Of all the Indian holidays, the India Republic Day holiday may just be the most significant. This is a national holiday in India, and is a day for great celebration over the adoption of its new constitution in 1950—making it a republic at last!
Find out all about India Republic Day with HindiPod101.com, from the India Republic Day parade to this Hindu holiday’s origins.
1. What is Republic Day in India?
In India, गणतंत्र-दिवस (ganTaNTra-DivaS) or “Republic Day” is the celebration of January 26, 1950 when its constitution (or Samvidhaan) was implemented at last. This allowed India to officially become a republic (or gantantra) at last.
Prior to this, up until 1947, much of India was under British rule. While India technically gained its independence in 1947, it wasn’t until the constitution was adopted that it actually became a republic.
At the time, it was a state with fifteen official languages, twenty-six accepted languages, and a conglomeration of five religious communities and myriad cultural communities. The celebration of Republic Day is also a celebration of India’s huge cultural diversity.
2. India Republic Day Date
India celebrates its Republic Day each year on January 26.
3. How is it Celebrated?
As far as India holidays and celebrations go, Republic Day is one of the most significant.
The celebrations begin each year with the President saluting the Amar Jawan Jyoti, meaning “The flame of the immortal soldier,” which is below the ramparts of the India Gate located in the capital.
Amar Jawan Jyoti, as its name indicates, is an eternal flame burning in memory of the soldiers who gave all in order to help establish a sovereign India. The President salutes these sacrifices, and then awards those people who have made outstanding contributions in their respective fields of work. The Bharat Ratna award is the nation’s highest civilian honor.
This is followed by a festive parade on New Delhi’s famous Raj Path, which means “Royal Road.” The first showcase of the parade is a magnificent display by the regiments of the Indian army, navy, and air force.
This is followed by tableaus of all the states of the union. Each tableau offers a display of the state’s wealth of people, music, culture, dance, and dress as it proceeds down the parade route. Thousands of people gather at the Royal Road to witness this ornate display, also called the India Republic Day parade, while millions of others catch it on television in Hindi.
Sometimes, there are also India Republic Day guests. For example, U.S. President Barack Obama visited India for Republic Day in 2015 as an honored guest.
4. Additional Information
India’s Constitution is longer than that of any other state in the world. It has 448 articles and 118 amendments. The constitution declares India to be an independent, democratic, secular, and socialist republic.
Today, this new constitution is still seen as the strongest word of law in India; even the Indian Parliament is unable to supercede it.
5. Must-Know Vocab for India’s Republic Day
हेलिकोप्टर (helikoptar) — helicopter
नई दिल्ली (Naii DiLLii) — New Delhi
गणतंत्र-दिवस (ganTaNTra-DivaS) — Republic Day
परेड (pared) — parade
राष्ट्रीय छुट्टी (raastriya chuttii) — national holiday
राष्ट्रगान (raashtragaan) — national anthem
बहादुरी के पदक और पुरस्कार (bahaaDuri ke paDak aur puraskaar) — awards and medals of bravery
भारगुलाब की पंखुड़ियांत का संविधान (bhaaraT ka sanvidhaan) — Constitution of India
राष्ट्रीय झंडा (raashtriya jhandaa) — national flag
गुलाब की पंखुड़ियां (gulaab ki pankhudiyaan) — rose petal
If you want to hear each word pronounced, be sure to check out our Republic Day vocabulary list, which includes an audio with each word.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve learned about India’s Republic Day, you’ve gained another layer of knowledge regarding India’s culture and its people. What do you think of this important national holiday? Is there a similar holiday in your country?
To learn even more about India and its culture, be sure to visit us at HindiPod101.com! Alongside insightful blog posts and a variety of vocabulary lists, we also host an online community so that you can discuss your lessons with fellow students. And if you prefer a one-on-one learning approach, you can even download our MyTeacher app.
We wish you success in learning Hindi and discovering the depth of India’s history. You’ll be speaking Hindi like a native before you know it!
Learn all the Hindi New Year wishes online, in your own time, on any device! Join HindiPod101 for a special Hindi New Year celebration!
Can you relate to the year passing something like this: “January, February, March – December!”? Many people do! Quantum physics teaches us that time is relative, and few experiences illustrate this principle as perfectly as when we reach the end of a year. To most of us, it feels like the old one has passed in the blink of an eye, while the new year lies ahead like a very long journey! However, New Year is also a time to celebrate beginnings, and to say goodbye to what has passed. This is true in every culture, no matter when New Year is celebrated.
