Meaning
Walking down a steep path.
Cultural Background
In the mountains, 'uphill' and 'downhill' are the primary ways to give directions. People rarely say 'left' or 'right'; they say 'go up a bit' or 'go down a bit'. Many folk songs (Lok Dohori) use 'orālo' as a metaphor for the hardships of life or the inevitability of aging. When walking downhill with elders, it is polite to let them go first or offer a hand if the path is slippery, as 'orālo' is considered harder on the knees. In Nepali newspapers, 'ओरालो' is the standard headline word for a falling stock market (NEPSE).
Use it for Trends
If you want to sound like a native speaker when talking about a bad movie or a failing business, use 'ओरालो लाग्नु' or 'ओरालो झर्नु' instead of just saying 'bad'.
Knee Health
In Nepal, people often say 'ओरालोले घुँडा खान्छ' (Downhill eats the knees). Be careful using this phrase literally if you are with older people!
Meaning
Walking down a steep path.
Use it for Trends
If you want to sound like a native speaker when talking about a bad movie or a failing business, use 'ओरालो लाग्नु' or 'ओरालो झर्नु' instead of just saying 'bad'.
Knee Health
In Nepal, people often say 'ओरालोले घुँडा खान्छ' (Downhill eats the knees). Be careful using this phrase literally if you are with older people!
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'ओरालो झर्नु'.
हामी हिजो पहाडबाट ________।
Since the sentence mentions 'हिजो' (yesterday), we need the past tense plural form 'झर्यौं'.
Which sentence uses the phrase metaphorically?
Select the correct sentence:
This sentence describes a business decline, which is a figurative use.
Match the Nepali phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
Matches the core meanings of the directional phrases.
Complete the dialogue.
A: तिम्रो टोलीले खेल हार्यो नि? B: हो, हाम्रो प्रदर्शन ________।
Since the team lost, the performance must have declined.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesहामी हिजो पहाडबाट ________।
Since the sentence mentions 'हिजो' (yesterday), we need the past tense plural form 'झर्यौं'.
Select the correct sentence:
This sentence describes a business decline, which is a figurative use.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Matches the core meanings of the directional phrases.
A: तिम्रो टोलीले खेल हार्यो नि? B: हो, हाम्रो प्रदर्शन ________।
Since the team lost, the performance must have declined.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
2 questionsNo, for planes or buses, just use 'झर्नु' (jharnu). 'Orālo' specifically requires a slope.
It's not rude, but it is a direct observation of failure. It's better used in third-person discussions than directly to the person.
Related Phrases
उकालो लाग्नु
contrastTo go uphill / To progress
अधोगति
synonymDownfall / Degeneration
ओरालो लाग्नु
similarTo head downhill
