When visiting Nepal, whether for business or pleasure, understanding some basic Nepali phrases can make your shopping and commercial interactions go smoothly. Nepali, the official language of Nepal, is spoken by the majority of the population. Knowing how to communicate effectively in Nepali can help you navigate markets, stores, and business settings with ease. This guide provides essential phrases and vocabulary that you will find invaluable during your stay.

### Greeting and Basic Politeness

It’s important to start any interaction on the right foot, especially in a business context. Here are some essential greetings and phrases of politeness.

– **Hello/Good day**: Namaste (नमस्ते)
– **How are you?**: Tapainlai kasto chha? (तपाईंलाई कस्तो छ?)
– **I am fine, thank you**: Ma thik chu, dhanyabad (म ठीक छु, धन्यवाद)
– **Please**: Kripaya (कृपया)
– **Thank you**: Dhanyabad (धन्यवाद)
– **Excuse me/Sorry**: Maf garnuhos (माफ गर्नुहोस्)

### Asking for Prices

One of the most common things you’ll need to do while shopping is to ask for the price of items. Here are some phrases that will help:

– **How much does this cost?**: Yo kati parcha? (यो कति पर्छ?)
– **Can you reduce the price?**: Mulya ghataunu milchha? (मूल्य घटाउनु मिल्छ?)
– **Is there a discount?**: Chhut cha? (छुट छ?)
– **That’s too expensive**: Yo dherai mahango bhayo (यो धेरै महँगो भयो)

### Negotiating Prices

Bargaining is common in many Nepali markets. Here’s how you might engage in a bit of friendly haggling:

– **Can you offer a lower price?**: Ali sasto ma dinu milchha? (अलि सस्तोमा दिनु मिल्छ?)
– **I will give you [amount]**: Ma tapailai [rakam] dinchu (म तपाईलाई [रकम] दिन्छु)
– **Let’s settle at [amount]**: [Rakam] ma milaunuhos ( [रकम] मा मिलाउनुहोस्)
– **I am looking for a better price**: Ma ramro mulya khojdai chu (म राम्रो मूल्य खोज्दै छु)

### Making Purchases

Once you’ve found what you want and negotiated a price, here are some phrases that might come in handy when finalizing your purchase:

– **I will take it**: Ma yo linchu (म यो लिन्छु)
– **Do you accept credit cards?**: Tapailai kredit kard svikar cha? (तपाईंलाई क्रेडिट कार्ड स्वीकार छ?)
– **Can I get a receipt?**: Malai bill dinuhos? (मलाई बिल दिनुहोस्)
– **Where can I pay?**: Ma kaha tirna sakchu? (म कहाँ तिर्न सक्छु?)

### Asking for Help or Directions

In larger stores or when navigating a market, you might need assistance finding something:

– **Where is [item/place]?**: [Item/Place] kaha cha? ( [आइटम/स्थान] कहाँ छ?)
– **Can you help me?**: Tapai malai madat garna saknuhunchha? (तपाईं मलाई मद्दत गर्न सक्नुहुन्छ?)
– **I am looking for [item]**: Ma [item] khojdai chu (म [आइटम] खोज्दै छु)

### Common Items and Terms in Shopping

Knowing the Nepali names for common items can be very helpful while shopping. Here are a few:

– **Water**: Pani (पानी)
– **Food**: Khana (खाना)
– **Clothes**: Lugaa (लुगा)
– **Shoes**: Jutta (जुत्ता)
– **Medicine**: Aushadhi (औषधि)

By mastering these phrases and terms, you will be well-equipped to handle most shopping and commercial situations in Nepal. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t hesitate to use these phrases as much as possible during your visit. Happy shopping!