Travelling in a country where you don't speak the language can feel daunting, but in Nepal you'll rarely struggle. English is widely understood wherever tourists go.
Quick answer: yes, English is widely spoken in Kathmandu, Pokhara, hotels, restaurants, trekking lodges and by guides. The official language is Nepali, and the 2021 census recorded more than 120 mother tongues. In rural villages, English is less common, so a few Nepali words go a long way.
Where English is spoken
- Hotels, restaurants and shops in Thamel and Lakeside Pokhara
- Trekking lodges on popular routes
- Licensed trekking and tour guides
- Airports, banks and travel agencies
- Younger, educated Nepalis, as English is taught in schools
Where it's less common
In remote villages, among older people and with some local bus and taxi drivers, English may be limited. Your guide will translate.
Nepal's languages
Nepali, written in the Devanagari script, is the official language and a common language across the country. Other major languages include Maithili, Bhojpuri, Tharu, Tamang, Nepal Bhasa (Newari), Magar and many more.
Useful Nepali words
- Namaste: hello and goodbye. See what namaste means.
- Dhanyabad: thank you.
- Kati ho?: how much is it?
- Mitho chha: it's delicious.
- Pani: water.
See our full list of Nepali phrases for travellers.
English in daily life
| Situation | How much English to expect |
|---|---|
| Hotels, travel agencies and trekking companies | Good to excellent |
| Restaurants in Thamel and Lakeside | Good; menus in English |
| Trekking guides | Usually good; licensed guides are trained in English or other languages |
| Porters | Often basic |
| Taxi drivers | Basic, enough for destinations and prices |
| Shops in tourist areas | Good enough for shopping and bargaining |
| Government offices | Varies; forms often in Nepali and English |
| Rural villages off the trekking routes | Limited; younger people may speak some English |
| Teahouses on popular treks | Basic to good |
English in education
English is taught in Nepali schools from an early age, and many private schools, which educate a large share of urban children, teach most subjects in English. Universities often use English for science, engineering and medicine. As a result, many young Nepalis, especially in cities, speak English well, and English words are part of everyday Nepali speech: "bus", "hotel", "ticket", "phone" and "OK" are understood almost everywhere. Older people and people in remote areas are less likely to speak it.
Nepal's languages in more detail
The 2021 census recorded 124 languages spoken as mother tongues in Nepal. Nepali, written in Devanagari script, is the official language and the mother tongue of a little under half the population; it is used as a common language almost everywhere. Other major languages include Maithili and Bhojpuri in the Terai, Tharu, Tamang, Nepal Bhasa (Newari) in the Kathmandu Valley, Magar, Gurung, Rai and Limbu languages in the hills, and Sherpa and other Tibetan languages in the mountains. Nepal's constitution recognises all mother tongues as national languages, and provinces can adopt additional official languages.
Other foreign languages
Hindi is widely understood in Nepal, especially in the Terai and among people who have worked in India or watch Indian films and television. In tourist areas, you will also meet guides and shopkeepers who speak Chinese, Japanese, Korean, French, German or Spanish, reflecting the countries where many visitors come from. Trekking companies can often arrange guides who speak your language; ask when you book.
Tips for communicating
- Speak slowly and clearly, using simple words and short sentences.
- Avoid slang and idioms.
- Write down addresses and key information, or show them on your phone.
- Use a translation app with Nepali downloaded for offline use.
- Learn a few Nepali words; they are always appreciated. See Nepali phrases.
- Remember that a head wobble often means "yes" or "okay".
English on treks
On popular treks such as Everest Base Camp, the Annapurna Circuit and Annapurna Base Camp, lodge owners usually speak enough English to take orders and arrange rooms, and menus are in English. On remote treks, English is less common, and your guide becomes your translator for everything. Since April 2023, trekking in national parks and conservation areas has required a licensed guide, which also means you will always have someone to help with language. A good guide also explains customs, culture and stories that you would otherwise miss. See hiring a guide.
Signs, menus and documents
In tourist areas, most signs, menus, bus tickets and price lists are in English as well as Nepali. Road signs on major highways usually include English. In smaller towns and villages, signs may be only in Nepali, written in Devanagari script, which can be confusing. Official documents such as permits and visas are issued in English. Hotel and restaurant bills are usually in English or both languages. Learning to recognise Devanagari numbers can help with prices: ० (0), १ (1), २ (2), ३ (3), ४ (4), ५ (5), ६ (6), ७ (7), ८ (8), ९ (9).
Nepali English
English in Nepal has its own flavour, shaped by Nepali grammar and Indian English. You may hear "What is your good name?" (What is your name?), "Today itself" (today), "Do one thing" (here's a suggestion), "Hotel" for a small restaurant, "Same same" (similar), and "Tomorrow morning early" for an early start. Questions often end with "no?" ("You are tired, no?"). It is part of the charm, and you'll soon find yourself picking up some of it.
Learning Nepali before you go
Even a few words of Nepali make a big difference. Learn greetings, numbers, "thank you", "how much?" and food words, and practise them with your guide and lodge staff. Free online resources and apps offer beginner lessons, and language schools in Kathmandu offer short courses if you have more time. Nepalis are generous with praise for even the smallest effort.
Language and culture
Language in Nepal reflects respect and relationships. Nepalis rarely use first names alone with people older than themselves, preferring family terms such as dai (older brother), didi (older sister), bhai (younger brother) and bahini (younger sister), even with strangers. Adding -ji after a name shows respect. You will often be called "sir" or "madam" in English, and visitors who use dai and didi in return are usually greeted with smiles. Nepalis may also avoid a direct "no" to be polite, so a "maybe" or "we'll see" can sometimes mean no. Patience and a smile go a long way.
Sign language and accessibility
Nepal has its own sign language, Nepali Sign Language, used by the deaf community and recognised in law. Schools for deaf children use it, and some organisations in Kathmandu employ deaf staff. Travellers with disabilities will find that people are generally willing to help, though infrastructure is limited, especially outside the cities.
Our guides
All our trekking guides are licensed and speak good English, and we can arrange guides who speak other languages on request. Many of our guides grew up in the mountain villages you will visit, and share their language, stories and culture with our guests. Contact us to ask about a guide in your language.
Do you need to speak Nepali?
No. Thousands of visitors travel and trek in Nepal every year without speaking a word of Nepali. In tourist areas, English is enough for everything you need, and on treks your guide handles communication. But learning a little Nepali is one of the best ways to connect with people, and you will be rewarded with warmth, laughter and often a cup of tea.