Manipuri Vocabulary Lessons: Learn Everyday Words in Romanized Meiteilon

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Manipuri Vocabulary Lessons: Learn Everyday Words in Romanized Meiteilon

Learning Manipuri, also known as Meiteilon, becomes easier when you begin with everyday vocabulary. Instead of memorizing difficult grammar rules first, learn simple words that you can hear and use in daily conversations.

In this lesson, you will learn common Manipuri words written in Romanized Manipuri. Romanization means writing Manipuri words using English letters, so beginners can read and pronounce them more easily.

These vocabulary lessons are useful for students, travelers, children, and anyone who wants to understand the Manipuri language.

What Is Romanized Manipuri?

Romanized Manipuri is Manipuri written with English letters.

For example:

  • Hello = Khurumjari

  • Water = Ishing

  • Food = Chak

  • House = Yum

  • School = School

Romanized words help beginners practice pronunciation before learning the Meitei Mayek script.

Basic Greetings in Manipuri

Greetings are the first words every learner should know.

English

Romanized Manipuri

Hello

Khurumjari

Welcome

Khurumjari

Thank you

Thagatchari

Sorry

Yamna sorry

Goodbye

Chatnaba

Example sentence:

  • Khurumjari!

    • Hello!

  • Thagatchari.

    • Thank you.

Family Vocabulary in Manipuri

Family words are useful in everyday conversations.

English

Romanized Manipuri

Father

Mapa

Mother

Ima

Brother

Ichou

Sister

Ichin

Grandfather

Epa

Grandmother

Ema

Son

Macha nupa

Daughter

Macha nupi

Example sentences:

  • Ei ima da leire.

    • I am with my mother.

  • Mahak eigi ichou ni.

    • He is my brother.

Numbers in Manipuri

Numbers are essential for counting, shopping, phone numbers, and dates.

English

Romanized Manipuri

One

Ama

Two

Ani

Three

Ahum

Four

Mari

Five

Manga

Six

Taruk

Seven

Taret

Eight

Nipaan

Nine

Mapan

Ten

Tarā

Practice:

  • Ama, ani, ahum, mari, manga.

  • One, two, three, four, five.

Food Vocabulary in Manipuri

Food words are among the most commonly used vocabulary.

English

Romanized Manipuri

Rice

Chak

Water

Ishing

Tea

Cha

Milk

Thabāl

Fish

Nga

Meat

Sa

Egg

Yāi

Salt

Thum

Sugar

Chini

Example sentences:

  • Ei chak chaore.

    • I eat rice.

  • Ishing piba.

    • Drink water.

  • Cha ama pibiyu.

    • Please give me a cup of tea.

Household Vocabulary

These words are useful when talking about your home.

English

Romanized Manipuri

House

Yum

Door

Thangba

Window

Thangjing

Chair

Chair

Table

Table

Bed

Yumpham

Kitchen

Chak-thokpham

Bathroom

Bathroom

Example:

  • Ei yum da leire.

    • I am at home.

School Vocabulary

Students learning Manipuri should know these words.

English

Romanized Manipuri

School

School

Teacher

Oja

Student

Tampham mi

Book

Lai

Pen

Pen

Notebook

Khudol lai

Homework

Yumgi thabak

Example:

  • Ei school da chatli.

    • I go to school.

  • Oja na tammi.

    • The teacher teaches.

Common Action Words in Manipuri

Action words, or verbs, help you make sentences.

English

Romanized Manipuri

Eat

Cha

Drink

Piba

Go

Chatpa

Come

Lakpa

Sleep

Tumba

Read

Paba

Write

Iba

Speak

Haiba

Listen

Taba

Work

Thabak touba

Example sentences:

  • Ei lai palli.

    • I read a book.

  • Ei pen na ibi.

    • I write with a pen.

  • Mahak yum da lakli.

    • He comes home.

Colors in Manipuri

Colors are useful for describing objects.

English

Romanized Manipuri

Red

Angangba

Blue

Asangba

Green

Umanba

Yellow

Yeningba

Black

Amuba

White

Angangba

Example:

  • Angangba phanek.

    • Red cloth.

  • Asangba shirt.

    • Blue shirt.

Body Parts Vocabulary

These words are useful in daily life and health conversations.

English

Romanized Manipuri

Head

Kok

Eye

Mit

Nose

Khong

Ear

Khut

Mouth

Tham

Hand

Khut

Leg

Khong

Example:

  • Eigi mit yamna na.

    • My eyes hurt.

Common Question Words

Question words help you communicate more effectively.

English

Romanized Manipuri

What?

Kari?

Who?

Kanano?

Where?

Kadaida?

When?

Karamna?

Why?

Kari gidamak?

How?

Karamna?

Example sentences:

  • Nang kadaida chatlibra?

    • Where are you going?

  • Mahak kanano?

    • Who is he?

  • Nang kari toure?

    • What are you doing?

Daily Use Expressions

Here are some practical expressions that beginners can use.

English

Romanized Manipuri

I am fine.

Ei phajare.

How are you?

Nang karamna leire?

I am going.

Ei chatli.

Come here.

Masi lak-u.

Wait.

Ngairu.

Please sit.

Phambiyu.

I don’t know.

Ei khangde.

Practice speaking these sentences aloud every day.

How to Learn Manipuri Vocabulary Effectively

Learning vocabulary is easier when you practice regularly.

Learn Five Words Every Day

Don’t try to memorize too many words at once. Learn five new words daily and review them the next day.

For example:

  • Day 1: chak, ishing, cha, nga, sa

  • Day 2: yum, thangba, chair, table, lai

  • Day 3: ima, mapa, ichou, ichin, macha

Small daily practice leads to long-term progress.

Use Words in Sentences

Don’t memorize words alone. Try making short sentences.

Instead of only learning chak = rice, say:

  • Ei chak chaore.

    • I eat rice.

Instead of only learning ishing = water, say:

  • Ei ishing pibire.

    • I am drinking water.

Using words in context helps you remember them faster.

Listen and Repeat

Listen to native Manipuri speakers whenever possible. Repeat the words aloud to improve pronunciation.

You can practice by:

  • Watching Manipuri videos

  • Listening to conversations

  • Reading Romanized lessons aloud

  • Repeating common phrases

Keep a Vocabulary Notebook

Create a notebook with three columns:

English

Romanized Manipuri

Your Sentence

Water

Ishing

Ei ishing pibire.

Rice

Chak

Ei chak chaore.

House

Yum

Ei yum da leire.

Writing words by hand helps improve memory.

Building vocabulary is one of the easiest and most effective ways to learn Manipuri. Start with everyday words such as greetings, family members, food, numbers, household items, and common action words.

Romanized Manipuri makes it easier for beginners to read and pronounce words without needing to learn the script immediately. As your vocabulary grows, you’ll become more confident in understanding conversations and speaking simple sentences.

At LearnManipuri.in, you can continue learning new vocabulary every day and gradually build a strong foundation in the Manipuri language.

Start with five words today, practice them in sentences, and keep adding new words each week. With regular practice, you’ll be able to understand and speak Manipuri more naturally.

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