42.nepali A Beginner's Primer Conversation and Grammar

&
Nepali: A Beginners Primer

Conversation and Grammar
Banu Oja
Shambhu Oja
Department of Asian Studies
South Asia Program
Cornell University
Third Edition 2004
with editorial assistance from Mark Turin
Table of Contents
page
The Nepali Alphabet
vowels, consonants and their pronunciations
Lesson One
personal introduction, the verb to be (

: and forms),
identification of objects and their ownership, polite command form,
introduction of the simple past tense, numbers up to ten
Lesson Two
family members, adjectives, review of lesson one, numbers up to twenty
19
Lesson Three
past tense negative, suffix & and , colours, the taste of foods,
numbers up to thirty
Lesson Four
times of the day, review of past tense (positive and negative),
numbers up to forty
29
43
Lesson Five
liking and disliking, use of and , numbers up to fifty
51
Lesson Six
0 and , shopping, numbers up to sixty
63
Lesson Seven
post office situations, different meanings of the impersonal verb 4,

infinitive verbs
Lesson Eight
present progressive tense, comparison, familiar commands
Lesson Nine
times: days, weeks, months and years, use of the verb to be able to
5, tell and ask the time, structures ... and ...,
numbers up to seventy
75
87
101
ii
Lesson Ten
to like and feel like ( : 4) , case marker , obligatory

structures, present and future conditional clause (if clause), numbers
up to eighty
115
Lesson Eleven
past tense of
(), use of , unconjugated past tense ...,
133
unconjugated future tense ...

Lesson Twelve
adjectival clauses (e.g.
0 , , ), use of
141
Lesson Thirteen
compound verbs, present perfect tense, review adjectival clauses
153
Lesson Fourteen
past progressive tense, past perfect tense, use of colloquial phrases like
167
, 0 0 , 5 , all numbers
Lesson Fifteen
structures ...
0 and ..., past habitual tense
179
Lesson Sixteen
directions, review of lesson fifteen
191
Appendix A
Nepals administrative boundaries
199
Appendix B
verb conjugation tables
203
iii
The Nepali Alphabet

Nepali Vowels:
aa
ii
uu
ai
au
Nepali Consonants:
consonant + h = aspirated consonant
the half consonant forms are given in parentheses
(()
())
(*)
(+)
(-)
ka
kha
ga
gha
nga
(.)
(/)
(0)
(2)
(3)
cha
chha
ja
jha
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
Ta
Tha
Da
Dha
Na
(9)
(:)
(;)
(<)
(=)
ta
tha
da
dha
na
(>)
(?)
(@)
(A)
(B)
pa
pha
ba
bha
ma
(C)
(D, )
(E)
F ()
ya
ra
la
wa
iv
()
()
()
sha
sha
sa
(K)
L ()
()
P ()
ha
kshya
tra
ga
Romanized
Linguistic
Pronunciation
( )
low back
()
aa
aa
low back
()
ii
front high
()
ii
ii
front high
()
back high
()
uu
uu
back high
()
mid front
()
ai
ai
dipthong (a+i)
()
mid back
()
au
au/aw
dipthong (a+u / a+w)
(/)
/
low back (nasal)
: ()
low back (lengthened)
Devanagari
Vowels:
Consonants:
(()
ka
unaspirated voiceless velar stop
())
kha
kh
aspirated voiceless velar stop
(*)
ga
unaspirated voiced velar stop
(+)
gha
gh
aspirated voiced velar stop
(-)
nga
ng
velar nasal
(3)
palatal nasal
(4)
Ta
anaspirated voiceless retroflex stop
(5)
Tha
Th
aspirated voiceless retroflex stop
(6)
Da
anaspirated voiced retroflex stop
(7)
Dha
Dh
aspirated voiced retroflex stop
(8)
Na
retroflex nasal
(9)
ta
anaspirated voiceless dental stop
(:)
tha
th
aspirated voiceless dental stop
(;)
da
anaspirated voiced dental stop
(<)
dha
dh
aspirated voiced dental stop
(=)
na
dental nasal
(>)
pa
anaspirated voiceless bilabial stop
(?)
pha
ph
aspirated voiceless bilabial stop
(@)
ba
anaspirated voiced bilabial stop
vi
(A)
bha
bh
aspirated voiced bilabial stop
(B)
ma
bilabial nasal
(C)
ya
palatal glide
ra
alveolar liquid
(E)
la
alveolar liquid
F ()
wa
velar glide
()
sha
sh
palatal fricative
()
sha
sh
palatal retroflex
()
sa
dental fricative
(K)
ha
glottal fricative
(.)
cha
unaspirated voiceless palatal stop
(/)
chha
ch
aspirated voiceless palatal stop
(0)
ja
unaspirated voiced palatal stop
(2)
jha
jh
aspirated voiced palatal stop
L ()
kshya
kshy
complex segment (k+s+y)
()
tra
tr
complex segment (t+r)
P ()
gya
gy
complex segment (g+y)
(D,
Affricates
Non-standard
Lesson 1

(Lesson 1)
(Part 1)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
C:
A:
B:
A:
C:
A:
B:

?
!
?
!
?

?

?
,
(A)
(Translation) :
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
C:
A:
B:
A:
C:
A:
B:
Hello! (greetings)
Hello.
What is your name?
My name is Samjhana.
What is his/her name?
His/Her name is Samjhana.
Where do you come from (literally where is your home)?
I come from America (literally my home is America).
Where does s/he come from?
S/he comes from Nepal.
Does Kathy come from Nepal?
No, she comes from America.

(B)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
?

?

B ?
B
B ?
B
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
What is this?
This is a pen.
What is this?
This is a chair.
What is that?
That is a book.
What is that?
That is a bag.
Lesson 1
(C)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
?

?

B ?
B
B ?
B
?

?

?

?

?

?


(C)
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
What is this?
This is a pen.
Whose pen is this?
This is my pen.
What is that?
That is a notebook.
Whose notebook is that?
That is his/her notebook.
Is this a book?
No.
What is this then?
This is a pen.
Is this a watch?
Yes.
Is this your watch?
No.
Whose watch is it then?
This is his/her watch.
Isnt this your watch?
No.
Lesson 1
Vocabulary :
?
?
hello, greetings
name
what?
house, home
is
to be
where?
pen
chair
book
bag
notebook
who?
whose?
watch
pencil
gloves
shirt
sock
shoe
window
(Part 2)
(A)
A:
B:
A:
:
A:
B:
A:
Hello, Banu!
Yes?
Please take the book. Please read the book. Please close the book.
(B)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
C:

B ?
B
B ?

?
P

?
P

?

Lesson 1
(B)
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
C:
Banu!
Yes!
What is that?
That is a book.
Whose book is that?
This is my book.
Please open the book. What did you do?
I opened the book.
Please read the book. What did you do?
I read the book.
What did she do?
She read the book.

(C)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
C:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
C:
!

?

U
?
U

?

, U
U
P
?

?
,
Lesson 1
(C)
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
C:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
C:
Samjhana!
Yes.
Please get up. Please take the chalk. Did you take the chalk?
Yes, I took it.
Go near (towards) the blackboard. Where did you go?
I went to the blackboard.
You didnt go near the door?
No, I didnt (go).
Didnt s/he go near the door?
S/he didnt go near the door, s/he went to the blackboard.
Please write your name on the blackboard. What did you do?
I wrote my name.
You didnt write Rams name?
No, I didnt.
S/he didnt write Rams name?
S/he didnt write Rams name, s/he wrote her/his name.
(D)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:

?
B
?
B

10

(D)
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
Kalpana!
Yes?
How much is this?
This is seven.
And this?
That is nine.
Please count from one to ten.
(Numbers) :
Lesson 1
Vocabulary :
yes (polite response)

to take
to read, to study
to teach
to teach
to learn
to close
to open
to do
to go
to come
to sit
to get up
to write
door
to count
how much?
11
12
Useful Expressions :

$

G
?
G
?

g
I know.
I dont know.
I understood.
I didnt understand.
Did you understand?
Didnt you understand?
Please say it again.
Please say it slowly.
I am sorry, excuse me.
See /meet you again. (casual farewell)
Grammar Notes :
1) Basic Nepali sentence structure follows this pattern:
Subject Object Verb

(S/he took the book)
The verb always comes at the end. The root (citation form) of Nepali verbs always
ends in
Examples:
come
write
go
Lesson 1
13
2) The possessive is made by adding the suffix
, with the exception of my,
ours, and yours (familiar). The possessive forms of the pronouns you have
learned so far are:
mine
yours (polite)
his/her (polite)
whose?
can also be used to show ownership by people or things
Examples:
Rams house
the books name
3) The polite command or imperative form for the second person is always
the root verb + s
Please come:
Please write:
Please read:
Please go:
+
+
+
+
=
=
=
=
4) The simple past tense conjugation for the pronouns introduced so far has the
following pattern:
root verb minus -nu plus the verbal conjugation ending:
positive (+)
I
you (polite)
s/he (polite)
...
...
...
negative (-)
...
...
...
14
Examples:
(to write)
positive (+)
I
you (polite)
s/he (polite)
negative (+)
There are a few irregular verbs, such as (to go)
(to go)
positive (+)
I
you (polite)
s/he (polite)
negative (+)
The verb
(to be) is also irregular and the conjugation will be introduced later.
In addition, if the verb being conjugated in the simple past tense is transitive, the
subject takes as a suffix.
Examples:

BUT:
(intransitive)
Lesson 1
Objectives:
By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
say hello and introduce yourself

ask about and identify objects around you and their ownership
make polite requests
conjugate the simple past for I, you (polite), and s/he (polite)
count from 1-10
15
16
Exercises:
Questions:
Ask the following questions in Nepali and answer them:
1) What is your name?
2) Where are you from?
3) Whose shirt is that?
4) Did you teach Nepali?
5) Is that your pencil?
6) Does s/he come from America?
7) Did s/he go home?
Translation:
1) I wrote my name.
2) Didnt you learn Nepali?
3) That is Pauls notebook.
4) Did you take the shirt?
5) Please get up.
6) I didnt teach English.
7) He went towards the window.
8) This is my house.
9) Please sit.
10) She didnt close the door.
Lesson 1
17
Conjugate in the simple past tense (positive and negative) using I, you and s/he:

(A)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
?

?

?

-
-
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
What is your name (polite)?

My name is Ram.
What is your fathers name?
My fathers name is Shyam.
What is your mothers name?
My mothers name is Amrita.
Where do your parents live?
My parents live in Nepal.
20

(B)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
?

?

?

- ?
-
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
What is your name (familiar)?

My name is Sahadev.
What is your fathers name?
My fathers name is Ashok.
What is your mothers name?
My mothers name is Laxmi.
Where do your parents live?
My parents live in Nepal.
21
Lesson 2
(C)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
C:
B ?

B ?

P
?
P
?
,
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
C:
What is that?
This is a notebook.
Whose notebook is that?
This is my notebook.
Please write your name in the notebook. What did you do?
I wrote a name.
Whose name did you write?
I wrote my name.
Did s/he write her/his own name?
Yes, s/he wrote his/her own name.
22

(D)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:

?
?
B
?
B

B ?

?

