The TharuLanguage
Tharu is not a single language - it is a living family of related Indo-Aryan tongues spoken across Nepal's Terai, from Chitwan in the centre to the far west and east. Over 1.8 million people speak a Tharu variety, making it Nepal's fourth most spoken language group.
Constitutionally recognised as a national language of Nepal - Written in Devanagari script
Chitwania Tharu is Its Own Language
Many people assume all Tharu speak the same language - but Chitwania Tharu is its own distinct variety, spoken in the Chitwan Valley of central Nepal. It differs from western dialects (Dangaura, Rana) and eastern dialects (Kochila) in vocabulary, pronunciation, and even grammar - to the point where speakers of different dialects may struggle to understand each other.
Greeting
"Daule daule?" - How are you doing?
Western Tharu uses "Ram Ram"; Eastern says "Gor lagachhiya?"
Lexical Overlap
51-81% similarity with other Tharu dialects
Enough difference that cross-dialect communication is not guaranteed.
Contact Influences
Influenced by Nepali, Maithili & local Terai languages
Western dialects influenced by Awadhi & Hindi; Eastern by Bhojpuri.
Chitwania vs other dialects - sample comparison
Words from Our Dialect
Core vocabulary from Tharu - the dialect of the Nepal Tharu , our homeland.
Body Parts
Animals & Nature
Food & Drink
Home & Daily Life
Colours & Descriptions
Verbs & Actions
Five Dialects
Chitwania Tharu
â Chitwan Valley
The dialect of Chitwan. Greeting: "Daule daule?" (How are you?)
Dangaura Tharu
â Dang, Bardiya, Kailali
The most documented dialect with full grammar studies.
Kochila Tharu
â Eastern Terai
Vigorous use - children still acquiring it as first language.
Rana Tharu
â Far Western Terai
EGIDS Level 5 - Developing. Has dedicated school materials.
Kathariya Tharu
â Kailali & India border
Listed as "not endangered (vigorous)" by Glottolog.
How the Language Works
Word Order
SOV - Subject -> Object -> Verb (like Nepali & Hindi), e.g. "Mai beram batu" = I sick am.
Script
Written in Devanagari (the same script as Nepali and Hindi). Roman script used informally online.
Postpositions
Uses postpositions (words come after the noun) - the opposite of English prepositions.
Verb Agreement
Verbs agree with person, number, gender and honorificity. "jai-ti" (she goes) vs "jai-ta" (he goes).
Honorific Forms
Different words for addressing elders vs peers. "Apnek" (you - formal/elder) vs "Tu" (you - peer/young).
Counting
Traditional base-20 (vigesimal) counting documented in Dangaura Tharu, though decimal is now common.
Sentence examples (Dangaura dialect)
Numbers 1-10
Learn to Speak Tharu
Everyday phrases in Chitwania & Dangaura Tharu - tap a section to expand the full phrase list.
| English | Tharu | Nepali |
|---|---|---|
| Hello / Good day | Ram Ram | Namaste |
| How are you? | Ka ba halkhabar? / kathi badau halkhbar / Daule daule? | K cha hajur? |
| I am fine, and you? | Thik ba, tohar kaisin ba? / Thik badau, hase tor | Thik chhu, tapai? |
| Good night | Subha ratri / Ram Ram | Subha ratri |
| Goodbye | Bye bye | Bye bye |
| See you later | Pachhe bhetab / pachay vetbahu | Pachi bhetaula |
| English | Tharu | Nepali |
|---|---|---|
| Thank you (very much) | Dhanyabad / Dherai-dherai Dhanyabad | Dhanyabad |
| Please | Kirpaya | Kirpaya |
| Yes | Ji / Haan / Haau | Ho / Cha |
| No | Nai / Nahi | Hoina / Chaina |
| I understand | Mai bujhnu / Mui bujlasu | Maile bujhe |
| I don't understand | Mai nai bujhnu / Mui haina bujlasu | Maile bujhena |
| Speak slowly please | Kirpaya, dhire se boli / Kirpaya, bistarai faadak | Kripaya, bistari bolnus |
| I need help | Mahin sahayog chahata / Morkee sahayog chahee | Malai sahayog chahiyo |
| I am sick | Mai beram batu / Mui maniyal bardsu | Ma birami chhu |
| English | Tharu | Nepali |
|---|---|---|
| My name is... | Mor naam ... ho | Mero naam ... ho |
| What is your name? | Tohar naau ka ho? / Tor Nam Kathi | Tapai ko naam k ho? |
| Where are you from? | Tu/Apnek kahan se ailo? / Tui Kahuwase halahe | Tapai kaha bata aaunu bhayo? |
| How old are you? | Kai baras ke huilo? / ka barsa valahi | Kati barsa ko hunubhayo? |
| I am from Australia | Mai Australia se ainu / Mui Australia se yayel | Ma Australia bata aieho |
| English | Tharu | Nepali |
|---|---|---|
| Family | Pariwaar | Parivaar |
| Father | Baba | Buwa |
| Mother | Daai / Daau | Aama |
| Elder sister | Didi | Didi |
| Younger sister | Bahini | Bahini |
| Elder brother | Dada | Dai |
| Younger brother | Bhewa / Bhai | Bhai |
| Son | Chhawa / Beataa | Chora |
| Daughter | Chhai / Beate | Chori |
| Friend | Sangharia / Sangathi | Sathi |
| Grandmother | Budau | Baje |
| Grandfather | Budu / Bubaa | Baju |
| English | Tharu | Nepali |
|---|---|---|
| Water | Paani | Paani |
| Sun | Din | Surya / Gham |
| Moon | Joniha / Joohn / Jun | Jun / Chandrama |
| Rain | Barsa / Pani aaita | Barsa |
| Wind | Hawa / Kuhira | Hawa |
| It is hot | Garmi ba / Garmi Badau | Garmi cha |
| It is cold | Jaar ba / Jaar Badau | Jado cha |
| House | Ghar | Ghar |
| River | Nadi / Rapti | Nadi |
Want to learn more?The full Tharu-Nepali-English phrasebook is available from buildOn Nepal (PDF) ->
A Language Worth Protecting
Nepal's Constitution of 2015 recognises all native languages as national languages. The Language Commission has recommended Tharu for official administrative use in Lumbini and Sudurpaschim Provinces.
Early-grade school materials, community dictionaries, and local radio exist for several dialects. Kochila Tharu is vigorously transmitted to children, while others face pressure from Nepali and Hindi.
Diaspora communities like ours in Victoria, Australia play a vital role - singing songs, telling stories, and using phrases at home keeps the language alive across generations and continents.
Constitutionally recognised
All Tharu varieties are national languages of Nepal under the 2015 Constitution.
Mother-tongue education
School workbooks and early-grade materials developed for Rana and Kochila Tharu.
Local media
Community radio and online content in Tharu help maintain everyday use.
Diaspora role
Our community in Victoria keeps Tharu alive through song, story and daily speech.