Must Know Nepali Idioms and Riddles

In this video, we explore must-know Nepali idioms and fun, brain-teasing riddles that reveal the beauty and creativity of the language. Whether you’re learning Nepali, reconnecting with your roots, or simply love wordplay, this collection will entertain you while deepening your understanding of Nepal’s rich linguistic heritage.

IDIOMS

English Meaning	Romanized Nepali	Nepali
Power gets respect.	Jasko shakti, tasko bhakti	जसको शक्ति, त्यसको भक्ति
A bad workman blames his tools.	Naachna najaanne, aangan tedho	नाच्न नजान्ने, आँगन टेढो
It takes two to clap.	Ek haatle taali bajdaina	एक हातले ताली बज्दैन
Cut your coat according to your cloth.	Jati laama khutta, uti laama chaadar	जति लामा खुट्टा, उति लामा चादर
Better late than never.	Dhilo bhaye pani thik	ढिलो भए पनि ठीक
As you sow, so shall you reap.	Jasto ropyo, testai falcha	जस्तो रोप्यो, त्यस्तै फल्छ
Unity is strength.	Ekta maa bal huncha	एकतामा बल हुन्छ
Time waits for no one.	Samaya kasailai parkhidaina	समय कसैलाई पर्खिदैन
No pain, no gain.	Dukha bina sukha hudaina	दुःख बिना सुख हुँदैन
Empty vessels make more noise.	Khali bhaando dherai bajchha	खाली भाँडो धेरै बज्छ

RIDDLES

English (Riddle + Answer)	Romanized Nepali	Nepali
It does not eat or drink but always follows and hides — Shadow	Khaanu na piunu, sadhai luknu — Chhaya	खानु न पिउनु, सधैं लुक्नु — छायाँ
It walks in the daytime and sleeps at night — Shoes	Dinmaa hिँdchha, raatmaa sutchha — Jutta	दिनमा हिँड्छ, रातमा सुत्छ — जुत्ता
It has hands, no legs, but works a lot — Clock	Haat chha, khutta chhaina, kaam dherai garchha — Ghadi	हात छ, खुट्टा छैन, काम धेरै गर्छ — घडी
It has no mouth but talks — Book	Mukh chhaina, kura garchha — Kitaab	मुख छैन, कुरा गर्छ — किताब
It has no key but opens locks — Brain	Chaabi chhaina, taala kholchha — Dimaag	चाबी छैन, ताला खोल्छ — दिमाग
It has a face and two hands but no body — Clock	Anuhar chha, dui haat chha, tara sharir chhaina — Ghadi	अनुहार छ, दुई हात छ, तर शरीर छैन — घडी
It cries without eyes — Cloud	Aankha bina runchha — Baadal	आँखा बिना रुन्छ — बादल
It has many teeth but cannot bite — Comb	Dherai daat chha, tokna sakdaina — Kanghi	धेरै दाँत छ, टोक्न सक्दैन — कङ्गी
It gets wet while drying others — Towel	Arulai sookhauda aafai bhijchha — Tauliya	अरूलाई सुकाउँदा आफैँ भिज्छ — तौलिया
The more you take, the bigger it becomes — Hole	Jati jhikyo, uti thulo huncha — Pwaal	जति झिक्यो, उति ठूलो हुन्छ — प्वाल

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MINI DIALOUGE

English	Romanized Nepali	Nepali
Teacher: Today we will learn Ukhan Tukka.	Aaja haami Ukhan Tukka sikchhau.	आज हामी उखान टुक्का सिक्छौँ।
Student: What does “Naachna najaanne, aangan tedho” mean?	“Naachna najaanne, aangan tedho” ko artha ke ho?	“नाच्न नजान्ने, आँगन टेढो” को अर्थ के हो?
Teacher: It means blaming others for your own weakness.	Yo aafno kamjori ko lagi arulai dosh dinu ho.	यो आफ्नो कमजोरीको लागि अरूलाई दोष दिनु हो।
Teacher: Now listen to this riddle.	Aba yo tukka sunnuhos.	अब यो टुक्का सुन्नुहोस्।
Teacher: “Khaanu na piunu, sadhai luknu — ke ho?”	“Khaanu na piunu, sadhai luknu — ke ho?”	“खानु न पिउनु, सधैं लुक्नु — के हो?”
Student: Is it shadow?	Ke yo chhaya ho?	के यो छायाँ हो?
Teacher: Yes, correct! Very good!	Ho, thik ho! Dherai ramro!	हो, ठीक हो! धेरै राम्रो!
Student: Ukhan Tukka makes Nepali fun and interesting.	Ukhan Tukka le Nepali sikna ramailo banaunchha.	उखान टुक्काले नेपाली सिक्न रमाइलो बनाउँछ।

GRAMMER REFERENCES

Grammar Point	Example (Romanized Nepali)	Nepali	English Explanation
Present Simple Tense	Haami Ukhan sikchhau.	हामी उखान सिक्छौँ।	Used for habits and general actions.
Question Form (Ke = What)	Yo ko artha ke ho?	योको अर्थ के हो?	“Ke” is used to ask questions like “what”.
Negative Form (Na / Chhaina)	Mukh chhaina.	मुख छैन।	“Chhaina” is used to show absence (is not / does not have).
Ability (Saknu = Can)	Tokna sakdaina.	टोक्न सक्दैन।	“Sakdaina” means cannot.
Cause/Reason (Ko lagi)	Aafno kamjori ko lagi.	आफ्नो कमजोरीको लागि।	“Ko lagi” means “for”.
Conjunction (Ra = And)	Khanu ra piunu.	खानु र पिउनु।	“Ra” joins two words (and).
Comparison Structure	Jati… uti…	जति… उति…	Used to show comparison (The more… the more…).
Imperative (Command Form)	Sochera kaam gara.	सोचेर काम गर।	Used to give advice or commands.