Traveling to a new country can be an exciting adventure, but navigating a foreign language can sometimes be a challenge. For travelers heading to Nepal, learning a few essential Nepali phrases can make the experience much smoother and more enjoyable. Whether you’re exploring the vibrant streets of Kathmandu or trekking through the serene mountains, knowing key Nepali phrases can help you connect with locals and enrich your journey. In this article, we’ll introduce you to some must-know Nepali phrases that every traveler should learn before embarking on their trip to Nepal.
Nepali phrases for travelers in English with meaning
When are you coming?
Nepali translation: Tapai kahile audai hunuhuncha?
Pronunciation: Ta-pai ka-hi-le au-dai hu-nu-hun-cha?
Breaking it down phonetically makes it easier for English speakers to pronounce correctly.
Nepali: तपाईं कहिले आउँदै हुनुहुन्छ?
Let’s break it down:
- Tapai (तपाईं): This is the formal, respectful way of saying “you” in Nepali. It’s used when speaking to someone older or in a position of authority.
- Kahile (कहिले): This means “when” in Nepali, used to ask about the time of an event.
- Audai (आउँदै): The form “आउँदै” (Audai) is a progressive form, indicating that the action (coming) is in progress or expected to happen soon.
So, “Tapai kahile audai hunuhuncha? (तपाईं कहिले आउँदै हुनुहुन्छ?)” literally means “When are you coming?” in a polite or formal way.
This phrase is useful when you’re asking someone (in a respectful manner) about when they plan to arrive or come. It’s a polite and commonly used expression in Nepali.
His feet were covered with mud.
Usko khutta matole latpatiyeko thiyo.
Us-ko khut-ta ma-to-le lat-pa-ti-ye-ko thi-yo.
उसको खुट्टा माटोले लत्पतिएको थियो।
Let’s break it down:
- Usko (उसको): This means “his” in Nepali.
- Khutta (खुट्टा): This means “feet” in Nepali. It refers to both the singular and plural form of “foot” or “feet” in English.
- Matole (माटोले): This comes from माटो (Mato), meaning “mud” or “soil.” The postposition ले (le) indicates the agent or cause of an action, similar to “with” in this context. So, माटोले (Matole) means “with mud.”
- Latpatiyeko (लत्पतिएको): Meaning “to be covered in or smeared with something,” especially mud or dirt. लत्पतिएको (Latpatiyeko) indicates that the feet were covered with mud.
Ask her if she is ready.
Uni tayar chin ki bhanera sodhnuhos.
Uni ta-yar chin ki bha-ne-ra sodh-nu-hos.
उनी तयार छिन् कि भनेर सोध्नुहोस्।
Let’s break it down:
- Uni (उनी): She
- Tayar (तयार): Ready
- Ki (कि): If (question marker)
- Bhanera (भनेर): Saying/telling (used to indicate an action related to asking)
- Sodhnuhos (सोध्नुहोस्): Ask (polite form of the verb “to ask”)
It’s just a matter of a few days.
Yo kehi dinko matra kura ho.
Yo ke-hi din-ko ma-tra ku-ra ho.
यो केही दिनको मात्र कुरा हो।
Let’s break it down:
- Yo (यो): This/It
- Kehi (केही): A few/some
- Dinko (दिनको): Of days. दिन (din) means “day,” and को (ko) is indicating “of”.
- Matra (मात्र): Just/only. This word indicates that the situation or matter is limited to the specified thing (in this case, “a few days”).
- Kura (कुरा): Matter/thing/topic. Refers to a subject or issue.
- Ho (हो): It is used to affirm that something is true.
In which city are you right now?
Tapai ahilae kun saharma hunuhuncha?
Ta-pai ah-hi-lae kun sa-har-ma hu-nu-hun-cha
तपाई अहिले कुन शहरमा हुनुहुन्छ?
This is a formal way of asking, “In which city are you right now?” in Nepali.
