Basic Greetings and Pleasantries

  Nepali Transliteration

  English Translation

Namaste 

Hello, Greetings, I bless the divine in you

Namaskar

The more respectful version of Namaste

Hajur

All purpose term meaning yes? Pardon, Excuse me?

(Tapaiilai) Kasto Cha?

How are you?

(Malai) Thik Cha

I am fine

Khana khannu bhaiyo?

Have you eaten? (used often as informal greeting)

Dhanybhad

Thank you

Tapaiiko naam ke ho?

What is your name?

Mero naam Ann- Marie ho

My name is Ann-Marie

Maaph garnuhos

Excuse me/ pardon me/ sorry

Maile bhujhina

I don’t understand

Maile bhujhe

I understand

Pheri bhetaunla

I hope we meet again

Addressing People / Things

Ann-Marie-ji

Formal way to address someone using their name

Aama / Buwa

Mother / Father, but also friendly term men/women roughly in your parents generation

Didi / Bahini

Older / Younger sister, but also friendly term used to refer to other women roughly in your generation

Dhai / Bhai

Older / Younger brother, same as above

Nanu / Babu

Young girl / boy child

Ma / Hami

I / We

Tapaii

You

Yo / Tyo

This / That

Verb Bases (Infinitive Form) & Verb Conjugation

  Janu          To go    

Bolnu                 To speak             

Aunu           To come                           

Roknu                  To stop

Basnu          To sit                           

Hidnu                   To walk

Khannu         To eat                                 

 Khelnu                   To play

Rakhnu         To put                            

Sutnu                   To sleep

Garnu          To do                    

Hernu                   To see

Dinu           To give                 

Pewnu                  To drink

Linu           To take                

Oothnu                Rise/wake up    

Kinnu          To buy

Question Words

Ke

What

Kahaang

Where

Kati

How much

Kina / kinabhane

Why / because

Kasko

Whose

Kahile

When

Kun

Which

Kasari

How

Kasto

How (of quality)

Food Adjectives

Mitho / namitho

Tasty / Not tasty

Bhuteko

Fried

Umaaleko

Boiled

Noonilo

Salty

Gooliyo

Sweet

Amilo

Sour

Tito

Bitter

Piro

Spicy

Food Items

Tarkari / Vegetables

Gajur / Carrots

Kaulee / Cauliflower

Bandakobi / Cabbage

Alu / Potato

Makai / Corn

Saag / Spinach

Kerau / Peas

Parsi / Pumpkin

Pyaaj / Onion

Lasun / Garlic

Kaankro / Cucumber

Simee / Beans

Coursani / Chili

Adhuwa / Ginger

Bhatamas / Soybean

Golbheraa / Tomato

Dhal / Lentil

Bhadam / Peanut

Kaju / Cashew

Mohar / Honey

Bhat / Rice

Dudh / Milk

Daihee / Yogurt

Pauroti / Bread (Loaf)

Chapati / Bread (flat round)

Tel / Oil

Noon / Salt

Chinni / Sugar

Pani / water

Umaleko pani / Boiled water

Raksi / Alcohol

Toomba / Millet beer

Chyang / Rice beer

Ras / Juice

Useful Nouns

Bato / Road

Pul / Bridge

Des / Country

Bajar / Market

Kotha / Room

Gau / Village

Khola / River

Pasal / Shop

Khanna / Food

Ghar / House

Mithai / Sweets

Koseli / Gift

Topee / Hat

Jhola / Bag, pack

Git / Song

Kitaab / Book

Manche / Person

Mancheharu / People

Chorachori / Children

Bideshi / Foreigner

Pariwar / Family

Dharma / Religion

Numbers

1 / ek

6 / cha

15 / pandhra

50 / pachaase

2 / dui

7 / saat

20 / beece

60 / sathi

3 / tin

8 / aath

25 / pacheece

70 / sattari

4 / char

9 / nau

30 / teece

80 / assi

5 / panchs

10 / das

40 / chaleece

90 / nabbe

100 / ek saye

200 / dui saye

1000 ek hazar

Expressions of Time

Aaja / Today

Hijo / Yesterday

Bholi / Tomorrow

Ghanta / Hour

Din / Day

Haptaa / Week

Mahina / Month

Barsa / Year

Bihaana / Morning

Diunso / Afternoon

Beluka / Evening

Raatri / Night

Subha raatri

Good night

Kati bhajyo?

What time is it?

Ek bhajyo

One o' clock