Are you excited to leave for your fun journey to the beautiful landlocked country of Nepal? Well, I’m pretty sure you have packed all your adorable clothes, camera, shoes, and snacks to rock the streets and your Instagram profile. But hold on! Did you give in some time to learn a few words in the Nepali language? If not, this blog is just the right place to learn Nepali common vocabulary and some basic phrases before your exhilarating trip!
Whenever we travel, we never forget to pack all the fancy stuff but always miss out on learning the native language skills. Learning some Nepali words like Hello- नमस्ते, Good morning- शुभ – प्रभात, etc., is the actual key to a happy trip. It will help you connect with the Nepali people and avoid confusion and language barriers once you reach the country.
Thus, learning a few Nepali vocabulary will not harm you but only make your already exciting trip even more stress-free and smooth sailing. Want to learn more? Continue reading and discover all the basic words you need!
Page Content
- Is The Nepali Language Hard To Learn?
- Nepali Common Vocabulary: Essential Greeting Words
- Different Essential Nepali Words
- Other Important Common Nepali Words
- Must Know Nepali Phrases For Travelers
Is The Nepali Language Hard To Learn?
You must be wondering if it is worth your time to learn Nepali words before your trip and whether it is even possible to learn in such a short time. Below are some points you should go through to clear your head and get your questions answered.
The Nepali language is no doubt a complex language to learn. It has unusual alphabetical structures and strong Sanskritic touch to its script, which makes it hard to read and write. However, it is only valid if you are entirely unaware of the Sanskritic world. If you know languages like Hindi, then learning Nepali would be a piece of cake for you. They both use the same vowel and consonant and even sound the same.
Nevertheless, even for someone who is entirely new to the language, it is not impossible to grasp Nepali. Moreover, it is not about becoming a pro-Nepali speaker in just a single night. With proper guidance like this blog post and many more practice sessions, there is an unlimited possibility of becoming an average speaker even before your trip. Thus, you must go ahead with the common Nepali words and other basic Nepali phrases you will encounter in this article.
Lastly, if you are still wondering, the most important reason is to find peace during your trip. Being a foreigner to a country where people love their language and traditions, language barriers can become a hurdle. So, knowing the widely spoken language will only bring smiles on your trip and the faces of the locals who love foreigners who try to speak their language. So, I recommend you keep reading ahead, learn the basic pronunciations of common Nepali words, and make your Nepal trip memorable!
Nepali Common Vocabulary: Essential Greeting Words
When it comes to learning a new language, the first thing we need to go through is the essential greeting words. So, in this section, we will learn all the critical greeting words and phrases with proper translations that will help you communicate with new people while visiting Nepal. Later on, we will discover more common words under different categories to improve your skills. Let’s begin!
1. Hello! – नमस्ते [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]नमस्ते [/Speechword]
The first word that we need to know is नमस्ते. It is pronounced as Namastē and is similar to the Hindi version of saying Hello. No matter where you go, greeting hello is the first significant push that gives birth to a conversation. So, to make yourself comfortable with the Nepali locals, Namastē is a must-know word for you.
2. How Are You? – तिमीलाई कस्तो छ? [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]तिमीलाई कस्तो छ?[/Speechword]
The next essential greeting phrase is तिमीलाई कस्तो छ?- Timīlā’ī kastō cha? It is always polite to ask how the other person is doing before you start talking about your concerns. This is especially true in tourist areas where before you ask for help, you should first greet and say Timīlā’ī kastō cha? It will make the person feel comfortable and allow them to help you without hesitating.
3. Good Morning – शुभ – प्रभात [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]शुभ प्रभात[/Speechword]
Apart from Hello, शुभ – प्रभात- Śubha – prabhāta is another fascinating and polite way of starting a conversation with someone new. Especially if you are going for a morning walk in Nepal, make sure you wish the locals a nice शुभ – प्रभात to make their morning better with a smile. Older people will mainly love you for your kindness.
4. Good Night – शुभ रात्री [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]शुभ रात्री[/Speechword]
What do you say when the scenario is not morning but night? शुभ रात्री- Śubha rātrī is your word. Similar to the previous word, you can use Śubha rātrī when you are willing to wish someone a good sleep at night before going to bed.
