When traveling in Nepal or communicating with Nepali speakers, knowing some emergency survival phrases can be life-saving. Whether you are lost, need medical help, or are in danger, these Nepali phrases will help you seek assistance. This guide provides essential emergency phrases in English with their Nepali translations and pronunciations.
Why Learn These Phrases?
- Ensures safety while traveling in Nepal.
- Helps in emergency situations.
- Makes communication easier with locals.
- Boosts confidence while exploring new places.
Essential Emergency Phrases in Nepali
Asking for Help
Help!
Sahayata garnuhos!
sa-ha-ya-ta gar-nu-hos!
साहायत गर्नुहोस्!
Please help me!
Kripaya malai sahayata garnuhos!
kri-pa-ya ma-lai sa-ha-ya-ta gar-nu-hos!
कृपया मलाई साहायत गर्नुहोस्!
- Kripaya (कृपया) – “Please” (a polite way to make a request)
- Malai (मलाई) – “Me” (indicates the person needing help)
- Sahayata (साहायता) – “Help” or “Assistance”
- Garnuhos (गर्नुहोस्) – “Do” (a polite/formal request to take action)
This is a polite way to ask someone for help in Nepali.
I need help.
Malai sahayata chahiyo!
ma-lai sa-ha-ya-ta cha-hi-yo!
मलाई सहायता चाहियो!
- Malai (मलाई) – “Me” or “I” (indicates the person needing help)
- Chahiyo (चाहियो) – “Needed” or “Required” (past tense, indicating an immediate need)
This sentence expresses that you need help right now or in general.
Help me. I’m drowning.
Malai maddat gara. Ma dubdai chu.
Ma-lai ma-ddat ga-ra. Ma dub-dai chu.
मलाई मद्दत गर। म डुब्दै छु।
First Sentence: “Help me.”
- Gara (गर) – “Do” (used to give a direct command or request)
“Malai maddat gara.” is a direct and urgent way of saying “Help me!”
Second Sentence: “I’m drowning.”
- Dubdai Chu (डुब्दै छु) – “Drowning” (continuous tense, meaning the action is happening right now)
This sentence is a strong and urgent call for help, typically used in emergencies.
Help me. I can’t swim.
Malai maddat gara. Ma paudi-na sakdina.
Ma-lai ma-ddat ga-ra. Ma pau-di-na sak-di-na.
मलाई मद्दत गर। म पौडिन सक्दिन।
Second Sentence: “I can’t swim.”
- Paudina (पौडिन) – “Swim”
- Sakdina (सक्दिन) – “Can’t” or “Am not able to”
This is an urgent way of asking for help, especially in situations where someone is in water and unable to swim.
The door doesn’t open.
Dhoka khuldaina.
dho-ka khul-dai-na.
ढोका खुल्दैन।
- Dhoka (ढोका) – “Door”
- Khuldaina (खुल्दैन) – “Doesn’t open” (negative form of the verb “to open”)
This sentence is useful when a door is stuck or locked and won’t open.
Medical Emergencies
Call a doctor!
Doctor lai bolaunuhos!
dak-tar lai bo-lau-nu-hos!
डाक्टरलाई बोलाउनुहोस्!
Call the ambulance.
Ambulence bolau / bolaunus.
Ambulence bo-lau / bo-lau-nus.
एम्बुलेन्स बोलाउ / बोलाउनुस् ।
- Bolau (बोलाउ) – “Call” (informal command)
- Bolaunus (बोलाउनुस्) – “Call” (formal/polite command)
This phrase is crucial in emergency situations when immediate medical help is needed.
Call the doctor
Doctor or Dactar bolau / bolaunus
Doctor or Dac-ta-r bo-lau / bo-lau-nus
डाक्टर बोलाउ / बोलाउनुस् ।
He is unconscious.
Uh behosh cha.
Uh be-hosh cha.
ऊ बेहोस छ।
I am feeling sick.
Malai birami mahasus bhairahayko cha.
ma-lai bi-ra-mi ma-ha-sus bhai-ra-hay-ko cha.
मलाई बिरामी महसुष भइरहेको छ।
- Malai (मलाई) – “I” or “Me” (indicating the person experiencing the feeling)
- Birami (बिरामी) – “Sick” or “Ill”
- Mahasus bhairahayko (महसुष भइरहेको) – “Feeling” (present continuous tense, indicating an ongoing feeling)
This sentence expresses that you are currently feeling unwell or sick. It’s a straightforward way to tell someone about your health condition.
Where is the nearest hospital?
Najikai aspatal kaha cha?
na-ji-kai as-pa-tal ka-ha cha?
नजिकै अस्पताल कहाँ छ ?
- Najikai (नजिकै) – “Nearest” or “Close by” (indicates proximity)
- Aspatal (अस्पताल) – “Hospital”
- Kaha (कहाँ) – “Where” (asking for a location)
This sentence is used to ask for directions to the nearest hospital. It is helpful in emergency or urgent situations when you need medical assistance.
I’m having difficulty breathing.
Malai sas ferna garo bhairaheko cha.
Ma-lai sas fer-na ga-ro bhai-ra-he-ko cha.
