People & Society

Language

The official language of Myanmar is Myanmar (Burmese), though English is widely spoken. The Myanmar alphabet consists of 33 consonants and 12 vowels, which are combined with various symbols

Speaking Myanmar

Hello                        Mingalaba
Goodbye                     Thwa bee
How are you?            Ne kaun ye la?
I am fine                      Ne kaun ba deh
How much is this?    Da be lau leh?
Thank you                  Chey zu tin be deh
Yes                               Hou keh
No                              M’hou ba boo
Excuse me                Shin (women), Khin bya (men)
Toilet                         Ein tha

Religion

Buddhism is the predominant religion of Myanmar and Theravada Buddhism is embraced by about 80% of the population. The local temple is central to every community, and is also the traditional place for education. Every male is expected to enter the monkhood at least once in his lifetime, usually as a young man. There is freedom of worship for other religions: Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Animism.