Indian English Dictionary - Full List
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1 by 2
(in South India), instruction to split a restaurant order into two (also 2 by 3, 4 by 7 etc)
2 by 4
Two divided by Four
2 into four
Two times four
420
A deceptive person, one who cheats you (after Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code); "I thought Jay was a nice guy but he turned out to be 420."
Aam aadmi
the common man (often used as the American equivalent of "Main Street:" in politics)
Aao Jo
Goodbye (in Gujarati)
ABCD
American Born Confused Desi; a pejorative term for 2nd generation Indians in USA
Abey
Hey You!
Acha
See achchaa!
Achchaa!
Okay (from Hindi); Good
Address diary
address book
Aerial
radio antenna (noun)
Aeroplane
Airplane
Ajino Moto
monsodium glutamate (MSG); used in chinese coooking; after a popular brand of MSG
Alaap
introduction, initial movement (as in classical music or son)
Alloh
Hello (when answering the phone)
Allright
okay
Almari
Cupboard, cabinet, sometimes closet; also called "almirah"
Almirah
Cupboard, cabinet, sometimes closet; also called "almari"
Alms
Money or in-kind charity, to beggars or to organizations; the word is archaic in America, common in India
Alright
Okay
Alvida
goodbye
Amma
In north India, mother; in south India, female (kid or adult)
Angrez
English person; often generic for any foreigner
Annexure
Appendix, "Please look at Annexure B of our report for financials"
Ans.
Answer (abbreviation)
Asafeotida
a popular pungent spice, known as heeng in Hindia from "Ferula assafoetida" plant
Asafetida
see Asafeotida, known as heeng
Asli
authentic, real
Asofoetida
a pungent spice,also known as heeng, used widely in Indian cooking, and in traditional medicine as a digestive aid
At the rate of
@, At (for email addresses) (my email is jay at the rate of aol.com)
Aum
See Om
Auto
Auto-rickshaw, - a three wheeler open taxi (tuk-tuk)
Averagely
on the average
Ayurveda
traditional form of medicine in India (other forms are Unani, Homeopathic
Baabul
father, dad
Baap Re!
an exclamation of surprise, literally "Oh daddy!"
Baba
a little boy; also an elderly main, grandfather, saint or religious figure
Babu
Bureaucrat, clerk, sometimes boss
Babu English
Pejorative for grammatically incorrect English written by a fellow Indian
Babul
a tropical tree, often trimmed for use as a hedge in north indian gardens
Back
Ago, as in "We met three days back."
Badla
in stock market: buying on margin; literally "exchange" or even "revenge"
Badmash
See hooligan
Bagasse
Material remaining after sugarcane (or sorghum) stalks are crushed to extract their juice.
Balance Sheet, left side
Where liabilites are recorded, NOT assets
Balance Sheet, right side
Where Assets are recorded, not Liabilities
Balti
Bucket; also a type of cuisine (balti chicken)
Bandh
General strike, where commerical establishments may be shut down
Bangle
ornamental bracelet worn by women, often made from gold or from colored glass; some women wear several bangles on both wrists
Bapu
Literally father, often refers to Mahatma Gandhi, the "Father of India."
Baraat
a wedding procession
Baraat
Wedding Procession
Basement
Usually refers to underground parking in a condo, basement as living space are rare
Batchmate
Classmate
Batch-mate
Classmate
Bath
as a verb, bath can mean "shower". as in I'm going to a quick bath early tomorrow."
Bearer
Waiter
Bearer (on a cheque or financial document)
cash ( pay to bearer in India is the same as pay to cash in the USA
Benami
anonymous; often used to describe (illegal) anonymous property transactions
Berra
Waiter
Berth
place; sleeper seat on train;
Beta
son, child
Bhabhi
brother's wife (usually elder brother's wife)
Bhabi
see bhabhi
Bhai
Man, dude; literally brother
Bhaiya
Man, dude; literally brother
Bhidoo
buddy (in Mumbai?)
Bhindi
Okra
Bhromor
bumble-bee (Bengali)
BIMARU
Acronym referring to the Indian states of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh; historically slow-growth economies
Bindaas
with reckless abandon, carefree
Biryani
a dish from Hyderabad,usually lamb, chicken or mutton covered with fried, spiced rice
Bisleri
bottled water; after the brand name of a popular beverage company
Bitiya
daughter, child
Black money
Also "black"; money that is untaxed and undocumented to the government
Bn
battalion (as in army or paramilitary forces)
Board
Signboard or sign; see also hoarding
Bogey
Coach, in a passenger train
Bolo
Say it., Tell me
Bong
slang for a person from Bengal
Bonnet
Hood (of an automobile)
Boot
Trunk (of automobile)
Boring
drilling, as in drilling underground for water as part of new construction
Bowled
Knocked out, from cricket
Brinjal
Eggplant; Brinjal is the Indian English+B79 word for "Eggplant (Hindi word is Baingan)
Britisher
Briton
Broking
Brokerage (from the British)
Brother
May be a brother, or cousin; see real brother
Bullet
brand name of a popular motorcycle from Royal Enfield
Bungalow
Any big house, typically with a verandah, driveway and walled front yard
Bunk
(verb), to avoid classes in school
Bus!
That's it (from Hindi)
By
/, the symbol referred to as slash; divided by; see also "1 by 2"
C.A.
Chartered Accountant, like a CPA in the USA
Cabin
office, cubicle
Calling card
Business card (see also visiting card)
Cantt
Cantonment; the area in a city reserved for military installations and housing
Capsicum
bell pepper
Car Park
Parking lot
Cash Memo
Receipt in a retail store
Cent Percent
100 percent
Cess
Tax
Chaat
Spicy fresh snack foods
Chaddies
underpants
Chai
Tea
Chaikhana
in northwestern India and Pakistan, a tea stall
Chaiyya
Shade (also made famous by the worldwide hit song Chaiyya Chaiyya, google it)
Chal
see chalo
Challo!
Let's go
Chalo
Let's go; also used colloquially to mean ok, alright; in Punjab often said as "chal"
Chamcha
Sycophant (slang); literally "spoon" in Hindi
Chamcha
Sycophant, a person who is a "suck-up"; literally a large spoon or ladle
Chappals
Slippers
Chaprasi
Messenger (from Hindi)
Charpoy
a cot, typically strung with rope, or cloth/nylon tape; literally four legs
Chatni
see chutney
Chawl
Tenement, see also kholi
Chemist
pharmacist, see also druggist
Chennai
The new name for Madras, a major Southern City
Cheque
Check (as in a bank check)
Choli
blouse, upper garment for women
Chori
theft; also in poetry/song to steal a glance or to do something furtively, as in chori-chori
Chowk
Urban square, market, major intersection
Chowkidar
watchman
Christian name
first name, see also forename and surname
Chuddies
see Chaddies
Chunni
a long scarf worn by women, draped over both shoulders and front; for modesty; may also cover head/ears in cold or windy weather
Churidar
trousers, worn by either sex, very tight around lower leg, forming a seried of ringlets ("churi")
Chutney
sauce, could be sour, sweet, or tart; usually from herbs or vegetables
Ciggy
Slang for cigarette
Cinema
Movie, or movie theater
Cinema Hall
Movie Theater
Co-brother
For a married man, his wife sister's husband; used most often in South India
Coir
fiber made from coconut husk;
Cold drink
Beverage (Coke, Milk Shake, Lemonade); "It's sweltering bhai, let's stop for cold drinks"
Colony
Neighborhood or American sub-division; "I grew up in Nehru Colony""
Come again
Please repeat what you said, I did not understand you the first time.
Con Call
Conference phone call, usually at a pre-arranged time
Convent School
A school runs by Christian missionaries; often nuns; but loosely any Christian school
Corporate
Company
Corporates
Companies; our customers include California corporates such as Intel and Amgen
Corporator
elected official in city government, similar to councilman
Corpus
amount, sum of money
Cousin brother
Cousin, male
Cousin sister
Cousin, female
Cowdung
cow chips, used as fertilizer, and as fuel for village fires
Coy
Company (as in army or paramilitary forces)
Cr.