So, how do you say Happy New Year in Hindi? Let a native teach you! At HindiPod101, you will learn how to correctly greet your friends over New Year, and wish them well with these Hindi New Year wishes!
Do you know how New Year’s is celebrated in India? Are you familiar with festivals like Pongal, Ugadi, or Gudi Padwa? These, of course, are all traditional Indian New Year festivals, but in this lesson we will be focusing on the Western New Year, which is celebrated on December 31.
Now, before we get into more detail, do you know the answer to this question-
Where is India’s most popular New Year’s celebration held?
If you don’t already know, you’ll find out a bit later. Keep reading.
In India, each religious and linguistic community welcomes in the new year with its own distinct festival, or Utsav. While the Marwaris consider the Diwali festival during Autumn to be the beginning of the New Year, other communities celebrate it at the advent of Spring, in April. Different communities refer to these celebrations by different names as well. They are called Bihu in Assam, Lusong in Sikkim, Poila Boisakh in Bengal, Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra, Ugadi in Andhra, Vishu in Kerala and so on. All of these are traditional Indian New Year festivals.
The Western New Year on December 31 is also celebrated with equal fervor in India, which in Hindi is Bharat. The new year is so well received in India because of the 200 years of British rule, and the heritage that was left behind. Like other countries, Indians also welcome the New Year with good food, drink, and merriment in the company of friends and family.
People gather together with their family, or Parivar and friends, or Dosto on the evening of the 31st of December. There are countdowns to midnight on TV, and people gather to celebrate in places like clubs, homes, shops, and restaurants. Big Bollywood stars take part in massive concerts that perform for huge crowds. It is common for people to make resolutions and buy and distribute sweets, and when the clock strikes twelve, people wish each other ‘Happy New Year’ or ‘Naya Saal Mubarak Ho’.
In Mumbai, lots of people gather at the major spots of the city to welcome in the New Year. Popular spots in the city include Gateway of India, Bandra Bandstand, and Juhu Beach.
Now it’s time to answer our quiz question-
Where is India’s most popular New Year’s celebration held?
This place is India’s most popular tourist destination – Goa!
Happy New Year!
नया साल मुबारक हो nayaa saal mubarak ho
2. Must-Know Hindi Words & Phrases for the New Year!
1- Year
साल SaaL
This is pretty self-explanatory. Most countries follow a Gregorian calendar, which has approximately 365 days in a year, while in some cultures, other year designations are also honored. Therefore, New Year’s day in India could fall on a different day than in your country. When do you celebrate New Year?
2- Midnight
मध्यरात्री maDHyaraaTrii
The point in time when a day ends and a new one starts. Many New Year celebrants prefer to stay awake till midnight, and greet the new annum as it breaks with fanfare and fireworks!
3- New Year’s Day
नव वर्ष दिवस Nava varṣ DivaS
In most countries, the new year is celebrated for one whole day. On the Gregorian calendar, this falls on January 1st. On this day, different cultures engage in festive activities, like parties, parades, big meals with families and many more.
4- Party
समारोह samāroh
A party is most people’s favorite way to end the old year, and charge festively into the new one! We celebrate all we accomplished in the old year, and joyfully anticipate what lies ahead.
5-Dancing
नृत्य NriTya
Usually, when the clock strikes midnight and the New Year officially begins, people break out in dance! It is a jolly way to express a celebratory mood with good expectations for the year ahead. Also, perhaps, that the old year with its problems has finally passed! Dance parties are also a popular way to spend New Year’s Eve in many places.
6- Champagne
शैम्पेन saimpeN
Originating in France, champagne is a bubbly, alcoholic drink that is often used to toast something or someone during celebrations.
7- Fireworks
आतिशबाज़ी aaTisbaazii
These are explosives that cause spectacular effects when ignited. They are popular for announcing the start of the new year with loud noises and colorful displays! In some countries, fireworks are set off to scare away evil spirits. In others, the use of fireworks is forbidden in urban areas due to their harmful effect on pets. Most animals’ hearing is much more sensitive than humans’, so this noisy display can be very frightful and traumatising to them.
8- Countdown
उलटी गिनती ulṭī giNtī
This countdown refers to New Year celebrants counting the seconds, usually backward, till midnight, when New Year starts – a great group activity that doesn’t scare animals, and involves a lot of joyful shouting when the clock strikes midnight!
