Greetings in Nepali

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As with every language, there are many ways to say hello in Nepali.

  • नमस्ते "Namaste" (nah-ma-stay) is the go-to phrase for greeting just about anyone. You can't go wrong here; it's polite and friendly!
    Remember - Instead of waving hello, hold your hands together like this:


  • सन्चै हुनुहुन्छ? "Sanchai hunuhuncha?" (sahn-CHAI hoo-noo-hoon-cha?)
    This phrase means "Are you well?" You can use this with anyone - from the auntie who owns the shop you're visiting for the first time to friends you see every day. If you're speaking to a child you can use the more informal "Sanchai chau?" (sahn-chai chow?)
    You can use this after "Namaste" to rack up combo points.
    If they ask you if you're "sanchai hunuhuncha," then you can reply with "sanchai chu" (sahn-chai choo) which means "I am well." As with English, it's usually easiest to say you are fine even if you are feeling a little under the weather!
  • आरामै हुनुहुन्छ? "Aramai hunuhuncha?" (ar-um-ay hoo-noo-hoon-cha?)
    This phrase means "are you well-rested?" Although you can technically use this with anyone, I tend to use it speaking to older ones. It seems more polite to me! However, you can use "sanchai hunuhuncha" with older ones as well. It's personal preference!
    As with the above example, you can reply with "aramai chu" to say that you too are well-rested.
  • कस्तो छ तपाईलाई? "Kasto cha tapailai?" (kuss-toh cha tah-pai-lai)
    This means "How are you?" or "How are things going with you?"
    Usually the reply will be "Tik cha" (teek cha) - "Things are well/ok." You can say the same when they ask you. "Tikai cha" (teek-AY cha) means more "it's ok" which might imply that things aren't great, but not that bad either. If you are feeling a little lousy, you might opt for "tikai cha."
  • के छ? "Ke cha?" (kay cha)
    "What's up?" This is a very informal greeting. You can use it with friends and with kids/teenagers. Like the above example, the reply is usually "tik cha." Although - sometimes I'll use it with teens and they will just give me a blank stare of surprise... It's worth a try, anyway!
For saying goodbye, you can use...

  • फेरी भेटौंला "Pheri bhetaula" (fair-ee bet-ow-lah)
    Literally, "may we meet again" or "maybe we will meet again." This is good for people you're not sure you will meet again or when it might be a very long time. It's also very polite.
  • फेरी भेटौं "Pheri bhetaun" (fair-ee bet-own)
    This means "let's meet again." I use this for people I know I will meet again.
  • पछि भेटौं "Pachi bhetaun" (pah-chee bet-own)
    This means "see you later" or "Let's meet later." This can be used if you are going to see them later the same day or if you meet quite frequently.
  • ल, गाएँ म "La, gaae ma." (La, gah-eh mah.)
    This means "I'm going" - literally translated, it means "I'm gone." Although it sounds kind of awkward, it is common to use and is not impolite. You can say it if you have to leave and others are staying behind.
  • राम्रो संग जानुहोस "Ramro sanga januhos" (rahm-ro sahn-gah jah-noo-ho-s)
    This means "have a safe trip" - literally, "Go well."  You can use this when someone is leaving and you are staying behind, or if you are parting ways and not returning together.
There are phrases for "good night," "good morning," etc, but they sound very formal and aren't commonly used. You can use the above phrases at any time of day, so there's usually no need for time-specific greetings.

Try these out during your stay in Nepal and let us know how it goes!

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