Money & Exchange

1. यो कति पर्छ?

   Yo ka-ti par-chha?

   How much does this cost?

   Usage

   Nepal's currency is the Rupee (NPR). The essential phrase for asking prices at markets or shops

   Grammar Note

   "Parchha" is the present of "parnu" (to cost/take/fall). The most natural way to ask about prices in Nepali.

2. एटिएम कहाँ छ?

   E-ti-em ka-haan chha?

   Where is the ATM?

   Usage

   Used to find an ATM. International ATMs are abundant in Kathmandu and Pokhara

   Grammar Note

   "Kahaan chha" is the standard location question. ATMs are absent on mountain trekking routes — always carry cash from Kathmandu or Pokhara.

3. पैसा साट्न कहाँ पाइन्छ?

   Pai-saa saat-na ka-haan paa-in-chha?

   Where can I exchange money?

   Usage

   Used to find currency exchange. Authorized money changers are the safest option

   Grammar Note

   "Saatna" is the purposive infinitive of "saatnu" (to exchange). "Paainchha" is the passive potential present.

4. मोलमोलाई गर्न हुन्छ?

   Mol-mo-laa-i gar-na hun-chha?

   Is it okay to bargain?

   Usage

   Used to check if bargaining is possible. In Nepal, haggling is common at markets and souvenir shops

   Grammar Note

   "Garna huncha" asks permission for an action. The pattern infinitive + "huncha" expresses "is it okay to...?" in Nepali.

5. कार्डले तिर्न मिल्छ?

   Kaard-le tir-na mil-chha?

   Can I pay by card?

   Usage

   Used to check if card payment is accepted. Cash is the dominant payment method in Nepal

   Grammar Note

   "-le" is the instrumental case suffix (by means of). "Milchha" is one of the most common words in Nepali, meaning "possible/okay."

6. रसिद दिनुहोस्

   Ra-sid di-nu-hos

   Please give me a receipt

   Usage

   Used to request a receipt after a purchase. Important for expense claims or tax refunds

   Grammar Note

   "Rasid" (receipt) is borrowed from Arabic/Persian. "Dinuhos" is the polite imperative of "to give."

7. फिर्ता पैसा छ?

   Phir-taa pai-saa chha?

   Do you have change?

   Usage

   Used when paying with a large note to check if change is available

   Grammar Note

   "Phirta" (from Persian) means "return." "Phirta paisa" (return money) = change. Small denomination notes are often scarce in Nepal.

8. ट्रेकिङ परमिट कति पर्छ?

   Trek-king par-mit ka-ti par-chha?

   How much does the trekking permit cost?

   Usage

   Trekking permits (TIMS / National Park entry) are required in Nepal. Check costs in advance in Kathmandu

   Grammar Note

   "Parchha" is a multivalent verb meaning "costs/requires." Key permits include the TIMS card and National Park entry fee.

9. टिप्स दिनु पर्छ?

   Tips di-nu par-chha?

   Is it necessary to give a tip?

   Usage

   Used to ask about tipping customs. Tipping guides and porters is customary and important in Nepal

   Grammar Note

   "Dinu parchha" expresses obligation/necessity. English "tip" is used directly in Nepali. Guides and porters rely heavily on tips.

10. यो महँगो छ

    Yo ma-han-go chha

    This is expensive

    Usage

    Used when a price seems too high. Opens the door for price negotiation

    Grammar Note

    "Mahaango" (expensive) contrasts with "sasto" (cheap). Tourist prices are common at Nepali markets — bargain politely.

11. धरौटी

    Dharauti

    Deposit

    Usage

    A deposit held by a hotel or rental, returned at checkout

12. फिर्ता

    Phirta

    Refund

    Usage

    Word for getting money returned

13. पेश्की

    Peshki

    Prepayment

    Usage

    Word for money paid in advance

14. थप शुल्क

    Thap shulka

    Extra charge

    Usage

    Word for a charge added on afterward

15. सेवा शुल्क

    Seva shulka

    Service fee

    Usage

    Word for a fee charged for a procedure or service

16. नगद

    Nagad

    Cash

    Usage

    Payment method. Nepal runs on cash, and small shops and teahouses take nothing else

17. कार्ड

    Kard

    Card

    Usage

    Payment method; even where it is accepted, a 3-4% surcharge is usually added

18. छुट्टाछुट्टै बिल

    Chhuttachhuttai bil

    Separate bills

    Usage

    Point at it to ask for the bill to be split per person

19. एउटै बिल

    Eutai bil

    One bill together

    Usage

    Point at it to have everything put on a single bill

20. धेरै महँगो

    Dherai mahango

    Too expensive

    Usage

    A one-word way to say the price is too high. Bargaining is expected for souvenirs and taxis in Nepal

21. फिर्ता पैसा

    Firta paisa

    Change (money back)

    Usage

    The change handed back after paying. Small notes are chronically short in Nepal, so vendors often claim they have none

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