Chapter 12 of 16 · Explore the Nepali path
Optional reference · Chapter 12 of 16
Read the extra pieces on the end of a verb
Open this when a long verb ending blocks you. It covers how Nepali says “have”, how respect lengthens a verb, and the fixed shapes for want, can, must and used to.
≈ 3 min of reading · Practise at your own pace
What’s in this chapter
- Open this when a long verb ending blocks you; neither reading at the end uses any of it.
- Nepali has no verb for “have”. It says the thing exists, with the owner wearing a tag.
- Respect lengthens the verb rather than changing the word.
- Want, can and must are fixed shapes glued onto a verb you already know.
- A second past tense, ending थ्यो
thyo, means “used to”.
You do not need this section to finish the lesson. Open it when a tail on the end of a verb stops you; neither story at the end uses one.
I have a house. I do not have a house.
मसँग एउटा घर छ। मसँग घर छैन।
masãga euṭā ghar cha. masãga ghar chaina
Literally “with me a house exists”. सँग
The same sentence at three levels of respect
Nepali picks a level of respect for the person it is talking to or about. Read across a row to see the same two sentences at one level.
| To whom | You are | He or she goes |
|---|---|---|
| a small child or an intimate | तँ होस् | ऊ जान्छ |
| a friend, a child, a fable animal — the you stories use | तिमी हौ | उनी जान्छन् |
| an adult, or anyone senior | तपाईं हुनुहुन्छ | उहाँ जानुहुन्छ |
Respect is added by making the verb longer, most often with हुन् inside it. The meaning does not change — read past the extra syllables and the verb underneath is one you know.
Recognise want, can, must and used to
Read the plain verb on the left, then the shape it takes on the right. Learn each shape whole.