Chinese Friends Opinion On Nepali Language, Music & Culture
When you grow up in China, you hear a lot about global superpowers — the U.S., the U.K., maybe Japan or India.
But Nepal?
“Before I met you guys, I didn’t think I’d meet anyone from Nepal my whole life.”
That’s how my Chinese friend, Bo Yan, described it.
Nepal wasn’t on his radar — and neither was its culture, language, or music.
But six months after connecting with Nepali students and community in Boston, things look different.
On the Nepali Language
“It’s beautiful… but impossible to learn.”
That was his first reaction.
Coming from a tonal language like Mandarin, he found Nepali’s pronunciation completely foreign.
Harder than Japanese.
No overlap with Chinese sounds.
Nothing to latch onto.
“I’ve heard you guys speak it so often, and I still can’t remember even one word. That’s how hard it is.”
Still, despite the challenge, he had a deep appreciation for the vibe of the language.
“It sounds very different — warm, emotional. It doesn’t sound harsh or mechanical. I think it’s a beautiful language, just hard to memorize.”
When asked what language it reminded him of, he said:
A bit of Hindi
Maybe some Indonesian influence
Possibly Bangladeshi vibes
“But honestly, it feels like its own thing.”
On Nepali Music
“The music surprised me. It reminded me of Bollywood at first — but it has its own identity.”
He didn’t grow up listening to Nepali songs, so when he first heard them at parties and through friends, it took him by surprise:
Cultural
Instrumental
Colorful
“Your music videos are full of landscapes, mountains, people dancing in traditional outfits. You can feel the country through the songs.”
He also came across Nepali hip-hop and said the flow and structure were very different from English rap — but powerful in their own way.
“The rap is raw, it’s expressive. Even if I didn’t understand the lyrics, I could feel what they were trying to say.”
Music became his gateway into understanding Nepali identity.
The Cultural Impression
“You guys are expressive. Honest. You dance at parties. You sing. You talk openly.”
Compared to East Asian cultures — especially Chinese gatherings — he found Nepali people much more outward and emotionally available.
“In Chinese culture, we often hold back. We don’t share everything easily. Nepali people are more open. They make you feel like you belong, even if you’re a stranger.”
This wasn’t something he expected. But it’s something he values now.
Final Thought
“I can’t speak your language. But when you guys sing, dance, and talk — I can feel it. That’s real culture.”
He may not remember a single Nepali word.
But he remembers how it made him feel.