Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to say “who” in Nepali! In this guide, we will cover various ways to express “who” in this beautiful language. Whether you want to learn the formal or informal usage of this word, you’re in the right place. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
1. Formal Ways to Say “Who”
When engaging in formal conversations or addressing respected individuals, it’s important to use the appropriate form of “who.” Let’s explore a few examples:
1.1 प्रहरीले कसलाई पक्राउ गर्छन्? (Praharee-le kaslai pakrau garchhan?)
This phrase translates to “Whom do the police arrest?” It is a formal way of asking “who” in Nepali, commonly used in official contexts or addressing authorities.
1.2 राष्ट्रपतिले कसलाई नेतृत्वमा नियुक्त गर्नुभयो? (Rashtrapati-le kaslai netritwama niyukta garnubhayo?)
Here, we ask “Whom did the President appoint as the leader?” This construction is appropriate when speaking formally, such as when discussing political or governmental matters.
2. Informal Ways to Say “Who”
Informal situations, friendly conversations, or when speaking with peers or family members call for a different way to ask “who” in Nepali. Let’s explore a couple of informal examples:
2.1 को गाडी हो? (Ko gadi ho?)
This phrase translates to “Whose car is it?” Using “ko” before the noun turns “who” into “whose.” This construction is widely used in everyday conversations among friends and family.
2.2 कसको छोरो हो यो? (Kasko chhoro ho yo?)
Here, we ask “Whose son is this?” Again, by employing “kasko” (whose) before the noun, we can inquire about someone’s relation to the subject. This informal usage is common in casual settings.
3. Additional Tips and Examples
Now that we’ve covered the formal and informal ways to say “who” in Nepali, let’s explore a few more tips and examples to expand your understanding:
3.1 Using “Ko” for Ownership
As we saw earlier, appending “ko” after “ka” changes the meaning from “who” to “whose.” This structure facilitates discussions related to ownership or possession. For example:
कस्को घर हो यो? (Kasko ghar ho yo?) – Whose house is this?
कुन खाता तिर्ने? (Kun khaata tirne?) – Whose account will you do?
3.2 Clarifying Context
When using “who” in Nepali, it is essential to provide context to avoid ambiguity. You can add additional information to clarify what you are asking. Let’s look at some examples:
कसलाई तिमीले सहायता गर्नुभयो? (Kaslaai timile sahaayataa garnubhayo?) – Whom did you help?
कसले कम्पनीमा काम गर्दछ? (Kasle company-ma kaam gardachha?) – Who works at the company?
3.3 Different Ways to Structure Questions
While asking “who” in Nepali, you can experiment with different sentence structures. Here are a few examples:
- कसलाई तिमी जान्छौ? (Kaslaai timi jaanchhau?) – Who are you going with?
- तिमीले कसलाई राख्यौ? (Timile kaslaai rakhyau?) – Whom did you keep?
- कसले तिमीलाई बाधियो? (Kasle timilai baadhiyo?) – Who troubled you?
Remember, the context and tone of the conversation play an important role in choosing the appropriate way to ask “who” in Nepali.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You’ve reached the end of our extensive guide on how to say “who” in Nepali. We explored both formal and informal ways to ask this question, providing various tips and examples along the way. Remember to consider the context and your relationship with the person you are speaking to when choosing the appropriate form. Now, go ahead and practice your newly acquired knowledge in real conversations. Best of luck!
