Bhutanese language

Bhutan’s state language is ‘Dzongkha’ (meaning ‘language of Dzong’) and widely spoken throughout the country. Originally practised only in western Bhutan, Dzongkha introduced as national language in 1971. English also is widely spoken throughout the country and is the medium of instruction in schools while ‘Choekey’, classical Dzongkha, is used in traditional monastic schools.
Conversational Dzongkha :

Greetings / Hello : Kuzuoozangpo La
Who is speaking : Ga Sung Mo La
I’m….. speaking : Nga…….Zhu Do La
Yes, Yes : Ong, Ong
Yes in Affirmative : Ein Ein La
Roger / Signing off : Las La. Laso La
What is your name ? (for elders with respect) : Na gi Tshen Ga Chi Mo ?
What is your name (for similar age person) : Chhoey gi Ming Ga Chi Mo ?
My name is : Ngegi Ming…………Ein
Where are you from : Chhoey ga te lay mo ?
How old are you ? : Kay Lo gadem chi Ya si ?
Good bye : Log Jay Gay (meaning we meet again)
No more, Thanks : Me Zhu (while making a gesture of moving one’s hand in front of mouth)
It was tasty : Zhim bay (While making a gesture of moving one’s forefinger in front of the cheek)
I am ill : Nga nau may
Where is the toilet ? : Chhapsa ga tey in-na ?
Where is the hospital ? Menkhang ga tey in na ?
Waiter : Wai Chharo ! (literally meaning friend)
Waitress : Wai Bumo ! (literally meaning girl)
Please Have / Eat : Zhey
Water : Chhu
Hot water : Chhu Tshe
Milk Tea : Na Ja
Butter Tea : Su Ja
Get me :………………..Nang
Here : Na / Nalu
There : Pha / Phalu
Where ? : Ga Tey ?
Which ? : Gadee ?
In front of : Dongkha
Next to : Bolokha
Behind : Japkha

Glossary of Dzongkha Terms :

Ashi : Honorific title used women of the Royal aristocratic family
Chhu : River or Water
Chorten : Stupa
Chitshog : Parliament
Chiwog : Group or villages
Choesham : An altar, shrine room
Dasho : a title given by His Majesty the King to the people who have been recognized for their service to the country
Desi or Deb : Title given to temporal ruler of Bhutan from 1851- 1905
Drangpon : Judge
Dratshang : Central Monastic Body
Driglam Namzha : Age old etiquette and code of conduct
Druk : Thunder Dragon
Druk Gyalpo : Formal title for reference to His Majesty the King of Bhutan literally meaning the King of Bhutan
Druk Yul : Dzongkha name for Bhutan. It means ‘Land of the Thunder Dragon’ or ‘Land of the Drukpas’
Dzong : Fortress cum Monastery
Dzongda : District Administrator
Dzongkhag : District
Gewog : County, consisting of a block or villages
Gho : Men’s traditional attire
Gup : Head of a county
Je Khenpo : Chief Abbot of Bhutan, also Head of monastic body
Kabney : Ceremonial scarf worn by men
Khuru : A game of dart
Kira : Traditional ankle length dress worn by women
La : Mountain pass
Lhakhang : Buddhist temple
Lyonchhen : Title for Prime Minister
Lyonpo : Title for Minister
Penlop : Governor of a region consisting of several districts
Rabdey : District Monastic Body
Rinpoche : Title given to reincarnated lamas
Tshechu : Religious festival