Although most people in Nepal are able to speak English to some level, it always goes a long way to be able to speak a few words in Nepali. Learning a few words in Nepali will bring you closer to the people you come into contact with while travelling. I also noticed that if I try to speak a little bit of Nepali while shopping at the local market or getting a taxi, the prices will drop. Check out the most useful Nepali phrases to help you get through your travel in Nepal.

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Useful Nepali Phrases for Conversation

Hello	Namaste (formal/respectful version: Namaskar)
please	kripayaa
thank you	dhanyabaad
yes	ho
no	hoina
good	ramro
okay	la
Are you okay?/How are you?	Thik cha?/Kasto cha?
I am fine.	Thik cha.
My name is _____.	Mero naam ____ ho.
See You.	Pheri bhetaulaa.
Yes? Excuse me?/Pardon?	Hajur?
What happened?	Ke bhayo?

When addressing people, you can address them as “brother” or “sister” in Nepali:

Dai	Used to address a guy older than you (also means older brother)
Bhai	Used to address a guy younger than you (also means younger brother)
Didi	Used to address a lady older than you (also means older sister)
Bahini	Used to address a lady/girl younger than you (also means younger sister)

Useful Nepali Phrases at the Restaurant

little bit	alikati
tea	chiyaa
water	paani
hot	taato
cold	chiso
It is delicious.	Mitho cha.
The bill, please.	Bill dinus.

Useful Nepali Phrases for Shopping

How much is it?	Kati ho?
It is expensive.	Mahango cha.
It is cheap.	Sasto cha.
money	paisa

Useful Nepali Phrases for Directions

Where?	Kaha?
Left	Baayaa
Right	Daayaa
Straight	Sidhaa

Question Words

Where?	Kaha?
How much?	Kati?
What?	Ke?
Who?	Ko?
Which?	Kun?
When?	Kahile?

Nepali Phrases while Trekking

Is there a room available?	Room chha? (here you can mix Nepali with English) or Kotha chha? (fully in Nepali)
Is there hot water? (for shower)	Taato paani chha?
Please give me hot water. (when refilling water bottles)	Taato paani dinus.

Nepali Words for Jungle Safari

Tiger	Baagh
Elephant	Haatti
Rhino	Gaindaa

Numbers 0-10

While if you are on a short trip to Nepal, it may not be too crucial to learn the Nepali numbers.

I found, for me, learning the numbers in Nepali and the way it’s written was important when taking the taxis. Most of the taxis have their number plates written in Nepali. As I use ride sharing apps very often, being able to recognize the number plate of the taxi has been very valuable.

Number	Number in Nepali (written)	Number in Nepali (pronunciation)
0	0	sunna
1	१	ek
2	२	due
3	३	tin
4	४	chaar
5	५	paach
6	६	cha
7	७	saat
8	८	aath
9	९	nau
10	१०	das