{"id":116,"date":"2025-11-30T01:09:59","date_gmt":"2025-11-30T06:09:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/nepali\/chapter\/chapter-4-unit-4-grammar-focus\/"},"modified":"2026-05-24T02:59:18","modified_gmt":"2026-05-24T06:59:18","slug":"chapter-4-unit-4-grammar-focus","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/nepali\/chapter\/chapter-4-unit-4-grammar-focus\/","title":{"raw":"Unit 4 \u2014 Grammar Focus","rendered":"Unit 4 \u2014 Grammar Focus"},"content":{"raw":"

Possessive Pronouns<\/h2>\r\nIn Nepali, possession is often shown with the genitive endings \u2013\u0915\u094b, \u2013\u0915\u0940, and \u2013\u0915\u093e (\u2013ko, \u2013k\u012b, \u2013k\u0101<\/em>). These endings can mean \u201cmy,\u201d \u201cyour,\u201d \u201chis,\u201d \u201cher,\u201d \u201ctheir,\u201d or \u201cof,\u201d depending on the sentence.\r\n\r\nA very important point is that \u2013\u0915\u094b \/ \u2013\u0915\u0940 \/ \u2013\u0915\u093e (\u2013ko \/ \u2013k\u012b \/ \u2013k\u0101<\/em>) agree with the thing being owned, not with the owner.\r\n\r\nFor example:\r\n\r\n\u0924\u092a\u093e\u0908\u0902\u0915\u094b \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c\r\ntap\u0101\u012b\u0303ko kit\u0101b<\/em>\r\nyour book\r\n\r\n\u0924\u092a\u093e\u0908\u0902\u0915\u0940 \u0906\u092e\u093e\r\ntap\u0101\u012b\u0303k\u012b \u0101m\u0101<\/em>\r\nyour mother\r\n\r\n\u0924\u092a\u093e\u0908\u0902\u0915\u093e \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c\u0939\u0930\u0942\r\ntap\u0101\u012b\u0303k\u0101 kit\u0101bhar\u016b<\/em>\r\nyour books\r\n\r\nIn these examples, the ending changes because the possessed noun changes: \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c (kit\u0101b<\/em>), \u0906\u092e\u093e (\u0101m\u0101<\/em>), and \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c\u0939\u0930\u0942 (kit\u0101bhar\u016b<\/em>).\r\n\r\nThere are three common ways to form possessive pronouns in Nepali:\r\n
    \r\n \t
  1. Some pronouns stay the same and directly take \u2013\u0915\u094b \/ \u2013\u0915\u0940 \/ \u2013\u0915\u093e (\u2013ko \/ \u2013k\u012b \/ \u2013k\u0101<\/em>).<\/li>\r\n \t
  2. Some pronouns have special possessive forms.<\/li>\r\n \t
  3. Some pronouns change to a different stem before taking \u2013\u0915\u094b \/ \u2013\u0915\u0940 \/ \u2013\u0915\u093e (\u2013ko \/ \u2013k\u012b \/ \u2013k\u0101<\/em>).<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

    1. Direct-Case Pronouns<\/h2>\r\nSome Nepali pronouns form possessives in the simplest way. The pronoun stays the same, and \u2013\u0915\u094b \/ \u2013\u0915\u0940 \/ \u2013\u0915\u093e (\u2013ko \/ \u2013k\u012b \/ \u2013k\u0101<\/em>) is added directly.\r\n\r\nFor example:\r\n\r\n\u0924\u092a\u093e\u0908\u0902\r\ntap\u0101\u012b\u0303<\/em>\r\nyou, polite\r\n\r\n\u0924\u092a\u093e\u0908\u0902\u0915\u094b\r\ntap\u0101\u012b\u0303ko<\/em>\r\nyour\r\n\r\n\u0909\u0939\u093e\u0901\r\nuh\u0101\u0303<\/em>\r\nhe\/she, respectful\r\n\r\n\u0909\u0939\u093e\u0901\u0915\u094b\r\nuh\u0101\u0303ko<\/em>\r\nhis\/her, respectful\r\n\r\nRemember: the ending agrees with the noun being possessed, not with the pronoun.\r\n\r\n[table id=124 \/]\r\n

    Try It Now<\/h3>\r\nRead the phrases aloud.\r\n\r\n\u0924\u092a\u093e\u0908\u0902\u0915\u094b \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c\r\ntap\u0101\u012b\u0303ko kit\u0101b<\/em>\r\nyour book\r\n\r\n\u0924\u092a\u093e\u0908\u0902\u0915\u0940 \u0906\u092e\u093e\r\ntap\u0101\u012b\u0303k\u012b \u0101m\u0101<\/em>\r\nyour mother\r\n\r\n\u0924\u092a\u093e\u0908\u0902\u0915\u093e \u0938\u093e\u0925\u0940\u0939\u0930\u0942\r\ntap\u0101\u012b\u0303k\u0101 s\u0101th\u012bhar\u016b<\/em>\r\nyour friends\r\n\r\n\u0909\u0939\u093e\u0901\u0915\u094b \u0918\u0930\r\nuh\u0101\u0303ko ghar<\/em>\r\nhis\/her house, respectful\r\n\r\n\u0909\u0939\u093e\u0901\u0915\u0940 \u091b\u094b\u0930\u0940\r\nuh\u0101\u0303k\u012b chor\u012b<\/em>\r\nhis\/her daughter, respectful\r\n

    2. Special Possessive Forms<\/h2>\r\nSome Nepali pronouns do not form possession by simply adding \u2013\u0915\u094b \/ \u2013\u0915\u0940 \/ \u2013\u0915\u093e (\u2013ko \/ \u2013k\u012b \/ \u2013k\u0101<\/em>). Instead, they have special possessive forms that must be learned as whole words.\r\n\r\nFor example:\r\n\r\n\u092e\r\nma<\/em>\r\nI\r\n\r\n\u092e\u0947\u0930\u094b\r\nmero<\/em>\r\nmy\r\n\r\n\u0939\u093e\u092e\u0940\r\nh\u0101m\u012b<\/em>\r\nwe\r\n\r\n\u0939\u093e\u092e\u094d\u0930\u094b\r\nh\u0101mro<\/em>\r\nour\r\n\r\n\u0924\u093f\u092e\u0940\r\ntim\u012b<\/em>\r\nyou, familiar\r\n\r\n\u0924\u093f\u092e\u094d\u0930\u094b\r\ntimro<\/em>\r\nyour, familiar\r\n\r\nThese forms are very common in everyday Nepali, so it is best to memorize them as core vocabulary.\r\n\r\n[table id=125 \/]\r\n

    Simple Rule<\/h3>\r\nDo not say \u092e\u0915\u094b (mako<\/em>) for \u201cmy.\u201d\r\n\r\nUse \u092e\u0947\u0930\u094b (mero<\/em>).\r\n\r\nDo not say \u0939\u093e\u092e\u0940\u0915\u094b (h\u0101m\u012bko<\/em>) for \u201cour.\u201d\r\n\r\nUse \u0939\u093e\u092e\u094d\u0930\u094b (h\u0101mro<\/em>).\r\n

