Bombay Hindi

Bombay Hindi
RegionGreater Bombay
Native speakers
None
Hindustani-based pidgin
  • Bombay Hindi
Language codes
ISO 639-3None (mis)
GlottologNone

Bombay Hindi, also known as Bambaiya Hindi or Mumbaiya Hindi,[1] is the Hindustani dialect spoken in Mumbai, in the Konkan region of India.[1][2] Its vocabulary is largely from Hindi–Urdu,[1][2] additionally, it has the predominant substratum of Marathi-Konkani, which is the official language and is also widely spoken in the Konkan division of Maharashtra.[3] Bombay Hindi also has elements of Gujarati.

General

While many such local dialects have evolved in cosmopolitan cities around the world, Bombay Hindi is widely known throughout India,[citation needed] as a result of its frequent use in Bollywood movies. Initially, this dialect was used to represent crooks and uncouth characters as, to quote film critic Shoma A. Chatterji, "Indian films have the unique quality of different characters speaking different varieties of Hindi according to their social status, their caste, communal identity, education, profession, financial status, etc. [...] The villain's goons, speak in a special vulgarised, Bambaiya Hindi concocted specifically to typify such screen characters in Hindi cinema.".[4] Lately, however, Bambaiya Hindi has become popular and prominent, particular with the success of the Munnabhai movies, in which the lead characters – being members of the Mumbai criminal underworld – speak entirely in this dialect.[5]

Despite this increase in popularity, this dialect has its critics, and is sometimes seen as being disrespectful and demeaning.[6]

Among the more prominent neologisms which originated in Bambaiya Hindi but have spread throughout India are the words bindaas (from Marathi bindhast = without fear, relaxed; this word was incorporated into the Oxford English Dictionary in 2005[7]) and Gandhigiri (coined in the movie Lage Raho Munna Bhai, a combination of Gandhi and -giri, which is similar to the English 'ism' (as in Gandhi-ism), though slightly more informal).

Bollywood has also incorporated many Marathi words in Hindi like weni, thaska, wakda, porgi, navri, navrai, kombdi, mulga/mulgi. Many Hindi songs have some Marathi words added.

