ThIk Chha!

I absolutely love this phrase!

It’s why I’ve used it for the title of the blog.

I love what it means, how it sounds, the versatility of how it can be used.

It was one of the first phrases we learnt in those introductory language lessons. The ones we had during our in-country orientation program in the first two weeks after arriving. So many new words! So many new grammar rules! So many other new and amazing things capturing my attention! As a result there is a lot that I haven’t retained. But this small phrase stuck. Maybe (probably) because rarely a day goes by that I don’t have occasion to use it. And I just love the way it sounds when I form the words…so sometimes I just say it for the fun of it!

Just two words that translates literally to “fine (it) is” but that can be used in a multitude of situations to communicate when I don’t have the vocabulary to be more articulate or conversant…

I can use it with a questioning inflection to ask after someone’s well-being or comfort; to ask permission/check it’s OK to do something; to ensure that I’ve paid the correct bus fare or for my meal; to confirm I’m heading in the right direction when wandering the maze of Kathmandu’s streets or walking in the countryside around Dhulikhel; to check that my students have understood my lesson.

I can use it to let people know I’m happy, comfortable, satiated, warm enough: the list goes on.

I’m still perfecting the pronunciation. So here’s some of my friends doing the explaining for me. ThIk Chha!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKcuucXeZrc