It can be quite bothersome to travel to a place where people don’t speak your native language. While Nepalese people are well acquainted with the English language, many of them still need to be. However, the plan here is not to sit idle but to navigate those barriers by learning some common words and phrases in the Nepali language.
So, with today’s post, where we will cover common Nepali travel phrases like तिमीलाई कस्तो छ? (Timīlā’ī kasto cha?), यो कति हो? (Yō kati hō?), etc., and communication tips, nothing will stop you from having the best trip of the year. So, if you are interested, continue reading below!
Visiting Nepal: Travel Tips
Before we head on to the list of phrases, here is a small list of tips that will help you through your journey. Please give them a good read to avoid any undesirable circumstances.
First, it is important to remember that the majority of Nepalese people follow the Hindu and Buddhist religions. According to the Buddhist code of conduct, it is rude to touch someone’s head, especially when a person is older than you. Also, sitting with the bottom of your feet exposed is not acceptable. It is considered rude in Nepali culture.
Never trek alone in Nepal. Always trek when you have a guide or company. It is dangerous because there have been many cases of missing tourists in recent years.
Another helpful tip for new travelers is to carry cash at all times! Nepal is still new to online payment systems or card transactions. While urban areas accept cards, most rural towns and villages accept only cash. So, don’t miss out on unique souvenirs by making sure you carry sufficient cash.
Although Nepal is one of the safest countries for travelers, it is essential to keep your dress code in check. Avoid wearing flashy clothes or skin-tight and revealing ones. Especially when you visit a temple in Nepal, it is a must that you wear their native attire or something that is decent and covers your knee and chest adequately. While traveling can be fun and exciting, missing out on such information can make you feel sick in no time.
All Important Nepali Travel Phrases
This section will go through all the useful Nepalese phrases with proper translation. These travel phrases will help you face every situation in Nepal and allow you to engage in meaningful conversations with the Nepali people. So, let’s get started.
Greetings And Conversations In Nepali
Here is a list of greetings and conversational phrases. No matter where you go, you have to know the basics first. You will meet new people from the airport to your hotel room, and the best way to begin your journey with them is to greet and converse with them.
The most basic way of greeting someone in Nepalese culture is by showing the gesture of prayer. It is to press the palms of one hand with the other in front of your chest, bow a little, and say “Namaste.” Doing this will surely impress the locals.
English
Nepali
Transcription
Pronunciation
Hello
नमस्ते
Namastē
How are you?
तिमीलाई कस्तो छ?
Timīlā’ī kasto cha?
Everything is ok
सबै ठीक छ
Sabai thik cha
My name is…
मेरो नाम…
Mero naam…
What is your name?
तिम्रो नाम के हो?
Timrō nāma kē hō?
Good morning to you!
तपाईलाई शुभ बिहानी!
Tapā’īlā’ī śubha bihānī!
Good night, sleep well
शुभ रात्रि, राम्रोसँग सुत्नुहोस्
Śubha rātri, rāmrōsam̐ga sutnuhōs
Nice to meet you
तपाईँलाई भेटेर खुशी लाग्यो
Tapā’īm̐lā’ī bhēṭēra khuśī lāgyō
Do you speak English?
के तपाईँ अङ्ग्रेजी बोल्नुहुन्छ?
Kē tapā’īm̐ aṅgrējī bōlnuhuncha?
Thank you for having me
मलाई भएकोमा धन्यवाद
Malā’ī bha’ēkōmā dhan’yavāda
You’re welcome
तपाईलाई स्वागत छ
Tapā’īlā’ī svāgata cha
Excuse me/ sorry
माफ गर्नुहोस् / माफ गर्नुहोस्
Māpha garnuhōs/ māpha garnuhōs
/
I understand
माइल भुजे
Maile bhujhe
Goodbye
अलविदा
Alavidā
See you later
पछि भेटौँला
Pachi bhēṭaum̐lā
Accommodation Phrases In The Nepali Language
Here is a list of all the necessary accommodation phrases that will come in handy during your hotel check-in. It will help you contact the locals for your accommodation and get your concerns stated.
English
Nepali
Transcription
Pronunciation
What time is check-in?
चेक-इन कति समय हो?
Cēka-ina kati samaya hō?
What time is check-out?
चेक-आउट कति समय हो?
Cēka-ā’uṭa kati samaya hō?
Do you serve complimentary breakfast?
के तपाइँ नि:शुल्क नाश्ता सेवा गर्नुहुन्छ?
Kē tapā’im̐ ni:Śulka nāśtā sēvā garnuhuncha?
