Volunteer Language Guide
2007
Volunteer Service in Nepal
VSN Training Guide - Language
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Lesson 1: Introduction, Identification, and Location ...3
Lesson 1: Practical Exercise...... 4
Lesson 2: Useful Nepali Phrases...... 6
Lesson 3: Greeting, Polite Command, Likes/Dislikes, Shopping, Numbers 9
Lesson 3: Practical Exercise...... 11
Lesson 4: Nepali for Orphanage & Teaching English Programme 13
Lesson 5: Colour, Taste, To Have...... 15
Lesson 6: Informal Present, Informal Future, Time...17
Lesson 6: Practical Exercise...... 18
Lesson 7: Informal Past, Feelings/Health Conditions,
Parts of the Body...... 19
Lesson 7: Practical Exercise...... 20
Lesson 8: Comparison, Age, Birthday, Marital Status)..21
Numbers...... 22
Program Specific Language...... 23
LESSON 1:Introduction, Identification, and Location
Vocabulary:
ma=Imero= my
haami=wehaamro=our
tapaai:=you (formal)
tapaai:ko=your (formal)
wahaa:=he/she (formal)
wahaa:ko=his/her (formal)
timi=you (informal)
timro=your (informal)
u=He/she (informal)
usko=his/her (informal)
naam=nameho=is
chha=ishoina=is not
chhaina=is nothajur=yes
hun=arehoinan=are not
baa / bubaa=fatheraamaa=mother
chhoraa=sonchhori=daughter
shrimaan=husbandshrimati=wife pariwaar = family saathi = friend
keTaa saathi=boyfriendkeTi saathi=girlfriend
hajurbaa=grandfather
hajuraamaa=grandmother
daai=older brother
naati=grandson
bhaai= younger brother
naatini=granddaughter
didi= older sister
bahini= younger sister
bidhyaarthi=studentguru=teacher
guruaamaa=teacher (female)
desh=countryaphis=office
gaau:=villagesahar=city/town
jholaa=bagjhyaal=window
saa:cho=keybhui:=floor
taalchaa=lockbhitta=wall
ghaDi=watchmech=chair
chasmaa=glassesTebul=table
kaagaj=paperochhyaan=bed
patrikaa=newspaperchuroT=cigarette
kalam=pensalaai=matches
ghar=house/homejuttaa=shoes
koThaa=roomchappal=sandals
kitaab=bookcharpi=toilet
Dhokaa=doorkhaaT/palang=bed
mainbatti=candlesisi=bottle
mojaa=socksThaau:=place
haat=handchiyaa=tea
paani=water
paaniko sisi=water bottle
kaapi=exercise book
rumaal=towel/handkerchief
ra=andke ?=What
ki=orkahaa: ?=Where
maa=in/at/onkasko ?=Whose
Lesson 1 Practical Exercise:
- Comprehension passage:
Wahaa:ko naam Ram ho .Ramko deshko naam Nepal ho . Ramko ghar Nepalmaa Bistachhapmaa chha .Bistachhap gaau: ho .tyo gaau: dherai raamro chha.
Question:
a)wahaa:ko naam ke ho ?
b)Bistachhap gaau: ho ki sahar ho ?
c)Bistachhap raamro chha ki naraamro chha ?
d)Ramko ghar kahaa: chha ?
e)Ramko deshko naam ke ho ?
- Fill in the blanks with the correct words.
- wahaa:ko ______Emma ho.
- mero naam ______ho.
- Hariko ______Nepalmaa chha.
- Wahaa:ko ghar Canadamaa ______chha.
- mero deshko naam ______ho.
- Fill in the blanks with the correct question words.
- yo ______ho?
- tapaai:ko kaapi ______chha?
- tyo ______jholaa ho?
- wahaa:ko saathiko naam ______ho?
- tapaai:ko saathiko ghar ______chha?
- Correct the following sentences:
- yo kalam chha. ______
- wahaa: naam Paul ho. ______
- tapaai:ko naam John chha. ______
- mero baako naamko Tom ho. ______
- wahaa:ko jholaa bhui: chha. ______
LESSON 2: USEFUL NEPALI PHRASES
Speech:
- pheri bhannus.Please say again.
- bistaarai bhannus.Please say slowly.
