Greeting, Parting and Related Words & Phrases

Greetings

There are three Kiitra words used to greet someone:

  • riikhaa = a general greeting, appropriate for all occasions
  • shifkhada = welcome to someone arriving at a place; “welcome back” would be shifkhada dovleda
  • faandrakha = “good morning” specifically used between members of the same household; in public settings, however, one would say riikhaa zu drakha

Introductions

The standard phrase for introducing someone is the simple ega zon … = “here is … ”

To respond to being introduced to someone, deliver an ovetna and say zrhopa en nonsha = “[an] honor and [a] pleasure [to meet you]”

The person being introduced typically responds to zrhopa en nonsha with enshii zu mra = “also for me”

Salutations for letters

Letters are begun with zu shra = “for you”, followed by either:

  • the addressee’s name
  • emai = “friend”
  • adarja/avarja/azarja = “sir/madam” (the last version being gender-neutral)

A letter addressed to multiple people would be appropriately pluralized:

  • zu zra, emaijiit = “for you, friends”
  • zu zra, azarjajiit = “for you, ladies and gentemen” or “for you, good people”

Inquiries about well-being

To ask someone how they are, the word fanuujaa is used; it is an archaic word, roughly translating: “Things are good, yes?”

To ask about the well-being of a third party, add the word sed (“with”) and the pronoun or name of the person.
Example: fanuujaa sed avra? = “How are things with her?” or “How is she?”

Responses to fanuujaa are usually quite simple:

  • shaa = “yes” with the implication that one is well
  • faan = “good/well”
  • shasha faan = “very well” or “excellent”
  • nifaan = “not good”
  • nipaa faan = “not so good”
  • muur (“bad”) and shasha muur (“really bad”) are rarely used, especially about oneself

After responding positively, one might ask: enshii shra? = “also you?” or “and you as well?”

Thanks

The Kiitra word for “thank you” is degjaa; this can be intensified by saying: degjaajiit (“many thanks”), or made specific by saying: degjaa zura (“thanks for it/this/that”). The customary response is nonsha kher = “Glad to do it.”

Parting

When parting, the usual word is: fanituu; this is another archaic word, roughly meaning: “Good future.” Another parting phrase is: faaniikh p’jena = “Best of luck.”

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