9- New Year’s Holiday
नए साल की छुट्टी Na’ē sāl kī chuṭṭī
In many countries, New Year’s Day is a public holiday – to recuperate from the party the previous night, perhaps! Families also like to meet on this day to enjoy a meal and spend time together.
10- Confetti
कॉन्फ़ेट्टी KauNfēttī
In most Western countries, confetti is traditionally associated with weddings, but often it is used as a party decoration. Some prefer to throw it in the air at the strike of midnight on New Year’s Eve.
11- New Year’s Eve
नए साल की शाम Na’ē Sāl kī śām
This is the evening before New Year breaks at midnight! Often, friends and family meet for a party or meal the evening before, sometimes engaging in year-end rituals. How are you planning to give your New Year greetings in 2018?
12- Toast
टोस्ट ṭōsṭ
A toast is a type of group-salutation that involves raising your glass to drink with others in honor of something or someone. A toast to the new year is definitely in order!
13- Resolution
संकल्प SaNkaLp
Those goals or intentions you hope to, but seldom keep in the new year! Many people consider the start of a new year to be the opportune time for making changes or plans. Resolutions are those intentions to change, or the plans. It’s best to keep your resolutions realistic so as not to disappoint yourself!
14- Parade
परेड Parēḍa
New Year celebrations are a huge deal in some countries! Parades are held in the streets, often to celebratory music, with colorful costumes and lots of dancing. Parades are like marches, only less formal and way more fun. At HindiPod101, you can engage in forums with natives who can tell you what Hindi New Year celebrations are like!
3. Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions
So, you learned the Hindi word for ‘resolution’. Fabulous! Resolutions are those goals and intentions that we hope to manifest in the year that lies ahead. The beginning of a new year serves as a good marker in time to formalise these. Some like to do it in writing, others only hold these resolutions in their hearts. Here are our Top 10 New Year’s resolutions at HindiPod101 – what are yours?
Learn these phrases and impress your Hindi friends with your vocabulary.
1- Read more
ज़्यादा पढ़ना zyaaDa padhnaa
Reading is a fantastic skill that everyone can benefit from. You’re a business person? Apparently, successful business men and women read up to 60 books a year. This probably excludes fiction, so better scan your library or Amazon for the top business reads if you plan to follow in the footsteps of the successful! Otherwise, why not make it your resolution to read more Hindi in the new year? You will be surprised by how much this will improve your Hindi language skills!
2- Spend more time with family
परिवार के साथ ज़्यादा समय बिताना parivaar ke saath zyaaDa samay biTaana
Former US President George Bush’s wife, Barbara Bush, was quoted as having said this: “At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict, or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a friend, a child, a parent.” This is very true! Relationships are often what gives life meaning, so this is a worthy resolution for any year.
3- Lose weight
वज़न कम करना vazan kam karnaa
Hands up, how many of you made this new year’s resolution last year too…?! This is a notoriously difficult goal to keep, as it takes a lot of self discipline not to eat unhealthily. Good luck with this one, and avoid unhealthy fad diets!
4- Save money
पैसे बचाना paise bachaana
Another common and difficult resolution! However, no one has ever been sorry when they saved towards reaching a goal. Make it your resolution to save money to upgrade your subscription to HindiPod101’s Premium PLUS option in the new year – it will be money well spent!
5- Quit smoking
धूम्रपान छोड़ देना dhumrapaan chodhh Dena
This is a resolution that you should definitely keep, or your body could punish you severely later! Smoking is a harmful habit with many hazardous effects on your health. Do everything in your power to make this resolution come true in the new year, as your health is your most precious asset.
6- Learn something new
कुछ नया सीखना kuchh nayaa seekhnaa
Science has proven that learning new skills can help keep brain diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s at bay! It can even slow down the progression of the disease. So, keep your brain healthy by learning to speak a new language, studying towards a qualification, learning how to sew, or how to play chess – no matter how old you are, the possibilities are infinite!
7- Drink less
शराब कम पीना sharaab kam peenaa
This is another health resolution that is good to heed any time of the year. Excessive drinking is associated with many diseases, and its effect can be very detrimental to good relationships too. Alcohol is a poison and harmful for the body in large quantities!
8- Exercise regularly
नियमित रूप से कस्रत करना niyamiT roop se kasraT karnaa
This resolution goes hand-in-hand with ‘Lose weight’! An inactive body is an unhealthy and often overweight one, so give this resolution priority in the new year.
