आकाश
ākāś[äkäs]
The Nepali word for "sky" is आकाश (ākāś).
The word आकाश refers to the atmosphere above a given point, specifically the place where the sun, moon, stars and clouds are visible from the Earth's surface.
Meaning: atmosphere above a given point, especially as visible from the surface of the Earth as the place where the sun, moon, stars, and clouds are seen (noun)
Which one should you use?
While आकाश is the standard term, गगन is a synonym used specifically in formal or poetic contexts to mean sky or firmament.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say "in the sky", you add the locative case marker -मा (-mā) to the noun, resulting in आकाशमा.
How do you pronounce it?
ākāś
Did you know?
- In traditional Indian and Nepali philosophy, आकाश is not just the 'sky' but the fifth element, known as ether, which fills all the space that the other four elements do not occupy.
- The term आकाश can also be used metaphorically in Nepali to describe 'vastness' or 'limitlessness' in a person's character or an idea.
- In Nepali astrology and ancient texts, the 'sky' is divided into various celestial spheres, making आकाश a term that can refer to both the local atmosphere and the infinite universe.
Examples in context
- चरा आकाशमा छ।The bird is in the sky.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use आकाश with the locative marker to say "in the sky".Tatoeba #3834316 by taro, translation #3812934 by muriloricci
- आकाश आज खुसी देखिन्छ।The sky looks happy today.
- हेर त्यो गगनलाई कति सुन्दर देखिन्छ!Look at how beautiful the sky is!
- आकाश नीलो छ।ākaś nīlō cha.The sky is blue.
- आज आकाशमा बादल छ।āja ākaśmā bādal cha.There are clouds in the sky today.
Example conversation
Anita and Sumit are looking up at the sky during a walk.
- अनीता Anitaसुमित, हेर त, आकाश कति सफा छ!Sumit, hera ta, ākaś kati saphā cha!Sumit, look, the sky is so clear!
- सुमित Sumitहो, अनीता, आज आकाश धेरै राम्रो देखिन्छ।Ho, Anīta, āja ākaś dhērai rāmrō dēkhincha.Yes, Anita, the sky looks very beautiful today.
- अनीता Anitaके तिमीले तारा देख्यौ?Kē timīlē tārā dēkhyau?Did you see the stars?
- सुमित Sumitअहिले त देखिन्न, तर राति देखिन्छ।Ahilē ta dēkhinna, tara rāti dēkhincha.Not now, but they will be visible at night.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sky” translations and entries आकाश, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
