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MG Wordbook

English spellings of Indian and Hinglish words — with native script, pronunciation and meaning. Curated alongside the daily crossword.

473 of 1,000 words 47.3%

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All Arabic Assamese Assamese/Bangla Bengali Bengali, Marathi Bihari Hindi English English +Kannada Goan Gujarati Hindi Hindi (Bihari) Hindi / Marathi Hindi Mumbaiyya Hindi and english Hindi slang Hindi tapori Hindi, Marathi Hindi, Punjabi Hindi/Bihari Hindi/Marathi Hindi/guajrati/marathi Hinglish Indian English Kannada Konkani Latin Malayalam Marathi Marathi - Vidarbha Marathi/ hindi Meitei Mumbai/maharashtra slang Odia Old English Persian Portuguese Punjabi Punjabi (via Hinglish) Sanskrit Street slang Tamil Tibetan Urdu मराठी

'नल्ला' (Nalla)

நல்லா

A Tamil word meaning 'good' or 'well'.

general · Tamil

Aai

Mother in Marathi.

general · Marathi

Aaila

An exclamation of surprise or disbelief in Marathi.

general · Marathi

Accha

अच्छा

An expression meaning 'good', 'okay', or 'I see' in Hindi.

general · Hindi

Akela

अकेला

A Hindi word meaning 'alone' or 'lonely'.

general · Hindi

Aliya

A term used in South India for a brother-in-law.

general · Malayalam

Alvida

A farewell or goodbye.

general · Urdu

Aponjon

আপনজন

A Bengali term meaning 'close ones' or 'relatives'.

general · Bengali

Azoba

आजोबा

Grandfather in Marathi.

general · Marathi

Baazi

बाज़ी

A game, gamble, or bet.

general · Hindi

Baazigar

बाज़ीगर

A performer or trickster, often used to describe a skilled or cunning person.

general · Persian

Baba

A term of respect for an elder or spiritual leader.

general · Hindi

Babu

Indian English term for a clerk or low-level bureaucrat — sometimes mildly pejorative.

general · Bengali

Bahaar

Spring season or bloom in Urdu and Persian.

general · Persian

Bahin

Sister in marathi

general · Marathi

Bahu

Daughter-in-law in Indian families.

general · Hindi

Bakaiti

बकैती

Boastful or exaggerated talk, often humorous.

general · Hindi

Bandobast

बंदोबस्त

Arrangement or security measures, often for an event.

general · Hindi

Baua

A term of endearment or nickname, often used in Bihar.

general · Hindi

Bawarchi

बावर्ची

A cook or chef, especially in Indian cuisine.

general · Persian

Behen

A Hindi word for sister.

general · Hindi

Bhai

A term for brother or a close male friend in Hindi and Urdu.

general · Hindi

Bhaiya

A Hindi term for brother or elder brother.

general · Hindi

Bhau

A Marathi term for brother.

general · Marathi

Bhopoo

भोंपू

A horn or loudspeaker used in India, often on vehicles.

general · Hindi

Billi

बिल्ली

A common term for a cat in Hindi.

general · Hindi

Bindi

बिंदी

Decorative mark or jewel worn on the forehead, traditionally by Hindu women.

general · Sanskrit

Boojho

A Hindi word meaning 'guess' or 'solve'.

general · Hindi

Bujhdil

बुजदिल

A coward or someone lacking courage

general · Hindi

Bungalow

বঙ্গলো

A single-story house or cottage.

general · Hindi

Burbak

बुर्बक

A fool or simpleton, often used as an insult.

general · Bihari Hindi

Camera

A device for capturing photographs or videos.

general · Latin

Carpet

A floor covering made from thick woven fabric.

general · Latin

Chakaachak

चकाचक

chuh-KAH-chuhk

Neat, tidy, or in good order.

general · Hindi

Chakki

ചാക്ക്

A traditional knife used in Kerala, India.

General · Malayalam

Charkha

A traditional Indian spinning wheel.

general · Hindi

Chashma

चष्मा

Eyeglasses or spectacles.

general · Persian

Chatpat

A Hindi term meaning quickly or promptly.

general · Hindi

Chikchik

चिकचिक

A Hindi term for constant bickering or petty arguments.

general · Hindi

Chindhi

चिंधी

A small piece or scrap of cloth.

general · Hindi

Chindi

चिंदी

Cheap, petty, stingy, or of poor quality.

