Phrase Book: Nepal

The Sunday Age

Sunday October 8, 2000

Travellers to the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal will find that they will get by with their English in the hotels and tourist areas in the capital Kathmandu or the other main city, Pokhara, but even so, there is one thing that every visitor must learn - the universal greeting "Namaste" (pronounced na-ma-stay), frequently said with a little bow and hands clasped, as if in prayer. It is generally used in the context of "hello" or "how are you?" although the trusty Lonely Planet guide book says it literally means, "I salute all divine qualities in you". We should take their word for it, while still puzzling over why another brand of guide book insists that we should learn the word for ship (paanijahaaj) in this land-locked region so far from the sea or navigable waters.

While the national language is Nepali, ethnic groups speak their own languages. Many of the words travellers want to use are related to one of the main purposes of venturing into the Himalayas - trekking. Do not mix up your ukalo (ascent or steep uphill) with your oralo (descent).

Hello/how are you/goodbye: Namaste

Thank you: Dhanyabad

How much: Kati?

Expensive: Mahango

I'm sorry: Maaphi gavnus

Tourist office: Tourist ophis

Toilet: Latrin

Boiled water: Umaaleko paani

How many kilometres: Kakti kilomatar ho

Trail: Bate

Bridge: Pool

Where is the porter?: Bhariya kata gayo?