India Travel Answers

Those won't do you any good in Chennai, and probably not in Bangalore - not sure about Goa. The other places, though, it will be a nice gesture. I was able to get around with basic Hindustani in Delhi, Agra, and other places in the north west. Made everyone laugh, but it broke the ice. (Hindustani is the common language, somewhere between Hindi and Urdu, widely understood up north.) Perhaps a few phrases in Hindustani and a few in Tamil? Tamil is close enough to Kannada and Malayalam that people will get the gist. I don't know about Bengali - it was always a mystery to me.

thankyou for your posts i will take them on board and have a think. its only good manners to attempt some language at a very basic level. as you say it breaks the ice and when people laugh at or with you brings everyone to the same level and it does indeed break the ice and gets people to warm too you

Noticed none of the places you listed would be close to anywhere speaking anything related to Bengali, so you can skip that for this trip. Hindustani and something Dravidian, and you're good.

I did fine on a around India trip with only english ...but sure nice to be able just to say a few things ;-) I am sure you will meet lots of people that will be glad to lean you some on the road or in a train ...do use the trains it is a great place to meet Indians. Enjoy ;-)

I have had many trips to India, without having to use Hindi or any other Indian language. English is understood almost everywhere. Basic words for please, thank you, are good. Namaste is the greeting used everywhere. Bengali is spoken in West Bengal ( Kolkata) Suggest you buy a Hindi phrase book and read up.

It is always good to know a few words of the language of the country you are visiting but i spent 6 months in India and could only say namaste. I found that most Indians that i had to deal with spoke enough english for us to get by. I must add that i normally learn a lot more of the country's language and can get by in several different languages and it is rewarding to converse in another language

All states of India has got their own language,,for example Tamilnadu state we speak tamil, kerala state they speak malyalam but hindi is widely spoken in india except southern state,,you will hardly find people who speaks Hindi in southern state..simple words in english will help you a lot even if you dont speak hindi.. hindi will help you in banglore,goa,mumbai,agra,jaipur and delhi and no need to learn any urdu words its very similar to hindi but if you go in streets and try to speak to layman for direction using some urdu words then i am sure they will not understand... and for chennai hindi will not help you at all..I live in tamilnadu and lived in chennai for more than 2 years..english will do.. and as a marine engineer we dont speak in engineroom.we use sign language,in engineroom its difficult to hear even we stand close..sign language will help you a lot.. and ofcourse simple greeting like" Namaste = Welcome " " Sukriya = Thank you" and smile will do rest of the magic for you.

Hello : Namaste How are you? : Aap Kaise Hai ? I am fine : Hum theek hai See you later : Phir milenge Where are you going ? : Aap kaha ja rahe hai? Whats Your name? : Aap ka naam kya hai? Thank you - shukriya or Dhanyavaad Days Monday - Somwar Tuesday - Mangalwar Wednesday - Budhwar Thursday - Guruwar Friday - Shukrwar Saturday - Shaniwar Sunday - Ravivar Numbers 1- Ek 2 - Do 3- Tin 4- Chaar 5 - Panch 6- Che 7- Saat 8- Anth 9- Nau 10- Dus 20- Bees 30- Tees 40- Chalis 50- Panchas 60-Saanth 70- Sutter 80- Assi 90- Nabbe 100- Sau 500- Panch Sau 1000 - Ek hazar Colurs Black - kala White - safed Red - Lal Yellow - Peela Blue - Neela yes and no Yes - haan no - Nahi never mind - koi baat nahi i dont want - muze nahi chahiye i want it - muze chahiye i like it - muze accha laga i dont like ti - muze accha nahi laga i dont understand - muze samazme nahi aya i cant speak hindi - main hindi nahi bol sakta Shopping where is ....... : - .......... kaha hai how much - kitne me diya That is too expensive - Yeh bahut mehnga hai Can i try it - Ise main dekh sakta hoon Make it less - Kuch kam karo What is the last price - Iska akhari daam kya hai

mehulraj has given you a primer. Good show! 1. Always good to learn a few basic phrases of the local language. 2. English is spoken and understood at all the places you have mentioned. 3. Learn the typical Indian gesture of 'namaste'. Extremely useful and a total ice-breaker. Also, great at greeting Indian ladies who normally do not shake hands when introduced. This gesture is used for greeting as well as for exiting. 4. Bengalis simple *LOVE* any person who can mouth a few Bengali phrases, find fish a delicacy, will talk about Rabindra Sangeet, savour a 'rasagulla', debate endlessly about cricket, football and politics, in no particular order and drink copious amounts of 'chai'.

thankyou for all your replys. its good to know from people who have been and experienced iy

thats excellent . thankyou for the basics. i will learn them and cheers for the start

@WWFRanger=Thank You!

I think you've already got great replies, specially the snapshots given by Mehul. You can easily go around with english alone as most of the people would understand it. But knowing a few local words never hurts and can be good to start conversations.

hello.... ur most welcome here in india....don't worry english is common language here so u can feel free to visit and travelling....i m from jaipur and if u like we can have a vt meet here.....if u need any type of help u can write me.... gopal

Hello Mehulraj You did copied a great content from my home page, i hope that was really helpful Great one

ya that was quick and readily available i forgot to give your reference