Figure it out. Say it. Remember it.

Learning Nepali: a practical guide

This is a written companion to the free Nepali course on LanguagePath: what the language is like, how it sounds, the phrases you will use first, how the course is structured, and what to watch out for. Everything here comes from the same lessons you can practise interactively above.

What Nepali is like

Nepali is written in the Devanagari script and read left to right. Sentences follow subject–object–verb order, just like Hindi — so 'I water want' rather than 'I want water'. Instead of prepositions, Nepali uses postpositions: लाई lai (to / for), को ko (of), मा ma (in). Verbs change to match the person, and there is a polite तपाईं tapai and a casual तिमी timi for 'you'.

Words you may already know

Pronunciation notes

Nepali is written in the Devanagari script (the same as Hindi) and read left to right. The real challenge is the two t sounds, the breathy aspirates and the nasal hook — master these and you can say any word.

• ट — retroflex 't' — curl the tongue back to the roof of the mouth, as in टिकट = TIK-at (ticket).
• त — dental 't' — tongue touches the back of the top teeth, as in तिमी = TI-mee (you).
• ठ — retroflex 't' with a puff of breath — aspirated, as in ठुलो = THU-lo (big).
• ध — breathy 'd' — a d with a hard exhale, as in धन्यवाद = DHA-nya-bad (thank you).
• भ — breathy 'b' — b with a strong exhale, as in भात = BHAAT (cooked rice).
• च / छ — ch (soft) vs chh (breathy ch), as in चिया = CHI-ya (tea) · छ = CHHA (is).
• द / ड — dental d vs retroflex d (tongue curled back), as in दस = das (ten) · डुङ्गा = DUNG-ga (boat).
• ं — anusvara — nasalize the vowel before it (a soft 'n'), as in मन्दिर = MAN-dir (temple).

First phrases

The pocket phrases below are the ones learners reach for most often. Say each one out loud a few times before moving on.

How the Nepali course is structured

The course has 12 short lessons that build on each other. Each one introduces a few new pieces and then asks you to construct sentences you have never seen, before revealing the answer:

1. Greetings — नमस्ते · शुभ प्रभात · कस्तो छ?
2. Being polite — धन्यवाद · कृपया · माफ गर्नुहोस्
3. Numbers 1–10 — एक · दुई · तीन · दस
4. I want" — मलाई ... चाहियो — मलाई · चाहियो · पानी
5. Food & drink — पानी · दाल भात · चिया
6. Getting around — कहाँ छ? · दायाँ · बायाँ
7. Questions — के · कति · कहिले
8. Family & people — परिवार · आमा · बुबा · साथी
9. Time, days & weather — आज · भोलि · मौसम
10. My name — मेरो नाम — मेरो नाम · हो · तपाईंको नाम
11. Health & emergency — मद्दत! · डाक्टर · बुझ्दैन
12. Tying it together — चाहियो · कहाँ · कति · a capstone scene

Inside the lessons

Here is how a few of the lessons explain the language, with worked examples and the word-by-word breakdown the course uses.

Greetings

Key pieces: नमस्ते · शुभ प्रभात · कस्तो छ?

Nepali's universal greeting is नमस्ते namaste — hello, and also goodbye when you leave. Say it out loud.

• नमस्ते (NAH-mas-teh) — hello / goodbye Memory hook: ≈ Hindi namaste.
• शुभ प्रभात (SHUBH pra-BHAAT) — good morning
• शुभ साँझ (SHUBH saanjh) — good evening

To say “Hello, good morning!” in Nepali: नमस्ते, शुभ प्रभात! (NAH-mas-teh, SHUBH pra-BHAAT!). Built from नमस्ते = hello; शुभ प्रभात = good morning.

To ask how someone is: तिमीलाई कस्तो छ? The friendly answer is सन्चै छु — I'm fine.

• तिमीलाई कस्तो छ? (ti-mi-LAI kas-TO chha?) — How are you? (casual)
• तपाईंलाई कस्तो छ? (ta-PAI-laai kas-TO chha?) — How are you? (formal)
• सन्चै छु (SAN-chai chhu) — I'm fine

To say “Hello, how are you?” in Nepali: नमस्ते, तिमीलाई कस्तो छ? (NAH-mas-teh, ti-mi-LAI kas-TO chha?). Built from नमस्ते = hello; तिमीलाई कस्तो छ = how are you?.

