Nepali is a language of the Indo-Aryan family, which is mainly spoken in Nepal. It is also widespread in parts of eastern India, in Myanmar and in Bhutan. Today, around 17 million people speak it. Nepali is written using the Devanāgarī alphabet, which has 36 letters, but is often seen transliterated with the Latin alphabet. As with all languages, start by learning the basics, such as numbers and a few simple phrases.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Learning the Basics
Step 1. Learn the basics of Nepali pronunciation
Start by learning how to pronounce Nepali words using the Latin alphabet, before trying to use the Devanāgarī one. For the most part, Nepali can be represented phonetically by the Latin alphabet, but there are some sounds that aren't commonly used when you speak Italian.
There are also differences in pronunciation between the various national and regional dialects. If you are planning a trip to Nepal or Myanmar, practice the regional dialect of the specific area you will visit
Step 2. Learn Nepalese greetings
As a first step to speaking Nepali, learn some common greetings. The general greeting in Nepalese is "Namaste". Fortunately, it also means "goodbye".
- Address older men and women with "dai" or "didi" respectively.
- "Good morning" is "Subha prabhat".
- "Good evening" is "Subha sandhya".
- "How are you?" is "Tapai laai kasto chha?".
- Ask someone what their name is with "Tapai ko naam ke ho?".
Step 3. Learn some important words and phrases in Nepali
By knowing a few simple phrases, you will be able to have rudimentary conversations. This is useful for practical purposes: if you are going to go to Nepal, the following phrases can help you communicate with the locals before you have mastered the language. Here are some useful examples:
- "Please speak slower" "Bistaarai bhannus".
- "I don't understand" "Maile bujhina."
- "Leave me alone!" "Malai eklai chodnuhos!"
- "Have a nice day" "Subha din."
- These sentences remain the same regardless of the gender of the person you are addressing.
Step 4. Learn a few simple questions
This will help you communicate with Nepalese native speakers. A question is a great way to start a conversation or to quickly learn the information you need. If you are about to leave for Nepal, think in advance what questions you will need to ask most often and learn to pronounce them perfectly.
- "Where are you going?" "Kahaan jaane?"
- "Can you take a picture of me?" "Mero tasbeer khichna saknu hunchha?"
- "Do you speak English?" "Tapaain angrejee boln saknuhunchha?"
- "Do you speak Nepali?" "Ke tapai Nepali bolnuhunchha?"
- "Where is the toilet?" "Sauchalaya kata chha?"
Part 2 of 3: Studying Nepali on Your Own
Step 1. Purchase a Nepali grammar book
To go beyond the simplest Nepali phrases, start reading a grammar book. This will help you improve the basics and learn the more complex aspects of the language. You should be able to find Nepali books in major bookstores, or in stores specializing in language education.
If you really want to learn Nepali, it may be a good idea to purchase a Nepali-Italian dictionary and phrasebook as well
Step 2. Use educational websites
Search the internet for reputable sites that explain pronunciation, vocabulary, verb conjugation and language understanding. Online sources usually contain audio clips of native speakers speaking Nepali phrases and words, a great resource for accelerating learning.
Check out useful sites like My Languages, PolyMath or NepalGo
Step 3. Create tickets for better memorization
Flash cards can help you remember aspects of the language, such as pronunciation, verb conjugation, and vocabulary. Write a Nepali word or phrase on one side of a card and its translation on the back. Try to remember all the words, then turn the card over to check the answer.
Flash cards only work if you use them often. Make learning part of your daily routine: test yourself on Nepali vocabulary before bed, or read a set of cards while having breakfast
Step 4. Watch and listen to Nepalese television
Many television programs are broadcast in Nepali. By watching one you can increase the level of immersion in the language and understand how native speakers pronounce words or converse with each other. In the beginning he uses subtitles, so that he can match Nepali phrases with Italian ones. The best-known contemporary programs in Nepali include "Meri Bassai", "Tito Satya" and "Jire Khursani."
- If you can't find a television channel dedicated to Nepalese programs, try searching the internet. Many Nepalese programs are posted on YouTube and other broadcasters make their content available online.
- For example, watch Kantipur TV Life at
Step 5. Read Nepali magazines or books
Absorb the Nepali language by all possible means, so that you learn it faster. On the internet you can read a lot of publications in Nepali. For example, read the newspapers at https://www.onlinenewspapers.com/nepal.htm. If you prefer a book, find a copy of Laxmi Devkota's Muna Madan or Lil Bahadur Chettri's Mountains Painted with Turmeric.
Note that reading Nepali does not necessarily improve your ability to speak the language. However, if you practice reading passages aloud, you will improve your ability to recognize sentences
Part 3 of 3: Study and Immerse yourself in Nepali with Other People
Step 1. Talk to people who know Nepali in your community or on the internet
Once you have mastered the basics of the language, you can improve your conversation skills by conversing with Nepali speakers fluently. Find a teacher in your area or search the internet for a Nepali forum.
If you know someone from Nepal who is learning Italian, you can help each other
Step 2. Plan a trip to Nepal
You can only fully immerse yourself in a language by reaching the area where it is most commonly spoken. Go to Nepal for at least one or two weeks. You will be surrounded by native speakers, so you can hear their pronunciation and the way they speak. To enter Nepal, you need a passport and a tourist visa.
If you have friends who speak Nepali fluently, ask them if they want to accompany you on the journey. They can act as your "translator" and help you if you forget words or fail to communicate
Step 3. Study Nepali with an online course
If you don't live near a university that offers Nepali courses, or if you'd rather learn on your own, without going into a classroom, try this solution. Studying online gives you the freedom to learn wherever you have an internet connection. Plus, you can still benefit from collaborating with other students, because you will all learn the same material at the same time.
Many institutions, academic and non-academic, as well as various universities offer Nepali courses. These include Language Trainers (in the UK) and the Peace Corps
Step 4. Take a Nepali course
If you want to spend a few months learning Nepali grammar and pronunciation, sign up for a course at a local university. You will learn in a collaborative environment and can practice with your classmates. In addition, a course gives you the opportunity to speak with a Nepali expert (the professor) at any time.
- The Faculty of Oriental Studies of the University of Rome offers Nepali language courses.
- Ask your local university if there are any Nepali language courses available.
