हँ
Han
Yes
Usage
The basic yes; fine on its own as an answer.
Grammar Note
Tatoeba "हँ।"; the dictionary lists "हँ" as yes. It is the short chandrabindu form, not Hindi "हाँ".
नहि
Na-hi
No
Usage
The basic no / not.
Grammar Note
Dictionary: "part. not, no". Maithili "नहि", not Hindi "नहीं"; it stands right before the verb.
कृपया
Kri-pa-yaa
Please
Usage
Add it to any request, including when ordering by pointing.
Grammar Note
Listed in the Maithili-Nepali-English dictionary as "adv. please".
धन्यवाद
Dhan-ya-vaad
Thank you
Usage
For anything you receive or any help; the most-used word of a trip.
Grammar Note
Tatoeba "धन्यवाद!" = Thank you.
सुनू।
Su-nu.
Excuse me
Usage
To get a stranger's or staff member's attention.
Grammar Note
Honorific imperative of "सुनब" (to hear), used as an attention-getter; stem + "-ू", not Hindi "सुनिए". Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.
माफ करू।
Maaph ka-ru.
Sorry
Usage
A real apology after bumping into someone or making a mistake.
Grammar Note
"माफी" (pardon) is dictionary-verified; "माफ करब" = to forgive. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.
ठीक अछि।
Thik a-chhi.
It's OK / I'm fine
Usage
Both "no harm done" when someone apologises and a soft "no thanks" to an offer.
Grammar Note
"ठीक" is dictionary-verified. "अछि" is the state/existence copula (not Hindi "है"); colloquially "ठीक छै" too.
हम नहि बुझैत छी।
Ham na-hi bu-jhait chhi.
I don't understand
Usage
When you did not follow; it usually prompts the other person to rephrase.
Grammar Note
"बुझब" (to understand) is dictionary-verified; present = stem + "ैत" + "छी". No gender and no ergative "ने". Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.
हम बुझि गेलहुँ।
Ham bu-jhi gel-hun.
I understand
Usage
Confirms the explanation landed; clearer than just nodding.
Grammar Note
Conjunctive + "गेलहुँ" gives "I have got it". Past 1st person ends in "-लहुँ"; no gender split. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.
भऽ गेल।
Bha gel.
I'm finished / Done
Usage
Signals a meal, payment or procedure is complete; also to have plates cleared.
Grammar Note
"भऽ" is the conjunctive of "होएब" (also written "भए"); with "गेल" it means "it is done". Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.
कृपया प्रतीक्षा करू।
Kri-pa-yaa pra-tik-shaa ka-ru.
Please wait
Usage
To ask someone to hold on while you dig out luggage or paperwork.
Grammar Note
"प्रतीक्षा" (waiting) is dictionary-verified; "प्रतीक्षा करब" = to wait. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.
एक मिनट।
Ek mi-nat.
Just a moment
Usage
A lighter hold-on for a brief pause at a till or before a photo.
Grammar Note
Both "एक" and "मिनट" are dictionary-verified. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.
एकटा वयस्क, कृपया।
Ek-taa va-yask, kri-pa-yaa.
One adult, please
Usage
For ticket desks and entrances where adult and child prices differ.
Grammar Note
"एकटा" = "एक" + "-टा", attested in dictionary prose. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.
हमर स्थान आरक्षित नहि अछि।
Ha-mar sthaan aa-rak-shit na-hi a-chhi.
I don't have a reservation
Usage
The first thing to say when walking into a restaurant or hotel without booking.
Grammar Note
"आरक्षित" (reserved) and "स्थान" are dictionary-verified; literally "my place is not reserved". Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.
हमर स्थान आरक्षित अछि।
Ha-mar sthaan aa-rak-shit a-chhi.
I have a reservation
Usage
Say it on arrival, then give your name to speed things up.
Grammar Note
Literally "my place is reserved". Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.
हमर सहायता करू।
Ha-mar sa-haa-ya-taa ka-ru.
Please help me
Usage
For trouble or an emergency; fine to say loudly.
Grammar Note
"सहायता" (help, assistance) is dictionary-verified; "सहायता करब" = to help. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.
एक बेर फेर कहू।
Ek ber pher ka-hu.
Once more, please
Usage
When you missed what was said; handy for prices and room numbers.
Grammar Note
"बेर" = "time/occasion"; "फेर" (again) is dictionary-verified; honorific imperative = stem + "-ू". Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.
कृपया आस्ते बाजू।
Kri-pa-yaa aa-ste baa-ju.
Please speak slowly
Usage
When the speed is the problem; works well together with "once more".
Grammar Note
"आस्ते" (slowly) and "बाजब" (to speak) are dictionary-verified. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.
