Fascinated by the glittering world of Indian cinema and planning a trip to the ‘city of dreams’ – Mumbai? Well, you’ll need more than huge vats of sunblock and an unending supply of cotton clothes to make your Mumbai stay easy yet exciting! You see, even though English and Hindi can help you get by in Mumbai, these are the languages of the migrants.
It is Marathi that is spoken by the local people, and if you are really keen on making the most of your sojourn, speaking the Marathi language is a must. So, why ‘get by’ when you can actually fly? Here are some of the most user-friendly language-learning apps to learn Marathi to try before booking your flight.
Quick Summary:
Best For
App
Ling
- Accurate words and phrases
- AI chatbot
- Intuitive interface
Learn 101 Marathi
- Grammar lessons
- Effective phrasebook
- Step-by-step guide
Learn Marathi Quickly
- Conversational focus
- Pronunciation emphasis
- Quizzes and exercises
Why Learn Marathi?
Well, the question should be, ‘Why not’? The native language, Marathi, as well as the official language of the west Indian state of Maharashtra, is the third most spoken language in India. It has more than 99 million native speakers. The Marathi language is an Indo-Aryan language that ranks 15th on the top 20 list of the most spoken languages in the world. Learning Marathi comes with some awesome perks for learners, especially foreigners:
- It’s a fantastic way to explore the rich culture of Maharashtra, allowing you to immerse completely in the local traditions, food, art, music, and the oldest literature.
- Speaking Marathi opens up doors for making friends and connecting with the friendly locals. Ordering a cutting chai (a popular Indian beverage) at a roadside tea stall in chaste Marathi is going to make you a superstar in the eyes of the locals.
- And the benefits are not only restricted to cultural exchanges. If you’re doing business in the region, it’s a major advantage for networking and understanding the market.
- Embracing Marathi shows respect and appreciation for the people, which goes a long way in making great impressions.
And hey, who doesn’t love a healthy challenge that aids their personal growth by learning different languages? So, here is a roundup of some efficient ways for you to learn Marathi online.
At a glance:
- Best App For Full Immersion: Ling
- Best For Beginners: Learn 101 Marathi
- Best For Travelers: Learn Marathi Quickly
- Best For Vocabulary Building: 50Languages
- Best For Marathi Script Learning: Write Marathi Alphabets
- Best For Finding Marathi Tutors: iTalki
1. Ling: Best App For Full Immersion
The Ling app is a great interactive app that facilitates an easy yet fun way to learn Marathi through its gamified approach to language learning. It is one of the best apps to learn Marathi for any age group. And the best part? You need not be an English speaker to access the Marathi language course on the Ling app. The app gives this freedom to native speakers of over 60 global languages.
Devices: Android, iOS, Web
Ling App Overview
The Ling app offers a fun, gamified way to learn Marathi. It is accessible in 60+ languages, making it ideal for various age groups and language backgrounds.
Stand Out Features
- The app emphasizes getting the basic words and phrases correct to ensure a strong linguistic foundation.
- The AI-powered chatbot is one of the key features of this well-rounded app that not only helps you speak Marathi in a much more effective manner but also trains your ears for better communication skills.
- Its intuitive user interface makes the learning journey quite smooth and easy on the eyes.
- Well-timed reminders never let you miss your daily practice sessions.
Price
- Free with beginner lessons and an introductory Chatbot.
- Monthly: $14.99
- Six Months: $39.99
- Yearly: $79.99 (7-day free trial)
- Lifetime: $149.99
2. Learn 101 Marathi: Best Marathi Learning Platform For Beginners
For a complete beginner, this language-learning platform is one of the best places to learn Marathi. This all-encompassing language-learning platform provides the basics of everything, ranging from basic grammar topics like nouns, adjectives, and verbs to popular Marathi words, phrases, genders, and numbers.
The website is pretty basic and straightforward, and one might tend to feel bored due to the lack of visual simulation. However, for a beginner who is looking to get their basics right in a couple of minutes per day without juggling from app to app, the platform does not disappoint. It has all your basic linguistic requirements covered and could be a great alternative to learning Marathi second to the Ling app.
Device: Web
Learn 101 Marathi Overview
A straightforward platform, Learn 101 Marathi covers basics like grammar, words, and phrases. This web based tool is ideal for beginners seeking a no-frills, efficient learning experience.
Stand Out Features
- Well-rounded grammar lessons with logical yet simplified explanations are the best part of the Learn 101 platform. These lessons are aided by audio recordings in the native language, which makes a lot of difference when it comes to understanding the nuanced pronunciation of Marathi.
- Effective phrasebook pertaining to greetings, questions, emergency and survival expressions, asking for direction, language practice, introducing yourself, holiday wishes, and travel-related phrases.
- A step-by-step guide on how to successfully complete level 1 of the basic language learning process is worth appreciating.
Price
The platform offers free lessons. Since it’s a free offering, the website is inundated with ads, and unfortunately, there is no way to escape them as of yet.
3. Learn Marathi Quickly: Best Marathi Learning App For Travelers
Travelers are always on the lookout for a handy phrasebook that enables them to learn basic conversational phrases and sentences quickly without bothering to learn the grammar and syntax behind them. And this is why Learn Marathi Quickly is on our list of top apps to learn Marathi. Its exhaustive phrasebook is aimed at fulfilling these very requirements of a globe-trotter.
