Showing posts with label Ruanglat. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ruanglat. Show all posts

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.


📘 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

✅ 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 EquivalentNotes / MeaningUsage (Address/Reference)Dialectal VariationsSuffix Rule
pouGrandfather / MB / WFUsed honorifically(a)poupa, pa-bung-dai = great ancestor
peiGrandmotherBoth sides(a)peima, pi-dai = great ancestor
pou-daiGreat-grandfatherOldest ancestorReference-dai = great
pei-daiGreat-grandmotherOldest female ancestorReference-dai = great

2. Parents & Their Siblings

RongmeiEnglishNotesUsageDialectalSuffix
apuFatherMale parent(a)pupa, puai
apuiMotherFemale parent(a)puima, puai
pu-thauFather’s elder brotherSenior father(a)pu-thauapa-dai-thau = elder
pu-lauFather’s younger brotherJunior father(a)pu-lauapa-ton-lau = younger
pui-thauMother’s elder sisterSenior mother(a)pui-thauama-dai-thau
pui-lauMother’s younger sisterJunior mother(a)pui-lauama-ton-lau
neiFather’s sisterAunt, also MIL(a)neipi, chaipi
pouMother’s brotherMB, also GF(a)poupa-bung

3. Ego’s Generation (Siblings & Cousins)

RongmeiEnglishNotesUsageDialectalSuffix
caiElder sibling (neutral)Used for both sexes(a)cai
cai-bungElder brotherMale only(a)caibungbung-bung
cai-luElder sisterFemale only(a)cailuapi, chaipi-lu
kainahYounger siblingNeutral(a)kainahkaina
canaBrother (male ego)Clan brotherReference
suanreiSister (female ego)Clan sisterReference
FZSFather’s sister’s sonTreated as grandchild(a)toupou
FZDFather’s sister’s daughterTreated as grandchild(a)tou / (a)puilaupi-rao
MBSMother’s brother’s sonTreated as MB(a)poupou
MBDMother’s brother’s daughterMarriageable cousin(a)puilau (elder) / nou-chanu (younger)pi-rao-lau / -chanu

4. Descending Generations

RongmeiEnglishNotesUsageDialectalSuffix
nahChildNeutralnah
nah-mpouSonMale childnah-mpougameimpou
nah-aluhDaughterFemale childnah-aluhtumeialuh
abungBoy (general)Used for addressabung
aluGirl (general)Used for addressalu
touGrandchildBoth sexestouganmei (m), intumei (f)
takGreat-grandchild2nd descendingtak
thang4th gen descendantLinealthang
ru5th gen descendantLinealru
pai6th gen descendantLinealpai

5. Affinal Kin (In-laws)

RongmeiEnglishNotesUsageDialectalSuffix
gaanHusbandMale spousegaan
nowWifeFemale spousenow
puinauElder brother’s wife (male ego)Honorific(a)puinaucai (Kabui)
ningSister-in-law / brother’s wifeGeneral(a)ning
mekWife’s brotherBrother-in-law(a)mek
miauDaughter-in-lawSon’s wifemiaumao, mau
lu-gaan / atouSon-in-lawDaughter’s husbandlu-gaanlu+gaan
neiMother-in-lawSame as FZnei
pouFather-in-lawSame as MBpou

6. Clan / Lineage Terms

RongmeiEnglishNotesUsageDialectalSuffix
kaikhuangClanExogamous unitclan name
mpoulang / impoulangLineage“sons of”reference group
tanpuBrothers (male speaker)Patrilineal groupreferencepu = male
tanpuiSisters (male speaker)Patrilineal groupreferencepui = 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:
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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)