Basic Phrases

Hello. Namaste.
Good morning, good evening. Namaste.
Good night. Shubha raatri.

How are you? (casual) Ke chha?

I am fine. Tthik chha.
And you? Timi laai?

How are you? (formal) Sanchai hunu hunchha?

I am fine. Sanchai chhu.
And you? Tapaai~ laai?

Good. Raamro.
Very Good. Dherai raamro.
Bad. Naraamro.

Yes. Ho.
No. Hoina.

Thank you. Dhanya baad.

I am sorry. Maaph garnus.
See you again. Pheri bhetau~ laa.
See you later. Pachhi bhetau~ laa.

I don't know. Thaahaa chhaina.

I don't understand. Maile buzhina.
Please speak slowly. Bistaarai bolnus.
Please repeat that. Pheri bhannus ta.

I like it. Malaai man paryo.

I don't like it. Malaai man parena.

What? Ke?
Who? Ko?
When? Kahile?
Where? Kahaa~?
Why? Kina?
How? Kasari?

How much? Kati?

How many? (objects) Kati wataa?
How many? (people) Kati zanaa?

Introductions

What is your name? Tapaai~ ko naam ke ho?

My name is Anil. Mero naam Anil ho.

Where do you live? Tapaai~ kahaa~ basnu hunchha?

I live in Kathmandu. Ma Kathmandu maa baschhu.

What do you do for a living? Tapaai~ ke kaam garnu hunchha?

I am an accountant. Ma "accountant" hu~.

Where do you work? Tapaai~ kahaa~ kaam garnu hunchha?

I work at the U.N. Ma "U.N." maa kaam garchhu.

Do you speak English? Tapaai~ Angrezi bolnu hunchha?

A little bit. Ali ali.

What do you do in your spare time? Tapaai~ phursad ma ke garnu hunchha?

I play football. Ma "football" khelchhu.

What is your phone number? Tapaai~ ko "phone number" kati ho?

May I have your e-mail address? Tapaai~ ko "e-mail address" paauna sakchhu?

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Where is the bathroom?

"Bathroom" kahaa~ chha?

Can you help me? Malaai mad-dat garna saknu hunchha?

Which way to Durbar Square? "Durbar Square" kataa ho?

Is there a bank nearby? Yahaa~ nazikai "bank" chha?

What time does the office open? "Office" kati baze kholchha?
Where is the nearest restuarant? Sab bhandaa nazik ko "restaurant" kahaa~ chha?

I would like to go to Bhaktapur. Ma Bhaktapur zaana chaahan chhu.

How can I get there? Tyahaa~ kasari zaana sakinchha?

Is it close by? Nazik chha?

Is it far? Taddhaa chha?
Is it within walking distance? Hi~dera puginchha?

Is there a bus that goes there? Tyahaa~ bus zaanchha?

What time does the bus leave? "Bus" kati baze hi~d chha?
How long will it take to get there? Tyahaa~ pugna kati "time" laagchha?

I need a taxi. Malaai "taxi" chaaiyo.

I need to get to Hotel Kathmandu. Malaai "Hotel Kathmandu" zaanu chha.

How much will it cost? Paisaa kati laagchha?

How far is the hotel? Hotel kati taddhaa chha?
Stop here. Yahaa~ roknus.

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Examples of phrases in Nepali include:

• namaste. नमसते — "hello" or "goodbye."

• shubhaprabhat शुभपभात - good morning.

• tapāī̃ko/timro nām ke ho? तपाईको/ितमो नाम के हो? - What is your name?

• mero nām Roshan Humagain ho. मेरो नाम रोशन हुमागाई हो — My name is Roshan
Humagain.

• tapāī/timi kasto chau/hunuhuncha? तपाईलाई/ितमीलाई कसतो छ? — How are you?

The following are more commonly used:

• ke cha? के छ? - What's up? (informal), sañcai hunuhuncha? सञचै हुनुहुनछ? -

Doing well? (formal)

• khānā khāne ṭhānũ kahāñ chha? खाना खाने ठाउँ कहा छ? — Where is the place to
eat?

