American vs. British English Vocabulary Differences (with Example Sentences in English & Nepali)

American vs. British English Vocabulary Differences (with Example Sentences in English & Nepali)

1. Food & Drink

American	British	Meaning (Nepali)
Eggplant	Aubergine	भन्टा (Bhanta)
Zucchini	Courgette	हरियो कुमारी (Hariyo Kumari)
Cilantro	Coriander	धनियाँ (Dhaniya)
Cookie	Biscuit	बिस्कुट (Biskut)
Candy	Sweets	चकलेट/मिठाई (Chaklet/Mithai)
French Fries	Chips	चिप्स (Chips)
Potato Chips	Crisps	पातलो चिप्स (Patlo Chips)
Trunk (of a car)	Boot	गाडीको डिक्की (Gadi ko Dicky)

Sentences:

English: I put the eggplant (US) / aubergine (UK) in the fridge.

Nepali: मैले भन्टा फ्रिजमा राखेँ। (Maile bhanta fridge ma rakhe.)

English: She bought some candy (US) / sweets (UK) for the children.

Nepali: उनले बच्चाहरूको लागि चकलेट किनिन्। (Unle bachchaharuko lagi chaklet kinin.)

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2. Clothing

American	British	Meaning (Nepali)
Sneakers	Trainers	जुत्ता (Jutta)
Pants	Trousers	पाइन्ट (Paint)
Undershirt	Vest	भित्री कमिज (Bhitori Kamij)
Vest	Waistcoat	बिनाकोट (Binakot)
Diaper	Nappy	डायपर (Diaper)
Tuxedo	Dinner Jacket	टक्सिडो (Tuxedo)

Sentences:

English: I need new sneakers (US) / trainers (UK) for the gym.

Nepali: जिमको लागि मलाई नयाँ जुत्ता चाहियो। (Jimko lagi malai naya jutta chahiyo.)

English: He wore a vest (US) / waistcoat (UK) to the wedding.

Nepali: उनले विवाहमा बिनाकोट लगाएका थिए। (Unle biwaha ma binakot lagayeka thie.)

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3. Transportation

American	British	Meaning (Nepali)
Gasoline	Petrol	पेट्रोल (Petrol)
Hood (of a car)	Bonnet	हुड (Hood)
Windshield	Windscreen	अगाडिको शीशा (Agadiko Shisha)
Sidewalk	Pavement	फुटपाथ (Footpath)
Subway	Underground/Tube	मेट्रो (Metro)
Truck	Lorry	ट्रक (Truck)

Sentences:

English: We need to stop for gas (US) / petrol (UK).

Nepali: हामीले पेट्रोल हाल्न रोक्नु पर्छ। (Hamile petrol halna roknu parcha.)

English: Walk on the sidewalk (US) / pavement (UK) to be safe.

Nepali: सुरक्षित हुन फुटपाथ मा हिड्नुहोस्। (Surakshit hun footpath ma hidnuhos.)

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4. Housing & Household

American	British	Meaning (Nepali)
Apartment	Flat	अपार्टमेन्ट (Apartment)
Elevator	Lift	लिफ्ट (Lift)
Garbage/Trash	Rubbish	फोहोर (Fohor)
Faucet	Tap	धारा (Dhara)
Closet	Wardrobe	अलमारी (Almari)
Yard	Garden	आँगन (Aangan)

Sentences:

English: We live on the third floor, so we use the elevator (US) / lift (UK).

Nepali: हामी तेस्रो तलामा बस्छौं, त्यसैले हामी लिफ्ट प्रयोग गर्छौं। (Hami tesro talama baschau, tyasaile hami lift prayog garchau.)

English: Please throw the garbage (US) / rubbish (UK) outside.

Nepali: कृपया फोहोर बाहिर फाल्नुहोस्। (Kripaya fohor bahir falnuhos.)

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5. School & Work

American	British	Meaning (Nepali)
Vacation	Holiday	छुट्टी (Chutti)
Grade	Mark	अंक (Ank)
Lawyer	Solicitor/Barrister	वकील (Wakil)
Theater	Theatre	नाटकघर (Natak Ghar)
Fall (season)	Autumn	शरद ऋतु (Sharad Ritu)
Line (queue)	Queue	लाइन (Line)

Sentences:

English: I got a good grade (US) / mark (UK) on my exam.

Nepali: मैले परीक्षामा राम्रो अंक पाएँ। (Maile parikshyama ramro ank paye.)

English: We are going on vacation (US) / holiday (UK) next week.

Nepali: हामी अर्को हप्ता छुट्टी मा जाँदैछौं। (Hami arko hapta chutti ma jadai chau.)