Let’s break it down:
- Tapai (तपाई): You (formal)
- Ahilae (अहिले): Right now
- Kun (कुन): Which
- Sahar(शहरमा)/Saharma (शहरमा): city/In the city
People were talking to me.
Manishharu masanga kura gariraheka thiye.
Ma-nish-ha-ru ma-san-ga ku-ra ga-ri-ra-he-ka thi-ye.
मानिसहरू मसँग कुरा गरिरहेका थिए।
Let’s break it down:
- Manishharu (मानिसहरू): People (plural form)
- Masanga (मसँग): With me (ma = I/me, sanga = with)
- Kura (कुरा): Talk or Conversation
- Thiye (थिएँ): Were (past tense, indicating the action happened in the past)
I’d like to travel around the world.
Ma sansarbhar ghumna chahanchu.
Ma san-sar-bhar ghum-na cha-han-chu
म संसारभर घुम्न चाहन्छु।
Let’s break it down:
- Ma (म): I
- Sansarbhar (संसारभर): Around the world (sansar = world)
- Ghumna (घुम्न): To travel or To roam
- Chahanchu (चाहन्छु): Would like or Want (expressing desire in the present tense)
Keep calm and carry on.
Shanta rahanus ra kaam jaari rakhnus.
Shan-ta ra-ha-nus ra kaam jaa-ri rakh-nus
शान्त रहनुस् र काम जारी राखनुस्।
Let’s break it down:
- Shanta (शान्त): Calm or Peaceful
- Rahanus (रहनुस्): Stay or Remain (formal command form)
- Ra (र): And
- Kaam (काम): Work or Task
- Jaari Rakhnus (जारी राखनुस्): Carry on or Keep doing (formal command form)
If we have time, we go to the beach for a walk.
Yadi hamisanga samaya bhayo bhanae, hami samudra kinarmaa ghumna janchau.
Ya-di ha-mi-san-ga sa-ma-ya bha-yo bha-nae, ha-mi sa-mu-dra ki-nar-maa ghum-na jan-chau.
यदी हामीसँग समय भयो भने, हामी समुद्र किनारमा घुम्न जान्छौं।
Let’s break it down:
- Yadi (यदि): If
- Hamisanga (हामीसँग): With us (hami = we, sanga = with)
- Samaya (समय): Time
- Bhane (भने): Then or If (used for conditional statements)
- Samudra (समुद्र): Sea or Ocean
- Kinarmaa (किनारमा): On the shore or At the beach (किनार = shore, मा = in/on/at)
- Ghumna (घुम्न): To walk or To travel
- Janchau (जान्छौं): to go (future tense, plural)
It’s a conditional statement, meaning that the action (going to the beach for a walk) happens only if there is time. The use of janchau (जान्छौं) indicates that it’s a future action, but still a regular or planned one.
With whom should Raju be sent?
Rajulai kosanga pathaunae?
Raju-lai ko-san-ga pa-thau-nae?
राजुलाई कोसँग पठाउने?
Let’s break it down:
- Rajulai (राजुलाई): To Raju (Raju = Raju, lai = to; indicating the object of the action)
- Kosanga (कोसँग): With whom (ko = who, sanga = with; together meaning with whom)
- Pathaunae (पठाउने): sent
It’s a question asking who Raju should go with or be sent with, inquiring about the person with whom Raju should be accompanied. The structure implies a decision or suggestion about the appropriate companion for Raju.
I want to hang out today?
Ma aja ghumna jana chahanchu.
Ma aja ghum-na jana cha-han-chu
म आज घुम्न जान चाहन्छु।
Let’s break it down:
- Ma (म): I
- Aja (आज): Today
- Ghumna (घुम्न): To hang out or To roam
- Jana (जान): To go
- Chahanchu (चाहन्छु): Want or Would like (expressing desire)
It expresses a desire or plan to go out and spend time leisurely. The use of chahanchu (चाहन्छु) indicates a present wish or intention. While “ghumna” can generally mean to roam or wander, in this context, it implies casual hanging out or going somewhere for fun.
