[Burmese Phrase Book]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]
Wl.35'30-632, c.2-
Burmese
Phrase Book
\94-4
.35: 30 -G32., c.
TM 30-632
H F S T R! C T F
BURMESE
PHRASE BOOK
MARCH 10, 1944
■■ ... ■'
Dissemination of restricted matt tained in restricted documents istics of restricted material to be in the service of the™™ undoubted loyalty an®j" ,:ei -.So Government work, but^M oe communicated to the public or to the press _>y authorized military public
relations agencies. (See also*par. 18b, AR 380-5, 28 Sep 1942.)
ftton con-character-r , person known and to persons of are cooperating in
U of NT Libraries
76203
TM 30-632
RESTRICTED
BURMESE
PHRASE BOOK
Dissemination of restricted matter.—The information contained in restricted documents and the essential characteristics of restricted material may be given to any person known to be in the service of the United States and to persons of undoubted loyalty and discretion who are cooperating in Government work, but will not be communicated to the public or to the pfess except by authorized military public relations agencies. (See also par. 18b, AR 380-5, 28 Sep 1942.)
WAR DEPARTMENT
WASHINGTON, MARCH 10, 1944
WAR DEPARTMENT Washington 25, D.C., 10 March 1944.
TM 30—632, Burmese Phrase Book, is published for military personnel only, and is not to be republished in whole or in part without the consent of the War Department.
[A. G. 300.7 (3 Mar 43)]
By order of the Secretary of War:
G. C. MARSHALL,
Chief of Staff.
official :
J. A. ULIO,
Major General,
The Adjutant General.
DISTRIBUTION:
X.
(For explanation of symbols, see FM 21-6.)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
1. EMERGENCY EXPRESSIONS............. 10
Asking Help........................ 10
Warnings........................... 13
Commands .......................... 13
2. GENERAL EXPRESSIONS............... 16
Greetings ......................... 16
Getting Information................ 18
Questions about an Individual...... 21
Rank ............................. 23
Organization and Specialty......... 23
3. PERSONAL NEEDS.................... 26
Food and Drink..................... 26
Lodging ........................... 31
Medical Aid ....................... 33
Buying and Personal Services....... 38
4. LOCATION AND TERRAIN.............. 45
Location .......................... 45
Distance........................... 48
Nature of Terrain.................. 49
5. ROADS AND TRANSPORTATION........... 51
Roads and Bridges.................. 51
Railroads, Busses, Planes.......... 54
Other Means of Transportation...... 55
Repairs and Supplies............... 55
3
PAGE
6. COMMUNICATIONS .................. 57
Telephoning—Numbers .............. 57
Telegraph ........................ 59
Mail.............................. 60
7. RECONNAISSANCE .................. 62
8. LANDING A PLANE.................. 68
9. NUMBERS, SIZE, TIME, ETC......... 70
Amount ........................... 70
Ordinal Numbers .................. 70
Size and Weight................... 71
Time.............................. 71
10. ADDITIONAL TERMS................. 75
Personal Equipment................ 75
Weapons and Ammunition.......... 75
Cars, Tanks, Planes, Ships........ 77
Tools and Supplies................ 79
Communications ................... 80
Miscellaneous .................... 81
Money—Weights and Measures........ 82
11. ALPHABETICAL WORD LIST......... 85
4
SB Wf ® M g g s
Wins Phrase Book contains the Burmese expressions you are most likely to need. All the words are written in a spelling which you read like English. Each letter or combination of letters is used for the sound it normally represents in English and it always stands for that sound. Thus “oo” is always to be read as in too, boot, tooth, roost, never as in blood or door.
Special Points
Here are a few points to remember as you read the Pronunciation column:
A or AH
E or EH
O or OA
as in ah, pa, father. Examples: “SA” meaning “salt,” “JAHT” meaning a Burmese unit of money.
as in let, met, bell. Example: “seh” meaning “ten.”
as in go, boat, load. Examples: “GO” meaning “nine,” “THOAN” meaning “three.”
5
OU as in out, mouth. Example: “” sound a little like t, k, ch, z. Ex- amples: “B^YA’” meaning “show,” “DEH’-DEH’ ” meaning “straight ahead,” “GO” meaning “nine,” “joon-daw” meaning “I,” “$A” meaning “eat.”
a with a dot underneath as in about, around, machine, patrol. It is never emphasized or drawled. Example: “a-MEH-THA” meaning “meat.”