हम थोड़ बाजैत छी।
Ham thor baa-jait chhi.
I speak a little
Usage
Sets expectations early so the other person switches to simpler wording.
Grammar Note
"थोड़" (a little) is dictionary-verified. The verb does not change for a woman speaker. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.
की अहाँ अङ्ग्रेजी बाजैत छी?
Ki a-haan ang-gre-ji baa-jait chhi?
Do you speak English?
Usage
Your fallback when communication stalls; usually works at hotels and airports.
Grammar Note
"अङ्ग्रेजी" is the dictionary spelling (full nasal). Sentence-initial "की" marks a yes/no question. Use "अहाँ" with strangers; "तोँ" only for close friends. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.
ई
I
This
Usage
For something near you; point at a menu item or product as you say it.
Grammar Note
The near demonstrative "this" (dictionary headword). Honorific oblique "हिनका", genitive "एकर".
ओ
O
That
Usage
For something away from you.
Grammar Note
The distal demonstrative "that", which also means "he/she". Dictionary headword.
एतए
E-te
Here
Usage
Marks where you are; also used when pointing at a spot on a map.
Grammar Note
Headword "एतए" in the Maithili-Nepali-English dictionary; not Hindi "यहाँ".
ओतए
O-te
There
Usage
Marks a place away from you.
Grammar Note
Attested in the Maithili-English dictionary; not Hindi "वहाँ".
हम
Ham
I / me
Usage
Refers to yourself; point at your chest to make it unmistakable.
Grammar Note
"हम" is singular "I". "We" is "हम सभ"; the oblique ("me/to me") is "हमरा"; the possessive is "हमर".
अहाँ
A-haan
You (polite)
Usage
Always use this with strangers and elders.
Grammar Note
Dictionary: "honorific singular". Higher still is "अपने"; "तोँ" only for close friends. Hindi "आप" is not used.
सङ्गे
Sang-ge
Together
Usage
Shows you are with someone, or asks to be seated together.
Grammar Note
Dictionary: "सङ्गे" (pp. with), spelled with the full nasal.
बस, पर्याप्त अछि।
Bas, par-yaapt a-chhi.
This is enough
Usage
Show it to stop someone serving or pouring more.
Grammar Note
"बस" is an interjection meaning "enough" (dictionary); "पर्याप्त" is also verified. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.
तुरन्त
Tu-rant
Right now
Usage
Conveys urgency.
Grammar Note
Dictionary headword "तुरन्त" (at once).
एकटा व्यक्ति
Ek-taa vyak-ti
One person
Usage
States the head count when asking for a table or a room.
Grammar Note
"व्यक्ति" (person) is dictionary-verified. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.
दू लोक
Du lok
Two people
Usage
States the head count when asking for a table or a room.
Grammar Note
"लोक" (people, person) is dictionary-verified; "दू" is the numeral two. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.
तीन लोक
Tin lok
Three people
Usage
States the head count when asking for a table or a room.
Grammar Note
Both "तीन" and "लोक" are dictionary-verified. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.
More Maithili phrases
- Basic Nouns
- Basic Verbs
- Adjectives
- Question Words
- Greetings
- Food & Drinks
- Transportation
- Shopping
- Numbers
- Hotel
- Emergency
- Sightseeing
- Flirting
- Nightlife
- Massage & Spa
- Compliments
- Contacts & SNS
- Beach & Activities
- Places & Areas
- Useful Phrases
- Airport & Customs
- Weather & Climate
- Pharmacy & Health
- Directions
- Money & Exchange
- Health & Hospital
- Internet & WiFi
- Nature & Outdoors
- Religion & Temples
- Café & Drinks
- Schedule & Booking
- Culture & Etiquette
- Traveling with Kids
- Sports & Activities
- Public Transport
- Accommodation
- Banking & ATM
- Visa & Immigration
- Business & Work
- School & Education
- Cooking & Markets
- Music & Entertainment
- Art & Museums
- Festivals & Events
- Photography
- Laundry
- Post Office
- Language Learning
- Dating & Romance
- Dating Apps
- Volunteering
- Accessibility
- Sustainability & Eco
- Fruits
- Colors
- Dietary & Allergies
- Markets & Souvenirs
- Wine & Spirits
- Car Rental & Driving
- Time & Dates
- Hiking & Trekking
- Yoga & Wellness
- Beauty & Grooming
- Remote Work
- Fashion & Clothing
- Convenience Store
- Martial Arts
- Signs
- Body Parts
- Animals
- Vehicles
- Electronics
- Feelings
- Slang
- Local Dishes
- Local Drinks
- Indulgences