Greetings to both travel enthusiasts and those with an inclination towards shopping!
Guess what? I recently returned from a different kind of trip in Rajasthan; it was not the usual forts and camels trip, rather a modern shopping expedition which took me from artisan boutiques to designer showrooms, and to my surprise, it pleasantly surprised me.
If you thought that Rajasthan is all about traditional handicrafts and bazaars, think again. This time, I was on the hunt for modern Rajasthani fashion, contemporary designs, high end local brands and what I found was a treasure trove of beauty, craftsmanship and pure elegance.
Join me as I take you on a journey across my shopping diary in Jaipur, Udaipur, and Jodhpur, where old world charm intertwines with new age designs.
Fundamental Hindi Expressions for Travelers
These will help you with simple interactions at markets, eateries, and other places in Jaipur.
Welcoming and Getting to Know Someone
- Namaste – used for both greeting and bidding farewell, it translates to hello
- Aap kaise hain? (for men) / Aap kaisi hain? (for women) – How are you?
- Main theek hoon – I am fine
- Mera naam [your name] hai – My name is [your name]
- Aapka naam kya hai? – What is your name?
- Dhanyavaad / Shukriya – Thank you
- Kripya / Please – Also means ‘please’
- Maaf kijiye – Sorry or excuse me
Pro Tip:
More informal wrappings of “Ram Ram” or “Sahib Ji Ram” can be used as greetings too. You are free to respond as well!
Giving and Receiving Instructions
- Yeh jagah kaha hai? – Where is this place?
- Yeh kitni door hai? – How far is it?
- Seedha jaaiye – Go straight
- Daiin mod lijiye – Turn right
- Baayin mod lijiye – Turn left
- Kya yeh Hawa Mahal ke paas hai? – Is this near Hawa Mahal?
Shopping and Bargaining
- Yeh kitne ka hai? – How much is this?
- Bahut mehnga hai! – It’s too expensive!
- Thoda kam kijiye – Please lower the price
- Mujhe yeh pasand hai – I like this
- Main nahi lunga/lungi – I don’t want it (for men/women)
- Bas dekh raha hoon – I’m just looking
Pro Tip:
Most are courteous and respectful in shops such as Bapu Bazaar and Johari Bazaar. Remember to always be polite and respectful.
Dining and Food
- Do you have vegetarian food?
- Mujhe bina mirch wala khana chahiye – I want food without chili/spice
- Kya paani milega? – Can I get some water?
- Ek chai zdaen – Give me one tea
- Bills Kitna hai? – how much is the bill?
Tip –
for those who don’t want too spicy food “bina mirch” (without chili) helps a lot.
Travel and Hotel Common Phrases
- Kya yahaan taxi milegi? – Will I get a taxi here?
- Mujhe railway station le chaliye – Please take me to the railway station
- Ek kamra chahiye – I need a room
- Pehle se booking hai – I have a reservation dealt with
- Check out timing How many hours after x time? – Kitne baje check-out hai?
- Internet ka password kya hai? – What is the Wi-Fi password?
Essential Rajasthani Phrases for Deeper Connection
Rajasthan has its rich vocabulary and dialects and Marwari being the most popularized version, hindi understood widely as a second language. Knowing a few phrases in Rajasthani will certainly give good out of the box feels while on the place.
Greetings and Courtesies
- Ram Ram – Hello / Greetings
- Khamma Ghani – A courteous greeting that conveys great respect.
- Aap kasay ho? – How are you?
- Thare naam koni hai? – Your name?
- Thari meherbani – Thank you (literally means “Your kindness”)
- Tharo ghano dhanyavaad – Thank you very much
In the Market
- Yo kitne ko hai? – How much is this?
- Mujh ne mehngo laagyo – This is expensive
- Sasto kado ho? – Can you make it less expensive?
- Mhanne yo pasand hai – I like this
Pro Tip:
People from Rajasthan are among the most hospitable in India. They will often offer help and courtesy in every way they can. Being polite and funny while haggling will get you off better prices and better treatment.
Dining and Food
- What vegetables do you have? – Thari sabji koni si hai?
- What is special today? – Thane khaas su padyo?
- Give me one serving of bati churma – Ek bati churma dedo
- Is the milk hot? – Garam dudh hai?
Pro Tip:
As welcoming as the locals are, don’t be surprised if they offer sweets and chai during conversations!
Helpful Words and Phrases for Rural Areas
- What is the name of your village? – Mhanne thare gaam ro naam koni hai?
- Padharo mhare desh is a popular phrase welcoming someone that embodies the hospitality of Rajasthan.
- Are you feeling cold? – Thane thand laag rahi hai?
- What time will the vehicle arrive? – Gaadi kitne baje aavegi?
Tips on Locally Used Phrases that Require Attention
- The courtesy of Being Gentle: Give a positive semblance with etiquette even if your pronunciation is off. Locals value your effort.
- Being Gentle: Speak clearly and at an understandable pace to ensure your listeners follow along.
- Smile and Gesture: Reinforce your pack with gestures supporting your spoken words. Smiling is a universal sign of friendliness.
- Listen and Learn: Understanding local dialects and expressions can expand your vocabulary. Take advantage of every opportunity to improve!
Key Situations Where Phrases Aid Communication
- In Markets: Whether purchasing mojaris in Bapu Bazaar or handicrafts in Johari Bazaar, using local phrases goes a long way in securing the sellers’ bonafides.
- At Temples: Graciously acknowledging devotees and priests with Namaste or Ram Ram enriches your spirituality.
- During Festivals: Participating in the Teej or Gangaur festivals is far more profound when you grasp basic vocabulary and rituals.
Your trip to Jaipur can be much more fulfilling if you learn a few Hindi and Rajasthani phrases. This will make navigating the city easier, and will demonstrate to locals that you welcome their culture and traditions. Therefore, do not hesitate to memorize these phrases and lose yourself in Rajasthan’s diverse cultures only to be awed by the hospitable warmth it is known for.
Did you use any local phrases while traveling? Tell us about your travel experiences in the comments!