- bujhnubhayo?Did you understand?
- bujhe:/bujhina.I understood/did not understand.
- yo/tyo bhaneko ke ho? What does this/that mean?
- ke bhayo?What’s wrong? / What happened?
- thik chhaOkay/alright
- yo/tyo ke ho?What is this/that?
Food:
- alikati/thorai /ali ali dinusPlease give me a little.
- Pugyo?Enough? (Question & answer)
- daalbhaat khaanubhayo?Have you eaten daal bhaat?
- maile khaaisakeI have already eaten.
- ma dherai khaana sakdinaI can’t eat very much.
- malaai dherai bhok laageko chhaina.I’m not very hungry.
- mero peT dukheko chha.I have a stomachache.
- ma maasu khaadina. I don’t eat meat.
- daalbhaat kati baje khaane?What time do we eat daalbhaat?
- miTho chha! Delicious!
- malaai umaaleko paani dinusPlease give me boiled water.
Transportation/Direction:
- (Toilet) kahaa chha? Where is the (toilet)?
- daayaa/baayaa/sidhaa jaanus.Please go right/left/straight.
- roknus/orlanusStop/get down.
- (ek) janaa ko kati paarchha?How much for (one) person?
- ____ jaana kati parchha?How much to go to ___?
- ______khoi?Where is ______?
People in your room/Bedtime:
- malaai thakaai laagyo.I am tired.
- mero dherai kaam chha.I have lots of work to do.
- ma ek chhin sutchhu.I’m going to sleep for a second.
- (sutne) belaa bhayo.It is time to (sleep).
Menstruation (OPTIONAL):
- ma nachhune bhae:I have gotten my period.
- ma ke garne?What do I do?
- ma kahaa: basne?Where do I sit?
Helping with work / Household tasks:
- ma tapaai:laai maddat garna sakchhu?Can I help you?
- tyo kasari garne?How do I do that?
- yo/tyo ke ho?What is this/that?
Age / Marital Status:
- tapaai:ko umer kati barsha bhayo? How old are you?
- mero umer ______barsa bhayo.I am ______years old.
- tapaai:ko bihaa bhaae bhayo?Are you married?
- mero bihaa bhayo/bhaeko chhaina.I am married/not married.
- tapaai:ko bachchaako umer kati barsha bhayo?How old is your child?
Purchasing Goods/Bargaining:
- chaahinchhaI need it.
- chaahi:dainaI don’t need it.
- ______chha/paainchha?Is______available?
- chhaina/paaindainaIt’s not available.
- kati parchha?How much does it cost?
- jammaa kati bhayo?What is the total?
- ali kam garnus.Please reduce the price a little.
- mahango/sastoExpensive/cheap
Personal Safety:
- malaai nachhunus.Please don’t touch me.
- nadhakelnusPlease don’t push.
- ali para jaanus.Please move over a little
- guhaar! guhaar!Help! Help!
LESSON 3:Greeting, Polite Command, Likes/Dislikes, Shopping, Numbers
Vocabulary:
sancho = well (health)pani= also
garnu =to dobanda garnu=to close
hunu =to bekholnu=to open
uThnu =to get upbasnu=to sit/stay
linu =to takekhaanu=to eat
dinu =to givepiunu=to drink/smoke
raakhnu=to put/keepbhannu=to say/tell
jaanu =to gopadhnu =to read/study
aaunu =to comelekhnu=to write
sodhnu =to asksutnu=to sleep
siknu =to learnsikaaunu=to teach
manparnu=to likesunnu=to listen
bhitra=insidemaanchhe=men/people
baahira=outsideangreji=English
tara=butjammaa=total/altogether
maatra=onlynira/najik=near
maathi=up/on/abovetala=down/under
pasal=shopkinnu=to buy
bajaar=marketbechnu=to sell
saahuji =male shopkeepertirnu=to pay
saahuni=female shopkeeperkam garnu=to reduce price
paainchha=availablechaahinchha=is needed
paaindaina=not availablechaahindaina= is not needed
jammaa=totalmaachhaa=fish
chijbij=thingsdudh=milk
churoT=cigarettelugaa=clothes
chini=sugaranDaa=egg
salaai=matcheschiyaa=tea
maasu=meat
phalphul=fruitaa:p=mango
syaau=applekaagati=lemon
keraa=banananariwal=coconut
suntalaa=orangeambaa=guava
an:gur=grapemewaa=papaya
anaar=pomegranate
tarkaari=vegetablekeraau=peas
aalu=potatomulaa=radish
kaauli= cauliflowergolbhe:Daa=tomato gaajar = carrot khorsaani = chilli bhentaa = eggplant
saag=spinach/leafy greens
kun ?=Which
kati ?= How much
kati parchha?=How much does it cost?
