Kinship Terminology according to Pascal Bouchery and Kiudamliu Gangmei

Basic and extended Rongmei kinship terms with their English equivalents and meanings into one large reference table.

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📘 Rongmei Kinship Terminology

Rongmei Word	English Equivalent	Meaning / Notes
apu	Father	Male parent
apui	Mother	Female parent
amang	Elder Brother	Older male sibling
ata / kainah	Younger Brother	Younger male sibling
apui / suanrei	Elder Sister	Older female sibling
apam	Younger Sister	Younger female sibling
nah	Child	Generic term for child
nah-mpou	Son	Male child
nah-aluh	Daughter	Female child
alu	Girl / Daughter (general)	Often used in address
abung	Boy / Son (general)	Often used in address
tou	Grandchild	Used for both grandson & granddaughter
tak	Great-grandchild	Descending generation term
pou	Grandfather / MB / WF	Also used honorifically for senior kin
pei	Grandmother	Both paternal & maternal sides
pou-dai	Great-grandfather	With suffix -dai = great/elder
pei-dai	Great-grandmother	With suffix -dai = great/elder
gaan	Husband	Spousal term of reference
now	Wife	Spousal term of reference
miau	Daughter-in-law	Wife of son
lu-gaan / atou	Son-in-law	Husband of daughter
ning	Sister-in-law / Brother’s wife	Used by both sexes for HZ, BW
mek	Brother-in-law	Wife’s brother
puinau	Elder brother’s wife (for male ego)	Specific honorific form
anei	Father’s sister (aunt)	Also used more broadly for paternal aunts
pui	Mother / Mother’s sister	Female parent and maternal aunts
nei	Mother-in-law / Father’s sister	Honorific maternal aunt term
cai	Elder sibling (neutral)	Covers elder brother/sister with suffixes
cailu	Elder sister	Derived from cai + lu
caibung	Elder brother	Derived from cai + bung
suanrei	Sister (female ego use)	General
caná	Brother (male ego use)	General
puilau	Elder maternal uncle’s daughter (MBD, if elder)	Also called “junior mother”
nou-chanu	Younger MBD (cross-cousin)	Marriageable cousin
gamei	Male child (alternative to mpou)	Found in some dialects
tumei / intumei	Female child	Found in some dialects
ganmei	Male descendant (suffix)	Used to mark gender in later generations
thang, ru, pai	4th, 5th, 6th Descending generations	Genealogical terms
tanpui-tanpu	Classificatory siblings	Used in clan exogamy rules
kaikhuang	Clan	Exogamous unit (marriage taboo)
Mpoulang / Impoulang	Lineage / “sons of”	Kinship grouping within clans

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✅ This table now includes lineal kin, collateral kin, affinal kin (in-laws), cousins, generational suffixes, and clan-related terms.

Groupwise

1. Ascending Generations

Rongmei (Standard)	English Equivalent	Notes / Meaning	Usage (Address/Reference)	Dialectal Variations	Suffix Rule
pou	Grandfather / MB / WF	Used honorifically	(a)pou	pa, pa-bung	-dai = great ancestor
pei	Grandmother	Both sides	(a)pei	ma, pi	-dai = great ancestor
pou-dai	Great-grandfather	Oldest ancestor	Reference	—	-dai = great
pei-dai	Great-grandmother	Oldest female ancestor	Reference	—	-dai = great

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2. Parents & Their Siblings

Rongmei	English	Notes	Usage	Dialectal	Suffix
apu	Father	Male parent	(a)pu	pa, puai	—
apui	Mother	Female parent	(a)pui	ma, puai	—
pu-thau	Father’s elder brother	Senior father	(a)pu-thau	apa-dai	-thau = elder
pu-lau	Father’s younger brother	Junior father	(a)pu-lau	apa-ton	-lau = younger
pui-thau	Mother’s elder sister	Senior mother	(a)pui-thau	ama-dai	-thau
pui-lau	Mother’s younger sister	Junior mother	(a)pui-lau	ama-ton	-lau
nei	Father’s sister	Aunt, also MIL	(a)nei	pi, chaipi	—
pou	Mother’s brother	MB, also GF	(a)pou	pa-bung	—

