Every language has its own particular expressions which are at times untranslatable because of the layered usage.
In Hindi and Bangla/Bengali there are three different addresses. Aap in Hindi or aapni in Bengali to address elders and seniors respectfully. Tum in Hindi or tumi in Bengali for friends, colleagues and peers. Tu in Hindi or tui in Bengali for juniors and close friends. In certain culture groups aap is used for all irrespective of age. The grammar also changes with the change in address. However, aap is also used in a sarcastic manner when one wishes to be deeply courteous to an unworthy person. Similarly, tu is used as an address to show blatant disrespect.
Bengalis are an emotional lot and their expressions are likewise dramatic. For something awesome and impressive they will say faatafaati with gusto. The word is close to smashing. To express disdain it will be nyaaka said with a grimace for someone who is being overly coy or putting on an act of being super innocent. Bengalis are also fond of lyadh or being supremely lazy. The word shaanghaatik (khatarnak in Hindi) has a double meaning. It literally means dangerous but if uttered with raised eyebrows and rolling eyes the word implies awe and appreciation of another level. It is also used as an exclamation over an intrepid action which has the seed of blowing up into something unimaginably big. These words and many other, I feel, are very intrinsic to what Bengalis stand for.
In Hindi there is an oft used expression panga lena which is equivalent to messing up with someone. In Mumbai an expression very commonly used is lafda ho gaya which is similar to getting unnecessarily embroiled in a messy situation or a fiasco. This is tapori Hindi or Hindi used in the streets. It is said with a lot of shrugs and swaggers. Likewise, bhidu is synonymous to ‘bro’ but is typically used by street cronies.
How a language is spoken changes from place to place. In certain parts of Uttar Pradesh like Kanpur the word bey is frequently used in colloquial conversation. However, it may not be considered proper or polite in certain other parts of the same State where chaste lingual expression is upheld as a hallmark of a well spoken person.
Once a colleague wanted me to do a cut paste job in a note. He showed me the relevant portion and said, “Isse chep dena.” The phrase chep dena which means to paste or glue, is slang and not generally used in official communication. It can also mean unnecessary imposition. Among boys another phrase boastfully used is maine usse pel diya – pel dena means gaining an upper hand on the opponent either physically or verbally.
Indians are fussy about language. You can get duped if it becomes clear by your diction that you don’t belong to a particular region. You can make friends easily if you are quick in adapting to the local lingo. In sharp contrast, a wrong choice of word can lead to a massive showdown where vocab assumes more significance than the actual context.
In a multilingual country with as many dialects language is simply not words. It is a whole gamut of emotions, implications and interpretation. I am sure other languages too have such unique phrases, words and expressions. Do tell me about them in the comment section.
We mostly speak Urdu all over the country, especially Punjab. Though a born Punjabi, I’m not good at it at all. I’m familiar with the Hindi phrases because of the Bollywood movies I’ve watched. And woefully, am not much into vernacular in either Urdu or Punjabi. My father encouraged us to use pure Urdu and no slangs. I’m sure my brothers know more than I do.
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I am basically very interested in languages and various expressions. In fact in Delhi we speak a khichdi (mix) language which is a little of Hindi, Bangla, English, Punjabi. I also watch a lot of Pakistani Serials and am absolutely besotted by the language, culture, tehzeeb and fashion. Some Urdu words that I am not familiar with I look up in Google to get the overall meaning. But I am sure the actual implication of a word can only be understood by going deep into the cultural ethos of the people.
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Very true. The spoken Hindi is very easy to understand.
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A fascinating post. One of ours is wicked, meaning very good
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Haa haa ! Thanks Derrick 😄. I know what you mean.
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Thank you, Geeta, for your erudite essay on the richness and diversity of language in India. In a country with a large population, it is to be expected. I started learning various words and expressions when researching for my posts about India. Your post will be saved, and the different words and expressions used will be appropriate. My latest acquisition was Bengali “Abar asbo” and”ami jai”.
The English etymology is very rich, too, and includes reduplication such as bye-bye, night-night, wishy-washi, and fiddle-faddle, among many others.
Joanna
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Joanna, the words and phrases mentioned here are typically colloquial and are not used in literary discourse. The pure forms of expressions are very beautiful and some day I shall write about it. I love your research in Bangla. Typically while taking leave we never say I am leaving which literally translated will be ami jai. But we always say ami aschhi meaning I will come again. If anyone says ami jai the instant reply is jaaoya noi asho giya meaning don’t say I am leaving say I will come again.
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Thank you, Geeta. I understand, but when I wrote to Kaushal that I like his work so much that I will always be Abar asbo, he was delighted that I knew this expression, and I was pleased because we are such a good friends.
Joanna
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Wow! Joanna please aabar esho!! 😄😄
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Thank you, Geeta! Please write more, as I love learning!
Joanna
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Good post, Geetashree. That’s a very insightful observation. In India especially, language is not just a medium of communication but a marker of identity, belonging, and even trust. A single phrase or local idiom can break barriers and create instant camaraderie, while a misplaced word can create distance or even hostility. This layered complexity makes languages deeply cultural and emotional, not merely functional. In a way, they carry centuries of lived experiences and social codes, which is why translation often feels incomplete. It’s fascinating how every language has its own soul hidden in its idioms and expressions.
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Absolutely true. You have put it so beautifully and poetically. I always feel at a loss when commenting on your posts. They are so well expressed with such erudite choice of metaphors and phrases.
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Hi Geeta, interesting to learn this info and insight about the social layers – like this “a wrong choice of word can lead to a massive showdown where vocab assumes more significance than the actual context.” Hmmmm =
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Thank you very much for reading the post. May I know your name please ?
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yvette
🤗
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Hi Yvette. Glad to meet you
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yes! glad to meet you and now know names (thanks for asking and bringing us to the next level – ha) 💓
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and is one of your handles “geeta”?
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Yes.
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💓
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Haha, Indian languages are total emotional rollercoasters. One wrong “tu” and suddenly you’re in a fight you didn’t expect.
“Aap” can be polite… or secretly passive-aggressive.
Then there’s jugaad kar diya (literally, “did some clever patch/fix”) or bakra bana diya (literally, “made a goat out of someone,” i.e., fooled them).
Surviving conversations here should come with a warning label. 😎
Because honestly, words aren’t just words—they’re tiny bombs, fireworks, and secret handshakes all rolled into one.
Best policy… Speak wrong, risk everything. Speak right, impress instantly. Speak Indian… and survive the theatrics. 😎
Usually, I scroll past most bloggers because… meh. But your posts? I read them thoroughly—more than once—and couldn’t resist responding. Some real jadugar-level magic happening here! And the secret behind your talent… still perfectly kept secret.😊😂
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Thank you very much Mr. P. You are most generous with your comments. But there is no secret here. Humbled.
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Dear Geeta ji
I am always eagerly waiting for your posts to get new ideas!
Thanks for liking my post, ‘Chandoba’. 🙏
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Thank you Rajendra Sahab. I am privileged to have you as my reader
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This is very interesting, Geeta. Languages are fascinating. In the US, we have neighborhoods from all over the world. Most seem to be happy if we can say hello and thank you in their native tongue.
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Oh glad to hear that. It must be great to have so many cultures around.
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