The people of Nepal are very proud of this khukuri.
Nepali janatalai yo khukhurima dherai garwa chha.
Nepali ja-na-ta-lai yo khu-khu-ri-ma dhe-rai gar-wa chha
नेपाली जनतालाई यो खुकुरीमा धेरै गर्व छ।
Let’s break it down:
- Nepali (नेपाली): Nepali (relating to the people of Nepal)
- Janata (जनता): People
- Yo (यो): This
- Khukhuri (खुकुरी): In this khukuri (a traditional Nepalese knife)
- Dherai (धेरै): Very or A lot
- Garwa (गर्व): Pride or Proud
It expresses the pride that the Nepali people have in their iconic khukuri. The structure emphasizes their strong sense of pride (गर्व, garwa) toward this traditional weapon.
Wait for him until he returns.
Uh nafarkunjel uslai parkhanuhos.
uh na-far-kun-jel us-lai par-kha-nu-hos
उ नफर्कुन्जेल उसलाई पर्खनुहोस्।
Let’s break it down:
- Uh (उ): He or He/She (informal)
- Nafarkunjel (नफर्कुन्जेल): Until he returns (indicating a time condition)
- Uslai (उसलाई): Him or Her (direct object form of “he/she”)
- Parkhanuhos (पर्खनुहोस्): Wait (polite/formal command form; which means “to wait,” and is a polite request or command)
It’s a polite request or instruction to wait for someone until they come back. Nafarkunjel (नफर्कुन्जेल) sets the condition that the waiting should continue until the person returns.
I often talk to my friend over the zoom.
Ma praye mero sathisanga zoomma kura garchu.
Ma pra-ye me-ro sa-thi-san-ga zoom-ma ku-ra gar-chu
म प्रायः मेरो साथीसँग जुममा कुरा गर्छु।
Let’s break it down:
- Ma (म): I
- Praye (प्रायः): Often or Frequently
- Mero (मेरो): My
- Sathisanga (साथीसँग): With my friend (sathi = friend, sanga = with)
- Zoomma (जुममा): On Zoom (Zoom = a popular video conferencing platform)
- Kura (कुरा): Talk or Conversation
It expresses a regular activity or habit of talking to a friend using the Zoom platform. The word praye (प्रायः) emphasizes the frequency of the action.
It’s an interesting place to visit. Let’s go tomorrow.
Yo ghumnako lagi rochak thau ho. Bholi jaau.
yo ghum-na-ko la-gi ro-chak thau ho. bho-li jaau
यो घुम्नको लागी रोचक ठाउँ हो। भोलि जाऔं।
Let’s break it down:
- Yo (यो): This (indicating the place being referred to)
- Ghumnako Lagi (घुम्नको लागी): Used to indicate purpose/For visiting
- Rochak (रोचक): Interesting
- Thau (ठाउँ): Place
So the first part of the sentence translates to: “It’s an interesting place to visit.”
- Bholi (भोलि): Tomorrow
- Jaau (जाऔं): Let’s go
So, the second part translates to: “Let’s go tomorrow.”
The sentence is suggesting that the place is interesting and inviting the listener to go there the following day. The use of jaau (जाऔं) shows the suggestion to go together.
I think there’s a live concert by the beach tomorrow.
Malai lagcha bholi nadiko kinarma live concert cha.
ma-lai lag-cha bho-li na-di-ko ki-nar-ma live concert cha
मलाई लाग्छ भोलि नदिको किनारमा लाइभ कन्सर्ट छ।
Let’s break it down:
- Malai Lagcha (मलाई लाग्छ): I think (is used to express personal opinion or thought)
- Bholi (भोलि): Tomorrow
- Nadiko Kinarma (नदिको किनारमा): by the beach
This sentence expresses the speaker’s assumption that a live concert will take place by the river’s shore the following day.
I will either go to Annapurna or Everest.