• kāṭhmāḍaũ jāne bāṭo dherai lāmo cha. काठमाडौँ जाने बाटो धेरै लामो छ — The road
to Kathmandu is very long.

• nepālmā baneko नेपालमा बनेको — Made in Nepal.

• ma timilai maya garchhu म ितमीलाई माया गछु र - I love you.

• malai thaha chhaina मलाई थाहा छैन - I don't know.

• mero janma americama bhayeko ho मेरो जनम अमेिरकामा भएको हो - I was born in
America.

• ma bholi Doha janchhu म भोिल दोहा जानछु - I will go Doha tomorrow.

• malai tapaiko/timro sahayog chahinchha मलाई तपाईको सहयोग चािहनछ - I need

your help.

• ma nepālī hũ म नेपाली हूँ — I am Nepali.

• ke tapain malai maddat garna saknuhuncha? के तपाई मलाई मदत् गनर सकुहुनछ? -
Can you help me?

• pugyo पुगयो — That is enough (mainly used while eating).

• krishna ji! hajur yuzana myanmar maa basnu hu

Nepali Ann's Itty-Bitty, but darn good Nepali Language

Primer

Learning a few of the basics is really opens up a country to the

traveler, visitor, tourist... Just a little of the language will help you to
get around, to meet people and to really deepen your experience of a
culture. It shows the locals that you want to learn about them and
care about their country and culture. So start with these basics...

note: Underlined words are shown as samples only, you should

substitute as necessary

Basic Greetings and Pleasantries

Nepali Tranliteration English Translation
Namaste Hello, Greetings, I bless the divine in you
Namaskar The more respectful version of Namaste
All purpose term meaning yes? Pardon,
Hajur
Excuse me?
(Tapaiilai) Kasto Cha? How are you?
(Malai) Thik Cha I am fine
Have you eaten? (used often as informal
Khana khannu bhaiyo?
greeting)
Dhanybhad Thank you
Tapaiiko naam ke ho? What is you name?
Mero naam Ann-Marie
My name is Ann-Marie
ho
Maaph garnuhos Excuse me/ pardon me/ sorry
Maile bhujhina I don’t understand
Maile bhujhe I understand
Pheri bhetaunla I hope we meet again

Addressing People / things

Formal way to address someone using their
Ann-Marie-ji
name
Mother / Father, but also friendly term
Aama / Buwa men/women roughly in your parents
generation
Older / Younger sister, but also friendly
Didi / Bahini term used to refer to other women roughly
in your generation
Dhai / Bhai Older / Younger brother, same as above
Nanu / Babu Young girl / boy child
Ma / Hami I / We
Tapaii You
Yo / Tyo This / That
Verb bases (infinitive form) & Verb Conjugation
Janu To go Bolnu To speak
Aunu To come Roknu To stop
Basnu To sit
Hidnu To walk
Khannu To eat Khelnu To
play
Rakhnu To put
Sutnu To sleep
Garnu To do Hernu To see
Dinu To give Pewnu To drink
Oothnu rise/wake
Linu To take
up
Kinnu To buy
Note: the order of sentences is reversed in Nepali. The conjugated
verb is always last.
To politely ask someone to
Ex. Aunus / Basnus / Khannus - Please
do something, add a ‘s’ to
come / Please eat
the verb base.
Add ‘na’ at the beginning Ex. Chinni narakhnus -Please don’t put
to make it negative sugar in (ex. the tea)
For first person action, drop Ex. Ma janchoo/ aunchoo/ baschoo -I
the ‘u’ and add ‘choo’ and am going / coming / sitting. It can also
add ma ( I ) at the be understood for future action. I will go
beginning / come / sit.
For respectful past tense but
Ex. aunu bhaiyo / khannu bhaiyo -
not first person (I) just add
came / ate
bhaiyo to the verb base
For informal way of asking
ex. momo khanne? / Thamel jane? -
someone if they want to do
Want to eat momos? / Want to go to
something, drop ‘u’ and
Thamel?
add ‘e’
Informal way of asking
someone to join you in Ex. Jaam / Basaam / Khaam -Let’s go /
doing something, drop ‘nu’ let’s sit / let’s eat
and add ‘am’
To combine two verbs,
drop ‘u’ & add ‘a’ to first,
Ex. Ma auna sakchu - I can come
and drop ‘u’ & add ‘chu to
second.

