Basic Words

1. हाँ

   haan

   Yes

   Usage

   The basic yes. Often enough on its own to keep a transaction moving

2. नहीं

   nahin

   No

   Usage

   The basic no. Pair it with a head shake to make refusal unmistakable

3. कृपया

   kripaya

   Please

   Usage

   Add it to any request, including when you order by pointing at something

4. धन्यवाद

   dhanyavaad

   Thank you

   Usage

   For anything you receive or any help you get. The single most-used word of a trip

5. सुनिए

   suniye

   Excuse me

   Usage

   To get a stranger's or staff member's attention, or to squeeze past someone

6. माफ़ कीजिए

   maaf kijiye

   Sorry

   Usage

   An actual apology after bumping into someone or making a mistake, not for getting attention

7. ठीक है

   thik hai

   It's OK / I'm fine

   Usage

   Both "no harm done" when someone apologises and a soft "no thanks" to an offer

8. मुझे समझ नहीं आया

   mujhe samajh nahin aaya

   I don't understand

   Usage

   When you did not follow what was said. It usually prompts the other person to rephrase

9. समझ गया

   samajh gaya

   I understand

   Usage

   Confirms the explanation landed. Clearer than just nodding

   Grammar Note

   A female speaker says समझ गई (samajh gayi). Hindi perfective forms agree with the speaker's gender.

10. हो गया

    ho gaya

    I'm finished / Done

    Usage

    Signals a meal, payment or procedure is complete — also used to have plates cleared

11. कृपया इंतज़ार कीजिए

    kripaya intazaar kijiye

    Please wait

    Usage

    To ask someone to hold on while you dig out luggage or paperwork

12. एक मिनट

    ek minat

    Just a moment

    Usage

    A lighter, shorter hold-on for a brief pause at a till or before a photo

13. एक वयस्क, कृपया

    ek vayask, kripaya

    One adult, please

    Usage

    For ticket desks and entrances where adult and child prices differ

14. मैंने बुकिंग नहीं की है

    maine booking nahin ki hai

    I don't have a reservation

    Usage

    The first thing to say when walking into a restaurant or hotel without booking

15. मैंने बुकिंग की है

    maine booking ki hai

    I have a reservation

    Usage

    Say it on arrival, then give your name to speed things up

16. मेरी मदद कीजिए

    meri madad kijiye

    Please help me

    Usage

    For trouble or an emergency. It is fine to say this loudly

17. एक बार फिर कहिए

    ek baar phir kahiye

    Once more, please

    Usage

    When you missed what was said — handy for prices and room numbers

18. कृपया धीरे बोलिए

    kripaya dhire boliye

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    When the speed is the problem. Works well combined with "once more"

19. मैं थोड़ा-थोड़ा बोलता हूँ

    main thoda-thoda bolta hoon

    I speak a little

    Usage

    Sets expectations early so the other person switches to simpler wording

    Grammar Note

    A woman says बोलती हूँ (bolti hoon); the present tense agrees with the subject's gender.

20. क्या आप अंग्रेज़ी बोलते हैं?

    kya aap angrezi bolte hain?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Your fallback when communication stalls. Usually works at hotels and airports

    Grammar Note

    Use आप (aap) for strangers. तुम and तू are for people you know well.

21. यह

    yah

    This

    Usage

    For something near you — point at a menu item or a product as you say it

22. वह

    vah

    That

    Usage

    Hindi has only two degrees of distance, so this one word covers both sore and are

23. यहाँ

    yahaan

    Here

    Usage

    Marks where you are; also used when pointing at a spot on a map

24. वहाँ

    vahaan

    There

    Usage

    Marks a place away from you; Hindi does not separate soko from asoko

25. मैं

    main

    I / me

    Usage

    Refers to yourself; point at your own chest to make it unmistakable

26. आप

    aap

    You (polite)

    Usage

    Always use this with strangers and elders; tum and tu are only for close company

27. साथ में

    saath mein

    Together

    Usage

    Shows that you are with someone, or asks to be seated together

28. इतना काफ़ी है

    itna kaafi hai

    This is enough

    Usage

    Show it to stop someone serving or pouring more

29. तुरंत

    turant

    Right now

    Usage

    Conveys urgency; stronger than abhi, which just means now

30. एक व्यक्ति

    ek vyakti

    One person

    Usage

    States the head count when asking for a table or a room

31. दो लोग

    do log

    Two people

    Usage

    States the head count when asking for a table or a room

32. तीन लोग

    teen log

    Three people

    Usage

    States the head count when asking for a table or a room

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