भूत
bhūt
The Nepali word for "ghost" is भूत (bhūt).
As a noun, भूत refers to a spirit that appears after death. It is also used as an adjective to mean "past" or "former" when it is placed before a noun.
Meaning: spirit appearing after death (noun)
Which one should you use?
While the primary meaning is the noun for a ghost, when the word भूत is used as an adjective preceding a noun, its meaning shifts to signify something that is "past" or "former".
How do you pronounce it?
bhūt
Did you know?
- Nepali folklore describes specific types of ghosts like the किचकन्नी, a female spirit with backward-facing feet who lures men in the forest.
- While भूत means 'ghost', it shares a root with the Sanskrit word for 'element' or 'existence', linking the idea of a spirit to the basic building blocks of the universe.
- In Nepali, भूत is not just a spirit but can refer to any supernatural entity or demon, blending the concepts of ghosts and monsters into one term.
Examples in context
- मेरो दादाले तेरैमा एक प्रेत आयो भनेर भने थिए।My grandfather used to say that a ghost came in the Terai.
- त्यो पुरानो घरमा भूत छ रे।tyo purano gharma bhut cha re.They say there is a ghost in that old house.
- के तपाईंले भूत देख्नुभयो?ke tapāīṅle bhut dekhnubhayo?Did you see a ghost?
- मलाई भूत देख्दा डर लाग्छ।malāī bhut dekhdā dar lāgcha.I feel scared when I see a ghost.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a spooky story in a park.
- अनीता Anitaसुमित, के तिमीलाई भूतको कथा मन पर्छ?sumit, ke timīlāī bhutko kathā man parcha?Sumit, do you like ghost stories?
- सुमित Sumitहोइन अनीता, मलाई भूत देख्दा धेरै डर लाग्छ।hoina anītā, malāī bhut dekhdā dherai dar lāgcha.No Anita, I am very scared of seeing ghosts.
- अनीता Anitaत्यो त केवल एउटा कथा मात्र हो।tyo ta kewal euṭā kathā mātra ho.That is just a story.
- सुमित Sumitतर मलाई त साच्चै डर लागिरहेको छ।tara malāī ta sāccai dar lāgiraheko cha.But I am actually feeling scared.
