Introducing yourself in Hindi isn’t just about memorising phrases. It’s about understanding the cultural nuances that make the difference between sounding like a textbook and a real person. Here’s how to do it right.
Formal Introductions
Formal introductions are used in professional settings, with elders, or when meeting someone for the first time in a respectful context. Keep it polite and structured.
Namaste
/nəˈmɑːsteɪ/“Hello”
The standard greeting in Hindi, used in both formal and informal settings. Accompanied by a slight bow with hands pressed together.
In formal situations, always start with 'Namaste'. Skipping it can come off as rude.
- Start with a greeting: Namaste.
- State your name: Mera naam [Your Name] hai. (My name is [Your Name].)
- Mention your profession or background: Main [Your Profession] hoon. (I am a [Your Profession].)
- Add a polite closing: Aap se milkar khushi hui. (Nice to meet you.)
Informal Introductions
With friends, peers, or people your age, you can drop the formality. But don’t overdo the slang unless you’re sure of the context.
Kaise ho?
/kəɪse hoː/“How are you?”
A casual way to ask 'How are you?' in Hindi. Only use with people you’re familiar with.
- Greet casually: Hi or Kaise ho?.
- Introduce yourself: Main [Your Name] hoon.
- Add something relatable: Main [Your Hobby] pasand karta hoon. (I like [Your Hobby].)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even if your grammar is perfect, these slip-ups will make you sound unnatural.
- Overusing Aap (formal 'you') with friends. Use Tum or Tu instead.
- Translating English phrases directly. Hindi has its own idioms. For example, 'What’s up?' doesn’t translate well - stick to Kya chal raha hai?.
- Ignoring body language. A nod or smile goes a long way.
Practice Scenarios
| Situation | Phrase | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Job interview | Namaste, mera naam Rahul hai. Main ek software engineer hoon. | Hello, my name is Rahul. I am a software engineer. |
| Meeting a friend’s friend | Hi, main Priya hoon. Tumhara naam kya hai? | Hi, I’m Priya. What’s your name? |
Want to practise more? Check out our guide on mastering everyday greetings in Estonian for comparison.
