Traveling in Nepal can be an exciting adventure, but language barriers can sometimes make communication challenging. In this post, we’ve compiled a list of essential Nepali phrases specifically for bus travelers. Whether you’re hopping on a local bus or navigating long-distance routes, these phrases will help you communicate with ease and enhance your travel experience in Nepal. Let’s dive in!
Bus travel sentences English to Nepali
I have to catch the bus.
Mailae bus samatnu parcha.
mai-lae bus sa-mat-nu par-cha.
मैले बस समात्नु पर्छ।
- Mailae (मैले): I (indicates the action is directed towards the speaker)
- Samatnu parcha (समात्नु पर्छ) – Have to catch (indicates necessity)
Hurry up or you’ll miss the bus.
chito garnus natra tapaile bus chutaunuhunechha.
chi-to gar-nus na-tra ta-pai-le bus chu-tau-nu-hu-ne-chha.
छिटो गर्नुस् नत्र तपाईंले बस छुटाउनुहुनेछ।
- Chito Garnus (छिटो गर्नुस्): Hurry up (polite command)
- Natra (नत्र): Or else (used to present an alternative or consequence if the action isn’t taken)
- Tapai (तपाईं): You (polite form of the second-person pronoun “you”)
- Chutaunuhunechha (छुटाउनुहुनेछ): Will miss (a polite, future tense form of the verb “chutnu” [to miss], which indicates a formal or respectful tone, often used when addressing someone politely)
How far is the bus station from here?
yahabata bus station kati tada chha?
ya-ha-ba-ta bus station ka-ti ta-da chha?
यहाँबाट बस स्टेशन कति टाढा छ?
- Yahabata (यहाँबाट): From here (यहाँ means “here” and बाट indicates “from” so together they mean “from here”)
- Kati (कति): How much / How far (used to ask about the extent or distance of something)
- Tada (टाढा): Far (indicating distance)
- Chha (छ): Is (verb “to be” in present tense, used for asking about the state of something)
The sentence is asking about the distance of the bus station from the current location.
Please give me a ticket to Kathmandu.
Kripaya malai Kathmandu jane euta ticket dinuhos.
Kri-pa-ya ma-lai Kathmandu ja-ne eu-ta ticket di-nu-hos.
कृपया मलाई काठमाडौं जाने एउटा टिकट दिनुहोस्।
- Kripaya (कृपया): Please (a polite way of asking for something; it’s a respectful request)
- Malai (मलाई): To me (dative form of “I” indicating that the action is being done to or for the speaker)
- Kathmandu (काठमाडौं): Kathmandu (the capital city of Nepal, remains the same in both languages)
- Jane (जाने): To go (here it’s used to indicate a direction or destination)
- Euta (एउटा): A (one, used for singular countable items, like “a ticket”)
- Dinuhos (दिनुहोस्): Give (polite imperative form of the verb “dinu” meaning “to give”; used when making a respectful or formal request)
The sentence is a polite request asking someone to give you a ticket to Kathmandu.
Give me the ticket.
Malai ticket/tikat dinuhos.
malai ticket/tikat dinuhos.
मलाई टिकट दिनुहोस्।
- Tikat (टिकट) – Ticket (for travel, cinema, events, etc.)
The word “Tikat” (टिकट) in Nepali refers to “ticket” in English. It is a borrowed word from English and is used commonly in Nepali to describe a ticket for transportation, entry to events, etc.
What is the fare?
Bhada kati cha?
Bha-da ka-ti cha?
भाडा कति छ?
- Bhada (भाडा): Fare (refers to the charge for transportation, like bus fare or taxi fare)
- Kati (कति): How much (used to ask about the quantity or extent of something, like price or distance)
This sentence is asking about the price or cost of transportation (like a bus ride, taxi, etc.).
I have no change.
Ma sanga khudra chaina.
Ma san-ga khu-dra chai-na.
मसँग खुद्रा छैन।
- Ma (म): I (subject pronoun, meaning “I”)
- Sanga (सँग): With (used to indicate possession or being with something; in this case, it means “with me”)
- Khudra (खुद्रा): Change (refers to small denominations of currency, like coins or small bills)
- Chaina (छैन): Do not have (negative form of the verb “to have”, used to indicate the absence of something)
This sentence is used when you’re saying you don’t have any small denominations of money or coins.
I have no change either.
Ma sanga pani khudra paisa chaina.
Ma san-ga pa-ni khu-dra pai-sa chai-na.
