Nepal is a fascinating and diverse country with a rich linguistic landscape that reflects its unique cultural history and geography. With over 123 languages spoken, Nepal is a multilingual nation where Nepali is the official language and the most widely spoken. However, several other significant languages, such as Maithili, Bhojpuri, Tharu, Tamang, Newari, and Gurung, are also spoken in various regions.
Nepal’s linguistic diversity is a product of its varied terrain and isolated pockets of communities throughout the country, which have interacted and exchanged for centuries. Despite the linguistic variation, Nepal’s people have a strong sense of national unity and identity. The country’s constitution recognizes the significance of linguistic diversity, and numerous initiatives have been taken to preserve and promote minority languages.
The richness of Nepal’s multilingualism has contributed to the country’s unique identity and cultural richness. It is a crucial aspect of the nation’s heritage and a reflection of its diverse history and geography.
Some Basic Words
| English | Nepali | Maithili | Newari | Gurung | Sherpa |
| Hello/Hi | Namaste | Pranam/Salam | Jwa-ja-la-paa | Tashi delek | |
| Thank you | Dhanyabad | Dhanyabad | Shu-bhaay | Lolo ouskham | |
| Welcome | Swagatam | Swagat | La-sa-ku-sa | ||
| Water | Pani | Pani | La | Kiu | Chhu |
| Food/Rice | Khana | Khana | Jaa | Kai | Gyawi |
| Yes/No | Ho/Haina | Haa/Naa | Kha/Ma-khu | Lase/Hoshi | |
| Cold/Hot | Chiso/Tato | Thanda/Garam | Tengge/Karma | ||
| Hot(Spicy) | Piro | Masaley-daar | Paa-lu | Karwu | |
| Tasty/Delicious | Mitho | Swadist | Maa-ku | Simbu | |
| Elder Sister | Didi | Ta-taa | Ai | ||
| Elder Brother | Dai | Daa-i | Achu | ||
| Good | Ramro | Nik | Leemu | ||
| Money | Paisa | Rupiya | Dheba | Mui | Tengga |
| When | Kahiley | Jakhn | Ga-ba-le | Kha-yam | Nam |
| Where | Kaha | Kataya | Ga-na | Kha-nai | Keni |
| Which | Kun | Jakar | Guu | Khaya-ba | Tsukoti |
| How | Kasari | Kona | Ga-thee | Tsukoi |
Some Basic Phases
| English | Nepali | Maithili | Newari | Sherpa |
| What is your name? | Hajur ko naam k ho? | Anhake naam ki chhi? | Chhangu naa chhu? | Khyoro min kang hin ? |
| My name is ______ | Mero naam ____ ho. | Hammar naam ___ aichh | Jeegu naa ___ kha | Nye min ___ hin. |
| How are you? | Hajur sanchai hunuhunxa? | Ahak kona chhi? | mhaṅ phu lā | thangbo? |
| I am fine. | Ma thik xu. | Haam nik chhi | jitaḥ la mhan phu | Thangburang. |
| I understand/ I didn’t understand | Mailay bujay/ Mailay bujina | Ham buijh geli/ Ham nai bujhali | jin thu / jin mathula | |
| How much is this? | Yeso ko kati parchha? | Katek ye i? | thukeya guli? | Tso? |
| Do you have___? | K tapai sanga __ cha? | Aaha laag ___ ahchi ki? | Tha-na ___ du laa? | |
| I am sorry. | Malai maaf garnus. | Hammar xama karba. | Maph yaa-naa di-saa. |
Nepali/Nepalese
Nepali, which is the official language of Nepal, is widely spoken not only in the country but also in parts of India and Bhutan. It belongs to the Indo-Aryan language family and is written in Devanagari script, consisting of 36 consonants, 12 vowels, and diacritic marks for pronunciation. Due to its rich literary tradition dating back to the 12th century, Nepali has been influenced by Sanskrit and Tibetan. Moreover, Nepali is a tonal language that has various dialects, leading to differences in vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar depending on the region. This adds to the unique and diverse characteristics of Nepali as a language.. Furthermore, its complex system of verb conjugation and tense is an essential aspect of Nepal’s cultural heritage.
Maithili
Situated in Nepal’s Terai region and sharing linguistic similarities with Bhojpuri and Magahi, which are spoken in India’s Bihar state, Maithili is an Indo-Aryan language that is integral to Nepalese culture.Maithili, a language widely used in literature, music, and religious ceremonies, has been recognized as an official language in Nepal, alongside Nepali and other regional languages. The Mithilakshar script, derived from the Brahmi script, is used to write Maithili. According to the 2011 Nepal Census, approximately 11% of the country’s population speaks Maithili, making it one of the most commonly spoken regional languages in Nepal. Over the centuries, Maithili has developed a rich cultural heritage in Nepal, with numerous noteworthy literary works created in the language. Overall, Maithili serves as an integral part of Nepal’s cultural and linguistic landscape.
Newari
Spoken primarily by the Newar people, Newari language is a Tibeto-Burman language and is considered one of the oldest languages in Nepal. It is also known as Nepal Bhasa or Newa Bhaaye. Newari is an inflected language with a complex system of noun declension and verb conjugation. Furthermore, Newari language has a rich literary tradition with various genres, such as poetry, drama, and historical chronicles, which are all written in the ancient Newari script, also known as Nepal Lipi. In addition, although Newari is the sixth most spoken language in Nepal, according to the 2011 Census of Nepal, it is widely spoken in the Kathmandu Valley and surrounding areas.
Gurung
As an indigenous Tibeto-Burman language, the Gurung language is mainly spoken by the Gurung ethnic group in Nepal, showcasing the unique linguistic features of the region. With its tonal nature and intricate verb conjugation system, Gurung distinguishes itself as a complex and distinct language. Additionally, Gurung features a one-of-a-kind pronoun system and is celebrated for its poetry and songs, representing an essential part of Nepal’s cultural heritage. The establishment of a writing system for Gurung in the 1980s has contributed significantly to the development of the language. Furthermore, Gurung’s prevalence among approximately 2.16% of Nepal’s population highlights its importance in the country’s diverse linguistic landscape. The existence of Gurung plays a crucial role in promoting linguistic diversity and cultural richness in Nepal, underscoring the country’s commitment to preserving its unique cultural heritage.
Sherpa
Belonging to the Tibeto-Burman language family, the Sherpa language is primarily spoken by the Sherpa people in the Solu-Khumbu district of Nepal. Sharing linguistic similarities with other Himalayan languages such as Tibetan, Sherpa has several dialects. Historically, the Sherpa language was only oral, and its writing system was developed relatively recently. The Tibetan script and Roman alphabet are the commonly used writing systems for the language. With its distinct vocabulary and expressions related to Sherpa culture, the language reflects the unique identity of the Sherpa people. Overall, the Sherpa language offers a fascinating insight into the linguistic and cultural diversity of Nepal. Despite this, the number of Sherpa people who speak the language is unclear, as stated in the 2011 Nepal Census. UNESCO has classified the language as endangered due to its decreasing usage.
