Language
It's quite easy to get by with English in Nepal; most of the visitors will have to deal with in the Kathmandu valley and in Pokhara will speak good English. Along the main trekking trails, particularly the Annapurna Circuit, English is widely understood. However, it's interesting to learn at least a little Nepali and it's quite an easy language to pick up. Nepali is closely related to Hindi and, like Hindi, is a member of the Indo-European group of languages. Although Nepali is the national language of Nepal and is the linking language between all the country's ethnic groups there are many other languages spoken. The Newars of the Kathmandu Valley, for example, speak Newari and there are other languages spoken by the Tamangs, Sherpas, Rais, Limbus, Magars, Gurungs and other groups. In the Terai, bordering India, Hindi and Maithali, another Indian language of their region, are often spoken. Even if you can learn no other Nepali, there is one word every visitor soon picks up - Namaste. Strictly translated it means I salute the god in you, but it is used as an everyday greeting encompassing everything from Hello to How are you? and even 'see you again soon'. Properly used it should be accompanied with the hands held in a prayer like position, the Nepali gesture which is the equivalent of westerners shaking hands.

Word Phrases

English	Nepali
I	ma
Yes, (I have)	chaa
No (I don't have)	chhaina
OK	theekcha
Where	kata or kahan
Here	yaha
There	tyaha
Good/pretty	ramro
Room	kotha
Clean	safa
Dirty	phohar/maila
Fan	pankhaa
Give me water	paani dinuhos
I feel cold	malai jado lagya
The food is cold	khaana cheeso chha
How much?	kati?
What is it made of?	ke le baneko?
That's enough	pugyo
Where is the market	bazar kata parcha
I have a fever	joro aayo
I don't feel well	malai sancho chhaina
Help!	guhaar!
How are you?	tapai lai kasto chha?
I am fine	malai sancho chha
What is your name	tapai ko naam ke ho?
My name is --	mero naam -- ho
What time is it?	aahile kati bajyo?
It's two o'clock	aahile dui bajyo `
I speak a little Nepali	ma ali nepali bolchhu
I don't understand	maile bujhuina
Please say it again	pheri bhannuhos
Please speak slowly	tapai bistari bolnuhos
I don't need it	malai chhahindaina
I don't have it	ma sanga chhaina
Wait a minute	ek chhin parkhanos
Where is a hotel?	hotel kahaa cha?
Where does this bus go?	yo bus kahaa jaanchha?
How much does it cost to go to --	-- jana kati parchha?
1	ek
2	dui
3	teen
4	char
5	panch
6	chha
7	saat
8	aath
9	nau
10	das

Photography
Do not intrude with a camera, unless it is clearly OK with the people you are photographing. Ask before a temple compound whether it is permissible to enter and take photographs. Do not exchange addresses or offer copies of photos unless you definitely intend to follow it up later.