Nepal is a multilingual country. Despite its small geographical size, 124 languages are spoken in Nepal, according to the 2021 National Population and Housing Census.
The languages spoken in Nepal belong to four major families: Indo-European, Sino-Tibetan, Austro-Asiatic, and Dravidian.
Although Nepali is the primary language in Nepal, many other languages are widely spoken across different communities and regions.
In this blog, we will discuss the languages spoken in Nepal.
Key Highlights
- 124 languages are spoken in Nepal.
- Nepali is the official language in Nepal.
- Nepali, Maithili, Bhojpuri, Tharu, Tamang, Newar, Bajjika, Awadhi, Magar, and Doteli are the top languages spoken in Nepal
Top 10 Most Spoken Languages in Nepal
According to the Census 2021, the top spoken languages in Nepal are:
| Languages | Population | Mostly Spoken Regions |
| Nepali | 44.86% | Nationwide |
| Maithili | 11.05% | Koshi and Madhesh Provinces |
| Bhojpuri | 6.24% | Western Madhesh and eastern Lumbini |
| Tharu | 5.88% | Terai Region |
| Tamang | 4.88% | Bagmati and Gandaki provinces |
| Newar | 2.96% | Kathmandu Valley |
| Bajjika | 3.89% | Madhesh Province |
| Awadhi | 2.96% | Terai Region of western Nepal |
| Magar | 2.78% | Lumbini, Gandaki, and Karnali Provinces |
| Doteli | 1.7% | Far-western Region |
1. Nepali – National Language of Nepal
Nepali is the mother tongue of Nepal, widely spoken by the majority of the population (44.86%). It was earlier referred to as “Khas Kura,” and then it was officially named “Nepali” later. It belongs to the Indo-Aryan family and originally comes from the Himalayan region of South Asia.
Nepali language is derived from Sanskrit and uses the Devanagari script. It acts as a lingua franca, connecting people from multilingual backgrounds. It is a commonly used language in government, education, media, and day-to-day communication. Around 19 million speak it as a first language, and 14 million as a second language.
Nepali language is also officially recognized in India’s Sikkim and Gorkhaland regions of West Bengal. It is also spoken in Bhutan, Myanmar, and by Nepali communities worldwide.
2. Maithili
Maithili is the second most spoken language in Nepal. The name Maithili is derived from the word Mithila, an ancient kingdom ruled by King Janaka.
Maithili is primarily spoken in districts like Dhanusha, Mahottari, Siraha, Saptari, and parts of Koshi and Madhesh Provinces, with Janakpur as its cultural center. This Indo-Aryan language is also spoken in parts of India like Jharkhand, Bihar, and West Bengal.
3. Bhojpuri
Bhojpuri is the third most spoken language in Nepal. Originated from Magadh Prakrit, it is closely related to Maithili, Magahi, Bengali, Odia, Assamese, as well as other eastern Indo-Aryan languages.
Bhojpuri is spoken in the southern portion of Nepal, especially in the Terai region of Gandaki, Lumbini, Bagmati, and Madhesh Provinces. It is mainly spoken in districts like Rautahat, Chitwan, Nawalparasi, Rupandehi, Bara, and Parsa. It is also spoken in some parts of India.
4. Tharu
Tharu language is spoken by the people of the Tharu community of Nepal. This language is somewhat similar to nearby languages like Awadhi, Kumaoni, Maithili, and Bhojpuri.
Tharu communities speak different Tharu languages in the eastern, central, and western Terai regions, with each region having its own distinct accent. Some of the major Tharu-speaking districts are Surkhet, Rautahat, Parsa, Dang, Kailali, and Saptari.
5. Tamang
Tamang is a Sino-Tibetan language spoken by the Tamang community in Nepal. There are five different dialects in the Tamang language: Eastern Tamang, Eastern Gorkha Tamang, Southwestern Tamang, Northwestern Tamang, and Western Tamang. The most widely spoken and prominent is Eastern Tamang.
Some of the districts where the Tamang language is popular are Rasuwa, Sindhupalchowk, Nuwakot, Lalitpur, Makwanpur, and Dhading.
6. Newari (Nepal Bhasa)
Newari or Nepal Bhasa is a Sino-Tibetan language spoken by the people of the Newar community in Nepal. It is one of the oldest languages in Nepal. From the 14th century until 1769, it served as the official language of Nepal during the Malla dynasty.
Newari is the most widely spoken language in the Kathmandu Valley, among the Newar community. It is an important part of the valley’s culture, tradition, and daily life.
7. Bajjika
Bajjika is a Bihari language spoken in parts of Nepal and India. It is closely related to Maithili and Bhojpuri, and is often considered a dialect of Maithili.
This language is spoken by the majority of Nepal’s population in Madhesh Province, including districts like Rautahat, Sarlahi, and Mahottari.
8. Awadhi
Aadhi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken in the Terai region of Nepal. The name Awadh comes from the ancient city of Ayodhya, which is the birthplace of Lord Rama. It is spoken in two provinces in Nepal: Lumbini and Sudurpashchim.
Avadhi is widely spoken in districts like Bardiya, Banke, Kapilvastu, Dang, Kanchanpur, and Kailali.
9. Magar
Magar language, a part of the Sino-Tibetan family, is spoken by the Magar community of Nepal in several regions of Nepal. It is divided into two primary dialect groups: Eastern and Western.
Western Magar is spoken in Lumbini, Gandaki, and Karnali Provinces. Eastern Magar is spoken in Gandaki, Lumbini, Bagmati, and Koshi Provinces. Both dialects are important to the Magar people’s culture and identity.
10. Doteli
Doteli (Dotyali) is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by a major population in western Nepal. It consists of four main dialects: Baitadeli, Darchuli, Bajhangi Nepali, and Dotel.
The Doteli language is known by various names in the far-western region of Nepal, depending on the district. This language is spoken in major districts like Baitadi, Doti, Dadeldhura, Bajhang, Darchula, and Bajura.
Common Language as a Second Language
English
According to the Census 2021, 0.35% of the population in Nepal speaks English as a second language. The growth of the English language is making travel easier for foreigners. It is used in education firms, businesses, and a few offices.
Hindi
The 0.76% of the population in Nepal speaks Hindi as a second language. It is mainly spoken in the Terai region of Nepal.
Urdu
Urdu language is primarily spoken by Muslim communities in Nepal. The population speaking Urdu as a second language in Nepal is 0.25%.
Conclusion
Nepal is a country rich in languages, each one adding to the country’s beauty and culture. There are 124 languages in Nepal. While Nepali is the official language, many people still speak their local languages at home and in their communities.
Sadly, some of these languages are slowly disappearing as fewer people use them. It’s important to keep them alive so future generations can stay connected to their roots and traditions.
Also Read How to Plan a Trip to Nepal
Asmita Pandey is a travel enthusiast and the founder of Travel Nepal Guides. She enjoys exploring different parts of Nepal, trying local food, and finding lesser-known places along the way. Through her own travel experiences, she shares practical tips and honest insights to help travelers plan their trips and explore Nepal with confidence.
