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<div class="pg_page_title">Nepali (individual language) Grammar → Verbs and Tenses → Past Tense in Nepali</div>
<div class="pg_page_title">Nepali (individual language) Grammar → Past Tense in Nepali</div>
 
In this lesson, we will explore the '''Past Tense''' in Nepali, an essential aspect of the language that allows us to talk about actions and events that have already occurred. Understanding how to use the past tense will enable you to share your experiences, narrate stories, and engage in conversations about things that have happened in the past.
 
The past tense in Nepali is not only crucial for communication but also offers a glimpse into the culture and everyday life of Nepal. You'll find that expressing past actions can be both simple and intricate, depending on what you want to convey.
 
To structure our lesson effectively, we will cover the following points:
 
1. '''Understanding the Past Tense''': What it is and why it's important.
 
2. '''Formation of the Past Tense''': How to construct past tense sentences.
 
3. '''Examples of Past Tense Usage''': Illustrative examples to clarify the concept.
 
4. '''Exercises''': Practice scenarios to reinforce your understanding.
 
5. '''Solutions and Explanations for Exercises''': Detailed answers to help you learn effectively.


__TOC__
__TOC__


== Introduction ==
=== Understanding the Past Tense ===


In this lesson, we will explore the past tense in Nepali and how it is used in different types of sentences. Understanding the past tense is essential for effective communication in Nepali, as it allows us to talk about actions, events, or states that have already happened in the past. By learning how to use the past tense correctly, you will be able to express yourself more fluently and accurately in Nepali.
The past tense in Nepali is used to describe actions that have been completed. It is essential for recounting experiences, telling stories, and sharing information about past events. In Nepali, the past tense is generally formed by modifying the verb based on the subject's gender and number, as well as the formality of the conversation.  


Throughout this lesson, we will provide comprehensive explanations, numerous examples, and exercises to help you grasp the concept of the past tense in Nepali. We will also delve into cultural aspects related to the usage of the past tense, giving you a deeper understanding of the language and its context within Nepali society.
Here are some key points to remember about the past tense in Nepali:


So let's dive into the fascinating world of the past tense in Nepali!
* It conveys actions that have already occurred.


== Past Tense in Nepali ==
* It has different forms based on the gender (masculine or feminine) and number (singular or plural) of the subject.


The past tense in Nepali is used to indicate actions, events, or states that have already taken place. It is formed by adding specific suffixes to the verb stem, depending on the subject and the tense marker. These suffixes change according to the gender and number of the subject, as well as the tense marker used. Let's explore the formation and usage of the past tense in Nepali.
* The verb endings change accordingly to indicate these aspects.


=== Formation of the Past Tense ===
=== Formation of the Past Tense ===


To form the past tense in Nepali, we generally add the suffix "-यो" ("-yo") to the verb stem. However, when the verb stem ends with a vowel, we add "-य" ("-ya") instead. Let's see some examples:
In Nepali, the formation of the past tense is usually done by changing the verb root with specific suffixes. The basic structure can be broken down as follows:
 
1. '''For masculine singular subjects''', the verb typically ends with "-यो" (yo).
 
2. '''For feminine singular subjects''', it ends with "-यी" (yi).
 
3. '''For plural subjects''', the endings change to "-े" (e) for masculine and "-ी" (i) for feminine.
 
Here's a simple formula to help you construct past tense sentences:
 
* '''Subject + Verb (in past tense form) + Object/Complement'''
 
Let's see some examples to illustrate this.
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
! Nepali (individual language) !! Pronunciation !! English
 
|-
 
| मैले खायो। || Maile khāyo. || I ate.
 
|-
 
| उसले पढ्यो। || Usle paḍhyo. || He studied.
 
|-
 
| उसले खाना खायो। || Usle khānā khāyo. || She ate food.
 
|-
 
| हामीले काम गर्यौं। || Hāmīle kām garyau. || We worked.
 
|-
 
| तिमीले गीत गायौ। || Timīle gīt gāyau. || You sang a song.
 
|-
 
| उनीहरूले तस्वीर बनाएका थिए। || Unīharule tasvīr banā'ēka thie. || They made a picture.
 
|-
 
| मैले चिया पिएँ। || Maile chiyā piyēn. || I drank tea.
 
|-
 
| उनले कुकुरलाई खुवाए। || Unle kukurlā'ī khuvā'ē. || He fed the dog.
 
|-
 
| तपाईंले घर बनाउनु भयो। || Tapā'īle ghar banā'unu bhayo. || You built a house.
 
|-
 
| उनीहरूले क्रिकेट खेल्दा थिए। || Unīharule krikeṭ kheldā thie. || They played cricket.
 
|}
 
=== Examples of Past Tense Usage ===
 
Now that we understand how to form the past tense, let's delve into various contexts where the past tense is used. Here are some examples to illustrate different situations:
 
1. '''Sharing Personal Experiences''':
 
* मैले काठमांडौ घुम्न गएको थिएँ। (Maile Kāṭhmāṇḍau ghumnā gā'ēko thie.) – I had gone to visit Kathmandu.
 