) ?
)
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
Jim!
Yes?
What is this?
That is a lime.
And what is this?
That is a banana.
Please eat the banana. What did you do?
I ate the banana.
How does that banana taste?
This banana tastes good.
How does a lime taste?
A lime tastes sour.
How does a red pepper taste?
A red pepper is hot (spicy).
Lesson 2
(E)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:

?

F

F

?

?
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
Becky!
Yes?
How is Johns shirt (i.e. what is it like)?
Johns shirt is nice.
How is this shoe (i.e. what is it like)?
This shoe is no good.
23
24
Vocabulary :
father
mother
elder sister
younger sister
elder brother
younger brother
friend
teacher
ones own
lime
banana
pepper
orange
apple
sugar
to eat
tasty
sour
hot
sweet
to rest
to sleep
to talk
to say
good
not good, bad
Lesson 2
Grammar Notes :
1) Nepali has two forms of the verb to be (
) :
and
is used to define or identify a person or a thing.
Examples:
my name is Jim
his/her home is America
that is a pen
is used to qualify or describe the possession, size, shape, taste, color,
etc. of things, or to locate an object.

Examples:
the banana is tasty

this pen is good
the pen is on the table
25
26
For the pronouns you have learned so far, the present tense conjugations of
are as follows:
Positive
Negative Positive
Negative
Objectives:
identify family members
use adjectives
understand the difference between and
count from 11 to 20
and
Lesson 2
Exercises:
Sentence Completion:
Complete the sentences, using the or form :
B ( )
2. (
)
3. (
)
4. (
)
5. B (
)?
6. t
( )
7. (
)
8. (
)
9. (
)?
10. (
)
11. (
)
12. (
)?
13. (
)?
14. ) (
)
15. B
( )?
1.
27

(A)
A:
B:
A:
B:
?
?

:
A:
B:
A:
B:
How are you (are you fine)?

Fine. And you?
I am fine too. How is Jim then?
He is also fine.
30

(B)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
C:
A:
B:
A:
C:
B ?
B

?

U
?
U

?
U

U
P
?

:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
C:
A:
B:
A:
C:
What is that?
That is a piece of chalk.
Take the chalk please. What did you do?
I took the chalk.
Please go towards the blackboard. Where did you go?
I went to the blackboard.
Where did she/he go?
She/he went near the blackboard.
Please write your name on the blackboard. Whose name did you write?
I wrote my name.
Whose name did she/he write?
She/He wrote her/his name.
31
Lesson 3
(C)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
C:
A:
B:

?

?

?

:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
C:
A:
B:
Tom. Please drink tea. What did you drink?

I drank tea.
How is the tea?
The tea is good.
Now have some sugar then. What did she/he eat?
She/he ate sugar.
How does sugar taste?
Sugar tastes sweet.
32

(D)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
?

?
(t)
?

?

?
B
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
What is this?
This is a pen.
What are these?
These are pens.
How many pens are there?
There are four pens here.
Is your pen here?
My pen is here.
Which one is your pen?
This is my pen.
How about his/hers?
That one is his/hers.
Lesson 3
(E)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
B ?
B
?

B ?
B
B ?
B

?
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
What is that?
That is a book.
What are those?
Those are books.
How many books are there?
There are ten books.
Is your book there?
My book is there.
Which one is your book?
That one is my book.
33
34

(F)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
?

u ?
B u
B ?
B t
B u ?
B u
, B ?

u ?
uu
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
What is this?
This is a piece of paper.
What color is this paper?
That paper is white.
What is that?
That is a tree.
What color is that tree?
That tree is green.
Banuji, whose shirt is that?
That is her/his shirt.
What color is his/her shirt?
His/her shirt is multicolored.
Lesson 3
(G)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
?

?

G ?
..... G
?
.....
,.02 ?
,.02
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
What is this?
This is a room.
How many chairs are there in this room?
There are three chairs in this room.
How many windows are in this room?
There are ...... windows in this room.
How many people are here?
There are ...... people here.
How many students are there at Cornell?
There are about seventeen thousand students at Cornell.
35
36

(A)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:

U , / ?
B
,
?
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
Shambhu-ji.
Yes.
Would you look at the pictures on the blackboard, how many people are
there?
There are five people.
Tell me, which one is Kathy?
That one is Kathy.
(B)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
B ?
B

?
Lesson 3
(B)
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
How many pens are there on the table?

There are seven pens.
Is your pen over there?
Yes, it is there.
Which one is your pen?
The black one is my pen.
Please take your pen and put it in your pocket. Did you do it?
Yes, I did.
(C)
37
38
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
?
B
?
B
?
B
U
,
?
P
?
,
?

:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
(C)
Please count from one to thirty. How much is this?

That is 29.
And this?
That is 20.
And how much is this?
That is 17.
Would you please write 20 on the blackboard, did you write 10?
No, I did not write 10.
How much did you write then?
I wrote 20.
Did she/he write 25?
No, she/he didnt write 25.
How much did she/he write then?
She/he wrote 20.
Lesson 3
Vocabulary :
,
?
?
,
t
,.0
u
uu
own
to drink
sugar
these
those
which one?
about, approximately
(number classifier)
how many (things)?
how many (people)?
man, person, people
teacher
student
pocket
chair
color
multi-colored
green
white
black
blue
red
39
40
Grammar Notes :
1) Simple past negative: if the verb is transitive and in the past tense, dont forget to
add with the subject.

/
2) and
are used as suffixes with numbers when counting inanimate and
animate objects. Usually, is used for things and animals while is used for
counting people only.
(for example) :

Objectives:
use the simple past negative
use and
know colors
count from one to thirty
Lesson 3
Exercises:
Fill in the blanks:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
............ (to be, ve).

............ (to be, ve).

............ ? (to be, ve).
........ ? ( /)
........ ?
....... .......
41

(A)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
?
?

P

?

$
B ?
B

?

?

:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
Are you fine?

Yes, I am fine, and you?
I am fine too. What time did you get up this morning?
I got up at six oclock.
Then what did you do?
Then I washed my hands and face, and brushed my teeth.
What did you do after that?
Then, I had my breakfast.
What time did you eat?
I had my breakfast around 6:30.
Then, what time did you come to the class?
I came to class at 8 oclock.
44
(B)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
C:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
C:
A:
C:

?

?
P
?

B ?
,

B ?
P
B ?
, B
B ?
B
45
Lesson 4
(B)
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
C:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
C:
A:
C:
Did you go to the market yesterday at two oclock?

No, I didnt.
Where did you go then?
I went to class at two oclock.
What did you do in class?
I learned Nepali.
What did s/he do in the class?
He/she learned Nepali.
Did you go to bed at 8 oclock last night?
No, I didnt.
What time did you go to bed then?
I went to bed at 10 oclock.
Did s/he go to bed at 8 oclock?
No, s/he didnt go to bed at 8 oclock.
What time did s/he go to bed then?
Last night s/he went to bed at ten oclock.
(C)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
?

?

|g ?
g

t ?
t
46
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
(C)
What time did you come to class this morning?

This morning I came to class at 7 oclock.
What time did he come to class this morning?
This morning he also came to class at 7 oclock.
What did we do yesterday afternoon at 2 oclock?
We studied Nepali at 2 oclock yesterday afternoon.
What time did you have your supper the night before last?
The night before last, I ate at half past seven.
What time did they get up this morning?
They got up at a quarter of six.
Alos practice negative tense for:
, , ,
(she)
Comprehension:
t :
. ?
.
?
.
?
.
?

.

Lesson 4
(D)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
?
?

?

?

:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
How are you?

Im fine, how about you?
Im fine, too.
When did you come to America?
I came to America four years ago.
How did you come?
I came by airplane.
Who did you come with?
I came with a friend.
Practice:
, , , t, , ,
47
48

(E)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
?
/
?

?
t
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
When did John go to Nepal?

He went four days ago.
How did he go?
He went by airplane.
Who did he go with?
He went with his friends.
F
F
g
Lesson 4
Vocabulary :
snacks
hand
face, mouth
tooth
day before yesterday
yesterday
today
tomorrow
day after tomorrow
nowadays
nowadays
these days
these days
in the near future [later, tomorrow or
the day after, and any time thereafter]
in the immediate past [yesterday, the
day before or a few days before], the
other day
some time in the far past
49
50
Grammar Notes :
Simple past tense
to sleep
P /
(I slept / I didnt sleep)
B / B
B / B
B
/
Bg
/ g
B
/
Objectives:
By the end of this lesson you should able to:
use the simple past tense positive and negative

use times of the day (morning, night, day after tomorrow, etc.)
count to 40

(A)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
?

?
/

?

?

?

?
,
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
Are you from Nepal?

Yes.
When did you come to America?
I came a year ago.
How did you come?
I came by airplane.
Who did you come with?
I came with a friend.
How many years will you stay in America?
I may stay for two years.
Where will you go then?
I dont know right now, perhaps I will go back to Nepal.
52

(B)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:

?

t
?

?
,,.
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
Which language(s) do you speak?

I speak English.
Which other languages do you speak?
I speak French and a little bit of Nepali.
What do you do?
I study Nepali and sociology at Cornell University.
(C)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
?

?

?
,.0 ,
?

?
,
Lesson 5
(C)
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
Do you have a younger brother?

Yes, I do.
Where is he these days?
He is in America.
What does he do?
He is a student and studies at school.
What does he study?
He studies history and geography.
Does he study math and science as well?
No, he doesnt study math and science.
(D)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:

?

?
u

?

?

?

- ?
() ()

?

53
54

(D)
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
Do you have a father?

Yes, I have a father.
Where is he these days?
Nowadays he is in Washington.
What does he do?
He works in a computer office.
Do you have a mother also?
Yes, I have my mother.
What does she do?
She does housework.
How old are your parents now?
My father is 50 years old and my mother is 47.
And you?
I am 20 years old.
(E)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:

?
,
-
?
, -
?
- :
55
Lesson 5
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
(E)
What time do you get up in the morning?

I get up at 6 oclock.
Do you drink coffee or tea in the morning?
I drink coffee in the morning.
Do you like coffee?
Yes, I like coffee.
Do you eat daal-bhaat in the morning?
No, I dont eat daal-bhaat in the morning.
Why?
Because I dont like daal-bhaat in the morning.
Comprehension:
- B, < -
- , - :
t - ; B, t < -
t - : ; B t

Questions:
Answer the following questions:
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
- : ?
B, < -
?
- ?
- ?
t - : ?
B, t < - ?
, t -
t ?
- ?
: ?
: ?
56
< >
Lesson 5
Vocabulary :
,?,.
,.0
airplane
bus
train
car
year
now
perhaps
to return (intransitive)
language
to speak
a little
university
sociology
nowadays
student
school
history
geography
math
science
nowadays
morning
afternoon
evening
night
coffee
57
58
tea
to drink
lentil soup and rice, the typical Nepali
meal
Grammar Notes :
1) In Nepali, the same conjugation is used for the simple present, habitual and future
tenses.
For example, the sentence
or
or
- can mean
I am eating daal-bhat (right now)

I eat daal-bhat (as a habit)
I will eat daal-bhat
To conjugate the verb, drop from the root verb and add:
Affirmative
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Negative
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
The only variation is in root verbs that end in a vowel before the
or if there is a
consonant with a vowel symbol attached directly before the last letter of the root
verb; such as or . In such cases, keep the half ( ) when you conjugate in
the present positive tense.
59
Lesson 5
For example, with the verbs
, , :
; ; t
literally means something along the lines of to fall to mind, i.e., to like.
is an impersonal verb (it is never conjugated) and the subject always takes
Present tense :
Positive

-
-
-
Negative
- :
- :
- :
Past tense :
Positive
|
- |
- |
- |
2)
and
Negative

-
-
-
is used to show ownership or belonging,
indicate possessions which are physically if temporarily present.
I have a car
I have a pen (with me)
He has a brother
His brother is with him
is used to
60
Objectives:
conjugate the simple past tense for any verb
express liking and not liking
understanding the difference between and
know and count the numbers up to 50
Exercises:
Translation:
1) She wont come this evening.
2) They study math.
3) He speaks English.
4) Nowadays I dont go to the university.
5) When do you (familiar) return?
6) We will discuss that.
7) You dont read the newspaper?
8) He (polite) rests in the afternoon.
9) She (familiar) writes books.
10) They dont speak Nepali.
Conjugation:
Conjugate the present tense of (to decide, to fix) for all pronouns.
Lesson 5
Translation (
61
/ ):
1) That house doesnt have any windows.

