Sylheti phrasebook
From Halal Explorer
In Sylheti: ছিলটী/ꠍꠤꠟꠐꠤ Silôṭi; in Bengali: সিলেটী Sileṭī is the language of Sylhet (the Surma Valley), located in the north-eastern region of Bangladesh, and also spoken in parts of the Northeast Indian states of Assam (the Barak Valley) and Tripura (the North Tripura neighborhood). It is also spoken by a significant population in the other north-eastern states of India and amongst the large expatriate communities in the United Kingdom, United States, and countries of the Gulf States.
Sylheti is often considered a dialect of Bengali, but due to significant differences between them and lack of mutual intelligibility, a strong argument can be made for them to be considered different languages. Sylheti has not been given an official status by the government of Bangladesh, and there is much debate to whether it should be so recognized. There are greater differences between Sylheti and Bengali phrasebook|Bengali, than between Assamese phrasebook|Assamese and Bengali, which are recognised as separate languages. Most Sylhetis are bilingual to at least some degree, as they are taught Bengali at all levels of education in Bangladesh. Sylhet was part of the ancient kingdom of Kamarupa, and has many common features with Assamese, including the existence of a larger set of fricatives than other East Indo-Aryan languages. According to George Abraham Grierson, "the inflections also differ from those of regular Bengali, and in one or two instances assimilate to those of Assamese".
Contents
Pronunciation
Pronouncing Syloti words will be much easier if you note:
- "a" ( अ / ा ) will always be pronounced as "ah" almost like the English "ah". So, where a Syloti "blade" is written, pronunciation will be as [blah-deh].
- "e" ( ए / े ) will always be pronounced as "eh/air" just as in hair. So, where a Syloti "age" is written, pronunciation will be as: [ah-geh.
- "i" ( इ / ी ) will always be pronounced as "ee" as in ink/keep. So, where a Syloti "side" is written, pronunciation will be as: [see-deh].
- "o" ( व / ो ) will either be pronounced as "ô/awe" as in awesome or as "ou" as in soup. So, where a Syloti "bloke" is written, pronunciation will be either: [blô-keh or [blou-keh].
- "u" ( उ / ु ) will always be pronounced as "ooh" as in oops/boohoo. So, where a Syloti "but" is written, pronunciation will be as: [booh-t].
The most challenging pronunciation for an English speaker will be to pronounce the "r/र" when it comes at the end of a Syloti word. For example, "rear" in English is either pronounced as [r-eh-(silent)-(silent)] or as [r-eh-ah-(silent)] whereas the "r" is almost invariably uttered as "eh" or "ah". To separate English pronunciation from Syloti pronunciation and to break the confusion in English speakers who are prone to pronuncing "rear" as r-eh without a second thought, you are now to pronounce the word "rear" as if it is a Syloti vocabulary, pronouncing it as [reh-ah-r whereas the "r" pronunciation remain just as how it was at the start and so continues to end with the same "r" pronunciation. Please note "rear", "blade", "age", "side", "bloke" and "but" are all an example for exercising reasons only. This is due to the common English words easily read into English pronunciation. On the contrary to the "r" at the end of a Syloti word and the "r" in Phutr पुत्र [Phooh-t, Mutr মূত্র (मूत्र) [Mooh-t and Aokar આવકાર (अवकार) Ah-ô-kah is silent.
Practise on these below:
- blade ब्लादे [blah-deh or [bôla-deh
- age अगे [ah-geh
- side छीदे [see-deh
- bloke ब्लफे [blô-keh or [bôlô-keh
- but बुत [booh-t
- rear रेअर [reh-ah-r
- roar रअर [rô-ah-r
- rare रारे [rah-reh
- error एर्रर [eh-r-rô-r
- rer रेर [reh-r
- rir रीर [ree-r
- ror रोर [rô-r or [rou-r
- rur रुर [rooh-r
Sylheti pronunciation is rather challenging as there are a number of distinctions not found in English, but don't let this intimidate you: Many Sylheti speakers do not speak standard Syloti at home, and are quite used to regional Bengali accents; mangling in various degrees. For example and the standard Syloti pronunciation for seven is xat शात [hah-t but Sylheti speaker are used to the Bengali accent, shat সাত (सात) [shah-t].
