Hindi made easy: 50+ must-know basic Hindi words and phrases https://preply.
com/en/blog/basic-hindi-words/
Hindi made easy: 50+ must-know basic Hindi
words and phrases
Brinda Gulati
Your journey to Hindi fluency begins with mastering 500-1,000 core words – enough to start
having basic conversations with native speakers. But before you get there, let’s focus on
survival Hindi!
In this article, you’ll find the key words and phrases you need to know to survive in daily
situations, from finding your way around town to asking for help in emergencies. In Hindi-
speaking environments, knowing these 50+ carefully chosen words and phrases could mean the
difference between feeling lost and feeling confident.
What are the most common Hindi words and phrases?
Common Hindi words and phrases include greetings like ‘Namaste’ for hello and ‘Dhanyavaad’
for thank you. These basic terms are essential for beginners learning Hindi and help in everyday
communication.
Understanding key Hindi words and phrases for
beginners
These basic Hindi words are your first step toward understanding – and being understood – by
Hindi speakers. (Plus, we’ve hidden four “Easter eggs” in the table – basic Hindi words that are
exactly the same in English!)
Keep this table handy! You’ll find yourself using it more often than you expect.
English translation Hindi word or phrase Pronunciation
Hello “नम�े” Namaste
Yes “हाँ ” Haan
No “नहीं” Nahin
Please “कृपया” Kripya
Thank you “ध�वाद” Dhanyavaad
Water “पानी” Paani
Food “खाना” Khaana
Stop “�को” Ruko
Sorry “माफ़ कीिजये” Maaf kijiye
Good/Okay “अ�ा” Accha
What is this? “यह �ा है ?” Ye kya hai?
Bad “बुरा” Burra
Hot “गरम” Garam
Cold “ठं डा” Thanda
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Hindi made easy: 50+ must-know basic Hindi words and phrases https://preply.com/en/blog/basic-hindi-words/
Big “बड़ा” Bada
Small “छोटा” Chhota
Name “नाम” Naam
Excuse me “�मा कीिजये” Kshama kijiye
Family “प�रवार” Parivaar
Spicy “मसालेदार” Masaaledaar
Sweet “मीठा” Meetha
Country “दे श” 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? “िकतना?” Kitna?
Let’s go “चलो” Chalo
Help “मदद” Madad
Fast “तेज़” Tez
Slow “धीरे ” Dheere
Phone “फ़ोन” Phone
Bus “बस” Bus
Ticket “िटकट” Ticket
Hotel “होटल” Hotel
Time “समय” Samay
Mother “मां ” Maa
Father “िपता” Pita
Brother “भाई” Bhai
Sister “बहन” Behn
Quickly “फटाफट” Fatafat
OK “िठक है ” Theek hai
Road/Direction “रा�ा” Raasta
Tea “चाय” Chai
How are you? “आप कैसे ह� ?” Aap kaise hain?
Toilet “शौचालय” Shauchalay
Difficult “किठन” Kathin
Easy “आसान” Aasaan
Asking basic questions in Hindi (+ pronunciation)
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Hindi made easy: 50+ must-know basic Hindi words and phrases https://preply.com/en/blog/basic-hindi-words/
Curiosity is the key to learning and speaking Hindi, just like any other language.
We’re kicking off with question words because they help you better understand sentence
structure, grasp word order, and actively engage with the language.
Start with these essential question phrases:
• “�ा…?” (kya…?): The universal question starter, meaning “what” (use this to ask about
anything from the name of a dish to the price of a souvenir!)
• “कौन” (kaun): The “who” question word (perfect for finding out more about people)
• “कब” (kab): Use this “when” word for all things time-related (perfect for social plans)
• “�ों” (kyun): The “why” question word (use this to understand the reasons behind
actions, decisions, or cultural practices)
• कहाँ” (kahan): Your go-to “where” word for directions (an important one to help you get
around the local places!)
Most Hindi questions place these words at the beginning of sentences, making them easier to
catch in fast-flowing conversations.
But these question words are just your starting point. Combine them with “है ” (is) –
pronounced “hai” to form complete questions, like this:
• “कौन है ?” (Kaun hai?): Who is it?
• “कहाँ है ?” (Kahan hai?): Where is it?
• “�ा है ?” (Kya hai?): What is it?
Once you know this formula – question word followed by “है ” (hai) – you can start
asking all sorts of basic questions in Hindi. Treat this like your question-making template
for Hindi.
Basic Hindi phrases for greetings and social etiquette
The way you greet someone in Hindi often sets the tone for the entire interaction. Here’s how to
make a great first impression:
• “नम�े” (Namaste): This universal greeting works for both hello and goodbye in formal
or informal situations – you’ll hear this everywhere, from shops to temples
• “आप कैसे ह� ?” (Aap kaise hain?): Formal “How are you?” – used with elders, strangers,
or professionals
• “तुम कैसे हो?” (Tum kaise ho?): Informal “How are you?” for friends and peers – often
shortened to just “कैसे हो?” (Kaise ho?)
How to introduce yourself in Hindi
Here are some basic self-introduction phrases:
• “मेरा नाम [Your Name] है ” (Mera naam [Your Name] hai): “My name is [Your
Name]”
• “म� [Your Country] से �ँ ” (Main [Your Country] se hoon): “I am from [Your
Country]”
Did you know Hindi has two ways to say “you”? Depending on the context, your
introduction will change:
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Hindi made easy: 50+ must-know basic Hindi words and phrases https://preply.com/en/blog/basic-hindi-words/
• In a formal setting: When meeting elders or people in authority, use the formal “आप”
(Aap)
• In a casual setting: With friends, family, or people your own age, you can use the
informal “तुम” (Tum)
Making plans: Hindi words for time and day
Time expressions in Hindi can be tricky – especially since “कल” (kal) means both “yesterday”
AND “tomorrow”!
