English goes a long way in Indian cities, but a few Hindi phrases change how people respond to you — warmer smiles, fairer prices and real help when you need it.
Hindi is widely spoken across North and Central India. In the South, East and North-East, regional languages dominate, but basic Hindi is still often understood in cities and tourist areas.
Getting around
| English | Hindi | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Will you go to…? | … चलेंगे? | … chalenge? |
| How much will it cost? | कितना लगेगा? | Kitna lagega? |
| Please use the meter | मीटर से चलिए | Meter se chaliye |
| Turn left / right | बाएँ / दाएँ मुड़िए | Baayein / daayein mudiye |
| Go straight | सीधे जाइए | Seedhe jaaiye |
| Stop here | यहीं रोकिए | Yahin rokiye |
| Which platform? | कौन सा प्लेटफ़ॉर्म? | Kaun sa platform? |
| Is the train late? | क्या ट्रेन लेट है? | Kya train late hai? |
Eating out
| English | Hindi | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Not too spicy | ज़्यादा तीखा नहीं | Zyaada teekha nahin |
| I'm vegetarian | मैं शाकाहारी हूँ | Main shaakaahaari hoon |
| Bottled water, please | बोतल वाला पानी दीजिए | Botal waala paani dijiye |
| The bill, please | बिल ला दीजिए | Bill la dijiye |
| It was delicious | बहुत स्वादिष्ट था | Bahut swaadisht tha |
Shopping and bargaining
Bargaining is normal in street markets but not in malls or fixed-price shops. Be friendly, smile, and be ready to walk away.
| English | Hindi | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| How much is this? | यह कितने का है? | Yeh kitne ka hai? |
| Too expensive | बहुत महँगा है | Bahut mahanga hai |
| Give me a fair price | सही दाम लगाइए | Sahi daam lagaaiye |
| I'll take two | दो ले लूँगा / लूँगी | Do le loonga / loongi |
| Can I pay by UPI? | यूपीआई चलेगा? | UPI chalega? |
Emergencies
| English | Hindi | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Help! | बचाओ! | Bachaao! |
| I need a doctor | मुझे डॉक्टर चाहिए | Mujhe doctor chahiye |
| Where is the hospital? | अस्पताल कहाँ है? | Aspataal kahaan hai? |
| I am lost | मैं रास्ता भटक गया / गई हूँ | Main raasta bhatak gaya / gayi hoon |
| Call the police | पुलिस बुलाइए | Police bulaaiye |
India's single emergency number is 112.
Etiquette that matters as much as words
- Greet with “Namaste” and folded hands, especially with elders.
- Address drivers and shopkeepers as bhaiya (brother) or didi (sister) — friendly and respectful.
- Use your right hand to give and receive money or food.
- Remove shoes before entering homes and temples.
Practise these out loud in the auto-rickshaw and market scenes before you go.