A greeting is never just a greeting. In Nepal, the way you say hello — the gesture you make, the word you choose, the register you use — communicates your respect for the person in front of you, your awareness of social context, and your willingness to engage on their cultural terms rather than your own.
Nepali has a rich system of greetings and social phrases that goes well beyond "hello" and "goodbye." Understanding this system — not just the words but the situations in which each one belongs — is one of the most valuable things you can learn about the language, and one of the most direct routes to genuine connection with Nepali speakers.
This guide covers every major Nepali greeting and essential social phrase, explains the cultural context behind each one, and gives you the tools to use them naturally rather than mechanically.
The Cultural Meaning of Greeting in Nepal
Before the words, the context. Nepal is a society where interpersonal relationships are oriented around respect, hierarchy, and warmth in ways that are somewhat different from Australian norms.
Age and seniority matter enormously. Elders are addressed with higher registers of language and physical gestures of respect. Using informal language with an elder is a genuine social misstep, not just a minor awkwardness.
The greeting is a gift. When you greet someone in Nepali — especially as a foreigner — you are giving them something. You are signalling that you have taken the trouble to learn something of their language, that you see them as a person worth this effort. Nepali people respond to this with extraordinary warmth.
Physical contact norms differ. Handshakes are common in professional contexts, but the traditional greeting involves no physical contact — palms pressed together, a slight bow, and "Namaste." Between friends, a nod, a shoulder touch, or a gentle arm grip is common. Public hugging and kissing as greetings are not part of traditional Nepali culture.
Part 1: Core Greetings
Namaste — नमस्ते
na-ma-STAY
The essential Nepali greeting. Literally: "I bow to the divine in you." Used morning, afternoon, and evening, as both hello and goodbye, with anyone in any situation. Accompanied by pressing the palms together (the anjali mudra) at chest level with a slight forward bow of the head.
Namaste is so universally recognised that it needs no translation anywhere in the world, but it carries deeper meaning in its home culture than in its international life as a yoga-class opener. Using it in Nepal with the correct gesture — unhurried, sincere, palms together — is always the right move.
Namaskar — नमस्कार
na-ma-SKAAR
A more formal version of Namaste. Use with elders, religious figures, senior colleagues, or in formal situations. The gesture is the same; the word carries greater reverence.
Subha Prabhat — शुभ प्रभात
SUB-ha pra-BHAT
Good morning. A formal morning greeting, more likely in educated or professional contexts than in everyday village life, where Namaste covers all times of day.
Subha Saandha — शुभ साँझ
SUB-ha SAANDH
Good evening. Similarly formal.
Subha Raatri — शुभ रात्रि
SUB-ha RAA-tri
Good night. Used when parting at night or before sleep.
Part 2: Asking How Someone Is
In Nepali, asking after someone's wellbeing is a social ritual, not just a functional question. The answer is almost always positive — Nepali social culture involves presenting a composed, well face to others, even when things are difficult. Do not be surprised if "Kasto chha?" is always met with "Thik chha" even from someone having a hard time.
Kasto chha? — कस्तो छ?
KAS-to chha?
How are you? The standard informal inquiry. Use with peers, people you know, or in casual situations.
Sanchai chha? — सन्चै छ?
san-CHAI chha?
Are you well? A warm, caring formulation — implies you are genuinely interested in their health.
Tapaaīlai kasto chha? — तपाईलाई कस्तो छ?
ta-PAA-ee-LAI KAS-to chha?
How are you? (formal — including tapaaī, the respectful "you"). Use with anyone you would address formally.
Thik chha — ठीक छ
THEEK chha
I'm fine / It's okay. The standard reply. Also used to mean "alright", "that works", or "okay" in response to a suggestion.
Ramrai chha — राम्रै छ
RAM-rai chha
I'm well / Things are good. A slightly warmer, more enthusiastic version of thik chha.
Manchhe Bhanda Kaso Chha? — मान्छे भन्दा कसो छ?
MAAN-chhe BHAN-da KA-so chha?
How is everyone? How is the family? A common follow-up that extends the inquiry beyond the individual to their household — reflecting the centrality of family in Nepali social life.