    Try It Now<\/h3>\r\nComplete the phrases.\r\n\r\n\u092e\u0947\u0930\u094b \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c\r\nmero kit\u0101b<\/em>\r\nmy book\r\n\r\n\u092e\u0947\u0930\u0940 \u0906\u092e\u093e\r\nmer\u012b \u0101m\u0101<\/em>\r\nmy mother\r\n\r\n\u092e\u0947\u0930\u093e \u0938\u093e\u0925\u0940\u0939\u0930\u0942\r\nmer\u0101 s\u0101th\u012bhar\u016b<\/em>\r\nmy friends\r\n\r\n\u0939\u093e\u092e\u094d\u0930\u094b \u0918\u0930\r\nh\u0101mro ghar<\/em>\r\nour house\r\n\r\n\u0924\u093f\u092e\u094d\u0930\u094b \u091d\u094b\u0932\u093e\r\ntimro jhol\u0101<\/em>\r\nyour bag, familiar\r\n

    3. Oblique-Stem Pronouns<\/h2>\r\nSome pronouns change form before adding \u2013\u0915\u094b \/ \u2013\u0915\u0940 \/ \u2013\u0915\u093e (\u2013ko \/ \u2013k\u012b \/ \u2013k\u0101<\/em>). This changed form is called an oblique stem.\r\n\r\nThis pattern is common with demonstratives and third-person forms.\r\n\r\nFor example:\r\n\r\n\u092f\u094b\r\nyo<\/em>\r\nthis\r\n\r\n\u092f\u0938\u0915\u094b \/ \u092f\u0938\u094d\u0915\u094b\r\nyasko<\/em>\r\nof this \/ this one\u2019s\r\n\r\n\u0924\u094d\u092f\u094b\r\ntyo<\/em>\r\nthat\r\n\r\n\u0924\u094d\u092f\u0938\u0915\u094b \/ \u0924\u094d\u092f\u0938\u094d\u0915\u094b\r\ntyasko<\/em>\r\nof that \/ that one\u2019s\r\n\r\nAs always, the ending agrees with the noun being possessed.\r\n\r\n[table id=126 \/]\r\n

    Learner Tip<\/h3>\r\nFor beginners, focus first on recognizing these common forms:\r\n\r\n\u092f\u0938\u094d\u0915\u094b\r\nyasko<\/em>\r\nthis one\u2019s \/ of this\r\n\r\n\u0924\u094d\u092f\u0938\u094d\u0915\u094b\r\ntyasko<\/em>\r\nthat one\u2019s \/ of that\r\n\r\n\u0915\u0938\u094d\u0915\u094b\r\nkasko<\/em>\r\nwhose\r\n

    Try It Now<\/h3>\r\nRead the questions and answers.\r\n\r\n\u092f\u094b \u0915\u0938\u094d\u0915\u094b \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c \u0939\u094b?\r\nyo kasko kit\u0101b ho?<\/em>\r\nWhose book is this?\r\n\r\n\u092f\u094b \u092f\u0938\u094d\u0915\u094b \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c \u0939\u094b\u0964\r\nyo yasko kit\u0101b ho.<\/em>\r\nThis is this person\u2019s book.\r\n\r\n\u0924\u094d\u092f\u094b \u0915\u0938\u094d\u0915\u094b \u091d\u094b\u0932\u093e \u0939\u094b?\r\ntyo kasko jhol\u0101 ho?<\/em>\r\nWhose bag is that?\r\n\r\n\u0924\u094d\u092f\u094b \u0924\u094d\u092f\u0938\u094d\u0915\u094b \u091d\u094b\u0932\u093e \u0939\u094b\u0964\r\ntyo tyasko jhol\u0101 ho.<\/em>\r\nThat is that person\u2019s bag.\r\n

    Key Reminder<\/h2>\r\nThe possessive ending agrees with the thing being owned, not with the owner.\r\n\r\n\u092e\u0947\u0930\u094b \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c\r\nmero kit\u0101b<\/em>\r\nmy book\r\n\r\n\u092e\u0947\u0930\u0940 \u0906\u092e\u093e\r\nmer\u012b \u0101m\u0101<\/em>\r\nmy mother\r\n\r\n\u092e\u0947\u0930\u093e \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c\u0939\u0930\u0942\r\nmer\u0101 kit\u0101bhar\u016b<\/em>\r\nmy books\r\n\r\nThe owner is the same: \u092e (ma<\/em>), \u201cI.\u201d\r\n\r\nThe ending changes because the possessed noun changes.\r\n

    Ownership with \u2013\u0915\u094b, \u2013\u0915\u0940, \u2013\u0915\u093e<\/h2>\r\nIn Nepali, ownership is expressed with \u2013\u0915\u094b \/ \u2013\u0915\u0940 \/ \u2013\u0915\u093e (\u2013ko \/ \u2013k\u012b \/ \u2013k\u0101<\/em>). These endings are similar to English \u201c\u2019s\u201d or \u201cof.\u201d\r\n\r\nFor example:\r\n\r\n\u0930\u093e\u092e\u0915\u094b \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c\r\nr\u0101mko kit\u0101b<\/em>\r\nRam\u2019s book\r\n\r\n\u0938\u0940\u0924\u093e\u0915\u094b \u0918\u0930\r\ns\u012bt\u0101ko ghar<\/em>\r\nSita\u2019s house\r\n\r\n\u0924\u092a\u093e\u0908\u0902\u0915\u094b \u091d\u094b\u0932\u093e\r\ntap\u0101\u012b\u0303ko jhol\u0101<\/em>\r\nyour bag\r\n\r\nThe genitive ending attaches to the owner and links the owner to the thing being owned.\r\n

    Agreement of \u2013\u0915\u094b \/ \u2013\u0915\u0940 \/ \u2013\u0915\u093e<\/h2>\r\nThe form of the ending depends on the thing being owned.\r\n

    Simple Rule<\/h3>\r\nUse \u2013\u0915\u094b (\u2013ko<\/em>) with most singular general nouns.\r\n\r\nUse \u2013\u0915\u0940 (\u2013k\u012b<\/em>) with singular female persons.\r\n\r\nUse \u2013\u0915\u093e (\u2013k\u0101<\/em>) with plural nouns.\r\n\r\n[table id=128 \/]\r\n

    Try It Now<\/h3>\r\nChoose the correct form.\r\n\r\n\u092e\u0947\u0930\u094b \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c\r\nmero kit\u0101b<\/em>\r\nmy book\r\n\r\n\u092e\u0947\u0930\u0940 \u092c\u0939\u093f\u0928\u0940\r\nmer\u012b bahin\u012b<\/em>\r\nmy younger sister\r\n\r\n\u092e\u0947\u0930\u093e \u0938\u093e\u0925\u0940\u0939\u0930\u0942\r\nmer\u0101 s\u0101th\u012bhar\u016b<\/em>\r\nmy friends\r\n\r\n\u0924\u092a\u093e\u0908\u0902\u0915\u094b \u0918\u0930\r\ntap\u0101\u012b\u0303ko ghar<\/em>\r\nyour house\r\n\r\n\u0924\u092a\u093e\u0908\u0902\u0915\u0940 \u0906\u092e\u093e\r\ntap\u0101\u012b\u0303k\u012b \u0101m\u0101<\/em>\r\nyour mother\r\n\r\n\u0924\u092a\u093e\u0908\u0902\u0915\u093e \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c\u0939\u0930\u0942\r\ntap\u0101\u012b\u0303k\u0101 kit\u0101bhar\u016b<\/em>\r\nyour books\r\n

