Language/Hindi/Vocabulary/Address

What’s Your Address?

Nope, we’re not gonna write you a letter. It’s all about addressing people. There are three types of addresses in Hindi, three words for the simple English “you”. Which of the three you use depends on your relationship with, or the status of, the person you wish to address.

• tū – OK among very close relatives, friends and lovers, otherwise it’s insulting. It’s sometimes deliberately used to demean someome.
• tum – Used among friends, family members and good acquaintances.
• āp – the most polite form of address, for people of high standing, strangers, and in formal situations.

Similarly, the possessive pronoun “your” has three forms: terā/terī, tumhārā/tumhārī and āpkā/āpkī.

Grammatically, the pronouns are treated like adjectives, so their gender would have to be adjusted to the gender of the associated noun.

Related Lessons

• Ocean
• Hindi loan words in English
• Turkish Loan Words in Hindi
• Greetings
• Bird
• Bedroom
• Means of Transport
• Desserts
• Countries (deshon देशों)
• City
• Feelings and Emotions
• How to Say Good Bye
• Slang
• Asking Directions