Ways to say it
| Marathi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| इंग्रजी | iṅgrajī | /iŋ.ɡɾə.d͡ʑi/ |
| इंग्लिश भाषा | iṅgliś bhāṣā |
The term is used to name the English language or to describe things as being English. For example, it can be used as an adjective to mean 'English' as in 'English book'.
Which one should you use?
While इंग्रजी refers to the language or an English adjective, the word इंग्रज is used to refer to the English people themselves.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term इंग्लीश is an informally borrowed word used in specific regions of Maharashtra to refer to the English language.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word इंग्रजी is versatile and functions as both a noun (the name of the language) and an adjective (meaning 'English').
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced iṅgrajī (three syllables). The sounds are similar to the following: /i/ as in the 'y' in happ[y], /ŋ/ as in si[ng], /ɡ/ as in a[g]ain, /ɾ/ as in the American 't' in a[t]om, /ə/ as in [a]bout and /dʑ/ as in [j]azz.
Did you know?
- In some contexts, calling someone इंग्रजी in a sarcastic tone can imply they are acting overly formal or pretentious, mimicking colonial British habits.
- Marathi speakers often use इंग्रजी as a shorthand for 'English-medium education', a prestigious social marker in India's schooling system.
- The Marathi word इंग्रजी is structurally related to the Hindi word अंग्रेज़ी and the Persian word 'Angrez', which was used to describe the British in South Asia.
Examples in context
- तो इंग्रजी बोलतो का?Does he speak English?This sentence is useful for asking if someone speaks इंग्रजी.Tatoeba #2186298 by sabretou, translation #293951 by CK
- तू इंग्रजी बोलतेस का?Do you speak English?Tatoeba #2088691 by sabretou, translation #378270 by saeb
- इंग्रजी कठीण आहे, ना?English is hard, isn't it?This sentence is useful for stating that इंग्रजी is difficult.Tatoeba #2534106 by sabretou, translation #852852 by piksea
- तुम्हाला इंग्रजी समजतं का?Do you understand English?
- 668 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Amit and Aditi are discussing their language classes.
- अमित Amitतुला इंग्रजी शिकायला आवडते का?tulā ingrajī śikāyalā āvaḍatē kā?Do you like learning English?
- अदिति Aditiहो, मला इंग्रजी खूप आवडते.hō, malā ingrajī khūp āvaḍatē.Yes, I like English very much.
- अमित Amitमी सुद्धा इंग्रजी शिकत आहे.mī suddhā ingrajī śikat āhē.I am also learning English.
- अदिति Aditiखूप छान, आपण एकत्र सराव करूया.khūp chān, āpaṇ ēkata svarāv karūyā.Very nice, let's practice together.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “english” translations and entries इंग्रजी, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries इंग्रजी, भाषा, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
