Signification
Preparing vegetables for cooking.
Contexte culturel
Cutting vegetables is often done while sitting on the floor. This is considered more stable and traditional than standing at a counter. In Newari feasts (Bhoye), the preparation of 'Choila' or 'Kachila' involves very specific ways of cutting meat and vegetables, often done by the men of the family. The 'Chulesi' is a unique tool where the blade is fixed and you move the vegetable against it. It requires a different verb sometimes, but 'tarkari katnu' still covers the action. Modern apartments have counters, so 'tarkari katnu' is now often a standing activity, similar to Western cultures.
Use 'lai' sparingly
While you can say 'Tarkari-lai katnu', it's much more natural to just say 'Tarkari katnu'.
Retroflex T
Make sure to use the retroflex 'T' in 'Katnu'. If you use a dental 'T', it might sound like a different word or just very foreign.
Signification
Preparing vegetables for cooking.
Use 'lai' sparingly
While you can say 'Tarkari-lai katnu', it's much more natural to just say 'Tarkari katnu'.
Retroflex T
Make sure to use the retroflex 'T' in 'Katnu'. If you use a dental 'T', it might sound like a different word or just very foreign.
The 'Na' particle
Add 'na' at the end (Tarkari katnus na) to make your request sound much softer and friendlier.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'katnu'.
म अहिले भान्छामा तरकारी _______ छु।
Since the sentence uses 'अहिले' (now) and the auxiliary 'छु', the continuous form 'काट्दै' is required.
Which sentence is the most polite way to offer help?
Choose the best option:
This uses the 'Shall I help?' structure which is culturally appropriate and polite.
Match the Nepali phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are all essential kitchen-related collocations.
Complete the dialogue.
A: तिमी के गर्दै छौ? B: म _________।
The question is in the present continuous, so the answer must be as well.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Common things you 'Katnu'
Food
- • Tarkari (Veggies)
- • Masu (Meat)
- • Phalphul (Fruit)
Other
- • Kapaal (Hair)
- • Ticket (Ticket)
- • Dori (Rope)
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesम अहिले भान्छामा तरकारी _______ छु।
Since the sentence uses 'अहिले' (now) and the auxiliary 'छु', the continuous form 'काट्दै' is required.
Choose the best option:
This uses the 'Shall I help?' structure which is culturally appropriate and polite.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are all essential kitchen-related collocations.
A: तिमी के गर्दै छौ? B: म _________।
The question is in the present continuous, so the answer must be as well.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsYes, you can say 'pauroti katnu', but 'slice garnu' is also very common in urban areas.
Yes, 'sabji' is borrowed from Hindi and is understood everywhere, but 'tarkari' is the more 'native' Nepali word.
You say 'मैले तरकारी काटिसकेँ' (Maile tarkari katisaken).
Yes, increasingly so! While traditionally a female-dominated task, modern Nepali men frequently help with 'tarkari katnu'.
Expressions liées
तरकारी केलाउनु
similarTo sort or clean vegetables.
तरकारी पकाउनु
builds onTo cook vegetables.
फलफूल काट्नु
similarTo cut fruits.
हात काट्नु
contrastTo cut one's hand.
