ܓܘ ܝܡܐ

Assyrian Neo-Aramaic

Etymology

Literally, “In the sea”. From the fuller form of the phrase ܓܲܘ ܝܵܡܵܐ ܕܠܵܐ ܐܸܫܬܵܐ (gaw yāmā d-lā ištā, literally “in the sea without a bottom”).

Pronunciation

• (Standard) IPA^(key): [ɡaw.‿jɑːmɑː]

Phrase

ܓܲܘ ܝܵܡܵܐ • (gaw yāmā)

1. (colloquial, slang) never

   Synonyms: ܠܵܐ ܠܥܵܠܲܡ (lā lˁālam), ܡܸܡܬ݂ܘܿܡ (mimṯōm), ܗܸܟ̰ (hič)

   ܠܵܐ! ܓܲܘ ܝܵܡܵܐ!

   lā! gaw yāmā!

   No! Absolutely not!

   (literally, “No! In the sea!”)

   ܓܲܘ ܝܵܡܵܐ ܒܸܬ ܦܵܠܚܵܐ ܗ݇ܘܵܐ.

   gaw yāmā bit pālḥā wā.

   It would never work.

   (literally, “In the sea it would work.”)