Signification
Asking someone to wait briefly.
Contexte culturel
The concept of 'Nepali Time' means that 'Ekai chhin' can sometimes be longer than expected. It's a way to keep social interactions stress-free. In the fast-paced capital, 'Ekai chhin' is used rapidly in traffic and shops to manage the high density of people. Saying 'Ekai chhin' is a way to show you care about a guest's needs, even if you are busy with farm work. On social media, 'Ekai chhin' is often used in video captions to build suspense before a reveal.
The 'La' Factor
Always add 'la' at the end when talking to friends. It makes you sound 100% more like a local.
Don't Overuse with Bosses
If you say 'Ekai chhin' too many times to a superior, it might seem like you are procrastinating.
Signification
Asking someone to wait briefly.
The 'La' Factor
Always add 'la' at the end when talking to friends. It makes you sound 100% more like a local.
Don't Overuse with Bosses
If you say 'Ekai chhin' too many times to a superior, it might seem like you are procrastinating.
The Hand Gesture
Pair the phrase with a slight raise of your hand (palm facing the person) for maximum clarity.
Writing Style
In modern texting, you can just write '1 min' but 'ekai chhin' shows better language mastery.
Teste-toi
Complete the sentence to ask a friend to wait politely.
एकै ______ ल, म फोन उठाउँछु।
'Chhin' is the correct word for a brief moment in this context.
Which is the most polite way to ask an elder to wait?
Choose the best option:
'Parkhanuhos' is the high-honorific form of the verb 'to wait'.
Complete the dialogue between a shopkeeper and a customer.
Customer: 'यो सामानको कति पैसा हो?' Shopkeeper: '______ ल, म हिसाब गर्छु।'
The shopkeeper needs a moment to calculate the price.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You are leaving a meeting for 2 minutes to get a file.
This means 'I will be back in a moment'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Formality Levels
Time Units in Nepali
Short
- • सेकेन्ड (Second)
- • छिन (Moment)
- • पल (Instant)
Long
- • घण्टा (Hour)
- • दिन (Day)
- • हप्ता (Week)
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesएकै ______ ल, म फोन उठाउँछु।
'Chhin' is the correct word for a brief moment in this context.
Choose the best option:
'Parkhanuhos' is the high-honorific form of the verb 'to wait'.
Customer: 'यो सामानको कति पैसा हो?' Shopkeeper: '______ ल, म हिसाब गर्छु।'
The shopkeeper needs a moment to calculate the price.
Situation: You are leaving a meeting for 2 minutes to get a file.
This means 'I will be back in a moment'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it with anyone, but pair it with the correct verb (parkha vs. parkhanuhos) to match the formality.
Literally a few seconds, but culturally it can mean up to 5-10 minutes depending on the situation.
No, it's too soft. Use 'Parkha!' or 'Chito!' in emergencies.
The '-ai' in 'Ekai chhin' makes it more emphatic and polite, like 'just a moment' vs 'one moment'.
Not if you say 'Ekai chhin parkhanuhos sir/mam'. Just saying 'Ekai chhin' would be rude.
Yes, it's common in casual or semi-formal emails to say 'I will reply in a moment'.
Yes, but 'Ek pal' is more poetic and less common in daily speech.
You say 'मेरो लागि एकै छिन पर्खनुहोस्' (Mero lagi ekai chhin parkhanuhos).
Use 'एकै छिन' for short waits, and 'केही समय' (kehi samaya) for longer periods.
Young people often just say 'Wait hai' (mixing English) or 'Ekai chhin la'.
'Hai' is a tag question like 'right?' or 'okay?'. It makes the request softer.
No, it's only for time. For a discount, use 'Milayera dinus'.
Yes, very often! It's a staple in romantic songs about waiting for a lover.
It's like the 'ch' in 'cheese' but with much more air pushed out of your mouth.
Expressions liées
एकै छिनमा
specialized formIn a moment
एकै पल
synonymA single moment
छिटो
contrastFast/Quick
बिस्तारै
similarSlowly
पर्खनुहोस्
builds onPlease wait
