Common Hindi Expressions for Everyday Use
Understanding and using common expressions can immensely enhance your fluency in Hindi. Whether you are traveling in India, speaking with friends, or immersing yourself in the language, having a repertoire of expressions at your fingertips makes conversations meaningful and enjoyable. Let’s explore some commonly used Hindi expressions that will be beneficial for everyday scenarios!
Greetings and Farewells
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नमस्ते (Namaste) – Hello
A universal greeting in Hindi, it's used throughout the day and in various contexts. -
कैसे हो? (Kaise ho?) – How are you? (informal)
Use this with friends or peers to ask them how they are doing. -
आप कैसे हैं? (Aap kaise hain?) – How are you? (formal)
This is a respectful way of asking someone about their well-being, typically used for elders or superiors. -
अलविदा (Alvida) – Goodbye
A formal way to bid farewell. -
फिर मिलेंगे (Phir milenge) – See you again
A friendly expression you can use when parting ways.
Expressions for Daily Interactions
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धन्यवाद (Dhanyavaad) – Thank you
A polite way to express gratitude. You can also say शुक्रिया (Shukriya) informally. -
कृपया (Kripya) – Please
A polite term used when making requests. -
मुझे मदद चाहिए (Mujhe madad chahiye) – I need help
Perfect for situations where you need assistance. -
मैं समझ गया हूँ (Main samajh gaya hoon) – I understand (for males)
मैं समझ गई हूँ (Main samajh gayi hoon) for females.
Use this to indicate that you’ve grasped the topic being discussed. -
मुझे नहीं पता (Mujhe nahi pata) – I don’t know
A straightforward expression when you’re unsure about something.
Asking for Information
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यह क्या है? (Yeh kya hai?) – What is this?
Useful for inquiring about objects or items. -
कहाँ है...? (Kahan hai...?) – Where is...?
E.g., कहाँ है पुस्तकालय? (Kahan hai pustakalay?) — Where is the library? -
कितना समय लगेगा? (Kitna samay lagega?) – How much time will it take?
A good expression to use when inquiring about duration. -
क्या आप मदद कर सकते हैं? (Kya aap madad kar sakte hain?) – Can you help? (formal)
Use this when you would like to ask someone for assistance politely. -
यहाँ से _____ कैसे जाऊँ? (Yahan se _____ kaise jaoon?) – How do I get to _____ from here?
Fill in the blank with your destination, such as बाजार (Bazaar) or हस्पताल (Hospital).
Ordering Food
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मेन्यू कृपया (Menu kripya) – Menu, please
A polite way to request the menu at restaurants. -
मैं…” (Main...) – I would like…
E.g., मैं चाय चाहूँगा (Main chai chahunga) for males or मैं चाय चाहूँगी (Main chai chahungi) for females when ordering tea. -
वह क्या है? (Wah kya hai?) – What is that?
A great expression to clarify dishes or items you’re unfamiliar with. -
यह बहुत अच्छा है (Yeh bahut accha hai) – This is very good
A compliment you can give to the chef or server about your meal. -
बिल कृपया (Bill kripya) – The bill, please
A common request when it's time to pay.
Expressing Likes and Dislikes
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मुझे पसंद है (Mujhe pasand hai) – I like
Use this to express your preferences, e.g., मुझे किताबें पसंद हैं (Mujhe kitabein pasand hain) — I like books. -
मुझे पसंद नहीं है (Mujhe pasand nahi hai) – I don’t like
Perfect for expressing your dislikes. -
यह अच्छा है (Yeh accha hai) – This is good
A favorable expression about something you enjoy. -
यह बुरा है (Yeh bura hai) – This is bad
Use this to express disappointment. -
मेरा मन नहीं है (Mera man nahi hai) – I don’t feel like it
A casual way to say you’re not interested in doing something.
Showing Emotions
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मैं खुश हूँ (Main khush hoon) – I am happy
Share your happiness with this simple expression. -
मैं उदास हूँ (Main udas hoon) – I am sad
Communicate your feelings when you’re feeling down. -
मैं थक गया हूँ (Main thak gaya hoon) – I am tired (for males)
मैं थक गई हूँ (Main thak gayi hoon) for females. -
मैं चिंतित हूँ (Main chintit hoon) – I am worried
Use this when expressing concern. -
मैं excited हूँ (Main excited hoon) – I am excited
An informal way to show your enthusiasm about something.
Making Requests
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क्या आप यह कर सकते हैं? (Kya aap yeh kar sakte hain?) – Can you do this?
A polite way to ask someone for a favor. -
मुझे एक मिनट दो (Mujhe ek minute do) – Give me a minute
Use this to ask for a little time. -
थोड़ा धीमा बोलिए (Thoda dheema boliye) – Please speak slowly
Useful for non-fluent speakers who need clarity. -
कृपया मेरी बात सुनिए (Kripya meri baat suniye) – Please listen to me
A polite way to ask for attention before sharing something important. -
क्या आप फिर से समझा सकते हैं? (Kya aap fir se samjha sakte hain?) – Can you explain it again?
Perfect for when you need further clarification.
Conclusion
Incorporating these common Hindi expressions into your daily conversations will not only boost your fluency but also help you connect with others on a more personal level. Remember, the key to mastering any language is practice and exposure. So, don’t hesitate to use these expressions confidently in your interactions! Whether at home, in the workplace, or while socializing, these phrases can enrich your experience with the Hindi language. Embrace the journey, and enjoy every conversation along the way!