मलाई सास फेर्न गाह्रो भइरहेको छ।
- Sas (सास) – “Breathing” (refers to the act of taking a breath)
- Ferna (फेर्न) – “To breathe” (verb form of breathing)
- Garo (गाह्रो) – “Difficult” or “Hard”
- Bhairaheko (भैरहेको) – “Am having” or “Is happening” (present continuous tense)
This sentence expresses that you are currently having difficulty with your breathing, typically indicating a respiratory problem. It’s a clear way to communicate a health issue.
Is she breathing?
Ke uh sas ferdai cha.
Ke uh sas fer-dai cha.
के उ सास फेर्दैछ?
Is there a pharmacy nearby?
Yaha najikai kunai ausadi pasal cha.
Ya-ha na-ji-kai ku-nai au-sa-di pa-sal cha.
यहाँ नजिकै कुनै औषधि पसल छ?
- Yaha (यहाँ) – “Here” or “In this place”
- Najikai (नजिकै) – “Nearby” or “Close by”
- Kunai (कुनै) – “Any”
- Ausadi (औषधि) – “Medicine” or “Pharmacy”
- Pasal (पसल) – “Shop”
- Ausadi Pasal (औषधि पसल) – “Pharmacy”
This sentence is used to inquire if there is a pharmacy or medicine shop close by. It is helpful when you need to find a nearby place to purchase medication or other health-related items.
Is everyone okay?
Ke sabaijana thik cha?
Ke sa-bai-ja-na thi-k cha?
के सबैजना ठीक छ?
It hurts here.
Yaha dukcha.
Ya-ha duk-cha.
यहाँ दुख्छ।
I have a headache.
Mero tauko dukhayko cha.
Me-ro tau-ko du-khay-ko cha.
मेरो टाउको ढुखेको छ।
I got a broken arm.
Mero pakhura bhachiyo.
Me-ro pa-khu-ra bha-chi-yo.
मेरो पाखुरा भाचियो।
- Pakhura (पाखुरा) – “Arm”
- Bhachiyo (भाचियो) – “Got broken” or “Broke” (indicating that the arm is broken)
This sentence expresses that your arm is broken. It is often used to describe an injury and communicate that you need medical attention.
I’ve got diarrhoea.
Malai pakhala lagyo.
Ma-lai pa-kha-la la-gyo.
मलाई पखाला लाग्यो।
I’ve been having difficulty sleeping.
Malai sutna garo bhairahayko cha.
Ma-lai sut-na ga-ro bhai-ra-hay-ko cha.
मलाई सुत्न गाह्रो भइरहेको छ।
- Sutna (सुत्न) – “To sleep” (verb form indicating the action of sleeping)
- Garo (गाह्रो) – “Difficult” or “Hard”
- Bhairahayko (भैरहेको) – “Am having” or “Is happening” (present continuous tense, indicating an ongoing issue)
This sentence expresses that you have been struggling to sleep, indicating a difficulty with your sleep patterns or sleep quality.
My leg hurts.
Mero khutta dukhyo.
Me-ro khu-tta du-khyo.
मेरो खुट्टा दुख्यो।
I have been walking all day, My legs are hurting.
Ma dinbhar hidirakheko chu, mero khutta dukhiraheko chha.
Ma din-bhar hi-di-ra-khe-ko chu, me-ro khut-ta du-khi-ra-he-ko chha.
म दिनभरि हिँडिरहेको छु, मेरो खुट्टा दुखिरहेको छ।
First part: “I have been walking all day.”
- Dinbhar (दिनभरि) – “All day” (from morning till evening)
- Hidirakheko (हिँडिरहेको) – “Have been walking” (present continuous tense indicating an ongoing action)
Second part: “My legs are hurting.”
- Mero (मेरो) – “My”
- Khutta (खुट्टा) – “Leg/Legs”
- Dukhiraheko (दुखिरहेको) – “Are hurting” (present continuous tense, indicating ongoing pain)
This sentence expresses that you’ve been walking for a long period (the whole day), and now your legs are in pain from the effort. It’s a clear way of describing exhaustion or muscle fatigue.
Lost or in Danger
I am lost.
Ma harayae.
ma ha-ra-yae.
म हराएँ।
Where is the police station?
Police station kaha chha?
police station ka-ha chha?
पुलिस स्टेशन कहाँ छ?
Someone is following me!
Kohi malai pachyaudaicha!
ko-hi ma-lai pa-chyau-dai-cha!
कोही मलाई पछ्याउँदैछ!
- Kohi (कोही) – “Someone”
- Pachyaudaicha (पछ्याउँदैछ) – “Following” (present continuous tense indicating the action of following)
This sentence is used when you notice someone is following you. It’s a way of alerting others or expressing concern about being followed.
What should I do?
Mailae ke garnuparcha?
mai-lae ke gar-nu-par-cha?
मैले के गर्नुपर्छ?
I lost my passport.
Mero rahadani harayo.
Me-ro ra-ha-da-ni ha-ra-yo.
मेरो राहदानी हरायो।
I’ve lost my wallet.
Mero purse / wallet harayo.
