Etymology

From Proto-Sino-Tibetan *b-ləj ‎(“four”).

Pronunciation

• Old Tibetan:
  • IPA^(key): /*bʑi/ (reconstructed)
• Ü-Tsang
  • Tibetan Pinyin: xi^v
  • (Lhasa) IPA^(key): /ɕi˩˧/
• Khams
  • (Batang) IPA^(key): /ɣɪ˥˧/
  • (Dêgê) IPA^(key): /ʑe/
• Amdo
  • (Zêkog) IPA^(key): /wʑə/
  • (Bla-Brang) IPA^(key): /hʑə/
• Lahuli–Spiti
  • (Spiti) IPA^(key): /ʒi/