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India · Hindi Travel Phrases

The most useful local expressions, ordered by importance. Pronunciations are approximate.

Greetings

  1. 1
    नमस्ते
    Hello (with palms together; for hello and goodbye) “namaste”
  2. 2
    धन्यवाद
    Thank you “dhanyavaad”
  3. 3
    जी हाँ / जी नहीं
    Yes / No (polite) “jee haan / jee nahin”
  4. 4
    माफ़ कीजिए
    Excuse me / Sorry “maaf keejiye”
  5. 5
    कृपया
    Please “kripaya”
  6. 6
    आप कैसे हैं?
    How are you? “aap kaise hain?”
  7. 7
    फिर मिलेंगे
    See you again “phir milenge”
Local etiquette
  • Greet with palms pressed together and say 'namaste'. Only shake hands (esp. with the opposite sex) if the other person offers first.
  • Always give, receive, and eat with your right hand — the left hand is considered unclean.
  • Show extra respect to elders, and never point at or step on people, books, or images with your feet.

Basics

  1. 1
    मुझे हिंदी नहीं आती
    I don't speak Hindi “mujhe hindi nahin aati”
  2. 2
    क्या आप अंग्रेज़ी बोलते हैं?
    Do you speak English? “kya aap angrezi bolte hain?”
  3. 3
    मुझे समझ नहीं आया
    I don't understand “mujhe samajh nahin aaya”
  4. 4
    धीरे बोलिए
    Please speak slowly “dheere boliye”
  5. 5
    यह क्या है?
    What is this? “yeh kya hai?”
  6. 6
    टॉयलेट कहाँ है?
    Where is the toilet? “toilet kahaan hai?”
  7. 7
    क्या मैं फोटो ले सकता हूँ?
    May I take a photo? “kya main photo le sakta hoon?”
  8. 8
    मेरी मदद कीजिए
    Please help me “meri madad keejiye”
Local etiquette
  • Don't pat anyone on the head, even children — the head is considered sacred.
  • Photography is often banned at religious sites, cremation grounds, and military areas. Always ask before photographing people.
  • The Indian side-to-side 'head wobble' usually means 'yes, okay, I understand' — a positive signal.

Shopping

  1. 1
    यह कितने का है?
    How much is this? “yeh kitne ka hai?”
  2. 2
    बहुत महँगा है
    That's too expensive “bahut mahanga hai”
  3. 3
    कुछ कम कीजिए
    Lower the price a little (bargaining) “kuch kam keejiye”
  4. 4
    आख़िरी दाम क्या है?
    What's your final price? “aakhiri daam kya hai?”
  5. 5
    क्या कार्ड चलेगा?
    Do you take card? “kya card chalega?”
  6. 6
    मुझे यह चाहिए
    I'll take this / I want this “mujhe yeh chahiye”
Local etiquette
  • Bargaining is expected in markets, stalls, and auto-rickshaws. Start at about half the first price quoted.
  • At tourist spots you may be quoted a 'foreigner price' — haggle firmly but with a smile.
  • Carry small change; paying with large notes often triggers 'no change' disputes.

Restaurant

  1. 1
    मेनू दीजिए
    The menu, please “menu deejiye”
  2. 2
    क्या यह शाकाहारी है?
    Is this vegetarian (veg)? “kya yeh shaakaahaari hai?”
  3. 3
    मुझे मांसाहारी चाहिए
    I'd like non-veg (meat) “mujhe maansaahaari chahiye”
  4. 4
    ज़्यादा तीखा मत बनाइए
    Please don't make it too spicy “zyaada teekha mat banaaiye”
  5. 5
    पानी दीजिए
    Water, please (ask for bottled) “paani deejiye”
  6. 6
    यह बहुत स्वादिष्ट है
    This is very tasty “yeh bahut swaadisht hai”
  7. 7
    बिल दीजिए
    The bill, please “bill deejiye”
Local etiquette
  • Veg and non-veg are strictly distinguished, with green (veg) and red (non-veg) dots marking menus and packaging.
  • Many Hindus avoid beef and many Muslims avoid pork — be considerate when ordering.
  • If eating by hand, use only your right hand; don't share from one plate or drink directly from someone's cup.
  • Never drink tap water — stick to sealed bottled water, and be wary of ice.

Getting around

  1. 1
    मीटर चालू कीजिए
    Please turn on the meter (auto-rickshaw/taxi) “meter chaaloo keejiye”
  2. 2
    यहाँ चलिए
    Take me here, please (show the address) “yahaan chaliye”
  3. 3
    कितना किराया लगेगा?
    How much is the fare? “kitna kiraaya lagega?”
  4. 4
    यहाँ रोकिए
    Stop here, please “yahaan rokiye”
  5. 5
    स्टेशन कितनी दूर है?
    How far is the station? “station kitni door hai?”
  6. 6
    यह ट्रेन कहाँ जाती है?
    Where does this train go? “yeh train kahaan jaati hai?”
  7. 7
    जल्दी कीजिए
    Please hurry “jaldi keejiye”
Local etiquette
  • Insist auto-rickshaws and taxis run the meter, or agree the fare before getting in.
  • Ride-hailing apps like Uber and Ola are convenient in big cities and help avoid overcharging.
  • Politely decline strangers who offer to 'watch your bags' at stations and terminals.

Hotel

  1. 1
    मेरा बुकिंग है
    I have a booking “mera booking hai”
  2. 2
    क्या गरम पानी है?
    Is there hot water? “kya garam paani hai?”
  3. 3
    एसी काम नहीं कर रहा
    The AC isn't working “AC kaam nahin kar raha”
  4. 4
    वाई-फाई का पासवर्ड क्या है?
    What's the Wi-Fi password? “wi-fi ka password kya hai?”
  5. 5
    क्या सामान रख सकते हैं?
    Could you keep my luggage? “kya saamaan rakh sakte hain?”
Local etiquette
  • Remove your shoes before entering temples and Hindu homes — the same applies at sacred sites beyond your hotel.
  • Power cuts are common, so carry a power bank; some places supply hot water only at set hours, so check ahead.

Emergency

  1. 1
    बचाओ!
    Help! “bachaao!”
  2. 2
    पुलिस को बुलाइए
    Please call the police “police ko bulaaiye”
  3. 3
    एम्बुलेंस बुलाइए
    Call an ambulance “ambulance bulaaiye”
  4. 4
    अस्पताल कहाँ है?
    Where is a hospital? “aspataal kahaan hai?”
  5. 5
    मेरा पासपोर्ट खो गया
    I lost my passport “mera passport kho gaya”
  6. 6
    मुझे डॉक्टर चाहिए
    I need a doctor “mujhe doctor chahiye”
Local etiquette
  • Unified emergency 112; police 100; ambulance 102/108; fire 101.
  • If you lose your passport, file a police report (FIR) locally and take it to your embassy.
  • Tourist Police are stationed at major sites and can assist you.