Speaking Burmese is a little like singing. Sometimes people will not understand you if you give the wrong tune to an expression. Syllables written in capital letters are pronounced with emphasis, and those written in small letters are drawled in a low tone of voice. Words ending in “T” are always spoken with emphasis and are cut off Very short. The apostrophe (’) is used after vowel sounds which are cut off short. Curved lines (^) are used to show sounds that are pronounced together with no break; for example, ”kim-b^ya” meaning “sir” or “madam.”
6
How to Use the Phrase Book
The Table of Contents lists the situations covered. Try to become familiar with this so that you will know where to find a given section when you need it. In each section you will find a number of questions, each one so phrased that the Burmese speaker can give a simple answer, point out the direction, give.you a number, etc. The Burmese do not reply simply Yes or No, but make a short statement answering the question. The answers you are most likely to get are given after each question or group of questions. If you don’t get an answer you can understand, use one of the follow'ng expressions:
English Pronunciation Burmese Writing
Show me joon-DAW’-go B^YA’-ba Ogj^GOOOC^gol
Write the number nahm-B AHT-go YAY-ba $ulc8c^Gq«dl
If the person you are speaking to knows how to reao, you can point to the question in Burmese and ask him to point to the answer:
Point to the answer dee §a-OAT- §© 39^ Schoo use
in this book TEH-GA’ a-
p^.yay-go
B^YA’-ba
7
It is a good idea to memorize the numbers (at least up to ten) and other expressions you will constantly need. You will also be able to read Burmese numbers if you learn the forms of the numerals up to ten. Although the Burmese numerals look different from ours, the system of writing numbers in Burmese is the same as in English. To write twenty-three, you just put a Burmese 2 followed by a Burmese 3; to write four hundred sixty-eight, you first put a 4, then a 6, then an 8.
When you need only a single word, use the Alphabetical Word List at the back of the book. The page numbers there tell you where to find expressions containing the word.
To help you with the pronunciation of Burmese, a set of phonograph records is issued with the Burmese Language Guide (Introductory Series'), TM 30-332. The records will be particularly helpful in teaching you the tune that goes with each expression. Memorizing the tune will make it much easier for the Burmese people to understand you.
Fill-in Sentences
Many of the expressions are given in the form of fill-in sentences, each containing a blank which you fill in with any of the words in the list that follows. For
8
example, if you want to know where the station is, you can look either in the section headed Location or in the one headed Roads and Transportation. You will find an expression for “Where is ___?” and, in the list fol-
lowing it, the word for “railroad station.” You then combine the words, as shown here:
English Pronunciation Burmese Writing
Where is ? beh-hma-LEH oodS^cb
the railroad station boo-da-yoan '
Where is the railroad station? boo-da-yoan beh- ojoo^oooS^Jcb hma-LEH
Sometimes the blank has to be filled in with the name of a city or of a person. For example:
How far is ? — beh-LOUT — oooSGCUDcfiGoxoocb WAY-tha-LEH
wants to speak to you kim-B^YA-go a8qpsc^ooo:)sGG:) za-GA B^YAW- ^8otoS jin-deh
9
1. EMERGENCY EXPRESSIONS
ASKING HELP
English Pronunciation Burmese Writing
Help goo-n^yee-ba
Help me joon-DAW’-go goo-n^yee-ba C^GODX^^ol
I am lost joon-daw LAHN HMA-nay-deh Cg^GOoS CO St 3tG ^>00 oS
Do you understand? kim-B^YA NA leh-YEH’-LA a8tj|3t^>3tCO^S|)CO3s
I understand NA leh-deh ^DtCO^SoOcS
I don’t understand NA ma-leh-BOO
Speak slowly HNAY-HNAY B^YAW-ba G§tG|tG^3ol
Say it again b^yahn B_YAW-ba 6^6030'1
Where is a town? M^YO’ beh-hma-LEH go3t^3ci)
Please show me joon-DAW’-go B^YA’-ba Cgj^GOO 3C^)(cjol
Draw me a map 10 joon-DAW’-go m^yay-boan SWEH BAY-ba e or eh as in met, bell Ogl^GOOpc^G jgQs^GOtol
Pronunciation
English
I am an American
We are American soldiers
Are there soldiers near here?
There are
There are not
Where are they?
Are they our enemies ?
They are
They are not
Where are American soldiers?
How can I get there ?
Is there a train?
