Time and days in Nepali
Now, later, tomorrow, what time it opens and one moment please. 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
- अहिलेa-HI-le
- Now
- पछिPA-chhi
- Later
- आजAAJ
- Today
- भोलिBHO-li
- Tomorrow
- आज रातिAAJ RAA-ti
- Tonight
- कहिले?ka-HI-le
- When?
- कति बजे खुल्छ?KA-ti BA-je KHUL-chha
- What time does it open?
- एकछिन पर्खनुस्ek-CHHIN PAR-kha-nus
- One moment, please
- मिनेटmi-NET
- Minutes
- घण्टाGHAN-taa
- Hours
"अहिले" means right now or at this moment. For "immediately/right away," Nepalis say "अहिले नै" (a-HI-le NAI). Useful for urgency, though schedules in Nepal are generally relaxed.
"पछि" covers everything from "in ten minutes" to "this afternoon." Context determines the timeframe. If you need a specific time, combine with a clock reference.
One syllable, long "a." Used constantly in markets and guesthouses: "आज के छ?" (what is available today?). The Nepali calendar (Bikram Sambat) runs roughly 56.7 years ahead of the Gregorian calendar.
"भोलि" can mean tomorrow or "some vague point in the future." The famous concept of "Nepali time" (flexible scheduling) is real. If something is promised for भोलि, confirm again in the morning.
Literally "wait a moment".