2) Do they have a car?
3) I dont have my book with me.
4) Is this her house?
5) Does he have an older brother?
6) We dont have any coffee at the moment.
7) Her mother is with her.
8) Do you have gloves?
Applications:
1) Ask someone when they came to America and how long they will be staying.
2) Confirm that a friend went to New York and then ask how (by what means)
did s/he go? Find out if they liked the city?
3) Describe the members of your family: where they are and what they are
doing.
4) Ask a friend how old the teacher is. Then confirm this with the teacher.
5) Say that you like apples but that your older sister doesnt.

(A)
A:
B:
A:
:
A:
B:
A:
How are you?

Im fine. And you?
I am also fine.
(B)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:

?
,

?

?

64

(B)
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
Are you going to the market?

Yes, Im going.
What time will you go?
I will go at 4 oclock.
What will you buy at the market?
I will buy a bag and an umbrella.
What time will you return from the market?
At about 5 oclock.
(C)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:

?
?
,
,
?
:
?

B, ?
,
t

65
Lesson 6
(C)
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
Shambhu!
Yes?
Did you have tea?
Yes, I did.
Did Krishna also have tea, then?
No, he didnt (drink).
Why didnt he (drink) then?
Because he doesnt like tea.
What does he like then?
He likes coffee.
In that case, did he drink coffee?
Yes, he did.
Did he have only coffee or something else as well?
He also ate some cake and an egg.
(D)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
C:
A:
C:
A:
C:
,
?

?

?

,
?

?
66

(D)
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
C:
A:
C:
A:
C:
Hey, brother. You didnt go to school today?

I didnt go to school today.
How about yesterday then?
Yesterday I didnt go either.
Why?
Because I am not feeling well these days.
Kathy, how about you then?
I went.
What did you study at school?
I studied math and science.
Who teaches you math and science?
Mr. Peter teaches us.
(E)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:

?
,
,
?

?
,
?
t
,
,

?
t
Lesson 6
(E)
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
Hello (Mr. Shopkeeper), do you have cigarettes?

Yes, which (kind of) cigarette?
Do you have Yak?
No, I dont have any Yak, I have only Gaidaa.
How much does a pack cost?
One pack costs three rupees.
Ok, give me a pack of cigarettes and a box of matches as well.
Please take it.
Please give it to me. How much all together?
Three rupees and 20 paisa all together.
(F)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
?

?
, , , t
v ?
v
?

?
t
67
68

(F)
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
Is cheese available in Thamel Tol?

No, it is not (available).
What is available in Thamel then?
Rice, vegetables, fruits, thankas and other goods.
Really?
Really.
Where is cheese available then?
It is available at the Dairy Farm and on New Road.
How much does a kilo cost?
It costs 160 rupees.
Comprehension:

g
g

g,

g , B
Answer the following questions:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
g ?
g ?
g ?

g
g g ?
g ?
Lesson 6
69
70
Vocabulary :
well, healthy
market
shop, store
things, goods
to buy
to sell
umbrella
why?
because
just because
if so, in this case
if so, in that case
if so, in that case
this being the case, because of this
that being the case, because of that
that being the case, because of that
only
others
stuff, things
egg
yesterday
the day before yesterday
tomorrow
the day after tomorrow
now, these days
shopkeeper (male, term of address)
Lesson 6
)>,
v
v ?
shopkeeper (female, term of address)

cigarette
pack, packet
rupee(s)
matches
to give
to take
altogether, total
paisa, money
Asan Tol, name of a street in
Kathmandu
cheese
to be available
rice (uncooked)
vegetables
fruit
fruits
real, true
really?
but
71
72
Grammar Notes :
1)
to be available
Positive
Negative
Present
Past
:
B

?

Is fruit available there?

Its not available.
Were matches available?
They werent available.
2) has two meanings in Nepali:

a) then
(for example)

?
He is not Rams brother.

He is also not Shyams brother.
Whose brother is he then?
b) as for Y, in case of Y.
He eats - but I (as for me)

dont eat it.
Beef is available in America, but as
for/whereas in Nepal it is not
available.
Lesson 6
73
Objectives:
buy things, including finding out where they are available and how much
they cost
count from 51-60
Exercises:
Applications
1) Find out if the shop has umbrellas, and if so how much they cost.
2) Ask a friend why they didnt go to the university yesterday.
3) You need eggs, rice and vegetables so that you can cook dinner tonight. Find
out where they are available and how much they cost from a friend, then go
and buy them.
4) Explain that you arent going to buy a shirt right now because you dont have
any money with you.
5) Explain that since your (younger) sister doesnt have a bike, she isnt coming
tomorrow.

(A)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:

?

?

?
B t ?
, ?

,
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
Where are you staying these days?

I live in Baneswar.
Where is Baneswar?
It is close to Dillibazar. Why did you ask?
Are there other apartments available in that area?
Sure, what kind of apartment do you need?
I need an apartment with two or three rooms.
Okay, I will look for one.
76

(B)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
?
, ?
,
, t

?
t
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
What do you need?

I need aerograms and stamps (tickets), are they available or not?
Why shouldnt they be? Theyre available.
In that case, could you give me 10 aerograms and 5 one rupee stamps.
Okay.
How much is it altogether?
It is 15 rupees total.
Lesson 7
77
Comprehension:
B
,
,
t

Answer the following question
1)
2)
3)
4)
?
?
B ?
, ?
78

(C)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:

?

?

?
, t
?

?

?

?

:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
When did you come to Nepal?

I came a week ago.
How did you come?
I came by airplane.
Did you come alone?
No, I came with many friends.
How do you like Nepal?
I like it.
How long will you stay in Nepal?
I will stay for two years.
What are you doing these days?
I study Nepali.
With whom do you study Nepali?
I am studying with Banu.
Do you find Nepali easy or difficult?
I find it difficult.
Lesson 7
79
(D)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
?
,
?
P B,
P

?

?
,

?

:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
How are you?

Alright, but a little tired.
Why?
Because I studied Nepali for 7 hours. On top of that, I also played soccer for
an hour after class.
Did you bathe then?
No, I didnt. It is cold, Ill bathe tomorrow.
Are you hungry?
Yes, I am also hungry.
When will you eat?
I will eat at 7 oclock.
80

(E)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
t
?

g g
t ?

?
- C

- ?
, -
?
- B ,
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
Where did you all go to eat yesterday?

We went to a Tibetan restaurant and had noodles.
How did you like it?
I liked it but Shambhu didnt.
What did he have then?
Then he went to another restaurant for daal-bhaat.
Does he like daal-bhaat?
Yes, he likes it very much.
How about you then?
I (as for me) dont like it that much, I like it some.
Lesson 7
81
Comprehension:
g
g g
g B g
g B, B
g, u g
F
Vocabulary :
B
B
to ask
to answer, to reply
apartment
room
to need, to be needed
is okay, fine
to search, look for
aerogram
ticket or stamp
post office
party, feast
person
therefore, for that reason
because of that, that being the case
meat
flour
stuff, things
yoghurt, curd
all
82
X
X

food
about
hundred
letter
to send
week
the coming X (week, month, year)
the past X (week, month, year)
day
month
before, ago
after
alone
work
easy
hard, difficult
to feel tired
hour
to bathe, wash
cold (weather)
hot (weather)
to feel hungry
noodles
momos (Tibetan dumplings)
but
very, really
about
Lesson 7
u
B
music
that much
this much
Additional impersonal verbs (see Grammar Notes for explanation):

,)
v

:

t

to feel sleepy
to feel lazy
to feel happy
to feel thirsty
to feel bored
to feel surprised
to feel sorrow, to feel sad
to feel sorry, to feel sad
to have a cough
to have a cold
to feel tired
to feel pleasant
to feel hungry
to feel unpleasant
to feel frustrated
83
84
Grammar Notes:
1)
(verb) = why not / why shouldnt it be so?
Examples:
?
?
2)
Why shouldnt it/they be available?

Why not to go?
is an impersonal verb. It does not have an exact translation. It has different
meanings in different situations. So far, we know four different kinds of

a) To cost or require:
How much does the bus fare cost?

(b) To have: (subject takes , past tense of is used)
I have a cough.
I dont have a cough.
(c) To feel: (subject takes , past tense of is used for present situation)
future or habitual tense/general use

past tense
present tense
present perfect tense
Feelings are always past tense in Nepali because you feel something first
then you express it:
He feels happy.
He has not felt happy.
I am hungry (I felt hungry).
She is not hungry (she has not felt hungry).
85
Lesson 7
(d) To be: (subject takes , past tense of is used)
Kamala finds science difficult.
3) The infinitive form is used in a sentence by replacing the u of the root verb with
an a.
For example, becomes :
I went to buy a pen.
Objectives:
handle post offices

use the different meanings of
use the infinitive verbs
Exercises:
Translation
1) They came two weeks ago.
2) Im not thirsty right now. Maybe later.
3) Do you have a cold?
4) How much do 2 kilos of rice cost?
5) She (familiar) likes to dance very much.
6) Please give me 5 of the 10 rupee pens.
7) Are they all looking for apartments?
8) He (familiar) didnt answer because he doesnt know.
9) Are you (polite) living in Kathmandu?
86

10) Math is easy for her, but she finds history a bit difficult.
11) We are going to Asan Tol.
12) Im hungry, are you?
Fill in the blanks with , ,

1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
.......
U ......
.......
.......

......
....
Applications:
1)
A friend has found a possible apartment for you. Find out where it is, how
much it costs a month, and when it will be available.
2)
Explain that because there was a party last night you didnt sleep much.
Thats why you are sleepy now.
3)
Ask if many people are coming to the party tomorrow and suggest that since
it is very hot, they will be thirsty. Say that for that reason you are going to
the store to buy some stuff. Confirm that its okay.

(A)
A:
B:
A:
C:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
C:
U : G
?

U
: G
?

U

U : G

U

?
U P

?
U
:
A:
B:
A:
C:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
C:
Go near the blackboard. What are you doing?

