Hindi is full of words that sound ridiculous to English speakers, and some are so specific they don’t even have an English equivalent. Here’s a list of the funniest ones - guaranteed to make you chuckle.
1. Jugaad (जुगाड़)
Jugaad
/dʒʊˈɡɑːd/“No direct translation”
You know that feeling when you MacGyver a broken chair with duct tape and prayer? That’s jugaad.
2. Bakwas (बकवास)
Bakwas
/bəkˈvɑːs/“Nonsense, rubbish”
When someone starts rambling about conspiracy theories, just sigh and say, "Kitni bakwas hai yaar." (Translation: "So much nonsense, dude.")
3. Timepass (टाइमपास)
Timepass
/ˈtaɪmpɑːs/“No direct translation”
Scrolling through memes for three hours? That’s not procrastination - it’s timepass.
4. Chai-pani (चाय-पानी)
Chai-pani
/tʃaɪ ˈpɑːni/“No direct translation”
Need your paperwork processed faster? A little chai-pani might help. (Not endorsing corruption, just explaining the term!)
5. Ghissu (घिस्सू)
Ghissu
/ˈɡhɪsːuː/“No direct translation”
That friend who always "forgets" their wallet? Total ghissu.
6. Fattu (फट्टू)
Fattu
/ˈfətːuː/“Coward”
If you refuse to watch horror movies, your friends will call you a fattu. No exceptions.
7. Tharki (ठरकी)
Tharki
/ˈʈhərkiː/“No direct translation”
Not the most polite word, but if someone’s being a creep, you might mutter "Kya tharki hai yaar."
8. Natkhat (नटखट)
Natkhat
/nəʈˈkʰət/“Mischievous”
That kid who hides your slippers and giggles? Total natkhat.
9. Jugni (जुगनी)
Jugni
/dʒʊɡˈniː/“No direct translation”
Ever met someone who just drifts through life without a care? That’s a jugni.
10. Ulta-Pulta (उल्टा-पुल्टा)
Ulta-Pulta
/ʊlˈtɑː pʊlˈtɑː/“Topsy-turvy”
When your life feels like a dumpster fire, just sigh and say, "Sab ulta-pulta hai."
