; What is your name? : Hajur ko naam ke ho? (''ha-jur ko na-m k ho?'') or Tapai ko naam ke ho? (''ta-pai ko na-m kay-ho?'')
; What is your name? : Hajur ko naam ke ho? (''ha-jur ko na-m k ho?'') or Tapai ko naam ke ho? (''ta-pai ko na-m kay-ho?'')
; My name is ______ . : Meero naam ______ ho. (''MAY-ro na-m _____ ho.'')
; My name is ______ . : Meero naam ______ ho. (''MAY-ro na-m _____ ho.'')
Revision as of 05:14, 3 September 2011
Nepali is the official language of Nepal. It's related to Hindi, Punjabi, and other Indo-Aryan languages, and is normally written with the Devanagari script (as is Hindi). While most Nepalese people speak at least some Nepali, there are more than 100 different languages and dialects spoken in Nepal. An example of other languages spoken in Nepal are Tharu around Chitwan, Newari in the Kathmandu Valley, and Sharwa (Sherpa) in the Everest area.
Educated Nepalis can often speak English, because of the popularity of boarding school as public school can not compete for quality education. Learning even a few words of Nepali can be fun and very useful, especially outside of the tourist district and while trekking.
There are lots words of borrowed from other languages, especially English, so most of the Nepali people understand these words rather then its literal meaning in Nepali e.g. coat, TV, breakfast,basket etc.
h A superscript "h" indicates that the proceeding consonant is aspirated. "Aspiration" just means that the sound involves a more forceful breath. At first it will sound like everyone around you is always on the verge of laughing -- "c -ha!- t" "d -ha!- og!" For now it's just important to remember that "th" is not the "th" sound in "that" -- there is no "th" sound in Nepali.
n A superscript "n" indicates that the proceeding vowel is nasal. To the English-speaking ear (don't try to visualize that too hard) nasalized vowels just sound like they are followed by a "n." Listen to yourself say words like "injury," "animal," and "young."
! The trickiest sound for non-natives are the "retroflex" consonants. Usually they are represented by a dot under the letter or by bold text, but I find that too easy to overlook so I'm using an exclamation mark. The retroflex consonants are what make an "Indian accent" sound "Indian." Think of Apu the Kwik E Mart owner, from the Simpsons, then:
Find your tongue
Find the inside of your mouth
Use your tongue to poke at the roof of your mouth
Notice there's a kind of ridge behind your top teeth
Curl your tongue so that the bottom of the tip is touching this ridge
Look in a mirror
Do you see the gross bottom of your tongue? Good!
Now say "Doh!" like Homer
Now find someone you know who can make the sound and have them show you
All the Nepali words you'll see here are written in "Roman Transliteration" -- which just means using the Roman alphabet to try and represent sounds in the Nepali alphabet (which isn't really an "alphabet" per se, but that's another conversation).
In English we use a combination of letters to represent different sounds, so the "a" in "father" is different from the "a" in "made" or "bat". In the transliteration of Nepali, one letter pretty much equals one sound. There are no silent "q"s or "k"s or "e"s. K-n-i-e-f is "K-nief," m-a-d-e is "ma-de," etc.
Consonants, with the exception of the aspirated and retroflex variety are pretty much what you'd expect.
Vowels
a
like 'a' in "apple",
aa
like 'a' in "made", but longer
e
'e' in "bed"
i
like the 'y' in "Johnney"
o
like 'o' in "top"
u
like 'oo' in "coop"
Consonants
b
like 'b' in "bed"
bh
like 'b' in "bed," but with an extra puff of air, like "Bhuh-ed"
ch
like 'ch' in "chat"
d
like 'd' in "dog"
dh
like 'd' in "dog" but with an extra puff of air, like "Dhuh-og"
f
like 'f' in "frog"
g
like 'g' in "go"
gh
like 'g' in "go" but with an extra puff of air "gh
h
like 'h' in "help" (often silent in the UK and other Commonwealth countries)
j
like 'dg' in "edge"
k
like 'c' in "cat"
l
like 'l' in "love"
m
like 'm' in "mother"
n
like 'n' in "nice"
p
like 'p' in "pig"
q
like 'q' in "quest" (with "u", almost always)
r
like 'r' in "row", like 'r' in "feather" (often silent in the UK and other Commonwealth countries at end of word)
s
like 'ss' in "hiss"
t
like 't' in "top"
v
at the beginning of a word, somewhere between the "v" in "vice" and "w" in "wives." In the middle of a word somewhere between the "v" in "vice" and the "b" in "bike." Spelling-wise, these are interchangable ("Shiva-Shiba" "Vishnu"-"Wishnu"). Err on the side of a "v" sound.
