Whether you’re traveling abroad or preparing for an interview, it’s helpful to have some common Hindi phrases in your arsenal. This list includes both informal and formal greetings, as well as words to use when describing family members.
The examples on this page have been programmatically compiled to illustrate current usage. Please send us feedback.
What do you mean by aap?
Aap is a common Hindi word that can have different meanings depending on the context in which it is used. The word can be a way of addressing someone, or it can be used to express that the person is feeling a particular emotion, such as sadness or joy. The word can also be a way of showing that the person is listening to something carefully.
The use of the pronoun aap varies by region, and it can be different from Hindi to Marathi to Tamil. In some cases, the use of aap can be interpreted as being disrespectful to people who are working-class or those who belong to marginalized castes. The controversy over the use of aap has led to debates over how a person should be addressed in Hindi.
In some cases, aap can be used as a form of affection, such as when a person is talking to their parents. It can also be used as a way of complimenting someone by saying aap bohot achha hai, which means that the person is very good.
Another way that aap can be used is to refer to someone younger than the speaker. This is often done when a person is addressing their child or sibling, but it can be used for anyone younger than the speaker.
What do you mean by dhnyvaad?
When learning Hindi, you will need to master the different pronouns that relate to a hierarchy in social standings. The most common and safe is ‘tu,’ which means you and can be used to address close friends and family members. The more formal ‘aap’ is reserved for equals and people entitled to respect on account of age or seniority.
The Hindi word for ‘hello’ is namaste, which literally translates to ‘bow to you’ (the ‘I’ of the speaker is left implicit). You might hear this used in religious settings, and it can also be used to greet someone famous, an elder, or a group of people. To say goodbye, a casual ‘bye’ is Alvida, and a more formal ‘goodbye’ is vital.
When saying thank you, the primary phrase is shukriyaa or dhanyavaad. If you want to emphasize this, you can add the adverb bahuT, which means very much.
It is important to remember that dhanyavaad is derived from Sanskrit and can feel a bit too formal. For this reason, many Hindi speakers prefer to use the more colloquial phrasings of Urdu, which are derived from Persian and Arabic. As such, if you want to express gratitude in the Hindi language, it is more practical to use Urdu phrases than Sanskrit ones. This is why, for example, the HindiPod101 teachers use sabka aapko and aapka bhi chhota hai rather than dhanyavaad.
What do you mean by shukriiyaa?
Gratitude is an essential value in Hindi culture. It promotes humility, appreciation, and a sense of interconnectedness between people. This is why the language has so many expressions of thanks. For example, the words SHukriyaa and DHanyavaaD both mean “thank you.” The former sounds more formal and may be used to address superiors or people of higher rank, while the latter is more colloquial and commonly heard in everyday conversations.
The word dhanyavaaD can also be used for small favors, such as handing someone their dictionary or holding open the door. However, this is not a casual way of saying thank you and should only be used with those who have earned your respect. It is also generally avoided with family and intimate friends, as it could be seen as impolite.
In general, it is a good idea to avoid using shukriiyaa with younger people or those you are not particularly close to. Instead, use the more polite namaste. For more informal goodbyes, you can say phir milenge (see you later) or alvida (goodbye).
If you are struggling to understand the Hindi language, it is a good idea to ask for help from a native speaker. Whether this is the concierge at your hotel, an Indian flight attendant, or a Superprof tutor, this will ensure that you pronounce the words correctly and have a better understanding of their meaning.
