Meeting people in Nepali
How are you, what is your name, where are you from, I like it: the first five minutes. 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
- तपाईंलाई कस्तो छ?ta-PAI-lai KAS-to chha
- How are you?
- ठीक छुTHIK chhu
- I'm fine, thanks
- तपाईंलाई?ta-PAI-lai
- And you?
- तपाईंको नाम के हो?ta-PAAI-ko NAAM KE ho
- What's your name?
- मेरो नाम ... होME-ro NAAM ... ho
- My name is...
- तपाईं कहाँबाट हो?ta-PAAI ka-HAAN-baat HO
- Where are you from?
- म ...बाट हुँma ...-baat HUN
- I'm from...
- मलाई मन पर्योma-LAI MAN PAR-yo
- I like it
- धेरै सुन्दरDHE-rai SUN-dar
- It's beautiful
- स्वागत छSWAA-gat chha
- Welcome
"तपाईं" is the formal/respectful "you," used with elders, strangers, and anyone you wish to show respect. Always use this form with people older than you or in a position of authority.
The standard reply. "ठीक छु" (I am fine/okay). You can also say "राम्रो छु" (RAM-ro chhu, I am good) for a slightly warmer answer. Nepalis often add "धन्यवाद" after.
Simply bounce the question back. In casual speech between friends it becomes just "तिमीलाई?" (ti-MI-lai). The "-लाई" suffix marks the recipient, equivalent to "and for you?"
Literally "it fell into my heart".
For the Himalaya at sunrise, the only comment.