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When exploring India, knowing a few essential phrases can greatly enhance your travel experience. This guide to Indian language basics provides travelers with common phrases that will help you navigate the diverse linguistic landscape of the country. Whether you’re greeting locals, asking for directions, or ordering food, these handy phrases for travelers will make your interactions more meaningful and enjoyable as you immerse yourself in the rich cultures and traditions of India.
India, with its vibrant culture, diverse languages, and rich history, is a destination that fascinates travelers from around the world. However, navigating this vast country can sometimes be challenging, especially when it comes to communication. With 22 officially recognized languages and hundreds of dialects, knowing a few key phrases in the local language can greatly enhance your travel experience, helping you connect with locals and making your journey smoother.
In this guide, we’ll explore some essential phrases in different Indian languages that every traveler should know. From greetings to expressions of gratitude, and asking for help during emergency situations, these phrases will help you make the most of your Indian adventure.
Greetings and Polite Expressions
Learning how to greet people in their language is a simple yet powerful way to show respect and friendliness. Here are some common greetings across India:
- Hindi:
- Hello: Namaste (नमस्ते) / Namaskar (नमस्कार)
- Thank You: Dhanyavaad (धन्यवाद)
- Please: Kripya (कृपया)
- Tamil:
- Hello: Vanakkam (வணக்கம்)
- Thank You: Nandri (நன்றி)
- Please: Dayavu seidhu (தயவு செய்து)
- Bengali:
- Hello: Nomoshkar (নমস্কার)
- Thank You: Dhonnobad (ধন্যবাদ)
- Please: Doya kore (দয়া করে)
- Telugu:
- Hello: Namaskaram (నమస్కారం)
- Thank You: Dhanyavadamulu (ధన్యవాదములు)
- Please: Dayachesi (దయచేసి)
- Marathi:
- Hello: Namaskar (नमस्कार)
- Thank You: Dhanyavaad (धन्यवाद)
- Please: Krupaya (कृपया)
- Kannada:
- Hello: Namaskara (ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ)
- Thank You: Dhanyavaadagalu (ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳು)
- Please: Dayavittu (ದಯವಿಟ್ಟು)
- Gujarati:
- Hello: Namaste (નમસ્તે)
- Thank You: Aabhar (આભાર)
- Please: Krupaya (કૃપા કરીને)
- Malayalam:
- Hello: Namaskaram (നമസ്കാരം)
- Thank You: Nandi (നന്ദി)
- Please: Dayavayi (ദയവായി)
- Rajasthani:
- Hello: Ram Ram (राम राम) or Khamma Ghani (खम्मा घणी)
- Thank You: Dhanyavaad (धन्यवाद)
- Please: Kripya (कृपया)
- Punjabi:
- Greeting: Sat Sri Akal (ਸਤ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ)
- Thank You: Shukriya (ਸ਼ੁਕਰੀਆ)
- Please: Kirpa karke (ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰਕੇ)
- Oriya:
- Hello: Namaskar (ନମସ୍କାର)
- Thank You: Dhanyabaad (ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ)
- Please: Daya kari (ଦୟାକରି)
- Assamese:
- Hello: Namaskar (নমস্কাৰ)
- Thank You: Dhanyabad (ধন্যবাদ)
- Please: Daya kori (দয়া কৰি)
- Kashmiri:
- Hello: Assalamualaikum (السلام علیکم) or Namaskar (नमस्कार)
- Thank You: Shukriya (شکریہ)
- Please: Meherbani (مہربانی)
These greetings will not only help you break the ice but also demonstrate your interest in the local culture, which is always appreciated.
Getting Around
Traveling in India can be an adventure, especially if you’re navigating through bustling cities or remote villages. Here are some useful phrases for getting around:
- Hindi:
- Where is the bathroom?: Shauchalay kahaan hai? (शौचालय कहाँ है?)
- How much does it cost?: Iska daam kitna hai? (इसका दाम कितना है?)
- I need help: Mujhe madad chahiye (मुझे मदद चाहिए)
- Kannada:
- Where is the bathroom?: Shauchalaya yelli ide? (ಶೌಚಾಲಯ ಎಲ್ಲಿದೆ?)
- How much does it cost?: Idakke eṣṭu bele? (ಇದಕ್ಕೆ ಎಷ್ಟು ಬೆಲೆ?)
- I need help: Nanage sahaya bekku (ನನಗೆ ಸಹಾಯ ಬೇಕು)
- Gujarati:
- Where is the bathroom?: Sauchalay kya chhe? (શૌચાલય ક્યાં છે?)
