Sample Word: Karta
Head of Household (literally "the one who does")
Sample Word: 2 by 4
Two divided by Four
Sample Word: 2 into four
Two times four
Sample Word: Aao Jo
Goodbye (in Gujarati)
Sample Word: ABCD
American Born Confused Desi; a pejorative term for 2nd generation Indians in USA
Sample Word: Achchaa!
Okay (from Hindi); Good
Sample Word: Aeroplane
Airplane
Sample Word: Alloh
Hello (when answering the phone)
Sample Word: Almari
Cupboard, cabinet, sometimes closet; also called "almirah"
Sample Word: Almirah
Cupboard, cabinet, sometimes closet; also called "almari"
Sample Word: Amma
In north India, mother; in south India, female (kid or adult)
Sample Word: Annexure
Appendix, "Please look at Annexure B of our report for financials"
Sample Word: Ans.
Answer (abbreviation)
Sample Word: At the rate of
@, At (for email addresses) (my email is jay at the rate of aol.com)
Sample Word: Auto
Auto-rickshaw, - a three wheeler open taxi (tuk-tuk)
Sample Word: Babu
Bureaucrat, clerk, sometimes boss
Sample Word: Babu English
Pejorative for grammatically incorrect English written by a fellow Indian
Sample Word: Back
Ago, as in "We met three days back."
Sample Word: Badmash
See hooligan
Sample Word: Balance Sheet, left side
Where liabilites are recorded, NOT assets
Sample Word: Balance Sheet, right side
Where Assets are recorded, not Liabilities
Sample Word: Balti
Bucket; also a type of cuisine (balti chicken)
Sample Word: Bandh
General strike, where commerical establishments may be shut down
Sample Word: Bapu
Literally father, often refers to Mahatma Gandhi, the "Father of India."
Sample Word: Batchmate
Classmate
Sample Word: Batch-mate
Classmate
Sample Word: Berra
Waiter (also baira)
Sample Word: Bhaiya
Man, dude; literally brother
Sample Word: Black money
Also "black"; money that is untaxed and undocumented to the government
Sample Word: Board
Signboard or sign; see also hoarding
Sample Word: Bogey
Coach, in a passenger train
Sample Word: Bonnet
Hood (of an automobile)
Sample Word: Boot
Trunk (of automobile)
Sample Word: Bowled
Knocked out, from cricket
Sample Word: Brinjal
Eggplant;(Hindi word is Baingan)
Sample Word: Broking
Brokerage (from the British)
Sample Word: Brother
May be a brother, or cousin; see real brother
Sample Word: Bungalow
Any big house, typically with a verandah, driveway and walled front yard
Sample Word: Bunk
(verb), to avoid classes in school
Sample Word: Bus!
That's it (from Hindi)
Sample Word: By
/, the symbol referred to as slash; divided by; see also "1 by 2"
Sample Word: C.A.
Chartered Accountant, like a CPA in the USA
Sample Word: Calling card
Business card (see also visiting card)
Sample Word: Car Park
Parking lot
Sample Word: Cash Memo
Receipt in a retail store
Sample Word: Cent Percent
100 percent
Sample Word: Chaat
Spicy fresh snack foods
Sample Word: Chaprasi
Messenger (from Hindi)
Sample Word: Chawl
Tenement, see also kholi
Sample Word: Chennai
The new name for Madras, a major Southern City
Sample Word: Cheque
Check (as in a bank check)
Sample Word: Chowk
Urban square, market, major intersection
Sample Word: Chuddies
see Chaddies
Sample Word: Ciggy
Slang for cigarette
Sample Word: Cinema
Movie, or movie theater
Sample Word: Cinema Hall
Movie Theater
Sample Word: Co-brother
For a married man, his wife sister's husband; used most often in South India
Sample Word: Colony
Neighborhood or American sub-division; "I grew up in Nehru Colony""
Sample Word: Come again
Please repeat what you said, I did not understand you the first time.
Sample Word: Con Call
Conference phone call, usually at a pre-arranged time
Sample Word: Corporate
Company; "A large corporate in Delhi is interested in hiring my brother"
Sample Word: Cousin brother
Cousin, male
Sample Word: Cousin sister
Cousin, female
Sample Word: Crore
Ten million (also see "lakh")
Sample Word: Current came
The power came back on
Sample Word: Daru
Booze, sometimes written as daaru
Sample Word: Daaru
Booze, sometimes written as daru
Sample Word: Deadly
Intense (slang)
Sample Word: Degree holder
Someone who has a degree (diploma) from the equivalent of a 4-year college
Sample Word: Dekko
To take a look, to examine, to watch out of curiousity; from Hindi dekho "to see"
Sample Word: Departmental store
Any self-service shop, even if small
Sample Word: Dhall
Lentils, typically a source of protein, cooked as a soup/gravy
Sample Word: Dickey
Trunk (of automobile)
Sample Word: District
County, in local government
Sample Word: DM
District Magistrate; the senior most local government official at the county level
Sample Word: Donkey's years
A long time
Sample Word: Dosa
South Indian crepe, often filled with potatos, eaten as a snack
Sample Word: Dress
Outfit, clothing (for men or for women)
Sample Word: Eggetarian
A vegetarian who also eats eggs and egg products
Sample Word: Eleven number bus
Slang for walking
Sample Word: Email ID
Email Address; "Please give me your Email ID"
Sample Word: EMI
Equal Monthly Instalments; a level payment plan to repay capital or revolving loans
Sample Word: Engaged
Busy (for a telephone line); "I gave you a tinkle but your number, was engaged"
Sample Word: Fag
Slang for cigarette
Sample Word: FD
Fixed Deposit, same as a CD or Certificate of Deposit at a US bank
Sample Word: Filter Coffee
Brewed Coffee as opposed to instant coffee
Sample Word: Fired
Chastised (not removed from job)
Sample Word: First floor
The second floor of a multi-storey building, see ground floor
Sample Word: Scheme
Plan, project; (no negative connotation)
Sample Word: Scooter
Sometimes used in North India to refer to a scooter-rickshaw taxi; also "auto".