9- Eat healthy
स्वास्थ्य के लिये अच्छा खाना खाना svasthya ke liye achha khaanaa khaanaa
If you stick with this resolution, you will lose weight and feel better in general. It is a very worthy goal to have!
10- Study Hindi with HindiPod101
हिंदिपॉड101.कॉम के साथ हिन्दी सीखिये Hindī pŏḍa101.Kŏma kē sātha hindī sīkhiyē
Of course! You can only benefit from learning Hindi, especially with us! Learning how to speak Hindi can keep your brain healthy, it can widen your circle of friends, and improve your chances to land a dream job anywhere in the world. HindiPod101 makes it easy and enjoyable for you to stick to this resolution.
4. Inspirational New Year Quotes
Everyone knows that it is sometimes very hard to stick to resolutions, and not only over New Year. The reasons for this vary from person to person, but all of us need inspiration every now and then! A good way to remain motivated is to keep inspirational quotes near as reminders that it’s up to us to reach our goals.
Make decorative notes of these in Hindi, and keep them close! Perhaps you could stick them above your bathroom mirror, or on your study’s wall. This way you not only get to read Hindi incidentally, but also remain inspired to reach your goals! Imagine feeling like giving up on a goal, but reading this quote when you go to the bathroom: “It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop.” What a positive affirmation!
5. Inspirational Language Learning Quotes
Still undecided whether you should enroll with HindiPod101 to learn a new language? There’s no time like the present to decide! Let the following Language Learning Quotes inspire you with their wisdom.
As legendary President Nelson Mandela once said: “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.” So, learning how to say Happy New Year in Hindi could well be a way into someone special’s heart for you! Let this year be the one where you to learn how to say Happy New Year, and much more, in Hindi – it could open many and unexpected doors for you.
6. How To Say Happy New Year in 31 Languages
Here’s a lovely bonus for you! Why stop with Hindi – learn how to say Happy New Year in 31 other languages too! Watch this video and learn how to pronounce these New Year’s wishes like a native in under two minutes.
7. Why Enrolling with HindiPod101 Would Be the Perfect New Year’s Gift to Yourself!
If you are unsure how to celebrate the New Year, why not give yourself a huge gift, and enroll to learn Hindi! With more than 12 years of experience behind us, we know that HindiPod101 would be the perfect fit for you. There are so many reasons for this!
Custom-tailored Learning Paths: Start learning Hindi at the level that you are. We have numerous Learning Pathways, and we tailor them just for you based on your goals and interests! What a boon!
Marked Progress and Fresh Learning Material Every Week: We make new lessons available every week, with an option to track your progress. Topics are culturally appropriate and useful, such as “Learning how to deliver negative answers politely to a business partner.” Our aim is to equip you with Hindi that makes sense!
Multiple Learning Tools: Learn in fun, easy ways with resources such 1,000+ video and audio lessons, flashcards, detailed PDF downloads, and mobile apps suitable for multiple devices!
Fast Track Learning Option: If you’re serious about fast-tracking your learning, Premium Plus would be the perfect way to go! Enjoy perks such as personalised lessons with ongoing guidance from your own, native-speaking teacher, and one-on-one learning on your mobile app! You will not be alone in your learning. Weekly assignments with non-stop feedback, answers and corrections will ensure speedy progress.
Fun and Easy: Keeping the lessons fun and easy-to-learn is our aim, so you will stay motivated by your progress!
Do you know any ways to wish someone a ‘Merry Christmas’ in Hindi? HindiPod101 brings you easy-to-learn translations and the correct pronunciation of Hindi Christmas phrases!
Christmas is the annual commemorative festival of Christ’s birth in the Western Christian Church. It takes place on December 25th and is usually celebrated with much food and fanfare! However, not all cultures celebrate Christmas. In some countries, Christmas is not even a public holiday! However, many countries have adapted Christmas and its religious meaning to tally with their own beliefs, or simply in acknowledgment of the festival’s importance to other cultures. If you want to impress native Hindi speakers with culturally-appropriate Christmas phrases and vocabulary, HindiPod101 will teach you the most important ways to wish someone a ‘Merry Christmas’ in Hindi!
In Hindi, Christmas is called Badda Din which means ‘Big Day’. Christmas celebrations in India are held every year on December 25. This is the most important day of the year for Indian Christians, but is celebrated by non-Christian Indians as well.