Phrase list
Basics
I Love you
Ma timilai maya garchu.
Hello. (formal)
Namaste. (Nah-MAH-stay)
Hello.
Namaskar. (Nah-MAH-skar)
How are you?
Sanchai cha? (San-chai-CHA?) or Kasto cha? (Kas-tow CHA?)
Fine, thank you.
Sanchai chu,Dhanyabaad. (San-chai-CHu) or Ramro chu. (Ram-row CHu)
What is your name?
Hajur ko naam ke ho? (ha-jur ko na-m k ho?) or Tapai ko naam ke ho? (ta-pai ko na-m kay-ho?)
My name is ______ .
Meero naam ______ ho. (MAY-ro na-m _____ ho.)
Please.
indicated by using the polite form
Thank you.
dhanyabaad (DHAN-naii-bat)
Yes.
Hajur. (HA-jur) or Ho. (HO)
No.
Chaina. (Chai-NA) or Haina. (Hai-Na)
Excuse me. (getting attention)
Excuse me.
Excuse me. (begging pardon)
maaf garnus. (MA-af-GAR-nus)
I'm sorry.
ma maafi chahanchu.
Goodbye
Namaskaar
Goodbye (informal)
Namaste
Bye Bye
Ta-ta
I only speak a little Nepali
ma ali-ali Nepali bolchu . (Ma all-ee all-ee nee-pa-li bowl-chu )
K ma hajur ko Phone prayog garna sakchu? (K ma ha-jur ko phone pra-yog gar-na sak-chu?)
Numbers
1
ek (A-kh)
2
dui (Du-ee)
3
tien (Tee-n)
4
char (Cha-r)
5
panch (Pa-n-ch)
6
chha (Cha)
7
saat (Sa-at)
8
aath (Aa-th)
9
nau (Na-u)
10
das (Daa-ss)
11
eghara (A-ghaa-ra)
12
bara (Bha-ra)
13
teera (Th-e-ra)
14
chauda (Chau-da)
15
pandhra (Pan-dra)
16
sorha (So-rha)
17
satra (Sat-ra)
18
athara (Aa-tha-ra)
19
unais (Un-nai-s)
20
bis (Bis)
30
teece (Tee-sh)
40
chaleece (Cha-lee-sh)
50
pachaase (Pa-cha-sh)
60
sathi (Sat-ti)
70
sattari (Sa-tha-ri)
80
assi (aa-si)
90
nabbe (nab-be)
100
ek saye (A-kh sai-ya)
200
dwi saye (Du-ee sai-ya)
300
tin saye (Tee-n sai-ya)
1000
ek hazar (A-kh Ha-zar)
2000
dwi hazar (Du-ee Ha-zar)
100,000
ek lakh (A-kh la-kh)
1,000,000
dus lakh (Daa-ss la-kh)
number _____ (train, bus, etc.)
number _____ (...)
half
aadha (aa-dha)
less
kaam (cum)
more
dherai (dhe-raii)
Time
now
ahile (aa-hee-le)
later
pachi (paa-chi)
before
agadi (aa-gha-dee)
morning
bihana (bee-haa-na)
afternoon
diuso (di-u-sho)
evening
beluka (be-lu-kha)
night
rati (raa-ti)
Clock time
one o'clock AM
bihana ko ek baje (...)
two o'clock AM
bihana ko dui baje (...)
noon
madhyanha (...)
one o'clock PM
diuso ko ek baje (...)
two o'clock PM
diuso ko dui baje (...)
midnight
madhyaraat (...)