Ma ya ta Annapurna janchu ya Sagarmatha.
ma ya ta Anna-pur-na jan-chu ya Sa-gar-ma-tha
म या त अन्नपूर्ण जान्छु या सगरमाथा।
Let’s break it down:
- Ya ta (या त): “Either” or “Or” (this phrase indicates that one of two options will be chosen)
- Annapurna (अन्नपूर्ण): Annapurna (a famous mountain range in Nepal)
- Janchu (जान्छु): will go (is the future tense indicating the intention to go)
- Ya (या): “Or” (used to connect two alternatives)
- Sagarmatha (सगरमाथा): Sagarmatha (the Nepali name for Mount Everest)
This sentence expresses the speaker’s intention to visit one of two famous places in Nepal – either Annapurna or Everest and implies that the decision between the two is still to be made.
I’ll be glad to do so.
Malai tyaso garnamaa khusi laagnechha.
Ma-lai tya-so gar-na-maa khu-si laag-ne-chha.
मलाई त्यसो गर्नमा खुशी लाग्नेछ।
Let’s break it down:
- Tyaso (त्यसो): “So” or “That way” (referring to the action or situation in question)
- Garnamaa (गर्नमा): “In doing” or “In doing that” (indicating purpose or involvement in an action)
- Khusi (खुशी): “Happiness” or “Gladness”
- Laagnechha (लाग्नेछ): “Will feel” (from the verb lagnu (लाग्नु) meaning “to feel, indicates future tense)
It expresses the speaker’s willingness and happiness to carry out an action or task, showing that they will feel happy to do something in the future.
It may seem strange to you but it is true.
Tapailai yo anautho lagna sakcha tara yo satya ho.
Ta-pai-lai yo a-nau-tho lag-na sak-cha ta-ra yo sat-ya ho.
तपाईलाई यो अनौठो लाग्न सक्छ तर यो सत्य हो।
Let’s break it down:
- Tapailai (तपाईलाई): to you (formal)
- Yo (यो): this
- Anautho (अनौठो): strange or unusual
- Lagna sakcha (लाग्न सक्छ): “may seem” or “can feel”
- Tara (तर): but
- Satya ho (सत्य हो): is true
You must be aware of the festivals of your country.
Timilai afno deshko chadparbaharu bare thaha hunu parcha.
Ti-mi-lai afno desh-ko chad-par-ba-ha-ru ba-re tha-ha hu-nu par-cha.
तिमीलाई आफ्नो देशको चाडपर्वहरू बारे थाहा हुनुपर्छ।
Let’s break it down:
- Timilai (तिमीलाई): to you (informal)
- Deshko (देशको): of the country
- Chadparbaharu (चाडपर्वहरू): festivals
- Bare (बारे): “about” or “concerning”
- Hunu parcha (हुन्नुपर्छ): “must be” or “should be” (indicating obligation)
Do not trouble me.
Malai samashya nadinus.
Ma-lai sa-ma-shya na-di-nus.
मलाई समस्या नदिनुस्।
Let’s break it down:
- Malai (मलाई): to me
- Samashya (समस्या): “problem” or “trouble”
- Nadinus (नदिनुस्): do not give
I’m very strict in this matter.
Yas mamilama ma dherai kada chu.
Yas ma-mi-la-ma ma dhe-rai ka-da chu.
यस मामिलामा म धेरै कडा छु।
Let’s break it down:
- Yas (यस): “this” (referring to something specific, like “this matter” or “this situation”)
- Mamilama (मामिलामा): “in the matter” or “in this case” (मामिला means “matter” or “issue,” and the suffix ma means “in”)
- Ma (म): I
- Dherai (धेरै): “very” or “much” (used to emphasize the intensity of something)
- Kada (कडा): “strict” or “harsh” (indicating firmness or severity)
In simpler terms, the sentence is saying that the speaker is firm, strict, or rigid when it comes to the specific matter they are discussing.
Do come tomorrow, Please don’t forget.
Bholi awashya aaunus, nabirsinus la.
