Write Nepali: Common Phrases and How to Write Them

Write Nepali: Common Phrases and How to Write ThemNepali is the official language of Nepal and one of the most widely spoken languages in the Himalayan region. Written in the Devanagari script (the same script used for Hindi and several other South Asian languages), Nepali has its own pronunciation, grammar, and cultural flavor. This article introduces common Nepali phrases useful for everyday conversation and shows how to write them in Devanagari, with pronunciation guidance and short notes on usage and politeness. Examples progress from greetings and introductions to questions, travel phrases, numbers, and helpful expressions for social interaction.

How Nepali Is Written: Devanagari Basics (quick overview)

Devanagari is an abugida: each consonant carries an inherent vowel /a/ unless another vowel sign is added. Letters are written left to right and connected by a horizontal top line (shirorekha) that links letters within words. Vowel marks attach to consonants in various positions: above, below, left, or right. A few pronunciation points:

• Nepali has short and long vowels; vowel length can change meaning.
• Consonant clusters are common; they may form ligatures.
• The visarga (ः) and anusvara (ं) mark specific sounds used in Sanskrit loanwords and Nepali pronunciation.

Pronunciation key (simple)

• a = as in “ago” (short), ā = as in “father” (long)
• i = as in “sit”, ī = as in “machine”
• u = as in “put”, ū = as in “flute”
• e = as in “they” (closer), o = as in “go”
• ṭ, ḍ, ṇ, ṃ etc. indicate retroflex sounds common in South Asian languages

Greetings and Basic Expressions

1. Hello / Hi

   • Devanagari: नमस्ते
   • Transliteration/pronunciation: namaste (nah-mah-stay)
   • Usage: Formal and informal greeting; respectful.

2. Good morning

   • Devanagari: शुभ प्रभात
   • Transliteration: shubha prabhat (shoo-bhuh pruh-bhaat)
   • Usage: Formal; less common in casual speech.

3. How are you?

   • Devanagari: तपाईंलाई कस्तो छ? (formal) / तिमीलाई कस्तो छ? (informal)
   • Transliteration: tapāĩlāī kasto cha? / timīlāī kasto cha?
   • Pronunciation note: tapāĩlāī = tuh-paa-ee-laa-ee; kasto cha = kus-toh chha
   • Response: म ठिक छु — ma ṭhīk chu (I am fine)

4. Thank you

   • Devanagari: धन्यवाद
   • Transliteration: dhanyavād (dhun-yuh-vaad)

5. Please

   • Devanagari: कृपया
   • Transliteration: kripayā (kri-puh-yaa)

Introductions

1. My name is…

   • Devanagari: मेरो नाम … हो।
   • Transliteration: mero nām … ho.
   • Example: मेरो नाम Sita हो। — Mero nām Sita ho.

2. What is your name?

   • Devanagari: तपाईँको नाम के हो? (formal) / तिम्रो नाम के हो? (informal)
   • Transliteration: tapāĩko nām ke ho? / timro nām ke ho?

3. I am from…

   • Devanagari: म … बाट हुँ।
   • Transliteration: ma … bāṭa hũ.
   • Example: म नेपालबाट हुँ। — Ma Nepāl-bāṭa hũ. (I am from Nepal.)

Common Questions and Responses

1. Where is the bathroom?

   • Devanagari: शौचालय कहाँ छ?
   • Transliteration: śaucalaya kahã̃ cha? or şaucalaya kahã cha?
   • Simplified: Bathroom = शौचालय (śaucalaya)

2. How much is this?

   • Devanagari: यो कति हो?
   • Transliteration: yo kati ho?

3. Do you speak English?

   • Devanagari: के तपाईं अङ्ग्रेजी बोल्न सक्नुहुन्छ? (formal)
   • Transliteration: ke tapāĩ aṅgrejī bolna saknuhunchha?

4. I don’t understand

   • Devanagari: मलाई बुझेको छैन।
   • Transliteration: malāī bujheko chaina.

Travel and Dining Phrases

1. I would like…

   • Devanagari: मलाई … चाहिन्छ।
   • Transliteration: malāī … chāhīncha.

2. Where is the bus/train station?

   • Devanagari: बस स्टेसन/रेल्वे स्टेशन कहाँ छ?
   • Transliteration: bas sṭesana/relve sṭesana kahã cha?

3. Check, please / Bill, please

   • Devanagari: बिल दिनुहोस्।
   • Transliteration: bil dinuhos.

4. Is there a vegetarian option?

   • Devanagari: के यहाँ शाकाहारी खाना छ?
   • Transliteration: ke yahã̃ śākāhārī khānā cha?

Numbers (1–10) — useful for prices and counting

1. एक — ek
2. दुई — dui
3. तीन — tīn
4. चार — chār
5. पाँच — pā̃ch
6. छ — chha
7. सात — sāt
8. आठ — āṭh
9. नौ — nau
10. दस — das

Politeness and Formality Notes

• Nepali has different pronouns and verb forms for formal vs. informal speech. Use तपाईँ (tapāĩ) or तपाईं (same) for respectful/formal address, and तिमी (timī) or तिमी for friends/young people.
• Use नमस्ते and धन्यवाद to show politeness.
• When in doubt, choose the formal form with older people or in official settings.

Writing Tips and Practice Exercises

1. Practice Devanagari strokes: start with basic vowels (अ, आ, इ, ई, उ, ऊ) then consonants (क, ख, ग, घ, ङ, etc.).
2. Copy common phrases line-by-line: write the Devanagari, then transliteration, then English meaning.
3. Use flashcards for numbers and greetings.
4. Try writing a short self-introduction: name, origin, and one hobby. Example: मेरो नाम Ram हो। म पोखराबाट हुँ। मलाई गीत सुन्न मन पर्छ।
5. Use input tools on your phone/computer (e.g., Google Nepali keyboard) to practice typing.

Example Dialog (short)

A: नमस्ते — Namaste
B: नमस्ते, तपाईँलाई कस्तो छ? — Namaste, tapāĩlāī kasto cha?
A: म ठिक छु, धन्यवाद। तपाईँ? — Ma ṭhīk chu, dhanyavād. Tapāĩ?
B: म पनि ठिक छु। — Ma pani ṭhīk chu.

Common Mistakes for Learners

• Confusing short and long vowels (e.g., अ vs आ).
• Skipping the schwa (inherent ‘a’) in spoken forms where Nepali often drops it compared to Hindi.
• Using informal pronouns with strangers; when unsure, use formal forms.

Resources to Continue Learning

• Practice Devanagari handwriting and use Nepali typing apps.
• Listen to Nepali radio or songs to get accustomed to rhythm and pronunciation.
• Practice with native speakers whenever possible.

This article gives you practical phrases, their Devanagari spellings, and pronunciation tips to start writing and speaking Nepali in everyday situations. Practice regularly—writing a little each day speeds progress more than occasional long sessions.