Duration
_____ minute(s)
_____ minute(s) (...)
_____ hour(s)
_____ ghanta(haru) (gh-n-ta)
_____ day(s)
_____ din(haru) (dee-n)
_____ week(s)
_____ haptaa(haru) (hap-ta)
_____ month(s)
_____ mahina(haru) (maa-hee-na)
_____ year(s)
_____ barsa(haru) (ba-r-sha)
Days
today
aaja (aa-ja)
yesterday
hijo (hee-jo)
tomorrow
bholi (bho-lee)
this week
yo hapta(yo hap-ta)
last week
asti ko hapta(as-ti ko hap-ta)
next week
arko hapta(ar-ko hap-ta)
Sunday
aaitabaar (ai-ta-bar)
Monday
sombaar (som-bar)
Tuesday
mangalbaar (man-girl-bar)
Wednesday
budhabaar (bu-dho-bar)
Thursday
bihibaar (bee-hee-bar)
Friday
shukrabaar (shuk-ro-bar)
Saturday
shanibaar (sa-ni-bar)
Months
The Nepali Calendar, called Bikram Sambat or B.S., is a lunar calendar based on ancient Hindu tradition. It is roughly 57 years ahead of the Gregorian calendar (the year 2000 AD was equivalent to the years 2056-2057 BS). The beginning of the year usually falls on the 13th or 14th of April. Therefore, the months are not compatible with the Gregorian calendar.
April
Baisakh (...)
May
Jestha (...)
June
Asadh (...)
July
Shrawan (...)
August
Bhadra (...)
September
Ashoj (...)
October
Kartik (...)
November
Mangshir (...)
December
Poush (...)
January
Magh (...)
February
Falgun (...)
March
Chaitra (...)
Writing Time and Date
Give some examples how to write clock times and dates if it differs from Enlish.
Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?
America/Australia/Canada ko paisaa chalchha? (...)
Do you accept British pounds?
Belaayatko paisaa chalchha? (...)
Do you accept credit cards?
Credit card chalchha? (...)
Can you change money for me?
Malaai khoodraa dinu hunchha ki? (...)
Where can I get money changed?
Paisa kahaa saatinchha? (...)
Can you change a traveler's check for me?
travel check linuhucnhha? (...)
Where can I get a traveler's check changed?
tralvel check kahaa saatichha? (...)
What is the exchange rate?
saTahi dar ke chha? (...)
Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?
(ATM)maysin kahaa chaa? (...)
Eating
A table for one person/two people, please.
kripaya Tebul ek yaa dui janaako lagi. (...)
Can I look at the menu, please?
ma menu herna sakchhu? (...)
Can I look in the kitchen?
ma keychen herna sakchhu? (...)
Is there a house specialty?
gharmaa banaaieko kehi chha? (...)
Is there a local specialty?
sthaaniya bisess kehi chha? (...)
I'm a vegetarian.
Ma masu kandina. (Ma- ma-SU Kan-DIE-nah)
I don't eat pork.
ma bangoor khaadina. (...)
I only eat kosher food.
I only eat kosher food. (...)
Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard)
yaslaai jalaaunus", please? (...)
fixed-price meal
nischit darko khaanaa
(...)
à la carte
à la carte (...)
breakfast
breakfast (...)
lunch
lunch (...)
tea (meal)
tea (...)
supper
supper (...)
I want _____.
_____ chahanchhu. (...)
I want a dish containing _____.
_____bhaeko thaal chahanchhu. (...)
chicken
kukhuraa (...)
beef
gaaiko masu (...)
fish
maachhaa(...)
ham
ham (...)
cheese
chij (...)
eggs
anDaa (...)
salad
salad (...)
(fresh) vegetables
(taajaa) tarkaari (...)
(fresh) fruit
(taajaa) phalphul (...)
bread
roTi(roti)
toast
toast (...)
noodles
chau chau (...)
rice
bhat (BHAT)
lentils
daal (da-all)
May I have ai glass of _____?
malaai ek gilaas _____ dinus? (...)
May I have a cup of _____?
malaai ek cup _____ dinus? (...)
