How to Speak Hindi (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

Hindi (मानक हिन्दी) is the first official language of India. It is used as a lingua franca throughout the Indian subcontinent and by migrants from the Indian diaspora. It has common roots with other Indo-Indian languages, such as Sanskrit, Urdu, Punjabi, as well as with the Indo-Iranian and Indo-European languages, including Persian, Kurdish, Russian and Gaelic. For those who intend to learn this language, Hindi has its difficulties, but it is possible to start learning it starting with rather simple words and phrases. Then it would be advisable to practice following a language course (if this opportunity exists), using the tools made available by the network or choosing a partner with whom to practice speaking.

Steps

Part 1 of 4: Learning Hindi Grammar

Step 1. Familiarize yourself with nouns

In the Hindi language, all nouns that refer to objects, places and people are divided into masculine (M) and feminine (F). Make sure you remember the gender or any noun you use, as the distinction between masculine and feminine words is essential for speaking with correct grammar.

• You can follow a general rule to understand which gender nouns belong to. Normally, words ending with the vowel आ [aa] are masculine, while those ending with the vowel ई [ee] are usually feminine. Note that there are many exceptions to this rule. To be sure, you should still memorize the gender of all the nouns you come across and practice using them in various sentences.
• For example, the noun for "boy" is लड़का [larkaa] (M), while that for "girl" is लड़की [larkee] (F). As can be seen, the general rule of gender distinction applies in the case of these two nouns.
• However, nouns like मेज़ [mez] (desk) (F) or घर [ghar] (house) (M) are exceptions.

Step 2. Learn pronouns

To communicate effectively in this language, it is necessary to learn simple personal pronouns, such as "he, she, me, we, they", which are:

• First person singular: मैं [main] - me.
• First person plural: हम [ham] - us.
• Second person singular: तू [too] - you (confidential).

• Second person plural: तुम [tum] - you (confidential), आप [aap] - Voi (pronoun of courtesy).

  • Remember that each pronoun is used based on the relationship between the two interlocutors. Therefore, you should use that of courtesy आप [aap] when you get to know someone, when you talk to someone older than you or want to show respect for those in front of you.
  • The second person plural तुम [tum] is confidential and is used when talking to close friends or relatives. The second singular तू [too] can also be used during a non-formal or confidential conversation, perhaps with one's partner or children. Don't use it when talking to a stranger or someone you don't know well, or you will give the impression that you are being rude.
• Third person singular: यह [yah] - he / she / it / this / this.

• Third person singular: वह [vah] - he / she / it / that / that.

  • In the colloquial language these words are pronounced slightly differently: यह is pronounced yeh and वह voh. You should use यह [yeh] when talking about someone or something in your vicinity. For example, if someone is standing next to you, you can use यह [yeh].
  • You should use वह [voh] when talking about someone or something more distant. For example, if someone is standing across the street, you can use वह [voh].
  • When in doubt, use वह [voh].
• Third person plural: ये [ye] - They / they / these.

• Third person plural: वे [ve] - They / they / those.

  • In the colloquial language you can often hear वे [ve] pronounced as the singular "voh". The third person plural follows the same rules: ये [ye] for nearby people / things and वे [ve / voh] for more distant people / things.
  • Note that both यह [yah] and वह [vah] can mean both "he" and "she". In Hindi the third person pronoun is not based on the gender of the person you are talking about. To understand if someone is talking to a man or a woman, you need to consider the context of the sentence.

  

  Step 3. Study the verbs

  He begins to learn the verbs of the Hindi language in the infinitive form, since their conjugation occurs by removing the ending of the infinitive and adding the necessary suffixes. The infinitive of Hindi verbs ends with ना [naa].

  Here are some examples: होना [honaa] (to be); पढ़ना [pahrnaa] (to read or study); बोलना [bolnaa] (to speak); सीखना [seekhnaa] (to learn); जाना [jaanaa] (to go)

  

  Step 4. Practice conjugating verbs

  It is necessary to conjugate Hindi verbs to learn to take into account the grammatical categories, such as number, gender, time and manner.

