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A1 adverb 9 min read

कति

Examples कति in 30 Seconds
Explanation कति in your Level:
At the A1 level, 'Kati' is primarily used for basic survival needs. Learners use it to ask for the price of items in a shop ('Yasko kati ho?'), to ask for the time ('Kati bajyo?'), and to ask simple questions about quantity ('Kati ota?' for objects or 'Kati jana?' for people). The focus is on immediate, concrete needs. A1 learners should concentrate on the SOV word order and the essential use of classifiers like 'ota' and 'jana'. It is one of the first five question words any student should learn because it enables basic transactions and social introductions.
At the A2 level, the use of 'Kati' expands to include duration and more complex social inquiries. Learners can ask 'Kati samaya?' (How much time?) or 'Kati bhayo?' (How long has it been?). They begin to use 'Kati' in slightly more abstract ways, such as asking about distance or the degree of a quality. A2 learners also start to recognize the exclamatory use of 'Kati' to express surprise or admiration, such as 'Kati ramro!' (How beautiful!). They should be comfortable using 'Kati' in conjunction with different verbs and nouns in routine daily tasks.
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B1 learners use 'Kati' to discuss more abstract concepts and to participate in more nuanced conversations. They can use 'Kati' to ask about feelings, opinions, or the extent of a problem. They begin to use compound forms like 'Katisamma' (to what extent) and 'Katibela' (at what specific time). At this level, the learner can handle 'Kati' in subordinate clauses and start to understand the difference between 'Kati' and 'Jati' (as much as) in comparative structures. They can also use it to express moderate emphasis in storytelling.
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At the B2 level, 'Kati' is used with greater fluency and idiomatic accuracy. Learners understand the subtle difference between 'Kati' and 'Katipaya' (some/several) and can use 'Kati' to express sarcasm or rhetorical questions. They are familiar with common idioms involving 'Kati' and can use it to describe complex quantities in professional or academic settings. Their pronunciation and intonation reflect the difference between a genuine question and an emphatic statement. They can use 'Kati' to structure arguments about statistics or trends.
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C1 learners possess a sophisticated command of 'Kati,' using it in literary and formal contexts. They understand its etymological roots and can appreciate its use in Nepali poetry and high-level journalism. They can use 'Kati' to express very fine nuances of degree and can navigate complex legal or technical discussions where precise quantification is required. They are adept at using 'Kati' in rhetorical flourishes to engage an audience or to provide a sharp critique. Their use of the word is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker.
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At the C2 level, the learner masters the most obscure and archaic uses of 'Kati' found in classical literature. They can play with the word's sounds and meanings in creative writing and wordplay. They understand the deep cultural underpinnings of why 'Kati' is used in specific social rituals or traditional sayings. For a C2 speaker, 'Kati' is not just a word but a flexible tool that can be stretched to fit any communicative intent, from the most mundane to the most sublime. They can analyze the socio-linguistic variations of 'Kati' across different Nepali dialects.
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Examples

कति in 30 Seconds

  • Kati is the primary Nepali word for 'how much' and 'how many', used in almost every daily transaction.
  • It requires classifiers like 'ota' for objects and 'jana' for people when asking about countable items.
  • Beyond questions, it serves as an exclamation to mean 'so much' or 'how [adjective]!', like 'Kati ramro!'.
  • It is part of a linguistic set including Yati (this much), Teti (that much), and Jati (as much as).
The Nepali word कति (Kati) is one of the most fundamental and versatile interrogative adverbs in the Nepali language. At its core, it functions as the primary way to ask about quantity, amount, degree, or extent. For an English speaker, it translates most directly to both 'how much' and 'how many,' bridging the gap between countable and uncountable nouns which English strictly separates. Whether you are at a bustling local market in Asan, Kathmandu, asking for the price of marigold flowers, or inquiring about the number of siblings someone has, 'Kati' is your indispensable tool. Its usage extends far beyond simple counting; it is used to express surprise, to ask for the time, and to measure abstract concepts like time, distance, and emotion. In the Nepali cultural context, where social interaction and negotiation are central to daily life, mastering 'Kati' allows a learner to navigate the economy of both goods and social relations. It is the starting point for every transaction and the bridge to understanding the scale of the world around you in a Nepali-speaking environment.
Quantity and Count
Used to ask for the specific number of items, such as 'How many apples?' (Kati ota syau?).
Price and Value
The standard way to ask for a price: 'How much does this cost?' (Yasko kati parchha?).
Time and Duration
Used to ask for the time of day or the length of time an event takes.

तपाईंलाई कति चिनी चाहिन्छ? (How much sugar do you need?)

