Indian English

Indian English is a group of English dialects spoken in India and also understood in neighbouring countries in South Asia. Although based largely on British English, Indian English has acquired a unique flavour with a strong accent, unique vocabulary and even a distinct numbering system, which can make it tricky for English speakers from elsewhere to understand. However, if spoken slowly, educated speakers of Indian and non-Indian varieties can understand each other.

Despite increasing globalisation and a gradual move away from rural living, Indians continue to romanticise local words, and they use some of them while speaking English with other fellow citizens. They see their dialect as an integral part of their culture.

A significant part of the Indian English lexicon originates from the officials of the British Raj. Don't be surprised if some terms seem familiar. However, don't assume that similar expressions have the same meaning to Indians as they might in other countries (like the term "hotel" used for local non-alcoholic restaurants).

Another source of the vocabulary is from one of the various languages spoken in India, especially Indo-Aryan and Dravidian languages. While Indians are neutral about using colonial-era expressions, they will generally appreciate if a foreigner uses some terms from those languages while speaking English.

India's unique numbering system comes from the way the above languages count numbers above ten thousand. A hundred thousand is called a "lakh", ten million is a "crore", and so on. These words have been adopted so deeply that most speakers are not aware that other dialects don't use them, although urban Indians may understand expressions in millions and billions.

If you're really unsure about using Indian English, you can use British English but speak slowly and clearly, as most Indians speak with a strong accent. However, many Indians understand British English like their own dialect, but some British terms are not understood by most, such as "aubergine", "cash point" or "crisps". American terms are also well understood, such as "elevator", "flashlight" or "truck".

In addition to the above idiosyncrasies, people in urban India frequently code-switch between English and Hindi. The mixed language is called "Hinglish", and it involves interchanging the two languages within a sentence or between sentences, as well as using the Latin alphabet when writing. It may sound like an alien tongue to native English speakers at first, but give it time and it will become clearer to you!

Typical Hinglish sentences include:

Kya aap humare shehr mein aaye hain for tourism?

Did you come to our city for tourism?

Come here. Saath mein dinner party karte hain.

Come here. Let's have a dinner party together.

That said, most better-educated people will automatically switch to standard Indian English when talking to foreigners. Plus, you can use an online Hindi-English translator if you find it confusing, as they tend to support Hinglish entries.

Other mixed languages common in India include Banglish (Bengali and English), Kanglish (Kannada and English), Manglish (Malayalam and English), Tanglish (Tamil and English) and Tenglish (Telugu and English).

Indian accents vary depending on the prevailing native language spoken there, and many native English speakers may find them tricky to understand unless spoken slowly. There are some rules of thumb to notice.

"a" in "make"

Like a monophthong without the short "i" sound (IPA: eː).

"aw" in "dawn"

Like "o" in "not" (IPA: ɔ), similar to many American dialects.

In some casual speech, it may sound like "a" in "father" (IPA: aː), thus "nonsense" becoming "naansense".

"o" in "open"

Like a monophthong without the short "u" sound (IPA: oː).

"u" in "button"

Merged with the "a" in "agenda" (IPA: ə).

In Assam, Bengal and Odisha, both may sound like "a" in "father" (IPA: aː).

"d" in "day"

Pronounced with the tongue tip curled back (IPA: ɖ).

"f" in "far"

In some casual speech, like "ph" in "uphill" (IPA: pʰ).

"f" in "of"

Takes the usual "f" sound as spelt instead of the "v" sound.

"gh" in "ghost"

Often pronounced with a puff of air (IPA: ɡʱ).

"h" in "hotel"

Voiced, like "h" in "behind" (IPA: ɦ).

"k" in "keep"

Like "k" in "skip" without the puff of air (IPA: k).

"p" in "pen"

Like "p" in "spin" without the puff of air (IPA: p).

"r" in "urgent"

May be silent like in British English (non-rhotic), although it's not universal.

"s" in "treasure"

Like "z" in "zoo" (IPA: z) or "j" in "jar" (IPA: d͡ʒ)

In Southern India, like "sh" in "shore" (IPA: ʃ)

"t" in "top"

Like "t" in "stop" without the puff of air and the tongue tip curled back (IPA: ʈ).

"th" in "this

Like "d" in "day" with the tongue touching the teeth (IPA: d̪).

"th" in "thing

Like "t" in "top" with the tongue touching the teeth and a puff of air (IPA: t̪ʰ).

"v" in "behave"

Like Spanish "vaca" without the lip rounding of "w" (IPA: ʋ).

In Assam, Bengal and Odisha, like "bh" in "abhor" (IPA: bʱ).

