{"id":176601341,"date":"2024-01-30T10:01:50","date_gmt":"2024-01-30T18:01:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lingq.com\/blog-new\/?p=176601341"},"modified":"2026-10-14T13:08:37","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T20:08:37","slug":"hindi-greetings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lingq.com\/blog\/hindi-greetings\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Say Hello in Hindi: 15 Essential Hindi Greetings"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Last updated: October 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most common way to say hello in Hindi is namaste<\/em> (\u0928\u092e\u0938\u094d\u0924\u0947), pronounced “nuh-muh-stay.”<\/strong> It works at any time of day, with anyone, and you can use it for goodbye too. For a more formal hello, say namaskar<\/em> (\u0928\u092e\u0938\u094d\u0915\u093e\u0930).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are the 15 Hindi greetings you’ll hear most, with Devanagari script, pronunciation and when to use each one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hindi<\/th>Devanagari<\/th>Pronunciation<\/th>Meaning<\/th>When to use it<\/th><\/tr>
Namaste<\/td>\u0928\u092e\u0938\u094d\u0924\u0947<\/td>nuh-muh-stay<\/td>Hello \/ goodbye<\/td>Anytime, with anyone<\/td><\/tr>
Namaskar<\/td>\u0928\u092e\u0938\u094d\u0915\u093e\u0930<\/td>nuh-muh-skaar<\/td>Hello (formal)<\/td>Formal settings, elders<\/td><\/tr>
Pranam<\/td>\u092a\u094d\u0930\u0923\u093e\u092e<\/td>pruh-naam<\/td>Respectful greeting<\/td>Elders, teachers, family elders<\/td><\/tr>
Suprabhat<\/td>\u0938\u0941\u092a\u094d\u0930\u092d\u093e\u0924<\/td>soo-pruh-bhaat<\/td>Good morning<\/td>Formal or written; often just “good morning” in speech<\/td><\/tr>
Shubh sandhya<\/td>\u0936\u0941\u092d \u0938\u0902\u0927\u094d\u092f\u093e<\/td>shubh sun-dhyaa<\/td>Good evening<\/td>Formal or written<\/td><\/tr>
Shubh ratri<\/td>\u0936\u0941\u092d \u0930\u093e\u0924\u094d\u0930\u093f<\/td>shubh raa-tree<\/td>Good night<\/td>Formal or written, when parting at night<\/td><\/tr>
Aap kaise hain?<\/td>\u0906\u092a \u0915\u0948\u0938\u0947 \u0939\u0948\u0902?<\/td>aap kai-say hain<\/td>How are you? (formal)<\/td>Elders, strangers; kaisi<\/em> for a woman<\/td><\/tr>
Tum kaise ho?<\/td>\u0924\u0941\u092e \u0915\u0948\u0938\u0947 \u0939\u094b?<\/td>tum kai-say ho<\/td>How are you? (informal)<\/td>Friends, people your age<\/td><\/tr>
Kya haal hain? <\/td>\u0915\u094d\u092f\u093e \u0939\u093e\u0932 \u0939\u0948\u0902? <\/td>kyaa haal hain<\/td>How’s it going?<\/td>Casual, with friends<\/td><\/tr>
Main theek hoon<\/td>\u092e\u0948\u0902 \u0920\u0940\u0915 \u0939\u0942\u0901<\/td>main theek hoon<\/td>I’m fine<\/td>Answering “how are you?”<\/td><\/tr>
Dhanyavaad<\/td>\u0927\u0928\u094d\u092f\u0935\u093e\u0926<\/td>dhun-yuh-vaad<\/td>Thank you (formal)<\/td>Polite or formal thanks<\/td><\/tr>
Shukriya<\/td>\u0936\u0941\u0915\u094d\u0930\u093f\u092f\u093e<\/td>shook-ree-yaa<\/td>Thank you<\/td>Everyday thanks<\/td><\/tr>
Koi baat nahin<\/td>\u0915\u094b\u0908 \u092c\u093e\u0924 \u0928\u0939\u0940\u0902<\/td>koi baat nuh-heen<\/td>You’re welcome \/ no problem<\/td>Responding to thanks or apologies<\/td><\/tr>
Phir milenge<\/td>\u092b\u093f\u0930 \u092e\u093f\u0932\u0947\u0902\u0917\u0947<\/td>phir mil-en-gay<\/td>See you again<\/td>Casual goodbye<\/td><\/tr>
Alvida<\/td>\u0905\u0932\u0935\u093f\u0926\u093e<\/td>ul-vi-daa<\/td>Farewell<\/td>Long or final goodbyes; sounds dramatic in daily use<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Hindi<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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How do you say hello in Hindi?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Namaste (\u0928\u092e\u0938\u094d\u0924\u0947)<\/strong> is the classic Hindi hello. It’s respectful, works at any time of day, and doubles as goodbye. Traditionally, you say it with your palms pressed together in front of your chest and a slight bow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Namaskar (\u0928\u092e\u0938\u094d\u0915\u093e\u0930)<\/strong> means the same thing but sounds a little more formal. You’ll hear it in speeches, on TV and when greeting people you want to show extra respect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pranam (\u092a\u094d\u0930\u0923\u093e\u092e)<\/strong> is a deeply respectful greeting, used mainly with elders, teachers and older relatives. In some families it comes with touching the elder’s feet as a sign of respect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In casual conversation between friends, especially in cities, many Hindi speakers simply say “hi” or “hello” in English. Namaste is never wrong, though, and as a learner it’s the safest choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does namaste mean?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Namaste literally means “I bow to you.”<\/strong> It comes from Sanskrit: nama\u1e25<\/em> (bow, salutation) + te<\/em> (to you).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You’ll often see it translated as “the divine in me bows to the divine in you.” That’s a popular spiritual interpretation, especially in yoga classes, but it isn’t the literal meaning. In everyday Hindi, namaste is simply a polite, respectful hello or goodbye, the way “hello” is in English.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few things worth knowing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n