नमस्ते
namasteeveryday, Hindi
The standard way to say "hello" is नमस्ते (namaste). On the phone people say हैलो (hailo), and नमस्कार (namaskār) is more formal.
Meaning: greeting (interjection)
Ways to say it
| Indian | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| नमस्ते | namaste | everyday, Hindi |
| नमस्कार | namaskār | formal |
| हैलो | hailo | phone, casual |
नमस्ते (namaste) is polite with everyone, from elders to strangers. Answering a phone with हैलो (hailo) is normal, and friends may just say हाय (hāy).
How do you pronounce it?
नमस्ते (namaste) is said close to "nuh-muh-STAY", with the first two vowels short.
Did you know?
- Many Hindi speakers fold their hands together and slightly bow when saying नमस्ते.
Examples in context
- नमस्ते, आप कैसे हैं?namaste, āp kaise haiṃ?Hello, how are you?
Example conversation
Asha picks up the phone and then greets her aunt in person.
- Ashaहैलो, कौन बोल रहा है?hailo, kaun bol rahā hai?Hello, who is speaking?
- Auntमैं मौसी बोल रही हूँ।maiṃ mausī bol rahī hū̃.This is your aunt.
- Ashaनमस्ते, मौसी जी।namaste, mausī jī.Hello, aunt.