Sample Word: Seniors
More experienced employees (or students); NOT old people
Sample Word: Sexy
Extremely cool, slick
Sample Word: Shri
Also Shree, meaning Mister, Mr.
Sample Word: Shrimati
Mrs., also written as Srimati or Sreemati (see also Shri)
Sample Word: Sit
To have an office "I sit in London and Delhi."
Sample Word: Six by three or six upon three
Six divided by three
Sample Word: Sixer
Home run, slang from cricket
Sample Word: Sleeper
Cross-tie, as in the cross member that connect railroad tracks
Sample Word: Slow
Soft; "Please speak slow."
Sample Word: Speak in english
Speak English
Sample Word: Specs
Spectacles, glasses
Sample Word: Speed-breaker
Road bump
Sample Word: Stand for election
Run for elective office
Sample Word: Standard
School year / grade - "My son is in sixth standard."
Sample Word: Status family
Rich people
Sample Word: Stay
Usually used instead of live "Where do you stay in Chicago?"
Sample Word: STD
Long-distance phone call, Subscriber Trunk Dialling.
Sample Word: Studio
Photo studio
Sample Word: Take
Means "consume" when used with food or drink items. "Take a cold drink, please."
Sample Word: Tea
Hot tea, often served with milk and sugare pre-mixed; unless you specify in advance
Sample Word: Tehsil
A subdivision of a county
Sample Word: Telecon
Telephone conference, or business telephone call
Sample Word: Thali
Dinner plate, often made of Stainless Steel; see also Thali meal
Sample Word: Thali meal
All you can eat "prixe-fixe" usually at mid-priced restaurant.
Sample Word: Tieup
Joint Venture; agreement to work together
Sample Word: Tie-up
Joint Venture; agreement to work together
Sample Word: Tiffin
Meal, specially a short meal or one that you carry with you
Sample Word: Tiffin carrier
Lunch Box; lunch pail
Sample Word: Tinkle
Phone Call; "Give me a tinkle next time you are in town and we can meet."
Sample Word: Toilet
Restroom, see also W.C.
Sample Word: Too good
Very good; "Your presentation today was too good."
Sample Word: Tyre
Automobile tire
Sample Word: Under root
Square root, in mathematics
Sample Word: Upgradation
Process of applying an upgrade
Sample Word: Use and throw
Disposable
Sample Word: Vela
To have free time. (in Southern India)
Sample Word: Vernac
Provincial; culturally backward, or unrefined (from "vernacular")
Sample Word: Vide
Refer to; "You owe us $32,570 vide Invoice Number 3275/F."
Sample Word: Visiting card
Business card (see also calling card")"
Sample Word: Waah!
Wow! (from Hindi)
Sample Word: WC
Water Closet, ie toilet
Sample Word: Windscreen
Windshield (of automobile)
Sample Word: Wine
Can mean aloholic liquor; you may not find any Chablis at a wine shop!
Sample Word: Works
(noun) factory, plant
Sample Word: Yaar
Friend, amigo, buddy (slang, Hindi), also written as yar
Sample Word: Yallow
Hello (when answering the phone)
Sample Word: Yankland
Pejorative for USA
Sample Word: Yesterday night
Last night
Sample Word: Your good name please?
What is your name?
Sample Word: Zed
Zee (the last letter of the alphabet)
Sample Word: Fly
"and family"; often seen on group tickets; "Mr Singh, Mrs Singh and 2 fly."
Sample Word: Football
Soccer; American football is not played in India
Sample Word: Freak Out
Let's have fun (slang)
Sample Word: French beard
A goatee
Sample Word: Fresher
Freshman; first year student, new employee, inexperienced worker
Sample Word: Full stop
Period, at the end of a sentence
Sample Word: Ghee
Clarified butter, often used as a cooking medium
Sample Word: Godman
Pejorative word for a person who who claims to have supernatural powers
Sample Word: Godrej
Steel almirah; after the brand name of a leading India company
Sample Word: Goggles
Sunglasses, also swimming goggles
Sample Word: Governor
A non-executive, appointed head for a province or state; see Chief Minister
Sample Word: Gratuity
Payment for meritorious service (not identical with a tip)
Sample Word: Ground floor
First floor of a multi-storey building; see first floor
Sample Word: Haina
Isn't it. (used it as a confirmatory filler at the end of a sentence).
Sample Word: Half-pants
Shorts; for knickerbockers; also "nekar"
Sample Word: Half-ticket
Reduced price ticket, for a child, senior, or other special category
Sample Word: Hash
#, ie the pound symbol
Sample Word: Hat trick
Three in a row, from cricket
Sample Word: Healthy
In North India, refers to fat people, but not pejoratively
Sample Word: Hero
In a movie, leading man or male star
Sample Word: Heroine
In a movie, leading woman
Sample Word: High Tech
Stylish (used in reference to attire, for example)
Sample Word: History sheeter
Person with a long history of violations or crimes
Sample Word: Hoarding
Billboard
Sample Word: Hockey
Field hockey, played on grass with a ball and hockeysticks; NOT "ice hockey"
Sample Word: Hooligan
Hoodlum, unruly person
Sample Word: Hotel
Eating establishment, restaurant
Sample Word: I am understanding it
I have already understood.
