Useful Phrases

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?	Ekbhajyo	One o' clock

[Source : Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation]