Some Nepalese words, phrases and sentences useful for foreign tourists

 Sagar Saud

 

Hello! Foreign friends!!

Are you traveling to Nepal recently? Or are you thinking of visiting Nepal in the near future? If so, it is better for you to learn some basic and useful Nepalese words, phrases, and sentences to make your travel experience much more lively and enjoyable. There are tourist guides as a translator but it is useful while you are single or you can save yourselves from bad people and taboo words.

That's why, here, I am going to introduce some Nepalese words, phrases, and sentences useful for foreign tourists traveling to Nepal. You can learn these words and phrases easily. I will cover words, phrases, and sentences that are used in greeting words, useful nouns, verbs, intimacy words, taboo words, and other useful sentences.

Well, let's begin.

Nepali Greeting Words and Phrases:

Pronouns

I, I am = Ma,                      My/Mine  = Mero

We = Hami,                        Our = Hamro

You = Timi (for junior)/Tapai (for sunior)

Your = Timro (for junior)/ Tapaiko (for senior)

He = Uou,                             His = Usko,

She = Uni,                             Her = Unko

This = Yoo         That = Tyoo       It = Yoo        They = Tini

Some adverbs

Where = Kanha/Kata   When = Kahile    Why = Kina      Down = ta:la

Up = Mathi     Here = Yanha/Yeta     There = Tanhya/Tetaa   Inside = Bhittra

Outside = Bahira

Today= Aaja    Yesterday = Hijo     Tomorrow =  Bholi   Day = Din

Night = Raat

When two persons meet,

Hi!  =  Namaste (I bow to you by joining two hands with deep respect)

Hello! = Namaskar (I respect you by joining two hands as a deity)

Actually saying, Hi! and Hello! Do not carry the meaning of Namaste and Namaskar. It is in a fashion that when someone says "Namaste" to you, then you should say "Namaskar" or vice-versa. The two greeting words carry deep spiritual and divine feelings and energy. It must come from one's innermost heart with deeper respect to the person you are greeting.

Namaste! = Namaste!

What is your name? = Tapaiko nam k ho?

Namaskar! My name is John Adams.  = Namaskar! Mero nam John Adams Ho.

Where is your home?  = Tapaiko ghar (home) kata ho?

I am from America. =  Mero ghar (home) America Ho.

You are welcome! = Tapai Lai Swagat Chha! ( Friends and juniors)

                                 Hajur Lai Swagat Chha!  ( Respected seniors)

  'Hajur' is a word that is used to address seniors like teacher, father, mother, grandfather, elder sister, elder brother or who are older than you in age or person who deserves respect.

Thank you!  =   Dhannyabad!

Welcome!  =  Swagat Chha.

Are you fine? =  Tapai/Hajur Sanchai Hunu hunchha ??

Yes, I am fine. =  Ho, Ma Sanchai Chhu.

Yes, we are fine. = Ho, Hami Sanchai Chhau.

No, I am not fine = Malai Sancho Chaina.

No, I am sick = Ma Bimari (sick) Chu.

I need a doctor.  = Malai doctor Chahiyo.

I have altitude sickness. = Malai lek lagyo.

Everything is well. =  Thik Cha.

I am happy.  =  Ma Khusi Chu. (Happy = Khusi)

What is this? = Yo Ke Ho?       I know. =  Malai Thaha Chaa.

I don't know.=  Malai Thaha Chaina.

Yes = Hoo/Haa         No = Hoina/ Naa         Please! = Kripaya!

Excuse me! = Maf Garnu hos Or Maf Pau.

I am Sorry. = Ma dukhi Chu.                    I am lost =  Ma Haraye.

Good Morning! =  Suva Bihani!         Good Afternoon! = Suva Din!

Good Evening! = Suva Sandhya!        Good Night! = Suva Ratri!