Crore (ten million); "This plot of land costs 4 Cr rupees"
Creche
daycare center for infants
Crockery
chinaware; fragile dishes
Crore
Ten million (also see "lakh")
CTC
Cost to Company (when referring to the total compensation of an employee including benefits)
Cum
in combination, such as sofa-cum-bed or ticket-cum-reservation
Cupboard
Cabinet
Curd
yoghurt
Current came
The power came back on
Daaru
Booze, sometimes written as daru
Dacoit
Robber
Dada
elder brother; Street boss (Mumbai slang)
Dada giri
intimidation, as in by a street boss or rogue (adverb)
Dada ji
Gramps, Grandpa, old man
Dahi
yoghurt
Dak Bungalow
A government guest house, often in a remote location, where no hotels may exist
Dal
Lentils; also the dish cooked with lentils and a major protein source in Indian diets; also dhall
Dalit
a member of the shudra cast, literally "the oppressed"
Daru
Booze, sometimes written as daaru
Deadly
Intense (slang)
Deemed university
a private educational entity, that is not yet approved by the government to grant degrees
Degree holder
Someone who has a degree (diploma) from the equivalent of a 4-year college
Dekho
To take a look, to examine, to watch out of curiosity; from Hindi, see also dekko
Dekko
To take a look, to examine, to watch out of curiousity; from Hindi dekho "to see"
Dengue
a mosquito borne viral illness; usually accompanied by high fever)
Departmental store
Any self-service shop, even if small
Desi
Fellow countryman; used by Indians abroad to refer to one another
Deva
Minor god
Dhall
Lentils, typically a source of protein, cooked as a soup/gravy
Dhania
coriander (seeds); cilantro (leaves)
Dhoti
long rectangular piece of cloth, can be worn by women or men to cover lower body; see also sari
Dickey
Trunk (of automobile)
Dil
heart (often in a romantic not physiological sense); "hriday" is the more proper Hindi word
Diploma holder
One who has completed a 2-3 year college course, such as in an American junior college
District
County, in local government
DM
District Magistrate; the senior most local government official at the county level
Do
short for "ditto", used to indicate duplicated data in a list or table
Donkey's years
A long time
Doordarshan
India's government owned television channel; literally "visualize from afar"
Dosa
South Indian crepe, often filled with potatos, eaten as a snack
Double-roti
sandwich bread
Dress
Outfit, clothing (for men or for women)
Druggist
pharmacist, see also chemist
Dupatta
a long scarf, typically strung over the shoulders and bosom
Duplex
Two-level house (NOT two houses with a common wall); often mis-pronounced "duplay"
Durbaan
security guard, doorman
Earthing
grounding (in electrical circuitry)
Eggetarian
A vegetarian who also eats eggs and egg products
Eleven number bus
Slang for walking
Email ID
Email Address; "Please give me your Email ID"
EMI
Equal Monthly Instalments; a level payment plan to repay capital or revolving loans
Engaged
Busy (for a telephone line); "I gave you a tinkle but your number, was engaged"
Entre
Appetizer (as in Europe), and not main course of a meal (as in America)
Fag
Slang for cigarette
Fagged out
tired, exhausted
Farm
For a wealthy urban resident, a cottage or resor in the country; with little or no agriculture!
Fast
having loose morals (often in reference to a woman)
FD
Fixed Deposit, same as a CD or Certificate of Deposit at a US bank
Filter Coffee
Brewed Coffee as opposed to instant coffee
Firangi
Foreigner
Fired
Chastised (not removed from job)
First floor
The second floor of a multi-storey building, see ground floor
Fitment
fit ( "What is the fitment between your company needs and our products?")
Flat
Apartment
Fly
"and family"; often seen on group tickets; "Mr Singh, Mrs Singh and 2 fly."
Football
Soccer; American football is not played in India
Footfalls
In the retail business: number of prospective and real customers to enter the store
Footpath
Sidewalk
Foreign Returned
Having recently come back from some foreign country
Forename
first name, see also christian name
Franked
verb, the acting of applying metered postage, using a "franking" machine
Franking machine
postage meter
Freak Out
Let's have fun (slang)
French beard
A goatee
Fresher
Freshman; first year student, new employee, inexperienced worker
Fridge
refrigerator
Full stop
Period, at the end of a sentence
Funda
(slang) essence, fundamental,
Gajra
floral garland, floral band often jasmine or marigold
Gandhi Dynasty
Refer to the first Prime Minister of India, Nehru, his daughter Indira Gandhi etc (but not Mahatma Gandhi)
Ghaghra
lower garment worn by women, usually with a choli on top
Gharwali
wife, housewife
Ghat
steps, often leading to a river, pond or bathing place; also hills/mountains
Ghati
pejorative for Marathi (someone from the Western Ghats) do not use
Ghazal
urdu poem, often sung
Ghee
Clarified butter, often used as a cooking medium
Gherao
to surround/encircle a person, generally an official; a form of protest
Ghunghat
part of a sari, used to cover the head/face
Godman
Pejorative word for a person who who claims to have supernatural powers
Godown
Warehouse
Godrej
Steel almirah; after the brand name of a leading India company
Goggles
Sunglasses, also swimming goggles
Goli Maar!
See Goli Mar
Goli mar
fuggedaboutit, forget about it; literally "shoot the issue (dead) with a bullet"
Golimar
see goli mar
Good name
Name
Goodname
Polite way to request someone's (proper) name, not nickname; see "Your good name"
Goods train
freight train
Goonda
thug
Gora
slang for "white" person, foreigner,
Gosht
meat
Governor
A non-executive, appointed head for a province or state; see Chief Minister
Graduate
undergraduate; someone with a bachelor's degree is specifically called a graduate
Gratuity
Payment for meritorious service (not identical with a tip)
Grease
lubricant (never cooking fat)
Ground floor
First floor of a multi-storey building; see first floor
Guru
Respected and revered teacher; also guru-ji
Gutka
chewable tobacco product
Gymkhana
country club; sporting facility;
Haanji
Yes, sir
Haat
street market, fair
Hafta
weekly payment, usually "bribe"
Hai
Is (verb)
Hai Ram
Oh God!, an exclamation of suprise, frustration, excitement; "Hai Ram, I can't believe I got the job."
Haina
Isn't it. (used it as a confirmatory filler at the end of a sentence).
Half-pants
Shorts; for knickerbockers; also "nekar"
Half-ticket
Reduced price ticket, for a child, senior, or other special category
Hallo
hello
Handle
handlebar of bicycle, steering wheel of car
Harijan
member of lower caste, termed coined by Mahatma Gandhi; now referred to as Dalit
Hash
#, ie the pound symbol
Hat trick
Three in a row, from cricket
Have, have!
exhortation to eat/drink something offered to a guest
Haveli
an old-fashioned mansion, typically with a large central courtyard;
Hawala
undocumented foreign exchange transactions (not legally permitted)
Healthy
In North India, refers to fat people, but not pejoratively
Heeng
see asofoetida
Helo
Hello
Hero
In a movie, leading man or male star
Heroine
In a movie, leading woman
High Court
The highest court in the state; each state in India has a high court (see Supreme Court)
High Tech
Stylish (used in reference to attire, for example)
History sheeter
Person with a long history of violations or crimes
Ho
Hindi verb, let there be, will be
Hoarding
Billboard
Hockey
Field hockey, played on grass with a ball and hockeysticks; NOT "ice hockey"
Homely
One who can build a good home, has upstanding moral values (when referrring to a marriageable girl)
Hookah
a waterpipe for smoking; used in Northern and Northwest India with tobacco (not marijuana, typically)
Hooligan
Hoodlum, unruly person
Horeca
Sales term, abbreviation for HOtels, REstaurants and CAterers
Hotel
Eating establishment, restaurant
Hullo
Hello
Hutment
a group of huts or makeshift dwellings, often in a slum area
I am understanding it
I have already understood.
IAS
Indian Administrative Service; the elite civil service cadre that runs the country
Iddly
In South India, steamed rice/lentil patty, traditionally eaten at breakfast
Idli
In South India, steamed rice/lentil patty, traditionally eaten at breakfast
IMFL
Indian-made Foreign Liquor; distilled spirits like whisky, rum or gin made in India, as distinct from tharra
Indent
(noun) purchase order, or official requistion for goods or services
Indian-made Foreign Liquor
Whisky, rum, gin etc produced in India but not "country-liquour" which is usually much less expensive and sold in different stores.
Inmates
occupants (not necessarily jail inmates)
Intimate you
Inform you
Into
multiplied by; see 2 into 4
Invigilator
Monitor, as in an administered test or examination
Item girl
It girl; a female movie star who appears in an "item song" in a Hindi movie; "the talk of the town"
Jaan
life; also "darling" colloquially
Jai
hail
Jai
Hail (salutation); such as Jai Ganesh (to a god) or Jai Hind (to the country)
Jai Ho
All Right! Wow! Praise to you!
Jangal
Jungle, forest; jungle actually originated in Hindi
Jao
Please go (from Hindi)
Jati
caste (Hindi)
Jatra
in West Bengal, a form of traditional/folk theater
Jawan
Soldier, as in "private" in USA
Ji
Used as suffix, when referring to anyone meriting respect for e.g. Parker-ji, Smith-ji, Gupta-ji
Jija-ji
Sister's husband (as a pronoun, or a suffix); "Ramesh Jija-ji will be over for dinner"
Jugaad
Creative improvisation; "jury rigging" in American; find a way out by hook or by crook
Junglee
uncultured, wild; literally "of the jungle/forest"; sometimes spelled jungly
Jungly
see junglee
Kabaddi
a traditional indian game; two teams play in a court, includes one player holding their breath
Kabhi
sometimes; also, when
Kachra
trash, rubbish
Kal
yesterday, also tomorrow!
Kapsi
capsicum (green, bell peper); aka Simla mirch or Moti mirch
Karta
Head of Household (literally "the one who does")
Keep
Put (verb)
Keep
Pejorative for mistress (noun)
Kem Cho
How are you, in Gujarati
Khadi
homespun fabric; clothing made from homespun; often worn by politicians
Khaki
brown color, also cotton clothing used by police, military and other liveried services
Kharif
autumn; autumn harvest as distinct from rabi
Khataa khat
quickly, pronto!
Kholi
In Mumbai, tenement; see also chawl
Ki
That (from Hindi)
Kitty party
A gathering of housewives, often accompanied by potluck meals, or network marketing
Koi ho
Who's there?!