Do you have a common washroom?
के तपाईसँग साझा शौचालय छ?
Kē tapā’īsam̐ga sājhā śaucālaya cha?
Can I leave my baggage here?
के म मेरो सामान यहाँ छोड्न सक्छु?
Kē ma mērō sāmāna yahām̐ chōḍna sakchu?
Where is the swimming pool?
स्विमिङ पूल कहाँ छ?
Svimiṅa pūla kahām̐ cha?
I need a single room for two
मलाई दुईको लागि एउटा कोठा चाहिन्छ
Malā’ī du’īkō lāgi ē’uṭā kōṭhā cāhincha
Does the room have air conditioning?
के कोठामा वातानुकूलित छ?
Kē kōṭhāmā vātānukūlita cha?
I have a reservation
मसँग आरक्षण छ
Masam̐ga ārakṣaṇa cha
Can I extend my booking?
के म मेरो बुकिङ विस्तार गर्न सक्छु?
Kē ma mērō bukiṅa vistāra garna sakchu?
How much is a room for four people?
चार जना बस्ने कोठा कति हुन्छ ?
Cāra janā basnē kōṭhā kati huncha?
I don’t want room service
मलाई कोठा सेवा चाहिदैन
Malā’ī kōṭhā sēvā cāhidaina
Nepali Phrases For Direction And Transportation
Another set of essential Nepali words concerns transportation and direction. You can get lost in a new country, even with google maps. Above that, weak phone services will always be a hassle. When such situations force you into interactions with the locals, local Nepali words will become your guide.
English
Nepali
Transcription
Pronunciation
Left/ Right
बायाँ/ दायाँ
Bāyām̐/ dāyām̐
/
North/ South
उत्तर/ दक्षिण
Uttara/ dakṣiṇa
/
East/ West
पूर्व/ पश्चिम
Pūrva/ paścima
/
Is the train/flight delayed?
के रेल/उडान ढिलो भयो?
Kē rēla/uḍāna ḍhilō bhayō?
Where is this place?
यो ठाउँ कहाँ पर्छ?
Yō ṭhā’um̐ kahām̐ parcha?
Where is this hotel?
यो होटल कहाँ छ?
Yō hōṭala kahām̐ cha?
Can I cancel my booking?
के म मेरो बुकिङ रद्द गर्न सक्छु?
Kē ma mērō bukiṅa radda garna sakchu?
What is the price for two tickets?
दुई टिकटको मूल्य कति ?
Du’ī ṭikaṭakō mūlya kati?
Where is the ticket window?
टिकट विन्डो कहाँ छ?
Ṭikaṭa vinḍō kahām̐ cha?
Where can I find a taxi?
म ट्याक्सी कहाँ पाउन सक्छु?
Ma ṭyāksī kahām̐ pā’una sakchu?
I would like to buy one ticket to…
म एउटा टिकट किन्न चाहन्छु…
Ma ē’uṭā ṭikaṭa kinna cāhanchu…
Can I purchase a return ticket?
के म फिर्ती टिकट किन्न सक्छु?
Kē ma phirtī ṭikaṭa kinna sakchu?
When will the bus/train arrive?
बस/रेल कहिले आइपुग्छ?
Basa/rēla kahilē ā’ipugcha?
What is the nearest station to…?
सबैभन्दा नजिकको स्टेशन कुन हो…?
Sabaibhandā najikakō sṭēśana kuna hō…?
Can you please give me a ride?
के तपाईं मलाई सवारी दिन सक्नुहुन्छ?
Kē tapā’īṁ malā’ī savārī dina saknuhuncha?
I want to go to…
मलाई जाना मन छ…
मलाई जाना मन छ…
Nepali Phrases For Restaurants
Apart from Mount Everest, you will surely fall in love with Nepal’s cuisine. And to satisfy your cravings, you will end up visiting different authentic restaurants. So, learn some phrases to help yourself in a Nepali diner.
English
Nepali
Transcription
Pronunciation
Can I have a table for two?
के म दुई को लागि टेबल पाउन सक्छु?
Kē ma du’ī kō lāgi ṭēbala pā’una sakchu?
The menu, please!
मेनु, कृपया!
Mēnu, kr̥payā!
What do you recommend?
तिमि के सुझाव दिन्छाै?
Timi kē sujhāva dinchāai?
The food is tasty
खाना मिथो चा
Khānā mitho cha
I don’t want spicy
मलाई मसालेदार चाहिदैन
Malā’ī masālēdāra cāhidaina
Do you serve beef?
