खाना در ۳۰ ثانیه
- Khana is the standard Nepali word for food and main meals.
- It is used both as a noun (food) and an infinitive verb (to eat).
- In Nepal, it specifically implies a meal of rice, lentils, and curry.
- Asking 'Khana khanu bhayo?' is a common friendly greeting in Nepal.
The word खाना (Khāna) is perhaps the most essential noun in the Nepali language for any beginner. At its most basic level, it translates to 'food' or 'a meal.' However, in the cultural landscape of Nepal, its meaning is far deeper than mere sustenance. It primarily refers to the staple meals of the day—usually lunch and dinner—which almost invariably consist of Dal Bhat Tarkari (lentils, rice, and vegetable curry). When a Nepali person asks if you have had 'Khana,' they are usually specifically referring to this heavy, rice-based meal rather than a light snack or breakfast.
- Daily Rituals
- In Nepal, 'Khana' is typically eaten twice a day: once in the late morning (around 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM) before work or school, and once in the evening (around 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM). Anything eaten outside these times is usually classified as 'Khaja' (snack).
- Social Connector
- The term is a cornerstone of Nepali hospitality. Offering 'Khana' to a guest is the highest form of welcome. It is common to hear the phrase 'Khana khanu bhayo?' (Have you eaten food?) used as a greeting, similar to 'How are you?' in English.
आमाले धेरै मीठो खाना पकाउनुभयो। (Mother cooked very delicious food.)
The word originates from the Sanskrit root 'Khād,' meaning 'to eat.' This linguistic heritage links it to various other Indo-Aryan languages, including Hindi. In Nepali, 'Khana' functions as both a noun (food) and the infinitive form of the verb 'to eat.' Context is key to distinguishing between the two. When used as a noun, it can be modified by adjectives like 'mitho' (delicious), 'poushtik' (nutritious), or 'thore' (little).
मलाई नेपाली खाना मनपर्छ। (I like Nepali food.)
Using खाना (Khāna) correctly requires understanding its role as a direct object in a sentence. Because Nepali follows a Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) structure, 'Khana' usually sits in the middle of the sentence. For example, 'I food eat' (Ma khana khanchu).
- Noun Usage
- When acting as a noun, it can take various postpositions. 'Khana-ma' means 'in the food,' and 'Khana-ko' means 'of the food.' Example: 'Khana-ma nun dherai cha' (There is too much salt in the food).
- Verb vs Noun
- While 'Khana' is the noun, the act of eating is 'Khanu.' However, in casual speech, 'Khana' is often used as the infinitive. To say 'I want to eat food,' you would say 'Ma khana khana chahanchu.'
यो खाना तातो छ। (This food is hot.)
In formal settings, especially when referring to the food of high-status individuals or in a religious context, the word 'Bhojan' might be used instead of 'Khana,' but 'Khana' remains the universal standard for daily life. When you want to describe the quality of the food, you place the adjective before the word: 'Mitho khana' (Tasty food), 'Naram khana' (Soft food).
You will encounter the word खाना in almost every social interaction in Nepal. It is the rhythmic heartbeat of the household. In the morning, the first question often asked by a mother to her children is about 'Khana.' In the workplace, colleagues will ask each other about 'Khana' during the mid-day break.
- In Restaurants (Bhojanalaya)
- When you enter a local 'Bhatti' or 'Bhojanalaya,' the waiter might simply ask, 'Khana khane?' (Will you eat food?), which implies 'Do you want the standard set of Dal Bhat?'
- Festivals and Parties
- During weddings (Bhoj), the host will constantly urge guests to have more 'Khana.' The phrase 'Khana tannai khannu hola' (Please eat plenty of food) is a standard polite expression.
के तपाईंले खाना अर्डर गर्नुभयो? (Did you order the food?)
The word is also prevalent in media and news, especially when discussing 'Khana-pani' (food and water/basic needs) or 'Khadyanna' (food grains). In trekking regions, 'Khana' is the central topic of discussion after a long day of hiking, where 'Khana tayar cha?' (Is the food ready?) becomes the most sought-after information.
English speakers often make a few specific errors when using खाना. The most common is confusing the noun 'Khana' with the verb 'Khanu.' While they look similar, their grammatical functions are distinct.
- Mistake 1: The 'Khana' vs. 'Khaja' Confusion
- Learners often use 'Khana' for any type of food. In Nepal, if you call a small plate of momos 'Khana,' people will correct you and say it is 'Khaja.' 'Khana' is strictly for the main rice-based meals.