  • For example, the infinitive verb होना [honaa] (to be), conjugated by number becomes:

    • मैं हूँ [main hoon] - I am;
    • हम हैं [ham hain] - we are;
    • तू है [too hai] - you are (confidential);
    • तुम हो [tum ho] - you are (confidential);
    • आप हैं [aap hain] - You are (form of courtesy);
    • यह है [yah hai] - he / she / this / this is
    • वह है [voh hai] - he / she that / that is
    • ये हैं [ye hain] - they / they / these are
    • वे हैं [ve hain] - they / they / those are

  • In the tense of the present there are three conjugations that are used according to gender:

    • For masculine singular subjects, the infinitive ending ना [naa] falls off and ता [taa] is added.
    • For masculine plural subjects, the infinitive ending ना [naa] falls off and ते [te] is added.
    • For both singular and plural feminine subjects, the infinitive ending ना [naa] falls off and ती [tee] is added.
  • The verbs of the Hindi language have many tenses so, to learn how to conjugate them not only in the present, it is necessary to use reference materials, such as textbooks and manuals. You can also use a good dictionary to be able to conjugate the verbs you come across.

  Part 2 of 4: Learn Simple Words

  

  Step 1. Learn the simplest forms of greeting

  "Hello" and "Goodbye" correspond to the single word "namaste", pronounced as it is spelled. Often, "namaste" is used to greet someone at the beginning of a conversation or as an occasional form of greeting when you meet someone in passing.

  • "Good morning" in Hindi is "Suprabhaat", while "Good evening" is "Shub sundhyaa". "Welcome" in Hindi corresponds to "Aapka swaagat hai!".
  • You can find a guide to how to pronounce these words by clicking on this link.

  

  Step 2. Study the days of the week

  To broaden your Hindi vocabulary, learn the days of the week. It can be helpful to hear how they are pronounced fluently, so click on t = 17 this link.

  • Sunday: RaveevaaR;
  • Monday: SomvaaR;
  • Tuesday: MangalvaaR;
  • Wednesday: BudvaaR;
  • Thursday: guRoovaaR;
  • Friday: shukRavaaR;
  • Saturday: shaneevaaR.
  • Also learn some adverbs of time, such as "kal" (yesterday) and "aaj" (today).

  

  Step 3. Learn the numbers

  Another not very difficult list to learn is the numbers 1 to 20. It can be a great way to further expand your vocabulary and become more familiar with the pronunciation of Hindi words.

  • Zero: shunya / sifer;
  • One: eyk;
  • Two: do;
  • Three: teen;
  • Four: chaa;
  • Cinque: paanch;
  • Sei: chey;
  • Seven: saat;
  • Otto: aat;
  • Nine: no;
  • Ten: das;
  • Eleven: gyaaRah;
  • Twelve: baaRah;
  • Thirteen: teyRah;
  • Fourteen: chodah;
  • Fifteen: pandRaah;
  • Sixteen: solaah;
  • Seventeen: satRah;
  • Eighteen: ataaRaah;
  • Nineteen: nunees;
  • Winds: bees.

  Part 3 of 4: Learn a few simple sentences

  

  Step 1. Practice saying "What's your name?

  ". Once you are familiar with a few words of Hindi, you could try saying simple phrases like" What is your name? ", Which corresponds to" Aap ka nam kya hai? ", Pronounced" aap kaa NAAM chia e ".

  You can also learn to respond when someone asks your name by saying, "My name is …", or "Mera nam … hein", pronounced "Mi-ra naam … he". For example, if your name is Sara, try saying: "Mera nam Sara hein"

  

  Step 2. Learn to say "How are you?

  ". To keep your conversations alive in Hindi, you need to ask" How are you? "Or" Aap kaisey hain? "Which is pronounced" aap KAY-si he ".

  • Then, you will have to answer the same question with "I'm fine, thank you!", Saying "Mein theek hoon, shukriya!".
  • You can also practice saying "Thank you" which corresponds to "Dhanya vaad", which is pronounced as it is read. When someone thanks you, respond with "No special", or "Shukriyaa".

  

  Step 3. Try to use the phrases you have learned by engaging in a short conversation

  Once you have mastered certain words and phrases, you should combine them so you can have a conversation with a friend or study partner who speaks Hindi fluently. You can also try your hand at a conversation on your own. Here is an example:

  • "Namaste!" (or "Arrey, Dost!", which means "Hello, friend!", a more confidential form of greeting).
  • "Namaste!"
  • "Aap kaisey hain?" (How are you?).
  • "Mein theek hoon, shukriya! Aur aap?" (I'm fine thanks and you?).
  • "Theek-thaak" (Well).
  • "Alvida!" (Until we meet again!).
  • "Namaste!" (Hello!).

