Particles are a form of grammar described as a unit of speech expressing some general aspect of meaning or some connective or limiting relation including the articles, most prepositions and conjunctions, and some interjections and adverbs.
In Nepali, Other words that do not have their independent meaning but convey different meanings when used in a sentence and add sweetness to the meaning of the sentence are called Nipat. particles (निपात, nipāt) are words that do not change their form regardless of the grammatical context, such as tense, gender, or number. They express different nuances, add emphasis, or connect parts of sentences. Here are some common types of particles.
Some important types of particles are explained below.
Conjunctive Particles. (समुच्चय निपात) Samuchya Nipat
Samuchya nipat are words used to connect clauses, phrases, or words in a sentence. These particles function similarly to conjunctions in English, helping form compound sentences and providing a logical relationship between different sentence elements.
Definition and Usage:
Conjunctive particles are used to:
➤ Create compound sentences that provide more information without needing separate sentences.
➤ Combine multiple ideas into a single sentence.
➤ Show a relationship of addition, choice, contrast, or causation between clauses or words.
Examples of Conjunctive Particles in Nepali
Usage: Used to add one idea or element to another.
Example: “राम र सीता घुम्न गएका छन्।” (Rām ra Sītā ghumnu gāekā chan.)
“Ram and Sita have gone to travel.”
Usage: Used to indicate an alternative or choice between two options.
Example: “तिमी चिया वा कफी खान्छौ?” (Timī chiya wā kaphī khānchau?)
“Do you drink tea or coffee?”
Usage: Used to show contrast or opposition between two ideas.
Example: “म त्यो गरें, तर मलाई मन परेन।” (Ma tyo gareṅ, tara malāī man parena.)
“I did that, but I didn’t like it.”
Usage: Used to add more information or items, similar to “and”.
Example: “गृहकार्य तथा पढाइ पनि गर।” (Gṛhakārya tathā paḍhāī pani gara.)
“Do your homework as well as study.”
Usage: Used to provide an alternative or express a choice.
Example: “तिमी खाना खान्छौ अथवा बिस्कुट?” (Timī khānā khānchau athawā biskut?)
“Do you eat food or biscuits?”
Usage: Used to indicate a cause-and-effect relationship.
Example: “उ पढ्छ, त्यसैले पास हुन्छ।” (U paḍhcha, tyasaile pās hunchā.)
“He studies, therefore he passes.”
viyuktya nipāt are particles used in Nepali to indicate contrast, opposition, or separation between two ideas, clauses, or words. They function similarly to “but,” “however,” or “although” in English. These particles help to convey a shift in thought or present an alternative or opposite idea within a sentence.
Definition and Usage
Disjunctive particles are used to:
- Show a contrast between two different ideas or statements.
- Indicate a shift in thought or a turn in the narrative.
- Express contradiction or provide an exception to what has been stated earlier.
Examples of Disjunctive Particles in Nepali
Usage: Used to show a contrast or opposition between two statements.
Example: “म पढ्न मन पराउँछु, तर ऊ खेल्न मन पराउँछ।” (Ma paḍhna man parāun̐chu, tar ū khelna man parāun̐cha.) – “I like to study, but he likes to play.”
Usage: Used to emphasize the contrast or to show that the contradiction is surprising or unexpected.
Example: “उ बिरामी छ, तर पनि उसले काम गर्छ।” (U birāmī cha, tar pani usle kām garcha.) – “He is sick, yet he still works.”
Usage: Used to express a concession or a contrasting idea that doesn’t change the main point.
Example: “यद्यपि उनी जान चाहन्छन्, उनी जान सक्दैनन्।” (Yadyapi unī jān chāhanchan, unī jān sakdainān.) – “Although they want to go, they cannot.”
Usage: Used to introduce a contrasting idea or condition.
Example: “हुन त ऊ धेरै बोल्छ, तर ऊ राम्रो व्यक्ति हो।” (Hun ta ū dherai bolcha, tar ū rāmro vyakti ho.) – “Although he talks a lot, he is a good person.”
Usage: Used in a paired form to express a strong contrast.
Example: “यद्यपि मौसम खराब छ, तथापि हामी यात्रा गर्नेछौं।” (Yadyapi mausam kharāb cha, tathāpi hāmī yātrā garnechaun.) – “Although the weather is bad, yet we will travel.”
Usage: This article presents options or alternatives in a sentence.
Example:तिमी चिया वा कफी पिउँछौ?(Timi chiyaa wa kafi piunchhau?)”Do you drink tea or coffe?”
