Greetings

1. नमस्ते

   Na-mas-te

   Hello / Greetings

   Usage

   The most common greeting in Nepal. Said while pressing palms together and bowing slightly. Identical to Hindi "Namaste." Works everywhere from Kathmandu to Himalayan trekking trails.

   Grammar Note

   From Sanskrit. Nepali and Hindi share the Devanagari script but are distinct languages. The reply is also "Namaste."

2. धन्यवाद

   Dhan-ya-waad

   Thank you

   Usage

   Polite thanks. Also used to thank porters and guides on treks.

   Grammar Note

   Same as Hindi "dhanyavaad." More emphatic: "बहुत धन्यवाद" (many thanks).

3. माफ गर्नुहोस्

   Maaf gar-nu-hos

   Excuse me / Sorry

   Usage

   Polite expression for both apology and getting attention. Handy when asking for directions in busy Kathmandu.

   Grammar Note

   "गर्नुहोस्" is the polite imperative. Casual form is "माफ गर."

4. हजुरको नाम के हो?

   Ha-jur-ko naam ke ho?

   What is your name?

   Usage

   Polite inquiry when meeting someone for the first time. "हजुर" is the most respectful second-person pronoun.

   Grammar Note

   Nepali is generally described as having 5 levels of second person: हजुर / यहाँ (highest), तपाईं (polite), तिमी (familiar), तँ (rude/intimate).

5. मेरो नाम ... हो

   Me-ro naam ... ho

   My name is ...

   Usage

   Basic self-introduction. Fill in "..." with your name.

   Grammar Note

   Nepali word order is SOV (Subject-Object-Verb). "हो" comes at the end. Similar to Hindi but uses "मेरो" not "मेरा."

6. हजुर अंग्रेजी बोल्नुहुन्छ?

   Ha-jur ang-re-ji bol-nu-hun-chha?

   Do you speak English?

   Usage

   Essential phrase to check language ability. Useful when talking to trekking guides and guesthouse staff.

   Grammar Note

   Polite question form ends in "〜नुहुन्छ?". Negative: "बोल्नुहुन्न."

7. हुन्छ

   Hun-chha

   Yes / Okay / Alright

   Usage

   Versatile word for agreement and affirmation. One of the most frequently used words in daily conversation.

   Grammar Note

   Present form of "हुनु" (to become/be). Opposite: "हुन्न" (no/not okay). One of the most important Nepali words.

8. म बुझिनँ

   Ma bu-jhi-naṃ

   I don't understand

   Usage

   When you cannot understand. Useful on treks and in markets.

   Grammar Note

   "बुझिनँ" is the negative of "बुझ्नु" (to understand). Corresponds to Hindi "समझ नहीं आया."

9. फेरि भेटौंला

   Phe-ri bhe-taun-la

   See you again / Until we meet again

   Usage

   Warm farewell. Especially meaningful when parting with fellow trekkers on the Himalayan trails.

   Grammar Note

   "भेटौं" is the volitional form of "भेट्नु" (to meet), with "ला" adding a hopeful nuance.

10. तपाईंलाई भेट्न पाएर खुसी लाग्यो

    Ta-paain-lai bhet-na pa-er khu-si laag-yo

    Nice to meet you

    Usage

    Polite first-meeting greeting. Appropriate for business and formal settings.

    Grammar Note

    Past tense of "लाग्नु" (to feel). The construction "〜लाग्यो" is common for expressing emotions.

11. शुभ प्रभात

    Shu-bha pra-bhaat

    Good morning

    Usage

    Formal morning greeting. Appreciated when said to lodge staff before an early Himalayan trek departure.

    Grammar Note

    Sanskrit-origin formal expression. In everyday use "नमस्ते" covers all times of day. "शुभ रात्रि" = good night.

12. म जापानबाट आएको हुँ

    Ma ja-paan-baa-ta aa-e-ko hũ

    I am from Japan

    Usage

    Stating your origin. Replace "जापान" with your own country name.

    Grammar Note

    "बाट" is a postposition meaning "from." "आएको हुँ" is the perfect tense. Nepali uses postpositions, not prepositions.

13. म फेरि आउनेछु

    Ma pheri aunechu

    I'll come again

    Usage

    Said when leaving a shop

14. धेरै रमाइलो भयो

    Dherai ramailo bhayo

    I had a great time

    Usage

    Said when parting ways

15. धन्यवाद, फेरि भेटौंला

    Dhanyabaad, pheri bhetaunla

    Thanks, see you

    Usage

    A casual way to say goodbye

16. शुभ रात्रि

    Shubh raatri

    Good night

    Usage

    Said before going to sleep, e.g. to a guesthouse host

17. म बाहिर जाँदैछु

    Ma bahira jandai chhu

    I'm heading out

    Usage

    Said when leaving the guesthouse

18. म फर्किएँ

    Ma pharkiyen

    I'm back

    Usage

    Said when returning to the guesthouse

19. म पहिले जान्छु, है

    Ma pahile janchhu, hai

    I'll be going now

    Usage

    Said when leaving before others, e.g. at a meal

20. केही होइन

    Kehi hoina

    You're welcome

    Usage

    Response to being thanked (literally "it's nothing")

Browse all TravelPhrases languages