In Nepali, the verb “to be” is often expressed using the verb हुनु (hunu), which changes based on tense, aspect, number, and the formality level of the subject. This lesson covers comprehensive conjugations across three essential tenses: Present Tense, Past Tense, and Future Tense. Understanding these conjugations will enable you to express states of being across different time frames and with various subjects. Each conjugation table includes singular and plural forms for all persons (I, you informal/formal, he/she, they) with both formal and informal variants. Pay special attention to how Nepali verbs are highly dependent on levels of respect and formality, which is reflected in the wide variety of conjugation forms for “to be.”
Use the Present tense to express current states of being. This is the base form for describing what something is, who someone is, or the current condition.
| Person | Singular / Plural | Nepali | Romanized | English |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Person | Singular | म हुँ | ma hun | I am |
| First Person | Plural | हामी हौं | hami haun | We are |
| Second Person | Singular (Informal/Formal) | तिमी छौ / तपाईँ हुनुहुन्छ | timi chau / tapai hunuhunchha | You are (informal/formal) |
| Second Person | Plural | तपाइहरु हुनुहुन्छ | tapaiharu hunuhunchha | You are |
| Third Person | Singular (Informal/Formal) | ऊ छ / उहाँ हुनुहुन्छ | u chha / uha hunuhunchha | He/She/It is (informal/formal) |
| Third Person | Plural (Informal/Formal) | उनीहरु छन् / उहाँहरु हुनुहुन्छ | uniharu chhan / uhaharu hunuhunchha | They are (informal/formal) |
Use the Past tense to describe states of being that existed in the past. This tense indicates that a condition or state was true in a previous time.
| Person | Singular / Plural | Nepali | Romanized | English |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Person | Singular | म थिएँ | ma thiye | I was |
| First Person | Plural | हामी थियौं | hami thiyaun | We were |
| Second Person | Singular (Informal/Formal) | तिमी थियौ / तपाईँ हुनुहुन्थ्यो | timi thiyaun / tapai hunuhunthyo | You were (informal/formal) |
| Second Person | Plural | तपाइहरु हुनुहुन्थ्यो | tapaiharu hunuhunthyo | You were |
| Third Person | Singular (Informal/Formal) | ऊ थियो / उहाँ हुनुहुन्थ्यो | u thiyo / uha hunuhunthyo | He/She/It was (informal/formal) |
| Third Person | Plural (Informal/Formal) | उनीहरु थिए / उहाँहरु हुनुहुन्थ्यो | uniharu thiye / uhaharu hunuhunthyo | They were (informal/formal) |
Use the Future tense to express states of being that will exist in the future. This indicates a predicted or intended condition or state.
| Person | Singular / Plural | Nepali | Romanized | English |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Person | Singular | म हुनेछु | ma hunechu | I will be |
| First Person | Plural | हामी हुनेछौं | hami hunechhaun | We will be |
| Second Person | Singular (Informal/Formal) | तिमी हुनेछौ / तपाईँ हुनुहुनेछ | timi hunechau / tapai hunuhunechha | You will be (informal/formal) |
| Second Person | Plural | तपाइहरु हुनुहुनेछ | tapaiharu hunuhunechha | You will be |
| Third Person | Singular (Informal/Formal) | ऊ हुनेछ / उहाँ हुनुहुनेछ | u hunechha / uha hunuhunechha | He/She/It will be (informal/formal) |
| Third Person | Plural (Informal/Formal) | उनीहरु हुनेछन् / उहाँहरु हुनुहुनेछ | uniharu hunechhan / uhaharu hunuhunechha | They will be (informal/formal) |
You’ve now mastered three essential tenses for the verb “to be” (हुनु). Understanding these conjugations allows you to express states of being across different time frames and grammatical contexts. Notice how Nepali verbs are highly dependent on levels of respect and formality, which is reflected in the wide variety of conjugation forms for “to be.” The verb can express both existential “to be” (for things that exist) and descriptive “to be” (for states of being). Pay special attention to the formal suffix “हुन्छ” (hunuhunchha) which is commonly used in formal speech for third person or formal second person. Practice conjugating with different subjects and tenses to develop automatic fluency in Nepali verb conjugations.
Notice how the verb “to be” changes based on whether the subject is singular or plural. The verb must agree in number with its subject. This is a fundamental principle in Nepali grammar.
Many conjugations have both formal and informal variants. Using the correct form shows respect and cultural awareness. Formal forms are appropriate with elders and strangers; informal with friends and family.
The verb “to be” can express both existential meaning (for things that exist) and descriptive meaning (for states of being). Context determines which usage is appropriate.
Practice using these conjugations when describing who people are, what conditions exist, and what will be in the future. The more you use these patterns naturally, the more confident your Nepali communication will become.
Master the Foundation: The verb “to be” is one of the most fundamental verbs in any language. Mastering these conjugations is essential for building a strong foundation in Nepali grammar. Continue practicing these conjugations in authentic sentences about identity, conditions, and states. Your dedication to understanding these forms will open doors to more advanced grammar concepts and fluent communication!
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