In this video, we explain the difference between formal and informal Nepali, an important aspect of speaking politely and naturally in various situations. You’ll learn how to use the right words and sentences when talking to friends, elders, or strangers.
PRONOUN
| English | Extreme formal | Formal | Informal | Extreme informal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| You | Hajur | Tapaai | Timi | Ta |
| He/She | Uhaa | Uhaa | Uh/Uni | Uh/Uni |
| Him | Uhaalaai | Uhaalaai | Uslaai | Uslaai |
| Her | Uhaalai | Uhaalai | Unlaai | Unlaai |
| His/Hers | Uhaako | Uhaako | Usko/Unko | Usko/Unko |
| Your | Hajurko | Tapaaiko | Timro | Tero |
| You all | Hajurharu | Tapaaiharu | Timiharu | Timiharu |
| Their | Uhaharuko | Uhaharuko | Uniharuko | Tiniharuko |
SENTENCES
| English | Extreme formal | Formal | Informal | Extreme informal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| How are you? | Hajurlaai kasto chha? | Tapaailaai kasto chha? | Timilaai kasto chha? | Talaai kasto chha? |
| Where are you going? | Hajur kata jaadai hunuhunchha? | Tapaai kata jaadai hunuhunchha? | Timi kata jaadai chhau? | Ta kata jaadai chhas? |
| Don’t you know? | Hajurlaai thaha chhaina? | Tapaailaai thaha chhaina? | Timilaai thaha chhaina? | Talaai thaha chhaina? |
| He/She went to school. | Uhaa bidhyaalaya jaanubhayo. | Uhaa bidhyaalaya jaanubhayo. | Uh bidhyaalaya gayo/Uni bidhyaalaya gayin. | Uh bidhyaalaya gayo/Uni bidhyaalaya gayin. |
| He/She ate food. | Uhaale khana khanubhayo. | Uhaale khana khanuvayo. | Usle khana khayo/Unle khana khayin. | Usle khana khayo/Unle khana khayin. |
| He/She likes it. | Uhaalaai yo mannparchha. | Uhaalaai yo mannparchha. | Uslaai/Unlaai yo mann parchha. | Uslaai/Unlaai yo mann parchha. |
| His/Her money got lost. | Uhaako paisa haraayo. | Uhaako paisa haraayo. | Usko/Unko paisa haraayo. | Usko/Unko paisa haraayo. |
| Where is your phone? | Hajurko mobile/phone kata chha? | Tapaaiko mobile/phone kata chha? | Timro mobile/phone kata chha? | Tero mobile/phone kata chha? |
| Where did you all go? | Hajurharu kata januvayo? | Tapaaiharu kata januvayo? | Timiharu kata gayou? | Timiharu kata gayou? |
| Their house is nice. | Uhaaharuko ghar raamro chha. | Uhaaharuko ghar ramro chha. | Uniharuko ghar ramro chha. | Tiniharuko ghar ramro chha. |
| What is your name? | Hajurko name k ho? | Tapaaiko name k ho? | Timro name k ho? | Tero name k ho? |
| Have you eaten? | Hajurle khana khanubhayo? | Tapaaile khana khanubhayo? | Timile khana khayou? | Taile khana khayish? |
| Please sit. | Kripaya basnuhos. | Basnuhos na. | Basa na. | Bas na. |
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