Now, before we get into more detail, do you know the answer to this question-
Which tree is used in traditional Christmas decorations in India?
If you don’t already know, you’ll find out a bit later. Keep reading.
Christmas is a surprisingly big holiday in India. Most students participate in nativity plays based on the story of Christ’s birth, sing Christmas Carols, which in Hindi are called Issai Bhajan, and decorate Christmas trees. Like in other countries, it’s common to hang Christmas stars, decorate Christmas trees, and put up Christmas lights and decorations. The practice of exchanging gifts, or Uphaar, is only for children. Even non-Christian children all over the country participate in and enjoy this festival the most.
Most of the Indian Christian community is Catholic, so there are many Catholic churches, especially in places like Kerala, Manipur, Nagaland, and Goa. Christmas festivities are celebrated with particular fervor in the ornate Portuguese churches of Goa. Because Jesus was born at midnight, celebrations are started with prayers in churches on the night of the 24th. The prayers continue during the daytime on the 25th, at which time people exchange their Christmas greetings.
Santa Claus or Christmas ka Baba is quite popular in India. Although most Indian homes don’t have chimneys, children still await his gift-baring arrival with anticipation on the night of the 24th. Christmas time in India is filled with excitement and joy. In urban areas, even those who are not Christian will pray for the arrival of Lord Jesus, just as they pray to their own gods and saints.
In India, statues of baby Jesus and the Virgin Mary are dressed in Indian-style garments. In southern India, you can even find Mary dressed in the famous South Indian Kanjivaram silk saree.
Now it’s time to answer our quiz question-
Which tree is used in traditional Christmas decorations in India?
In India, the Poinsettia plant or Chir tree branch is commonly used as the Christmas tree, and is popularly known as the “Christmas Plant”.
2. Holiday Greetings and Wishes for the Holiday Season
1- Merry Christmas!
मेरी क्रिसमस! meri krismas!
Do you know how to say ‘Merry Christmas’ in Hindi? Learn here how to pronounce it perfectly! ‘Merry’ means to be joyful, to celebrate and generally be in good spirits. So, with this phrase you are wishing someone a joyful, celebratory remembrance of Christ’s birth!
2- Happy Kwanzaa!
हैप्पी क्वान्ज़ा! haepii kvaanzaa!
Surprise your African-American, or West African native friends with this phrase over the Christmas holidays! Kwanzaa is a seven-day, non-religious celebration, starting on Dec 26th each year. It has its roots in African American modern history, and many people celebrate both Kwanzaa and Christmas!
3- Have a happy New Year!
नया साल मुबारक हो nayaa saal mubarak ho
In countries where Christmas is not officially celebrated, but a Gregorian calendar is observed, this would be a friendly festive-season wish over New Year.
4- Happy Hanukkah!
हन्नुकाह मुबारक हो| hannukaah mubaarak ho
Hanukkah is the beautiful Hebrew festival over November or December each year. It is also called the ‘Festival of Lights’ and is celebrated to commemorate the Jewish freedom of religion.
5- Have a great winter vacation!
सर्दीयों कि छुट्टियाँ मुबारक हो sarDiyon ki chhuttiyaan mubarak ho
This is a good phrase to keep handy if someone doesn’t observe any religious festival over the Christmas holidays! However, this will only be applicable in the Northern hemisphere, where it is winter over Christmas.
6- See you next year!
अगले साल फिर मिलेंगे! agle saal fir milenge
Going away on holiday over Christmas season, or saying goodbye to someone about to leave on vacation? This would be a good way to say goodbye to your friends and family.
7- Warm wishes!
शुभकामनाऍ shubhkaamnaayen
An informal, friendly phrase to write in Hindi Christmas cards, especially for secular friends who prefer to observe Christmas celebrations without the religious symbolism. It conveys the warmth of friendship and friendly wishes associated with this time of year.
8- Happy holidays!
छुट्टियाँ मुबारक हों chhuttiyaan mubaarak ho
If you forget how to say ‘Merry Christmas!’ in Hindi, this is a safe, generic phrase to use instead.
9- Enjoy the holidays!
छुट्टियों का आनंद लो| chhuttiyon kaa ananD lo
After saying ‘Merry Christmas’ in Hindi, this would be a good phrase with which to wish Christmas holiday-goers well! It is also good to use for secular friends who don’t celebrate Christmas but take a holiday at this time of the year.
