Cindy Christina

Hindi has three levels for “sit down”. बैठिए (baiṭhie) is polite, बैठो (baiṭho) is for friends and younger people, and बैठ जाओ (baiṭh jāo) is casual.

In Hindi a million is दस लाख (das lākh), “ten lakh”.

For chicken as food, Hindi uses चिकन (chikan). The bird itself is मुर्गी (murgi) for a hen and मुर्गा (murga) for a rooster.

Luxury is विलासिता (vilaasita). For something luxurious, such as a hotel or a house, Hindi uses the adjective आलीशान (aaleeshaan).

“How was your day” is आपका दिन कैसा रहा? (Aapka din kaisa raha?) with elders and strangers, and तुम्हारा दिन कैसा रहा? (Tumhara din kaisa raha?) with friends.

For a sliced loaf Hindi speakers say ब्रेड (bred). The daily flatbread is रोटी (roti), and a soft bun is पाव (paav).

In Hindi the best way to tell a girl “I love you” is मुझे तुमसे प्यार है (mujhe tumse pyār hai). It works for any speaker.

In Hindi, a thief is चोर (chor). Someone who snatches things quickly, like a bag or a chain, is called an उचक्का (uchakka).

A hunter is a शिकारी (shikari). The same word is used for a man or a woman, and it also describes any animal that hunts its prey.

Umbrella in Hindi is छाता (chhātā). It is used for both a rain umbrella and a sun umbrella, and the plural is छाते (chhāte).