Sylheti speakers have picked up a lot of Bengali accent that if said in its own Syloti accent and the meaning changes, for example:
Sylheti also has commonality between vocabulary use of other languages'.For example:
- Dur-ga: दूर-गा Dooh-r-gah Sanskrit for go-away, Dur-ja: দূর-জা (दूर-जा) Dooh-r-jah Bengali for go-away and Durza: दुरजा Dooh-r-zah Sylheti for go-away, are literally all the same; on the contrary, all the Dur... ga, ja and za's are said as a figure of speech to imply as to "damn you" or to "damn it".
Example A
- Dur दुर Dooh-r, meaning "far", is also said as a figure of speech equivalent to "stop it!" or when in awe like "no way!".
- Durho दुरहो Dooh-rôh (be gone/get lost) has literally the same meaning to the Hindi equivalent "Dur ho" दूर हो Dooh-r hoh, and along its meanings, it also is meant to imply as to "damn it". It is similar to "Dur" दुर (in Example A) but if said with an addition e.g. "Durho, xasa ni?!" दुरहो, शाच्चा नीॽ! Dooh-rôh, Hah-sah nee?!] i.e. "Really? Get lost!" Its meaning assimilates to the English version of "get lost", when said in an awesome mood.
- Durho za दुरहो जा Dooh-rôh zah (away with you/dispel) is literally the same as Hindi "Dur ho ja" दूर हो जा Dooh-r hoh jah and is also the same as "Durza" दुरजा Dooh-r-zah already mentioned above.
- Durohee दुरवही pronounced Dooh-rô-ee means "faraway"
- Literally Dur दुर Dooh-r means far just like the Bengali (দূর) and the Hindi (दूर) while Oee वही [Ôh-ee means 'there' - similar to the Hindi (वहीं). An example of a phrase: "Ôhee dekho" वही देखो [Ô-ee Deh-khô] translate to "look and there!"
- Literally Dur दुर Dooh-r means far just like the Bengali (দূর) and the Hindi (दूर) while Oee वही [Ôh-ee means 'there' - similar to the Hindi (वहीं). An example of a phrase: "Ôhee dekho" वही देखो [Ô-ee Deh-khô] translate to "look and there!"
- Durohee za दुरवही जा pronounced Dooh-rô-ee zah means "go far-faraway" (extremely informal).
Durohee zaoka दुरवही जावका (pronounced) Dooh-rô-ee zah-ooh-kah is the formal version.
- Durxor दुरशर pronounced Dooh-r-hô-r is metaphorically understood as "Move! Damn it!". The literal meaning is go-away but can also be understood as to the English "get lost" said in an angry mood.
- Xor शर [Hô-r (Move!) is a substitute to the above Durxor also implying in no respect. Worse is to pronounce it in Bengali accent Shor সর (सर) [Shô-r (Move!), for Shuwor शुवर pronounced, [shô-r in Syloti, means swine.
- Xoriza शरीजा [Hô-ree-zah (Move away you!) is a substitute to Durhoza (in Example D) implying in no respect. To pronounce it in the Bengali dialect "Shorējā" সরেজা (सरेजा) [Shô-reh-jah (Move out!) would be a misnomer that leads to an alternative wording - Suar ho ja सुअर हो जा (be you swine) in Hindi and similarly in Syloti, Shuwor hoi za शुवर है जा pronounced [Shoh-r ôh-ee zah].
- Xor शर [Hô-r (Move!) is a substitute to the above Durxor also implying in no respect. Worse is to pronounce it in Bengali accent Shor সর (सर) [Shô-r (Move!), for Shuwor शुवर pronounced, [shô-r in Syloti, means swine.
- Durho-durho khoroh दुरहो दुरहो कर हो pronounced Dooh-rôh Dooh-rôh Khoh-rô] meaning "say: damn you."
Fricatives
Sylheti is distinguished by a wide range of fricative sounds, which correspond to aspirated stops in closely related languages such as Bengali; a lack of the breathy voiced stops seen in many other Indic languages; word-final stress; and a relatively large set of loanwords from Arabic, Persian, Bengali and Assamese.
