नमस्ते
namasteeveryday, Hindi
The most common greeting is नमस्ते (namaste), said with palms pressed together. नमस्कार (namaskār) is more formal and प्रणाम (praṇām) shows respect to elders.
Meaning: words used to welcome someone (noun)
Ways to say it
| Indian | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| नमस्ते | namaste | everyday, Hindi |
| नमस्कार | namaskār | formal |
| प्रणाम | praṇām | respectful |
नमस्ते (namaste) fits any time of day and any person. Young people also say हैलो (hailo) or हाय (hāy), especially on the phone.
When do people say it?
Greeting an elder often includes touching their feet, called पैर छूना (pair chūnā), along with प्रणाम (praṇām).
Did you know?
- नमस्ते (namaste) comes from Sanskrit and is usually explained as "I bow to you".
Examples in context
- सबको नमस्ते।sabko namaste.Greetings to everyone.
- दादाजी को प्रणाम करो।dādājī ko praṇām karo.Greet grandfather respectfully.
Example conversation
Nisha welcomes a guest at the door.
- Nishaनमस्ते, अंदर आइए।namaste, aṃdar āie.Hello, please come in.
- Guestनमस्ते, निशा जी।namaste, niśā jī.Hello, Nisha.
- Nishaबैठिए, मैं पानी लाती हूँ।baiṭhie, maiṃ pānī lātī hū̃.Please sit, I will bring water.
