Nepali Language · Religious & Spiritual Vocabulary — Set 2

Words of Faith & Practice in Nepali

Belief · Worship · Salvation · Moral Life

This lesson continues your Nepali religious vocabulary with a focus on belief, spiritual practice, moral life, and salvation. These words are essential for discussing faith, repentance, worship, and daily Christian living in the Nepali-speaking context.

Read through each word and its Romanised Nepali. Try saying each word aloud before moving to the next.

Study these simple sentences to see how the vocabulary is used naturally. Each sentence is shown first in Romanised Nepali, then in English.

Four core themes running through this vocabulary set.

Nepali Language · Religious & Spiritual Vocabulary

Words of Faith in Nepali

Religious Places & Spiritual Life  ·  Vocabulary & Example Sentences

In this lesson, you will learn essential Nepali vocabulary related to religious places, spiritual practice, and life of faith. These words are commonly used when talking about temples, churches, monasteries, mosques, and other spiritual sites across Nepal. Understanding this vocabulary will help you engage meaningfully in conversations about faith, worship, and spiritual life in the Nepali context.

Read through each word and its Romanised Nepali equivalent. Try pronouncing each word aloud as you go.

Study these simple sentences to see how the vocabulary is used in everyday speech. Each sentence is shown first in Romanised Nepali, then in English.

Three core areas covered in this vocabulary set.

Nepali Vocabulary · Numbers & Counting

Nepali Numbers

Nepali Language Learning  ·  Beginner to Advanced  ·  0–1000

This lesson will help you learn Nepali numbers from zero to one thousand — whether you are a complete beginner or building on existing knowledge. Mastering numbers is one of the most practical skills you can develop: you will use them every day for prices, addresses, phone numbers, dates, and travel directions.

Each number is listed with its English name and Romanized Nepali equivalent. Numbers are grouped by decade with the decade heading highlighted.

Mastering these ten words unlocks the entire number system. Each decade word is the anchor for the nine numbers that follow it.

Four things to remember as you practise Nepali numbers.

Nepali Language · Formal Writing Skills

Letter Writing & Report Writing

पत्र लेखन र प्रतिवेदन लेखन

Stylistics & Formal Writing  ·  Intermediate Nepali

According to शैलीविज्ञान (Stylistics), language changes depending on situation. We use different writing styles for different contexts — formal writing for official work, spoken style for daily conversation, and literary style for creative work. In this lesson we focus on two essential formal writing skills.

Situation	Style	Example
Official / school work	Formal style	Letters, reports
Everyday conversation	Spoken style	Casual talk
Stories, poems	Literary style	Creative writing

Letter writing means writing a message in written form to communicate with others. Letters are used for requests, sharing information, leave applications, and complaints.

Type	Nepali	Used For
Formal Letter	औपचारिक पत्र	School principal, office, official requests, applications
Informal Letter	अनौपचारिक पत्र	Friends, family, casual personal messages

1	मिति (Date)	Write the date at the top of the letter.
2	प्रापक (Receiver)	Name and address of the person you are writing to.
3	विषय (Subject)	A short, clear statement of the topic.
4	मुख्य भाग (Body)	Explain your reason, request, or message clearly.
5	अन्त्य (Closing)	Thank you / Yours sincerely / भवदीय

मिति: २०८२/०१/०८ प्रति, प्रधानाध्यापकज्यू, श्री जनता माध्यमिक विद्यालय, काठमाडौं। विषय: बिदा सम्बन्धमा निवेदन। आदरणीय सर/म्याम, म यस विद्यालयको कक्षा १० मा अध्ययनरत विद्यार्थी हुँ। म अस्वस्थ भएको कारण विद्यालय आउन असमर्थ छु। त्यसैले, मलाई दुई दिनको बिदा प्रदान गरिदिनुहुन विनम्र अनुरोध गर्दछु। भवदीय, रामबहादुर थापा कक्षा: १०

Date: 2026/01/08 To, The Principal, Shree Jana Secondary School, Kathmandu. Subject: Application for Leave Respected Sir/Madam, I am a student of Grade 10 in this school. I am unable to attend school because I am unwell. Therefore, I kindly request you to grant me a leave of two days. Yours faithfully, Ram Bahadur Thapa Grade: 10

प्रिय साथी, म भोलि स्कुल आउँदिन किनकि म बिरामी छु। तिम्रो साथी, राम

Dear friend, I will not come to school tomorrow because I am sick. Your friend, Ram

Report writing means writing facts about an event or situation in a clear, organized way. Reports are used to describe events, share information, and present facts — without personal feelings or opinions.

