10 Nepali words I wish I knew on my first trip to Nepal
Hey there, it’s Lilly! When I set foot in Nepal for the first time, I only had 1 word in my Nepali language toolkit: namaste. But here’s the scoop – in the 10 years that followed, I’ve realized that having a few more words under your belt makes the adventure WAY more exciting. That’s exactly why I’m here, spilling the beans on the 10 Nepali words you must know, that will sprinkle some extra magic into your journey.
Buckle up and let’s dive into these linguistic gems. When you know these 10 words, you instantly feel more at home in this beautiful country. So let’s get started!
5 Nepali words to connect with people
- Namaste: When you meet someone, you say “Namaste”. It actually means “hello” and it’s a friendly way to introduce yourself. Seriously, you can use it ALL the time!
- Dhanyabad: When someone does something nice for you, you can say “Dhanyabad”, which means “thank you”. A little kindness goes a looong way!
- Bistari Bistari: If you want to do something slower, like during a walk, say “Bistari bistari” to your guide. This way you can enjoy the moment without rushing. 🙂
- Mitho Khana: When you’re eating and it’s really tasty, say “Mitho khana”. It is such a nice way to give a compliment to your host.
- Shuba Ratri: When the day is over and you want to say “good night”, use “Shuba ratri”. It also means “good evening”.
5 words to help you understand the map
- Pani: This means ‘water’. For instance, “Pani Paryo” signifies “it is raining”. And “Tato Pani” means “hot water”. On a menu it literally refers to a glass of hot water. However, if you come across it on a sign along the trail, it indicates a hot spring(!)
- Khosi: If you see “Khosi” on the map. It means “river”. If the water is very cold, it’s called “Dudh khosi”, which means “milk river”!
- Bato: When you’re walking on the road, say “Bato”. It means “street”. A useful word if you want to ask for directions.
- Ri: When you look at the mountains, say “Ri”. It means “mountain”. For instance, the mountain Pumori in the Everest region.
- La: If you see a mountain pass, call it “La”. For example, the Thorong La in the Annapurna region. It’s like a gate to adventure!
So there you have it, 10 words to make your trip to Nepal even greater. Try them out and see people smile when you talk to them. And enjoy understanding the map a bit better. Have fun during your trip and let these words be your guide through this beeeautiful country!
