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Unit 17 · Intermediate
Nepal runs on festivals. Learn to greet people at Dashain and Tihar, accept an invitation, and join the celebration.
Festivals and culture — Dashain and Tihar (lesson 18)
Public-domain audio — FSI Nepali Basic Course (via Live Lingua).
Host
दशैंको शुभकामना!
Dashain-ko shubhakaamanaa!
Happy Dashain!
Guest
तपाईंलाई पनि!
Tapailai pani!
To you too!
Host
भोलि घरमा आउनुहोस् न।
Bholi gharmaa aaunuhos na.
Do come to our home tomorrow.
Guest
अवश्य आउँछु। के छ?
Avashya aaunchhu. Ke chha?
I'll definitely come. What's the occasion?
Host
टीका लगाउने।
Tika lagaaune.
We'll put on tika.
The all-purpose form is [festival]-ko shubhakaamanaa! ("Happy [festival]!"): Dashain-ko shubhakaamanaa!, Tihar-ko shubhakaamanaa!, Naya barsha-ko shubhakaamanaa! ("Happy New Year!"). Reply Tapailai pani! ("To you too!").
An invitation is a nimto. Accept warmly with Avashya aaunchhu ("I'll certainly come") or Hunchha, aaunchhu ("okay, I'll come"). To decline gently: Maaph garnuhos, aaja milena ("sorry, today doesn't work").
Dashain (autumn) is Nepal's biggest festival — elders place tika and jamara on younger relatives with blessings. Tihar, weeks later, is the five-day festival of lights honouring crows, dogs, cows and, finally, brothers and sisters. Knowing the words lets you join in rather than just watch.
1. Wish someone "Happy Dashain!"
दशैंको शुभकामना! (Dashain-ko shubhakaamanaa!)
2. Reply "To you too!"
तपाईंलाई पनि! (Tapailai pani!)
3. Accept an invitation: "I'll definitely come."
अवश्य आउँछु। (Avashya aaunchhu.)
4. What is the festival of lights called?
तिहार (Tihar).