Australia's Nepali community has grown to more than 213,000 people — and like any large community, it includes people who are elderly, unwell, injured, and in need of healthcare. Nepali patients present in Australian hospitals, GP clinics, allied health practices, community health centres, and aged care facilities every day.
Many of these patients speak English competently. But healthcare is a context where language barriers carry genuine risk — where misunderstanding a symptom description, a medication instruction, or a consent process can have serious consequences. And some Nepali patients — particularly older community members, recent arrivals, and people experiencing significant distress — have limited English in the precise, technical register that healthcare communication requires.
This guide is for Australian healthcare workers who want basic Nepali language skills for patient interaction. It covers the most essential vocabulary for clinical settings: greetings and introductions, taking a history, describing symptoms, body parts, pain assessment, common instructions, and phrases for sensitive conversations.
This is not a substitute for professional interpreting services when complex or high-stakes communication is required. It is a supplement — a way to open a connection, demonstrate respect, and handle routine interactions more effectively with Nepali-speaking patients.
Why Nepali Language Skills Matter in Australian Healthcare
Trust and therapeutic alliance. Research consistently shows that patients who feel understood and respected by their healthcare providers engage more effectively in their own care. Using even basic phrases in a patient's first language — a greeting, a term of respect, an acknowledgement that you know where they are from — has a measurable effect on patient trust.
Safety in routine interactions. Many clinical interactions do not require a professional interpreter but do involve language nuance that matters: confirming a medication name, asking about allergies, checking pain levels, explaining a simple procedure. Competency in basic Nepali phrases reduces misunderstanding in these routine but important exchanges.
Aged care and community health. Older Nepali Australians are a growing population in aged care settings. Many came to Australia to be with adult children and may have little English. In this context, even basic Nepali from a care worker communicates profound respect and dramatically improves the care relationship.
Cultural competency. Language and culture are inseparable. Understanding basic Nepali health vocabulary comes with understanding Nepali cultural attitudes toward health, illness, family involvement in healthcare decisions, and the significance of respect for elders — all of which affect clinical interactions.
Part 1: Greetings and Introduction
Start every interaction with respect. In Nepali culture, the way you greet someone establishes the entire relational tone of the interaction.
Namaste — na-ma-STAY — Hello / Greetings (press palms together)
Tapaaīko naam ke ho? — ta-PAA-ee-ko naam ke HO? What is your name?
Mero naam _ ho, ma ___ hoo — ME-ro naam _ HO, ma ___ HUU My name is _, I am a ___ (nurse / doctor / physio).
Ma tapaaīko doctor/nurse/physiotherapist hoo — ma ta-PAA-ee-ko DOC-tor / NURSE / phy-sio-ther-a-PIST HUU I am your doctor / nurse / physiotherapist.
Kasto chha tapaaīlai? — KAS-to chha ta-PAA-ee-LAI? How are you feeling?
Maaf garnus — MAAF gar-NUS Excuse me / I'm sorry to bother you.
Hajur bolnuhunchha? — ha-JUR BOL-nu-HUN-chha? Can you speak? / Please speak.
Bistaarai bolnuhunchha? — bis-TAA-rai BOL-nu-HUN-chha? Please speak slowly.
Bujhnu bhayo? — BUJ-nu BHA-yo? Did you understand?
Ma Nepali ramrosanga boldina, maaf garnus — ma ne-PAA-li RAM-ro-SAN-ga BOL-di-na, MAAF gar-NUS I don't speak Nepali very well, I'm sorry.
Part 2: Consent and Basic Questions
Ke tapaaīlai thaha chha kina yahaa aunu parchha? — ke ta-PAA-ee-LAI THA-ha chha KI-na ya-HAA AA-nu PAR-chha? Do you know why you are here?
Tapaaīle bujhnu bhaeko chha? — ta-PAA-ee-le BUJ-nu BHAE-ko chha? Have you understood?
Tapaaī raaji chha? — ta-PAA-ee RAA-ji chha? Are you agreeable / Do you consent?
Hajur — ha-JUR — Yes (respectful agreement)
Hoina — HOI-na — No
Madat chaahinu chha? — ma-DAT chaa-HI-nu chha? Do you need help?
Tarphaibata koi chha? — tar-PHAI-ba-TA KOI chha? Is there someone with you / a family member?
Part 3: Taking a History — Symptoms
Kehi dukheko chha? — KE-hi dukh-E-ko chha? Are you in pain / Does something hurt?
Kahaa dukheko chha? — ka-HAA dukh-E-ko chha? Where does it hurt?
Kati dukheko chha? Das maa kati? — KA-ti dukh-E-ko chha? DAS maa KA-ti? How much does it hurt? Out of ten?
Kaile dekhi dukheko chha? — KAI-le de-KHI dukh-E-ko chha? Since when has it been hurting? / How long has it been hurting?
