{"id":2469,"date":"2025-12-08T16:20:24","date_gmt":"2025-12-08T21:20:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/nepalitestv1\/?post_type=chapter&p=2469"},"modified":"2026-04-26T22:09:19","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T02:09:19","slug":"chapter-11-unit-4-grammar-focus","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/nepalitestv1\/chapter\/chapter-11-unit-4-grammar-focus\/","title":{"raw":"Unit 4 \u2014 Grammar Focus","rendered":"Unit 4 \u2014 Grammar Focus"},"content":{"raw":"

Interrogative pronoun -ko<\/em><\/h1>\r\n

\u0915\u094b (ko<\/i>) means \u201cwho?\u201d in Nepali and is used to ask about a person\u2019s identity (name, role, or relationship). These are typically identity questions (X = Y)<\/b><\/span>, so they use a copular verb (\u201cto be\u201d).<\/p>\r\n

The form \u0915\u094b (ko<\/i>) does not change. Instead, the copula changes<\/b><\/span> based on number and respect level (e.g., \u0939\u094b, \u0939\u0941\u0928\u094d, \u0939\u0941\u0928\u0941\u0939\u0941\u0928\u094d\u091b).<\/p>\r\n

[table id=321 \/]<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n

Compound Nouns in Nepali<\/h1>\r\nA compound noun is formed when two nouns join together and behave like one noun with a single combined meaning. Nepali uses compound nouns very frequently in everyday speech, especially for family pairs and relationship sets, because they sound short and natural.\r\n\r\nA simple learner rule is that the first noun introduces the pair, and the second noun completes it.\r\n\r\n[table id=316 \/]\r\n\r\nA compound noun works like a single noun, so you add grammar endings to the whole unit (not to each part).\r\n\r\n[table id=317 \/]\r\n

Polite Simple Present Verbs<\/h1>\r\nTo ask about what someone does now or usually does (work, study, teach, live), Nepali commonly uses polite\/honorific present verb forms. These forms show respect and are used with \u0909\u0939\u093e\u0901 (uh\u0101\u0303<\/em>) \u201che\/she (hon.)\u201d and, in this chapter, also with \u0909\u0939\u093e\u0901\u0939\u0930\u0942 (uh\u0101\u0303har\u016b<\/em>) \u201cthey (hon.)\u201d using the same verb form for simplicity.\r\n

Key idea<\/h2>\r\n
    \r\n \t
  • Honorific present verbs often end in \u2013\u0928\u0941\u0939\u0941\u0928\u094d\u091b (\u2013nuhuncha<\/em>).<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n[table id=318 \/]\r\n\r\n[table id=319 \/]\r\n\r\n[table id=320 \/]","rendered":"

    Interrogative pronoun –ko<\/em><\/h1>\n

    \u0915\u094b (ko<\/i>) means \u201cwho?\u201d in Nepali and is used to ask about a person\u2019s identity (name, role, or relationship). These are typically identity questions (X = Y)<\/b><\/span>, so they use a copular verb (\u201cto be\u201d).<\/p>\n

    The form \u0915\u094b (ko<\/i>) does not change. Instead, the copula changes<\/b><\/span> based on number and respect level (e.g., \u0939\u094b, \u0939\u0941\u0928\u094d, \u0939\u0941\u0928\u0941\u0939\u0941\u0928\u094d\u091b).<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Table 11.4.1 \u2013 Interrogative pronoun \u0915\u094b (ko): \u201cwho?\u201d identity questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Nepali<\/th>\nTransliteration<\/th>\nEnglish<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    \u092f\u094b \u0915\u094b \u0939\u094b?<\/td>\nyo ko ho?<\/em><\/td>\nWho is this?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u0924\u094d\u092f\u094b \u0915\u094b \u0939\u094b?<\/td>\ntyo ko ho?<\/em><\/td>\nWho is that?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u0909\u0928\u0940\u0939\u0930\u0942 \u0915\u094b \u0939\u0941\u0928\u094d?<\/td>\nun\u012bhar\u016b ko hun?<\/em><\/td>\nWho are they?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u0924\u092a\u093e\u0908\u0902 \u0915\u094b \u0939\u0941\u0928\u0941\u0939\u0941\u0928\u094d\u091b?<\/td>\ntap\u0101\u012b\u0303 ko hunuhuncha?<\/em><\/td>\nWho are you (polite)? <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u0909\u0939\u093e\u0901 \u0915\u094b \u0939\u0941\u0928\u0941\u0939\u0941\u0928\u094d\u091b?<\/td>\nuh\u0101\u0303 ko hunuhuncha?<\/em><\/td>\nWho is he\/she (respectful)?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    <\/span><\/p>\n

    Compound Nouns in Nepali<\/h1>\n

    A compound noun is formed when two nouns join together and behave like one noun with a single combined meaning. Nepali uses compound nouns very frequently in everyday speech, especially for family pairs and relationship sets, because they sound short and natural.<\/p>\n

    A simple learner rule is that the first noun introduces the pair, and the second noun completes it.<\/p>\n

    Table 11.4.2 \u2013 Common family\/relationship compound nouns (N + N \u2192 one noun)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Parts<\/th>\nCompound noun<\/th>\nTransliteration<\/th>\nMeaning<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    \u0906\u092e\u093e + \u092c\u0941\u092c\u093e<\/td>\n\u0906\u092e\u093e\u092c\u0941\u092c\u093e<\/td>\n\u0101m\u0101bub\u0101<\/em><\/td>\nparents<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u0926\u093f\u0926\u0940 + \u092c\u0939\u093f\u0928\u0940<\/td>\n\u0926\u093f\u0926\u0940\u092c\u0939\u093f\u0928\u0940<\/td>\ndid\u012bbahin\u012b<\/em><\/td>\nsisters<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u0926\u093e\u0907 + \u092d\u093e\u0907<\/td>\n\u0926\u093e\u0907\u092d\u093e\u0907<\/td>\nd\u0101ibh\u0101\u012b<\/em><\/td>\nbrothers<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u0915\u093e\u0915\u093e + \u0915\u093e\u0915\u0940<\/td>\n\u0915\u093e\u0915\u093e\u0915\u093e\u0915\u0940<\/td>\nk\u0101k\u0101k\u0101k\u012b<\/em><\/td>\nuncle and aunt<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    <\/span>
    \n<\/p>\n

    A compound noun works like a single noun, so you add grammar endings to the whole unit (not to each part).<\/p>\n

    Table 11.4.3 \u2013 Compound nouns with case endings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Form<\/th>\nTransliteration<\/th>\nMeaning<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    \u0906\u092e\u093e\u092c\u0941\u092c\u093e\u0915\u094b<\/td>\n\u0101m\u0101bub\u0101ko<\/em><\/td>\nparents\u2019<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u0906\u092e\u093e\u092c\u0941\u092c\u093e\u0938\u0901\u0917<\/td>\n\u0101m\u0101bub\u0101s\u00e3ga<\/em><\/td>\nwith (my) parents<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u0906\u092e\u093e\u092c\u0941\u092c\u093e\u0932\u093e\u0908<\/td>\n\u0101m\u0101bub\u0101l\u0101\u012b<\/em><\/td>\nto\/for the parents<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    <\/span>
    \n<\/p>\n

    Polite Simple Present Verbs<\/h1>\n

    To ask about what someone does now or usually does (work, study, teach, live), Nepali commonly uses polite\/honorific present verb forms. These forms show respect and are used with \u0909\u0939\u093e\u0901 (uh\u0101\u0303<\/em>) \u201che\/she (hon.)\u201d and, in this chapter, also with \u0909\u0939\u093e\u0901\u0939\u0930\u0942 (uh\u0101\u0303har\u016b<\/em>) \u201cthey (hon.)\u201d using the same verb form for simplicity.<\/p>\n

    Key idea<\/h2>\n
      \n
    • Honorific present verbs often end in \u2013\u0928\u0941\u0939\u0941\u0928\u094d\u091b (\u2013nuhuncha<\/em>).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Table 11.4.4 \u2013 Common polite simple present verbs (\u2013\u0928\u0941\u0939\u0941\u0928\u094d\u091b forms)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
      Verb<\/th>\nTransliteration<\/th>\nEnglish Meaning<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
      \u0917\u0930\u094d\u0928\u0941\u0939\u0941\u0928\u094d\u091b<\/td>\ngarnuhuncha<\/em><\/td>\ndo \/ work<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      \u092a\u0922\u094d\u0928\u0941\u0939\u0941\u0928\u094d\u091b<\/td>\npa\u1e0dhnuhuncha<\/em><\/td>\nstudy \/ read<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      \u092a\u0922\u093e\u0909\u0928\u0941\u0939\u0941\u0928\u094d\u091b<\/td>\npa\u1e0dh\u0101unuhuncha<\/em><\/td>\nteach<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      \u092c\u0938\u094d\u0928\u0941\u0939\u0941\u0928\u094d\u091b<\/td>\nbasnuhuncha<\/em><\/td>\nlive \/ stay<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

      <\/span>
      \n<\/p>\n

      Table 11.4.5 \u2013 Asking polite questions about work\/study\/teaching\/living<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
      What you want to ask<\/th>\nPolite Question (Nepali)<\/th>\nTransliteration<\/th>\nEnglish Translation<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
      work\/job<\/td>\n\u0909\u0939\u093e\u0901 \u0915\u0947 \u0915\u093e\u092e \u0917\u0930\u094d\u0928\u0941\u0939\u0941\u0928\u094d\u091b?<\/td>\nuh\u0101\u0303 ke k\u0101m garnuhuncha?<\/em><\/td>\nWhat does he\/she do for work?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      study<\/td>\n\u0909\u0939\u093e\u0901 \u0915\u0947 \u092a\u0922\u094d\u0928\u0941\u0939\u0941\u0928\u094d\u091b?<\/td>\nuh\u0101\u0303 ke pa\u1e0dhnuhuncha?<\/em><\/td>\nWhat does he\/she study?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      teach (subject)<\/td>\n\u0909\u0939\u093e\u0901 \u0915\u0941\u0928 \u0935\u093f\u0937\u092f \u092a\u0922\u093e\u0909\u0928\u0941\u0939\u0941\u0928\u094d\u091b?<\/td>\nuh\u0101\u0303 kun wi\u1e63aya pa\u1e0dh\u0101unuhuncha?<\/em><\/td>\nWhat subject does he\/she teach?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      live now<\/td>\n\u0909\u0939\u093e\u0901 \u0905\u0939\u093f\u0932\u0947 \u0915\u0939\u093e\u0901 \u092c\u0938\u094d\u0928\u0941\u0939\u0941\u0928\u094d\u091b?<\/td>\nuh\u0101\u0303 ahile kah\u0101\u0303 basnuhuncha?<\/em><\/td>\nWhere does he\/she live now?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

      <\/span>
      \n<\/p>\n

      Table 11.4.6 \u2013 Giving polite answers about work\/study\/teaching\/living<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
      What you want to say<\/th>\nPolite Answer (Nepali)<\/th>\nTransliteration<\/th>\nEnglish Translation<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
      work<\/td>\n\u0909\u0939\u093e\u0901 \u0915\u093e\u0930\u094d\u092f\u093e\u0932\u092f\u092e\u093e \u0915\u093e\u092e \u0917\u0930\u094d\u0928\u0941\u0939\u0941\u0928\u094d\u091b\u0964<\/td>\nuh\u0101\u0303 k\u0101ry\u0101laym\u0101 k\u0101m garnuhuncha.<\/em><\/td>\nHe\/She works in an office.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      study<\/td>\n\u0909\u0939\u093e\u0901 \u0935\u093f\u091c\u094d\u091e\u093e\u0928 \u092a\u0922\u094d\u0928\u0941\u0939\u0941\u0928\u094d\u091b\u0964<\/td>\nuh\u0101\u0303 wij\u00f1\u0101n pa\u1e0dhnuhuncha.<\/em><\/td>\nHe\/She studies science.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      teach<\/td>\n\u0909\u0939\u093e\u0901 \u0917\u0923\u093f\u0924 \u092a\u0922\u093e\u0909\u0928\u0941\u0939\u0941\u0928\u094d\u091b\u0964<\/td>\nuh\u0101\u0303 ga\u1e47it pa\u1e0dh\u0101unuhuncha.<\/em><\/td>\nHe\/She teaches math.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      live<\/td>\n\u0909\u0939\u093e\u0901 \u0915\u094d\u092f\u093e\u0928\u093e\u0921\u093e\u092e\u093e \u092c\u0938\u094d\u0928\u0941\u0939\u0941\u0928\u094d\u091b\u0964<\/td>\nuh\u0101\u0303 ky\u0101n\u0101\u1e0d\u0101m\u0101 basnuhuncha.<\/em><\/td>\nHe\/She lives in Canada.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

      <\/span>
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