Hindi is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, primarily used in India. As the language evolves, it has adopted numerous words from English, just as English has borrowed words from Hindi. This glossary serves as a bridge for learners, travelers, and enthusiasts to understand common Hindi vocabulary and their direct English equivalents. Knowing these words helps in grasping the essence of everyday conversations in the Hindi-speaking belt.
The following words have been categorized for easier understanding, ranging from greetings and emotions to everyday objects and abstract concepts.
In any language, greetings are the first step to communication. Hindi has a formal and respectful way of addressing people.
| Hindi Word (Devanagari) | Transliteration | English Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Namaste | Hello / Greetings | |
| Dhanyavaad | Thank you | |
| Shubh Prabhat | Good Morning | |
| Kshama Keejiye | Sorry / Excuse me | |
| Namaskar | Respectful Greetings | |
| Phir Milenge | See you again / Goodbye | |
| Suprabhat | Good Morning (Formal) |
Family holds a central place in Indian culture. The vocabulary for relations is extensive, distinctiating between paternal and maternal sides.
| Hindi Word (Devanagari) | Transliteration | English Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Parivaar | Family | |
| Mata | Mother | |
| Pita | Father | |
| Bhai | Brother | |
| Behan | Sister | |
| Beta | Son | |
| Beti | Daughter | |
| Dada | Paternal Grandfather | |
| Dadi | Paternal Grandmother | |
| Nana | Maternal Grandfather | |
| Nani | Maternal Grandmother |
These words cover items used in daily life, essential for basic navigation and survival in a Hindi-speaking environment.
| Hindi Word (Devanagari) | Transliteration | English Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Paani | Water | |
| Khaana | Food | |
| Ghar | House / Home | |
| Sadak | Road | |
| Kitaab | Book | |
| Paisa | Money | |
| Mez | Table | |
| Kursi | Chair | |
| Kapde | Clothes | |
| Chaabi | Key |
Understanding words related to time and nature is crucial for making plans and describing the environment.
| Hindi Word (Devanagari) | Transliteration | English Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Samay | Time | |
| Din | Day | |
| Raat | Night | |
| Subah | Morning | |
| Shaam | Evening | |
| Sooraj | Sun | |
| Chaand | Moon | |
| Sitara | Star | |
| Aasmaan | Sky | |
| Zameen | Earth / Ground |
Expressing feelings is a vital part of human interaction. These adjectives describe emotions and qualities.
| Hindi Word (Devanagari) | Transliteration | English Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Pyaar | Love | |
| Khushi | Happiness | |
| Gussa | Anger | |
| Dukh | Sadness / Pain | |
| Umeed | Hope | |
| Dar | Fear | |
| Achha | Good | |
| Bura | Bad | |
| Bada | Big | |
| Chhota | Small |
Verbs are the action words that drive sentences. These are the root forms of common Hindi verbs.
| Hindi Word (Devanagari) | Transliteration | English Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Jana | To go | |
| Aana | To come | |
| Khaana | To eat | |
| Peena | To drink | |
| Sona | To sleep | |
| Dekhna | To see / To watch | |
| Sunna | To hear / To listen | |
| Bolna | To speak | |
| Padhna | To read / To study | |
| Likhna | To write |
Learning how to ask questions is fundamental. These words are the building blocks of inquiry in Hindi.
| Hindi Word (Devanagari) | Transliteration | English Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Kya | What | |
| Kaun | Who | |
| Kab | When | |
| Kahan | Where | |
| Kyon | Why | |
| Kaise | How | |
| Kitna | How much (Masculine) | |
| Kitni | How much (Feminine) |