    Possession vs. Ownership in Nepali<\/h2>\r\nIn Nepali, \u201chaving something\u201d and \u201csomething belonging to someone\u201d are expressed with two different sentence patterns.\r\n\r\nUse \u091b \/ \u091b\u0948\u0928 (cha \/ chaina<\/em>) when you want to say that someone has or does not have something.\r\n\r\nUse \u0939\u094b \/ \u0939\u094b\u0907\u0928 (ho \/ hoina<\/em>) when you want to say that something belongs to someone.\r\n

    Possession: Someone Has Something<\/h3>\r\nUse this pattern when you want to say what someone has.\r\n\r\nStructure:\r\n\r\nPerson + \u2013\u0915\u094b \/ \u2013\u0915\u0940 \/ \u2013\u0915\u093e + thing + \u091b \/ \u091b\u0928\u094d \/ \u091b\u0948\u0928\r\nPerson + \u2013ko \/ \u2013k\u012b \/ \u2013k\u0101 + thing + cha \/ chan \/ chaina<\/em>\r\n\r\nFor example:\r\n\r\n\u092e\u0947\u0930\u094b \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c \u091b\u0964\r\nmero kit\u0101b cha.<\/em>\r\nI have a book.\r\n\r\n\u0924\u092a\u093e\u0908\u0902\u0915\u094b \u091d\u094b\u0932\u093e \u091b\u0964\r\ntap\u0101\u012b\u0303ko jhol\u0101 cha.<\/em>\r\nYou have a bag.\r\n\r\n\u092e\u0947\u0930\u094b \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c \u091b\u0948\u0928\u0964\r\nmero kit\u0101b chaina.<\/em>\r\nI do not have a book.\r\n\r\nIn this pattern, the sentence focuses on what exists in relation to a person.\r\n\r\n[table id=129 \/]\r\n

    Ownership: Something Belongs to Someone<\/h3>\r\nUse this pattern when you want to identify who something belongs to.\r\n\r\nStructure:\r\n\r\nThing + person + \u2013\u0915\u094b \/ \u2013\u0915\u0940 \/ \u2013\u0915\u093e + \u0939\u094b \/ \u0939\u094b\u0907\u0928\r\nThing + person + \u2013ko \/ \u2013k\u012b \/ \u2013k\u0101 + ho \/ hoina<\/em>\r\n\r\nFor example:\r\n\r\n\u092f\u094b \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c \u092e\u0947\u0930\u094b \u0939\u094b\u0964\r\nyo kit\u0101b mero ho.<\/em>\r\nThis book is mine.\r\n\r\n\u0924\u094d\u092f\u094b \u091d\u094b\u0932\u093e \u0924\u092a\u093e\u0908\u0902\u0915\u094b \u0939\u094b\u0964\r\ntyo jhol\u0101 tap\u0101\u012b\u0303ko ho.<\/em>\r\nThat bag is yours.\r\n\r\n\u092f\u094b \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c \u092e\u0947\u0930\u094b \u0939\u094b\u0907\u0928\u0964\r\nyo kit\u0101b mero hoina.<\/em>\r\nThis book is not mine.\r\n\r\nIn this pattern, the sentence identifies ownership. It tells us whose something is.\r\n\r\n[table id=130 \/]\r\n

    Common Mistake<\/h3>\r\nDo not confuse these two patterns.\r\n\r\n\u092e\u0947\u0930\u094b \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c \u091b\u0964\r\nmero kit\u0101b cha.<\/em>\r\nI have a book.\r\n\r\n\u092f\u094b \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c \u092e\u0947\u0930\u094b \u0939\u094b\u0964\r\nyo kit\u0101b mero ho.<\/em>\r\nThis book is mine.\r\n\r\nThe first sentence talks about possession.\r\n\r\nThe second sentence identifies ownership.\r\n

    Chains of Ownership<\/h2>\r\nNepali can show more than one level of ownership by using several genitive phrases together.\r\n\r\nFor example:\r\n\r\n\u0930\u093e\u092e\u0915\u094b \u092d\u093e\u0907\u0915\u094b \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c\r\nr\u0101mko bh\u0101iko kit\u0101b<\/em>\r\nRam\u2019s younger brother\u2019s book\r\n\r\n\u0938\u0940\u0924\u093e\u0915\u094b \u0906\u092e\u093e\u0915\u094b \u0918\u0930\r\ns\u012bt\u0101ko \u0101m\u0101ko ghar<\/em>\r\nSita\u2019s mother\u2019s house\r\n\r\nEach \u2013\u0915\u094b (\u2013ko<\/em>) phrase connects to the noun that follows it.\r\n\r\n[table id=131 \/]\r\n

    Learner Tip<\/h3>\r\nShort ownership chains are common in Nepali.\r\n\r\nVery long ownership chains can become hard to understand. In natural speech, speakers often split them into two shorter sentences.\r\n\r\nFor example:\r\n\r\n\u092f\u094b \u0930\u093e\u092e\u0915\u094b \u092d\u093e\u0907 \u0939\u094b\u0964\r\nyo r\u0101mko bh\u0101i ho.<\/em>\r\nThis is Ram\u2019s younger brother.\r\n\r\n\u092f\u094b \u0909\u0939\u093e\u0901\u0915\u094b \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c \u0939\u094b\u0964\r\nyo uh\u0101\u0303ko kit\u0101b ho.<\/em>\r\nThis is his book.\r\n

    Asking \u201cWhose?\u201d Questions<\/h2>\r\nTo ask \u201cwhose?\u201d in Nepali, use:\r\n\r\n\u0915\u0938\u094d\u0915\u094b\r\nkasko<\/em>\r\n\r\n\u0915\u0938\u094d\u0915\u0940\r\nkask\u012b<\/em>\r\n\r\n\u0915\u0938\u094d\u0915\u093e\r\nkask\u0101<\/em>\r\n\r\nThese forms work like \u2013\u0915\u094b \/ \u2013\u0915\u0940 \/ \u2013\u0915\u093e (\u2013ko \/ \u2013k\u012b \/ \u2013k\u0101<\/em>). They agree with the noun being possessed.\r\n

    Simple Rule<\/h3>\r\n\u0915\u0938\u094d\u0915\u094b (kasko<\/em>) \u2192 most singular general nouns\r\n\r\n\u0915\u0938\u094d\u0915\u0940 (kask\u012b<\/em>) \u2192 singular female persons\r\n\r\n\u0915\u0938\u094d\u0915\u093e (kask\u0101<\/em>) \u2192 plural nouns\r\n\r\nFor example:\r\n\r\n\u092f\u094b \u0915\u0938\u094d\u0915\u094b \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c \u0939\u094b?\r\nyo kasko kit\u0101b ho?<\/em>\r\nWhose book is this?\r\n\r\n\u0909\u0939\u093e\u0901 \u0915\u0938\u094d\u0915\u0940 \u0906\u092e\u093e \u0939\u0941\u0928\u0941\u0939\u0941\u0928\u094d\u091b?\r\nuh\u0101\u0303 kask\u012b \u0101m\u0101 hunuhuncha?<\/em>\r\nWhose mother is she?\r\n\r\n\u092f\u0940 \u0915\u0938\u094d\u0915\u093e \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c\u0939\u0930\u0942 \u0939\u0941\u0928\u094d?\r\ny\u012b kask\u0101 kit\u0101bhar\u016b hun?<\/em>\r\nWhose books are these?\r\n\r\n[table id=132 \/]\r\n

