Learning in Practice

In this section, you will use location words from this chapter in simple real-life situations. You will practise saying where something is and asking where something is located.

Try it in real life

Choose three objects near you, such as a book, pen, bag, phone, or notebook. Put each object in a different place. Then say where it is.

Example:

किताब टेबलमा छ।
kitāb ṭebalmā cha.
The book is on the table.

झोला कुर्सीमा छ।
jholā kursīmā cha.
The bag is on the chair.

कलम किताबको छेउमा छ।
kalam kitābko cheumā cha.
The pen is beside the book.

मोबाइल झोलाभित्र छ।
mobāil jholābhitra cha.
The mobile phone is inside the bag.

Practice task

Practise this short exchange with a partner:

A: किताब कहाँ छ?
kitāb kahā̃ cha?

B: किताब टेबलमा छ।
kitāb ṭebalmā cha.

A: कलम कहाँ छ?
kalam kahā̃ cha?

B: कलम किताबको छेउमा छ।
kalam kitābko cheumā cha.

A: मोबाइल कहाँ छ?
mobāil kahā̃ cha?

B: मोबाइल झोलाभित्र छ।
mobāil jholābhitra cha.

Mini culture note

Location words are useful in many everyday situations. You can use them in classrooms, homes, shops, streets, temples, restaurants, and public places.

In Nepali, मा (mā) is often used to show “in,” “on,” or “at.” For example, घरमा (gharmā) can mean “at home” or “in the house,” depending on the situation.

Common mistake

Do not forget मा (mā) when saying where something is.

Correct:

किताब टेबलमा छ।
kitāb ṭebalmā cha.
The book is on the table.

Not:

किताब टेबल छ।
kitāb ṭebal cha.

Also remember that कहाँ (kahā̃) means “where?”

किताब कहाँ छ?
kitāb kahā̃ cha?
Where is the book?

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.

कहाँ?
kahā̃?
Where?

यहाँ।
yahā̃.
Here.

त्यहाँ।
tyahā̃.
There.

मा।
mā.
In / on / at.

भित्र।
bhitra.
Inside.

बाहिर।
bāhira.
Outside.

छेउमा।
cheumā.
Beside / near.

Rhythm practice

Read this short exchange aloud:

किताब कहाँ छ?
kitāb kahā̃ cha?

किताब टेबलमा छ।
kitāb ṭebalmā cha.

झोला कहाँ छ?
jholā kahā̃ cha?

झोला कुर्सीमा छ।
jholā kursīmā cha.

मोबाइल कहाँ छ?
mobāil kahā̃ cha?

मोबाइल झोलाभित्र छ।
mobāil jholābhitra cha.

Can-do checklist

By the end of this chapter, I can:

• ask where something is
• answer where something is located
• use कहाँ (kahā̃) to ask “where?”
• use मा (mā) with places and objects
• use यहाँ (yahā̃) and त्यहाँ (tyahā̃)
• use भित्र (bhitra) and बाहिर (bāhira)
• use छेउमा (cheumā) to say “beside” or “near”
• describe simple classroom or home locations
• use छ (cha) to talk about location