मसँग पनि खुद्रा पैसा छैन।
- Pani (पनि) – Either (used to add emphasis or indicate inclusion, like “I too” or “I also”)
- Paisa (पैसा) – Money (in general, it can refer to currency or money of any denomination)
This sentence is used to express that, like someone else, you also do not have any small denominations or change.
Your bag is hitting my leg.
Timro jholale mero khuttama lagi rakheko cha
Tim-ro jho-la-le me-ro khut-ta-ma la-gi ra-khe-ko cha.
तिम्रो झोलाले मेरो खुट्टामा लागी राखेको छ।
- Timro (तिम्रो) – Your (possessive form of “you,” used for informal situations)
- Jholale (झोलाले) – The bag ( झोला means “bag,” and ले is a postposition that indicates the agent or doer of an action)
- Mero (मेरो) – My (possessive form of “I,” meaning “my”)
- Khuttama (खुट्टामा) – On my leg (खुट्टा means “leg,” and मा is a postposition indicating the location where something is happening, meaning “on” or “at”)
- Lagi (लागी) – Hitting / Touching (this verb is used when something is coming into contact with something else, like hitting or touching)
- Rakheko (राखेको) – Has placed / Is placed (this is the past participle form of the verb राख्नु, which means “to place” or “to put” indicating that something has been placed)
This sentence means that your bag is touching or hitting my leg, either by accident or because it’s too close.
Put your suitcase on the upper rack.
Tapaiko suitcase mathillo rackma rakhnuhos.
Ta-pai-ko suitcase ma-thil-lo rack-ma rakh-nu-hos.
तपाईंको सुटकेस माथिल्लो र्याकमा राख्नुहोस्।
- Tapaiko (तपाईंको): A polite form of “your” (used for respect).
- Mathillo (माथिल्लो): This means “upper” or “top”.
- Rackma (र्याकमा): “On the rack”. “Rack” is used in Nepali with the English pronunciation, and “मा” indicates the location (on).
- Rakhnuhos (राख्नुहोस्): This is a polite imperative form of the verb “to put” or “to place”. It’s a respectful way of giving an order or request.
This sentence is a polite instruction, asking someone to place their suitcase on the upper rack, commonly used in places like buses, trains, or airports.
The bus does not leave at 10 am.
Bus bihana 10 baje chutdaina.
bus bi-ha-na 10 ba-je chut-dai-na.
बस बिहान १० बजे छुट्दैन।
- Bihana (बिहान): Means “morning”. In this case, it refers to the morning time (bihana is typically used to indicate morning hours in Nepali).
- 10 baje (१० बजे): “10 o’clock.” “Baje” refers to the time, so Das baje means “at 10 o’clock”.
- Chutdaina (छुट्दैन): It means “does not leave”
This sentence is simply stating that the bus does not depart at 10 AM, which could be relevant when you’re trying to explain a bus schedule or clarify a time.
Will he go by bus?
Ke uha busma januhuncha?
Ke uha bus-ma ja-nu-hun-cha
के उहाँ बसमा जानुहुन्छ?
- Ke (के): A question word, similar to “will” or “is it” in English. It is used to indicate that the sentence is a question.
- Uha (उहाँ): A respectful form of “he” or “she” used when addressing someone formally or politely.
- Januhuncha (जानुहुन्छ): The verb “januhuncha” is the respectful form of “going” in the future tense. “Januhuncha” means “will go” in a polite form.
This is a polite question asking if the person (he) will go by bus, typically used in a formal or respectful context.
I’ll see you in front of the bus station at eleven thirty.
Ma timilai sade aeghara baje bus station agadi bhetnechu.
Ma ti-mi-lai sa-de ae-gha-ra ba-je bus sta-tion a-ga-di bhet-ne-chu.
म तिमीलाई साढे एघार बजे बस स्टेसन अगाडि भेट्नेछु।
- Ma (म): “I”, referring to the speaker.
- Timilai (तिमीलाई): “You” (informal, used for friends or younger people). The suffix “lai” indicates that the person is the object of the action (you are being met).
- Sade Aeghara (साढे एघार): “11:30” This is commonly used in Nepali to indicate “Eleven thirty”
- Baje (बजे): This word is used to specify time.
- Agadi (अगाडि): “In front of”, indicating the location of the meeting.
- Bhetnechu (भेट्नेछु): “will meet” or “will see”.
This sentence is an informal way of saying that the speaker will meet the person (you) in front of the bus station at 11:30.
She likes traveling by bus.
