Useful phrases for foreigners visiting India
by neo
Are you visiting India for the first time ? Here are some phrases that you might want to learn to say in Hindi.
“Where’s the restroom?”
“Hi, I’d like to book a pre-paid taxi.”
“Can you take me to Le Meridien?”
“No, thank you. I don’t need an escort for tonight.”
“Wow, you look beautiful. Come on in!”
“Good morning. Your daughter ? Wait, I thought she was the escort!”
“Where are you taking me?”
“What is this priest saying?”
“No! I have a girlfriend in San Jose! Please!”
“It’s not about you, Priya. I find you very attractive. Please don’t cry.”
“Oh god, please don’t stop.”
“So all this time you thought I was asking you if you were taking vitamin pills?”
“Push.”
“I need an admission form for Kindergarten, please.”
“Give me the remote.”
“Just a few more minutes on Twitter, honey. I’ll be right there!”
“Of course you don’t look fat!”
“Okay, I’ll shut up. Just let me in the room!”
(END)
*
(Based on an idea by Simon Rich in “Ant Farm”)
Would have loved to see the Hindi translation below the English . Nice list thanks
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
You forgot that when the foreigner is in Mumbai he also should know how to say “I don’t know marathi” to cabbies! Oh wait.. that could be counter productive.. my bad :P
Great post..!
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
Sometimes it’s best if everyone doesn’t speak the same language. :)
-Neo
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
FYI Most cabbies in Bombay don’t speak Marathi!
Like or Dislike:
1 
1
I didn’t need any of those phrases, fortunately — that’s because I learned how to say “Stop” in Hindi. Useful for autowallahs and so much more…
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
And a few phrases that a foreigner shouldn’t ever bother asking an Indian (either in English or Hindi)… “what’s the time?”, “what time will it be ready?” and “what time should we meet?” ;-)
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I so agree..or just make a mental note to add 30 minutes to whatever the response is..
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
They should make this into a movie. Wait… desis aren’t manipulative.
We are “dudh ka dhula hua”. If you are visiting India for the first time please learn this phrase and difference between “dhula” (purified, chaste) and “dulha” (bridegroom)
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
ROFL @ dhula vs. dulha! So much for dudh ka dhula hua; this one looks more like dude ka dulha hua :P
g
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Well, the bride will be hoping for both “dude ka dulha hua” and “dude ka dhula hua”. :-|
-Neo
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
If a bride is seeking a “dude ka dulha” she is barking up the wrong tree. She is seeking “dude as dulha”.
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
Your story is nice, but if I were you, I wouldn’t scare them with those last 6 phrases, true as they must be. It’s still not too late; do you want to replace it with ““Where’s the restroom?”- “Hi, I’d like to book a pre-paid taxi.” – “Can you take me to the airport NOW?””?
The sequence sounds suspiciously credible –
youyour friends must be adventurous :Pg
PS: Isn’t your son in Kindergarten? Oh that’s the friend’s son, never mind. :-|
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Another useful phrase would be “I don’t know Hindi” (in Hindi) if things get out of hand!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
mujhe hindi aathaa hai, Jaatha nahin !!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
How about
” Bhagwan ke liye mujhe chhod do”
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
With a note on how both “d”‘s in the sentence need to be differentiated.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Hahahahahahaha… Great post. Just discovered your blog. Will be back!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Very interesting blog.
Perhaps an addition would be “Nahi, ganja nahi chahiye!”
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Lol I just went through your archives and your posts are hilarious! How come you have no filmy phrases? “kaminey mein tera khoon pee jaoonga”!!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0