Learning in Practice

In this section, you will use family and relationship words in simple real-life situations. You will practise introducing family members, asking about family, and using respectful forms when speaking about others.

Try it in real life

Draw a simple family tree or look at a family photo. Choose three people and introduce them in Nepali.

Example:

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 दाइ हुनुहुन्छ।
uhā̃ mero dāi hunuhuncha.
He is my elder brother.

उहाँ मेरी बहिनी हुनुहुन्छ।
uhā̃ merī bahinī hunuhuncha.
She is my younger sister.

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 तपाईंको बुबा हुनुहुन्छ?
uhā̃ tapāī̃ko bubā hunuhuncha?

B: हो, उहाँ मेरो बुबा हुनुहुन्छ।
ho, uhā̃ mero bubā hunuhuncha.

A: तपाईंको दाइ हुनुहुन्छ?
tapāī̃ko dāi hunuhuncha?

B: हो, मेरो दाइ हुनुहुन्छ।
ho, mero dāi hunuhuncha.

Mini culture note

Family words are very important in Nepali. People often use family terms not only for relatives but also in respectful social relationships.

For example, दाइ (dāi) can mean “elder brother,” but it may also be used respectfully for an older male in the community. Similarly, दिदी (didī) can mean “elder sister” and may also be used respectfully for an older female.

Common mistake

Be careful with possessive forms such as मेरो (mero), मेरी (merī), and मेरा (merā).

Some common beginner phrases are:

मेरो बुबा
mero bubā
my father

मेरी आमा
merī āmā
my mother

मेरो दाइ
mero dāi
my elder brother

मेरी दिदी
merī didī
my elder sister

Also, when speaking respectfully about family members, use उहाँ (uhā̃) and हुनुहुन्छ (hunuhuncha).

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.

आमा।
āmā.
Mother.

बुबा।
bubā.
Father.

दाइ।
dāi.
Elder brother.

दिदी।
didī.
Elder sister.

बहिनी।
bahinī.
Younger sister.

भाइ।
bhāi.
Younger brother.

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

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

Rhythm practice

Read this short exchange aloud:

उहाँ को हुनुहुन्छ?
uhā̃ ko hunuhuncha?

उहाँ मेरी आमा हुनुहुन्छ।
uhā̃ merī āmā hunuhuncha.

उहाँ तपाईंको बुबा हुनुहुन्छ?
uhā̃ tapāī̃ko bubā hunuhuncha?

हो, उहाँ मेरो बुबा हुनुहुन्छ।
ho, uhā̃ mero bubā hunuhuncha.

तपाईंको दाइ हुनुहुन्छ?
tapāī̃ko dāi hunuhuncha?

हो, मेरो दाइ हुनुहुन्छ।
ho, mero dāi hunuhuncha.

Can-do checklist

By the end of this chapter, I can:

• name basic family members in Nepali
• introduce family members politely
• ask who someone is
• ask about someone’s family
• use उहाँ (uhā̃) respectfully
• use हुनुहुन्छ (hunuhuncha) when speaking about family members
• use common possessive forms such as मेरो (mero) and मेरी (merī)
• understand how family terms can show respect in Nepali
• describe simple family relationships in Nepali