Part 3: Farewells
Pheri bhetaula — फेरि भेटौला
PHE-ri bhe-TAU-la
See you again / Until we meet. A warm, hopeful farewell — implies you expect to meet again. Much warmer than a generic goodbye.
Bidaa — विदा
bi-DAA
Farewell / Goodbye. A more formal goodbye, used when a separation may be longer or more final.
Jaannuhunchha? — जाँनुहुन्छ?
JAAAN-nu-HUN-chha?
Are you leaving now? Often said as a friend or guest gets ready to depart — a gentle acknowledgement of the parting.
Jaanchhu — जान्छु
JAAN-chhu
I am going. The simple statement of departure, used when leaving.
Bato ma dhyan dinos — बाटोमा ध्यान दिनोस्
BAA-to ma DHYAN di-NOS
Take care on the road. A beautiful farewell phrase used when someone is travelling — particularly appropriate in a trekking context.
Part 4: Expressions of Gratitude and Politeness
Dhanyabad — धन्यवाद
dhan-ya-BAAD
Thank you. The standard expression of gratitude. Use it constantly.
Bahut dhanyabad — बहुत धन्यवाद
ba-HUT dhan-ya-BAAD
Thank you very much. The intensified version.
Shukriya — शुक्रिया
SHUK-ri-ya
Thank you (more informal / borrowed from Urdu-Hindi). Very common in everyday speech, especially among younger Nepalis and in urban areas.
Kripaya — कृपया
KRIP-aa-ya
Please. A polite particle used before requests. "Kripaya paani diinus" — "Please give me water."
Maaf garnus — माफ गर्नुस्
MAAF gar-NUS
Excuse me / I'm sorry / Please forgive me. The all-purpose politeness phrase for attracting attention, apologising, and excusing yourself.
Hajur — हजुर
ha-JUR
Yes (respectful) / Pardon? / I'm listening. One of the most useful words in Nepali, "hajur" serves multiple functions. As an affirmative, it is more deferential than a plain "ho" (yes). As a response when someone calls your name or speaks to you, it signals attentive respect. You will hear it constantly.
Huncha — हुन्छ
HUN-chha
Okay / Agreed / That works. The affirmative response to requests or suggestions.
Part 5: Meeting Someone New
Tapaaīko naam ke ho? — तपाईको नाम के हो?
ta-PAA-ee-ko naam ke HO?
What is your name? (formal)
Mero naam _ ho — मेरो नाम ___ हो
ME-ro naam _____ HO
My name is _____.
Tapaaī kaha bata aunu bhaeko? — तपाई कहाँ बाट आउनु भएको?
ta-PAA-ee ka-HAA BA-ta aa-NU bhae-KO?
Where are you from?
Australia bata — अस्ट्रेलिया बाट
aus-TRAY-lee-ya BA-ta
From Australia.
Tapaaisanga bhetna paayo, khushi laagyo — तपाईसँग भेट्न पायो, खुसी लाग्यो
ta-PAA-ee-SAN-ga BHET-na PAA-yo, KHU-si LAAG-yo
It was good to meet you / I'm glad to have met you. A warm closing phrase for a first meeting.
Part 6: Common Social Phrases
Khana khaanu bhayo? — खाना खानु भयो?
KHA-na KHA-nu bhayo?
Have you eaten? This is one of the most common Nepali social greetings — more a warm expression of care than a literal question about meals. Responding "haina, khainna" (no, not yet) may result in an invitation to eat!
Aafnai ghar jastu laagos — आफ्नै घर जस्तो लागोस्
AAF-nai GHAR JAS-to LAA-gos
May it feel like your own home. Said to a guest. One of the warmest things a Nepali host can say.
Khaanu ta — खानु त
KHA-nu ta
Please eat. Said when inviting someone to a meal. The "ta" at the end is a soft encourager.
Ramro laagyo — राम्रो लाग्यो
RAM-ro LAAG-yo
I liked it / It felt good. Useful after a meal, a performance, a place, or any positive experience.
Nepaal ramro desh ho — नेपाल राम्रो देश हो
ne-PAAL RAM-ro desh HO
Nepal is a beautiful country. A near-universal conversation opener with locals that will always be met with warm agreement and pride.
