Nepali Language · Grammar & Conversation
WH Question Words in Nepali
Question Words & Practical Sentences · Beginner Level
In this lesson, you will learn how to use and understand WH questions in Nepali simply and clearly. This lesson covers important question words like Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How, and shows how to use them correctly in daily conversations.
Learning Goal — By the end of this lesson, you will be able to form and understand everyday questions in Nepali using the correct WH question word.
Activity 1 — Learn the Question Words
WH Question Word Chart
Study each question word, its Nepali equivalent, and what it is used for. Memorise these nine words — they are the foundation of forming questions.
Whom?
Kaslaai?
Formal objects
Tip: Notice that most Nepali question words begin with K — K, Kaha, Kahile, Kina, Ko, Kaslaai, Kasko, Kun, Kasari. This makes them easier to remember as a group!
Activity 2 — Question Sentences
Everyday Questions in Nepali
Read each English question and its Nepali equivalent. Practise saying them aloud. The highlighted word shows which question word is used.
What · K
What is your name?
Timro naam k ho?
Where · Kaha
Where do you live?
Timi kaha baschau?
Who · Ko
Who is he?
U ko ho?
Where · Kaha
Where are you going?
Timi kaha jaadaichhau?
What · K
What are you doing?
Timi k gardaichhau?
When · Kahile
When will you come?
Timi kahile aaunechhau?
Why · Kina
Why are you sad?
Timi kina dukhi chhau?
How · Kasari
How do you go to school?
Timi kasari bidhyaalaya jaanchhau?
What · K
What do you eat?
Timi k khanchhau?
Who · Ko
Who is your teacher?
Timro shikshak ko ho?
Where · Kaha
Where is the book?
Kitaab kaha chha?
When · Kahile
When did you eat?
Timile kahile khaayau?
Why · Kina
Why are you here?
Timi kina yaha chhau?
Practise: Cover the Nepali column and try to recall each question from the English. Then swap — read the Nepali and say the English meaning.
Activity 3 — More Sentences & Review
Advanced Practice Sentences
Continue practising with this second set of sentences, then complete the review questions below.
What · K
What time is it?
Ahile kati bajyo?
Who · Ko / Kasle
Who called you?
Timilaai kasle bolaayo?
How · Kasari / Kasto
How are you?
Timilaai kasto chha?
Where · Kaha
Where is your house?
Timro ghar kaha chha?
When · Kahile
When is your exam?
Timro pariksha kahile chha?
Why · Kina
Why are you late?
Timi kina dhila bhayau?
Who · Ko
Who is your best friend?
Timro milne saathi ko ho?
How · Kasari
How did you learn Nepali?
Timile kasari Nepali sikyau?
Where · Kaha
Where do you study?
Timi kaha padhchhau?
What · K / Yo
What is this?
Yo k ho?
When · Kati bela
When do you wake up?
Timi kati bela uthchhau?
Why · Kina
Why are you laughing?
Timi kina haansdai chhau?
How much · Kati
How much is this?
Yo kati ho?
Who · Ko
Who is at home?
Gharma ko chha?
Review Questions
1
Which question word would you use to ask about a location? Give two example sentences.
2
What is the difference between Ko and Kaslaai? Write a sentence using each.
3
Translate into Nepali: “Why are you studying?” and “Where is your teacher?”
4
With a partner, ask and answer five questions from this lesson using only Nepali.
Summary
Key Takeaways
Four things to remember from this lesson on Nepali WH questions.
Principle 01
All Start with K
Every Nepali question word begins with K — K, Kaha, Kahile, Kina, Ko, Kaslaai, Kasko, Kun, Kasari. This pattern makes them easy to recognise in speech.
Principle 02
Word Order Matters
In Nepali, the question word often appears in the middle of the sentence, not at the beginning as in English. For example: Timi kaha jaadaichhau? (You where going?)
Principle 03
Ko vs Kasle vs Kaslaai
Ko asks “who is”, Kasle asks “who did” (the doer), and Kaslaai asks “to whom” (the receiver). Each has a distinct grammatical role.
Principle 04
Practise Daily
The best way to master question words is to use them every day. Try asking yourself simple questions in Nepali — about where you are, what you are doing, and why — until it feels natural.
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