Kolkata
The new name for Calcutta, a large city in East India
Kumar
Indian middle name or (in recent years) last name; Kumar literally means unmarried male but that usage is obsolete
Kutta
dog, male dog; (see also kutti)
Kutti
female dog
Kya
what
Kyoon
Why (from Hindi); "kyoon ki" is because; Indians will use these words in English sentences
Laatsahib
The big boss, from Lord Sahib (ie the Governor General or Viceroy in colonial India)
Lac
Hundred Thousand (see Crore)
Lacuna
Gap, shortcoming, failing
Laddoo
a dessert, typically a round ball with dairy, lentil or flour ingredients
Ladyfinger
Okra, a vegetable
Lady's finger
Okra, a vegetable
Lakh
Hundred Thousand (see Crore)
Lathi
a staff or cane, typically made of bamboo; used as a walking stick or a disciplinary cane by police
Lehenga
lower garment worn by women, usually with a choli on top
Lift
Elevator
Lift
Ride; "Can you please give me a lift to the airport? The bus is running late."
Lingam
also Shiva-lingam, the phallic representation of the Hindua Lord Shiva
Load shedding
Brown outs or blackouts, often pre-scheduled, due to electric power shortage
Local
suburban train (in Mumbai)
Long-cut
A circuituous or rambling path to the destination; opposite of short-cut
Lorry
Truck
Love marriage
A marriage that follows a love affair, as opposed to a more common "arranged marriage", which is arranged by the bride's and groom's parents.
Lungi
a sarong style wrap worn by men; very common in South India; also worn in North India
Maane
What I mean is (from Hindi)
Maata
revered mother; also a slang term for smallpox in north India
Madam
Respectful term for women - same as Ma'am
Maggu
bookish person, one who studies a lot, someone who memorizes answers
Mahal
palace
Mahatma Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, freedom fighter, revered as the Father of Independent India
Mai
I (the singular personal pronoun)
Maidan
empty/flat field; often a town square, or meeting place or cricket field
Malik
owner, of a company or business or a parcel of land
Mall Road
Main Street; The English colonialists often named the major street Mall Road; most Mall Roads have been renamed to Mahatma Gandhi Road or MG Road
Mallu
slang for South Indian person, a Malayalam speaker, (some consider it derogatory, do not use)
Mama
Maternal uncle, also street talk for "cop"
Marks
Points; "He received 92% marks on the exam."
Masala
spice (n); colloqially: spicy (adj), as in masala movie
Masjid
mosque (an Islamic place of worship)
Matar
peas, chickpeas; or a dish cooked with peas/chickpeas
Matlab
What I mean is (from Hindi)
Matter
Material, content. "Please give me the matter for your website"
MBBS
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (physician, licensed to practice much like an MD in USA)
MD
Managing Director, equivalent of CEO; (physicians are called MBBS)
Meat
Any food of animal origin (chicken, pork, lamb, fish, etc)
Medico
doctor, sometimes medical student or resident
Mei
in (verb); sometimes written as "mein"; not to be confused with mai (which see)
Mein
In (verb)
Mem
pronounced "maim", slang for "doll" or female dressed in western outfit; from "ma'am"
Memsaab
Honorific to refer to a woman boss or woman of higher status (from "ma'am sahib")
Memsahib
Honorific to refer to a woman boss or woman of higher status (from "ma'am sahib")
Mention not
Don't mention it; a way saying "You are welcome" in response to a thank you
Mera
mine (masculine possessive pronoun); see also meri
Mere
Mine (plural possessive pronoun, masculine possessive pronoun)
Meri
mine (feminine possessive pronoun); see also mera
Messrs.
For a corporation e.g. Messr Procter & Gamble
Military Hotel
(in Tamilnadu), A restaurant that serves non-vegetarian food; where many are vegetarian
Miscreants
People up to no good; petty criminals;
Missed call
A call that is deliberately unanswered on a cell phone, as a signal; "Give me a missed call when you are ready."
Missi amma
In Karnataka, often used to refer to an Anglo Indian or Christian woman, one who may wear a skirt
Mixie
Grinder, blender
Mobile
Cell Phone; "I left my mobile at home."
Modalities
processes, paperwork (bureaucratese); We cannot issue the licences since modalities remain.
Mona
mona Sikh or mona Sardar refers to Sikh male who has shaved his beard, cut his hair short
Mother Tongue
Native language; I live in Delhi but my mother tongue is Oriya
Mufti
off duty clothes of someone who wears a uniform at work (from British Indian Army)
Mujhe
Mine (possessive pronoun)
Mumbai
The new name for Bombay; the natives always called it Mumbai
Munda
boy, young man (used in Punjab and north India as slang from Punjabi)
Munna
boy, young man
Munni
girl, young woman
Murgh
chicken
Murgh mussalam
the whole chicken (uncut, but cooked)
Mushaira
a public gathering of Urdu poets (often extended into a late night event)
My Mrs.
My wife..
Mydear
my dear, used to mean friend or buddy in casual conversation
Naani
maternal grandmother
Nahi
No
Nahin
No, from Hindi
Namaskar
See namaste
Namaste
A greeting, literally "I respect you", see also "namaskar".
Nani
see naani
NCR
the tri-state area surrounding New Delhi; the National Capital Region
Near and Dear
Friends and family
Nearly
Can mean "approximately", rather than "almost"; "We have nearly 10-12 Vice Presidents"
Needful
Whatever is needed to be done (I will do the needful)
Nekar
Shorts; for knickerbockers; also "nikkar"
Nescoffee
Instant coffee, after Nestle's popular instant coffee (as distinct from filter coffee)
NGO
Non-governmental organization, usually in reference to private non-profit groups
Nikkar
Shorts; for knickerbockers; also "nekar"
Non-veg joke
a raunchy or obscene joke (which many Indian men would not share in mixed company)
North Block
Federal (Central) government building which houses Finance, Home ministries , see South Block
Note
Bill of currency; I will give you a hundred rupee note
NRI
Non-resident Indian, an Indian citizen residing overseas
Numbers
Each, as measure of quantity; Please send me 3 numbers of ingots, means Please send me 3 each ingots;
Nursing home
Small private hospital, usually owned by a physican; NOT a retirement home
Oblique
See "By"; My address is "Seven Oblique A" for 7/A; same as "slash"+B262 in American
Obsequies
Funeral rituals
Off it
Switch it Off
Offs
Holiday or vacation day (days that I am off)
Om
a sacred invocation in Hindu philosophy and religion; often aspirated over 40-120 seconds or more
On it
Switch it On
One by two
(in South India), instruction to split a restaurant order into two (also 2 by 3, 4 by 7 etc)
Only
When used in a complex sentence, "only" might qualify any word in the sentence; always clarify!
Oof!
Show distress or frustation (ugh)
Open
Switch on (Open the airconditioner please)
Out of station
Out of town; "Sorry I could not meet you, I was out of station when you visited."
Paalak
spinach, see also saag
Paan
the betel leaf, eaten after a meal (with catechu, lime, and betel nut)
Pakora
see pakoras
Pakoras
Deep fried fritters (breaded potatoes, onions, chicken, veggies)
Palak
eyelid
PAN
Permanent Account Number, a unique ID for Indian taxpayers
Panchayat
a village council, typically consisting of five elders
Paneer
a form of fresh home-made cottage cheese (often used in cooking)
Panir
see Paneer
Parallely
In parallel
Parikrama
circumambulation of a temple, deity or holy place by a worshipper
Partition
refers to the 1947 partition of colonial India into independent Pakistan and India
Party
entity, company; "I want to you to meet a promising party, who may place a large order"
Passed out
Graduated (from college)
Passout
To graduate, to complete education, "I am a 1996 passout from Delhi University."
Pass-out
To graduate, to complete education, "I am a 1996 pass-out from Delhi University."
Pavement
Sidewalk; (in the US pavement refers to the street not the sidewalk); see also footpath
Pay-in slip
deposit slip (at a bank)
Paying guest
a boarder, someone who rents a room or bed in a private home
Pen-down strike
A strike or protest in which office workers sit at their desks but do no work
Peon
Unskilled office helper
Pet name
Nick name. "My brother is Krishna, but we gave him the pet name Kris."
Petrol
Gasoline
Petrol pump
Gas station
PFA
Please find attached (abbreviation often used as part of an email)
Phattey
tall tales, fabrications
PIN code
Postal Code, (PIN= Postal Index Number);
Pindrop silence
Literaly absolute silence
Pir
a Sufi saint or holy man
Plinth
Built up area, in real estate
Postgraduate
Graduate, a student pursuing education beyond a bachelor's degree
Pphutt
broken, stopped working, literally torn;
Prasad
consecrated food offering in Hindu religion; also a Hindu last name or male middle name
Prem
Love, also a masculine name
Prepone
Move it earlier (as opposed to post - postpone)
PSU
public-sector undertaking, a company where owned by the government
PTO
Please turn over (annotation at the bottom of a page to indicate further content)
Public School
A prestigious (and very private) school; similar to Brtish public schools.
