ܢܐ

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

• (Standard) IPA^(key): [neː]

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-aḥōḵ

   Please be kind to your brother!

• 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).

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