र in Questions That Make a Point
Questions That Make a Point
र after a question makes it rhetorical: मलाई के थाहा छ र? means how would I know?
How It Works
This र is not the word for and. It sits at the end of a question and changes its job: the speaker is not asking for information but making a point.
| Question | What it says |
|---|---|
| मलाई के थाहा छ र? | I do not know. |
| म किन झूट बोल्छु र? | I have no reason to lie. |
| के गर्नु र! | Nothing can be done. |
Most rhetorical questions have a question word: के, किन, कसले, कहाँ. The answer they point to is no one, nothing, no reason or nowhere.
The tone comes from the voice. With a warm voice, के गर्नु र! sounds sympathetic. With a sharp voice, मलाई के थाहा छ र? sounds annoyed. Keep your voice gentle with an elder, because a sharp question can sound like a challenge.
Examples (5)
- मलाई के थाहा छ र?
How would I know?
के ... र shows that the speaker does not know.
- के गर्नु र!
What can one do?
The -नु form plus र! gives a shrug.
- यति महँगो सामान कसले किन्छ र?
Who would buy something this expensive?
कसले ... र points to the answer nobody.
- म किन झूट बोल्छु र?
Why would I lie?
किन ... र shows there is no reason.
- त्यहाँ गएर के हुन्छ र?
What good comes from going there?
के हुन्छ र means nothing good.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Rhetorical questions make a point.
Related Patterns
- नि / नFriendly Nudges with नि and न
नि and न are friendly particles that also come at the end of a sentence.
Level 3 - तMarking a Topic with त
त marks a topic and often adds a feeling.
Level 3 - पोSurprise and Contrast with पो
पो adds surprise or contrast.
Level 4 - क्यारेWondering with क्यारे
क्यारे also ends a sentence, but it wonders aloud instead of making a point.
Level 5
Practice र in Questions That Make a Point in Bubblegum
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