Hindi, one of the most widely spoken languages in India, has its unique system for expressing dates. Whether you’re learning Hindi for personal or professional reasons, knowing how to say dates correctly is essential. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore both the formal and informal ways to express dates in Hindi. We’ll provide you with helpful tips, examples, and even cover regional variations when necessary.
Formal Expressions of Dates in Hindi:
When it comes to formal situations, such as business meetings, official correspondence, or academic settings, using the correct form of expressing dates is crucial. Here are the standard ways to express dates formally in Hindi:
1. Using the full day, month, and year:
To express a date fully in Hindi, you need to mention the day of the week, the month, and the year. Here’s an example:
आज सोमवार, २० सितंबर २०२२ है।
“Aaj somvaar, bees September doh-sau-baavan hai.”
Translation: “Today is Monday, 20th September 2022.”
In the above example, “Aaj” means “today,” “somvaar” means “Monday,” “bees” means “20th,” “September” is translated as “september,” and “doh-sau-baavan” represents “2022.”
2. Using ordinal numbers instead of the full date:
In formal situations, it is common to express the date using ordinal numbers for the day and month, while mentioning the year separately. Let’s take a look at an example:
आज २० सितंबर २०२२ का दिन है।
“Aaj bees September doh-sau-baavan ka din hai.”
Translation: “Today is the 20th of September 2022.”
In this example, “ka din” means “day of,” and the rest of the expression remains the same as in the previous example.
Informal Ways to Express Dates in Hindi:
In informal settings, such as casual conversations with friends or family, you can use simpler expressions to mention the date. Let’s explore a few of these informal ways:
1. Using cardinal numbers:
Unlike in formal situations, you can use cardinal numbers to express the date informally. Here’s an example:
आज २० सितंबर है।
“Aaj bees September hai.”
Translation: “Today is 20th September.”
In this informal expression, we only mention the day and the month without specifying the year.
2. Using “aaj” (today) with the date:
Another way to express the date in an informal manner is to simply use “aaj” (today) followed by the date. Let’s see an example:
आज २० सितंबर है।
“Aaj 20th September hai.”
Translation: “Today is 20th September.”
In this informal expression, we use the same phrases “aaj” meaning “today” and “bees September” meaning “20th September” as mentioned earlier.
Regional Variations:
Hindi is spoken in various regions of India, and along with the standard forms, there are regional variations in expressing dates. While we have focused on the common forms of expressing dates, it’s worth noting that regional dialects might have minor differences. It’s always helpful to consider local variations when communicating with people from specific regions in India.
Conclusion:
In this guide, we have explored the formal and informal ways to express dates in Hindi. We discussed the use of full dates, ordinal numbers, and cardinal numbers in different contexts. Remember that while the formal expressions might be more suitable for professional settings, the informal ones work best in everyday conversations. Don’t forget to consider regional variations if you’re communicating with specific regions in India. With practice, you’ll become comfortable expressing and understanding dates in Hindi. Enjoy your journey of learning this beautiful language!