General · Hindi/Marathi

Chini

Hindi word for sugar; also means Chinese.

general · Hindi

Chirkut

चिरकुट

A small piece of paper or a slip; also used to describe a foolish person.

general · Hindi

Choona

Lime or calcium hydroxide used in construction and paan.

general · Hindi

Chumma

சும்மா

An informal Tamil word meaning 'just like that' or 'for no reason'.

general · Tamil

Chutki

चुटकी

A pinch; a small amount taken between fingers.

general · Hindi

Daawat

A feast or formal invitation, often for a celebration.

general · Urdu

Darwaza

दरवाजा

A door or gate.

general · Persian

Datoon

दातून

A traditional Indian toothbrush made from a twig.

general · Hindi

Dedh shaana

ढेड़ शाना

A term used in Indian culture, specific meaning unclear.

general · Hindi

Dhaansu

धांसू

Impressive or excellent, often used for style or performance.

general · Hindi

Dhakkan

ढक्कन

A lid or cover, often used metaphorically for an naive or stupud person

general · Hindi slang

Dhichkyaoon

An onomatopoeic term mimicking the sound of a gunshot.

general · Hindi

Dhinchak

Flashy, ostentatious, or showy, often used in a playful or humorous context.

general · Hindi

Dida

A term used for grandmother in some Indian languages.

general · Bengali

Didi

An affectionate term for elder sister in Bengali and Hindi.

general · Bengali

Dikra

દિકરો

A Gujarati term for 'son' or 'boy'.

general · Gujarati

Dilwaale

दिलवाले

A Hindi term meaning 'the ones with heart' or 'big-hearted'.

general · Hindi

Dimag ka dahi

दिमाग का दही

dee-MAAG ka DAH-hee

A phrase meaning mental confusion or stress.

general · Hindi

Doorbin

দূরবীন

A telescope or binoculars in Bengali.

general · Persian

Dost

दोस्त

A friend or companion.

general · Persian

Dulha

दुल्हा

A groom in a wedding ceremony.

general · Hindi

Dulhan

दुल्हन

A bride in Indian culture.

general · Hindi

Dushtu

দুষ্টু

Naughty or mischievous, often used for children.

general · Bengali

Faaltu

फालतू

Useless or unnecessary; trivial.

general · Hindi

Fadtoos

A derogatory term for someone who is foolish or stupid.

general · Meitei

Filmi

फिल्मी

Adjective: in the style of a Bollywood film — melodramatic, song-and-dance, larger than life.

general · Hindi

Fursat

फ़ुर्सत

Leisure or free time.

general · Hindi

Gaali

An abusive or derogatory remark in Hindi.

general · Hindi

Gadha

A donkey; often used metaphorically for a foolish person.

general · Hindi

Gaya kaam se

गया काम से

GAH-yah kahm say

A Hindi slang phrase meaning 'useless' or 'of no use'.

general · Hindi

Ghar

A house or home in Hindi.

general · Hindi

Goitha

गोइठा

A dung cake used as fuel in rural India.

general · Hindi/Bihari

GOLI

A small spherical object, often a marble or pellet.

general · Hindi

Golmaal

गोलमाल

A Hindi term meaning chaos, confusion, or mess.

general · Hindi

Golmal

गोलमाल

Confusion or chaos, often humorous or deceptive.

general · Hindi

Gora

A term for a light-skinned person, often used for Westerners.

general · Hindi

Gothilla

ಗೊತ್ತಿಲ್ಲ

A Kannada word meaning 'I don't know'.

general · Kannada

Grameen

গ্রামীণ

Relating to rural or village life.

general · Bengali

Gudiya

गुड़िया

A common name for a doll or a term of endearment for a girl.

general · Hindi

Gulli-danda

गुल्ली-डंडा

GUL-lee DAN-da

Traditional Indian game played with a stick and a small piece of wood.

general · Hindi

Hafta

हफ़्ता

A week; also refers to protection money in slang.

general · Persian

Haseen

Beautiful or lovely, often used to describe a person.

general · Persian

Haseena

हसीना

A beautiful woman or a term of endearment.

general · Arabic

Hatke

Different, unconventional, or unique.

general · Hindi

Hawa

Air or wind in Hindi and Urdu.

general · Hindi

Howda

Yes, or Is that so

general · Kannada

Humdum

A term of endearment meaning 'companion' or 'beloved'.

general · Persian

Ishsh

An expression of annoyance or irritation.

general · Marathi

Jaadugar

जादूगर

Magician or conjurer in Hindi and Urdu.

general · Persian

Jaan

A term of endearment meaning 'life' or 'beloved'.

general · Hindi

Jaanam

A term of endearment meaning 'my life' or 'beloved'.

general · Hindi

Jaasti

ಜಾಸ್ತಿ

A Kannada word meaning 'more' or 'excess'.

general · Kannada

Janam

Birth or origin in Hindi and related languages.

general · Sanskrit

Jhagmag

Bright, sparkling or glittering.

general · Hindi

Jhakaas

An expression meaning excellent or superb.

general · Hindi

Jhamela

ঝামেলা

A hassle or troublesome situation.