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6. Common Everyday Words

American	British	Meaning (Nepali)
Elevator	Lift	लिफ्ट (Lift)
Flashlight	Torch	टर्च (Torch)
Cell phone	Mobile phone	मोबाइल (Mobile)
Mail	Post	हुलाक/पत्र (Hulak/Patra)
Stove	Cooker	चुलो (Chulo)
Soccer	Football	फुटबल (Football)

Sentences:

English: Use the flashlight (US) / torch (UK) to see in the dark.

Nepali: अँध्यारोमा हेर्न टर्च प्रयोग गर्नुहोस्। (Andhyaroma herna torch prayog garnuhos.)

English: I will send you the letter by mail (US) / post (UK).

Nepali: म तिमीलाई हुलाक द्वारा पत्र पठाउँछु। (Ma timilai hulak dwara patra pathauchu.)

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7. Spelling Differences (Important!)

American	British	Meaning (Nepali)
Color	Colour	रंग (Rang)
Favorite	Favourite	मनपर्ने (Manparne)
Center	Centre	केन्द्र (Kendra)
Theater	Theatre	नाटकघर (Natak Ghar)
Traveled	Travelled	यात्रा गरेको (Yatra gareko)
Realize	Realise	महसुस गर्नु (Mahasus garnu)

Sentences:

English: My favorite color (US) / My favourite colour (UK) is blue.

Nepali: मेरो मनपर्ने रंग निलो हो। (Mero manparne rang nilo ho.)

English: The center (US) / centre (UK) of the city is busy.

Nepali: सहरको केन्द्र व्यस्त छ। (Sahar ko kendra vyasta cha.)

A. Food & Cooking (15 more)

#	American	British	Meaning (Nepali)
1	Broil	Grill	आगोमा पकाउनु (Aago ma pakaunu)
2	Broiler	Grill	पकाउने चुलो (Pakaune chulo)
3	Corn	Maize	मकै (Makai)
4	Dessert	Pudding	मिठाई (Mithai)
5	Entrée	Starter/Main course	मुख्य खाना (Mukhya Khana)
6	Ground beef	Minced beef	कीमा (Keema)
7	Jelly	Jam	जाम/मुरब्बा (Jam/Murabba)
8	Napkin	Serviette	पोंछा (Poncha)
9	Pickle	Gherkin	अचार (Achar)
10	Scallions	Spring onions	प्याज (Pyaj)
11	Shrimp	Prawns	झिङ्गे माछा (Jhinge Machha)
12	Takeout	Takeaway	प्याकेट खाना (Packet Khana)
13	Check (bill)	Bill	बिल (Bill)
14	Silverware	Cutlery	काँटा/चम्चा (Kanta/Chamcha)
15	Cotton candy	Candy floss	चिनीको कपास (Chiniko Kapas)

Sentences:

Eng: Please broil (US) / grill (UK) the chicken.

Nep: कृपया कुखुराको मासु आगोमा पकाउनुहोस्। (Kripaya kukhurako masu aago ma pakaunuhos.)

Eng: Let's get takeout (US) / takeaway (UK) tonight.

Nep: आज राति प्याकेट खाना लिऔं। (Aja rati packet khana liau.)

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B. Clothing & Accessories (10 more)

#	American	British	Meaning (Nepali)
16	Bangs	Fringe	अगाडिको कपाल (Agadiko Kapal)
17	Purse	Handbag	ह्यान्डब्याग (Handbag)
18	Sweater	Jumper	स्वेटर (Sweater)
19	Tuxedo	Dinner suit	टक्सिडो (Tuxedo)
20	Zipper	Zip	जिप (Zip)
21	Raincoat	Mackintosh	वर्षाकोट (Barshakot)
22	Overalls	Dungarees	ज्याकेट/सलवार (Jacket/Salwar)
23	Panties	Knickers	चोलो (Cholo)
24	Sneakers	Plimsolls	जुत्ता (Jutta)
25	Suspenders	Braces	पेटी (Peti)

Sentences:

Eng: She cut her bangs (US) / fringe (UK) short.

Nep: उनले आफ्नो अगाडिको कपाल छोटो काटिन्। (Unle aafno agadiko kapal choto katin.)

Eng: Put your money in your purse (US) / handbag (UK).

Nep: आफ्नो पैसा ह्यान्डब्याग मा राख्नुहोस्। (Aafno paisa handbag ma rakhnuhos.)