तपाईं गाईको मासु सेवा गर्नुहुन्छ?
Tapā’īṁ gā’īkō māsu sēvā garnuhuncha?
Do you have vegan items?
के तपाईंसँग शाकाहारी वस्तुहरू छन्?
Kē tapā’īnsam̐ga śākāhārī vastuharū chan?
I am allergic to peanuts
मलाई बदामबाट एलर्जी छ
Malā’ī badāmabāṭa ēlarjī cha
Enjoy your meal!
तपाईँको भोजनको मज्जा लिनुहोस्!
Tapā’īm̐kō bhōjanakō majjā linuhōs!
Can I have the bill, please
कृपया, मैले विल पाउन सक्छु
Kr̥payā, mailē vila pā’una sakchu
Do you take online/ card payment?
के तपाइँ अनलाइन/कार्ड भुक्तानी लिनुहुन्छ?
Kē tapā’im̐ analā’ina/kārḍa bhuktānī linuhuncha?
/
Basic Phrases For Markets In Nepali
Who doesn’t like shopping in their vacation spot? So, to be able to bargain the best way possible in the traditional markets of Nepal, the below list will make you an expert in no days.
Lastly, you never know when emergencies hit you. Unprecedented scenarios can always come up no matter where you travel to. So, the phrases below will enable you to ask for help in Nepali immediately.
English
Nepali
Transcription
Pronunciation
Somebody help me, please
कसैले मलाई मद्दत गर्नुहोस्, कृपया
Kasailē malā’ī maddata garnuhōs, kr̥payā
Can you call the police?
के तपाईं पुलिसलाई कल गर्न सक्नुहुन्छ?
Kē tapā’īṁ pulisalā’ī kala garna saknuhuncha?
Where is the nearest hospital?
नजिकको अस्पताल कहाँ छ?
Najikakō aspatāla kahām̐ cha?
Call the doctor!
डाक्टरलाई कल गर्नुहोस्!
Ḍākṭaralā’ī kala garnuhōs!
Help!
मद्दत गर्नुहोस्!
Maddata garnuhōs!
Additional Nepali Phrases To Practice
English
Nepali
Transcription
Pronunciation
My younger sister/ younger brother grew up in Nepal
मेरो कान्छी बहिनी/भाइ नेपालमा हुर्के
Mērō kānchī bahinī/bhā’i nēpālamā hurkē
/
Nepali food is so delicious
नेपाली खाना एकदमै मिठो हुन्छ
Nēpālī khānā ēkadamai miṭhō huncha
Life in Nepal looks so peaceful
नेपालको जनजीवन निकै शान्त देखिन्छ
Nēpālakō janajīvana nikai śānta dēkhincha
The divine temples of Nepal are beautiful
नेपालका देवी मन्दिरहरू सुन्दर छन्
Nēpālakā dēvī mandiraharū sundara chan
Are you originally from Nepal?
के तपाई मूल नेपाली हो ?
Kē tapā’ī mūla nēpālī hō?
I want to visit Nepal again
म फेरि नेपाल घुम्न चाहन्छु
Ma phēri nēpāla ghumna cāhanchu
Thank you for joining me!
मसँग जोडिनुभएकोमा धन्यवाद!
Masam̐ga jōḍinubha’ēkōmā dhan’yavāda!
Over To You!
Did you enjoy learning the above sentences and words? If yes, you are on the right path. Learning languages not only help you face unexpected situations in a new country, but it also develops you as a person. You get enlightened about the country’s culture, language, and, most effectively, its people and society. In doing so, you simultaneously push yourself to be more open-minded and culturally progressed than before.
While these phrase lists have already made you a better person linguistically and personally, if you want to continue your learning journey, the Ling app can be your best guide. You can find the app easily on Appstore or Playstore and use it on any device you like. If you want to make speaking Nepali easy, download the app now!
Learn Nepali With Ling
If you are new to the Ling app, now is the time to use it fully. You will find all kinds of posts in this app, from food, culture, and sports to hobbies, weather, and health. As many friendly users have commented, the app’s best part is that you learn by listening. Native speakers try to record pronunciations and add audio to ensure that learners take up the correct accent.
Moreover, the AI Chatbot system of the app lets you engage in interactive lessons, which improves communication skills and makes retention 100 times better. You can also learn other languages if you want, as Ling covers 60+ languages currently. So, if Ling has everything you need to go on successful trips, download the app today and start learning languages with Ling! For any queries and suggestions, comment down below.