An ukhan (उखान) is a Nepali proverb — a complete saying that carries a lesson, usually in one or two lines. It stands on its own as a sentence and is quoted to make a point about how people behave.

What is a tukka, and how is it different from an ukhan?

A tukka (टुक्का) is a Nepali idiom or set phrase — a figurative expression rather than a complete thought, which you drop into a sentence instead of quoting whole. An ukhan is the finished saying; a tukka is the turn of phrase. In everyday speech the two are usually named together as ukhan tukka.

Do Nepali proverbs translate directly into English?

Rarely word for word. Most ukhan lean on images from village life — cattle, monsoon, fire, rice — so a literal translation loses the point. The English meanings on this site explain what a proverb is used to say rather than what its words individually mean.

How do I read the romanized Nepali?

Every proverb is shown in its original Devanagari with a romanized reading underneath, so you can pronounce it even if you do not read the script. The romanization follows how the words sound, not a formal transliteration standard.

नेपाली उखान टुक्काNepali ukhan tukka

The wisdom of Nepal, one proverb at a time

Nepali proverbs — ukhan tukka — in the original Devanagari, with romanized readings and English meanings. Search them, save them, share them.

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Ukhan of the DayWisdom

अकबरी सुनलाई कसी लाउनु पर्दैन

Akabari sun lai kasi laaunu pardaina.

Good person is good by own, don't need to praise

Featured proverbs

Hand-picked ukhan with full English meanings

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Adaptability

अघि हेर्नु चार हात, पछि हेर्नु बाह्र हात

Aghi hernu chaar haat, pachhi hernu bahra haat

It takes more effort to move forward & achieve something than to look back and dwell on the past

Criticism

अरूले हात्ती चढे भनेर आफूले धुरी चढ्नु हुँदैन

Aru le hatti chade bhanera aafu le dhuri chadnu hudaina.

One should not imitate others' mistakes, but learn from them instead

Advice

आइमाई को रुपै सत्रु, रुपै मित्रु

Ayimaayi ko rupai satru, rupai mitru.

True friends accept one as they are are are, for who they are

Advice

आफ्नो थैली सुरक्षित राखे अर्कालाई दोष लगाउनु पर्दैन

Aafno thaili surakshit raakhe arkaa lai dosh lagaunu pardaina.

If you take care of your things, you won't have to blame others for the loss

एउटा थाप्लो दुईटा नाम्लो

Euta thaplo duita namlo

Euta kaam garna garo vaie rako bela arko kaam thapnu.

काम कुरो एकातिर कुम्लो बोकी ठिमीतिर

Kaam kuro ekaa tira kumlo boki Thimi tira.

Ek tira kaam xa arko tira jani

जस्तो गुरु उस्तै चेला

Jasto guru ustai chelaa.

teacher leh j sikayo student leh tehi sikxa ra they become similar

नाच्न नजान्ने आँगन टेढो

Naachna najaanne agan tedo

Placing the blame on something after being unable to do a task

मुख मा राम राम बगली मा छुरा

Mukh maa ram ram bavali maa chhuraa.

Two-faced people/ The ones who say good things in front of you and back-bite later

हँसियाको बिहेमा खुर्पाको गीत

Hasiyaa ko bihe maa khurpaa ko geet.

Being happy for someone's sucess than that person themselves

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Proverbs grouped by the lesson they carry

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Advice13 proverbs Wisdom13 proverbs Criticism7 proverbs Deception7 proverbs Awareness6 proverbs Family6 proverbs Adaptability4 proverbs Envy4 proverbs

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Carry the collection with you — the Ukhan Tukka app brings the same proverbs, readings and meanings to your phone. More about the app.

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What is ukhan tukka?

The short answers, before the collection.

What is an ukhan?: An ukhan (उखान) is a Nepali proverb — a complete saying that carries a lesson, usually in one or two lines. It stands on its own as a sentence and is quoted to make a point about how people behave.
What is a tukka, and how is it different from an ukhan?: A tukka (टुक्का) is a Nepali idiom or set phrase — a figurative expression rather than a complete thought, which you drop into a sentence instead of quoting whole. An ukhan is the finished saying; a tukka is the turn of phrase. In everyday speech the two are usually named together as ukhan tukka.
Do Nepali proverbs translate directly into English?: Rarely word for word. Most ukhan lean on images from village life — cattle, monsoon, fire, rice — so a literal translation loses the point. The English meanings on this site explain what a proverb is used to say rather than what its words individually mean.
How do I read the romanized Nepali?: Every proverb is shown in its original Devanagari with a romanized reading underneath, so you can pronounce it even if you do not read the script. The romanization follows how the words sound, not a formal transliteration standard.

Read one a day

Every ukhan carries a lesson worth keeping. Pull a random one, save the ones that land, and pass them on.

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