Chapter 7 – Existence and Possession
Unit 4 — Grammar Focus
Using छ (cha) / छन् (chan) for existence and possession
In Nepali grammar, छ (cha) and छन् (chan) function as existential copular verbs. They state that something exists in a place or exists in relation to someone (possession). Although they function as independent verb forms in modern Nepali, they are historically derived from the verb हुनु (hunu) “to be.”
In this existential structure, the verb agrees with the noun that exists, not with the location or the possessor:
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छ (cha) → singular or mass noun
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छन् (chan) → plural noun
This agreement rule underlies sentences such as “There is a book,” “There are books,” and “I have a book.”
Expressing existence (“there is/are”)
To express that something exists or is present in a location, Nepali uses a simple structure:
[Location] + [Noun] + छ/छन् (cha/chan)
The location is often marked with –मा (-mā) or expressed using words like यहाँ (yahā̃) “here” and त्यहाँ (tyahā̃) “there.”
In natural Nepali, the location typically comes first, followed by the item that exists. This corresponds to English “there is/are” constructions, with verb agreement based on the noun that exists.
Table 7.4.1 – Existence questions
| Nepali | Transliteration | English |
|---|---|---|
| के यहाँ कुर्सी छ? | ke yahā̃ kursī cha? | Is there a chair here? |
| त्यहाँ विद्यार्थी छन्? | tyahā̃ widyārthī chan? | Are there students there? |
Table 7.4.2 – Existence statements (affirmative)
| Nepali | Transliteration | English |
|---|---|---|
| यहाँ एकवटा कुर्सी छ। | yahā̃ ekwaṭā kursī cha. | There is one chair here. |
| त्यहाँ दुई जना विद्यार्थी छन्। | tyahā̃ duī janā widyārthī chan. | There are two students there. |
Table 7.4.3 – Existence statements (negative)
| Nepali | Transliteration | English |
|---|---|---|
| यहाँ कुर्सी छैन। | yahā̃ kursī chaina. | There is no chair here. |
| त्यहाँ विद्यार्थी छैनन्। | tyahā̃ widyārthī chainan. | There are no students there. |
Expressing possession
Nepali commonly expresses possession using the same existence pattern: something is described as existing with a person. The possessor is marked with a “with” postposition—most commonly सँग (sãga) in everyday speech; सित (sita) is also correct and tends to sound slightly more formal.
This construction typically expresses current possession (i.e., the item is with the person at that moment), though context can extend the meaning beyond physical presence.
As in other existential sentences, छ/छन् (cha/chan) agrees with the item that is possessed, not with the possessor.
Table 7.4.4 – Possession questions
| Nepali | Transliteration | English |
|---|---|---|
| तपाईंसँग कलम छ? | tapāī̃sãga kalam cha? | Do you have a pen? |
| तपाईंसित कलम छ? | tapāī̃sita kalam cha? | Do you have a pen? |
Table 7.4.5 – Possession statements (affirmative)
| Nepali | Transliteration | English |
|---|---|---|
| हो, मसँग कलम छ। | ho, masãga kalam cha. | Yes I have a pen. |
| हो, मसित किताब छ। | ho, masita kitāb cha. | Yes I have a book. |
| हो, मसँग दुईवटा किताब छन्। | ho, masãga duīwaṭā kitāb chan. | Yes I have two books. |
Table 7.4.6 – Possession statements (negative)
| Nepali | Transliteration | English |
|---|---|---|
| होइन, मसँग कलम छैन। | hoina, masãga kalam chaina. | No, I don’t have a pen. |
| होइन, मसित किताब छैन। | hoina, masita kitāb chaina. | No, I don’t have a book. |
| होइन, मसँग किताबहरू छैनन्। | hoina, masãga kitābharū chainan. | No, I don’t have books. |
Asking “How many?” with कति (kati) and classifiers
To ask “how many?” Nepali uses कति (kati) combined with classifiers such as वटा (waṭā) for general objects and जना (janā) for people.
These patterns are used in both:
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existence contexts (what is in a place)
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possession contexts (what someone has)
The verb agreement remains the same: छ (cha) for singular/mass nouns and छन् (chan) for plural nouns. The verb agrees with the noun being counted, not with the question word or the classifier.
Table 7.4.7 – Questions classifier
| Nepali | Transliteration | English |
|---|---|---|
| यहाँ कति वटा कुर्सी छन्? | yahā̃ kati waṭā kursī chan? | How many chairs are there here? |
| आज कक्षामा कति जना विद्यार्थी छन्? | āja kakṣāmā kati janā vidyārthī chan? | How many students are in class today? |
| तपाईंसँग कति वटा किताबहरू छन्? | tapāī̃sãga kati waṭā kitābharu chan? | How many books do you have? |
Table 7.4.8 – Numeral + classifier + noun patterns
| Nepali | Transliteration | English |
|---|---|---|
| दुईवटा कुर्सी | duīwaṭā kursī | two chairs |
| आठ जना विद्यार्थी | āṭh janā vidyārthī | eight students |
| मसँग दुईवटा किताब छन्। | masãga duīwaṭā kitāb chan. | I have two books. |
A numeral + classifier + noun functions as a single, tight noun phrase in Nepali. Because the classifier already signals plurality, the plural suffix –हरू (–harū) is often optional and usually avoided in careful, learner-friendly sentences.
Key Takeaways
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छ/छन् (cha/chan) express both existence and everyday possession.
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Nepali often says “exists in a place” or “exists with a person.”
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There is usually no separate verb for “have.”
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The verb agrees with what exists (the item), not the location or possessor.
