Nepali, an Indo-Aryan language spoken in Nepal, Bhutan, parts of India, and Myanmar, is a fascinating and vibrant language. For English speakers learning Nepali, one of the most practical and important skills to master is giving instructions. Whether you’re traveling, cooking, or working with Nepali-speaking colleagues, knowing how to give clear and concise instructions can make a significant difference. This article will delve into various expressions for giving instructions in Nepali, enabling you to communicate more effectively and confidently.
Basic Structure of Instructions in Nepali
Before diving into specific expressions, it is essential to understand the basic structure of instructions in Nepali. Generally, Nepali instructions follow a verb-object order, similar to English. The imperative form of the verb is used to give commands or directions.
For example:
– “Sit down” in Nepali is “बस्नुहोस्” (basnuhos).
– “Come here” is “यहाँ आउनुहोस्” (yahaa aunuhos).
The word “होस्” (hos) is a polite imperative marker. For informal settings, you can use “बस” (bas) instead of “बस्नुहोस्” (basnuhos).
Polite vs. Informal Instructions
Nepali, like many other languages, distinguishes between formal and informal speech. When giving instructions, it is crucial to consider the context and the relationship you have with the person you are addressing.
Formal Instructions:
– Use “होस्” (hos) with the verb to show respect and politeness.
– Example: “Please sit down” – “कृपया बस्नुहोस्” (kripaya basnuhos).
Informal Instructions:
– Use the verb in its root form or with “छ” (chha) for a more casual tone.
– Example: “Sit down” – “बस” (bas).
Common Expressions for Giving Directions
When giving directions, it’s essential to be clear and specific. Here are some common expressions:
1. **Turn left/right**:
– “बायाँ मोड्नुहोस्” (bayaa modnuhos) – Turn left.
– “दायाँ मोड्नुहोस्” (dayaa modnuhos) – Turn right.
2. **Go straight**:
– “सिधा जानुहोस्” (sidhaa jaanuhos).
3. **Stop**:
– “रोक्नुहोस्” (roknuhos).
4. **Come here**:
– “यहाँ आउनुहोस्” (yahaa aunuhos).
5. **Go there**:
– “त्यहाँ जानुहोस्” (tyahaa jaanuhos).
Giving Instructions in Daily Activities
Here are some useful phrases for everyday tasks:
1. **Cooking Instructions**:
– “पानी उमाल्नुहोस्” (paani umaalnuhos) – Boil the water.
– “नुन थप्नुहोस्” (nun thapnuhos) – Add salt.
– “पकाउनुहोस्” (pakaunuhos) – Cook it.
2. **Household Chores**:
– “कपडा धोउनुहोस्” (kapada dhounuhos) – Wash the clothes.
– “भाँडा माझ्नुहोस्” (bhaanda maajnuhos) – Clean the dishes.
– “कोठा सफा गर्नुहोस्” (kothaa safaa garnuhos) – Clean the room.
3. **Workplace Instructions**:
– “यो फाइल पढ्नुहोस्” (yo phail padnuhos) – Read this file.
– “मलाई रिपोर्ट दिनुहोस्” (malai report dinuhos) – Give me the report.
– “कम्प्युटर बन्द गर्नुहोस्” (computer band garnuhos) – Turn off the computer.
Using Imperative Verbs
Imperative verbs are at the core of giving instructions. Here are some common imperative verbs in Nepali:
1. **Do**: “गर्नुहोस्” (garnuhos) / “गर” (gar)
2. **Take**: “लिनुहोस्” (linuhos) / “लिनु” (linu)
3. **Give**: “दिनुहोस्” (dinuhos) / “दे” (de)
4. **Bring**: “ल्याउनुहोस्” (lyaaunuhos) / “ल्या” (lyaa)
5. **Wait**: “पर्खनुहोस्” (parknuhos) / “पर्ख” (parkha)
Combining Instructions with Polite Phrases
To make your instructions sound more courteous, you can combine them with polite phrases. Some useful phrases include:
1. **Please**: “कृपया” (kripaya)
– Example: “Please give me the book” – “कृपया मलाई किताब दिनुहोस्” (kripaya malai kitaab dinuhos).
2. **Excuse me**: “माफ गर्नुहोस्” (maaf garnuhos)
– Example: “Excuse me, could you move?” – “माफ गर्नुहोस्, सर्नुहोस्” (maaf garnuhos, sarnuhos).
3. **Thank you**: “धन्यवाद” (dhanyavaad)
– Example: “Thank you for waiting” – “पर्खिनुभएकोमा धन्यवाद” (parkhinubhaekomaa dhanyavaad).
Special Situations
Certain situations may require more specific instructions. Here are a few examples:
1. **Medical Emergencies**:
– “डाक्टरलाई बोलाउनुहोस्” (daaktar lai bolaaunuhos) – Call the doctor.
– “एम्बुलेन्स बोलाउनुहोस्” (ambulance bolaaunuhos) – Call the ambulance.
2. **Traveling**:
– “टिकट देखाउनुहोस्” (ticket dekhaaunuhos) – Show the ticket.
– “पासपोर्ट दिनुहोस्” (passport dinuhos) – Give the passport.
3. **Shopping**:
– “यो कति हो?” (yo kati ho?) – How much is this?
– “यो दिनुहोस्” (yo dinuhos) – Give me this.
Practice Scenarios
To help solidify your understanding, here are a few practice scenarios:
1. **Giving Directions**:
Imagine you are in a busy market, and someone asks for directions to the nearest bus stop.
– “सिधा जानुहोस्, अनि बायाँ मोड्नुहोस्।” (sidhaa jaanuhos, ani bayaa modnuhos) – Go straight, then turn left.
2. **Cooking**:
You’re teaching a friend how to make a traditional Nepali dish.
– “पहिले तेल तताउनुहोस्। त्यसपछि प्याज राख्नुहोस्।” (pahile tel tataaunuhos. tyaspachi pyaaj raakhnuhos) – First, heat the oil. Then, add the onions.
3. **Workplace**:
You’re a supervisor giving tasks to your team.
– “यो रिपोर्ट तयार गर्नुहोस् र मलाई दिनुहोस्।” (yo report tayaar garnuhos ra malai dinuhos) – Prepare this report and give it to me.
Conclusion
Mastering the art of giving instructions in Nepali can greatly enhance your communication skills and cultural understanding. Whether you’re navigating through a bustling market, cooking a delicious meal, or collaborating with colleagues, these expressions will serve as valuable tools in your language learning journey.
Remember, practice makes perfect. Use these expressions regularly, and don’t hesitate to ask native speakers for feedback. Happy learning!