general · Bengali

Jigar

A term of endearment meaning 'heart' or 'liver'.

general · Hindi

Jigri

जिगरी

A close friend or buddy, often used affectionately.

general · Hindi

Kaali-peeli

काली-पीली

KAH-lee PEE-lee

Mumbai's iconic black-and-yellow taxis

general · Hindi

Kaand

A dramatic or scandalous event or incident.

general · Hindi

Kaccha limbu

कच्चा नींबू

KAH-chah LEEM-boo

A term for someone inexperienced or naive.

general · Hindi

Kachcha

कच्चा

Raw, unripe, or unfinished; often used to describe incompleteness.

general · Hindi

Kadak

Strong, intense, or robust, often used for tea or coffee.

general · Hindi

Kalti

कल्टी

A slang term meaning to leave or exit abruptly.

general · Hindi

Kantaap

कंटाप

A hard slap or blow, often used humorously.

general · Hindi

Kapus

कापूस

Cotton in the Marathi language.

general · Marathi

Karwaan

A group of travelers or a caravan.

general · Persian

Kasakay

कसकाय

A Marathi greeting meaning 'How are you?'

general · Marathi

Katta

कट्टा

A place for friends to hangout

general · Hindi

Keeda

कीड़ा

A Hindi slang term for an obsession or bug.

general · Hindi

Khaali fukat

खाली फुकट

KHAA-lee FOO-kut

Something done for free or without purpose.

general · Hindi, Marathi

Khadoos

A grumpy or irritable person.

general · Hindi

Khali

Empty or vacant in Hindi.

general · Hindi

Khali-peeli

खाली-पीली

KHAH-lee PEE-lee

A Hindi expression meaning 'for no reason' or 'without purpose'.

general · Hindi

Khalnayak

खलनायक

A villain or antagonist, especially in films.

general · Hindi

Kho-kho

A traditional Indian team sport played by chasing and tagging.

general · Marathi

Khokha

A slang term for a crore of rupees in India.

general · Street slang

Khoon

Blood in Hindi and Urdu.

general · Persian

Khud

A term meaning 'self' or 'oneself' in Urdu and Hindi.

general · Urdu

Khushi

Happiness or joy in Hindi and Urdu.

general · Hindi

Kitaab

A book or written work.

general · Arabic

Kitab

किताब

A book or written work.

general · Arabic

Kutta

कुत्ता

A common term for 'dog' in Hindi.

general · Hindi

Kya

A Hindi word meaning 'what'.

general · Hindi

Lafda

लफड़ा

A commotion, trouble, or problem.

general · Hindi

Lagori

लगोरी

A traditional Indian game involving a ball and a pile of stones.

general · Hindi

Lifafa

लिफ़ाफ़ा

An envelope used for holding letters or documents.

general · Persian

Loot

Stolen goods, especially during war or riot.

general · Hindi

Luka-chuppi

LOO-ka CHOO-pee

A traditional Indian hide-and-seek game.

general · Hindi

Maaf

An expression of forgiveness or apology.

general · Persian

Maalamaal

मालामाल

Wealthy or rich, often used to describe someone with abundant wealth.

general · Hindi

Machha

Dude

general · Kannada

Mahashay

महाशय

A respectful term for addressing a gentleman in Hindi.

general · Sanskrit

majha

A Marathi word meaning 'my' or 'mine'.

general · Marathi

Maloom

मालूम

Known or understood; information or knowledge.

general · Urdu

Mamoni

A term of endearment for a young girl in Assamese culture.

general · Assamese/Bangla

Mashi

Aunt, specifically maternal aunt in Bengali culture.

general · Bengali

Masoom

मासूम

Innocent or naive, often used to describe a person.

general · Hindi

Mausam

Weather or season in Hindi and Urdu.

general · Persian

Mawaali

मवाली

A term for a rogue or hooligan in Hindi slang.

general · Hindi, Marathi

Mehmaan

A guest or visitor.

general · Persian

Memsahib

मेमसाहिब

Respectful Indian English term of address for a European or upper-class lady — historically colonial.

general · Hindi

Mulgi

मुलगी

A Marathi term for a girl or daughter.

general · Marathi

Nakhra

A display of exaggerated pride or vanity, often playful.

general · Hindi

Namak

Salt, a common seasoning and preservative.

general · Hindi

Namma

Kannada word meaning 'our' or 'ours'.

general · Kannada

Nekami (ন্যাকামি)

ন্যাকামি

A Bengali term for excessive sentimentality or affectation.

general · Bengali

Nukkad

नुक्कड़

A street corner or small neighborhood gathering place.

general · Hindi

Paahun

पाहुण

A guest or visitor, often treated with great respect.

general · Marathi

Pakao

A Hindi slang term meaning to annoy or bore someone.

