Cindy Christina

“Indian”, for a person or thing from India, is भारतीय (bhaaratiya). The word works as a noun and as an adjective and is the same for men and women.

God in Hindi is भगवान (bhagvān), the most common word. ईश्वर (īśvar) is the more formal one, and many Muslims say ख़ुदा (khudā) or अल्लाह (allāh).

One word covers both: नमस्ते (namaste) is used when you meet someone and when you leave. नमस्कार (namaskār) does the same in a more formal tone.

Dance in Hindi is नाच (nāc) in everyday speech and नृत्य (nṛtya) in formal or classical contexts. The verb “to dance” is नाचना (nācnā).

There is no single language called Indian, so this page gives Hindi. The direct way to tell someone to be quiet is चुप रहो (chup raho).

In Hindi you can wish सुरक्षित यात्रा (surakshit yātrā) for safe travels. A warmer formal blessing is यात्रा मंगलमय हो (yātrā mangalmay ho).

In Hindi a snail is घोंघा (ghonghā). You see snails in gardens after the monsoon rains. घोंघा is mainly the word for a snail with a shell.

In India most people searching this mean Hindi, where a kitchen is रसोई (rasoī). The loan word किचन (kichan) is also very common in cities.

The usual word for “good” is अच्छा (acchā). बढ़िया (baṛhiyā) is a casual “great” and उत्तम (uttam) is a formal “excellent”.

In Hindi “zero” is शून्य (shūnya). In everyday talk many people say जीरो (jīro), borrowed from English.