Hindi Words Everyone Should Know
Before starting grad school, most of my friends in Houston were Indian, and regardless of where they came from our how much of their mother-tongues they knew, there were some basic Hindi words that they could all understand. So I got into the habit of dropping “teyar” and “challo” and words like that into my everyday speech.
In grad school, however, I have very few Indian friends. If someone wants to spice up conversation with a little ethnicity, they always turn to Spanish. So you hear things like “vamonos” and “que pasa”. I made it through high school Spanish saying “si” and nodding my head like everyone else, so no problem. But still, I would love to be able to use Hindi words and have everyone understand as well. Now that I’m back in Houston for summer with my Indian friends, I’m realizing how much I missed doing that.
So I propose a list of Hindi words that everyone should know. Just like “el bano” and “hasta la vista”. Something that I can use in my speech with anyone and everyone will understand.
What goes on the list? I’ll get things started. Feel free to add your own.
teyar? – ready?
challo! – let’s go!
bas, bas, bas! – that’s it!
arre, yaar… – now, now…
tik hai! – it’s good.
tik hai (with a head nod) – it’s all good.
I learnt a new word the other day. i had this hindi to English dictionary, and I thought I’d show off my new found word that took me one step to being cultured.
As kohshean walked towards me, I pointed at him and screamed on top of my lungs:
“CHOR!!!”
In public.
(chor= thief)
AHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!
next time, try it in an indian grocery store and see what happens. actually, no, don’t do that.
When with an Indian friend in a non-desi place, I’d like to be able to make comments on the situation that I would have to whisper in English. For example:
This place is EXPENSIVE! (a phrase likely to be followed by “challo”)
What a jerk (also likely to be followed by “challo”)
Is that guy for real?!
This food is disgusting.
Does this person think we have all day?
That sucked.
Check out the hot guy/girl! OR better yet…
That hot guy/girl just checked you out.
unfortunately, babel fish doesn’t include hindi. but here’s “check out that hot guy” in German:
überprüfen Sie aus diesem heißen Kerl!
(compliments of http://babelfish.altavista.com/tr).
i’ll work on the hindi translations for you. i got to make sure that i don’t revert to gujarati. or maybe jesal will chime in
Hmmm, here’s a couple:
Suno / Suniye / Oy Oy Oy – each is some version of “listen up” The last one is schoolboy’s cant that I picked up as a kid in New Delhi…and I love it because it reminds me of “oye” in Spanish (“it hears”)…so I guess that could do double duty for you in Austin.
And how about pagal hai tu? – “are you CRAZY”? I couldn’t live without that one.
Oy, oy, oy – Isn’t that from a Hindi song? And wasn’t it banned because boys would use it to tease girls? Or as they say in India, use it to “eve tease”?
Yep, I remember my young days in India, when I was teased… it wasnt fun at that time at all!
Now those nostalgic memories remind me of alot and I miss those days! wish had more of that here in the states…
It probably was…I seem to remember the boys mostly used it amongst themselves, to get each others’ attention during football or cricket matches. (Then again, this was when I was about 10…do boys that young eve tease?)
Actually, you’re right – the “oy oy oy” is from some Bollywood number. It was about the same time that Gloria Estefan’s Oye was getting a lot of airplay state-side.
Here it is:
wow, that’s really naseer!
OK!! here are my two cents….
This place is EXPENSIVE! = Mehenga hai na?
Literal translation – Expensive, is it not?
What a jerk = JERK!!
What happened here – I have no words for this one. I only have words that are much worse or don’t do enough justice
Is that guy for real?! = Kya timepass tha?
Literal translation – That guy is a waste of time.
Common usuage – If accompanied by a smile, it can be a positive thing… else, it was just a waste of time.
This food is disgusting = Khana bekaar hai.
Literal translation – The food is useless.
Does this person think we have all day? = Kaam dhandha nahi hai isko.
Literal translation – Does he/she have nothing better to do?
That sucked = Bekaar
Literal translation – totally useless! or if you are from the UK, it can be used instead of rubbish!
Check out the hot guy/girl! OR better yet…
Tranlation – See Below!!
That hot guy/girl just checked you out.
Tranlation – See Below!!
After extensive research (read as asking Arzan at a club!!) the “hot guy” translation is now available…. We mutually agreed on …
Check out that hot guys = Kya Mast Maal Hai?
Literal translation – Look at those great goods!! *blush*… I would like to add, that although it sounds like this is a commentary on some particular part of the anatomy, this is not really the case.. The same line can be used for girls as well!!
Common usage – line is spoken and is usually accompanied by a furative glance, quick head jerk and a smile!!
Excellent! Now that I have this repertoire to add to my favorite hindi phrase, “George Bush kutta hai” I’m equipped to handle pretty much any situation…
what is the indian (Hindu) word for step
anyone know where i can find the equivilant of bablefish but on that converts hindi?
xxx
to Nac; hindi word for step: kadh
not trying to correct you soham, but it should be “sab kuch theek hai”, I have a friend who says sab kuch tik hai as well, but its theek
i bet you’re right. i’m terrible speller even in english.
Let me know if you want me to contribute more to this site! Can teach all about Hindi, Gujarati, Sanskrit, Sindhi.. Ofcourse, you need to teach me more English – I do such at that.. just kidding
you do have my email. take care.