There is
There is not
joon-daw a-may-YEE’-gahn-THA
joon-daw-DO’ a-may-YEE’-gahn SIT-THA-dway
a-NEE a-NA-hma SIT-THA-dway SHEE’-tha-LA
SHEE’-deh ma-SHEE’-BOO thoo-DO’ beh-hma-LEH
thoo-DO’ yahn-thoo dway-LA
HOAT-deh ma-HOAT-POO a-may-YEE’-gahn SIT-THA-dway beh-hma-LEH
ho-go YOUT-oun beh-lo THWA-YA’-ma-LEH
MEE-ya-TA SHEE’-tha-LA
SHEE’-deh ma-SHEE’-BOO
ou as in. out, mouth
Burmese Writing
Ogl^GOoS 33G y£|cd 003:
Cy^GOO Sc§93G «$00©8 ooasGog
93^:93^3:^3©8oO3:GC2 $00 COOs
$OOoS
0708 oooS^ocb
- O^C^O^GCgCOO:
07080008
0070807:
33G 0^000 SoOO :G Og ODoS
G 6pc8c 93 3800oScQ OgOssjOcb
8:€]OO3:$0OQ33:
$03 oS
wW
11
s English Pronunciation Burmese Writing
Where is the i station ? boo-da-yoan beh-hma-LEH o^ooo^oooS^oob
j Is there a bus? BAHT-GA SHEE’-tha-LA 0Oc8(733x§Q3CO3x
1 There is | There is not SHEE’-deh ma-SHEE’-BOO §00 oS I
! Where can I get the bus ? BAHT-GA beh-hma YA’-na^een-tha-LEH ooc8oo ox oooS^o^Soocb
i Take me there joon-DAW’-go LA^EET BO’-ba Og|^GOT3C§§c8§o1 E p
You will be rewarded kim-B^YA-go SOO’ CHA’-meh a8q|3xc§at^QoS E
I want to eat SA-jin-deh oox^8oooS
Note: See Food and Drink, page 26. c T
I want water Where can I get food ? yay lo-jin-deh §A-za-ya beh- hma YA’-na^een-tha-LEH GG]C^q|8oodS 0 3 X© €p ODoS 8 ooob •L T
I am shot tha-NAHT B^YIT kahn- YA’-deh Goo^>cSo8ag]oodS
Note: See Medical Aid, page 33. St
I am cut DA KOAT kahn-YA’-deh oox^c8s>qoooS Ct
12 ■e or eh as in met, bell
English Pronunciation Burmese Writing
Take me to a doctor joon-DAW’-go sa-ya-woon SHEE’-ya BO’-ba Cg|^G003C$a0GpO^$6p§
Bring a doctor sa-ya-woon kaw-GEH’-ba aospo^GsT
Bring help! a-goo a-n^yee kaw-GEH’-ba WARNINGS
Danger! BAY GOOs
Poison Gas! a-SAYT DAHT-KO oaa8861c8$s
Don’t smoke! SAY-LAYT ma-THOUT-NEH’ Gaoic8SoGoooc8^
Careful! tha-DEE’ TA 0008003s
Lie down! HLEH-nay C$G^
Take cover! BOAN-nay COMMANDS 7^SG^>
Wait here! dee-hma $OUNT-nay §^36©38G^
Stand up! MAHT-PAHT YAHT 0080008 6] 8
Come forward! SHAY’-go la ou as in out, mouth S§|C$O33 13
English Pronunciation Burmese Writing
Quickly! or Right away! m^yahn-m^yahn
Move back! NOUT SOAT
Turn around! HLEH’
Go ahead! SHAY’-go THWA
follow me! NOUT-GA’ LA^EET-KEH’
Follow him! THOO’-NOUT LA^EET THWA 3^G^>3c8c^c8g^3:
Go slow! H_NAY-H_NAY THWA
Don’t shoot! ma-B_YIT-NEH’ ooS^
Stop! or Halt! YAHT €)S
Don’t move! ma-SHWAY’-NEH’ yeM
Who is there? beh-thoo-LEH GOoSo^cb
Show your identification kim-B^YA beh-thoo so-da THET-thay-gahn B^YA’-ba o8ejpt 30 oS 0^003 33c8g303^o1
Line up! §ee DAHN-nay §oo£sg^>
here dee-hma 8^3
there ho-hma
14 e or eh as in met, bell
E
S
R
D
0
English
Pronunciation
Burmese Writing
Surrender! or Throw down your arms!
Raise your hands!
Don’t try any tricks!
Obey or I’ll fire!