    Try It Now<\/h3>\r\nAsk and answer with a partner.\r\n\r\nA: \u092f\u094b \u0915\u0938\u094d\u0915\u094b \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c \u0939\u094b?\r\nyo kasko kit\u0101b ho?<\/em>\r\nWhose book is this?\r\n\r\nB: \u092f\u094b \u092e\u0947\u0930\u094b \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c \u0939\u094b\u0964\r\nyo mero kit\u0101b ho.<\/em>\r\nThis is my book.\r\n\r\nA: \u0924\u094d\u092f\u094b \u0915\u0938\u094d\u0915\u094b \u091d\u094b\u0932\u093e \u0939\u094b?\r\ntyo kasko jhol\u0101 ho?<\/em>\r\nWhose bag is that?\r\n\r\nB: \u0924\u094d\u092f\u094b \u0924\u092a\u093e\u0908\u0902\u0915\u094b \u091d\u094b\u0932\u093e \u0939\u094b\u0964\r\ntyo tap\u0101\u012b\u0303ko jhol\u0101 ho.<\/em>\r\nThat is your bag.\r\n\r\nA: \u092f\u0940 \u0915\u0938\u094d\u0915\u093e \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c\u0939\u0930\u0942 \u0939\u0941\u0928\u094d?\r\ny\u012b kask\u0101 kit\u0101bhar\u016b hun?<\/em>\r\nWhose books are these?\r\n\r\nB: \u092f\u0940 \u0939\u093e\u092e\u094d\u0930\u093e \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c\u0939\u0930\u0942 \u0939\u0941\u0928\u094d\u0964\r\ny\u012b h\u0101mr\u0101 kit\u0101bhar\u016b hun.<\/em>\r\nThese are our books.\r\n
    \r\n

    Check Your Understanding<\/h2>\r\n[h5p id=\"594\"]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

    Can You Do This Now?<\/h2>\r\nAt the end of this section, you should be able to:\r\n
      \r\n \t
    • recognize possessive forms such as \u092e\u0947\u0930\u094b, \u0924\u092a\u093e\u0908\u0902\u0915\u094b, \u0909\u0939\u093e\u0901\u0915\u094b, \u092f\u0938\u094d\u0915\u094b, and \u0924\u094d\u092f\u0938\u094d\u0915\u094b<\/li>\r\n \t
    • use \u2013\u0915\u094b, \u2013\u0915\u0940, and \u2013\u0915\u093e with the correct type of noun<\/li>\r\n \t
    • understand that the possessive ending agrees with the thing being owned<\/li>\r\n \t
    • ask \u201cwhose?\u201d questions with \u0915\u0938\u094d\u0915\u094b, \u0915\u0938\u094d\u0915\u0940, and \u0915\u0938\u094d\u0915\u093e<\/li>\r\n \t
    • say simple ownership sentences such as \u092f\u094b \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c \u092e\u0947\u0930\u094b \u0939\u094b<\/li>\r\n \t
    • say simple possession sentences such as \u092e\u0947\u0930\u094b \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c \u091b<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","rendered":"

      Possessive Pronouns<\/h2>\n

      In Nepali, possession is often shown with the genitive endings \u2013\u0915\u094b, \u2013\u0915\u0940, and \u2013\u0915\u093e (\u2013ko, \u2013k\u012b, \u2013k\u0101<\/em>). These endings can mean \u201cmy,\u201d \u201cyour,\u201d \u201chis,\u201d \u201cher,\u201d \u201ctheir,\u201d or \u201cof,\u201d depending on the sentence.<\/p>\n

      A very important point is that \u2013\u0915\u094b \/ \u2013\u0915\u0940 \/ \u2013\u0915\u093e (\u2013ko \/ \u2013k\u012b \/ \u2013k\u0101<\/em>) agree with the thing being owned, not with the owner.<\/p>\n

      For example:<\/p>\n

      \u0924\u092a\u093e\u0908\u0902\u0915\u094b \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c
      \ntap\u0101\u012b\u0303ko kit\u0101b<\/em>
      \nyour book<\/p>\n

      \u0924\u092a\u093e\u0908\u0902\u0915\u0940 \u0906\u092e\u093e
      \ntap\u0101\u012b\u0303k\u012b \u0101m\u0101<\/em>
      \nyour mother<\/p>\n

      \u0924\u092a\u093e\u0908\u0902\u0915\u093e \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c\u0939\u0930\u0942
      \ntap\u0101\u012b\u0303k\u0101 kit\u0101bhar\u016b<\/em>
      \nyour books<\/p>\n

      In these examples, the ending changes because the possessed noun changes: \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c (kit\u0101b<\/em>), \u0906\u092e\u093e (\u0101m\u0101<\/em>), and \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c\u0939\u0930\u0942 (kit\u0101bhar\u016b<\/em>).<\/p>\n

      There are three common ways to form possessive pronouns in Nepali:<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Some pronouns stay the same and directly take \u2013\u0915\u094b \/ \u2013\u0915\u0940 \/ \u2013\u0915\u093e (\u2013ko \/ \u2013k\u012b \/ \u2013k\u0101<\/em>).<\/li>\n
      2. Some pronouns have special possessive forms.<\/li>\n
      3. Some pronouns change to a different stem before taking \u2013\u0915\u094b \/ \u2013\u0915\u0940 \/ \u2013\u0915\u093e (\u2013ko \/ \u2013k\u012b \/ \u2013k\u0101<\/em>).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        1. Direct-Case Pronouns<\/h2>\n

        Some Nepali pronouns form possessives in the simplest way. The pronoun stays the same, and \u2013\u0915\u094b \/ \u2013\u0915\u0940 \/ \u2013\u0915\u093e (\u2013ko \/ \u2013k\u012b \/ \u2013k\u0101<\/em>) is added directly.<\/p>\n

        For example:<\/p>\n

        \u0924\u092a\u093e\u0908\u0902
        \ntap\u0101\u012b\u0303<\/em>
        \nyou, polite<\/p>\n

        \u0924\u092a\u093e\u0908\u0902\u0915\u094b
        \ntap\u0101\u012b\u0303ko<\/em>
        \nyour<\/p>\n

        \u0909\u0939\u093e\u0901
        \nuh\u0101\u0303<\/em>
        \nhe\/she, respectful<\/p>\n

        \u0909\u0939\u093e\u0901\u0915\u094b
        \nuh\u0101\u0303ko<\/em>
        \nhis\/her, respectful<\/p>\n

        Remember: the ending agrees with the noun being possessed, not with the pronoun.<\/p>\n