Pucca
solid, real, the real thing (also spelled pukka); literally means ripe
Pukka
solid, real, permanent, the real thing (also spelled pucca); literally means ripe
Pulao
rice that has been sauted before being steamed; may contain spice/peas/etc
Puncher
puncture
Puncture
Flat (for an automobile tire)
Pune
The new name for Poona, near Mumbai (which see)
Punjabi
from the region of Punjab (in northern India and Pakistan) ; the language spoken in the Punjab
Punjabi
women's clothing such as worn by women from Punjab; large shirt and trousers
Purse
Purse, or wallet for a man or woman
Puts in (his or her) papers
announces the decision to resign, "Jay Aman put in his papers last week"
Pyaar
Love
Pyjama
Loose pants worn by men in North India, not just for sleeping
Qawwali
mystical singing in the "sufi" tradition; involved repetition, clapping and improvisation
Queue
Line (Please form a Q in front of the ticket counter); of course many Indians then ignore queues :)
Raag
piece of classical indian music, aka raga
Rabi
spring; spring harvest
Raga
raag
Ragging
Hazing, harrasment of new students by seniors
Raise an invoice
Create an invoice
Rapeseed
Canola see for oil; actually canola is a North American invention (Canadian oil, low acid)
Ration Card
Government issued document that entitles holder to price controlled food; also serves as ID
Real Brother
Brother; as distinct from a cousin or "cousin brother".
Regularise
Legitmize
Resp.
respected (used as form of address in a letter or email, such as Resp. Dr. Joy)
Rest house
See "dak bungalow"
Retiring room
waiting room for travelers at a railway or bus station (may include clean toilets)
Revert
Get back to you (by phone or email); "Give me a week to revert to you."
Rick
Rickshaw
Ring
Phone call. "Give me a ring tomorrow."
Roti
bread; see also double-roti
Rubber
Eraser (not condom)
Saag
spinach (in Punjabi), any vegetable (in UP)
Sahib
Also sa'ab"; boss, often used to refer to person of higher status, see also "memsahib".
Salaam Walikum
Islamic greeting, your reply "Walikum Salaam"
Saloon
a beauty parlor for women; a barber (for men)
Samosa
Triangular fried snack food; filled with potatoes, perhaps meat; similar to empanada
Sanctum sanctorum
the innermost part of the temple; only priests can enter it, generally
Saneema
cinema
Sari
a long (six or nine yard) rectangular piece of clothing worn by Indian women, draped over lower body and shoulder; may be made of cotton or silk or other material; can be casual or formal
Sat Sri Akal
Sikh greeting
Satta
Gambling, usually illegal, informal mass-scale gambling run by the underworld
Scheme
Plan, project; (no negative connotation)
School
an elementary (primary), middle or high (secondary) school; in unqualfied form, "school" rarely refers to a college or university
Scooter
Sometimes used in North India to refer to a scooter-rickshaw taxi; also "auto".
Seniors
More experienced employees (or students); NOT old people
Sensex
Sensitive Index, of key Bombay Stock Exchange stocks; akin to Dow Jones Industrials
Sepahi
constable, private; see also Sepoy
Sepoy
British Colonial way of mispronouncing sepahi; or constable, private
Sexy
Extremely cool, slick
Shamiana
large, often colorful tent for social, religious or political events
Shawl
a rectangular woollen or cotton cloth, draped over shoulders for warmth or appearance, worn by women or men
Shifted
relocated, moved (as in office, home); " We have shifted to South Delhi"
Shree
See Shri
Shri
Also Shree, meaning Mister, Mr.
Shrimati
Mrs., also written as Srimati or Sreemati (see also Shri)
Shuttle
"birdie" in badminton, short for shuttlecock
Shuttlecock
"birdie" in badminton, see also shuttle
Simla Mirch
Capsicum (green/bell pepper)
Sir
Used in place of a person's name, honorific, see "ji"; "Sanjay Sir authorized me to buy this computer".
Sister
Nurse
Sit
To have an office "I sit in London and Delhi."
Six by three or six upon three
Six divided by three
Sixer
Home run, slang from cricket
Sleeper
Cross-tie, as in the cross member that connect railroad tracks
Slow
Soft; "Please speak slow."
Smt.
Shrimati, Mrs., also written as Srimati or Sreemati
South Block
the building that houses the central ministries of Defense and of External Affairs (see North Block)
Speak in english
Speak English
Specs
Spectacles, glasses
Speed-breaker
Road bump
Sri
Also Shree, Shri, meaning Mister, Mr.
Stamp paper
Government issued paper, for the signing of legal documents, as a tax collection method.
Stand
trade show booth/exhibit
Stand for election
Run for elective office
Standard
School year / grade - "My son is in sixth standard."
Status family
Rich people
Stay
Usually used instead of live "Where do you stay in Chicago?"
STD
Long-distance phone call, Subscriber Trunk Dialling.
Steel Frame
Metaphor for elite Indian Administrative Service, IAS; the steel frame that holds up the India edifice
Stepney
Spare tire (in automobie), sometimes used insultingly to refer to a mistress (spare wife)
Stockist
a dealer or retailer who maintains inventory of a particular item
Stores
Warehouse, Stockroom (as in factory)
Stuck up
busy, pre-occupied, "I was late to the call because I was stuck up with a client visit"
Studio
Photo studio
Sub
everything (from Hindi)
Supreme Court
The highest court in the Country; there is only one Supreme Court, not one per state; see High Court
Surname
last name, see also forename and christian name
Surruchi
tasty (Bengali)
Take
Means "consume" when used with food or drink items. "Take a cold drink, please."
Tandoor
Clay oven, high temperature; see Tandoori
Tandoori
a type of Punjabi cuisine cooked in a Tandoor (which see); chicken and naan bread are commonly cooked Tandoori style
Tap
Faucet
Tata
goodbye, also the name of a large Indian corporate group after the founding family
Taxi-Vaxi
Taxi (usually a nonsensical word is attached to emphasize a word e.g. chai-vai, taxi-vaxi)
Tea
Hot tea, often served with milk and sugare pre-mixed; unless you specify in advance
Tehsil
A subdivision of a county
Telecon
Telephone conference, or business telephone call
Teri
Yours (dimunitive possesive pronoun)
Test
test
Thali
Dinner plate, often made of Stainless Steel
Thali meal
All you can eat "price-fixe" usually at mid-priced restaurant.
Tharra
Country liquour, as distinct from IMFL; tharra is often a drink of the lower socio-economic classes
Theek hai
that's right, or it's all right, or its okay
Throw up
bring up, cause to happen,
Throws up
causes, bring up; (" Arabian Sea throws up cyclonic circulation")
Thug
a cheat, a thief
Tick
Check off (not irritate); "Please tick the the preferred time for your appointment on this list."
Tieup
Joint Venture; agreement to work together
Tie-up
Joint Venture; agreement to work together
Tiffin
Meal, specially a short meal or one that you carry with you
Tiffin carrier
Lunch Box; lunch pail
Tilak
sacred mark on forehead, often yellow sandalwood paste or red coloring
Timepass
Wasting time away, also used to refer to snack food sold in buses/trains/stations
Tinkle
Phone Call; "Give me a tinkle next time you are in town and we can meet."
Toilet
Restroom, see also W.C.
Tonga
a horse-drawn carriage, usually on two wheels, still used as a "taxi" in India, seat four or more
Too good
Very good; "Your presentation today was too good."
Torch
Flashlight
Touch wood
knock on wood (for good luck)
Treble
triple
Tubelight
flourescent light
Tulsi
Basil, used for religious purposed by Hindus; as seasoning by all
Tum
singular you (familiar form of pronoun); aap is more formal
Turnover
Revenue
Typical
unusual, different (ie the opposite of the American meaning);
Tyre
Automobile tire
Udupi hotel
in South India, a vegetarian restaurant run by South Indian Udupi Brahmins
Under root
Square root, in mathematics
Untouchables
Persons belonging to scheduled caste - politically incorrect word - DO NOT USE
Updation
Updating
Upgradation
Process of applying an upgrade
Upto
Up to
Use and throw
Disposable
Vaastu Shastra
Indian architectural practice of maintaining balance with nature; analogous to "FengShui".
Vakalatanama
see Vakalatnaama
Vakalatnaama
affidavit, power of attorney
Vanaspati
of vegetable/vegetarian origin; vanaspati oil
Vela
To have free time. (in Southern India)
Vernac
Provincial; culturally backward, or unrefined (from "vernacular")
Vide
Refer to; "You owe us $32,570 vide Invoice Number 3275/F."
Visiting card
Business card (see also calling card")"
Waah!
Wow! (from Hindi)
Wallah
Someone involved in the function just mentioned - e.g. The taxi-wallah knew Kolkata very well
WC
Water Closet, ie toilet
White goods
in retail: major appliances (and not linens as in United States)
White money
Also white; money that is shown on the books and duly taxed
Windscreen
Windshield (of automobile)
Wine
Can mean aloholic liquor; you may not find any Chablis at a wine shop!
Works
(noun) factory, plant
Yaar
Friend, amigo, buddy (slang, Hindi), also written as yar
Yallow
Hello (when answering the phone)
Yankland
Pejorative for USA
Yar
Friend, amigo, buddy (slang, Hindi), also written as yaar
Yedah
irrational, unbalanced, crazy (slang in Mumbai)
Yesterday night
Last night
You people
Indians commonly use "you people" when they want to address more than one person. Not intended to belittle or criticize the recipient.
Your good name please?
What is your name?