5. Have A Good Day – तिम्रो दिन शुभ रहोस् [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]तिम्रो दिन शुभ रहोस्[/Speechword]
Nothing can be nicer of you as a newcomer to the country than saying तिम्रो दिन शुभ रहोस् to someone. It is pronounced as Timrō dina śubha rahōs, and you must memorize it and use it with your new friends to impress them with your skills and to receive an equally warm response.
6. My Name Is…- मेरो नाम… [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]मेरो नाम[/Speechword]
When it comes to introducing yourself for the first time, you will need the phrase मेरो नाम…- mero naam… Even if it’s not a regular introductory meeting with someone, you must know this phrase being a foreigner as you would have to use it constantly. From asking for help from someone to airport security counters, common phrases like this always come in handy.
7. See You Again – फेरि भेटौला [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]फेरि भेटौला[/Speechword]
Again, when you are done conversing with the locals, and you are about to leave, the best way to send them off is by saying फेरि भेटौला- Phēri bhēṭaulā. It will leave an impression that you are eager to meet them again, and such an attitude will help you get a friendlier response from the locals making the trip even more enjoyable. Although an English speaker is not absent in the country, keeping the personal interest of the locals, the language, tradition, and culture alive will only make things more interesting for you.
Different Essential Nepali Words
Now that you know some of the essential greeting words and phrases, below are some lists of common words under different categories. Continue reading these to become even more fluent in the language and enhance your vocabulary.
Household Vocabulary
| English | Nepali | Pronunciation | Sound |
| Bedroom | सुत्ने कोठा | Sutnē kōṭhā | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]सुत्ने कोठा[/Speechword] |
| Bed | ओछ्यान | ōchyāna | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]ओछ्यान[/Speechword] |
| Bathroom | बाथरुम | bātharuma | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]बाथरुम[/Speechword] |
| Basement | तहखाने | tahakhānē | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]तहखाने[/Speechword] |
| Board | बोर्ड | bōrḍa | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]बोर्ड[/Speechword] |
| Chair | कुर्सी | kursī | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]कुर्सी[/Speechword] |
| Closet | कोठरी | kōṭharī | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]कोठरी[/Speechword] |
| Cupboard | अलमारी | alamārī | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]अलमारी[/Speechword] |
| Curtain | पर्दा | pardā | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]पर्दा[/Speechword] |
| House | घर | ghara | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]घर[/Speechword] |
| Kitchen | भान्सा | bhānsā | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]भान्सा[/Speechword] |
| Livingroom | बैठक कोठा | baiṭhaka kōṭhā | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]बैठक कोठा[/Speechword] |
| Roof | छत | chata | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]छत[/Speechword] |
| Porch | पोर्च | pōrca | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]पोर्च[/Speechword] |
| Stairs | सीढीहरू | sīḍhīharū | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]सीढीहरू[/Speechword] |
| Sink | डुब्ने | ḍubnē | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]डुब्ने[/Speechword] |
| Shower | नुहाउने | nuhā’unē | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]नुहाउने[/Speechword] |
| Toilet | शौचालय | śaucālaya | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]शौचालय[/Speechword] |
| Towel | तौलिया | tauliyā | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]तौलिया[/Speechword] |
| Wall | पर्खाल | parkhāla | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]पर्खाल[/Speechword] |
| Washcloth | धुने लुगा | dhunē lugā | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]धुने लुगा[/Speechword] |
Food-Related Words
| English | Nepali | Pronunciation | Sound |
| Bake | बेक गर्नुहोस् | Bēka garnuhōs | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]बेक गर्नुहोस्[/Speechword] |
| Boil | उमालेर | umālēra | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]उमालेर[/Speechword] |
| Cook | पकाउनुहोस् | pakā’unuhōs | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]पकाउनुहोस्[/Speechword] |
| Cut | काट्नुहोस् | kāṭnuhōs | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]काट्नुहोस्[/Speechword] |
| Eggs | अण्डा | aṇḍā | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]अण्डा[/Speechword] |
