हजुर
hajura[ɦʌ(d)zuɾʌ]
In Nepali, 'yes' can be expressed in several ways depending on the context, with the default polite form being हजुर (hajura).
The term हजुर is a versatile particle used to indicate agreement or acceptance. Beyond saying 'yes', it serves as a polite way to signal that you are listening to someone or to act as a respectful 'Pardon?' if you need someone to repeat themselves. Other ways to express agreement include हाँ for respectful agreement, ठिक छ to mean 'alright' or 'okay', अवश्य for 'certainly/surely' and निश्चयले for 'definitely'. If you wish to express that you will complete a task fully, you can say पुरा गर्छु.
Meaning: word used to indicate agreement or acceptance (particle)
Which one should you use?
While हजुर is a polite particle used for agreement or to show you are paying attention, हो is used specifically to confirm a fact or an identity, such as answering 'yes' to a question like 'Is this a book?'
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
हजुर is a polite and respectful form of 'yes', making it the most appropriate choice when speaking to elders, strangers or in formal settings. In contrast, हाँ is a formal way to express agreement in a respectful manner, while ठिक छ is an informal expression used to convey agreement or acceptance.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
hajura
Did you know?
- Nepali speakers may use a head shake that looks like a 'no' to English speakers while saying हजुर or हो to indicate a soft or hesitant 'yes'.
- The polite word हजुर is borrowed from Hindi, which took it from Persian, and it originally comes from the Arabic word حُضُور meaning 'presence'.
- The word हजुर is so respectful that it can function as a standalone title for an esteemed person, similar to 'Sir' or 'Excellency'.
Examples in context
- हजुर, म जान्छु।hajur, ma janchu.Yes, I will go.
- हजुर, यो मेरो हो।hajur, yo mero ho.Yes, this is mine.
Example conversation
Srijana is asking Sumit if he has finished the work.
- सृजना Srijanaके काम सकियो?Ke kaam sakiyo?Is the work finished?
- सुमित Sumitहजुर, सकियो।Hajur, sakiyo.Yes, it is finished.
- सृजना Srijanaधेरै धन्यवाद, सुमित।Dherai dhanyabaad, Sumit.Thank you very much, Sumit.
- सुमित Sumitस्वागत छ, सृजना।Swagat chha, Srijana.You are welcome, Srijana.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry हजुर, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries हजुर, CC BY-SA 4.0.