        Table 4.4.1 \u2013 Possessive pronouns: direct-case forms (add \u2013\u0915\u094b\/\u2013\u0915\u0940\/\u2013\u0915\u093e)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
        Pronoun<\/th>\nTransliteration<\/th>\n Possessive form<\/th>\nTransliteration<\/th>\n Meaning <\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
        \u0924\u092a\u093e\u0908\u0902 <\/td>\n tap\u0101\u012b\u0303<\/em> <\/td>\n \u0924\u092a\u093e\u0908\u0902\u0915\u094b <\/td>\n tap\u0101\u012b\u0303ko<\/em> <\/td>\n your (hon.) <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        \u0909\u0939\u093e\u0901 <\/td>\n uh\u0101\u0303<\/em> <\/td>\n \u0909\u0939\u093e\u0901\u0915\u094b <\/td>\n uh\u0101\u0303ko<\/em> <\/td>\n his\/her (hon.) <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        \u0909\u0928\u0940\u0939\u0930\u0942 <\/td>\n un\u012bhar\u016b<\/em> <\/td>\n \u0909\u0928\u0940\u0939\u0930\u0942\u0915\u094b <\/td>\n un\u012bhar\u016bko<\/em> <\/td>\n their <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        \u0924\u093f\u0928\u0940\u0939\u0930\u0942 <\/td>\n tin\u012bhar\u016b<\/em> <\/td>\n \u0924\u093f\u0928\u0940\u0939\u0930\u0942\u0915\u094b <\/td>\n tin\u012bhar\u016bko<\/em> <\/td>\n their <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Try It Now<\/h3>\n

        Read the phrases aloud.<\/p>\n

        \u0924\u092a\u093e\u0908\u0902\u0915\u094b \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c
        \ntap\u0101\u012b\u0303ko kit\u0101b<\/em>
        \nyour book<\/p>\n

        \u0924\u092a\u093e\u0908\u0902\u0915\u0940 \u0906\u092e\u093e
        \ntap\u0101\u012b\u0303k\u012b \u0101m\u0101<\/em>
        \nyour mother<\/p>\n

        \u0924\u092a\u093e\u0908\u0902\u0915\u093e \u0938\u093e\u0925\u0940\u0939\u0930\u0942
        \ntap\u0101\u012b\u0303k\u0101 s\u0101th\u012bhar\u016b<\/em>
        \nyour friends<\/p>\n

        \u0909\u0939\u093e\u0901\u0915\u094b \u0918\u0930
        \nuh\u0101\u0303ko ghar<\/em>
        \nhis\/her house, respectful<\/p>\n

        \u0909\u0939\u093e\u0901\u0915\u0940 \u091b\u094b\u0930\u0940
        \nuh\u0101\u0303k\u012b chor\u012b<\/em>
        \nhis\/her daughter, respectful<\/p>\n

        2. Special Possessive Forms<\/h2>\n

        Some Nepali pronouns do not form possession by simply adding \u2013\u0915\u094b \/ \u2013\u0915\u0940 \/ \u2013\u0915\u093e (\u2013ko \/ \u2013k\u012b \/ \u2013k\u0101<\/em>). Instead, they have special possessive forms that must be learned as whole words.<\/p>\n

        For example:<\/p>\n

        \u092e
        \nma<\/em>
        \nI<\/p>\n

        \u092e\u0947\u0930\u094b
        \nmero<\/em>
        \nmy<\/p>\n

        \u0939\u093e\u092e\u0940
        \nh\u0101m\u012b<\/em>
        \nwe<\/p>\n

        \u0939\u093e\u092e\u094d\u0930\u094b
        \nh\u0101mro<\/em>
        \nour<\/p>\n

        \u0924\u093f\u092e\u0940
        \ntim\u012b<\/em>
        \nyou, familiar<\/p>\n

        \u0924\u093f\u092e\u094d\u0930\u094b
        \ntimro<\/em>
        \nyour, familiar<\/p>\n

        These forms are very common in everyday Nepali, so it is best to memorize them as core vocabulary.<\/p>\n

        Table 4.4.2 \u2013 Possessive pronouns: Special possessive forms (fixed forms)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
        Pronoun<\/th>\nTransliteration<\/th>\nPossessive form<\/th>\nTransliteration<\/th>\nMeaning<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
        \u092e<\/td>\nma<\/em><\/td>\n\u092e\u0947\u0930\u094b<\/td>\nmero<\/em><\/td>\nmy<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        \u0939\u093e\u092e\u0940<\/td>\nh\u0101m\u012b<\/em><\/td>\n\u0939\u093e\u092e\u094d\u0930\u094b<\/td>\nh\u0101mro<\/em><\/td>\nour<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        \u0924\u093f\u092e\u0940<\/td>\ntim\u012b<\/em><\/td>\n\u0924\u093f\u092e\u094d\u0930\u094b<\/td>\ntimro<\/em><\/td>\nyour (informal)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        \u0924\u0901<\/td>\nt\u00e3<\/em><\/td>\n\u0924\u0947\u0930\u094b<\/td>\ntero<\/em><\/td>\nyour (very informal)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Simple Rule<\/h3>\n

        Do not say \u092e\u0915\u094b (mako<\/em>) for \u201cmy.\u201d<\/p>\n

        Use \u092e\u0947\u0930\u094b (mero<\/em>).<\/p>\n

        Do not say \u0939\u093e\u092e\u0940\u0915\u094b (h\u0101m\u012bko<\/em>) for \u201cour.\u201d<\/p>\n

        Use \u0939\u093e\u092e\u094d\u0930\u094b (h\u0101mro<\/em>).<\/p>\n

        Try It Now<\/h3>\n

        Complete the phrases.<\/p>\n

        \u092e\u0947\u0930\u094b \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c
        \nmero kit\u0101b<\/em>
        \nmy book<\/p>\n

        \u092e\u0947\u0930\u0940 \u0906\u092e\u093e
        \nmer\u012b \u0101m\u0101<\/em>
        \nmy mother<\/p>\n

        \u092e\u0947\u0930\u093e \u0938\u093e\u0925\u0940\u0939\u0930\u0942
        \nmer\u0101 s\u0101th\u012bhar\u016b<\/em>
        \nmy friends<\/p>\n

        \u0939\u093e\u092e\u094d\u0930\u094b \u0918\u0930
        \nh\u0101mro ghar<\/em>
        \nour house<\/p>\n

        \u0924\u093f\u092e\u094d\u0930\u094b \u091d\u094b\u0932\u093e
        \ntimro jhol\u0101<\/em>
        \nyour bag, familiar<\/p>\n

        3. Oblique-Stem Pronouns<\/h2>\n

        Some pronouns change form before adding \u2013\u0915\u094b \/ \u2013\u0915\u0940 \/ \u2013\u0915\u093e (\u2013ko \/ \u2013k\u012b \/ \u2013k\u0101<\/em>). This changed form is called an oblique stem.<\/p>\n

        This pattern is common with demonstratives and third-person forms.<\/p>\n

        For example:<\/p>\n

        \u092f\u094b
        \nyo<\/em>
        \nthis<\/p>\n

        \u092f\u0938\u0915\u094b \/ \u092f\u0938\u094d\u0915\u094b
        \nyasko<\/em>
        \nof this \/ this one\u2019s<\/p>\n

        \u0924\u094d\u092f\u094b
        \ntyo<\/em>
        \nthat<\/p>\n

        \u0924\u094d\u092f\u0938\u0915\u094b \/ \u0924\u094d\u092f\u0938\u094d\u0915\u094b
        \ntyasko<\/em>
        \nof that \/ that one\u2019s<\/p>\n