- How much does it cost?: Aani kimat ketli chhe? (આની કિંમત કેટલી છે?)
- I need help: Mane madad joiye chhe (મને મદદ જોઈએ છે)
- Malayalam:
- Where is the bathroom?: Kazhikoottam evide? (കഴുകൂറ്റം എവിടെ?)
- How much does it cost?: Ithinu entha vila? (ഇതിനു എത്ര വില?)
- I need help: Enikku sahayam venam (എനിക്ക് സഹായം വേണം)
- Tamil:
- Where is the bathroom?: Kallaigal enge irukkiradhu? (கழிப்பறை எங்கு இருக்கிறது?)
- How much does it cost?: Idharku evalavu virai? (இதற்கு எவ்வளவு விலை?)
- I need help: Enakku udhavi vendum (எனக்கு உதவி வேண்டும்)
- Bengali:
- Where is the bathroom?: Shauchalay kothay? (শৌচালয় কোথায়?)
- How much does it cost?: Er daam koto? (এর দাম কত?)
- I need help: Aamake shaahajyo darkar (আমাকে সাহায্য দরকার)
- Telugu:
- Where is the bathroom?: Shouchalayam ekkada undi? (శౌచాలయం ఎక్కడ ఉంది?)
- How much does it cost?: Idi entha karchu avutundi? (ఇది ఎంత ఖర్చు అవుతుంది?)
- I need help: Naaku sahayam kavali (నాకు సహాయం కావాలి)
- Marathi:
- Where is the bathroom?: Shauchalay kuthay ahe? (शौचालय कुठे आहे?)
- How much does it cost?: Yachya kimmat kiti ahe? (याची किंमत किती आहे?)
- I need help: Mala madat pahije (मला मदत पाहिजे)
- Rajasthani:
- Where is the bathroom?: Shauchalay kithay hai? (शौचालय किथे है?)
- How much does it cost?: Ero daam kitno hai? (एरो दाम किणो है?)
- I need help: Mhane madad chahiye (म्हाने मदद चाहिए)
- Punjabi:
- Where is the bathroom?: Bathroom kithhe hai? (ਬਾਥਰੂਮ ਕਿੱਥੇ ਹੈ?)
- How much does it cost?: Ehda kimat kinnni hai? (ਇਹਦਾ ਕਿੰਮਤ ਕਿੰਨੀ ਹੈ?)
- I need help: Mainu madad di lor hai (ਮੈਨੂੰ ਮਦਦ ਦੀ ਲੋੜ ਹੈ)
- Oriya (Odia):
- Where is the bathroom?: Shauchalaya kuthi achhi? (ଶୌଚାଳୟ କେଉଁଠି ଅଛି?)
- How much does it cost?: Eha kana dala? (ଏହା କେତେ ଦାମ?)
- I need help: Mate sahajya darkar (ମୋତେ ସହାଯ୍ୟ ଦରକାର)
- Assamese:
- Where is the bathroom?: Bathroom kot ase? (বাথৰূম কোথা আছে?)
- How much does it cost?: Ete kiman dhoroni? (এইটো কিমান দাম?)
- I need help: Mur sahajyo lage (মোৰ সহায় লাগে)
- Kashmiri:
- Where is the bathroom?: Shouchalay kut chukh? (شٲوچالے کُت چھُکھ؟)
- How much does it cost?: Yem kath chukh? (يم کت چھُکھ؟)
- I need help: Byen chum madad lagith (بےٚن چھُس مدد لەگتھ)
These phrases will help you navigate the essentials of travel, from finding facilities to ensuring you get the right price for your purchases.
Food and Dining
India is a paradise for food lovers, with a culinary landscape as diverse as its people. Whether you’re sampling street food or dining in a local restaurant, these phrases will come in handy:
- Punjabi:
- Is this spicy?: Ki eh masaledaar hai? (ਕੀ ਇਹ ਮਸਾਲੇਦਾਰ ਹੈ?)
- I am a vegetarian: Main shakahari haan (ਮੈਂ ਸ਼ਾਕਾਹਾਰੀ ਹਾਂ)
- The food is delicious: Khana changa hai (ਖਾਣਾ ਚੰਗਾ ਹੈ)
- Oriya:
- Is this spicy?: Eha jala hai ki? (ଏହା ଜଳା ହେଉଛି କି?)