Ek din? Ek hapta? Ek mahina? — EK DIN? EK HAP-ta? EK ma-HI-na? One day? One week? One month?
Jharjhar bhairako chha? — JHAR-jhar bhai-RA-ko chha? Are you feeling dizzy?
Waak waak bhairako chha? — WAAK WAAK bhai-RA-ko chha? Are you feeling nauseous?
Baan-ta garnu bhaeko chha? — BAAN-ta GAR-nu BHAE-ko chha? Have you vomited?
Joro aako chha? — JO-ro AA-ko chha? Do you have a fever?
Saas pherne gaaro chha? — SAAS PHER-ne GAA-ro chha? Are you having difficulty breathing?
Pairo/Khukulo laageko chha? — PAI-ro / KHU-ku-lo LAA-ge-ko chha? Are you feeling weak / faint?
Khaana khaanu saknu bhayena? — KHA-na KHA-nu SAK-nu BHA-ye-na? Are you unable to eat?
Thakaan laagirako chha? — tha-KAAN LAA-gi-RA-ko chha? Are you feeling very tired / fatigued?
Nidra lageko chha? — NID-ra LAG-e-ko chha? Are you sleeping okay? / Do you feel sleepy?
Part 4: Body Parts — शरीरका अंगहरू
| English | Nepali | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Head | Tauko | TAU-ko |
| Eye | Aankha | AAN-kha |
| Ear | Kaan | KAAN |
| Nose | Naak | NAAK |
| Mouth | Mukh | MUKH |
| Throat | Ghantu | GHAN-tu |
| Neck | Ghaaṭi | GHAA-ṭi |
| Chest | Chhaati | CHHAA-ti |
| Heart | Mutu | MU-tu |
| Lung | Phokso | PHOK-so |
| Stomach / Abdomen | Pet | PET |
| Back | Dhad | DHAD |
| Shoulder | Kaadh | KAADH |
| Arm | Paakha | PAA-kha |
| Elbow | Kuinyo | KUI-nyo |
| Wrist | Nadhu | NA-dhu |
| Hand | Haat | HAAT |
| Finger | Aula | AU-la |
| Hip | Dulo | DU-lo |
| Leg | Khutta | KHUT-ta |
| Knee | Ghunḍa | GHUN-ḍa |
| Ankle | Goli | GO-li |
| Foot | Paau | PAAU |
| Skin | छाला Chhala | CHHAA-la |
| Bone | Haḍḍi | HAḌ-ḍi |
| Blood | Ragat | RA-gat |
| Kidney | Mirchauka | mir-CHAU-ka |
| Liver | Kalejo | ka-LE-jo |
| Brain | Dimag | di-MAG |
Part 5: Pain Assessment
Pain Scale
Dukhaaī kaati chha? Ek dekhi das saamma, das sabai badi dukheko — dukh-AAI KA-ti chha? EK de-KHI DAS SAAMMA, DAS sa-BAI BA-di dukh-E-ko How much pain? On a scale of one to ten, ten being the worst pain.
Ek (1) to Das (10) — (see numbers guide)
Type of Pain
Kasto dukheko chha? — KAS-to dukh-E-ko chha? — What kind of pain is it?
| Type of pain | Nepali | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Sharp pain | Tikho dukhai | TIK-ho dukh-AI |
| Dull / aching pain | Dhoso dukhai | DHOS-o dukh-AI |
| Burning pain | Balirako dukhai | ba-LI-ra-ko dukh-AI |
| Throbbing pain | Dhukdhuk garirako | dhuk-DHUK ga-ri-RA-ko |
| Constant pain | Nirantar dukhai | ni-RAN-tar dukh-AI |
| Comes and goes | Aaucha janchha | AA-u-chha JAN-chha |
Part 6: Medical History Questions
Ke tapaaīlai koi rogma diabetes, high blood pressure, muna ko rog chha? — ke ta-PAA-ee-LAI KOI ROG-ma DIA-be-tes, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, MU-na ko ROG chha? Do you have any conditions — diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease?
Ke tapaaī koi aushadhi khaanu huncha? — ke ta-PAA-ee KOI aus-HAD-hi KHA-nu HUN-chha? Are you taking any medications?
Ke tapaaīlai koi aushidhipriti allergy chha? — ke ta-PAA-ee-LAI KOI aus-HAD-hi-PRI-ti AL-ler-gy chha? Are you allergic to any medications?
Ke tapaaī dherai dhari hospitalmaa basnu bhaeko chha? — ke ta-PAA-ee DHE-rai DA-ri HOS-pi-tal-MAA BAS-nu BHAE-ko chha? Have you been admitted to hospital before?
Ke tapaaīle surgery garnu bhaeko chha? — ke ta-PAA-ee-le SUR-ge-ry GAR-nu BHAE-ko chha? Have you had surgery?