In Maharashtra, like "vh" in "have had" (IPA: ʋʱ).

"w" in "water"

Like Spanish "vaca" without the lip rounding of "w" (IPA: ʋ).

"wh" in "where"

Like "vh" in "have had" (IPA: ʋʱ)

"z" in "zoo"

Often like "j" in "jar" (IPA: d͡ʒ)

In Kerala and Tamil Nadu, like "s" in "see" (IPA: s).

English is generally a stress-timed language, where unstressed syllables are compressed while uttering a phrase or sentence. However, Indian English has features of a syllable-timed language, and Indians usually speak with a syllabic rhythm. That's why speaking slowly is important for native speakers visiting India.

In addition, stress is associated with a low pitch in some Indian accents, so you might find some Indians putting the stress accents at the wrong syllables or accentuate all the syllables of a long word. You will even find some "sing-song" accents in India.

Perhaps the most common jibe about Indian English is its use of "improper" grammar, which can sound strange to English speakers from other countries.

• The most commonly used tag question is "isn't it", which can be used to indicate a genuine question (e.g. "He's a Delhiite, isn't it?"), sarcasm, bewilderment, and so on.
• Collective nouns are commonly pluralised, for example "a room full of furnitures" or "stuffs for eating".
• Irregular verbs conjugate as if they were regular verbs, for example "I knowed about it" or "I buyed it" instead of "I knew about it" or "I bought it".
• Prepositions, articles and auxiliary verbs are often dropped or combined strangely, for example "Hello, what you want?" or "I want computer".

Many Indian languages lack a word for please. Instead, verbs have many forms denoting levels of politeness and formality. As there is no such distinction in English, Indians may also seem commanding to a westerner. You may hear phrases like come here which may sound commanding to Anglophones from Western cultures, but this is not intended to be rude.

Namaste (nuh-muh-STAY) / Namaskar (nuh-muh-SKAHR)

Hello. (understood by many Indians regardless of religion)

Namaskaram (nuh-muh-SKAH-rum) / Vanakkam (vuh-NAHCK-kum)

Hello. (South Indian)

What is your good name?

What is your (formal) name? (as opposed to a nickname or a word of address)

Is it so?

Oh really?

Na? (nah?)

Isn't it?

Do the needful.

Do what is necessary or required.

Kindly adjust.

There might be problems or difficulties, please adapt to the situation.

Dhanyavad (d^hun-yuh-VAHD)

Thank you. (formal)

Ta ta (tuh-TAH)

Goodbye. (informal)

Chup! (CHOOP!)

Shut up!

Indians have a different way to count numbers above ten thousand, which has been adopted so deeply into Indian English that most speakers are not aware that other dialects don't use them. You may also find unorthodox placement of commas when writing numbers, like 1,00,00,000 for 10 million. In this case, you place the first comma after three digits and then after two digits.

The monetary amount is written as "₹5 lakh" or "₹5L", which can be read out as "rupees five lakh" or "five lakh rupees".

There are two ways to count numbers above hundred million: either continue using unique words for larger numbers (arab, kharab etc.), or use a combination of lakh and crore.

These words are also combined with the pati (puh-TEE) suffix for Indian English equivalents of "millionaire" and "billionaire". These words are generally used in reference to Indian rupees.

lakhpati (LAHCK^H-puh-TEE)

person worth hundred thousand rupees or more

crorepati (KROHR-puh-TEE)

decamillionaire (a person worth ten million rupees or more)

arabpati (UH-rub-puh-TEE)

billionaire (a person worth a billion rupees or more)

Similar to American English, the word "bus" is used for both local buses and long-distance coaches. The word "coach" is not understood in India to mean a kind of bus.

bus stand

bus station

bus terminus

bus terminal

In India, the word "road" is used for all kinds of thoroughfares other than railways, including streets and alleys.

Indian English tends to follow British English regarding automotive terminology. However, American English is also employed for certain concepts, for example:

• "Carpooling" for shared car journeys instead of "car sharing".
• "Parking lot" is also understood along with "car park".
• The distinction between "hiring" and "renting" a vehicle is similar to American usage.
• "Sedan" for the 4-door car type instead of "saloon".
• Both "coupe" (KOOP) and "coupé" (koo-PAY) are used for the 2-door car type.
• An SUV is often called a "jeep" in India after the brand name; the term "SUV" is often reserved for light-duty crossovers instead.
• Both "truck" and "lorry" are understood to mean a heavy-duty freight vehicle.