Unlai busbata yatra garna manparcha.
un-lai bus-ba-ta ya-tra gar-na man-par-cha
उनलाई बसबाट यात्रा गर्न मनपर्छ।
- Unlai (उनलाई): The word “un” refers to the person being talked about (she), and “lai” marks the indirect object of the sentence (the person who likes something).
- Busbata (बसबाट): “By bus”
- Yatra (यात्रा): “Travel” or “journey”
- Garna (गर्न): The verb “garna” means “to do” or “to perform”. Here, it is used in connection with the action of traveling.
- Manparcha (मनपर्छ): “Likes” or “prefers”. This verb is used to express that someone likes or enjoys something. “Man/maan” means heart.
This sentence is stating that she enjoys or likes traveling by bus.
We must hurry if we want to arrive at the airport on time.
Yadi hamilai samayamai airport pugnu cha bhane hamile chito garnuparcha.
ya-di ha-mi-lai sa-ma-ya-mai airport pug-nu cha bha-ne ha-mi-le chi-to gar-nu-par-cha
यदी हामीलाई समयमै एयरपोर्ट पुग्नु छ भने हामीले छिटो गर्नुपर्छ।
- Yadi (यदी): “If”. This is a conditional word used to introduce a hypothetical or conditional situation.
- Hamilai (हामीलाई): “We” or “us”. This refers to the subject (we) and the suffix “lai” indicates the indirect object (the group who is taking action).
- Samayamai (समयमै): “On time”. “Samaya” means time, and “mai” is used to indicate the state of being in/on time.
- Hamile (हामीले): “We” (subject marker, used in the context of the action being done by “we”).
- Chito (छिटो): “Quickly” or “hurry”
- Garnuparcha (गर्नुपर्छ): “Must do”
This sentence is stating that in order to reach the airport on time, we must hurry. The first part, “Yadi hamilai samayamai airport pugnu cha,” is the condition (if we want to arrive on time), and the second part, “hamile chito garnuparcha,” expresses the necessity (we must hurry).
As soon as they reached the bus stand, the bus left.
Uniharu bus standma pugne bittikai bus chutyo.
Uni-ha-ru bus stand-ma pug-ne bi-tti-kai bus chu-tyo.
उनीहरु बस स्ट्यान्डमा पुग्ने बितिकै बस छुट्यो।
- Uniharu (उनीहरु): “They”. The word “uni” means “he/she” and “haru” is used to indicate plural, so it means “they”.
- Pugne (पुग्ने): “To reach” or “to arrive”
- Bittikai (बितिकै): “As soon as”
- Chutyo (छुट्यो): “Left” or “departed”.
This sentence is saying that immediately after they reached the bus stand, the bus left. The word “pugne bittikai” means that as soon as they arrived (reached).
The bus left two hours ago.
Bus dwe ghanta aghi chuteko thiyo.
Bus dwe ghan-ta aghi chu-te-ko thi-yo.
बस दुई घण्टा अघि छुटेको थियो।
- Dwe ghanta (दुई घण्टा): “Two hours”. Dwe means the number two in Nepali.
- Aghi (अघि): “Ago”. This word is used to indicate that something happened in the past.
- Thiyo (थियो): “Was” or “had been”. This is the past tense, indicating that the action (the bus leaving) happened in the past.
This sentence states that the bus left two hours ago. The action of the bus leaving is described as something that happened in the past (two hours ago). The phrase “dwe ghanta aghi” specifically means “two hours ago” in Nepali. The verb “chuteko” shows that the bus had already left, and “thiyo” adds a sense of completion or past action. The combination of these words gives the meaning that the bus left and it happened two hours prior to the current moment.
Unless we run faster, we shall not be able to catch the bus.
Jabasamma hami chito daudadainau, hami bus samatna sakdainau. (जबसम्म हामी छिटो दौडदैनौं, हामी बस समात्न सक्दैनौ।)
Ja-ba-sam-ma ha-mi chi-to dau-da-dai-nau, ha-mi bus sa-mat-na sak-dai-nau.
- Jabasamma (जबसम्म): “Unless” or “until”. This word is used to express a condition that must be fulfilled for the outcome to occur. In this case, it sets the condition for what will happen if we don’t run faster.
- Hami (हामी): “We” or “us” referring to the subject.
- Chito (छिटो): “Faster” or “quickly”. This word shows the speed at which we need to run.
- Daudadainau (दौडदैनौं): “We will not run” or “we shall not run”. This is the future tense form of the verb “daudnu” (to run), showing the action of running or not running in the future.
- Samatna (समात्न): “To catch”. This verb means to catch or grab, used here in the context of catching the bus.