त्यहाँ कति मान्छे छन्? (How many people are there?)

आज कति गते हो? (What is the date today? - literally 'how many date')

अहिले कति बज्यो? (What time is it? - literally 'how much has it struck')

यो घरको कति भाडा हो? (How much is the rent for this house?)

Understanding 'Kati' is more than just learning a word; it is about learning how to measure reality in the Nepali way. In English, we are forced to distinguish between 'much' (uncountable) and 'many' (countable). In Nepali, 'Kati' simplifies this by being the universal quantifier for questions. This simplicity makes it an excellent entry point for A1 learners, but its nuances in idiomatic expressions provide depth for advanced speakers. Whether you are discussing the volume of water in the Bagmati river or the number of mountains in the Himalayas, 'Kati' remains your primary linguistic tool. It is the essence of curiosity in the Nepali language.
Using कति (Kati) correctly involves understanding its placement and the words that typically follow it to specify the nature of the quantity. In a standard interrogative sentence, 'Kati' usually precedes the noun it is quantifying or the verb if it is asking about the degree of an action. For English speakers, the most important rule to remember is that Nepali uses classifiers. While you can say 'Kati dudh?' (How much milk?), for countable items you should say 'Kati ota kalam?' (How many pens?) or 'Kati jana sathi?' (How many friends?). The lack of these classifiers can make your Nepali sound 'thin' or grammatically incomplete to native ears.
Direct Object Inquiry
When asking about the amount of an object: [Object] + कति + [Verb]. Example: 'Tapaile kati bhat khanubhayo?' (How much rice did you eat?)
Price Inquiry
To ask for price: [Item] को + कति + पर्छ? (How much does [Item] cost?). Example: 'Yasko kati parchha?' (How much does this cost?)
Exclamatory Usage
To express intensity: कति + [Adjective]! Example: 'Kati dherai!' (So much/many!) or 'Kati ramro!' (How beautiful!)

तपाईंसँग कति पैसा छ? (How much money do you have?)

त्यहाँ कति वटा कुर्सी छन्? (How many chairs are there?)

पोखरा जान कति समय लाग्छ? (How much time does it take to go to Pokhara?)

In more complex sentences, 'Kati' can be paired with postpositions. For example, 'Katisamma' means 'until how much' or 'to what extent,' and 'Katibela' means 'at what time.' This flexibility allows 'Kati' to adapt to various grammatical roles. When using it in the negative, 'Kati pani' translates to 'not even a bit' or 'not at all,' which is crucial for emphatic denials. Mastering these patterns is essential for moving from basic survival Nepali to more natural, fluent conversation. Remember that in Nepali, the question word often stays close to the verb or the object it modifies, rather than always being at the start of the sentence like in English. This SOV (Subject-Object-Verb) structure means you might say 'You how-much rice eat?' rather than 'How much rice do you eat?'. Practice these structures to sound more like a native speaker.
The auditory landscape of Nepal is filled with the word कति (Kati). If you walk through a local bazaar, the air is thick with the sounds of 'Kati ho?' (How much is it?) as customers negotiate with shopkeepers. It is the heartbeat of commerce in Nepal. Beyond the market, you will hear it in social settings. When meeting someone new, they might ask 'Nepal baseko kati bhayo?' (How long has it been since you've been in Nepal?). This use of 'Kati' to ask about duration is ubiquitous. In the kitchen, a mother might ask her child 'Kati bhat khanchhau?' (How much rice will you eat?), ensuring the portion is just right. On public transport, passengers constantly ask the conductor 'Kati bhada ho?' (How much is the fare?) or 'Kati bajey pugchha?' (What time will it arrive?).
Daily Commute
'Kati' is heard at every bus stop and taxi stand. It's the essential word for navigating transit costs and schedules.
Social Inquiries
Nepalis are communal; they often ask about your family size, age, or stay duration using 'Kati'.
Media and News
On the radio or TV, 'Kati' appears in reports about statistics: 'Kati manchhe marey?' (How many people died?) or 'Kati kharcha bhayo?' (How much was spent?).

दाइ, यो टमाटरको कति हो? (Brother, how much for these tomatoes?)

तपाईंको उमेर कति भयो? (What is your age? - literally 'How much has your age become?')

In songs and literature, 'Kati' takes on a more poetic role. You will hear it in lyrics expressing the depth of love ('Kati maya garchhu' - How much I love you) or the weight of sorrow. It is a word that spans the entire spectrum of human experience, from the mundane calculation of vegetable prices to the profound measurement of the soul's longing. Even in modern digital spaces, 'Kati' is used in social media comments to express admiration: 'Kati ramro photo!' (What a beautiful photo!). Because it is short, punchy, and functional, it is one of the first words a child learns and one of the last ones an old man uses to count his blessings. Pay attention to the tone; a rising intonation usually signals a question, while a falling, elongated intonation often signals an exclamation of wonder or disbelief.
While कति (Kati) is straightforward, English speakers often fall into several common traps when incorporating it into their Nepali. The most frequent mistake is the omission of classifiers. In English, we say 'How many books?', but in Nepali, saying 'Kati kitab?' sounds slightly off. The correct way is 'Kati ota kitab?'. Classifiers like 'ota' (for objects) and 'jana' (for people) are essential companions to 'Kati'. Another common error is using 'Kati' when 'Kun' (which) is more appropriate. For example, asking 'Kati bajey?' (What time?) is correct, but asking 'Kati thau?' when you mean 'Which place?' (Kun thau?) is a mistake.
Classifier Omission
Forgetting to use 'ota' or 'jana'. Incorrect: 'Kati sathi?'. Correct: 'Kati jana sathi?'.
Confusing with 'Kun'
Using 'Kati' for 'Which'. 'Kati' asks about quantity; 'Kun' asks about identity.
Word Order
Placing 'Kati' at the very beginning of the sentence out of habit from English. While often okay, it's more natural to place it after the subject.

Incorrect: कति मान्छे? (Kati manchhe?) - Correct: कति जना मान्छे? (Kati jana manchhe?)

Incorrect: कति दिन भयो? (Actually correct, but sometimes people confuse duration with specific dates).

Learners also struggle with the difference between 'Kati' and 'Kati-kati'. 'Kati' asks for a total amount, while 'Kati-kati' often asks for the specific amounts of individual items in a group. For example, if you are buying different types of fruit, 'Kati-kati ho?' asks for the price of each type. Lastly, avoid using 'Kati' to mean 'When' (Kahile). Though time involves numbers, 'When' is always 'Kahile'. You only use 'Kati' for time when asking 'What time is it?' (Kati bajyo?) or 'How many hours?' (Kati ghanta?). Keeping these distinctions in mind will prevent the most common 'foreigner' mistakes and help you communicate with much greater precision.
Understanding कति (Kati) also requires knowing its 'family' of related words that describe quantity and degree. These words often share the same phonetic base but change their prefix to indicate proximity or specific types of quantity. For example, while 'Kati' is the question, 'Yati' is the answer for 'this much,' and 'Uti' is the answer for 'that much.' Mastering these contrasts is vital for fluid conversation.
Kati vs. Yati
Kati (How much) vs. Yati (This much). Use 'Yati' when pointing to something close by.
Kati vs. Teti
Kati (How much) vs. Teti (That much). Use 'Teti' for something further away or previously mentioned.
Kati vs. Kun
Kati (Quantity) vs. Kun (Identity/Which). Don't confuse 'How many' with 'Which one'.

मलाई यति भए पुग्छ। (This much will be enough for me.)

त्यहाँ कतिपय मान्छेहरू सहमत छैनन्। (Some/Certain people there do not agree.)

Another alternative is 'Kehi,' which means 'some' or 'a few.' While 'Kati' is always a question or an exclamation of intensity, 'Kehi' is a statement of indefinite quantity. For example, 'Kehi manchhe' (Some people). If you want to ask 'How much more?', you would say 'Aru kati?'. If you want to say 'No matter how much,' you use 'Jati sukai'. These variations allow you to express complex thoughts about quantity. For instance, 'Kati-na-kati' is an idiom used to describe something that is quite a lot or significant. By learning 'Kati' alongside its relatives 'Yati,' 'Teti,' 'Uti,' and 'Jati,' you build a complete spatial and quantitative map of the Nepali language. This system of prefixes (K-, Y-, T-, U-, J-) is a recurring pattern in Nepali pronouns and adverbs (like Kahile, Yahile, Tahile), so mastering it here will pay dividends across your entire vocabulary.

Fun Fact

The root of 'Kati' is so ancient that it shares a common ancestor with the English word 'quantity' and 'quota'. When you ask 'Kati?' in Kathmandu, you are using a sound that has been used to ask about amounts for over 3,000 years.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈkʌti/
US /ˈkʌti/
The stress is slightly on the first syllable 'Ka-'.
Rhymes With
Rati (Night) Mati (Soil/Mind) Jati (Caste/As much as) Yati (This much) Tati (Hot - informal) Pati (Husband/Board) Gati (Speed/Fate) Sati (Chaste woman/Historical practice)
Common Errors
  • Aspirating the 'K' (sounding like 'Khati').
  • Using a hard English 'T' (alveolar) instead of the soft Nepali 'T' (dental).
  • Pronouncing the 'a' like the 'a' in 'cat' instead of 'cut'.
  • Elongating the 'i' too much in a question.
  • Dropping the final 'i' sound.
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Examples by Level

1

यो कलमको कति हो?

