When it comes to telling the time in Hindi, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with both the formal and informal ways to express it. Whether you’re visiting India, learning the language, or simply interested in Hindi culture, this guide will provide you with a wealth of tips, examples, and regional variations (where necessary). Let’s delve into the intricacies of telling time in Hindi!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say the Time in Hindi
When speaking formally, it’s important to follow the conventional format for expressing the time. Here are some essential words and phrases you can use:
1. Hour
The word for “hour” in Hindi is “ghante”.
Example:
“It’s 3 o’clock” would be “3 bajne hai” in Hindi. (Note: “bajne hai” literally means “it’s going to ring three times.”)
2. Minutes
To express minutes in Hindi, use “mint” or “minute”. Keep in mind that it is common to rely on the English word “minute,” especially in formal settings.
Example:
“It’s 4:15” can be expressed as “4 bajke 15 minute hai” or simply “4.15 baj gaye”.
3. Time Duration
When discussing a specific time duration, the word “tak” (meaning “until” or “to”) is frequently used in formal situations.
Example:
“The meeting will last until 5 o’clock” can be stated as “Baitak 5 baje tak chalegi”.
4. AM and PM
Hindi follows the 24-hour clock system, so there is no specific “AM” or “PM” distinction needed. However, if it’s essential to indicate morning or evening, you can use “subah” (morning) or “shaam” (evening) respectively.
Example:
“It will happen at 8:00 AM” can be phrased as “Yeh 8 baje subah hoga”.
Informal Ways to Say the Time in Hindi
When speaking informally, Hindi speakers often use a more relaxed approach in expressing time. Here are some informal phrases commonly used:
1. The Present Hour
Informally, to express the current hour, you can simply mention the number followed by “baje” (o’clock).
Example:
“It’s 7 o’clock” can be casually said as “7 baje hai”.
2. Minutes
Similar to the formal way, you can indicate the minutes after the hour by stating the number followed by “bajkar” (meaning “and”) and the number of minutes.
Example:
“It’s 4:30” can be expressed as “4 baje kar 30 minute hai” when speaking informally.
3. Time Duration
Informally, to express a time duration, you can rely on the word “tak” again, just as in formal situations.
Example:
“I will be there until 6 o’clock” can be phrased as “Main wahan 6 baje tak rahunga”.
4. AM and PM
As mentioned earlier, Hindi does not typically use “AM” and “PM.” However, if clarification is needed, you can use “subah” (morning) or “shaam” (evening).
Example:
“We’ll meet at 9 in the evening” translates to “Hum shaam 9 baje milenge”.
Regional Variations for Telling Time in Hindi
While Hindi is widely spoken throughout India, regional variations exist. Here are a few examples:
1. Mumbai/Bombay
In Mumbai, some phrases differ slightly. For instance, the word “ghari” is used instead of “ghante” to mean “hour.”
Example:
“It’s 2 o’clock” would be “2 ghari ahe” in Mumbai Hindi.
2. Rajasthan
In Rajasthan, you might find slightly different time expressions. For example, “o’clock” is often skipped, and time is indicated solely with the hour number.
Example:
“It’s 6 o’clock” would be simply stated as “6 baje” in Rajasthan Hindi.
3. Varanasi
In Varanasi, the word “Bajat” is used instead of “bajne hai” for expressing time.
Example:
“It’s 10 o’clock” becomes “10 bajat hai” in Varanasi Hindi.
Remember, these regional variations mainly occur in spoken language and may not be evident in formal or written Hindi.
Conclusion
By now, you should have a good understanding of how to tell the time in Hindi, both formally and informally. Remember to practice and listen to native speakers to improve your skills. Whether you find yourself in Mumbai, Rajasthan, or Varanasi, this guide should help you confidently express the time in Hindi. Embrace the richness of the language and culture as you navigate your way through the Hindi-speaking world!