10- Best wishes for the New Year!
नव वर्ष की शुभकामनाएं! nav varsh ki shubhkaamnaayen
This is another way of wishing someone well in the New Year if they observe a Gregorian calendar. New Year’s day would then fall on January 1st.
3. Must-Know Christmas Day Vocabulary
Christmas is associated with many traditions and religious symbols in multiple countries across the world. It originated centuries ago in the West with the birth of Christianity, and the celebrations are often embedded with rich cultural significance. So, by now you know how to say Merry Christmas in Hindi! Next, learn pertinent vocabulary and phrases pertaining to Christmas, as well as how to pronounce them correctly. At HindiPod101, we make sure you sound like a native speaker!
1- Christmas
क्रिसमस krismas
This is the Hindi word for ‘Christmas’. Most happy Christmas wishes in Hindi will include this word!
2- Snow
बर्फ barf
In most Northern-hemisphere countries, Christmas is synonymous with snow, and for Christmas, the snowman is often dressed as Santa Claus.
3- Snowflake
हिमकण himkan
Snowflakes collectively make up snow. A single snowflake is small, white, light like a feather and icy cold! When put under a microscope, the snowflake reveals itself to have the most beautiful, symmetrical patterns. These patterns have become popular Christmas decorations, especially in Western countries.
4- Snowman
हिममानव him maanav
As you guessed – a snowman is only possible to build if it is snowing! What a fun way to spend Christmas day outside.
5- Turkey
टर्की tarkii
Roast turkey is the traditional main dish on thousands of lunch tables on Christmas day, mainly in Western countries. What is your favorite Christmas dish?
6- Wreath
फूलों का हार foolon ka haar
Another traditional Western decoration for Christmas, the wreath is an arrangement of flowers, leaves, or stems fastened in a ring. Many families like to hang a Christmas wreath outside on their houses’ front doors.
7- Reindeer
बारहसिंहा baarahsingha
Reindeer are the animals commonly fabled to pull Santa Claus’ sled across the sky! Western Christmas folklore tells of Father Christmas or Santa Claus doing the rounds with his sled, carrying Christmas presents for children, and dropping them into houses through the chimney. But who is Santa Claus?
8- Santa Claus
सांता क्लॉस sanTaa claus
Santa Claus is a legendary and jolly figure originating in the Western Christian culture. He is known by many names, but is traditionally depicted as a rotund man wearing a red costume with a pointy hat, and sporting a long, snow-white beard!
9- Elf
जादुई बौना jaaDui bona
An elf is a supernatural creature of folklore with pointy ears, a dainty, humanoid body and a capricious nature. Elves are said to help Santa Claus distribute presents to children over Christmas!
10- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
लाल नाक वाला बारहसिंघा laal naak waala baarahsingha
‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ is a Christmas song based on an American children’s story book with the same name. Rudolph is one of Santa’s reindeer. The song became more famous than the book, and can still be heard playing in many shopping malls over Christmas time across the globe!
11- North Pole
उत्तरी ध्रुव uTTari dhruv
The cold North Pole is where Santa Claus is reputed to live with his reindeer!
12- Sled
स्लेज slej
A sled is a non-motorised land vehicle used to travel over snow in countries where it snows a lot, and is usually pulled by animals such as horses, dogs or reindeer. This one obviously refers to Santa’s sled! Another word for sled is sleigh or sledge.
13- Present
उपहार uphaar
Gift or present giving is synonymous with Christmas Eve and the greatest source of joy for children over this festive time! This tradition signifies that Christ’s birth was a gift to mankind, but not all people who hand out presents over Christmas observe the religious meaning.
14- Bell
घंटी ghantii
On Christmas Day, or Christmas Eve, many religious celebrants enjoy going to church for a special sermon and Christmas rituals. The start of the sermon is often announced with bells or a bell, if the church has one. For this reason, the sound of ringing bells is often associated with Christmas Day.
15- Chimney
चिमनी chimnee
The chimney is the entrance Santa Claus uses to deliver children’s presents on Christmas Day, according to folklore! Wonder how the chubby man and his elves stay clean…?!
16- Fireplace
अंगीठी angeethi
In most countries where it snows, Christmas is synonymous with a fire or burning embers in houses’ fireplaces. Families huddle around its warmth while opening Christmas presents. Also, this is where Santa Claus is reputed to pop out after his journey down the chimney!