LET-HNET CHA’
LET HM^YOUT TA
YEE-DEE-YA-DA ma-LOAT-NEH’
NA toun. NA ma-toun-yin tha-NAHT B^YIT kahn-YA’-meh
c\3c8§c8q|
COc8g§3c8c03s
U§so8s033s003swc\}8^
fDsGOOoS ^3syGOO38g]S
GO3^c8o8ag]y03 ’
Chinese da-YOAT 00$8
English IN-ga-LAYT oaAcSS
Hindustani (or any Indian language ) ga-LA Crj)C\33t
I do B^YAW-DAHT- 38000
ou as in out, mouth 19
English
Pronunciation
Burmese Writing
Please speak slowly HNAY-HNAY B^YAW-ba G^8G^SG^3ol
Do you understand? NA leh-YEH’-LA $3sC\3£S||C\33s
What? ba-LEH 933cb
Please repeat l?J,yahn B^YAW- ^G^3o1g|s
ba-OAN
What do you call da-go ba kaw- g1e^ro3GaTa3cb
this ? tha-LEH
What is this? da ba-LEH glowed
What is that? ho-ha ba-LEH (^00300 3o1
nay-ba
Come with me joon-daw-NEH’ O^GOoS^C^cSb
LA^EET-KEH’
wants to speak kim-B^YA-neh’ cQasccoo^scbge
to you za-GA B^YAW-
jin-deh ^803 bS
I want to ask you kim-B^YA-go a8q|3sc^Gysq|8oouS
questions MAY-jin-deh
Please show me joon-DAW’-go C^Gro^gol
B^YA’-ba
Write it YAY-ba Gqsol
Write the number nahm-BAHT-go |olcSc^Gqsol
YAY-ba
Point to the answer dee sa-OAT-TEH- §0 39? Sebro 33 G l^j! jgo1
in this book GA’ a-p^yay-go B^YA’-ba
20 •e or eh as in met, bell
English Pronunciation Burmese Writing
Draw a picture of it boan SWEH B_YA’-ba
Tell the truth hmahn-hmahn B^YAW-ba
You will not be hurt kim-B^,YA ma-NIN’-na-zay-YA’-ba-BOO a 8tg 2>s y ©pl 07 s
You will be rewarded kim-B^YA SOO’ YA’-LAYNT-mch aStjpsatpqcSSyoS
QUESTIONS ABOUT AN INDIVIDUAL
What nationality are you? kim-B^YA ba loo-M^YO-LEH a 8 ^3500307^ sob
Are you ? kim-B^YA LA a8qps O33s
Burmese ba-ma t>y3
Chinese 000b
; I live in joon-daw hma O^GOOS
nay-deh G^ooob
Where are you kim-B^YA beh- a 8 qp s oodSc§ ogo s web
going ? go THWA-ma-LEH
I am going to —. joon-daw go CQj^GOoS cfyc^O?
THWA-meh woS
Where are your kim-B^YA tha- a8qp8OQCoS3f8sGCQ
friends ? ngeh-JIN-dway beh-hma-LEH oooS^ocb
Are they ? thoo-DO’ hma SHEE’-tha-LA 0£C§ ^3§OOCD3s
near a-NEE
far a-WAY 93GO8
Show your kim-B^YA beh- a8c(p800oSo^a§003
identification thoo so-da oocSgoos^oT
THET-thay-gahn BSYA’-ba
Where is your ? kim-B^YA beh- hma-LEH a8qp8 OOuS^Ocb
family ayn-doun s8Sgooo8
headman (of a tha-JEE
village)
22 ■e or eh as in met, bell
A
Vi
English Pronunciation Burmese Writing
father a-pay 93GO
mother a-rnay 33GO
husband lin CO 8
wife ma-YA 00038
RANK
What is your rank? kim-B^YA ya-DOO ba a-DAHN-LEH a8qj0:6pajsooo33oo^scb
Are you a ? kim-B^YA LA a8t]ps co3s
sergeant $a-zin ©3e8
officer $IT-bo 0&=>cS
captain GAHT-bee-dahn 0008800$
general DAHT bo-JOAT ooS^cC^S
seaman THIN-BAW-THA OOG O&3OO3S
I am HOAT-deh 07080008
I am not ma-HOAT-POO 0070807s
ORGANIZATION AND SPECIALTY
What is your branch of service ?