Sample Word: IAS
Indian Administrative Service; the elite civil service cadre that runs the country
Sample Word: Iddly
In South India, steamed rice/lentil patty, traditionally eaten at breakfast
Sample Word: Idli
In South India, steamed rice/lentil patty, traditionally eaten at breakfast
Sample Word: Indent
(noun) purchase order, or official requistion for goods or services
Sample Word: Intimate you
Inform you
Sample Word: Invigilator
Monitor, as in an administered test or examination
Sample Word: Jangal
Jungle, forest; jungle actually originated in Hindi
Sample Word: Jao
Please go (from Hindi)
Sample Word: Jawan
Soldier, as in "private" in USA
Sample Word: Keep
Pejorative for mistress (noun)
Sample Word: Kem Cho
How are you, in Gujarati
Sample Word: Kholi
In Mumbai, tenement; see also chawl
Sample Word: Kolkata
The new name for Calcutta, a large city in East India
Sample Word: Lac
Hundred Thousand (see Crore)
Sample Word: Lacuna
Gap, shortcoming, failing
Sample Word: Ladyfinger
Okra, a vegetable; bhindi
Sample Word: Lady's finger
Okra, a vegetable; bhindi
Sample Word: Lakh
Hundred Thousand (see Crore)
Sample Word: Lift
Ride; "Can you please give me a lift to the airport? The bus is running late."
Sample Word: Maane
What I mean is (from Hindi)
Sample Word: Madam
Respectful term for women - same as Ma'am
Sample Word: Mama
Maternal uncle, also street talk for "cop"
Sample Word: Marks
Points; "He received 92% marks on the exam."
Sample Word: Matlab
What I mean is (from Hindi)
Sample Word: Matter
Material, content. "Please give me the matter for your website"
Sample Word: MD
Managing Director, equivalent of CEO; (physicians are called MBBS)
Sample Word: Meat
Any food of animal origin (chicken, pork, lamb, fish, etc)
Sample Word: Memsaab
see memsahib
Sample Word: Messrs.
For a corporation e.g. Messr Procter & Gamble
Sample Word: Miscreants
People up to no good; petty criminals;
Sample Word: Mixie
Grinder, blender
Sample Word: Mobile
Cell Phone; "I left my mobile at home."
Sample Word: Mother Tongue
Native language; I live in Delhi but my mother tongue is Oriya
Sample Word: Mumbai
The new name for Bombay; the natives always called it Mumbai
Sample Word: Nahin
No, from Hindi
Sample Word: Namaskar
See namaste
Sample Word: Namaste
A greeting, literally "I respect you", see also "namaskar".
Sample Word: Near and Dear
Friends and family
Sample Word: Needful
Whatever is needed to be done (I will do the needful)
Sample Word: Nekar
Shorts; for knickerbockers; also "nikkar"
Sample Word: NGO
Non-governmental organization, usually in reference to private non-profit groups
Sample Word: Nikkar
Shorts; for knickerbockers; also "nekar"
Sample Word: Note
Bill of currency; I will give you a hundred rupee note
Sample Word: NRI
Non-resident Indian, an Indian citizen residing overseas
Sample Word: Nursing home
Small private hospital, usually owned by a physican; NOT a retirement home
Sample Word: Obsequies
Funeral rituals
Sample Word: Off it
Switch it Off
Sample Word: Offs
Holiday or vacation day (days that I am off)
Sample Word: On it
Switch it On
Sample Word: Oof!
Show distress or frustation (ugh)
Sample Word: Open
Switch on (Open the airconditioner please)
Sample Word: PTO
Please turn over (annotation at the bottom of a page to indicate further content)
Sample Word: Parallely
In parallel (simultaneously in time)
Sample Word: Passed out
Graduated (from college)
Sample Word: Passout
To graduate, to complete education, "I am a 1996 passout from Delhi University."
Sample Word: Peon
Unskilled office helper
Sample Word: Pet name
Nick name. "My brother is Krishna, but we gave him the pet name Kris."
Sample Word: Petrol pump
Gas station
Sample Word: PIN code
Postal Code, (PIN= Postal Index Number);
Sample Word: Pindrop silence
Literaly absolute silence
Sample Word: Plinth
Built up area, in real estate
Sample Word: Postgraduate
Graduate, a student pursuing education beyond a bachelor's degree
Sample Word: Prepone
Move it earlier (as opposed to post - postpone)
Sample Word: Public School
A prestigious (and very private) school; similar to Brtish public schools.
Sample Word: Puncture
Flat (for an automobile tire)
Sample Word: Pune
The new name for Poona, near Mumbai (which see)
Sample Word: Purse
Purse, or wallet for a man or woman
Sample Word: Pyjama
Loose pants worn by men in North India, not just for sleeping
Sample Word: Ragging
Hazing, harrasment of new students by seniors
Sample Word: Raise an invoice
Create an invoice
Sample Word: Real Brother
Brother; as distinct from a cousin or "cousin brother".
Sample Word: Regularise
Legitmize
Sample Word: Rest house
See "dak bungalow"
Sample Word: Revert
Get back to you (by phone or email); "Give me a week to revert to you."
Sample Word: Ring
Phone call. "Give me a ring tomorrow."
