Signification
Exclaiming surprise at something unusual.
Contexte culturel
Surprise is often expressed collectively. If one person says 'Kasto achamma!', others will often chime in with 'Ho ni!' (It is!) to validate the feeling. In the crowded streets of Kathmandu, 'Kasto achamma' is frequently used to comment on traffic or the rapid construction of buildings. In villages, surprise is often linked to nature or visitors. A foreigner speaking Nepali will almost always be greeted with a 'Kasto achamma!' On Facebook and TikTok, 'Kasto achamma' is a common 'clickbait' phrase used in titles to draw viewers to surprising videos.
Use your face!
Nepali is a very expressive language. Wide eyes and a slightly open mouth make 'Kasto achamma!' sound much more authentic.
Don't use with 'Chha'
Avoid saying 'Kasto achamma chha'. It's a common learner mistake that sounds robotic.
Signification
Exclaiming surprise at something unusual.
Use your face!
Nepali is a very expressive language. Wide eyes and a slightly open mouth make 'Kasto achamma!' sound much more authentic.
Don't use with 'Chha'
Avoid saying 'Kasto achamma chha'. It's a common learner mistake that sounds robotic.
The 'Amama' alternative
If you want to sound like a local in a very informal setting, try 'Amama!' instead of 'Kasto achamma!'
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank to complete the exclamation of surprise.
______ अचम्म! तिमीले त सबै काम सिध्याएछौ।
'Kasto' is the correct intensifier for this phrase.
Match the situation with the most appropriate reaction.
You see snow in Kathmandu for the first time in 50 years.
Snow in Kathmandu is a major surprise, making 'Kasto achamma!' the perfect reaction.
Complete the dialogue.
राम: 'मैले आज बाटोमा हात्ती देखेँ।' सीता: '____________! काठमाडौंको बाटोमा हात्ती?'
Seeing an elephant on a city street is surprising, so 'Kasto achamma' fits best.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
3 exercices______ अचम्म! तिमीले त सबै काम सिध्याएछौ।
'Kasto' is the correct intensifier for this phrase.
You see snow in Kathmandu for the first time in 50 years.
Snow in Kathmandu is a major surprise, making 'Kasto achamma!' the perfect reaction.
राम: 'मैले आज बाटोमा हात्ती देखेँ।' सीता: '____________! काठमाडौंको बाटोमा हात्ती?'
Seeing an elephant on a city street is surprising, so 'Kasto achamma' fits best.
🎉 Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, but only if the news is 'strange' or 'unexpected' rather than 'tragic'. For example, a sudden price hike is 'Kasto achamma!', but a death is not.
Yes, it is a neutral phrase. However, in a very formal meeting, you might say 'यो त अचम्मको कुरा हो' (This is a matter of surprise) instead.
'Achamma' is the feeling of surprise. 'Naulo' means something is new or strange. You can say something is 'naulo' which causes 'achamma'.
Add the suffix '-ai' to make it 'अचम्मै!' (Achammai!).
Often, Nepalis will tap their chin or put a hand over their mouth when saying this.
Yes, it is common in stories, news headlines, and informal letters.
In questions, yes. In exclamations, it acts as 'What a...' or 'How...'.
It can function as both, but in this phrase, it acts as the object of the surprise.
There isn't a direct opposite, but 'Sadhai jastai' (As always) implies something was expected.
Yes, it is one of the first exclamations Nepali children learn.
Expressions liées
अचम्म लाग्नु
similarTo feel surprised
छक्क पर्नु
synonymTo be stunned/amazed
नौलो लाग्नु
similarTo feel something is new/strange
अचम्मै
specialized formExtremely surprising