Zed
Zee (the last letter of the alphabet)
Zindagi
life, living
(in South India), instruction to split a restaurant order into two (also 2 by 3, 4 by 7 etc)
2 by 4
Two divided by Four
2 into four
Two times four
420
A deceptive person, one who cheats you (after Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code); "I thought Jay was a nice guy but he turned out to be 420."
Aam aadmi
the common man (often used as the American equivalent of "Main Street:" in politics)
Aao Jo
Goodbye (in Gujarati)
ABCD
American Born Confused Desi; a pejorative term for 2nd generation Indians in USA
Abey
Hey You!
Acha
See achchaa!
Achchaa!
Okay (from Hindi); Good
Address diary
address book
Aerial
radio antenna (noun)
Aeroplane
Airplane
Ajino Moto
monsodium glutamate (MSG); used in chinese coooking; after a popular brand of MSG
Alaap
introduction, initial movement (as in classical music or son)
Alloh
Hello (when answering the phone)
Allright
okay
Almari
Cupboard, cabinet, sometimes closet; also called "almirah"
Almirah
Cupboard, cabinet, sometimes closet; also called "almari"
Alms
Money or in-kind charity, to beggars or to organizations; the word is archaic in America, common in India
Alright
Okay
Alvida
goodbye
Amma
In north India, mother; in south India, female (kid or adult)
Angrez
English person; often generic for any foreigner
Annexure
Appendix, "Please look at Annexure B of our report for financials"
Ans.
Answer (abbreviation)
Asafeotida
a popular pungent spice, known as heeng in Hindia from "Ferula assafoetida" plant
Asafetida
see Asafeotida, known as heeng
Asli
authentic, real
Asofoetida
a pungent spice,also known as heeng, used widely in Indian cooking, and in traditional medicine as a digestive aid
At the rate of
@, At (for email addresses) (my email is jay at the rate of aol.com)
Aum
See Om
Auto
Auto-rickshaw, - a three wheeler open taxi (tuk-tuk)
Averagely
on the average
Ayurveda
traditional form of medicine in India (other forms are Unani, Homeopathic
Baabul
father, dad
Baap Re!
an exclamation of surprise, literally "Oh daddy!"
Baba
a little boy; also an elderly main, grandfather, saint or religious figure
Babu
Bureaucrat, clerk, sometimes boss
Babu English
Pejorative for grammatically incorrect English written by a fellow Indian
Babul
a tropical tree, often trimmed for use as a hedge in north indian gardens
Back
Ago, as in "We met three days back."
Badla
in stock market: buying on margin; literally "exchange" or even "revenge"
Badmash
See hooligan
Bagasse
Material remaining after sugarcane (or sorghum) stalks are crushed to extract their juice.
Balance Sheet, left side
Where liabilites are recorded, NOT assets
Balance Sheet, right side
Where Assets are recorded, not Liabilities
Balti
Bucket; also a type of cuisine (balti chicken)
Bandh
General strike, where commerical establishments may be shut down
Bangle
ornamental bracelet worn by women, often made from gold or from colored glass; some women wear several bangles on both wrists
Bapu
Literally father, often refers to Mahatma Gandhi, the "Father of India."
Baraat
a wedding procession
Baraat
Wedding Procession
Basement
Usually refers to underground parking in a condo, basement as living space are rare
Batchmate
Classmate
Batch-mate
Classmate
Bath
as a verb, bath can mean "shower". as in I'm going to a quick bath early tomorrow."
Bearer
Waiter
Bearer (on a cheque or financial document)
cash ( pay to bearer in India is the same as pay to cash in the USA
Benami
anonymous; often used to describe (illegal) anonymous property transactions
Berra
Waiter
Berth
place; sleeper seat on train;
Beta
son, child
Bhabhi
brother's wife (usually elder brother's wife)
Bhabi
see bhabhi
Bhai
Man, dude; literally brother
Bhaiya
Man, dude; literally brother
Bhidoo
buddy (in Mumbai?)
Bhindi
Okra
Bhromor
bumble-bee (Bengali)
BIMARU
Acronym referring to the Indian states of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh; historically slow-growth economies
Bindaas
with reckless abandon, carefree
Biryani
a dish from Hyderabad,usually lamb, chicken or mutton covered with fried, spiced rice
Bisleri
bottled water; after the brand name of a popular beverage company
Bitiya
daughter, child
Black money
Also "black"; money that is untaxed and undocumented to the government
Bn
battalion (as in army or paramilitary forces)
Board
Signboard or sign; see also hoarding
Bogey
Coach, in a passenger train
Bolo
Say it., Tell me
Bong
slang for a person from Bengal
Bonnet
Hood (of an automobile)
Boot
Trunk (of automobile)
Boring
drilling, as in drilling underground for water as part of new construction
Bowled
Knocked out, from cricket
Brinjal
Eggplant; Brinjal is the Indian English+B79 word for "Eggplant (Hindi word is Baingan)
Britisher
Briton
Broking
Brokerage (from the British)
Brother
May be a brother, or cousin; see real brother
Bullet
brand name of a popular motorcycle from Royal Enfield
Bungalow
Any big house, typically with a verandah, driveway and walled front yard
Bunk
(verb), to avoid classes in school
Bus!
That's it (from Hindi)
By
/, the symbol referred to as slash; divided by; see also "1 by 2"
C.A.
Chartered Accountant, like a CPA in the USA
Cabin
office, cubicle
Calling card
Business card (see also visiting card)
Cantt
Cantonment; the area in a city reserved for military installations and housing
Capsicum
bell pepper
Car Park
Parking lot
Cash Memo
Receipt in a retail store
Cent Percent
100 percent
Cess
Tax
Chaat
Spicy fresh snack foods
Chaddies
underpants
Chai
Tea
Chaikhana
in northwestern India and Pakistan, a tea stall
Chaiyya
Shade (also made famous by the worldwide hit song Chaiyya Chaiyya, google it)
Chal
see chalo
Challo!
Let's go
Chalo
Let's go; also used colloquially to mean ok, alright; in Punjab often said as "chal"
Chamcha
Sycophant (slang); literally "spoon" in Hindi
Chamcha
Sycophant, a person who is a "suck-up"; literally a large spoon or ladle
Chappals
Slippers
Chaprasi
Messenger (from Hindi)
Charpoy
a cot, typically strung with rope, or cloth/nylon tape; literally four legs
Chatni
see chutney
Chawl
Tenement, see also kholi
Chemist
pharmacist, see also druggist
Chennai
The new name for Madras, a major Southern City
Cheque
Check (as in a bank check)
Choli
blouse, upper garment for women
Chori
theft; also in poetry/song to steal a glance or to do something furtively, as in chori-chori
Chowk
Urban square, market, major intersection
Chowkidar
watchman
Christian name
first name, see also forename and surname
Chuddies
see Chaddies
Chunni
a long scarf worn by women, draped over both shoulders and front; for modesty; may also cover head/ears in cold or windy weather
Churidar
trousers, worn by either sex, very tight around lower leg, forming a seried of ringlets ("churi")
Chutney
sauce, could be sour, sweet, or tart; usually from herbs or vegetables
Ciggy
Slang for cigarette
Cinema
Movie, or movie theater
Cinema Hall
Movie Theater
Co-brother
For a married man, his wife sister's husband; used most often in South India
Coir
fiber made from coconut husk;
Cold drink
Beverage (Coke, Milk Shake, Lemonade); "It's sweltering bhai, let's stop for cold drinks"
Colony
Neighborhood or American sub-division; "I grew up in Nehru Colony""
Come again
Please repeat what you said, I did not understand you the first time.
Con Call
Conference phone call, usually at a pre-arranged time
Convent School
A school runs by Christian missionaries; often nuns; but loosely any Christian school
Corporate
Company
Corporates
Companies; our customers include California corporates such as Intel and Amgen
Corporator
elected official in city government, similar to councilman
Corpus
amount, sum of money
Cousin brother
Cousin, male
Cousin sister
Cousin, female
Cowdung
cow chips, used as fertilizer, and as fuel for village fires
Coy
Company (as in army or paramilitary forces)
Cr.