- I am a vegetarian: Mu shakahari achhi (ମୁଁ ଶାକାହାରୀ ଅଛି)
- The food is delicious: Khaiba swadista achhi (ଖାଇବା ସ୍ୱାଦିଷ୍ଟ ଅଛି)
- Assamese:
- Is this spicy?: Eitu jatiya neki? (এইটু জাতীয়া নেকি?)
- I am a vegetarian: Moi niramish bhoji (মই নিৰামিষ ভোজী)
- The food is delicious: Khar khon adbhut (খাৰখন অদ্ভুত)
- Kashmiri:
- Is this spicy?: Yi rang garam chu? (یۍ رنگ گرم چھُ؟)
- I am a vegetarian: Bi tsar eakhahan chu (بۍ چَھ رِکھاھان چھُ)
- The food is delicious: Yi zyae chu mazidar (یۍ ضایع چھُ مزیدار)
- Tamil:
- Is this spicy?: Ithu kaarama? (இது காரமா?)
- I am a vegetarian: Naan saivam (நான் சைவம்)
- The food is delicious: Unavu rusiyaaga irukirathu (உணவு ருசியாக இருக்கிறது)
- Hindi:
- Is this spicy?: Kya ye teekha hai? (क्या ये तीखा है?)
- I am a vegetarian: Main shakahari hoon (मैं शाकाहारी हूँ)
- The food is delicious: Khana swadisht hai (खाना स्वादिष्ट है)
- Bengali:
- Is this spicy?: Eta jhal? (এটা ঝাল?)
- I am a vegetarian: Ami niramishashi (আমি নিরামিষাশী)
- The food is delicious: Khabarta suswadu (খাবারটা সুস্বাদু)
- Telugu:
- Is this spicy?: Idi karanga undaa? (ఇది కారంగా ఉందా?)
- I am a vegetarian: Nenu shakahaarini (నేను శాకాహారిని)
- The food is delicious: Aaharam ruchiga undi (ఆహారం రుచిగా ఉంది)
- Marathi:
- Is this spicy?: He tikhat aahe ka? (हे तिखट आहे का?)
- I am a vegetarian: Mi shakahari aahe (मी शाकाहारी आहे)
- The food is delicious: Anna swadisht aahe (अन्न स्वादिष्ट आहे)
- Kannada:
- Is this spicy?: Idu khaara ideya? (ಇದು ಖಾರ ಇದೆಯಾ?)
- I am a vegetarian: Naanu sasyahaari (ನಾನು ಸಸ್ಯಾಹಾರಿ)
- The food is delicious: Aahaara ruchikaravagi de (ಆಹಾರ ರುಚಿಕರವಾಗಿದೆ)
- Gujarati:
- Is this spicy?: Aa masaledaar chhe? (આ મસાલેદાર છે?)
- I am a vegetarian: Hun shaakahari chhun (હું શાકાહારી છું)
- The food is delicious: Khorak swadisht chhe (ખોરાક સ્વાદિષ્ટ છે)
- Malayalam:
- Is this spicy?: Ithu pulimulakaano? (ഇത് പുളിമുളകാണോ?)
- I am a vegetarian: Njaan sasyahaari aanu (ഞാൻ സസ്യാഹാരി ആണ്)
- The food is delicious: Bhakshanam ruchikaramanu (ഭക്ഷണം രുചികരമാണ്)
- Rajasthani:
- Is this spicy?: Yo teekho hai? (यो तीखो है?)
- I am a vegetarian: Main shakahari hoon (मैं शाकाहारी हूँ)
- The food is delicious: Khato swadisht hai (खातो स्वादिष्ट है)
These phrases will help you communicate your preferences, making your dining experience more enjoyable and ensuring that you get exactly what you want.