Useful Adjectives
Mahango / Sasto Expensive / Cheap
Ramro / Naramro Good / Bad
Sapha / Phohar Clean / Dirty
Thulo / Sano Big / Small
Sajilo / Gahro Easy / Hard
Thada / Najik Far / Close
Chito / Dhilo Fast / Slow
Tato / Cheeso Hot / Cold (for food)
Garmi / Jaado Hot / Cold (for weather)
Naya / Purano New / Old
Dhani / Garib Rich / Poor
Add ‘dherai’ to show ‘very’
Ex. Trekking dherai
Trekking is very hard
gahro cha

Question Words
Ke What
Kahaang Where
Kati How much
Kina / kinabhane Why / because
Kasko Whose
Kahile When
Kun Which
Kasari How
Kasto How (of quality)

Food adjectives
Mitho / namitho Tasty / Not tasty
Bhuteko Fried
Umaaleko Boiled
Noonilo Salty
Gooliyo Sweet
Amilo Sour
Tito Bitter
Piro Spicy
Food Items
Tarkari / Vegetables Gajur / Carrots
Kaulee / Cauliflower Bandakobi / Cabbage
Alu / Potato Makai / Corn
Saag / Spinach Kerau / Peas
Parsi / Pumpkin Pyaaj / Onion
Lasun / Garlic Kaankro / Cucumber
Simee / Beans Coursani / Chili
Adhuwa / Ginger Bhatamas / Soybean
Golbheraa / Tomato Dhal / Lentil
Bhadam / Peanut Kaju / Cashew
Mohar / Honey Bhat / Rice
Dudh / Milk Daihee / Yogurt
Pauroti / Bread (Loaf) Chapati / Bread (flat round)
Tel / Oil Noon / Salt
Chinni / Sugar

Syaau / Apple Keraa / Banana

Nariwal / Coconut Angur / Grapes
Kagati / Lemon Aanp / Mango
Suntalaa / Orange Mewaa / Papaya

Masu / Meat Andaa / Egg

Macha / Fish Kukhura / Chicken
Kasi / Goat Sungur / Pork

Kalo chiya / Black tea Kagatiko chiya / Lemon tea

Dudh chiya / Milk tea Adhuwa chiya / Ginger tea
Kalo coffee / Black
Dudh chiya / Milk tea
coffee
Pani / water Umaleko pani / Boiled water
Raksi / Alcohol Toomba / Millet beer
Chyang / Rice beer Ras / Juice

Useful nouns
Bato / Road Pul / Bridge Des / Country Bajar / Market
Kotha /
Gau / Village Khola / River Pasal / Shop
Room
Khanna / Mithai /
Ghar / House Koseli / Gift
Food Sweets
Jhola / Bag,
Topee / Hat Git / Song Kitaab / Book
pack
Manche / Mancheharu / Chorachori /
Bideshi / Foreigner
Person People Children
Pariwar / Dharma /
Family Religion
Numbers
1 / ek 6 / cha 15 / pandhra 50 / pachaase
2 / dui 7 / saat 20 / beece 60 / sathi
3 / tin 8 / aath 25 / pacheece 70 / sattari
4 / char 9 / nau 30 / teece 80 / assi
5 / panchs 10 / das 40 / chaleece 90 / nabbe

100 / ek
200 / dui saye 1000 ek hazar
saye

Expressions of Time
Aaja / Hijo / Bholi /
Ghanta / Hour
Today Yesterday Tomorrow
Haptaa / Mahina /
Din / Day Barsa / Year
Week Month
Bihaana / Diunso / Beluka /
Raatri / Night
Morning Afternoon Evening

Subha raatri Good night

Kati What time is
Ek bhajyo One o' clock
bhajyo? it?

