Learning in Practice

In this section, you will use the people-identification patterns from this chapter in simple real-life situations. You will practise asking who someone is and answering politely using उहाँ (uhā̃) and हुनुहुन्छ (hunuhuncha).

Try it in real life

Look at a photo of your family, friends, teachers, classmates, or community members. Point to one person and ask:

उहाँ को हुनुहुन्छ?
uhā̃ ko hunuhuncha?
Who is he/she?

Then answer respectfully:

उहाँ शिक्षक हुनुहुन्छ।
uhā̃ śikṣak hunuhuncha.
He/She is a teacher.

You can also practise with family words:

उहाँ मेरी आमा हुनुहुन्छ।
uhā̃ merī āmā hunuhuncha.
She is my mother.

उहाँ मेरो बुबा हुनुहुन्छ।
uhā̃ mero bubā hunuhuncha.
He is my father.

उहाँ मेरो साथी हुनुहुन्छ।
uhā̃ mero sāthī hunuhuncha.
He/She is my friend.

Practice task

Practise this short exchange with a partner:

A: उहाँ को हुनुहुन्छ?
uhā̃ ko hunuhuncha?

B: उहाँ मेरी आमा हुनुहुन्छ।
uhā̃ merī āmā hunuhuncha.

A: उहाँ शिक्षक हुनुहुन्छ?
uhā̃ śikṣak hunuhuncha?

B: होइन, उहाँ शिक्षक हुनुहुन्न। उहाँ डाक्टर हुनुहुन्छ।
hoina, uhā̃ śikṣak hunuhunna. uhā̃ ḍākṭar hunuhuncha.

A: उहाँ तपाईंको साथी हुनुहुन्छ?
uhā̃ tapāī̃ko sāthī hunuhuncha?

B: हो, उहाँ मेरो साथी हुनुहुन्छ।
ho, uhā̃ mero sāthī hunuhuncha.

Mini culture note

In Nepali, respectful language is very important when talking about adults, elders, teachers, guests, and people you do not know well.

Using उहाँ (uhā̃) and हुनुहुन्छ (hunuhuncha) shows respect. This is why beginners should practise respectful forms early, especially when identifying people.

Common mistake

Do not use यो के हो? (yo ke ho?) when asking about a person.

Use को (ko) for people:

उहाँ को हुनुहुन्छ?
uhā̃ ko hunuhuncha?
Who is he/she?

Use के (ke) for things:

यो के हो?
yo ke ho?
What is this?

Also, avoid using informal forms when talking about adults or respected people. For beginners, उहाँ (uhā̃) is safer than casual pronouns.

Say it aloud

Practise these slowly. Then say them more naturally.

After you practise, use the audio recorder below to record yourself. Listen to your recording and try again if you want to improve your pronunciation.

को?
ko?
Who?

उहाँ को हुनुहुन्छ?
uhā̃ ko hunuhuncha?
Who is he/she?

उहाँ शिक्षक हुनुहुन्छ।
uhā̃ śikṣak hunuhuncha.
He/She is a teacher.

उहाँ मेरी आमा हुनुहुन्छ।
uhā̃ merī āmā hunuhuncha.
She is my mother.

उहाँ मेरो साथी हुनुहुन्छ।
uhā̃ mero sāthī hunuhuncha.
He/She is my friend.

Rhythm practice

Read this short exchange aloud:

उहाँ को हुनुहुन्छ?
uhā̃ ko hunuhuncha?

उहाँ मेरो साथी हुनुहुन्छ।
uhā̃ mero sāthī hunuhuncha.

उहाँ शिक्षक हुनुहुन्छ?
uhā̃ śikṣak hunuhuncha?

हो, उहाँ शिक्षक हुनुहुन्छ।
ho, uhā̃ śikṣak hunuhuncha.

Can-do checklist

By the end of this chapter, I can:

• ask “Who is this?”
• ask “Who are they?” respectfully
• use को (ko) for people
• use उहाँ (uhā̃) respectfully
• use हुनुहुन्छ (hunuhuncha) in respectful sentences
• identify family members, friends, and teachers
• answer yes/no questions about people
• avoid using object questions for people
• speak about people politely in Nepali