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3. Ego’s Generation (Siblings & Cousins)

Rongmei	English	Notes	Usage	Dialectal	Suffix
cai	Elder sibling (neutral)	Used for both sexes	(a)cai	—	—
cai-bung	Elder brother	Male only	(a)caibung	bung	-bung
cai-lu	Elder sister	Female only	(a)cailu	api, chaipi	-lu
kainah	Younger sibling	Neutral	(a)kainah	kaina	—
cana	Brother (male ego)	Clan brother	Reference	—	—
suanrei	Sister (female ego)	Clan sister	Reference	—	—
FZS	Father’s sister’s son	Treated as grandchild	(a)tou	pou	—
FZD	Father’s sister’s daughter	Treated as grandchild	(a)tou / (a)puilau	pi-rao	—
MBS	Mother’s brother’s son	Treated as MB	(a)pou	pou	—
MBD	Mother’s brother’s daughter	Marriageable cousin	(a)puilau (elder) / nou-chanu (younger)	pi-rao	-lau / -chanu

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4. Descending Generations

Rongmei	English	Notes	Usage	Dialectal	Suffix
nah	Child	Neutral	nah	—	—
nah-mpou	Son	Male child	nah-mpou	gamei	mpou
nah-aluh	Daughter	Female child	nah-aluh	tumei	aluh
abung	Boy (general)	Used for address	abung	—	—
alu	Girl (general)	Used for address	alu	—	—
tou	Grandchild	Both sexes	tou	—	ganmei (m), intumei (f)
tak	Great-grandchild	2nd descending	tak	—	—
thang	4th gen descendant	Lineal	thang	—	—
ru	5th gen descendant	Lineal	ru	—	—
pai	6th gen descendant	Lineal	pai	—	—

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5. Affinal Kin (In-laws)

Rongmei	English	Notes	Usage	Dialectal	Suffix
gaan	Husband	Male spouse	gaan	—	—
now	Wife	Female spouse	now	—	—
puinau	Elder brother’s wife (male ego)	Honorific	(a)puinau	cai (Kabui)	—
ning	Sister-in-law / brother’s wife	General	(a)ning	—	—
mek	Wife’s brother	Brother-in-law	(a)mek	—	—
miau	Daughter-in-law	Son’s wife	miau	mao, mau	—
lu-gaan / atou	Son-in-law	Daughter’s husband	lu-gaan	—	lu+gaan
nei	Mother-in-law	Same as FZ	nei	—	—
pou	Father-in-law	Same as MB	pou	—	—

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6. Clan / Lineage Terms

Rongmei	English	Notes	Usage	Dialectal	Suffix
kaikhuang	Clan	Exogamous unit	clan name	—	—
mpoulang / impoulang	Lineage	“sons of”	reference group	—	—
tanpu	Brothers (male speaker)	Patrilineal group	reference	—	pu = male
tanpui	Sisters (male speaker)	Patrilineal group	reference	—	pui = female

English to Rongmei to Hindi

  ENGLISH RONGMEI HINDI (Transliteration)