Being polite

Key pieces: धन्यवाद · कृपया · माफ गर्नुहोस्

The two politeness words you'll use constantly: धन्यवाद (thank you) and कृपया (please).

• धन्यवाद (DHA-nya-bad) — thank you Memory hook: ≈ Hindi धन्यवाद · Sanskrit dhanyavāda.
• कृपया (KRI-pa-ya) — please Memory hook: ≈ Hindi कृपया.
• माफ गर्नुहोस् (maaf GAR-nu-hos) — excuse me / sorry
• तपाईंको स्वागत छ (ta-PAI-ko swa-GAT chha) — you're welcome

To say “Thank you very much” in Nepali: धेरै धन्यवाद (DHEH-rai DHA-nya-bad). Built from धेरै = very / many; धन्यवाद = thank you.

To get attention or apologize: माफ गर्नुहोस् . And हो = yes, होइन = no.

• हो (ho) — yes
• होइन (HO-in) — no
• हुन्छ (hoon-CHHA) — okay / sure

To say “Yes, please” in Nepali: हो, कृपया (ho, KRI-pa-ya). Built from हो = yes; कृपया = please.

Numbers 1–10

Key pieces: एक · दुई · तीन · दस

Numbers are the fastest win. Listen and repeat: एक, दुई, तीन .

• एक (ek) — 1
• दुई (doo-ee) — 2
• तीन (teen) — 3
• चार (chaar) — 4
• पाँच (paanch) — 5
• छ (chha) — 6
• सात (saat) — 7
• आठ (aath) — 8
• नौ (nau) — 9
• दस (das) — 10

To say “Two teas, please” in Nepali: दुई चिया, कृपया (doo-ee CHI-ya, KRI-pa-ya). Built from दुई = two; चिया = tea; कृपया = please.

To say “I'd like three” in Nepali: तीन चाहियो (teen CHAH-i-yo). Built from तीन = three; चाहियो = is needed / I want.

To ask how much: कति? kati. And the full question at the market: कति पर्छ? — how much does it cost?

To say “How much is it?” in Nepali: कति पर्छ? (ka-ti PAR-cha?). Built from कति = how much; पर्छ = does it cost.

I want" — मलाई ... चाहियो

Key pieces: मलाई · चाहियो · पानी

To want or need something, Nepali says मलाई ... चाहियो — literally 'to me ... is needed'. Say the thing first.

• मलाई (ma-LAI) — to me / I
• चाहियो (CHAH-i-yo) — is needed / I want
• पानी (PAH-nee) — water Memory hook: ≈ Hindi पानी.

To say “I want water” in Nepali: मलाई पानी चाहियो (ma-LAI PAH-nee CHAH-i-yo). Built from मलाई = to me; पानी = water; चाहियो = is needed.

To say “I want tea” in Nepali: मलाई चिया चाहियो (ma-LAI CHI-ya CHAH-i-yo). Built from मलाई = to me; चिया = tea; चाहियो = is needed.

छ (chha) means 'is / there is' and it's everywhere in Nepali. With मलाई it builds wants.

To say “I want the menu” in Nepali: मलाई मेनु चाहियो (ma-LAI MEH-noo CHAH-i-yo). Built from मलाई = to me; मेनु = menu; चाहियो = is needed.

Food & drink

Key pieces: पानी · दाल भात · चिया

Nepali food words you'll meet daily: पानी (water), दाल भात (the national dish), चिया (tea).

• पानी (PAH-nee) — water Memory hook: ≈ Hindi पानी.
• दाल भात (DAAL bhaat) — lentil & rice
• चिया (CHI-ya) — tea
• कफी (ka-FEE) — coffee
• मोमो (MOH-moh) — dumplings

To say “Water, please” in Nepali: पानी, कृपया (PAH-nee, KRI-pa-ya). Built from पानी = water; कृपया = please.

दाल भात is the everyday meal — lentils over rice with vegetables and pickle. Say गरम (garam) if you want it hot.

To say “I want dal bhat” in Nepali: मलाई दाल भात चाहियो (ma-LAI DAAL bhaat CHAH-i-yo). Built from मलाई = to me; दाल भात = lentil & rice; चाहियो = is needed.

To say “It's delicious!” in Nepali: मिठो छ! (MI-toh chha!). Built from मिठो = delicious; छ = is.

Getting around

Key pieces: कहाँ छ? · दायाँ · बायाँ

The most useful question in any town: ... कहाँ छ? kaha chha — where is ...? Say the place first.

