There are many ways to thank a person in Hindi (one of the official languages of India). In addition to the classic "धन्यवाद्" (dhanyavaad), there are numerous other expressions that can help you when traveling to India or dealing with people from this country. Learn a few simple phrases to amaze your Hindi interlocutor with your knowledge and tact. With over half a billion people speaking Hindi, your ability to give thanks in this language will allow you to conquer a large chunk of the world's population in minutes!
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Formal Thanks
Step 1. Use the expression "dhanyavaad" (धन्यवाद्) as a basic formal thank you
This is the most common and formal word for "thank you". It is often used in situations where you really want to show gratitude (such as when receiving a gift). You can also use it during important business contacts and with older people. This word is pronounced in three parts:
- Bring your tongue against your palate and pronounce the syllable "dha" with a soft sound that closely resembles the English "th". Make a short sound for the letter "a" like the word "dice". The final sound is very similar to that of the English article "the". This part Not it is pronounced with a sound similar to "ah".
- It then moves on to the syllable "nya". Again, don't use the "ah" sound.
- Now say the last syllable "vaad". The sound now "must" be long, just like when you say "ah".
- Together, the word will sound like " than-yah-vaad".
Step 2. Put the word "bahut" (बहुत) before dhanyavaad to say "thank you very much"
If you are very grateful for something, you can use the superlative "bahut". This means "a lot" or "a lot" and close to the Hindi equivalent for the word "thank you" can be translated with the term "thousand" (or "thank you very much"). To pronounce this word correctly, you need to break it down into two parts:
- First make the short sound of "bah".
- He then utters a forced "hut" sound. Put the emphasis on this part of the word which, overall, will sound like: " bah-HUT."
- Finally say "dhanyavaad" after that word to complete the sentence. Reread the previous steps regarding the emission of the right sound.
Step 3. Alternatively, try the expression "ābhārī hōṅ" (आभारी हुँ)
This is another polite and formal way to say "thank you". The most literal translation of this sentence is "I am grateful". It is pronounced in four parts:
- Make the sound "obb" but with the "o" very open, almost to sound like an "a", but without getting to that of the word "abbot". It is a sound very similar to that of some English words, pronounced with an American slang.
- Now say "ha".
- Finally pronounce the syllable "rii". The r is a bit scraped just like it happens in many Spanish words, while the next sound is a long "i".
- End the word with the syllable "hoon" (which sounds like the English word "toon").
- The expression, as a whole, has a sound like: " obb-ha-rii hoon".
Part 2 of 3: Informal Thanks
Step 1. Use the word "shukriyaa" (शुक्रिया) to thank informally
It is a very common way of expressing gratitude in Hindi, but it is not formal at all, which means you can use it extensively with friends and family. If you are talking to your teacher, the boss, an elderly person or an authority figure, then you should use one of the expressions described in the first section of this article. This word is pronounced in three parts:
- First of’:" shuk ". The sound must be rather short and accented.
- Then make the "rii" sound. Also in this case the "r" is pronounced with a vibration of the language just like in Spanish; the vowels must be somewhat restrained.
- End the word with the sound "ah". This is not a wide open "ah", but halfway between an English "uh" and "ah" sound. It will take some practice to issue it correctly.
- In the compress, you will have to say a word that will sound like: " shuk-rii-ah". Remember that the" r "is vibrant and almost gets confused with the letter" d ". In this word it is very important. It is worth breaking the term into its components and saying" shuk-uh-dii-ah ", then gradually reduce the "uh" sound until it remains as a slight vibration of the tongue.
Step 2. Add the word "bahut" (बहुत) before shukriyaa to say "many thanks"
Again, you can use the word "bahut" just as described in the first part of the tutorial, to transform the simple "thank you" into "many thanks" or "thank you very much". In this case, you are expressing even more gratitude, but always in an informal way.
The term bahut is pronounced exactly as explained in the previous section: " bah-HUT".
Step 3. Use the word "thaiṅkyū" (थैंक्यू) if you want to "cheat"
Hindi, like many other languages, borrows some terms from other languages. This word is pronounced just like the English "thank you" (since it is obviously of English origin). Since it is not a "pure" Hindi word, it is considered less formal than the other options listed in this section.
It is interesting to note that one of the official Indian languages is English, so most of the population knows this expression, even if they are not fluent in English
Part 3 of 3: Responding to a Thanksgiving
Step 1. Use the expression "svaagat haiṅ" (स्वागत है) to say "you're welcome"
When you use any of the phrases described above, you will be answered in this way. Its literal meaning is "welcome", but it is used for our "please". In fact, if you just say "svaagat" you are greeting someone who has just arrived. It is used exactly like "welcome" in English. To pronounce the sentence correctly:
- First of’:" swah ". It looks like the sound of the English word "swab" without the b.
- Then say the sound "gat".
- Finally say: "hey". Don't be confused by the presence of the letter n at the end, this syllable is pronounced just like the word "hey" in English.
- The full sound is: " swah-gat hey".
Step 2. If you wish, you can add "āpa kā" (आप का) before "svaagat haiṅ"
However, this does not change the meaning of the sentence by much. There is no specific translation in Italian but, very roughly, this expression can be compared to "figurati"; the people you address it to will react in the same way. To pronounce this word divide it into two parts:
- First make the "op" sound (just like when you leap and accompany it with an "op").
- Then you have to say: "kuh".
- The word has a sound analogous to " op-kuh". Immediately after that, say the formula" svaagat haiṅ "as explained above.
Step 3. Use the phrase "koii baat nahee" (कोई बात नही) for "nothing to do with it"
This is another way to express that you don't mind doing someone a favor. This expression is used to say "don't worry" or "no problem". Here's how to pronounce it:
- First you have to say: "coy".
- Then you say "bot" (as in robot).
- Next you have to make a very short sound for "nah".
- Ends with the lightly aspirated syllable "hi". Put the accent on this syllable, the final sound will be: "nah-HI".
- The complete expression sounds: " coy bot nah-HI".
Advice
- According to some sources regarding etiquette, it is not considered polite to thank an Indian guest at the end of the meal. It can be understood as impersonal behavior. On the contrary, it praises the goodness of the food and invites the guest to dinner in turn.
- In Indian culture, it is not always necessary to respond to someone thanking you. If your interlocutor is limited to silence and a polite smile after your "dhanyavaad", know that he does not want to be rude to you.
