Telling Time in Nepali Language

Understanding the Nepali Time System

The Nepali language, also known as Nepali or Gorkhali, uses a 12-hour clock system similar to English but with distinct vocabulary and expressions. Time telling in Nepali involves a combination of numbers, time units, and phrases that differ slightly based on formality and context.

Key Differences from English Time Telling

• 12-hour clock system: Nepali primarily uses the 12-hour clock, distinguishing between AM and PM by adding specific words.
• Use of Nepali numerals: While Arabic numerals are commonly understood, native Nepali numerals are often used in formal or traditional contexts.
• Unique time-related vocabulary: Words such as “बजे” (baje – o’clock), “मिनेट” (minet – minute), and “सेकेण्ड” (sekend – second) are integral to expressing time.

Basic Vocabulary for Telling Time in Nepali

Before diving into constructing time expressions, it is crucial to learn the basic vocabulary related to numbers and time units in Nepali.

Numbers 1 to 12 in Nepali

Time Units in Nepali

• Hour: बजे (baje)
• Minute: मिनेट (minet)
• Second: सेकेण्ड (sekend)
• O’clock: बजे (baje) – used after the hour number
• AM: बिहान (bihān) or बिहानको (bihānko)
• PM: बेलुका (belukā) or बेलुकाको (belukāko)

How to Tell Time in Nepali: Basic Sentence Structures

Telling time in Nepali typically follows a simple pattern: stating the hour, followed by “baje” (o’clock), then optionally adding minutes, and finally indicating whether it is AM or PM.

Expressing the Hour

The word “बजे” (baje) is used after the hour number to indicate “o’clock.”

• 1:00 – एक बजे (ek baje)
• 5:00 – पाँच बजे (pāñch baje)
• 12:00 – बाह्र बजे (bāhr baje)

Expressing Hours and Minutes

To express minutes past the hour, Nepali uses the format: hour + बजे + minute + मिनेट.

• 3:15 – तीन बजे पन्ध्र मिनेट (tīn baje pandhra minet)
• 7:30 – सात बजे तीस मिनेट (sāt baje tīsa minet)
• 10:45 – दस बजे पैंतालीस मिनेट (das baje paintālīs minet)

Expressing Minutes Before the Hour

For minutes before the next hour, Nepali speakers often say how many minutes are left until the next hour, similar to English expressions like “quarter to” or “ten to.”

• 2:45 – तीन बजेसम्म पन्ध्र मिनेट बाँकी (tīn bajesamma pandhra minet bāṅkī) — “15 minutes left until 3 o’clock”
• 6:50 – सात बजेसम्म दस मिनेट बाँकी (sāt bajesamma das minet bāṅkī)

AM and PM Indicators

To specify morning or evening, Nepali uses:

• AM – बिहान (bihān) or बिहानको (bihānko)
• PM – बेलुका (belukā) or बेलुकाको (belukāko)

Examples:

• 7:00 AM – बिहान सात बजे (bihān sāt baje)
• 8:30 PM – बेलुका आठ बजे तीस मिनेट (belukā āṭh baje tīsa minet)

Practical Examples of Telling Time in Nepali

Here are some common time expressions you might use or hear in daily Nepali conversation:

Additional Tips for Learning Nepali Time Telling

• Practice with native speakers: Using platforms like Talkpal, you can practice real-time conversations, which is invaluable for mastering time expressions.
• Learn Nepali numerals: Familiarity with the Devanagari script and Nepali numerals will improve reading clocks, calendars, and schedules.
• Use flashcards: Create flashcards for numbers, time units, and common phrases to reinforce memory.
• Immerse yourself in Nepali media: Listening to Nepali radio, watching TV shows, or following Nepali social media can expose you to natural time-telling usage.
• Understand context: Nepali speakers may sometimes use informal or regional variations, so being adaptable and asking for clarification is helpful.

Conclusion

Mastering the art of telling time in Nepali is a fundamental step toward fluency and cultural understanding. By learning the numbers, vocabulary, and common sentence structures outlined in this article, you can confidently express and comprehend time in everyday conversations. Leveraging language learning tools like Talkpal can accelerate your progress with interactive practice and native speaker engagement. Whether you are scheduling meetings, catching transportation, or simply chatting, knowing how to tell time in Nepali enhances your communication and enriches your experience with this beautiful language.