I am going to the blackboard.
What is s/he doing?
S/he is going to the blackboard.
Write your name on the blackboard. What are you doing?
I am writing my name on the blackboard.
What did you do?
I wrote my name on the blackboard.
What did s/he do?
S/he wrote his/her name on the blackboard.
88

(B)
A:
B:
A:
C:
A:
B:
t t
t g
t : ?
t
t | ?
t g
: ?
:
A:
B:
A:
C:
A:
B:
Go out the door (2nd person familiar plural). What are you doing?
We are going out the door.
What are they doing?
They are going out the door.
What did you (plural) do?
We went out the door.
(C)
A:
B:
A:
B:
: ?
?
?

:
A:
B:
A:
B:
What is Peter doing now?

He is reading.
What is he reading?
He is reading a Nepali book.
Lesson 8
(D)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
?

?

?

?

?

?
,

89
90

(D)
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
B:
A:
Do you have a younger brother?

Yes.
Where is he?
He is in Boston.
What does he do?
He studies at college.
How old is he?
He is twenty.
Do you have a younger sister?
Yes.
What does your younger sister do?
She studies at school.
What does she study?
She studies math, science and geography.
How old is she?
She is 15.
(E)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
-
?

?

?

?

?
-
?

91
Lesson 8
(E)
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
Are your parents alive?

Yes.
Where do they live?
They live in America.
What does your father do?
My father teaches in a school.
And your mother?
My mother works at home/she is a housewife.
How old are your parents?
My father is 50 and my mother is 45 years old.
(F)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:

: G

?

?

?
92

(F)
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
Hello, Shambhu. What are you doing?

I am reading this book.
What kind of book is it?
Its a novel.
Whats it like?
It is very interesting.
Later could you give it to me to read?
Yes, Ill give it to you.
(G)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:

?

?

?
,
?

:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
What language does John speak?

He speaks English.
What language is he studying these days?
He is studying Nepali.
Is he studying with Shambhu?
No, he is studying with Banu.
How many hours a day does he study?
He has six hours of conversation class and one hour of reading and writing.
Lesson 8
(H)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
?

?

?

?
B ,
?

?

:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
Where are you from?

I am from Nepal.
Do you live in a city or a village?
I live in a village.
Is your village small or big?
My village is big.
Is your village clean or dirty?
My village isnt that clean, its fairly clean.
Is it pleasant?
Yes, it is pleasant.
How many people are there in your village?
There are about 10,000 people.
93
94

(I)
:
Dev is six and a half feet tall.
Shambhu is five feet six inches tall.
Hari is five feet four inches tall.
Shambhu is taller than Hari.
Dev is taller than Shambhu.
Hari is shorter than Dev.
(J)
A:
B:
A:
B:
?

?
,
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
Is the Mississippi River shorter or longer than the Nile River?

The Mississippi is shorter than the Nile.
Is the Amazon longer or shorter than the Nile?
The Amazon is shorter than the Nile.
Lesson 8
(K)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
U
?
U
U
?
U
U
?
U
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
Which is the tallest mountain in the world?

The tallest mountain in the world is Everest.
Which river is the longest in the world?
The longest river in the world is the Nile.
Which is the most populous country in the world?
China is the most populous country in the world.
95
96
Vocabulary :
outside
inside
alternate form of
interesting
city
village
or
small
big
clean
dirty
thousand
people, person
height
plus one-half (for telling time

tall
short (height)
river
short (length)
long
world
mountain, hill
= 4:30)
97
Lesson 8
Grammar Notes :
1) The present progressive tense is made by dropping
adding
+ the appropriate conjugation of :
from the root verb and
Example:
I am eating.
You are eating.
He is eating.
See the table at the end of this book for the complete conjugation.
There is no negative form of the present progressive, although you may occasionally
hear it in spoken Nepali. To give a negative response to a question, simply negate
the question with and then say what you are doing.
Example:
2)

?
,
Are you reading?

No, Im writing.
(the familiar second person) command or imperative form has two
patterns:
-if the root verb minus ends in a vowel, drop the and add
-if the root verb minus ends in a consonant, drop the and add
98
3) and
is used for comparing two things, similar to than. There are two possible
sentence structures with the same meaning:

X Y adj.
or
Y, X , adj.
Example:
Ithaca is smaller than New York.
Hari is shorter than Ram.
U (+)
means compared to all and is used to make superlative
comparisons (the est). U should always be followed by an adjective.
Lesson 8
:
B U
U
That is the worst car.

He is the strongest person.
Objectives:
By the end of this lesson you should be able to:
conjugate and use the present progressive tense

compare things
use the 2nd person familiar command
Exercises:
Translation:
1) I am going to the store.
2) Ithaca is cleaner than New York City.
3) Younger sister, buy some yoghurt from the dairy farm.
4) My younger brother is taller than I am.
5) Oranges are sweeter than limes.
6) He (familiar) is asking the teacher.
7) Are they working in the city?
8) Thai food is the hottest in the world.
9) She (polite) is looking for her book.
10) We are cleaning our apartment.
11) Come inside, younger brother.
12) Are you living with your older brother?
99
100
Conjugation:
Conjugate the present progressive tense of (to honor, follow, respect, obey) for
all pronouns.
Applications:
1) Tell a young child to close the window.
2) Ask politely if a group of people speak English.
3) Ask a shopkeeper if s/he has apples or bananas.
4) Youve been asked about your recent travels in Nepal. Say that you liked
Kathmandu better than Pokhara, but that Tansen was the nicest of all.

(A)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:

?
,
?
,

:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
B:
A:
B:
Tom!
Yes!
Do you have a bike.
No, I dont.
Who does have a bike then?
Jim has a bike, but it is outside now. Why do you need it?
I need it to go out for a while.
Okay, ask for Jims bike then.
Okay.
102

(B)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
,
, ?
,
,

,
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
You didnt go out?

No, I didnt.
Why, what happened?
Jims bike is (too) tall, I cant ride it.
In that case get Devs. It is short.
Dev doesnt have his bike here.
Yes he does, its inside the room. Compared to Jims bike, Devs is also
newer.
(C)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
, ?

?

?

?
, , , u,
,

,
Lesson 9
103
(C)
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
Shambhu, what day is it today?

Today is Friday.
And tomorrow?
Tomorrow is Saturday and it is a day off.
What is tomorrows date?
Tomorrow is the 3rd of August.
Do you have a class on Sunday, the day after?
Yes! Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday - I have
class every day. I dont have class on Saturday.
(D)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
?

, ?
,

?
,

! ?
,
,
104

(D)
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
What time is it now?

It is 8 oclock now, Banuji.
Its gotten late!
Why, what do you have to do?
I have a class at 8 oclock, and I am still here.
How many hours do you teach?
I teach science from 8 to 8:45 and math from 8:45 to 9:30. And again from
10:15 to 11, I teach anthropology.
You teach 2 and a quarter hours? Wow, so many classes!
Yes, I have three classes all together.
(E)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
?
, ?
?

,
? ?
, g
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
Is your watch okay?

It has the right time, why?
What time is it?
It is 8 minutes after 10. What times does your watch have?
My watch says it is 4 minutes to 10.
I think your watch is slower than mine.
Is it so? Or is yours faster than mine?
Lets see.
Lesson 9
(F)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:

?

?
?

,

?
,
?
,
, ?
,
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
Yo! Watchman brother.

Yes?
Look here.
Why, sir?
Ask Banu what time is it ?
Sir, she is not in the office right now.
Where is she then?
I dont know, sir.
Would you ask Kedar then?
Okay, sir. Let me ring the bell and I will go ask Kedar.
Hurry up, okay?
Okay, sir.
105
106

(G)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:

?

?
,
?
,

?

v ?
,

,
, : ,
B v ,
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
Banu, did you come having eaten?

Yes, I ate and then came.
How was the food?
It was good, arent you going to eat?
Yes, I will eat after I take a bath. What will you do now, Banu?
I (as for me) will take a rest for a while then, after that, I will go to the office.
These days do you have lot of work to do at the office or what?
Yes, a lot, after one arriving at the office there isnt even time to breathe.
Dont work hard, you might become ill.
What to do, one must work, otherwise one cant make a living.
You are right, such is life.
Lesson 9
Comprehension:
107
L,

x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
F
F
108
Vocabulary :
bicycle
to ask for, to request, to demand, to beg
to ride, to climb
to be able (to do something)
new
old
day (of the week)
holiday, day off
day of the month, date (in Western
calendar)
class
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
every
what time is it?

slow, late
fast, early
from
from
up to
to teach
a quarter to X
Lesson 9
X
X

half past X, one and a half X

a quarter after X
1:30 (one and a half)
again
wow! (positive expression of surprise)
yes
remaining
I think, in my opinion
to look, to watch
to see
to meet, to see
a lot
to be ill
to reach
to arrive (to come and arrive)
to breathe
free time
cold
otherwise
chicken meat
perhaps
such/ like this
life
anthropology
oh!
wow!
pleased to meet you
109
110
Grammar Notes :
1)
to be able is often used with the infinitive form of other verbs to express
the ability to do something.
I can write Nepali

He cant meet with you now
2) Time expressions:
Minutes before and after the hour are usually expressed as follows:
Y
X Y
X
Y minutes to X oclock
Y minutes after X oclock
Examples:

3)
and
four minutes to 10 oclock

eight minutes after 10 oclock
are used to join two consecutive actions: (verb X)
(verb Y)
means to do X and then Y, and often implies that the two actions are
interdependent.
The structure is made by dropping - and adding
verb, and then conjugating the second verb normally.
to the root form of the first
111
Lesson 9
(for example):
I went to the store and bought rice.
P
P
S/he took the book and left.
She comes to the class and learns Nepali.

They discuss and write the report.
t
t
(verb X) (verb Y) means to do Y after doing X. This structure is made by

dropping - and adding to the root form of the first verb:
(to dance)
(to kid, to pick on)
112
(for example)
He goes to the office after eating daal-bhat.
B

Yesterday after having a discussion, we wrote papers.
|g, B g
g
After dancing an hour, Radhika will go home.
Shyams father will come after Rams father comes.
113
Lesson 9
Objectives:
use able/not able

know the days of the week and the month
tell and ask times in Nepali
use and structures

count the numbers up to 70
Exercises:
Time:
Translate the following into Devanagari script
4:56
6:30
8:25
12:20
2:05
3:10
7:15
10:45
1:30
11:14
2:30
1:45
Translation:
1) They can write Nepali.
2) Yesterday we went to Asan Tol and bought vegetables.
3) Will you play soccer after you study?
4) I dont think I can buy the bike right now because I dont have any money
with me.
5) He will go to Nepal after learning Nepali.
6) I will finish my work and come.
7) After he took a long breath he rode his bicycle up the hill.
Applications:
1) Describe your daily routine, try to fit more than one action into each
sentence.
2) Ask someone if they can come to the office a little early the day after
tomorrow.

(A)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
?

B ?

?

:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
How long have you been in Nepal?

Two months.
How much does it cost to come from your home to here?
About $1400.
Who gave you that much money?
My office did.
Who do you work for?
I work for the Ministry of Education.
116

(B)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:

?

?
M
N ?
, N
N?

/
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
Did you go (have you been) to Pokhara?

