A GLOSSARY OF DZONGKHA TERMS
A GLOSSARY OF DZONGKHA TERMS
Ashi : Honorific title used by women of the Royal or aristocratic family
Avalokitesvara: Bodhisattva of compassion
Bodhisattva : Enlightened brings.
Bon : Religion with shamanistic and animist practices that predated Buddhism in the Himalayan region
Chathrim: Act, rules and regulations
Chhu: River or Water
Chitshog: Parliament
Chiwog: Group of villages.
Choesham: An altar, shrine room
Choeten: Stupa, usually containing sacred relics choetho
Thrimkiduensa: high Court
Dasho: A title given by His Majesty the King to people who have been recognized for their services to the country
Desi or Deb: Title given to temporal ruler of Bhutan from 1851-1905
Dochok Gothrip: Title given to the Leader of Opposition.
Drangpon: Judge
Dratshang: Central Monastic Body
Driglam Namzha: Age old etiquette and code of conduct
Dromchoe: Annual religious festival held at Punakha and Thimphu Dzongs dedicated to the protecting Deities of Bhutan
Druk: Thunder Dragon
Druk Gyalpo: Formal title for reference to His Majesty the King of Bhutan literally meaning the King of Bhutan.
Druk Yul: Dzongkha name for Bhutan. It means ”Land of the Thunder Dragon” or ”Land of the Drukpas”
Drukpa Kagyu: The sect of Buddhism that is the official state religion of Bhutan
Duar: Indian word meaning doorway or gate, which refers to the traditional entrances to Bhutan from the Bengal and Assam Plains of India.
Dungkhag: Sub Division of a District.
Dungkhag
Thrimkiduensa: Sub-Division-Court
Dungpa: Head of Sub-Divisions.
Dzong: Fortress-like structure that serves as the headquarters of a district administration and the residence of the Monk Body
Dzongda: District Administrator
Dzongkha: The national language of Bhutan (literally means language of the Dzong)
Dzongkhag: District
Dzongkhag
Thrimkiduensa: District Court
Dzongkhag
Tshogdu: District Council
Dzongkhag Yargye
Tshogchung: District Development committee
Gewog : Country, consisting of a block of villages
Gewog Tshogdu: Country Committee
Gewog Yargye
Tshogchung: Block Development Committee.
Gho: Men’s traditional attire, a long-sleeved robe, worn knee-length and fastened at the waist
Goenpa: Monastery
Gup: Head of the country
Guru
Padmasambhava: The Indian saint who brought Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8th century also known as Guru Rinpoche.
Gyalyong Tshogde: National Council
Gyalyong Tshogdu: National Assembly
Je Khenpo: Chief Abbot of Bhutan, also Head of the Monastic Body
Kabney: Ceremonial scarf worn by men
Keyra: Hand woven fabric belt to fasten a women’s kira
Khuru: Agame of darts.
Kira: Traditional ankle-length dress worn by women
Koma: Apair of silver brooches, which fastens the women’s kira at the shoulder
La: Mountain pass
Lama: Buddhist priest who is a religious master
Lhakhang: Buddhist temple
Lhengye
Zhungtshog: Cabinet
Lodroe Tshogde: Royal Advisory Council
Lyonchhen: Title for Prime Minister
Lyonpo: Title for a minister
Mangmi: Elected representative of the country, also the deputy Gup
Namthar: Life stories of great people or hagiography
Nyentho
Thrimkiduensa: Supreme Court
Penlop: Governor of a region consisting of several districts.
Rabdey: District Monastic Body
Rinpoche: Title given to reincarnated lamas
Thrimchee
Lyonpo: Title given to the Chief Justice
Thrimzhung
Chhenmo: The ‘Supereme Law’, which is a comprehensive code of categories of criminal offences and the appropriate penalties that were approved by the National Assembly in 1957 that were approved by the National Assembly in 1957
Thrizin: Title for Chairperson of the National Council
Thromde Tshogde: Municipal Committee
Thrompon: Municipal Administrator
Tshechu: Religious dance festival held in honour of Guru Padmasambhava
Tshokpoen: Title for Speaker of the National Assembly
Yenlag Thromde: Satellite town
Zhabdrung: Title given to Ngawang Namgyal and his Successive reincarnation, literally means ”he at whose feet one submits.”