17- Christmas Day
बड़ा दिन badaa DiN
This is the official day of commemorative celebration of Christ’s birth, and falls each year on December 25.
18- Decoration
सजावट sajaavat
Decorations are the colourful trinkets and posters that make their appearance in shops and homes during the Christmas holiday season in many countries! They give the places a celebratory atmosphere in anticipation of the big Christmas celebration. Typical Christmas decorations include colorful photographs and posters, strings of lights, figurines of Santa Claus and the nativity scene, poinsettia flowers, snowflakes and many more.
19- Stocking
बड़ा मोजा badaa mojaa
According to legend, Santa Claus places children’s presents in a red stocking hanging over the fireplace. This has also become a popular decoration, signifying Christmas.
20- Holly
सदाबहार वृक्ष saDabahaar vriksh
Holly is a shrub native to the UK, and parts of Europe, Africa and Asia. It is characterised by glossy, spiny-toothed leaves, small, whitish flowers, and red berries. Ironically, its significance for Christmas relates to Christ’s crucifixion and suffering rather than his birth. However, the leaves’ distinctive shape and image have become popular Christmas decorations.
21- Gingerbread house
जिंजरब्रेड का घर जिंजरब्रेड का घर jinjerbred kaa ghar
According to legend, the gingerbread house synonymous with Christmas is related to Christ’s birth place, Bethlehem. Bethlehem literally means ‘House of Bread’. Over centuries, it has become a popular treat over Christmas time in many non-religious households as well.
22- Candy cane
टाफी की छड़ी taafi ki chhadii
According to folklore, Christmas candy canes made their appearance first in Germany in the 16th century. A choir master gave children the candy canes to suck on in church in order to keep them quiet during the Christmas sermon! Apparently, the candy is shaped like a cane in remembrance of the shepherds who were the first to visit the baby Jesus. Today, like gingerbread houses, they are still a popular sweet over the festive season!
23- Mistletoe
अमर बेल amar bel
Mistletoe is a parasitic plant that grows on certain trees. In the Middle Ages, it was believed that the mistletoe has magical powers, and could protect a household from evil if hung above a door during December. The belief didn’t last but the habit did, and the mistletoe is another popular Christmas decoration!
4. Twelve Days of Christmas
Wow, you’re doing extremely well! You know how to wish someone a Merry Christmas in Hindi, and you learned pertinent vocabulary too! The Twelve Days of Christmas is not very well known in modern times, so, you’re on your way to becoming an expert in Christmas traditions and rituals. Well done!
The Twelve Days of Christmas, also known as Twelvetide, is a traditional festive period of 12 days dedicated to celebrate the nativity of Christ. Christmas Day is, for many who observe Twelvetide, the first day of this period.
‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ is also a popular Christmas song about a series of gifts given on each day of Twelvetide. According to experts, these gifts were created as a coded reference to important symbols in the Christian church. Here is a list of those gifts mentioned in the song! Do you recognise them?
5. Top 10 Christmas Characters in American Culture
This is fantastic, you know how to explain almost everything about Christmas in Hindi! However, do you know the most popular Christmas characters in American culture? Your knowledge will not be complete without this list.
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We have over a decade of experience and research behind us, and it shows! With thousands of audio and video lessons, detailed PDF lessons and notes, as well as friendly, knowledgeable hosts, HindiPod101 is simply unbeatable when it comes to learning correct Hindi. Plenty of tools and resources are available when you study with us. New lessons are added every week so material remains fresh and relevant. You also have the option to upgrade and enjoy even more personalised guidance and services. This is a sure way to fast-track your learning!
So, this Christmas, why don’t you give yourself a present and enroll in HindiPod101? Or give an enrollment as a present to a loved one. It will be a gift with benefits for a whole lifetime, not just over Christmas!
There are plenty of destinations where you can get by with English, but sometimes you want to do better than just ‘get by’. Here are 6 reasons you should learn the basics of the language of your next trip destination.
1. You will be able to discover your destination better than other tourists.
Getting by is one thing, but actually experiencing a trip abroad is quite another. No amount of guidebooks and online research can compensate for a basic lack of language ability. Speaking the language of your destination permits you to explore that destination beyond the regular tourist traps. Your language skills will not only allow you to dig into all the hidden gems of your destination, but they will also allow you to mingle with the locals to get a true experience on your holiday. Think of it this way: you’re not restricted to talking to the people at the tourist desk anymore.