Kati bhayo?=What is the total?
kasto ?=How
kati janaa?= How many (people)
ko ?=Who
kati waTaa?= How many (things)
Lesson 3 Practical Exercises:
1. Comprehension Passage
Sitako pasal chha . wahaa:ko pasalmaa dherai chijbij paainchha .chiyaa ,coffee churoT paainchha .ek kap chiyaako paa:ch rupaiyaa: parchha .chiyaa dherai sasto chha .tyo pasalmaa phalphul pani paainchha tara beer ra maasu paaidaina .tyo pasalmaa computer pani paaidaina .
Question
a)Sitako pasalmaa ke ke paainchha ?
b)ek kap chiyaako kati parchha ?
c)Sitako pasalmaa ke paaidaina ?
- Correct the following sentences:
- dash waTaa kalam jholaalaai chha. ______
- Bobko gharmaa paa:ch janaa jhyaal chha. ______
- mero guruko sanchai chha. ______
- kati janaa kaapi bhui:maa chha? ______
- wahaa:ko gharmaa saat janaa koThaa ho. ______
- Complete the following sentences with appropriate imperative verbs:
- mero chiyaamaa chini ______.
- kitaab linus ra wahaa:laai ______.
- kalam ______ra ______.
- Thamelmaa ______ra pizza ______.
- Nepali bhashaa ______ra schoolmaa ______.
- Fill in the gaps with the correct question words.
(kasto, kati waTaa, kati janaa, ke, kahaa) - Tapaai:laai ______chha?
- Wahaa:ko gharmaa ______koThaa chha?
- Tapaai:ko baako naam ______ho?
- Paulko ghar Americamaa ______chha?
- Tapaai:ko pariwaarmaa ______chhan?
- Describe your family and house (number of rooms) in your country.
Lesson 4: Nepali for Orphanage & Teaching English Programme
Vocabulary:
timiyou (informal of tapaai:)
timroyour (informal of tapaai:ko)
u he ( informal of wahaa: )
unishe ( informal of wahaa: )
uskohis/her
______
anaath / Tuhuraa= orphanbistaarai=slowly
anaathaalaya= orphanage chhiTo chhiTo=Fast
bidhyaarthi= student hagaDaa =Fight
bidhyaalaya = Schoolhaat=Hand
keTaakeTi= children mukha= Face / mouth
chhoraa / chhori= son / daughter
keTaa= boyketi=girl
khuTTaa= legcharpi=toilet
haas haas= laughing dishaa= pooh (no.2)
dukhyo= to have painpishaap=pee
saphaa= cleanphohor= dirt / rubbish
maayaa= lovekaam =work
kathaa= storyyaahaa:=here
tyaahaa:= therelugaa=cloth satya = truth ausadhi = medicinejhuTTo = lying chitra = picture kothaa = room aspataal = Hospital biraami = sick
______
gara=dodhou=wash
aau=comejaau=go
khela=playnarou=don’t cry
suna=listenpadha=read
napiTa=don’t beatbhana=tell
uta=sleepnaToka=don’tbite
satya bola=tell truthleu=take
jhuTTo nabola=don’t tell liesdeu=give
nahirkaau=don’t hitlekha=write
chup=be quite nachyaata=don’t cry
phaala=throughlagaau= get dressed
utha=stand up / get up
hallaa nagar=don’t make noise
Lesson 4 Practical Exercise:
- Fill in the gaps
a)timro naam……………… ho ?
b)timro bidhyaalayako ……… Ke ho ?
c)timro dehsko naam ke……………?
d)usko kitaab kahaa: ……………?
e)usko …… kahaa: chha ?
