Hindi Slang: 13 Words Locals Actually Use
Hindi slang adds a fun and relatable twist to everyday conversations. Textbooks often miss out on these expressions because they focus on formal language, which can feel stiff and outdated. Using slang can make you sound more like a local and connect better with people.
Slang sticks when you say it
Reading a slang list does nothing. Say these out loud and get corrected. That is how real Hindi lands.
13 Hindi slang words worth knowing
| Slang | Say it | What it means | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|
| рдХреНрдпрд╛ рдЪрд▓ рд░рд╣рд╛ рд╣реИ Used to ask someone what's happening. рдХреНрдпрд╛ рдЪрд▓ рд░рд╣рд╛ рд╣реИ рдпрд╛рд░? (What's going on, buddy?) | kya chal raha hai | What's going on | |
| рдмрд┐рдВрджрд╛рд╕ Used to describe someone who is relaxed and confident. рддреВ рддреЛ рдмрд┐рдВрджрд╛рд╕ рд╣реИ! (You are so cool!) | bindas | Cool or carefree | |
| рдлреБрд▓ рдСрди Used to emphasize something is done completely. рдЖрдЬ рдкрд╛рд░реНрдЯреА рдлреБрд▓ рдСрди рд╣реЛрдЧреА! (The party will be totally awesome today!) | full on | Full on or totally | |
| рдЪрд┐рд▓ рдорд╛рд░рдирд╛ Used when someone needs to calm down. рдереЛрдбрд╝рд╛ рдЪрд┐рд▓ рдорд╛рд░, рд╕рдм рдареАрдХ рд╣реЛрдЧрд╛ред (Just chill, everything will be fine.) | chill maarna | To relax or take it easy | |
| рдЬреБрдЧрд╛рдбрд╝ Used to describe a clever fix or workaround. рдЗрд╕рдореЗрдВ рддреЛ рдЬреБрдЧрд╛рдбрд╝ рдХрд░рдирд╛ рдкрдбрд╝реЗрдЧрд╛ред (We will need to find a hack for this.) | jugaad | A creative solution or hack | |
| рдзреЛрдЦрд╛ Used when someone feels cheated. рдЙрд╕рдиреЗ рдореБрдЭреЗ рдзреЛрдЦрд╛ рджрд┐рдпрд╛ред (He deceived me.) | dhokha | Deception or betrayal | |
| рдмрдХрд╡рд╛рд╕ Used to dismiss something as silly. рдпреЗ рд╕рдм рдмрдХрд╡рд╛рд╕ рд╣реИред (This is all nonsense.) | bakwas | Nonsense or rubbish | |
| рдХреВрд▓ Used to express approval or admiration. рддреВ рддреЛ рдХреВрд▓ рд╣реИред (You are so cool.) | cool | Cool | |
| рд╕рдкрдирд╛ Used to refer to ambitions or aspirations. рдореЗрд░рд╛ рд╕рдкрдирд╛ рдмрдбрд╝рд╛ рд╣реИред (I have big dreams.) | sapna | Dream | |
| рдЭрдХрд╛рд╕ Used to express something is great. рддрд░реАрдХ рдХреА рдлрд┐рд▓реНрдо рдЭрдХрд╛рд╕ рдереАред (Tariq's movie was fantastic.) | jhakaas | Awesome or fantastic | |
| рдЯреЗрдВрд╢рди рдордд рд▓реЗ Used to comfort someone who is worried. рдЯреЗрдВрд╢рди рдордд рд▓реЗ, рд╕рдм рдареАрдХ рд╣реЛрдЧрд╛ред (Don't stress, everything will be fine.) | tension mat le | Don't stress | |
| рдлреНрд░реЗрдВрдбрд╢рд┐рдк Used to refer to a close bond between friends. рд╣рдорд╛рд░реА рдлреНрд░реЗрдВрдбрд╢рд┐рдк рдмрд╣реБрдд рдЦрд╛рд╕ рд╣реИред (Our friendship is very special.) | friendship | Friendship | |
| рдмреЙрд╕ Used informally to refer to someone in charge. рдмреЙрд╕, рдХреНрдпрд╛ рдХрд░рдирд╛ рд╣реИ? (Boss, what should we do?) | boss | Boss or chief |
One honest tip
Use slang naturally in conversations, donтАЩt force it. If it feels awkward, it probably is.Don't just read it. Say it.
Slang you only read stays dead. The point of slang is sounding natural out loud, and you only get there by speaking. SPAIKING lets you practice real Hindi with a coach that listens and corrects you in real time. Two free conversations to start, no card.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I use slang in formal situations?
It's best to avoid slang in formal settings; stick to standard language there.