Gujarati Transliteration Guide: Describing Things
To describe something in Gujarati transliteration, first decide whether you need one descriptive word or a complete sentence. The examples include isolated words meaning small, clean, and bad, plus complete models meaning “This is small” and “This is new.” Use the complete model when expressing a full thought.
Start with these expressions
| English | Transliteration | Native script |
|---|---|---|
| Small | naanun | નાનું |
| Clean | saaf | સાફ |
| Bad | kharab | ખરાબ |
| New | navu | નવું |
| This is small. | aa naanun chhe. | આ નાનું છે. |
| This is new. | aa navu chhe. | આ નવું છે. |
Separate the describing word from the full sentence
The most useful distinction here is between an isolated adjective and a complete sentence. An isolated entry gives you the descriptive idea: small, clean, or bad. The dictionary evidence supports those core meanings, although each entry also has additional senses that should not automatically be substituted in every context. Small is documented with related meanings such as young, low, short, and inferior [1]. Clean can also mean clear or pure [2], while bad has stronger extensions including evil or immoral [3].
A complete sentence does more work than an adjective alone. When you want to point something out and say what it is like, choose the “This is small” model rather than using only the word for small. The same decision applies to “This is new”: select the complete sentence model, not merely the isolated entry for new.
Treat the Roman spellings as practical learner aids, not as a complete pronunciation system. In particular, the spellings do not make every vowel or nasal quality transparent. Use the English meaning and the complete model together, and avoid assuming that one adjective form demonstrates every Gujarati gender or number pattern.
[1] Source: www.gujaratilexicon.com.
[2] Source: www.gujaratilexicon.com.
[3] Source: www.gujaratilexicon.com.
Try it
You are pointing to a newly bought object and want to say, “This is new.” Which example should you choose?
Choose your answer before reading on.
Check your answer:
Use expression 6 in the table above.
Choose the complete sentence model for “This is new.” The separate entry for new supplies only the descriptive word, so it does not express the full pointing statement by itself.
Practise the same choice with one object in front of you: decide whether you need only its quality or a complete “This is...” statement, then select the matching model.
Practise speaking with Bhol. Learn words and sentences written in English letters.
