GHT Blog

Speaking like a local – useful lingo for the trail

November 12, 2015

Learning the local language before heading out on your worldly adventures is always beneficial. It will give you a more intimate look into a foreign culture, make you and the local people you meet feel at ease and could be a helpful tool to get you out of a sticky situation in remote areas where English is not commonly known.

There are more than 100 different languages and dialects in Nepal, which would take a few lifetimes to learn even for the most adept of linguists. To help you out, we’ve focused on a couple of helpful phrases in Nepali that will help you speak like a local during your trek on the Great Himalaya Trails, as well as provide some amusing moments for the locals you meet along the way.

Friendly greetings on the trail

Namaste	Hello	Tapaailaai?	How about you?
Namaskar	Respectful version of Namaste	Khaanaa Khaanu bhayo?	Have you eaten? (Informal greeting)
Hajur	Yes. Can also be used when someone calls your name	Tapaai lai bhetera khusi laagyo	Nice to meet you!
Tapaailai kasto chha?	How are you?	Pheri Bhetaunlaa	See you later!
Malaai Thik Chha	I am fine	Dhanyabaad	Thank you

Getting to know each other

Tapaai ko naam k ho?	What is your name?	Tapaai kaha bata aunu bhayeko?	Where are you from?
Mero naam John ho.	My name is John	Ma Germany baata ayeko.	I am from Germany

Addressing people

Aama/Buwa	Mother/Father	Nanu/Babu	Young girl/Young boy
Didi/Bahini	Big sister/Little sister	Saathi	Friend
Dai/Bhai	Big brother/Little brother	Saathiharu	Friends

Useful phrases

Kati Bajyo?	What time is it?	Garmi bhayo	I feel hot
Aile eeghara (11) bajyo.	It’s 11 o’clock	Maile bujhina	I don’t understand
Malaai biscuit (food item) kinnu paryo	I’d like to buy biscuits	Toilet kahaa chha?	Where is the bathroom?
Malai thakaai laagyo	I am tired	Ramro hotel kataa chha?	Where is a nice hotel?
Mero khuttaa dukhyo	My legs hurt	Ma hataar maa chhu	I’m in a hurry
Malaai bhok laagyo	I am hungry	Thamel kahaan ho?	Where is Thamel?
Malaai pyaas laagyo	I am thirsty	Thamel jane gadi kata paincha?	Where can I get a public vehicle to Thamel?
Malaai sancho chaina	I feel sick	Kati ho?	How much? (useful for asking taxi drivers)
Mero pet sancho chaina	My stomach doesn’t feel good	Esko kati parcha?	How much does this cost? (In shops)
Ausadhi chaahiyo	I need some medicine	Jomsom jane baato kun ho?	Which is the road to Jomsom?
Sahayog!	Help!	Ma ali-ali Nepali bolchu	I only speak a little Nepali
Jaado bhayo	I feel cold

Useful words for neanderthal speak

Pani	Water	Pul	Bridge
Tato pani	Hot water	Bato	Road
Chiso pani	Cold water	Gaun	Village
Roti	Bread	Nadi	River

Numbers

ek	one	saat	seven	pachis	twenty-five	assi	eighty
dui	two	aath	eight	tis	thirty	nabbe	ninety
tin	three	nau	nine	chaalis	forty	ek saye	one hundred
chaar	four	das	ten	pachaas	fifty	dui saye	two hundred
paanch	five	pandra	fifteen	saathi	sixty	ek hazaar	one thousand
chha	six	bis	twenty	sattari	seventy