May I have a bottle of _____?
malaai ek botal_____ dinus? (...)
coffee
coffee (...)
tea (drink)
chiya (CHEE-ah)
juice
juice (...)
water
pani (PAN-ee)
beer
beer (BEER)
May I have some _____?
malaai kehi _____ dinus? (...)
salt
nun (noon)
black pepper
marich (...)
butter
butter (...)
I'm finished.
Pugcha. (POOG-CHA)
It was delicious.
Mito chaa (...)
Please clear the plates.
Please clear the plates. (The waiter is usually hovering to take your plate, you will not need this)(...)
The check, please.
Bill please. (Asking for the 'check' may cause some minor confusion)(...)
Bars
Do you serve alcohol?
Do you serve alcohol? (...)
Is there table service?
Is there table service? (...)
A beer/two beers, please.
A beer/two beers, please. (...)
A glass of red/white wine, please.
A glass of red/white wine, please. (...)
A pint, please.
A pint, please. (...)
A bottle, please.
A bottle, please. (...)
_____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please.
_____ and _____, please. (...)
whiskey
whiskey (...)
vodka
vodka (...)
rum
rum (...)
water
water (pani)
club soda
club soda (...)
tonic water
tonic water (...)
orange juice
orange juice (...)
Coke (soda)
Coke (...)
Do you have any bar snacks?
Do you have any bar snacks? (...)
One more, please.
One more, please. (...)
Another round, please.
Another round, please. (...)
When is closing time?
kati khera bandha hunchha? (...)
Shopping
Do you have this in my size?
mero size maa mil chha? (...)
How much is this?
yes ko kati parchha? (...)
That's too expensive.
yo ekdam mahango bhayo. (...)
Would you take _____?
_____ rupiya linus? (...)
expensive
mahango (...)
cheap
sasto (...)
I can't afford it.
ma kinna sakdina. (...)
I don't want it.
malaai chahidaina. (...)
You're cheating me.
tapaai malaai chhaldai hunuhunchha. (...)
I'm not interested.
ma ichchhuk chhaina. (..)
OK, I'll take it.
OK, thik chha, ma yo linchhu. (...)
Can I have a bag?
malaai euTaa jhoolaa dinus? (...)
Do you ship (overseas)?
tapaai shipmaa paThaunuhunchha(bidesmaa)? (...)
I need...
malaai chaahinchha... (...)
...toothpaste.
...danta manjan. (...)
...a toothbrush.
...daat majhne burus. (...)
...tampons.
...tampons. (...)
...soap.
sabun. (...)
...shampoo.
...shampoo. (...)
...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen)
...dukhaai haTaaune aushadhi. (...)
...cold medicine.
...chiso dawaai. (...)
...stomach medicine.
...peTko aushadi. (...)
...a razor.
...a razor. (...)
...an umbrella.
...chhataa. (...)
...sunblock lotion.
...sunblock lotion. (...)
...a postcard.
...a postcard. (...)
...postage stamps.
...hulaak Tikat. (...)
...batteries.
...batteries. (...)
...writing paper.
...lekhne kaapi. (...)
...a pen.
...kalam. (...)
...English-language books.
...angreji bhaasaako kitaab. (...)
...English-language magazines.
...angreji bhaasaako patrikaa. (...)
...an English-language newspaper.
...angreji bhaasaako patrikaa. (...)
...an English-English dictionary.
...angreji bhaasaako sabdkosh. (...)
Authority
I haven't done anything wrong.
Maile kehi galti gareko chaina. (...)
It was a misunderstanding.
bujhaai maa kehi galti thiyo. (...)
Where are you taking me?
tapaai malaai kahaa laadai hunuhunchha? (...)
Am I under arrest?
ma pakrau pareko hu? (...)
I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen.
ma American/Australian/British/Canadian naagarik hu. (...)
I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.
ma American/Australian/British/Canadian dutaabaas/ baanijya dutaabaas sanga kura garna chahanchhu. (...)
I want to talk to a lawyer.
ma wakil sanga kuraa garna chahanchhu. (...)
Can I just pay a fine now?
ma jariwaanaa maatra tirchhu? (...)
This is a usable phrasebook. It explains pronunciation and the bare essentials of travel communication. An adventurous person could use it to get by, but please plunge forward and help it grow!