Yes, I went (have been) to Pokhara.
How did you get there?
I went by plane and returned by bus.
Did you like Pokhara?
Yes, I liked it a lot.
What did you like in Pokhara?
I liked the Himalayas and the natural beauty.
(C)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
U
?
U

t ?

?
:
?

Lesson 10
(C)
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
What games do you like the most?

I like football.
What else do you like?
I also like basketball.
And what about tennis?
I dont like tennis.
Why?
Because I dont know how to play tennis.
(D)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
?
, :
< ?
,
?

?

117
118
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
(D)
Do you like beer or liquor?

I like beer, I dont like liquor.
Do you always drink beer?
No, just sometimes.
And liquor?
As for liquor, I never drink it.
Does your friend like liquor or beer?
He likes both.
(E)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:

?

B ?
,
B
t ?
t
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
Yesterday I felt like eating momos and went to Oms Restaurant.

Where is Oms Restaurant?
Its on New Road.
How did you like the momos?
They were good but the restaurant is not very clean.
What else did you eat?
Nothing else.
Lesson 10
119
(F)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:

?
P
N ?
B
?
B B

:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
What did you do yesterday?

I watched a Nepali film. It was called Saino.
Did you like it?
I didnt like it that much.
Why?
The story was not interesting and on top of that the acting was poor.
120

(G)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
?

?

?

?

O ?

O ?
B
B

?
B B

?

121
Lesson 10
(G)
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
Why didnt you come to class yesterday?

I didnt feel like studying Nepali.
Why?
Because I felt lazy and also had a headache.
Do you want to study (feel like studying) now?
Yes, I do.
For how many hours?
For two hours.
What do you think you will do if you feel lazy again now?
If I feel the same now I will take a cold shower, drink coffee and study.
Well, if you have a bad headache what will you do?
In that case I will take an aspirin. And, what about you?
In that situation I would try to sleep. Because if I can sleep, the body can get
rest and the headache will also be cured.
Still, if you are not cured what will you do?
If it is still not cured, then either I would take Tylenol or go to the doctor.
(H)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
,
?
, , ?
, ?

v
,M, ,

?

t
, ?
122
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
, t

B B
?
B
, B
t
: ?
: , ,

, F

, ?
,
, ?
: ,

? B B

t
B t
u B

, ?
,
F
, ?

B
, ?
,
Q

B F

Lesson 10
123
(H)
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
Hello friend, namaskaar, how are you?

Namaskaar, I am fine, and you?
I am also fine. Whats news?
Everythings okay.
Well, who is giving the talk in class today, do you know? Because I
completely forget.
Professor Kathy March.
What will it be about?
It will be about the customs and culture of Nepal.
Do you know what time it begins?
Of course, right at 10 oclock.
So what time should we be there?
I think we must be there by 9:45 because we need to clean the room and
arrange the chairs.
Do we have to take notes of the speech?
Dont have to, its not mandatory. However it would be good if you
do.
My friend, I heard that the Nepali custom is that you must take your shoes
off outside the room, is that so?
Yes, you should.
I heard that in rural areas you have to eat food with your hands, is that true
also?
You dont have to, but what can you do? You cant find a spoon or fork
around there therefore you must eat with your hands and after you finish
eating you must wash your hands because they will be polluted. You should
not touch anything with polluted hands. If you dont wash and you touch
people or things with dirty hands, that thats not good and people will think
of you as uncivilized and barbarian. So, listen to the talk carefully and dont
be shy to ask questions.
OK, but how does Kathy know about all these things?
Oh no! What are you saying? Dont you know that Kathy lived in Nepal for
so many years and did research?
Oh! Is that so? I didnt know.
Yes, yes. Its time to go. Let us go. Man! It is sometimes difficult to
understand you.
Come on, dont get upset for no reason. I swear I didnt know that.
OK, OK, lets go now.
124
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F

Lesson 10
Vocabulary :
<
B

B
to know, to be able to do
that much
this much
education
Ministry
Pokhara (a city west of Kathmandu)
Himalaya
nature
natural
beauty
lake
liquor
always
sometimes
I never drink
road
New Road (a street in Kathmandu)
I ate nothing
cinema, film, movie
acting
story
on top of that, along with that
to have a pain, to ache
to try
at that time
125
126
t
t
B
F

body
to be cured
to be cured
like that
to be shy, to feel shy
speech
about what?
certainly
spoon
fork
mandatory
custom
culture
to others
beginning
food contamination, pollution
to touch
to take off
to get upset, to become angry
uncivilized
to arrange
just because, for no reason
to swear the truth
127
Lesson 10
Grammar Notes
1) to know, be able to do. To distinguish it from to go, you will have

to add
after the
for the positive form in order to conjugate the verb in the
present tense.
/ B /
t / t / t
2) plus negative verb gives the meaning of never
:
*
t
:
g
I never drink liquor.

She never cries.
Peter never quarrels.
We never sang a song.
*One can never say - this is incorrect grammar
128
3) plus a negative verb gives the meaning nothing
I eat nothing/ I dont eat anything

This is nothing
There is nothing here
4) Present and future conditional clause (
......)
Unlike English, in Nepali we usually use the simple past tense in the first clause and
the present or future tense in the second clause in the general form of present and
future conditional clauses. The first clause begins with and ends with . You
can drop from the sentence but may never drop the .
subject simple past tense present or future tense.
()
If I Nepal went I Himalaya climb.

If I go to Nepal, I will climb the Himalayas.
() t
()
If the teacher doesnt come, I will go home.
()

If my mother gives me money I will go to see a movie.
5) Use of in Nepali:
In Nepali
occurs both as a morphological case marker and as an instrumental or
agent marker. Examples:
129
Lesson 10
(a)
is used as a suffix with the subject if the main verb in a sentence is
transitive and in the past tense. Intransitive verbs dont take the suffix.
(You came)
is correct
X
X
not correct
(You ate)
is correct
not correct
(b) Despite the fact that the verb is transitive,

case marker in the present tense. e.g.
is not normally used as a

. The correct form is
However, sometimes
even occurs in the present tense,
emphasizing the subject as an instrumental or agent.

Examples:
(i)
Mother (agent/instrumental) cooks food

Mother is the one who cooks food.
(ii)

John works
John is the one who works.
(iii)
In some situations, is also used to avoid ambiguity in the meaning

of a sentence, for example:
B
That snake to eat (3rd. person singular)
That eats snake.
In this situation, this sentence could have two meanings:
1) That snake eats (the food)
2) That one eats snake, that could mean anybody or any animate thing.
130

(c) By adding the suffix the sentence has only one meaning:
B
That one (person/thing) eats (a/the) snake.
or:
B
That snake eats (something).
That particular snake eats (something).
(d) can also be used as the instrumental suffix, where it gives meaning of
with, of, by, for example:
(A)
(B)
(e)
I eat food with (my) hand.

He died of cholera.
is also used in obligatory structure (should, have to, must) with the
subject if the verb is transitive in both the present and past tenses:
:
a)
b)
c)
d)

:

:

Sita should/has to sing a song.

Sita should not sing a song
Ram has to/needs to/should buy a book.
Ram does not need to buy a book.
You should/have to/need to come
tomorrow.
You dont need to/have to come tomorrow.
You should not come tomorrow.
You must come tomorrow.
Lesson 10
You must not come tomorrow.
present or future
N past tense of all the forms
past of need to and have to forms.
The past negative form of should and must is

Objectives:
count up to 80
differentiate between like and feel like
know the use of the case marker
use present and future conditional clauses
use obligatory structures (have to, need to, should and must)
Exercises:
Translation:
1) They almost fell down ( ) from a cliff ().
2) Can you eat that much food in the morning?
3) Do you know the name of the highest mountain in the world?
4) She does not like going to Nepal.
5) I dont feel like playing tennis now.
6) Mount Everest is taller than Fish-Tail Mountain.
7) What is the name of the longest river?
131
132

8) They didnt die of cholera.
9) His father doesnt eat food with his hand.
10) They should not play soccer because they are ill.
11) We dont need to go to listen to the talk/speech.
12) Kamala must bring her car, otherwise we cant go to New York.
13) If she will not come, I will go.
14) If this is not mandatory, we will not study.
15) If you come to my house, I will cook .
Fill in the blanks:

1)
.....
2)
........ ()
3)
....... t .......
4)
........ (, , )
g
Make three sentences (positive and negative) each using need to, have to, should,
must and conditional clause.

(A)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:

?

,

?

?

?
B P

?
M
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
Were you at home at 4 oclock yesterday?

Yes, I was.
Also at 5 oclock?
No, not at 5.
Peters place, but he was not at home.
After that I went to Davids place and talked for a bit.
What time did you come back home then?
I came back home at 7 oclock.
134

(B)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
t ?

?

?
t
?
,
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
Didnt they go to Pokhara a week ago?

No, they didnt.
Why?
The road to Pokhara is no good, so I heard.
In that case, where did they go?
They went to the Tarai.
By airplane?
No, by bus.
(C)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
?
?

?

?
,
! ,M
Lesson 11
135
(C)
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
What time is it?

It is 4 oclock. Why did you ask?
At 5 I have work to do at home.
Is it today or tomorrow that you have work?
Isnt today Friday?
No, today is Thursday and its the 2nd.
Oh! I am sorry, I forgot.
(D)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
?

B C
B ? ?

,
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
What are we going to eat today?

Lets have Tibetan food. There is a restaurant very close by. If it is not
crowded we will go there and if it is crowded we will go somewhere else.
Shall we go there to see then? How is the food there though?
It is tasty and also cheap.
Lets go then.
136

(E)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
,L ?

? ?

?

:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
Shall we go to see the director now?

No.
Why? Where shall we go then?
To the market to buy some things.
When will we return to our apartment then?
Maybe at 5.
(F)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
,
?

?

?

Lesson 11
(F)
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
137
Dev, where did you go this morning?

At what time?
At about 7 oclock in the morning.
I went to my friends house.
Was there some business?
There was some small business (work).
What work?
I had to get a book.
Did you get it?
Yeah, I did.
Vocabulary :
/
/

/
/
/ u
,L
to the place (where one lives)

moment
to chat, to have a conversation
road, path
broken (or not in working condition)
particle indicating uncertain
information (see Grammar Notes)
Tarai, the plains area of southern Nepal
to excuse, to pardon
to forget
to remember
near, close
one (for counting things)
cheap
expensive
director
to return, to come back
crowd
138
Grammar Notes :
1) See attached table in this book for conjugation of the simple past tense of
2)
is a particle used at the end of a sentence when the speaker is not certain of
the information and/or if the information is second hand.
He speaks good Nepali

(but Im not sure/or so Ive been told).
As a request to ask someone to repeat something.

Example:
A:
B:
3)
My name is Tom.
What was that?
Pardon me, I didnt get it.
and undifferentiated past and present.
is the unconjugated form of the past tense, usually used for informal situations
and in short conversations.

Positive
Verb
Negative
Example:
I went to the store.

He went to the store.
We didnt go to the store.
139
Lesson 11
The unconjugated form for present and future tense is .
Verb
Positive
Negative
Example:
?

t
You dont write?

