Some Popular Idioms in Nepali

In this video, we explain commonly used Nepali idioms in a simple and easy-to-understand way. Each idiom is presented with its meaning, usage, and example sentences to help improve your Nepali language speaking and understanding skills.

IDIOMS

Romanized Nepali	Literal Meaning	Actual Meaning
Aankha chimlinu	To close the eyes	To ignore something intentionally
Kaanma tel haalnu	To put oil in the hairs	To not listen/to ignore advice
Naak kaatnu	To cut the nose	To lose respect/honor
Mukhma taala laaunu	To lock the mouth	To stay silent
Haatmukh jodnu	To join the hands and the mouth	To barely manage/survive
Petma musa kudnu	Rat running in the stomach	To be very hungry
Dhungama paani khanaunu	Pouring water on the stone	Making futile effort
Gharko bagh, banko syal	Tiger at home, jackal in the forest	Brave at home but coward outside
Aakashko fal aankha tari marr	Look at the fruit in the sky and die	Wanting something impossible
Aagoma ghiu thapnu	To add ghee in fire	To make situation worse
Naak fulaaunu	To swell the nose	To act arrogant
Siyoma unt chhiraunu	To insert camel through the needle`s eye	To attempt something impossible
Haat badhera basnu	To sit with hands tied	To do nothing
Aankha jhimkinu	To blink an eye	Something happen instantly
Ek haatle taali bajhdaina	One hand can`t clap	Cooperation is needed
Ghaam jattikai chharlanga hunu	As clear as the sun	Very obvious
Mukh kaalo hunu	Turns face black	To be dishonored
Chhati maathi dhunga raakhnu	To put the stone on the chest	To be a tough hearted
Baaghko mukhbata bhaagnu	To escape from the tiger`s mouth	To escape from the very big danger situation
Nunko sojho garnu	To straighten salt	To be very honest/grateful
Aakash paataal ek garnu	To make sky and earth one	To make a huge effort
Hawa kura garnu	Talking about wind	Talking nonsense
Aankha kholnu	To open an eye	To realize something
Kaandhma bojh raakhnu	To carry burden on shoulder	To face very difficult situation

SENTENCES

English	Romanized Nepali
He saw the mistake but ignored it.	Usle galti dekhera pani aankha chimliyo.
He ignored the advice despite being warned.	Dherai samjhaye pani usle kaanma tel haalera basyo.
His action brought shame to the family.	Usko kaamle pariwarko naak kaatyo.
Everyone stayed silent due to the fear.	Darle sabaile mukhma taalcha lagaaye.
I`ve been very hungry since morning.	Bihana dekhi mero petma musa kudiraheko chha.
Trying to explain to him is very useless.	Uslaai samjhaunu bhaneko dhungama paani khanyaunu jastai ho.
That dream is impossible to achieve.	Tyo sapna aakaash ko fal aankha tari marr jastai ho.
He made the arguement more worse.	Usle jhagadako aagoma ghiu thapne kaam garyo.
He spoke arrogantly.	Usle naak fulaaera kura garyo.
This task is almost impossible.	Yo kaam siyoma unt chhiraunu jastai ho.
He did nothing about the situation.	Usle sabai kurama haat baandhera basyo.
He narrowly escaped the danger situation.	Uh* baaghko mukh bata bhaagyo.
He tried his best to pass the exam.	Usle parikshya pass garna aakash pataal ek garyo.
He always talks nonsense.	Uh sadhain hawa kura garchha.
The truth is very obvious.	Satya ghaam jattikai chharlanga chha.
Fear made his eyes tremble.	Darle usko aankha tirmirayeko thiyo.
He remained tough despite the bad situation.	Usle gaahro samayama chhati maathi dhunga raakhera basyo.
He took responsibility for his family.	Usle aafno pariwarko jimmewari bojh aafno kaandhma liyo.

CONVERSATIONS

English	Romanized Nepali
Conversation 1 : He saw the mistake but ignored
A : Did he notice the error ?	Usle galti dekhyo ?
B : Yes, he saw it but ignored it.	Ho, dekhera pani aankha chimliyo.
Conversation 2 : He ignored the advice despite being warned
A : I warned him many times.	Maile dherai patak samjhaye.
B : Still, he ignored the advice.	Tara usle kaanma tel halera basyo.
Conversation 3 : His action brought shame to the family
A : Everyone is upset. Why ?	Sabai kina dukhi chhan ?
B : His action brought shame to the family.	Usko kaamle pariwarko naak kaatyo.
Conversation 4 : Everyone stayed silent due to fear
A : Why was no one speaking ?	Kohi kina bolena ?
B : Everyone stayed silent out of fear.	Darle sabaiko mukhma taalchha laagyo.
Conversation 5 : I`ve been very hungry since morning
A : .You look tired.	Thakeko jasto dekhinchha.
B : I`ve been hungry since morning.	Bihana dekhin petma musa kudiraheko chha.

GRAMMAR REFERENCE

Base Verb	Present	Past	Past Participle	Nepali Meaning
See	See	Saw	Seen	Dekhnu
Ignore	Ignore	Ignored	Ignored	Bewasta garnu
Warn	Warn	Warned	Warned	Chetawani dinu
Bring	Bring	Brought	Brought	Lyaunu
Stay	Stay	Stayed	Stayed	Basnu
Fear	Fear	Feared	Feared	Daraaunu
Feel	Feel	Felt	Felt	Mahasush garnu
Explain	Explain	Explained	Explained	Bujhaunu
Achieve	Achieve	Achieved	Achieved	Prapta garnu