India’s linguistic landscape is vast, but Hindi remains the most widely understood language for travellers. Knowing a few key phrases can transform your experience - whether you’re haggling at a market, asking for directions, or just being polite. Here are 15 essential phrases to get you started.
Basic Greetings and Courtesies
Namaste
/nəˈmɑːsteɪ/“Hello / Greetings”
The universal Hindi greeting, accompanied by folded hands. Works everywhere, from Delhi to Goa.
Dhanyavaad
/d̪ʱən.jə.ʋɑːd̪/“Thank you”
A polite way to express gratitude. Locals appreciate the effort, even if your pronunciation isn’t perfect.
Maaf kijiye
/mɑːf kɪ.dʒi.je/“Excuse me / Sorry”
Use this to apologise or get someone’s attention. Handy in crowded places like trains or markets.
Getting Around
Yahaan kaise jaayein?
/jə.ɦɑ̃ː kəɪ.seː dʒɑː.jeːn/“How do I get here?”
Essential for navigating India’s chaotic streets. Pair it with a pointed finger or a map.
Kitna door hai?
/kɪt̪.nə d̪oːr ɦɛː/“How far is it?”
A pragmatic question for rickshaw drivers or when walking long distances.
Rukna
/rʊk.nɑː/“Stop”
Useful for buses, autos, or when you’ve changed your mind mid-route.
Food and Markets
Ye kitne ka hai?
/jeː kɪt̪.neː kɑː ɦɛː/“How much is this?”
The backbone of market haggling. Don’t ask unless you’re ready to negotiate.
Thoda kam kijiye
/t̪ʰoː.d̪ɑː kəm kɪ.dʒi.je/“Please reduce the price”
Politely ask for a discount. Works best with a smile.
Mirchi kam hai?
/mɪr.tʃiː kəm ɦɛː/“Is it less spicy?”
A survival phrase if you’re not accustomed to Indian heat levels.
Emergencies and Help
Madad chahiye
/mə.d̪əd̪ tʃə.ɦi.je/“I need help”
Direct but effective. Use it if you’re lost or in trouble.
Dawai chahiye
/d̪ə.ʋɑːɪ tʃə.ɦi.je/“I need medicine”
For pharmacies or clinics. Know the word for your specific medication too.
Police ko bulao
/po.liːs koː bʊ.lɑːo/“Call the police”
Hopefully never needed, but crucial in emergencies.
Bonus: Casual Phrases
Acha hai
/ɑː.tʃɑː ɦɛː/“It’s good”
Versatile. Use it for food, weather, or even to politely end a conversation.
Chalo
/tʃə.loː/“Let’s go”
Casual and widely used. Great for herding friends or催促 drivers.
Pro tip: Pair these phrases with hand gestures or a translation app for clarity. Most Indians will appreciate the effort, even if you butcher the pronunciation.
For more travel-friendly language guides, check out our articles on Essential Turkish Phrases for Istanbul or Japanese Phrases for Karaoke Nights.
