Table of Contents
- Why Learn Basic Marathi Words?
- Navigating Everyday Scenarios
- Here are the Basic Marathi Words & Numbers to Make Your Lives Easier
- Basic Marathi Word Explanation & Usages
- Here are the Marathi words for the first 10 numbers:
- Aika – Listen:
- Bhau – Brother:
- Tai – Elder Sister:
- Mitra – Friend:
- Naav – Name:
- Kaka – Uncle:
- Kaku – Aunty:
- Godd – Sweet:
- Tikhat- Spicy:
- Lakshya dya – Pay attention:
- Lakshat Thev – Remember this:
- Thamba – Stop:
- Gosht
- Khali
- Var
- Cha/chi:
- Basaa – Sit:
- Saral – Straight
- Vadhdivas – Birthday:
- Shay – hundred
- Paishe – Money:
- Aani – And
Moving to a new city, especially one as vibrant and diverse as Mumbai or Pune, can be both exciting and daunting. Amidst the hustle and bustle of settling into a new environment, one of the most rewarding experiences is connecting with locals on a personal level. Language plays a pivotal role in bridging this gap, enabling meaningful interactions that go beyond mere communication. Learning essential Marathi words not only facilitates smoother daily interactions but also enriches your experience by fostering a deeper connection with the local culture and community.
Why Learn Basic Marathi Words?
Imagine navigating through the bustling streets of Mumbai or Pune, trying to ask for directions, order food, or simply greet someone in their native language. This simple act not only shows respect but also opens doors to a deeper cultural understanding. For newcomers, learning basic Marathi words is more than just a necessity; it’s a gateway to forming genuine connections with the warm and hospitable Maharashtrian community.
Navigating Everyday Scenarios
From buying groceries at the local market to commuting on public transport, knowing a few key phrases can significantly enhance your daily interactions. It can make you feel more confident and integrated into the local fabric of life. Whether you’re negotiating prices, asking for recommendations, or simply greeting someone with a warm “Namaskar,” speaking even a little Marathi can make a big difference in how you experience your new home.
Whether you’re exploring the bustling streets of Mumbai or the serene lanes of Pune, Zolostays offers you a home away from home. Discover essential Marathi phrases that will help you connect with locals and navigate daily life with ease. And when you’re ready to settle in comfortably, Zolostays ensures your stay in Pune and Mumbai is not just convenient but truly enriching. Experience the essence of Maharashtra with Zolostays – where convenience meets community.
Here are the Basic Marathi Words & Numbers to Make Your Lives Easier
| Marathi Word | English Meaning | Usage Example |
|---|---|---|
| Namaskar | Hello | “Namaskar!” (Hello!) |
| Kasa Ahes? | How are you? | “Kasa Ahes?” (How are you?) |
| Mi Changla Aahe | I am fine (Masc.) | “Mi Changla Aahe” (I am fine) |
| Mi Changli Aahe | I am fine (Fem.) | “Mi Changli Aahe” (I am fine) |
| Ho | Yes | “Ho” (Yes) |
| Naahi / Nakko | No | “Naahi” (No) |
| Pudhe Chala | Move forward | “Pudhe Chala” (Move forward) |
| Pudhil Sthanak | Next station | “Pudhil Sthanak: Kurla” (Next station: Kurla) |
| Doan ticket dya | Give me two tickets | “Doan ticket dya” (Give me two tickets) |
| Aika | Listen | “Aika” (Listen) |
| Bhau | Brother | “Bhau” (Brother) |
| Tai | Elder sister | “Tai” (Elder sister) |
| Mitra | Friend | “Mitra” (Friend) |
| Naav | Name | “Maza naav _____ aahe” (My name is _____) |
| Kaka | Uncle | “Kaka” (Uncle) |
| Kaku / Mavshi | Aunt | “Kaku” (Aunt) |
| Godd | Sweet | “Khup Godd aahe” (It’s very sweet) |
| Tikhat | Spicy | “Tikhat Banva” (Make it spicy) |
| Lakshya dya | Pay attention | “Yatri Krupya Lakshya dya” (Passengers, please pay attention) |
| Lakshat Thev | Remember this | “Lakshat Thev” (Remember this) |
| Thamba | Stop | “Thamba” (Stop) |
| Gosht | Matter / Topic | “Mala ek khup mahatvache gosht sangaychi ahe” (I want to tell you something important) |
| Khali | Empty | “Karan khali basla aahe” (Karan is sitting downstairs) |
| Var | Up | “Amhi varachya manzilawar firto” (We are wandering on the upper floor) |
| Cha / Chi | Possessive suffix | “Muskancha ghar zawad aahe” (Muskan’s home is nearby) |
| Basaa | Sit | “Basa” (Sit) |
| Saral | Straight | “Saral zaa” (Go straight) |
| Vadhdivas | Birthday | “Vadhdivasachya Hardik subheksha” (Happy birthday) |
| Shay | Hundred | “Doan Shay” (Two hundred) |
| Paishe | Money | “Kiti Paishe Zhale” (How much money?) |
| Aani | And | “Dal aani bhat” (Rice and Daal) |
Basic Marathi Word Explanation & Usages
Namaskar:
Among the various greetings in Maharashtra, Namaskar is the most common one.
