How to Say Hello in Nepali - Basic Greetings

Essential Nepali greetings for everyday conversations

Greetings are the foundation of any language. In Nepal, the way you greet someone shows respect and sets the tone for your interaction. The most famous Nepali greeting, "Namaste," is used throughout the day and is accompanied by pressing your palms together.

Cultural Tip

When greeting elders or showing extra respect, Nepalis often say "Namaskar" instead of "Namaste." You may also touch the feet of elders as a sign of deep respect.

Phrases

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Everyday greetings: Nepali, English meaning, and when to use each phrase, with a recording of each phrase to listen to
Nepali	Romanization	English	When to use it
नमस्ते	Namaste	Hello / Greetings	Universal greeting, any time of day
नमस्कार	Namaskar	Respectful greetings	More formal, for elders
सुप्रभात	Suprabhat	Good morning	Morning greeting
शुभ दिन	Shubha din	Good day	Daytime greeting
शुभ साँझ	Shubha saanjh	Good evening	Evening greeting
शुभ रात्री	Shubha raatri	Good night	Before bed
के छ?	Ke chha?	How are you?	Informal
तपाईंलाई कस्तो छ?	Tapaailai kasto chha?	How are you?	Formal/polite
म ठीक छु	Ma thik chhu	I am fine	Response to "how are you"
फेरि भेटौंला	Pheri bhetaunla	See you again	Casual goodbye
बिदा	Bidaa	Goodbye	General farewell

Frequently asked questions about everyday greetings

How do you say hello in Nepali?: Hello in Nepali is नमस्ते (Namaste), said with your palms pressed together. It works at any time of day, with strangers and friends alike.
What is the difference between Namaste and Namaskar?: Both are greetings. नमस्ते (Namaste) is the everyday universal form. नमस्कार (Namaskar) is more formal and is what Nepalis use for elders or when showing extra respect.
How do you ask how someone is in Nepali?: Informally, ask के छ? (Ke chha?). The polite form is तपाईंलाई कस्तो छ? (Tapaailai kasto chha?). The usual reply is म ठीक छु (Ma thik chhu), meaning I am fine.
How do you say goodbye in Nepali?: बिदा (Bidaa) is the general farewell. Between friends, फेरि भेटौंला (Pheri bhetaunla), meaning see you again, is more common.

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नमस्ते

Namaste

Hello / Greetings

Universal greeting, any time of day

नमस्कार

Namaskar

Respectful greetings

More formal, for elders

सुप्रभात

Suprabhat

Good morning

Morning greeting

शुभ दिन

Shubha din

Good day

Daytime greeting

शुभ साँझ

Shubha saanjh

Good evening

Evening greeting

शुभ रात्री

Shubha raatri

Good night

Before bed

के छ?

Ke chha?

How are you?

Informal

तपाईंलाई कस्तो छ?

Tapaailai kasto chha?

How are you?

Formal/polite

म ठीक छु

Ma thik chhu

I am fine

Response to "how are you"

फेरि भेटौंला

Pheri bhetaunla

See you again

Casual goodbye

बिदा

Bidaa

Goodbye

General farewell

Frequently asked questions about everyday greetings

How do you say hello in Nepali?

Hello in Nepali is नमस्ते (Namaste), said with your palms pressed together. It works at any time of day, with strangers and friends alike.

What is the difference between Namaste and Namaskar?

Both are greetings. नमस्ते (Namaste) is the everyday universal form. नमस्कार (Namaskar) is more formal and is what Nepalis use for elders or when showing extra respect.

How do you ask how someone is in Nepali?

Informally, ask के छ? (Ke chha?). The polite form is तपाईंलाई कस्तो छ? (Tapaailai kasto chha?). The usual reply is म ठीक छु (Ma thik chhu), meaning I am fine.

How do you say goodbye in Nepali?

बिदा (Bidaa) is the general farewell. Between friends, फेरि भेटौंला (Pheri bhetaunla), meaning see you again, is more common.