Language/Nepali-individual-language/Grammar/Negation-in-Nepali

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Nepali (individual language) Grammar → Negation and Interrogatives → Negation in Nepali

Introduction

In this lesson, we will explore the topic of negation in Nepali. Negation is an important aspect of any language, as it allows us to express negative statements and to deny or negate something. Understanding how to form negative sentences and ask negative questions is crucial for effective communication in Nepali. In this lesson, we will learn the different ways to negate sentences in Nepali and how to use them in various contexts.

Negation can be a challenging topic for beginners, but don't worry! With practice and exposure to examples, you will become more comfortable with negation in Nepali. To help you grasp the concepts, we will provide clear explanations, numerous examples, and interactive exercises. So, let's dive into the world of negation in Nepali!

Forms of Negation

In Nepali, there are several ways to form negative sentences. Let's explore each of these forms and understand their usage.

1. न (na)

One of the most common ways to form negative sentences in Nepali is by using the word "न" (na) before the verb. It is equivalent to the English word "not." Let's look at some examples:

• तिमी आउन नसक्नुहुन्छ। (Timī ā'un nasaknuhunchha.) - You cannot come.
• म नपठ्न सक्छु। (Ma napathna sakkhu.) - I cannot read.
• तिमीले खान नखाए। (Timīle khāna nakhāye.) - You did not eat.

As seen in the examples, "न" (na) is placed before the verb to negate the action. It is important to note that "न" (na) changes to "नँ" (nan) when it follows certain consonants. For example:

• म नपढ्न सक्दैन। (Ma napadhna sakdaina.) - I cannot study.

In this example, "न" (na) changes to "नँ" (nan) after the consonant "ढ" (ḍh).

2. छैन (chaina)

Another common way to negate sentences in Nepali is by using the word "छैन" (chaina) after the verb. It is equivalent to the English word "not" or "does not." Let's look at some examples:

• उ यहाँ छैन। (U yahā chhaina.) - He is not here.
• म गर्न सक्दैन। (Ma garn sakdaina.) - I cannot do it.
• हामी यहाँ आउन सक्दैनौं। (Hāmī yahā āuna sakdainau.) - We cannot come here.

In these examples, "छैन" (chaina) is placed after the verb to negate the action.

3. नहुनु (nahunu)

The word "नहुनु" (nahunu) is another way to form negative sentences in Nepali. It is equivalent to the English phrase "not to be." Let's look at some examples:

• यो गर्मी हुँदैन। (Yo garmī hundaina.) - This is not hot.
• म यहाँ बस्न चाहन्छुँ। (Ma yahā basna chāhanchhu.) - I do not want to live here.
• हामी त्यो काम गर्न नपाउँछौं। (Hāmī tyo kām garna napāunchaun.) - We cannot do that work.

In these examples, "नहुनु" (nahunu) is used after the verb to express negation.

4. नभएको (nabhaeko)

To form negative sentences in the past tense, we use the word "नभएको" (nabhaeko) after the verb. It is equivalent to the English phrase "did not." Let's look at some examples:

• म त्यो काम गरेनन्। (Ma tyo kām garenan.) - I did not do that work.
• हामी यहाँ आएनौं। (Hāmī yahā āenau.) - We did not come here.
• तिमीले खान खाएनौ। (Timīle khāna khāenau.) - You did not eat.

In these examples, "नभएको" (nabhaeko) is used after the verb to indicate negation in the past tense.

5. नगर्नु (nagaranu)

The word "नगर्नु" (nagaranu) is used to form negative sentences in the present continuous tense. It is equivalent to the English phrase "not doing." Let's look at some examples:

• म खान नगर्दैछु। (Ma khāna nagardai chu.) - I am not eating.
• हामी यहाँ आउँदैनौं। (Hāmī yahā āundainaun.) - We are not coming here.
• तिमी बस्न नगर्नुहोस्। (Timī basna nagarnuhos.) - You are not staying.

In these examples, "नगर्नु" (nagaranu) is used after the verb to indicate negation in the present continuous tense.

6. नगरेको (nagareko)

To form negative sentences in the past continuous tense, we use the word "नगरेको" (nagareko) after the verb. It is equivalent to the English phrase "was not doing." Let's look at some examples:

• उ खान नगरेको थियो। (U khāna nagareko thiyo.) - He was not eating.
• म यहाँ आएनँ गरेको थिएँ। (Ma yahā āenan̄ gareko thieṁ.) - I was not coming here.
• हामी त्यो काम गरेनन्। (Hāmī tyo kām garenan.) - We were not doing that work.

In these examples, "नगरेको" (nagareko) is used after the verb to indicate negation in the past continuous tense.

Usage of Negation in Nepali

Now that we have learned the different forms of negation in Nepali, let's explore their usage in various contexts.

1. Negating Verbs

To negate a verb in Nepali, we use the forms of negation mentioned above. Here are some examples:

• म यहाँ आउन नसक्छु। (Ma yahā āun nasakchu.) - I cannot come here.
• हामी त्यो काम गर्न नपाउँछौं। (Hāmī tyo kām garna napāunchaun.) - We cannot do that work.
• तिमीले खान नखाए। (Timīle khāna nakhāye.) - You did not eat.

In these examples, the verbs "आउन" (āun) meaning "to come," "गर्न" (garna) meaning "to do," and "खान" (khāna) meaning "to eat" are negated using the different forms of negation.

