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Unit 19 · Intermediate
Be a good guest — the warm rituals of a Nepali home: accepting food and tea, complimenting the cook, and thanking your hosts the Nepali way.
Hospitality and homestay (lessons 19-20)
Public-domain audio — FSI Nepali Basic Course (via Live Lingua).
Host
खाना खानुभयो?
Khaanaa khaanubhayo?
Have you eaten?
Guest
खाएँ, धेरै मीठो थियो!
Khaae, dherai mitho thiyo!
I have — it was delicious!
Host
अलिकति अरू?
Alikati aru?
A little more?
Guest
पुग्यो, धन्यवाद।
Pugyo, dhanyabaad.
That's enough, thank you.
Host
चिया खानुहुन्छ?
Chiyaa khaanuhunchha?
Will you have tea?
Guest
हुन्छ, मीठो हुन्छ।
Hunchha, mitho hunchha.
Yes, that'd be lovely.
Khaanaa khaanubhayo? ("have you eaten?") is asked as warmly as "how are you" — a sign of care, not just curiosity. Answer Khaae ("I have") or Khaae, mitho thiyo ("I have, it was tasty"). Note thiyo — the past of chha, "was".
Nepali hosts pile on food, and a flat "no" can feel cold. Stop the refills with a smile and Pugyo ("that's enough") or Pet bhariyo ("I'm full"), softened with dhanyabaad.
Praise the food: Mitho chha ("it's delicious") or Mitho thiyo ("it was delicious"). Offer to help with Sahayog garu? ("shall I help?"). For deep thanks, dherai dhanyabaad — though among family, Nepalis often show thanks by helping rather than saying it.
1. Answer "I have — it was delicious!"
खाएँ, धेरै मीठो थियो! (Khaae, dherai mitho thiyo!)
2. Refuse more food politely.
पुग्यो, धन्यवाद। (Pugyo, dhanyabaad.)
3. Say "I'm full."
पेट भरियो। (Pet bhariyo.)
4. Offer "Shall I help?"
सहयोग गरूँ? (Sahayog garu?)