1	शीर्षक (Title)	Write the name of the event or topic clearly.
2	परिचय (Introduction)	Briefly state what the report is about.
3	मुख्य भाग (Main Body)	Explain when, where, what happened, and who participated.
4	निष्कर्ष (Conclusion)	State the final result or outcome of the event.

मिति: २०८२/०१/०८ शीर्षक: वार्षिक कार्यक्रम प्रतिवेदन परिचय: श्री जनता माध्यमिक विद्यालयमा वार्षिक कार्यक्रम २०८२ साल वैशाख ७ गते शुक्रबार सम्पन्न भयो। मुख्य भाग: कार्यक्रम विद्यालयको प्राङ्गणमा बिहान १० बजे सुरु भयो। प्रधानाध्यापकले कार्यक्रमको उद्घाटन गर्नुभयो। विद्यार्थीहरूले गीत, नृत्य र भाषण प्रतियोगितामा भाग लिए। शिक्षक तथा अभिभावकहरूको उपस्थिति रहेको थियो। निष्कर्ष: कार्यक्रम शान्तिपूर्ण रूपमा सफलतापूर्वक सम्पन्न भयो। प्रतिवेदक: सीता मगर कक्षा: १०

Date: 2026/01/08 Title: Annual Program Report Introduction: The annual program of Shree Jana Secondary School was successfully held on Friday, Baisakh 7, 2082. Main Body: The program started at 10:00 AM in the school playground. The Principal inaugurated the program. Students participated in singing, dancing, and speech competitions. Teachers and parents were also present. Conclusion: The program was completed successfully in a peaceful manner. Reporter: Sita Magar Grade: 10

Stylistics teaches us that language changes depending on situation. Here is the same idea expressed in three different styles:

Writing Type	Example Sentence	Style
Letter	“I kindly request leave.”	Formal
Report	“The program was successfully completed.”	Formal / Factual
Spoken	“I got leave today!”	Casual

What you need to remember about formal writing in Nepali.

Principle 01 पत्र लेखन Letter Writing Used for communication. Formal letters are polite, respectful, and structured. Informal letters are casual and personal.

Principle 02 प्रतिवेदन लेखन Report Writing Used for describing events. Always factual, formal, and objective — no personal emotions or opinions.

Principle 03 शैलीविज्ञान Stylistics Language changes depending on the situation. Choose the right style — formal, factual, or casual — for the right context.

Golden Rule Right Style, Right Time Good writing means using the right style at the right time — formal when needed, casual when appropriate.

Nepali Language · Intermediate Grammar

Top 10 Useful Nepali Grammar Rules

Intermediate Nepali for Foreigners  ·  YouTube Lesson Script

If you already know basic Nepali and want to sound more natural, fluent, and confident, this lesson is for you. These 10 grammar points are used every day in real conversations. Master them and your Nepali will feel genuinely natural to native speakers.

Use ले after the subject when someone performed an action, especially in past tense. This is one of the most frequently used particles in everyday Nepali speech.

English	Romanized Nepali	नेपाली
Ram ate food.	Raam-le khaanaa khaayo.	रामले खाना खायो।
I did work.	Mai-le kaam garẽ.	मैले काम गरेँ।
He called me.	Us-le malaaí bolaayo.	उसले मलाई बोलायो।

Use लाई after people and objects that are receiving an action. It is used constantly in daily conversation and is essential to natural Nepali.

English	Romanized Nepali	नेपाली
I don’t know.	Malaaí thaahaa chhaina.	मलाई थाहा छैन।
Call him.	Uslaaí bolaau.	उसलाई बोलाऊ।
Give food to the dog.	Kukurlaaí khaanaa deu.	कुकुरलाई खाना देऊ।

These particles show ownership or relationship — equivalent to ‘s or of in English. The form changes based on the gender and number of the noun that follows. Speakers learn this naturally through immersion.

English	Romanized Nepali	नेपाली
Ram’s house	Raam-ko ghar	रामको घर
Sita’s book	Sītaa-ko kitaab	सीताको किताब
Children’s toys	Bachchaa-kaa khelaaunaa	बच्चाका खेलौना

Use भन्दा to compare two things. It attaches to the noun or pronoun you are comparing from, and means than.

