Signification
Cleaning a place or object
Contexte culturel
Cleaning is often done early in the morning. It is considered bad luck to sweep the floor after sunset as it is believed you are 'sweeping away' the wealth (Laxmi) from the house. Before any puja (worship), the area must undergo 'saphāī'. Often, cow dung and red mud (kamero) were used traditionally to 'clean' and purify the floor of mud houses. Newars have a specific day called 'Sithi Nakha' dedicated to cleaning water sources like wells and stone spouts (dhunge dhara) before the monsoon starts. The 'Bagmati Cleaning Campaign' is a massive weekly volunteer effort to clean the holy but polluted Bagmati river. It has been running for over 500 weeks.
Polite Requests
When asking someone to clean, always use 'garidinu' (to do for me) instead of just 'garnu' to sound polite.
The 'F' sound
Many learners pronounce 'Saphā' with an 'f' sound. In standard Nepali, it's an aspirated 'p' (ph).
Signification
Cleaning a place or object
Polite Requests
When asking someone to clean, always use 'garidinu' (to do for me) instead of just 'garnu' to sound polite.
The 'F' sound
Many learners pronounce 'Saphā' with an 'f' sound. In standard Nepali, it's an aspirated 'p' (ph).
Compound Verbs
Mastering 'Noun + Garnu' like this will help you learn hundreds of other Nepali verbs instantly.
Shoes Off
The best way to keep a house 'saphā' in Nepal is to leave your shoes at the door!
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'saphāī garnu'.
म हरेक बिहान मेरो कोठा ______।
The sentence refers to a daily habit ('harek bihāna'), so the simple present tense 'garchu' is correct.
Which sentence is correct for washing your hands?
Choose the natural Nepali sentence:
For body parts and water-based washing, 'dhunu' is the correct verb.
Match the object with the most appropriate verb.
Match the following:
Rooms are cleaned (saphāī), clothes and hands are washed (dhunu), and mirrors are polished (ṭalkāunu).
Complete the dialogue between a guest and a hotel staff.
Guest: नमस्ते, मेरो कोठा धेरै फोहोर छ। Staff: हस् हजुर, म अहिले नै ______।
'Garidinchu' is the polite way to offer a service to someone else.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
What to 'Saphāī Garnu' vs 'Dhunu'
सफाई गर्नु (Clean)
- • कोठा (Room)
- • टेबल (Table)
- • सडक (Road)
- • कम्प्युटर (Computer)
धुने (Wash)
- • हात (Hands)
- • लुगा (Clothes)
- • तरकारी (Vegetables)
- • कपाल (Hair)
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesम हरेक बिहान मेरो कोठा ______।
The sentence refers to a daily habit ('harek bihāna'), so the simple present tense 'garchu' is correct.
Choose the natural Nepali sentence:
For body parts and water-based washing, 'dhunu' is the correct verb.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Rooms are cleaned (saphāī), clothes and hands are washed (dhunu), and mirrors are polished (ṭalkāunu).
Guest: नमस्ते, मेरो कोठा धेरै फोहोर छ। Staff: हस् हजुर, म अहिले नै ______।
'Garidinchu' is the polite way to offer a service to someone else.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, for teeth, use 'मन्जन गर्नु' (manjan garnu) or 'दाँत माझ्नु' (dānt mājnu).
'Saphā' is an adjective (clean), while 'saphāī' is a noun (cleaning/cleanliness).
In urban areas, 'clean garnu' is very common 'Hinglish/Neplish', but 'saphāī garnu' is the proper term.
You can use 'मज्जाले सफाई गर्नु' (majjāle saphāī garnu) or 'सरसफाई गर्नु'.
No, but in a legal sense, it can mean 'exoneration' or 'clarification'.
The opposite is 'फोहोर गर्नु' (phohor garnu - to make dirty).
Only if you mean 'cleaning them up' (like a child). If you mean 'washing', use 'nuhaunu' (to bathe).
It is neutral. 'Sarasaphāī' is slightly more formal/official.
You say 'मैले सफाई गर्नुपर्छ' (Maile saphāī garnuparcha).
No, for that, you would use 'रित्याउनु' (rityāunu - to empty).
Expressions liées
सरसफाई
similarGeneral sanitation/cleanup
धुवापखाली
specialized formWashing and rinsing
बढारकुँढार
synonymSweeping and tidying
शुद्धीकरण
specialized formPurification