Phonology
A notable characteristic of spoken Sylheti is the correspondence of /x/ to the /sh/ of Bengali, like the "ch" in Scottish "Loch" (Lokh) or the "j" in Latin American Spanish "Jalapeño" (Halapeo); e.g:
Shiẏāl শিয়াল (िशयाल) [Shee-yah-l (Bengali for Jackal):
- Xial शीअल [Hee-ah-l (Sylheti for Jackal)
Shoriṣhā সরিষা (सरिषा) [Shô-ree-shah (Bengali for mustard):
- Xoirox शैरश [Hô-ee-rôh (Sylheti for mustard)
Shun̐ṭki শুঁটকি (शुँटकि) [Shooh-t-kee (Bengali for sundried fish):
- Xuṭki शुटकी [Hooh-t-kee (Sylheti for sundried fish)
Shvoshur শ্বশুর (श्वशुर) [Shô-shooh-r (Bengali for Father-in-law):
- Xowxur श्वशुर [Hôw-ooh-r (Sylheti for Father-in-law)
Other charecteristic corrrespondences include:
- the /h/ of Bengali
- to the /ôh/ and the silent ħ of Sylheti
- the /k/ of Bengali
- to the /kh/ of Sylheti
- the /p/ of Bengali
- to the /ph/ of Sylheti
- the /j/ of Bengali
- to the /z/ of Sylheti
- the /e/ at the near end of a Bengali word
- to the /o/ at the near end of a Sylheti word
1st e.g:
- (in Bengali) Sileṭ [See-leṭ]
(in Sylheti) Siloṭ [See-lôṭ]
2nd e.g:
- (in Bengali) Kisher [Kee-sheh-r]
(in Sylheti) Khixor [Khee-ôh-r]
3rd e.g:
- (in Bengali) _____er (_____'s)
(in Sylheti) _____or (_____'s)
Writing
Although not widely known, Sylheti was formerly written in its own script, Syloti Nagri, (or ꠍꠤꠟꠐꠤ ꠘꠣꠉꠞꠤ, Sylheti Nāgrī and the name of its parent writing system) similar in style to Kaithi but with differences, though nowadays it is invariably written in Bengali script.Bangladesh does not recognise Sylheti as a separate language and therefore literature, warning signs and notices are all written in the Bengali language.
In the 19th century and the British tea-planters in the area referred to Sylheti as Sylhettia. In Assam and the language is still referred to as Srihattiya and the name used in ancient literature. Sylhet has a timeless legacy of literature in the Syloti Nagri script going back at least 200 years. The Sylheti script includes 5 independent vowels, 5 dependent vowels attached to a consonant letter and 27 consonants. The Syloti Nagri alphasyllabary differs from the Bengali alphabet as it is a form of Kaithi, a script (or family of scripts) which belongs to the main group of North Indian scripts of Bihar. The writing system's main use was to record religious poetry, described as a rich language and easy to learn.
During the 1971 Liberation War, when all Syloti Nagri printing presses were destroyed and the writing system came to a halt. AfterBangladesh gained independence and the government of the newly formedBangladesh mandated Bangla studies and the use of the Bengali alphabets as a curriculum to be taught at all levels of education. Efforts to establish Sylheti as a modern language were vigorously opposed by political and cultural forces allied to successive Bangladeshi governments.
Devanagari देवनागरी characters for Sylheti writing
Transcript faithful to pronunciation| Sylheti phrases will be written in Transcription faithful to pronunciation. Therefore, although the 'क' (ch) is equivalent to the English "chemist" and to the Scottish "Loch", its transcript will be written as either [keh-mee-ist or [lôkh. To remove confusion and the same will apply to all corresponding words and phrases.
Note that these characters are not used in writing Sylheti: Bengali alphabets lack similarity to Syloti Nagri script. Due to this, below are the Devanagari scrip representing the Syloti Nagri. To see Syloti characters visit www.omniglot.com.
Note that a few characters below have dual pronunciation:
- The क (ch) is equivalent to the English "chemist" and to the Scottish "Loch".
- The च (c) is equivalent to both "centimeter" and "change"
- The छ (s) is equivalent to both "Scene" or "Schist"
- The ह (h/ħ mute) is equivalent to "host or "honour".
Note that the following characters below have triple pronunciation:
- The व (o/v/w) is equivalent to "Odin" "Versus" "Woden"
- The ख (k/kh/x) is equivalent to "Kahn", "Khan" or "Xan".
- The श (sh/x/ħ mute) is equivalent to "shush"& "hush", or to "Xan" & "Han", or else to "hour".
