Learning in Practice

In this section, you will use direction-giving phrases in simple real-life situations. You will practise asking for directions politely, giving short directions, and using respectful forms such as जानुहोस् (jānuhos) and मोड्नुहोस् (moḍnuhos).

Try it in real life

Choose a place near you, such as a classroom, office, washroom, shop, bus stop, library, or temple. Practise giving simple directions to that place.

Example:

सीधा जानुहोस्।
sīdhā jānuhos.
Go straight.

दायाँ मोड्नुहोस्।
dāyā̃ moḍnuhos.
Turn right.

बायाँ मोड्नुहोस्।
bāyā̃ moḍnuhos.
Turn left.

अगाडि जानुहोस्।
agāḍi jānuhos.
Go ahead.

त्यहाँ छ।
tyahā̃ cha.
It is there.

Practice task

Practise this short exchange with a partner:

A: माफ गर्नुहोस्, पुस्तकालय कहाँ छ?
māph garnuhos, pustakālaya kahā̃ cha?

B: सीधा जानुहोस्।
sīdhā jānuhos.

A: त्यसपछि?
tyaspachi?

B: दायाँ मोड्नुहोस्।
dāyā̃ moḍnuhos.

A: पुस्तकालय त्यहाँ छ?
pustakālaya tyahā̃ cha?

B: हो, पुस्तकालय त्यहाँ छ।
ho, pustakālaya tyahā̃ cha.

A: धन्यवाद।
dhanyawād.

Mini culture note

When asking for directions in Nepali, it is polite to begin with माफ गर्नुहोस् (māph garnuhos) or नमस्ते (namaste). This makes the question sound respectful, especially when speaking to strangers, elders, shopkeepers, or community members.

Short directions are common in everyday speech. Speakers often give directions step by step: go straight, turn right, turn left, then identify the place.

Common mistake

Do not use direct commands too bluntly with strangers. For beginners, respectful forms are safer and more polite.

Better:

सीधा जानुहोस्।
sīdhā jānuhos.
Go straight.

दायाँ मोड्नुहोस्।
dāyā̃ moḍnuhos.
Turn right.

बायाँ मोड्नुहोस्।
bāyā̃ moḍnuhos.
Turn left.

Also remember to use कहाँ (kahā̃) when asking “where?”

पुस्तकालय कहाँ छ?
pustakālaya kahā̃ cha?
Where is the library?

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.

माफ गर्नुहोस्।
māph garnuhos.
Excuse me.

कहाँ?
kahā̃?
Where?

सीधा
sīdhā
straight

अगाडि
agāḍi
ahead / in front

दायाँ
dāyā̃
right

बायाँ
bāyā̃
left

सीधा जानुहोस्।
sīdhā jānuhos.
Go straight.

दायाँ मोड्नुहोस्।
dāyā̃ moḍnuhos.
Turn right.

बायाँ मोड्नुहोस्।
bāyā̃ moḍnuhos.
Turn left.

Rhythm practice

Read this short exchange aloud:

माफ गर्नुहोस्, पुस्तकालय कहाँ छ?
māph garnuhos, pustakālaya kahā̃ cha?

सीधा जानुहोस्।
sīdhā jānuhos.

त्यसपछि दायाँ मोड्नुहोस्।
tyaspachi dāyā̃ moḍnuhos.

पुस्तकालय त्यहाँ छ।
pustakālaya tyahā̃ cha.

धन्यवाद।
dhanyawād.

Can-do checklist

By the end of this chapter, I can:

• ask for directions politely
• use माफ गर्नुहोस् (māph garnuhos) to begin a polite request
• use कहाँ (kahā̃) to ask “where?”
• say “go straight,” “turn right,” and “turn left”
• use जानुहोस् (jānuhos) and मोड्नुहोस् (moḍnuhos) respectfully
• give short step-by-step directions in Nepali