Part 7: Instructions and Procedures
Yahan basnus — ya-HAN BAS-nus — Please sit here.
Sutnuhunchha kripaya — SUT-nu-HUN-chha kri-PAA-ya — Please lie down.
Uthnus — UTH-nus — Please get up / stand up.
Khultai saaas linuhunchha? — KHUL-tai SAAS li-NU-HUN-chha? — Please take a deep breath.
Roknus — ROK-nus — Stop / hold still.
Khulla garnus — KHUL-la GAR-nus — Please open (mouth, hand, etc.).
Banda garnus — BAN-da GAR-nus — Please close.
Yata hernus — YA-ta HER-nus — Please look this way.
Chalaunu nahunos — cha-LAU-nu na-HU-nos — Please don't move.
Ali dukhla, maaf garnus — A-li DUKH-la, MAAF gar-NUS — This will hurt a little, I'm sorry.
Injection diinchhu — in-JEK-shun DIN-chhu — I am going to give an injection.
Ragat lanchhu — RA-gat LAN-chhu — I'm going to take blood.
Blood pressure herchhu — BLOOD PRES-sure HER-chhu — I'm going to check your blood pressure.
Part 8: Medications
Yo aushadhi din maa tiin patak khaanus — YO aus-HAD-hi DIN maa TEEN pa-TAK KHA-nus Take this medicine three times a day.
Khaana khanu aghi khaanus — KHA-na KHA-nu A-ghi KHA-nus Take before eating.
Khaana khanu pachhi khaanus — KHA-na KHA-nu PACH-hi KHA-nus Take after eating.
Paani sanga khaanus — PAA-ni SAN-ga KHA-nus Take with water.
Yo dawa haraunu hunna — YO DA-wa ha-RAU-nu HUN-na Do not stop taking this medication.
Part 9: Sensitive Conversations
Mental Health
Tapaaīlai kasto mahsus bhairako chha? — ta-PAA-ee-LAI KAS-to MAH-sus BHAI-RA-ko chha? How are you feeling (emotionally)?
Udas laagirako chha? — U-das LAA-gi-RA-ko chha? Are you feeling sad?
Chinta laagirako chha? — CHIN-ta LAA-gi-RA-ko chha? Are you feeling anxious / worried?
Koi saathi manchhe chha? — KOI SAA-thi MAN-chhe chha? Do you have people around you / Do you have support?
End of Life and Serious Diagnosis
These conversations require a professional interpreter. Do not attempt to deliver serious diagnoses or end-of-life information without qualified Nepali interpreter support.
Domestic Violence and Safety
If you need to ask about safety at home, always use a professional interpreter and follow your institution's family violence protocol. Never use a family member as interpreter for these conversations.
Part 10: Cultural Considerations in Healthcare
Family involvement in decisions. In Nepali culture, health decisions — especially serious ones — are frequently made by the family collectively rather than by the individual patient alone. A patient may genuinely want their family consulted before making a decision, and this reflects cultural values rather than lack of capacity. Work with the family in a way that also respects the patient's individual rights under Australian law.
Modesty. Many Nepali patients — particularly women — may have significant modesty concerns around physical examinations by practitioners of the opposite gender. Offer a same-gender practitioner where possible, explain what you are going to do before doing it, and provide maximum privacy.
Respect for elders. Use formal Nepali (tapaaī) with all patients. With elderly patients, the gesture of Namaste with pressed palms communicates respect that exceeds what any words alone convey.
Diet and fasting. Many Nepali patients observe fasting on religious days (the Hindu lunar calendar includes many auspicious fasting days). This may be relevant to medication timing. Ask specifically: "Ke tapaaī aaja bhaas bas garnu huncha?" (Are you fasting today?)
Mental health stigma. Mental health stigma can be significant within Nepali communities. Patients may present somatic (physical) symptoms that have a psychological component, or may be reluctant to name mental health concerns directly. Approach this gently and without judgment.
Getting a Professional Interpreter
For complex clinical conversations — informed consent for procedures, serious diagnoses, end-of-life care, mental health assessment, or any situation where miscommunication carries significant clinical risk — always use a professional Nepali interpreter.
In Australia, professional interpreting services include: - TIS National (Translating and Interpreting Service): 131 450 — available 24/7 for phone interpreting - NAATI-accredited Nepali interpreters for in-person bookings - Your institution's language services team
BolNepali's vocabulary is a tool for everyday clinical communication and relationship-building. It is not a replacement for professional interpreting where that standard of communication is required.
Continue Learning at BolNepali
BolNepali provides structured Nepali language learning for healthcare workers, community workers, aged care staff, and any professional working with Australia's Nepali community. Our healthcare vocabulary module expands on this guide with audio from native Nepali speakers.
Start free at bolnepali.com.
BolNepali serves Australian healthcare workers, community workers, and professionals building language skills for better service to Australia's 213,000-strong Nepali community.