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Travel Hindi: Essential Phrases for Exploring India


How to ask for directions, buy tickets, and talk to locals

Traveling in India is an adventure—every city, village, and street has something new to discover. Knowing a few basic Hindi phrases will help you buy tickets, find your way, and connect with people (even if they speak English, using Hindi always brings a smile!). Here’s your quick guide with practical examples.



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1. Greetings & Small Talk


English

Hindi (Devanagari)

Romanized

Hello

नमस्ते

Namaste

How are you?

कैसे हो? (informal)

Kaise ho?


कैसे हैं? (formal/plural)

Kaise hain?

I’m good

मैं ठीक हूँ

Main theek hoon

Thank you

धन्यवाद

Dhanyavaad

Excuse me

माफ कीजिए / सुनिए

Maaf kijiye / Suniye


Tip: “नमस्ते” (Namaste) works everywhere, anytime!


2. Getting Around & Asking for Directions


Most useful phrases you’ll actually hear and use:


English

Hindi (Devanagari)

Romanized

Where is ...?

... कहाँ है?

... kahaan hai?

Where is the station?

स्टेशन कहाँ है?

Station kahaan hai?

Where is the bathroom?

बाथरूम कहाँ है?

Bathroom kahaan hai?

How do I get to ...?

... कैसे पहुँचूँ?

... kaise pahunchun?

Left / Right

बायें / दायें

Baayein / Daayein

Straight

सीधा

Seedha

Stop here, please (taxi/auto)

यहाँ रोकिए

Yahan rokiye

Is it far?

क्या ये दूर है?

Kya yeh door hai?

Near

पास

Paas

Turn left/right

बायें/दायें मुड़िए

Baayein/Daayein mudiyé


Examples:

  • स्टेशन कहाँ है?Station kahaan hai?(Where is the station?)

  • क्या ये पास है या दूर?Kya yeh paas hai ya door?(Is it near or far?)

  • मुझे यहाँ उतरना है।Mujhe yahan utarna hai.(I want to get down here.)




3. Buying Tickets & Transport


English

Hindi (Devanagari)

Romanized

Ticket, please

टिकट दीजिए

Ticket dijiye

One ticket to Delhi

दिल्ली का एक टिकट दीजिए

Dilli ka ek ticket dijiye

How much is the ticket?

टिकट कितने का है?

Ticket kitne ka hai?

What time does it leave?

यह कब चलेगा?

Yeh kab chalega?

Platform number

प्लेटफार्म नंबर

Platform number

Window seat, please

विंडो सीट चाहिए

Window seat chahiye

Where is the bus stand?

बस स्टैंड कहाँ है?

Bus stand kahaan hai?


Examples:

  • आगरा का टिकट चाहिए।Agra ka ticket chahiye.(I want a ticket to Agra.)

  • यह ट्रेन कब आएगी?Yeh train kab aayegi?(When will this train come?)



4. In Hotels or Guesthouses


English

Hindi (Devanagari)

Romanized

Do you have a room?

कमरा है?

Kamra hai?

How much per night?

एक रात का कितना है?

Ek raat ka kitna hai?

I want to see the room

कमरा दिखाइए

Kamra dikhaiye

Is there Wi-Fi?

वाई-फाई है?

Wi-Fi hai?

Hot water

गरम पानी

Garam paani

Clean bed

साफ़ बिस्तर

Saaf bistar

I’ll stay for two nights

दो रात रुकूँगा/रुकूँगी

Do raat rukoonga/rukoongi (m/f)

Thank you

धन्यवाद

Dhanyavaad


Examples:

  • दो लोग हैं।Do log hain.(There are two people.)

  • एक रात के लिए कमरा चाहिए।Ek raat ke liye kamra chahiye.(I want a room for one night.)



5. At Restaurants & Eating Out



English

Hindi (Devanagari)

Romanized

Menu, please

मेन्यू दीजिए

Menu dijiye

Water, please

पानी दीजिए

Pani dijiye

Not spicy

कम मसालेदार

Kam masaledaar

Vegetarian food

शाकाहारी खाना

Shaakahari khana

Bill, please

बिल दीजिए

Bill dijiye

This is tasty!

बहुत स्वादिष्ट है!

Bahut swaadisht hai!

What do you recommend?

क्या अच्छा है यहाँ?

Kya accha hai yahan?


Examples:

  • एक समोसा दीजिए।Ek samosa dijiye.(One samosa, please.)

  • बिल दीजिए।Bill dijiye.(Bill, please.)



6. General Conversation & Emergencies


English

Hindi (Devanagari)

Romanized

I don’t understand

समझ नहीं आया

Samajh nahi aaya

Please speak slowly

धीरे बोलिए

Dheere boliye

Can you help me?

मदद कर सकते हैं?

Madad kar sakte hain?

Call the police!

पुलिस को बुलाइए!

Police ko bulaiye!

I am lost

मैं खो गया/गई हूँ

Main kho gaya/gayi hoon (m/f)



7. Other Super Useful Words & Phrases



English

Hindi (Devanagari)

Romanized

Yes

हाँ

Haan

No

नहीं

Nahin

Little

थोड़ा

Thoda

More

और

Aur

Enough

बस

Bas

Now

अभी

Abhi

Today

आज

Aaj

Tomorrow

कल

Kal


8. Indian English That Locals Use

Don’t be surprised—some English words have become “Indianized” and everyone uses them:


  • “Hotel” = any place to eat, not just for sleeping.

  • “Prepaid” (as in taxis)

  • “Luggage” (same meaning)

  • “Toilet” or “bathroom” (not “restroom”)

  • “Parcel” (for take-away food)



Quick Survival Tips for Hindi Travel Phrases

  • Smile and try! Even a little Hindi goes a long way.

  • Use “please” and “thank you”—“प्लीज़” (Please) and “धन्यवाद” (Dhanyavaad) are always appreciated.

  • Gesture if you get stuck—pointing and smiling can solve most problems!

  • Don’t stress about mistakes—locals love to help and will encourage you.



Ready to Explore?

Even if you only use a handful of these phrases, you’ll have a more authentic, fun, and friendly travel experience.


Try these out on your next trip—India is waiting to welcome you!

 
 
 

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