सर्प
sarpa
The English word snake is सर्प (sarpa) in Nepali. Wiktionary also lists साँप (sā̃p) and साप (sāp).
Meaning: legless reptile (noun)
Ways to say it
| Nepali | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| सर्प | sarpa | |
| साँप | sā̃p | [sä̃p] (narrow) |
| साप | sāp | [säp] (narrow) |
The word refers to a legless reptile.
Which one should you use?
The form साँप is the more common, everyday word used in spoken Nepali. In contrast, सर्प is a formal or Sanskrit-derived term used in scientific contexts, literature or formal speech.
How do you pronounce it?
sarpa
Did you know?
- The word सर्प shares a root with the English word 'serpent', as both trace back to the ancient Proto-Indo-European language.
- In Nepali culture, the साँप is deeply revered during the festival of Janai Purnima, where people worship snakes as symbols of divinity and protection.
- The formal term सर्प is derived from the Sanskrit root meaning 'to creep' or 'to glide', describing the animal's movement rather than its shape.
Examples in context
- टमलाई सर्पले टोकेको छ।Tom has been bitten by a snake.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use the form सर्प.Tatoeba #12149521 by taro, translation #3495004 by CK
- साँपको सिरको रंग मनोहारी हुन्छ।The color of a snake's head is mesmerizing.
- के यो सर्प विषालु छ?ke yo sarp viṣālu cha?Is this snake poisonous?
Example conversation
Sumit and Maya are walking through a forest.
- सुमित Sumitमाया, हेर त, त्यहाँ एउटा सर्प छ!Māyā, hera ta, tyahã euṭā sarp cha!Maya, look, there is a snake there!
- माया Mayaओहो, कति डरलाग्दो सर्प भएछ।Oho, kati ḍarlāgdo sarp bha'echa.Oh, what a scary snake it is.
- सुमित Sumitडराउनु पर्दैन, यो सानो छ।Ḍarāunu pardaina, yo sāno cha.Don't be afraid, it is small.
- माया Mayaतैपनि, म अलि टाढा जान्छु।Taipani, ma ali ṭāḍhā jānchu.Even so, I'm going to move a little further away.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “snake” translations and entries साँप, साप, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
