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.
Learning Tip — Many of these words are used across different religious traditions in Nepal. Practise them in real conversations to build confidence and natural fluency.
Activity 1 — Study the Vocabulary
Complete Word List
Read through each word and its Romanised Nepali equivalent. Try pronouncing each word aloud as you go.
| English | Romanised Nepali |
|---|---|
| To lead / guide | Aguwai garnu |
| Bodyguard | Angarakshak |
| Immortal / eternal | Ajambari |
| Eternal life | Ananta jiban |
| Priceless | Anmol |
| Darkness | Andhakaar |
| Grace | Anugraha |
| At the end / last | Antimma |
| Guilt / crime | Aparaadh |
| Unlimited | Apaar |
| Unfit / unqualified | Ayogya |
| Existence | Astitwa |
| Ritually impure | Asuddha |
| Pride / arrogance | Ahangkaar |
| Soul / spirit | Aatma |
| World of spirit | Aatmalok |
| Spiritual | Aatmik |
| Joy / peace | Aananda |
| Worship | Aaradhana |
| Hope / expectation | Aasha |
| Blessings | Aashish |
| To give blessings | Aashirbaad dinu |
| Miracle | Aashcharyakarma |
| Command | Aagya |
| Obedient | Aagyakaari |
| Will / wish | Ichchha |
| Reward / prize | Inaam |
| To deny | Inkaar garnu |
| God | Ishwor |
| Faithful / honest | Imaandaar |
| Light / bright | Ujyalo |
| Example | Udaaharan |
| Lift up | Uthaaunu |
| To redeem / rescue | Uddhaar garnu |
| Fasting from food | Upawas basnu |
| Mental worship | Upaasana |
| Gift / present | Upahaar |
| Unity / harmony | Ekata |
| Duty | Kartabya |
| Kindness | Kripa |
| Anger | Krodh |
| To mock | Khissi garnu |
| Persecution | Khedo |
| Song | Geet |
| To sing | Gaaunu |
| Accept / receive | Grahan garnu |
| Kneel down / surrender | Ghunda teknu |
| To announce | Ghosana garnu |
| Feet | Charan |
| To offer / sacrifice | Chadhaaunu |
| Worry | Chinta |
| To choose / pick | Chunnu |
| To free / release | Chhutkara |
| Foundation | Jag |
| People | Janharu |
| Birth | Janma |
| Victory | Jaya |
| To praise | Jayajayakaar garnu |
| To heal | Jaati paarnu |
| Life | Jiban |
| Alive | Jibit |
| Ascetic / hermit | Jogi |
| One life in a circle of lives | Juni |
| Light / brilliance | Jyoti |
| To be proven | Thaharinu |
| To think / assume | Thaannu |
| To call / invite | Daaknu |
| To last / endure | Tiknu |
| To guide / lead | Doryaaunu |
| Pilgrimage site / shrines | Tirthasthal |
| Abandon / give up | Tyagnu |
| Punishment / penalty | Danda |
| To punish | Danda dinu |
| Mercy / kindness | Daya |
| To bear pain | Dukha bhognu |
| God (deity) | Devata |
| Goddess | Devi |
| To blame / accuse | Dosh lagaaunu |
| Guilty | Doshi |
| Religion | Dharma |
| Religious deed | Dharmakarma |
| Religious book | Dharmagrantha |
| Scripture | Dharma shaastra |
| Religious person | Dharmatma |
| Followers of religion | Dharmawalambi |
| Religious | Dhaarmik |
| Meditation | Dhyan |
| To meditate | Dhyan garnu |
| To pay attention | Dhyan dinu |
| In the sight of / gaze | Najarma |
| Example / pattern / sample | Namuna |
| Hell | Narka / Narak |
| Humble | Namra |
| To be ruined / destroyed | Naash hunu |
| To heal / make well | Niko paarnu |
Activity 2 — Example Sentences
Words in Context
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.
| Word Used | Romanised Nepali | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Aaradhana | Hami mandir ma aaradhana garncha. | We worship at the temple. |
| Aasha | Mero aasha Ishwor ma chha. | My hope is in God. |
| Aashish | Ishwor le aashish dinus. | May God give blessings. |
| Aatma | Mero aatma shanti ma chha. | My soul is at peace. |
| Anugraha | Ishwor ko anugraha mahaan chha. | God’s grace is great. |
| Dhyan garnu | Uu bihaan dhyan garncha. | He meditates in the morning. |
| Dharma | Usko dharma budha dharma ho. | His religion is Buddhism. |
| Gaaunu | Bachhaharu geet gaaucha. | The children sing songs. |
| Jiban | Usko jiban badliyo. | His life changed. |
| Daya | Ishwor ko daya sabai lai chha. | God’s mercy is for all. |
| Upawas basnu | Usle upawas basyo ra prarthana garyo. | She fasted and prayed. |
| Tirthasthal | Hami tirthasthal gayo. | We went to the pilgrimage site. |
| Uddhaar garnu | Ishwor le hami lai uddhaar garyo. | God redeemed us. |
| Niko paarnu | Ishwor le biramile lai niko paryo. | God healed the sick person. |
| Ekata | Ekata maa shakti chha. | There is strength in unity. |
| Aagya | Ishwor ko aagya maannus. | Obey God’s command. |
| Ujyalo | Usko jiban ma ujyalo aayo. | Light came into his life. |
| Aparaadh | Usle aparaadh swikaar garyo. | He admitted his guilt. |
| Namra | Namra hunu ramro hunchha. | It is good to be humble. |
| Ghunda teknu | Usle ghunda tekera prarthana garyo. | She knelt down and prayed. |
| Ananta jiban | Ishwor ma biswas garney lai ananta jiban chha. | Those who believe in God have eternal life. |
Practice suggestion
Choose five words from the list above. Write your own simple sentence in Romanised Nepali using each word. Try to speak the sentences aloud.
Summary
Key Takeaways
Three core areas covered in this vocabulary set.
01
Spiritual Life
Words like Aatma, Aaradhana, Dhyan, and Upaasana describe the inner life of faith — soul, worship, and meditation.
02
Character & Values
Words like Daya, Namra, Ekata, and Imaandaar describe the moral qualities central to religious life — mercy, humility, unity, and faithfulness.
03
Action & Practice
Verb forms like Gaaunu, Ghunda teknu, and Upawas basnu show how faith is expressed through active practice — singing, kneeling, and fasting.
Evolation Learning · Certificate III in Christian Ministry and Theology · Unit 1 — NAT11236006
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