Sample Word: Rubber
Eraser (not condom)
Sample Word: Have, have!
exhortation to eat/drink something offered to a guest
Sample Word: Chemist
pharmacist, see also druggist
Sample Word: Druggist
pharmacist, see also chemist
Sample Word: Local
suburban train (in Mumbai)
Sample Word: Maggu
bookish person, one who studies a lot, someone who memorizes answers
Sample Word: Vanaspati
of vegetable/vegetarian origin; vanaspati oil
Sample Word: Roti
bread; see also double-roti
Sample Word: Double-roti
sandwich bread
Sample Word: Forename
first name, see also christian name
Sample Word: Christian name
first name, see also forename and surname
Sample Word: Surname
last name, see also forename and christian name
Sample Word: Dekho
To take a look, to examine, to watch out of curiosity; from Hindi, see also dekko
Sample Word: Mufti
off duty clothes of someone who wears a uniform at work (from British Indian Army)
Sample Word: Throws up
causes, bring up; (" Arabian Sea throws up cyclonic circulation")
Sample Word: Throw up
bring up, cause to happen,
Sample Word: Jai
Hail (salutation); such as Jai Ganesh (to a god) or Jai Hind (to the country)
Sample Word: Stand
trade show booth/exhibit
Sample Word: Crockery
chinaware; fragile dishes
Sample Word: Cabin
office, cubicle
Sample Word: Pukka
solid, real, permanent, the real thing (also spelled pucca); literally means ripe
Sample Word: Pucca
solid, real, the real thing (also spelled pukka); literally means ripe
Sample Word: Pphutt
broken, stopped working, literally torn;
Sample Word: Chamcha
Sycophant (slang), a person who is a "suck-up"; literally a large spoon or ladle
Sample Word: Sub
everything (from Hindi)
Sample Word: Handle
handlebar of bicycle, steering wheel of car
Sample Word: Into
multiplied by; see 2 into 4
Sample Word: PFA
Please find attached (abbreviation often used as part of an email)
Sample Word: Franked
verb, the acting of applying metered postage, using a "franking" machine
Sample Word: Franking machine
postage meter
Sample Word: Pay-in slip
deposit slip (at a bank)
Sample Word: Averagely
on the average
Sample Word: Cowdung
cow chips, used as fertilizer, and as fuel for village fires
Sample Word: Bitiya
daughter, child
Sample Word: Stockist
a dealer or retailer who maintains inventory of a particular item
Sample Word: Tubelight
flourescent light
Sample Word: White goods
in retail: major appliances (and not linens as in United States)
Sample Word: Baap Re!
an exclamation of surprise, literally "Oh daddy!"
Sample Word: Vakalatnaama
affidavit, power of attorney
Sample Word: Sri
Also Shree, Shri, meaning Mister, Mr.
Sample Word: Yar
Friend, amigo, buddy (slang, Hindi), also written as yaar
Sample Word: Corpus
amount, sum of money
Sample Word: Typical
unusual, different (ie the opposite of the American meaning);
Sample Word: Masjid
mosque (an Islamic place of worship)
Sample Word: PSU
public-sector undertaking, a company where owned by the government
Sample Word: Gora
slang for "white" person, foreigner,
Sample Word: NCR
the tri-state area surrounding New Delhi; the National Capital Region
Sample Word: Resp.
respected (used as form of address in a letter or email, such as Resp. Dr. Joy)
Sample Word: Fagged out
tired, exhausted
Sample Word: Smt.
Shrimati, Mrs., also written as Srimati or Sreemati
Sample Word: Cr.
Crore (ten million); "This plot of land costs 4 Cr rupees"
Sample Word: Hutment
a group of huts or makeshift dwellings, often in a slum area
Sample Word: Boring
drilling, as in drilling underground for water as part of new construction
Sample Word: Asli
authentic, real
Sample Word: Badla
in stock market: buying on margin; literally "exchange" or even "revenge"
Sample Word: Benami
anonymous; often used to describe (illegal) anonymous property transactions
Sample Word: Berth
place; sleeper seat on train;
Sample Word: Bisleri
bottled water; after the brand name of a popular beverage company
Sample Word: Bullet
brand name of a popular motorcycle from Royal Enfield
Sample Word: Capsicum
bell pepper
Sample Word: Chowkidar
watchman; literally one who guards the courtyard or chowki.