- Give the answer
a)usko deshko naam ke ho ?
b)usko jholaa kahaa: chha ?
c)timro ghar kahaa: chha ?
d)timro aamaako naam ke ho ?
e)timro kothaa kahaa: chha ?
- Make meaningful sentences from the jumbled words.
a)nagara hallaa
b)timro lugaa chha kahaa: ?
c)jaau timro kothaamaa
d)juttaa timro raakha bhui:maa
e)jhagaDaa sanga saathi nagara
LESSON 5: Color, Taste, To Have
Vocabulary:
rang=colorgulaaphi/bi=pink
raato=rednilo=blue
kaalo=blackpahe:lo=yellow
seto=whitekhairo=brown
hariyo=greensuntalaa=orange
pyaaji=purplerangichangi=multicolor
gaaDhaa=darkphikkaa=light
swaad=tasteamilo=sour
guliyo=sweettito=bitter
nunilo=saltypiro=spicy
miTho=tasty/deliciousnamiTho=not tasty
taato=hotchiso=cold
nun=saltchini=sugar
yasko=it’s tyasko=that’s
sanga/sita=withkasari ?=How ?
Lesson 5 Practical Exercise:
- Complete the following sentences with the correct word (sanga, ko):
- tapaai: ______kati janaa bhaai chha?
- ko ______kalam chha?
- ma ______camera chhaina.
- Ram ______dherai mojaa chha.
- ma ______paisaa chhaina.
- Arrange the following sentences in order:
- manparchha khairo malaai lugaa. ______
- mero chha jholaa raato. ______
- sanga nilo kurtaasurwaal chha tapaai:?______
- chha mitho daalbhaat .
- masanga chhaina paisaa .
- Match the following.
tarkaariguliyo
chhini chiso
khursaani taato
kaagati nunilo
Ice-cream piro
Chiyaa amilo
LESSON 6: Informal Present, Informal Future, Time
Vocabulary:
runu=to cryhaa:snu=to laugh
dhunu=to washbanaaunu=to make
nuhaaunu=to bathpakaaunu=to cook
maajhnu= to brush (teeth)khelnu=to play sport/game
chhunu=to touchnaachnu=to dance
maddat garnu=to helppharkanu=to return
lyaaunu=to bringkuraa garnu=to talk
aaja=todayaghi=before
hijo=yesterdaypachhi=after
bholi=tomorrowbajyo=o’clock
parsi= day after tomorrowbaje= at____ o’clock
asti= day before yesterday
ahile=nowbihaana=morning
karib=aboutdiu:so=daytimesamaya = time belukaa = eveningsekenD = second raati = night mineT = minute din = day ghanTaa = hour haptaa = week sawaa = quarter past mahinaa = month saaDhe = half past barsha = year paune = quarter to
aaitabaar=Sundaybihibaar=Thursday
sombaar=Mondayshukrabaar=Friday
mangalbaar=Tuesdaysanibaar=Saturday
budhabaar=Wednesday
kati baje?=At what time?
kati bajyo?= What time is it?
kati din aghi?=How many days ago?
kahile?=When?
Lesson 6 Practical Exercises:
- Correct the following sentences:
- kati ahile bajyo? ______
- ahile dash saaDhe bajyo? ______
- ma bihaana bholi baje aaTh UThne______
- sikne Nepali bhaashaa ma. ______
- Complete the following sentences with the correct verbs:
- ma bholi Kathmandu ______.
- tapaai: aaja belukaa kahaa: ______?
- wahaa: chiyaa pasalmaa ke ______?
- tapaai: Nepali bhaashaa ______.
- tapaai: aaja daalbhaat ______?
- Write down each time in a sentence:
- 3:00 ______
- 6:15 ______
- 8:30 ______
- 3:45 ______
LESSON 7: Informal Past, Feelings/Health Conditions, Parts of the Body
Vocabulary:
Taauko=headmukh=face
khuTTaa=legghaa:Ti=throat
naak=nosechaati=chest
aa:khaa=eyepet=stomach
kaan=eardhaaD=back
gardhan=neckkuhinaa=elbow
kum=shouldertighraa=thigh
paitaalaa=soleau:laa=finger
ghu:Daa=kneehaat=hand
ringaTaa=dizzybhok=hungry
rughaa=colddikka= bored/boring
Dar=afraid/feartirkhaa=thirsty
garmi=hotdukha= unhappy/sad
jaaDo=coldkhushi=happy
nindraa=sleepythakaai= tired/fatigued
khoki= coughramaailo=pleasant
waak waak=nauseousalchhi=lazy
dhukhnu=to have pain
ke bhayo?=What’s wrong?