Independent vowels
| Bengali accent | Literal meaning | Syloti accent | Alternative meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shatbar সাতবার (सातबार) | Seven-times | Xatbar शातबार | Lots of time | |
| Shesh-kale শেষকালে (शेषकाले) | End times | Xesh-khalor शेश्कालर | End of time |
Dependant vowels
| Dewnagri alphabets | Transliteration | Equivalent/Comments |
|---|---|---|
| अ | a | as in Apple |
| इ | i | as in Ink |
| उ | u | as in Oops! |
| ए | e | as in Eggs |
| व | o or w | as in Odin or Woden |
Grapheme signs
The Dvisvara symbol:
| Consonant + Dependant vowel | Transliteration | Equivalent/Comments |
|---|---|---|
| पा | ph+a | as in phantom |
| पी | ph+i | as in Phoenix |
| पु | ph+u | as in Phut |
| पे | ph+e | as in Pheasant |
| छो | s+o/ou | as in Sop or Soup |
| Consonant + Doishor | Transliteration | Equivalent/Comments | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| पै | ph+oi | the 'oi' as in (the sarcasm greeting) ahoy! Or as in oil or ointment
The Anusvara symbol: Consonants
GrammarGrammar conflict between Sylheti and Bengali|
In Syloti: "Ekh deshor ghali arokh deshor bholi", Ekh deh-shô-r gah-lee ah-rôkh deh-shô-r bô-lee meaning "a phrase in one language mislead a phrase to another language". Conflicting grammar"shor" সর (सर) [shô-r in Bengali means move.
"much chilam" মুছ ছিলাম (मुछ छीलाम) [mooh-ch chee-lah-m in Bengali means I've wiped.
"bhukh" ভূখ (भूख) [booh-k in Bengali means starving.
"moho māyā" মোহ মায়া (मोह मा़या) [moh-hoh mah-yah in Bengali means love illusion.
"mēgh" মেঘ (मेघ) [meh-g in Bengali means cloud.
"anōyar" আনওয়ার [ah-nô-wah-r in Bengali is a male name meaning lighting.
"naṛa" নাড়া (नाड़ा) [nah-ṛah in Bengali means to stir or to move.
"torkāri" তরকারি (तरकारि) [tô-r-kah-ree in Bengali, means curry.
"hyām̐" হ্যাঁ (ह्यँा) [heh in Bengali is an informal yes.
"ôm̐yā" অঁ্যা (अँ्या) [ôeh in Bengali mean "hey".
"ēi" এই (एइ) [eh-ee in Bengali is an informal "excuse me" (for getting attention).
"hēshyē" হেস্যে (हेस्ये) [heh-sheh in Bengali means laughter.
Sylheti literatureSylheti today only survives as a spoken language: Although Sylhet has a timeless legacy of literature in the Syloti Nagri script; it is not educated in schools. The liberation from East-Pakistan toBangladesh was initiated on the principals of protecting the Bengali language. As a result of the formation in 1971, Sylheti literature has become extremely rare, almost extinct by recognition. Sylheti pupils inBangladesh are preached in schools to recognize Sylheti as a dialect of Bengali and not a separate language. This teaching has convinced most of the Sylheti people into believing Sylheti as a form of corrupt Bengali. The Universal Declaration of Human RightsAll human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. Sylheti translation of the Universal Declaration:
Bengali translation of the Universal Declaration:
Phrase listBasicsCultural notes on greetings: GreetingHello. (formal Muslim Adab):
Hello. (formal Hindu Pronam):
Abhinondon. Ah-bee-nôn-dôn]
Choron-sporsho. Chô-rôn spô-r-shô]
Dondiowta. Dô-een-yô-tah]
Hello. (informal lit. How are you?)
Welcome
Congratualations
Happy Congregation (on Fridays)
Happy Eid
Happy Anniversary
Happy Birthday
Good morning.
Good afternoon.
Good evening.
Good night.
Good Luck.
Good bye.
Forms of AddressMr _____. (Muslim)
Mr _____. (Hindu)
Ms _____. (Muslim)
Ms _____. (Hindu)
Sir (Muslim)
Sir (Hindu)
Respectable _____. (Muslim)
Respectable _____. (Hindu)
Dr (Muslim)
Dr (Hindu)
MeetingCultural notes on formalities: Hello. (lit. How are you?)
How are you?
Fine, thanks be to God.
(I'm) fine, and you?
What is your name?
My name is ______ .
Nice to meet you.
Notes on corresponding words to English:
Long time no see!