I love You = Ma Timi Lai Maya Garchu. (Love = Maya/Prem)

Happy New Year =Naya Barsha ko Suvakamana (New=Naya, Barsha= Year)

Happy Birthday = Janma Din ko Suvkamana (Birthday = Janma Din)

Best Wishes! = Suvkamana         Congratulations!  = Badhai Cha.

I am So Sad. = Ma aati Dukhi Chu. (So= aati, Sad= Dukhi)

Sad News = Dukhi Khabar. 

How much does it cost? = Kati Ruppiya Parcha.

It's too expensive. = Aati Mahangoo.

I am Tired = Ma Thakit Chu.       I am Hungry. = Malai Bhook Lagyoo

Where is the hotel? = Hotel kata cha?       Let's Go.  = Aba Jau

Where is the toilet? =   Sauchalaya kata Cha?

I must leave now.  =    Aba Maile Janu Parcha.

Help me. =        Malai Sahayog Garnu hoos.

Please! save me. = Malai Bachaunu Hos.

I forgot the way. =  Ma batoo (way) Birse.

Take Care =  Take Care        Bye Bye = Bye Bye

Don't weep/cry = Na Runu Hos.

See You Again = Feri Bhetaula                    See You Soon = Chandai Bhetaula

 I lost my Mobile phone. =    Mero Mobile Phone Harayoo(lost).

What time is it now? =    Ahile kati Bajyoo?

It's Cold.   = Chiso Cha.                        It's hot. = Garmi Cha

It's Cloudy today. =  Aaja Badal Lageko Cha. 

It's Raining heavily. = Thulo paani pardai cha.

It's foggy today. = Aaja Hussu Lageko Cha.

The Flight may postpone. = Udan Sthagit huna sakcha.

The Flight may delay. = Udan dhilo huna sakcha.

Some useful nouns and their equivalents

Help = Sahayog   Friend = Saathi/Mitra  Rascal = Haraami  Rouge = Badmaas

Thug = Gunda  Water = Paani  Tap = Dharoo  Soap = Saabun 

Hungry = Bhook  Breakfast = Khajaa/Naasta  Tea = Chiya  Coffee = Coffee

Cigarette = Cigarette/Churootha    Fire = Aagoo  Lighter = Lighter

Newspaper = Patrika   Food = Khaana  Rice  = Bhaat   Chappati = Rooti

Vegetable = Saag / Tarkari  Milk = Dudha   Yogurt = Dahii  Salt = Nun

Lentil = Daal      Spicy = Piro/Masaledar   Tasty = Swadilo

Chili Pepper = Khursani   Noodles = Chau Chau  Meat = Maasu

Egg = Aanda     Fish = Maachha   Fruits = Falful   Stale = Basi   

Dirty = Fohar     Disease = Bimar   (Unwell = Bimari)  Medicine = Dawai  

Hospital = Aspatal   Fever = Jooro      

Headache = Tauko Dukhnu (Head = Tauko)

Diarrhea = Pakhalaa   Mouth = Mukha   Nose = Naak    Eye = Aankha

Hand = Haat    Leg = Khutta   Foot = Paitala  Ear = Kaan

Injury = Ghaau/Choot      Police = Police  Bus park = Bus park

Police Station = Police Chauki/ Thaana   Shop = Pasal/Dookan

Vehicle = Gaadi    Money = Ruppiya, Paisa    Bank = Bank      ATM = ATM

Electricity = Bijuli     Mountain = Himal   Hill = Pahad       River = Nadi

Stream = Khoola     Lake = Taal   Waterfall = Jharnaa      Air = Hawa

Road = Sadak   Path = Baato  Bridge = Pul   Trekking = Paidal Yatra

Uphill = Ukaaloo   Downhill = Oraaloo   Cliff = Bhir    Porter = Bhariya

Elephant = Haatti   Tiger = Baagha   Horse = Ghooda    Dog = Kukur

Rhino = Gaidaa    Bird = Charaa   Snake = Sarpa    Beautiful = Sundar

Peaceful = Shant    House/Home = Ghar     Room = Kothaa

Some basic verbs

To eat = Khanu    To go = Janu    To walk = Hidnu   To Do = Garnu

To Help = Sahayog Garnu    To wake up = Buijhanu/ Uthnu  To sleep = Sutnu

To take rest = Aaram garnu   To forget = Bhulnu/Birsinu

To get angry = Risaunu    To cry/weep = Runu

To laugh = Hasnu        To Smile = Muskuraunu

Some words related to relation.