2. '''Talking About Events''':  
 
* हामीले पार्टीमा रमाइलो गर्यौं। (Hāmīle pārṭīmā ramā'ilo garyau.) – We enjoyed the party.
 
3. '''Narrating Stories''':
 
* ऊ बागमती नदीमा तैरिएको थियो। (Ū Bāgmatī nadīmā tairieko thie.) – He had swum in the Bagmati River.
 
4. '''Discussing Past Habits''':
 
* म स्कूल जान्थें। (Ma skūl jānthēn.) – I used to go to school.
 
5. '''Recollecting Memories''':
 
* मैले मेरो बच्चपन सम्झें। (Maile mero bacchapan samjhe.) – I remembered my childhood.
 
6. '''Describing Past Situations''':
 
* त्यो दिन मौसम राम्रो थियो। (Tyō din maūsam rāmrō thie.) – The weather was nice that day.
 
7. '''Expressing Completed Actions''':
 
* उनले किताब पढी। (Unle kitāb paḍhī.) – She read the book.
 
8. '''Talking About Achievements''':
 
* मैले परीक्षा पास गरे। (Maile parīkṣā pās gare.) – I passed the exam.
 
9. '''Describing Events in Past Timeframes''':
 
* हामीले दुई दिन अघि यात्रा गर्यौं। (Hāmīle duī din aghi yātrā garyau.) – We traveled two days ago.
 
10. '''Discussing Family History''':
 
* मेरो दाजु अमेरिका गएका थिए। (Mero dāju Amerikā gēkā thie.) – My brother had gone to America.
 
Let’s compile some more examples to give you a broader perspective on how the past tense is applied in various contexts.
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
! Nepali (individual language) !! Pronunciation !! English
 
|-
 
| मैले फिल्म हेरेँ। || Maile phim hērēn. || I watched a movie.
 
|-
 
| उनले चाँदमा चढे। || Unle chāndmā chaḍhē. || He climbed on the moon.
 
|-
 
| म बगैंचामा बसेको थिएँ। || Ma bagainchāmā basēko thie. || I was sitting in the garden.
 
|-
 
| हामीले बासको लागि तयारी गर्यौं। || Hāmīle bāskō lāgi tayārī garyau. || We prepared for camping.
 
|-
 
| तिमीले म संगै यात्रा गर्यौ। || Timīle ma sangai yātrā garyau. || You traveled with me.
 
|-
 
| उनीहरूले मलाई मद्दत गरे। || Unīharule malā'ī maddat gare. || They helped me.
 
|-
 
| मैले कलेजको प्रथम वर्षमा पढ्न थालेको थिएँ। || Maile kalējō prathama varṣamā paḍhnā thālekō thie. || I had started studying in the first year of college.
 
|-
 
| उसले मलाई चाँदमा चढ्नको लागि प्रेरित गर्यो। || Usle malā'ī chāndmā chaḍhnakō lāgi prērit garyo. || He motivated me to climb the moon.
 
|-
 
| मैले मेरो जन्मदिनको पार्टी आयोजना गरें। || Maile mero janmadinkō pārṭī āyojanā gare. || I organized a birthday party.
 
|-
 
| उनीहरूले पुरानो गाना गाए। || Unīharule purānō gānā gāyē. || They sang an old song.
 
|}
 
=== Exercises ===
 
Now that we've gone through the theory and examples, it's time to put your understanding to the test! Below are some exercises designed to help you practice using the past tense in Nepali.
 
'''Exercise 1''': Fill in the blanks with the correct past tense form of the given verb.
 
1. मैले ___ (खाना) खाएँ।
 
2. उसले ___ (पढ्नु) पढ्यो।
 
3. हामीले ___ (काम) गर्यौं।
 
4. तिमीले ___ (गाउँ) गाए।
 
5. उनीहरूले ___ (किताब) पढे।
 
'''Exercise 2''': Translate the following sentences into Nepali.
 
1. I visited my friend.
 
2. She cooked dinner.
 
3. They played football.
 
4. He traveled to Pokhara.
 
5. We watched a documentary.
 
'''Exercise 3''': Rewrite the following sentences in the past tense.
 
1. म बगैंचामा खेल्दै छु। (I am playing in the garden.)
 
2. ऊ चाँदमा चढ्दै छ। (He is climbing on the moon.)


