How To Learn Hindi

This is a mini Hindi course on how to say “you” in Hindi.

In English, the word “you” is surprisingly lacking in nuance.  Although “you” may be expanded into “you guys,” “y’all” or “you all,” or in the Washington DC area when I was in high school, “all y’all guys,” our second person form is indistinguishable from singular to plural.  More than that, we use the same word to address the President of the United States, our best friend since kindergarten, and the cat.

In contrast, many languages have different forms of the second person pronoun and these forms indicate number and a level of honorific or intimacy toward the person addressed.  Hindi is one of those languages.

In Hindi, there are three forms of the second person pronoun, or “you.”  They are:

• the formal form of “you.”  It does not convey number.  It is the same for singular or plural.  But it conveys respect.  You would use the formal form in a formal situation or when you are speaking to someone older or “above” you, or to show honor.
• the informal form of “you.”  This one can be singular or plural, too.  It is used in an informal situation. Or you could use it to address someone younger or somehow “below” you.
• the extremely informal form of “you” exists only in the singular.  Be careful how you use it.  It is used between close intimates and for that reason can be considered an insult if used to address someone with whom you are not on such intimate terms.  It is also used in sacred poetic language.

There may be only a single way to say “you” in English.  Things are more complex in Hindi.  Learn the three forms of the second person pronoun. 

And there’s your mini Hindi course.

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