Marathi, an Indo-Aryan language, is predominantly spoken in the Indian state of Maharashtra and parts of neighboring states. It’s known for its rich literary culture and historical significance. Learning Marathi can enhance your experience in this culturally vibrant region. This lesson covers essential conversational phrases and questions in Marathi, including transliterations for pronunciation help, to navigate various social interactions.

Greetings

• Hello/Hi – “नमस्कार” (Namaskār) / “हॅलो” (Hello)
• Good morning – “शुभ प्रभात” (Shubha prabhāt)
• Good afternoon – “शुभ दुपार” (Shubha dupār)
• Good evening – “शुभ संध्याकाळ” (Shubha sandhyākāḷ)
• Goodbye – “निरोप” (Niroop) / “चला, पुन्हा भेटू” (Chalā, punhā bheṭū) [informal]

Introducing Yourself or Others

• My name is [name]. – “माझं नाव [name] आहे” (Mājha nāv [name] āhe)
• This is [name]. – “हा [name]” (Hā [name]) for males, “ही [name]” (Hī [name]) for females
• I am from [country]. – “मी [country] मधून आलो/आली आहे” (Mī [country] madhūn ālo/ālī āhe)
• I live in [city/place]. – “मी [city/place] मध्ये राहतो/राहते” (Mī [city/place] madhye rāhto/rāhte)

Asking for Directions or People

• Where is the [place]? – “[Place] कुठे आहे?” ([Place] kuṭhe āhe?)
• How do I get to [place]? – “मी [place] कसं पोहोचू?” (Mī [place] kasā pohochū?)
• Is this the way to [place]? – “हा मार्ग [place]ला जातो का?” (Hā mārg [place]lā jāto kā?)
• Can you show me on the map? – “तुम्ही मला नकाशावर दाखवू शकता का?” (Tumhī malā nakāshāvar dākhavū shaktā kā?)

Solving a Misunderstanding

• Sorry, I don’t understand. – “मला माफ करा, मला समजलं नाही” (Malā māf karā, malā samjalā nāhī)
• Can you please repeat that? – “कृपया, तुम्ही पुन्हा सांगाल का?” (Kṛpayā, tumhī punhā sāngāl kā?)
• I mean… – “माझा अर्थ असा आहे की…” (Mājhā arth asā āhe kī…)
• What does [word] mean? – “[Word]चा अर्थ काय?” ([Word]chā arth kāy?)

Farewell Expressions

• See you later – “पुन्हा भेटूया” (Punhā bheṭūyā)
• Take care – “काळजी घ्या” (Kāḷjī ghyā)
• Have a good day – “तुमचा दिवस सुखाचा जावो” (Tumchā divas sukhāchā jāvo)

Travel and Dining

• I would like to book a room. – “मी एक खोली बुक करायची आहे” (Mī ek kholī buk karāychī āhe)
• Can I see the menu, please? – “मला मेनू पाहायचं आहे, कृपया?” (Malā menū pāhāyachā āhe, kṛpayā?)
• I am vegetarian. – “मी शाकाहारी आहे” (Mī śākāhārī āhe)
• The bill, please. – “बिल द्या, कृपया” (Bil dyā, kṛpayā)

Shopping

• How much does this cost? – “हे किती खर्च येतो?” (He kitī kharch yeto?)
• Do you have this in another size? – “हे दुसर्‍या आकारात आहे का?” (He dusaryā ākārāt āhe kā?)
• I’m just looking, thanks. – “मी फक्त बघतोय/बघतेय, धन्यवाद” (Mī phakt baghatoy/baghatey, dhanyavād)
• Can I pay by card? – “मी कार्डने पेमेंट करू शकतो/शकते का?” (Mī kārdne pemēṇṭ karū śakto/śakte kā?)

Dating and Love

• You look beautiful. (to a woman) / You look handsome. (to a man) – “तू सुंदर दिसत आहेस” (Tū sundar disat āhes) / “तू हँडसम दिसतो आहेस” (Tū hāṅḍsam disato āhes)
• I miss you. – “मला तू खूप आठवत आहेस” (Malā tū khūp āṭhavat āhes)
• I love you. – “मी तुझ्यावर प्रेम करतो/करते” (Mī tujhyāvar prem karato/karte)
• Would you like to go out with me? – “तू माझ्यासोबत बाहेर जायला इच्छितोस/इच्छितेस का?” (Tū mājhyāsobat bāher jāylā icchitos/icchites kā?)

Emergencies

• Help! – “मदत!” (Madat!)
• Call the police! – “पोलीसांना बोलवा!” (Polīsānnā bolavā!)
• I need a doctor. – “मला डॉक्टरची गरज आहे” (Malā ḍŏkṭarachī garaj āhe)
• Where is the nearest hospital? – “सर्वात जवळचं रुग्णालय कुठे आहे?” (Sarvāt javaḷchaṁ rugṇālay kuṭhe āhe?)

These phrases provide a solid foundation for basic communication in Marathi. Practice speaking and listening regularly, engage with Marathi media, and don’t hesitate to converse with native speakers. Remember, language learning is a journey—embrace mistakes as learning opportunities and continue to explore the rich linguistic and cultural nuances of Marathi.