50+ Basic Hindi Words and Phrases for Real Conversations

Learning Hindi opens doors to rich cultural experiences and meaningful connections across India. This practical guide gives you the exact words and phrases you need for real conversations.

Beyond Basic Greetings: Hindi Vocabulary That Matters

The journey to Hindi proficiency begins with mastering approximately 500-1,000 core words – the foundation for basic conversations with native speakers. But before reaching that milestone, you need a strategic selection of survival Hindi phrases.

This article focuses on the essential Hindi vocabulary required for navigating everyday situations, from finding your way in bustling markets to communicating effectively in emergencies. These carefully selected 50+ Hindi words and phrases represent the difference between feeling isolated and feeling connected in Hindi-speaking environments.

Most Common Hindi Words and Phrases for Everyday Communication

The most frequently used Hindi words include greetings like "Namaste" (hello) and expressions of gratitude such as "Dhanyavaad" (thank you). For beginners learning Hindi, these fundamental terms serve as building blocks for daily interactions and establishing rapport with Hindi speakers.

Critical Hindi Words and Phrases Every Beginner Must Know

These core Hindi words form your first communication bridge – helping you both understand and be understood by Hindi speakers. Consider this your essential Hindi vocabulary toolkit.

Hello: "नमस्ते" (Namaste)
Yes: "हाँ" (Haan)
No: "नहीं" (Nahin)
Please: "कृपया" (Kripya)
Thank you: "धन्यवाद" (Dhanyavaad)
Water: "पानी" (Paani)
Food: "खाना" (Khaana)
Stop: "रुको" (Ruko)
Sorry: "माफ़ कीजिये" (Maaf kijiye)
Good/Okay: "अच्छा" (Accha)
What is this?: "यह क्या है?" (Ye kya hai?)
Bad: "बुरा" (Burra)
Hot: "गरम" (Garam)
Cold: "ठंडा" (Thanda)
Big: "बड़ा" (Bada)
Small: "छोटा" (Chhota)
Name: "नाम" (Naam)
Excuse me: "क्षमा कीजिये" (Kshama kijiye)
Family: "परिवार" (Parivaar)
Spicy: "मसालेदार" (Masaaledaar)
Sweet: "मीठा" (Meetha)
Country: "देश" (Desh)
City: "शहर" (Shehar)
Come: "आओ" (Aao)
Go: "जाओ" (Jaao)
Language: "भाषा" (Bhaasha)
Tomorrow/Yesterday: "कल" (Kal)
Today: "आज" (Aaj)
Happy: "खुश" (Khush)
Sad: "उदास" (Udaas)
How much?: "कितना?" (Kitna?)
Let's go: "चलो" (Chalo)
Help: "मदद" (Madad)
Fast: "तेज़" (Tez)
Slow: "धीरे" (Dheere)
Phone: "फ़ोन" (Phone)
Bus: "बस" (Bus)
Ticket: "टिकट" (Ticket)
Hotel: "होटल" (Hotel)
Time: "समय" (Samay)
Mother: "माँ" (Maa)
Father: "पिता" (Pita)
Brother: "भाई" (Bhai)
Sister: "बहन" (Behn)
Quickly: "फटाफट" (Fatafat)
OK: "ठीक है" (Theek hai)
Road/Direction: "रास्ता" (Raasta)
Tea: "चाय" (Chai)
How are you?: "आप कैसे हैं?" (Aap kaise hain?)
Toilet: "शौचालय" (Shauchalay)
Difficult: "कठिन" (Kathin)
Easy: "आसान" (Aasaan)

Interestingly, Hindi has adopted some English words virtually unchanged – you might have noticed terms like "phone," "bus," "hotel," and "ticket" in the list above. This linguistic overlap provides convenient starting points for English speakers beginning their Hindi journey.

The Art of Asking Questions in Hindi: Structure and Practice

Questions drive language acquisition and cultural understanding. They're the gateway to meaningful conversations in Hindi.