Sample Word: Coir
fiber made from coconut husk;
Sample Word: Corporator
elected official in city government, similar to councilman
Sample Word: Creche
daycare center for infants
Sample Word: Cum
in combination, such as sofa-cum-bed or ticket-cum-reservation
Sample Word: Dhania
coriander (seeds); cilantro (leaves)
Sample Word: Gharwali
wife, housewife
Sample Word: Grease
lubricant (never cooking fat)
Sample Word: Gutka
chewable tobacco product; shredded tobacco with nuts, sweeteners and flavors added
Sample Word: Gymkhana
country club; sporting facility;
Sample Word: Hafta
weekly payment, usually in reference to a bribe
Sample Word: Hawala
undocumented foreign exchange transactions (not legally permitted)
Sample Word: PAN
Permanent Account Number, a unique ID for Indian taxpayers
Sample Word: Inmates
occupants (not necessarily jail inmates)
Sample Word: Khadi
homespun fabric; clothing made from homespun; often worn by politicians
Sample Word: Kharif
autumn; autumn harvest as distinct from rabi
Sample Word: Rabi
spring; spring harvest
Sample Word: Medico
doctor, sometimes medical student or resident
Sample Word: Mushaira
a public gathering of Urdu poets (often extended into a late night event)
Sample Word: Paying guest
a boarder, someone who rents a room or bed in a private home
Sample Word: Saloon
a beauty parlor for women; a barber (for men)
Sample Word: Sanctum sanctorum
the innermost part of the temple; only priests can enter it, generally
Sample Word: Shamiana
large, often colorful tent for social, religious or political events
Sample Word: Udupi hotel
in South India, a vegetarian restaurant run by South Indian Udupi Brahmins
Sample Word: Horeca
Sales term, abbreviation for HOtels, REstaurants and CAterers
Sample Word: Shuttlecock
"birdie" in badminton, see also shuttle
Sample Word: Shuttle
"birdie" in badminton, short for shuttlecock
Sample Word: Jungly
see junglee
Sample Word: Junglee
uncultured, wild; literally "of the jungle/forest"; sometimes spelled jungly
Sample Word: Durbaan
security guard, doorman
Sample Word: Heeng
see asofoetida
Sample Word: Earthing
grounding (in electrical circuitry)
Sample Word: Fast
having loose morals (often in reference to a woman)
Sample Word: Munni
girl, young woman
Sample Word: Aerial
radio antenna (noun)
Sample Word: Jaan
life; also "darling" colloquially
Sample Word: Kabhi
sometimes; also, when
Sample Word: Mai
I (the singular personal pronoun)
Sample Word: Mei
in (verb); sometimes written as "mein"; not to be confused with mai (which see)
Sample Word: Mera
mine (masculine possessive pronoun); see also meri
Sample Word: Meri
mine (feminine possessive pronoun); see also mera
Sample Word: Munna
boy, young man
Sample Word: Zindagi
life, living
Sample Word: Chaikhana
in northwestern India and Pakistan, a tea stall
Sample Word: Charpoy
a cot, typically strung with rope, or cloth/nylon tape; literally four legs
Sample Word: Choli
blouse, upper garment for women
Sample Word: Dalit
a member of the shudra cast, literally "the oppressed"
Sample Word: Dupatta
a long scarf, typically strung over the shoulders and bosom
Sample Word: Gajra
floral garland, floral band often jasmine or marigold
Sample Word: Ghat
steps, often leading to a river, pond or bathing place; also hills/mountains
Sample Word: Ghati
pejorative for Marathi (someone from the Western Ghats) do not use
Sample Word: Ghazal
urdu poem, often sung
Sample Word: Harijan
member of lower caste, termed coined by Mahatma Gandhi; now referred to as Dalit
Sample Word: Haveli
an old-fashioned mansion, typically with a large central courtyard;
Sample Word: Jati
caste (Hindi)
Sample Word: Laddoo
a dessert, typically a round ball with dairy, lentil or flour ingredients
Sample Word: Lingam
also Shiva-lingam, the phallic representation of the Hindua Lord Shiva
Sample Word: Malik
owner, of a company or business or a parcel of land
Sample Word: Maidan
empty/flat field; often a town square, or meeting place or cricket field
Sample Word: Panchayat
a village council, typically consisting of five elders
Sample Word: Parikrama
circumambulation of a temple, deity or holy place by a worshipper
Sample Word: Pir
a Sufi saint or holy man
Sample Word: Pulao
rice that has been sauted before being steamed; may contain spice/peas/etc
Sample Word: Sepoy
British Colonial way of mispronouncing sepahi; or constable, private
Sample Word: Sepahi
constable, private; see also Sepoy
Sample Word: Tilak
sacred mark on forehead, often yellow sandalwood paste or red coloring
Sample Word: Address diary
address book
Sample Word: Ayurveda
traditional form of medicine in India (other forms are Unani, Homeopathic
Sample Word: Doordarshan
India's government owned television channel; literally "visualize from afar"
Sample Word: Gherao
to surround/encircle a person, generally an official; a form of protest
Sample Word: Jatra
in West Bengal, a form of traditional/folk theater
Sample Word: Mere
Mine (plural possessive pronoun, masculine possessive pronoun)
Sample Word: Prem
Love, also a masculine name
Sample Word: Mujhe
Mine (possessive pronoun)
Sample Word: Teri
Yours (dimunitive possesive pronoun)
Sample Word: Paneer
a form of fresh home-made cottage cheese (often used in cooking)
Sample Word: Bhindi
Okra, also called ladyfinger
Sample Word: Karta
Head of Household (literally "the one who does")
Sample Word: Bhabhi
(elder) brother's wife
Sample Word: Bolo
Say it, Tell me
Sample Word: Goli Maar!
See Goli Mar
Sample Word: Pakoras
Deep fried fritters (breaded potatoes, onions, chicken, veggies)
Sample Word: Dada ji
Gramps, Grandpa, old man
Sample Word: Murgh mussalam
the whole chicken (uncut, but cooked)
Sample Word: Salaam Walikum
Islamic greeting, your reply "Walikum Salaam"
Sample Word: Dengue
a mosquito borne viral illness; usually accompanied by high fever)
Sample Word: Baraat
Wedding Procession
Sample Word: Paan
the betel leaf, eaten after a meal (with catechu, lime, and betel nut)
Sample Word: Sat Sri Akal
Sikh greeting
Sample Word: Angrez
English person; often generic for any foreigner
Sample Word: Tulsi
Basil, used for religious purposed by Hindus; as seasoning by all
Sample Word: Goods train
freight train
Sample Word: Khataa khat
quickly, pronto!
Sample Word: Bhromor
bumble-bee (Bengali)
Sample Word: Kutta
dog, male dog; (see also kutti)
Sample Word: Alaap
introduction, initial movement (as in classical music or son)
Sample Word: Kapsi
capsicum (green, bell peper); aka Simla mirch or Moti mirch
Sample Word: Simla Mirch
Capsicum (green/bell pepper)
Sample Word: Surruchi
tasty (Bengali)
Sample Word: Koi ho
Who's there?!