Emergency Phrases
It’s always good to be prepared for emergencies, especially when traveling in a foreign country. Here are some critical phrases to know:
- Bengali:
- Call the police: Police ke dakun (পুলিশ কে ডাকুন)
- I’m lost: Ami hariye gechi (আমি হারিয়ে গেছি)
- I’m not feeling well: Ami bhalo lagchhe na (আমি ভালো লাগছে না)
- Tamil:
- Call the police: Polisirai azhaippu (போலிசினை அழைப்பது)
- I’m lost: Naan tholainthen (நான் தொலைந்தேன்)
- I’m not feeling well: Enaku udambu sariyillai (எனக்கு உடம்பு சரியில்லை)
- Marathi:
- Call the police: Policeanna bolva (पोलीसांना बोलवा)
- I’m lost: Mee haravlo aahe (मी हरवला आहे)
- I’m not feeling well: Mala bara watat nahi (मला बरा वाटत नाही)
- Hindi:
- Call the police: Police ko bulao (पुलिस को बुलाओ)
- I’m lost: Main kho gaya hoon (मैं खो गया हूँ) [for males] / Main kho gayi hoon (मैं खो गई हूँ) [for females]
- I’m not feeling well: Mujhe accha nahin lag raha (मुझे अच्छा नहीं लग रहा)
- Telugu:
- Call the police: Police ni pilavandi (పోలీస్ ని పిలవండి)
- I’m lost: Nenu thippi poyanu (నేను తిప్పి పోయాను)
- I’m not feeling well: Naaku sarigga anipinchadam ledu (నాకు సరిగ్గా అనిపించడం లేదు)
- Kannada:
- Call the police: Polisaru kareyiri (ಪೊಲೀಸರನ್ನು ಕರೆಯಿರಿ)
- I’m lost: Naanu tappisukonde (ನಾನು ತಪ್ಪಿಸಿಕೊಂಡೆ)
- I’m not feeling well: Nanage chennagilla (ನನಗೆ ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿಲ್ಲ)
- Gujarati:
- Call the police: Police ne bolavo (પોલીસને બોલાવો)
- I’m lost: Hun gum thai gayo chu (હું ગૂમ થાઈ ગયો છુ) [for males] / Hun gum thai gayi chu (હું ગૂમ થાઈ ગઈ છુ) [for females]
- I’m not feeling well: Mane saru nathi lagtu (મને સારું નથી લાગતું)
- Malayalam:
- Call the police: Police-ne vilikku (പോലീസ്നെ വിളിക്കൂ)
- I’m lost: Nyaan vazhuthippoyi (ഞാൻ വഴുതിപ്പോയി)
- I’m not feeling well: Enikku sukham thonnunnilla (എനിക്ക് സുഖം തോന്നുന്നില്ല)
- Rajasthani:
- Call the police: Police nai bolaao (पुलिस नै बोलाओ)
- I’m lost: Me khō giyō hūn (में खो गियो हूँ) [for males] / Me khō gī hūn (में खो गी हूँ) [for females]
- I’m not feeling well: Mhane thik koni laag rio (म्हाने ठीक कोनी लाग रीओ)
- Punjabi:
- Call the police: Police nu bulao (ਪੁਲਿਸ ਨੂੰ ਬੁਲਾਓ)
- I’m lost: Main kho giya haan (ਮੈਂ ਖੋ ਗਿਆ ਹਾਂ) [for males] / Main kho gayi haan (ਮੈਂ ਖੋ ਗਈ ਹਾਂ) [for females]
- I’m not feeling well: Main theek nahi mehsoos kar riha (ਮੈਂ ਠੀਕ ਨਹੀਂ ਮਹਿਸੂਸ ਕਰ ਰਿਹਾ) [for males] / Main theek nahi mehsoos kar rahi (ਮੈਂ ਠੀਕ ਨਹੀਂ ਮਹਿਸੂਸ ਕਰ ਰਹੀ) [for females]
- Oriya (Odia):
- Call the police: Police ku bolanthu (ପୋଲିସ୍ କୁ ବୋଲାନ୍ତୁ)
- I’m lost: Mu heraigali (ମୁଁ ହେରାଇଗଲି)
- I’m not feeling well: Mote bhala lagunahi (ମୋତେ ଭଲ ଲାଗୁନାହିଁ)
- Assamese:
- Call the police: Arokhijonok matib (আৰক্ষীজনক মাতিব)
- I’m lost: Moi heruwaai golo (মই হেৰুৱাই গ’লো)
- I’m not feeling well: Moi bhaal puwa nai (মই ভাল পোৱা নাই)
- Kashmiri:
- Call the police: Police balayo (پوليس بلایوہ)
- I’m lost: Be ye m wichhom (بیہ یم وچھوم)
- I’m not feeling well: Me che thik na peth (مے چھ ٹھیک نہٛ پاٹھ)
These emergency phrases can be crucial in ensuring your safety and well-being during your travels.
Conclusion
Traveling in India is an experience like no other, and knowing a few key phrases in the local language can significantly enhance your journey. These basic phrases not only help in practical situations but also show your respect and appreciation for the local culture. Whether you’re navigating a crowded market, ordering food, or asking for directions, these simple words can make a big difference.
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