त

Marking a Topic with त

Level 3Sounds Like ta

त marks what you are talking about and softly contrasts it with something else.

How It Works

त is a small word with two jobs. It marks the topic: म त जान्छु (as for me, I am going). It also adds contrast: चिया त मलाई मन पर्छ, तर कफी पर्दैन (I do like tea, but not coffee).

SentenceHint
म त जान्छु।others may not go
घरमा त कोही छैन।maybe someone is somewhere else
नेपाली त सजिलो छैन।but it is fun

You can add त to a subject, an object, a place or a time. It stays a separate word, and it does not take a case marker. Put the marker on the noun before it: रामले त भन्यो (as for Ram, he said it).

A reply with त often corrects or comforts someone: मैले त भनेको थिएँ (but I did tell you).

Do not add त to every sentence. Use it when you want to show a topic or a contrast.

Examples (5)

  1. म त जान्छु।

    As for me, I am going.

    त marks म as the topic.

  2. चिया त मलाई मन पर्छ, तर कफी पर्दैन।

    I do like tea, but I do not like coffee.

    त makes the contrast with तर clear.

  3. घरमा त कोही छैन।

    There is nobody at home, though.

    त hints that someone may be elsewhere.

  4. नेपाली त सजिलो छैन, तर रमाइलो छ।

    Nepali is not easy, but it is fun.

    त sets up the contrast.

  5. ऊ त आउँदैन।

    As for him, he is not coming.

    त puts ऊ in focus.

Common Mistakes

  • Joining त to the word before it.

    मत जान्छु।
    म त जान्छु।

    मत would be a different word. Write त as a separate word.

How It Connects

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

तLevel 3Marking a Topic with त

Learn This First

त marks a topic.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.