        As always, the ending agrees with the noun being possessed.<\/p>\n

        Table 4.4.3 \u2013 Possessive pronouns: oblique stems + \u2013\u0915\u094b\/\u2013\u0915\u0940\/\u2013\u0915\u093e<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
        Pronoun (direct)<\/th>\nTransliteration<\/th>\nOblique stem<\/th>\nTransliteration<\/th>\nPossessive form<\/th>\nTransliteration<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
        \u090a<\/td>\n\u016b<\/em><\/td>\n\u0909\u0938<\/td>\nus<\/em><\/td>\n\u0909\u0938\u094d\u0915\u094b<\/td>\nusko<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        \u092f\u094b<\/td>\nyo<\/em><\/td>\n\u092f\u0938<\/td>\nyas<\/em><\/td>\n\u092f\u0938\u094d\u0915\u094b<\/td>\nyasko<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        \u0924\u094d\u092f\u094b<\/td>\ntyo<\/em><\/td>\n\u0924\u094d\u092f\u0938<\/td>\ntyas<\/em><\/td>\n\u0924\u094d\u092f\u0938\u094d\u0915\u094b<\/td>\ntyasko<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        \u0909\u0928\u0940<\/td>\nun\u012b<\/em><\/td>\n\u0909\u0928<\/td>\nun<\/em><\/td>\n\u0909\u0928\u0915\u094b<\/td>\nunako<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        \u092f\u093f\u0928\u0940<\/td>\nyin\u012b<\/em><\/td>\n\u092f\u093f\u0928<\/td>\nyin<\/em><\/td>\n\u092f\u093f\u0928\u0915\u094b<\/td>\nyinako<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        \u0924\u093f\u0928\u0940<\/td>\ntin\u012b<\/em><\/td>\n\u0924\u093f\u0928<\/td>\ntin<\/em><\/td>\n\u0924\u093f\u0928\u0915\u094b<\/td>\ntinako<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Learner Tip<\/h3>\n

        For beginners, focus first on recognizing these common forms:<\/p>\n

        \u092f\u0938\u094d\u0915\u094b
        \nyasko<\/em>
        \nthis one\u2019s \/ of this<\/p>\n

        \u0924\u094d\u092f\u0938\u094d\u0915\u094b
        \ntyasko<\/em>
        \nthat one\u2019s \/ of that<\/p>\n

        \u0915\u0938\u094d\u0915\u094b
        \nkasko<\/em>
        \nwhose<\/p>\n

        Try It Now<\/h3>\n

        Read the questions and answers.<\/p>\n

        \u092f\u094b \u0915\u0938\u094d\u0915\u094b \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c \u0939\u094b?
        \nyo kasko kit\u0101b ho?<\/em>
        \nWhose book is this?<\/p>\n

        \u092f\u094b \u092f\u0938\u094d\u0915\u094b \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c \u0939\u094b\u0964
        \nyo yasko kit\u0101b ho.<\/em>
        \nThis is this person\u2019s book.<\/p>\n

        \u0924\u094d\u092f\u094b \u0915\u0938\u094d\u0915\u094b \u091d\u094b\u0932\u093e \u0939\u094b?
        \ntyo kasko jhol\u0101 ho?<\/em>
        \nWhose bag is that?<\/p>\n

        \u0924\u094d\u092f\u094b \u0924\u094d\u092f\u0938\u094d\u0915\u094b \u091d\u094b\u0932\u093e \u0939\u094b\u0964
        \ntyo tyasko jhol\u0101 ho.<\/em>
        \nThat is that person\u2019s bag.<\/p>\n

        Key Reminder<\/h2>\n

        The possessive ending agrees with the thing being owned, not with the owner.<\/p>\n

        \u092e\u0947\u0930\u094b \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c
        \nmero kit\u0101b<\/em>
        \nmy book<\/p>\n

        \u092e\u0947\u0930\u0940 \u0906\u092e\u093e
        \nmer\u012b \u0101m\u0101<\/em>
        \nmy mother<\/p>\n

        \u092e\u0947\u0930\u093e \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c\u0939\u0930\u0942
        \nmer\u0101 kit\u0101bhar\u016b<\/em>
        \nmy books<\/p>\n

        The owner is the same: \u092e (ma<\/em>), \u201cI.\u201d<\/p>\n

        The ending changes because the possessed noun changes.<\/p>\n

        Ownership with \u2013\u0915\u094b, \u2013\u0915\u0940, \u2013\u0915\u093e<\/h2>\n

        In Nepali, ownership is expressed with \u2013\u0915\u094b \/ \u2013\u0915\u0940 \/ \u2013\u0915\u093e (\u2013ko \/ \u2013k\u012b \/ \u2013k\u0101<\/em>). These endings are similar to English \u201c\u2019s\u201d or \u201cof.\u201d<\/p>\n

        For example:<\/p>\n

        \u0930\u093e\u092e\u0915\u094b \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c
        \nr\u0101mko kit\u0101b<\/em>
        \nRam\u2019s book<\/p>\n

        \u0938\u0940\u0924\u093e\u0915\u094b \u0918\u0930
        \ns\u012bt\u0101ko ghar<\/em>
        \nSita\u2019s house<\/p>\n

        \u0924\u092a\u093e\u0908\u0902\u0915\u094b \u091d\u094b\u0932\u093e
        \ntap\u0101\u012b\u0303ko jhol\u0101<\/em>
        \nyour bag<\/p>\n

        The genitive ending attaches to the owner and links the owner to the thing being owned.<\/p>\n

        Agreement of \u2013\u0915\u094b \/ \u2013\u0915\u0940 \/ \u2013\u0915\u093e<\/h2>\n

        The form of the ending depends on the thing being owned.<\/p>\n

        Simple Rule<\/h3>\n

        Use \u2013\u0915\u094b (\u2013ko<\/em>) with most singular general nouns.<\/p>\n

        Use \u2013\u0915\u0940 (\u2013k\u012b<\/em>) with singular female persons.<\/p>\n

        Use \u2013\u0915\u093e (\u2013k\u0101<\/em>) with plural nouns.<\/p>\n

        Table 4.4.4 \u2013 \u2013\u0915\u094b\/\u2013\u0915\u0940\/\u2013\u0915\u093e agreement (possessed noun controls)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
        Nepali<\/th>\nTransliteration<\/th>\nEnglish<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
        \u0938\u091e\u094d\u091c\u092f\u0915\u094b \u0918\u0930<\/td>\nsa\u00f1jayako ghar<\/em><\/td>\nSanjay\u2019s house<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        \u0938\u091e\u094d\u091c\u092f\u0915\u0940 \u092c\u0939\u093f\u0928\u0940<\/td>\nsa\u00f1jayak\u012b bahin\u012b<\/em><\/td>\nSanjay\u2019s younger sister<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        \u0938\u091e\u094d\u091c\u092f\u0915\u093e \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c\u0939\u0930\u0942<\/td>\nsa\u00f1jayak\u0101 kit\u0101bhar\u016b<\/em><\/td>\nSanjay\u2019s books<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Try It Now<\/h3>\n

        Choose the correct form.<\/p>\n

        \u092e\u0947\u0930\u094b \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c
        \nmero kit\u0101b<\/em>
        \nmy book<\/p>\n

        \u092e\u0947\u0930\u0940 \u092c\u0939\u093f\u0928\u0940
        \nmer\u012b bahin\u012b<\/em>
        \nmy younger sister<\/p>\n

        \u092e\u0947\u0930\u093e \u0938\u093e\u0925\u0940\u0939\u0930\u0942
        \nmer\u0101 s\u0101th\u012bhar\u016b<\/em>
        \nmy friends<\/p>\n

        \u0924\u092a\u093e\u0908\u0902\u0915\u094b \u0918\u0930
        \ntap\u0101\u012b\u0303ko ghar<\/em>
        \nyour house<\/p>\n

