The “unknown past tense” in Nepali is commonly referred to as “अज्ञात भूतकाल” (Ajñāt Bhūtkāl). This tense is used to express past events where the specific time is unclear or unknown. It often implies that the speaker is uncertain about when the action occurred, or the emphasis is on the action itself rather than the time it took place. This form is less commonly used but serves a distinct grammatical purpose.
Structure of the Unknown Past Tense
The formation of this tense typically involves:
- Root verb + को/की/का (for agreement with gender and number) + auxiliary verbs such as “हो,” “छ,” “थे,” etc., depending on the subject and the context.
Examples of Unknown Past Tense
- मैले देखेछु।
- I have seen (but I don’t know when).
- ऊ आइपुगेछ।
She had arrived (at some unknown time in the past). - तिनीहरू गएछन।
They had gone (but the time is not specified or is unknown). - हामीले त्यो कुरा सुनेछौ।
We had heard that thing (at some unspecified point in the past). - बाबु घर आउनुभएछ।
Father had come home (but the specific time isn’t known or clear).
Usage
- This tense is often used when recounting events for which the exact time isn’t crucial or when the event’s occurrence is only later discovered.
- It conveys a sense of realization or narration where the timing of the past action is either irrelevant or unknown.