| Fish | माछा | māchā | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]माछा[/Speechword] |
| Fruits | फलफूल | phalaphūla | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]फलफूल[/Speechword] |
| Grains | अनाज | anāja | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]अनाज[/Speechword] |
| Grind | पीस्नुहोस् | pīsa garnuhōs | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]पीस्नुहोस्[/Speechword] |
| Juice | रस | rasa | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]रस[/Speechword] |
| Meat | मासु | māsu | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]मासु[/Speechword] |
| Mince | मिन्स | minsa | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]मिन्स[/Speechword] |
| Mash | म्यास | myāsa | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]म्यास[/Speechword] |
| Noodles | चाउचाउ | cā’ucā’u | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]चाउचाउ[/Speechword] |
| Roast | चाउचाउ | rōsṭa | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]चाउचाउ[/Speechword] |
| Soup | सूप | sūpa | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]सूप[/Speechword] |
| Stir | हलचल गर्नुहोस् | halacala garnuhōs | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]हलचल गर्नुहोस्[/Speechword] |
| Slice | टुक्रा | ṭukrā | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]टुक्रा[/Speechword] |
| Toast | टोस्ट | ṭōsṭa | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]टोस्ट[/Speechword] |
| Vegetables | तरकारी | tarakārī | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]तरकारी[/Speechword] |
Relationship Vocabulary
| English | Nepali | Pronunciation | Sound |
| Aunt | काकी | Kākī | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]काकी[/Speechword] |
| Brother | भाइ | Bhā’i | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]भाइ[/Speechword] |
| Daughter | छोरी | Chōrī | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]छोरी[/Speechword] |
| Father | बुबा | bubā | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]बुबा[/Speechword] |
| Family | परिवार | parivāra | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]परिवार[/Speechword] |
| Friends | साथीहरू | Sāthīharū | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]साथीहरू[/Speechword] |
| Junior | जुनियर | juniyara | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]जुनियर[/Speechword] |
| Mother | आमा | āmā | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]आमा[/Speechword] |
| Neice | निज | Nija | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]निज[/Speechword] |
| Nephew | भतिजा | bhatijā | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]भतिजा[/Speechword] |
| Relative | आफन्त | āphanta | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]आफन्त[/Speechword] |
| Sister | बहिनी | bahinī | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]बहिनी[/Speechword] |
| Son | छोरा | chōrā | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]छोरा[/Speechword] |
| Teacher | शिक्षक | Śikṣaka | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]शिक्षक[/Speechword] |
| Uncle | अंकल | aṅkala | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]अंकल[/Speechword] |
Travel Words
| English | Nepali | Pronunciation | Sound |
| Airport | एयरपोर्ट | Ēyarapōrṭa | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]एयरपोर्ट[/Speechword] |
| Baggage | झोला | jhōlā | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]झोला[/Speechword] |
| Beach | समुद्र तट | samudra taṭa | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]समुद्र तट[/Speechword] |
| Departure | प्रस्थान | prasthāna | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]प्रस्थान[/Speechword] |
| Flight | उडान | uḍāna | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]उडान[/Speechword] |
| Hotel | होटल | hōṭala | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]होटल[/Speechword] |
| Journey | यात्रा | yātrā | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]यात्रा[/Speechword] |
| Money | पैसा | Paisā | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]पैसा[/Speechword] |
| Public | सार्वजनिक | Sārvajanika | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]सार्वजनिक[/Speechword] |
| Transport | यातायात | yātāyāta | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]यातायात[/Speechword] |
| Tourist | पर्यटक | paryaṭaka | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]पर्यटक[/Speechword] |
Other Important Common Nepali Words
| English | Nepali | Pronunciation | Sound |
| Air | हावा | Hāvā | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]हावा[/Speechword] |
| Book | पुस्तक | pustaka | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]पुस्तक[/Speechword] |
