Basic Nepali Language Practice
(For TEAM Nepal’s Foreign Volunteer)
1. Greetings and Introductions
Nepali
Namaste/Namaskar
Tapain lai kasto cha?
Malai thikai cha./Sanchai Chhu.
Tapain kun desh bata aaunu vayeko?
Ma ……. baata aayeko.
Tapain ko subha nam ke ho?
Mero nam ….. ho, ani tapain ko ni?
Tapain sanga vet huda khushi lagyo.
Malai pani khushi lagyo.
Khana/khaja khanu vayo?
Hajur / Hajurrr !
Khaye/ Khayeko chaina
Maph Garnus, maile bujhaena.
Pheri Vetaula
Dhannyabad
2. During Shopping
Nepali
Yesko kati parcha?
Ohh, kasto mahango/mahango vayo
Ma Swyamsebak ho, sastoma dinus.
Ma aru pasal ma pani herchu.
Malai katima dinuhuncha ?
Ma dui saye pachas rupaya dinchu.
Huncha, Ma pachi aauchu.
Tapainko antim price vannus.
Vayo Chahidaina/Nalenee
Pheri Vetaula
Dhannyabad
3. Kitchen and Foods
Chiya – Tea Doodh – Milk
Pani – Water Chiso – Cold
Daal – Lentils Bhat/Bhuja – Rice
Masu – Meat Roti – Bread
Nepali
Malai khana man lagyo.
Malai vok lageko chhaina.
Malai piro man parcha/pardaina.
Tatopani/Chisopani dinus na.
English
Hello, Greetings, Hi/ Respectful version of
Namaste.
How are you?
I am okay. / I am fine.
Which nice country are you from?
I am from …..
What is your nice name please?
My name is ……, What about yours?
Nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you too.
Have you eaten your meal/breakfast?
Acceptance/ Not understanding clearly and
asking to repeat same words again.
I ate / No, i haven’t.
Excuse me, I don’t understand.
See you again
Thank you.
English
How much does it cost?
Oh, very expensive/It’s too much.
I am a volunteer; please give me for cheaper.
I want to visit some more shops.
For how much can you give it (for me)?
I will give you 250 rupees for it.
OK, I will come back.
What’s your last price?
That’s fine, I don’t need/ Don’t want to take.
See you again
Thank you.
Dahi – Curd Mohi – Yogurt
Tato – Hot Achar – pickle
Tarkari – Vegetables Macha – Fish
Bhatamas – Soya bin Falfull - Fruits
English
I would like to eat.
I am not hungry.
I like hot/don’t like hot.
Give hot/cold water please.
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Khanekura ke cha? What is there to eat?
Malai yo khana badhi huncha. This is too much (food) for me.
Alikati achar dinus. Can you give me a little more pickle.
Yo ke ho? What is this?
Bhuteko makai cha? Do you have popcorn?
Ma nakhane I don’t eat.
Malai khana pakauna aaudaina/Aaucha. I don’t know/know how to cook.
Khana pakauna sikauna saknuhuncha ? Can you teach me how to cook food?
Sanibar bida cha Saturday is holiday.
Ma pani (khet ma) kam garna janchu. I also want to go work (to the field).

4. Travel and Transportation.

Nepali English
Yo bus kaha jane ho? Where does this bus go to?
(Place Name) jane bato kaha ho? Which is the way to go to (Place Name)
Kathmandu Jane bus kaha paucha? Where can I get the bus to Kathmandu?
Yo thau ko nam ke ho? What is the name of this place?
Bhadaa kati ho? How much is the fair?
Ma yeha basna sakchu. Can I sit here?
(To Taxi) Shyambhu jane ho? Do you want to go to Shyambhu/Monkey
temple?
Ma yeha orlinchu. I want to get off here.
Parkhanus hai. Wait for me okay.

5. Addressing People and Things

Nepali English Nepali English
Bishow JI Mr Bhshow (used both for lady and Didi/Bahini Older/Younger Sister
gents)
Ama/Muma Mother Dai/Bhai Older/Younger Brother
Buwa/Buba Father Chora Son
Nanu/babu For small kids girl/boy Uni She
Ma/Hami I/We Yo/Tyo This/That
Hajur/Tapain You (Respected/Normal) Usko His
Sathi Friend Keta Boy
Chori Daughter Keti Girl

6. Question Words
Nepali English Nepali English
Ke What Kasto How (Quality/Color)
Kaha Where Kahile When
Kati How Much Kun Which
Kina/Kinabhane Why/Because Kasari How (procedure)
Kasko Whose Kina Why

7. Some Nepali Proverbs

 Naachna Najanney Aaagan tedo – (Someone who can’t dance nice says the
floor is not level.)
 Jo chor uskai thulo swor – ( The one who is guilty has the threatening voice.)

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  Na paune le kera payo bokrai sita khayo – (Someone who had nothing to eat
got bananas and ate it without peeling.)
 Chokta khan gako budi jholma dubera mari – (The one who went to eat the
meat drowned in the liquid.)
 Jun goruko sing chhaina uskai naam tikhe – (The Ox that has no horns is
named “Sharpy”)
 Khai na paai chhalako topi lai – (Cant afford to eat but wears a leather hat)
 Haati chhiro puchchar adrakiyo – (The elephant got in but its tail is stuck)

8. Numbers

9. Months and Days

Months Days
Baisakh Aaitabar Sunday
Jestha Sombar Monday
Ashad Mangalbar Tuesday
Shrwan Budhabar Wednesday
Bhadra/Bhadau Bihibar Thursday
Asoj Shukrabar Friday
Kartik Sanibar Saturday
Mangsir Nepalese initial month of Baishakh covers almost 15 days of
Poush April and 15 of March. Aaushi is the 15 dark nights of the month
Magh/Marga and Purnima is the rest fifteen nights of Fullmoon.
Falgun Bar in Nepali is Day in English.
Chaitra

10. Colors and Adjectives

Colors Adjectives
Kalo – Black Nilo – Blue Fattaha - A Liar Sajilo - Easy
Seto _ White Hariyo - Green Alchi – Lazy Garo – Hard/Difficult
Sunaulo - Golden Pahenlo - Yellow Ramailo – Comedy Ramro – Good
Rato – Red Khairo - Brown Ghamandi – Greedy Naramro – Not Good
Murkha – Foolish