Besides, Indian English has its own terms for some concepts.

petrol pump

petrol station (UK) or gas station (US)

expressway

motorway (UK) or freeway (US)

dickey/dicky (DIH-kee)

boot (UK, Aus) or trunk (US)

side mirror

wing mirror (UK) or side view mirror (US)

stepney (STEP-nee)

spare wheel

jeepable

motorable by a "jeep" (off-road SUV)

anicut (uh-NIGH-cut)

irrigation dam

chowk (CHAWK)

intersection, marketplace

colony

apartment complex

ghat (G^HAHT)

steps leading down to a water body

mountain pass (e.g. Bhor Ghat, Thal Ghat)

goshala (go-SHAH-lah or gaw-SHAH-lah)

cowshed

gymkhana (jim-KHAH-nah)

gentlemen's club for skill-based contests

hill station

town at a higher elevation than the nearby plains or valleys

mofussil (moh-FUSS-uhl)

countryside (as opposed to capital city or metropolis)

society

gated community

The word "cinema hall" is often used in India for the building, as opposed to the film industry. Both "interval" and "intermission" are used in India to mean a break between two film sessions.

The words "filmi" and "playback" are used to mean a type of music pre-recorded for use in Bollywood and other Indian films where actors lip-sync them.

13th month

one-month bonus paid to employees at the end of the financial year

Dalal Street

Indian financial markets (metonym, literally "brokers' street")

share market

stock market

Menus in Indian restaurants are often written in English, but using Hindi or other local names for dishes.

eggetarian (EH-gih-TAY-rih-un)

lacto-ovo-vegetarian (vegetarian who accepts egg and milk)

hotel

any dining establishment, regardless of whether they are part of an establishment that provides accommodation

akhrot (uck^h-ROHT or ukh-ROHT)

walnut

aloo (AH-loo)

potato

bhindi (b^hin-DEE) / lady's finger (LAY-deez FING-guhr)

okra

brinjal (BRIN-jawl or BRIN-juhl) / baingan (BENG-gun)

aubergine or eggplant

curd (kuhrd) / dahi (duh-HEE)

yoghurt

dal (DAHL)

lentis

elaichi (ih-LIGH-chee)

cardamom

ghee (G^HEE)

clarified butter

gobhi (GOH-b^hee) / gobi (GOH-bee)

cauliflower/cabbage

makkhan (MUCK-k^hun)

butter

masala (muh-SAH-lah)

spice

meetha (MEE-t^hah) / meethi (MEE-t^hee)

sweetened

mirch (MIHRCH)

chilli pepper

mithai (mih-T^HIGH)

confectionery

murgh (MOORGH or MOORG)

chicken

mutton (MUH-tun)

goat meat

muttar (MUH-tur)

green peas

paneer (puh-NEER)

cottage cheese

sabzi / subzi (sub-ZEE)

green vegetables

thali (T^HAH-lee)

round metal platter, as well as the meal served on such a platter, usually serving rice or roti as main course

namkeen (num-KEEN)

savoury snack

tiffin (TIH-fin)

light lunch or snack

tiffin carrier / dabba (DUHB-bah)

lunchbox

liquor shop / FL off shop

off licence (UK) or liquor store (US)

qahwakhana (QEH-wah-KHAH-nah)

(early modern) coffeehouse

beedi (BEE-ree)

local cigarette

chai (CHIGH)

tea

chaiwala (CHIGH-wah-lah)

tea-seller

cheroot (shuh-ROOT or chuh-ROOT)

local cigar

country beer / Desi beer (DAY-see beer)

local beer (not imported)

air cooler

evaporative cooler (device that cools air by blowing it through or across a moist pad or membrane)

almirah (uhll-MIGH-ruh)

cabinet/wardrobe

calling bell

doorbell

tubelight

fluorescent tube

Indian English tends to follow British English regarding academic terminology. However, American English is also employed for certain concepts, for example:

• Both "college" and "university" are understood as generic terms for post-secondary education. However, contracted forms like "uni" and "varsity" are reserved specifically for universities.
• "Faculty" is often used for the academic staff (educators and researchers), whereas "academics" is used for individuals.

