When learning Nepali, understanding how to express negative past actions is crucial. In English, we use the word “didn’t” to indicate that something did not happen. Knowing how to translate and use “didn’t” in Nepali will help you effectively communicate about past events that didn’t occur. This post will explore the meaning of “didn’t” in Nepali, explain how it is used in sentences, and provide practical examples to enhance your understanding.
What is the Meaning of “Didn’t” in Nepali?
The word “didn’t” in English is translated as “गरेन” (Garena) or “गरेको छैन” (Gareko Chhaina) in Nepali. “गरेन” (Garena) is used to convey that an action was not completed in the past, while “गरेको छैन” (Gareko Chhaina) can also be used to emphasize that something hasn’t been done yet. These forms are essential for expressing negative past actions in Nepali.
Using “Didn’t” in Different Contexts in Nepali
The verb forms “गरेन” (Garena) and “गरेको छैन” (Gareko Chhaina) can be applied in various contexts, depending on the sentence structure. Here are some common usages:
- Expressing What You Didn’t Do
When you want to talk about something you didn’t do, you can use “गरेन” (Garena). For example:
“मैले त्यो काम गरिनँ।” (Maile Tyo Kam Garina.)
Translation: “I didn’t do that work.”
Here,
“मैले” (Maile) means “I”
“त्यो” (Tyo) means “that”
“काम” (Kam) means “work”
“गरिनँ” (Garina) means “didn’t do”
This sentence clearly indicates that the action was not completed.
- Asking About What Someone Else Didn’t Do
To inquire if someone did not do something, you can use in a question. For example:
“तिमीले खाजा किन खाएनौ?” (Timile Khaja Kina Khayenau?)
Translation: “Why didn’t you eat the lunch?”
In this example,
“तिमीले” (Timile) means “you”
“खाजा” (Khaja) means “snack”
“किन” (Kina) means “why”
“खाएनौ” (Khaenau) means “didn’t eat”
This question asks about an action that was not performed.
- Responding to Questions About What You Didn’t Do
When someone asks if you didn’t do something, you can respond with “गरेन” (Garena). For instance:
“हो, मैले त्यो गरिनँ।” (Ho, Maile Tyo Garina.)
Translation: “Yes, I didn’t do that.”
This is a straightforward way to confirm that you did not perform a certain action.
Examples of “Didn’t” in Common Nepali Phrases
Here are some examples to help you understand how “didn’t” is used in everyday Nepali conversations:
- “मैले त्यसलाई भेटिनँ।” (Maile Tyaaslai Bhetina.) – “I didn’t meet him/her.”
- “उसले फोन गर्यो तर मैले उठाइनँ।” (Usle Phone Garyo Tara Maile Uthaina.) – “He/She called, but I didn’t pick up.”
- “तिमीले किन मलाई बोलाएनौ?” (Timile Kina Malai Bolayenau?) – “Why didn’t you call me?”
- “मैले बिहान खाइनँ।” (Maile Bihan Khaina.) – “I didn’t eat in the morning.”
Conclusion
Understanding how to express “didn’t” in Nepali, translated as “गरेन” (Garena) or “गरेको छैन” (Gareko Chhaina), is an important part of mastering the language. Whether you’re explaining what you didn’t do, asking someone about their past actions, or responding to questions, knowing how to use these phrases correctly will enhance your ability to communicate in Nepali.