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A photo of Mumbai India by A.Savin –

10 Very useful Phrases you should know before traveling to India

Languages spoken in India belong to several language families, the major ones being the Indo-European languages spoken by 78.05% of Indians and the Dravidian languages spoken by 19.64% of Indians.

Languages spoken by the remaining 2.31% of the population belong to the Austroasiatic, Sino鈥揟ibetan, Tai鈥揔adai, and a few other minor language families and isolates. India has the world’s fourth highest number of languages with 447 languages. Nigeria has 524, Indonesia has 710, and Papua New Guinea has 840 languages.

Article 343 of the Constitution of India stated that the official language of the Union is Hindi in Devanagari script, with the official use of English to continue for 15 years from 1947.

Later, a constitutional amendment, The Official Languages Act, 1963, allowed for the continuation of English alongside Hindi in the Indian government indefinitely until legislation decides to change it.

Learning Hindi phrases lets you gain an insight into Hindi linguistics and culture. If you only focus on the most common Hindi words and phrases you can speak the majority of everyday Hindi easily. Learning Hindi is never hard It only requires you to stay focused.

Do you have a scheduled visit to India? Our page got you and we are ready to help you with the basic Hindi phrases. Your only needed effort is mastery of content and being positive. In the article are ten very useful Phrases you should know before traveling to India.

1. Do you speak English? 

A phot of an Indian-style dressed woman by Ivan Radic –

Do you speak English? in Hindi is kya aap angrezee bolate hain. For proper etiquette, ask in the language of the country hosting this conversation as it occurs. It may be helpful if you ask in Hindi if the setting of the conversation is in India.

Therefore you will say, Kya aap angrezee bolate hain ( Do you speak English?) By using a foreign language to know if they speak English, a good rapport is expected to be established between two people.

2. I don鈥檛 understand

A photo of Varanasi India by Ken Wieland

I don’t understand in is Hindi mujhe samajh nahin aaya. You can say 鈥淚 don’t understand鈥� when someone tries to explain a process to you, or when you’re commenting on a situation.

So, that’s why we thought that the Hindi Phrase mujhe samajh nahi aaya would best fit the occasion because, as a tourist in India there are many things you’ll encounter and you’ll need an explanation.

Some things will be hard for you to comprehend. You’ll need an explanation over and over. So, you’ll just say excuse me (mujhe maaf keejie) and then say mujhe samajh nahin aaya ( I don’t understand).

3. The day after tomorrow

The day after tomorrow is the second day which counts from the present day ie two days from now. In Hindi, the day after tomorrow is parso. Both the native citizen of India and a foreign citizen can use parso in their conversation either in statements or answering questions.

4. What is your name?

Madurai Jallikatu photo by Sundaram Perumal –

What is your name? in Hindu it means aapka naam kya hai? We use the word kya (what) to show we didn’t hear, or we don’t know the name of people we will come around in India. The person who is asked his name will say mera naam _____ hai (My name is _____ ).

A person鈥檚 name is the greatest connection to their own identity and individuality. Some might say it is the most important word in the world to a person. It is a sign of courtesy and a way of recognizing people.

When someone remembers our name after meeting us, we feel respected and more important. So don’t forget to ask the names of people you come around in India. You just get to say, “Aapka naam kya hai? (What is your name?)”

5. I am pleased to meet you

When you meet people in India you greet them by saying, “Namaste鈥� (I greet the divine within you). Then you ask for the name by saying, “Aapka naam kya hai? (What is your name?)”

After you know each other’s names you have to acknowledge them by saying, “Aap s茅 milkar khushee hooee.” Aap s茅 milkar khushee hooee in Hindu means I am pleased to meet you.

6. Where are you from?

A photo of Chennai, India by Honi Banni –

It is common for natives to ask from your country and city of Origin. Where are you from? in Hindi means aap kahan se hain? So, don’t have the feeling of microaggression because you were asked where you are from. Your host is likely to familiarize yourself with you but not isolate you.

7. I am from _city_ and _country

Every Hindi question Phrase has a corresponding Hindi answer Phrase. Where are you from? (aap kahan se hain?), is a question posed to tourists in India. The answer to where are you from is I am from_city_and_country. I m from_city_and _country means main _______ and ____ se hoon.

8. I want to make a phone call

A photo of Pune, India by

I want to make a phone call in Hindi means main phone karan chahta hoon. You can say this to an Indian native so that he or she excuses you to make a phone call If, the phone call must be confidential or is not related to your tourist activity while in India.

9. Today is a good day

A good day can be seen in the morning. However, am not trying to justify the validity of the Proverb. Today is a good day in Hindi means aaj acha din hai. You can say this phrase while on tour in India if everything is just so special and you are enjoying the moment to the fullest.

10. See you again 

Kolkata, India photo by Indrajit Das –

At last, your visit to India is completed successfully. It is time to depart to your country after having good moments in India. See you again in Hindi it means phir milenge.

The phrase can be used both by the host and the tourist. We say see you again with the hope to see the person next time. It is more of a Goodbye (alavida).

As you can see, learning Hindi is not a typically hard thing to do. Just a positive attitude that will reciprocate your interest in learning Hindi to become a pro in speaking Hindi fluently. At least, our page has provided well-analyzed ten very useful Phrases you should know before you visit India.