20+ Useful And Short Nepali Phrases

Ready to rock the streets in Nepal with your new slides, outfits, and polaroid? But hold on! Have you taken care of some of the standard and short Nepali phrases that will help you communicate with the locals? If not, you are not ready whatsoever. If you want to travel to a country full of traditions and customs and blend in with the locals like a native, you must get your hands on the Nepali language.

So, in today’s post, we will cover some short phrases under different categories that will help you connect with the natives without any barriers and leave an interesting impression of your personality. The locals love when foreigners try their language and traditions. Moreover, learning a few common Nepali phrases will only make your trip more fulfilling and relaxing. From bargaining in the shops to conversing with a local stranger, everything will seem sweet as a dessert with phrases like तपाईको शौक के हो? (Tapā’īkō śauka kē hō?) यो कति हो? (Yō kaṭautī hō?), etc. So, want to learn more? Continue reading!

The Greeting In The Nepali Language

Before we start with the short phrases, here is a short note on the greeting of the Nepali people.

Nepali people greet each other as a sign of respect and friendliness. And instead of a handshake like the western culture, they have a unique way of greeting someone. So, as a sign of greeting, Nepalese locals bring their palms together in a praying position just in front of their chest and bow with their heads.

While obtaining such a posture, they usually say “Namaste” or “Namaskar,” which is similar to “hello” in the native language. It is said that the higher the hands go, the higher the status of the other person. Nevertheless, the ideal position is just right in front of the chest. This is a gesture of respect practiced by both men and women. It says, “I salute the god within you”.

Most foreigners become accustomed to such a practice as they land in Nepal. Although handshakes are becoming quite common in modern times, it is only respectful to follow their traditional greeting method. The way of performing a proper Namaste is by joining your hands together and touching your chin with your fingertips. One important thing is Hindus nod instead of bow. So, remember to be subtle when you go for the head bow. The locals will surely appreciate your efforts.

Nepali Short Phrases

Now we will go through some Nepali short phrases that you can use on different occasions. From normal greeting words to lunchtime vocabulary, you will learn everything you need. So, if you are ready, let’s get started and help you learn Nepali in no time.

Greeting Phrases In Nepali

Here you will learn some greeting phrases that will help you interact with the locals once you land in the country. Doing so will allow you to build relationships easily without any confusion in the lingo.

English	Nepali	Pronunciation	Sound
Hello, how are you?	नमस्ते, कस्तो हुनुहुन्छ?	Namastē, kastō hunuhuncha?	Play
I am fine	मलाइ सञ्चै चा	Malai sanchai cha	Play
Where are you from?	तिमी कहाँको हौं?	Timī kahām̐kō hauṁ?	Play
What is your name?	तिम्रो नाम के हो?	tapaainko naam ke ho	Play
My name is…	मेरो नाम…	Mērō nāma…	Play
I am from…	म बाट…	Ma bāṭa…	Play
Are you from Nepal?	तपाई नेपालबाट हुनुहुन्छ ?	Tapā’ī nēpālabāṭa hunuhuncha?	Play
Where do you live?	तपाई नेपालबाट हुनुहुन्छ ?	Timi kahām̐ baschau?	Play
It is a pleasure to meet you	तपाईलाई भेट्न पाउँदा खुसी लाग्यो	Tapā’īlā’ī bhēṭna pā’um̐dā khusī lāgyō	Play
We should meet again	हामीले फेरि भेट्नुपर्छ	Hāmīlē phēri bhēṭnuparcha	Play
Good morning/ Good afternoon/ Good evening	शुभ प्रभात / शुभ दिउँसो / शुभ साँझ	Śubha prabhāta/ śubha di’um̐sō/ śubha sām̐jha	Play Play Play
Good night to you	तपाईलाई शुभ रात्री	Tapā’īlā’ī śubha rātrī	Play
Sleep well	राम्रोसँग सुत्नुहोस्	Rāmrōsam̐ga sutnuhōs	Play
Have a nice day	हजुर को दिन राम्रो होस्	Hajura kō dina rāmrō hōs	Play
See you soon	चाडै भेटौला	Cāḍai bhēṭaulā	Play
Goodbye	अलविदा	Alavidā	Play

Lunchtime Phrases In The Nepali Language

Lunchtime can bring in many questions, especially when you are new to the manners and food norms. So, to speak and convey your thoughts without any barriers, the following phrases will help you.

