नमस्कार
namaskār/nə.məs.kɑːɾ/
The Hindi word for "greetings" is नमस्कार (namaskār).
नमस्कार is used as a formal and respectful way to say "hello" or to offer greetings.
Meaning: formal way of saying "hello" (intj)
Which one should you use?
While नमस्कार and नमस्ते are often used interchangeably, नमस्कार is slightly more formal and is frequently used in structured or official greetings.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /nə.məs.kɑːɾ/. The word has 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- The concept behind the greeting is to acknowledge the divine light or essence within the other person, which is a philosophical layer hidden beneath the simple social function of the word.
- When saying नमस्कार, it is customary to join your palms together in front of your chest in a gesture known as अंजलि मुद्रा (Anjali Mudra). This physical movement is as much a part of the greeting as the word itself.
- The word नमस्कार is composed of two Sanskrit roots: नमस् meaning 'bow' or 'obeisance' and कार meaning 'act' or 'doing'. Literally, you are performing the act of bowing.
Examples in context
- नमस्ते, नमस्कार!namaste, namaskār!Hello, greetings!
- आदरणीय महोदय, नमस्कार।ādarṇīya mahodaya, namaskār.Respected sir, greetings.
- सबको मेरा नमस्कार।sabko merā namaskār.My greetings to everyone.
Example conversation
Aditya and Priya meet at a formal business conference.
- आदित्य Adityaप्रिया जी, नमस्कार।Priyā jī, namaskār.Greetings, Priya.
- प्रिया Priyaनमस्कार आदित्य जी, आप कैसे हैं?Namaskār Āditya jī, āp kaise haiṃ?Greetings Aditya, how are you?
- आदित्य Adityaमैं ठीक हूँ, धन्यवाद।Maiṃ ṭhīk hūm, dhanyavād.I am fine, thank you.
- प्रिया Priyaयह जानकर खुशी हुई।Yah jānkar khuśī huī.I am glad to hear that.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry नमस्कार, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries नमस्कार, CC BY-SA 4.0.
