शुभकामना
shubhakamana
The English phrase "best of luck" is expressed in Nepali as शुभकामना (shubhakamana).
शुभकामना is a versatile phrase used to wish someone success in a future event or endeavor, or to offer congratulations for a past achievement. It can mean "best of luck", "congratulations" or "good wishes".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase शुभकामना can be adapted for different social contexts. For a polite and formal way to say "best of luck", you can use शुभकामना छ. A slightly more formal option that conveys sending good wishes for success and luck is शुभ चाहना छ। If you want to make your wish feel more heartfelt and polite, you can add धेरै धेरै (many many) before शुभकामना to say धेरै धेरै शुभकामना. For someone you share a close relationship with, the warm and informal expression खुशीको कामना! is appropriate.
How does it change in a sentence?
In a complete sentence, you can add the verb छ (to be/exist) to the phrase to say शुभकामना छ, which translates to "there are good wishes (for you)" or "I give you my best wishes".
How do you pronounce it?
shubhakamana
Did you know?
- While 'luck' in English often implies a random stroke of fate, the शुभ in शुभकामना specifically denotes 'auspiciousness' or 'goodness'. You are essentially wishing that the person's circumstances are spiritually favorable.
- In Nepali culture, wishing शुभकामना is often accompanied by a namaste gesture, where palms are pressed together and the head is slightly bowed.
- The word शुभकामना is rooted in Sanskrit, an ancient liturgical language. Because of this, it feels more elegant and formal than many modern Nepali words used in everyday street speech.
Examples in context
- तपाईंको नयाँ कामको लागि शुभकामना।Tapāīṅko nayāṅ kāmko lāgi śubhakāmanā.Best of luck for your new job.
- परीक्षाको लागि धेरै शुभकामना!Parīkṣāko lāgi dherai śubhakāmanā!Best of luck for your exam!
- यात्राको लागि शुभकामना छ।Yātrāko lāgi śubhakāmanā cha.Best of luck for your journey.
Example conversation
Sumit and Maya are talking before Maya goes for a job interview.
- सुमित Sumitमाया, तिम्रो अन्तर्वार्ता कति बजे छ?Maya, timro antarvarta kati baje cha?Maya, what time is your interview?
- माया Mayaयो दिउँसो दुई बजे छ।Yo diunso dui baje cha.It is at two this afternoon.
- सुमित Sumitल हुन्छ, शुभकामना!La huncha, shubhakamana!Alright, best of luck!
- माया Mayaधन्यवाद, सुमित!Dhanyabad, Sumit!Thank you, Sumit!