English	Nepali	Pronunciation	Sound
When is the lunchtime?	खाजाको समय कहिले हो?	Khājākō samaya kahilē hō?	Play
What do we have for lunch?	हामीसँग लंचको लागि के छ?	Hāmīsam̐ga lan̄cakō lāgi kē cha?	Play
Is this a traditional dish?	के यो परम्परागत परिकार हो?	Kē yō paramparāgata parikāra hō?	Play
Thank you for the food	खानाको लागि धन्यवाद	Khānākō lāgi dhan’yavāda	Play
Can I have more?	के म थप पाउन सक्छु?	Kē ma thapa pā’una sakchu?	Play
What is this?	यो के हो?	Yō kē hō?	Play
Is this vegetarian?	के यो शाकाहारी हो?	Kē yō śākāhārī hō?	Play
Do you have beef?	के तपाईंसँग गाईको मासु छ?	Kē tapā’īnsam̐ga gā’īkō māsu cha?	Play
I don’t eat spicy	म मसालेदार खाँदिन	Ma masālēdāra khām̐dina	Play
Can I have water?	के म पानी पाउन सक्छु?	Kē ma pānī pā’una sakchu?	Play
Is this homemade?	के यो घरेलु हो?	Kē yō gharēlu hō?	Play
What is this made of?	यो के बनेको हो?	Yō kē banēkō hō?	Play
The food is delicious	खाना स्वादिष्ट छ	Khānā svādiṣṭa cha	Play
The taste is very unique	स्वाद धेरै अद्वितीय छ	Svāda dhērai advitīya cha	Play
Do you have bread?	के तपाईसँग रोटी छ?	Kē tapā’īsam̐ga rōṭī cha?	Play
I love rice	मलाई भात मन पर्छ	Malā’ī bhāta mana parcha	Play
I ate well	मैले राम्रोसँग खाएँ	Mailē rāmrōsam̐ga khā’ēm̐	Play

Social Nepali Phrases

Want to make friends once you are there? The best phrase list that you need is present in the table below. Please give them a thorough read and make hundreds of friends in one night.

English	Nepali	Pronunciation	Sound
I am back	म फर्के	Ma pharkē	Play
Where have you been?	तपाई कहाँ हुनुहुन्थ्यो?	Tapā’īṁ kahām̐ hunuhunthyō?	Play
Do you play sports?	के तपाई खेलकुद खेल्नुहुन्छ?	Kē tapā’ī khēlakuda khēlnuhuncha?	Play
What are your hobbies?	तपाईको शौक के हो?	Tapā’īkō śauka kē hō?	Play
Can I join you?	के म तिमीसँग बस्न सक्छु?	Kē ma timīsam̐ga basna sakchu?	Play
I love your dress	मलाई तिम्रो लुगा मन पर्छ	Malā’ī timrō lugā mana parcha	Play
You are so kind	तपाई एकदम दयालु हुनुहुन्छ	Tapā’ī ēkadama dayālu hunuhuncha	Play
Where are you going?	कहाँ जाने	Kahaan jaane	Play
Excuse me	मलाईं माफ गर्नुहोस्	Malā’īṁ māpha garnuhōs	Play
Sorry	माफ गर्नुहोस्	Māpha garnuhōs	Play
Do you speak English?	के तपाईँ अङ्ग्रेजी बोल्नुहुन्छ?	Kē tapā’īm̐ aṅgrējī bōlnuhuncha?	Play
Yes, I speak English	हो, म अङ्ग्रेजी बोल्छु	Ho, ma angrejee bolchhu	Play
Thank you	धन्यवाद	Dhan’yavāda	Play
Your house is so beautiful	तिम्रो घर धेरै सुन्दर छ	Timrō ghara dhērai sundara cha	Play
You have a pretty face	तिम्रो सुन्दर अनुहार छ	Timrō sundara anuhāra cha	Play
Can we meet again?	के हामी फेरि भेट्न सक्छौं?	Kē hāmī phēri bhēṭna sakchauṁ?	Play
Can we be friends?	के हामी साथी बन्न सक्छौं?	Kē hāmī sāthī banna sakchauṁ?	Play

Shopping Phrases In Nepali

We can’t forget about shopping phrases when it comes to vacations. So here is a list of short shopping phrases that will help you get the best deals in the streets of Nepal.