- Sakdainau (सक्दैनौं): “We shall not be able to”. This is the future tense form of “saknu” (to be able to), indicating that we will not be able to catch the bus unless we run faster.
The structure “jabasamma” (unless) sets the condition, and “sakdainau” (will not be able to) expresses the consequence. The verb “daudadainau” in the negative form means “we will not run,” and “samatna sakdainau” means “we will not be able to catch.” The condition (running faster) needs to be met to achieve the result (catching the bus).
Do not lean your head on my shoulder.
Mero kaadhmaa timro tauko narakha.
me-ro kaadh-maa ti-mro tau-ko na-ra-kha.
मेरो काँधमा तिम्रो टाउको नराख।
- Mero (मेरो): “My” or “mine”. This word indicates possession, referring to the speaker’s shoulder.
- Kaadhmaa (काँधमा): “On the shoulder”. “Kaadh” means “shoulder” and “maa” indicates the location (on).
- Tauko (टाउको): “Head”
- Narakha (नराख): “Do not place”
This sentence is instructing someone not to rest or lean their head on the speaker’s shoulder. The word “narakha” is the negative command form of “rakha” (to place), so it’s telling the person explicitly not to put their head on the shoulder. The combination of “timro tauko” (your head) and “mero kaadhmaa” (on my shoulder) creates the clear message of the action to avoid.
Pokhara is about 200 km from Kathmandu.
Pokhara Kathmandubata karib 200 km tada chha.
Pokhara Kathmandu-ba-ta ka-rib 200 km ta-da chha.
पोखरा काठमाडौंबाट करिब २ सय किलोमिटर टाढा छ।
- Pokhara (पोखरा): referring to a place.
- Kathmandubata (काठमाडौंबाट): “From Kathmandu”. “Kathmandu” is the capital of Nepal, and “bata” indicates the starting point of the distance.
- Karib (करिब): “About” or “approximately”. This word indicates an approximation of the distance or number.
- 200 km (२ सय किलोमिटर): “200 kilometers”. This is the specific distance being referred to.
- Tada (टाढा): “Far” or “away”
This sentence means that Pokhara is approximately 200 kilometers away from Kathmandu. The phrase “Kathmandubata” tells us the starting point (Kathmandu), and “karib 200 km” specifies the approximate distance. This is a simple and clear way of expressing the distance between two places in Nepali.
Why has the bus stopped?
Bus kina rokiyo?
Bus ki-na ro-ki-yo?
बस किन रोकियो?
- Kina (किन): “Why”. This word is used to ask a question about the reason for something.
- Rokiyo (रोकियो): “Has stopped”
This question is asking about the reason the bus has come to a stop. The word “kina” (why) expresses the query about the reason, and “rokiyo” (has stopped) refers to the bus’s action of stopping.
Do you mind if I sit here?
Ke ma yaha basay bhane tapailai kehi samashya chha?
Ke ma ya-ha ba-say bha-ne ta-pai-lai ke-hi sa-ma-shya chha?
के म यहाँ बसें भने तपाईंलाई केहि समस्या छ?
- Ke (के): used at the beginning of the sentence to form a question.
- Yaha (यहाँ): “Here”
- Basay (बसें): This is the verb form of “to sit” used in the conditional tense.
- Bhane (भने): “in case”
- Tapailai (तपाईंलाई): “Tapai – You”. This is a formal or respectful way to address the person being spoken to, indicating politeness.
- Kehi (केहि): “Some” or “any”. It refers to something in general, in this case, a problem or issue.
- Samashya (समस्या): “Problem” or “issue”.
This sentence is asking the listener if it would be a problem or inconvenience if the speaker were to sit in the spot they are referring to. The use of “kehi samashya chha” (is there any problem?) makes it a polite and respectful way to inquire, as it’s phrased as asking if the listener would mind. The use of “tapailai” (you, formal) adds a level of respect in the language. It’s a polite question often used in social situations where the speaker wants to make sure they’re not disturbing anyone.
Do you mind if I open the window?
Mailae jhyal khole bhane tapailai kehi samashya ta chaina ni?
Mai-lae jhyal kho-le bha-ne ta-pai-lai kehi sa-ma-shya ta chai-na ni?
मैले झ्याल खोलेँ भने तपाईंलाई केहि समस्या त छैन नि?
- Jhyal (झ्याल): “Window”
- Khole (खोलेँ): “Open” (in the past tense or conditional form).
- Bhane (भने): “in case”. This word introduces a conditional situation.