Possession
Add ‘ko’ to a formal
Tapaiiko / Ann-Marie-ko / Didi-ko -Your /
name, pronoun to show
Ann-Marie’s / Didi’s (older sister’s)
possession
Some pronouns have Ma – Mero / Hami – Hamro - I–
special forms mine / We - Ours

Prepositions
______maa /
ex. Kathmandumaa / in Kathmandu
At, in, on
______baata / From ex. Kathmandubaata / from Kathmandu
______sanga / With ex. Ann-Mariesanga / with Ann-Marie
Baahira / Bhitra Outside / Inside
pachhi After

Conjunctions
ra / and ani / and then
kinabhane / because tara / but
Idiomatic use of Bhaiyo
If someone asks is something was done, to indicate it was, simply
answer ‘bhaiyo’
If someone is serving you food, to indicate enough, answer ‘bhaiyo’
Ke bhaiyo What happened?
Abera bhaiyo It’s late

Different ways to say Yes / No

To Locate something on you, to have
1. Cha / Chainna
something
ex. Chiya Cha? ex. Chiya Cha?
To state facts, truths, to define, to be or not
2. Ho / Hoina
to be
ex. Yo Thamel ho? Is this Thamel (tourist area of Kathmandu)?
To agree to do/not do something, some
3. Huncha / Hunna
action
ex. Momo khanne? Shall we eat momos (dumplings)? Yes, let’s
Huncha. eat.

Cha / Chaiina & Ho / Hoina are also the active verb form for ‘to be’
conjugated as ‘I am / You are / He is. You can add ‘ho’ or ‘cha’ to
make simple sentences.
Simple sample sentences
Thamel, kahaang ho? Where is Thamel?
Kahaang jane? Where are you going?
Esko kati parcha? How much does this cost? (useful in stores)
Kati ho? How much? (useful for asking taxi drivers)
Kahile jane? / kahile
When are we going? When are we eating?
khanne?
Tapaiiko ghar kahaang
Where is your home?
ho?
Mero ghar America-ma
My home is in America
ho
Ma ali-ali Nepali
I only speak a little Nepali
bolchu
Bistaari bhannus Please speak slowly
Are you married? (your marriage
Tapaiiko bihe bhaiyo?
happened?)
Mero bihe bhaiyo / I am married / not married.(My marriage
bhayeko chaina? happened)
Ma American hun I am American
Jomsom jane baato kun Which is the road to Jomsom? (Jomsom
ho? going road)
Ali sastoma dinus Please give it a little cheaper
Dherai mahango bhaiyo It’s very (too) expensive
Yo / tyo ke ho? What is this / that?
Ek raatiko kati ho? How much for one night?

Feelings and Emotions

Ma ______ lagyo /
I feel / don’t feel ______.
lagena.
Birami / sick Bhok / hungry
Raksi / drunk Thirkaa / thirsty
Khushee / happy Dukha / sad
Thakai / tired Alchee / lazy
Dar / scared Nindra / sleepy
Jaado / cold Garmi / hot

Other simple sentences

Tapaiilai ______ man
Do you like ______?
parcha?
Malai ______ man
I like ______.
parcha.
ex. Malai Nepali
I like Nepali food.
khanna man parcha.

To express that you like to do something, use a verb, drop the ‘u’ and
add ‘a’
ex. Malai aath ghanta
I like to sleep eight hours.
sutna man parcha.
To express that you can do something, use a verb, drop the ‘u’ add
‘a’ and sakchu
Ex. Ma kotha herna
Can I see a room.
sakchu.

Malai ______
I need ______ .
chahincha.
Malai ______
I don’t need ______ .
chahindaina

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