She will go.
They will play soccer.
Objectives:
use and conjugate
understand the use of
use the informal past and present tenses in appropriate contexts
140
Exercises:
Fill in the blanks:
Fill in the correct form of
1)

........
(negative)
2)
t .........
3)

...........
4)
5)
(negative)

.............
...........
(positive)
(positive)
(negative)
Which is correct:
(circle one)
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
,.0
|
|
,.0
Applications:
1) Comment that youve heard that the bus to Pokhara is always late.
2) Casually inform a friend that youre going to the post office.

(A)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:

?
,

?
,

?

:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
Who do you have in your family?

I have my parents and one little sister.
Dont you have a big brother and a big sister?
No, I dont.
Dont you have a younger brother as well?
No, I dont.
(B)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
, ?

?

B
?
B

142
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
(B)
Krishna, what time is it now?

It is now 10:20.
What time will your class be over?
It will be over at 11 oclock.
What will you do after that?
After class is over I should go to eat. After that I will rest for a while then I
will have to go to see one of my friends because he is leaving for home
tomorrow.
(C)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:

?
, B
? ?
?
,

,
,M

F ! , , t/t
143
Lesson 12
(C)
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
What time will we play soccer today?

I think that we wont play today.
Why not?
Because we have a Nepali song singing session today after class and we have
to go to that.
Is it today that we learn to sing and everybody should go?
It is at 4 oclock today and everybody must go. Dont you know?
No, I didnt know.
Perhaps you dont look at the notice board.
Today I forgot to look.
Every one of us must sing one folk song each. This is a practice for the
cultural program of Dasain.
Oh no! What a problem! I dont have good voice today because I have a bad
cold.
(D)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
, B ?
, B

,

?
, B ?
, B
144

(D)
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
Is the girl with black hair Mikes sister?

Which one, the one who doesnt talk much?
Yes.
You mean the one who cooked good food at the picnic?
Yes.
No, that one is Davids sister.
Which one is Mikes sister then?
Look, that one.
Which one, the one who is wearing glasses?
Yes, the one who is wearing glasses.
(E)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
?

t
?

t
? t
g
?
,
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
The place you went yesterday was pleasant (fun)?

Yes, it was.
Where was it that you said you went?
Niagara Falls.
Which car did you take? You have so many cars.
The one I bought the day before yesterday.
Was it fun?
Yes, it was great fun.
Lesson 12
(F)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
?

, ?
, ?
,
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
Where are you going?

I am going to the bookstore.
I will also go with you then, okay?
Okay lets walk, but why are you going?
I also need a novel, because I dont have one.
(G)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
?

?

B ?
B
?

?

?

145
146

(G)
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
What is this called?

Its called a jholaa (bag).
What is it for?
Its for keeping things.
What do they call that?
That is called a saikal (bike).
What is a bike for?
It is for riding.
Do you have a bike?
No, I dont.
Did you have a bike at home?
Yes, I had one.
(H)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
, t ?
,
?

?
,

, ?
,

?

Lesson 12
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
(H)
Doctor, what kind of medicine should I take for a cold?

Here, take this.
What is it called, Doctor?
Its called aspirin.
Will this cure the cold?
Yes, it will be cured in ten minutes.
How about a cough, doctor?
Take cough syrup, one spoonful three times a day.
Then I will be cured?
Certainly.
Vocabulary :
/

/
family
younger sister
to be finished, to be ended, to be
destroyed
know/dont know
song
folk song
place
what a hassle, what a problem
cultural
program
throat
voice
a lot, very, extremely
certainly
to sing
to dance
147
148

notice board
walk
novel
magazine
newspaper
is called
to place, to set
medicine
doctor
fever
to have a headache
to be sick
to feel dizzy
pain, trouble
habit
opinion, thought
spoon
time
Lesson 12
149
Grammar Notes:
1) and as adjectival clauses:

The unconjugated present or past forms of a verb plus a noun can be used to make
adjectival clauses. is used for general or future cases.
Examples:
the man who is coming

eating habit
the girl with black hair
the person who cooks tasty food
The old lady who is staying over
there is my friends grandmother.
is used for past or present situations:
Examples:
the person who came

the house with red windows
the house with the red door/gate
the country with mountains
everywhere
t t:

$

G
?
We have a plan to wear Nepali dress

on the day that we learn to sing.
I understood what you said.
How could/would you understand
the thing which I have not said?
150
2)
for, for the sake of, for the purpose of, in order to:
Examples:

Objectives:
make and use adjectival clauses

use
Ill do it for you.

What is this spoon for?
In order to be good, one must work
hard.
Dad brought a saari for Mom but
he didnt bring anything for
himself.
Lesson 12
Exercises:
Translation:
1) He was sick but got better after taking medicine.
2) They have a habit of smoking (eating) cigarettes.
3) Does she know where the doctors office is?
4) This novel is good for learning Nepali.
5) The girl in the yellow shirt is Banu.
6) I forgot that we are not going this evening.
7) What is this medicine for?
8) The person who is coming this evening is my brothers friend.
9) Is he also going to sing with them?
10) In Nepali, a pen is called kalam.
11) When are you eating?
12) They will go home after their dancing class is finished.
Applications:
1) Ask a child about his/her family.
2) Ask a friend about his/her family.
3) Describe a (female) friends family.
4) Describe your daily schedule.
5) Ask a doctor what you should take for a headache.
151

(A)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
,

?

: G
?

,.,) ?

?

, ?
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
Was David at school yesterday?

No, he wasnt.
Is he in today then?
Yes, he is.
What is he doing now?
He is in class teaching anthropology now.
How many students does he have in his class?
About ten.
What time will his class be over?
It finishes at 3 oclock.
Could you please tell him to go to my place after the class?
Okay.
154

(B)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
?

?

t ?

g
t
g
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
What day was yesterday?

It was Saturday.
Was yesterday a holiday?
Yes, it was.
Where did you all go?
We went to Patan to walk around.
How long did you stay in Patan?
We were there until 4:15.
Lesson 13
(C)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
?

?

: ?
u
:
?

: ?

?

:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
Where was your little sister one month ago?

She was with our parents.
Where?
In New York City.
What was she doing?
She was working as a life guard at a swimming pool.
And where is she these days?
She is in Hawaii these days.
What is she doing?
She is studying.
How old is she?
She is 22 years old.
155
156

(D)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
,
,
, ?

! ,

v , N
N
?

! ?

:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
Tom, please come and sit.

Okay, thank you.
Tom, what time is it now?
It is ten oclock.
Oh! Your watch is really nice, where is it made?
It is made in Japan.
It looks so beautiful, how much did it cost?
It cost $150.
When did you buy it?
It has been a long time, almost three years.
Oh! I see. It looks like a very strong watch.
It is very strong.
157
Lesson 13
(E)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
: G
?

L ?

, ?

:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
What are you doing?

Nothing.
What are you thinking of doing then?
I am planning to go to Cayuga Lake today. Would you like to go as well?
Sure, but what time do you think you will come back?
Im thinking of coming back early.
(F)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
?
...
?

B ,.0 , ?
, ,.0

158

(F)
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
Where is he from?
He is from Boston. He teaches at MIT.
What does he teach?
He teaches science.
What are MIT students said to be like?
I heard that its good and that the students are very disciplined.
(G)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
t ?
t
t ?

< ?
,
, ?
,
t < ?
,
?

Lesson 13
(G)
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
Do Americans eat rice?

Americans dont eat rice.
What do they eat?
They eat meat and potatoes.
Do they always eat meat and potatoes?
No, sometimes they dont.
How about beer then?
They drink beer often.
Do they always drink liquor?
No, they dont drink always, just sometimes.
How about Tom then?
He never drinks.
(H)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
?

?

?

?
,
?
,
159
160
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
(H)
Why didnt Kamala come to class today?

She isnt well.
What has happened to her?
Her stomach hurts.
Since when has her stomach hurt?
From last night on.
Does she also have diarrhea?
Yes, she also has diarrhea.
Is she taking medicine then?
Yes, she is taking Paregoric.
(I)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
?

t
B t ?
, t t
t g B
t
?
C
, B

t

B ,

g,
,
Lesson 13
161
(I)
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
Have you been to Chicago?

I have not been to Chicago, but my family has been there. My wife went last
year and my sons went the year before last.
So they have gone up the Sears Tower?
Yes, they have gone up it but as for me have not even seen it. You all
havent been there either?
We have been there. But we did not enjoy Chicago very much, it is very
crowded and we also experienced that the people in the city were not
friendly. Are you thinking of going?
If I get the opportunity I want to go once, it is not easy to come back again to
America, so when I am here I must go to see the big cities because such a
desire should not be postponed.
That is a good thought. If you have not been there, even for the sake of
experience, you should go once.
Let us see what happens later. So far, I still have a plan to go.
U
U
162
Vocabulary :

, -
,.0
(neg verb)

sociology
economics
political science
anthropology
student
approximately, about
to be finished
holiday
Patan (city)
to walk (about, around)
thank you
to be made or manufactured
to make
very, extremely
strong
weak
science
manner, behavior
discipline
sometimes
never
often
stomach
to hurt
diarrhea
to cheat
Lesson 13
163
big (plural)
desire
opportunity
last year
year before last year
to climb
Grammar Notes :
1) Compound verbs:
to do something for someone

to tell for
to buy for
Example:

2) verb
Could you please tell your father

hello from me.
is an adjectival clause referring to what one is thinking of doing.
Examples:
I am thinking of reading a book.

I have a plan to read the book
I am planning to read a book.
We have no plan of eating daalbhaat tonight.
Since the idea of doing something has to belong to someone, the subject must be
possessive. Since an idea is single, is never conjugated.
164
CORRECT:
-
Im thinking of eating daal-bhaat.
NEVER:
-
AND NEVER:
-
3) is often used to indicate emphasis.
:
B
B

I will go for that work (no one else

will be sent for that work, trust me).
So far, I am planning to go there
(the plan to go has not yet been
changed).
You (and no one else) should come.
I need a/the red pen. (I need the red
color one. I will not take any other
color.)
4) The present perfect tense is made with the unconjugated past tense plus the
regular conjugation of (of the verb
) :
/
/

/
I have gone/not gone

He has gone/not gone
You have gone/not gone
See the attached table for the complete conjugation.
Lesson 13
Objectives:
make and use compound verbs using
use
use present perfect tense
count up to 90
Exercises:
Translation:
1) Ram bought a bike for his brother.
2) Im thinking of studying science next year.
3) He doesnt have a habit of cheating people.
4) These people are not thinking of doing their homework tonight.
5) Could you write a letter for me?
6) Im not thinking of going to Nepal this year.
7) I have not been to that new library yet.
8) Americans have climbed .
9) It has not rained this year.
10) She has not finished her research yet.
165
166
Fill in the blanks:
1)
.....
2)
....... ......... ( / / )
3)
t ......
4)
.... ( .
5)
? (
/ )
? ( . pres. progressive)
negative)
.........
? ()
Applications:
1) Write at least 15 sentences in the present perfect tense describing yourself
and your family.
2) Ask your friend whether s/he has been to certain countries or not and find out
whether they have eaten the food of each country or not.

(A)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
, :
, ?

?

?
,) ?
, ,)

?
?
,
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
Tom, you are working a lot, arent you hungry?