- Mistake 2: Missing the Honorifics
- When speaking to elders or respected figures, using 'Khana' is acceptable, but the verb must change to 'Jyunar garnu' (the high-honorific form of eating). Saying 'Hajur-le khana khayo' is grammatically correct but socially blunt.
Incorrect: म खाना हो। (I am food.)
Correct: म खाना खान्छु। (I eat food.)
Another mistake is the pronunciation. The 'kh' is an aspirated sound. If you say 'Kana' (with a hard K), it sounds like 'blind in one eye' or 'ear' depending on the vowel length, which can lead to humorous or confusing situations.
While खाना is the most common word, several alternatives exist depending on the register and the specific type of food being discussed.
- भोजन (Bhojan)
- A formal, Sanskritized word for 'meal' or 'feast.' You will see this on menu cards or in invitations for formal events. It carries a sense of respect and ritual.
- खाजा (Khaja)
- This refers to snacks or tiffin. It is usually eaten in the afternoon. Common khaja includes beaten rice (chiura), noodles, or biscuits.
- आहार (Ahaar)
- This means 'diet' or 'sustenance.' It is used in more academic or medical contexts, such as 'Santulit Ahaar' (balanced diet).
शुद्ध भोजन स्वास्थ्यको लागि राम्रो हुन्छ। (Pure food/meal is good for health.)
In rural areas, you might also hear 'Gras' (a morsel) or 'Sida' (raw food grains given as an offering). Understanding these nuances helps you navigate different social environments in Nepal effectively.
چقدر رسمی است؟
"कृपया भोजन ग्रहण गर्नुहोस्।"
"म खाना खान्छु।"
"खाना खाइस? (Did you eat?)"
"नानु, माम खाने?"
"खाना हान्ने होइन त?"
نکته جالب
In many Nepali dialects, 'Khana' is used as a generic term for 'everything' in the context of survival. If you have 'Khana,' you have everything you need for the day. Interestingly, the word for 'house' (Ghar) and 'food' (Khana) together 'Ghar-Khana' can sometimes refer to domestic life.
راهنمای تلفظ
- Pronouncing it as 'Kana' (without the puff of air).
- Pronouncing the 'n' as a retroflex 'N' (it should be a simple dental 'n').
- Shortening the first 'a' so it sounds like 'Khun'.
- Confusing it with 'Gana' (song).
- Mixing up the vowel length of the final 'a'.
سطح دشواری
Very easy to read; basic characters.
Requires understanding the aspirated 'Kha'.
Simple, but aspiration must be correct.
Very common and easy to recognize.
بعداً چه یاد بگیریم؟
پیشنیازها
بعداً یاد بگیرید
پیشرفته
گرامر لازم
SOV Word Order
Subject (म) + Object (खाना) + Verb (खान्छु).
Ergative Marker '-le'
मैले (I + le) खाना खाएँ।
Honorific Verb Agreement
हजुरले खाना खानुभयो (High honorific).
Postpositions
खानापछि (After food), खानाअघि (Before food).
Adjective Placement
मीठो खाना (Tasty food) - Adjective comes before noun.
مثالها بر اساس سطح
म खाना खान्छु।
I eat food.
Simple present tense: Subject + Object + Verb.
यो खाना मीठो छ।
This food is tasty.
Adjective 'Mitho' modifying the noun 'Khana'.
खाना तयार छ?
Is the food ready?
Interrogative sentence without a question word.
मलाई खाना चाहियो।
I need food.
Use of 'Chahiyo' for 'need' or 'want'.
थोरै खाना खानुहोस्।
Please eat a little food.
Imperative form with 'Khunuhos' (polite).
तातो खाना खानुहोस्।
Eat hot food.
Adjective 'Tato' (hot) before the noun.
खाना कहाँ छ?
Where is the food?
Question word 'Kaha' (where).
राम्रो खाना खानुहोस्।
Eat good food.
Adjective 'Ramro' (good).
मलाई नेपाली खाना धेरै मनपर्छ।
I like Nepali food very much.
Use of 'Manparcha' for liking things.
आजको खानामा के छ?
What is there in today's food?
Postposition '-ma' (in).
हामी सँगै खाना खान्छौं।
We eat food together.
First person plural verb 'Khanchau'.
म खाना पकाउन सक्छु।
I can cook food.
Use of 'Sakchu' for ability.
खाना खानुअघि हात धुनुहोस्।
Wash your hands before eating food.
Postpositional phrase 'Khana-aghi' (before food).
यो होटलको खाना महँगो छ।
This hotel's food is expensive.
Genitive case '-ko' (of).
मलाई धेरै खाना नदिनुहोस्।
Do not give me a lot of food.