It also features audio recordings by native speakers to ensure the learners’ accurate pronunciation. This language-learning app also features interactive quizzes and exercises to make the learning process quick, efficient, and engaging.
Devices: Android, iOS
Learn Marathi Quickly Overview
Tailored for travelers, the Learn Marathi Quickly app focuses on conversational phrases and quick learning. It also features native speaker audio and interactive quizzes.
Stand Out Features
- The app focuses on conversational phrases and popular vocabulary lists to ensure rapid learning and retention.
- The emphasis on getting the pronunciation correct by providing interactive landscapes and fun ways is worth a mention.
- Has exercises and quizzes to test what you’ve learned, which allows you to determine what areas you need to focus on.
Price
- Free with ads.
- Ad-free version: $2.99 (one-time payment)
4. Learn Marathi – 50Languages: Best App For Learning Marathi Vocabulary
The 50Languages app for learning Marathi is a fantastic language tool designed for people all around the world. The app has a really user-friendly setup and includes lessons with audio support, making it super easy to pick up key Marathi phrases and words.
The app also has a huge reservoir of words covering all sorts of topics, which is really impressive, and it goes hand in hand with the audio lessons. It also offers a bunch of interactive activities and quizzes that are like a goldmine of learning stuff. They really help you get better at Marathi and remember what you’ve learned. The best part? It’s always fun and never boring.
Devices: Android, iOS
Marathi 50Languages Overview
The Marathi 50Languages app offers extensive vocabulary lessons and audio support, making it a great tool for learning basic Marathi phrases and words.
Stand Out Features
- The audio lessons and vocabulary lists in the voice of native Marathi speakers are the best features of this app.
- The exhaustive list of 100 free lessons in categories pertaining to daily conversations, self-introduction, commuting and transportation, ordering in a restaurant, asking for directions, and whatnot makes for a comprehensive language-learning process.
Price
- Free with ads, limited features, and no access to tests.
- Silver: $3.00 (one month), $6.00 (six months), $8.00 (one year)
- Gold: $5.00 (one month), $8.00 (six months), $12.00 (one year)
5. Write Marathi Alphabets: Best App For Learning Marathi Script
An offering from www.languagepractices.com, Write Marathi Alphabets is a pretty straightforward yet perfect app for getting the hang of the Marathi script. Its user-friendly, neat, and clean interface is easy enough for even kids to practice letter writing via the finger tracing method.
Devices: Android, iOS
Write Marathi Alphabets Overview
This app provides a simple and engaging way to learn the Marathi script, with finger tracing methods and pronunciation guides for each letter.
Stand Out Features
- Users can practice writing Marathi vowels (Swar) and consonants (Vyanjan) using their fingers, which simulates writing on a touchscreen device.
- The app includes a voice feature for each Marathi letter, helping users learn the pronunciation alongside the writing.
- Users can choose their favorite color for writing and select from five different pencil sizes. Additionally, the app includes an erase option for correcting mistakes.
Price
The Write Marathi Alphabets app by Language Practices is an absolutely free app with ads appearing every now and then. However, the app doesn’t provide an ad-free version at the moment.
6. iTalki: Best App For Finding Marathi Tutors
iTalki is renowned for offering effective tutorial lessons by native language speakers for a range of popular global languages. The courses by these language experts are well-curated and designed to give you a satisfying experience at the end of each session. The setup also allows you the flexibility to choose a tutor based on your budget, time availability, and proficiency level in the Marathi language.
Devices: Android, iOS, Web
iTalki Overview
iTalki offers personalized language tutorials with native speakers, focusing on speaking skills and tailored lessons based on individual needs.
Stand Out Features
- Live interaction with a human tutor makes way for rapid improvement in speaking skills.
- Timely and personalized feedback allows you and your tutor to tailor further lessons according to the needs of the hour. This flexibility is a huge advantage when it comes to language learning organically.
Price
- Community tutors: $4 – $30/hour
- Professional teachers: $10 – $80/hour
- Lesson packages: Varies
The Best Apps To Learn Marathi: Round Up
The market is inundated with one or the other language learning app vying for your attention. So, it does become challenging to separate the wheat from the chaff. The good news is that by now, you have a pretty basic idea of how to navigate your way in this sea of Marathi learning apps. If I may suggest, the best option would be to choose an app that caters to all the aspects of language learning, namely writing, speaking, listening, and reading, without burning a hole in your pocket!
So, why not give the Ling app a chance? In my opinion and based on my experience using the Ling app, it definitely outperformed the apps to learn Marathi in this roundup.
Learn Marathi With Ling!
Going by the number of language enthusiasts who are using the Ling app daily to learn over 60 languages, it sure looks like it is definitely a well-rounded app catering to everyone’s needs. Not only can you choose from 60+ languages as your native language, but you can also kick-start your learning journey in a fun manner. The Ling app‘s interactive exercises and ongoing themed activities ensure that you come back to your daily lessons without fail every day.
So, without further ado, go to your Google Play Store and the App Store, download the Ling app, and say ‘Namaskāra’ (Hello) to a fulfilling time!
Updated by: Jefbeck
