जानु
jānu[d͡zänu]
To go in Nepali is जानु (jānu).
The verb जानु is used to describe moving through space, specifically from one place to another.
Meaning: to move through space (especially from one place to another) (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
In the present tense, the verb changes based on the subject: जान्छु means I go, जान्छ means he/she goes and जान्छन् means they go. To express that someone has gone, use the present perfect form गएको छ.
How do you pronounce it?
jānu
Did you know?
- The Nepali word जानु descends from the Proto-Indo-European root *yeh₂-, making it a very distant relative of the English word 'go' despite their different sounds.
- While 'to go' is a simple movement, in Nepali, the level of respect you show someone is built directly into how you conjugate जानु.
- While जानु means 'to go', Nepali speakers often use it in phrases that describe 'passing away' or dying, similar to the English phrase 'gone'.
Examples in context
- म बाहिर जानु पर्छ।I must go out.This sentence shows how to use जानु to express necessity.Tatoeba #12163544 by taro, translation #256630 by CK
- तपाईं कुन हाईस्कूल जानुहुन्छ?Where do you go to high school?This sentence demonstrates the use of जानु when asking about a destination.Tatoeba #12164838 by taro, translation #11811237 by CK
- म चलचित्र हेर्न जानु भन्दा घरमै बस्न रुचाउँछु ।I'd rather stay at home than go to the movies.This sentence illustrates using जानु to express a preference.Tatoeba #11856448 by taro, translation #7803395 by CK
- कृपया आफ्नो काम गर्न जानुस्।Please go and do your work.
- चल, आज फुटबल खेल्न जाउ।Let's go play football today.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Roshan and Pratiksha are deciding where to meet.
- रोशन Roshanहामी बजार जानु पर्छ।Hami bajār jānu parchha.We have to go to the market.
- प्रतिक्षा Pratikshaहो, हामी अहिले नै जाऔं।Ho, hami ahile nai jāauṃ.Yes, let's go right now.
- रोशन Roshanतपाईं कसरी जानुहुन्छ?Tapāīṃ kasarī jānu-hunchha?How will you go?
- प्रतिक्षा Pratikshaम बसमा जानुछु।Ma bas-mā jānu-chu.I will go by bus.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “go” translations and entries जानु, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries जानु, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