| Box | बक्स | baksa | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]बक्स[/Speechword] |
| Boy | केटा | kēṭā | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]केटा[/Speechword] |
| Cage | पिंजरा | pin̄jarā | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]पिंजरा[/Speechword] |
| Door | ढोका | ḍhōkā | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]ढोका[/Speechword] |
| Girl | केटी | kēṭī | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]केटी[/Speechword] |
| Gate | गेट | gēṭa | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]गेट[/Speechword] |
| Jacket | ज्याकेट | jyākēṭa | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]ज्याकेट[/Speechword] |
| Laptop | ल्यापटप | lyāpaṭapa | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]ल्यापटप[/Speechword] |
| Lamp | बत्ती | Battī | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]बत्ती[/Speechword] |
| Laugh | हाँस्न | hām̐sna | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]हाँस्न[/Speechword] |
| Phone | फोन | phōna | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]फोन[/Speechword] |
| Pot | भाँडो | bhām̐ḍō | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]भाँडो[/Speechword] |
| Road | सडक | saḍaka | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]सडक[/Speechword] |
| School | विद्यालय | vidyālaya | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]विद्यालय[/Speechword] |
| Scream | चिच्याए | cicyā’ē | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]चिच्याए[/Speechword] |
| Shoe | जुत्ता | juttā | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]जुत्ता[/Speechword] |
| Temple | मन्दिर | mandira | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]मन्दिर[/Speechword] |
| Utensil | भाँडाकुँडा | Bhām̐ḍākum̐ḍā | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]भाँडाकुँडा[/Speechword] |
| Welcome | स्वागत छ | svāgata cha | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]स्वागत छ[/Speechword] |
| Woman | महिला | mahilā | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]महिला[/Speechword] |
Must Know Nepali Phrases For Travelers
| English | Nepali | Pronunciation | Sound |
| I am here for business | म यहाँ व्यापार को लागी छु | Ma yahām̐ vyāpāra kō lāgī chu | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]म यहाँ व्यापार को लागी छु[/Speechword] |
| Where is the hospital? | अस्पताल कहाँ छ? | yaha aspatal kaha chha? | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]अस्पताल कहाँ छ?[/Speechword] |
| Where can I find the restroom? | शौचा ला कहा छ ? | Shaucha laya kaha chha ? | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]शौचा ला कहा छ ?[/Speechword] |
| I am lost | म हराएँ | Ma haraye | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]म हराएँ[/Speechword] |
| It hurts here | मा याहम चोटा | Ma yaham cōṭa | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]मा याहम चोटा[/Speechword] |
| I am vegeterian | म शाकाहारी हुँ | Ma sahkahari hun | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]म शाकाहारी हुँ[/Speechword] |
| I don’t like spices | मा पिरो खान्डिना | Ma piro khandina | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]मा पिरो खान्डिना[/Speechword] |
| Is it close? | याबताके नीरे छ ? | Yahabatake nire chha ? | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]याबताके नीरे छ ?[/Speechword] |
| I am from… | म बाट… | Ma bāṭa… | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]म बाट[/Speechword] |
| Are you a local here? | तपाईं यहाँ स्थानीय हुनुहुन्छ? | Tapā’īṁ yahām̐ sthānīya hunuhuncha? | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]तपाईं यहाँ स्थानीय हुनुहुन्छ?[/Speechword] |
| This place is awesome | यो ठाउँ गजबको छ | Yō ṭhā’um̐ gajabakō cha | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]यो ठाउँ गजबको छ[/Speechword] |
| I need a hotel | मलाई एउटा होटल चाहिन्छ | Malā’ī ē’uṭā hōṭala cāhincha | [Speechword voice=”Nepali” isinline]मलाई एउटा होटल चाहिन्छ[/Speechword] |
Over To You!
So, there you go! Now you know all the standard and essential Nepali vocabulary that will help you easily communicate with the locals during your journey and remove any language barrier. Often a new country can be overwhelming because of its unique culture and the locals’ ways. But when you get acquainted with their habits and language, it becomes much easier to adapt and spend time.
Moreover, learning these has already made you an excellent Nepali language speaker, and if you keep practicing further, you will become the best at it within just a few months. Check out the Ling app if you wish to proceed with more such language lessons. You can download it from App Store or Play Store and use it on any device you like.
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