Survival Hindi. Sunita Mathur Narain
SURVIVAL
HINDI
How to Communicate Without
Fuss or Fear—Instantly!
Sunita Narain
Madhumita Mehrotra
TUTTLE Publishing
Tokyo | Rutland, Vermont | Singapore
The Tuttle Story: “Books to Span the East and West”
Most people are surprised to learn that the world’s largest publisher of books on Asia had its humble beginnings in the tiny American state of Vermont. The company’s founder, Charles E. Tuttle, belonged to a New England family steeped in publishing. And his first love was naturally books—especially old and rare editions.
Immediately after WW II, serving in Tokyo under General Douglas MacArthur, Tuttle was tasked with reviving the Japanese publishing industry. He later founded the Charles E. Tuttle Publishing Company, which thrives today as one of the world’s leading independent publishers.
Though a westerner, Tuttle was hugely instrumental in bringing a knowledge of Japan and Asia to a world hungry for information about the East. By the time of his death in 1993, Tuttle had published over 6,000 books on Asian culture, history and art—a legacy honored by the Japanese emperor with the “Order of the Sacred Treasure,” the highest tribute Japan can bestow upon a non-Japanese.
With a backlist of 1,500 titles, Tuttle Publishing is more active today than at any time in its past—inspired by Charles Tuttle’s core mission to publish fine books to span the East and West and provide a greater understanding of each.
Published by Tuttle Publishing, an imprint of Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd.
Copyright © 2012 Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission from the publisher.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data for this title is available.
ISBN: 978-1-4629-1036-6 (ebook)
Distributed by
North America, Latin America & Europe
Tuttle Publishing
364 Innovation Drive
North Clarendon, VT 05759-9436 U.S.A.
Tel: 1 (802) 773-8930
Fax: 1 (802) 773-6993
Asia Pacific
Berkeley Books Pte. Ltd.
61 Tai Seng Avenue #02-12
Singapore 534167
Tel: (65) 6280-1330
Fax: (65) 6280-6290
First edition
15 14 13 12 5 4 3 2 1 1203CP
Printed in Singapore
TUTTLE PUBLISHING® is a registered trademark of Tuttle Publishing, a division of Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Om, Let me meditate on the goddess of speech,
Oh, wife of Lord Brahma, give me higher intellect,
and let Goddess of “Vani” illuminate my mind.
With the blessings of Goddess Saraswati, our fathers, the late Dr. Lalit Behari Lall Mathur and Mr. K.K. Sarkar, and our mothers, Mrs. Sarla Mathur and Mrs. Bani Sarkar, this book, Survival Hindi, has finally taken shape and is ready to help those who would like to embark on a journey to explore the rich and diverse culture of India.
We would especially like to thank Sameer Narain and Rakhi Narain, whose insight, intellect, and indispensable typing abilities helped us to finish this book on time; as well as Rishi Narain for sharing his experience as a foreigner in India.
We also thank all of our family and friends, who lent their tremendous support, in one way or another, to compile this work.
Contents
Acknowledgments
Welcome
INTRODUCTION
The Alphabet
Pronunciation Guide
Notes on How Hindi Works
PART 1 Common Expressions & Key Words
Greetings
Introductions; Introducing Others
Titles
Personal
Academic
Business and Professional
Trade / Skilled Worker
Common Expressions and Phrases
Any Questions? Just Ask!
Asking for Toilets and Restrooms
Asking for Help
PART 2 Numbers, Time, and Other “Basics”
Cardinal Numbers
Ordinal Numbers
Days of the Week
Which Day?
Months
Dates
Seasons
Weather
Asking and Telling Time
Family
Parts of the Body
Map Directions
PART 3 Getting Around
At the Airport
Hiring a Taxi or Autorickshaw
Renting a Vehicle
Hiring a Cycle Rickshaw
At a Train Station
Metro Rail
Traveling by Bus
Asking for Directions & Locations
PART 4 Emergencies and Essentials; Lodging
At the Police Station
Medical Emergencies
Accommodations
Making Reservations
Banking and Money
PART 5 In a Restaurant; Out and About