* खानु (khānu) - to eat
3. हामी फिल्म हेरिरहेका छौं। (We are watching a movie.)
** खायो (khāyo) - ate
* बोल्नु (bolnu) - to speak
** बोल्यो (bolyo) - spoke
* जानु (jānu) - to go
** गयो (gayo) - went
* पढ्नु (paḍhnu) - to read
** पढ्यो (paḍhyo) - read


As you can see from the examples, the suffix "-यो" ("-yo") is added to the verb stem to indicate the past tense. However, it is important to note that this is a general rule, and there are a few irregular verbs in Nepali that have different forms in the past tense. We will cover these irregular verbs later in the lesson.
4. तिमी चिया पिउँदै छौ। (You are drinking tea.)


=== Usage of the Past Tense ===
5. उनीहरू कुकुरलाई खुवाउँदै छन्। (They are feeding the dog.)


The past tense in Nepali is used in various situations to talk about actions, events, or states that have already occurred. Let's explore the different ways the past tense is used in Nepali sentences.
'''Exercise 4''': Create five sentences in the past tense about your day yesterday.


1. Talking about completed actions:
'''Exercise 5''': Match the sentences in English to their Nepali translations.
Example: मैले खाना खायो। (maile khānā khāyo) - I ate food.


2. Narrating past events:
1. I danced at the party.
Example: उनले रातो घोडा खिन्नुभयो। (unalē rātō ghōḍā khinnubhayo) - He rode a red horse last night.


3. Expressing past habits or repeated actions:
a. मैले पार्टीमा नाचें। 
Example: मेरो बाबुले हर दिन उठ्नुहुन्थ्यो। (mērō bābulē har dina uṭhnuhunthyō) - My father used to wake up every day.


4. Referring to past states or conditions:
2. He studied hard.
Example: त्यो पुस्तक पढ्यो। (tyō pustaka paḍhyo) - That book was read.


5. Describing simultaneous past actions:
b. उसले कडा अध्ययन गर्यो। 
Example: मैले खाना खाएर पढ्यो। (maile khānā khāyēra paḍhyo) - I ate and read.


As you can see, the past tense allows us to express a wide range of past actions, events, habits, and states in Nepali. It is a crucial aspect of the language that enables effective communication when talking about the past.
3. They traveled last month.


=== Irregular Verbs in the Past Tense ===
c. उनीहरूले गत महिना यात्रा गरे। 


While most verbs in Nepali follow the general rule of adding the suffix "-यो" ("-yo") to form the past tense, there are a few irregular verbs that have different forms in the past tense. These irregular verbs have unique verb stems and suffixes that need to be memorized. Let's look at some examples:
4. She called me.


* हेर्नु (hērnu) - to see
d. उसले मलाई फोन गर्यो। 
** हेरियो (hēriyo) - saw
* आउनु (āunu) - to come
** आयो (āyo) - came
* हुनु (hunu) - to be
** भयो (bhayo) - was
* जानु (jānu) - to go
** गयो (gayo) - went


These irregular verbs are commonly used in Nepali, and it is essential to familiarize yourself with their unique past tense forms to communicate effectively.
5. We enjoyed the festival. 


== Cultural Insights ==
e. हामीले चाड मनायौं। 


The usage of the past tense in Nepali reflects the culture and history of Nepal. The language has evolved over time, influenced by various factors such as regional dialects, neighboring languages, and historical events. Understanding the cultural context can enhance your learning experience and provide valuable insights into the Nepali language.
'''Exercise 6''': Identify the errors in the following sentences and correct them.


In different regions of Nepal, there may be variations in the usage or understanding of the past tense. Local dialects and accents can influence the pronunciation and verb forms. For example, in some regions, the past tense suffix "-यो" ("-yo") may be pronounced as "-या" ("-ya") or "-ये" ("-ye"). These variations add richness to the language and reflect the linguistic diversity of Nepal.
1. मैले खाना खाई। (I ate food.)


Historically, the Nepali language has been influenced by Sanskrit, the ancient language of Hindu scriptures. The past tense forms in Nepali bear similarities to Sanskrit grammar, which has shaped the language's structure and usage. This connection with Sanskrit gives Nepali a distinct cultural identity and reinforces its ties to ancient traditions.
2. तिमीले किताब पढी। (You read the book.)


Nepal's rich cultural heritage is also evident in the storytelling tradition of the past tense. Folk tales, myths, and historical narratives often use the past tense to transport listeners to a different time and place. By understanding the past tense in Nepali, you can connect with the cultural narratives and appreciate the country's history and traditions on a deeper level.
3. उनले चिया पिएको छ। (She has drunk tea.)