What?
What is this?
Using "Ji" as yes or affirmative: Yes.
No.
The word 'please'.
Thank you.
You're welcome. (lit. It was nothing)
You're welcome!
Welcome (lit. Please come in.)
You're most/always welcome.
Excuse me. (getting attention)
The phrase "I'm sorry".| Excuse me/Pardon me (to pass by someone)
Sorry (forgive me)
I love you.
I like you.
See ya!
See you later.
See you later and then.
People and placesThe People of Sylheti phrasebookBoy
A boy's...
Girl
A girl's...
Man
A man's...
Woman
A woman's...
A person
A person's...
Someone
Someone's
Human-kind
Swordsman
Hinduism
Hindu
People of Hind (Indian)
People of Sylhet
People of Assam (Assamese)
People of Assyria (Assyrian)
People of the Dhaka region
Everyone
PlacesEverything
Dhaka
Assam
Sylhet
Shallow wetland
Wetland
Seven wetlands
Family relationshipPaternal Grandparents
Maternal Grandparents
Paternal Grandfather
Paternal Grandmother
Maternal Grandfather
Maternal Grandmother
Father
Dad
Mother
Mum
Son
Daughter
Big brother
Little brother
Brother
Big sister
Little sister
Sister
Husband
Wife
Maternal uncle
Maternal uncle's wife
Maternal aunty/Auntie
Maternal aunty's husband
Paternal uncle
Paternal uncle's wife
Paternal aunty/Auntie
Paternal aunty's husband
Father-in-law
Mother-in-law
Brother-in-laws:
Sister-in-laws:
Son-in-law
Daughter-in-law
Friend
Boyfriend/girlfriend
ProblemsLeave me alone.
Leave me alone, will you?
Get lost!
Let me go!
I said, don't touch me!
I'll call the police.
Police! Officer!
Look out!
Stop! Thief!
Help!
I need (some) help.
I need your help.
Please, help me.
Please, can you help me?
It's an emergency.
Please, come quick!
I'm lost.
I lost my bag.
I lost my wallet.
Where is the toilet? :
Where is the _______?
Can I use your phone?
How do you say _____?
What is this/that called?
I don't understand.
I can't speak [name of language (that well).
Do you speak English?
Is there someone here who speaks English?
Learn
I'm not well. (I'm sick)
I've been injured.
I've injured my [name of the body part.
I need a doctor.
Before the doctor came and the patient had died.
Going to the doctorI am in _____.
It's _____ here.
I've catched a cold.
I've got a _____.
I'm _____.
I'm feeling _____.
Body-partsBody
Skin
Hair
Head
Face, Mouth
tongue
Tooth, Teeth
Gums
Eyelash
Eyebrows
Eyes
Eyelids
Ears
Earlobes
Cheeks
Nose
Armpits
Arms
Elbow
Wrist
Hand
Palm
Finger, toe
Nails
Neck (rear end)
Throat
Shoulder
Chest
Back
Side
Hip, Buttocks
Waist
Leg(s)
Thigh
Knee
Calf
Ankle
Foot
NumbersNumerals0 Shuinnio (also means: hovering/on air)
1,00 Êkh sho 1,000 Êkh hajar 10,000 Dôsh hajar 1,00,000 Êkh lakh 10,00,000 Dôsh lakh 1,00,00,000 Êkh kuti 10,00,00,000 Dosh kuti 1,00,00,00,000 Êkh arob 10,00,00,00,000 Dosh arob 1,00,00,00,00,000 Ekh kharob 10,00,00,00,00,000 Dosh kharob Measurementwhole
half
one third
two third
one quarter
___ quarter
less
more
WeightKilogram/s (Kg)
MetaphorsBus number eleven. (Meaning: "Your two legs")
Did you catch the bus number 11 to here? (Meaning: "Did you walk it here?")