Usage: This is another disjunctive particle, and it is often used in formal contexts, or when there are two alternatives, usually in an either/or situation.
Example:तिमी स्कूल जाँदैछौ कि अफिस?(Timi skul jandaichhau ki afis?)”Are you going to school or the office?”
Usage: This combination adds a sense of consequence or urgency to the disjunction.
Example:खाना खाऊ, वा त ढिलो हुन्छ।(Khana khau, wa to dhilo hunchha.) “Eat, or else you’ll be late.”
Usage: This particle is used to present two alternatives, often emphasizing that only one of the options is possible or allowed.
Example:तिमी कि घर बस् कि अफिस जाऊ।(Timī ki ghar bas ki afis jāu.)”Either stay home or go to the office.”
Usage: This disjunctive form is used similarly to कि…कि, but it is often interchangeable with “or” in common, conversational contexts.
Example:हामीले चिया वा कफी पिउन सक्छौं।(Hāmīle chiyaa wa kafī piuna sakchau.)”We can drink either tea or coffee.”
Usage: This phrase expresses a condition and suggests an alternative or consequence if the first condition is unmet.
Example:तिमीले यो काम गर, कि होइन भने म अरू कसैलाई दिनेछु।(Timile yo kam gara, ki hoina bhane ma aru kasailai dinechhu.)”You do this work, or I”II give it to someone else.”
Usage: This is a more formal alternative to वा and is often used in written language or formal speech.
Example:तिमी काठमाडौँ अथवा पोखरा जान सक्छौं।(Timī Kāṭhmāṇḍau athawā Pokharā jān sakchau.)”You can go to Kathmandu or Pokhara.”
Usage: This disjunctive form adds a sense of a conditional alternative with a consequence.
Example:तिमी यस्तै काम गर, वा त जागिर छुट्छ।(Timi yastai kam gara, wa ta jagir chutccha.)”Do this work, or else you’ll your job.”
Assumptive particles in Nepali are used to express assumptions, suppositions, or guesses based on certain conditions or expectations. These particles are used when the speaker is not entirely sure about a situation but is making an educated guess. Assumptive particles in Nepali are used to express guesses, assumptions, or uncertainty. They help the speaker convey that they are making a judgment or inference rather than stating a confirmed fact. These particles are crucial for polite or cautious speech, where direct statements might seem too assertive or certain.
Definition and Usage
Assumptive particles are used to:
Express an assumption or guess about something.
Indicate that something is likely, probable, or possible but not certain.
Suggest a possibility or a subjective judgment.
Usage: Used to express a guess or uncertainty about something.
Example: “सायद ऊ अहिले घरमा होला।” (Sāyad ū ahile gharma holā.) – “Maybe he is at home now.”
Usage: Used to indicate that something is possible or might happen.
Example: “उ आज भेट्न आउन सक्छ।” (U āja bheṭna āuna sakcha.) – “He may come to meet today.”
Usage: Used to express a personal assumption or feeling about something.
Example: “मलाई लाग्छ तिमीले यो गर्न सक्छौ।” (Malāī lāgcha timīle yo garna sakchau.) – “I think you can do this.”
Usage: Another particle used to express uncertainty or assumption about something.
Example: “शायद ऊ भोली काममा आउँदैन।” (Shayad ū bholī kāmma āundaina.) – “Maybe he won’t come to work tomorrow.”
Usage: Used in formal contexts to indicate possibility or assumption.
Example: “कदाचित उनीले निर्णय परिवर्तन गर्लान्।” (Kadāchit unīle nirṇaya parivartan garlān.) – “Possibly, they might change their decision.”
Usage: Used to express a subjective assumption or belief.
Example: “मलाई लाग्छ कि ऊ सफल हुनेछ।” (Malāī lāgcha ki ū safal hunecha.) – “I think that he will succeed.”
Comparative Particles (Nepali: तुलनात्मक निपात, tulanātmak nipāt) are used in Nepali to compare two or more things, actions, or qualities. These particles help establish a superiority, inferiority, or equality relationship between the items being compared. They function similarly to words like “than,” “as,” or “more” in English. Comparative particles in Nepali are crucial for comparing two or more entities, actions, or qualities. They allow speakers to indicate degrees of difference, similarity, or equality and are essential for discussing relative attributes or preferences. Speakers can use these particles to convey more precise and nuanced meanings in conversations.
Definition and Usage
Comparative particles are used to:
Compare the degree or quality of two or more things.
Highlight differences or similarities.