kim-B^YA beh $IT-DAHT-hma a-HMOO’ TAHN-tha-LEH
a8q|3: 00 0S0S0O 8^393^
ooSsoocb
ou as in out, mouth
23
English Pronunciation Burmese Writing
Army QOAN-DAHT CQ^lOoS
Navy yay-DAHT g^ooS
Artillery a-M^YOUT- DAHT ooS
Cavalry M^YIN-DAHT g8«oo8
Engineers $ET-sa-ya ocfiaoGp
Infantry chay-jin-DAHT GgoqjSooS
Marines l?in-leh SIT-THA o8o3c8©8o03s
What is your specialty ? kim-B^YA ha a-LOAT LOAT-tha-LEH a8qpsoo3330780780065
Are you a J ? kim-B^YA LA a8qps 033:
chauffeur GA MOUN-tha-MA CT)3sGO38:00y3:
clerk §a-YAY ' 03G qt
cook ta-MIN-JET coy8i^c8
engineer $ET-sa-ya ©cfiaoGp
fireman MEE TO-tha-MA §:C$:ooy3:
gunner a-M_YOUT- DAHT-THA 33Gg3f8oo8oo3s
mechanic $ET-tha-MA oc8ooy3s
messenger §ay da-mahn G©ooy§
I am HOAT-deh 0708 oouS
I am not ma-HOAT-POO 00708 071
24 e or eh as in met, bell
English
Pronunciation
Burmese Writing
How long have you been in the service ?
How many______?
years months
$IT-£)AHT-TEH-hma a-;HMOO’ TAHN-da beh-LOUT ja-ba-LEH
beh-hna _ LEH
HNIT
LA’
©8 00 Sob (p 33^00 Ss 003
30 oSg co 3c8 [oq 3^ ch
30(jS| ___ (?b
co
Note: See Numbers, page 59.
ou as in out, mouth
25
' --
3. PERSONAL NEEDS
FOOD AND DRINK
English Pronunciation Burmese Writing
I am hungry I am thirsty joon-daw sa-deh cgi^GooSaoDoooS joon-daw yay oO|£gooSgqcc8oooS NGAHT-G00 oc8 8© 0
DAW’ LAYT-§a °
Forward my mail joon-DAW’ $a-go joon-daw SHEE’-ya HLWEH-LA^EET-ba Ogl^GOO 30 3(~§Cg|^G0oS
§sp<£c§c8o1
Send my things joon-DAW’ B^YIT-$EE- O^GOOOOg^tGCg'dg
dway-go BO’-LA_EET-ba C§c8ol
I shall return joon-daw opi^GOoS R$C\33
b^yahn-la-meh goS
32 e or eh as in met, bell
English Pronunciation Burmese Writing
tomorrow NET-p^yahn 5<-Sg$
Wednesday BOAT-da-HOO NAY’ 72°?^
Note : For other days of the week see page 72.
Have you a room ? kim-B^YA-zee-hma da-det DEH’ a-KAHN SHEE’-tha-LA aSqpsaS^ogloocfi cbOTa$s$oocoos
better GOUN gooo8s
larger JEE gs
cheaper BAW Go1
I have SHEE’-deh $oooS
I have not ma-SHEE’-BOO y^S
MEDICAL AID
Help! a-goo a-n^yee ’ BAY-ba □ao^oagcosol
Where is a ? beh-hma-LEH oooS^ocd
Call a go kaw-ba gcaTol
doctor sa-ya-woon aoGpo$
dentist THWA ogos^cSaosp
SA^EET-sa-ya
ambulance loo-na-din GA 5000800 os
ou as in out, mouth 33
English Pronunciation Burmese Writing
nurse loo-na B^YOO’ sa-ya-MA’ c^pgaospo
Quick m^yahn-m^yahn
Stop the bleeding THWAY DAYT-oun LOAT-ba Gcg!o8cSG33:>8c7 Sol
A tourniquet! THWAY QAYT-BO’ §EE-DEH’ G Cg:o8cSc$ 8»ob 39gp
a-ya
Tie it here dee-hma chec-ba §p^o1
Above the wound dahn-ya a-TET-NA-hma si CtSqp 330003 pi p
I am sick joon-daw nay ma-GOUN-BOO Ogl $G00 Sg pG 09 3 8137s
He is sick thoo nay ma-GOUN-BOO 370^ 000038197s
I am wounded joon-daw a-na da-YA’ P^YIT-deh c^GooSospooqgS 03 6S
He is wounded thoo a-na da-YA’ P^YIT-deh 37 93 P03 q g 803 oS
My hurts GA_EET-^eh C$c8o3oS
head GOUN go18i
back TAW G@3
My hurts na-deh poooS
stomach WOOM-BA_EET oS:$cS
tooth THWA Cg38
34 e or eh as in met, bell
English Pronunciation Burmese Writing
I am hurt here joon-daw dee-hma OQI^GOoSSpolctSgpg)
dahn-ya YA’-deh oo cS
I am hurt in the joon-daw hma OQl^GOoS pslciSep
dahn-ya YA’-deh S)OOoS
He is hurt in thoo hma oj polaSgpfiioocS
the —. dahn-ya YA’-deh
head GOUN cal 8 s
face M^YET-hna
ear NA ps
eye M^YET-$EE’ ^6©
nose hna-KOUN pGal8t
mouth ba-ZAHT oltoS
jaw MAY-YO G«s§s
throat leh-JOUN co^Gq|38t
neck leh-BIN cu^SoSt
shoulder ba-KOAN S>?’