English	Romanized Nepali	नेपाली
I am taller than you.	Ma timi-bhandaa aglo chhu.	म तिमीभन्दा अग्लो छु।
This is better than that.	Yo tyo-bhandaa raambro chha.	यो त्योभन्दा राम्रो छ।
Nepal is smaller than India.	Nepaal Bhaarat-bhandaa saano chha.	नेपाल भारतभन्दा सानो छ।

भने is a very versatile word with two main functions: (1) as a conditional if, and (2) as a contrast marker meaning as for me / but I. Both are common in everyday speech.

English	Romanized Nepali	नेपाली
If it rains, we will stay at home.	Paani paryo bhane haami gharmaa baschaŭ.	पानी पर्‍यो भने हामी घरमै बस्छौँ।

English	Romanized Nepali	नेपाली
Ram went out, but as for me, I stayed home.	Raam baaahir gayo, ma bhane gharmaa basẽ.	राम बाहिर गयो, म भने घरमै बसें।
Everyone else is going, but as for me, I’ll stay home.	Sabai janaa jaanchhan, ma bhane gharmaa baschhu.	सबै जना जान्छन्, म भने घरमै बस्छु।

Use रहेछ when you discover or realize something for the first time — an “aha!” moment. This is a hallmark of natural, native-sounding Nepali that most textbooks don’t teach.

English	Romanized Nepali	नेपाली
Oh, this is easy!	Yo ta sajilo rahechha!	यो त सजिलो रहेछ।
Oh, he is a doctor!	Uhaã Daaktar rahechhan.	उहाँ डाक्टर रहेछन्।
Wow, it is very cold today!	Aaja dherai chiso rahechha!	आज धेरै चिसो रहेछ।

Attach सक्नु after the infinitive verb root to express ability or permission. The verb changes based on person and tense, just like a regular verb.

English	Romanized Nepali	नेपाली
I can go.	Ma jaana sakchhu.	म जान सक्छु।
Can you speak Nepali?	Timi Nepaali bolna sakchhaau?	तिमी नेपाली बोल्न सक्छौ?
I cannot do this.	Ma yo garna sakdină.	म यो गर्न सक्दिनँ।

Use पर्नु after the infinitive to show necessity or obligation — like have to, need to, or must in English.

English	Romanized Nepali	नेपाली
I have to go.	Ma jaanu-parchha.	म जानुपर्छ।
I need to work today.	Aaja kaam garnu-parchha.	आज काम गर्नुपर्छ।
We must wake up early.	Haami chaā̃dai uth-nuparchha.	हामी चाँडै उठ्नुपर्छ।

Add -दै to a verb root to show that two actions are happening at the same time — the equivalent of English while doing or doing something as you go.

English	Romanized Nepali	नेपाली
He spoke while laughing.	Uu haā̄sdai bolyo.	ऊ हाँस्दै बोल्यो।
I work while listening to music.	Ma geet sundai kaam garchhu.	म गीत सुन्दै काम गर्छु।
Let’s go walking.	Hĩdaā̆dai jaaŭ.	हिँड्दै जाऔँ।

Add -नुस् or -नुहोस् to the verb root to form a respectful, polite request. This is essential in Nepali culture, where showing deference and respect is a core social value.

English	Romanized Nepali	नेपाली
Please sit.	Basnus.	बस्नुस्।
Please come.	Aaunuhos.	आउनुहोस्।
Please wait.	Parkhaanus.	पर्खनुस्।

Try to write the Nepali (romanized or script) before checking the answer.

Your at-a-glance cheat sheet for the 10 most useful intermediate Nepali grammar structures.

Rule 01 ले (Le) Subject marker for past actions. Attaches to who did the action.

Rule 02 लाई (Lai) Object marker: to / for. Marks who or what receives the action.

Rule 03 को / की / का Possession: of / ‘s. Form matches gender and number of the following noun.

Rule 04 भन्दा (Bhanda) Comparison: than. Attaches to the noun you are comparing from.

Rule 05 भने (Bhane) If (conditional) or as for me (topic / contrast marker).

Rule 06 रहेछ (Rahechha) Realization grammar: Oh, I just discovered this! Natural in spoken Nepali.

Rule 07 सक्नु (Saknu) Can / be able to. Use with infinitive verb root.

