Travellers in Nepal have felt pretty comfortable speaking only in English during their stay, whether they are in major cities or in popular rural trekking routes. Nepalese people are familiar with rudimentary English vocabulary. However, learning a few words from the local Nepali dialect is helpful as it tends to make the Nepalese people friendlier. This could also be an advantage if your diction is not received well or misunderstood. Here are a list of words and phrases of Nepali dialect that you may consider learning when making multi-day trips in Nepal.
Some common words and phrases from Nepali dialect
Namaste Hello
tapainkonaam k ho? What is your name?
meronaam John ho My name is John.
yobaaTo kata jancha? Where does this road lead to?
khana meal/lunch/dinner
paani water
khanadinus please give me food
paanidinus please give me water
bhoklaagyo I am hungry
trikhalaagyo I am thirsty
dhanyabaad Thank you
ho, hajur Yes
chaina, hoina No
malaimaafgarnus Please forgive me.
angrejibolnuhuncha? Do you speak English?
maali ali Nepali bolchu I speak basic Nepali.
ta-ta / Namaste Bye bye
Chor! Thief!
malaisahayoggarnus Please help me.
maharayen I am lost.
doctor kata hunuhuncha Where is the doctor?
masakaharihun I am a vegetarian.
aaja today
hijo yesterday
bholi tomorrow
Counting numbers:
Ek=1 Dui=2 Tin=3
Char=4 Paach=5 Chha=6
Saat=7 Aath=8 Nau=9
Dash=10 bis=20 teece=30
chalis=40 pachhas=50 eksaye=100
Talking about quantities:
Yeskokatirupiya? How much does this cost?
thorai less
dherai more
aadha half
Asking for specific things:
Malai ............. dinus Please give me ................
dinus please give
linus please take
Ausadhi=medicine chiya=tea ticket=ticket
kotha= room Charpi=toilet Chiso=cold
Taato=hot sabun=soap rumal=tower/handkerchief
(Remember that learning a new language takes some time. Also, the pronunciation could be difficult in the beginning but improves with practice. Take your chance to speak in Nepali whenever you can! Enjoy your stay in Nepal.)