Sylheti phrases
Essential Sylheti phrases you can use this week
Memorise lines, not dictionaries. These are the sentences that turn a silent visit into a conversation.
A useful Sylheti phrase list is short. You need greetings, a health check, food, and a way to talk about family. Everything else you can look up. Below are starter lines used in Sylheti homes and in the Learn Syloti lessons. Spellings are spoken-style so you can read them aloud; audio in the app is the real model.
Greetings and health
| English | Sylheti (as spoken) | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Peace be upon you | Assalamu alaikum | Standard greeting in many homes. |
| Are you well? | Bala aso ni? | Core question. Use afne with elders: afne bala aso ni? |
| I am well | Ami bala asi | Simple reply. |
| Yes (respectful) | Zio | Prefer this with elders over a casual oe. |
Food and hospitality
| English | Sylheti (as spoken) | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Come, sit | Ai boiya | Said as soon as you arrive. |
| Will you eat rice? | Bhat khaiba ni? | Rice stands in for a meal. |
| Water | Pani | Ask or offer. |
| The food is good | Khana bala / bhat bala | Compliment the cook. |
Family and sending salam
| English | Sylheti (as spoken) | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Mum and Dad also send salam | Abba amma-eo afnare salam disoin | Use when you visit without your parents. |
| This is my child | Eita amar fua / furi | Fua boy, furi girl — usage varies by family. |
| I will come tomorrow | Ami kali ahmu | Useful closing line. |
Numbers, time and a small emergency set
You do not need 1–100 on day one. You need enough to talk about tea, buses and how you feel.
| English | Sylheti (as spoken) | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| One, two, three | Ek, dui, tin | Same Indo-Aryan base as Bangla, with Sylheti sound. |
| Today / tomorrow | Aijka / kali | Pair with ‘I will come’. |
| I am not well | Ami bala nai | Say it early so elders stop asking only about food. |
| Call a doctor | Daktar-o mato | Learn the app’s emergency category before you travel. |
Pronunciation tip: do not rush. Sylheti is not English syllable-timing. Listen once with your eyes closed, then copy. In the app, the Greetings deck shows the Sylheti line first so you do not hide behind the English.
How to practise a phrase until it is automatic
- Listen three times.
- Say it slowly, then at conversation speed.
- Use it the same day — even in a voice note to a cousin who speaks Sylheti.
- Write your own family version. Swap Dada for Nanu, add a name.
When you are ready for a full visit, open the grandparents dialogue. For titles, use the family words guide.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say hello in Sylheti?
Assalamu alaikum is the usual greeting in many Muslim Sylheti homes. Follow it with a health question such as Bala aso ni?
How do you say thank you?
You will hear dhonnobad and shukriya. Matching the word your family uses matters more than the textbook choice.
Where can I practise with audio?
Learn Syloti on iPhone has greeting flashcards and full dialogues with native pronunciation.