arm LET-MOUN cucSgooS:
elbow da-doun-ZIT oocoooSaoS
hand LET coc8
back JAW 6@0
chest yim-BAHT g]8oc8
stomach WOOM-BA^EET oSt§c8
hip dim-BA oo8ols
ou as in out, mouth 35
English Pronunciation Burmese Writing
crotch boun-JA GolSgoi
privates in-ga-ZAHT oafiltyocfi
leg chee-DOUT cgcODOcS
knee DOO 9’
ankle chee M^YET-$EE’ cgmcSc©
foot chee eg
Get yoo-GEH’-ba
a blanket §oun G©o8
blankets ?oun-dway cooficcg
boiled water yay-JET GqcqjcS
cotton wa-GOON olgSj
a disinfectant a-NAHNT 395$OOc8ggOS
THAHT-SAY
drinking water THOUT-yay GOOOc8g€|
hot water yay-NWAY G GjG^ •
ice yay-GEH G€|^
a knife DA OOOS
a litter loo-na TAHN-zin 0950008x08
scissors GAHT-JEE OOcSgcC||S
a sedative AYT-chin-ZAY o88q|8Gaos
sheets AYT-ya KIN s88gp©8:
something to $EE BAHT-PO’ ©gsOcSc§39OcS
bandage with a-WOOT
36
e or eh as in met, bell
English Pronunciation Burmese Writing
splints JAHT
a stimulant AH DO-ZAY 33 38C$?G008
Do not touch ma-TEE’-NEH’ —
Do not move ma-SHWAY’-NEH’ —
Lift carefully tha-DEE’-NEH’ MA’-ba — ooc8^ool
me joon-DAW’-go C12]$G003C$
him THOO’-go
them thoo-DO’-go
Be careful tha-t>EE’ TA OO080038
Do not give him that ho-ha THOO’-go ma-BAY-NEH’ C$003ajj>oC$WG08^
I have been poisoned joon-daw HMA- deh Cgl^eooS pSOOoS
He has been poisoned thoo HMA-deh 07 — 738000S
by water yay THOUT GqGOO3c8
by food a-SA 33© 38
I have been poisoned by a snake bite joon-daw mway-GA^EET kahn-YA’-LO’ a-SAYT DET-nay-deh c2]$GooSGgc$cSaqc§ 33 a8 SoorSc po oS
ou as in out, mouth 37
English Pronunciation Burmese Writing
I have been poisoned by gas joon-daw DAHT- og|§GOoSolc8^s8G^oooS KO MEE’-nay-deh
BUYING AND PERSONAL SERVICES
Where is a ? barber shop Where to Get It beh-hma LEH oodS^ocb za-bin HN^YAHT- sa^een
drugstore market movie SAY-za^een Gaosa§8 ZAY eqs YOAT-shin $8§]8
restaurant ta-MIN-za^een ooy8sa§8
tailor $ET CHOAT- ocfi^[8oL>o3t tha-MA
I want I want to buy Where can I get ? Things Wanted go lo-jin-deh c§c§^8oooS go weh-jin-deh c§ooS^|8couS go beh-hma c§oocjSp6]^8oocb Y A’-na^een-tha-LEH
38
e or eh as in met, bell
English Pronunciation Burmese Writing
Give me — go BAY-ba — geosol
this dee-ha §003
that ho-ha C$003
ammonia za-WET-tha SAY-yee ©Orfi O33G 3386] pS
aspirin (English word used)
a bandage SEE BAHT-PO’ a-WOOT ogsoofigosocS
batteries DAHT-KEH oloSb
a belt ka-BAHT al so cfi
a brush a-HM^WAY BEE 93Gg8O§8
buttons jeh-THEE goSo§8
cigarettes $EE-ga-YET 8oOG]03
cloth a-teh oaoog
a coat GOAT AYN-jee
a comb BEE
cotton wa-GOON olgSs
a disinfectant a-NAHNT THAHT-SAY 335$O3cSg338
an electric light DAHT-MEE- oloSSscps
bulb LOAN
envelopes §a-AYT O3t8cfi
ou as in out, mouth 39
English Pronunciation Burmese Writing
a flashlight LET-HNAYT DAHT-MEE
gloves LET-AYT c\3cfis8c8
handkerchiefs LEK-ga^een ba-wa
a hat OAT-TOAT
ink hmin 78
iodine PIN-GHA oo8qp
a knife DA 003:
J a laxative W00N-HN0AT-SAY oS:§c8gsd:
matches MEE-JIT
a needle AHT 938
an overcoat a-baw AYN-jee
pants BOUM-bee 00038:08
paper $EK-goo
a pencil KEH-dahn b 00$
pins dweh-AHT og 08338
quinine • gwee-na^een
a raincoat MO-ga AYN-jee $:003338
soap SAHP-b^ya aoS^p
socks chee-ZOOT G@gS
sunglasses or goggles nay-ga M^YET-hmahn G^>O93fcjc8^^
a sweater sweh-(ja AYN-jee
talcum powder M^YET-hna-chee ^c8pG^
thread AHT-chee 938@^
a toothbrush tha-BOOT-cjahn ogOtycSoo
toothpaste THWA DA^EET-SAY ogOsc^cSGaos
tooth powder THWA DA^EET-SAY-HMOANT 08090^
an undershirt $OOT-jeh AYN-jee §8^08998^
undershorts a-DWIN-gahn BOUM-bee □acgStsGooziSst^
ou as in out, mouth
41
English
What else have you?
I want more
Pronunciation Burmese Writing
dee-b^yin ba 8G8ooo8GOO«oocb
SHEE’-THAY-
tha-LEH
joon-daw bo-BEE (T2|$GooS$gsc$7j8ooStoo33iGOO»
LAHN ma-AH-THAY-BOO
a-JO a-JOUN
za-GA b^yahn ma-YA’-BOO
93(7^:93G|op8t ooo^t^ysioj’
ou as in out, mouth
57
English Pronunciation Burmese Writing
Here is your party dee-hma kim-B^YA za-GA B^_, YAW-jin-thoo
Are you waiting? kim-B_YA $OUNT-nay-tha-LA 9 8tjD:GO :>8g ^QOCOD:
I will ring again TAHT-bee kaw-OAN-meh Oo8g:GgT93:608
Shall I continue to ring? SET-bee kaw-nay-YA’-ma-LA aocS^tGaTc p 6co o:
I will call you back kim-B^YA-go NOUT-DAW’ kaw-meh 9 Sqp:c$G $3(*8g003 GoT GoS
What number are you calling? beh nahm-BAHT-go kaw-tha-LEH oooSpIcSc^GoT oocb
Give me the number of joon-DAW’-go nahm-BAHT BAY-ba Og|$GOO3C$ $o1c8 Go:o1
Long distance please a-WAY za-GA B^YAW-JEE-NAHN lo-jin-deh 93Go:D(r>:>:G goc c$q|8oooS
What is the charge? beh-LOUT JA’-tha-LEH 30 oSg CODc8 G Gp §) 8 8 ^033?
Are there any a-SEE a-DA 93 G§8 330338 § 030338
obstructions ? SHEE’-tha-LA
How high are they? beh-LOUT M^YINT-tha-LEH O3uSGO33cSg8 03 cd
Is the surface ? m^yay M^YET-hna-b^yin tha-LA Ggqjc8pg8 03033:
firm ma G3
soft B_YAW’ G9i?
muddy SHOONT too-DAHT
dry CHOUT Gg3fS
smooth CHAW Gqp
rough JAHN @8:
68 e or eh as in met, bell
English Pronunciation Burmese Writing
I need — lo-jin-deh c$q)8oooS
ammunition KEH-YAHN bqSs
engine oil SET-sce oc8a§
gasoline a tire DAHT-see (Use English word.) o1o8a§
I want to have this repaired da-go b_,yin-jin-dch olc$g8q|8oooS
ou as in out, mouth
69
9. NUMBERS, SIZE, TIME, ETC.
AMOUNT
English
A few
Several or Many
Not many
Very many
Pronunciation
NEH-NEH M^YA-M^YA ma-M^YA-BOO im-ma-dahn
M^YA
Burmese Writing
T’HP’
□aSooo^fcjps
ORDINAL NUMBERS
Note: For Numbers 1-1,000,000 see page 59.
First ba-ta-MA’ 09 y
Second DOO’-DEE’-YA’ 90800
Third DA’-DEE’-YA’ 000800
Fourth za-DOAT-TA’ ®°?S?
