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Understanding irregular verbs is essential for mastering Nepali grammar. Many of the most frequently used verbs are irregular, making them critical for everyday communication.
No Fixed Rule
Irregular verbs must be memorized as they do not follow a standard pattern. Each irregular verb has its own unique conjugation rules.
Same or Different Forms
Past and past participle forms can be identical (e.g., bring → brought → brought) or completely different (e.g., go → went → gone).
Present Participle is Regular
The present participle is always regular, formed by adding -ing (e.g., going, eating, writing, taking).
Irregularity Limited to Past
Base and present participle forms are predictable. Irregularity is limited to past and past participle forms only.
Common in Everyday Use
Many of the most frequently used verbs are irregular, making them essential to learn and practice regularly.
Study these common irregular verbs and their three forms. Pay attention to how they change and try to memorize them for practical use.
Go (जानु)
Base
go
Past
went (गयो)
P. Participle
gone (गएको)
Eat (खानु)
Base
eat
Past
ate (खायो)
P. Participle
eaten (खाएको)
Write (लेख्नु)
Base
write
Past
wrote (लेख्यो)
P. Participle
written (लेखिएको)
Take (लिनु)
Base
take
Past
took (लियो)
P. Participle
taken (लिएको)
See (हेर्न)
Base
see
Past
saw (देख्यो)
P. Participle
seen (देखिएको)
Break (भाँच्नु)
Base
break
Past
broke (भाँच्यो)
P. Participle
broken (भाँचिएको)
Speak (बोल्नु)
Base
speak
Past
spoke (बोलेको)
P. Participle
spoken (बोलेको)
Bring (ल्याउनु)
Base
bring
Past
brought (ल्यायो)
P. Participle
brought (ल्याइएको)
Run (दौड्नु)
Base
run
Past
ran (दौडियो)
P. Participle
run (दौडिएको)
Build (बनाउनु)
Base
build
Past
built (बनायो)
P. Participle
built (बनाइएको)
Fly (उड्नु)
Base
fly
Past
flew (उडियो)
P. Participle
flown (उडिएको)
Study these examples showing how irregular verbs are used in present, past simple, and past participle forms. Pay attention to how the verb changes in each tense.
Go (जानु)
Present: I go to the market every day.
Ma harek din bajar jaanchhu. (म हरेक दिन बजार जान्छु।)
Past Simple: I went to the market yesterday.
Ma hijo bajar gaye. (म हिजो बजार गए।)
Past Participle: I have gone to the market already.
Ma bajar pahile nai gaisakeko chu. (म बजार पहिले नै गइसकेको छु।)
Eat (खानु)
Present: She eats rice every day.
U harek din bhāt khanchha. (ऊ हरेक दिन भात खान्छ।)
Past Simple: She ate rice last night.
Ule hijo rāti bhāt khayo. (उसले हिजो राति भात खायो।)
Past Participle: She has eaten rice already.
Ule bhāt pahile nai khāisakeko chha. (उसले भात पहिले नै खाइसकेको छ।)
Write (लेख्नु)
Present: I write a diary every night.
Ma harek rāt diary lekhchhu. (म हरेक रात डायरी लेख्छु।)
Past Simple: I wrote a letter yesterday.
Maile hijo ek patra lekhē. (मैले हिजो एक पत्र लेखे।)
Past Participle: I have written many letters.
Maile dherai patra haru lekhisakeko chu. (मैले धेरै पत्रहरू लेखिसकेको छु।)
Speak (बोल्नु)
Present: She speaks three languages fluently.
Usle tīnta bhāsha ramrari bolchha. (उसले तीनवटा भाषा राम्रोसँग बोल्छ।)
Past Simple: He spoke with his teacher this morning.
Usle āja bihāna aafno gurusanga kura garē. (उसले आज बिहान आफ्नो गुरुसँग कुरा गर्यो।)
Past Participle: English has been spoken here for decades.
Yahā dashaunin dekhi angrezi bolīndai āiraheko chha. (यहाँ दशौं वर्षदेखि अंग्रेजी बोलिंदै आएको छ।)
Take (लिनु)
Present: He takes photos during holidays.
U chhuti mā photo khinchchha. (ऊ छुट्टीमा फोटो खिच्छ।)
Past Simple: He took a photo yesterday.
Usle hijo ek photo khinchyo. (उसले हिजो एक फोटो खिच्यो।)
Past Participle: He has taken many photos.
Usle dherai photo khichisakeko chha. (उसले धेरै फोटो खिचिसकेको छ।)
Master irregular verbs to speak and write Nepali with confidence. While these verbs don’t follow standard patterns, they are among the most frequently used words in the language. Regular practice and memorization will help you use them naturally in conversation.
Since irregular verbs don’t follow patterns, you must memorize all three forms: base, past, and past participle. Create study materials and review them regularly.
Don’t just memorize the forms—use irregular verbs in context. Create sentences, speak them aloud, and write them down to reinforce your learning.
Don’t expect to memorize all irregular verbs immediately. Start with the most common ones and gradually expand your knowledge. Consistent practice builds confidence.
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