Why Focus on Common Verbs in Nepali?
Verbs are the action words that bring sentences to life. In Nepali, as in any language, a small set of frequently used verbs covers a significant portion of daily interactions. Learning these core verbs allows you to express actions, desires, needs, and feelings, making your conversations both practical and meaningful. Focusing on them first accelerates your progress and boosts confidence in real-life situations.
Top 15 Most Common Nepali Verbs for Everyday Use
1. गर्नु (Garnu) – To do / To make
Perhaps the most versatile verb in Nepali, गर्नु is used in a variety of contexts, from making things to performing actions. For example, “म homework गर्छु” (Ma homework garchu) means “I do homework.”
2. हुनु (Hunu) – To be
This verb functions as the Nepali equivalent of “to be” and is used to indicate existence or identity. For instance, “ऊ डाक्टर हो” (U doctor ho) translates to “He/She is a doctor.”
3. जानु (Jaanu) – To go
Used when talking about movement or travel, जानु is essential for asking directions or making plans, such as “म स्कूल जान्छु” (Ma school janchu) meaning “I go to school.”
4. आउनु (Aunu) – To come
Whether inviting someone or discussing arrivals, आउनु is a must-know verb. Example: “तिमी यहाँ आउँछौ?” (Timi yaha aunchhau?) means “Are you coming here?”
5. खानु (Khanu) – To eat
Food is central to Nepali culture, making खानु one of the most important verbs. “तिमीले खाना खायौ?” (Timile khana khayau?) means “Did you eat food?”
6. पिउनु (Piunu) – To drink
Commonly used when referring to beverages, such as “म पानी पिउँछु” (Ma pani piunchu), which means “I drink water.”
7. बोल्नु (Bolnu) – To speak / To talk
This verb is vital for any language learner. For example, “तिमी नेपाली बोल्छौ?” (Timi Nepali bolchau?) translates to “Do you speak Nepali?”
8. हेर्नु (Hernu) – To see / To look
Used in contexts from watching television to sightseeing. “म फिल्म हेर्छु” (Ma film herchu) means “I watch a movie.”
9. लिनु (Linu) – To take
Useful in shopping and daily errands, as in “म चिया लिन्छु” (Ma chiya linchu), meaning “I take tea.”
10. दिनु (Dinu) – To give
Essential for requests and offers, such as “मलाई किताब दिनुहोस्” (Malai kitab dinuhos), meaning “Please give me the book.”
11. सुत्नु (Sutnu) – To sleep
For talking about rest or bedtime, as in “म सुत्छु” (Ma sutchu), which means “I sleep.”
12. बस्नु (Basnu) – To sit / To stay / To live
This verb adapts to several contexts, e.g., “यहाँ बस्नुहोस्” (Yaha basnuhos) means “Please sit here,” or “म काठमाडौँमा बस्छु” (Ma Kathmandu ma baschu) means “I live in Kathmandu.”
13. उठ्नु (Uthnu) – To get up / To wake up
Used for starting the day or getting up from a seat. “म बिहान उठ्छु” (Ma bihana uthchu) means “I wake up in the morning.”
14. लेख्नु (Leknu) – To write
Essential for students and professionals alike. “म पत्र लेख्छु” (Ma patra lekhchu) means “I write a letter.”
15. बुझ्नु (Bujhnu) – To understand
Vital for effective communication, as in “म बुझ्दिन” (Ma bujhina), meaning “I don’t understand.”
Tips for Mastering Nepali Verbs in Conversation
- Practice with context: Use verbs in full sentences related to your daily life to remember them better.
- Listen and repeat: Watch Nepali videos or listen to conversations and repeat the sentences to improve your pronunciation and recall.
- Use AI tools: Platforms like Talkpal offer interactive exercises and real-life scenarios to practice these verbs in context.
- Expand gradually: Once comfortable with these common verbs, start exploring their various forms, tenses, and combinations.
Conclusion
Building a strong foundation in Nepali starts with mastering the verbs that appear in almost every conversation. By focusing on the most common verbs such as गर्नु (to do), हुनु (to be), जानु (to go), and others, you set yourself up for effective communication in everyday scenarios. Remember to practice regularly, use resources like the Talkpal – AI language learning blog, and immerse yourself in real Nepali conversations. With consistent effort, you’ll soon find yourself speaking Nepali with confidence!
