Visiting your best friend’s house in Kolkata for the first time? It is good to learn a few basic greetings in Bengali ,as it will help you connect with your friend’s family and show respect for the local culture. You can start learning simple words like Nomoshkar (নমস্কার) which means ‘Hello’ or Aapni kemon achen? (আপনি কেমন আছেন?) which means ‘How are you?’. This can go a long way in making a good impression.
Whether you’re shopping, dining, or just exploring the streets of Kolkata, using these phrases will show your interest in the local culture and make your trip more enjoyable. In this blog, you can explore many Bengali greetings and other phrases that could be helpful while interacting with the Bengali people.
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5+ Useful Basic Greetings In Bengali
Some of the most common and useful basic Bengali greetings that you should learn are as follows:
1. Hello – Nomoshkar (নমস্কার)
This is a polite and formal greeting, similar to Namaste in Hindi. It’s commonly used to greet people in Bengali.
2. How Are You? – Aapni Kemon Aachen? (আপনি কেমন আছেন?)
This is the formal way to inquire about someone’s well-being. It is particularly used for addressing elders or in polite settings. To use this in an informal setting, you can say, Tumi kemon aacho (তুমি কেমন আছো). In this instance, the formal you or aapni changes to tumi and the verb ending “are” changes from aachen to aacho.
3. Good Morning – Shubho Shokal (শুভ সকাল)
Bengali people greet each other based on the time of the day or during the day it is different. Wishing someone a “Good morning” is a good way of beginning the day, particularly when in a formal context.
Muslim people in West Bengal and Bangladesh greet saying Assalamu Alaikum (আসসালামু আলাইকুম). It is an Arabic word that means “Peace be upon you” and is mostly used by Muslims.
4. Good Night – Shubho Ratri (শুভ রাত্রি)
In Bengali, “Good Night” means Shubho Ratri (শুভ রাত্রি). This is a polite way to wish someone a peaceful night, especially when leaving for the evening or ending a conversation late in the day.
5. See You Again – Abar Dekha Hobe (আবার দেখা হবে)
For a more casual conversation with friends, you can simply say, “See you again,” which means Abar dekha hobe (আবার দেখা হবে). This phrase conveys a sense of anticipation for future meetings, reflecting a heartfelt farewell and hope to reconnect soon.
6. What Is Your Name? – Apnar Naam Ki? (আপনার নাম কি?)
One of the first things you’ll want to ask when meeting someone new is their name. In Bengali, you can say:
- What’s your name? (Formal) – Apnar naam ki? (আপনার নাম কি?)
- What’s your name? (Informal) – Tomar naam ki? (তোমার নাম কি?)
7. I Am Fine – Ami Bhalo Achhi (আমি ভালো আছি)
When someone asks how you are, the common reply in Bengali is Ami bhalo achhi (আমি ভালো আছি) which means, “I am fine.”
It is a good phrase to learn for proper conversation. This makes a friendly conversation to know how the other person is doing and it is reciprocated as well.
Why Is It Important To Know Basic Bengali Greetings?
Mastering basic greetings in Bengali is the first step towards overcoming barriers, building trust and creating a positive first impression. It is also important to know that greetings and polite phrases are a part of the Bengali culture. It will help you to know how the people of West Bengal greet other people so that you will be in a position to learn their culture and practices.
Also, it is useful to know some basic Bengali greeting words in order to avoid difficulties in the course of the day. You will also learn the differences in the use of Bengali as used by Muslims, non-Muslims and Hindus. But once you can comprehend the basics, then it becomes a fun and rather enjoyable process.
15 Basic Bengali Greetings And Other Phrases For Everyday Use
Once you’ve mastered these basic Bengali greetings and some common phrases or greetings, it’s useful to know some common Bengali vocabulary and phrases to keep the conversation flowing:
| English | Bengali | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| What’s up? | কি খবর? | Ki Khobor? |
| Have a good trip | শুভ যাত্রা | Shubho Jatra |
| Best wishes | শুভেচ্ছা | Shubhechha |
| Sorry | দুঃখিত | Dukhito |
| Congratulations | অভিনন্দন | Abhinondon |
| Have a nice day | আপনার দিন শুভ হোক। | Apnar Din Shubho Hok |
| See you later | পরে দেখা হবে। | Pore Dekha Hobe |
| Thank you | ধন্যবাদ | Dhonnobad |
| Welcome | স্বাগতম | Swagatam |
| How is your family? | আপনার পরিবার কেমন আছে? | Apnar Poribar Kemon Aache? |
| My name is Pinky | আমার নাম পিঙ্কি। | Amar naam Pinky |
| Can I help you? | আমি কি আপনাকে সাহায্য করতে পারি? | Ami Ki Apnake Shahajjo Korte Par |
| How was your day? | আপনার দিন কেমন কাটল? | Apnar Din Kemon Katlo? |
| I’m sorry to hear that | শুনে দুঃখিত | Shune Dukhito |
| What’s your name? | আপনার নাম কী? | Apnar Naam Ki? |
How Do You Say Greetings In Bengali?
In Bengali, “greetings” are known as abhinandan (অভিনন্দন), pronounced as ab-hi-non-don.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How Do Bengalis Greet Each Other?
It is not a secret that Bengalis are very polite and they start their conversation either formally or informally with the word Nomoshkar (নমস্কার). In Muslim culture in West Bengal, people also use the greeting Assalamu Alaikum.
2. What Are Some Common Bengali Sentences?
Common Bengali sentences include:
- What do you want? – Apni ki chan? (আপনি কি চান?)
- How are you? – Apni Kemon Achen? (আপনি কেমন আছেন?)
- I love you – Ami tomake bhaalobashi (আমি তোমাকে ভালোবাসি)
3. How To Speak Basic Bengali?
To master the basics of the Bengali language, you need to talk frequently in front of the mirror, take practice sessions with a language learning app like the Ling app, and talk with your Bengali friends. This way, you’ll be able to speak basic Bengali quickly.
Start Exploring Bengali Today With The Ling App!
Start learning basic greetings in Bengali today and open the door to a rich cultural experience! Bengali, the language of poets and artists, is spoken by millions in West Bengal and Bangladesh. Begin with simple phrases and greetings, immerse yourself in Bengali literature and music, and practice regularly to build your skills.
In case you want to learn Bengali as a foreign language for tourism, business, or just personal passion, downloading the Ling app will be helpful for you. It has lessons with voice and text, audio pronunciation, and practice sessions to enable you to learn the language.
Read some of our other Bengali blogs where you can learn more about Bengali work culture, history, food, and much more. Do give it a read, so that you can get one step ahead in mastering Bengali greetings quickly.
Dive into the beautiful world of Bengali and start saying ‘Hello’ to the world in a completely new way!
