Tips to Begin a Conversation in Hindi With a Sample Dialogue

A Dialogue

In this article you are going to learn how to begin a short conversation in Hindi. You will learn how to introduce yourself, how to give a compliment, how to end a conversation, and how to inquire about places to visit around the city.

In this exercise we have a situation in which Robert is staying with his friend, Lalit, in New Delhi, India. There is a small party at Lalit’s house. Robert is about to strike up a conversation with a guest named Ramesh.

Ramesh: Hello. (Namaskar) (नमस्कार ।) [Click on the link to the left to hear the pronunciation of Namaskar.]

Robert: Hello. (Namaskar) (नमस्कार।)

Robert: I’m Robert, a friend of Lalit’s. (main Robert, Lalit ka Dost) (मैं रोब्रट, ललित का दोस्त।)

Ramesh: I’m Ramesh, also a friend of Lalit’s. (main Ramesh, main bhi Lalit ka dost hun) (मैं रमेश, मैं भी ललित का दोस्त।)

Ramesh: Where are you from? (aap kahan se hai?) (आप कहाँ से हैं?)

Robert: I’m from California. (main California se hun) (मै कैलीफ़ोर्निआ से हुँ। ) And you are from? (aur aap kahan se hai?) (और आप कहाँ से है?

Ramesh: I’m from Mumbai. (main Mumbai se hun). (मैं मुंबई से हुँ । ) Good to see you here. (aap ko yahan dekh kar acha laga) (आप को यहाँ देख कर अच्छा लगा ।)

Robert : Thank you. (Shukriya) (शुक्रिया ।)

Ramesh: Do you want something to eat? (aap kuch kayenge?) (आप कुछ खायेंगें?)

Robert: What is there to eat? (Khane ke liye kya kya hai?) (खाने के लिये क्या है?)

Ramesh: Samosa, bhel puri, tikki, paneer, pakore–there’s everything. (samosa, bhelpuri, tikki, cheese, pakore, saab hai) (समोसा, भेल्पुरी, टिक्की , पनीर, पकोरे सब है ।)

Robert: Is this all vegetarian food? (Kya yeh saab shakahari khana hai?) (क्या यह सब शाकाहारी खाना है ?)

Ramesh: No, there’s is also nonvegetarian food. (nahi, mansahari khana bhi hai.) ( नहीं, मांसाहारी खाना भी है ।)The samosa is made of minced meat. (samosa keeme ka hai) (समोसा कीमे का है ।)

Robert: Thank you for telling me. (Mujhe batane ke liye shukriya) (मुझे बताने के लिये शुक्रिया)

Robert: Your kurta is beautiful. (aapka kurta bahut sundar hai)(आपका कुर्ता बहुत सुन्दर है)

Ramesh: Thank you. (Dhanyavaad.)(धन्यावाद ।) Would you like one for yourself? (Kya aap ko ek apne liye chaiye) (क्या आपको एक अपने लिये चाहिये?)

Robert: Yes, for sure (Haan, zaroor) (हाँ, ज़रूर)

Ramesh: Have you seen Delhi? (Kya aap ne Delhi dekh li hai?) (क्या आप ने दिल्ली देख ली है ?)

Robert: No, I still have to see the places around (nahi, mujhe abhi Delhi dekhne hai) (नही, मुझे अभी दिल्ली देखनी है ।) Can you tell me which places to visit? (kya aap bata sakte hai, mujhe kahan kahan jaana chaihye?) (क्या आप बता सकते है, मुझे कहाँ कहाँ जाना चाहिऐ । )

Ramesh: Yes, why not? (haan, kyu nahi) (हाँ, क्यो नहीं ।) You should see the Qutab Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, the Red Fort, and visit the old city area around Chandni Chowk. (aap ko qutab minar, humayun ka tilla, lal qilla aur purane shehar ki taraf chandi chowk jaana chahiye) (आप को कुत्त्ब मिनार, हुमायुन का टीला , लाल कीला और पुराने शहर की तरफ़ चांदनी चौंक जाना चाहिए ।)

Robert : Thank you for giving me all the information. (Dhanyavaad, mujhe yeh saare jaankari dene ke liye) (धन्यवाद , मुझे यह सारी जानकारी देने के लिये।)

Ramesh: Well, you are welcome, anytime. (koi aise baat nahi. kabhi bhi) (कोइ ऐसी बात नहीं, कभी भी।)

Robert: It was nice talking to you. (aap se baat kar ke acha laga) (आप से बात कर के अच्छा लगा। )

Ramesh: Same here. (Mujhe bhi acha laga) (मुझे भी अच्छा लगा। )

Classroom Activity

Suggested Activity: Role Play

The above conversation can easily be undertaken as a role play in a classroom. The activity can be started with two students and later on more characters can be introduced. This will increase the level of difficulty as well as make the conversation more interesting. The activity will not only give the students enough conversational practice but also help to pick new and common words.