Finding a Verb Stem
A verb is listed in its -नु form, and removing -नु leaves the stem that endings attach to.
How It Works
Every Nepali verb ends in -नु in the dictionary. To use it, cut off -नु and add the ending you need.
| Dictionary form | Stem | म form (I do it) |
|---|---|---|
| गर्नु (to do) | गर् | गर्छु |
| बस्नु (to sit, live) | बस् | बस्छु |
| जानु (to go) | जा | जान्छु |
| खानु (to eat) | खा | खान्छु |
| पिउनु (to drink) | पिउ | पिउँछु |
| आउनु (to come) | आउ | आउँछु |
Three kinds of stem appear here. A stem that ends in a consonant, such as गर् or बस्, takes the ending directly. A stem that ends in a vowel, such as जा and खा, adds न् first in the present: जान्छु. Stems that end in a vowel plus उ, such as पिउ and आउ, add a nasal sound instead: पिउँछु. A short -उ stem such as रु (cry) adds न् like जा and खा: रुन्छ.
The same stem is used in many forms, so it is the first thing to find in any new verb.
Examples (5)
- म काम गर्छु।
I work.
The stem of गर्नु is गर्, and -छु is added.
- म घर जान्छु।
I go home.
The stem of जानु is जा, and the present adds न्.
- म भात खान्छु।
I eat rice.
खानु loses -नु and keeps खा.
- म चिया पिउँछु।
I drink tea.
The stem पिउ ends in a vowel plus उ, so the present takes a nasal ँ.
- तपाईं कहाँ बस्नुहुन्छ?
Where do you live?
The stem of बस्नु is बस्, and the polite ending -नुहुन्छ is added.
How It Connects
Related Patterns
- -नुThe Dictionary Form
The -नु form itself.
Level 1 - गर्- / जा-Stems Ending in Consonants and Vowels
Two stems to learn first.
Level 1 - -छु / -छौ / -छThe Simple Present
The present endings that attach to a stem.
Level 1 - -नुहुन्छPolite Present with तपाईं
The polite ending that attaches to a stem.
Level 1 - Tense and Aspect
How different endings change the time.
Foundations
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice Finding a Verb Stem in Bubblegum
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