2. Knowing how to communicate with local police or medical personnel can be life-saving.
Before you leave for your destination, make sure you learn how to ask for help in that destination’s local tongue. Do you know how to ask the waiter if this dish has peanuts in it? Or tell your host family that you’re allergic to fish? Can you tell the local doctor where it hurts? Moreover, an awareness of an environment improves your chance of remaining safe inside it. For example, walking around a busy marketplace, dazzled by an unfamiliar language, signs and accents will instantly render any tourist a more attractive mark for pickpockets. Communicating with other people, asking questions and looking confident will make you look like a semi-local yourself, and will ward off potential thieves.
3. It helps you relax.
Traveling is much less stressful when you understand what that announcement at the airport was saying, or if this bus line reaches your hotel. These things stress you out when traveling and they disappear when you understand the language. This allows you to focus on planning your trip in a better, easier way.
4. Speaking the language can provide you with a way to get to know people you’d never otherwise have the opportunity to speak with.
Sometimes those relationships turn into friendships, and other times they’re nothing more than a lively conversation. Either way, as Nelson Mandela said: “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.” When you approach someone – even staff at a store or restaurant – with English, rather than their own language, an invisible divide has already been erected. Making even a small effort to communicate in the language of the place you’re visiting can go a long way and you’ll find many more doors open up to you as a result.
5. You’ll be a better ambassador for your country.
If we’re honest with ourselves, we know very little about other countries and cultures, especially the local politics. And what we do know is often filtered to us by the media, which tends to represent only certain interests. When you can speak the local language, you’re able to answer questions that curious locals have about your country and culture. Are you frustrated with how your country is presented in global news? Are you embarrassed by your country’s leaders and want to make it clear that not everyone is like that where you’re from? This is a very good opportunity to share your story with people who have no one else to ask. We all have a responsibility to be representatives of the place we come from.
One of the most important factors in keeping your motivation up is developing it into a habit. Whether it be 20 minutes or 3 hours, schedule time to study every day and stick to it. Regular exposure solidifies what you learn and keeps you progressing. To make sure you stick to your routine, a great idea is to build a schedule for your day and decide that every day/Monday/weekend, you study from 6pm to 8pm. Just remember that 30 minutes a day, every day, is better than a binge 8-hour study session at the end of the week (though it’s obviously better than nothing).
2. Learn a word a day with our great Word of the Day learning tool.
Trying to learn everything at once and getting overwhelmed by the sheer number of words in your new language is not a good idea. Sometimes, even if you do learn new words, you forget them quickly because you haven’t heard them enough in context. As mentioned above, daily exposure to new words is an important factor in solidifying your target language. Our Word of the Day tool delivers you daily words and phrases, shows you how to pronounce them and use them in different contexts. Since you can get the WOTD via email, Facebook, or Twitter, this is a passive way of learning a language that fits into your existing daily social media routine. It only takes 3 minutes to review a word and practice its pronunciation, so you can do it on the way to work, in the gym, or even before you go to bed.
If there’s a community of people who speak the language you want to learn in your city, start attending those events! Friendship is the easiest way to get comfortable with the slang, intonation, and mannerisms of a new language. The key to learning any language is speaking a lot, so try to find a native speaker who can be your conversation partner. Having friends that speak your target language means that you will find yourself in situations where you have no choice but to speak that language. But since they are your friends, you will be doing things you enjoy with them. So these situations will probably have little or no stress. These friendships will also mean that you have someone you can ask about language, culture, and so on.
4. Take a break!
If you’re having an off day or if your brain is already tired of studying, see if you can take a break and do something fun AND useful. Comic books, illustrated stories, and cartoons are a fun way to keep learning while reducing the target language text load for weary eyes. Plus, the images help you plant lasting seeds of memory, as researchers say humor opens up cognitive doors. This is a way to keep the target language active in your brain without the strain of studying a textbook.
Don’t get stuck with the same content though. When things start to bore you, move on. Change up your books, movies, anime, music, dramas, and so on when they start getting old.
5. Don’t give up!
As with any goal, there are going to be pitfalls along the way. You’d have to be incredibly determined to never have an off-day or consider giving up. And when you do it’s ok, but the important thing is to pick yourself up after this temporary setback and keep going. Knowing you’ve overcome a few obstacles is only going to make the moment you have your first conversation in another language that much sweeter. Like the Hindi proverb says, ‘Fall down seven times, stand up eight.’