        \u0924\u092a\u093e\u0908\u0902\u0915\u0940 \u0906\u092e\u093e
        \ntap\u0101\u012b\u0303k\u012b \u0101m\u0101<\/em>
        \nyour mother<\/p>\n

        \u0924\u092a\u093e\u0908\u0902\u0915\u093e \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c\u0939\u0930\u0942
        \ntap\u0101\u012b\u0303k\u0101 kit\u0101bhar\u016b<\/em>
        \nyour books<\/p>\n

        Possession vs. Ownership in Nepali<\/h2>\n

        In Nepali, \u201chaving something\u201d and \u201csomething belonging to someone\u201d are expressed with two different sentence patterns.<\/p>\n

        Use \u091b \/ \u091b\u0948\u0928 (cha \/ chaina<\/em>) when you want to say that someone has or does not have something.<\/p>\n

        Use \u0939\u094b \/ \u0939\u094b\u0907\u0928 (ho \/ hoina<\/em>) when you want to say that something belongs to someone.<\/p>\n

        Possession: Someone Has Something<\/h3>\n

        Use this pattern when you want to say what someone has.<\/p>\n

        Structure:<\/p>\n

        Person + \u2013\u0915\u094b \/ \u2013\u0915\u0940 \/ \u2013\u0915\u093e + thing + \u091b \/ \u091b\u0928\u094d \/ \u091b\u0948\u0928
        \nPerson + \u2013ko \/ \u2013k\u012b \/ \u2013k\u0101 + thing + cha \/ chan \/ chaina<\/em><\/p>\n

        For example:<\/p>\n

        \u092e\u0947\u0930\u094b \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c \u091b\u0964
        \nmero kit\u0101b cha.<\/em>
        \nI have a book.<\/p>\n

        \u0924\u092a\u093e\u0908\u0902\u0915\u094b \u091d\u094b\u0932\u093e \u091b\u0964
        \ntap\u0101\u012b\u0303ko jhol\u0101 cha.<\/em>
        \nYou have a bag.<\/p>\n

        \u092e\u0947\u0930\u094b \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c \u091b\u0948\u0928\u0964
        \nmero kit\u0101b chaina.<\/em>
        \nI do not have a book.<\/p>\n

        In this pattern, the sentence focuses on what exists in relation to a person.<\/p>\n

        Table 4.4.5 \u2013 \u201cHave \/ do not have\u201d: possession with \u091b\/\u091b\u0928\u094d, \u091b\u0948\u0928<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
        Nepali<\/th>\nTransliteration<\/th>\nEnglish<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
        \u0930\u093f\u0924\u0947\u0936\u0915\u093e \u0926\u0941\u0908 \u091c\u0928\u093e \u092d\u093e\u0907 \u091b\u0928\u094d\u0964<\/td>\nrite\u015bk\u0101 du\u012b jan\u0101 bh\u0101i chan.<\/em><\/td>\nRitesh has two younger brothers.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        \u0928\u093f\u0936\u093e\u0915\u094b \u0915\u093e\u0930 \u091b\u0948\u0928\u0964<\/td>\nni\u015b\u0101ko k\u0101r chaina.<\/em><\/td>\nNisha does not have a car.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Ownership: Something Belongs to Someone<\/h3>\n

        Use this pattern when you want to identify who something belongs to.<\/p>\n

        Structure:<\/p>\n

        Thing + person + \u2013\u0915\u094b \/ \u2013\u0915\u0940 \/ \u2013\u0915\u093e + \u0939\u094b \/ \u0939\u094b\u0907\u0928
        \nThing + person + \u2013ko \/ \u2013k\u012b \/ \u2013k\u0101 + ho \/ hoina<\/em><\/p>\n

        For example:<\/p>\n

        \u092f\u094b \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c \u092e\u0947\u0930\u094b \u0939\u094b\u0964
        \nyo kit\u0101b mero ho.<\/em>
        \nThis book is mine.<\/p>\n

        \u0924\u094d\u092f\u094b \u091d\u094b\u0932\u093e \u0924\u092a\u093e\u0908\u0902\u0915\u094b \u0939\u094b\u0964
        \ntyo jhol\u0101 tap\u0101\u012b\u0303ko ho.<\/em>
        \nThat bag is yours.<\/p>\n

        \u092f\u094b \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c \u092e\u0947\u0930\u094b \u0939\u094b\u0907\u0928\u0964
        \nyo kit\u0101b mero hoina.<\/em>
        \nThis book is not mine.<\/p>\n

        In this pattern, the sentence identifies ownership. It tells us whose something is.<\/p>\n

        Table 4.4.6 \u2013 \u201cBelongs to\u201d: ownership with \u0939\u094b\/\u0939\u094b\u0907\u0928<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
        Nepali<\/th>\nTransliteration<\/th>\nEnglish<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
        \u092f\u094b \u0930\u093e\u0924\u094b \u091c\u094d\u092f\u093e\u0915\u0947\u091f \u0906\u0930\u0924\u0940\u0915\u094b \u0939\u094b\u0964<\/td>\nyo r\u0101to jy\u0101ke\u1e6d \u0101rat\u012bko ho.<\/em><\/td>\nThis red jacket is Aarti\u2019s.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        \u090a \u092e\u094b\u0939\u0928\u0915\u094b \u0938\u093e\u0925\u0940 \u0939\u094b\u0907\u0928\u0964<\/td>\n\u016b mohanko s\u0101th\u012b hoina.<\/em><\/td>\nHe is not Mohan\u2019s friend.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Common Mistake<\/h3>\n

        Do not confuse these two patterns.<\/p>\n

        \u092e\u0947\u0930\u094b \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c \u091b\u0964
        \nmero kit\u0101b cha.<\/em>
        \nI have a book.<\/p>\n

        \u092f\u094b \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c \u092e\u0947\u0930\u094b \u0939\u094b\u0964
        \nyo kit\u0101b mero ho.<\/em>
        \nThis book is mine.<\/p>\n

        The first sentence talks about possession.<\/p>\n

        The second sentence identifies ownership.<\/p>\n

        Chains of Ownership<\/h2>\n

        Nepali can show more than one level of ownership by using several genitive phrases together.<\/p>\n

        For example:<\/p>\n

        \u0930\u093e\u092e\u0915\u094b \u092d\u093e\u0907\u0915\u094b \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c
        \nr\u0101mko bh\u0101iko kit\u0101b<\/em>
        \nRam\u2019s younger brother\u2019s book<\/p>\n

        \u0938\u0940\u0924\u093e\u0915\u094b \u0906\u092e\u093e\u0915\u094b \u0918\u0930
        \ns\u012bt\u0101ko \u0101m\u0101ko ghar<\/em>
        \nSita\u2019s mother\u2019s house<\/p>\n

        Each \u2013\u0915\u094b (\u2013ko<\/em>) phrase connects to the noun that follows it.<\/p>\n