Nepali bhaasha ali ali maatra thaha chha — नेपाली भाषा अलि अलि मात्र थाहा छ
ne-PAA-li BHAAS-ha A-li A-li MAA-tra THA-ha chha
I know only a little Nepali. Disarming and accurate — and always appreciated.
Part 7: Seasonal and Festival Greetings
Nepal's calendar is rich with festivals, and specific greetings accompany each one.
Dashain Greetings
Dashain (Dasain) is Nepal's biggest festival — a fifteen-day Hindu celebration in September/October.
- Dashainko Subhakaamana — Happy Dashain
- When receiving tika (a rice and yoghurt blessing on the forehead) from elders, bow your head and say "Aashirbad dinus" (please give me your blessing)
- Elders respond with blessings for long life, health, and prosperity
Tihar Greetings
Tihar (the festival of lights) comes five days after Dashain.
- Tiharko Subhakaamana — Happy Tihar
- During Bhai Tika (the day sisters bless brothers): "Chiranjibi bhava" — may you live long
New Year
Nepal's New Year (Nava Varsha) falls in April/May.
- Nava Varshako Subhakaamana — Happy New Year
- Naya Saal Mubarak — Happy New Year (more informal, borrowed from Hindi/Urdu)
General Celebrations
- Subhakaamana — Best wishes / Congratulations (a versatile phrase for any celebration)
- Badhai chha — Congratulations
Part 8: Useful Filler Words and Particles
These short words and particles are scattered throughout natural Nepali conversation. Recognising them makes listening comprehension much easier.
| Word | Meaning / Function |
|---|---|
| Ta | Softener / emphasis particle ("Well...", "Just...") |
| Ni | Softener / agreement seeker ("...right?", "...you know?") |
| Hai | Agreement / mild affirmative ("yeah", "uh-huh") |
| La | Well / okay (casual agreement or transition) |
| Wah | Wow / expression of admiration |
| Arrey | Oh! / expression of surprise |
| Ke garnu | What to do? / It is what it is (resignation) |
| Ke cha ra | What is there? / So what? (dismissive) |
How to Sound Natural, Not Mechanical
The difference between a greeting that lands well and one that sounds like a tourist phrasebook is delivery. A few principles:
Slow down. Hurrying through Nepali sounds uncomfortable for both parties. A measured, unhurried "Namaste" with hands pressed together lands far better than a quick, nervous one.
Match the energy. If someone greets you warmly and expansively, respond in kind. Nepali social warmth is reciprocal.
Use the gesture. The anjali mudra (hands pressed together) is not optional decoration — it is integral to "Namaste" and "Namaskar". Use it.
Do not over-apologise for imperfect Nepali. Saying "mero Nepali ramro chaina" (my Nepali is not good) once is humble and charming. Saying it repeatedly draws more attention to your imperfection than just getting on with speaking.
Accept corrections graciously. Nepali speakers who correct your pronunciation or vocabulary are doing you a favour, not criticising you. Receive corrections with "dhanyabad, thik ho?" (thank you, is that right?) and try again.
Practice Dialogues
Dialogue 1: Meeting a trekking guide for the first time
You: Namaste! Tapaaīko naam ke ho? Guide: Namaste! Mero naam Prakash ho. Tapaaīko? You: Mero naam Sarah ho. Australia bata. Guide: Wah! Australia bata! Tapaaī pahilo palta Nepal aunu bhayeko? (Wow! From Australia! Is this your first time in Nepal?) You: Ho, pahilo palta. Nepal ekdam ramro chha! (Yes, first time. Nepal is very beautiful!)
Dialogue 2: Arriving at a tea house
Host: Namaste! Bhitra aaunos. (Hello! Please come inside.) You: Namaste! Ek kamara chha? (Hello! Do you have a room?) Host: Chha, chha. Aaunos, basus. (Yes, yes. Come in, sit down.) You: Dhanyabad. Tapaaisanga bhetna paayo. (Thank you. It was good to meet you.)
Continue Learning at BolNepali
BolNepali's conversation modules include audio dialogues recorded by native Nepali speakers for every level, cultural notes on social etiquette, and structured practice for greetings, introductions, and everyday interactions.
Start free at bolnepali.com.
BolNepali helps Australian learners, trekkers, and the Nepali diaspora develop genuine Nepali language skills through structured online instruction.