound), LA-TA (LA bound), WA-ZU (WA corner) The Symbols for the 4 subscripts are:

= YA-TA

=-

= RA-TA

The meaning of YA-TA is: YA is the consonant letter

= LA-TA

;-

(YA), and

means it is bound under the root letter. Subscript letters are always read after the root letter. Examples: Word

GN_-

Spelling

Final Pronunciation

KA-YA-TA

KYA

KA-RA-TA

TrA

RA-LA-TA

LA

Ö

= WAZU

2+$?-

(TA)-

Subscripts 21

B. The seven letters that can have YA-TA are:

G- H- I- J- K- L- MKYA

KHYA GYA

CHA CHHA

JA

NYA

C. How to read YA-TA (YA bound) Letter

Spelling

Pronunciation

G-

KA-YA-TA

KYA

H-

KHA-YA-TA

KHYA

I-

GA-YA-TA

GA

J-

PA-YA-TA

CA

K-

PHA-YA-TA

CHA

L-

BA-YA-TA

JA

M-

MA-YA-TA

NYA

Note:

J- K- L- M-

Should be pronounced the same as

&- (- )- *-

22 Literary Tibetan for Beginners

D. Reading a Subscript YA-TA with vowels: Letter

Spelling

Pronunciation

GA-

KA-YA-TA-KYA-GI-GU

KYI

H-

KHA-YA-TA-KHYA-SHAB-KYU

KHYU

IJ-

GA-YA-TA-GA-DRENG-PO

GYE

JR-

PA-YA-TA-CHA-NA-RO

CHO

E. Reading a subscript YA-TA with Prefixes and Suffixes: Word

Spelling

Pronunciation

2G<-

BA-'O'-KA-YA-TA-KYA-RA

KYAR

3HJ/-

MA-'O'-KHA-YA-TA-KHYA-DRENG-PO-KHYE- NA

KHYEN

:I%-

A-'O'-GA-YA-TA-GYA-NGA

GYANG

:K/-

A-'O'-PHA-YA-TA-CHHA-NA

CHHEN

:L<-

A-'O'-BA-YA-TA-JA-RA

JAR

Subscripts 23

F. Examples and Vocabulary of Words with Subscript YA-TA: Word

Pronunciation

Meaning

1.

.GA=-

KYIL

center, middle

2.

HA-

KHYI

3.

:I%-

4.

Word

Pronunciation

Meaning

1.

GA-

KYI

of

dog

2.

3HJ/-

KHYEN

understand (honorific)

GYANG

delay

3.

:IR.-

GYOE

regret

.JA.-

CHI

spring (season)

4.

.JR.-

CHOE

analyze

5.

:K$-

CHHUK

mistake

5.

:KR-

CHHO

jump

6.

L-2-

work

6.

L%-2-

JUNG-WA

get, obtain

7.

M-$-

sprout

7.

M%-

NYANG

taste

JA-WA

NYU-GU

24 Literary Tibetan for Beginners

<-

G. The meaning of RA-TA is: RA is the consonant letter

(RA),and

2+$?-

(TA) means

it is bound under the root letter. The fourteen letters that can have RA-TA (RA bound) are:

N- O- P- Q- R- S- y- T- U- V- W- X- Y- ZTrA THrA DrA

TrA THrA DrA

NA

TrA THrA

DrA

MA SHrA

SA

HrA

H. How to read/spell using the subscript RA-TA and single consonants: Combination

Spelling

Pronunciation

8

T-

PA-RA-TA

TrA

THrA

9

U-

PHA-RA-TA

THrA

GA-RA-TA

DrA

10

V-

BA-RA-TA

DrA

Q-

TA-RA-TA

TrA

11

W-

MA-RA-TA

MA

5

R-

THA-RA-TA

THrA

12

X-

SHA-RA-TA

SHrA

6

S-

DA-RA-TA

DrA

13

Y-

SA-RA-TA

SA

7

y-

NA-RA-TA

NA

14

Z-

HA-RA-TA

HrA

Combination

Spelling

Pronunciation

1

N-

KA-RA-TA

TrA

2

O-

KHA-RA-TA

3

P-

4

NOTE: In the above examples, Numbers 1,4,8 share the same sound, Numbers 2,5,9 share the same sound, and Numbers 3,6,10 share the same sound