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C. House & Furniture (15 more)

#	American	British	Meaning (Nepali)
26	Apartment	Flat	कोठा (Kotha)
27	Drapes	Curtains	पर्दा (Parda)
28	Drugstore	Chemist	औषधि पसल (Aushadhi Pasal)
29	First floor	Ground floor	तला (Tala)
30	Second floor	First floor	पहिलो तला (Pahilo Tala)
31	Living room	Lounge/Sitting room	बैठक कोठा (Baithak Kotha)
32	Porch	Veranda	बरन्डा (Baranda)
33	Couch	Sofa	सोफा (Sofa)
34	Refrigerator	Fridge	फ्रिज (Fridge)
35	Trash can	Bin	फोहोरको भाँडो (Fohorko Bhado)
36	Closet	Cupboard	अलमारी (Almari)
37	Baby carriage	Pram	बच्चा गाडा (Bachcha Gada)
38	Diaper	Nappy	डायपर (Diaper)
39	Flashlight	Torch	टर्च (Torch)
40	Mailbox	Post box	हुलाक बाकस (Hulak Bakas)

Sentences:

Eng: Go to the drugstore (US) / chemist (UK) for medicine.

Nep: औषधिको लागि औषधि पसल जानुहोस्। (Aushadhiko lagi aushadhi pasal januhos.)

Eng: The trash can (US) / bin (UK) is full.

Nep: फोहोरको भाँडो भरियो। (Fohorko bhado bhariyo.)

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D. Transportation & Travel (15 more)

#	American	British	Meaning (Nepali)
41	Parking lot	Car park	पार्किङ (Parking)
42	Traffic circle	Roundabout	गोल चक्कर (Gol Chakkar)
43	Gas station	Petrol station	पेट्रोल पम्प (Petrol Pump)
44	One-way	Single (ticket)	एकतर्फी (Ekatrafi)
45	Round-trip	Return (ticket)	दुईतर्फी (Duetrafi)
46	Freight car	Wagon	मालवाहक गाडी (Malwahak Gadi)
47	Cab	Taxi	ट्याक्सी (Taxi)
48	Crosswalk	Zebra crossing	पैदल मार्ग (Paidal Marg)
49	Dead end	Cul-de-sac	बन्द बाटो (Band Bato)
50	Turn signal	Indicator	संकेत (Sanket)
51	Windshield	Windscreen	अगाडिको शीशा (Agadiko Shisha)
52	Truck	Lorry	ट्रक (Truck)
53	Subway	Tube/Underground	मेट्रो (Metro)
54	Gas pedal	Accelerator	ग्यास पेडल (Gas Pedal)
55	Sedan	Saloon (car)	सानो कार (Sano Car)

Sentences:

Eng: The parking lot (US) / car park (UK) is over there.

Nep: पार्किङ त्यहाँ छ। (Parking tyaha cha.)

Eng: I bought a round-trip (US) / return (UK) ticket.

Nep: मैले दुईतर्फी टिकट किनें। (Maile duetrafi ticket kinen.)

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E. School & Education (10 more)

#	American	British	Meaning (Nepali)
56	Math	Maths	गणित (Ganit)
57	Semester	Term	सेमेस्टर (Semester)
58	Vacation	Holiday	छुट्टी (Chutti)
59	Public school	State school	सरकारी विद्यालय (Sarkari Bidyalaya)
60	Private school	Public school	निजी विद्यालय (Niji Bidyalaya)
61	Quiz	Test	परीक्षा (Pariksha)
62	Campus	Grounds	क्याम्पस (Campus)
63	Teacher's aide	Teaching assistant	सहायक शिक्षक (Sahayak Shikshak)
64	Kindergarten	Nursery school	बालवाटिका (Balwatika)
65	Résumé	CV (Curriculum Vitae)	जीवनवृत्त (Jeevanbritta)

Sentences:

Eng: I have a math (US) / maths (UK) exam tomorrow.

Nep: भोलि मेरो गणित को परीक्षा छ। (Bholi mero ganit ko pariksha cha.)

Eng: Send your résumé (US) / CV (UK) to the company.

Nep: आफ्नो जीवनवृत्त कम्पनीमा पठाउनुहोस्। (Aafno jeevanbritta company ma pathaunuhos.)

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F. Work & Business (10 more)

#	American	British	Meaning (Nepali)
66	Firing	Sacking	निकाल्नु (Nikalnu)
67	Quit	Resign	राजीनामा दिनु (Rajinama dinu)
68	Overtime	Overwork	अतिरिक्त समय (Atirikta Samaya)
69	Paycheck	Wage/Salary	तलब (Talab)
70	Vacation time	Leave	बिदा (Bida)
71	Mail	Post	हुलाक (Hulak)
72	Stock	Shares	सेयर (Share)
73	CEO	Managing Director	प्रमुख कार्यकारी (Pramukh Karyakari)
74	Sick leave	Sick pay	बिरामी बिदा (Birami Bida)
75	Labor union	Trade union	मजदुर संघ (Majdur Sangh)

Sentences:

Eng: He got fired (US) / sacked (UK) from his job.

Nep: उनलाई कामबाट निकालियो। (Unlai kambata nikaliyo.)

Eng: I need vacation time (US) / leave (UK) next month.

