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What Language is Nepali?
Nepali, also known as Nepalese is an Indo-Aryan language native to the Himalayan region of South Asia. With more than 36 million speakers worldwide, it is the official language of Nepal and is also spoken by a significant number of people in India, Bhutan, and other parts of the world.
Nepali is a very structured language with its grammar and pronunciation. It is written in Devanagari, the same alphabet used for Hindi and Sanskrit with 12 vowels and 36 consonants.
Read More about Nepali Alphabet and Nepali Numbers
History of Nepali Language
Early Development (10th–14th centuries)
Early forms of Nepali evolved from Sanskrit, Prakrit, and Apabhraṃśa in the 10th–14th centuries during the Khasa Kingdom.
Khasa Kingdom and Regional Divisions
After the decline of the Khasa Kingdom, Nepal was divided into Baise Rajya and Chaubise Rajya. The currently popular variant of Nepali is believed to have originated around 500 years ago with the mass migration of Khas people to lower valleys in Karnali and Gandaki.
Influence of the Sena Dynasty and Linguistic Changes
During the Sena dynasty, ruling a vast area in Terai and central hills, the Nepali language was influenced by Indian languages like Awadhi, Bhojpuri, Braj Bhasha, and Maithili. Nepali became a lingua franca in the region, leading to simplified grammar, expanded vocabulary, and softened phonology.
Middle Nepali and Shah Kings (18th Century)
The Shah kings of the Gorkha Kingdom played a crucial role in institutionalizing Nepali. Following the Unification of Nepal, Nepali became the state language in the 18th century. Works such as “Ram Shah ko Jivani” and Prithvi Narayan Shah’s “Divyopadesh” marked the early development of Middle Nepali.
Development of Standardized Prose
The language developed a standardized prose in documents like Lal Mohar, dealing with diplomatic writings, tax, and administrative records. Minor changes in grammar and orthography were introduced, reflecting a nearly modern form of the language.
Cultural Unification through Literature
Bhanubhakta Acharya’s translation of the Ramayana to Nepali is considered a cultural and linguistic unification. Works during this time contributed to the shaping of a uniformed Nepali identity.
Modern Period and Language Movement
Many attempts were made by the Rana dynasty to make Nepali the language of education in the early 20th century. The Nepali Language Movement in the 1980s aimed to include Nepali in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India. Royal Nepal Academy was established in 1957, the academy focused on developing and promoting Nepali literature, culture, art, and science.
Panchayat Era and Golden Age
During the Panchayat era, Nepal adopted an ideology “One King, One Dress, One Language, One Nation” promoting Nepali as the basis for nationalism. This period is considered a Golden Age for the language, marked by the promotion of Nepali literature, culture, and science.
Recognition Beyond Nepal’s Borders
Nepali Language was recognized as the official language of the Darjeeling district in West Bengal in 1961. After the annexation of Sikkim, Nepali gained official language status in the state and recognition in India.
Different dialects of the Nepali Language
| Nepali Dialect | Regions | Characteristics |
| Standard Nepali | Nationwide | Official and widely understood form of Nepali, used in formal settings, education, and media. |
| Western Nepali Dialects | Western Hills (Achham, Baitadi, Bajhang, etc.) | Phonological nuances and distinctive vocabulary. Pronunciation and intonation patterns differ, providing a distinct identity. |
| Central Nepali Dialects | Central Hills (Kathmandu Valley, Nuwakot, Gorkha) | Hold standardized features due to prominence in the capital city. Serve as a reference point for a standardized version of the language. |
| Royal and Upper-Class Variant | Royal Family and Upper-Class Individuals | Employed by the royal family and upper-class; features a unique vocabulary and an elaborate four-level honorific system. |
| Eastern Nepali Dialects | Eastern Hills (Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari) | Showcases unique linguistic characteristics influenced by regional interactions and neighboring Indian languages. |
Interesting Facts about Nepali Language
- Nepali Language was first known as Khas Kura.
- Nepali is the official language of Nepal.
- Nepali is spoken by more than 36 million individuals in Nepal and neighboring countries, including India, Bhutan, Brunei, and Myanmar.
- Nepali is an official language in Nepal, Sikkim, and West Bengal.
- Despite Nepali does not hold official status in Bhutan, a quarter of the population speaks Nepali in Bhutan.
- Nepali is the third-most spoken language in Tasmania, Australia.
Nepali Speaking Countries
| Nepali speaking Countries | Number of Speakers (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Nepal | 29,136,808 |
| India | 2,247,168 |
| Malaysia | 700,000 |
| Qatar | 606,917 |
| Saudi Arabia | 534,451 |
| Myanmar | 505,069 |
| United Arab Emirates | 354,905 |
| Australia | 331,830 |
| South Korea | 300,000 |
| United States of America | 282,385 |
| Bhutan | 242,000 |
| United Kingdom | 204,000 |
| Japan | 200,148 |
| Germany | 200,000 |
| Kuwait | 101,193 |
| Portugal | 100,000 |
| Thailand | 100,000 |
| Belgium | 25,472 |
| Oman | 17,057 |
| Canada | 14,385 |
| Fiji | 10,000 |
| Hong Kong | 7,000 |
| Singapore | 7,000 |
| Bahrain | 6,000 |
| Sri Lanka | 5,000 |
| Israel | 4,500 |
| New Zealand | 3,630 |
| Philippines | 2,745 |
| Italy | 2,500 |
| Austria | 1,250 |
| Bangladesh | 1,100 |
| Pakistan | 1,000 |
How to Learn Nepali Fast?
To learn Nepali quickly, practice with the fundamental Nepali vocabulary available on our ToolsNepal blogs. You can begin by learning the Nepali alphabet, numbers, and important words. Then move on to common phrases, create sentences, and improve your written and spoken skills. Once you’ve got the basics, you can use our Nepali translation tool, Nepali typing tool, and Nepali Keyboard for extra practice.
Explore Unique Nepali Names here.