Nepali, an Indo-Aryan language, is the official language of Nepal and is also spoken in parts of Bhutan, India, and Myanmar. It’s known for its rich cultural and linguistic heritage. Learning Nepali can greatly enhance your experience in Nepal, allowing for deeper connections with locals and a better understanding of the country’s traditions. This lesson covers essential conversational phrases and questions in Nepali, including transliterations for pronunciation help, to facilitate various social interactions.

Greetings

• Hello/Hi – “नमस्ते” (Namaste) / “नमस्कार” (Namaskar)
• Good morning – “शुभ प्रभात” (Shubha prabhat)
• Good afternoon – “शुभ दिउँसो” (Shubha diunso)
• Good evening – “शुभ साँझ” (Shubha saanjh)
• Goodbye – “बिदा” (Bida)

Introducing Yourself or Others

• My name is [name]. – “मेरो नाम [name] हो।” (Mero naam [name] ho.)
• This is [name]. – “यो [name] हो।” (Yo [name] ho.)
• I am from [country]. – “म यहाँ [country] बाट आएको हुँ।” (Ma yaha [country] bata aeko hun.)
• I live in [city/place]. – “म [city/place] मा बस्छु।” (Ma [city/place] ma baschu.)

Asking for Directions or People

• Where is the [place]? – “[Place] कहाँ छ?” ([Place] kaha chha?)
• How do I get to [place]? – “[Place] मा कसरी जाने?” ([Place] ma kasari jaane?)
• Is this the way to [place]? – “यो [place] जाने बाटो हो?” (Yo [place] jaane baato ho?)
• Can you show me on the map? – “तपाईं मलाई नक्शामा देखाउन सक्नुहुन्छ?” (Tapain malai nakshama dekhauna saknuhunchha?)

Solving a Misunderstanding

• Sorry, I don’t understand. – “माफ गर्नुहोस्, मैले बुझिन।” (Maaf garnuhos, maile bujhina.)
• Can you please repeat that? – “कृपया, तपाईं यसलाई फेरि भन्न सक्नुहुन्छ?” (Kripaya, tapain yaslai pheri bhanna saknuhunchha?)
• I mean… – “मेरो भन्ने तात्पर्य…” (Mero bhanne tatparya…)
• What does [word] mean? – “[Word] को अर्थ के हो?” ([Word] ko arth ke ho?)

Farewell Expressions

• See you later – “पछि भेटौँला” (Pachi bhetunla)
• Take care – “सम्भाल्नुहोस्” (Sambhalnuhos)
• Have a good day – “शुभ दिन” (Shubha din)

Travel and Dining

• I would like to book a room. – “म कोठा बुक गर्न चाहन्छु।” (Ma kotha book garna chahanchhu.)
• Can I see the menu, please? – “कृपया, मलाई मेनु हेर्न दिनुहोस्?” (Kripaya, malai menu hernu hos?)
• I am vegetarian. – “म शाकाहारी हुँ।” (Ma shakahari hun.)
• The bill, please. – “कृपया, बिल दिनुहोस्।” (Kripaya, bill dinuhos.)

Shopping

• How much does this cost? – “यसको मूल्य कति हो?” (Yasko mulya kati ho?)
• Do you have this in another size? – “यसको अर्को साइजमा पाइन्छ?” (Yasko arko size ma painchha?)
• I’m just looking, thanks. – “म जस्तै हेर्दैछु, धन्यवाद।” (Ma jastai herdaichhu, dhanyavad.)
• Can I pay by card? – “कार्डबाट भुक्तानी गर्न सक्छु?” (Kardbata bhuktani garnu sakchhu?)

Dating and Love

• You look beautiful. (to a woman) / You look handsome. (to a man) – “तिमी सुन्दर देखिन्छौ” (Timi sundar dekhinchhau) / “तिमी ह्यान्डसम देखिन्छौ” (Timi handsome dekhinchhau)
• I miss you. – “मलाई तिम्रो याद आयो।” (Malai timro yaad aayo.)
• I love you. – “म तिमीलाई माया गर्छु।” (Ma timilai maya garchhu.)
• Would you like to go out with me? – “तिमी म सँग बाहिर जान चाहन्छौ?” (Timi ma sanga bahira jana chahanchhau?)

Emergencies

• Help! – “मद्दत!” (Maddat!)
• Call the police! – “प्रहरीलाई बोलाउ!” (Prahari lai bolau!)
• I need a doctor. – “मलाई डाक्टर चाहिन्छ।” (Malai doctor chahinchha.)
• Where is the nearest hospital? – “नजिकैको अस्पताल कहाँ छ?” (Najikai ko aspatal kaha chha?)

These phrases provide a foundation for basic communication in Nepali. Practice speaking and listening regularly, engage with Nepali media, and don’t hesitate to converse with native speakers. Remember, language learning is a journey—embrace mistakes as learning opportunities and continue to explore the rich linguistic and cultural nuances of the Nepali language.