I am very hungry.
What do you feel like eating?
Id like some daal-bhaat. But, since I dont know how to cook good daalbhaat, who will feed (provide) me?
Are you thirsty also?
Yes, I am also thirsty.
If you want to have tea or Coca-Cola I can offer (feed) it to you. But I cant
offer (feed) daal-bhaat to you. Do you think the drink will work out? If so,
please come.
Why not. When you are hungry and thirsty both anything will work out:
something is better than nothing after all.
168

(B)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:

?

?

G

?

:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
What time do you get up in the morning these days?

At 6 oclock.
What do you do after you get up?
After I get up I wash my hands and face and brush my teeth.
Then when do you have breakfast?
I have breakfast at 7:30, then I go to class.
(C)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
<
?

?
, L ? : ,

,

?

B

Lesson 14
169
(C)
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
How many hours a day do you teach?

I teach for 9 hours.
From when to when?
From 8 oclock in the morning to 5 oclock in the afternoon.
Dont you get tired?
Sure, I get tired, but what can one do? One must work otherwise it is difficult
to make ones living. In my case I am not single. I have a big family.
Then what do you do after you finish your class?
Then I take a rest for a while, go home, eat food and stuff, prepare for
tomorrows work and go to bed.
(D)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
A:
B:
A:
,
?

?

N ?
, N
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
Have you been to Jomsom?

Yes, I have been.
When did you go?
Last year.
How did you go?
I went by airplane.
Did you like Jomsom?
Yes, I liked it.
170

(E)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:

U ?
U
<
?

?
,
?
:

?

:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
What game do you like to play the most?

I like soccer the best.
Do you always play soccer?
I mostly play soccer.
Does your friend play soccer as well?
No, he never plays.
Why?
He doesnt like it.
Which game does he like then?
He likes to play volleyball.
171
Lesson 14
(F)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
< ?
,
?

:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
Does Ram always drink liquor?

He never drinks it, he does not like it.
How about beer then?
He drinks beer.
Does Krishna like beer or liquor?
He likes both.
(G)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
?

?

?

B ?

?

172

(G)
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
What did you want to eat yesterday?

I wanted to eat rasmalai.
Did you eat some then?
Yes.
Where did you go to eat rasmalai then?
I went to a restaurant.
How did you like the rasmalai there?
They were tasty.
Do they also give you boiled water?
They do.
(H)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
:
?

?

B : ?

?
-
-
?
-

173
Lesson 14
(H)
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
What were you doing at 8 oclock yesterday morning?

I was in class, learning Nepali.
Who were you learning with?
I was learning with Banu.
What was Ram doing then?
Ram was writing a letter.
Who was he writing to?
He was writing to his parents.
Where are his parents?
They are in Scotland.
Comprehension:
t , (), , tu
, , ,
: v
B V

:
(1)
(2)
(3)
?
?
(4)
(5)

t ?
174

(6)
(7)
: ?
(8)
(9)
(10)
,
,,
,,,
U
U
U
U
U
U
U
U
Lesson 14
Vocabulary :
()
tu
rasmalai, a kind of sweet

to boil
social scientist
research
very
various, different
different kinds
kind, sort
Brahmin (highest Hindu caste, priestly
caste)
Chhetri (2nd highest Hindu caste,
warrior caste)
an ethnic group who speak a TibetoBurman language
an ethnic group who speak a TibetoBurman language
tailor caste (untouchable)
blacksmith caste (untouchable)
shaman, traditional healer
to run, to work out, to function
or
anything
uncle (maternal)
blind
kind, good
food and some eating stuff
to make a living
175
176
Grammar Notes :
1) The past progressive tense is made by dropping from the root verb and adding
+ the appropriate conjugation of .

:
See the table for the complete conjugation.

Like the present progressive, this form also does not have a negative conjugation,
although you may occasionally hear it in spoken Nepali. To give a negative response
to a question, simply negate the question with
and then say what you are
doing.
:

?

,
Were you studying?

No, I was writing.
2) The past perfect tense is made by using the unconjugated past tense ...
appropriate conjugation of .
+ the
Lesson 14
177
:
/

/
t /
I had gone/not gone

You had gone/not gone
They had gone/ not gone
See the table for the complete conjugation.

3) In spoken or even in written Nepali, a word is sometimes repeated by changing
the initial letter of the word to s to give the meaning the plural of that particular
word, or to imply types or variations of that thing.
foods, or food and other stuff to eat

tea and stuff
Mike and somebody
Kathy and some other people came and
they had tea and things and they chatted
and stuff for a while and went.
4)
Even a blind uncle is better than having no uncle.

Meaning: something is better than nothing
178
Objectives:
use and count all the numbers
know and use past the progressive tense
know and use the past perfect tense
Exercises:
Translation:
1) He had eaten in Nepal, but not .
2) Last night David and some other people were counting 10 million rupees.
3) When I came to see them last night they were playing cards ( and such).
Now also make up three of your own sentences.
Applications:
1) Describe what your friend was doing the day before yesterday using the past
progressive tense.
2) Ask your younger sister if she has sent the letter you asked her to. Use the
past perfect tense.

(A)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
: ?
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
Is this a study room or a bedroom?

This is a study room.
How many chairs are here in this room?
There are four chairs in this room.
How many people are here?
There are seven people here.
What are they doing now?
They are learning Nepali now.
180

(B)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
t
?
t

?

F ,?,. ?
, u ,?,.
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
What time does our class begin in the morning?

Our class begins at 8 in the morning.
What time is it over?
Usually at 12 oclock.
How good a university is Cornell?
It is really good, but very expensive.
Lesson 15
(C)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
?

?
, , ,

?

?

?

?
,.0 ,

?

:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
How many people are there in your family?

There are five people in my family.
Who is there?
My father, mother, one older sister, one younger brother and me.
What does your father do?
My father is a doctor.
How about your mother?
My mother is a nurse at the hospital.
What does your elder sister do?
She teaches at a school.
And your younger brother?
He is a student and goes to college.
What do you do then?
I am an agriculture specialist and I teach agriculture to farmers.
181
182

(D)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
,

B : G
?
B

?

:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
Banu, where were you before you came to the USA?

I was in Nepal before I came to the USA.
What were you doing at that time?
I was studying in college at that time (then).
What were you studying then?
I was studying (about) languages.
(E)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
?

?

O ?
G) ,?,.
?
, <
Lesson 15
(E)
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
How long has it been since you came to Ithaca?

It has been four weeks.
How long will you stay in Ithaca?
I will stay for 2 years.
What do you do here?
I teach at Cornell University.
Had you taught before you came to Ithaca as well?
No, I hadnt. Before I came to Ithaca I myself was studying.
183
184

(F)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
?

U ?

?

?
,
?
,
, ?
, , B :
B ?
P
< ?

F ?
P
P
F

?
F

, ?
B

F
, t
?
Lesson 15
B:
185
, t B

t B

t t
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
Have you (ever) eaten pizza?

Yes, I have.
When did you have it for the first time?
3 years ago.
Where?
In a restaurant in Chicago.
You had not eaten it before you came to America?
No, I had not.
It is not available in Nepal?
Why not, it is available.
Why, while you were in Nepal, you didnt use to feel like eating it?
Yes, I didnt use to feel like it. In fact I dont like it that much.
So, while you were in Nepal what did you normally eat then?
While I was in Nepal I used to eat daal-bhaat.
Always?
Yes.
How often you used to go to the temple while you were in Nepal?
Sometimes.
To which temples?
I used to go to the temple of Pashupati Nath (a Hindu temple) and
Swayambhu Nath (a Buddhist temple).
When going in the temple are you allowed to go with your shoes on?
Not in Pashupati. But you are allowed in Swayambhu Nath.
Do you know why?
That is the tradition/custom. It is prohibited to go inside any Hindu temple
with shoes on.
Is there a caste system in Nepal and what religion do people practice over
there?
Yes there is caste system but the new generation doesnt believe much in
that. And in terms of religion, most people practice Hinduism, then
Buddhism, and I believe about 2 to 3 percent of the people practice other
religions.
186
187
Lesson 15
Comprehension:

,

,

:
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
?
?
188
Vocabulary :
F ?
to begin
to finish
how much? / how often?
usually
agriculture
specialist
farmer
prohibition
pizza
in fact
custom
temple
caste system
religion
to obey, to practice, to regard, to
respect
percent
belief
189
Lesson 15
Grammar Notes :
1)
- before doing something
root verb X +
= before doing root verb X
:

2)
+ / =
.. /
In the morning, before going to

school, I eat breakfast.
You should wash your hands
before eating.
It becomes cloudy before it rains.
You have to cook before eating.
while.
Examples:
+ /
+ /
+ /
= /
while eating
=
/

while being
= /
while studying
/ :
()
/
He doesnt speak while eating.
()
/

It becomes cold while it snows.
190
()
Mark snores a lot when he sleeps.

3) For the conjugation of past habitual tense see the attached table.
Objectives:

know the structure ..... /
know the past habitual tense and use it in appropriate situations
know and use the structure ....
Exercises:
Translation:
1) Before he arrives, I would like to clean my apartment.
2) Before coming to Ithaca, where did you used to live?
3) While studying in high school what subjects used to come easily to you?
4) While eating daal-bhaat, I always eat with my hands.
5) Before singing the song at the party, he practiced a lot at home.
6) She had a habit of seeing her grandmother on Sundays.
7) When her grandmother was sick, she used to go to see her three times a
week.
8) Before we go, I feel like eating rice and stuff.
9) While you were going on the bus yesterday morning, was it very crowded?
10) I used to walk (walk and go) to school every day.
Applications:
1) Ask someone what s/he used to do when s/he was in their home country.

(A)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:

?

?

?

,.0
! ?

,.0 ?

,.0
?

192
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
(A)
Which language do you speak?

I speak English.
Which language are you leaning now?
I am learning Nepali.
How long will you stay in Nepal?
Two years.
Are you a tourist?
I am not a tourist.
What do you do then?
I am a student.
Oh! Is that so?
Yes.
What is your field of study?
I am a student of economics.
How old are you?
I am thirty years old.
(B)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
?

?

?

F
?
F

?

Lesson 16
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
(B)
What is this?
This is a map.
Which countrys map is this?
This is a map of Nepal.
Which direction is Ilam?
Ilam is to the east.
Which direction is Jumla?
It is to the west.
Which country is to the north of Nepal?
China is north of Nepal.
Which country is south of Nepal?
India is south of Nepal.
(C)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
?

G)
?
G)

G)
?

?
G) X
?
X ?
193
194

(C)
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
Where is your apartment?

My apartment is on Cayuga Street.
Which direction is Cayuga Street from Cornell?
Cayuga Street is west of Cornell.
How do you get to Cornell from your apartment?
I walk.
How long does it take you to come on foot from your apartment to Cornell?
It takes almost 35 minutes by foot.
How long is it by bus?
It takes almost 15 minutes.
(D)
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
?
,
L ?

?

B
?
,
Lesson 16
(D)
:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
Do you have the habit of smoking cigarettes?

