Shops and hotels in Nepali
Open, closed, a bag, the wifi password: the checkout and the front desk. 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
- ... पाइन्छ?PAA-in-chha
- Do you have...?
- ... कहाँ छ?... ka-HAAN chha
- Where is...?
- खुलाKHU-la
- Open
- बन्दBAN-da
- Closed
- झोला चाहिन्छ?JHO-la cha-HIN-chha
- A bag?
- धेरै महँगोDHE-rai ma-HAN-go
- Too expensive
- मेरो बुकिङ छME-ro BU-king chha
- I have a reservation
- बिहानको खाना समावेश छ?bi-HAA-na-ko KHAA-na sa-maa-BESH chha
- Is breakfast included?
- वाइफाइको पासवर्ड के हो?WAI-fai-ko PAAS-ward KE ho
- What's the wifi password?
- के म ... सक्छु?KE ma ... SAK-chhu
- Can I...?
Literally "is ... available?": चिया पाइन्छ? (CHI-ya PAA-in-chha), is there tea?
Point or name the section: "पानी कहाँ छ?" (where is the water?). The nasal "हाँ" vowel is a characteristically Nepali sound. Raise your eyebrows slightly to signal a question.
Also the word for a general strike, when shops and transport stop.
Cashiers ask this to offer you a bag. Plastic bags have been officially banned in Kathmandu valley, so reusable bags are common. Carry your own to avoid extra charges or bare hands.
Bargaining is normal in Thamel and at markets.
Literally "can I ...?".