Slang

1. भइया!

   Bha-i-yaa!

   Brother!

   Usage

   A friendly way to call a man older than you, such as a shopkeeper or a driver.

   Grammar Note

   Used without blood ties. Written "भइया", not Hindi "भैया".

2. दीदी!

   Di-di!

   Sister!

   Usage

   A respectful, friendly way to call a woman older than you.

   Grammar Note

   Used without blood ties.

3. वाह वाह!

   Vaah vaah!

   Wow, great!

   Usage

   An exclamation of admiration at good music, food or news.

   Grammar Note

   The word is repeated to strengthen the admiration.

4. जबरदस्त!

   Jab-ra-dast!

   Awesome!

   Usage

   A strong word of praise for power or quality.

   Grammar Note

   A Persian-derived word also used in everyday speech.

5. बहुत बढ़िया बा।

   Ba-hut ba-rhi-yaa baa.

   It is really great.

   Usage

   A casual compliment on an item, a service or someone's work.

   Grammar Note

   The adjective does not change for gender. Composed sentence; a native check is advisable.

6. एकदम सही बा।

   Ek-dam sa-hi baa.

   That is exactly right.

   Usage

   Used to agree with what someone said.

   Grammar Note

   "सही बा" means "is correct". Composed sentence; a native check is advisable.

7. ठीक ठाक बा।

   Thik thaak baa.

   It is so-so.

   Usage

   Used to say that something is neither bad nor special.

   Grammar Note

   "ठीक" is doubled with a rhyming partner to mean "so-so". Composed sentence; a native check is advisable.

8. कवनो बात नइखे।

   Kav-no baat na-i-khe.

   No problem.

   Usage

   A reply to thanks or an apology, meaning "do not mind".

   Grammar Note

   "नइखे" is the word for "is not". Composed sentence; a native check is advisable.

9. अइसन मत करीं।

   A-i-san mat ka-rin.

   Please do not do that.

   Usage

   A polite way to stop someone from doing something.

   Grammar Note

   A prohibition is "मत" plus the honorific imperative. Composed sentence; a native check is advisable.

10. चलीं।

    Cha-lin.

    Let us go.

    Usage

    A polite way to urge your companions to set off.

    Grammar Note

    An honorific imperative. Composed sentence; a native check is advisable.

Browse all TravelPhrases languages