Greetings

There is no direct translations of "hello", "greetings", "welcome" and other commonly used expression to greet people. The closest expression to a greeting is nuqneH. This literally means what do you want? and should be used in situations where it makes sense to ask that question. It is often used when someone approaches you and doesn't say anything.

• How are you?

• I'm fine, thank you.

This kind of pleasant conversation does not translate easily. The closest translations will end up being a sincere request about a person's health:

• bIpIv'a'? - Are you healthy?

• HIja', jIpIv - Yes, I am healthy

This may be considered a rude question to ask, akin to walking up to someone and saying, "Are you sick?"

• bIrIQ'a' - Are you injured?

• ghobe', jIrIQbe' - No, I'm not injured

• HIja', jIrIQ - Yes, I'm injured

This could be asked after someone fell over or appeared to hurt themselves in some way.

• Good morning.

• Good afternoon.

• Good evening.

• Good night.

There are no direct translations of these kinds of niceties, although there are some set phrases that are used in a similar way to how "good night" is used. They are most commonly said by parents to their children, and often used between good friends, especially on the night before a battle.

yInajchu' - Dream well! (literally: dream perfectly)

maj ram - This phrase is often rendered "good night" in English, but that obscures it's true meaning. It is derived from two sentences: ngaj ram the night is short and nI' ram the night is long. The original expressions where maj, ngaj ram good, the night is short*, suggesting that the it will not be long before day's activities start, and maj, nI' ram good, the night is long, suggesting that there is ample time to rest before tomorrow. Over time these two expressions got shortened to simply maj ram good, it is night

Goodbyes

There are no specific words that should be spoken when departing a conversation. When someone leaves to do something specific, Qapla' is often used to wish them success with their task.

Here's a few other sentences that have been used in the past:

• jImejbej - I certainly leave

• tugh jIchegh - I will return soon

• SIbI'Ha' maghomqa' - We will meet again later/eventually

• 'opleS maghomqa'jaj - May we meet again some day

Introductions

To ask for and give names:

• nuq 'oH ponglIj'e'? - What is your name?

• [pong] 'oH pongwIj'e' - My name is [name]