Learning a new language can be an exciting journey, and when it comes to Hindi, starting with some essential words can help beginners gain confidence and build a foundation for further study. Below is a list of fundamental Hindi words, complete with definitions and example sentences.
Namaste (नमस्ते)
This is the most common greeting in Hindi, used for both ‘hello’ and ‘goodbye.’
Namaste, aap kaise hain? (Hello, how are you?)
Dhanyavaad (धन्यवाद)
This word means ‘thank you,’ used to express gratitude.
Aapka bahut dhanyavaad. (Thank you very much.)
Haan (हां)
This means ‘yes,’ an affirmative answer to a question.
Haan, main yeh kar sakta hoon. (Yes, I can do this.)
Nahin (नहीं)
The opposite of Haan, Nahin means ‘no’ or ‘not.’
Nahin, mujhe wo pasand nahi hai. (No, I don’t like that.)
Acha (अच्छा)
This is a versatile word meaning ‘good,’ ‘well,’ or can also be used to indicate understanding.
Acha, main samjha. (Okay, I understand.)
Kripaya (कृपया)
Use this word when you want to say ‘please,’ to make your requests polite.
Kripaya yahan baith jaiye. (Please sit here.)
Mujhe… (मुझे…)
Use this phrase to express what you want or need, meaning ‘I want…’ or ‘I need…’
Mujhe paani chahiye. (I need water.)
Maaf kijiye (माफ कीजिये)
This phrase is used to say ‘excuse me’ or ‘I am sorry.’
Maaf kijiye, kya aap mujhe raasta bata sakte hain? (Excuse me, can you tell me the way?)
Kaise… (कैसे…)
This word is used to ask ‘How…?’ in Hindi.
Kaise ho aap? (How are you?)
Kya (क्या)
Kya is the question word for ‘What.’
Kya yeh sahi hai? (Is this correct?)
Kitna/Kitni (कितना/कितनी)
Depending on the gender of the noun it’s used with, Kitna (masculine) and Kitni (feminine) mean ‘How much’ or ‘How many.’
Kitna samay lagega? (How much time will it take?)
Samajh (समझ)
This noun means ‘understanding’ or ‘comprehension.’
Kya aapki baat ka samajh aaya? (Did you understand what was said?)
Pyar (प्यार)
A very important word, Pyar represents the feeling of ‘love.’
Mujhe aapse pyar hai. (I love you.)
Chai (चाय)
A staple beverage in India, Chai is the word for ‘tea.’
Kya aap chai lenge? (Would you like some tea?)
Pani (पानी)
Water is essential, and Pani is the Hindi word for ‘water.’
Kripya mujhe thoda pani dijiye. (Please give me some water.)
By starting with these essential Hindi words and phrases, beginners can quickly start engaging in basic conversations and deepen their understanding of the Hindi language. Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep using these words in daily conversations to build up your Hindi vocabulary!
