Nepal is a small, tiny, and stunningly beautiful country in South Asia. Although small, Nepal has emerged as a major tourist hub in the world. The whole world is very interested in learning about Nepal and its immense beauty. This is why over 1 million tourists visit Nepal, and it’s wonderful each year. Today, let’s only talk about the language that is spoken in this beautiful country.
What language is spoken in Nepal?
Nepali is the language spoken in Nepal. Ever since the country of Nepal was unified in the 1800s, this has been considered the official language of the country. Nepali language has mostly been derived from the Sanskrit dictionary. It resembles Hindi, i.e., the official language of India. In fact, if you are a tourist visiting Nepal from India, you can easily understand some sentences spoken in Nepali.
Along with Nepali, some other languages, such as Newari, are also widely spoken in the Kathmandu valley. Similarly, some ethnic languages, such as Limbu, Rai, Gurung, and Tamang, are spoken peculiarly within ethnic groups. As per the previous census, there were 123 ethnic languages or the mother tongue that are spoken in Nepal. In fact, if you go to some of the remotest villages in Nepal, such as Manaslu, then you can see that the ladies in the house cannot even speak Nepali.
Can people in Nepal understand English?
Do note that English is a very common language in Nepal. In fact, almost every youth in a country can speak English, at least a few words. So, it is very easy for the tourist to visiting Nepal to communicate. However, English is not a very common language when you are trekking to the remote Himalayas. You will need to hire a guide who is speak English.
Do I need to learn the Nepali language while travelling to Nepal?
Tourists are often confused if they should learn a new language to visit Nepal. Although it is recommended to learn some local words before you visit any place in the world, it is not a good investment of time to learn the entire language. Before coming to Nepal, you can hire an English guide. And if you are going for the Everest Base Camp Helicopter tour, you dont even need a guide.
Moreover, if you are not comfortable speaking English, you might also find a guide who cannot speak the local language of your choice. Although guides who can speak languages other than English, such as Chinese, Spanish, or German, are very rare, it’s not impossible to find one. If you are struggling to find a certain language-speaking guide in Nepal, then the Himalaya master can always assist you.
Can Nepalese speak Hindi?
Other than Nepali, a lot of people are actually familiar with the Hindi language. Due to the influence of Indian Cinema, a lot of people in the lower Terai region of Nepal, hills, and cities such as Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Chitwan are quite familiar with the Hindi language. However, the people in the mountains cannot speak the Indian language.
Can you find a Chinese guide in Nepal?
Yes, some of the guides from Nepal have received training from China about the Chinese language and Chinese travel system. This means you can find a Chinese-speaking guide when you are in Nepal. Chinese-speaking guides can cost a bit more than a normal English-speaking guide.
Some common Nepalese words for tourist
Namaste- It is a traditional “hello”
Dhanyawad- It is “Thank you” in Nepali.
Ramro Cha-“Ram-ro cha” simply means you like it.
Mitho cha-“Mi-tho cha” is used to appreciate the taste of food.
Madad garnu- This phrase is used for “please help me”.
maaf pau- Sorry in Nepali
