Nepali (नेपाली) is the official language and is written in the Devanagari script — the same script used for Hindi, Marathi, and Sanskrit. The pronunciation is relatively easy for Germans — it is (mostly) spoken as it is written. Retroflex sounds (ट, ठ, ड, ढ — the tongue touches the palate further back than with German T/D) are unfamiliar at first, but with some practice, they are learnable.
In the tourist sector, many Nepali speak some English, but on the trek and in rural areas, basic Nepali knowledge is worth its weight in gold — and will surely bring a broad smile to your counterpart's face.
Devanagari Script — The Basics
You don't need to be able to read Devanagari to get by in Nepal, but it helps to recognize the numbers (they are used on price tags, house numbers, and bus signs):
| Arabic | Devanagari | Arabic | Devanagari |
|---|
| 0 | ० | 5 | ५ |
| 1 | १ | 6 | ६ |
| 2 | २ | 7 | ७ |
| 3 | ३ | 8 | ८ |
| 4 | ४ | 9 | ९ |
Greetings & Politeness
| German | Nepali | Pronunciation |
|---|
| Hello / Greetings | Namaste / Namaskar | Na-ma-ste / Na-ma-skar (Namaskar is more polite) |
| Thank you | Dhanyabad | Dan-ja-bad |
| Thank you very much | Dherai dhanyabad | De-rai dan-ja-bad |
| Please | Kripaya | Kri-pa-ja |
| Yes / No | Ho / Hoina | Ho / Hoi-na |
| How are you? | Tapailai kasto cha? | Ta-pai-lai kas-to tscha? |
| I am fine | Malai sanchai cha | Ma-lai san-tschai tscha |
| My name is... | Mero naam ... ho | Me-ro nam ... ho |
| I am from Germany | Ma Germany bata ho | Ma Dschör-mani ba-ta ho |
| I am from Austria | Ma Austria bata ho | Ma Ös-tri-a ba-ta ho |
| I am from Switzerland | Ma Switzerland bata ho | Ma Swit-zer-länd ba-ta ho |
| Goodbye | Namaste / Pheri bhetaula | Na-ma-ste / Fe-ri be-tau-la (= Until the next meeting) |
| Sorry | Maaf garnuhos | Maaf gar-nu-hos |
| No problem | Kei chaina | Kei tschai-na |
Food & Shopping
| German | Nepali |
|---|
| How much does this cost? | Yo kati ho? |
| Too expensive! | Dherai mahango! |
| Cheaper please | Sasto garnuhos |
| OK, I'll buy it | Huncha, ma kinchu |
| The bill please | Bill dinuhos |
| Very good / delicious | Dherai ramro / mitho! |
| Another serving please | Aru dinuhos (for Dal Bhat seconds!) |
| Spicy | Piro |
| Not spicy please | Piro nahalnus |
| Vegetarian | Shakahari |
| Water | Paani |
| Hot water | Tatopani |
| Tea / Coffee | Chiya / Coffee |
| Rice | Bhat |
| Lentil soup | Dal |
| Vegetables | Tarkari |
| Meat | Masu |
| Chicken | Kukhura |
| Buffalo meat | Buff |
On the Trek
| German | Nepali |
|---|
| How far is it to...? | ... kati tadha cha? |
| How many hours? | Kati ghanta lagcha? |
| Where is the way to...? | ... jane bato kaha cha? |
| I am tired | Ma thakit chu |
| I feel sick | Malai biraami lagyo |
| Headache | Tauko dukhyo |
| Slowly, slowly! | Bistari, bistari! |
| Is there a Tea House? | Tea House cha? |
| Is there a room? | Kotha cha? |
| Hot water please | Tatopani dinuhos |
| Mountain | Himal |
| River | Khola / Nadi |
| Pass (mountain pass) | La / Bhanjyang |
| Bridge | Pul |
| Forest | Ban / Jungle |
| Village | Gaon |
| Up / Down | Maathi / Tala |
| Left / Right | Baayen / Daayen |
| It is beautiful! | Ramro cha! |
| The mountains are beautiful! | Himal ramro cha! |
Numbers — Important for Bargaining!
| Number | Nepali | Number | Nepali |
|---|
| 1 | Ek (एक) | 6 | Chha (छ) |
| 2 | Dui (दुई) | 7 | Saat (सात) |
| 3 | Tin (तीन) | 8 | Aath (आठ) |
| 4 | Char (चार) | 9 | Nau (नौ) |
| 5 | Panch (पाँच) | 10 | Das (दस) |
| 20 | Bis (बीस) | 50 | Pachaas (पचास) |
| 100 | Ek Saya (एक सय) | 500 | Panch Saya (पाँच सय) |
| 1,000 | Ek Hajaar (एक हजार) | 10,000 | Das Hajaar (दस हजार) |
Bargaining in Nepali: "Pachaas rupiya!" (50 Rupees!) — "Dherai mahango! Tin saya dinuhos." (Too expensive! Give it to me for 300.) — "Huncha, char saya." (OK, 400.) — Bargaining is much better with a smile!
Emergency
| German | Nepali |
|---|
| Help! | Guhar! |
| Police! | Prahari! |
| Fire! | Aago! |
| I am sick | Ma birami chu |
| I need a doctor | Malai daktar chahiyo |
| Hospital | Aspatal |
| I need help | Malai sahayog chahiyo |
| Please call an ambulance | Ambulance bolaidinus |
| I am lost | Ma haraye |
Cultural Bonus Words
| German | Nepali | Context |
|---|
| Friend / Brother | Sathi / Dai (older) / Bhai (younger) | Dai is also the polite form of address for men older than you |
| Sister | Didi (older) / Bahini (younger) | Didi is also the form of address for women in restaurants, hotels, etc. |
| Correct! / Exactly! | Sajilai! / Thik cha! | "Thik cha" (it is OK/right) is something you hear a hundred times a day |
| Luck / Blessing | Subha / Ashirwad | |
| Festival | Parba / Jatra | |
| Nepal is beautiful! | Nepal ramro cha! | Say this to any Nepali — guaranteed to make them beam! |
💡 Tipp
The word "Bistari" (slowly) is your best friend on the trek! If the guide is walking too fast: "Bistari, bistari!" If you're racing through Kathmandu in a taxi: "Bistari!" And when bargaining: "Bistari, bistari" — with a smile. The three magic words in Nepal: "Namaste" (opens all doors), "Dhanyabad" (creates friendship), and "Mitho cha!" (the food is delicious — makes the cook beam). Nepali people love it when tourists try their language. Even a clumsy "Tapailai kasto cha?" (How are you?) is met with genuine delight.
