ნუთუ

Georgian

Etymology

From Old Georgian ნუთუ (nutu). Equivalent to ნუ (nu, negative particle) +‎ თუ (tu, “if”). Compare the similar development in Armenian միթե (mitʻe).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): [nutʰu]
  • Hyphenation: ნუ‧თუ

Particle

ნუთუ • (nutu)

  1. Used in interrogative sentences to add a nuance of doubt, surprise, or astonishment, implying that the speaker thinks of the circumstance as improbable.
    Synonym: განა (gana)
    ნუთუ მართლა წავიდა? ― nutu martla c̣avida? ― Surely he hasn't really left?
  2. (sarcastic) oh really

Further reading

  • Vogt, Hans (1971) Grammaire de la langue géorgienne‎[1] (in French), Oslo: Universitetsforlaget, page 214
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