== Exercises ==
4. हामीले पार्टीमा रमाइलो गर्यो। (We enjoyed the party.)


Now that we have covered the formation, usage, and cultural aspects of the past tense in Nepali, it's time to practice what you've learned. Let's do some exercises to reinforce your understanding.
5. ऊ खेलमा जिते। (He won the game.)


Exercise 1: Conjugation
'''Exercise 7''': Write a short paragraph about a memorable event that happened in your life using the past tense.
Conjugate the following verbs in the past tense according to the given subject and gender.


1. गर्नु (garnu) - to do
'''Exercise 8''': Translate the following sentences into English.
* म (ma) (I, male)
* तिमी (timī) (you, informal)
* उनी (unī) (he/she)
* हामी (hāmī) (we)
* तिमीहरू (timīharū) (you, plural/formal)
* उनीहरू (unīharū) (they)


2. खेल्नु (khēlnu) - to play
1. मैले आज बिहान चिया पिएँ।
* म (ma) (I, male)
* तिमी (timī) (you, informal)
* उनी (unī) (he/she)
* हामी (hāmī) (we)
* तिमीहरू (timīharū) (you, plural/formal)
* उनीहरू (unīharū) (they)


Exercise 2: Sentence Formation
2. उसले मलाई चाकु दियो।
Form sentences in the past tense using the given verbs and subjects.


1. Verb: खानु (khānu) - to eat
3. हामीले काठमाडौँ घुम्न गएका थियौं।
Subject: उनीहरू (unīharū) (they)


2. Verb: पढ्नु (paḍhnu) - to read
4. तिमीले राम्रो काम गर्यौ।
Subject: हामी (hāmī) (we)


Exercise 3: Cultural Connection
5. उनीहरूले पुस्तकालयमा अध्ययन गरे।
Think about a historical event or personal experience that you would like to share in Nepali. Write a paragraph using the past tense to describe the event or experience.


== Solutions ==
'''Exercise 9''': Choose the correct past tense form to complete the sentences.


Exercise 1: Conjugation
1. मैले ___ (खाएको / खायो) चिया।


1. गर्नु (garnu) - to do
2. उसले ___ (गएको / गइ) स्कूल।
* म (ma) (I, male) - गर्यो (garyo)
* तिमी (timī) (you, informal) - गर्यौ (garyau)
* उनी (unī) (he/she) - गर्‍यो (garyo)
* हामी (hāmī) (we) - गर्यौं (garyauṁ)
* तिमीहरू (timīharū) (you, plural/formal) - गर्यौ (garyau)
* उनीहरू (unīharū) (they) - गर्‍यौ (garyau)


2. खेल्नु (khēlnu) - to play
3. हामीले ___ (पाएको / पाए) पुरस्कार।
* म (ma) (I, male) - खेल्यो (khēlyo)
* तिमी (timī) (you, informal) - खेल्यौ (khēlyau)
* उनी (unī) (he/she) - खेल्‍यो (khēlyo)
* हामी (hāmī) (we) - खेल्यौं (khēlyauṁ)
* तिमीहरू (timīharū) (you, plural/formal) - खेल्यौ (khēlyau)
* उनीहरू (unīharū) (they) - खेल्यौ (khēlyau)


Exercise 2: Sentence Formation
4. तिमीले ___ (गायको / गाए) गाना।


1. Verb: खानु (khānu) - to eat
5. उनीहरूले ___ (पढेको / पढे) लेख।
Subject: उनीहरू (unīharū) (they)
Sentence: उनीहरूले खाना खायो। (unīharūlē khānā khāyo) - They ate food.


2. Verb: पढ्नु (paḍhnu) - to read
'''Exercise 10''': Create five sentences using the past tense about your family members.
Subject: हामी (hāmī) (we)
Sentence: हामीले पुस्तक पढ्यौं। (hāmīlē pustaka paḍhyaun) - We read books.


Exercise 3: Cultural Connection
=== Solutions and Explanations for Exercises ===
Write a paragraph describing a historical event or personal experience using the past tense.