English	Nepali	Pronunciation	Sound
What is the price of this	हो मोल काटि हो	Yesko mol kati ho	Play
Can I see more?	के म थप हेर्न सक्छु?	Kē ma thapa hērna sakchu?	Play
What is the last price?	अन्तीम दाम काटि हो	Antim daam kati ho	Play
Is this made in Nepal?	यो नेपाल बनेको हो	Yo nepaalmaa baneko ho	Play
Please reduce the price	मोल अली काम गरनुहोस	Mol ali kam grarnuhos	Play
I want to change money	मा पैसा साट्न चाहान्छु	Ma paisaa saatna chaahanchhu	Play
Do you take card?	कार्ड लिनुहुन्छ ?	Kārḍa linuhuncha?	Play
I like this one	मलाई यो मन पर्यो	Malā’ī yō mana paryō	Play
It is too expensive	यो धेरै महँगो छ	Yō dhērai maham̐gō cha	Play
I love the quality	मलाई गुणस्तर मन पर्छ	Malā’ī guṇastara mana parcha	Play
The colour is bad	रंग खराब छ	Raṅga kharāba cha	Play
Do you have more designs?	तपाईंसँग थप डिजाइनहरू छन्?	Tapā’īnsam̐ga thapa ḍijā’inaharū chan?	Play
What is the cheapest?	सबैभन्दा सस्तो के हो?	Sabaibhandā sastō kē hō?	Play
I want these	म यी चाहन्छु	Ma yī cāhanchu	Play

Emergency Nepali Phrases

You never know when emergencies will follow you. So to stay cautious and ready, here is a list of phrases that will keep you sane. Being in a strange city, you must have some of the needy words saved up your sleeves. 

English	Nepali	Pronunciation	Sound
I don’t feel well	मलाइ साँचो छैना	Malai sancho chhaina	Play
Is there a place to stay here?	यहाँ बास बस्नु पर्छ ?	Yahaan baas basna paainchha?	Play
Can I see a room?	मा कोठा हर्ना सच्चु	Ma kothaa herna sakchhu	Play
I need a room	म एउटा कोठा चाहान्छु	Ma eutaa kotha chaahanchhu	Play
How much for one night?	एक रातको कटि हो?	Ek raatko kati ho?	Play
Where is the hospital?	अस्पताल कहाँ छ?	Aspatāla kahām̐ cha?	Play
Someone please help me	कसैले मलाई मद्दत गर्नुहोस्	Kasailē malā’ī maddata garnuhōs	Play
Call the police	पुलिसलाई कल गर्नुहोस्	Pulisalā’ī kala garnuhōs	Play
I need an ambulance	मलाई एम्बुलेन्स चाहिन्छ	Malā’ī ēmbulēnsa cāhincha	Play
Catch the thief	चोरलाई पक्रन	Cōralā’ī pakrana	Play
Do you have medicines?	के तपाईसँग औषधि छ?	Kē tapā’īsam̐ga auṣadhi cha?	Play
Help me!	मलाई सहयोग गर!	Malā’ī sahayōga gara!	Play

Additional Short Nepali Phrases

English	Nepali	Pronunciation	Sound
Hold on	होल्ड गर्नुहोस्	Hōlḍa garnuhōs	Play
What’s up	के छ	Kē cha	Play
Take care	ख्याल गर्नु होला	Khyāla garnu hōlā	Play
See you	भेटौँला	Bhēṭaum̐lā	Play
Let’s go	जाऔं	Jā’auṁ	Play
Shut up	चुप लाग्नु	Cupa lāgnu	Play
Have fun	रमाइलो गर	Ramā’ilō gara	Play
Happy journey	शुभ यात्रा	Śubha yātrā	Play

Wrapping Up!

That must be a lot of common Nepali phrases to take in. But once you get used to it, nothing can stop you from spending your vacation like a pro in Nepal. Doing so will also help you improve your language skills and bring fluency to your Nepali language if you are a language learner. So we hope this blog was helpful to you and will bring in happy memories from the country.

Moreover, if you want to learn Nepali, we have the best suggestions for you!

Learn With Ling App

Ling is one of the best apps that you can opt for if you want your hands in the Nepali language. It covers over 60+ languages and has content on topics such as food, sports, clothes, culture, and many more. Such posts are curated by expert writers and native speakers who also take the time to record audio and put it on the posts so that you can learn the correct accent of the target language.

The app also features an AI Chatbot that provides interactive exercises which help you in improving your communication. So by learning vocabulary, you simultaneously get to enhance your communication skills before your trip. If you think the Ling app has everything you need to express your thoughts in Nepali, what are you waiting for? Download the app now from App Store or Play Store and get to learn your favorite language in no time.