Nepali, Hindi and English Phrases · Phrases

What are useful shopping and bargaining phrases?

By Base Camp Tours, licensed Nepal travel agency (Tourism License 3121/080) · Updated · 1 min read

The short answer

Ask the price with "yo kati ho?" (Nepali) or "yeh kitne ka hai?" (Hindi). If it is too high, say "dherai mahango chha" (too expensive) and ask "alikati kam garnuhos" (reduce a little). You can also say "ramro chha, tara mahango" (nice, but expensive). Walk away politely if the price does not drop.

Always use numbers you know. Pay with small notes, and say dhanyabad when you are done. Spellings are simple transliterations; sounds vary by region and speaker.

Key facts

How much?
Yo kati ho?
Too expensive
Dherai mahango chha
Reduce a little
Alikati kam garnuhos
I will take it
Ma linchhu

How it works

  1. How much is this?Yo kati ho? · Yeh kitne ka hai?
  2. Too expensiveDherai mahango chha · Bahut mehnga hai
  3. Reduce a littleAlikati kam garnuhos · Thoda kam kijiye
  4. I will take itMa linchhu · Main lunga
  5. Do you have a smaller size?Sano sizeko chha? · Chhota size hai?
  6. Do you take cards?Card line? · Card chalega?

Insider tip

Smile and keep it friendly; price talk is a conversation.

Avoid this

Do not show too much interest in one item before asking the price.

Related questions

Is bargaining rude?

No in small shops, but keep it polite.

Can I pay in Indian rupees?
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