Everyday and Formal Nepali
Everyday Nepali uses खाना खानु, and formal Nepali uses भोजन गर्नु.
How It Works
Nepali has two registers that learners meet early: relaxed talk and formal writing. The two share grammar, but they differ in word choice and in some endings.
| Everyday | Formal |
|---|---|
| खाना खानु | भोजन गर्नु |
| मान्छे | व्यक्ति |
| घर | निवास |
| पैसा (money) | रकम (sum of money) |
| आउँछ | आउँदछ |
The formal word is often Sanskrit-based, so it also appears in compounds and in news headlines. In the formal present, -दछ often takes the place of -छ. The meaning stays the same.
The registers can mix a little. A teacher may say भोजन गर्नुभयो in class, and a letter to a friend uses plain forms. What matters is the setting: with people you meet every day, use the everyday form. A mix such as भोजन खानु is not the usual pairing, so try to keep one register in one sentence.
Examples (5)
- सबै विद्यार्थी समयमै विद्यालय आउँदछन्।
All students come to school on time.
The formal present -दछन् replaces everyday आउँछन्.
- कार्यक्रममा सबैले भोजन गरे।
Everyone had a meal at the event.
भोजन गर्नु is the formal way to say खाना खानु.
- उहाँको निवास पोखरामा छ।
Their residence is in Pokhara.
निवास is the formal word for घर.
- सबै व्यक्ति लाइनमा बस्नुहोस्।
Everyone, please sit in line.
व्यक्ति is the formal word for मान्छे.
- बैंकमा रकम जम्मा गर्नुहोस्।
Please deposit the money at the bank.
रकम is the formal word for a sum of money.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Formal Nepali differs from everyday Nepali, so the polite forms and the formal future come first.
Related Patterns
- Sanskrit-Based and Everyday Words
Formal words are often the Sanskrit-based ones.
Level 5 - -दछThe Formal Present
-दछ is the formal present.
Level 5 - Reading Dense Formal Prose
Formal vocabulary packs together in official writing.
Level 6 - द्वाराBy an Agent in Formal Writing
द्वारा is a formal word for by.
Level 5 - Levels of Respect
Respect levels are another part of choosing words.
Foundations
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
- -इएको छNews Passive PerfectLevel 5
- -एकालेBecause, In WritingLevel 5
- -एमाFormal if with -एमाLevel 5
- को अनुसारAccording toLevel 5
- को सन्दर्भमाIn the Context ofLevel 5
- गरी / भईThe Written -ई FormLevel 5
- प्रतिToward a Person or IdeaLevel 5
- विरुद्धAgainst SomethingLevel 5
And 12 more in the full list.
Practice Everyday and Formal Nepali in Bubblegum
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