Crore (ten million); "This plot of land costs 4 Cr rupees"
Creche
daycare center for infants
Crockery
chinaware; fragile dishes
Crore
Ten million (also see "lakh")
CTC
Cost to Company (when referring to the total compensation of an employee including benefits)
Cum
in combination, such as sofa-cum-bed or ticket-cum-reservation
Cupboard
Cabinet
Curd
yoghurt
Current came
The power came back on
Daaru
Booze, sometimes written as daru
Dacoit
Robber
Dada
elder brother; Street boss (Mumbai slang)
Dada giri
intimidation, as in by a street boss or rogue (adverb)
Dada ji
Gramps, Grandpa, old man
Dahi
yoghurt
Dak Bungalow
A government guest house, often in a remote location, where no hotels may exist
Dal
Lentils; also the dish cooked with lentils and a major protein source in Indian diets; also dhall
Dalit
a member of the shudra cast, literally "the oppressed"
Daru
Booze, sometimes written as daaru
Deadly
Intense (slang)
Deemed university
a private educational entity, that is not yet approved by the government to grant degrees
Degree holder
Someone who has a degree (diploma) from the equivalent of a 4-year college
Dekho
To take a look, to examine, to watch out of curiosity; from Hindi, see also dekko
Dekko
To take a look, to examine, to watch out of curiousity; from Hindi dekho "to see"
Dengue
a mosquito borne viral illness; usually accompanied by high fever)
Departmental store
Any self-service shop, even if small
Desi
Fellow countryman; used by Indians abroad to refer to one another
Deva
Minor god
Dhall
Lentils, typically a source of protein, cooked as a soup/gravy
Dhania
coriander (seeds); cilantro (leaves)
Dhoti
long rectangular piece of cloth, can be worn by women or men to cover lower body; see also sari
Dickey
Trunk (of automobile)
Dil
heart (often in a romantic not physiological sense); "hriday" is the more proper Hindi word
Diploma holder
One who has completed a 2-3 year college course, such as in an American junior college
District
County, in local government
DM
District Magistrate; the senior most local government official at the county level
Do
short for "ditto", used to indicate duplicated data in a list or table
Donkey's years
A long time
Doordarshan
India's government owned television channel; literally "visualize from afar"
Dosa
South Indian crepe, often filled with potatos, eaten as a snack
Double-roti
sandwich bread
Dress
Outfit, clothing (for men or for women)
Druggist
pharmacist, see also chemist
Dupatta
a long scarf, typically strung over the shoulders and bosom
Duplex
Two-level house (NOT two houses with a common wall); often mis-pronounced "duplay"
Durbaan
security guard, doorman
Earthing
grounding (in electrical circuitry)
Eggetarian
A vegetarian who also eats eggs and egg products
Eleven number bus
Slang for walking
Email ID
Email Address; "Please give me your Email ID"
EMI
Equal Monthly Instalments; a level payment plan to repay capital or revolving loans
Engaged
Busy (for a telephone line); "I gave you a tinkle but your number, was engaged"
Entre
Appetizer (as in Europe), and not main course of a meal (as in America)
Fag
Slang for cigarette
Fagged out
tired, exhausted
Farm
For a wealthy urban resident, a cottage or resor in the country; with little or no agriculture!
Fast
having loose morals (often in reference to a woman)
FD
Fixed Deposit, same as a CD or Certificate of Deposit at a US bank
Filter Coffee
Brewed Coffee as opposed to instant coffee
Firangi
Foreigner
Fired
Chastised (not removed from job)
First floor
The second floor of a multi-storey building, see ground floor
Fitment
fit ( "What is the fitment between your company needs and our products?")
Flat
Apartment
Fly
"and family"; often seen on group tickets; "Mr Singh, Mrs Singh and 2 fly."
Football
Soccer; American football is not played in India
Footfalls
In the retail business: number of prospective and real customers to enter the store
Footpath
Sidewalk
Foreign Returned
Having recently come back from some foreign country
Forename
first name, see also christian name
Franked
verb, the acting of applying metered postage, using a "franking" machine
Franking machine
postage meter
Freak Out
Let's have fun (slang)
French beard
A goatee
Fresher
Freshman; first year student, new employee, inexperienced worker
Fridge
refrigerator
Full stop
Period, at the end of a sentence
Funda
(slang) essence, fundamental,
Gajra
floral garland, floral band often jasmine or marigold
Gandhi Dynasty
Refer to the first Prime Minister of India, Nehru, his daughter Indira Gandhi etc (but not Mahatma Gandhi)
Ghaghra
lower garment worn by women, usually with a choli on top
Gharwali
wife, housewife
Ghat
steps, often leading to a river, pond or bathing place; also hills/mountains
Ghati
pejorative for Marathi (someone from the Western Ghats) do not use
Ghazal
urdu poem, often sung
Ghee
Clarified butter, often used as a cooking medium
Gherao
to surround/encircle a person, generally an official; a form of protest
Ghunghat
part of a sari, used to cover the head/face
Godman
Pejorative word for a person who who claims to have supernatural powers
Godown
Warehouse
Godrej
Steel almirah; after the brand name of a leading India company
Goggles
Sunglasses, also swimming goggles
Goli Maar!
See Goli Mar
Goli mar
fuggedaboutit, forget about it; literally "shoot the issue (dead) with a bullet"
Golimar
see goli mar
Good name
Name
Goodname
Polite way to request someone's (proper) name, not nickname; see "Your good name"
Goods train
freight train
Goonda
thug
Gora
slang for "white" person, foreigner,
Gosht
meat
Governor
A non-executive, appointed head for a province or state; see Chief Minister
Graduate
undergraduate; someone with a bachelor's degree is specifically called a graduate
Gratuity
Payment for meritorious service (not identical with a tip)
Grease
lubricant (never cooking fat)
Ground floor
First floor of a multi-storey building; see first floor
Guru
Respected and revered teacher; also guru-ji
Gutka
chewable tobacco product
Gymkhana
country club; sporting facility;
Haanji
Yes, sir
Haat
street market, fair
Hafta
weekly payment, usually "bribe"
Hai
Is (verb)
Hai Ram
Oh God!, an exclamation of suprise, frustration, excitement; "Hai Ram, I can't believe I got the job."
Haina
Isn't it. (used it as a confirmatory filler at the end of a sentence).
Half-pants
Shorts; for knickerbockers; also "nekar"
Half-ticket
Reduced price ticket, for a child, senior, or other special category
Hallo
hello
Handle
handlebar of bicycle, steering wheel of car
Harijan
member of lower caste, termed coined by Mahatma Gandhi; now referred to as Dalit
Hash
#, ie the pound symbol
Hat trick
Three in a row, from cricket
Have, have!
exhortation to eat/drink something offered to a guest
Haveli
an old-fashioned mansion, typically with a large central courtyard;
Hawala
undocumented foreign exchange transactions (not legally permitted)
Healthy
In North India, refers to fat people, but not pejoratively
Heeng
see asofoetida
Helo
Hello
Hero
In a movie, leading man or male star
Heroine
In a movie, leading woman
High Court
The highest court in the state; each state in India has a high court (see Supreme Court)
High Tech
Stylish (used in reference to attire, for example)
History sheeter
Person with a long history of violations or crimes
Ho
Hindi verb, let there be, will be
Hoarding
Billboard
Hockey
Field hockey, played on grass with a ball and hockeysticks; NOT "ice hockey"
Homely
One who can build a good home, has upstanding moral values (when referrring to a marriageable girl)
Hookah
a waterpipe for smoking; used in Northern and Northwest India with tobacco (not marijuana, typically)
Hooligan
Hoodlum, unruly person
Horeca
Sales term, abbreviation for HOtels, REstaurants and CAterers
Hotel
Eating establishment, restaurant
Hullo
Hello
Hutment
a group of huts or makeshift dwellings, often in a slum area
I am understanding it
I have already understood.
IAS
Indian Administrative Service; the elite civil service cadre that runs the country
Iddly
In South India, steamed rice/lentil patty, traditionally eaten at breakfast
Idli
In South India, steamed rice/lentil patty, traditionally eaten at breakfast
IMFL
Indian-made Foreign Liquor; distilled spirits like whisky, rum or gin made in India, as distinct from tharra
Indent
(noun) purchase order, or official requistion for goods or services
Indian-made Foreign Liquor
Whisky, rum, gin etc produced in India but not "country-liquour" which is usually much less expensive and sold in different stores.
Inmates
occupants (not necessarily jail inmates)
Intimate you
Inform you
Into
multiplied by; see 2 into 4
Invigilator
Monitor, as in an administered test or examination
Item girl
It girl; a female movie star who appears in an "item song" in a Hindi movie; "the talk of the town"
Jaan
life; also "darling" colloquially
Jai
hail
Jai
Hail (salutation); such as Jai Ganesh (to a god) or Jai Hind (to the country)
Jai Ho
All Right! Wow! Praise to you!
Jangal
Jungle, forest; jungle actually originated in Hindi
Jao
Please go (from Hindi)
Jati
caste (Hindi)
Jatra
in West Bengal, a form of traditional/folk theater
Jawan
Soldier, as in "private" in USA
Ji
Used as suffix, when referring to anyone meriting respect for e.g. Parker-ji, Smith-ji, Gupta-ji
Jija-ji
Sister's husband (as a pronoun, or a suffix); "Ramesh Jija-ji will be over for dinner"
Jugaad
Creative improvisation; "jury rigging" in American; find a way out by hook or by crook
Junglee
uncultured, wild; literally "of the jungle/forest"; sometimes spelled jungly
Jungly
see junglee
Kabaddi
a traditional indian game; two teams play in a court, includes one player holding their breath
Kabhi
sometimes; also, when
Kachra
trash, rubbish
Kal
yesterday, also tomorrow!
Kapsi
capsicum (green, bell peper); aka Simla mirch or Moti mirch
Karta
Head of Household (literally "the one who does")
Keep
Put (verb)
Keep
Pejorative for mistress (noun)
Kem Cho
How are you, in Gujarati
Khadi
homespun fabric; clothing made from homespun; often worn by politicians
Khaki
brown color, also cotton clothing used by police, military and other liveried services
Kharif
autumn; autumn harvest as distinct from rabi
Khataa khat
quickly, pronto!
Kholi
In Mumbai, tenement; see also chawl
Ki
That (from Hindi)
Kitty party
A gathering of housewives, often accompanied by potluck meals, or network marketing
Koi ho
Who's there?!
