HINDIHindi is also one of the two official languages of government of India along with English and is considered to be the fifth most widely spoken language of the world.
The natives of India will appreciate your simplest attempts to speak their language.
While traveling around India it is necessary to know few basic phrases to be a little independent to perform your basic chores.
GREETING PEOPLE:
The first attempt to learn Hindi starts with greeting people. It is said that once you become friendly with the people, they automatically will come forward to help you feel at home.
| Welcome | Aapka swagat hai! |
| Good evening | Shubh sandhya |
| Good Morning | Suprabhaat |
| How are you? | Aap kaise hain? |
| Hello! | namaste/namaskaar ! |
| I'm fine, thanks! | Mein theek hoon, shukriya! |
| Good night! | Shubh raatri. |
| Good bye! | Alvida! |
INTRODUCING YOURSELF:
| My name is Gita/Mohan | mera naam gitaa/mohan hai |
| Where are you from? | Aap kahaan sey hain? |
| I am not an Indian. | Mai Hindustani nahiin hun |
| I am from France. | Mai france se hun |
| I am a journalist | Mai ek patrakar hun |
| I like listening to music | Mujhe sangeet sunanaa pasand hai |
| She is my sister | Yeh meri behen hai |
| Nice to meet you! | Aapsey milkar khushi hui! |
| India is a wonderful country | Bharat ek adbhut desh hai |
SOME BASIC PHRASES:
| Are you an Indian? | Kyaa aap Hindustani/bhaartiiya hain? |
| Do you know English? |
Kyaa aap ko angrezii aati hai? |
| Please wait a moment. | ek minat rukie |
| Please speak slowly | Kripaya dhire bolenge |
| I did’t understand | Main nahiin samjhin/samjhaa (f/m) |
| Repeat, please. | Phir se bolie. |
| What’s the price of this? | Iskaa daam kyaa hai? |
| Please write it down | likh diijie. |
| Are you ok? | kyaa aap Thiik hain? |
| Oh! That's good! | Yeh accha hai! |
| Yes | ji haan. |
| No | ji nahiin. |
| Ok/ it’s Ok. | thik hai. |
| Thank you (very much)! | Shukriyaa (Bahut dhanyavaad) |
| Sorry | Maff keejeeye |
| Excuse me ...! | Kshama keejeeae… |
A MEAL IN INDIA:
| A table for two people, please! | do logon ke liye jagah cahiye |
| Is there table service? | kya table service mil sakti hai |
| Show me the Menu. | Mujheh minu dikhaiyeh. |
| I want water | Mujay pani chaheeyay |
| Can I get a glass of water? |
Mujhe ek glass pani milega? |
| What is todays special dish? | Aj yahan bhojan me khaas kya hai? |
| I'm a vegetarian. | Mai shakahari hun |
| Can you make it with less oil/butter, please? | kum tail mey mil sakta hai |
| Did you have your lunch? | Kya tumne dopehar ka khana khaya ? |
| I am enjoying my meal. | Mai apne khaane kaa anand le rahaa hoon. |
| A beer/two beers, please | krupaya ek beer/do beers de |
| The bill please | Bill de dijiyeh |
| Water | Paani |
| Tea | Chai |
| Milk | Dudh |
| Egg | Anda |
| Fruit | Phal |
| Vegetables | Sabzi |
| Sugar | Chini |
| Butter | Makkhan |
| Rice | Chaaval |
| breakfast | Nashta |
| lunch | dopehar ka khāna |
| dinner | raat ka khana |
| chicken | murgi |
| meat | maans |
| cottage cheese | paneer |
| lentils | dal |
| vegetables | sabji |
| fruits | phal |
| rice | chaval |
| bread | roti, parantha.. |
| juice | ras |
| alcohol | sharab |
ASKING FOR HELP AND DIRECTIONS:
| I'm lost | Hum kho gaye hain |
| Can I help you? | Kya mein aapki madad kar sakta/ sakti (female) hoon? |
| Can you help me? | Kya aap meri madad kar saktey hain? |
| Go straight! then turn left/ right! | Seedhey jaaey! Phir bānyae/ dānyae mudiye |
| I'm looking for john. | Mein John ko dhoondh rahaa/ rahi (female) hoon |
| One moment please! | Ek minat… |
| Hold on please! (phone) | Ek minat… |
| How much is this costing? | Yeh kaisey diyaa? |
| Come with me! | Mere saath aaeeyé! |
| let's go | Challo |
| I want to rent a car | mujhe kar kiraye pe cahiye |
When traveling in an auto rickshaw in India you must be prepared to bargain. Start half the price that your driver has asked for. Keep in mind, that you should not pay more than 30 to 40 rupees for every 5 km which is a little over 3 miles.
Call the driver "bhaiyya" (brother)
| Brother, let's go to Main Bazaar | Bhaiyya, Main Bazaar chellogay |
| How much will you take? | Kitna logay? |
| That's very expensive! | Bahoot z'yada hai! |
| Say the right price! | Theek bhav boliye! |
| Do you know the way? | Kya apko rasta malum hai? |
Speaking in Hindi during your visit to India will make even more exciting and enjoyable. Also will help you avoid people taking for a ride. India is a amicable country and you will love being a part of it. Only take care about taking little efforts to learn basic phrases required to survive in India.