Subscripts 25

I. How to read/spell subscript RA-TA with vowels: Combination

Spelling

Pronunciation

NA-

KA-RA-TA-TrA-GI-GU

TrI

O-

KHA-RA-TA-Tr'A-SHAB-KYU

THrU

PR-

GA-RA-TA-DrA-NA-RO

DrO

SJ-

DA-RA-TA-DrA-DRENG-PO

DrE

TR-

PA-RA-TA-TrA-NA-RO

TrO

VA-

BA-RA-TA-DrA-GI-GU

DrI

Y-

SA-RA-TA-SA-SHAB-KYU

SU

26 Literary Tibetan for Beginners

J. Reading a subscript RA-TA with Prefixes and Suffixes Combination

Spelling

Pronunciation

2N=-

BA-'O'-KA-RA-TA-TrA-LA

TrEL

:O2-

A-'O'-KHA-RA-TA-Tr'A-BA

THrAB

.P-

DA-'O'-GA-RA-TA

DrA

:S%-

A-'O'-DA-RA-TA-DrA-NGA

DrANG

:U=-

A-'O'-PHA-RA-TA-Tr'A-LA

THrEL

:V$-

A-'O'-BA-RA-TA-DrA-GA

DrAG

2Y2-

BA-'O'-SA-RA-TA-SA-BA

SAB

Subscripts 27

K. Examples and Vocabulary of Words with Subscript RA-TA: Word

Pronunciation

Meaning

1

.N$-0-

TrUK-PA

churn, agitate

2

OA3?-

THrIM

3

PR-

4

Word

Pronunciation

Meaning

1

2N3-0-

TrAM-PA

displayed

law, legal

2

OR-2-

THrO-WA

anger

DrO

wheat

3

:P/-0-

DrEN-PA

compete

:SJ?-3-

DrE-MA

mix

4

SA-

DrI

smell

5

.T=-2-

TrEL-WA

forehead

6

:UR-2-

6

U-$-

THrU-GU

children

7

:VR?-0-

8

Y-3RZA=-0R-

9

THrO-WA

radiate

DrO-PA

run away, flee

7

VR-2-

DrO-WA

taste

SU-MO

aunt

8

SA-WA

solid, hard

HrIL-PO

wholeness

9

Y-2ZA$-

HrIG

stare

28 Literary Tibetan for Beginners

L. The meaning of LA-TA is: LA is the consonant letter

=-

(LA),

(TA) means it is bound under the root letter. The six letters that can have LA-TA are:

[- -\- ]- _- a- ^LĀ

LĀ

LĀ

LĀ

LĀ

DA

M. How to read/spell the 6 LA-TA combinations

^-

Combination

Spelling

Pronunciation

[-

KA-LA-TA

LA

\-

GA-LA-TA

LA

]-

BA-LA-TA

LA

_-

RA-LA-TA

LA

a-

SA-LA-TA

LA

^-

ZA-LA-TA

DA

is read as DA and all the rest of the LA-TAs are read as LA

and

2+$?-

Subscripts 29

N. Reading a subscript LA-TA with vowels: Combination

Spelling

Pronunciation

1

[R-

KA-LA-TA-LA-NA-RO

LO

2

\-

GA-LA-TA-LA-SHAB-KYU

LU

3

]-

BA-LA-TA-LA-SHAB-KYU

LU

4

_R-

RA-LA-TA-LA-NA-RO

LO

5

aJ-

SA-LA-TA-LA-DRENG-PO

LE

6

^R-

ZA-LA-TA-DA-NA-RO

DO

O. Reading a subscript LA-TA with prefixes and suffixes: Combination

Spelling

Pronunciation

1

2[$-

BA-'O'-KA-LA-TA-LA-GA

LAG

2

\%-

GA-LAT-TA-LA-NGA

LANG

3

]$-

BA-LA-TA-LA-GA

LAG

4

2_2-

BA-'O'-RA-LA-TA-LA-BA

LAB

5

a<-

SA-LA-TA-LA-RA

LAR

6

^R$-

ZA-LA-TA-DHA-NA-RO-DHO-GA

DOK

30 Literary Tibetan for Beginners

P. Examples and Vocabulary of LA-TA: Word

Pronunciation

Meaning

1

[R$-0-

LOG- PA

read

2

\A%-2-

LING-BU

3

]-3-

4

_/-

5

aR2-0-

6

^-2-

Word

Pronunciation

Meaning

1

[-

LU

Naga

flute

2

\%-

LANG

bull

LA-MA

guru, spiritual guide

3

]%-

LANG

carry

LEN

liquid, moisturize

4

_%-

LUNG

wind

5

a<-

LAR

again

6

^R$-

DOK

overcome

LOB-PA

DA-WA

teach, learn

moon

Subscripts (Continued) 31

Lesson 6 Subscripts (continued) Q. The meaning of

WAZU is: WA is the consonant letter

7-

(WA), and

9<-

(ZU)-

means corner and it is bound under the root letter. They Sign for WA-ZU is:

"

Ö"

It is attached to the root letter so that it resembles a little "corner" on the bottom of the root letter. Example:

6This WAZU letter subscript does not change the pronunciation of the root letter.

The thirteen letters that can have WAZU are:

6- 7- 8- M- ;- <- ?- B- D- E- F- G- H- I- J- KKA KHA GA CHA NYA TA DA TSA TSHA ZHA ZA

RA LA SHA SA

R. How to read WAZU (WA corner) Letter

Spelling

Pronunciation

6-

KA-WAZU

KA

H-

LA-WAZU

LA

HA

32 Literary Tibetan for Beginners

S. Examples and Vocabulary of Words with Subscript WAZU: Word

Pronunciation

Meaning

1.

6-;J-

KA-YE

Hey you (servants)

2.

7-+-

KHA TA

one bird

3.

8-0-

GA-PA

horse and donkey with white face

4.

?-U$-

DA-THrUG

orphan

5.

D-

TSHA

salt

6.

E-3R-

ZHA-MO

hat

7.

F-5S.-

ZA-TSHOD

stinging nettle

8.

G-

RA

horn

9.

H-2-

LA-WA

woolen blanket

10.

K->%-

HA-SHANG

Chinese monk

Superscripts 33

Lesson 7 Superscripts A. There are 3 Superscripts in Tibetan. The letters RA, LA, and SA may be stacked on top of

2lJ$?-;A$-

certain root letters. That is why they are called Superscripts or

(TSHEK-YIG).

The 3 Superscripts are called: RA(N*)-GO

LA(N)-GO

SA(N)-GO

<-3$R

=-3$R

?-3$R

RA - Head

LA - Head

SA - Head

* In spoken Tibetan, it is easier to say RA-GO, LA-GO, SA-GO if an (optional) "N" sound is added between the syllables, making it sound like RAN-GO, LAN-GO, SAN-GO when pronounced.

The Signs for the 3 Superscripts are: RA-GO

LA-GO

SA-GO

<-3$R

=-3$R

?-3$R

RA - Head

LA - Head

SA - Head

=

?