Nep: मलाई अर्को महिना बिदा चाहियो। (Malai arko mahina bida chahiyo.)

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G. Common Everyday Actions (15 more)

#	American	British	Meaning (Nepali)
76	Take a shower	Have a shower	नुहाउनु (Nuhunu)
77	Wash up	Wash your hands	हात धुनु (Hat Dhunu)
78	Take out (trash)	Put out (rubbish)	फोहोर बाहिर निकाल्नु (Fohor Bahir Nikalnu)
79	Call someone	Ring someone	फोन गर्नु (Phone Garnu)
80	Visit with	Chat with	कुरा गर्नु (Kura Garnu)
81	Wait in line	Queue up	लाइनमा पर्खनु (Linma Parkhanu)
82	Make a reservation	Book a table	आरक्षण गर्नु (Aarakshan Garnu)
83	Ride the bus	Take the bus	बस चढ्नु (Bus Chadnu)
84	Take a picture	Take a photo	फोटो खिच्नु (Photo Khichnu)
85	Go on vacation	Go on holiday	छुट्टीमा जानु (Chuttima Janu)
86	Fill out a form	Fill in a form	फारम भर्नु (Form Bharnu)
87	Meet with	Meet	भेट्नु (Bhetnu)
88	Write to someone	Write someone	पत्र लेख्नु (Patra Lekhnu)
89	Visit with	Stay with	बस्नु (Basnu)
90	Help out	Help	मद्दत गर्नु (Maddat Garnu)

Sentences:

Eng: I need to take a shower (US) / have a shower (UK).

Nep: मलाई नुहाउनु छ। (Malai nuhunu cha.)

Eng: Please wait in line (US) / queue up (UK).

Nep: कृपया लाइनमा पर्खनुहोस्। (Kripaya linma parkhanuhos.)

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H. Miscellaneous / Fun Words (10 more)

#	American	British	Meaning (Nepali)
91	Elevator	Lift	लिफ्ट (Lift)
92	Attorney	Barrister/Solicitor	वकील (Wakil)
93	Cop	Bobby	प्रहरी (Prahari)
94	Excited	Pleased	उत्साहित (Utsahit)
95	Maybe	Perhaps	हुनसक्छ (Hunasakcha)
96	Smart	Clever	बुद्धिमान (Buddhiman)
97	Crazy	Mad	पागल (Pagal)
98	Fall	Autumn	शरद ऋतु (Sharad Ritu)
99	Movie	Film	चलचित्र (Chalachitra)
100	Station wagon	Estate car	लामो कार (Lamo Car)

Sentences:

Eng: The cop (US) / bobby (UK) is standing there.

Nep: प्रहरी त्यहाँ उभिएको छ। (Prahari tyaha ubhiyeko cha.)

Eng: Let's watch a movie (US) / film (UK) tonight.

Nep: आज राति चलचित्र हेरौं। (Aja rati chalachitra heraun.)

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I. Spelling Differences (Bonus 10 more)

#	American	British	Meaning (Nepali)
101	Organize	Organise	व्यवस्थित गर्नु (Byavasthit Garnu)
102	Apologize	Apologise	माफी माग्नु (Mafi Magnu)
103	Analyze	Analyse	विश्लेषण गर्नु (Bishleshan Garnu)
104	Catalog	Catalogue	सूची (Suchi)
105	Dialog	Dialogue	संवाद (Samvad)
106	Traveler	Traveller	यात्री (Yatri)
107	Marvelous	Marvellous	अद्भुत (Adbhut)
108	Fulfill	Fulfil	पूरा गर्नु (Pura Garnu)
109	Instalment	Installment	किस्ता (Kista)
110	Aging	Ageing	बूढो हुँदै (Budho Hudai)

Sentences:

Eng: I need to organize (US) / organise (UK) my desk.

Nep: मलाई मेरो डेस्क व्यवस्थित गर्नुपर्छ। (Malai mero desk byavasthit garnuparcha.)

Eng: That was a marvelous (US) / marvellous (UK) performance!

Nep: त्यो अद्भुत प्रस्तुति थियो! (Tyo adbhut prastuti thiyo!)

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Final Summary Dialogue Example

American:

"Hey, I need to fill out this form. Can we take the subway to the drugstore? I also want to get takeout. Let's wait in line and then have dessert. My apartment is on the second floor."

British:

"Hey, I need to fill in this form. Can we take the tube to the chemist? I also want to get a takeaway. Let's queue up and then have pudding. My flat is on the first floor."

Nepali:

"हे, मलाई यो फारम भर्नु छ। के हामी मेट्रो लिएर औषधि पसल जान सक्छौं? म प्याकेट खाना पनि लिन चाहन्छु। लाइनमा पर्खौं र अनि मिठाई खाऔं। मेरो कोठा पहिलो तलामा छ।"