Leaving Out the Subject
Nepali leaves out म, तपाईं and other doers when the verb already shows who they are.
How It Works
Nepali verbs end in a way that shows who does the action. जान्छु is only I, जानुहुन्छ is you politely or a respected he or she, and जान्छन् is they, or he or she at middle respect. Because of that, the doer is often left out: तपाईं कहाँ जानुहुन्छ? is answered with बजार जान्छु (I am going to the market), without saying म.
This is normal. Adding म every time sounds heavy.
Keep the doer when you want to stress it (म जान्छु, तपाईं बस्नुहोस्), when you change the subject, or when the verb ending is the same for two people and could be unclear.
The first and second person forms are easy to drop. The third person is the one to watch: जान्छ is he or it, and जान्छिन् is she at middle respect, so name the doer at least once, or make sure the talk makes it clear.
A question can drop the doer too: चिया पिउनुहुन्छ? (will you have tea?).
Examples (4)
- बजार जान्छु।
I am going to the market.
The ending -छु shows that the doer is म.
- चिया पिउनुहुन्छ?
Will you have tea?
The ending -नुहुन्छ shows a polite you.
- भोलि आउँछन्।
They are coming tomorrow.
The ending -छन् shows a plural doer, or one person at middle respect.
- कहाँ जाँदै हुनुहुन्छ?
Where are you going?
The doer can be dropped in a progressive question too.
How It Connects
Learn This First
The subject can be left out because the verb shows it.
Related Patterns
Practice Leaving Out the Subject in Bubblegum
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