है

Checking with है

Level 2Sounds Like hai

है ends a sentence and checks that the listener agrees.

How It Works

है is a small word at the end of a sentence. It asks the listener to agree, remember or promise: भोलि आउनुहोला है? means you will come tomorrow, won't you? ढिलो नगर्नुहोस् है means please do not be late, okay?

It is friendly and soft. People use it with a request, a plan or a reminder: भोलि सात बजे भेटौँला है (we will meet at seven tomorrow, okay?).

It does not change the verb. Keep the right respect level in the verb before it. With a friend you can say तिमी आउँछौ है? and with an elder तपाईं आउनुहोला है?.

Do not mix it up with Hindi. In Hindi, है is the word for is. Nepali does not use है that way. For is, Nepali uses छ or हो. So for he is at home, say ऊ घरमा छ.

Examples (4)

  1. भोलि आउनुहोला है?

    You will come tomorrow, won't you?

    है asks the listener to confirm the plan.

  2. ढिलो नगर्नुहोस् है।

    Please do not be late, okay?

    है softens the request.

  3. भोलि सात बजे भेटौँला है।

    We will meet at seven tomorrow, okay?

    भेटौँला is the probable future for हामी.

  4. यो पैसा लिनुहोस् है।

    Take this money, okay?

    है after a polite command.

Common Mistakes

  • Learners from a Hindi background use है as the verb is.

    ऊ घरमा है।
    ऊ घरमा छ।

    है is not a verb in Nepali. Use छ for where something is.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

हैLevel 2Checking with है

Learn This First

है checks that someone agrees.