Glossary entry

English term or phrase:

Good Evening

Hindi translation:

Namaste

Added to glossary by Roomy Naqvy
Sep 21, 2000 20:18
23 yrs ago
English term

Good Evening

Non-PRO English to Hindi Other
Greeting

Proposed translations

9 hrs
Selected

Namaste

It is true that many Indian languages do not have a time specific greeting. This is true of Hindi, Gujarati and even Punjabi. If you wanted to greet someone, there are standard terms used to greet people which can be used any time of the day.

Or else people use the English terms.

'Namaste' is a greeting term used which is widely used in Hindi. 'Namaskar' is more Sanskritised and is less prevalent. 'Namaskar' is used more in written language and not in spoken Hindi. 'Namaste' is just a way of asking the well being of the other person.

In Gujarati, for instance, if you wanted to greet someone, you would say 'kem chho?' which means 'How do you do?'. In Gujarati, you would not even use the customary 'Namaste' which is used in Hindi.

This is an issue that deals with cultural difference.

Similarly, though the words for 'Good evening' exist in Pilipino [Filipino/Tagalog] language but in actual practise, the term 'kamusta ka' meaning 'how are you' is used.

I hope this helps.
Regards
Roomy Naqvy.
Peer comment(s):

Vesna Zivcic
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thanks for your help ;-)"
3 hrs

Namaste, Namaskar

A common question from those who are learning Hindi. In Hindi, there are very few time specific salutation .

Two of them are (although none is commonly used), SuPrabhat (Good morning) and ShubhRatri (Good night).

For Good Evening it is okay to use the general term, Namaste or Namaskar. (which means 'my regards')
Peer comment(s):

Roomy Naqvy
Something went wrong...
17 hrs

More comments

'SuPrabhaat' [good morning] and 'Shubhraatri' [good night] seem quite inappropriate.

No one ever uses these terms in spoken Hindi. Even in written Hindi, such expressions are only used in costume dramas or films. It is quite strange to come across such greetings.

Best wishes
Roomy Naqvy
Peer comment(s):

Vesna Zivcic
Something went wrong...
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