Languages of Nepal

Nepal is a multilingual country with over 120 languages spoken across its territory. The 2011 census recorded 123 living languages, making Nepal one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world.

Official Languages

Language Speakers Status Script Geographic Distribution
Nepali 44.6% (L1), 78% (L2) Official federal language Devanagari Nationwide
Maithili 11.7% Official provincial language Devanagari Madhesh Province
Bhojpuri 6.0% Official provincial language Devanagari Lumbini, Madhesh
Newar (Nepal Bhasa) 3.2% Official in Kathmandu Valley Ranjana Bagmati Province

Nepali Language

  • Indo-Aryan language from the Pahari subgroup
  • Written in Devanagari script
  • National language and lingua franca
  • Medium of instruction in most schools

Major Language Families

Language Family % of Speakers Example Languages Region
Indo-Aryan 78% Nepali, Maithili, Bhojpuri, Tharu Terai, Hills
Sino-Tibetan 18% Tamang, Newar, Magar, Gurung Hills, Mountains
Dravidian 0.2% Jhangar, Darai Western Terai
Austroasiatic 0.1% Santali, Mundari Eastern Terai

Endangered Languages

  • Kusunda: Language isolate with only 7 fluent speakers (2023)
  • Dura: Nearly extinct Sino-Tibetan language
  • Tilung: Only about 50 speakers remaining
  • Byangsi: Spoken by fewer than 2,000 people in far-west Nepal

Language Distribution by Province

Province Dominant Language Other Major Languages % Speaking Nepali
Province 1 Nepali Maithili, Limbu, Rai languages 68%
Madhesh Maithili Bhojpuri, Bajjika, Tharu 32%
Bagmati Nepali Newar, Tamang, Nepal Bhasa 75%
Gandaki Nepali Gurung, Magar, Kham 82%
Lumbini Bhojpuri Tharu, Awadhi, Magar 54%
Karnali Nepali Magar, Kham, Tibetan 89%
Sudurpashchim Nepali Doteli, Tharu, Rana Tharu 85%

Language Preservation Efforts

  • Constitutional recognition of all mother tongues as national languages
  • Mother tongue education in early grades
  • Documentation of endangered languages by Tribhuvan University
  • Annual International Mother Language Day celebrations

Common Phrases for Travelers

English Pronunciation
Hello Namaste
Thank you Dhanyavād
How much? Kati ho?
I don't understand Maile bujhina
Where is...? ...kahā̃ cha?

Interesting Linguistic Facts