Kolkata
The new name for Calcutta, a large city in East India
Kumar
Indian middle name or (in recent years) last name; Kumar literally means unmarried male but that usage is obsolete
Kutta
dog, male dog; (see also kutti)
Kutti
female dog
Kya
what
Kyoon
Why (from Hindi); "kyoon ki" is because; Indians will use these words in English sentences
Laatsahib
The big boss, from Lord Sahib (ie the Governor General or Viceroy in colonial India)
Lac
Hundred Thousand (see Crore)
Lacuna
Gap, shortcoming, failing
Laddoo
a dessert, typically a round ball with dairy, lentil or flour ingredients
Ladyfinger
Okra, a vegetable
Lady's finger
Okra, a vegetable
Lakh
Hundred Thousand (see Crore)
Lathi
a staff or cane, typically made of bamboo; used as a walking stick or a disciplinary cane by police
Lehenga
lower garment worn by women, usually with a choli on top
Lift
Elevator
Lift
Ride; "Can you please give me a lift to the airport? The bus is running late."
Lingam
also Shiva-lingam, the phallic representation of the Hindua Lord Shiva
Load shedding
Brown outs or blackouts, often pre-scheduled, due to electric power shortage
Local
suburban train (in Mumbai)
Long-cut
A circuituous or rambling path to the destination; opposite of short-cut
Lorry
Truck
Love marriage
A marriage that follows a love affair, as opposed to a more common "arranged marriage", which is arranged by the bride's and groom's parents.
Lungi
a sarong style wrap worn by men; very common in South India; also worn in North India
Maane
What I mean is (from Hindi)
Maata
revered mother; also a slang term for smallpox in north India
Madam
Respectful term for women - same as Ma'am
Maggu
bookish person, one who studies a lot, someone who memorizes answers
Mahal
palace
Mahatma Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, freedom fighter, revered as the Father of Independent India
Mai
I (the singular personal pronoun)
Maidan
empty/flat field; often a town square, or meeting place or cricket field
Malik
owner, of a company or business or a parcel of land
Mall Road
Main Street; The English colonialists often named the major street Mall Road; most Mall Roads have been renamed to Mahatma Gandhi Road or MG Road
Mallu
slang for South Indian person, a Malayalam speaker, (some consider it derogatory, do not use)
Mama
Maternal uncle, also street talk for "cop"
Marks
Points; "He received 92% marks on the exam."
Masala
spice (n); colloqially: spicy (adj), as in masala movie
Masjid
mosque (an Islamic place of worship)
Matar
peas, chickpeas; or a dish cooked with peas/chickpeas
Matlab
What I mean is (from Hindi)
Matter
Material, content. "Please give me the matter for your website"
MBBS
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (physician, licensed to practice much like an MD in USA)
MD
Managing Director, equivalent of CEO; (physicians are called MBBS)
Meat
Any food of animal origin (chicken, pork, lamb, fish, etc)
Medico
doctor, sometimes medical student or resident
Mei
in (verb); sometimes written as "mein"; not to be confused with mai (which see)
Mein
In (verb)
Mem
pronounced "maim", slang for "doll" or female dressed in western outfit; from "ma'am"
Memsaab
Honorific to refer to a woman boss or woman of higher status (from "ma'am sahib")
Memsahib
Honorific to refer to a woman boss or woman of higher status (from "ma'am sahib")
Mention not
Don't mention it; a way saying "You are welcome" in response to a thank you
Mera
mine (masculine possessive pronoun); see also meri
Mere
Mine (plural possessive pronoun, masculine possessive pronoun)
Meri
mine (feminine possessive pronoun); see also mera
Messrs.
For a corporation e.g. Messr Procter & Gamble
Military Hotel
(in Tamilnadu), A restaurant that serves non-vegetarian food; where many are vegetarian
Miscreants
People up to no good; petty criminals;
Missed call
A call that is deliberately unanswered on a cell phone, as a signal; "Give me a missed call when you are ready."
Missi amma
In Karnataka, often used to refer to an Anglo Indian or Christian woman, one who may wear a skirt
Mixie
Grinder, blender
Mobile
Cell Phone; "I left my mobile at home."
Modalities
processes, paperwork (bureaucratese); We cannot issue the licences since modalities remain.
Mona
mona Sikh or mona Sardar refers to Sikh male who has shaved his beard, cut his hair short
Mother Tongue
Native language; I live in Delhi but my mother tongue is Oriya
Mufti
off duty clothes of someone who wears a uniform at work (from British Indian Army)
Mujhe
Mine (possessive pronoun)
Mumbai
The new name for Bombay; the natives always called it Mumbai
Munda
boy, young man (used in Punjab and north India as slang from Punjabi)
Munna
boy, young man
Munni
girl, young woman
Murgh
chicken
Murgh mussalam
the whole chicken (uncut, but cooked)
Mushaira
a public gathering of Urdu poets (often extended into a late night event)
My Mrs.
My wife..
Mydear
my dear, used to mean friend or buddy in casual conversation
Naani
maternal grandmother
Nahi
No
Nahin
No, from Hindi
Namaskar
See namaste
Namaste
A greeting, literally "I respect you", see also "namaskar".
Nani
see naani
NCR
the tri-state area surrounding New Delhi; the National Capital Region
Near and Dear
Friends and family
Nearly
Can mean "approximately", rather than "almost"; "We have nearly 10-12 Vice Presidents"
Needful
Whatever is needed to be done (I will do the needful)
Nekar
Shorts; for knickerbockers; also "nikkar"
Nescoffee
Instant coffee, after Nestle's popular instant coffee (as distinct from filter coffee)
NGO
Non-governmental organization, usually in reference to private non-profit groups
Nikkar
Shorts; for knickerbockers; also "nekar"
Non-veg joke
a raunchy or obscene joke (which many Indian men would not share in mixed company)
North Block
Federal (Central) government building which houses Finance, Home ministries , see South Block
Note
Bill of currency; I will give you a hundred rupee note
NRI
Non-resident Indian, an Indian citizen residing overseas
Numbers
Each, as measure of quantity; Please send me 3 numbers of ingots, means Please send me 3 each ingots;
Nursing home
Small private hospital, usually owned by a physican; NOT a retirement home
Oblique
See "By"; My address is "Seven Oblique A" for 7/A; same as "slash"+B262 in American
Obsequies
Funeral rituals
Off it
Switch it Off
Offs
Holiday or vacation day (days that I am off)
Om
a sacred invocation in Hindu philosophy and religion; often aspirated over 40-120 seconds or more
On it
Switch it On
One by two
(in South India), instruction to split a restaurant order into two (also 2 by 3, 4 by 7 etc)
Only
When used in a complex sentence, "only" might qualify any word in the sentence; always clarify!
Oof!
Show distress or frustation (ugh)
Open
Switch on (Open the airconditioner please)
Out of station
Out of town; "Sorry I could not meet you, I was out of station when you visited."
Paalak
spinach, see also saag
Paan
the betel leaf, eaten after a meal (with catechu, lime, and betel nut)
Pakora
see pakoras
Pakoras
Deep fried fritters (breaded potatoes, onions, chicken, veggies)
Palak
eyelid
PAN
Permanent Account Number, a unique ID for Indian taxpayers
Panchayat
a village council, typically consisting of five elders
Paneer
a form of fresh home-made cottage cheese (often used in cooking)
Panir
see Paneer
Parallely
In parallel
Parikrama
circumambulation of a temple, deity or holy place by a worshipper
Partition
refers to the 1947 partition of colonial India into independent Pakistan and India
Party
entity, company; "I want to you to meet a promising party, who may place a large order"
Passed out
Graduated (from college)
Passout
To graduate, to complete education, "I am a 1996 passout from Delhi University."
Pass-out
To graduate, to complete education, "I am a 1996 pass-out from Delhi University."
Pavement
Sidewalk; (in the US pavement refers to the street not the sidewalk); see also footpath
Pay-in slip
deposit slip (at a bank)
Paying guest
a boarder, someone who rents a room or bed in a private home
Pen-down strike
A strike or protest in which office workers sit at their desks but do no work
Peon
Unskilled office helper
Pet name
Nick name. "My brother is Krishna, but we gave him the pet name Kris."
Petrol
Gasoline
Petrol pump
Gas station
PFA
Please find attached (abbreviation often used as part of an email)
Phattey
tall tales, fabrications
PIN code
Postal Code, (PIN= Postal Index Number);
Pindrop silence
Literaly absolute silence
Pir
a Sufi saint or holy man
Plinth
Built up area, in real estate
Postgraduate
Graduate, a student pursuing education beyond a bachelor's degree
Pphutt
broken, stopped working, literally torn;
Prasad
consecrated food offering in Hindu religion; also a Hindu last name or male middle name
Prem
Love, also a masculine name
Prepone
Move it earlier (as opposed to post - postpone)
PSU
public-sector undertaking, a company where owned by the government
PTO
Please turn over (annotation at the bottom of a page to indicate further content)
Public School
A prestigious (and very private) school; similar to Brtish public schools.
