Nepali, the official language of Nepal, is spoken by millions of people in Nepal and around the world. As with any language, mastering the grammar of Nepali is essential for effective communication. One of the key grammatical concepts that learners need to grasp is the use of active and passive voice. Understanding how to use these voices correctly can significantly enhance your ability to express yourself clearly and accurately in Nepali.
In this article, we’ll delve into the structure, usage, and examples of active and passive voice in Nepali grammar. We’ll explore how they differ from each other, when to use each, and how to form sentences correctly in both voices.
Active Voice in Nepali Grammar
In any language, the active voice is the most straightforward and commonly used voice. It is where the subject of the sentence performs the action expressed by the verb. In Nepali, active voice sentences follow a Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) structure, which is different from the Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) structure in English.
For example:
– English: The boy eats an apple.
– Nepali: केटोले स्याउ खान्छ। (Ketole syau khanchha.)
Here, “केटोले” (ketole) is the subject (the boy), “स्याउ” (syau) is the object (an apple), and “खान्छ” (khanchha) is the verb (eats).
Forming Active Voice Sentences
To form active voice sentences in Nepali, follow these simple steps:
1. Identify the subject, object, and verb in your sentence.
2. Place the subject at the beginning of the sentence.
3. Follow the subject with the object.
4. Place the verb at the end of the sentence.
Let’s look at another example:
– English: She writes a letter.
– Nepali: उसले पत्र लेख्छिन्। (Usle patra lekhchin.)
In this sentence:
– “उसले” (usle) is the subject (she),
– “पत्र” (patra) is the object (a letter), and
– “लेख्छिन्” (lekhchin) is the verb (writes).
Passive Voice in Nepali Grammar
In the passive voice, the focus shifts from the subject performing the action to the action itself and the object receiving the action. In Nepali, forming the passive voice is a bit more complex than in English, but with practice, it becomes easier to understand and use.
For example:
– English: The apple is eaten by the boy.
– Nepali: स्याउ केटा द्वारा खाइन्छ। (Syau keta dwara khainchha.)
Here, “स्याउ” (syau) is the object (the apple), “केटा द्वारा” (keta dwara) means “by the boy,” and “खाइन्छ” (khainchha) is the passive verb form (is eaten).
Forming Passive Voice Sentences
To form passive voice sentences in Nepali, follow these steps:
1. Identify the object, subject, and verb in your active sentence.
2. Place the object at the beginning of the sentence.
3. Follow the object with “द्वारा” (dwara), which means “by.”
4. Place the subject after “द्वारा” (dwara).
5. Use the appropriate passive verb form at the end of the sentence.
Let’s take another example:
– English: A letter is written by her.
– Nepali: पत्र उनी द्वारा लेखिन्छ। (Patra uni dwara lekhchincha.)
In this sentence:
– “पत्र” (patra) is the object (a letter),
– “उनी द्वारा” (uni dwara) means “by her,” and
– “लेखिन्छ” (lekhchincha) is the passive verb form (is written).
Verb Conjugation in Passive Voice
In Nepali, verbs in the passive voice are conjugated differently than in the active voice. The passive verb forms often include the suffix “-इन्छ” (incha) or variations depending on the tense and aspect. Here are some examples of passive verb conjugation:
1. Present Tense:
– Active: खान्छ (khanchha) – eats
– Passive: खाइन्छ (khainchha) – is eaten
2. Past Tense:
– Active: खायो (khayo) – ate
– Passive: खाइयो (khaiyo) – was eaten
3. Future Tense:
– Active: खानेछ (khanechha) – will eat
– Passive: खाइनेछ (khainenchha) – will be eaten
Usage of Active and Passive Voice
Knowing when to use active and passive voice is crucial for effective communication. Here are some guidelines to help you decide which voice to use in different contexts:
When to Use Active Voice
1. **Clarity and Directness**: Active voice is typically more direct and easier to understand. Use it when you want to clearly state who is performing the action.