general · Hindi

Pakka

पक्का

Authentic, genuine, or solidly constructed.

general · Hindi

Pandoo hawaldar

पांडु हवालदार

PAHN-doo huh-WAHL-daar

A colloquial term for a traffic policeman in Mumbai.

general · Marathi

Panga

A Hindi slang term for a quarrel or confrontation.

general · Hindi

Pardes

परदेस

A foreign land or abroad.

general · Sanskrit

Pardesi

परदेसी

A foreigner or someone from another country.

general · Sanskrit

Paseena

पसीना

Sweat or perspiration.

general · Hindi

Pathshala

पाठशाला

PAHT-shah-lah

A traditional school or place of learning in India.

general · Sanskrit

Patrika

पत्रिका

A letter, invitation, or newspaper in Hindi.

general · Sanskrit

Paus

Rain in Marathi language

general · Marathi

Phukat

Free of charge or without cost.

general · Marathi

Pishi

Aunt, specifically father's sister, in Bengali culture.

general · Bengali

Poush

The tenth month of the Bengali calendar, associated with winter.

general · Bengali

Pragati

प्रगति

Progress or advancement.

general · Sanskrit

Pudhe

A Marathi word meaning 'ahead' or 'forward'.

general · Marathi

Pukka

पक्का

Genuine, solid, properly made — an Indian English adjective meaning "the real deal".

general · Hindi

Purse

A small bag used for carrying money and personal items.

general · Old English

Pustak

पुस्तक

A book or volume.

general · Sanskrit

Raapchik

Slang for something stylish or attractive.

general · Hindi

Raita mat faila

મગજમારી

RY-tah maht FAI-lah

A Hindi phrase meaning 'don't spread the raita'.

general · Hindi

Rokda

रोकड़ा

Slang term for cash or money in Hindi.

general · Hindi

Saakli

साखळी

A traditional Indian game similar to tag.

general · Marathi

Sahi

Correct or right in Hindi.

general · Hindi

Sala

A term for brother-in-law, often used colloquially.

general · Hindi

Salaam

A greeting or gesture of respect and peace.

general · Arabic

Sasa

A rabbit, often used in Indian folklore and stories.

general · Sanskrit

Savage

Used by GenZ (I think mostly Indian) to give kudos to something they liked

general · English

Shaam

Evening or dusk in Hindi and Urdu.

general · Hindi

Sharad

The autumn season in India, typically from mid-September to mid-November.

general · Sanskrit

Shart

A condition or stipulation, often in a contract or agreement.

general · Persian

Sheesha

A glass or mirror; also refers to a hookah or water pipe.

general · Persian

Shil nora

শীল নড়া

A traditional grinding stone used in Bengali kitchens.

general · Bengali

Sikandar

The Persian name for Alexander the Great.

general · Persian

Sofa

A long upholstered seat with a back and arms, for multiple people.

general · Arabic

Sona

Gold, a precious metal.

general · Hindi

Sukdi

Skinny

general · Marathi

Swarn

स्वर्ण

Gold or golden, often used in names and titles.

general · Sanskrit

Takla

தேங்காய்

A bald head or a bald person in Hindi.

general · Hindi

Tapori

टपोरी

A slang term for a street-smart, rowdy person in India.

general · Hindi

Tapri

A small roadside tea stall or kiosk in India.

general · Hindi

Tashan

Style, attitude, or swagger often with a confident flair.

general · Hindi

Thakur

ठाकुर

A title used by certain Indian communities, often signifying nobility or landownership.

general · Hindi

Thappad

थप्पड़

A slap or a hit with an open hand.

general · Hindi

Tilchatta

तिलचट्टा

A Hindi term for cockroach.

general · Hindi

Tinto

Village square or market

general · Goan

Tray

A flat, shallow container used for carrying or serving items.

general · English

Ujala

उजाला

Brightness or light in Hindi.

general · Hindi

Vella

A person with plenty of free time and nothing important to do

General · Punjabi (via Hinglish)

Verandah

বেরান্দা

A roofed platform along the outside of a house, level with the ground floor.

general · Bengali

Vivaad

विवाद

A disagreement or dispute.

general · Sanskrit

Waah

An expression of admiration or approval in Hindi.

general · Hindi

Wallah

Suffix or noun meaning "the one who does X" — the chai-wallah, rickshaw-wallah, etc.

general · Hindi

Yaar

A colloquial term for friend or buddy.

general · Hindi

Yaari

A term for friend or buddy, often used informally.

general · Hindi

Yeda

येड़ा

A Marathi term meaning crazy or mad.

general · Marathi

Zameen

ज़मीन

Land or ground in Hindi and Urdu.

general · Persian

Ziddi

ज़िद्दी

Stubborn or obstinate person.

general · Hindi