Biate language

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Biate
RegionIndia
EthnicityBiate
Native speakers
(19,000 cited 1997 ) (approximately 35,000 speakers in 2021))[1]
Language family
Sino-Tibetan
Writing system
Latin
Language codes
ISO 639-3biu
Glottologbiet1238
ELPBiete

Biate is a Sino-Tibetan language spoken by the Biate people in several parts of Northeast India: in Meghalaya, Assam, Mizoram, Manipur and Tripura.[2] Biate is pronounced as Bia-te (the e in te pronounced as "a".

Geographical distribution[]

Biate is spoken in the following locations (Ethnologue).

  • Assam: Dima Hasao (formerly North Cachar) and Cachar districts.
  • Meghalaya: East Jaintia Hills, West Jaintia Hills and East Khasi Hills districts.
  • Manipur
  • Mizoram
  • Tripura

Basic vocabulary[]

Biate language English
Im ne riming? What is your name?
Ke riming chu Thiangchonsinga My name is Thiangchonsinga
Ki lôm (ki-lôm) Thank You
Ni damim? How are you?
Ki dam I am fine
Tui Water
Phâivua Air
Bu (cooked) rice
Inga(sa) fish (meat)
Ar(sa) chicken(meat)
Voksa pork
Sialsa beef
Kêlsa mutton
Thlâichi vegetable
Dal lentils
Chial(Chi-al) salt
Chithlum(Chi-thlum) sugar
Aroi less
Marcha chilli
Ne peh nôk roh Please give again (serve again).
A inrup enough
Tui ne peh roh Please give water.
Bu ne peh roh Please give food (rice).
An ne peh roh Please give (side dish) vegetable / meat.
Im nang ki pek rang? Give what?
Im? What?
Tikinta? When? (past)
Tikinim? When? (future)
Taka'm / tak tiangim? Where?
Ingkanim? How?
Mangṭha. Sleep well. (The equivalent of "Good Night".)
Ingkanim ki fe rang Mualsei? How do I go to Mualsei?
Izaka'm a man Epu / Epi? What is the price of this? (Epu is masculine gender, Epi is feminine gender)
Lôm takkan fe roh. Happy journey

Numbers[]

0 Hual
1 Khatka
2 Nika
3 Thumka
4 Lika
5 Ringaka
6 Rukka
7 Sarika
8 Riatka
9 Kuakka
10 Somka
20 Sominika
30 Somithumka
40 Somilika
50 Somringaka
60 Somrukka
70 Somsarika
80 Somriatka
90 Somkuakka
100 Rizaka
200 Rizanika
300 Rizathumka
400 Rizalika
500 Rizaringaka
600 Rizarukka
700 Rizasarika
800 Rizariatka
900 Rizakuakka
1000 Sangka
10000 Sîngka
100000 Nuaika
1000000 Dâpka
10000000 Mit-en
100000000 Thlîr
1000000000 Vânnuaidâp

Biate calendar[]

Names of months[]

Sl. No. English Biate Days
1 January Tualbual 31
2 February Vatchang 28 / 29
3 March Iṭâi 31
4 April Ritûn 30
5 May Tharlâk 31
6 June Idoi 30
7 July Thlamur 31
8 August Thlazîng 31
9 September Thlaram 30
10 October Ritang 31
11 November Thlaphal 30
12 December Birip 31

Names of weeks[]

Sl. No. English Biate
1 Sunday Pathianni
2 Monday Sinphutni
3 Tuesday Sinnôkni
4 Wednesday Nilâini
5 Thursday Nilâitum
6 Friday Thlanni
7 Saturday Inrinni

References[]

  1. ^ Biete at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015) (subscription required)
  2. ^ Lalsim, R. (2005). Tribes of N.C.Hills, Assam. Assam: Cultural and Publicity Officer. pp. 61–105.


Retrieved from ""