Namaste covers both hello and goodbye
Unlike English, Hindi doesn't need two separate words for greeting and farewell. "Namaste" works at both the start and end of an interaction, and its accompanying gesture — palms together, a slight bow — is understood as respectful well beyond Hindi-speaking regions.
Formality is built into the pronoun you choose
Hindi has three levels of "you" — आप (aap, most respectful), तुम (tum, casual), and तू (tū, very familiar) — and the verb form changes along with the pronoun. Sticking to aap-based phrases like the ones above is the safest default with strangers, elders, or anyone in a formal setting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hindi the only language spoken in India?
No. India officially recognizes 22 languages, and while Hindi is widely spoken and understood, especially in northern India, it is far from universal across the entire country.
Do I need to learn Devanagari script to use these phrases?
Not for speaking them aloud, since a pronunciation guide is given for each one, but recognizing Devanagari makes it much easier to read signs, menus, and packaging once you're there.