Nepali Question Words in Transliteration: What and Who
This short Nepali transliteration guide covers three useful basics: the standalone question word meaning “what,” the different word meaning “who,” and a complete question meaning “What is this?”. Use the first for an unidentified thing, the second for a person, and the complete sentence when pointing at an object.
Start with these expressions
| English | Transliteration | Native script |
|---|---|---|
| What | ke | के |
| Who | ko | को |
| What is this? | yo ke ho? | यो के हो? |
Choose the question word by what you are identifying
Start with the meaning you need. The standalone word for “what” asks you to identify a thing, while the standalone word for “who” asks you to identify a person. They are different question words, so do not substitute one for the other. The dictionary gives the first word as “what” and includes the complete question meaning “What is this?” [1] It gives the second as “who” or “whom,” with a separate example meaning “Who is that?” [2]
There is also a practical difference between a vocabulary item and a full question. If you are memorising question-word meanings, the standalone entries are useful building blocks. If you are pointing at an unfamiliar object in a family home, classroom or shop, use the complete question supplied for “What is this?” It includes the reference to “this” and the verb needed to make a finished question, rather than leaving you with only the meaning “what.”
A quick check works well: object or thing means choose the “what” item; person means choose the “who” item; pointing at an object and asking for its identity means choose the complete question. This guide intentionally stays with these supported basics rather than claiming to cover every Nepali question word.
[1] Source: dsal.uchicago.edu.
[2] Source: dsal.uchicago.edu.
Try it
You are pointing at an unfamiliar object and want to ask, “What is this?” Which Nepali expression should you use?
Choose your answer before reading on.
Check your answer:
Use expression 3 in the table above.
Choose the complete-question expression because the situation asks for a finished sentence about an identified object. The standalone “what” item gives the question-word meaning, but it does not by itself express the full question about “this.”
Cover the English meanings in the phrase table. Point to three objects around you and practise the complete question; then look at a person and switch to the separate question word for “who.”
Practise speaking with Bhol. Learn words and sentences written in English letters.
