ܢܗܢܐ ܠܘܟ

Assyrian Neo-Aramaic

Assyrian Neo-Aramaic phrasebook

This entry is part of the phrasebook project, which presents criteria for inclusion based on utility, simplicity and commonness.

Etymology

Literally, “may it please you/may it benefit you”.

Pronunciation

• (Standard) IPA^(key): [nə.hɑːneː‿lux.]
• (Urmia) IPA^(key): [naːniː‿lux.]

Phrase

ܢܗܵܢܹܐ ܠܘܼܟ݂! • (nhānē lūḵ!)

1. bon appétit, enjoy your meal (to a man) (Used to wish someone enjoyment of the meal they are about to eat)

Usage notes

• This is used when said to something in the masculine singular form; the feminine singular is ܢܗܵܢܹܐ ܠܵܟ݂ܝ (nhānē lāḵ), and the plural is ܢܗܵܢܹܐ ܠܵܘܟ݂ܘܿܢ (nhānē lāwḵōn).
• Unlike equivalent phrases in English, ܢܗܵܢܹܐ ܠܘܼܟ݂ (nhānē lūḵ) in Assyrian is mostly used as a politeness formula used much more automatically, like please or thank you.
  • As well as when serving a meal or sitting down to eat with others, it is also used when getting up from the table where others are still eating, or when greeting or departing from someone who is eating, or when saying goodbye to someone who is leaving in order to eat (e.g. leaving work at lunchtime).

See also

• ܨܵܠܹܐ ܘܒܵܢܹܐ (ṣālē w-bānē)
• ܨܲܚܬܹܝܢ (ṣaḥtēn)