Example: तिहार त्योहारमा हाम्रा घरमा हामीहरूले बहुतै उत्सव मनाएका थियौं। हाम्रा घरमा तिहारको पहिलो दिन दशैंधा बनाउँथ्यो र हामी बच्चाहरूले तिहारका लागि देउसी खेल्यौं। जस्तैगरी रुतो र फुलपती खेलाउँथ्यो। तिहारको दोस्रो दिन भाई टिका रक्ष्याबन्धनको दिन होतो। हामीले बहिनीहरूलाई टिका लगाइथ्यौं र रक्ष्याबन्धन गर्यौं। यो तिहारमा हाम्रो परिवारमा गरिएको एक राम्रो परम्परा हो। (tihār tyōhārmā hāmra gharma hāmīharūlē bahutai utsava manāēkā thiyaũ. hāmra gharma tihārakō pahilō dina daśaiṁdhā banāunthyō ra hāmī bacchāharūlē tihārakā lāgi deusī khēlyaun̄. jastai garī rutō ra phulpatī khēlāunthyō. tihārakō dōsrō dina bhāī ṭikā rakṣyābandhanakō dina hotō. hāmīlē bahinīharūlāī ṭikā lagāiṭhyaũ ra rakṣyābandhan garyaũ. yō tihārmā hāmro parivārmā gariēkō ēka rāmrō paramparā hō.) - During the Tihar festival, we celebrated many festivities at our home. On the first day of Tihar, we made a Dashain swing, and we children played Deusi and Bhailo. We also played Ruto and Phulpati, just like that. The second day of Tihar is Bhai Tika and Rakshya Bandhan. We applied Tika to our sisters and performed Rakshya Bandhan. This is a beautiful tradition in our family during Tihar.
'''Exercise 1 Solutions''':  


== Conclusion ==
1. मैले खाना खाएँ। (Maile khānā khāēn.) – I ate food.


Congratulations! You have completed the lesson on the past tense in Nepali. You have learned how to form the past tense, its usage in different types of sentences, and gained insights into the cultural aspects related to the past tense in Nepali. Practice using the past tense in your conversations and written exercises to reinforce your understanding. With the knowledge gained from this lesson, you will be able to express yourself more accurately and fluently when talking about the past in Nepali. Keep up the excellent work!
2. उसले पढ्यो। (Usle paḍhyo.) – He studied.


{{Nepali-individual-language-0-to-A1-Course-TOC}}
3. हामीले काम गर्यौं। (Hāmīle kām garyau.) – We worked.
 
4. तिमीले गाउँ गाए। (Timīle gāun gāyē.) – You sang a song.
 
5. उनीहरूले किताब पढे। (Unīharule kitāb paḍhē.) – They read a book.
 
'''Exercise 2 Solutions''':
 
1. मैले मेरो साथीलाई भेटे। (Maile mero sāthīlā'ī bhēṭē.) – I visited my friend.
 
2. उसले रातको खाना पकाएको। (Usle rātkō khānā pakā'ēkō.) – She cooked dinner.
 
3. उनीहरूले फुटबल खेले। (Unīharule phuṭbāl khēlē.) – They played football.
 
4. ऊ पोखरा गयो। (Ū Pokharā gayō.) – He traveled to Pokhara.
 
5. हामीले एक डोक्युमेन्ट्री हेर्यौं। (Hāmīle ēka ḍōkyumēnṭrī hēryau.) – We watched a documentary.
 
'''Exercise 3 Solutions''':
 
1. मैले बगैंचामा खेलें। (Maile bagainchāmā khēlēn.) – I played in the garden.
 
2. ऊ चाँदमा चढ्यो। (Ū chāndmā chaḍhyo.) – He climbed on the moon.
 
3. हामीले फिल्म हेर्यौं। (Hāmīle phim hēryau.) – We watched a movie.
 
4. तिमीले चिया पियौ। (Timīle chiyā piyau.) – You drank tea.
 
5. उनीहरू कुकुरलाई खुवाए। (Unīharu kukurlā'ī khuvā'ē.) – They fed the dog.
 
'''Exercise 4 Solutions''': Responses will vary based on individual experiences.
 
'''Exercise 5 Solutions''':
 
1 - a
 
2 - b
 
3 - c
 
4 - d
 
5 - e
 
'''Exercise 6 Solutions''':
 
1. Correct: मैले खाना खाएँ। (Maile khānā khāēn.) – I ate food.
 
2. Correct: तिमीले किताब पढ्यौ। (Timīle kitāb paḍhyau.) – You read the book.
 
3. Correct: उसले चिया पिई। (Usle chiyā pī.) – She drank tea. (Change "पिएको" to "पिई")
 
4. Correct: हामीले पार्टीमा रमाइलो गर्यौं। (Hāmīle pārṭīmā ramā'ilo garyau.) – We enjoyed the party.
 
5. Correct: ऊ खेलमा जित्यो। (Ū khēlmā jityo.) – He won the game.
 
'''Exercise 7 Solutions''': Responses will vary based on individual experiences.
 
'''Exercise 8 Solutions''':
 
1. I drank tea this morning.
 
2. He gave me a knife.
 
3. We went to visit Kathmandu.
 
4. You did a good job.
 
5. They studied in the library.
 
'''Exercise 9 Solutions''':
 
1. मैले खायो चिया। (Maile khāyo chiyā.) – I drank tea.
 