The structure of Hindi questions offers a strategic advantage – mastering them early helps you grasp sentence structure, understand word order, and actively engage with native speakers. Here are the fundamental question words that will empower your Hindi conversations:

"क्या...?" (kya...?): The versatile "what" question starter Use this to inquire about anything from menu items to historical sites
"कौन" (kaun): The "who" question word Perfect for learning about people and their relationships
"कब" (kab): The essential "when" word Invaluable for arranging meetings or understanding event timing
"क्यों" (kyun): The crucial "why" question word Use this to understand motivations behind actions, decisions, or cultural practices
"कहाँ" (kahan): The indispensable "where" word Critical for navigation and finding locations

What makes Hindi questions particularly accessible is their consistent structure. Unlike English, where question formation often involves rearranging words, most Hindi questions simply place these question words at the beginning of sentences. This pattern makes them easier to formulate and recognize during rapid conversations.

The foundation of Hindi question-building relies on a simple formula: question word followed by "है" (hai), meaning "is." This creates complete questions like:

"कौन है?" (Kaun hai?): Who is it?
"कहाँ है?" (Kahan hai?): Where is it?
"क्या है?" (Kya hai?): What is it?

This question-making template allows you to construct countless queries with minimal vocabulary. By combining different nouns or phrases with this structure, you unlock a powerful communication tool for navigating Hindi-speaking environments.

Essential Hindi Phrases for Greetings and Social Interactions

Your greeting sets the tone for every interaction in Hindi culture. The right introduction demonstrates respect for cultural norms and often determines how others perceive you. Here's how to make a positive first impression:

"नमस्ते" (Namaste): This versatile greeting works for both hello and goodbye across formal and informal contexts. You'll encounter it everywhere from corporate offices to street markets.
"आप कैसे हैं?" (Aap kaise hain?): This formal "How are you?" is appropriate when addressing elders, strangers, or professionals. The "आप" (Aap) form shows respect.
"तुम कैसे हो?" (Tum kaise ho?): This informal "How are you?" suits conversations with friends, peers, and those younger than you. Among close friends, this often contracts to simply "कैसे हो?" (Kaise ho?)

Cultural Insight: To instantly elevate your politeness in Hindi, master the honorific "जी" (Ji). Adding this suffix after names or titles communicates respect and cultural awareness. Rather than just saying "हाँ" (Haan) for "yes," try "हाँ जी" (Haan ji) to sound more courteous and culturally attuned.

Self-Introduction in Hindi: Making Connections

Self-introductions build the foundation for meaningful relationships. Here are the phrases that help you introduce yourself effectively:

"मेरा नाम [Your Name] है" (Mera naam [Your Name] hai): "My name is [Your Name]"
"मैं [Your Country] से हूँ" (Main [Your Country] se hoon): "I am from [Your Country]"

Hindi's politeness levels add complexity to introductions because the language has multiple forms of "you" based on formality and relationship dynamics:

Formal settings: When meeting elders, authorities, or professional contacts, use the respectful "आप" (Aap)
Casual settings: With peers, friends, or in relaxed contexts, the informal "तुम" (Tum) is appropriate

Strategic Approach: When uncertain about which form to use, begin with the formal "आप" (Aap). This demonstrates respect, and you can always transition to more casual language if the other person indicates a less formal relationship is appropriate.

Time Expressions in Hindi: Navigating the Calendar

Hindi time expressions present unique challenges – particularly the dual-meaning word "कल" (kal), which remarkably translates to both "yesterday" AND "tomorrow" depending on context.

Time references in India often revolve around parts of the day rather than specific hours. Understanding these daily time markers is essential:

"अभी" (Abhi): Now – commonly used in phrases like "अभी जा रहा हूँ" (Abhi ja raha hoon) – "I'm going now"
"सुबह" (Subah): Morning – the first part of the day
"दोपहर" (Dopahar): Afternoon – midday period
"शाम" (Shaam): Evening – as the day winds down

The contextual word "कल" (kal) requires special attention. The verb tense provides the critical clue to determine whether it means "yesterday" or "tomorrow":

With past tense: "कल क्या हुआ?" (Kal kya hua?) means "What happened yesterday?"
With future tense: "कल क्या होगा?" (Kal kya hoga?) means "What will happen tomorrow?"

