Essential Trekking Phrases in Nepali
The right phrase at 4,500 meters can mean a warm meal, a faster route, or a life-saving descent. These are the words every trekker in Nepal should carry.
Talking distance and time on the trail
On Nepali trails, kilometers are meaningless — only hours matter. 'Kati ghanta hindnuparchha?' (कति घण्टा हिँड्नुपर्छ?) — 'how many hours of walking?' — is your most-asked question. Ask multiple people and average their answers; everyone has a different fitness baseline.
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कति घण्टा हिँड्नुपर्छ?
How many hours of walking?
Kati ghanta hindnuparchha?
Photo: Unsplash
कति टाढा छ?
How far is it?
Kati tadha chha?
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अर्को गाउँ कहाँ छ?
Where is the next village?
Arko gaun kahaan chha?
Resting, eating, and the universal 'I'm tired'
'Malai thakai laagyo' (मलाई थकाइ लाग्यो) — 'I am tired' — is not a complaint, it's a polite signal. Pair it with 'aaraam garaun' (let's rest) and your guide or porter will find the next tea stop. Hydrate, breathe, eat. Slow is fast at altitude.
मलाई थकाइ लाग्यो
I am tired
Malai thakai laagyo
अर्को गाउँ कहाँ छ?
Where is the next village?
Arko gaun kahaan chha?
Altitude sickness — the phrase that saves lives
'Lek' (लेक) is the Nepali word for altitude sickness, understood by every guide, porter, and lodge owner above 3,000 meters. 'Malai lek laagyo' (मलाई लेक लाग्यो) — 'I have altitude sickness' — should never be said lightly. If you have a severe headache, nausea, or breathlessness at rest, descend immediately. Don't tough it out. The mountains will be there next year.
Photo: Unsplash
मलाई लेक लाग्यो
I have altitude sickness
Malai lek laagyo
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मलाई डाक्टर चाहिन्छ
I need a doctor
Malai doctor chahinchha
Lodge essentials: rooms, hot water, food
Teahouses are the trekker's lifeline. 'Kotha chha?' (room?), 'Tato paani chha?' (hot water?), 'Wi-Fi chha?' — the same template covers everything. Hot showers usually cost 200-500 rupees extra. Wi-Fi is via Everest Link or AirLink and gets slower the higher you go.
Photo: Unsplash
कोठा छ?
Do you have a room?
Kotha chha?
Photo: Unsplash
तातो पानी छ?
Is there hot water?
Tato paani chha?
Photo: Unsplash
वाइफाइ छ?
Is there Wi-Fi?
Wi-Fi chha?
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a guide to trek in Nepal?
As of April 2023, solo trekking in Nepal's national parks (Everest, Annapurna, Langtang) is no longer permitted — you need a licensed guide. Independent trekking on shorter routes like Poon Hill is still possible with caveats. Check current rules with the Nepal Tourism Board.
What altitude does altitude sickness start?
Most people are fine up to 2,500m. Mild symptoms can start around 3,000m. Above 3,500m, ascend slowly (no more than 300-500m gain per sleeping night) and watch for headaches, nausea, and shortness of breath.
Should I learn Nepali or Sherpa for trekking in Khumbu?
Nepali. Sherpa is the home language of the Khumbu region, but Nepali is the lingua franca — every Sherpa porter, guide, and lodge owner speaks it. A few Sherpa words ('Namaste' is the same; 'Tashi delek' means 'good fortune') will earn warm smiles.
What's the right way to greet a Buddhist lama on the trail?
A respectful 'namaste' with palms pressed and a slight bow works. In monastery settings, walk clockwise around stupas and prayer wheels, and don't touch ritual objects without permission.