Me-ro purse / wallet ha-ra-yo.
मेरो पर्स / वालेट हरायो।
I lost my wallet today.
Aja mero wallet harayo.
Aa-ja may-ro wallet ha-ra-yo.
आज मेरो वालेट हरायो।
My purse has been stolen.
Mero purse chori bhayeko cha.
Me-ro purse cho-ri bha-ye-ko cha.
मेरो पर्स चोरी भएको छ।
I’ve been attacked.
Malai akraman garyo.
Ma-lai ak-ra-man gar-yo.
Ma mathi akraman bhayo.
मलाई आक्रमण गर्यो।
It’s getting dark.
Adhyaro hudaicha.
a-dhya-ro hu-dai-cha.
अँध्यारो हुँदैछ।
He doesn’t know how to swim.
Uh paudina jandaina.
uh pau-di-na jan-dai-na.
उ पौडिन जान्दैन।
I’m afraid to go alone.
Malai eklai jana dar lagchha.
ma-lai ek-lai ja-na dar lag-chha.
मलाई एक्लै जान डर लाग्छ।
- Eklai (एक्लै) – “Alone” (indicating that the action is being done without anyone else)
- Jana (जान) – “To go” (verb form indicating the action of going)
- Dar (डर) – “Fear” or “Afraid”
- Lagchha (लाग्छ) – “Feels” or “Is felt” (present tense indicating an ongoing state of fear)
This sentence expresses that you feel afraid to go somewhere by yourself. It can be used to indicate anxiety or fear about being alone in a particular situation.
Fire and Natural Disasters
Fire
Aago
aa-go
आगो
Earthquake
Bhukampa
bhu-kam-pa
भूकम्प
Run
Daudanuhos
dau-da-nu-hos
दौडनुहोस्
There’s a fire.
Tyaha aaglagi bhayo.
Tya-ha aag-la-gi bha-yo.
त्यहाँ आग्लागी भयो।
Transportation and Communication
I need a taxi.
Malai taxi chahiyo.
ma-lai taxi cha-hi-yo.
मलाई ट्याक्सी चाहियो।
Can you call my family?
Ke tapai mero pariwarlai phone garna saknuhuncha?
ke ta-pai me-ro pa-ri-war-lai phone gar-na sak-nu-hun-cha?
के तपाईं मेरो परिवारलाई फोन गर्न सक्नुहुन्छ?
- Tapai (तपाईं) – “You” (formal or respectful form of address)
- Mero (मेरो) – “My”
- Pariwar (परिवार) – “Family”
- Phone garna (फोन गर्न) – “To call” (verb form indicating the action of calling)
- Saknuhuncha (सक्नुहुन्छ) – “Can” (indicating the ability to do something, polite form)
This sentence is used to politely ask someone if they can call your family, usually in situations where you may need assistance contacting them.
Call the police, please.
Kripaya Prahari lai phone gara / Kripaya Prahari phone garnus.
Pra-ha-ri lai phone ga-ra / Kri-pa-ya Pra-ha-ri lai phone gar-nus.
कृपया पुलिसलाई फोन गर / गर्नुस्।
First Sentence: “Kripaya Prahari lai phone gara” (informal)
- Kripaya (कृपया) – “Please” (polite request)
- Phone gara (फोन गर) – “Call” (informal imperative form of the verb “to call”)
- Gara (गर) – “do” (informal form)
Second Sentence: “Kripaya Prahari phone garnus” (formal/polite)
- Phone Garnus (गर्नुस्) – “Call” (polite form of the verb “to call”)
- Garnus (गर्नुस्) – “Please do” (polite form)
I want to report a crime.
Ma euta aparadh report garna chahanchu.
Ma eu-ta apa-ra-dh re-po-rt gar-na cha-han-chu.
म एउटा अपराध रिपोर्ट गर्न चाहन्छु।
- Euta (एउटा) – “One” (indicating a singular item)
- Aparadh (अपराध) – “Crime”
- Report garna (रिपोर्ट गर्न) – “To report” (verb form indicating the action of reporting)
- Chahanchu (चाहन्छु) – “Want” (indicating desire or intention)
This sentence expresses the desire to report a crime. It could be used in situations where you’re speaking to the police or another authority to inform them about a criminal activity.
I can’t find the way back to my hotel.
Mailae mero hotelmaa farkane bato fela parna sakena.
Mai-lae me-ro hotel-maa far-ka-ne ba-to fe-la par-na sa-ke-na.
मैले मेरो होटेलमा फर्कने बाटो फेला पार्न सकेन।
- Maile (मैले) – “I”
- Mero (मेरो) – “My”
- Farkane (फर्कने) – “To return” or “To go back”
- Bato (बाटो) – “Way” or “Path”
- Fela parna sakena (फेला पार्न सकेन) – “Can’t find”
It’s used to express difficulty or inability to find the route or path back to where you’re staying, likely in the context of being lost.
Conclusion:
Learning emergency survival phrases in Nepali can be crucial during unexpected situations. By mastering these phrases, you can navigate emergencies with confidence and seek assistance when needed. Bookmark this page for your next trip to Nepal!