Be it your new landlord, your friendly neighbors, or your teacher, say Namaskar with folded hands and make a striking first impression.
While Namaskar is one of the most common greetings, you can still greet your Maharashtrian friends, classmates, or roomies with a simple Hi or Hello.
Kasa Ahes?- How are you?
That is a common phrase we all use while talking to anyone. Also is a very polite way of starting a conversation. Asking Kasa Ahes (to a boy) or Kashi Ahes (to a girl) will give a warm start to a conversation. Especially in Marathi.
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Mi Changla Aahe (Masculine) Mi Changli (Feminine) Ahes:
“Mi” rephrases “I” and “Changla” means “Well” or “Good”.
The whole phrase means I am good or I am well. You may also say “Mi Theek ahe” or “Mi Barr Ahe”. Maharashtrians often use these phrases interchangeably.
Ho-Yes:
Yes means Ho in Marathi. So next time your Maharashtrian Friends ask you for a weekend plan, you know what to say.
Naahi or Nakko – No:
You might want to say no to people a lot of times.
Just a polite Naahi can save you from a lot of unwanted hassle.
Pudhe Chala – Move Forward:
These are a must learn words, especially if you commute in the BEST buses of Mumbai.
The conductor on the bus keeps asking the passengers “Pudhe Chala” after giving them a ticket.
This phrase is not limited to BEST buses but most public transport in Maharashtra.
The app for an E-ticket for BEST buses is also called Pudhe Chala. That is how iconic these words are!
Pudhil Sthanak – Next Station:
This phrase is a must-learn too.
They play a recorded announcement about the next station the train is about to arrive at.
It goes like Pudhil Station: Kurla. It simply means-Next station: Kurla.
The sole purpose of these announcements is to guide and alert the new commuters.
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Doan ticket dya – Give me two tickets:
Doan with the D pronounced as “The”, is the Marathi word for 2.
The sentence translates to “Give me two tickets”. Worry not, the phrase sounds way more respectful in Marathi.
If you are moving to Mumbai, the phrase is mandatory to learn. You can, of course, replace the number with the number of tickets you want.
Here are the Marathi words for the first 10 numbers:
1-EK
2-Doan
3-Teen
4-Chaar
5-Paach
6-Sahaa
7-Saat
8- Aath
9-Nau
10-Daha
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Aika – Listen:
Aika or Aik na is one of the most effective Marathi words in the dictionary.
This word will come in handy if you want to grab someone’s attention in a very polite way. You “Kaka Aika na” and you got Kaka’s attention.
A relatively casual version is “Aik na” which you can use for a colleague of your age or less. Works like a charm.
Bhau – Brother:
Just like English, Bhau (Brother) is the brotherhood language in Marathi. Maharashtrians often use Bhau and Bhava interchangeably.
The emotion behind Bro, Bhai, and Bhau is the same anyways.
So anytime someone calls you Bhau, know that you have gained the Bro-Code.
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Tai – Elder Sister:
Be it your house help or your college senior, Tai is a beautiful word to associate with them. It is a Maharashtrian alternative to “Didi” in Hindi.
Mitra – Friend:
Having a company is always good. Especially in a new place. Don’t know their name? Just call your colleague ‘Mitra’ and here you have a good friend. You can also call them Bhau according to the friendship you want to establish.
Naav – Name:
“Tuza naav kay aahe?” or “Naav Sang Tuza” is the question you will ever face in any new place. It translates to-What is your name?
Just give them a subtle smile and “Maza naav ______ aahe”
and ask them theirs.
Introduction done!