Pucca
solid, real, the real thing (also spelled pukka); literally means ripe
Pukka
solid, real, permanent, the real thing (also spelled pucca); literally means ripe
Pulao
rice that has been sauted before being steamed; may contain spice/peas/etc
Puncher
puncture
Puncture
Flat (for an automobile tire)
Pune
The new name for Poona, near Mumbai (which see)
Punjabi
from the region of Punjab (in northern India and Pakistan) ; the language spoken in the Punjab
Punjabi
women's clothing such as worn by women from Punjab; large shirt and trousers
Purse
Purse, or wallet for a man or woman
Puts in (his or her) papers
announces the decision to resign, "Jay Aman put in his papers last week"
Pyaar
Love
Pyjama
Loose pants worn by men in North India, not just for sleeping
Qawwali
mystical singing in the "sufi" tradition; involved repetition, clapping and improvisation
Queue
Line (Please form a Q in front of the ticket counter); of course many Indians then ignore queues :)
Raag
piece of classical indian music, aka raga
Rabi
spring; spring harvest
Raga
raag
Ragging
Hazing, harrasment of new students by seniors
Raise an invoice
Create an invoice
Rapeseed
Canola see for oil; actually canola is a North American invention (Canadian oil, low acid)
Ration Card
Government issued document that entitles holder to price controlled food; also serves as ID
Real Brother
Brother; as distinct from a cousin or "cousin brother".
Regularise
Legitmize
Resp.
respected (used as form of address in a letter or email, such as Resp. Dr. Joy)
Rest house
See "dak bungalow"
Retiring room
waiting room for travelers at a railway or bus station (may include clean toilets)
Revert
Get back to you (by phone or email); "Give me a week to revert to you."
Rick
Rickshaw
Ring
Phone call. "Give me a ring tomorrow."
Roti
bread; see also double-roti
Rubber
Eraser (not condom)
Saag
spinach (in Punjabi), any vegetable (in UP)
Sahib
Also sa'ab"; boss, often used to refer to person of higher status, see also "memsahib".
Salaam Walikum
Islamic greeting, your reply "Walikum Salaam"
Saloon
a beauty parlor for women; a barber (for men)
Samosa
Triangular fried snack food; filled with potatoes, perhaps meat; similar to empanada
Sanctum sanctorum
the innermost part of the temple; only priests can enter it, generally
Saneema
cinema
Sari
a long (six or nine yard) rectangular piece of clothing worn by Indian women, draped over lower body and shoulder; may be made of cotton or silk or other material; can be casual or formal
Sat Sri Akal
Sikh greeting
Satta
Gambling, usually illegal, informal mass-scale gambling run by the underworld
Scheme
Plan, project; (no negative connotation)
School
an elementary (primary), middle or high (secondary) school; in unqualfied form, "school" rarely refers to a college or university
Scooter
Sometimes used in North India to refer to a scooter-rickshaw taxi; also "auto".
Seniors
More experienced employees (or students); NOT old people
Sensex
Sensitive Index, of key Bombay Stock Exchange stocks; akin to Dow Jones Industrials
Sepahi
constable, private; see also Sepoy
Sepoy
British Colonial way of mispronouncing sepahi; or constable, private
Sexy
Extremely cool, slick
Shamiana
large, often colorful tent for social, religious or political events
Shawl
a rectangular woollen or cotton cloth, draped over shoulders for warmth or appearance, worn by women or men
Shifted
relocated, moved (as in office, home); " We have shifted to South Delhi"
Shree
See Shri
Shri
Also Shree, meaning Mister, Mr.
Shrimati
Mrs., also written as Srimati or Sreemati (see also Shri)
Shuttle
"birdie" in badminton, short for shuttlecock
Shuttlecock
"birdie" in badminton, see also shuttle
Simla Mirch
Capsicum (green/bell pepper)
Sir
Used in place of a person's name, honorific, see "ji"; "Sanjay Sir authorized me to buy this computer".
Sister
Nurse
Sit
To have an office "I sit in London and Delhi."
Six by three or six upon three
Six divided by three
Sixer
Home run, slang from cricket
Sleeper
Cross-tie, as in the cross member that connect railroad tracks
Slow
Soft; "Please speak slow."
Smt.
Shrimati, Mrs., also written as Srimati or Sreemati
South Block
the building that houses the central ministries of Defense and of External Affairs (see North Block)
Speak in english
Speak English
Specs
Spectacles, glasses
Speed-breaker
Road bump
Sri
Also Shree, Shri, meaning Mister, Mr.
Stamp paper
Government issued paper, for the signing of legal documents, as a tax collection method.
Stand
trade show booth/exhibit
Stand for election
Run for elective office
Standard
School year / grade - "My son is in sixth standard."
Status family
Rich people
Stay
Usually used instead of live "Where do you stay in Chicago?"
STD
Long-distance phone call, Subscriber Trunk Dialling.
Steel Frame
Metaphor for elite Indian Administrative Service, IAS; the steel frame that holds up the India edifice
Stepney
Spare tire (in automobie), sometimes used insultingly to refer to a mistress (spare wife)
Stockist
a dealer or retailer who maintains inventory of a particular item
Stores
Warehouse, Stockroom (as in factory)
Stuck up
busy, pre-occupied, "I was late to the call because I was stuck up with a client visit"
Studio
Photo studio
Sub
everything (from Hindi)
Supreme Court
The highest court in the Country; there is only one Supreme Court, not one per state; see High Court
Surname
last name, see also forename and christian name
Surruchi
tasty (Bengali)
Take
Means "consume" when used with food or drink items. "Take a cold drink, please."
Tandoor
Clay oven, high temperature; see Tandoori
Tandoori
a type of Punjabi cuisine cooked in a Tandoor (which see); chicken and naan bread are commonly cooked Tandoori style
Tap
Faucet
Tata
goodbye, also the name of a large Indian corporate group after the founding family
Taxi-Vaxi
Taxi (usually a nonsensical word is attached to emphasize a word e.g. chai-vai, taxi-vaxi)
Tea
Hot tea, often served with milk and sugare pre-mixed; unless you specify in advance
Tehsil
A subdivision of a county
Telecon
Telephone conference, or business telephone call
Teri
Yours (dimunitive possesive pronoun)
Test
test
Thali
Dinner plate, often made of Stainless Steel
Thali meal
All you can eat "price-fixe" usually at mid-priced restaurant.
Tharra
Country liquour, as distinct from IMFL; tharra is often a drink of the lower socio-economic classes
Theek hai
that's right, or it's all right, or its okay
Throw up
bring up, cause to happen,
Throws up
causes, bring up; (" Arabian Sea throws up cyclonic circulation")
Thug
a cheat, a thief
Tick
Check off (not irritate); "Please tick the the preferred time for your appointment on this list."
Tieup
Joint Venture; agreement to work together
Tie-up
Joint Venture; agreement to work together
Tiffin
Meal, specially a short meal or one that you carry with you
Tiffin carrier
Lunch Box; lunch pail
Tilak
sacred mark on forehead, often yellow sandalwood paste or red coloring
Timepass
Wasting time away, also used to refer to snack food sold in buses/trains/stations
Tinkle
Phone Call; "Give me a tinkle next time you are in town and we can meet."
Toilet
Restroom, see also W.C.
Tonga
a horse-drawn carriage, usually on two wheels, still used as a "taxi" in India, seat four or more
Too good
Very good; "Your presentation today was too good."
Torch
Flashlight
Touch wood
knock on wood (for good luck)
Treble
triple
Tubelight
flourescent light
Tulsi
Basil, used for religious purposed by Hindus; as seasoning by all
Tum
singular you (familiar form of pronoun); aap is more formal
Turnover
Revenue
Typical
unusual, different (ie the opposite of the American meaning);
Tyre
Automobile tire
Udupi hotel
in South India, a vegetarian restaurant run by South Indian Udupi Brahmins
Under root
Square root, in mathematics
Untouchables
Persons belonging to scheduled caste - politically incorrect word - DO NOT USE
Updation
Updating
Upgradation
Process of applying an upgrade
Upto
Up to
Use and throw
Disposable
Vaastu Shastra
Indian architectural practice of maintaining balance with nature; analogous to "FengShui".
Vakalatanama
see Vakalatnaama
Vakalatnaama
affidavit, power of attorney
Vanaspati
of vegetable/vegetarian origin; vanaspati oil
Vela
To have free time. (in Southern India)
Vernac
Provincial; culturally backward, or unrefined (from "vernacular")
Vide
Refer to; "You owe us $32,570 vide Invoice Number 3275/F."
Visiting card
Business card (see also calling card")"
Waah!
Wow! (from Hindi)
Wallah
Someone involved in the function just mentioned - e.g. The taxi-wallah knew Kolkata very well
WC
Water Closet, ie toilet
White goods
in retail: major appliances (and not linens as in United States)
White money
Also white; money that is shown on the books and duly taxed
Windscreen
Windshield (of automobile)
Wine
Can mean aloholic liquor; you may not find any Chablis at a wine shop!
Works
(noun) factory, plant
Yaar
Friend, amigo, buddy (slang, Hindi), also written as yar
Yallow
Hello (when answering the phone)
Yankland
Pejorative for USA
Yar
Friend, amigo, buddy (slang, Hindi), also written as yaar
Yedah
irrational, unbalanced, crazy (slang in Mumbai)
Yesterday night
Last night
You people
Indians commonly use "you people" when they want to address more than one person. Not intended to belittle or criticize the recipient.
Your good name please?
What is your name?
Zed
Zee (the last letter of the alphabet)
Zindagi
life, living