Negative imperative 'Nadi-nuhos'.
खाना खाएर म काममा जान्छु।
I will go to work after eating food.
Conjunctive participle 'Kha-era' (having eaten).
मैले अघि नै खाना खाइसकें।
I have already finished eating food.
Perfective aspect with 'Saken'.
तपाईंको घरको खाना साह्रै मीठो रहेछ।
Your home food is surprisingly tasty.
Use of 'Rahecha' for discovered facts.
खाना बनाउन धेरै समय लाग्छ।
It takes a lot of time to make food.
Verb 'Lagnu' used for time consumption.
स्वास्थ्यको लागि सन्तुलित खाना आवश्यक छ।
Balanced food is necessary for health.
Formal adjective 'Awasthyak' (necessary).
हामीले पाहुनालाई खाना खुवायौं।
We fed the guests food.
Causative verb 'Khwayau' (fed).
खाना खेर फाल्नु हुँदैन।
Food should not be wasted.
Modal 'Hun-daina' for prohibition.
के तपाईंलाई शाकाहारी खाना मनपर्छ?
Do you like vegetarian food?
Compound noun 'Shakahari Khana'.
खानाको स्वाद अलि नमिलेको जस्तो छ।
The taste of the food seems a bit off.
Use of 'Jasto cha' for appearance/seeming.
नेपालमा खानाको संस्कृति निकै धनी छ।
The food culture in Nepal is quite rich.
Abstract noun phrase 'Khana-ko Sanskriti'.
गरिबहरूलाई खाना वितरण गरियो।
Food was distributed to the poor.
Passive construction 'Gariyo'.
हामीले अर्गानिक खानालाई प्राथमिकता दिनुपर्छ।
We should give priority to organic food.
Modal 'Dinu-parcha' (should give).
खानाको गुणस्तरमा ध्यान दिनु जरुरी छ।
It is important to pay attention to the quality of food.
Noun 'Gunastar' (quality).
उनले खाना पकाउने कलामा निपुणता हासिल गरे।
He achieved mastery in the art of cooking food.
Complex noun phrase with 'Kala' (art).
बजारमा खानाको मूल्य बढिरहेको छ।
The price of food is increasing in the market.
Continuous aspect 'Badhirayeko cha'.
स्वच्छ खाना र पानी मानिसको मौलिक अधिकार हो।
Clean food and water are fundamental rights of humans.
Compound subject 'Swachha khana ra pani'.
खाना खाँदा कुरा गर्नु राम्रो मानिँदैन।
Talking while eating food is not considered good.
Imperfective participle 'Khanda' (while eating).
खानाको अभावले गर्दा धेरै मानिसहरू कुपोषणको शिकार भएका छन्।
Due to the lack of food, many people have become victims of malnutrition.
Causal phrase 'le garda'.
हाम्रो समाजमा खानालाई देवताको रूपमा पुजिन्छ।
In our society, food is worshipped as a deity.
Passive voice 'Pujincha'.
खानाको सुरक्षा सुनिश्चित गर्न सरकारले नयाँ नीति ल्याएको छ।
The government has brought a new policy to ensure food security.
Infinitive of purpose 'Sunishchit garna'.
सांस्कृतिक विविधताले गर्दा खानाका प्रकारहरूमा पनि भिन्नता पाइन्छ।
Due to cultural diversity, differences are also found in the types of food.
Plural form 'Khana-ka' used for types.
अत्यधिक प्रशोधित खानाले स्वास्थ्यमा गम्भीर असर पुर्याउँछ।
Highly processed food causes serious effects on health.
Adverbial phrase 'Gambhir asar'.
खानाको स्वादभन्दा पनि यसको पौष्टिकता महत्त्वपूर्ण हुन्छ।
The nutrition of food is more important than its taste.
Comparative structure 'bhanda pani'.
परम्परागत खानाको संरक्षण गर्नु हाम्रो दायित्व हो।
It is our responsibility to preserve traditional food.
Infinitive phrase as subject.
खानाको माध्यमबाट हामीले आफ्नो पहिचान झल्काउन सक्छौं।
We can reflect our identity through food.
Instrumental phrase 'Madhyam-bata'.
खानाको दार्शनिक पक्षलाई बुझ्न अध्यात्मको सहारा लिनुपर्छ।
To understand the philosophical aspect of food, one must take the help of spirituality.
Complex abstract nouns.
विश्वव्यापीकरणले गर्दा स्थानीय खानाको मौलिकता हराउँदै गएको छ।
Due to globalization, the originality of local food is gradually disappearing.