• कहाँ? (ka-HAH) — where?
• दायाँ (DAH-yaa) — to the right
• बायाँ (BAH-yaa) — to the left
• सिधा (SI-dha) — straight ahead
• नजिक (na-JIK) — near

To say “Where is the bus stop?” in Nepali: बस स्टप कहाँ छ? (bas stap ka-HAH chha?). Built from बस स्टप = bus stop; कहाँ = where; छ = is.

To say “Where is the toilet?” in Nepali: शौचालय कहाँ छ? (shau-CHA-lay ka-HAH chha?). Built from शौचालय = toilet; कहाँ = where; छ = is.

दायाँ = right, बायाँ = left, सिधा = straight ahead.

To say “Go straight” in Nepali: सिधा जानुहोस् (SI-dha JAA-nu-hos). Built from सिधा = straight; जानुहोस् = go.

Questions

Key pieces: के · कति · कहिले

Question words carry a lot of weight in Nepali: के (what), कति (how much), कहाँ (where), कहिले (when).

• के? (keh) — what?
• किन? (kin) — why?
• कहिले? (ka-hi-LEH) — when?
• कसरी? (kas-REE) — how?
• कति? (ka-TI) — how much / many

To say “What is this?” in Nepali: यो के हो? (yo keh ho?). Built from यो = this; के = what; हो = is.

To ask what someone needs: के चाहियो? ke chahiyo — what do you need? It's friendly and very common.

To say “What do you want?” in Nepali: के चाहियो? (keh CHAH-i-yo?). Built from के = what; चाहियो = is needed.

To say “Do you have a room?” in Nepali: एउटा कोठा छ? (EH-u-ta KO-tha chha?). Built from एउटा = a / one; कोठा = room; छ = is there.

Family & people

Key pieces: परिवार · आमा · बुबा · साथी

Family words: परिवार (parivar) = family, आमा (aama) = mother, बुबा (buba) = father.

• परिवार (pa-ri-VAAR) — family Memory hook: ≈ Hindi परिवार.
• आमा (AA-ma) — mother
• बुबा (BU-ba) — father
• साथी (SA-thi) — friend
• दिदी (DI-di) — older sister
• भाइ (bhai) — younger brother Memory hook: ≈ Hindi भाई.

To say “I have a family” in Nepali: मेरो परिवार छ (ME-ro pa-ri-VAAR chha). Built from मेरो = my; परिवार = family; छ = is / has.

छ also means 'has': मसँग छ = I have (with me).

• मसँग छ (ma-SANG chha) — I have
• तिमीसँग छ? (ti-mee-SANG chha?) — do you have?

To say “I have a friend” in Nepali: मेरो साथी छ (ME-ro SA-thi chha). Built from मेरो = my; साथी = friend; छ = is / has.

Time, days & weather

Key pieces: आज · भोलि · मौसम

Today is आज (aaj), tomorrow भोलि (bholi), yesterday हिजो (hijo).

• आज (aaj) — today
• भोलि (BHO-li) — tomorrow
• हिजो (HI-jo) — yesterday
• मौसम (MAU-sam) — weather Memory hook: ≈ Hindi मौसम.

Ask about the weather: मौसम कस्तो छ? mausam kasto chha?

To say “It's raining” in Nepali: पानी परेको छ (PAH-nee pa-RE-ko chha). Built from पानी = rain / water; परेको छ = is falling.

To say “See you tomorrow” in Nepali: भोलि भेटौँला (BHO-li bhe-TAU-la). Built from भोलि = tomorrow; भेटौँला = see you.

• आइतबार (AI-ta-baar) — Sunday
• सोमबार (SOM-baar) — Monday
• शनिबार (sha-ni-BAAR) — Saturday

My name — मेरो नाम

Key pieces: मेरो नाम · हो · तपाईंको नाम

Introduce yourself: मेरो नाम ... हो — my name is ... .

To say “My name is Alex” in Nepali: मेरो नाम Alex हो (ME-ro naam Alex ho). Built from मेरो = my; नाम = name; हो = is.

To ask someone's name: तपाईंको नाम के हो? (polite) or तिम्रो नाम के हो? (casual).

• तपाईंको नाम के हो? (ta-PAI-ko naam keh ho?) — What's your name? (formal)
• तिम्रो नाम के हो? (TIM-ro naam keh ho?) — What's your name? (casual)
• नाम (naam) — name Memory hook: ≈ Hindi नाम · Sanskrit nāma.

