The most important vocabulary to know during your trip in Nepal
Unless you’re really good with languages, you won’t have the time during a trip to Nepal to learn more than the basics. So if you want to chat away, you’ll be pleased to know English will do.
Nepali is the Official Language
Fortunately English is widely spoken across Nepal. Nepali is the official language, spoken by most of the population. Even if basic words and sentences may be easy enough to pronounce and learn, you won’t be able to master the language or hold long conversations. But do try to learn how to greet people and how to count in Nepali. The Nepalese will love that you’re making the effort. It shows that you care and that you are sincere. Don’t be afraid to practise; no one minds if you make mistakes or if your pronunciation isn’t perfect. A few tips include – learning to roll your R’s, that U is pronounced OU and ‘aï’ sounds like ‘eye’.
Speak in English
If you are finding it hard to grasp Nepali, don’t think your trip to Nepal is going to be a linguistic nightmare. Lots of different tongues are spoken in Nepal. For example, you may know some Newari, Tibetan, Bhojpuri or Maithili. You can always use this trip to practise these. But be assured that English is taught to kids in Nepal the moment they start school. Apart from very remote villages, everyone speaks English in Nepal. So as an English speaker you’ll be fine…though it could be fun to learn some of the local tongues! It could certainly make for an even more enjoyable trip. Obviously, you’ll find a very good level of English in tourist areas.
Basic expressions / Common Words
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Usa
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Népali
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Good morning / Good evening
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Namaste
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How are you?
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San tché tcha ?
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Fine, thank you, and you?
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Malai sanchai chha, tapai ?
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I understand / I don’t understand
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Mabujhchu / Maile bujhina
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Sorry
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Birsi dinu
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Goodbye
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Namaste
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Welcome
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Namaste
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Thank you (very much)
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N’existe pas en Népali
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Excuse me
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Hajur
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My name is…
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Mero naam… ho
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No thank you
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Hoïna
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Yes / No
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Ho / Hoïna
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You’re welcome
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Kehi / Timila’i svagata cha
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Commerce
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Usa
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Népali
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How much is it?
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Kati ?
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It is very cheap
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Sasto
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It is too expensive!
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Mahango
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Can you lower the price?
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Tapa’iṁ mulya kama garna sakchan ?
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I would like to buy … this one!
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Kinnunuparyo
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I like it / I don’t like it
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Malai yo ramro lagyo / Malai yo ramro lagena
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Money
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Paisa
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I’m just looking around.
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Ma sirpha khojiraheko chu
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Transportation
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Usa
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Népali
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I would like to go to …
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Ma… ma janchhu
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Plane
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Hwaaï-dzahaadz
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Boat
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Nau
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Train
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Rela
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Taxi
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Tyakhsi
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Bus
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Bus
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I would like to rent …
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Ma kira’e cahanuhuncha
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Motorbike
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Moṭarasa’ikala
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Car
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Gaadi
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Bike
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Ba’ika
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Directions
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Usa
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Népali
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Where is …? / How can I get to …?
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Kaha ? / …Kolagi kati paisa lagchha ?
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Bank
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Baink
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Train station
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Rela sṭeśana
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Centre
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Śahara
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Hotel
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Hotel
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Hospital
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Aspatāla
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Is it close / far?
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Yahabatake nire chha ? Yahabatake tadha chha ?
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Straight ahead
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Sidha
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Left / Right
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Baya / Daya
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North / South / East / West
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Uttara / Daksina / Cha / Kaham cha
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Numberssieben, acht, neun, zehn
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Usa
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Népali
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one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten
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Ek, dui, tin, char, panch, chha, sat, ath, nau, das
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twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, sixty
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Bis, tis, chalis, pachas, sathi
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seventy, eighty, ninety
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Sattari, asi, nabbe
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One hundred
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Ek say
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Hours/Dates and daysDienstag, Mittwoch, Donnerstag, Freitag, Samstag, Sonntag
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Usa
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Népali
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What time is it?
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Koti bodié ?
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When?
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Jaba ?
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Yesterday
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Hijo
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Today (morning/midday/evening)
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Aja (bihaana / diuso / saanjh)
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Tomorrow
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Bholi
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Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
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Sombar, mangal bar, budhbar, bihibar, sukrabar, sanibar, aitabar
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I am here on vacation
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Ma hum chhutti / yaatraa
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I am here for business
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Ma hum kama
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Time to eat!
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Usa
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Népali
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I am hungry / I am thirsty
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Malaaï boglagyo / Malaaï tirkha lagyo
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Enjoy
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Āphnō khānākō majā
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Cheers!
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Svāsthya !
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It was delicious
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Mitho tcha
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What can you recommend?
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Tapā’īṁ kē siphārisa garchan ?
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I am vegeterian
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Ma sahkahari hun
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Not spicy please (I don’t like spices)
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Ma piro khandina
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It’s too hot
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Garam !
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I am allergic
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Ma ēlarjī chu
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Sea food
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Samudrī
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Peanuts
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Badāma
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Gluten
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Lasa
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I would like…
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Ma cāhanchu
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Water
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Pānī
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Tee / Coffee
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Chiya / Kaphī
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Beer / Wine
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Biyar / Raksī
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Health / Emergency / Security
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Usa
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Népali
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I need to see a doctor.
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Ramro daktar kaha paincha
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Call an ambulance / Call 911
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Daktar laibolaunuhos
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Where is the hospital?
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Yaha aspatal kaha chha ?
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I do not feel very good
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Malai sancho chhaina
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It hurts here
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Ma yaham cōṭa
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Where can I find the restrooms?
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Shaucha laya kaha chha
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Help!
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Guhar !
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Police
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Prahari
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Danger
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Khatara
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I’m lost
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Ma haraye
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Other
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Usa
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Népali
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Have a nice day !
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Rāmrō dina !
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