No, I dont have a habit of smoking.
What kind of habit do you have then?
I have a habit of reading books.
What time do you read books?
I read before I go to bed.
You feel sleepy only after reading a book, is that so?
Yes, otherwise I cant get to sleep until late (lit: I feel sleepy late).
195
196
Comprehension:

g B

,

t : ,

()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
?
?
?
C ?
Lesson 16
Vocabulary :
tourist
foreigner
map
country
in which direction ?
east
west
north
south
Ilam
Jumla
Mustang
Birgunj
China
India
to come by walking
time, duration
habit
is that the way it is?

otherwise
197
198
Objectives:
By the end of this lesson you should be able to:
know, ask and give directions
Exercises:
Questions:
1) Describe the location of at least 10 places (cities, mountains, countries) in or
around Nepal, based on the map given to you in class.
Applications:
1) Explain that you have a habit of drinking coffee in the morning before going
to class. Otherwise it is difficult to wake up.
2) Ask a friend next to you what does s/he usually do before s/he goes to work?
And also ask if s/he has any particular habits.
199
Nepals Administrative Boundaries

For administrative purposes, Nepal is divided into 14 zones and 75 districts.
These zones and districts are listed on the following page in both the Nepali
(Devanagari) script and also in correct Indological transliteration following the
phonological rules of Nepali. The districts which fall within a particular zone are
shown indented to the right.
@M
200
@MZ
[\
^
\
_M
201
202
203
Verb Conjugations
Table 1: Pronouns
I
you (polite)
you (familiar)
he (familiar)
she (familiar)
he/she (polite)
this
that
singular
plural
( / -
/ -
, / -
/
, / -
1 / -
6 / 6
( / -
you (polite)
you (familiar)
he (familiar)
she (familiar)
he/she (polite)
this
that
you (familiar plural)
,( / -
they (familiar)
( / -
she (familiar plural)
1( / -
they (polite)
5( (/) / -
,( () / -
singular
plural
you (polite plural)
,( / -
Table 2: The verb to be - present positive
we
these
those
we
you (polite plural)
they (familiar)
they (polite)
those
these
204
Table 3: The verb to be - present negative
I
you (polite)
you (familiar)
he (familiar)
she (familiar)
he/she (polite)
this
that
singular
plural
,
9
you (polite)
you (polite plural)
they (familiar)
you (familiar)
he (familiar)
those
she (familiar)
he/she (polite)
this
that

they (polite)
plural
singular
we
Table 4: The verb to be - past positive
these
we
you (polite plural)
they (familiar)
they (polite)
those
these
205
Table 5: The verb to be - past negative
I
you (polite)
you (familiar)
he (familiar)
she (familiar)
he/she (polite)
this
that
singular
plural
you (polite plural)
they (familiar)
you (polite)
you (familiar)
he (familiar)
she (familiar)
he/she (polite)
this
that
they (polite)
those
Table 6: The verb to be - present positive
we
singular
plural
these
we
you (polite plural)
they (familiar)
they (polite)
those
these
206
Table 7: The verb to be - present negative
I
you (polite)
you (familiar)
he (familiar)
she (familiar)
he/she (polite)
this
that
singular
plural
you (polite)
you (familiar)
he (familiar)
she (familiar)
he/she (polite)
this
that
we
you (polite plural)
they (familiar)
they (polite)
those
Table 8: The verb to be - past positive
singular
plural
,8
these
we
you (polite plural)
they (familiar)
,
,
they (polite)
those
these
207
Table 9: The verb to be - past negative
I
you (polite)
you (familiar)
he (familiar)
she (familiar)
he/she (polite)
singular
plural
,8
,
,
this
that
we
you (polite plural)
they (familiar)
they (polite)
those
these
Table 10: The verb to be - future, habitual positive
I
you (polite)
you (familiar)
he (familiar)
she (familiar)
he/she (polite)
this
that
singular
plural
98
we
these
you (polite plural)
they (familiar)
they (polite)
those
208
Table 11: The verb to be - future, habitual negative
I
you (polite)
you (familiar)
he (familiar)
she (familiar)
he/she (polite)
this
that
singular
plural
we
these
you (polite plural)
they (familiar)
they (polite)
those
Table 12: The verb to sing - present positive
I
you (polite)
you (familiar)
he (familiar)
she (familiar)
he/she (polite)
this
that
singular
plural
we
you (polite plural)
they (familiar)
they (polite)
those
these
209
Table 13: The verb to hear - present positive
I
you (polite)
you (familiar)
he (familiar)
she (familiar)
he/she (polite)
this
that
singular
plural
98
9
9
9
9
you (polite)
you (polite plural)
they (familiar)
you (familiar)
he (familiar)
those
she (familiar)
he/she (polite)
this
that

they (polite)
plural
9
9
singular
we
9
9
Table 14: The verb to eat - present negative
these
we
you (polite plural)
they (familiar)
they (polite)
those
these
210
Table 15: The verb to eat - past positive
I
you (polite)
you (familiar)
he (familiar)
she (familiar)
he/she (polite)
this
that
singular
plural
Table 16: The verb to eat - past negative
I
you (polite)
you (familiar)
he (familiar)
she (familiar)
he/she (polite)
this
that
singular
plural
we
you (polite plural)
they (familiar)
they (polite)
these
those
we
you (polite plural)
they (familiar)
they (polite)
these
those
211
Table 17: The verb to go - present positive
singular
plural
98
you (polite)
you (familiar)
he (familiar)
she (familiar)
he/she (polite)

9
9
this
that
you (polite)
you (polite plural)
they (familiar)
you (familiar)
he (familiar)
those
she (familiar)
he/she (polite)
this
that
98
9,
99
9
9

they (polite)
plural
singular
99
we
Table 18: The verb to know - present positive
these
we
99
you (polite plural)
they (familiar)
99
they (polite)
those
these
212
Table 19: The verb to eat - present progressive positive
I
you (polite)
you (familiar)
he (familiar)
she (familiar)
he/she (polite)
singular
plural
this
that
we
you (polite plural)
they (familiar)
they (polite)
those
these
Table 20: The verb to go - past progressive positive
I
you (polite)
you (familiar)
he (familiar)
she (familiar)
he/she (polite)
this
that
singular
plural
,8
we
9
9

you (polite plural)
they (familiar)
,
,
9
9

they (polite)
those
,
,
these
213
Table 21: The verb to go - present perfect positive
singular
plural
you (polite)
you (familiar)
he (familiar)
she (familiar)
he/she (polite)
I ,
this
that
we
you (polite plural)
they (familiar)
they (polite)
these
those
Table 22: The verb to go - present perfect negative
I
you (polite)
you (familiar)
he (familiar)
she (familiar)
he/she (polite)
this
that
singular
plural
I ,
we
you (polite plural)
they (familiar)
they (polite)
these
those
214
Table 23: The verb to go - present perfect progressive positive
I
you (polite)
you (familiar)
he (familiar)
she (familiar)
he/she (polite)
singular
plural
I
,
this
that
we
you (polite plural)
they (familiar)
they (polite)
these
those
Table 24: The verb to go - present perfect progressive negative
I
you (polite)
you (familiar)
he (familiar)
she (familiar)
he/she (polite)
this
that
singular
plural
I
,
we
you (polite plural)
they (familiar)
they (polite)
these
those
215
Table 25: The verb to go - past perfect positive
singular
plural
,8
you (polite)
you (familiar)
he (familiar)
I ,
she (familiar)
he/she (polite)
,
,
this
that
,
,
,
,
,
,
Table 26: The verb to go - past perfect negative
I
you (polite)
you (familiar)
he (familiar)
she (familiar)
he/she (polite)
this
that
singular
plural
,8
,
,
,
I ,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
we
you (polite plural)
they (familiar)
they (polite)
these
those
we
you (polite plural)
they (familiar)
they (polite)
these
those
216
Table 27: The verb to go - past perfect progressive positive
I
you (polite)
you (familiar)
he (familiar)
she (familiar)
he/she (polite)
singular
plural
,8
,
,
I
,
that
,
,
this
we
you (polite plural)
they (familiar)
they (polite)
these
those
Table 28: The verb to go - past perfect progressive negative
I
you (polite)
you (familiar)
he (familiar)
she (familiar)
he/she (polite)
this
that
singular
plural
,8
I
,
we
you (polite plural)
they (familiar)
they (polite)
these
those
217
Table 29: The verb to go - past habitual positive
I
you (polite)
you (familiar)
singular
plural
9K
9L8

9L
9L
9L
he (familiar)
she (familiar)
he/she (polite)

9L
9L
this
9L
that
you (polite)
you (polite plural)
they (familiar)
9L
you (familiar)
he (familiar)
those
she (familiar)
he/she (polite)
this
that
98

9
9

they (polite)
plural

9L
singular
we

9L
Table 30: The verb to go - past habitual negative
these
we
you (polite plural)
they (familiar)
they (polite)
those
these
218
Table 31: The verb to go - past conditional positive
I
you (polite)
you (familiar)
he (familiar)
she (familiar)
he/she (polite)
singular
plural
,8
this
that
you (polite)
you (polite plural)
they (familiar)
,
,
you (familiar)
he (familiar)
those
she (familiar)
he/she (polite)
this
that
,8

they (polite)
plural
singular
we
Table 32: The verb to go - past conditional negative
these
we
you (polite plural)
they (familiar)
they (polite)
those
these

42.nepali A Beginner's Primer Conversation and Grammar

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

42.nepali A Beginner's Primer Conversation and Grammar

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

&

Nepali: A Beginners Primer

with editorial assistance from Mark Turin

personal introduction, the verb to be (

liking and disliking, use of and , numbers up to fifty

0 and , shopping, numbers up to sixty

post office situations, different meanings of the impersonal verb 4,

5, tell and ask the time, structures ... and ...,

to like and feel like ( : 4) , case marker , obligatory

(), use of , unconjugated past tense ...,

unconjugated future tense ...

adjectival clauses (e.g.

0 and ..., past habitual tense

The Nepali Alphabet

dipthong (a+u / a+w)

low back (nasal)

low back (lengthened)

unaspirated voiceless velar stop

aspirated voiceless velar stop

unaspirated voiced velar stop

aspirated voiced velar stop

anaspirated voiceless retroflex stop

aspirated voiceless retroflex stop

anaspirated voiced retroflex stop

aspirated voiced retroflex stop

anaspirated voiceless dental stop

aspirated voiceless dental stop

anaspirated voiced dental stop

aspirated voiced dental stop

anaspirated voiceless bilabial stop

aspirated voiceless bilabial stop

anaspirated voiced bilabial stop

aspirated voiced bilabial stop

unaspirated voiceless palatal stop

aspirated voiceless palatal stop

unaspirated voiced palatal stop

aspirated voiced palatal stop

complex segment (k+s+y)

complex segment (t+r)

complex segment (g+y)

Nepali: A Beginners Primer

Nepali: A Beginners Primer

Nepali: A Beginners Primer

Nepali: A Beginners Primer

Nepali: A Beginners Primer

yes (polite response)

Nepali: A Beginners Primer

2) The possessive is made by adding the suffix

, with the exception of my,

can also be used to show ownership by people or things

Nepali: A Beginners Primer

There are a few irregular verbs, such as (to go)

say hello and introduce yourself

Nepali: A Beginners Primer

What is your name (polite)?

Nepali: A Beginners Primer

What is your name (familiar)?

Nepali: A Beginners Primer

Nepali: A Beginners Primer

is used to define or identify a person or a thing.

is used to qualify or describe the possession, size, shape, taste, color,

etc. of things, or to locate an object.

the banana is tasty