Besides, Indian English has its own terms for some concepts.

batchmate

member of the same school class as another

hostel

dormitory

passing out

graduation

passout

graduate

bandh (bund^h) / hartal (hur-TAHLL)

(labour) strike

chain-snatching

snatching a gold/silver chain and running away

communalism

hatred between religions (especially Hindus and Muslims)

current shock

electric shock

Eve-teasing / Adam-teasing

sexual harassment

gherao (G^HAY-row)

picketing

dacoit (duh-KOYT)

bandit

pariah (puh-RIGH-uh)

outcast

ragging

bullying, hazing (harassment towards juniors by seniors in a university)

redressal

redress

challan

invoice

chowkidar (CHAW-kee-DAHR)

guard, watchman

clean chit

acquittal

history-sheeter

repeat offender

lathicharge (lah-T^HEE-chahrj)

baton charge (to disperse the crowd)

encounter

extrajudicial killing

allopathy

conventional medicine (as opposed to traditional or alternative medicine)

expired

dead

loose motion

diarrhoea (UK) or diarrhea (US)

Both "toilet" and "bathroom" are widely understood in India to refer to the room containing the fixture. Other terms like "washroom" and "lavatory" are also understood.

Postal codes are called "PIN codes" (Postal Index Number). "ZIP codes" is also understood due to its use in computers.

office boy

male clerk employed to perform less important and menial jobs, such as running errands or making copies

peon (PEE-on)

postman

puncture-wallah (PUNK-chur-WAH-lah)

tyre repairer

xerox (ZEH-rocks)

photocopy

In Indian English, the names of days and months have a tendency to be pronounced as it is spelt. Ironically, some pronunciations don't even follow the English spelling but a certain Indian language. For example,

• "Wednesday" is often pronounced WED-nuz-day.
• "January" and "February" are sometimes pronounced JUN-wuh-ree and FUR-wuh-ree respectively, resembling their Hindi names जनवरी (Janvarī) and फ़रवरी (Farvarī).
• "April" is sometimes pronounced UP-rihl.
• "October" is sometimes pronounced closer to uck-TOO-bur, similar to its Hindi name अक्टूबर (Akṭūbar).

summer

March to May

monsoon/rainy season

June to September

autumn

October to November

winter

December to February

spring

February to March

accredition

giving credentials

alphabets

individual letters of an alphabet

ball pen

ballpoint pen

chupchap (CHOOP-chaap)

silently

interstate

pertaining to two or more states

matrimonial (MA-trih-MOH-ni-uhl)

advertisement describing a person looking for a marriageable partner

moral policing

imposing moral standards on others

prepone

reschedule to an earlier time

revert

reply/report back

updation

updating

upgradation

upgrade, upgrading

yaar

pal, buddy

Indians generally use the standard English names for basic colours. However, they sometimes also use words from local languages, including in set phrases and also for relatively uncommon English words for colours.

pandal (pun-DAHL or PAN-dull)

temporary stage during public festivals

pundit / pandit

Hindu scholar (generally not understood to mean a commentator)

The terms for Islamic concepts are different in India, Pakistan and neighbouring countries as they use Persian rather than Arabic terms.

azan (AH-zahn)

call for prayer

Bakrid (buck-REED)

Eid al-Adha

namaz (nuh-MAHZ)

salah (obligatory prayer performed five times a day)

Ramzan (rum-ZAHN)

Ramadan

jawan (juh-WAHN)

soldier

sepoy (sih-POY)

private (soldier of the lowest rank)

India is home to numerous political terminologies due to the popularity of politics among Indians as a topic. Newspapers occasionally use such political terms instead of the usual English equivalents, like "DMK mantri" for a DMK minister in Tamil Nadu's cabinet. In addition, various central/union government schemes use the format "Pradhan Mantri X Yojana" instead of "Prime Minister's X Scheme".

Congressi (kong-GREH-see)

Congressman (member of the Indian National Congress)

mantri (mun-TREE)

minister

neta (NAY-tah)

politician

Pradhan Mantri (pruh-D^HAHN mun-TREE)

Prime Minister

Rashtrapati (RAHSH-truh-puh-TEE)

President

roko (ROH-koh)

obstruction

Sansad (SUN-sud)

Parliament

Vidhan Sabha (vih-D^HAHN suh-B^HAH)

state legislative assembly

vote bank

voting bloc

yojana (YOH-juh-nah)

scheme

While standard English profanity is common among Indians, they also use some unique derogatory terms from local languages, often for emphasis rather than to cause offence.

chutiya (CHOO-tih-yah)

idiot, dumbfuck

saala (SAH-lah)

bastard, scoundrel (male, originally meant "wife's brother")

saali (SAH-lee)

bastard, scoundrel (female, originally meant "wife's sister")

ji (JEE)

honorific suffix (e.g. Gandhiji)

wallah / wala (WAH-lah)

one who does an activity (e.g. "kitchenwallah" for a kitchen servant)

wise

in terms of (productive in Indian English, e.g. factorywise)

• Australian slang