Useful Nepal Phrases and Words to Learn Before Travelling to Nepal

Nepal, with its breathtaking landscapes, rich culture, and warm-hearted people, attracts travelers from all corners of the world. However, for those who want to truly immerse themselves in Nepali culture and communicate effectively, knowing a few key phrases in the local language can make all the difference. Speaking the local language or having some phrases in your back pocket can dramatically enhance your travel experience and allow you to experience the true culture of Nepal. 

This list of 100 easy Nepali phrases includes everything from basic greetings to travel-related details, food, and even phrases in emergency situations. When you’re able to speak even just a few random words or phrases, you will feel comfortable using the language, you’ll connect better with the people, and you’ll better navigate this incredible country blessed by the Himalayan mountains.

100 Easy Nepali Phrases

Basics & Greetings

1. Hello – Namaste (नमस्ते)
2. Good morning – Subha Bihani (शुभ बिहान)
3. Good day – Subha Din (शुभ दिन)
4. Good evening – Subha Saanjh (शुभ साँझ)
5. Good night – Subha Raatri (शुभ रात्री)
6. How are you? – Tapai lai kasto cha? (तपाईंलाई कस्तो छ?)
7. I am fine. – Malai sanchai cha. (मलाई सन्चै छ।)
8. Thank you – Dhanyabad (धन्यवाद)
9. Please – Kripaya (कृपया)
10. Yes / No – Ho / Hoina (हो / होइन)

Basic Conversation

1. What is this? – K ho yo? (के हो यो?)
2. How much is this? – Yo kati ho? (यो कति हो?)
3. I didn’t understand. – Maile bujhina. (मैले बुझिनँ।)
4. I couldn’t understand. – Bujhna sakina. (बुझ्न सकिनँ।)
5. I speak a little Nepali. – Ali ali Nepali bolchhu. (अलि अलि नेपाली बोल्छु।)
6. I am from [country]. – Ma [country] bata aayeko. (म [देश] बाट आएको।)
7. See you again. – Pheri bhetaunla. (फेरि भेटौंला।)
8. It’s beautiful! – Sundar cha! (सुन्दर छ!)
9. This is nice. – Yo ramro cha. (यो राम्रो छ।)
10. I need your help. – Tapaiko sahayog chahinchha. (तपाईंको सहयोग चाहिन्छ।)

Directions & Transportation

1. How far is [place] from here? – Yaha bata [place] kati taadha cha? (यहाँबाट [स्थान] कति टाढा छ?)
2. How to go to [place]? – [Place] kasari jane? ([स्थान] कसरी जाने?)
3. Where is the bus station? – Bus station kata ho? (बस स्टेसन कहाँ हो?)
4. Is this the way? – Yo bato ho? (यो बाटो हो?)
5. Brother, I need a taxi. – Dai, Malai taxi chahincha. (दाइ, मलाई ट्याक्सी चाहिन्छ।)
6. Does this bus go to [destination]? – Yo bus [destination] janchha? (यो बस [स्थान] जान्छ?)
7. Right side – Daya haat (दायाँ हात)
8. Left side – Baya haat (बायाँ हात)
9. Go straight – Sidha janus (सीधा जानुस्)
10. Stop here – Yaha roknus (यहाँ रोक्नुहोस्)

Food & Drink

1. Is there food? – Khana chha? (खाना छ?)
2. I am hungry. – Malai bhok lagyo. (मलाई भोक लागेको छ।)
3. Please give me hot water. – Tato pani dinus. (तातो पानी दिनुहोस्।)
4. Do you have meat? – Masu chha? (मासु छ?)
5. I’m vegetarian. – Ma shakahaari ho. (म शाकाहारी हुँ।)
6. Is it spicy? – Piro chha? (पिरो छ?)
7. This is tasty. – Yo mitho chha. (यो मिठो छ।)
8. Please give me one plate of momo. – Malaai ek plate momo dinus. (मलाई एक प्लेट म:म: दिनुहोस्।)
9. Where is water? – Pani kahaan cha? (पानी कहाँ छ?)
10. Please give the bill. – Bill dinus. (बिल दिनुहोस्।)

Hotel & Accommodation

1. Is there a room? – Kotha cha? (कोठा छ?)
2. How much is it? – Kati rupiya ho? (कति रुपैयाँ हो?)
3. Is there hot water? – Tato pani chha? (तातो पानी छ?)
4. Do you have Wi-Fi? – Wi-Fi cha? (वाई-फाई छ?)
5. For one night. – Ek rat ko lagi ho. (एक रातको लागि हो।)
6. When is checkout? – Checkout kahile ho? (चेकआउट कहिले हो?)
7. I need a comfortable room. – Sajilo kotha chahincha. (सजिलो कोठा चाहिन्छ।)
8. What is the name of this hotel? – Yo hotel ko naam k ho? (यो होटलको नाम के हो?)
9. I like this location. – Malai yo location man parcha. (मलाई यो स्थान मन पर्छ।)
10. How is the service? – Kasto service chha? (कस्तो सेवा छ?)