2. Negating Adjectives

To negate an adjective in Nepali, we use the word "छैन" (chaina) after the adjective. Here are some examples:

• यो किताब राम्रो छैन। (Yo kitāb rāmro chaina.) - This book is not good.
• तपाईं सुन्दर छैनुहुन्छ। (Tapāī suṇdar chainuhunchha.) - You are not beautiful.
• त्यो घर साफ छैन। (Tyo ghar sāf chaina.) - That house is not clean.

In these examples, the adjectives "राम्रो" (rāmro) meaning "good," "सुन्दर" (suṇdar) meaning "beautiful," and "साफ" (sāf) meaning "clean" are negated using the word "छैन" (chaina).

3. Negating Nouns

To negate a noun in Nepali, we use the word "होइन" (hoīn) after the noun. Here are some examples:

• उ डाक्टर होइन। (U ḍākṭar hoīn.) - He is not a doctor.
• म शिक्षक होइन। (Ma śikṣak hoīn.) - I am not a teacher.
• हामी नेपाली होइनौं। (Hāmī Nepālī hoinaun.) - We are not Nepali.

In these examples, the nouns "डाक्टर" (ḍākṭar) meaning "doctor," "शिक्षक" (śikṣak) meaning "teacher," and "नेपाली" (Nepālī) meaning "Nepali" are negated using the word "होइन" (hoīn).

Cultural Insights

Negation in Nepali is an important aspect of the language, and its usage can vary across different regions of Nepal. For example, in some parts of Nepal, people may use different forms of negation or have unique expressions for negation. It is always interesting to explore these regional variations and learn from the diverse linguistic practices within Nepal.

Additionally, understanding the cultural context of negation in Nepali can enhance your language learning experience. For instance, in Nepali culture, it is considered polite to use indirect negation when expressing disagreement or refusal. This cultural nuance reflects the importance of maintaining harmony and respect in interpersonal communication.

Exercises

Now that we have learned about negation in Nepali, let's practice what we have learned. Complete the following exercises to reinforce your understanding.

Exercise 1

Fill in the blanks with the appropriate negation forms:

1. म यो काम __________। (Ma yo kām _______.) 2. तिमी यहाँ __________। (Timī yahā _______.) 3. हामी त्यो खान __________। (Hāmī tyo khān _______.)

Solution: 1. गर्न नपाउँछु। (garna napāunchu.) - I cannot do this work. 2. बस्न नजानुहुन्छ। (basna najānuhunchha.) - You do not know how to stay here. 3. खान नखान्छौं। (khān nakhānchaun.) - We do not eat that.

Exercise 2

Rewrite the following sentences in the negative form:

1. तिमी यहाँ आउन सक्नुहुन्छ। (Timī yahā āun saknuhunchha.) - You can come here. 2. म त्यो काम गर्न सक्छु। (Ma tyo kām garna sakkhu.) - I can do that work. 3. हामी यहाँ बस्न सक्छौं। (Hāmī yahā basna sakkhaun.) - We can stay here.

Solution: 1. तिमी यहाँ आउन नसक्नुहुन्छ। (Timī yahā āun nasaknuhunchha.) - You cannot come here. 2. म त्यो काम गर्न सक्दैन। (Ma tyo kām garna sakdaina.) - I cannot do that work. 3. हामी यहाँ बस्न सक्दैनौं। (Hāmī yahā basna sakdainau.) - We cannot stay here.

Exercise 3

Translate the following sentences into Nepali:

1. She did not see the movie. 2. They cannot speak Nepali. 3. I am not going to the party.

Solution: 1. उले फिल्म हेरेन। (Ule philm herena.) 2. उनीहरूले नेपाली बोल्न सक्दैनन्। (Unīharūle Nepālī bolna sakdainan.) 3. मलाई पार्टीमा जान छैन। (Malāī pārṭīmā jān chaina.)

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully learned about negation in Nepali. We explored the different forms of negation and their usage in Nepali sentences. We also delved into the cultural insights related to negation and practiced our skills through interactive exercises. By understanding negation, you can now express negative statements and ask negative questions in Nepali. Keep practicing and exploring the diverse aspects of Nepali language and culture. Good luck with your language learning journey!

Table of Contents - Nepali (individual language) Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Introduction to Nepali Nouns
• Noun Cases in Nepali
• Pronouns in Nepali

  ---

Verbs and Tenses

• Introduction to Nepali Verbs
• Present Tense in Nepali
• Past Tense in Nepali
• Future Tense in Nepali

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Adjectives in Nepali
• Comparison of Adjectives in Nepali
• Adverbs in Nepali

  ---

Negation and Interrogatives

• Negation in Nepali
• Interrogatives in Nepali

  ---

Numbers in Nepali

• Cardinal Numbers
• Ordinal Numbers
• Plural and Fractional Numbers

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Words and Phrases

• Greetings and Introductions
• Common Nepali Words and Phrases

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Food and Drinks

• Food in Nepali
• Drinks in Nepali

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Festivals in Nepal

• Dashain Festival
• Tihar Festival
• Holi Festival

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Nepali Society

• Family and Marriage in Nepal
• Religion and Beliefs in Nepal

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Nepali Cuisine

• Traditional Nepali Dishes
• Nepali Spices and Herbs

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Nepali Arts and Crafts

• Nepali Handicrafts
• Nepali Music and Dance

Other Lessons

• Interrogatives in Nepali
• Negation
• Introduction to Nepali Verbs
• Noun Cases in Nepali
• Verbs kriyaharu क्रियाहरू
• Adjectives
• Future Tense
• Nouns
• Introduction to Nepali Nouns
• Questions

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