बच्चा
baccā[bʌt̚t͡sä]
The Nepali word for baby is बच्चा (baccā). Wiktionary also lists शिशु (śiśu).
Meaning: very young human being (noun)
Ways to say it
| Nepali | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| बच्चा | baccā | [bʌt̚t͡sä] (narrow) |
| शिशु | śiśu |
बच्चा refers to a very young human being. In casual conversation, it is often used more broadly to refer to any young child, not just a newborn.
Which one should you use?
बच्चा is the common word for a baby or child, whereas शिशु is a more formal or clinical term specifically used for an infant or newborn.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make बच्चा plural, you add the suffix -हरू (-harū) to form बच्चाहरू (baccāharū).
How do you pronounce it?
baccā
Did you know?
- In some traditional Nepali households, a baby's 'birth name' is kept secret or replaced by a nickname to ward off the 'evil eye' and protect the child.
- In Nepali, the word बच्चा is used not only for human babies but also to refer to the young of any animal, such as a calf or a puppy.
- Although बच्चा is used widely today, its roots trace back to Classical Persian, meaning the word traveled through Hindi before entering the Nepali language.
Examples in context
- म बच्चा जन्माउँदै छु।I'm having a baby.This sentence shows how to use बच्चा when talking about having a baby.Tatoeba #11831697 by taro, translation #5757907 by CM
- टम र म बच्चा जन्माउँदैछौं।Tom and I are having a baby.Tatoeba #11770747 by taro, translation #6269704 by CK
- बच्चालाई देखेर म धेरै खुसी भएँ।I was so happy when I saw the baby.This sentence shows how to use बच्चा when expressing happiness about seeing a baby.Tatoeba #11861876 by taro, translation #10125530 by LanguageExpert
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sumit and Pratiksha are looking at a photo.
- सुमित Sumitयो बच्चा कति राम्रो छ!Yo baccha kati ramro cha!This baby is so cute!
- प्रतिक्षा Pratikshaहो, उनी मेरो भतिज हुन्।Ho, uni mero bhatij hun.Yes, he is my nephew.
- सुमित Sumitबच्चा कति महिनाको भयो?Baccha kati mahinako bhayo?How many months old is the baby?
- प्रतिक्षा Pratikshaउनी अहिले तीन महिनाको छन्।Uni ahile teen mahinako chan.He is three months old now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “baby” translations and entries बच्चा, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries बच्चा, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