1 A pleasure to meet you. Nangta ariw na zaeng gai e. / आपसे मिलकर खुशी हुई।aap Se miLakar khusii huii.

2 A ticket to Mumbai, please. Nriangluang tuang ticket ti o / रिआंगलुआंग का टिकट चाहिए। (Nriangluang kaa tikat caahiye.)

3 Afternoon Kalaan / दोपहर (Dopahar)

4 Again? Kaluaih mei / फिर से (phir Se)

5 Are you on Facebook? Nang facebook khou bam dai? / क्या आप फ़ेसबुक पर हैं? (kyaa aap facebook par hain?)

6 Aunty Pulao / आंटी (aaNtii)

7 Back / Behind Thei tho / पीछे (piiche)

8 Bill, please. Bill laguang o. / बिल ले आइये। (biL Le aaiye.)

9 Breakfast Lakhuan nap / नाश्ता (NaasTaa)

10 Brother Chai / भाई(bhaiyaa

11 Brother kaina / अन्ना (aNNaa

12 Call the police. Police ta kau lou o / पुलिस को बुलाओ। (puLiS ko buLaao

13 Can I use a credit card? Credit Card la /puni daih? / क्रेडिट कार्ड चलेगा? (kredit kaard caLega

14 Change Kalaihmei / बदलना (baDaLaNaa

15 Defective Gaimak mei / ख़राब (kharaab

16 Do you speak English? Nang English thai daih? / क्या आपको अंग्रेज़ी आती है? (kyaa aapako angrezii aaTii hai?

17 Egg Ruai Duih / अंडा (aNdaa

18 Excuse me / Sorry Kuak lou na ro / माफ़ कीजिये (maaf kiijiye

19 Fever Ramanh mei / बुख़ार (bukhaar

20 Food Nap / खाना (khaaNaa

21 Front Kadaeng / सामने (SaamaNe)

22 Fruit Tingthai / फल (phaL)

23 Give me a smaller / larger size. Daihmei/ thiammei dat lou o. / छोटा / बड़ा नाप चाहिए। (chotaa / badaa Naap caahiye.)

24 Go right. Zat biat tat khang e. / दाएं जाना है। (Daayen jaaNaa hai.)

25 Go straight. Tat ting ding o / सामने / सीधे चले जाइये। (SaamaNe / SiiDHe caLe jaaiye.)

26 How are you? Nang kumh bam tuang? "

क्या हाल है?(kya haal hai?)"

27 How are you? Nang kumh na bam tuang? / आप कैसे /कैसी हैं? (aap kaiSe hain / kaiSii hain?)

28 How do you read this? mi ta kumh na pah khang cho? / इसे कैसे पढ़ेंगे? (iSe kaiSe padhenge?)

29 How far is the next stop? Guangding nimei bam zanh kumh na cho? / अगला स्टॉप कितना दूर है? (agaLaa Staup kiTaNaa Duur hai?)

30 How far is the Taj Mahal? Pabuan Ching saan thao cho? / पबुआन कितनी दूर है? (Pabuan kiTaNii Duur hai?)

31 How long will it take? Kagan zuh dou la puni bo? / कितना वक़्त लगेगा? (kiTaNaa vaqT Lagegaa?)

32 How much? zuh dau tha? / कितना हुआ? (kiTaNaa huaa?)

33 How? KUmhna / कैसे (kaiSe)

34 I Ai / मैं (main) I

35 I am a non-vegetarian. Ai kha-zanh tu de. / मैं मांसाहारी हूँ। (main maanSaahaarii huun.)

36 I am a vegetarian. Ai kha-zanh tumak e. / मैं शाकाहारी हूँ। (main saakaahaarii huun.)

37 I am feeling sick. Ai nau e / मेरी तबियत ख़राब है। (merii TabiiyaT kharaab hai.)

38 I am good. Ai gaina bam de. / मैं ठीक हूँ। (main thiik huun.)

39 I don’t speak Hindi. Ai hindi thai mak ge. / मुझे हिंदी नहीं आती। (mujhe hiNDii nahiin aaTii.)

40 I don’t understand. Ai thai mak ge. / मुझे समझ नहीं आया। (mujhe Samajh Nahiin aayaa.)

41 I don’t want this. Ai hei lazi e / मुझे यह नहीं चाहिए। (mujhe yah Nahiin caahiye.)

42 I have an early morning train. Atuang thuanh lakhuan tuang train e. / मेरी सुबह की ट्रेन है। (merii Subah kii treN hai.)

