Unit 8 — Words and Phrases

Overview

So far in this chapter, you have learned many important parts of Nepali writing.

You learned:

1. how Devanagari (dewanāgarī) is organized into अक्षर (akṣara) units
2. independent vowel letters
3. vowel signs, or मात्रा (mātrā)
4. consonant letters
5. consonant-vowel combinations
6. conjunct consonants
7. nasalization with चन्द्रबिन्दु (candrabindu) and बिन्दु (bindu)

In this unit, you will begin putting these parts together.

You will practise reading short Nepali words and simple phrases.

For example:

मन
man
mind; heart; feeling

यो किताब हो।
yo kitāb ho.
This is a book.

The goal of this unit is not to memorize many new words.

The main goal is to practise recognizing अक्षर (akṣara) as reading units.

In this unit, you will learn how to:

1. read simple Nepali words
2. recognize common word patterns
3. notice vowel signs in words
4. identify conjuncts and half-forms in words
5. read words with र (ra) clusters
6. read simple Nepali phrases and questions

You do not need to read every word perfectly right away.

The goal is to build confidence with short words and phrases.

1. Reading Nepali Words

In Nepali, reading is based on अक्षर (akṣara) units.

An अक्षर (akṣara) is one readable syllable block.

For example:

क
ka

का
kā

कि
ki

मन
man

पानी
pānī

When you read Nepali, try not to look at each letter separately.

Instead, look for syllable units.

Simple Rule

Read Nepali words by looking for अक्षर (akṣara) units.

2. A Simple Reading Strategy

When you see a Nepali word, use these steps:

1. Look at the whole word.
2. Find the अक्षर (akṣara) units.
3. Identify the consonants.
4. Look for vowel signs.
5. Notice any conjuncts, half-forms, or nasal marks.
6. Read the word slowly.
7. Read the word again more naturally.

Example:

किताब
kitāb
book

You can read it as:

कि + ता + ब
ki + tā + b

Learner Tip

At first, read slowly.

With practice, common words will become easier to recognize as whole words.

3. Common Simple Words

Many beginner Nepali words are short and follow regular patterns.

Read each word first in Devanagari (dewanāgarī).

Then read the transliteration.

4. Everyday Nouns

These are common words used in daily life.

Table 1.8.1 – Everyday Nouns

Try It Now

Read these words aloud:

घर
ghar

पानी
pānī

नाम
nām

काम
kām

Read slowly first.

Then read again more naturally.

5. Family Words

These words are useful when talking about family and people.

Table 1.8.2 – Family Words

Learner Tip

Some family words are used very often in Nepali conversations.

Practise saying them clearly and respectfully.

6. School and Daily Items

These words are useful in a classroom or learning setting.

Table 1.8.3 – School and Daily Items

Try It Now

Look around your room or classroom.

Can you identify any of these items?

Say the Nepali word aloud:

किताब
kitāb

कलम
kalam

कापी
kāpī

झोला
jholā

7. Words with Conjuncts and Half-Forms

Some Nepali words include consonant clusters.

These are also called conjuncts.

They may look difficult at first, but you can still read them by finding the अक्षर (akṣara) units.

Examples:

कक्षा
kakṣā
class; classroom

मित्र
mitra
friend

प्रश्न
praśna
question

Reading Strategy

When you see a word with a conjunct:

1. Find the conjunct or cluster.
2. Read the cluster as one part of the अक्षर (akṣara).
3. Look for vowel signs.
4. Read the full word slowly.

8. Common Conjunct Words

The following words contain common conjuncts.

Read each conjunct as part of one अक्षर (akṣara).

Table 1.8.4 – Common Conjunct Words

Quick Task

Choose five words from the table.

For each word:

1. read the word aloud
2. find the conjunct
3. read the word again

9. Words with र (ra) Clusters

The consonant र (ra) can appear in different ways in clusters.

Sometimes it appears above another consonant.

Sometimes it attaches after another consonant.

Sometimes it appears below a consonant.

Table 1.8.5 – Words with र (ra) Clusters

Quick Task

Look at each word.

Find where र (ra) appears.

Then read the word aloud.

10. Words with Half-Forms

Some words include reduced consonant forms.

These are called half-forms.

The हलन्त (halanta) removes the built-in a sound and allows consonants to join.

Table 1.8.6 – Words with Half-Forms

Learner Tip

Some words may look long, but they are easier when you break them into अक्षर (akṣara) units.

Example:

विद्यालय
widyālaya
school

Try reading it slowly:

वि + द्या + ल + य
wi + dyā + la + ya

11. Words with य (ya) Clusters

Some words have consonant + य (ya) combinations.

Examples:

क्य
kya

व्य
bya

Table 1.8.7 – Words with य (ya) Clusters

Quick Task

Break each word into smaller parts.

Example:

क्यानाडा
kyānāḍā

क्या + ना + डा
kyā + nā + ḍā

12. Words with Special Conjunct Shapes

Some conjuncts have special shapes.

It is helpful to recognize them as whole units.

Common special forms include:

क्ष
kṣa

त्र
tra

ज्ञ
jña / gya

Table 1.8.8 – Words with Special Conjunct Shapes

Learner Tip

For now, read क्ष, त्र, and ज्ञ as complete visual units.

You will become more comfortable with them through repeated reading.

13. Simple Phrases

Now you will practise reading short phrases and sentences.

Read each sentence as grouped अक्षर (akṣara) units.

Do not rush.

Read slowly first.

Then read again more naturally.

14. Everyday Phrases

Table 1.8.9 – Everyday Phrases

Try It Now

Read the sentences aloud:

यो घर हो।
yo ghar ho.

यो किताब हो।
yo kitāb ho.

मेरो नाम ___ हो।
mero nām ___ ho.

Now say your own name in the blank.

15. Classroom Phrases

Table 1.8.10 – Classroom Phrases

Learner Tip

These phrases are useful in class.

Practise reading them aloud and pointing to the object when possible.

16. Questions

Table 1.8.11 – Questions

Try It Now

Practise asking and answering:

यो के हो?
yo ke ho?
What is this?

यो किताब हो।
yo kitāb ho.
This is a book.

तपाईंको नाम के हो?
tapāī̃ko nām ke ho?
What is your name?

मेरो नाम ___ हो।
mero nām ___ ho.
My name is ___.

17. Practice Activity

Use the activity below to practise reading and writing Nepali words and phrases.