Sample Word: Masala
spice (n); colloqially: spicy (adj), as in masala movie
Sample Word: Thug
a cheat, a thief
Sample Word: Naani
maternal grandmother
Sample Word: Golimar
see goli mar
Sample Word: Raag
piece of classical indian music, aka raga
Sample Word: Saag
spinach (in Punjabi), any vegetable (in UP)
Sample Word: Paalak
spinach, see also saag
Sample Word: Haat
street market, fair
Sample Word: Asafetida
see Asafoetida, known as heeng
Sample Word: Baabul
father, dad
Sample Word: Babool
a tropical tree, often trimmed for use as a hedge in north indian gardens
Sample Word: Maata
revered mother; also a slang term for smallpox in north India
Sample Word: Vakalatanama
see Vakalatnaama
Sample Word: Bn
battalion (as in army or paramilitary forces)
Sample Word: Coy
Company (as in army or paramilitary forces)
Sample Word: Entre
Appetizer (as in Europe), and not main course of a meal (as in America)
Sample Word: Touch wood
knock on wood (for good luck)
Sample Word: Theek hai
that's right, or it's all right, or its okay
Sample Word: Bindaas
with reckless abandon, carefree
Sample Word: Fridge
refrigerator
Sample Word: Funda
(slang) essence, fundamental,
Sample Word: Fitment
fit ( "What is the fitment between your company needs and our products?")
Sample Word: Bhidoo
buddy (in Mumbai?)
Sample Word: Yedah
irrational, unbalanced, crazy (slang in Mumbai)
Sample Word: Dada
elder brother; Street boss (Mumbai slang)
Sample Word: Dada giri
intimidation, as in by a street boss or rogue (adverb)
Sample Word: Kachra
trash, rubbish
Sample Word: Phattey
tall tales, fabrications
Sample Word: Munda
boy, young man (used in Punjab and north India as slang from Punjabi)
Sample Word: Shifted
relocated, moved (as in office, home); " We have shifted to South Delhi"
Sample Word: Bong
slang for a person from Bengal
Sample Word: Chaddies
underpants
Sample Word: Mention not
Don't mention it; a way saying "You are welcome" in response to a thank you
Sample Word: Bath
as a verb, bath can mean "shower". as in I'm going to a quick bath early tomorrow."
Sample Word: Stores
Warehouse, Stockroom (as in factory)
Sample Word: Do
short for "ditto", used to indicate duplicated data in a list or table
Sample Word: Satta
Gambling, usually illegal, informal mass-scale gambling run by the underworld
Sample Word: Long-cut
A circuituous or rambling path to the destination; opposite of short-cut
Sample Word: Chutney
sauce, could be sour, sweet, or tart; usually from herbs or vegetables
Sample Word: Pakora
see pakoras
Sample Word: Tandoor
Clay oven, high temperature; see Tandoori
Sample Word: Tata
goodbye, also the name of a large Indian corporate group after the founding family
Sample Word: Mydear
my dear, used to mean friend or buddy in casual conversation
Sample Word: Chatni
see chutney
Sample Word: Ghunghat
part of a sari, used to cover the head/face
Sample Word: Ghaghra
lower garment worn by women, usually with a choli on top
Sample Word: Lehenga
lower garment worn by women, usually with a choli on top
Sample Word: Matar
peas, chickpeas; or a dish cooked with peas/chickpeas
Sample Word: Kal
yesterday, also tomorrow!
Sample Word: Chaiyya
Shade (also made famous by the worldwide hit song Chaiyya Chaiyya, google it)
Sample Word: Jai Ho
All Right! Wow! Praise to you!
Sample Word: Pyar
affection, love
Sample Word: Ho
let there be (verb); would
Sample Word: Bharat
the hindi name for India (legally equivalent to India); see also Hindustan
Sample Word: Bhai
brother; also "fellow" or "dude" coloquially
Sample Word: Guru
literally teacher; often used for spiritual teacher; in slang, can mean "buddy"
Sample Word: Sahib
boss, senior person; person in power;
also abbreviated as sa'ab.
Sample Word: Taj
crown, also short name for the Taj Mahal, India's most famous mausoleum, in Agra
Sample Word: Raj
royal (not democratic) rule; also used disparagingly as "Liccence Raj" or "Babu Raj"
Sample Word: Chalo
Let's go; also used colloquially in North India to mean "let it be"
Sample Word: Shanti
peace, calm
Sample Word: Yaar
friend, buddy; in gay culture: partner
Sample Word: Ki
that; also possessive conjunction "car ki headlight"
Sample Word: Kucch
some, few, a little
Sample Word: Saya
shadow, ghost
Sample Word: Tere
yours (dimunitive)
Sample Word: Hum
I (colloquial); We
Sample Word: Mere
mine (plural, masculine)
Sample Word: Namastey
see namaste
Sample Word: B.A. Fail
attended college (but did not receive a bachelor's degree)
Sample Word: Eve teasing
sexual harassment of a female (often on the street by young males)
Sample Word: Join duty
start a new job, return to work after a period away
Sample Word: Tight slap
hard slap (with a tight, not loose hand)
Sample Word: Get down
disembark (as from a train, bus or other mass transportation)
Sample Word: Loose motions
diarrhea
Sample Word: Kindly
Please ("Kindly sign the credit card authorization below"
Sample Word: Paining
hurting (my leg is paining)
Sample Word: Cover
envelope, postal envelope, bag (new stamps are issued as "first day covers")
Sample Word: Hijra
transgender male who adopts feminine gender identity and lives communally
Sample Word: Tike
see theek hai
Sample Word: Hoon
Am; as in "I am"
Sample Word: Fanaa
to be consumed by a cause; to sacrifice oneself to the cause
Sample Word: Saala
wife's brother
Sample Word: Harey
glory to a divine being; such as in "harey ram"; see also hare
Sample Word: Raja
king, prince; also a term of endearment for a child
Sample Word: Sanam
(my) beloved, male or female
Sample Word: Tumse
tum se; can mean from you, by you, because of you
Sample Word: Arrey
Oh! an exclamation of surprise
Sample Word: Aaja
aa ja; come here!
