Understanding the concept of time is crucial for any language learner. In Nepali, terms like दशक (daśak) and शताब्दी (śatābdī) are essential for discussing longer periods. While both words relate to the passage of time, they refer to significantly different spans. This article delves into these two terms, providing examples and context to help you grasp their usage effectively.

दशक (daśak) – Decade

दशक (daśak) is the Nepali word for “decade.” A decade is a period of ten years. This term is commonly used in various contexts, such as history, culture, and personal milestones.

दशक:
दशक refers to a span of ten years. It is often used to describe historical events, cultural changes, or any period that lasts ten years.

उनले दस वर्षको दशक मनाए।

Examples and Usage

To further understand the usage of दशक, let’s look at some examples:

1. **Historical Context**: When discussing history, you might say:
१९६० को दशकमा धेरै परिबर्तन भयो।
This means “A lot of changes happened in the decade of the 1960s.”

2. **Personal Milestones**: For personal achievements, you could state:
मैले आफ्नो करियरको पहिलो दशक पूरा गरें।
This translates to “I completed the first decade of my career.”

3. **Cultural Shifts**: Discussing cultural changes, one might note:
१९८० को दशकमा संगीत धेरै परिवर्तन भयो।
This means “Music changed a lot in the 1980s decade.”

By understanding these examples, you can see how दशक is an essential term for discussing periods of ten years in various contexts.

शताब्दी (śatābdī) – Century

शताब्दी (śatābdī) is the Nepali word for “century.” A century encompasses a period of one hundred years. This term is often used in broader historical and cultural contexts.

शताब्दी:
शताब्दी refers to a span of one hundred years. It is typically used to discuss significant historical periods, long-term trends, and other extended durations.

यस शताब्दीमा धेरै प्रगति भएको छ।

Examples and Usage

To get a better grasp of शताब्दी, let’s explore some examples:

1. **Historical Periods**: Referring to a significant historical period, you might say:
२० औं शताब्दीमा धेरै वैज्ञानिक आविष्कारहरू भए।
This translates to “Many scientific inventions occurred in the 20th century.”

2. **Long-term Trends**: Discussing extended trends, one could state:
पछिल्लो शताब्दीमा जनसंख्या धेरै बढ्यो।
This means “The population increased a lot in the last century.”

3. **Cultural Evolution**: Talking about cultural evolution, you might note:
यस शताब्दीमा कला धेरै परिवर्तन भएको छ।
This translates to “Art has changed a lot in this century.”

These examples illustrate the usage of शताब्दी in various contexts, helping you understand its significance in discussing hundred-year periods.

Comparative Analysis: दशक (daśak) vs. शताब्दी (śatābdī)

To further clarify the differences between दशक and शताब्दी, let’s compare them directly:

Time Span

– दशक: Refers to a period of ten years.
– शताब्दी: Refers to a period of one hundred years.

Usage Context

– दशक: Commonly used for discussing shorter historical periods, personal milestones, and cultural changes within a decade.
– शताब्दी: Typically used for discussing significant historical periods, long-term trends, and cultural evolution over a century.

Examples in Sentences

– दशक:
१९७० को दशकमा धेरै राजनीतिक परिवर्तनहरू भए।
This means “Many political changes occurred in the decade of the 1970s.”

– शताब्दी:
२१ औं शताब्दीमा प्रविधि धेरै प्रगति भएको छ।
This translates to “Technology has advanced a lot in the 21st century.”

Synonyms and Related Terms

Here are some related terms that might help you further understand the usage of दशक and शताब्दी:

1. **वर्ष** (varṣa): Year
हामीले एक वर्षमा धेरै कुरा सिक्यौं।
This means “We learned a lot in one year.”

2. **महिना** (mahinā): Month
म एक महिना नेपालमा बसे।
This translates to “I stayed in Nepal for one month.”

3. **साता** (sātā): Week
हामीले एक साता काठमाडौँमा बितायौं।
This means “We spent one week in Kathmandu.”

4. **दिन** (din): Day
हाम्रो छुट्टीको दिन रमाइलो थियो।
This translates to “Our holiday was fun.”

By understanding these related terms, you can better grasp the concept of time in Nepali and how it interrelates with दशक and शताब्दी.

Practical Application

To effectively use दशक and शताब्दी in your conversations, consider the following tips:

1. **Contextual Relevance**: Always consider the context in which you are discussing time. If it’s a shorter span, use दशक; for longer spans, use शताब्दी.
2. **Historical References**: When talking about history, pinpoint specific decades or centuries to provide clarity.
3. **Personal Achievements**: Use दशक to mark personal milestones and शताब्दी for more significant, long-term achievements.

Practice Sentences

Here are some practice sentences to help you get comfortable with these terms:

1. **दशक**:
१९९० को दशकमा धेरै नयाँ प्रविधिहरू आए।
This means “Many new technologies emerged in the decade of the 1990s.”

2. **शताब्दी**:
१९ औं शताब्दीमा धेरै सामाजिक परिवर्तनहरू भए।
This translates to “Many social changes occurred in the 19th century.”

By practicing these sentences, you can become more proficient in using दशक and शताब्दी in your daily conversations.

Conclusion

Understanding the terms दशक (daśak) and शताब्दी (śatābdī) is crucial for discussing time in Nepali. While दशक refers to a decade or ten years, शताब्दी refers to a century or one hundred years. By learning their usage through examples and related terms, you can effectively communicate about different periods and contexts in Nepali. Practice using these terms in sentences to become more comfortable and confident in your language skills.