ܢܐ

See also: -ܢܐ and ـܢܐ

Assyrian Neo-Aramaic

Etymology

Learned borrowing from Classical Syriac; compare Hebrew נָא (ná), and probably related Arabic نِيَّة (niyya, “inclination”), see the meanings of its root.

Pronunciation

• (Standard) IPA^(key): [neː]

Adverb

ܢܹܐ • (nē)

1. please, if you please

   ܢܹܐ ܠܵܐ ܠܸܦܬ݂ܵܚܵܐ ― nē lā lipṯāḥā ― Please do not open (literally, “Please not to open/for opening”)

   ܢܹܐ ܠܸܟܠܵܝܵܐ ܪܲܚܝܼܩܵܐܝܼܬ݂ ܡ̣ܢ ܬܲܪ̈ܥܹܐ ܐܵܕܝܼܵܐ. ― nē liklāyā raḥīqāˀīṯ min tarˁē ādīyā. ― Please stand clear of the doors immediately.

   ܢܹܐ ܗܘܝܼ ܒܲܣܝܼܡܵܐ ܠܐܲܚܘܼܟ݂ ― nē hwī basīmā l-aḥūḵ ― Please be kind to your brother!

Usage notes

• This is a mild imperative particle with the precise nuance depending on the relationship of the speakers but may be generalized as “please listen to me now and ...”
• This term followed by the infinitive can also be used as a general imperative when addressing nobody in particular (i.e., on signs, forms, recorded announcements, or when giving general instructions, to children, or large groups).

See also

• ܒܒ݂ܵܥܘܼ (bḇāˁū)
• ܐܸܢ ܒܵܣܡܵܐ ܠܘܼܟ݂ (in bāsmā lūḵ)