Father = Buwa   Mother = Ma/Aama   Uncle = Kaakaa

Grandfather = Baaje     Grandmother = Bajei/Hajur aama

Elder Brother = Daaju     Younger Brother = Bhai

Elder Sister = Didi     Younger Sister = Bahini     Husband = Sriman

Wife = Srimati      Son = Chooraa     Daughter = Choorii

Children = Santan/ Balbachha (in general)

 

If you meet any people and you have to talk to them, you can address them as follow:

If the persons are as old as your grandfather/grandmother, you can address them as Bajee (grandfather) and Bajei/Hajur aama (grandmother).

If they are as old as your father and mother, then Buwaa and Aamaa, like that Uncle = Kaakaa, person older than you Daazu (elder brother), Didi (elder sister), younger than you Bhai (younger brother), Bahini (younger sister).

If they are children or to your son/daughter's age then you can address them as Baabu (boy) and Naani/Naanu (girl).  It is a Nepalese culture to address people like family relations. It will make you closer to them and increase intimacy. Children can address you like this:

Namaste! Tourist uncle or Namaskar! American uncle! But you cannot address it as Srimati to other's wife. Hahaha.

 

Nepali intimacy words

Dear/Darling/Sweetheart =  Priya (Pyari is used to ladies)

Dude = Yaar (In the Nepali language, 'Yaar' is used to address friends with deep intimacy. You must be of same-same age group. But do not use this word with any ladies besides your wife or girlfriend.

Sir = 'Sir' is a formal word but prevalent in Nepal to addressing people. It is not only used for officials but also other unknown persons. You may be addressed as Sir also. For example,

"Sir ko nam k ho?" = "What is your name sir?", "Sir, Sanchai Hunu Huncha?" = "Are you fine sir?"

Be careful to Nepali taboo words, vulgar words, curse words, swear words, abusive words, dirty words and bad words

There are bad peoples everywhere. So you may encounter such peoples and they can use dirty words to tease you, or to make fun of you, or to express their anger. They can learn taboo words by lying. On social sites like Facebook and Tiktok, videos are found that are making fun of foreign tourists with native taboo words. So knowledge of such words is useful to you.

Asshole = Muji (You asshole! = Taa Muji)

Muji is used to an irritating person in an angry mood. But Muji is also used among intimate friends. It is a sweet word for them to show intimacy. For example, "Chitoo Aaa Muji" = Come soon, you asshole!  But be careful to use this word. It is a taboo word to some parts of Nepal as well as widespread all over Nepal among boys with intimacy. Teenage boys use this word most.

Bastard = Harami            Robber = Daanka (you can say, "Salaa Daankaa")

Thief = Choor (you can say, "Salaa Choor")

You Bitch = Kutta/Kukur (you can say, Salaa Kutta/Kukur)

Fuck off (get away from me) = Chal Bhag        Stupid/Fool = Murkha

Shut up! = Chup! Or Chup lag!   

Damn Care = Baal Matlab (frequently used by teenagers of the new generation)

Son of a bitch = Randi ko Choraa

Finally,

Dear foreign friends! In this piece of writing, I have tried to introduce you to some basic Nepali words, phrases, and sentences that can be useful to you while you are in Nepal. You can take benefit of the language and make your tour to Nepal much more enjoyable. If you think it best, you can share it with your friends and circle. I hope your Nepal tour be amazing, adventurous, pleasing, and memorable. God bless you.