A Glossary of Dzongkha Terms
Majestic mountains and deep valleys scattered with dzongs (fortresses), Buddhist chortens (shrines) and rural villages provide a wonderful playground for anyone visiting Bhutan. This enigmatic country remains largely unexplored and has a strong emphasis on low-impact tourism, meaning that it has maintained its charming cultures and traditions. While in Bhutan, you will no doubt come across one of its many colorful festivals or ‘tsechus’, which often involve masked dancing, bright costumes and folk songs. Our travel guide highlights those worth experiencing, allowing you to gain an insight into the unique customs that make this Himalayan Kingdom such a special place.
| DZONGKHA TERMS | MEANING |
| 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. |
| 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 |
| Thrimkiduensa: | District Court |
| 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 Gewog |
| Guru | Teacher |
| 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.” |
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