Greetings

1. प्रणाम

   Pra-naam

   Hello / Greetings

   Usage

   A respectful all-day greeting. Said with palms joined, especially to elders.

   Grammar Note

   A word of Sanskrit origin, often used here in place of Hindi "नमस्ते".

2. नमस्कार

   Na-mas-kaar

   Greetings (more formal)

   Usage

   A more formal greeting for ceremonial settings and elders, said with joined palms.

   Grammar Note

   It sounds a little more formal than "प्रणाम".

3. रउआ कइसन बानी?

   Ra-u-aa ka-i-san baa-ni?

   How are you?

   Usage

   A polite "How are you?" for elders and people you have just met.

   Grammar Note

   "रउआ" takes "बानी"; "तू" is kept for close friends only. Composed sentence; a native check is advisable.

4. हम ठीक बानी, धन्यबाद।

   Ham thik baa-ni, dhan-ya-baad.

   I am fine, thank you.

   Usage

   The standard answer to "How are you?".

   Grammar Note

   "हम ... बानी" means "I am ...". Composed sentence; a native check is advisable.

5. फेर भेंट होई।

   Pher bhent ho-i.

   We will meet again.

   Usage

   Said when parting, meaning "we will meet again".

   Grammar Note

   "भेंट होई" is "a meeting will happen". Composed sentence; a native check is advisable.

6. अब हम चलत बानी।

   Ab ham cha-lat baa-ni.

   I am leaving now.

   Usage

   A parting remark when leaving a place.

   Grammar Note

   "चलत बानी" is the progressive, "I am setting off". Composed sentence; a native check is advisable.

7. धन्यबाद।

   Dhan-ya-baad.

   Thank you.

   Usage

   The basic word of thanks.

   Grammar Note

   The spelling with "ब" is the common one in this region.

8. बहुत बहुत धन्यबाद।

   Ba-hut ba-hut dhan-ya-baad.

   Thank you very much.

   Usage

   A stronger way of saying thanks.

   Grammar Note

   Doubling "बहुत" strengthens the thanks. Composed sentence; a native check is advisable.

9. हमरा के माफ करीं।

   Ham-raa ke maaph ka-rin.

   Please forgive me.

   Usage

   A polite way to apologise for a mistake or a discourtesy.

   Grammar Note

   A verb ending in "-ीं" is the honorific request form. Composed sentence; a native check is advisable.

10. आईं, बइठीं।

    Aa-in, ba-i-thin.

    Please come in and sit down.

    Usage

    Said when welcoming a guest and offering a seat.

    Grammar Note

    Both verbs are in the honorific "-ीं" imperative. Composed sentence; a native check is advisable.

11. रउआ से मिल के खुसी भइल।

    Ra-u-aa se mil ke khu-si bha-il.

    Nice to meet you.

    Usage

    Said at a first meeting to express pleasure.

    Grammar Note

    "मिल के" means "having met". Composed sentence; a native check is advisable.

12. राउर स्वागत बा।

    Raa-ur svaa-gat baa.

    You are welcome here.

    Usage

    A greeting for a guest or a visitor.

    Grammar Note

    "राउर" is the possessive of "रउआ". Composed sentence; a native check is advisable.

13. बहुत बहुत बधाई।

    Ba-hut ba-hut ba-dhaa-i.

    Congratulations.

    Usage

    Used for a wedding, an exam result or any happy event.

    Grammar Note

    "बधाई" is the word of congratulation. Composed sentence; a native check is advisable.

14. हम जापान से आइल बानी।

    Ham jaa-paan se aa-il baa-ni.

    I have come from Japan.

    Usage

    Used in a self-introduction to say where you come from.

    Grammar Note

    "से" means "from". Composed sentence; a native check is advisable.

15. हमार नाँव ... ह।

    Ha-maar naanv ... ha.

    My name is ...

    Usage

    Used to give your name in a self-introduction. Put your own name in place of "...".

    Grammar Note

    "X is Y" sentences take "ह". Composed sentence; a native check is advisable.

16. राउर यात्रा शुभ होखे।

    Raa-ur yaat-raa shubh ho-khe.

    Have a good journey.

    Usage

    A wish given to someone setting out on a journey.

    Grammar Note

    "होखे" expresses a wish. Composed sentence; a native check is advisable.

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