नमस्ते
namaste/nə.məs.t̪eː/
The Hindi phrase for hello and goodbye is नमस्ते (namaste).
नमस्ते is a versatile term that functions as both a greeting when arriving and a parting salutation when departing. It is a respectful way to say hello and goodbye in most social situations.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase नमस्ते carries the meaning "I bow to you".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
नमस्ते is a formal and respectful term suitable for most social situations. For more specific interactions, you might use Pranam to show respect to someone older or in a position of authority. When you specifically need to say goodbye, Alvida serves as a formal option, while Chalte hain (meaning "let's go") and Fir milenge (meaning "see you later") are used as informal ways to depart from friends or acquaintances.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of नमस्ते is /nə.məs.t̪eː/. It has 3 syllables and is romanized as namaste.
When do people say it?
When greeting someone in person with नमस्ते, it is customary to perform a slight bow with your hands pressed together in front of your chest.
Did you know?
- In many parts of India, if you are greeting a much older person or a religious figure, you might perform 'Charan Sparsh', which involves touching their feet rather than just the hands-together gesture used with नमस्ते.
- If you are using नमस्ते in a spiritual or yoga context, it often implies that you are acknowledging the divine light within the other person.
- The word नमस्ते is actually a combination of two Sanskrit words: namas, meaning 'bow' or 'reverence', and 'te', meaning 'to you'.
Examples in context
- नमस्ते, आप कैसे हैं?namaste, aap kaise hain?Hello, how are you?
- नमस्ते, अब मैं चलता हूँ।namaste, ab main chalta hoon.Hello, I am leaving now.
- नमस्ते, आपसे मिलकर अच्छा लगा।namaste, aap se milkar achchha laga.Hello, it was nice meeting you.
Example conversation
Neha and Amit meet at a park.
- नेहा Nehaनमस्ते अमित, क्या हाल है?Namaste Amit, kya haal hai?Hello Amit, how are things?
- अमित Amitसब ठीक है, नेहा।Sab theek hai, Neha.Everything is fine, Neha.
- नेहा Nehaमुझे अब जाना होगा।Mujhe ab jaana hoga.I have to go now.
- अमित Amitठीक है, नमस्ते!Theek hai, namaste!Okay, goodbye!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry नमस्ते, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries नमस्ते, CC BY-SA 4.0.