43 I have lost my passport. Atuang Passport Maan kan the. / मेरा पासपोर्ट खो गया है। (meraa paaSaport kho gayaa hai.)

44 I like Nrianghluang. Ai Nriangluang kahau e. / मुझे रिआंगलुआंग पसंद है। (mujhe riangluang paSaND hai.)

45 I love Rongmei cuisine. Ruangmei nap-gan tugai e. / मुझे रुआंगमेई खाना पसंद है। (mujhe ruangmeu khaana paSaND hai.)

46 I need help. / Please, help me. Ai ta kha lou o / मुझे मदद चाहिए। / कृपया, मेरी मदद कीजिए। (mujhe maDaD caahiye.) / (kripayaa, merii maDaD kiijiye.)

47 I want more chapatis. Akhang tian laguang lou dat na ro. / मुझे और रोटियाँ चाहिए। (mujhe aur rotiyaan caahiye.)

48 I want this. Ai hei lani e. / मुझे यह चाहिए। (mujhe yah caahiye.)

49 In the middle of the Night Ziphwng ganv khou / रात के बीच में (raat ke beech mein)

50 Indian Flat Bread Tian / रोटी (rotii)

51 Inside Kalunh / अंदर (aNDar)

52 Is there any medical store nearby? kadaeng khou pu kai nai puni bo? / क्या पास में कोई दवा की दुकान होगी? (kyaa paaS men koii Davaa kii DukaaN hogii?)

53 It’s a pleasure meeting you. Nang ta aru na neihla the. / आपसे मिलकर ख़ुशी हुई। (aap Se miLakar khusii huyii.)

54 It’s delicious. Mi hei tugai e. / ये बहुत स्वादिष्ट है। (ye bahuT SvaaDist hai.)

55 Large Daih mei / बड़ा (badaa)

56 Left Bai / बाएं (baayen) 

57 Less Rau mei / कम (kam)

58 Madam Madam / मैडम (maidam)

59 Medicine Pu / दवा (Davaa)

60 Milk Guaih nau dui / दूध (DuuDH)

61 More Peina / ज़्यादा (zyaaDaa)

62 Morning lakhuan / सुबह (Subah)

63 My name is …………. Azanh ………… e / मेरा नाम …………………. है। (meraa Naam ………….. hai.)

64 Name Zanh / नाम (Naam)

65 New Kathanh / नया (Nayaa) 

66 Night Zingmei / रात (raaT) 

67 No Kumh mak e / नहीं (Nahiin) 

68 Okay Gai the / ठीक है (thiik hai)

69 Old Karaan / पुराना (puraaNaa) 

70 One tea / coffee, please. Chha kap khat na ti o. / एक चाय / कॉफ़ी चाहिए। (ek caay / kaufii caahiye.)

71 Outside Paeng / बाहर (baahar)

72 Please Zauzian na / कृपया (kripayaa)

73 Please, change this. Mi kalaih lou o. / इसे बदल दीजिये। (iSe baDaL Dijiiye.)

74 Please, lower the price. Mi tuang man swrau maih lou na o / इसका दाम कम कीजिए। (iSakaa Daam kam kiijiye.)

75 Please, make it less spicy. Maruai/ tingthai sw lou rau o. / तीखा कम रखियेगा। (Tiikhaa kam rakhiyegaa.)

76 Please, say it again. Zauzian na sa-kaluaih dat o. / कृपया, फिर से कहिये। (kripayaa, phir Se kahiye.)

77 Please, speak slowly. Zauzian na zaeng na sa o. / कृपया, धीरे बोलिये। (kripayaa, DHiire boLiye.)

78 Please, write it down. hilou na o. / इसे लिख दीजिये। (iSe Likh Diijiye.)

79 Price Kaman / दाम (Daam) 

80 Purse/Wallet Paisa khau / पर्स (parS)

81 Railway station, please. Ai Bus stand/Railway station tat ni e / रेलवे स्टेशन / बस स्टेशन जाना है। (reLave StesaN / baS StesaN jaaNaa hai.)