Days of the Week in Hindi

The Hindi calendar follows a consistent pattern with days ending in "-वार" (vaar), meaning "day":

"सोमवार" (Somvaar): Monday
"मंगलवार" (Mangalvaar): Tuesday
"बुधवार" (Budhvaar): Wednesday
"गुरुवार" (Guruvaar): Thursday
"शुक्रवार" (Shukravaar): Friday
"शनिवार" (Shanivaar): Saturday
"रविवार" (Ravivaar): Sunday

Hindi Phrases for Directions: Beyond Google Maps

Navigation in India relies more on landmarks than street names – a practical adaptation to rapidly changing urban landscapes. New construction appears overnight, roads close for festivals or demonstrations, and digital maps often fail to capture informal pathways that locals use daily.

These direction phrases will help you navigate efficiently:

"दायें" (Dayen): Right – Use "दायें मुड़िए" (Dayen mudiye) for "Turn right"
"बायें" (Bayen): Left – Use "बायें जाइए" (Bayen jaiye) for "Go left"
"सीधे" (Seedhe): Straight – Use "सीधे जाइए" (Seedhe jaiye) for "Go straight"

One of Hindi's most practical navigation techniques involves the suffix "वाला/वाली" (wala/wali), meaning "the one with/near." This construction allows you to reference landmarks even when formal addresses are unavailable:

For masculine nouns use "वाला" (wala): "बैंक वाला रास्ता" (Bank wala rasta) – "The road with the bank"
For feminine nouns use "वाली" (wali): "दुकान वाली गली" (Dukaan wali gali) – "The alley with the shop"

This landmark-based system often proves more reliable than specific addresses, especially in areas with rapid development or informal settlements.

Shopping and Bargaining with Hindi Phrases

In Indian marketplaces, negotiation isn't just permitted – it's an expected cultural practice. Master these phrases to shop confidently and secure fair prices:

Initial Bargaining Phrases:

"कितने का है?" (Kitne ka hai?): "How much is it?" – Your opening question
"बहुत ज़्यादा है" (Bahut zyada hai): "It's too expensive" – Signals your intention to negotiate
"थोड़ा कम कीजिए" (Thoda kam kijiye): "Please reduce it a bit" – A polite request for a better price

Advanced Negotiation Tactics:

"आखिरी भाव क्या है?" (Aakhiri bhaav kya hai?): "What's your final price?" – Moves toward closing the deal
"आधा कर दीजिए" (Aadha kar dijiye): "Make it half" – A bold but common request in Indian markets
"छोड़िए" (Chhodiye): "Let it be" or "I'll pass" – Often triggers the seller's best offer as you begin to walk away

Cultural Context: Bargaining in India combines practical economics with social interaction. The process builds rapport and demonstrates your cultural understanding. Starting with a counteroffer of 40-60% below the asking price is standard practice in tourist areas and local markets alike.

Hindi Words for Emergencies: When They Matter Most

Emergency situations require clear, immediate communication. Save these critical phrases both in Hindi script and Roman transliteration on your mobile device for quick reference:

General Emergency Terms:

"मदद" (Madad): Help – The universal request for assistance
"बचाओ" (Bachaoo): Save/Help – More urgent than "Madad," use for serious situations
"आग" (Aag): Fire – Say "आग लगी है" (Aag lagi hai) meaning "There's a fire!"
"चोर" (Chor): Thief – Shout "चोर चोर!" (Chor chor!) if something is stolen

Medical Emergency Phrases:

"दर्द" (Dard): Pain – Point to the affected area and say "यहाँ दर्द है" (Yahan dard hai) meaning "It hurts here"
"डॉक्टर" (Doctor): Doctor – Add "कहाँ है?" (Kahan hai?) to ask "Where is a doctor?"
"दवाई" (Dawai): Medicine – Essential at pharmacies
"एलर्जी" (Allergy): Similar to English, crucial for food allergies
"बीमार" (Beemar): Sick – Say "मैं बीमार हूँ" (Main beemar hoon) meaning "I'm sick"

Safety Tip: Program emergency contact numbers in your phone, including the all-India emergency number 112, which connects to police, fire, and medical services.