- Kehi (केहि): “Some” or “any”
- Samashya (समस्या): “Problem” or “issue”
- Chaina (छैन): “Isn’t” or “there isn’t”. The word “chhaina” is used to deny something, meaning “isn’t there any problem?”
- Ni (नि): A particle used for emphasis, typically making the question sound more casual or informal. It adds a friendly tone to the question.
The speaker is politely asking if it would be okay to open the window. The sentence uses “kehi samashya” (any problem) to check if opening the window would cause any inconvenience. The use of “ta chai-na ni” at the end adds a friendly, conversational tone, emphasizing that the speaker is not assuming there will be an issue, but simply checking.
This phrasing is polite, showing respect for the other person’s comfort while also seeking permission. The structure “kehi samashya ta chaina ni?” is a typical way to soften the question and make it sound more casual.
Please be seated inside.
Kripaya bhitra basnuhos.
Kri-pa-ya bhi-tra bas-nu-hos.
कृपया भित्र बस्नुहोस्।
- Kripaya (कृपया): “Please”
- Bhitra (भित्र): “Inside”
- Basnuhos (बस्नुहोस्): “Be seated” or “Please sit”
This sentence is a polite way of asking someone to sit inside a place, such as a room, vehicle, or building. The use of “kripaya” (please) adds a tone of courtesy, making the request more respectful. “Basnuhos” is the formal way to say “sit,” and it is in the polite form, adding extra respect to the action being requested.
Is this seat taken?
Ke yo thau leesakay ko ho?
Ke yo thau lee-sa-kay ko ho?
के यो ठाँऊ लिई सकेको हो?
- Yo (यो): “This”
- Thau (ठाँऊ): “Place” or “seat”
- Leesakayko (लिईसकेको): “has been taken”
Which is the shortest route for the bus station?
Bus stationko lagi choto bato kun ho?
bus station-ko la-gi cho-to ba-to kun ho?
बस स्टेसनको लागि छोटो बाटो कुन हो?
- Bus stationko (बस स्टेसनको): “For the bus station”
- Lagi (लागि): “For”
- Choto (छोटो): “Shortest”
- Bato (बाटो): “Route” or “path”
- Kun (कुन): “Which”
At what time will this bus reach Kathmandu?
Kati baje pugcha yo bus Kathmandu?
Ka-ti ba-je pug-cha yo bus Kathmandu?
कति बजे पुग्छ यो बस काठमाडौं?
- Kati baje (कति बजे): “What time”
- Pugcha (पुग्छ): “Will reach”
- Yo (यो): “This”
At what time does it depart?
Yo kati samayama chutcha?
yo ka-ti sa-ma-ya-ma chutcha?
यो कुन समयमा छुट्छ?
- Yo (यो): “This” Refers to the subject in question, such as a bus, train, etc.
- Kati Samayama (कति समयमा): “What time”
- Chutcha (छुट्छ): “Departs”
The bus left three hours ago.
Bus tin ghanta aghi chuteko thiyo.
Bus tin ghan-ta aghi chu-te-ko thi-yo.
बस तीन घण्टा अघि छुटेको थियो।
- Tin (तीन): “Three”
- Ghanta (घण्टा): “Hours”. Refers to a unit of time.
- Aghi (अघि): “Ago”. Indicates that the event happened in the past.
- Chuteko (छुटेको): “Left”
In summary, “Bus tin ghanta aghi chuteko thiyo” means “The bus left three hours ago,” indicating that the bus has already departed three hours earlier.
The bus is about to leave.
Bus jana lageko chha.
bus ja-na la-ge-ko chha.
बस जान लागेको छ।
- Jana ageko (जान लागेको): “Is about to go” or “Is about to leave”.
In summary, “Bus jana lageko chha” means “The bus is about to leave,” indicating that the bus is preparing to depart very shortly.
I’ll go to Pokhara by night bus.
ma ratri busbaat Pokhara janchu.
ma ra-tri bus-baat Pokhara jan-chu.
म रात्री बसबाट पोखरा जान्छु।
- Ratri (रात्री): “Night”
- Busbaat (बसबाट): “By bus”
- Janchu (जान्छु): “I will go”
Get off the bus.
Busbata orlinus.
Bus-ba-ta or-li-nus.
बसबाट ओर्लिनुस्।
- Orlinus (ओर्लिनुस्): “Get off”. “Orlinus” is the polite, formal form, used to give a respectful command or request.
In summary, “Busbata orlinus” means “Get off the bus,” using the formal and polite version of the command in Nepali.