Superscript letters should always be read before the root letter. Examples: Letter

b|-

Spelling

Pronunciation

RA-KA-TA

KA

SA-GAA-TA

GAA

34 Literary Tibetan for Beginners When you read Superscript letters, instead of saying RA-GO, you should say RA-TA. However, between RA and TA, you have to say the root consonant letter. This rule applies to the other 2 Superscript letters (LA-GO and SA-GO) as well. Examples: Letter

Spelling

Pronunciation

b-

RA-KA-TA

KA

|-

SA-GAA-TA

GAA

x-

LA-PA-TA

PA

B. The 12 letters that can have RA-GO are:

b- c-

d- e- f- g- h- i- j- k- l- m-

KA GAA NGĀ JAA NYĀ

TA DAA NĀ

BAA MĀ TSA

DZA

Superscripts 35

C. How to read the Superscript RA-GO (RA head) Letter

Spelling

Pronunciation

b-

RA-KA-TA

KA

c-

RA-GAA-TA

GAA

d-

RA-NGHĀ-TA

NGHĀ

g-

RA-TA-TA

TA

h-

RA-DAA-TA

DAA

k-

RA-MHĀ-TA

MHĀ

36 Literary Tibetan for Beginners

D. Reading a Superscript RA-GO with Vowels: Combination

Spelling

Pronunciation

bRcfAgRkJ-

RA-KA-TA-KA-NA-RO

KO

RA-GAA-TA-GAA-SHAB-KYU

GU

RA-NYHĀ-TA-NYHĀ-GI-GU

NYHĪ

RA-TA-TA-TA-NA-RO

TO

RA-MHĀ-TA-MHĀ-DRENG-PO

MHĒ

E. Reading Superscript RA-GO with Prefixes and Suffixes: Combination

2b%2c=i$j2k.l=2m%-

Spelling

Pronunciation

BA-'O'-RA-KA-TA-KA-NGA

KANG

BA-'O'-RA-GAA-TA-GAA-LA

GEL

RA-NHĀ-TA-NHĀ-GA

NHĀG

RA-BAA-TA-BAA-BA

BAB

RA-MHĀ-TA-MHĀ-DA

MHĒ

RA-TSA-TA-TSA-LA

TSEL

BA-'O'-RA-DZA-TA-NGA

DZANG

Superscripts 37

F. Examples and Vocabulary of Words with Superscript RA-GO (RA head): Tibetan

Pronunciation

Meaning

Tibetan

7

bR-2c-2d2eJ-2fAghR-

8

i$-

NHĀG

pus

9

j-[R%-

BAA-LONG

wave

10

kA-2-

MHĪ-WA

dream

10

TSI-WA

counting

11

DZI

sniff

12

1 2 3 4 5 6

11 12

lA-2mA-

Pronunciation

Meaning

KYEN

cause

GYAA-MA

scale (device)

NGHĀ-MA

tail

JE

lord

NYHĒ

achieve

TAG-TU

ever/always

DO(R)-JE

vajra

KO-WA

to dig

1

GAA-WA

old age

2

NGHĀ

drum

3

JE-WA

exchange

4

NYHĪ

snare/net

5

TA

horse

6

DO

stone

7

nJ/o-3d-3eJ2fJ?g$-+hR-eJ-

8

iR-0R-

NHŌ-PO

sharp

9

j.-

BE

totally/complete

MHĒ-WA

mole (on body)