To say “What's your name?” in Nepali: तपाईंको नाम के हो? (ta-PAI-ko naam keh ho?). Built from तपाईंको = your (formal); नाम = name; के हो = what is.

Nice to meet you: भेटेर खुसी लाग्यो .

Health & emergency

Key pieces: मद्दत! · डाक्टर · बुझ्दैन

The words that matter fast: मद्दत! (help), डाक्टर (doctor), अस्पताल (hospital), प्रहरी (police).

• मद्दत! (MAD-dat!) — help!
• डाक्टर (DAAK-tar) — doctor Memory hook: ≈ Hindi डॉक्टर.
• अस्पताल (as-pa-TAAL) — hospital Memory hook: ≈ Hindi अस्पताल.
• प्रहरी (PRA-ha-ri) — police

To say “Help!” in Nepali: मद्दत! (MAD-dat!). Built from मद्दत = help.

To say you don't understand: मलाई बुझ्दैन . To ask for help: मलाई मद्दत चाहियो .

• मलाई बुझ्दैन (ma-LAI boo-DHAIN) — I don't understand
• मलाई मद्दत चाहियो (ma-LAI MAD-dat CHAH-i-yo) — I need help
• मलाई पानी चाहियो (ma-LAI PAH-nee CHAH-i-yo) — I need water

To say “I need a doctor” in Nepali: मलाई डाक्टर चाहियो (ma-LAI DAAK-tar CHAH-i-yo). Built from मलाई = to me; डाक्टर = doctor; चाहियो = is needed.

Tying it together

Key pieces: चाहियो · कहाँ · कति · a capstone scene

Great — you've built a real toolbox. This capstone uses only words you've met. Build each line yourself before revealing.

To say “Hello, how are you?” in Nepali: नमस्ते, तिमीलाई कस्तो छ? (NAH-mas-teh, ti-mi-LAI kas-TO chha?). Built from नमस्ते = hello; तिमीलाई कस्तो छ = how are you?.

To say “I want water, please” in Nepali: मलाई पानी चाहियो, कृपया (ma-LAI PAH-nee CHAH-i-yo, KRI-pa-ya). Built from मलाई = to me; पानी = water; चाहियो = is needed; कृपया = please.

To say “Where is the bus stop?” in Nepali: बस स्टप कहाँ छ? (bas stap ka-HAH chha?). Built from बस स्टप = bus stop; कहाँ = where; छ = is.

To say “How much is it?” in Nepali: कति पर्छ? (ka-ti PAR-cha?). Built from कति = how much; पर्छ = does it cost.

Common mistakes and things to watch out for

• तिमीलाई कस्तो छ? (ti-mi-LAI kas-TO chha?): casual.
• तपाईंलाई कस्तो छ? (ta-PAI-laai kas-TO chha?): formal.
• तपाईंको नाम के हो? (ta-PAI-ko naam keh ho?): formal.
• तिम्रो नाम के हो? (TIM-ro naam keh ho?): casual.

Culture and etiquette

Sagarmatha — Mt. Everest

The world's highest peak is Sagarmatha ('head of the sky') in Nepali; Sherpas call it 'Chomolungma'. It stands in eastern Nepal, a short flight or a famous trek from Kathmandu.

Namaste

The palms-together namaste (नमस्ते) is both hello and goodbye, and a sign of respect. Bringing your palms to the chest or forehead shows more reverence, and elders are often greeted with a slight bow.

Dashain

Dashain is Nepal's biggest festival — up to fifteen days each autumn. Families reunite, elders give tika (a red blessing mark) and dakshina (money), and everyone feasts on goat, rice and sweets.

Tihar — festival of lights

Tihar follows Dashain. Houses glow with oil lamps, and days honour crows, dogs, cows and oxen. Sisters bless brothers, and families play cards and share sweets.

Dal bhat power, 24 hour

Dal bhat (lentils with rice) is the national meal, usually with vegetables, pickle and sometimes fried greens. Locals joke it gives '24-hour power' — you'll hear that phrase on every trekking trail.

Momo mania

Momo — steamed dumplings — are Nepal's favourite snack, served with a fiery tomato-and-chilli achar (chutney). You'll find them everywhere, from mountain teahouses to Kathmandu street stalls.

Example dialogues

At a café

At the bus stop

At a restaurant

Written by the LanguagePath editorial team from our own course material. Pronunciation guides are approximate English respellings; tap any phrase in the app above to hear it. Native-speaker review of every course is ongoing — tell us if you spot an error.