Understanding Demonstrative Pronouns in Nepali Grammar

Demonstrative pronouns are essential parts of the Nepali language, as they help to identify and clarify different elements within a sentence. This article will provide you with a detailed breakdown of Nepali demonstrative pronouns, their uses, and their correct grammatical structure.

The Four Main Demonstrative Pronouns in Nepali

Nepali grammar consists of four primary demonstrative pronouns which are as follows:

1. yo (यो) – this
2. tyo (त्यो) – that
3. so (सो) – that (over there)
4. onī (ओनी) – it (invisible)

These pronouns are employed to establish reference to visible and invisible entities and are commonly used in everyday spoken and written Nepali.

Use of Demonstrative Pronouns in Nepali Sentences

To create a clear understanding of how demonstrative pronouns function within Nepali grammar, we will explore their application in various sentence structures.

Yo (यो) – this

Example: Yo kitab ho. (यो किताब हो।)

Translation: This is a book.

In this example, the demonstrative pronoun ‘yo’ refers to a book that is placed near the speaker.

Tyo (त्यो) – that

Example: Tyo ghar hamro ho. (त्यो घर हाम्रो हो।)

Translation: That is our house.

Here, ‘tyo’ signifies a house that is located farther away from the speaker but still within sight.

So (सो) – that (over there)

Example: So bazaar ramro cha. (सो बजार राम्रो छ।)

Translation: That market over there is good.

The pronoun ‘so’ is used to indicate an object or place that is considerably farther away but still visible to the speaker.

Onī (ओनी) – it (invisible)

Example: Onī sasto thiyo. (ओनी सस्तो थियो।)

Translation: It was inexpensive.

In this context, ‘onī’ refers to an invisible or previously mentioned item, indicating that its actual identity is not essential in the sentence.

Gender and Number Agreement with Demonstrative Pronouns

Unlike some languages, Nepali distinguishes gender and number within demonstrative pronouns based on the noun they modify. The pronouns must agree in gender (masculine, feminine, or neuter) and number (singular or plural) with their respective nouns.

For instance, the pronoun ‘yo’ (this) agrees with the nouns it modifies as shown below:

1. Yo keṭā (यो केटा) – this boy (masculine singular)
2. Yo keṭī (यो केटी) – this girl (feminine singular)
3. Yo keṭāharu (यो केटाहरु) – these boys (masculine plural)
4. Yo keṭīharu (यो केटीहरु) – these girls (feminine plural)

This rule applies to ‘tyo’ (that), ‘so’ (that over there), and ‘onī’ (it) as well.

Conclusion

Understanding and using demonstrative pronouns effectively are crucial for mastering Nepali grammar. The four primary demonstrative pronouns—’yo’ (this), ‘tyo’ (that), ‘so’ (that over there), and ‘onī’ (it)—help to clarify sentence meaning by establishing references for the visible or invisible entities in the discourse. By grasping the correct usage of these pronouns, you are one step closer to becoming proficient in the Nepali language.