-नु

The Dictionary Form

Level 1Sounds Like nu

The -नु form is the name of a verb, and it can stand in for a noun.

How It Works

Nearly every Nepali verb ends in -नु in the dictionary.

Dictionary formStemMeaning
गर्नुगर्to do
जानुजाto go
खानुखाto eat
पिउनुपिउto drink

Drop -नु to get the stem, then add the endings you have learned: -छु, -छौ, -छ, -नुहुन्छ.

The -नु form can also be a noun that names an action: पढ्नु राम्रो हुन्छ (reading is good). In English you can say it with -ing (speaking, reading) or with to (to speak).

In an ordinary sentence the -नु form is not a finished verb. ऊ चिया पिउनु is not a sentence. Add the right ending: ऊ चिया पिउँछ. Notices and labels do use it as a written instruction, as in औषधि खानु (take the medicine).

Examples (5)

  1. नेपाली बोल्नु सजिलो छैन।

    Speaking Nepali is not easy.

    बोल्नु names the action and is the subject.

  2. पढ्नु राम्रो हुन्छ।

    Reading is good.

    पढ्नु works as a noun.

  3. बिहान हिँड्नु राम्रो हो।

    Walking in the morning is good.

    The -नु form names the action.

  4. नेपाली सिक्नु रमाइलो छ।

    Learning Nepali is fun.

    सिक्नु is the -नु form of to learn.

  5. खानु र पिउनु जरुरी छ।

    Eating and drinking are needed.

    Two -नु forms join with र.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the -नु form as a finished verb.

    ऊ चिया पिउनु।
    ऊ चिया पिउँछ।

    In an ordinary sentence the -नु form only names the verb and needs an ending such as -छ.

How It Connects

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

-नुLevel 1The Dictionary Form

Learn This First

The dictionary form is the stem plus -नु.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.

And 1 more in the full list.