Bho-li awa-shya aau-nus, na-bir-si-nus la.
भोली अवश्य आउनुस्, नबिर्सिनुस् ल।
Let’s break it down:
- Bholi (भोली) = tomorrow
- Awashya (अवश्य) = “certainly” or “surely” (used to emphasize something should definitely happen)
- Aaunus (आउनुस्) = come (polite/formal imperative form, asking someone to come)
- Nabirsinus (नबिर्सिनुस्) = don’t forget
- La (ल) = a polite particle added at the end of a sentence for emphasis or to make the request sound more gentle or respectful (friendly tone).
So, this sentence is a polite and friendly request to someone, urging them to come tomorrow and reminding them not to forget. The la at the end softens the tone and adds a sense of warmth or casualness to the request.
Do you think I should go alone.
Tapailai ma eklai januparcha jasto lagcha?
Ta-pai-lai ma ek-lai ja-nu-par-cha jas-to lag-cha?
तपाईंलाई म एक्लै जानुपर्छ जस्तो लाग्छ?
Let’s break it down:
- Eklai (एक्लै): alone
- Januparcha (जानुपर्छ): should go
- Jasto (जस्तो): “like” or “seems like” (used to express similarity or to indicate a suggestion or impression)
- Lagcha (लाग्छ): “feels” or “seems” (from the verb lagnu, meaning “to feel” or “to seem”)
So, the sentence is asking if the other person thinks that the speaker should go alone. The speaker is asking for the other person’s opinion about whether it would be a good idea or not.
Please follow me.
Kripaya malai pachyaunuhos.
Kri-pa-ya ma-lai pa-chyau-nu-hos.
कृपया मलाई पछ्याउनुहोस्। कृपया मसँग आउनुस्।
Let’s break it down:
- Kripaya (कृपया): Please (used to make a polite request)
- Pachyaunuhos (पछ्याउनुहोस्): “follow” (from the verb pachyaunu meaning “to follow,” and hos is a polite imperative form, used to make the request polite)
So, the sentence is a polite way of asking someone to follow you. The form hos makes it respectful and formal, typically used when addressing someone politely.
I’m on holiday.
Ma chuttima chu.
Ma chu-tti-ma chu.
म छुट्टीमा छु।
Chuttima (छुट्टीमा) = “on holiday” (छुट्टी means “holiday” or “leave”)
So, the sentence means that the speaker is currently on holiday or taking time off from work or regular duties.
This sentence is commonly used to inform others that you are on a break or vacation. The form chu here indicates that the statement is in the present tense, meaning it’s happening right now.
I first visited Mustang in 2020.
Ma san 2020 ma pahilo patak Mustang gayaeko thiyae.
Ma san 2020 ma pa-hi-lo pa-tak Mustang ga-yae-ko thi-yae.
म सन् २०२० मा पहिलो पटक मुस्ताङ गएको थिएँ।
Let’s break it down:
- Pahilo Patak (पहिलो पटक): first time (indicating how many times something happened)
- Mustang (मुस्ताङ): Mustang (a place in Nepal)
- Gayaeko (गएको): “visited” or “went” (past tense, meaning “to go” or “to visit”)
So, the sentence means that the speaker visited Mustang for the first time in the year 2020. It gives a specific time reference and highlights that it was the first visit.
This structure is commonly used in Nepali to talk about past experiences, especially when you’re referring to a specific event or occurrence. The past tense form gayaeko is used to describe something you did (went or visited), while thi-yae indicates the action was completed in the past.
Will we ever forget these good days?
ke hamile yi ramra dinharu kahilyai birsanechau?
ke ha-mi-le yi ram-ra din-ha-ru ka-hi-lyai bir-sa-ne-chau?
के हामीले यी राम्रा दिनहरु कहिल्यै बिर्सनेछौं?