        Table 4.4.7 \u2013 Chains of ownership (stacked \u2013\u0915\u094b phrases)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
        Nepali<\/th>\nTransliteration<\/th>\nEnglish<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
        \u0906\u0930\u0924\u0940\u0915\u094b \u0938\u093e\u0925\u0940<\/td>\n\u0101rat\u012bko s\u0101th\u012b<\/em><\/td>\nAarti\u2019s friend<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        \u0906\u0930\u0924\u0940\u0915\u094b \u0938\u093e\u0925\u0940\u0915\u094b \u0906\u092e\u093e<\/td>\n\u0101rat\u012bko s\u0101th\u012bko \u0101m\u0101<\/em><\/td>\nAarti\u2019s friend\u2019s mother<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        \u0906\u0930\u0924\u0940\u0915\u094b \u0938\u093e\u0925\u0940\u0915\u094b \u0906\u092e\u093e\u0915\u094b \u092a\u0938\u0932<\/td>\n\u0101rat\u012bko s\u0101th\u012bko \u0101m\u0101ko pasal<\/em><\/td>\nAarti\u2019s friend\u2019s mother\u2019s shop<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        \u0906\u0930\u0924\u0940\u0915\u094b \u0938\u093e\u0925\u0940\u0915\u094b \u0906\u092e\u093e\u0915\u094b \u092a\u0938\u0932\u0915\u093e \u092b\u094b\u091f\u094b\u0939\u0930\u0942<\/td>\n\u0101rat\u012bko s\u0101th\u012bko \u0101m\u0101ko pasalk\u0101 pho\u1e6dohar\u016b<\/em><\/td>\nAarti\u2019s friend\u2019s mother\u2019s shop\u2019s photos<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Learner Tip<\/h3>\n

        Short ownership chains are common in Nepali.<\/p>\n

        Very long ownership chains can become hard to understand. In natural speech, speakers often split them into two shorter sentences.<\/p>\n

        For example:<\/p>\n

        \u092f\u094b \u0930\u093e\u092e\u0915\u094b \u092d\u093e\u0907 \u0939\u094b\u0964
        \nyo r\u0101mko bh\u0101i ho.<\/em>
        \nThis is Ram\u2019s younger brother.<\/p>\n

        \u092f\u094b \u0909\u0939\u093e\u0901\u0915\u094b \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c \u0939\u094b\u0964
        \nyo uh\u0101\u0303ko kit\u0101b ho.<\/em>
        \nThis is his book.<\/p>\n

        Asking \u201cWhose?\u201d Questions<\/h2>\n

        To ask \u201cwhose?\u201d in Nepali, use:<\/p>\n

        \u0915\u0938\u094d\u0915\u094b
        \nkasko<\/em><\/p>\n

        \u0915\u0938\u094d\u0915\u0940
        \nkask\u012b<\/em><\/p>\n

        \u0915\u0938\u094d\u0915\u093e
        \nkask\u0101<\/em><\/p>\n

        These forms work like \u2013\u0915\u094b \/ \u2013\u0915\u0940 \/ \u2013\u0915\u093e (\u2013ko \/ \u2013k\u012b \/ \u2013k\u0101<\/em>). They agree with the noun being possessed.<\/p>\n

        Simple Rule<\/h3>\n

        \u0915\u0938\u094d\u0915\u094b (kasko<\/em>) \u2192 most singular general nouns<\/p>\n

        \u0915\u0938\u094d\u0915\u0940 (kask\u012b<\/em>) \u2192 singular female persons<\/p>\n

        \u0915\u0938\u094d\u0915\u093e (kask\u0101<\/em>) \u2192 plural nouns<\/p>\n

        For example:<\/p>\n

        \u092f\u094b \u0915\u0938\u094d\u0915\u094b \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c \u0939\u094b?
        \nyo kasko kit\u0101b ho?<\/em>
        \nWhose book is this?<\/p>\n

        \u0909\u0939\u093e\u0901 \u0915\u0938\u094d\u0915\u0940 \u0906\u092e\u093e \u0939\u0941\u0928\u0941\u0939\u0941\u0928\u094d\u091b?
        \nuh\u0101\u0303 kask\u012b \u0101m\u0101 hunuhuncha?<\/em>
        \nWhose mother is she?<\/p>\n

        \u092f\u0940 \u0915\u0938\u094d\u0915\u093e \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c\u0939\u0930\u0942 \u0939\u0941\u0928\u094d?
        \ny\u012b kask\u0101 kit\u0101bhar\u016b hun?<\/em>
        \nWhose books are these?<\/p>\n

        Table 4.4.8 \u2013 Choosing \u0915\u0938\u094d\u0915\u094b\/\u0915\u0938\u094d\u0915\u0940\/\u0915\u0938\u094d\u0915\u093e by owned noun type<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
        Owned noun type<\/th>\nQuestion form<\/th>\nExample<\/th>\nTransliteration<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
        singular<\/td>\n\u0915\u0938\u094d\u0915\u094b (kasko<\/em>)<\/td>\n\u092f\u094b \u0915\u0938\u094d\u0915\u094b \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c \u0939\u094b?<\/td>\nyo kasko kit\u0101b ho?<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        plural<\/td>\n\u0915\u0938\u094d\u0915\u093e (kask\u0101<\/em>)<\/td>\n\u092f\u0940 \u0915\u0938\u094d\u0915\u093e \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c\u0939\u0930\u0942 \u0939\u0941\u0928\u094d?<\/td>\ny\u012b kask\u0101 kit\u0101bhar\u016b hun?<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        feminine singular<\/td>\n\u0915\u0938\u094d\u0915\u0940 (kask\u012b<\/em>)<\/td>\n \u0909\u0939\u093e\u0901 \u0915\u0938\u094d\u0915\u0940 \u0906\u092e\u093e \u0939\u0941\u0928\u0941\u0939\u0941\u0928\u094d\u091b?<\/td>\nuh\u0101\u0303 kask\u012b \u0101m\u0101 hunuhuncha??<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

        <\/p>\n

        Try It Now<\/h3>\n

        Ask and answer with a partner.<\/p>\n

        A: \u092f\u094b \u0915\u0938\u094d\u0915\u094b \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c \u0939\u094b?
        \nyo kasko kit\u0101b ho?<\/em>
        \nWhose book is this?<\/p>\n

        B: \u092f\u094b \u092e\u0947\u0930\u094b \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c \u0939\u094b\u0964
        \nyo mero kit\u0101b ho.<\/em>
        \nThis is my book.<\/p>\n

        A: \u0924\u094d\u092f\u094b \u0915\u0938\u094d\u0915\u094b \u091d\u094b\u0932\u093e \u0939\u094b?
        \ntyo kasko jhol\u0101 ho?<\/em>
        \nWhose bag is that?<\/p>\n

        B: \u0924\u094d\u092f\u094b \u0924\u092a\u093e\u0908\u0902\u0915\u094b \u091d\u094b\u0932\u093e \u0939\u094b\u0964
        \ntyo tap\u0101\u012b\u0303ko jhol\u0101 ho.<\/em>
        \nThat is your bag.<\/p>\n

        A: \u092f\u0940 \u0915\u0938\u094d\u0915\u093e \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c\u0939\u0930\u0942 \u0939\u0941\u0928\u094d?
        \ny\u012b kask\u0101 kit\u0101bhar\u016b hun?<\/em>
        \nWhose books are these?<\/p>\n

        B: \u092f\u0940 \u0939\u093e\u092e\u094d\u0930\u093e \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c\u0939\u0930\u0942 \u0939\u0941\u0928\u094d\u0964
        \ny\u012b h\u0101mr\u0101 kit\u0101bhar\u016b hun.<\/em>
        \nThese are our books.<\/p>\n

        \n

        Check Your Understanding<\/h2>\n
        \n