Greetings and Polite Expressions

Greetings are crucial in Nepali culture, reflecting respect and good intentions. Starting a conversation with a polite greeting can set a positive tone.

– Namaste – A common greeting equivalent to hello. It also has a deeper meaning, implying “I bow to the divine in you.”
– नमस्ते! तपाईंलाई कस्तो छ?
– Subha prabhat – Good morning.
– सुभ प्रभात! तपाईंलाई भेटेर खुशी लाग्यो।
– Subha sandhya – Good evening.
– सुभ सन्ध्या! तपाईंको दिन कस्तो रह्यो?

Polite expressions also play a significant role in day-to-day interactions.
– Dhanyabad – Thank you.
– धन्यवाद, मलाई यो सहयोग मन पर्‍यो।
– Maf garnuhos – Please forgive/excuse me.
– माफ गर्नुहोस्, म अलिक ढिला भएँ।
– Tapaiko naam ke ho? – What is your name?
– तपाईंको नाम के हो?

Essential Questions

Asking questions is fundamental in any language to gather information and engage in meaningful conversations.
– Tapaainlai kasto cha? – How are you?
– तपाईंलाई कस्तो छ?
– Yo kati ho? – How much is this?
– यो कति हो?
– Yaha bato kata ho? – Where is the way here?
– यहाँ बाटो कता हो?

Numbers and Shopping

Knowing numbers is particularly useful, especially for shopping and bargaining.
– Ek (1), Dui (2), Tin (3), Char (4), Panch (5)
– एक, दुई, तीन, चार, पाँच
– Yo kati ho? – How much is this?
– यो कति हो?
– Malai yo kinna man lagyo – I would like to buy this.
– मलाई यो किन्न मन लाग्यो।

Directions and Transportation

Getting around in Nepal requires some knowledge of direction-related vocabulary.
– Baayaa – Left
– कृपया बायाँ फर्कनुहोस्।
– Daayaa – Right
– कृपया दायाँ फर्कनुहोस्।
– Sidha – Straight
– सीधा जानुहोस्।
– Bus park kata cha? – Where is the bus station?
– बस पार्क कता छ?

Food and Dining

Food is an integral part of Nepali culture, and knowing how to order or inquire about food can enhance your dining experience.
– Khana – Food
– खाना मिठो छ।
– Pani – Water
– कृपया मलाई पानी दिनुहोस्।
– Menu kripaya – Menu, please.
– मेनु कृपया।

Emergencies and Health

It’s crucial to know some basic phrases to use in emergencies or health issues.
– Sahayog garnus – Please help.
– सहयोग गर्नुस्, म बिरामी छु।
– Aspatal kata cha? – Where is the hospital?
– अस्पताल कता छ?
– Police lai bolau – Call the police.
– पुलिसलाई बोलाउ।

Conclusion

Mastering these daily-use Nepali words and phrases can significantly ease your communication in Nepal, helping you build stronger relationships and a deeper understanding of the culture. Practice regularly, and don’t hesitate to engage in conversations with native speakers to enhance your fluency. Remember, learning a language is a journey, and every word you learn is a step forward.