CalendarPast present futurebefore
now
later
day
yesterday
today
tomorrow
day before yesterday
day after tomorrow
fortnight
nowadays
time
seven-times (lots of time)
every time
last time
this time
daytime
nighttime
last week
this week
next week
Morning to nightdawn (the beginning of day)
morning
noon
afternoon
midday
evening (the beginning of night)
dusk
night
midnight
late night
end of the night
Weeks शाप्ताह/हाफ्ताWeekdays:Monday derives from Mona/Máni (Norse Moon god)
Tuesday derives from Tiw/Týr (Norse god of single combat)
Wednesday derives from Woden/Odin (Norse elder god of power and wisdom)
Thursday derives from Thurnor/Thor (Norse god of thunder and protector of mankind)
Friday derives from Fridge/Freya (Norse goddess of beauty, love and gold)
Weekends:Saturday derives from Saturn (Roman god of agriculture, justice and strength)
Sunday derives from Sunna/Sól (Norse Sunday god)
Months
SeasonsSeason(s)
[name of the season time
Summer
Rainy (Monsoon)
Autumn
Dry
Winter
Spring
TimeWhat time is it?
one AM.
two AM.
noon.
one PM.
two PM.
midnight.
9:45 Quarter to ten
10:00 Ten O'Clock
10:15 Quarter past ten
10:30 Half past ten
1:30 Half past one
2:30 Half past two
Durationminute(s)
per minute
hour(s)
hourly
day(s)
daily
week(s)
weekly
month(s)
monthly
year(s)
yearly
Writing time and dateTime is written in both 12 hour clock and 24hr clock and the same as English or Bengali e.g 6:25pm or 18:25 i.e 6:25am or 06:25 hours. Although Sylheti uses both methods, only the 12-hour clock is verbally used, to say the clock time, AM or PM and the cycle of day to night and night to day is said before the hour. For example: 7:40 AM is said: (at morning seven - forty)
4:45 AM is said: (at dawn quarter to five)
3:10 AM is said: (at late night three - ten)
12:00 AM is said: (at midnight twelve)
10:20 PM is said: (at night ten - twenty)
7:05 PM is said: (at dusk seven - five)
3:20 PM is said: (at day three - twenty)
From noon to midday, PM is said as: (at day _____ - _____)
Date is written by day first and then the month and last is the year. For example: Day / Month / Year is in writing as 23 [MONTH 2012, but when speaking one can take the liberty to phrase a certain date as how they like: e.g. 12 Robiul Aowal
25 December
ColoursMiscellaneousAre there any other types of colour?
colour
colourless
colourful
shiny
dark
light
Primary coloursred
green
blue
Secondary colourspink (rosy)
orange
yellow
purple
Brown
Hueless coloursblack
gray
white
Jewellery coloursgold
silver
bronze
Traveling/CommutingCommon signs:
CLOSED
ENTRANCE
EXIT
PUSH
PULL
TOILET
MEN
WOMEN
FORBIDDEN
Travel QueriesHow much is a ticket to ___?
One ticket to ___, please.
Where does this train/bus go?
Where is the train/bus to ___?
Does this train/bus stop in ___?
When does the train/bus for ___ leave?
When will this train/bus arrive in ___?
DirectionsWhich way to Silchar?
How do I get to _____?
How do I get to the train/bus station?
How do I get to the airport?
How do I get to downtown?
How do I get to the youth hostel?
How do I get to the _____ hotel?
How do I get to the Malaysian/Indonesian/Emirati/Singaporean consulate?
Are there a lot of _____
Are there a lot of hotels?
Are there a lot of restaurants?
Are there a lot of cafes?
Are there a lot of sites to see?
Can you show me the _____ ?
Can you show me the map?
street
towards the _____
past the _____
before the _____
watch for the _____.
intersection
here
there
(on/to the) right
(on/to the) left
(on/to the) north
(on/to the) south
(on/to the) east
(on/to the) west
straight
in front
uphill
downhill
behind
Go (___).
Turn around (___).
Keep going (___).
Stop (___).
TaxiThe only taxi found in and around Sylhet is the auto-rickshaw or baby-taxi (pronounced bebi-teski) Taxi !
Are you going
Take me to _____, please.
How much does it cost to get to _____?
Take me there, please.
Keep on driving
Stop
DrivingI want to rent a car.
Can I get insurance?
Driving
I'm driving
Do you want to go for a drive?
Do you drive?
Please go for a long drive
I'm going for a long drive
one way
yield
no parking
speed limit
petrol/gas station
petrol
diesel
TransportationStationsStation
Bus Stop
Bus station
Airport
Rail station
Train station
RoadBus
Rickshaw
Auto Rickshaw
Taxi
Car
Motorbike
bicycle
RailTrain
Sea or riverBoat
Ship
AirAeroplane
LodgingDo you have any rooms available?
How much is a room for one person/two people?