82 Read? Pa o / पढ़ना (padhaNaa)

83 Rice Nap / चावल (caavaL)

84 Right Zat / दाएं (Daayen)

85 Road Chaeng / सड़क (Sadak)

86 Rupees Paisa / पैसे (paiSe) 

87 Sir Sir / सर (Sar)

88 Sister Chailu / बहन (DiiDii)

89 Size Datmei / नाप (Naap) 

90 Small Thiam mei / छोटा (chotaa)

91 Speak? Sa o / बोलना (boLaNaa)

92 Spice Maruai / मसाला (maSaaLaa)

93 Straight Ting ding / सीधे (SiiDHe)

94 Sweet Deihmei / मीठा (miithaa)

95 Table for two, please. Gaan kanei e. / दो लोग हैं। (Do Log hain.)

96 Take me to the metro, please. Zauzian na Ai ta Station latat lou o / मुझे स्टेशन ले चलो। (mujhe StesaN Le caLo.)

97 Tell me the correct price. Kaman kei lou na o / सही दाम लगाओ। (Sahii Daam Lagaao.)

98 Thank you Neihla the/ Thuanku the / शुक्रिया (sukriyaa)

99 Thank you Thuanku the / धन्यवाद (DHaNyavaaD)

100 Theft Kaihaumei / चोरी (corii)

101 This stuff has defects. Mi ram ga mak e. / ये सामान ख़राब है। (ye SaamaaN kharaab hai.)

102 Time Kagan / समय (Samay) 

103 Turn Kuaih / मोड़ (mod)

104 Turn left. Bai biat tat khang e. / बाएँ मुड़ना है। (baayen mudaNaa hai.)

105 Uncle Puilao / अंकल (ankaL)

106 Vegetable Gan / सब्ज़ी (Sabzii)

107 Water Dui / पानी (paaNii)

108 What is the route to Connaught Place? Pabuan Ching tat khang chaeng kumh mei cho? / पबुआन के लिए कौन-सा रास्ता है? (Pabuan ke Liye kauN-Sa raaSTaa hai?)

109 What’s the price? Kaman zuh dau tha? / क्या दाम है? (kyaa Daam hai?)

110 What’s the time? Khuangh zuh kei tha? / कितने बजे हैं? (kiTaNe baje hain?)

111 What’s your name? Nang zanh kumh na cho? / आपका क्या नाम है? (aapakaa kyaa Naam hai?)

112 When kumhmei gan / कब (kab) 

113 Where Kumh tho / कहाँ (kahaan)

114 Where can I get the ticket? Ticket kumh tho phang puni bo? / टिकट किधर मिलेगा? (tikat kiDHar miLegaa?)

115 Where is the police station? Police kai kumh thang cho? / पुलिस चौकी कहाँ है? (puLiS caukii kahaan hai?)

116 Where is the toilet? Zih ka kumh thang cho? / बाथरूम कहाँ / किधर है? (baaTHaruum kahaan / kiDHar hai?)

117 Where should I get off? Ai kumh mei bam khou kei khang cho? / मुझे कहाँ उतरना चाहिए? (mujhe kahaan uTarNaa caahiye?)

118 Where’s the hospital? Hospital Kumh thang cho? / अस्पताल कहाँ है? (aSpaTaaL kahaan hai?)

119 Which side Kumh mei biat / किधर (kiDHar)

120 Yes Nguai / हाँ (hā̃) 

121 You Nang / आप (aap)

122 You’re a nice person. Nang gai e / आप बहुत अच्छे / अच्छी हैं। (aap bahuT acahe / acchii hain.)

Rongmei blog! Translating trending English phrases

Here are 20 common and trending phrases from the last decade (roughly 2015-2025) that are widely used and searched, with a brief explanation to help with your translation:

Google Paystore

1. Netflix and Chill: Originally meant to watch Netflix and relax, but quickly became a euphemism for a casual sexual encounter.
Translation in Rongmei as a reply to the original act: "issh kum nangh thi da.." or "isssh kum bam mak sini..... gay pung de" (He! Don't say that) (Let us not do it)

2. It's giving...: Used to describe the vibe or aesthetic something evokes (e.g., "It's giving villain," "It's giving summer").
Translation in Rongmei: "gay thi gay thi......sw di kho" (OK! OK! let us do it)

3. Low-key / High-key: "Low-key" means subtly or secretly; "High-key" means openly, intensely, or without reservation.
Translation in Rongmei: "rei rei bam o......taanv tei taanc di kho" (Let us keep doing the work silently)

4. No cap / Cap: "No cap" means no lie, truly, or honestly; "Cap" means a lie or exaggeration.
Translation in Rongmei: "baley heih e" (One who can use his/her tongue very intelligently) 

5. Spill the tea: To share gossip or disclose juicy information.
Translation in Rongmei: "lat saphan pat nam the" (You have spoken out everything)

6. Ghosted: To abruptly end all communication with someone without explanation, especially in dating.
Translation in Rongmei:  "Ai nang ta thay mak goi"

7. Savage: Describes something or someone exceptionally bold, fierce, or without remorse, often in a humorous or admiring way.
Translation in Rongmei: "nang lun hou sii e"

8. Vibe check: A quick assessment of the atmosphere or someone's mood.
Translation in Rongmei: "oit oit.... ramh khat namh e" (e! e! I can smell something)

9. IYKYK (If you know, you know): Used for inside jokes or experiences that only a specific group of people would understand.

Translation in Rongmei: "mei guai thay ngam dai" (Everyone know)

10. Bet: An affirmative response meaning "yes," "okay," "agreed," or "for sure."
Translation in Rongmei: "gai the" (good)

11. GOAT (Greatest Of All Time): An acronym used to describe someone who is the best in their field.
Translation in Rongmei: "hei ding e" (you are too good)

12. Cringe: To feel or cause someone to feel embarrassed or disgusted by something awkward or overly earnest.
Translation in Rongmei: "mei hei hou si hak ding e" (this look very disgusting)

13. Bussin': (Often related to food) meaning exceptionally good, delicious, or amazing.
Translation in Rongmei: "abalei tigut khang sw e" (I am about to eat my tongue)

14. Extra: Being overly dramatic or attention-seeking.
Translation in Rongmei: "hei hou bo" (Do you see this!)

15. Woke: Originally meant to be aware of social injustices, now sometimes used broadly (and sometimes ironically or pejoratively) to describe someone as overly sensitive or politically correct.
Translation in Rongmei: "ramchat thay mak mei" (You don't know anything)

16. Karen: A pejorative stereotype for an entitled, often middle-aged, white woman who uses her privilege to demand her own way, often involving confrontation.
Translation in Rongmei: "hoi "kuli" mei" (He you coolie!)

17. Slay: To do something exceptionally well or look stunning.
Translation in Rongmei: "nang zauc gay ding e" (you are very strong)

18. Glow up: A significant and positive transformation in appearance, confidence, or overall well-being.
Translation in Rongmei: "gaan gay/ bai lat  ding e" (smart boy/ you look very different)

19. Brain rot: The feeling of mental exhaustion or decline from consuming too much low-effort or overstimulating content online.
Translation in Rongmei: "Oi mei de! nang pi gay daih? (Oi you mental, is your brain ok)

20. Let them cook: An expression of encouragement, urging someone to continue doing what they're doing, often implying impressive results are expected.
Translation in Rongmei: "taan bam du, housi hougay" (Keep on doing, whether good of bad)