Which one should you use?
The various forms of the verb depend on the person you are addressing and the level of politeness required. Use the infinitive खान for 'to eat', the past participle खाएको to describe having eaten or the first-person form खाउँ to say 'let's eat' or 'I eat'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The imperative form varies by social context. Use the polite form खानुहोस् when addressing elders or strangers. For a more informal tone with friends or younger people, use खाऊ. If you wish to be highly formal, you can use Bhojan garnuhos or use the slightly more poetic formal expression Ahar garnuhos.
How does it change in a sentence?
The first-person form used to express 'I eat' or 'let's eat' is खाउँ. To describe the state of having already eaten, use the past participle खाएको. The infinitive form 'to eat' is खान.
How do you pronounce it?
khanuhos
Did you know?
- In many Nepali households, you may hear the phrase खाना खानुभयो? (Khana khanubhayo?), which literally asks 'Did you eat food?', used more as a common greeting like 'How are you?' than a literal inquiry into your meal.
- When using खानुहोस् to invite someone to eat, it is common to gesture toward the food with the right hand, as the left hand is traditionally considered impure.
- In Nepal, even if you are not hungry, it is considered very impolite to refuse food when offered with the verb forms of खानुहोस्. It is customary to at least take a small bite to show respect to the host.
Examples in context
- चाँडो खानुहोस्।chāṇḍō khānuhōs.Eat quickly.
- मिठो खाना खानुहोस्।miṭhō khānā khānuhōs.Eat delicious food.
Example conversation
Anita invites Dipesh to have dinner at her home.
- दिपेश Dipeshयो खाना धेरै मिठो देखिन्छ।Yo khana dherai mitho dekhinchha.This food looks very delicious.
- अनीता Anitaधन्यवाद, अब खानुहोस्।Dhanyabaad, aba khanuhos.Thank you, now please eat.
- दिपेश Dipeshम खान्छु।Ma khanchhu.I will eat.
- अनीता Anitaधेरै मात्रामा खानुहोस्।Dherai matrama khanuhos.Please eat a lot.