Show relationships of more, less, or equal in terms of quality, quantity, or action.
Examples of Comparative Particles in Nepali
Usage: Used to show a comparison between two things, often indicating superiority or inferiority.
Example: “राम सीताभन्दा अग्लो छ।” (Rām Sītābhanda aglo cha.) – “Ram is taller than Sita.”
Usage: Used to indicate a comparison of similarity between two things.
Example: “तिमी फूलजस्तो राम्री छौ।” (Timī phūljasto rāmrī chau.) – “You are as beautiful as a flower.”
Usage: Used to compare and choose one option over another.
Example:“त्यो भन्दा बरु म एक्लै जान्छु।” (Tyo bhanda baru ma eklai jānchu.) – “Rather than that, I will go alone.”
Usage: Used to show a proportional comparison.
Example: “जति पढ्छौ, त्यति जान्छौ।” (Jati paḍhchau, tyati jānchau.) – “The more you study, the more you know.”
Usage: Used to show equality between two things.
Example: “दुईजना बराबर बलिया छन्।” (Duījanā barābar baliyā chan.) – “Both are equally strong.”
Usage: Used to express superiority in quality or performance.
Example: “यो किताब त्यो किताबभन्दा राम्रो छ।” (Yo kitāb tyo kitābbhanda rāmro cha.) – “This book is better than that book.”
Doubtful Particles are used in Nepali to express uncertainty, doubt, or hesitation about something. These particles indicate that the speaker is unsure or skeptical about the truth or occurrence of an event, situation, or statement.
Definition and Usage
Doubtful particles are used to:
Show uncertainty or doubt about a fact, situation, or action.
Indicate that the speaker is unsure or lacks confidence in the statement.
Create a sense of ambiguity or questioning.
Examples of Doubtful Particles in Nepali
Usage: Used when there is uncertainty or doubt about two possibilities or outcomes.
Example: “म तिमीलाई भेट्न आउँछु कि आउँदिन?” (Ma timīlāī bheṭna āun̐chu ki āun̐dina?) – “I wonder if I will come to meet you or not?”
Usage: Expresses doubt or uncertainty about a situation.
Example: “सायद ऊ आउला।” (Shayad ū āulā.) – “Maybe he will come.”
Usage: Used to express doubt or to ask for confirmation when the speaker is unsure.
Example: “आजको योजना ठिक छ, कि कसो?” (Ājako yōjanā ṭhika cha, ki kaso?) – “The plan for today is fine, isn’t it?”
Usage: Formal particle used to express doubt or a slight possibility.
Example: “कदाचित यो काम सफल नहोला।” (*Kadāchit yo kām safal nah
Emphatic Particles are used to give emphasis or intensity to a statement in Nepali. These particles strengthen the meaning or importance of what is being said, helping the speaker to highlight a point or convey strong emotions such as certainty, surprise, or intensity. Emphatic particles in Nepali are essential for adding emphasis and intensity to speech. They help the speaker convey strong emotions, reinforce a point, or ensure that the listener understands the importance of a particular part of the sentence. These particles add nuance and depth to everyday conversations, allowing speakers to express themselves more forcefully or clearly.
Definition and Usage
Emphatic particles are used to:
Intensify or emphasize a statement or action.
Express certainty, urgency, or a strong conviction.
Reinforce an idea or add force to the speaker’s message.
Examples of Emphatic Particles in Nepali
Usage: Used to emphasize a specific word or phrase.
Example: “तिमी नै दोषी हौ।” (Timī nai dōṣī hau.) – “You are exactly the guilty one.”
Usage: Used to add emphasis by suggesting that something is included or equally important.
Example: “म पनि आउँछु।” (Ma pani āun̐chu.) – “I will come too.”
Usage: Often used to give emphasis when offering or commanding, or to express urgency.
Example: “लौ, तिमीले यो लिनुपर्छ!” (Lau, timīle yo linuparcha!) – “Well, you must take this!”
Usage: Used to stress certainty or to add emphasis in casual speech.
Example: “तिमी त साँच्चै राम्रो छौ।” (Timī ta sā̃cchai rāmro chau.) – “You are really good!”
Usage: Used to emphasize politeness or urgency in asking someone to do something.
Example: “हास, यो काम गर।” (Hās, yo kām gara.) – “Please, do this work.”
Usage: Used to stress continuity or add emphasis to an ongoing situation.
Example: “अझै राम्रो गर्न सक्छौ।” (Ajhai rāmro garna sakchau.) – “You can do even better.”