– Example: मैले किताब पढें। (Maile kitab padhe.) – I read the book.
2. **Emphasizing the Subject**: Use active voice when you want to emphasize the subject performing the action.
– Example: शिक्षकले विद्यार्थीलाई सिखाउँछन्। (Shikshakle bidhyarthilai sikhauchhan.) – The teacher teaches the students.
3. **Informal Communication**: Active voice is often used in casual or conversational contexts.
– Example: हामीले फिल्म हेर्यौं। (Hamile film heryaun.) – We watched the movie.
When to Use Passive Voice
1. **Emphasizing the Action or Object**: Use passive voice when you want to highlight the action or the object receiving the action.
– Example: पत्र उनी द्वारा लेखिन्छ। (Patra uni dwara lekhinchha.) – A letter is written by her.
2. **Unknown or Irrelevant Subject**: Use passive voice when the subject performing the action is unknown, irrelevant, or implied.
– Example: निर्णय गरिएको छ। (Nirnaya gariyeko chha.) – A decision has been made.
3. **Formal or Academic Writing**: Passive voice is often used in formal or academic contexts where the focus is on the action rather than the subject.
– Example: अनुसन्धान प्रकाशित गरिएको छ। (Anusandhan prakasit gariyeko chha.) – Research has been published.
Common Mistakes and Tips
Common Mistakes
1. **Incorrect Verb Conjugation**: One common mistake is using the wrong verb conjugation in the passive voice. Ensure you use the correct passive verb form based on the tense and aspect.
– Incorrect: पत्र उनी द्वारा लेख्छिन्। (Patra uni dwara lekhchin.) – A letter by her writes.
– Correct: पत्र उनी द्वारा लेखिन्छ। (Patra uni dwara lekhinchha.) – A letter is written by her.
2. **Misplacing “द्वारा” (dwara)**: Another mistake is placing “द्वारा” (dwara) incorrectly in the sentence. It should follow the object and precede the subject.
– Incorrect: उनी पत्र द्वारा लेखिन्छ। (Uni patra dwara lekhinchha.) – She by the letter is written.
– Correct: पत्र उनी द्वारा लेखिन्छ। (Patra uni dwara lekhinchha.) – A letter is written by her.
3. **Omitting the Subject in Passive Voice**: In passive voice, always include the subject after “द्वारा” (dwara) to indicate who performed the action.
– Incorrect: पत्र द्वारा लेखिन्छ। (Patra dwara lekhinchha.) – By the letter is written.
– Correct: पत्र उनी द्वारा लेखिन्छ। (Patra uni dwara lekhinchha.) – A letter is written by her.
Tips for Mastering Active and Passive Voice
1. **Practice Regularly**: The best way to master active and passive voice in Nepali is through regular practice. Write sentences in both voices and check them for accuracy.
2. **Read Nepali Texts**: Reading books, newspapers, and articles in Nepali can help you see how active and passive voices are used in different contexts.
3. **Use Language Learning Apps**: There are several language learning apps that offer exercises and quizzes on Nepali grammar, including active and passive voice.
4. **Engage with Native Speakers**: Conversing with native Nepali speakers can provide you with practical experience and feedback on your use of active and passive voice.
5. **Seek Feedback**: Don’t hesitate to ask for feedback from teachers, language partners, or online communities dedicated to learning Nepali.
Conclusion
Understanding and using active and passive voice correctly is essential for effective communication in Nepali. While active voice is more direct and commonly used, passive voice is useful for emphasizing actions or objects and is often employed in formal contexts. By practicing regularly, reading Nepali texts, and engaging with native speakers, you can master the use of both voices and enhance your overall proficiency in Nepali.
Remember that language learning is a journey, and making mistakes is part of the process. With patience, practice, and persistence, you’ll become more confident in using active and passive voice in Nepali, making your communication more precise and effective. Happy learning!
