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Nepali Language Fundamentals
Nepali Vowels and Consonants
Essential foundations for Nepali language learning ·
nepal.gov.np
This lesson introduces you to Nepali vowels and consonants, the building blocks of the Nepali language. Whether you are new to Nepal or planning to travel throughout the country, mastering these foundational sounds will help you form correct words and sentences in everyday conversation.
Learning Tip — Start by pronouncing each vowel and consonant aloud. Repetition is key to developing proper pronunciation and building confidence in speaking Nepali.
Activity 1 — Vocabulary Study
Essential Nepali Words
Study these common Nepali words and their English translations. Pay attention to pronunciation and usage in everyday contexts.
| English | Romanized | Nepali Script |
| Mother | Aama | आमा |
| Less | Kam | कम |
| Pen | Kalam | कलम |
| Uncle | Kaka | काका |
| Work | Kaam | काम |
| Faces | Mal | माल |
| Mom/Mother | Maa | माँ |
| Uncle | Mama | मामा |
| Garland | Mala | माला |
| Right | Hak | हक |
| Attack | Hamala | हमला |
| Condition/Situation | Haal | हाल |
| Unity | Ekata | एकता |
| Downhill | Oraalo | ओराले |
| Wow! | Oho! | ओहो! |
| Talk | Kurakaani | कुराकानी |
| Bus/Car | Gaadi | गाडी |
| Core | Gudi | गुडी |
| To be snatched | Chhinin | छिनिनु |
| Poor | Garib | गरिब |
| To touch | Chhunu | छुनु |
| Knife | Chhura | छुरा |
| Daughter | Chhori | छोरी |
| To fear | Daraunu | डराउनु |
| Ladle | Dadu | डडु |
| Her | Tini | तिनी |
| Give | Dinu | दिनु |
| Grand daughter | Naatini | नातिनी |
| To drink | Piunu | पिउनु |
| Younger sister | Bahini | बहिनी |
| Holiday | Bida | विदा |
| Sickness | Birami | बिरामी |
| Daughter-in-law | Buhaari | बुहारी |
| Under | Muni | मुनी |
| To be | Rahirahanu | रहिराहनु |
| To sew | Siunu | सिउनु |
| Mirror | Aina | आइना |
| News | Khabar | खबर |
| Rabbit | Kharayo | खरायो |
| Goat | Khasi | खसी |
| Snack | Khaja | खाजा |
| Open | Khula | खुला |
| Very | Khub | खुब |
| Farming | Kheti | खेती |
| Game | Khel | खेल |
| Brown | Khairo | खैरो |
| Hole | Khopi | खोपी |
| A species of crocodile | Ghadiyaal | घडियाल |
| Bird | Chara | चरा |
| Tradition | Chalan | चलन |
| Rice | Chaamal | चामल |
| To want | Chaahanu | चाहनु |
| Tea | Chiya | चिया |
| China | Chhin | चीन |
| The last month of calendar | Chait | चैत |
| Crossroads | Chowk | चौक |
| Theft | Chori | चोरी |
| Field | Chaur | चौर |
| Land | Jagat | जगत |
| Everywhere | Jatatatai | जतातै |
| Public/People | Janata | जनता |
| Land | Jamin | जमिन |
| Employed | Jaagire | जागिरे |
| Magic | Jaadu | जादु |
| Caste | Jaati | जाती |
| Rally | Julus | जुलुस |
| Monk | Jogi | जोगी |
| Very | Jhan | झन |
| Waterfall | Jharna | झरना |
| Fight | Jhagada | झगडा |
| Far | Tadha | तढा |
| Towel | Taalo | तालो |
| Tika | Tika | टिका |
| Cap | Topi | टोपी |
| A place name | Thamel | थामेल |
| Big | Thulo | ठुलो |
| Straight | Thaado | ठाडो |
| Late | Dhilo | ढीलो |
| Door | Dhoka | ढोका |
| Treasure | Dhukuti | ढुकुति |
| Tired | Thakai | थकाई |
| Plate | Thaal | थाल |
| To know | Thaha | थाहा |
| Little | Thorai | थोराई |
| To spread | Failinu | फैलिनु |
| Dirt | Fohor | फोहर |
| Theme | Bhajan | भजन |
| 5th month | Bhadau | भदौ |
| Porter | Bhariया | भरिया |
| To do good | Bhalo | भालो |
| Building | Bhawan | भवन |
| Younger brother | Bhai | भाई |
| Utensil | Bhaada | भाडा |
| India | Bharat | भारत |
| Language | Bhasa | भाषा |
| Cliff | Bhir | भिर |
| Crowd | Bhid | भिड |
| Region | Veg | वेग |
| Costume | Bhes bhusa | भेष भुसा |
| Rich | Dhani | धनी |
| Thread | Dhaago | धागो |
| To wash | Dhunu | धुनु |
| A lot | Dherai | धेरै |
| Different | Faraka | फरक |
| A Nepali skirt | Fariya | फरिया |
| Fruit | Fal | फल |
| Benefit | Faaida | फायदा |
| 11th month | Falgun | फाल्गुन |
