स्वागतम्
swāgatam
The English phrase 'welcome' is translated into Nepali as स्वागतम् (swāgatam) or स्वागत छ.
Meaning: greeting given upon someone's arrival (intj)
Ways to say it
| Nepali | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| स्वागतम् | swāgatam |
| स्वागत छ | swāgat cha |
The phrase is used as a greeting when someone arrives. To specifically say 'You are welcome' to a person, you use the phrase तपाईलाई स्वागत छ.
What does it mean word for word?
The core word स्वागत means 'welcome' or 'reception'. In the phrase स्वागत छ, the word छ is a verb meaning 'is' or 'exists', making the phrase literally 'welcome exists'.
Which one should you use?
स्वागतम् is a Sanskrit-derived version often used in written signs or formal speeches. In contrast, स्वागत छ is the standard spoken form.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
स्वागतम् is more formal, while स्वागत छ is the colloquial and natural way to say 'welcome' in everyday spoken Nepali.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase स्वागत छ, the word छ functions as the verb 'is' or 'exists'.
How do you pronounce it?
swāgatam
Did you know?
- Even though स्वागत छ is used for arrivals, it is not used as a response to 'thank you' in the way the English 'you are welcome' is used.
- In Nepal, the spirit of स्वागत is often physically manifested through the offering of a 'tika', a red powder mark placed on the forehead of guests.
- The verb छ in the greeting shares an ancient ancestor with the Sanskrit word for the number 'six', षष्.
Examples in context
- हाम्रो सानो सहरमा स्वागत छ।Welcome to our small town.This sentence uses स्वागत छ to welcome someone to a small town.Tatoeba #12047532 by taro, translation #12047518 by CK
- तपाईलाई स्वागत छ!You are welcome!This sentence uses स्वागत छ to say 'You are welcome!' to someone.Tatoeba #11831478 by taro, translation #3120149 by harshnisar
Example conversation
Roshan welcomes Pratiksha to his new home.
- रोशन Roshanस्वागतम्, प्रतिक्षा!Swagataman, Pratiksha!Welcome, Pratiksha!
- प्रतिक्षा Pratikshaधन्यवाद, रोशन।Dhanyabaad, Roshan.Thank you, Roshan.
- रोशन Roshanभित्र आउनुहोस्।Bhitra aaunuhos.Please come inside.
- प्रतिक्षा Pratikshaतपाईंको घर धेरै राम्रो छ।Tapaiko ghar dherai ramro cha.Your home is very nice.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “welcome” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries छ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