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Kaka – Uncle:
Everything sounds sweeter in Marathi. Kaka will come in handy for making a quick connection with the Uncle next door, the bus conductor or your Mitra’s Dad.
Kaku – Aunty:
Able to guess what it means? Yup, you got it right. Kaku is the Marathi word for Aunty.
Here is a quick tip: If your newly made friends start calling your mom Kaku, know they are no longer friends. They are family.
You can also use Mavshi (Hindi Translation-Mausi) in place of Aunty. Both are equally respectful.
Godd – Sweet:
Compliment your Kaku’s Till Gud Laddo by saying “Khup Godd aahe” meaning “It’s very sweet”.
“Till Gud Ghya God God bola” is a common phrase mainly used in the festival of Makar Sankranti. It translates to “Have Till Gud and speak sweet words”.
Quick tip – Nothing is tastier than Till Gud Laddoo.
Tikhat- Spicy:
So you like your bhel a little spicy? Just say “Tikhat Banva” and enjoy your bhel. Do not forget to share it with your Bhava.
Lakshya dya – Pay attention:
You might get to hear this word almost every day.
If you are a student, your Marathi teacher will use it at the beginning of every class. Just like every teacher does.
Also, railway announcements commence with-Yatri Krupya Lakshya dya( Passengers, please pay attention).
You will hear this a lot, especially if you travel through Mumbai Local.
Lakshat Thev – Remember this:
Do not confuse the previous one with this. Lakshat thev simply asking someone to remember something. So if your teacher is asking you to “Lakshat Theva”, you know it is important.
Thamba – Stop:
BEST buses wait for no one. Especially if no one is asking. If the conductor is taking his time to print the ticket, shout “Thamba” showing your palms to the driver. It might save you from being late to your office.
Gosht
Gosht can be anything, a story, a concept, a subject, or some gossip, especially in a conversation.
Here’s an example:
“Mala ek khup mahatvache gosht sangaychi ahe” which means “I want to tell you a very important thing”.
Khali
While the Hindi narration of the word is empty, Khali means below or down in Marathi.
Karan is sitting downstairs.
Marathi Translation: Karan khali basla aahe
Var
Var means up in Marathi. It is also called “Varti” sometimes.
A simple example is:
“Amhi varachya manzilawar firto.”
This means “We are wandering on the upper floor.”
Cha/chi:
This is not an independent word. It’s rather a suffix used in words in the Marathi language.
Let’s understand it with an example.
Muskancha ghar zawad aahe.
Translation:
Muskan’s home is nearby
When we say Muskancha we are addressing something that belongs to Muskan.
Did you notice how we used Cha in the place of the apostrophe in the English translation?
Let’s take another one.
Muskanchi aai swadisht poranpoli banavte.
That means:
Muskan’s mother makes delicious Puranpoli.
Since Aai (Mother) is a feminine figure, we used Muskanchi rather than Muskancha.
Basaa – Sit:
So you know what to do when you visit your friend and their parents say “Basa” 😉
Also, make your friends more comfortable when they visit you for the first time. They will appreciate it for sure.
Saral – Straight
The Marathi word for Left and Right are not common because they prefer the English alternative.
Saral is a famous Marathi word for Straight.
So if someone says “Saral zaa ” while telling you the directions, they are asking you to go straight.
Vadhdivas – Birthday:
“Vadhdivasachya Hardik subheksha” is the Maharashtrian way of wishing a happy birthday.
While you can still greet your friends with a simple “Happy Birthday” and some cake emojis, it’s better to wish the elders traditionally.
Shay – hundred
This is yet another common suffix used in Marathi.
Just like we use “Two hundred” for “200” in English, we say “Doan Shay” in Marathi.
Just replace the number accordingly. You are good to go.
Paishe – Money:
Sounding similar to Paise in Hindi, Paishe is the Marathi alternative for Money.
Buying from a local vendor? Just ask “Kiti Paishe Zhale” to know how much you will have to pay.
A Quick Tip: Call him “Kaka”, to save some “Paishe”.
Aani – And
Aani is one of the basic Marathi words in the dictionary. Just like we use “And” in a sentence to join two words or more.
Dal aani bhat (Rice and Daal)
Doodh aani sakhar (Milk and Sugar)
Easy!
Now that you know all the basic Marathi words, you will be more confident in your new city. Whether it’s asking for directions or impressing someone special, you can be a pro. So, the next time someone asks if you understand Marathi, say ”Ho” with a smile.