2. उसले गएको स्कूल। (Usle gayō skūl.) – He went to school.
 
3. हामीले पाएको पुरस्कार। (Hāmīle pā'ēko puraskār.) – We received an award.
 
4. तिमीले गाए गाना। (Timīle gāyē gānā.) – You sang a song.
 
5. उनीहरूले पढे लेख। (Unīharule paḍhē lekh.) – They read the article.
 
'''Exercise 10 Solutions''': Responses will vary based on individual family members.
 
By understanding and practicing these concepts, you will be able to effectively communicate in the past tense in Nepali. Keep practicing, and don't hesitate to refer back to this lesson whenever you need a refresher!
 
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Latest revision as of 16:58, 1 August 2024

◀️ Present Tense in Nepali — Previous Lesson Next Lesson — Future Tense in Nepali ▶️

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Nepali (individual language) Grammar → Past Tense in Nepali

In this lesson, we will explore the Past Tense in Nepali, an essential aspect of the language that allows us to talk about actions and events that have already occurred. Understanding how to use the past tense will enable you to share your experiences, narrate stories, and engage in conversations about things that have happened in the past.

The past tense in Nepali is not only crucial for communication but also offers a glimpse into the culture and everyday life of Nepal. You'll find that expressing past actions can be both simple and intricate, depending on what you want to convey.

To structure our lesson effectively, we will cover the following points:

1. Understanding the Past Tense: What it is and why it's important.

2. Formation of the Past Tense: How to construct past tense sentences.

3. Examples of Past Tense Usage: Illustrative examples to clarify the concept.

4. Exercises: Practice scenarios to reinforce your understanding.

5. Solutions and Explanations for Exercises: Detailed answers to help you learn effectively.

Understanding the Past Tense[edit | edit source]

The past tense in Nepali is used to describe actions that have been completed. It is essential for recounting experiences, telling stories, and sharing information about past events. In Nepali, the past tense is generally formed by modifying the verb based on the subject's gender and number, as well as the formality of the conversation.

Here are some key points to remember about the past tense in Nepali:

  • It conveys actions that have already occurred.
  • It has different forms based on the gender (masculine or feminine) and number (singular or plural) of the subject.
  • The verb endings change accordingly to indicate these aspects.

Formation of the Past Tense[edit | edit source]

In Nepali, the formation of the past tense is usually done by changing the verb root with specific suffixes. The basic structure can be broken down as follows:

1. For masculine singular subjects, the verb typically ends with "-यो" (yo).

2. For feminine singular subjects, it ends with "-यी" (yi).

3. For plural subjects, the endings change to "-े" (e) for masculine and "-ी" (i) for feminine.

Here's a simple formula to help you construct past tense sentences:

  • Subject + Verb (in past tense form) + Object/Complement

Let's see some examples to illustrate this.

Nepali (individual language) Pronunciation English
मैले खायो। Maile khāyo. I ate.
उसले पढ्यो। Usle paḍhyo. He studied.
उसले खाना खायो। Usle khānā khāyo. She ate food.
हामीले काम गर्यौं। Hāmīle kām garyau. We worked.
तिमीले गीत गायौ। Timīle gīt gāyau. You sang a song.
उनीहरूले तस्वीर बनाएका थिए। Unīharule tasvīr banā'ēka thie. They made a picture.
मैले चिया पिएँ। Maile chiyā piyēn. I drank tea.
उनले कुकुरलाई खुवाए। Unle kukurlā'ī khuvā'ē. He fed the dog.
तपाईंले घर बनाउनु भयो। Tapā'īle ghar banā'unu bhayo. You built a house.
उनीहरूले क्रिकेट खेल्दा थिए। Unīharule krikeṭ kheldā thie. They played cricket.

Examples of Past Tense Usage[edit | edit source]

Now that we understand how to form the past tense, let's delve into various contexts where the past tense is used. Here are some examples to illustrate different situations:

1. Sharing Personal Experiences:

  • मैले काठमांडौ घुम्न गएको थिएँ। (Maile Kāṭhmāṇḍau ghumnā gā'ēko thie.) – I had gone to visit Kathmandu.

2. Talking About Events:

  • हामीले पार्टीमा रमाइलो गर्यौं। (Hāmīle pārṭīmā ramā'ilo garyau.) – We enjoyed the party.

3. Narrating Stories:

  • ऊ बागमती नदीमा तैरिएको थियो। (Ū Bāgmatī nadīmā tairieko thie.) – He had swum in the Bagmati River.

4. Discussing Past Habits:

  • म स्कूल जान्थें। (Ma skūl jānthēn.) – I used to go to school.

