The Biate language, also known as Biete language, is a Sino-Tibetan language spoken by the Biate people in several parts of northeast India.[2] Biate is pronounced as Bia-te (the e in te pronounced as "a").

Biate
RegionIndia
EthnicityBiate
Native speakers
(19,000 cited 1997)[1]
35,000 (2021)[citation needed]
Latin
Language codes
ISO 639-3biu
Glottologbiet1238  Biete
ELPBiete

Geographical distribution

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Biate is spoken in the following locations (Ethnologue).

Basic vocabulary

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Biate Meaning
Im ne riming? What is your name?
Ke riming chu Thiangchonsinga My name is Thiangchonsinga
Ki lôm (ki-lôm) Thank You
Ni damim? How are you?
Ki dam I am fine
Tui Water
Phâivua Air
Bu (cooked) rice
Inga(sa) fish (meat)
Ar(sa) chicken(meat)
Voksa pork
Sialsa beef
Kêlsa mutton
Thlâichi vegetable
Dal lentils
Chial(Chi-al) salt
Chithlum(Chi-thlum) sugar
Aroi less
Marcha chilli
Ne peh nôk roh Please give again (serve again).
A inrup enough
Tui ne peh roh Please give water.
Bu ne peh roh Please give food (rice).
An ne peh roh Please give (side dish) vegetable / meat.
Im nang ki pek rang? Give what?
Im? What?
Tikinta? When? (past)
Tikinim? When? (future)
Taka'm / tak tiangim? Where?
Ingkanim? How?
Mangṭha. Sleep well. (The equivalent of "Good Night".)
Ingkanim ki fe rang Mualsei? How do I go to Mualsei?
Izaka'm a man Epu / Epi? What is the price of this? (Epu is masculine gender, Epi is feminine gender)
Lôm takkan fe roh. Happy journey

Numbers

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0 Hual
1 Khatka
2 Nika
3 Thumka
4 Lika
5 Ringaka
6 Rukka
7 Sarika
8 Riatka
9 Kuakka
10 Somka
20 Sominika
30 Somithumka
40 Somilika
50 Somringaka
60 Somrukka
70 Somsarika
80 Somriatka
90 Somkuakka
100 Rizaka
200 Rizanika
300 Rizathumka
400 Rizalika
500 Rizaringaka
600 Rizarukka
700 Rizasarika
800 Rizariatka
900 Rizakuakka
1000 Sangka
10000 Sîngka
100000 Nuaika
1000000 Dâpka
10000000 Mit-en
100000000 Thlîr
1000000000 Vânnuaidâp

References

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  1. ^ Biate at Ethnologue (25th ed., 2022)  
  2. ^ Lalsim, R. (2005). Tribes of N.C.Hills, Assam. Assam: Cultural and Publicity Officer. pp. 61–105.