Understanding Sentence Structure in Nepali
Nepali, like many South Asian languages, follows a Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) word order. This means that the verb typically comes at the end of the sentence. For example, the statement “You eat rice” is translated as “तिमी भात खान्छौ” (timi bhat khanchhau), which literally means “You rice eat.”
How to Form Yes/No Questions in Nepali
Using Question Particles
One of the simplest ways to turn a statement into a question in Nepali is by adding the question particle “कि” (ki) at the end of the sentence or by raising your intonation.
Example:
Statement: तिमी स्कूल जान्छौ। (timi skul janchhau) – You go to school.
Question: तिमी स्कूल जान्छौ कि? (timi skul janchhau ki?) – Do you go to school?
Alternatively, in spoken Nepali, simply raising your pitch at the end of the sentence can also indicate a question.
Inversion Isn’t Required
Unlike English, Nepali does not invert the subject and the verb to form questions. The structure remains the same, and the tone or the question particle signals the question.
Forming Wh-Questions in Nepali
Common Nepali Question Words
To ask for specific information, use the following question words at the appropriate place in your sentence:
- Who – को (ko)
- What – के (ke)
- When – कहिले (kahile)
- Where – कहाँ (kahã)
- Why – किन (kina)
- How – कसरी (kasari)
- Which – कुन (kun)
Word Order in Wh-Questions
In Nepali, question words typically appear in the same position as the word or phrase they are replacing in the answer. The verb still comes at the end.
Examples:
Who are you? – तिमी को हौ? (timi ko hau?)
What is this? – यो के हो? (yo ke ho?)
Where do you live? – तिमी कहाँ बस्छौ? (timi kahã baschau?)
Politeness and Formality in Nepali Questions
Nepali has different levels of formality. Using the right form of ‘you’—तिमी (timi, informal), तपाईं (tapaĩ, formal), or तिमीहरू/तपाईंहरू (timi haru/tapaĩ haru, plural)—is important when forming questions, especially when speaking to elders or strangers.
Example (Formal):
Do you need help? – तपाईंलाई सहायता चाहिन्छ कि? (tapaĩlai sahayata chahinchha ki?)
Tips for Practicing Nepali Questions
- Practice converting statements into questions using “कि” (ki).
- Familiarize yourself with question words and their proper placement.
- Listen to native speakers and pay attention to their intonation when asking questions.
- Use language learning platforms like Talkpal to get instant feedback and practice with AI-powered exercises tailored for Nepali learners.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Avoid inverting subject and verb as in English—keep the verb at the end.
- Don’t forget the appropriate level of formality; using the wrong pronoun can sound rude or awkward.
- Make sure to use the correct question particle or intonation to avoid confusion between statements and questions.
Conclusion
Mastering how to form questions in Nepali is a key step towards achieving fluency. With the right question words, sentence structure, and a little practice, you’ll be able to ask anything from simple yes/no questions to more complex wh-questions. Remember to practice regularly and utilize helpful resources like Talkpal for personalized guidance. Happy learning, and enjoy your journey with the Nepali language!