Rule 08 पर्नु (Parnu) Have to / must. Shows necessity or obligation.

Rule 09 -दै (-dai) While doing. Two actions happening simultaneously.

Rule 10 -नुस् / -नुहोस् Polite commands: Please… Use to show respect — essential in Nepali culture.

Nepali Grammar · Postpositions

Learn Nepali Postpositions Easily

पूर्वसर्ग & उत्तरसर्ग  ·  Place & Time Expressions

If you know English words like in, on, under, behind, after, before — these are called Prepositions in English. In Nepali, the word for Preposition is पूर्वसर्ग (Purvasarga). But Nepali mainly uses Postpositions — words that come after nouns, called उत्तरसर्ग (Uttarsarga).

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to say phrases like in the room, behind the house, after three days, before work, and from Kathmandu to Pokhara.

In English, the grammar word comes before the noun. In Nepali, it comes after the noun.

English (Preposition + Noun) in the room on the table under the chair

Nepali (Noun + Postposition) कोठामा टेबलमाथि कुर्सीतल

Learn how to describe where something is located using Nepali postpositions.

Use these postpositions to talk about when something happens.

Build Nepali phrases by taking any noun and adding a postposition directly after it. Practice with घर (house):

Noun + Postposition घर + भित्र = घरभित्र inside the house	Noun + Postposition घर + बाहिर = घरबाहिर outside the house
Noun + Postposition घर + तिर = घरतिर toward the house	Noun + Postposition घर + माथि = घरमाथि above the house

Four essential principles to remember from this lesson.

Principle 01 Postpositions Come After Unlike English prepositions, Nepali postpositions always follow the noun. The formula is always: Noun + Postposition.	Principle 02 Place Postpositions 10 core place postpositions cover directions and locations: निर, तिर, माथि, तल, बाहिर, भित्र, पछाडि, अगाडि, बीचमा, मध्ये.
Principle 03 Time Postpositions 10 core time postpositions express when events happen: तिर, मा, अघि, भित्र, बीचमा, भरि, सम्म, देखि, बाट, पछि.	Principle 04 Context Matters Some postpositions like तिर and देखि serve double roles (place and time). Context always clarifies meaning — trust the sentence around them.

धन्यवाद! — Thank you so much, and see you in the next lesson!

Nepali Language · Grammar & Conversation

WH Question Words in Nepali

Question Words & Practical Sentences  ·  Beginner Level

In this lesson, you will learn how to use and understand WH questions in Nepali simply and clearly. This lesson covers important question words like Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How, and shows how to use them correctly in daily conversations.

Study each question word, its Nepali equivalent, and what it is used for. Memorise these nine words — they are the foundation of forming questions.

Read each English question and its Nepali equivalent. Practise saying them aloud. The highlighted word shows which question word is used.

Continue practising with this second set of sentences, then complete the review questions below.

Four things to remember from this lesson on Nepali WH questions.

Nepali Vocabulary · Context-Dependent Words

One Word, Two Meanings

Nepali Language Learning  ·  Vocabulary in Context

In Nepali, many common verbs carry more than one meaning depending on the context in which they are used. Understanding these dual meanings is essential for natural, fluent conversation. This lesson introduces 20 key verbs, each with two distinct meanings, followed by example sentences to show how each meaning works in everyday speech.

Study each verb and its two meanings. Try to think of a sentence using each meaning before moving on to the practice section.

#	Romanized Nepali	Meaning 1	Meaning 2
1	Laagnu	To feel	Cost
2	Chalnu	To walk	To work / function
3	Khanu	To eat	To receive (negative)
4	Hernu	To watch	To take care
5	Rakhnu	To put	To keep / save
6	Basnu	To sit	To live
7	Uthnu	To get up	To rise / increase
8	Dinu	To give	To allow
9	Khelnu	To play	To perform
10	Paaunu	To get	To be allowed
11	Lagaaunu	To wear	To apply
12	Bolnu	To speak	To call
13	Taannu	To pull	To attract
14	Faalnu	To throw	To remove
15	Pugnu	To reach	To be enough
16	Saknu	To finish	To be able
17	Bhetnu	To meet	To find
18	Chhutnu	To miss	To separate
19	Kaatnu	To cut	To spend (time)
20	Chalaaunu	To drive	To operate

Read each sentence pair. Notice how the same verb carries a different meaning depending on context. The verb is highlighted in each Nepali sentence.

