Language

Nepal has own language it is called Nepali language. most of the visitors will have to deal with in the Kathmandu valley and in Pokhara will speak good English. Along the main trekking trails, particularly the Annapurna Circuit, English is widely understood. However, it's interesting to learn at least a little Nepali and it's quite an easy language to pick up. Nepali is closely related to Hindi and, like Hindi, is a member of the Indo-European group of languages. Although Nepali is the national language of Nepal and is the linking language between all the country's ethnic groups there are many other languages spoken. The Newars of the Kathmandu Valley, for example, speak Newari and there are other languages spoken by the Tamangs, Sherpas, Rais, Limbus, Magars, Gurungs and other groups. In the Terai, bordering India, Hindi and Maithali, another Indian language of their region, are often spoken. Even if you can learn no other Nepali, there is one word every visitor soon picks up - Namaste. Strictly translated it means I salute the god in you, but it is used as an everyday greeting encompassing everything from Hello to How are you? and even 'see you again soon'. Properly used it should be accompanied with the hands held in a prayer like position, the Nepali gesture which is the equivalent of westerners shaking hands.

Word Phrases (Basic) English Nepali
I ma
Yes, (I have) chaa
No (I don't have) chhaina
OK theekcha
Where kata or kahan
Here yaha
There tyaha
Good/pretty ramro
Room kotha
Clean safa
Dirty phohar/maila
Fan pankhaa
Please give me ... malai ... dinuhos
Give me water paani dinuhos
I want to sleep malai sutna man lagyo
I feel cold malai jado lagya
The food is cold khaana cheeso chha
How much? kati?
What is it made of? ke le baneko?
That's enough pugyo
Where is the market bazar kata parcha
I have a fever joro aayo
I don't feel well malai sancho chhaina
Help! guhaar!
How are you? tapai lai kasto chha?
I am fine malai sancho chha
What is your name tapai ko naam ke ho?
My name is -- mero naam -- ho
What time is it? aahile kati bajyo?
It's two o'clock aahile dui bajyo
I speak a little Nepali ma ali nepali bolchhu
I don't understand maile bujhuina
Please say it again pheri bhannuhos
Please speak slowly tapai bistari bolnuhos
I don't need it malai chhahindaina
I don't have it ma sanga chhaina
Wait a minute ek chhin parkhanos
Where is a hotel? hotel kahaa cha?
Can I get a place to stay? yahan baas pauncha?
May I look at the room? ma kotha herna sakchhu?
Does it include breakfast bihanako khaana samet ho?
How can I get -- ? -- kaha bata jane ho?
Is it far from there? yahaabata ke taadhaa chha?
Where does this bus go? yo bus kahaa jaanchha?
How much does it cost to go to -- -- jana kati parchha?
I want one-way/return ticket. aaune/jaane-aaune tikat dinuhos.
1 ek
2 dui
3 teen
4 char
5 panch
6 chha
7 saat
8 aath
9 nau
10 das