নমস্কার
nomoskar/nɔmoʃkaɾ/
The English phrase 'namaste' is translated into Bengali as নমস্কার (nomoskar).
নমস্কার is used as a polite greeting when meeting someone or as a way to say goodbye.
Meaning: a greeting (noun)
Which one should you use?
In Bengali, the form নমস্কার is more commonly used than the Sanskrit 'namaste' for a standard respectful greeting.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain parts of West Bengal influenced by Urdu culture, the term আদাব is commonly used.
How do you pronounce it?
nomoskar (/nɔmoʃkaɾ/)
Did you know?
- Bengali has different greeting words based on religious identity, where নমস্কার is primarily used by Hindus and আসসালামু আলাইকুম is used by Muslims.
- While নমস্কার is a general polite greeting, the word প্রণাম is reserved for a higher level of reverence, often involving the physical act of touching an elder's feet.
- The word নমস্কার is a 'learned borrowing' from Sanskrit, meaning it was adopted into Bengali with its ancient structure and meaning preserved.
Examples in context
- সবাইকে নমস্কার।sobai-ke nomoshkar.Greetings to everyone.
- তিনি আমাকে নমস্কার জানালেন।tini amake nomoshkar janalen.He gave me a greeting.
- নমস্কার, আপনি কেমন আছেন?nomoshkar, apni kemon achen?Greetings, how are you?
Example conversation
Ananya and Akash meet at a community event.
- অনন্যা Ananyaনমস্কার আকাশ, কেমন আছেন?nomoshkar akash, kemon achen?Greetings Akash, how are you?
- আকাশ Akashনমস্কার অনন্যা, আমি ভালো আছি।nomoshkar ononnya, ami bhalo achi.Greetings Ananya, I am well.
- অনন্যা Ananyaআপনার অনুষ্ঠান কেমন চলছে?apnar onushthan kemon cholche?How is your event going?
- আকাশ Akashসব খুব ভালো যাচ্ছে।sob khub bhalo jacche.Everything is going very well.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “namaste” translations and entries নমস্কার, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries নমস্কার, CC BY-SA 4.0.