Four principles to remember when working with dual-meaning Nepali verbs.

Nepali Vocabulary · Administration (Part 2)

Administration & Civic Terms

Nepali Language Learning  ·  Office, Government & Official Documents

This lesson builds on Part 1 and introduces more commonly used terms in offices, government work, official documents, and administrative communication in Nepal. The vocabulary covers civic institutions, legal processes, financial terms, and public roles — all essential for navigating formal contexts in Nepali.

Study each English term and its Romanized Nepali equivalent. Terms are grouped alphabetically by their Romanized Nepali spelling to make them easier to locate and learn.

These vocabulary items cluster naturally into key administrative categories. Review each group and think about where you might encounter these words in real life.

Four principles to guide your study of formal Nepali administrative vocabulary.

Nepali Language · Administrative Vocabulary

Administrative Vocabularies

Office & Government Terms  ·  Beginner to Intermediate

In this lesson, you will learn Nepali vocabulary and useful sentences related to administration. This lesson will help you understand and use common words used in offices, government work, official documents, and administrative communication in Nepal. The explanation is simple and practical, making it easy for beginners and learners to understand and apply these terms in real-life situations.

Study each English term and its Romanized Nepali equivalent. Practise saying each word aloud.

English

Romanized Nepali

Zone	Anchal
Office of government	Adda
Court of law	Adaalat
Chairman of party/organisation	Adhyaksha
Rights / Authority / Power	Adhikaar
Kingdom	Adhiraajya
Immigration	Adhyagaman
Permission	Anumati
Compulsory / Mandatory	Anibaarya
International	Antaraastriya
Archive / Record	Abhilekh
Finance / Economy	Artha
Research / Investigation	Anusandhaan
Income	Aamdaani
Income tax	Aayakar
Internal	Aantarik
To import	Aayaat garnu
Import duty	Aayaat kar
To raise a voice	Aawaaj uhthaaunu

Celebration	Utsab
Advisor / Counselor	Sallaahakaar
Election candidate	Ummedwar
Civil servant / Employee	Karmachaari
Contractor	Thekedaar
Contract	Thekka

Decide / Finalize	Kinara lagaaunu
District	Jilla
District HQ office	Jilla pramukh kaaryaalaya
Documents / Papers	Kaagaj-patra
Domestic policy	Griha niti
Donor	Daan diney / Data
Remote area	Durgan kshetra

Election	Chunaab
Expenditure / Expenses	Kharcha

Fine / Penalty	Jarimana
Finance / Economy	Artha

Government (office of)	Adda
Bribe	Ghus
Confidential / Secret	Gopya
Village development committee	Gaaun bikaas samiti

Continue studying the next set of vocabulary terms. Focus on words related to legal and civic contexts.

English

Romanized Nepali

Home ministry

Griha mantraalaya

Illegal	Gairkaanooni
Information / Acknowledgement	Jaankaari
Internal	Aantarik
International	Antaraastriya

To get employed	Jaagir khaanu
To fire / dismiss an employee	Jaagir khosnu

Kingdom	Adhiraajya
Law / Legal code	Ain

Law	Kaanoon
Legal	Kaanooni
List of names	Namawali

Town / City (administrative)	Nagar
Result	Natija
Head / Chief / Leader	Naaike
Citizenship	Naagarikta
Company / Corporation	Nigam
Civil service	Nijaamati
Invitation	Nimantranaa
Policy / Rule	Niyam
Application / Request	Nibedan

People’s participation	Jana sahabhaagita
Populace / People	Janata
Police station	Thana
Political party	Dal
Political group / faction	Goot
Position	Padh

Complete the vocabulary list below, then answer the review questions with a partner or in your journal.

English

Romanized Nepali

Registration	Darta
Research / Investigation	Anusandhaan
Responsibility / Obligation	Jimmewari
Salary	Talab
To stamp	Chhaap lagaaunu
To take an oath / Swear	Kiriya khaanu
To fix / decide	Toknu

Tax / Toll / Duty	Kar
Address	Thegana
Account / Ledger book	Khata
Black money	Kaalo dhan
Written application	Darkhaasta
Exchange rate	Dar rate
Accuse / Charge / Blame	Dosh lagaaunu
Centre / Hub	Kendra

Four essential categories of Nepali administrative vocabulary to remember.