Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'Saknu' after the infinitive form of a verb to express ability or possibility.
- Attach 'saknu' to the infinitive (root + -nu) form: 'Garnu' (to do) + 'saknu' = 'Garna saknu' (can do).
- Conjugate 'saknu' based on the subject and tense, not the main verb.
- In negative sentences, place 'na' before 'saknu': 'Garna nasaknu' (cannot do).
Meanings
The verb 'saknu' functions as a modal auxiliary to indicate ability, permission, or the possibility of an action occurring.
Physical/Mental Ability
Expressing that someone has the skill or physical capacity to perform an action.
“Ma tairina sakchu.”
“Uile ramro sanga garna sakcha.”
Permission/Possibility
Indicating that an action is allowed or possible under current circumstances.
“Ke ma bhitra aauna sakchu?”
“Aaja pani parna sakcha.”
Conjugation of 'Saknu' (Present Tense)
| Subject | Root + na | Saknu Form |
|---|---|---|
| Ma | Garna | Sakchu |
| Timi | Garna | Sakchau |
| Tapai | Garna | Saknuhuncha |
| U (masc) | Garna | Sakcha |
| U (fem) | Garna | Sakchhin |
| Hami | Garna | Sakchau |
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | Verb-na + Saknu | Ma garna sakchu |
| Negative | Verb-na + na + Saknu | Ma garna sakdina |
| Question | Ke + Verb-na + Saknu? | Ke ma garna sakchu? |
| Past | Verb-na + Sake | Ma garna sake |
| Future | Verb-na + Saknechu | Ma garna saknechu |
| Respectful | Verb-na + Saknuhuncha | Tapai garna saknuhuncha |
フォーマル度スペクトル
Ma garna saknuhuncha. (General ability)
Ma garna sakchu. (General ability)
Ma garna sakchu. (General ability)
Garna sakinchha! (General ability)
The Saknu Universe
Ability
- Tairina Swim
- Bolna Speak
Permission
- Aauna Come
- Jana Go
Saknu vs Milnu
レベル別の例文
Ma khana sakchu.
I can eat.
Uile garna sakcha.
He can do it.
Ma bolna sakdina.
I cannot speak.
Ke tapai jana saknuhuncha?
Can you go?
Hami nepali bujhna sakchau.
We can understand Nepali.
Ke ma bhitra aauna sakchu?
Can I come inside?
Uile ramro sanga garna sakcha.
He can do it well.
Ma aaja kaam garna sakdina.
I cannot work today.
Yadi maile samaya paye bhane, ma garna saknechu.
If I get time, I will be able to do it.
Tapaile yo garna saknuhuncha.
You can do this.
Aaja pani parna sakcha.
It might rain today.
Maile pahile garna sake.
I was able to do it before.
Yo kaam garna sakinchha bhane, hami garnechau.
If this work can be done, we will do it.
Ke tapai malai sahayog garna saknuhuncha?
Can you help me?
Maile dherai kura sikna sake.
I was able to learn many things.
Uile yo samasya samadhan garna sakcha.
He can solve this problem.
Yadi paristhiti anukul bhaye, hami garna saknechau.
If the situation is favorable, we will be able to do it.
Ke tapai yo garna sakne sambhavana dekhnuhuncha?
Do you see the possibility of being able to do this?
Maile yo garna nasakeko ho.
It is that I was unable to do this.
Yo garna sakine kura ho.
This is a thing that can be done.
Yo garna sakine kura ma kunai sandeh chhaina.
There is no doubt that this can be done.
Uile garna nasakeko bhaye, hami arko garnechau.
If he had been unable to do it, we would do another.
Hami garna sakne sthiti ma chhau.
We are in a position to be able to do it.
Yo garna sakinchha bhannu nai thulo kura ho.
To say that it can be done is a big thing itself.
間違えやすい
Both mean 'can'.
Both are compound verbs.
Both used for potential.
よくある間違い
Ma bolchu sakchu
Ma bolna sakchu
Ma sakchu bolna
Ma bolna sakchu
Ma bolna sak
Ma bolna sakchu
Ma bolna nasakchu
Ma bolna sakdina
Uile bolna saknuhuncha
Uile bolna sakcha
Ma bolna sakne
Ma bolna sakchu
Ke ma bolna sakchu?
Ke ma bolna sakchu?
Maile bolna sake
Maile bolna sake
Yo bolna sakinchha
Yo bolna sakinchha
Ma bolna saknechu
Ma bolna saknechu
Ma bolna sakne bhaye
Ma bolna sakne bhaye
文型パターン
Ma ___ garna sakchu.
Ke tapai ___ saknuhuncha?
Maile ___ garna sake.
Yo ___ sakinchha.
Real World Usage
Ma computer chalauna sakchu.
Garna sakinchha!
Ke tapai malai sahayog garna saknuhuncha?
Ke ma pachi aauna sakchu?
Yo garna sakinchha!
Yo samasya samadhan garna sakinchha.
The '-na' Rule
Respect Levels
Negative Placement
Politeness
Smart Tips
Check if the first one ends in '-na'.
Start with 'Ke' and end with 'saknuhuncha'.
Use 'sake' instead of 'sakchu'.
Always use the respectful form.
発音
Saknu
The 'k' is slightly aspirated.
Question
Ke ma garna sakchu? ↑
Rising intonation at the end indicates a question.
暗記しよう
記憶術
Saknu sounds like 'suck new'—if you can't 'suck new' skills, you can't 'saknu' them!
視覚的連想
Imagine a superhero with a 'S' on their chest. Every time they say 'Saknu', they gain the ability to do something new, like flying or lifting a car.
Rhyme
To show you can, add 'na' to the plan, then 'saknu' is the word for your span.
Story
Ram wants to climb a mountain. He says 'Ma chadhna sakchu' (I can climb). He tries, but it's hard. He says 'Ma chadhna sakdina' (I cannot climb). Finally, he trains and says 'Ma chadhna sake' (I was able to climb).
Word Web
チャレンジ
Write 5 sentences about things you can do in Nepali today.
文化メモ
Using 'saknuhuncha' is crucial when speaking to elders or strangers to show respect.
Saknu is derived from Sanskrit roots related to power and capability.
会話のきっかけ
Ke tapai Nepali bolna saknuhuncha?
Ke tapai malai sahayog garna saknuhuncha?
Ke yo kaam aaja sakina sakinchha?
Ke tapai bholi aauna saknuhuncha?
日記のテーマ
Test Yourself
Ma Nepali bolna ___.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Uile garna saknuhuncha. (Fix for casual)
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
I can go.
Answer starts with: Ma ...
A: Ke tapai aauna saknuhuncha? B: ___.
Use 'garna' and 'saknu'.
Which is most formal?
Score: /8
練習問題
8 exercisesMa Nepali bolna ___.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Uile garna saknuhuncha. (Fix for casual)
sakchu / Ma / garna / bolna / Nepali
I can go.
A: Ke tapai aauna saknuhuncha? B: ___.
Use 'garna' and 'saknu'.
Which is most formal?
Score: /8
よくある質問 (8)
Yes, as long as you use the '-na' form.
Yes, it must match the subject and tense.
Add 'na' before 'saknu'.
Yes, 'sake'.
Ability vs Possibility.
It depends on the conjugation.
Usually because of the '-na' form.
Yes, very common.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Poder
Spanish uses the infinitive directly; Nepali uses the '-na' form.
Pouvoir
French uses the infinitive directly.
Können
German word order is more rigid.
Dekiru
Japanese potential is often a verb conjugation, not a compound.
Istata'a
Arabic is highly inflected.
Neng
Chinese has no conjugation.