Hindi Numbers: The Counting System

The Hindi number system forms the foundation for transactions, time-telling, and countless daily interactions. Mastering basic numbers gives you immediate practical value:

0: "शून्य" (Shunya)
1: "एक" (Ek)
2: "दो" (Do)
3: "तीन" (Teen)
4: "चार" (Chaar)
5: "पाँच" (Paanch)
6: "छह" (Chhah)
7: "सात" (Saat)
8: "आठ" (Aath)
9: "नौ" (Nau)
10: "दस" (Das)

Higher numbers follow logical patterns, but memorizing these first ten unlocks numerous practical applications. For prices and quantities, you'll often hear numbers combined with "रुपये" (rupaye) for currency or specific counting words for different objects.

Food and Dining Vocabulary in Hindi

Indian cuisine's regional diversity means food vocabulary opens doors to cultural understanding. These essential food-related terms help you navigate dining situations:

"भूख" (Bhookh): Hunger – Say "मुझे भूख लगी है" (Mujhe bhookh lagi hai) for "I'm hungry"
"प्यास" (Pyaas): Thirst – Say "मुझे प्यास लगी है" (Mujhe pyaas lagi hai) for "I'm thirsty"
"शाकाहारी" (Shakahari): Vegetarian – Important in a country with numerous vegetarian options
"मांसाहारी" (Maansahari): Non-vegetarian – Helpful for specifying dietary preferences
"तीखा" (Teekha): Spicy/hot – Essential for adjusting spice levels
"बिल" (Bill): Check/bill – Use "बिल लाइए" (Bill laiye) for "Bring the bill, please"

Dining Etiquette Phrases:

"बहुत स्वादिष्ट है" (Bahut swaadisht hai): "It's very delicious" – A welcome compliment
"और थोड़ा" (Aur thoda): "A little more" – For second helpings
"बस" (Bas): "Enough" – When you're full

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Speaking Hindi

Understanding potential pitfalls helps streamline your Hindi learning journey:

Pronunciation Challenges: Hindi contains sounds not found in English, particularly retroflex consonants (त, ट, द, ड) which require placing the tongue further back than in English.
Gender Confusion: Hindi assigns gender to all nouns (masculine or feminine), affecting adjectives and verb forms. For beginners, listen for patterns in endings – masculine words often end in "-a" while feminine words frequently end in "-i".
Formal/Informal Mix-ups: Using the wrong level of formality (mixing up तुम/आप) can create awkward social situations. When in doubt, err on the side of formality.
Word Order Misunderstandings: Hindi typically follows Subject-Object-Verb structure, unlike English's Subject-Verb-Object order. Compare "मैं हिंदी सीखता हूँ" (Main Hindi seekhta hoon) meaning "I Hindi learn" in direct translation.
Honorific Omissions: Skipping respectful terms like "जी" (Ji) after names can appear impolite in formal contexts.

Building Language Confidence: Next Steps in Your Hindi Journey

The journey to Hindi proficiency doesn't end with these phrases – it begins with them. As you grow more comfortable with these fundamentals, consider these progressive steps:

Expand Your Vocabulary: Focus on terminology relevant to your specific interests or travel needs – whether that's business Hindi, medical terms, or vocabulary for artistic pursuits.
Practice With Native Speakers: Regular conversation with Hindi speakers accelerates learning exponentially – consider language exchange programs or finding a conversation partner.
Immerse Through Media: Hindi films (Bollywood), music, podcasts, and news programs provide authentic language exposure that textbooks cannot replicate.
Study Sentence Patterns: Once you've established basic vocabulary, identifying common sentence structures allows you to generate countless new expressions.
Consider Structured Learning: Whether through online courses, private tutoring, or group classes, structured learning provides systematic progress through Hindi's complexities.

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