Slang

1. ल

   La

   Alright / here you go

   Usage

   The interjection you hear most in Nepali — "alright", "here you go", "let's go", depending on the moment. Rude to no one, but follow it with a polite sentence when addressing an elder

2. हवस्

   Hawas

   Alright / as you say

   Usage

   A polite "understood". Safe with elders and staff alike, and probably the phrase you will use most. It also works as a parting "well then"

3. मस्त

   Mast

   Awesome

   Usage

   A common young person's compliment for food, views or music. Safe with friends and staff your age; with elders stick to "raamro" (good)

4. गजब

   Gajab

   Amazing / wow

   Usage

   A casual exclamation. It can mean genuine admiration or a wry "unbelievable", so smile as you show it. Fine with anyone, but not for formal settings

5. ठिकै छ

   Thikai chha

   It's alright

   Usage

   A restrained "it's fine", and a handy way to decline something. Safe with anyone — though right after someone serves you a home-cooked meal it sounds lukewarm

6. हैन

   Haina

   …right?

   Usage

   Tacked on to invite agreement. Literally "is it not", but in speech it works as a confirming tag. Good for chatting with friends

7. जाम

   Jaam

   Let's go

   Usage

   The casual "let's go". Use it with friends or a guide you have warmed up to; with elders or strangers use the polite "jaaun"

8. ठट्टा गरेको

   Thattaa gareko

   Just kidding

   Usage

   "Thattaa" (joke) + "gareko" (did) — the safe recovery line when a joke does not land. Fine with anyone

9. दाइ

   Daai

   Big brother (address term)

   Usage

   The go-to friendly way to address a man a bit older — shopkeepers, drivers, guides. Using it closes the distance fast. For a much older man, "daaju" is more respectful

10. दिदी

    Didi

    Big sister (address term)

    Usage

    A friendly way to address a woman a bit older — market sellers, cooks, the woman running your guesthouse. For a much older woman, "aamaa" (mother) shows more respect

11. ठ्याक्कै

    Thyaakkai

    Exactly

    Usage

    A casual "that's it exactly", for agreeing strongly with what someone just said. Rude to no one

12. क्या

    Kyaa

    Emphatic sentence-final particle

    Usage

    A sentence-final emphatic used by young people in Kathmandu ("majjaa aayo kyaa" = that was so much fun). Only with friends your own age — never with elders or strangers

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