Kirsty Morgan

In Hindi people say सर (sar) for “sir” in schools and offices. साहब (sāhab) is another respectful address for a man.

Hindi uses the borrowed word पिज़्ज़ा (pizzā) for pizza. There is no older native word, so you say it as in English.

In Mumbai people greet each other with नमस्ते (namaste), the common Hindi greeting. Marathi, the language of the state, uses नमस्कार (namaskār).

“How much” is कितना (kitnā). To ask a price, say यह कितने का है? (yah kitne kā hai?) or कितने पैसे? (kitne paise?).

The most common greeting is नमस्ते (namaste), said with palms pressed together.

To eat in Hindi is खाना (khānā). Use खाओ (khāo) for friends and family and the polite खाइए (khāie) for elders and guests.

Hindi has no exact word for “good day” as a greeting, so people say नमस्ते (namaste) when they meet and आपका दिन शुभ हो (āpkā din śubh ho), “may your day…

In Hindi “you’re ugly” is तुम बदसूरत हो (tum badsūrat ho). It is a harsh insult. It is better avoided.

The standard way to say “hello” is नमस्ते (namaste). On the phone people say हैलो (hailo), and नमस्कार (namaskār) is more formal.

A mango is an आम (aam). The fruit is India’s national fruit and its season in summer is eagerly awaited.