Structure and Formation of Interrogative Sentences in Nepali

Nepali, being an Indo-Aryan language, shares similarities with other languages in the same family, such as Hindi and Bengali. However, it has its unique characteristics and rules when it comes to constructing interrogative sentences.

To form an interrogative sentence in Nepali, the sentence usually begins with an interrogative word, followed by the subject, verb, and object, in that order. However, in some cases, the interrogative word might appear elsewhere in the sentence, depending on the focus of the question.

Example 1: के तपाईं नेपाली बोल्नुहुन्छ? (Ke tapāī̃ nepālī bōlnuhuncha?) Do you speak Nepali?

Example 2: तपाईंले कहिले सम्झिनुहुन्छ? (Tapāī̃lē kahilē samjhīnuhuncha?) When do you understand?

Common Nepali Interrogative Words

Like other languages, Nepali has a set of interrogative words that help formulate different types of questions. Some commonly used interrogative words in Nepali are:

1. के (Ke) – This word is the equivalent of ‘What’ in English and is used to ask general questions about something or someone.

2. कसरी (Kasarī) – It translates to ‘How’ in English and is used to inquire about the manner or method of doing something.

3. कहिले (Kahilē) – This word means ‘When’ and is used to ask questions concerning time and dates.

4. कति (Kati) – It translates to ‘How much’ or ‘How many’ in English, and is used to inquire about the quantity or amount of something.

5. के भयो (Ke bhayō) – This phrase means ‘What happened’ and is used to ask about events or situations.

6. कहाँ (Kahām̐) – The equivalent of ‘Where’ in English, this word is used to inquire about locations or places.

Using Interrogative Pronouns in Nepali Grammar

Another crucial aspect of interrogative sentences in Nepali grammar is the use of interrogative pronouns. These pronouns serve as placeholders for the information being asked and, when placed within a sentence, help create a question. Some common interrogative pronouns in Nepali are:

1. को (Kō) – This pronoun corresponds to ‘Whose’ in English, and is used to inquire about possession or ownership.

2. कुन (Kun) – It translates to ‘Which’ in English and is used to ask about choices or alternatives in a specific context.

3. कस्तो (Kastō) – This pronoun translates to ‘What kind of’ in English and is used to inquire about the quality, type, or attributes of something.

Conclusion

Understanding interrogative sentences in Nepali grammar is crucial for effective communication and comprehension. By familiarizing oneself with the sentence structure, common interrogative words, and pronouns used in Nepali, both native speakers and language learners can enhance their ability to ask questions and gather information in this beautiful and diverse language.