Ways to say it
| Hindi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| तुम | tum | /t̪ʊm/ (Hindi, Standard) | |
| तू | tū | /t̪uː/ (Hindi, Standard) | familiar |
| आप | āp | /ɑːp/ (Hindi, Standard) | polite |
| तुइ | tui |
The word "you" is a subject pronoun used to address the person being spoken to. Because Hindi is highly sensitive to social hierarchy and interpersonal closeness, you must choose between several different forms depending on whom you are addressing.
Which one should you use?
Hindi uses three primary levels of "you": तू (tū) is used for extreme intimacy or can be perceived as derogatory. तुम (tum) is the standard informal or familiar form. And आप (āp) is the polite and formal version. While तुम is common among peers, using it instead of आप when speaking to a superior or an elder is considered disrespectful.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The formality of your choice is critical. आप is the most respectful and is used in professional settings, with elders or with strangers. तुम is informal and appropriate for friends, family or people of your same age group. तू is reserved for very close individuals, such as a spouse or sibling or for addressing God, but it is also highly intimate or can be seen as insulting if used incorrectly with someone of higher status.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The form तुइ (tui) is a regional variation found in certain dialects or specific linguistic contexts in North and Eastern India.
How does it change in a sentence?
The choice of pronoun affects how you conjugate verbs. When using the polite form आप, verbs must be conjugated in the plural form. When using the informal form तुम, verbs are conjugated in a mid-level plural form. The intimate form तू is used for children, very close friends or God.
How do you pronounce it?
tum is pronounced /t̪ʊm/.
When do people say it?
In Hindi culture, the way you address someone communicates your level of respect for them. Choosing an informal form like तुम with someone who expects the respect of आप can be seen as a lack of respect.
Did you know?
- While आप is the standard polite way to say 'you', its distant linguistic roots are actually connected to the Sanskrit word 'ātman', which refers to the 'self' or 'soul'.
- While तू is often seen as rude or derogatory, it is the standard way for a devotee to address God in prayer, reflecting a relationship of absolute intimacy.
Examples in context
- ठीक हूँ और आप?I am fine, and you?This sentence demonstrates how to use the polite form आप to return a greeting.Tatoeba #10979872 by glitter23, translation #872223 by japegon
- आप क्या कहेंगे?What would you say?This sentence shows a question using the polite form आप.Tatoeba #11154246 by thevikas, translation #2892656 by CK
- क्या आप मराठी हैं?Are you Marathi?This sentence uses the polite form आप to ask about someone's identity.Tatoeba #10348306 by PrasantaHembram, translation #7357028 by sabretou
- आप कैसे हैं?How are you?
- तुम कहाँ जा रहे हो?Where are you going?
- तुम्हारा नाम क्या है?What is your name?
- तू क्या कर रहा है?What are you doing?
- 2090 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a movie.
- राहुल Rahulतुम कौन सी फिल्म देख रहे हो?tum kaun si film dekh rahe ho?Which movie are you watching?
- प्रिया Priyaमैं एक नई कॉमेडी फिल्म देख रही हूँ।main ek nayi comedy film dekh rahi hoon.I am watching a new comedy movie.
- राहुल Rahulक्या तुम मेरे साथ चलोगे?kya tum mere saath chaloge?Will you come with me?
- प्रिया Priyaहाँ, मैं ज़रूर चलूँगी।haan, main zaroor chalungi.Yes, I will definitely come.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “you” translations and entries तुम, तू, आप, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries आप, तुम, तू, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