Context is everything in Indian time-telling, and you’ll often find plans are made more around
the parts of the day than specific hours.
Daily time references you’ll need:
• “अभी” (Abhi): Now – used in “अभी जा रहा �ँ ” (Abhi ja raha hoon) – “I’m going now”
• “सुबह” (Subah): Morning
• “दोपहर” (Dopahar): Afternoon
• “शाम” (Shaam): Evening
Confused about whether “कल” (kal) means “yesterday” or “tomorrow”? The verb tense in the
sentence gives it away:
• When used with past tense: “कल �ा �आ?” (Kal kya hua?) – means “What happened
yesterday?”
• When used with future tense: “कल �ा होगा?” (Kal kya hoga?) – means “What will
happen tomorrow?”
Days of the week in Hindi
The calendar days end in “-वार” (vaar), which means “day.”
1. “सोमवार” (“Somvaar”): Monday
2. “मंगलवार” (“Mangalvaar”): Tuesday
3. “बुधवार” (“Budhvaar”): Wednesday
4. “गु�वार” (“Guruvaar”): Thursday
5. “शु�वार” (“Shukravaar”): Friday
6. “शिनवार” (“Shanivaar”): Saturday
7. “रिववार” (“Ravivaar”): Sunday
Hindi phrases for directions and navigation
In India, landmarks often matter more than street names. Things change fast here. New shops
pop up, roads get blocked for festivals or protests, and sometimes that “shortcut” Google Maps
suggests is actually a bumpy dirt road. Plus, many places in India don’t have formal addresses.
So, nail down these phrases to zip around local places:
• “दाय�” (Dayen): Right. “दाय� मुिड़ए” (Dayen mudiye) – “Turn right”
• “बाय�” (Bayen): Left. “बाय� जाइए” (Bayen jaiye) – “Go left”
• “सीधे” (Seedhe): Straight. “सीधे जाइए” (Seedhe jaiye) – “Go straight”
4 of 6 5/14/2025, 1:55 PM
Hindi made easy: 50+ must-know basic Hindi words and phrases https://preply.com/en/blog/basic-hindi-words/
One of Hindi’s most useful direction tricks is adding “वाला/वाली” (wala/wali) to
landmarks. This basically means “the one near/with,” and it’s super important for getting
around Indian cities.
Grammar note: Use “वाला” (wala) for masculine nouns and “वाली” (wali) for feminine nouns.
For example:
• “रा�ा” (“raasta” – road) is masculine, so: “�ूल वाला रा�ा” (School wala rasta) – “The road
with the school”
• “गली” (“gali” – street) is feminine, so: “माक�ट वाली गली” (Market wali gali) – “The street with
the market”
Shopping with Hindi language words
In Indian markets, bargaining isn’t just accepted – it’s expected. Learn these phrases, and
you’ll shop like a local in a flash!
Start your bargaining with:
• “िकतने का है ?” (Kitne ka hai?): “How much is it?”
• “ब�त �ादा है ” (Bahut zyada hai): “It’s too much”
• “थोड़ा कम कीिजए” (Thoda kam kijiye): “Please reduce it a bit”
Take it a step further with:
• “आ�खरी भाव �ा है ?” (Aakhiri bhaav kya hai?): “What’s your final price?”
• “आधा कर दीिजए” (Aadha kar dijiye): “Make it half”
• “छोिड़ए” (Chhodiye): “Let it be” (Walking away often gets you the best price!)
Hindi words for emergencies
You never know when you might need to ask for help. Save these words on your phone – in both
Hindi script and Roman letters. A little preparation goes a long way.
In emergencies, you can simply show your screen if the pronunciation is challenging:
• “मदद” (Madad): Help – the universal cry for assistance
• “बचाओ” (Bachaoo): Save/Help – more urgent than “Madad,” use in serious situations
like a fire
• “आग” (Aag): Fire – say “आग लगी है ” (Aag lagi hai) – “There’s a fire!”
• “चोर” (Chor): Thief – shout “चोर चोर!” (Chor chor!) if something’s stolen
For medical emergencies:
• “दद� ” (Dard): Pain – point to the spot and say “यहाँ दद� है ” (Yahan dard hai) – “It hurts
here”
• “डॉ�र” (Doctor): Add “कहाँ है ?” (Kahan hai?) – “Where is?” to find one
• “दवाई” (Dawai): Medicine. Use at pharmacies
• “एलज�” (Allergy): Similar to English, important for food allergies
• “बीमार” (Beemar): Sick. “म� बीमार �ँ ” (Main beemar hoon) – “I’m sick”
Your Hindi journey starts here
5 of 6 5/14/2025, 1:55 PM
Hindi made easy: 50+ must-know basic Hindi words and phrases https://preply.com/en/blog/basic-hindi-words/
Sometimes learning a language on your own can feel like hitting a wall. The pronunciation might
seem tricky, or those 500-1,000 essential words can blur together. That’s completely normal –
every language learner faces these moments!
When that happens, having a Hindi tutor can make all the difference. They can fine-tune your
pronunciation, explain confusing grammar points, and keep you motivated on your language
journey.
Ready to speak Hindi with confidence? Preply’s Hindi tutors help you transform textbook
phrases into actual conversations – connect with one today!
“शुभकामनाएं ” (“Shubhkamnayen”) – best wishes on your Hindi learning journey!
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