Progressive disappearance 'Haraundai gayeko'.
खानाको राजनीतिले गर्दा विकासोन्मुख देशहरू सधैं मर्कामा पर्छन्।
Due to the politics of food, developing countries are always at a disadvantage.
Idiomatic expression 'Marka-ma parnu'.
खानाको उत्पादन र वितरणमा न्यायोचित प्रणालीको आवश्यकता छ।
There is a need for a just system in the production and distribution of food.
Formal vocabulary like 'Nyayochit'.
साहित्यमा खानालाई जीवनको संघर्षको प्रतीकको रूपमा प्रस्तुत गरिएको छ।
In literature, food is presented as a symbol of life's struggle.
Symbolic representation 'Pratik-ko rup-ma'.
खानाको स्वादको विविधता भूगोल र जलवायुमा निर्भर गर्दछ।
The diversity of food's taste depends on geography and climate.
Verb 'Nirbhar gardacha' (depends).
आधुनिक युगमा खानाको उपभोग गर्ने शैलीमा व्यापक परिवर्तन आएको छ।
In the modern era, there has been a widespread change in the style of food consumption.
Noun 'Upabhog' (consumption).
खाना केवल पेट भर्ने माध्यम मात्र नभएर यो एक कला पनि हो।
Food is not just a means to fill the stomach, but it is also an art.
Negative-correlative structure 'matra nabhera... pani'.
ترکیبهای رایج
عبارات رایج
खाना खानु भयो?
खाना तयार छ।
मलाई खाना मनपर्छ।
खाना मीठो भयो।
खाना अलि थप्नुहोस्।
खाना खान मन छैन।
खाना धेरै भयो।
खाना सेलायो।
खाना तातो छ।
खानाको पैसा
اغلب اشتباه گرفته میشود با
Means 'ear' or 'blind in one eye'. The difference is the lack of aspiration on the 'K'.
Means 'song'. The difference is the voiced 'G' versus the unvoiced aspirated 'Kh'.
Means 'snack'. People often use 'Khana' for all food, but 'Khaja' is specifically for light/afternoon meals.
اصطلاحات و عبارات
"मुखमा खाना हाल्नु"
To put food in the mouth; to start eating.
उसले बल्ल मुखमा खाना हाल्यो।
Informal"खानाको नाम सुन्नु"
To hear the name of food; to be interested in eating.
खानाको नाम सुन्ने बित्तिकै ऊ आयो।
Neutral"खाना खानु न पिउनु"
Neither eating nor drinking; to be very busy or worried.
कामको चटारोले उसलाई खाना खानु न पिउनु भएको छ।
Colloquial"खाना फाल्नु"
To throw food; to waste resources.
खाना फाल्नु पाप हो।
Cultural/Moral"नुन खाएको कुखुरो जस्तो"
Like a chicken that ate salt; to be lethargic or sad (often related to food effect).
ऊ आज किन नुन खाएको कुखुरो जस्तो भएको?
Slang/Idiomatic"हातको मैला"
Dirt of the hand; usually refers to money, implying it is fleeting like food/expenditure.
पैसा त के हो र, हातको मैला हो।
Philosophical"खाना पचाउनु"
To digest food; sometimes used to mean 'to handle something difficult'.
त्यो कुरा पचाउन गाह्रो छ।
Metaphorical"पेट भर्नु"
To fill the stomach; to earn enough for survival.
उसले दिनभरि काम गरेर पेट भर्छ।
Neutral"मुख मिठ्याउनु"
To sweeten the mouth; to anticipate a good meal.
मासु देखेपछि उसले मुख मिठ्यायो।
Informal"खानाको लागि मर्नु"
To die for food; to be extremely greedy or hungry.
ऊ त खानाको लागि मरेको जस्तो गर्छ।
Exaggeratedبهراحتی اشتباه گرفته میشود
It is the verb form of 'Khana'.
'Khana' is the substance (food), while 'Khanu' is the action (to eat).
म खाना (food) खान्छु (eat).
It sounds like 'Khana'.
'Khane' is the future-participle or 'to be eaten' form.
के खाने? (What to eat?)
Both mean meal.
'Bhojan' is formal/literary, 'Khana' is everyday.
भोजन तयार छ (Forma
الگوهای جملهسازی
मलाई [Noun] मनपर्छ।
मलाई खाना मनपर्छ।
[Noun] कहाँ छ?
खाना कहाँ छ?
