विद्यालय
vidyalaya
The English word 'school' is विद्यालय (vidyalaya) in Nepali.
विद्यालय refers to an institution dedicated to teaching and learning. When discussing the broader concept of education, the term शिक्षा is used.
Meaning: an institution dedicated to teaching and learning (noun)
Which one should you use?
For a formal context, the word pathshala is used. In very informal settings, the direct loanword school is used.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
pathshala is also considered a formal way to say school. For colloquial, everyday speech, स्कुल is very common. In informal contexts, the English word school is also used.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express being 'at school' or 'in school', add the locative suffix -मा (-ma) to the end of the word, resulting in विद्यालयमा.
How do you pronounce it?
vidyalaya
Did you know?
- In traditional Nepali culture, a गुरुकुल was a residential school where students lived with their teacher, the गुरु.
- The formal word विद्यालय is a compound of two Sanskrit roots: vidya, meaning 'knowledge', and alaya, meaning 'abode' or 'home'. In a sense, a school is literally a 'home of knowledge'.
- In many rural parts of Nepal, community-run schools are often referred to as सामुदायिक विद्यालय, emphasizing collective ownership over government control.
Examples in context
- विद्यालय मेरो लागि होइन।School isn't for me.This sentence shows the use of विद्यालय to indicate something is not for a person.Tatoeba #12086368 by taro, translation #4921597 by chaliapin
- तिमी किन अझै विद्यालयमा छौ?Why are you still at school?This sentence demonstrates how to say someone is still at school using विद्यालयमा.Tatoeba #12208731 by taro, translation #7817527 by CK
- उपनगरका विद्यार्थीहरू बसबाट विद्यालय आउँछन् ।Students from the suburbs come to school by bus.This sentence shows how to describe students coming to school using विद्यालय.Tatoeba #11804649 by taro, translation #241186 by CK
Example conversation
Two friends are walking home after their classes.
- प्रतिक्षा Pratikshaआज विद्यालय निकै रमाइलो भयो।aja vidhyalaya nikai ramailo bhayo.School was very fun today.
- सुमित Sumitहो, मलाई पनि त्यस्तै लाग्यो।ho, malai pani tyastai lagyo.Yes, I felt the same way.
- प्रतिक्षा Pratikshaके भोलि विद्यालय बिदा हो?ke bholi vidhyalaya bida ho?Is school closed tomorrow?
- सुमित Sumitहोइन, भोलि पनि जानुपर्छ।hoina, bholi pani januparcha.No, we have to go tomorrow too.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