Sample Word: Tikka
a small chunk; as in chicken tikka
Sample Word: Sajna
my(male)beloved
Sample Word: Sajni
my (female) beloved
Sample Word: Ishq
romance, crush
Sample Word: Mahatma
a great soul, respected human being; often in reference to Mahatma Gandhi
Sample Word: Gaya
(he) has gone or (he) has left
Sample Word: Pata
mailing address
Sample Word: Chalaan
fine, tax levied by officials
Sample Word: Soniye
used to address an attractive female; literally "the golden girl" in Punjabi
Sample Word: Balle balle
A celebratory cry; Hurray!
Sample Word: Abscond
to disappear, to go into hiding; the employee has absconded
Sample Word: Intimate
see "intimate you"
Sample Word: Cantonment
see cantt
Sample Word: Guru-ji
respected guru; see guru
Sample Word: Tera
masculine dimunitive possessive pronoun, yours
Sample Word: Aayah
nanny or elder-care person, always female
Sample Word: Tashan
style/attitude
Sample Word: Baabul
Poetic term for father, dad or home; most often used by forlorn daughters
Sample Word: BHK
Bedroom, Hall, Kitchen (when referring to a home, apartment or house, as in 2 BHK)
Sample Word: Gaddi
Vehicle (car, truck, even motorbike); Punjabi slang word
Sample Word: You nonsense!
Angry exclamation roughly equivalent to "You're full of sh*t"
Sample Word: Riks
Risk; common mispronunciation
Sample Word: Agmark
"Certification standard for food products, and its associated logo"
Sample Word: ahimsa
"non-violence, often referring to Gandhian principles"
Sample Word: air-dash
rush travel by air
Sample Word: Angrezi
"English, the language; or British, the people"
Sample Word: anicut
dam; reservoir
Sample Word: anna
older brother (from Tamil)
Sample Word: arranged marriage
marriage arranged by parents/relatives
Sample Word: Aya Ram
Someone who should not be taken seriously
Sample Word: babudom
bureaucracy
Sample Word: backside
rear (or a building or room);
Sample Word: bandobust
protection arranged and provided by police or other security personnel
Sample Word: bank holiday
government or public holiday
Sample Word: basmati
aromatic long rice grown in India and Pakistan
Sample Word: bata
"allowance, usually for casual labor"
Sample Word: bhaji
fried vegetables
Sample Word: Bombaiyya
Bombay-speak
Sample Word: borewell
deep narrow well machine drilled for water
Sample Word: bureau
steel cabinet used as a secure storage space.
Sample Word: bustee
"dwelling place, slum"
Sample Word: bypoll
mid-term elections
Sample Word: casual leave
leave not covered under designated leaves such as medical leave
Sample Word: chargesheet
formal charges filed in a court
Sample Word: chuddies
underpants
Sample Word: clean chit
exoneration; a not-guilty verdict
Sample Word: coming station
next (bus/railway) station or stop on the journey
Sample Word: cool bar
a stall or shop selling soft drinks or fruit juices
Sample Word: country fellow
villager; a person not used to the ways of the city
Sample Word: countrymade
made without licence or official sanction; often to refer to handmade guns
Sample Word: curd rice
fried rice with yoghurt and light spices
Sample Word: custodial deaths
suicides; murders in police custody
Sample Word: dasi
female servant; temple courtesan
Sample Word: deewana
obsessed with desire; mad with love
Sample Word: Delhi Belly
stomach upset suffered by foreign tourists
Sample Word: dhan
wealth; money
Sample Word: dharma
religion; righteousness; philanthropy
Sample Word: dhikkar
condemnation
Sample Word: dhobiwallah
Washerman or laundryman (washes by hand rather than with a machine)
Sample Word: dias
"dais or stage, common misspellig"
Sample Word: doodhwallah
Someone who sells or supplies milk to households; milkman
Sample Word: doosra
an advance bal (pitch) in cricket; similar to a curve ball in baseball
Sample Word: drumstick
"Mooringa olifera, a long bean"
Sample Word: dry grapes
raisins
Sample Word: durbar
king's court
Sample Word: elaichi
"cardamom, a spice used in cooking and as an an after dinner mint"
Sample Word: fisherfolk
fishermen and their families
Sample Word: foot overbridge
bridge meant for pedestrians
Sample Word: forex
foreign exchange
Sample Word: fundas
fundamentals; essentials
Sample Word: gangman
a railway worker whose job is to maintain and check the safety of railway tracks
Sample Word: ganja
marijuana leaves used for smoking
Sample Word: Gaya Ram
See Aya Ram
Sample Word: gobar gas
cooking gas produced from a percolation tank for animal feces usually cowdung
Sample Word: Gujju
"person of Gujarati origin, from the western state of Gujarat"
Sample Word: gumboots
"knee-high, water-proof, rubber boots"
Sample Word: gunny bags
bags made from jute or hemp
Sample Word: gur
"jaggery, brown unrefined sugar"
Sample Word: gyan
knowledge; wisdom; thoughts; attention
Sample Word: hair fall
hair loss; aloepecia
Sample Word: half ticket
discount ticket as for a child; also pejorative slang for dimwit
Sample Word: havaldar
police rank between inspector and constable
Sample Word: height of
intolerable extreme of