Let’s break it down:
- Hamile (हामीले): “we” (with the postposition le, indicating the subject is doing the action)
- Yi (यी): “these” (plural form of yo, meaning “this”)
- Ramra (राम्रा): “good” (plural form of ramro, meaning “good”)
- Dinharu (दिनहरु): “days” (plural form of din, meaning “day”)
- Kahilyai (कहिल्यै): “ever”
- Birsanechau (बिर्सनेछौं): “will forget” (future tense of the verb birsnu, meaning “to forget)
So, the sentence is asking if there will ever come a time when “we” forget these good days in the future. The question carries a sense of nostalgia and uncertainty, pondering if the good memories will be forgotten with time.
Would you like us to come to your home?
ke hami tapaiko gharma aaeko chahanuhuncha?
ke ha-mi ta-pai-ko ghar-ma aa-yae-ko cha-ha-nu-hun-cha?
के हामी तपाईको घरमा आएको चाहनुहुन्छ?
Let’s break it down:
- Gharma (घरमा): “to your home” (घर means “home,” and ma is a postposition meaning “in” or “to”)
- Aayeko (आएको): “come” (past tense form of aunu, meaning “to come”)
- Chahanuhuncha (चाहनुहुन्छ): “would like” (polite form)
This structure is commonly used when making polite requests. The use of chahanuhuncha makes the question respectful and formal.
Do not lean against the wall.
Parkhalma adesh nalinus.
Par-khal-ma ah-desh na-li-nus.
पर्खालमा अडेश नलिनुस्।
Let’s break it down:
- Parkhalma (पर्खालमा): “against the wall” or “on the wall” (पर्खाल means “wall,” and ma is a postposition indicating location, so parkhalma means “against the wall”)
- Adesh (अडेश): “lean”
- Nalinus (नलिनुस्): “do not lean” or “don’t take”
So, the sentence is a polite command or instruction telling someone not to lean against the wall. The use of nalinus (the polite imperative form) adds a respectful tone to the command. This type of sentence is commonly used when giving gentle instructions or warnings in Nepali.
When will you return?
Timi kahile farkinchau?
Ti-mi ka-hi-le far-kin-chau?
तिमी कहिले फर्किन्छौ।
Let’s break it down:
- Kahile (कहिले): “When” (used to ask about time or occasion)
- Farkinchau (फर्किन्छौ): “will return” (from the verb farkinu, meaning “to return” or “to come back”)
So, the sentence is asking when the person will return. The form farkinchau indicates that the action of returning will happen in the future. This is a casual and direct way to ask someone when they will be back, commonly used in everyday conversation.
Has Raju gone to Everest?
Ke Raju Sagarmatha gayaeko cha?
Ke Raju Sa-gar-ma-tha ga-yae-ko cha?
के राजु सगरमाथा गएको छ?
Let’s break it down:
- Raju (राजु): “Raju” (the name of the person being asked about)
- Sagarmatha (सगरमाथा): “Everest” (Sagarmatha is the Nepali name for Mount Everest)
- Gayaeko (गएको): “gone” (indicate a completed action)
So, the sentence is asking if Raju has already gone to Everest. It’s a yes/no question about a completed action (Raju going to Everest), with cha indicating the present perfect tense. This type of sentence structure is used to inquire about actions that may have happened recently or whether something has been completed, often in the context of travel or events.
Whom was he sent with?
Uslai ko sanga pathayo?
Us-lai ko san-ga pa-tha-yo?
उसलाई कोसँग पठायो?
- Uslai (उसलाई): “him” (uh = he/she, lai is a postposition indicating the object of the verb, showing that the action is directed toward “him”)
- Ko (को): “whom” (this is the question word used to inquire about the person involved)
- Sanga (संग): “with” (a postposition that means “with,” indicating accompaniment or association)
- Pathayo (पठायो): “was sent” (from the verb pathaunu, meaning “to send,” in the past tense form.)
So, the sentence is asking whom the person was sent with. It inquires about the companion or the person the individual was accompanying when sent. This type of question is often used to find out with whom someone traveled or was assigned for a particular task.