Disaa laagnu=to have diarrhea
kahile dekhi?=Since when?
Lesson 7 Practical Exercises:
- Complete the following sentences with correct conjugation:
- tapaai:laai gurule Nepali (sikaaunu) ______.
- wahaa:le tapaai:ko kaapi Katelaai (dinu) ______.
- mero kaapi tapaai:le (linu) ______.
- tapaai:le daalbhaat (khaanu) ______.
- Emmale chiyaa (piunu) ______.
- Fill in the gaps appropriately:
- malaai nindraa ______.
- ma ______bhok laageko chhaina.
- mero Taauko ______.
- Johnlaai khoki laageko ______.
- How do you feel when?
- tapaai:le daalbhaat nakhaaeko. ______
- tapaai:le dherai lekheko. ______
- tapaai: raamro nasuteko. ______
- tapaai:le naumaaleko paani khaaeko. ______
LESSON 8: Comparison, Age, Birthday, Marital Status (optional)
Vocabulary:
saano=smallnayaa:=new
Thulo=bigpuraano=old
sundar=beautifultaruno=young
kurup=uglybudho=old (animate)
bideshi=foreignerho:cho= short (height)
swadeshi=nativeaglo=tall
Taadhaa=farsaphaa=clean
najik=nearphohar=dirty
shahar=city/townmahango= expensive
gaau:=villagesasto=cheap
baliyo=strongmoTo=fat
kamjor=weakdublo=thin
dhani=richgarib=poor
umer=ageupahaar=present
barsha=yearjanmadin=birthday
shubha janmadin=Happy Birthday
bihaa/bibahaa=marriage
bhayo=became
prem bihaa=love marriage
milaaunu= to arrange
maagi bihaa=arranged marriage
NUMBERS:
sunya=zeroek=one
dui =twotin=three
chaar=fourpaa:ch=five
chha=sixsaat=seven
aaTh=eightnau=nine
dash=teneghaara=eleven
baarha=twelveterha=thirteen
chaudha=fourteenpandhra=fifteen
sohra=sixteensatra= seventeen
aThaara=eighteenunnaais=nineteen
bis=twentyekaais= twenty-one
baais=twenty-twoteis= twenty-three
chaubis=twenty-fourpachchis= twenty-five
chhabbis=twenty-sixsattaais= twenty-seven
aThaais=twenty-eightunaantis= twenty-nine
tis=thirtypai:tis= thirty-five
chaalis=fortypai:taalis= forty-five
pachaas=fiftypachpanna=fifty-five
saaThThi=sixtypaisaThThi=sixty-five
sattari=seventypachahattar= seventy-five
asi=eightypachaasi= eighty-five
nabbe=ninetypanchaanabbe= ninety-five
saya=one hundredhajaar= one thousand
dash hajaar=ten thousand
laakh = hundred thousand
Basic Nepali Language
Children’s Home
Common Objects
Plate / Plate / Picture / photo / ChitraCup / Kap / cup / Shower / Nuhaaune
Spoon / Chamchaa / Shoes / Juttaa
Bed / Ochhyaan / Clothes / Lugaa
Bedroom / Suthne kothaa / New clothes / Naya lugaa
Roof / Chhaanaa / Mat / Sukul / gundri
Kitchen / Bhaanchhaa / Mattress / Dasanaa / ochhyan
Sink / Haat dhune thaau: / Toilet / Charpi
Tap / Dhaaraa / Window / Jhyaal
Office / Aphis / office / Gate / Get / gate
Chair / Mech / Clothes rack / LugaaKo Daraaj
Cushion / Chakati
Home / School Commands
Please Wash / Dhunus (dhhou) / Please listen / Sunnus (suna)Get Down / Ta:la jharnus (tala jhara) / Please Look / Hernus (hera)
Please go to
classroom / Class maa janus
(class ma jaau) / Please Say / Bhannus (bhana)
Please tidy / Safa garnus (safa gara) / Say again / repeat / Pheri bhannus (bhanna)
Please study / Padhnus (padha) / Please Sit / Bhasnus (basa)
Don’t run / NaDhaudanus (NaDauda) / Please Wait / Parkhanus (parkha)
Come here / YataAaaunus (YataAau) / Did you understand? / Bujhunubhayo? (bujheu?)