How much for this pen?

Simple price inquiry using 'Kati ho'.

2

अहिले कति बज्यो?

What time is it now?

Standard phrase for asking the time.

3

तपाईंसँग कति पैसा छ?

How much money do you have?

Using 'Kati' with an uncountable noun like money.

4

कति जना साथी छन्?

How many friends are there?

Using the classifier 'jana' for people.

5

कति वटा स्याउ चाहिन्छ?

How many apples are needed?

Using the classifier 'ota' for objects.

6

यो कति टाढा छ?

How far is this?

Asking about distance.

7

तपाईंको उमेर कति हो?

How old are you?

Asking about age.

8

कति भयो?

How much is it? (Total)

General inquiry about a total amount.

1

नेपाल बसेको कति समय भयो?

How long has it been since you lived in Nepal?

Asking about duration.

2

कति राम्रो घर!

What a beautiful house!

Exclamatory use of 'Kati'.

3

तपाईं कति भात खानुहुन्छ?

How much rice do you eat?

Asking about quantity of food.

4

यो बाटो कति लामो छ?

How long is this road?

Asking about length.

5

कति पटक जानुभयो?

How many times did you go?

Asking about frequency.

6

आज कति गते हो?

What is the date today?

Asking for the date.

7

त्यहाँ कति गर्मी छ?

How hot is it there?

Asking about intensity of weather.

8

कति दुध हालूँ?

How much milk should I pour?

Using 'Kati' in a question about action.

1

तपाईंलाई कतिसम्म थाहा छ?

To what extent do you know?

Using 'Katisamma' for extent.

2

कति धेरै काम बाँकी छ!

So much work is left!

Emphasis on quantity.

3

कति बेला आउनुहुन्छ?

At what time will you come?

Asking for a specific time point.

4

कति दुखको कुरा!

What a sad thing!

Exclamatory use for abstract concepts.

5

यो काम गर्न कति खर्च लाग्छ?

How much expense does it take to do this work?

Asking about abstract costs.

6

तपाईं कति छिटो दौडन सक्नुहुन्छ?

How fast can you run?

Asking about speed/degree.

7

कतिपय मानिसहरू यस्तो सोच्छन्।

Some people think like this.

Using the related word 'Katipaya'.

8

कति न कति ठूलो कुरा!

Such a big deal! (Sarcastic)

Idiomatic sarcastic usage.

1

तपाईंले कति मेहेनत गर्नुभयो, मलाई थाहा छ।

I know how much hard work you did.

Relative clause usage.

2

कति पैसा भए पुग्छ त?

How much money would be enough then?

Conditional inquiry.

3

कतिन्जेल पर्खने हो?

How long are we to wait?

Asking about indefinite duration.

4

कति अच्चमको कुरा भयो!

What an amazing thing happened!

Complex exclamatory structure.

5

कति थोरै समयमा कति धेरै प्रगति!

So much progress in such a short time!

Juxtaposition for emphasis.

6

कति नै पो गाह्रो होला र?

How difficult could it really be?

Rhetorical question with particles.

7

कति पनि चिन्ता नगर्नुहोस्।

Do not worry at all.

Negative emphasis 'Kati pani'.

8

कतिपय अवस्थामा यो सही हुनसक्छ।

In some situations, this might be correct.

Formal use of 'Katipaya'.

1

कति गहिरो छ यो प्रेम, शब्दमा भन्न सकिन्न।

How deep this love is, cannot be said in words.

Literary/Poetic usage.

2

कतिपय बौद्धिक वर्ग यसमा सहमत छैनन्।

Some intellectuals do not agree with this.

Formal academic tone.

3

कतिसम्मको लापरवाही हो यो?

What level of negligence is this?

Critical rhetorical inquiry.

4

कति नै मूल्य होला र मानवीय संवेदनाको?

What price can there be for human sensitivity?

Philosophical rhetorical question.

5

कति-कति बेला त मलाई पनि डर लाग्छ।

At various times, even I feel afraid.

Repeated form for frequency.

6

कतिन्जेलसम्म यो अन्याय सहने?

How much longer must this injustice be endured?

Political/Social inquiry.

7

कतिपयले यसलाई क्रान्ति भन्छन्।

Some call this a revolution.

Subjective reporting.

8

कति मिठो धुन!