5. Recollecting Memories:

  • मैले मेरो बच्चपन सम्झें। (Maile mero bacchapan samjhe.) – I remembered my childhood.

6. Describing Past Situations:

  • त्यो दिन मौसम राम्रो थियो। (Tyō din maūsam rāmrō thie.) – The weather was nice that day.

7. Expressing Completed Actions:

  • उनले किताब पढी। (Unle kitāb paḍhī.) – She read the book.

8. Talking About Achievements:

  • मैले परीक्षा पास गरे। (Maile parīkṣā pās gare.) – I passed the exam.

9. Describing Events in Past Timeframes:

  • हामीले दुई दिन अघि यात्रा गर्यौं। (Hāmīle duī din aghi yātrā garyau.) – We traveled two days ago.

10. Discussing Family History:

  • मेरो दाजु अमेरिका गएका थिए। (Mero dāju Amerikā gēkā thie.) – My brother had gone to America.

Let’s compile some more examples to give you a broader perspective on how the past tense is applied in various contexts.

Nepali (individual language) Pronunciation English
मैले फिल्म हेरेँ। Maile phim hērēn. I watched a movie.
उनले चाँदमा चढे। Unle chāndmā chaḍhē. He climbed on the moon.
म बगैंचामा बसेको थिएँ। Ma bagainchāmā basēko thie. I was sitting in the garden.
हामीले बासको लागि तयारी गर्यौं। Hāmīle bāskō lāgi tayārī garyau. We prepared for camping.
तिमीले म संगै यात्रा गर्यौ। Timīle ma sangai yātrā garyau. You traveled with me.
उनीहरूले मलाई मद्दत गरे। Unīharule malā'ī maddat gare. They helped me.
मैले कलेजको प्रथम वर्षमा पढ्न थालेको थिएँ। Maile kalējō prathama varṣamā paḍhnā thālekō thie. I had started studying in the first year of college.
उसले मलाई चाँदमा चढ्नको लागि प्रेरित गर्यो। Usle malā'ī chāndmā chaḍhnakō lāgi prērit garyo. He motivated me to climb the moon.
मैले मेरो जन्मदिनको पार्टी आयोजना गरें। Maile mero janmadinkō pārṭī āyojanā gare. I organized a birthday party.
उनीहरूले पुरानो गाना गाए। Unīharule purānō gānā gāyē. They sang an old song.

Exercises[edit | edit source]

Now that we've gone through the theory and examples, it's time to put your understanding to the test! Below are some exercises designed to help you practice using the past tense in Nepali.

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with the correct past tense form of the given verb.

1. मैले ___ (खाना) खाएँ।

2. उसले ___ (पढ्नु) पढ्यो।

3. हामीले ___ (काम) गर्यौं।

4. तिमीले ___ (गाउँ) गाए।

5. उनीहरूले ___ (किताब) पढे।

Exercise 2: Translate the following sentences into Nepali.

1. I visited my friend.

2. She cooked dinner.

3. They played football.

4. He traveled to Pokhara.

5. We watched a documentary.

Exercise 3: Rewrite the following sentences in the past tense.

1. म बगैंचामा खेल्दै छु। (I am playing in the garden.)

2. ऊ चाँदमा चढ्दै छ। (He is climbing on the moon.)

3. हामी फिल्म हेरिरहेका छौं। (We are watching a movie.)

4. तिमी चिया पिउँदै छौ। (You are drinking tea.)

5. उनीहरू कुकुरलाई खुवाउँदै छन्। (They are feeding the dog.)

Exercise 4: Create five sentences in the past tense about your day yesterday.

Exercise 5: Match the sentences in English to their Nepali translations.

1. I danced at the party.

a. मैले पार्टीमा नाचें।

2. He studied hard.

b. उसले कडा अध्ययन गर्यो।

3. They traveled last month.

c. उनीहरूले गत महिना यात्रा गरे।

4. She called me.

d. उसले मलाई फोन गर्यो।

5. We enjoyed the festival.

e. हामीले चाड मनायौं।

Exercise 6: Identify the errors in the following sentences and correct them.

1. मैले खाना खाई। (I ate food.)

2. तिमीले किताब पढी। (You read the book.)

3. उनले चिया पिएको छ। (She has drunk tea.)

4. हामीले पार्टीमा रमाइलो गर्यो। (We enjoyed the party.)

5. ऊ खेलमा जिते। (He won the game.)

Exercise 7: Write a short paragraph about a memorable event that happened in your life using the past tense.

Exercise 8: Translate the following sentences into English.

