If you’re an environmentalist trying to make a difference in India - or just a Hindi learner with a passion for sustainability - you’ll need the right words to talk about it. Here’s your cheat sheet for discussing climate change, conservation, and eco-friendly living without sounding like a confused tourist.
Core Environmental Terms
पर्यावरण
/pəɾ.jɑː.ʋə.ɾəɳ/“Environment”
The big, beautiful (or currently suffering) system of living and non-living things we’re all stuck on. Use this word a lot.
जलवायु परिवर्तन
/dʒə.lə.ʋɑː.ju pə.ɾi.ʋəɾ.t̪ən/“Climate change”
The thing we should all be panicking about but somehow aren’t. Literally means 'weather transformation'.
टिकाऊ विकास
/ʈɪ.kɑː.u ʋɪ.kɑːs/“Sustainable development”
The art of not screwing over future generations while still pretending the economy matters more.
Eco-Action Vocabulary
- पुनर्चक्रण (Recycling) – /pu.nəɾ.tʃək.ɾəɳ/ – Turning your trash into someone else’s problem (but in a good way).
- कचरा प्रबंधन (Waste management) – /kə.tʃə.ɾɑː pɾə.bən.d̪ən/ – The noble struggle of not letting garbage mountains take over cities.
- ऊर्जा संरक्षण (Energy conservation) – /uːɾ.dʒɑː sən.ɾək.ʃən/ – Pretending you turn off lights to save money when you’re actually saving the planet.
Nature & Conservation
| Hindi | English | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| वन्य जीव | Wildlife | /ʋən.jə dʒiːʋ/ |
| जैव विविधता | Biodiversity | /dʒɑːj.ʋə ʋɪ.ʋɪ.d̪ʰə.t̪ɑː/ |
| संरक्षित क्षेत्र | Protected area | /sən.ɾək.ʃɪt̪ kʂeː.ɾə/ |
Pro tip: If you’re discussing conservation in India, throw in a respectful mention of चिपको आंदोलन (the Chipko movement) - the legendary tree-hugging protest that actually worked.
Pollution & Problems
प्रदूषण
/pɾə.d̪uː.ʂəɳ/“Pollution”
The thing your lungs complain about daily if you live in a city. Comes in air, water, and noise flavours.
प्लास्टिक प्रदूषण
/plɑːs.ʈɪk pɾə.d̪uː.ʂəɳ/“Plastic pollution”
Humanity’s glittery, non-biodegradable mistake. The ocean’s least favourite snack.
For more Hindi phrases (that aren’t about impending ecological doom), check out our guide on introducing yourself in Hindi or ordering food like a pro.
Bonus: Activist Phrases
- "धरती बचाओ!" – /d̪ʰə.ɾə.t̪iː bə.tʃɑː.o/ – "Save the Earth!" (Useful at protests.)
- "पेड़ लगाओ, जीवन बचाओ" – /peːɽ lə.ɡɑː.o, dʒiː.ʋən bə.tʃɑː.o/ – "Plant trees, save lives." (Rhymes in Hindi too.)
Now go forth and argue with policymakers, shame plastic users, or just impress your Hindi tutor with your sudden eco-warrior vocabulary. The planet (and your language skills) will thank you.
