Nepal Classifieds Glossary
Plain-English explanations of terms you'll see when buying and selling in Nepal - from property documents to payment apps to vehicle checks.
Aana (Anna)
A land measurement unit used in the hill regions of Nepal. One aana equals one-sixteenth of a ropani, approximately 31.8 square metres. You will often see property listings in the Kathmandu Valley described in ropani and aana.
Bigha
A large land measurement unit used mainly in the Terai plains of Nepal. One bigha equals approximately 6,772 square metres (about 0.68 hectares). Farmland and large rural plots in districts like Chitwan, Bardiya, and Kanchanpur are typically listed in bigha.
Bluebook
The official vehicle registration document issued by the Department of Transport Management (DoTM) in Nepal. A valid, original Bluebook is required for every vehicle sale. It contains the registration number, engine number, chassis number, and owner history. Always verify the Bluebook before paying for any vehicle.
Boost / Bump
A paid feature on classifieds platforms that pushes your listing to the top of search results or category pages. On ListGarum, boosting a listing gives it a "Promoted" badge and increases visibility. A bump is a lighter version that refreshes the listing date so it appears as newly posted.
CC (Engine Capacity)
Cubic centimetres - the unit used to describe the engine displacement of vehicles. Higher CC generally means more power and higher fuel consumption. In Nepal, motorcycles are commonly listed by CC (100cc, 150cc, 200cc, 400cc+). Engine size affects road tax, insurance, and bluebook classification.
Connect IPS
An interbank payment system in Nepal operated by Nepal Clearing House Limited (NCHL). It allows direct bank-to-bank transfers between accounts at different Nepali banks without needing mobile wallets. Some sellers on ListGarum accept Connect IPS for higher-value transactions.
Dhur
A land measurement unit used primarily in the Terai region of Nepal. One dhur equals approximately 16.93 square metres. Plots in Terai cities like Birgunj, Biratnagar, and Janakpur are often described in dhur and kattha.
EMI (Equated Monthly Instalment)
A fixed monthly payment made to a bank or finance company to repay a loan. In Nepal, many vehicle and electronics buyers use EMI financing. When a listing mentions "EMI available", it typically means the seller has a finance partner who can arrange installment payments for the buyer.
eSewa
Nepal's leading digital wallet and payment platform, operated by F1Soft International. It is used to pay for goods, services, utilities, and online purchases across Nepal. ListGarum uses eSewa for all listing promotion payments. Most sellers on the platform accept eSewa transfers for in-person transactions.
Flat
Common term used in Nepal for an apartment - a self-contained residential unit within a larger building. Property listings in cities like Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Pokhara frequently use "flat" to describe studio, 1BHK, 2BHK, and 3BHK units for rent or sale.
IMEI
International Mobile Equipment Identity - a unique 15-digit number that identifies every mobile phone. On ListGarum electronics listings, you can ask the seller for the IMEI and verify it against the official DoT IMEI database to confirm the phone is not stolen, blocked, or an unauthorised import. Dial *#06# on any phone to display its IMEI.
Khalti
A digital payment wallet widely used in Nepal for everyday transactions, bill payments, and online purchases. It is operated by Khalti Digital Wallet Pvt. Ltd. and is the second-largest digital wallet in Nepal after eSewa. Khalti integration on ListGarum is coming in a future update.
Lalpurja
The official land ownership certificate issued by the Nepal government, formally called the Land Ownership Certificate (Jagga Dani Praman Patra). It is the most important document in any property transaction in Nepal. Always request the original Lalpurja and verify it with the local Land Revenue Office (Malpot) before making any property payment.
Natural Language Search
A search method that lets you describe what you want in plain words instead of using exact product names or filter dropdowns. On ListGarum, you can type something like "used Honda bike under 2 lakh in Pokhara" and the AI will extract the relevant filters and find matching listings automatically.
OTP (One-Time Password)
A temporary numeric code sent by SMS or email to verify your identity. In Nepal, OTPs are used by eSewa, Khalti, Connect IPS, and mobile banking apps to authorise transactions and logins. Never share an OTP with anyone - legitimate platforms and banks will never ask for it.
PWA (Progressive Web App)
A website that behaves like a native mobile app - it can be installed to your phone's home screen, works offline, and sends notifications. ListGarum is a PWA. You can install it on Android via Chrome's 'Add to Home Screen' option or on iPhone via Safari's Share menu. No app store download is needed.
Ropani
The primary land measurement unit used in the hill regions of Nepal, including the Kathmandu Valley. One ropani equals approximately 508.72 square metres (about 0.05 hectares). Most residential plots and houses in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur are priced and measured in ropani and aana.
Safe Meetup Location
A curated public meeting spot recommended on ListGarum listing pages to help buyers and sellers exchange goods safely. Locations include banks, shopping malls, police stations, and airports matched to the seller's city. Always choose a busy, well-lit public location for any in-person transaction - never meet a stranger at home.
Scam Detector
ListGarum's built-in AI tool that automatically scans every listing and message for signs of fraud. It looks for red flags like prices far below market value, advance payment requests, overseas seller scams, copied descriptions, and suspicious contact details. A warning banner appears if anything triggers the detector.
Tippani
A land survey and boundary document prepared by a government-licensed surveyor in Nepal. The Tippani maps the exact boundary lines of a property plot and is required alongside the Lalpurja in formal property transactions. Without a Tippani, land boundary disputes are common. Always request both documents when buying land.
Verified Badge
A trust marker awarded to sellers on ListGarum who have completed identity verification. Verified sellers have submitted valid identification that has been checked by the ListGarum team. Listings from verified sellers display a badge icon, signalling a higher level of accountability and trust.
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
A unique 17-character alphanumeric code stamped on every vehicle that identifies its make, model, year, engine, and country of manufacture. In Nepal, you can cross-check a VIN against the Bluebook entry to confirm the engine and chassis numbers match. Mismatches may indicate tampering or a stolen vehicle.
If you've come across a term on ListGarum or in Nepal's classifieds market that you'd like us to explain, send us a message and we'll add it to this guide.
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