Skip to content
Social Etiquette Module

Greetings in Hindi

Mastering the art of Namaste and understanding the nuance between formal and informal address is the first step to cultural fluency.

Hello / Greetings
Universal
नमस्ते
(Namaste)
Hello / Greetings
Context: Used at any time of day for anyone.
Good Morning
Formal
शुभ प्रभात
(Shubh Prabhat)
Good Morning
Context: Used in schools or formal speech.
Good Night
Standard
शुभ रात्रि
(Shubh Ratri)
Good Night
Context: Used before going to sleep.
How are you?
Formal (Respect)
आप कैसे हैं?
(Aap kaise hain?)
How are you?
Context: Use with elders or strangers.
How are you?
Informal
तुम कैसे हो?
(Tum kaise ho?)
How are you?
Context: Use with friends or younger people.
I am fine
Standard
मैं ठीक हूँ
(Main theek hoon)
I am fine
Context: The standard reply to 'How are you?'
Thank You
Formal
धन्यवाद
(Dhanyavaad)
Thank You
Context: Polite expression of gratitude.
Thank You
Casual (Urdu)
शुक्रिया
(Shukriya)
Thank You
Context: Very common in daily conversation.
Excuse Me / Sorry
Standard
माफ़ कीजिये
(Maaf Kijiye)
Excuse Me / Sorry
Context: Used to apologize or get attention.
See you again
Standard
फिर मिलेंगे
(Phir Milenge)
See you again
Context: Used instead of 'Goodbye' (optimistic).
Goodbye
Formal/Dramatic
अलविदा
(Alvida)
Goodbye
Context: implies a long separation.
Welcome
Formal
स्वागत है
(Swagat Hai)
Welcome
Context: Used when guests arrive.
Congratulations
Standard
बधाई हो
(Badhai Ho)
Congratulations
Context: For weddings, passing exams, etc.
No problem
Casual
कोई बात नहीं
(Koi baat nahi)
No problem
Context: Reply to 'Thank you' or 'Sorry'.
What's up?
Slang/Casual
क्या चल रहा है?
(Kya chal raha hai?)
What's up?
Context: Used only with close friends.

Cultural Etiquette Rules

1. The "Namaste" Gesture

When saying Namaste, it is polite to bring your palms together at chest level and bow your head slightly. This shows respect to the "divine spark" within the other person.

2. Aap vs. Tum

Never use Tum (Informal) with elders, teachers, or strangers. Always use Aap (Formal). Using Tum incorrectly can be seen as disrespectful or rude.

3. Touching Feet

In very traditional settings, younger people greet elders by touching their feet (Charan Sparsh) as a sign of seeking blessings, though Namaste is acceptable in most modern contexts.