Shopping & Bargaining

1. Can it be cheaper? – Ali sasto huncha? (अलि सस्तो हुन्छ?)
2. This is too expensive. – Yo dherai mahango cha. (यो धेरै महँगो छ।)
3. I like this. – Malaai yo man parcha. (मलाई यो मन पर्छ।)
4. Is this original? – Yo original ho? (यो ओरिजिनल हो?)
5. I’m just looking. – Ma herdai matra ho. (म हेरिरहेको मात्र हो।)
6. Do you have another color? – Arko color chha? (अर्को रङ छ?)
7. The size is fine. – Size thik chha. (साइज ठीक छ।)
8. Do you have a bigger size? – Thulo size chha? (ठूलो साइज छ?)
9. What’s your best price? – Kati dina saknuhunchha? (कति दिन सक्नुहुन्छ?)
10. I don’t have money. – Paisa chhaina. (पैसा छैन।)

Emergencies & Safety

1. Help! – Madat garnus! (मदत गर्नुहोस्!)
2. Thief! – Chor! (चोर!)
3. I’m lost. – Ma biraye. (म बिराएँ।)
4. Where is the police station? – Police station kahaan ho? (प्रहरी कार्यालय कहाँ हो?)
5. Call an ambulance. – Ambulance bolau. (एम्बुलेन्स बोलाऊ।)
6. I need to go to the hospital. – Malai aspatal jaanu chha. (मलाई अस्पताल जानु छ।)
7. I’m not feeling well. – Ma aswastha chhu. (म अस्वस्थ छु।)
8. I need your help. – Malai Tapaiko sahayog chahincha. (मलाई तपाईंको सहयोग चाहिन्छ।)
9. My phone is lost. – Mobile harayo. (मोबाइल हरायो।)
10. My passport is lost. – Passport harayo. (पसपोर्ट हरायो।)

Trekking & Adventure

1. I need a guide. – Malai Guide chahincha. (मलाई गाइड चाहिन्छ।)
2. Where is the trail here? – Yaha bato kata ho? (यहाँ बाटो कहाँ हो?)
3. I’m tired. – Malai thakai bhayo. (मलाई थकाइ भयो।)
4. How far is the way? – Bato kati taadha chha? (बाटो कति टाढा छ?)
5. What is the name of this hill? – Yo danda ko naam ke ho? (यो डाँडाको नाम के हो?)
6. Can I stay here? – Yaha basna milchha? (यहाँ बस्न मिल्छ?)
7. Is there a snack? – Khaja chha? (खाजा छ?)
8. Is there mobile network here? – Yaha network chha? (यहाँ नेटवर्क छ?)
9. Do you have a map? – Naksaa chha? (नक्सा छ?)
10. Please give me water. – Malai pani din
11. Please give me water. – Malai pani dinus. (मलाई पानी दिनुहोस्।)
12. This is a good place for trekking. – Yo trekking ko lagi ramro sthal ho. (यो ट्रेकिंगको लागि राम्रो स्थल हो।)
13. I need to rest. – Ma aram garna chahanchhu. (म आराम गर्न चाहन्छु।)
14. Can I take a break here? – Ma yaha biram linchhu? (म यहाँ बिराम लिइन्छु?)
15. How long does the trek take? – Treking kati samaya lagchha? (ट्रेकिंग कति समय लाग्छ?)

Culture, Festivals & Interaction

1. What is this? – Yo k ho? (यो के हो?)
2. What is the name of this festival? – Yo parba ko naam ke ho? (यो पर्वको नाम के हो?)
3. This song is beautiful. – Yo geet sundar chha. (यो गीत सुन्दर छ।)
4. Your outfit is very nice. – Tapaiko poshak dherai ramro chha. (तपाईंको पोशाक धेरै राम्रो छ।)
5. I like your culture. – Tapaai ko sanskriti man parcha. (तपाईको संस्कृति मन पर्छ।)
6. What kind of dance is this? – Yo kasto dance ho? (यो कस्तो डान्स हो?)
7. Where are you from? – Tapaai haru kaha bata ho? (तपाईंहरू कहाँबाट हो?)
8. Are you Nepali? – Tapaai Nepali ho? (तपाईं नेपाली हो?)
9. I am learning Nepali. – Ma Nepali sikdai chhu. (म नेपाली सिक्दै छु।)
10. Can I take a photo? – Ke ma photo khichna sakchhu? (के म फोटो खिच्न सक्छु?)

Travel Wrap-up

1. This trip was very enjoyable. – Yo yatra dherai ramailo bhayo. (यो यात्रा धेरै रमाइलो भयो।)
   
2. Nepal is beautiful. – Nepal sundar chha. (नेपाल सुन्दर छ।)
   
3. I will come again. – Ma pheri aaune chhu. (म फेरि आउने छु।)
   
4. Nice to meet you. – Tapaai sanga bhetera khushi lagyo. (तपाईं संग भेटेर खुशी लाग्यो।)
   
5. Goodbye and thank you! – Namaste ra dhanyabad! (नमस्ते र धन्यवाद!)
   

Tips for Using Nepali Phrases

• Carry a smile and a few gestures: A smile can go all the way regardless of whether pronunciation is on point.
• When addressing someone with respect, dai (older brother) or didi (older sister) will help.
• Practice Often: Repeated exposure to these phrases will give you confidence.
• Write them down: A pocket notebook, or even a language app can save you when you least expect it.

Conclusion

In a country as diverse and welcoming as Nepal, even a small effort to speak in Nepali goes a long way in building friendships and making memories. Whether it is trekking in the mountains, experiencing the cultures of Kathmandu, or eating at a local restaurant, learning these 100 Nepali phrases will give you a greater feeling of connectivity, while adding an element of fun and meaning to your travels.

So, get ready to explore Nepal, a country where language can be as colorful as its landscapes, and every interaction can present a new opportunity for adventure. Pheri bhetaula! (See you again!).