| Nose pin | Fuli | फुली |
| Foot of hill | Fed | फेद |
| Jungle | Ban | बन |
| Surrounding | Waripari | वरीपरी |
| Or | Wa | वा |
| Development | Bikaas | विकास |
| Destruction | Binaash | विनाश |
| Special | Bisesh | विशेष |
| 1st month | Baisakh | बैशाख |
| Poison | Bish | विष |
| Body | Sarir | शरीर |
| City | Sahar | शहर |
| Peak | Sikhar | शिखर |
| Courtyard | Aangan | आँगन |
| Fork | Kaanta | काँता |
| Where | Kaha | कहाँ |
| Also | Chahi | चाहि |
| Everyday | Dinahu | दिनहु |
| Pig | Sungur | सुँगुर |
| Cannot be done | Hudaina | हुदैन |
| Yellow | Pahenlo | पहेंलो |
| Rhinoceros | Gainda | गैंडा |
| Mat | Galaicha | गलैचा |
| Ring | Aauthi | आउठी |
| Tenth | Dashaun | दशौँ |
| Crowd | Ghuincho | घुइंछो |
| Ground/Floor | Bhuin | भुइं |
| Day | Diuso | दिउसो |
| Formal “you” | Tapaain | तपाईँ |
Practice Tip: Write each word several times in your notebook. Say them aloud to familiarize yourself with the sounds and correct pronunciation.
Activity 2 — Practical Conversations
Real-World Nepali Dialogue
Listen to and practice these common conversations. They represent real situations you will encounter when learning or travelling in Nepal.
Conversation 1: Mother
A: Where is your mother?
Timro aama kaha hunuhunchha?
B: My mother is at home.
Meri aama gharma hunuhunchha.
Timro aama kaha hunuhunchha?
B: My mother is at home.
Meri aama gharma hunuhunchha.
Conversation 2: Less Food
A: Why did you eat less today?
Aaja timile kina kam khayou?
B: I am not very hungry.
Malaai dherai bhok laageko chhaina.
Aaja timile kina kam khayou?
B: I am not very hungry.
Malaai dherai bhok laageko chhaina.
Conversation 3: Pen
A: Do you have a pen?
Timi sanga kalam chha?
B: Yes, I have.
Ho, Masanga chha.
Timi sanga kalam chha?
B: Yes, I have.
Ho, Masanga chha.
Conversation 4: Uncle
A: Where is your uncle?
Timro kaka kaha hunuhunchha?
B: My uncle is in the market.
Mero kaka bazaarma hunuhunchha.
Timro kaka kaha hunuhunchha?
B: My uncle is in the market.
Mero kaka bazaarma hunuhunchha.
Conversation 5: Work
A: What work are you doing?
Timi k kaam gardai chhau?
B: I’m doing office work.
Ma kaaryalayako kaam gardai chhu.
Timi k kaam gardai chhau?
B: I’m doing office work.
Ma kaaryalayako kaam gardai chhu.
Further Practice
Record yourself speaking these conversations aloud, then compare with native speakers.
Activity 3 — Grammar Reference
Verb Conjugation Patterns
Nepali verbs change based on tense. Study these common base verbs and their present, past, and future forms.
| Base Verb | Romanized | Present | Past | Future |
| Eat | Khanu | Khanchhu | Khaen | Khanechhu |
| Go | Jaanu | Janchhu | Gaen | Jaanechhu |
| Do | Garnu | Garchhu | Garen | Garnechhu |
| Write | Lekhnu | Lekhchhu | Lekhe | Lekhnechhu |
| Read | Padhnu | Padhchhu | Padhe | Padhnechhu |
| Bring | Lyaunu | Lyauchhu | Lyaye | Lyaunechhu |
| Speak | Bolnu | Bolchhu | Bole | Bolnechhu |
Grammar Note: Nepali verbs are conjugated by adding suffixes to the base form. The pattern you see above applies to most regular verbs. Pay attention to the endings: -chhu (present), -en (past), -echhu (future).
Summary
Key Takeaways
Master these foundational elements to build confidence in speaking and understanding Nepali across all contexts.
|
Principle 01
Learn Pronunciation
Speak each word aloud repeatedly to develop muscle memory and proper accent. This is essential for being understood by native speakers. |
Principle 02
Practice in Context
Use words in real conversations. The dialogue examples show how vocabulary appears in natural situations you’ll encounter in Nepal. |
Principle 03
Review Verb Patterns
Understand how tenses change verbs. Recognizing patterns will help you form new sentences and understand others more quickly. |
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