Basic Words

1. हो

   ho

   Yes

   Usage

   The basic yes. Often enough on its own to keep a transaction moving

2. होइन

   hoina

   No

   Usage

   The basic no. Pair it with a head shake to make refusal unmistakable

3. कृपया

   kripaya

   Please

   Usage

   Add it to any request, including when you order by pointing at something

4. धन्यवाद

   dhanyabaad

   Thank you

   Usage

   For anything you receive or any help you get. The single most-used word of a trip

5. सुन्नुहोस्

   sunnuhos

   Excuse me

   Usage

   To get a stranger's or staff member's attention, or to squeeze past someone

6. माफ गर्नुहोस्

   maaf garnuhos

   Sorry

   Usage

   An actual apology after bumping into someone or making a mistake, not for getting attention

7. ठीक छ

   thik chha

   It's OK / I'm fine

   Usage

   Both "no harm done" when someone apologises and a soft "no thanks" to an offer

8. मैले बुझिनँ

   maile bujhinan

   I don't understand

   Usage

   When you did not follow what was said. It usually prompts the other person to rephrase

9. बुझें

   bujhen

   I understand

   Usage

   Confirms the explanation landed. Clearer than just nodding

10. भयो

    bhayo

    I'm finished / Done

    Usage

    Signals a meal, payment or procedure is complete — also used to have plates cleared

11. कृपया पर्खनुहोस्

    kripaya parkhanuhos

    Please wait

    Usage

    To ask someone to hold on while you dig out luggage or paperwork

12. एक छिन

    ek chhin

    Just a moment

    Usage

    A lighter, shorter hold-on for a brief pause at a till or before a photo

13. एक जना वयस्क

    ek janaa vayask

    One adult, please

    Usage

    For ticket desks and entrances where adult and child prices differ

14. मैले बुकिङ गरेको छैन

    maile booking gareko chhaina

    I don't have a reservation

    Usage

    The first thing to say when walking into a restaurant or hotel without booking

15. मैले बुकिङ गरेको छु

    maile booking gareko chhu

    I have a reservation

    Usage

    Say it on arrival, then give your name to speed things up

16. मलाई मद्दत गर्नुहोस्

    malaai maddat garnuhos

    Please help me

    Usage

    For trouble or an emergency. It is fine to say this loudly

17. फेरि एकपटक भन्नुहोस्

    pheri ekpatak bhannuhos

    Once more, please

    Usage

    When you missed what was said — handy for prices and room numbers

18. बिस्तारै बोल्नुहोस्

    bistaarai bolnuhos

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    When the speed is the problem. Works well combined with "once more"

19. मलाई अलिअलि आउँछ

    malaai ali-ali aauchha

    I speak a little

    Usage

    Sets expectations early so the other person switches to simpler wording

20. तपाईं अङ्ग्रेजी बोल्नुहुन्छ?

    tapaain angreji bolnuhunchha?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Your fallback when communication stalls. Usually works at hotels and airports

    Grammar Note

    Use तपाईं (tapaain) with strangers; तिमी (timi) only with people you know.

21. यो

    Yo

    This

    Usage

    For something within reach; point at a menu item or a product while showing it

22. त्यो

    Tyo

    That

    Usage

    For something further away. Nepali splits demonstratives two ways only, yo and tyo, so tyo covers both that and that over there

23. यहाँ

    Yahaan

    Here

    Usage

    The spot you are standing on; use it while showing a map or address

24. त्यहाँ

    Tyahaan

    There

    Usage

    A place near the listener or the place being talked about

25. उता

    Uta

    Over there

    Usage

    The far side, away from both speakers. Do not use the similar-looking uhaan — that is the honorific pronoun for a person, not a place

26. म

    Ma

    I / me

    Usage

    Yourself; point at yourself with it when sorting out who is who or how many

27. तपाईं

    Tapaain

    You (polite)

    Usage

    The polite word for the person you are talking to. Timi is for close friends and juniors; as a traveler stick to tapaain

28. सँगै

    Sangai

    Together

    Usage

    Show it to ask for the same table, the same vehicle, or the same room

29. पुग्यो

    Pugyo

    That is enough

    Usage

    Stops more being served or poured. Nepali eateries keep refilling your plate, so this is how you call a halt

30. अहिले नै

    Ahile nai

    Right now

    Usage

    Marks something as urgent; ahile (now) plus the emphatic nai

31. एक जना

    Ek jana

    One person

    Usage

    States the head count for a table or a room; jana is the counter used for people

32. दुई जना

    Dui jana

    Two people

    Usage

    States the head count for a table or a room

33. तीन जना

    Tin jana

    Three people

    Usage

    States the head count for a table or a room

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