Lesson 2
Beginner Friendly • 5 mins read
Having the right words at the right time is the key to connection. The best way to study Nepali language effectively is not to memorise the whole dictionary. You just need the most common Nepali vocabulary used in real conversation.
Below are the foundational word groups to help you start using the language at home today.
In the Nepali language, family is everything. Nepali has specific words for relatives that English simply does not have. Instead of one word for “uncle,” Nepali has different words depending on which side of the family that person comes from. This is not just Nepali vocabulary, it reflects how deeply family structure is built into the culture.
Here are the essential family words you need to know:
| Nepali Script | Romanised | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| आमा | Aama | Mother |
| बुबा | Buba | Father |
| दाइ | Dai | Older brother |
| भाइ | Bhai | Younger brother |
| दिदी | Didi | Older sister |
| बहिनी | Bahini | Younger sister |
| हजुरआमा | Hajurama | Grandmother |
| हजुरबुबा | Hajurbuba | Grandfather |
| काका | Kaka | Father's younger brother |
| काकी | Kaki | Father's younger brother's wife |
| मामा | Mama | Mother's brother |
| माइजू | Maiju | Mother's brother's wife |
Notice that Nepali distinguishes between your father’s brother (Kaka) and your mother’s brother (Mama). Using the wrong one is a common mistake for beginners. Getting it right immediately signals respect and cultural awareness to native speakers. To know the correct pronunciation of every family word, visit our Nepali Script lesson and learn how Devanagari sounds map to spoken Nepali
Verbs are the engine of any language. To study Nepali language and actually hold a conversation, you need to move beyond nouns. These are the most commonly used daily action verbs in Nepali, the ones that come up in almost every conversation.
| Nepali Script | Romanised | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| खानु | Khanu | To eat |
| पिउनु | Piunu | To drink |
| सुत्नु | Sutnu | To sleep |
| उठ्नु | Uthnu | To wake up / stand up |
| जानु | Janu | To go |
| आउनु | Aaunu | To come |
| गर्नु | Garnu | To do |
| बोल्नु | Bolnu | To speak |
| सुन्नु | Sunnu | To listen |
| हेर्नु | Hernu | To look / watch |
| पढ्नु | Padhnu | To read / study |
| लेख्नु | Lekhnu | To write |
Quick grammar note for beginners: You will notice all Nepali verbs in their base form end in “nu.” This is the infinitive form, like saying “to eat” or “to go” in English. When you use them in a sentence, the ending changes based on tense and who you are talking to. That is covered in detail in the Grammar lesson.
Counting is a vital part of daily Nepali conversation. Whether you are shopping at a market, asking for someone’s age, or reading a phone number. Numbers come up constantly.
Nepali numbers follow the Devanagari numeral system. Which uses its own set of symbols different from the Western Arabic numerals most of us are used to. Learning to recognise both the symbol and the spoken word together is the fastest way to build fluency when you study Nepali language.
| Number | Nepali Script | Romanised |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | १ | Ek |
| 2 | २ | Dui |
| 3 | ३ | Tin |
| 4 | ४ | Char |
| 5 | ५ | Panch |
| 6 | ६ | Chha |
| 7 | ७ | Saat |
| 8 | ८ | Aath |
| 9 | ९ | Nau |
| 10 | १० | Das |
Important pattern to notice: After 10, Nepali numbers do not follow a simple pattern like eleven, twelve, thirteen. Each number from 11 to 19 has its own unique word. This surprises most beginners. After 20 (Bis), the system becomes more logical again. 21 is Ekaais, 22 is Baais, and so on.
Connecting with family and friends means going beyond basic greetings. Expressing how you feel in Nepali. Even just a few words, creates an immediate emotional connection with native speakers. This is an important part of Nepali vocabulary that most beginner guides skip entirely.
Here are the core emotion words in Nepali:
| Nepali Script | Romanised | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| खुसी | Khusi | Happy |
| दु:ख | Dukha | Sad / Grief |
| रिस | Ris | Anger |
| डर | Darr | Fear |
| अचम्म | Achamma | Surprised |
| थकाई | Thakaai | Tired |
| चिन्ता | Chinta | Worry / Anxiety |
| लाज | Laaj | Shame / Embarrassment |
| माया | Maya | Love / Affection |
| घमण्ड | Ghamanda | Pride / Arrogance |
The nuance you need to know: Nepali makes a meaningful distinction between Ris and Jharkinu. Similarly, Dukha covers both sadness and physical pain depending on context. Which is why you will often hear it when someone is unwell. Understanding these subtle differences is what separates a basic learner from someone who sounds natural.
You have covered the foundations of Nepali vocabulary. But real fluency comes from daily practice with pronunciation, script recognition, and listening. The LipiMala app is built specifically to help you study Nepali language beyond what any single lesson page can cover.
Download LipiMala for free to access:
Visual Flashcards: See the word, read the Devanagari script, hear native pronunciation.
Category Packs: Food, Travel, Shopping, and Professional Nepali vocabulary sets.
Daily Word Notifications: Learn one new Nepali vocabulary word every morning.
Audio Recognition: Practise speaking and get instant feedback on your pronunciation.
Explore our Nepali Grammar lesson and Social Nuance lesson to continue building your foundation.
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