  

  Step 4. Practice some phrases to use on a trip

  If you are planning to travel to India or an area where Hindi is spoken, you should learn a few phrases that you will need to communicate with the locals. Practice using them with a friend who speaks good Hindi or is learning it so you can pronounce them correctly.

  • "I'm lost": "Hum kho gaye hain";
  • "Can you help me?": "Kya aap meri madad kar saktey hain?";
  • "Where is the bathroom?": "Śaucaghara kahaan hai?";
  • "How much does it cost?": "Yeh kaisey diyaa?";
  • "Excuse me …" (before asking something): "Kshama keejeeae …";
  • "Permission …" (to overtake someone): "Kshama keejeeae …".

  

  Step 5. Learn to order at a Hindi restaurant

  Another excellent way to make use of certain phrases and words is to become familiar with ordering dishes in the Hindi language. You can find audio recordings of terms and expressions on the Audible Hindi website.

  • "Would you like …?": "Kya aapako … pasand hai?";
  • "Would you like to have a drink?": "Aap kya pina pasand karenge?";
  • "I would like …": "main … lena pasand karunga";
  • "I eat neither meat nor fish": "Main macchi ya maas nahin khata";
  • "I don't drink": main shrab nahin pita ";
  • "It's wonderful!": "Yah bhayankar hai!";
  • "It's delicious!": "Yah swadisht hai!".

  Part 4 of 4: Practice the Hindi Language

  

  Step 1. Sign up for a Hindi language course

  One of the best ways to learn a new language is to enroll in a course that gives you the opportunity to interact with a teacher and other students at least once a week. This way you can speak in Hindi by having a face-to-face conversation with the teacher and master both pronunciation and intonation.

  Being surrounded by other people who are learning the language is a rather useful experience, because everyone can support the other and everyone practices together. Look for a Hindi language course at a college or active center in the Indian community closest to your city

  

  Step 2. Use the tools made available by the net, such as videos and podcasts

  There are many ways to learn Hindi on the Internet, even if you are a beginner. They focus on elementary words and phrases, but also on more complex aspects of the language, such as conjugations, verbs, adjectives and pronunciation.

  • Try to access the video "50 Hindi words" by clicking here. You can also find some pronunciation videos at this link.
  • To access a podcast focused on learning Hindi, try clicking here.

  

  Step 3. Read some children's books aloud

  It can be a great way to learn pretty basic words and phrases in an easy and fun way. Many children's texts also serve to improve conversation and offer visual elements to consolidate vocabulary.

  You can find more than 60 children's books in Hindi on this page. Some contain audio recordings accompanying the lyrics to improve pronunciation

  

  Step 4. Practice with a friend who is fluent in Hindi

  If you have a friend who is fluent in this language, you may want to arrange a few weekly meetings to get together and have a conversation in Hindi. At first, talk about fairly simple topics, such as the weather or how you are doing, but try to progress gradually by touching on more and more complex concepts.

  You can also get in touch with some association operating in your city or nearby to find out if there is a group of Hindi speakers through which you can meet a native speaker to practice with

  

  Step 5. Watch Hindi Movies

  There is a large film industry in India, known as "Bollywood", which produces over 1,000 films every year. Hence, you will have no difficulty in finding some Hindi movies on the Internet through streaming channels or through a content service, such as iTunes. You can watch them from the comfort of your home and improve your conversational language. Try watching them with subtitles or turning them off to practice listening to the language spoken by native speakers.

  It is preferable to start with more popular films from Indian cinema, such as Mughal-e-Azam (often referred to as the greatest Bollywood film of all time), the comedy Golmaal and the drama Kahaani

  

  Step 6. Attend Indian cultural events in your vicinity

  In many large metropolitan areas or smaller cities there are Indian communities that organize festivals and cultural events. By speaking, you will have the opportunity to make new friends with native speakers and learn more about Hindi culture. Look for events of this kind at the Indian cultural center closest to your city or search the Internet to find events and reviews that spread Indian culture.