Cover your mouth / Timro mukh chhopa (informal) / Very Good / Dherai raamro
Brush your teeth / Timro daa:t maajha (informal) / Please be quite / Chuplaagnus (chuplaaga)
Wash your clothes / Timro lugaa dhou (informal) / One at a time / Ek patakmaa ek jaanaa
Be careful / Hosiyaar hou (informal) / Class is over / Class sidhiyo
Words in brackets are used for children under 10 years
School and Community Maintenance
Tools
Shovel / Shabel / shovel / Hook / AngkuseSpade / Kodaalo / chaade / Nail / Kilaa
Pick / Pik / Drill / Drill
Axe / Bancharo / Wire / Taar
Wheelbarrow / Gaadaa / Wood / Kaath
Gloves / Panjaaa / Bamboo / Baa:s
Paint / Rang / Rice sack / Chaamalko boraa
Paint brush / Rang lagaaune burush / Cement / Simenti / cement
Broom / Kuchcho
Activities
To dig / Khanu / To fix / Marmat garnu / banaaunuGo to work / Kaammaa jaanu / Finished / Sidhiyo
To Paint / Rang lagaaunu / Work / Kaam
Health
General
Needle / Siyo / sui / Lotion / MalamBandage / Bendij / Syringe / Sui
Cream / Kirim/cream / Doctor / Dakter
Medicine / Au:sadhi / Hospital / Aspataal
Feelings
A toothache / Daa:t dhukaai / Diarrhea / Disaa laagyoPain / Dhukaai / Sore / Du:khyo
A cough / Khoki / Itchy / Chilaaeko
Tired / Thakaai / Dizzy / Ringataa
Fever / Jaro / Asthma / Dam
Sick / Biraami
Teaching English
Objects
Book / Kitaab / Colouring book / Rangalagaaune kitaabPen / Kalam / Exercise book / Kaapi
Bag / Jholaa / Paper / Kaagaj
Table / Tebul / table / Crayon / Mainranga
Chair / Mech / Sticker / Sticker
Blackboard / Blackboard / kalopati / Ruler / Rular / ruler
Whiteboard / Whiteboard / setopati / Library / Laaibari / pustakaalaya
Window / Jhyaal / Laboratory / Laboratory / prayogsaalaa
Chalk / Chalk / School / Ishkul / school
Flashcard / Flashcard
Food
Vegetables
Potato / Aalu / Pumpkin / squash / PharsiSpinach / Saag / Corn / maize / Makai
Carrot / Gaajar / Soya bean / Bhatamaas
Peas / Keraau / Coriander / Dhaniyaa:
Cabbage / Bandakopi / Broad ban / Bakullaa
Cauliflower / Kaauli / Eggplant / Bhantaa
Radish / Mulaa / Garlic / Lasun
Tomato / Golbhe:daa / Ginger / Aduwaa
Beans / Simi / Onion / Pyaaj
Fruits
Banana / Keraa / Grapes / AngurApple / Syaau / Mango / Aa:p
Orange / Suntala / Pineapple / Bhui:katahar
Persimmon / Haluwabet
Animal Products
Milk / Dudh / Chicken / KukhuraaBuffalo / Bhai:si / Goat / Baakharaa
Fish / Maachhaa / Beef / Goru ko maasu
Meat / Maasu / Curd / yoghurt / Dahi
Egg / Aandaa
Animals
Goat / Bakharaa / Mosquito / LaamkhutteCow / Gaai / Donkey / Gadhaa
Dog / Kukur / Rat / mouse / Musaa
Cat / Biraalo / Fish / Maachhaa
Buffalo / Bhai:si / Elephant / Haatti
Leopard / Chituwaa / Lice / Jumro (plural = jumraa)
Duck / Haa:s / Leech / Jukaa
Chicken / Kukhuraa / Monkey / Baa:dar
Others