Fifth b^yin-§a-MA’
Sixth SAHT-da-MA’ aogy
Seventh THAHT-da-MA’ ooggy
70 e or eh as in met, bell
English Pronunciation Burmese Writing
Eighth AHT-ta-MA’ 33ggo
Ninth na-wa-MA’ 5 oo
Tenth DA’-tha-MA’ 3030
Eleventh ay-GA’-DA’-tha-MA’ 60033030
Twelfth dwa-DA’-tha-MA’ gl3O3O
SIZE AND WEIGHT
Small ngeh< coS
Large J EE g.
Medium a-LAHT 33C0cS
Long shay
Short do $
High M^YINT gs
Low NAYNT $8
Heavy LAY GCOs
Light BAW’ GO?
TIME
What time is it? beh-hna-na-yee TO-bee-LEH 33oS553$gsgch
It is five o’clock NGA na-yee TO-bee
ou as in out, mouth
71
English Pronunciation Burmese Writing
It is five ten NGA na-yee seh MEE’-NIT cl:p$aooS8$8
It is half past five NGA na-yee-GWEH
It is ten to six CHOUT na^yee seh MEE’-NIT- PIN Ggoc8p$ac>oS8$8oob«
Today dee NAY’ §G$
Yesterday ma-NAY’-GA’ yG$oo
Tomorrow ma-NET-pahn
Morning nahn-NET $$c8
Afternoon MOON-LWEH
Evening N^YA’-nay
Dawn a-yoan-DET 333$ClSG^>
January zahn-na-wa-yee LA’ ejo1$O3
February pay-paw-wa-yee LA’ GcS
Gas DAHT-KO ©1o8§t
Gun (cannon) a-M^YOUT 99G§jc8
Light gun a-M^YOUT a-ngeh-ZA □aGgooSoacoSoot
Heavy gun a-M_YOUT a-JEE-ZA
Medium gun a-M_YOUT a-LAHT-SA 93Ggoc833CUcSo38
Hand grenade LET B^YIT BOAN cocSoSo^t
Howitzer {Use English zvord.)
Machine gun $ET-tha-NAHT ©cSgoo^cS
Mine m^yay HM^YOAT BOAN g6S H ’
Mortar (Use English zvord.)
Pistol CHOUT-LOAN-B^YOO cgocScgsglp
Rifle “rifle” tha-NAHT GOO^cS
76 e or eh as in met, bell
English Pronunciation Burmese Writing
Shell BOAN-zahn g:ao$
Submachine gun SET-tha-NAHT a-ngeh-ZA ©c8g 00508390 0S0 38
CARS, TANKS, PLANES, SHIPS
Aircraft carrier lay-yim-b tyahn din THIM-BAW gco oo^qi 00800c 080
Airplane lay-yim-btyahn GCOQ3§q|
Armor thahn-JAHT ooq|8
Auto GA 0008
Armored car thahn-JAHT-ga maw-da-GA 00q| Soo OG0S0O 00038
Battery a-MtYOUT PAHT-SOO’ oacgocSooSi? .
Battleship $IT THIM-BAW-JEE ©SoOGoSo^J
Bomber BOAN JEH lay-yim-btyahn gsgcCO UO^Cfl
Brakes (Use English word.)
Bridge da-PA 000038
Cargo ship goan THIM-BAW Og$OOGo8o
Cruiser (Use English word.)
Deck GOAM-BAHT ou as in out, mouth op$:oc8
English Pronunciation Burmese Writing
Destroyer {Use English word.)
Engine $ET-GOUN oc8go18:
; Engine room $ET-KAHN 0089$:
Fighter plane $IT DA_EET lay-yim-b^yahn ©8c$c8gcouo^c||
Fire extinguisher MEE THAHT-SET 8sgoc8©c8
Hangar lay-yim-b^yahn-yoan GCOCO§q|$
Horn ka-ya 9Gp
Light bulb DAHT-MEE-LOAN oTcSSsC^s
Mine sweeper BOAN sha THIM-BAW pjqaoocoSa
Motor maw-da SET GoSot3©c8
Pontoons or Pontons BAW’-da-DA GOODOTOO3:
Propeller ya-HAHT qcnc8
Searchlight 1 a-WAY TO DAHT-MEE
Submarine ■ yay NGOAT THIM-BAW
Tail light NOUT-BA^EEN DAHT-MEE g$3c8$8j©1c88s
Tanker yay-nahn din Gq$Co8oOGO$3 —J
I 78 THIM-BAW e or eh as in met, bell
English Pronunciation Burmese Writing
Torpedo boat