-देखि for a Period of Time
Since and for a Period
-देखि with a time word shows how long something has been going on.
How It Works
देखि means from or since. With a point in time it means since: म हिजोदेखि बिरामी छु (I have been ill since yesterday). With a length of time it means for: तीन वर्षदेखि (for three years).
| Time word | With देखि |
|---|---|
| तीन वर्ष | तीन वर्षदेखि |
| हिजो | हिजोदेखि |
| बिहान | बिहानदेखि |
| सोमबार | सोमबारदेखि |
The verb shows the action is still going on: म तीन वर्षदेखि नेपाली सिक्दै छु. Use -दै छ, -इरहेको छ or a state with छ. A state in -एको छ also fits: म पाँच वर्षदेखि यहाँ बसेको छु. The simple past does not fit while the time is still running. When you say where something began, the past can fit: परीक्षा सोमबारदेखि सुरु भयो (the exam began on Monday).
देखि is one word, joined to the time word. The question is कहिलेदेखि (since when), or कति वर्षदेखि (for how many years): तपाईं कहिलेदेखि नेपाली सिक्दै हुनुहुन्छ?
Examples (5)
- म तीन वर्षदेखि नेपाली सिक्दै छु।
I have been learning Nepali for three years.
तीन वर्षदेखि gives how long.
- ऊ बिहानदेखि पढ्दै छ।
He has been studying since morning.
बिहानदेखि is a starting point.
- म हिजोदेखि बिरामी छु।
I have been ill since yesterday.
The state with छु is still true.
- सरिता सोमबारदेखि काम गरिरहेकी छिन्।
Sarita has been working since Monday.
-एकी and छिन् agree with a woman.
- हामी दुई घण्टादेखि कुरिरहेका छौँ।
We have been waiting for two hours.
दुई घण्टादेखि is a length of time.
Common Mistakes
Using the simple past for a continuing action.
म तीन वर्षदेखि नेपाली सिकेँ।म तीन वर्षदेखि नेपाली सिक्दै छु।The action is still going, so use a progressive.
Writing देखि as a separate word.
म तीन वर्ष देखि नेपाली सिक्दै छु।म तीन वर्षदेखि नेपाली सिक्दै छु।देखि joins the time word.
How It Connects
Learn This First
-देखि as a period is a use of देखि.
Related Patterns
Practice -देखि for a Period of Time in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Nepali lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