1. मैले आज बिहान चिया पिएँ।

2. उसले मलाई चाकु दियो।

3. हामीले काठमाडौँ घुम्न गएका थियौं।

4. तिमीले राम्रो काम गर्यौ।

5. उनीहरूले पुस्तकालयमा अध्ययन गरे।

Exercise 9: Choose the correct past tense form to complete the sentences.

1. मैले ___ (खाएको / खायो) चिया।

2. उसले ___ (गएको / गइ) स्कूल।

3. हामीले ___ (पाएको / पाए) पुरस्कार।

4. तिमीले ___ (गायको / गाए) गाना।

5. उनीहरूले ___ (पढेको / पढे) लेख।

Exercise 10: Create five sentences using the past tense about your family members.

Solutions and Explanations for Exercises[edit | edit source]

Exercise 1 Solutions:

1. मैले खाना खाएँ। (Maile khānā khāēn.) – I ate food.

2. उसले पढ्यो। (Usle paḍhyo.) – He studied.

3. हामीले काम गर्यौं। (Hāmīle kām garyau.) – We worked.

4. तिमीले गाउँ गाए। (Timīle gāun gāyē.) – You sang a song.

5. उनीहरूले किताब पढे। (Unīharule kitāb paḍhē.) – They read a book.

Exercise 2 Solutions:

1. मैले मेरो साथीलाई भेटे। (Maile mero sāthīlā'ī bhēṭē.) – I visited my friend.

2. उसले रातको खाना पकाएको। (Usle rātkō khānā pakā'ēkō.) – She cooked dinner.

3. उनीहरूले फुटबल खेले। (Unīharule phuṭbāl khēlē.) – They played football.

4. ऊ पोखरा गयो। (Ū Pokharā gayō.) – He traveled to Pokhara.

5. हामीले एक डोक्युमेन्ट्री हेर्यौं। (Hāmīle ēka ḍōkyumēnṭrī hēryau.) – We watched a documentary.

Exercise 3 Solutions:

1. मैले बगैंचामा खेलें। (Maile bagainchāmā khēlēn.) – I played in the garden.

2. ऊ चाँदमा चढ्यो। (Ū chāndmā chaḍhyo.) – He climbed on the moon.

3. हामीले फिल्म हेर्यौं। (Hāmīle phim hēryau.) – We watched a movie.

4. तिमीले चिया पियौ। (Timīle chiyā piyau.) – You drank tea.

5. उनीहरू कुकुरलाई खुवाए। (Unīharu kukurlā'ī khuvā'ē.) – They fed the dog.

Exercise 4 Solutions: Responses will vary based on individual experiences.

Exercise 5 Solutions:

1 - a

2 - b

3 - c

4 - d

5 - e

Exercise 6 Solutions:

1. Correct: मैले खाना खाएँ। (Maile khānā khāēn.) – I ate food.

2. Correct: तिमीले किताब पढ्यौ। (Timīle kitāb paḍhyau.) – You read the book.

3. Correct: उसले चिया पिई। (Usle chiyā pī.) – She drank tea. (Change "पिएको" to "पिई")

4. Correct: हामीले पार्टीमा रमाइलो गर्यौं। (Hāmīle pārṭīmā ramā'ilo garyau.) – We enjoyed the party.

5. Correct: ऊ खेलमा जित्यो। (Ū khēlmā jityo.) – He won the game.

Exercise 7 Solutions: Responses will vary based on individual experiences.

Exercise 8 Solutions:

1. I drank tea this morning.

2. He gave me a knife.

3. We went to visit Kathmandu.

4. You did a good job.

5. They studied in the library.

Exercise 9 Solutions:

1. मैले खायो चिया। (Maile khāyo chiyā.) – I drank tea.

2. उसले गएको स्कूल। (Usle gayō skūl.) – He went to school.

3. हामीले पाएको पुरस्कार। (Hāmīle pā'ēko puraskār.) – We received an award.

4. तिमीले गाए गाना। (Timīle gāyē gānā.) – You sang a song.

5. उनीहरूले पढे लेख। (Unīharule paḍhē lekh.) – They read the article.

Exercise 10 Solutions: Responses will vary based on individual family members.

By understanding and practicing these concepts, you will be able to effectively communicate in the past tense in Nepali. Keep practicing, and don't hesitate to refer back to this lesson whenever you need a refresher!

Table of Contents - Nepali (individual language) Course - 0 to A1[edit source]


Nouns and Pronouns


Verbs and Tenses


Adjectives and Adverbs


Negation and Interrogatives


Numbers in Nepali


Words and Phrases


Food and Drinks


Festivals in Nepal


Nepali Society


Nepali Cuisine


Nepali Arts and Crafts


Other Lessons[edit | edit source]



◀️ Present Tense in Nepali — Previous Lesson Next Lesson — Future Tense in Nepali ▶️

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