Order anything by pointing in Nepali
I would like, this one, how much, the bill: survive any counter or menu. 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 11 Nepali phrases in this lesson
- मलाई ... चाहियोma-LAI ... CHAA-hi-yo
- I would like...
- योYO
- This one
- कति हो?KA-ti ho
- How much is it?
- बिल दिनुस्BIL di-NUS
- The bill, please
- कार्डलेKARD-le
- By card
- नगदमाna-GAD-ma
- In cash
- पानीPA-ni
- Water
- कफीKA-phi
- Coffee
- चियाchi-YA
- Tea
- बियरBI-yar
- Beer
- ... बिनाbi-NAA
- Without...
Literally "to me ... is wanted": मलाई चिया चाहियो (ma-LAI CHI-ya CHAA-hi-yo), a tea for me.
Point at the item and say "यो." For "that one over there" use "त्यो" (TYO). These two words solve most pointing situations when you do not know the item name.
The most useful four letters in any market. Prices in tourist areas are often negotiable, but not in proper restaurants. Ask before ordering at small street stalls.
Catching the eye of the server and miming writing on your palm is universally understood. In smaller eateries the bill may simply be told to you verbally rather than written.
Card payment is increasingly available in Kathmandu and tourist centers, but unreliable elsewhere. Always ask first and carry backup cash. The "-ले" suffix marks the instrument used.
Cash is king in most of Nepal outside the capital. ATMs can run out of notes during festivals or in remote towns. Stock up before heading to trekking regions.
Always buy sealed bottled water (बोतलको पानी, BO-tal-ko PA-ni) for drinking. Tap water is not safe for travelers in most areas. Carry a reusable bottle with a filter on treks.
Tea, चिया (CHI-ya), is the everyday drink, sweet and milky.
Trekking lodges sell beer carried up by porters, so it gets pricier with altitude.
चिनी बिना (CHI-ni bi-NAA), without sugar.