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Nepal handbook
Twenty words of welcome

Nepali phrasebook

Nobody expects you to speak Nepali — which is exactly why twenty words earn such delighted smiles. Pronunciation is forgiving; warmth is the grammar.

Greetings
नमस्ते
Namaste
Hello / goodbye (with palms together)
धन्यवाद
Dhanyabād
Thank you
तपाईंलाई कस्तो छ?
Tapāīlāī kasto chha?
How are you?
मलाई सन्चै छ
Malāī sanchai chha
I'm well
Courtesy
माफ गर्नुहोस्
Māph garnuhos
Excuse me / sorry
हुन्छ
Hunchha
Okay / yes, fine
हुँदैन
Hudaina
No / that won't work
कति हो?
Kati ho?
How much is it?
Eating
मीठो छ!
Mitho chha!
It's delicious!
पिरो छ?
Piro chha?
Is it spicy?
पानी
Pānī
Water
पुग्यो
Pugyo
I'm full — enough!
On the trail
बिस्तारै
Bistārai
Slowly (the trekker's mantra)
कति टाढा?
Kati tādhā?
How far?
बाटो कता हो?
Bāto katā ho?
Which way is the path?
सहयोग!
Sahayog!
Help!
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