Getting around in Nepali
Left, right, the station, one ticket, where is the toilet. Play the ten Nepali words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 10 Nepali phrases in this lesson
- शौचालय कहाँ छ?shau-CHA-lay ka-HAAN chha
- Where is the toilet?
- ... कसरी जाने?KA-sa-ri JAA-ne
- How do I get to...?
- बायाँतिरBAA-yaan-ti-ra
- To the left
- दायाँतिरDAA-yaan-ti-ra
- To the right
- सिधाSI-dha
- Straight ahead
- यहाँya-HAAN
- Here
- रेलवे स्टेशनre-LAI-ve STE-shan
- Train station
- बसBAS
- Bus
- विमानस्थलbi-MAAN-sthal
- Airport
- एक टिकट दिनुस्EK ti-KAT di-NUS
- One ticket, please
You may also hear "toilet" (TOI-let) used directly in English. Public facilities in Nepal vary greatly. In teahouses on trekking routes, always ask before assuming there is one. Carry your own paper.
Literally "toward the left".
Useful when following directions. Combine with "अनि" (a-NI, "then") for multi-step directions: "सिधा जानुस्, अनि बायाँ" (go straight, then left).
Point down firmly and say this to a driver or porter. "यहाँ रोक्नुस्" (ya-HAAN ROK-nus) means "stop here," essential on buses that do not announce stops.
Nepal has very limited rail connectivity; most travel is by bus, jeep, or plane. A narrow-gauge railway runs near Janakpur in the south. In Kathmandu, ask for the "bus park" (बस पार्क) instead.
Buses are the backbone of Nepali transport. Local buses are cheap and colorful but crowded. Tourist buses are more comfortable for long routes like Kathmandu to Pokhara. Book ahead during festival season.
On local buses, a ticket collector (often called a "helper") comes to your seat. On long-distance routes buy at the bus park counter. Tempo (electric three-wheelers) have fixed fares, no ticket needed.