Sample Word: high command
the top leadership in a political party
Sample Word: hooch
"illegally brewed liquor, usually country liquor"
Sample Word: hundi
collection box
Sample Word: hungama
commotion; celebration
Sample Word: Iftar
feast to celebrate the end of the Ramzan period of Islamic fasting
Sample Word: immoral traffic
prostitution under The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act
Sample Word: indipop
Indian pop music
Sample Word: inmates
occupants of a building - not necessarily of a jail
Sample Word: jaggery
"unrefined brown sugar, often sold in chunk form"
Sample Word: japat
seizure of assets by court order
Sample Word: jehadis
Muslim terrorists
Sample Word: johad
catchment area for capturing rainwater (in a village or an arid area)
Sample Word: kabab
skewered meat
Sample Word: kaccha
raw; unprepared; unsophisticated; low quality
Sample Word: kameez
shirt; blouse
Sample Word: karyakartas
"workers, often volunteers; in a political movement or cause"
Sample Word: kirana
a retail (or grocery) store
Sample Word: kurta
"a loose, long shirt with a short collar; worn by men and women"
Sample Word: kuruvai
short-term paddy crop season with a duration of 100-115 days
Sample Word: ladies seat
"seat reserved for ladies, as in a train or movie theater"
Sample Word: laxman rekha
firm line that should not be crossed; after a fable in the epic Ramayan
Sample Word: leela
"spectacle, story"
Sample Word: Lok Adalat
people's court
Sample Word: madisaar
"Brahmin style of wearing the sari, in south India"
Sample Word: Madras Tamil
"colloqial Tamizh, as spoken in Madras/Chennai"
Sample Word: make a move
leave; I have stayed too long at the party and must make a move
Sample Word: masti
fun; spirit; euphemism for sexual adventure
Sample Word: matrimonials
advertisements in matrimonial columns of newspapers
Sample Word: maulvi
Muslim learned man
Sample Word: mediamen
"reporters, papparazi"
Sample Word: medicos
medical students or doctors
Sample Word: minority community
anyone who is not a mainstream Hindu
Sample Word: mofussil areas
outlying districts
Sample Word: mohalla
locality; neighbourhood
Sample Word: morcha
public demonstration for conveying a protest or making a demand
Sample Word: Mughal
Relating to the Mughal empire
Sample Word: mundu
white dhoti in South India
Sample Word: Mungeri Lal
daydreamer; a fictional character who is prone to daydreaming
Sample Word: munsif
low-level judge in a district court
Sample Word: naik
non-commissioned officer in the Indian Army
Sample Word: native place
wherever one came from
Sample Word: neta
"politician, leader"
Sample Word: nose cut
a sharp retort or insult; a mark of disrespect
Sample Word: nullah
stream; watercourse; drain
Sample Word: official machinery
government infrastructure; government facilities
Sample Word: opticals
eye-glasses or a shop selling eye-glasses
Sample Word: paati
[Tamil] grandma
Sample Word: pallu
free end of a sari that is thrown across the chest and over the shoulder.
Sample Word: panchakatcham
[Tamil Nadu] Brahmin style of wearing the veshti
Sample Word: PG accommodation
living with a family as a paying guest
Sample Word: reservation
Policy of reserving jobs and seats for certain disadvantaged communities
Sample Word: saas
mother-in-law
Sample Word: sabha
cultural association; political assembly or conference
Sample Word: sadhu
"celibate Hindu priest, often clad in saffron"
Sample Word: sanyas
"ascetic, celibate life"
Sample Word: Sardarji
"a Sikh male, slang"
Sample Word: sarkari
related to government.
Sample Word: seva
service; help
Sample Word: shikaara
boats that ply on lakes in Kashmir
Sample Word: supari
"hired killer (underworld slang, popularized in Bollywood movies)"
Sample Word: sutradar
troubleshooter; problem-solver
Sample Word: tainted
"slang, a modern politician with criminal history or charges against him or her"
Sample Word: Udipi hotel
"restaurant run by Udipi Brahmins, usually in South India"
Sample Word: undertrial
jailed inmate who is awaiting trial or whose trial is currently underway
Sample Word: yagna
"Vedic ritual with ritual fire, pronounce yagya"
Sample Word: yatra
journey; travel
Sample Word: Yuvraj
crown prince; heir to the throne.
Sample Word: Scale
ruler; "I need a 12 inch wooden scale"
Sample Word: Paper
test, exam. "How did you do on your Physics paper today?"
Sample Word: Washroom
restroom, "bathroom"
Sample Word: Bum
butttocks (not vagrant or homeless person);butt;
Sample Word: Sali
wife's sister
Sample Word: Rusticate
Suspend (as in a student from school)
Sample Word: Cheap
inexpensive, less expensive (with no connotation of poorer quality)
Sample Word: Biskoot
See biscuit
Sample Word: At home
an evening reception/dinner party;
Sample Word: Tube light
traditional (tubular) fluorescent lights
Sample Word: Holl-doll
see hold-all
Sample Word: Wash room
see washroom
Sample Word: Thrice
three times
Sample Word: Apart from
aside from; "apart from Sundays, the office is open every day"
