If you’ve ever tried texting in Hindi and ended up sounding like a 19th-century poet, this guide is for you. Social media and messaging apps have birthed a whole new lexicon of slang - some borrowed, some twisted, some gloriously absurd. Here’s your cheat sheet to not sounding like a relic.
The Basics: Must-Know Hindi Chat Slang
Yaar
/jɑːr/“Dude/Buddy”
The Swiss Army knife of Hindi slang. Use it for friends, frustration, or dramatic pauses. Example: "Yaar, why did you leave me on read?"
Fatafat
/fəʈəfəʈ/“Quickly”
When you need something done yesterday. Often paired with desperate emojis. Example: "Reply fatafat, I’m dying of curiosity."
Jhakaas
/dʒʰəkɑːs/“Awesome”
Mumbai’s gift to the world. Use it liberally for anything from food to memes. Example: "That meme was jhakaas!"
The Drama Section
Chill Maar
/tʃɪl mɑːr/“Relax”
What you say when someone’s overreacting to a minor typo. Example: "Chill maar, it’s just a WhatsApp sticker."
Bakchodi
/bək.tʃoː.diː/“Nonsense”
The art of pointless banter. Often used in group chats that should’ve died months ago. Example: "Enough bakchodi, send the Netflix password."
The Borrowed Brigade
Hindi slang loves stealing from English and then pretending it invented the words. Here’s the proof:
- Savage: Pronounced "savij". Reserved for brutal comebacks in comment sections.
- Cringe: What you say when someone posts a heartfelt status about their ex. Bonus points if you tag friends.
- Lit: Describes anything from a party to a particularly spicy biryani.
Pro Tips for Not Sounding Like a Noob
- Mix English and Hindi freely. Purists will weep; your DMs will thrive.
- Abbreviate mercilessly. "Kya haal hai?" becomes "KHH?". Efficiency!
- When in doubt, add re before a word for emphasis. "Re boring" hits harder than just "boring".
Warning: Overusing these terms in formal settings (like explaining to your boss why a project is delayed) may result in existential despair. Use wisely.
Want More Hindi?
If you’re still struggling with the basics, check out our guide on how to introduce yourself in Hindi. For deeper cultural rabbit holes, there’s always the significance of Hindi names.
