नमस्ते
namasteeveryday
The word नमस्ते (namaste) is the Hindi greeting and is written in Devanagari as नमस्ते. It is used for both hello and goodbye, usually with palms joined at the chest. It is also called नमस्कार (namaskār) and प्रणाम (praṇām).
Meaning: traditional greeting with joined palms (interjection)
Ways to say it
| Indian | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| नमस्ते | namaste | everyday |
| नमस्कार | namaskār | formal |
| प्रणाम | praṇām | respectful |
What does it mean word for word?
नमस्ते (namaste) comes from Sanskrit नमः (namaḥ), "bow", and ते (te), "to you". So it means "I bow to you".
When do people say it?
Young people often touch the feet of an elder as a greeting, called चरण स्पर्श (charaṇ sparsh). With people of the same age, a नमस्ते (namaste) with joined hands is enough.
Did you know?
- The joined palms gesture is called अंजलि मुद्रा (añjali mudrā) in Sanskrit.
Examples in context
- नमस्ते, आप कैसे हैं?namaste, āp kaise haiṅ?Hello, how are you?
- नमस्ते, फिर मिलेंगे।namaste, phir mileṅge.Goodbye, we will meet again.
- दादाजी को नमस्ते कहो।dādājī ko namaste kaho.Say hello to your grandfather.
Example conversation
A mother teaches her child Aditi to greet a guest.
- Motherअदिति, मौसी जी को नमस्ते कहो।aditi, mausī jī ko namaste kaho.Aditi, say namaste to your aunt.
- Aditiनमस्ते मौसी जी।namaste mausī jī.Namaste, aunt.
- Auntनमस्ते बेटा, जीती रहो।namaste beṭā, jītī raho.Namaste dear, may you live long.
