Languages
Nepali and beyond — the languages you'll hear.
Nepali (written in Devanagari) is the official language and is widely spoken across the country. English is common in tourist areas, trekking regions and among younger people in cities.
Nepal is extraordinarily diverse — over 120 languages are spoken, including Tamang, Gurung, Newari, Magar, Tharu, Sherpa, Tibetan and many more. A few words of Nepali will be warmly received.
Useful phrases: 'namaste' (hello/greetings), 'dhanyabad' (thank you), 'tapailai kasto chha?' (how are you?), 'kati?' (how much?), and 'bholi' (tomorrow).
On trekking routes, lodge owners and guides usually speak enough English to communicate. Learning to read a few Devanagari numbers helps with prices and bus signs.