Learn common Hindi greetings and farewells
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| शुभ रात्रि। (subh raaTri.) |
| सुप्रभात। (SuprabhaaT.) |
| आपसे मिलकर ख़ुशी हुई। (aapaSe miLakar khusii huyii.) |
| What do these words mean? Stick around. |
| In this quick lesson, you’ll learn basic Hindi greetings that all beginners must know. |
| Before we start, do you know that some people in India have a special way to agree with body language? Do you know what that is? |
| Keep watching for the answer at the end. |
| नमस्ते। (NamaSTe.) |
| "Hello." |
| [SLOW] नमस्ते। (NamaSTe.) |
| नमस्ते। (NamaSTe.) |
| This is a word of respect. When people say it, they often press their palms together like a prayer. You can use it to greet anyone, any time of the day! |
| Jack greets Steve at a networking event. |
| Jack: नमस्ते, आज आप कैसे हैं? (NamaSTe, aaj aap kaiSe hain?) |
| Steve: मैं अच्छा हूँ, धन्यवाद! आप कैसे हैं? (main acchaa huun, DHaNyavaaD! aap kaiSe hain?) |
| शुभ रात्रि। (subh raaTri.) |
| "Goodnight." |
| [SLOW] शुभ रात्रि। (subh raaTri.) |
| शुभ रात्रि। (subh raaTri.) |
| This formal phrase joins two Sanskrit-based words. The first word Subh means 'good' or 'auspicious,' and the second word Raatri means 'night.' |
| Steve and Tom say goodnight after watching a movie. |
| Steve: शुभ रात्रि। मुझे बहुत मज़ा आया। (subh raaTri. mujhe bahuT mazaa aayaa.) |
| Tom: शुभ रात्रि। कल मिलते हैं। (subh raaTri. kaL miLaTe hain.) |
| सुप्रभात। (SuprabhaaT.) |
| "Good morning." |
| [SLOW] सुप्रभात। (SuprabhaaT.) |
| सुप्रभात। (SuprabhaaT.) |
| This is a very respectful choice and it's mostly used in formal situations. |
| Usually Indian people prefer to say NamaSTe. |
| Gayatri greets her friends before heading out on a hiking trip. |
| Gayatri: सभी को सुप्रभात। (Sabhii ko SuprabhaaT.) |
| Tom: सुप्रभात! आपको देखकर अच्छा लगा। (SuprabhaaT! aapako Dekhakar acchaa Lagaa.) |
| आपसे मिलकर ख़ुशी हुई। (aapaSe miLakar khusii huyii.) |
| "Nice to meet you." |
| [SLOW] आपसे मिलकर ख़ुशी हुई। (aapaSe miLakar khusii huyii.) |
| आपसे मिलकर ख़ुशी हुई। (aapaSe miLakar khusii huyii.) |
| This phrase uses the word for 'happiness' (khusii). Notice the verb at the end is in the past tense. |
| It is a polite phrase, used when you meet someone new. |
| Rashmi greets a new student. |
| Rashmi: अंदर आइए। आपसे मिलकर ख़ुशी हुई। (aNDar aaiye. aapaSe miLakar khusii huyii.) |
| Gabriel: धन्यवाद। मुझे भी आपसे मिलकर बहुत अच्छा लगा। (DHaNyavaaD. mujhe bhii aapaSe miLakar bahuT acchaa Lagaa.) |
| आप कैसे हैं? (aap kaiSe hain?) |
| "How are you?" |
| [SLOW] आप कैसे हैं? (aap kaiSe hain?) |
| आप कैसे हैं? (aap kaiSe hain?) |
| This phrase uses 'aap', which is the most formal way to say 'you'. Using 'aap' shows politeness and respect in Hindi, especially when speaking to someone older, a teacher, or a stranger. |
| Steve greets Tom at a party. |
| Steve: यहाँ आपको देख कर अच्छा लगा! आप कैसे हैं, टॉम? (yahaan aapako Dekh kar acchaa Lagaa! aap kaiSe hain, taum?) |
| Tom: मैं ठीक हूँ, धन्यवाद! आप कैसे हैं? (main thiik huun, DHaNyavaaD! aap kaiSe hain?) |
| अलविदा। (aLaviDaa.) |
| "Goodbye." |
| [SLOW] अलविदा। (aLaviDaa.) |
| अलविदा। (aLaviDaa.) |
| aLaviDaa is borrowed from the Persian language. Many Hindi speakers prefer using the expression phir milenge instead. |
| Jack says goodbye after meeting with Steve. |
| Jack: अलविदा। फिर मिलेंगे! (aLaviDaa. phir miLenge!) |
| Steve: ज़रूर। अपना ख़्याल रखना! (zaruur. apaNaa khyaaL rakhaNaa!) |
| Let's review. |
| You'll see the words in English and your job is to say the words in Hindi. |
| Ready? |
| Do you remember how to say "Hello."? |
| नमस्ते। (NamaSTe.) |
| नमस्ते। (NamaSTe.) |
| And how to say "Goodnight."? |
| शुभ रात्रि। (subh raaTri.) |
| शुभ रात्रि। (subh raaTri.) |
| How about "Good morning."? |
| सुप्रभात। (SuprabhaaT.) |
| सुप्रभात। (SuprabhaaT.) |
| Do you remember how to say "Nice to meet you."? |
| आपसे मिलकर ख़ुशी हुई। (aapaSe miLakar khusii huyii.) |
| आपसे मिलकर ख़ुशी हुई। (aapaSe miLakar khusii huyii.) |
| And how to say "How are you?"? |
| आप कैसे हैं? (aap kaiSe hain?) |
| आप कैसे हैं? (aap kaiSe hain?) |
| And finally, do you remember how to say "Goodbye."? |
| अलविदा। (aLaviDaa.) |
| अलविदा। (aLaviDaa.) |
| Do you know that some people in India have a special way to agree with body language? Do you know what that is? |
| In general, most of India uses the nodding gesture to show agreement. But some South Indians tilt their heads side to side, like this, to show agreement or understanding. Some “comics” have called it the “Indian head bobble.” If you’re not used to it, it can be a little confusing! Sometimes, it might look like a "maybe" to newcomers, but for locals, it’s a friendly way to acknowledge or say "yes." |
| It’s called the "Indian head bobble." Instead of a simple nod or shake, we tilt our head side to side, like this, to show we agree or understand. |
| If you’re not used to it, it can be a little confusing! Sometimes, it might look like a "maybe" to newcomers, but for locals, it’s a friendly way to acknowledge or say "yes." |
| Thanks for watching! Don't forget to practice these new words and phrases, and see you next time! |
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