माफ गर्नुहोस्
maaph garnuhos
The English phrase "I am sorry" is translated into Nepali as माफ गर्नुहोस् (maaph garnuhos).
माफ गर्नुहोस् is used to apologize for a mistake or to ask for forgiveness.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally means "please forgive". The word माफ means forgiveness and गर्नुहोस् means please do.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form माफ गर्नुहोस् is a polite/high-honorific version suitable for strangers, elders or formal situations. For a less formal or low-honorific version used with close friends or younger people, you can use माफ गर.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the sentence "Forgive me" or "I am sorry" sound more complete and natural, you can add मलाई (malai) to the beginning of the phrase, resulting in मलाई माफ गर्नुहोस्.
How do you pronounce it?
maaph garnuhos
Did you know?
- The word माफ is a linguistic traveler that moved from Arabic to Persian, then through Hindi, before finally arriving in Nepali. Its roots are connected to the Arabic concepts of 'pardon' and 'healing'.
- In Nepali, the word 'sorry' does not have a single catch-all translation. If you want to express sympathy for a loss or a tragedy, you would use specific phrases of condolence instead of the standard 'I am sorry' used for mistakes.
- In Nepal, a sincere apology is often paired with the 'Namaste' gesture, where the speaker joins their palms together.
Examples in context
- मलाई माफ गर्नुहोस्।I am sorry.This sentence is useful for saying "I am sorry" using the form माफ गर्नुहोस्.Tatoeba #11916471 by taro, translation #3120141 by harshnisar
- कृपया मलाई माफ गर्नुहोस्।kripaya malai maaf garnuhos.Please forgive me.
- ढिलो भएकोमा माफ गर्नुहोस्।dhilo bhayekoma maaf garnuhos.Sorry for being late.
Example conversation
Dipesh accidentally bumped into Anita in a hallway.
- दिपेश Dipeshअनीता जी, माफ गर्नुहोस्।Anita ji, maaf garnuhos.Anita, I am sorry.
- अनीता Anitaकेही छैन, दिपेश जी।kehi chaina, Dipesh ji.It is okay, Dipesh.
- दिपेश Dipeshतपाईंलाई चोट लाग्यो कि?tapailai chot laagyo ki?Did you get hurt?
- अनीता Anitaहोइन, म ठिक छु।hoina, ma thik chu.No, I am fine.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries माफ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
