Untranslatable Hindi Words with Beautiful Meanings

Hindi Words With Meaning

Fun fact: Hindi is an extremely famous language (outside India as well!) While talking about the fourth most spoken language in the world, we stumbled upon some more amazing fun facts. For starters, Hindi has a melodic accent as compared to British English.

Hindi is also said to be a direct descendent of Sanskrit, one of the world’s oldest languages. It also has Persian, English, and Arabic themes. It’s no wonder, therefore, that Hindi words contain a richness of connotation that many English translations miss.

Simply glancing through a Hindi dictionary may provide a wealth of information about the country’s unique customs, values, and past. To preserve the integrity of special Hindi terminology, you can use them as it is in English media in India.

We present you Hindi phrases that reflect the unusual beauty of a cultural identity unique to India, from the country’s wonderfully diverse environment to its complicated customs and fascinating music.

Jootha (Not a liar, though!)

Usually, this would translate to ‘liar’ but in this particular case, it relates to something (usually food or drink) that someone else touches. For example, if one person eats with a spoon and another subsequently uses it, the second person is using the first person’s jootha (leftover). Jootha is a cultural idea that, according to some religious views in India, you cannot practice.

Dhaba (Your local Indian eatery!)

Dhaba is a Hindi term that refers to a wayside eatery. A classic dhaba in India would include camp beds and cane chairs as seating and would offer delicious cuisine. They are frequently located at gas stations and are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for hungry truck drivers and other travelers.

Kanyadaan (Giving away your precious daughter!)

Kanyadaan is a Hindi word that refers to a rite done during Hindu weddings, generally by the bride’s father, in which he “gives his daughter away” to the groom. The bride’s father (and occasionally her mother) lays his hand on top of the couple’s linked hands. Holy water or milk is also poured over their hands, usually by the bride’s mother.

Rakhi (A thread of togetherness!)

Rakhi is the Hindi word for a bracelet or thread that sisters wrap around the wrists of their brothers. It represents a sister’s devotion to her brother and a brother’s pledge to defend his sister no matter what. The ceremony is well-known as Rakshabandhan.

Jigyasa (The want for knowledge!)

Jigyasa is one of those difficult Hindi terms to translate, mainly because it has several meanings in Hindi. It might signify demand, doubt, inquiry, or inquisitiveness depending on its usage.

Moksh (The path to salvation!)

Moksh is a spiritual word in Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism. It implies breaking away from the cycle of death and rebirth caused by the law of karma. Moksh is the greater level of being obtained above existence. It can also signify emancipation or freedom.

Rimjhim (Rimjhim gire saawan!)

Rimjhim is a colloquial Hindi term that means ‘rain.’ This translates loosely as drizzle or a little shower. However, its Hindi to English translation remains elusive since it is primarily concerned with the joy and pleasure that occurs with the onset of rain and monsoons.

Kalmoohi/Kalmooha (When bad luck walks with you!)

The Hindi slang term kalmooha (male) or kalmoohi (female) is a derogatory word to describe someone useless, incompetent, and even considered bad luck.

Ghamasan (A war ensues!)

In Hindi, ghamasan can be described as something dangerous, devastating, or extremely serious – or to explain how deeply awry something is. It is usually used with the term ‘war’ in Hindi.

Jijivisha (Live your life to the fullest!)

Jijivisha refers to the great desire to live and continue to live in the highest sense of being. It is frequently used to describe someone who lives their life to the fullest.

Ghataa (When dense clouds surround you!)

Ghataa is a metaphor for gloomy, thick clouds. It also describes the sense of a heart that is heavy with sadness or anguish. It is usually used to depict the rain in poetry or songs.

Adda (When you meet your friends in adda!)

Adda is just a gathering spot for friends to spend time and have fun. An adda is a venue where you would meet up with your pals every day or regularly. It may be a restaurant or even a street corner.

Rasa (A piece of art!)

Rasa is a difficult Hindi word to translate into English since its meaning is so aesthetic. It is a technique of communication involving synchronized movements of the eyes, feet, and vocal cords to communicate emotions and create a tale that reaches the audience while discussing performing arts, dance forms, theater, or film. Although it technically translates as juice, flavor, or essence, it may also relate to the appearance or tone of a piece of art.

Jugaad (The Indian hack!)

Jugaad is a colloquial Hindi term. It means to find the cheapest solution to an issue in a way that would suffice. It may also refer to a “hack” or something that unconventionally solves an issue.

Pushpanjali (When your hands offer flowers!)

Pushpanjali (literally folded hands full of flowers) is an offering of flowers to Hindu deities. This is also the opening dance of a Bharatanatyam performance. It is a salute to Nataraja, the Guru, the musicians, and the audience. It is a mixture of two words. Pushpa – flower, Anjali – folded hands to express reverence. The dancer holds a flower to give prayers to the Trinity of Gods, Goddesses, Ashta dikpalakas, and dance scholars.

Chyawanprash (Your daily dose of Indian supplement!)

Chyawanprash is a prepared concoction of sugar, honey, ghee, Indian gooseberry (amla) jam, sesame oil, berries, and a variety of herbs and spices. It is produced according to the guidelines given in Ayurvedic scriptures. Chyavanprash is a dietary supplement that is commonly sold and taken in India.

Viraha (When love grows through separation!)

It is the state of the realization of love through separation. Viraha is the gap of time between the cessation of proper faith and its recurrence. The terms viraha (duration) and antara (distance) are interchangeable.

Key Takeaways

• The beauty of these simple Hindi words is that they cannot be precisely translated into English. Translating them would certainly alter their essence.
• These lovely untranslatable Hindi words breathe new life into our language and allow you to speak and sound like a native. Learning them will improve your Hindi fluency and bring you closer to Indian culture.
• Locals prefer to use the slang they have grown up with. To the average person, these vernacular words are more than simply words.
• Some of these Hindi terms may be difficult to comprehend, while others may sound crude or unpleasant. However, these statements leave an unforgettable impression on people.
• The untranslatable words are often so true, hilarious, and lovely that even non-natives fall in love with them. Suffusing in colloquialisms is often required to feel a language in its purest character.

We hope you got to know some indigenous words that can never be translated into English through this blog. If you liked this blog, then you can comment below and share your thoughts with us!

Liked this blog? Read next: Word meaning in Hindi | 50 amazing words you should know!

FAQs

Q1. What is the longest Hindi word?

Answer – The longest word in Hindi is (lauhpathagminschakdarshkaharitatmralauhpaik), which has 24 consonants and 10 vowel diacritics for a total of 34 characters. The term means ‘a green railway warning sign board constructed of copper-iron.’

Q2. Is pajamas a Hindi word?

Answer – “Pyjamas” or “Pajamas” refers to a loose-fitting sleeping garment or a bottom. The spelling “pajama” is often used in North America; it is derived from the Hindi word “pajamas,” which means “leg” (pay) and “clothes” when divided (jamah).

Q3. Are there any Hindi words that are used in English?

Answer – Well there are quite a few Hindi words that are now adopted in the English language and used today regularly. Some examples are Jungle, Bandana, Cashmere, Chit, Pajama, Juggernaut, Thug, Shampoo (variant), and more.

WRITTEN BY

Aastha

Sr. Content Writer

Aastha Arya is a Senior Content Writer at iSchoolConnect who writes about topics covering study abroad trends, exclusive news updates and prolific college courses. She has a 4-year of experience in this field and also likes to keep tabs on recent events, visa policy changes, and many other concerns that affect international students.

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