Does the room come with bedsheets?
Does the room come with _____
May I see the room first?
Do you have anything cheaper?
Do you have anything _____.
OK, I'll take it.
I will stay for _____ night(s).
Can you suggest another hotel?
Do you have (a) locker(s)
Do you have (a) ______(s)
Is breakfast or supper included?
What time is breakfast or supper?
Please clean my room.
Can you wake me at _____?
I want to check out.
Eating and drinkingI'm hungry.
Bon appétit.
Have a good appetite.
A table for one person/two people, please.
Please bring a menu.
Do you have an English menu?
Can I look in the kitchen?
Are there any paper towels? (can I have some)
Is there a house specialty?
Is there a local specialty?
Please choose for me.
baked; grilled
roasted
dry roasted vegetables
Fixed-price meal.
I'm a Vegetarian.
I don't eat [Beef, beef or fish.
I want a dish containing _____.
Please do not use too much oil.
Please bring the _____.
Excuse me, waiter?
I'm/We're finished.
The food was delicious
I loved the Meat curry
I loved the ____ ____.
I liked the Meat curry
I liked the ____ ____.
Please clear the plates.
Can you please clear the plates?
The check please
Meal timesBreakfast.
Lunch.
Teatime.
Supper/Dinner.
Non vegetariannon-mixed Curries or dish
not-mixed.
chicken
beef
mutton
fish
sundried fish
curry
dry roasted meat
meat
meatballs
scotch egg
egg
sausages
shish kebab
burger shaped kebabs
non-mixed soup
dry fish soup/broth
meat pilau
biryani
Vegetariancooked rice
fried rice
fried starchy rice
noodle
bread loafs (brioche loafs)
toast (toasted brioche loafs)
vegetables
only vegetables
Mixed vegetable curry
spinach or any leafy dish
salad
vegetable curry
vegetable soup
lentil soup
lentil(s)
beans
mashed potatoes
Bengali style pani-puri
oil
clarified butter
vegetable ghee
butter
cheese
Seasoningsalt
ground black pepper
crushed pepper corn
pepper corn
mustard
chili
bell pepper
spice(s)
hot n spicy
hot (fire)
hot (chili)
heat the Curries, please.
Fruitsfruit(s)
Refreshment/Barà la carte.
light meal/snack.
tea
coffee
cola drinks:
fresh lemonade
sparkling lemonade:
water
ice
ice-cream
ice-lollie
coconut water
young coconut juice
sugarcane juice
mango milkshake
yogurt drink
yogurt
sweet yogurt
Bars
Alcoholic drinks
Cigarette(s)
Tendu leaf cigarette(s)
Shredded Tobacco
Betel leaf
Below are a list of phan variety, consisting of the phan moshla ingredients to make a (samosa-like) phan wrap:
Muslim Friendly Shopping in Sylheti phrasebookCommercial spot/Market
Shop
Expensive
Cheap
I'm buying
Do you have this in my size?
I want to buy _____.
How much is this?
How much is _____?
That's too expensive.
Give me a deal.
Would you take _____?
I'll give you §_____, and no more.
§ [amount Taka
§ [amount Poysha
I can't afford it.
I don't want it.
You're cheating me.
I'm not interested.
OK, I'll take it.
Please give me a carrier-bag.
Do you ship overseas?
I need...
Clothesclothes
pyjama
shorts, underwear
saree
asian kilt
western trouser(s)
baggy drawstring trouser(s)
long shirt(s)
western shirt(s)
t-shirt(s)
vest
hat(s)
shoes
sandals and flip-flops
socks
gloves
scarfs
headscarf
shawl(s)
Finger-ring
Money Matters & ATM's in Sylheti phrasebookDo you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?
Do you accept British pounds?
Do you accept credit cards?
Do you accept debit card?
Can you change money for me?
Where can I get money changed?
Can you change a traveler's cheque for me?
Where can I get a traveller's cheque changed?
What is the exchange rate?
Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?
AuthorityI haven't done anything wrong.
It was a misunderstanding.
Where are you taking me?
Am I under arrest?
I am an Malaysian/Indonesian/Emirati/Singaporean citizen.
I want to talk to the Malaysian/Indonesian/Emirati/Singaporean embassy consulate.
I want to talk to a lawyer.
Can I just pay a fine?
There is no authority except from God
Political authority inBangladesh
Good Luck.
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