धन्यवाद
dhanyavād/d̪ʱən.jə.ʋɑːd̪/
dhanyawad is the Hindi way to say "Thank you".
धन्यवाद is the most common and standard way to say "Thank you" in Hindi. It is typically used as a standalone exclamation or at the end of a formal speech or letter. You can use बहुत बहुत धन्यवाद to emphasize your gratitude and convey heartfelt thanks.
Which one should you use?
While धन्यवाद is formal and Sanskrit-derived, shukriyā is a very common, slightly more casual alternative derived from Urdu. For a friendly touch, you might use the informal expression Shukriya yaar. Among close friends or family, you can also say Dhanyavad bhai/behen.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
धन्यवाद is a formal way to say thank you, often used in official settings, speeches or when addressing someone with respect. In contrast, Aabhar is a slightly more formal and poetic term for expressing gratitude.
How do you pronounce it?
dhanyavād (3 syllables)
Did you know?
- In many Indian households, saying dhanyawad to one's own parents or elders can be seen as too formal or distancing, as if you are treating them like strangers.
- While dhanyawad is the standard term, some speakers intentionally choose shukriya to project a more secular or cosmopolitan identity.
- In highly informal settings among youth, people often skip both dhanyawad and shukriya entirely, opting for English words like 'thanks' or simply a nod. This linguistic blending is a hallmark of modern 'Hinglish' spoken in urban India.
Examples in context
- मदद के लिए धन्यवाद।madad ke liye dhanyawad.Thank you for the help.
- उपहार के लिए बहुत-बहुत धन्यवाद।uphaar ke liye bahut-bahut dhanyawad.Thank you very much for the gift.
Example conversation
Amit gives Neha a book that she wanted.
- अमित Amitनेहा, यह तुम्हारे लिए है।Neha, yeh tumhare liye hai.Neha, this is for you.
- नेहा Nehaइस किताब के लिए धन्यवाद, अमित।Is kitaab ke liye dhanyawad, Amit.Thank you for this book, Amit.
- अमित Amitक्या तुम्हें यह पसंद आई?Kya tumhe yeh pasand aayi?Did you like it?
- नेहा Nehaहाँ, मुझे यह बहुत पसंद है।Haan, mujhe yeh bahut pasand hai.Yes, I like it very much.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry धन्यवाद, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