What a sweet melody!

High-level aesthetic appreciation.

1

कति विशाल छ यो सृष्टि, हाम्रो कल्पना भन्दा बाहिर।

How vast is this creation, beyond our imagination.

Metaphysical usage.

2

कतिपय सन्दर्भमा इतिहास दोहोरिन्छ।

In certain contexts, history repeats itself.

Historical analysis.

3

कतिन्जेलसम्मको यात्रा हो यो जीवन?

What kind of duration is this journey called life?

Existential inquiry.

4

कति नै पो रहेछ र मान्छेको चोला?

How fleeting is the human life-span after all?

Philosophical idiom.

5

कतिपय सूक्ष्म कुराहरू बुझ्न समय लाग्छ।

It takes time to understand some subtle things.

Nuanced observation.

6

कति-कति कुराहरू त मनमै रहन्छन्।

So many things just remain in the heart.

Poetic repetition.

7

कतिसम्मको धैर्यता चाहिन्छ यसको लागि?

How much patience is required for this?

Inquiry into virtue.

8

कति भव्य समारोह!

What a grand ceremony!

Formal exclamation.

Common Collocations

कति बज्यो?
कति पर्छ?
कति भयो?
कति राम्रो
कति वटा
कति जना
कति टाढा
कति धेरै
कति पटक
कति समय

Common Phrases

कति हो?

— The simplest way to ask for a price or total. It is used in shops, taxis, and restaurants.

दाइ, यो कति हो?

कति भयो?

— Asks for a total amount or how much time has passed. Very common in social and commercial contexts.

काम सुरु गरेको कति भयो?

कति-कति?

— Used when asking for individual prices or amounts of multiple items. Helps clarify distinct costs.

यी सामानको कति-कति हो?

कति सम्म?

— Asks for a limit or extent. Can refer to price ('up to how much?') or distance.

तपाईं कति सम्म तिर्न सक्नुहुन्छ?

कति बेला?

— Asks for the specific time an event will happen. More specific than just 'when'.

तपाईं कति बेला फ्री हुनुहुन्छ?

कति मिठो!

— An exclamation of delight regarding taste or sound. Very common when eating.

आहा, कति मिठो खाना!

कति गाह्रो!

— An exclamation expressing that something is very difficult or troublesome.

यो बाटो कति गाह्रो!

कति छिटो!

— Expresses surprise at how fast something happened or is moving.

समय कति छिटो जान्छ!

कति धेरै!

— Used to express that there is a large quantity of something, often with a tone of surprise.

कति धेरै मान्छे आएका!

कति थोरै!

— Expresses surprise at how small a quantity is.

कति थोरै पैसा दिएको!

Idioms & Expressions

"कति न कति"

— Used sarcastically to imply that something is being treated as more important or larger than it actually is.

उसले कति न कति काम गरे जस्तो गर्छ।

Informal/Sarcastic
"कति पनि"

— Used with a negative verb to mean 'not at all' or 'not even a little bit'.

मलाई कति पनि भोक लागेको छैन।

Neutral
"कति-कति"

— Used to suggest a vast, almost uncountable variety or number.

त्यहाँ त कति-कति कुराहरू छन्।

Neutral
"कतिन्जेललाई"

— Asking for how long a certain state or condition will last, often with a sense of weariness.

कतिन्जेललाई यो दुख सहने?

Neutral
"कति सम्मको"

— Used to question the extreme degree of a negative quality, like stupidity or laziness.

कति सम्मको मुर्खता हो यो?

Colloquial
"कति नै"

— Used to minimize an amount, implying it is very small or insignificant.

यो कति नै ठूलो कुरा हो र?

Neutral
"कति हो कति"

— An idiom meaning 'countless' or 'beyond measure'.

आकाशमा ताराहरू कति छन् कति।

Literary/Poetic
"कति खेर"

— Asking about a sudden or unexpected point in time.

कति खेर आएछ, पत्तै भएन।

Informal
"कति भन्नु"

— A phrase used when one is tired of repeating the same thing.

उसलाई कति भन्नु, टेर्दै टेर्दैन।

Colloquial
"कति बाटो"

— Often used to refer to a long, arduous journey.

कति बाटो हिँड्नु पर्ने हो!

Neutral

Word Family

Adjectives

Related

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Word Origin

Derived from the Sanskrit word 'कति' (kati), which has the same meaning of 'how many' or 'how much'. It is a cognate with Latin 'quot' and Greek 'posos'.

Original meaning: How many, how much, in what number.

Indo-Aryan family, stemming from Vedic Sanskrit.
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Related Content

This Word in Other Languages

किती Marathi
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