Nepali is the official language of Nepal, spoken by around 17 million native speakers. Written in Devanagari, it is also present in regions of India such as Sikkim and Darjeeling. With this kit, you have the basics to greet, eat and find your way, from Kathmandu to the Annapurna treks.
Nepali is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by around 17 million native speakers and used as a lingua franca by more than 30 million people in total. Official language of Nepal, it is also recognized in several Indian states (Sikkim, West Bengal, Darjeeling) and spoken by large diasporas in India, Bhutan and the United Kingdom. Nepali is written in Devanagari, the same alphabet as Hindi and Sanskrit, which makes reading easier for anyone already familiar with one of these languages.
Linguistically, Nepali is close to Hindi and shares much of its core vocabulary, but it is often described as softer and more melodic. The grammar is agglutinative, with subject-object-verb order and a strongly marked system of politeness levels. Three forms of "you" coexist: "timi" for close people, "tapai" for standard politeness, and "hajur" to express deep respect, especially towards elders and figures of authority. This gradation reflects a society deeply attached to social hierarchy and respect.
Nepal hosts eight of the world's ten highest peaks, including Everest, and the culture is imbued with both Hinduism and Buddhism. You will encounter Tibetan stupas, Hindu temples, prayer flags and religious processions. Festivals like Dashain and Tihar shape the year. This kit gathers the essentials to greet, ask for directions, order a meal, handle a medical issue and take leave respectfully. Memorize these phrases before leaving and you will be welcomed warmly, as soon as you arrive in Kathmandu.
Here is how these phrases play out in real life. Each scene sets the stage and gathers the useful expressions.
You land at Tribhuvan airport in Kathmandu in the early afternoon. The immigration line is long and warm. You greet the officer with a "namaste", palms joined, thank him when he hands back your passport, and he replies with a respectful smile.
You get into a taxi to reach Thamel. The driver asks who is waiting for you, what you are looking for, where your guest house is and when you want to arrive. You answer by pointing to your map on the phone.
You enter a bhojanalaya (popular eatery) in the Thamel district. The waiter welcomes you and hands you the menu. You order water, a spiced chai, a traditional dal bhat and a portion of hot lentil soup.
You start feeling altitude sickness during a trek. At the clinic, you point to your head to signal dizziness, your blurry eyes, your bleeding nose and your dry mouth. The doctor understands and prescribes rest.
On the morning of departure, your host family offers you one last hot tea. You say "yes" for one more cup, "no, thank you" for the food, and end with a "namaste" and a heartfelt "thank you for everything".
What you need to know before travelling to a népalais-speaking country.
The "namaste", palms joined at chest level and a slight head bow, is the universal greeting in Nepal. It is used to say hello, goodbye, and immediately conveys respect.
In Nepal, people traditionally eat with their right hand. The left hand is considered impure. If you are served a traditional dish like dal bhat, observe your hosts and mimic their gestures.
Remove your shoes before entering a home, a temple or some shops. This rule is strict, especially in Hindu and Buddhist sanctuaries. Check whether there are shoes lined up at the entrance.
Nepali distinguishes three levels of politeness for "you": "timi" (familiar), "tapai" (polite, the most useful for you) and "hajur" (highly respectful). With a stranger, stick to "tapai".
Never touch a person's head, even a child's: it is considered the most sacred part of the body. Likewise, avoid pointing your feet at a person or an altar.
Dal bhat is the national dish: white rice, lentil soup, vegetables and sometimes a meat curry. It is often eaten twice a day. "Dal bhat power, twenty-four hour" is a famous local joke.
Bargaining is usual in markets and tourist shops, but stays polite and smiling. A classic rule: start at half the announced price and negotiate up to about two thirds.
Always walk around stupas and chortens clockwise, keeping the monument on your right. It is a mark of respect for the Tibetan Buddhism present in Nepal.
Preview. The full glossary (30 words) and all the phrases are in the PDF.
ṭhīk cha
fine, OK, it's fine
phēri bheṭaũlā
see you again, goodbye
hajur
sir/madam, yes (polite)
svāgatam
welcome
māph pāū̃
I'm sorry, forgive me
ma
I, me
timī
you (intimate, medium respect)
tapāī̃
you (formal, respectful)
ū
he, she (medium)
uhā̃
he, she (honorific)
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Every translation is cross-checked against at least two concordant sources among the references below.
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