म [Noun] पकाउन सक्छु।
म खाना पकाउन सक्छु।
[Noun] खाएर म [Action] गर्छु।
खाना खाएर म पढ्छु।
मैले [Noun] खाइसकें।
मैले खाना खाइसकें।
[Noun] मीठो रहेछ।
खाना मीठो रहेछ।
[Noun] को गुणस्तर [Adjective] छ।
खानाको गुणस्तर राम्रो छ।
[Noun] को अभावले गर्दा [Result] भयो।
खानाको अभावले गर्दा समस्या भयो।
خانواده کلمه
اسمها
فعلها
صفتها
مرتبط
نحوه استفاده
Extremely High; among the top 50 most used nouns in Nepali.
حفظ کنید
روش یادسپاری
Imagine a **CAN** (Kha-na) of soup. You need that **CAN** to have **FOOD**.
تداعی تصویری
Visualize a giant steaming plate of rice (Bhat) with a label that says 'KHANA' in bright red letters.
شبکه واژگان
چالش
Try to say 'Ma khana khanchu' five times fast without losing the 'h' sound in 'Kha'.
ریشه کلمه
The word 'Khana' originates from the Sanskrit word 'Khādana' (खादन), which refers to the act of eating or chewing. It is a common Indo-Aryan root shared by many languages in the region.
معنای اصلی: The original Sanskrit meaning specifically highlighted the physical process of mastication and consumption.
Indo-Aryan > Sanskrit > Prakrit > Nepali.بافت فرهنگی
Always wash your hands before touching 'Khana' in a traditional setting. Never touch someone else's 'Khana' with your used spoon or hand (Jutho).
English speakers might think 'food' is just 'food,' but in Nepal, 'Khana' is specifically the heavy meal. Don't be surprised if you eat a large pizza and someone still asks, 'Have you had Khana?'
تمرین در زندگی واقعی
موقعیتهای واقعی
At Home
- खाना बन्यो?
- खाना खान आउनुहोस्।
- आजको खाना मीठो छ।
- मलाई थोरै खाना दिनुहोस्।
In a Restaurant
- मेनुमा के खाना छ?
- एक प्लेट खानाको कति हो?
- खाना छिटो ल्याउनुहोस्।
- बिल पाउन सकिन्छ?
Social Greeting
- नमस्ते, खाना खानुभयो?
- अँ, खाएँ।
- छैन, अब खान्छु।
- तपाईंकोमा खाना के पाकेको छ?
Health/Doctor
- कस्तो खाना खाने?
- बाहिरको खाना नखानुहोस्।
- नरम खाना खानुहोस्।
- समयमा खाना खानुहोस्।
Trekking/Travel
- बाटोमा खाना पाइन्छ?
- खानाको लागि कति समय लाग्छ?
- हामीलाई शाकाहारी खाना चाहिन्छ।
- खाना प्याक गरिदिनुहोस्।
شروعکنندههای مکالمه
"तपाईंलाई कुन देशको खाना सबैभन्दा धेरै मनपर्छ? (Which country's food do you like the most?)"
"के तपाईंले आज बिहानको खाना खानुभयो? (Did you eat this morning's meal?)"
"तपाईंको विचारमा सबैभन्दा मीठो खाना कुन हो? (In your opinion, which is the tastiest food?)"
"के तपाईं आफैं खाना पकाउनुहुन्छ? (Do you cook food yourself?)"
"तपाईंलाई नेपाली खानामा के मनपर्छ? (What do you like in Nepali food?)"
موضوعات نگارش
आज तपाईंले खानामा के के खानुभयो? बिस्तारमा लेख्नुहोस्। (What did you eat today? Write in detail.)
तपाईंलाई मनपर्ने खानाको बारेमा एउटा छोटो कथा लेख्नुहोस्। (Write a short story about your favorite food.)
खानाको महत्वको बारेमा आफ्नो विचार व्यक्त गर्नुहोस्। (Express your thoughts on the importance of food.)
यदि तपाईंले एउटा नयाँ प्रकारको खाना बनाउनु पर्यो भने त्यो के हुन्थ्यो? (If you had to make a new type of food, what would it be?)
तपाईंको बाल्यकालको कुनै एउटा खानाको सम्झना लेख्नुहोस्। (Write a memory of a food from your childhood.)
Summary
The word 'Khana' is the heart of Nepali social life; it refers to the essential rice-based meals (Dal-Bhat) and serves as a primary tool for greeting and hospitality. For example: 'Mitho khana' (tasty food).
- Khana is the standard Nepali word for food and main meals.
- It is used both as a noun (food) and an infinitive verb (to eat).
- In Nepal, it specifically implies a meal of rice, lentils, and curry.
- Asking 'Khana khanu bhayo?' is a common friendly greeting in Nepal.