TSE-MO

peak/play

DZI-MA

eyelashes

kJ-2lJ-3RmA-3-

38 Literary Tibetan for Beginners

G. The 10 letters that can have LA-GO (LA head) as a Superscript are:

q-

r-

s-

t-

u-

KA

GAA

NGHĀ

CHA

JAA

vTA

w-

x-

DAA

PA

y-

z-

BAA

LHA

H. How to Read the Superscript LA-GO (LA head): Combination

qsuwyz-

Spelling

Pronunciation

LA-KA-TA

KA

LA-NGHĀ-TA

NGHĀ

LA-JAA-TA

JAA

LA-DAA-TA

DAA

LA-BAA-TA

BAA

LA-HA-TA

LHA

I. How to Read the Superscript LA-GO with Vowels: Combination

Spelling

Pronunciation

qrRtJvRy-

LA-KA-TA-KA-SHAB-KYU

KU

LA-GAA-TA-GAA-NA-RO

GO

LA-CHA-TA-CHA-DRENG-PO

CHE

LA-TA-TA-TA-NA-RO

TO

LA-BAA-TA-BAA-SHAB-KYU

BU

Superscripts 39

J. How to Read the Superscript LA-GO with Prefixes and Suffixes: Combination

q$r%u22w.x$?z%-

Spelling

Pronunciation

LA-KA-TA-KA-GA

KAG

LA-GAA-TA-GAA-NGA

GAANG

LA-JAA-TA-JAA-BA

JAAB

BA-'O'-LA-DAA-TA-DAA-DA

DE

LA-PA-TA-PA-GA-SE

PAG

LA-HA-TA-LHA-NGA

LHANG

K. Examples and Vocabulary of Words with the Superscript LA-GO: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Word q$?0r%-0stA-2uR%?v-2wJ-3A$x$?-0y-2z-

Pronunciation

Meaning

KUG-PA

dumb (mute)

GANG-PA

urinary bladder

NGHA

five

CHI-WA

heavy/dung

JONG

landscape/scenery

TA-WA

to watch

DE-MIG

key

PAG-PA

animal skin

BU-WA

bubble

LHA

god/deva

40 Literary Tibetan for Beginners

L. There are 11 letters that may have SA-GO (SA head) as a Superscript:

{- |- }KA

GAA

NGHĀ

~- !- #- $- %- &- (- )NYHĀ

TA

DAA

NHĀ

PA

M. How to Spell with the Superscript SA-GO (SA head): Combination

{|}~!#$%&()-

Spelling

Pronunciation

SA-KA-TA-

KA

SA-GAA-TA

GAA

SA-NGHĀ-TA

NGHĀ

SA-NYHĀ-TA

NYHĀ

SA-TA-TA

TA

SA-DAA-TA-

DAA

SA-NHĀ-TA

NHĀ

SA-PA-TA-

PA

SA-BAA-TA

BAA

SA-MHĀ-TA

MHĀ

SA-TSA-TA-

TSA

BAA

MHĀ

TSA

Lesson 10 - 63

31.

32.

33.

?J3?-.$:-?R%-

34.

/

:VJ=-2-

:VJ=-2-LJ.-

Sem-Ga-Song

Drel-Wa / Drel-Wa-Je (H)

Happy

Contact

?J3?-#$-?R%-

35.

;A/-&A$-3A/-&A$-

/

+/-+/-

Sem-Duk-Song

Yin-Chik Min-Chik / Ten-Ten

Unhappy

Definitely


/


36.

,$-

/

3)=-

Rok-Pa / Rok-Pa Je-Dang

Tuk / Jel (H)

Help

Meet

64 Literary Tibetan for Beginners

Bibliography 1.Chonjore, Tsetan. Colloquial Tibetan: A Textbook of the Lhasa Dialect. Library of Tibetan Works and Archives (LTWA), Dharamsala, India. 2003 2. Curtis, David. Introduction to Tibetan Language. Hamilton, Montana. 2002. 3. Nitartha International. Nitartha-Sambhota V 2.0. 2002 4. Samten, Muge. New Tibetan Dictionary. Tibetan Cultural Printing Press, Dharamsala, India. 1990. 5. Sonam and Trausti. The Tibetan Language Student. http://www.learntibetan.net/. Vancouver, Canada. 2009. 6. Tashi. A Basic Grammar of Modern Spoken Tibetan: A Practical Handbook. Library of Tibetan Works and Archives (LTWA), Dharamsala, India. 2005. 7. Thonden, Lobsang. Modern Tibetan Language. Volume 1. Library of Tibetan Works and Archives (LTWA), Dharamsala, India. 2005.