ले for Tools and Causes

Tools, Means and Causes with ले

Level 2Sounds Like lē (sādhana ra kāraṇa)

After a tool, ले means with. After a cause, it means because of.

How It Works

ले does a second job. It follows the thing used for an action: चक्कुले (with a knife), कलमले (with a pen), साबुनले (with soap). It also follows the reason for a feeling or an event: जाडोले (from the cold), थकाइले (from tiredness).

This use of ले is not limited to the past. म साबुनले हात धुन्छु is a plain present sentence.

For a bus or a bike, the usual choices are मा or बाट: म बसमा जान्छु. English "by bus" tempts learners to say बसले, which can sound as if the bus did something.

KindExample
Toolकलमले लेख्नुहोस्
Causeथकाइले सुत्नु

Examples (5)

  1. म चक्कुले तरकारी काट्छु।

    I cut vegetables with a knife.

    चक्कुले names the tool.

  2. जाडोले म काँप्छु।

    I shiver from the cold.

    जाडोले gives the cause.

  3. बाबा कलमले लेख्नुहुन्छ।

    Father writes with a pen.

    कलमले is the tool, and the verb is polite.

  4. म साबुनले हात धुन्छु।

    I wash my hands with soap.

    This is a present sentence, so ले here is not about the past.

  5. थकाइले म चाँडै सुत्छु।

    I fall asleep early because of tiredness.

    थकाइले gives the reason.

Common Mistakes

  • Using ले for a vehicle where मा is usual.

    म बसले जान्छु।
    म बसमा जान्छु।

    Use मा after a bus, a car or a bike; ले can sound as if the bus is the doer.

How It Connects

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

ले for Tools and CausesLevel 2Tools, Means and Causes with ले

Learn This First

ले also marks tools and causes.