Are you going to Nepal for a business trip or tour? Then you must know about general greetings in Nepali. Nepal is a South Asian country with its own culture, norms, and traditions. If someone knows how to greet properly according to one’s values, it makes a nice impression.
The greetings are the first impression, and as we remember the first impression is the last. So, make a strong impact. Does the question arise of how to learn useful greetings in Nepali? Going through this article, you can easily start a conversation with Nepali residents.
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What Are The Common Ways Of Greetings In Nepali?
When we want to welcome someone or meet with someone, we say hello or hi generally. So, learn these basic terms and phrases if you are soon visiting the country or meeting a Nepali friend or colleague. Learn how to say hi in Nepali with the most common way of saying your greetings: Namaste.
1. नमस्ते (Namaste)
/ नमस्कार
Pronunciation: /ˈnʌməsteɪ/
English translation: Hello or Hi
In Nepali culture, people usually say namaste to their elders instead of hello. When a person meets an unknown person, he/she used to say namaste (hello). It is their religious practice. If someone does not obey this practice, he/she is considered disobedient. Namaste (hello) is not used formally.
2. नमस्कार (Namaskar)
Pronunciation: /naməˈskɑː/
English translation: Hello or Hi
Namaskar is one of the formal greetings in Nepali. Namaskar (hello) is often said to someone in a meeting. Namaskar is an excellent degree of namaste. Usually, you can say Namaskar (hello) in business deals, in front of the boss or the person with authority.
3. शुभ रात्री
Pronunciation: Śubha rātrī
English Translation: Good night
Phrases like good night or you can say Subha raati, could help you in making communication pleasant. It will create affection and make relationships firm with Nepali people.
4. शुभ – प्रभात
Pronunciation: Śubha – pra – bhāta
English translation: Good morning
Starting your morning with a Subha-Prabhat will cherish the mood of your peers. You could enjoy the company of that peer virtually the whole day.
5. अलविदा
Pronunciation: Alavidā (goodbye)
English translation: Goodbye
You say goodbye or Alavidā if you or anyone else leaves. Greetings in Nepali with good terms at the end of the journey make a profound impact on someone. Though it’s a goodbye, a Nepali wants to meet you again if you talk to them in their style.
6. भाग्यले साथ दिओस्
Pronunciation: Bhāgyalē sātha di’ōs
English translation: Good luck
Good luck greetings in Nepali sounds like Bhāgyalē sātha di’ōs. It could maxim your energy. Nepali wishes good luck to someone through this phrase.
7. शुभ सन्ध्या
Pronunciation: Śubha sandh yā
English Translation: Good evening
Someone who arrives home usually says Śubha sandhyā to greet his family. It will make their mood happy, and they spend their remaining day with pleasure.
8. तपाईंलाई कस्तो छ?
Pronunciation: kastō cha?
English Translation: How are you?
After greeting (namaste/namaskar), we should ask about the wellness of one. Kasto Cha means “how are you?” Asking someone about someone’s health makes him feel good. Also, it will create an image of selflessness and self-centeredness.
9. म ठिक छु
Pronunciation: Ma ṭhika chu
English translation: I’m fine.
Ma ṭhika chu is the answer to kasto cha. It means I’m fine. When you say to someone “how are you?” in the Nepali lang, he/she usually replies with Ma ṭhika chu. Also, in return, that person will reply to you ”how are you?” to ensure your health. Exchanging these phrases shows good manners.
10. धन्यवाद
Pronunciation: Dhan-ya-vaad
English Translation: Thank you
Dhanybhad means thank you. The word thank you is used frequently in greetings in Nepali. It’s a symbol or gesture that you admire one’s efforts. When you motivate someone for good deeds, it sparks a positive attitude.
More Phrases Used For Greetings In Nepali
The language has a vast and deep cultural sense. So, to survive as a native, you must grasp more greetings in Nepali to mix up with the people of Nepal. Don’t know where to practice? Use the Ling app on the Play Store or App Store and use the AI chatbot for your daily learning exercises.
मैले भुझीना
मैले भुजे
Pronunciation: Maile Bhujhina/Maile Bhujhe
English translation: I don’t understand / I understand.
Maile bhujhina means I don’t understand. Nepali use these phrases in the local language when they don’t get anything and Maile bhujhe when they understand. If someone has learned these phrases, communication will be accessible and more understandable.
तिम्रो नाम के हो
Pronunciation: Timrō nāma kē hō
English translation: What is your name?
Timro Naam Ke Ho usually asked strangers to know their names. Ke Ho means “what is,” and Timro means “your.” From this question, we identify the name of that person. It keeps the communication going and makes it more friendly.
मेरोनाम
Pronunciation: Mero Naam
English translation: My name is
Answer to a question like timro Nama ke ho is mero naam. Communication is more convenient if you know the name of the person you are talking to.
On every occasion, you have to use your name (mero naam) to make an affiliation. Thus, you can say, mero naam _ ho.
माफ गर्नुहोस्
Pronunciation: ha-joor or Mā-fa garnuhōs
English translation: Excuse me or Sorry
To get the attention of someone, use the word hajur. It is viewed as good manners. This action (hajur) gives an elegant expression.
Sorry is also included in this category. Words similar to “excuse me” or hajur are apology phrases and are also used to create attention. Sometimes we face difficulty and opt for mistakes. So, say hajur or Māpha garnuhōs (I am sorry) to help you in these situations.
फेरी भेटेनिया
Pronunciation: Pheri Bhetaunla
English translation: I hope we meet again.
Pheri bhetaunla is a wishing phrase. It gives the feeling of respect, empathy, and affiliation. Pheri Bhetaunla, promote your relationship with Nepalis. Pheri creates an enticing feel.
Nepali Words And Phrases To Use For Starting Conversations
Here you can get translations of the most relevant expressions and words, which can be used for greetings in Nepali. So, if you are traveling to Nepal, this is exactly what you need!
त्यो
Pronunciation: Tyō
English translation: That
Tyo, is a word that you may use in many places. Determining someone or some sought of food or anything. Tyo, make your communication easy.
कसरी
Pronunciation: Kasarī
English translation: How
Kasto means used to ask about the condition or quality of something. For instance, How are you? How does it work? “How” is used as a greeting when you are meeting someone you know. But it is usually just a friendly way of talking, and the speaker does not expect a detailed story of health. “Hi John, how are you?” ”I’m fine, thanks.”
होईन
Pronunciation: Hō’īna
English translation: No
Hoina is used most often. In many conditions, you have to say होईन (hoina) to avoid worse conditions.
All these greetings in Nepali help you a lot in your business meetings or family trips. Communication plays a crucial role in winning hearts, so if you want to go anywhere, you must learn the basics of greetings. See you next time!
Updated by: CJ