Language/Nepali-individual-language/Vocabulary/Plural-and-Fractional-Numbers
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Introduction[edit | edit source]
Welcome to the lesson on "Plural and Fractional Numbers" in Nepali! This lesson is part of the larger course titled "Complete 0 to A1 Nepali (individual language) Course" and is designed for complete beginners like you. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to confidently use plural and fractional numbers in Nepali conversations and understand their cultural significance. So, let's dive in and explore the fascinating world of Nepali numbers!
Plural Numbers[edit | edit source]
In Nepali, plural numbers are used to express quantities greater than one. They play an important role in everyday conversations, especially when talking about multiple objects or people. Let's take a look at how plural numbers are formed in Nepali.
Forming Plural Numbers[edit | edit source]
To form plural numbers in Nepali, you generally add the suffix "-हरू" (-harū) to the cardinal number. This suffix indicates the plural form. Let's see some examples:
| Nepali (individual language) | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| एक | ek | one |
| एकहरू | ekharū | ones |
| दुई | dui | two |
| दुईहरू | duiharū | twos |
| तीन | tin | three |
| तीनहरू | tinharū | threes |
| चार | cār | four |
| चारहरू | cārharū | fours |
| पाँच | pā̃c | five |
| पाँचहरू | pā̃charū | fives |
As you can see, the "-हरू" (-harū) suffix is added to the end of the cardinal number to indicate the plural form. It's important to note that the suffix "-हरू" (-harū) is gender-neutral and can be used with both masculine and feminine nouns.
Using Plural Numbers[edit | edit source]
Plural numbers are commonly used in Nepali to talk about multiple objects, people, or quantities. Let's look at some examples:
- मेरो घरमा दुईहरू बाल छन्। (Mero gharma duiharū bāl chan.) - There are two children in my house.
- मेरो दाइहरू यहाँ आएका छन्। (Mero dāiharū yahā̃ āekā chan.) - My brothers have come here.
- मेरो साथीहरूले मलाई पाँच रुपैयाँ दिए। (Mero sāthīharūle malāī pā̃c rupaīyā̃ die.) - My friends gave me five rupees.
In these sentences, the plural numbers "दुईहरू" (duiharū), "दाइहरू" (dāiharū), and "साथीहरूले" (sāthīharūle) indicate the presence of multiple children, brothers, and friends respectively.
Fractional Numbers[edit | edit source]
Fractional numbers, also known as fractions, are used to express parts of a whole in Nepali. They are commonly used when dividing something into equal parts or when expressing a ratio. Let's explore how fractional numbers are formed and used in Nepali.
Forming Fractional Numbers[edit | edit source]
To form fractional numbers in Nepali, you use the cardinal number followed by the word "भाग" (bhāg) which means "part" or "fraction". Let's take a look at some examples:
| Nepali (individual language) | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| अर्को भाग | arko bhāg | one part |
| दुई भाग | dui bhāg | two parts |
| तीन भाग | tin bhāg | three parts |
| चार भाग | cār bhāg | four parts |
| पाँच भाग | pā̃c bhāg | five parts |
| छह भाग | chhah bhāg | six parts |
| सात भाग | sāt bhāg | seven parts |
| आठ भाग | āṭh bhāg | eight parts |
| नौ भाग | nau bhāg | nine parts |
| दश भाग | daś bhāg | ten parts |
In these examples, the cardinal numbers are followed by the word "भाग" (bhāg) to indicate the fractional form. For instance, "अर्को भाग" (arko bhāg) means "one part" and "दुई भाग" (dui bhāg) means "two parts".
Using Fractional Numbers[edit | edit source]
Fractional numbers are used in various contexts in Nepali, such as dividing things into equal parts or expressing ratios. Let's see some examples:
- यो पिज्जा तीन भागमा भागिएको छ। (Yo pizzā tin bhāg mā bhāgīeko cha.) - This pizza is divided into three parts.
- बीस प्रतिशत लोगले यस योजनामा सहभागिता गर्नुभयो। (Bīs pratiśat logle yas yojanāmā sahabhāgitā garnubhayo.) - Twenty percent of the people participated in this project.
- तपाईंले त्यो गाडी आठ भागमा बेच्नुहोस्। (Tapāīle tyo gāḍī āṭh bhāg mā bechnuhos.) - You can sell that car in eight parts.
In these sentences, the fractional numbers "तीन भागमा" (tin bhāg mā), "बीस प्रतिशत" (bīs pratiśat), and "आठ भागमा" (āṭh bhāg mā) are used to indicate the division of the pizza, the percentage of participation, and the division of the car respectively.
Cultural Insights[edit | edit source]
Numbers hold cultural significance in Nepali society. In addition to their practical usage, certain numbers are considered lucky or unlucky, and they often play a role in traditional beliefs and rituals. For example, the number "१००" (100) is considered auspicious and is associated with prosperity, while the number "१३" (13) is considered unlucky and is associated with bad luck.
Furthermore, numbers are an integral part of festivals and religious ceremonies in Nepal. During festivals like Dashain and Tihar, people exchange gifts or money in denominations of specific numbers that are considered lucky. For instance, it is common to give money in multiples of "१००" (100) or "१०००" (1000) during these festive occasions.
Exercises[edit | edit source]
Now, let's practice what we have learned! Choose the correct answer for each question below:
1. Which suffix is added to form plural numbers in Nepali? a) -हरू (-harū) b) -ले (-le) c) -को (-ko)
2. How do you say "two parts" in Nepali? a) दुई भाग (dui bhāg) b) तीन भाग (tin bhāg) c) चार भाग (cār bhāg)
3. What does the number "१००" (100) represent in Nepali culture? a) Bad luck b) Prosperity c) Unlucky
4. During which festivals do people exchange gifts in denominations of specific numbers? a) Dashain and Tihar b) Holi and Diwali c) Teej and Bisket Jatra
Answers: 1. a) -हरू (-harū) 2. a) दुई भाग (dui bhāg) 3. b) Prosperity 4. a) Dashain and Tihar
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
Congratulations! You have successfully learned how to use plural and fractional numbers in Nepali. You can now confidently talk about quantities, divide things into parts, and understand the cultural significance of numbers in Nepali society. Keep practicing and exploring the beautiful language of Nepali. Good luck!
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Drinks
- Health
- Days of the Week
- Geography
- Colors
- Clothes
- Greetings and Introductions
- Countries deshhru देशहरू
- Feelings and Emotions
- How to say Good Bye?
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