Words and expressions of Mumbai Hindi

Mumbai Hindi Transliteration English Standard Hindi Notes
अपुन apun we/us हम (hum) From Marathi आपण (aapaṇ) meaning an inclusive "we" or "us".
तेरेको tereko you (oblique case) तुझे (tujhe)
मेरेको mereko me (oblique case) मुझे (mujhe)
धो डालना dho ḍālnā to beat up पीट देना (pīṭ denā) Used in the context of a physical fight between two people or teams. Lit. to wash up, as in the loser of the fight.
येडे/येडा/येडी yeḍe/ā/ī crazy पागल (pāgal) From Marathi वेडा (wedaa) meaning crazy.
इधरिच idharic right here इधर ही (idhar hī) इधर ही+च, "च" added from Marathi for extra emphasis
उधरीच udharīc right there उधर ही (udhar hī) उधर ही+च, "च" added from Marathi for extra emphasis
कोपचा kopcā corner कोना (konā) From Marathi कोपरा (kopra) meaning corner.
कायको, कायकू kāyko, kāykū why क्यों (kyõ)
लोचा or लोचा लबाचा locā or locā labācā problem समस्या (samasyā) From the Marathi/Hindi लोचा (locā) meaning "problem".
मचमच, बड़बड़ machmach, badbad Someone who annoys you by talking their problems, crib-crib, rambling खिटपिट (khiṭpiṭ) From Marathi/Gujarati मचमच/बडबड macmac/baḑbaḍ
झकास, फट्टे, धासू, कड़क, ढिंचक, रापचिक, फट्टांग, एक नम्बर jhakās, faṭṭe, dhāsū, kaṛak, ḍhincak, rāpcik, faṭṭāng, sallang, rawas, ek number Excellent बढ़िया (baṛhiyā) From Marathi various words meaning Excellent
मांडवली mānḍavlī Parley, negotiate समझौता (samjhautā)
टोपी, झोलर ṭopī, jholar Fraud धोखा (dhokhā) From टोपी पहनाना, meaning to fool or con someone, and झोल+er
नल्ला nallā Transgender प्रतिलिपि (pratilipi), छक्का (chakkā)
शाणा śāṇā Smart fellow or wiseass होशियार (hośiyār), सयाना (sayānā) From Marathi शहाणा (śahāṇā) clever.
साला, साली sālā, sālī Brother/Sister-in-law (Wife's brother/sister) कमीना (kamīnā), कमीनी (kamīnī) Mild swear word.
शाणापंती, शानपट्टी śāṇāpantī, śānpaṭṭī Acting smart होशियारी (hośiyārī), सयानापन (sayānāpan) Based on Marathi शहाणपण (śahāṇpaṇ) meaning acting smart.
चिड़िया ciṛiyā pager पेजर (pejar) literally means Sparrow
कौवा kauvā mobile phone मोबाइल (mobāil) or दूरभाष (dūrbhāṣ) literally means crow
घोड़ा ghoṛā Gun बंदूक (bandūk)(specially for trigger of the gun) literally means horse
सटक ले, कट ले saṭak le, kaṭ le get out, beat it खिसक ले (khisak le) or निकल ले (nikal le)
घंटा, बाबा जी का ठुल्लू ghaṇṭā, baba ji ka thullu nothing कुछ नहीं literally means bell
टपोरी ṭaporī Dude, guy, hoodlum आवारा, लफ़ंगा See dedicated page Tapori (word)
मामू māmū Sir (Police)/gullible person (a fool) साहब (sahāb), सरजी (sarjī) / भोला (bholā) Local slang, literally means Maternal Uncle
सुल्टाना sulṭānā To resolve an issue सुलझाना (suljhānā)
फट्टू phaṭṭū coward डरपोक (ḍarpok), कायर (kāyar) From Marathi slang फटरू (phaṭarū) with the same meaning
मामा/पांडु māmā, pāṇḍu Cop पुलिसवाला (pulisavālā) Local slang, literally means maternal uncle; originating from the Marathi film Pandu Hawaldar
लफड़ा laphṛā Fight, problem, love affair लड़ाई (laṛāī), प्रेम-संबन्ध (prēm-sambandh) From Hindi word lafda
छावी, माल, आइटम, लैला, अग्ली chāvī, māl, laila, agli Girlfriend सहेली (sahelī)
चिकना, चिकनी ciknā, ciknī Fair complexioned person, well dressed person, gay person, homosexual गोरा (gorā), गोरी (gorī) Local slang, literally means smooth or slick/oily
ठासना or tharra ṭhāsnā Alcohol शराब (śarāb) or मदिरा (madirā) From Marathi ठासणे, meaning to stuff (one's body with alcohol)
हड़कना haṛaknā To eat खाना (khānā)
बाबल्या bābalyā bus driver/conductor or ticket collector Marathi for baby (kid)
सुट्टा suṭṭā cigarette सिगरेट (sigreṭ) This slang term has achieved near-universal usage in India and Pakistan
वाट लगना vāṭ lagnā to have a major problem मुसीबत में आना (musībat mẽ ānā) From Marathi word वाट लागणे (vāṭ lāgṇē)
वट ले, फूट, वंटास की गोली ले vaṭ lē, phūṭ, vaṇṭās kī gōlī lē Get out, Run from The problem, save your soul भागना (bhāgnā), भगाना (bhagānā)
डब्बा ḍabbā Police vehicle पुलिस गाड़ी (pulis gāṛī) From Marathi डबा, meaning a box
सामान sāmān weapon हथियार (hathiyār) literally means luggage or the stuff
कच्चा लिम्बू kaccā limbū rookie/ Noob नौसिखिया (nausikhiyā) Usually used during gully cricket for a noob or to downright embarrass someone. To play "kaccā limbū" means to play with modified rules to make it easier for a noob.
लफड़ा नहीं करने का laphṛā nahī̃ karnē kā Do not fight लड़ना मत (laṛnā mat) or लड़ाई नहीं करना (laṛāī nahī̃ karnā) लड़ना (laṛnā) functions a verb, लफड़ा (laphṛā) as a noun
पतली गली से सटक ले patlī galī se saṭak le go away from here quietly कोई रास्ता देख के भाग ले (koi rāsta dekh ke bhāg le) It is used when you want to warn a person by telling him to go away from the scene
हवा आने दे havā āne de Go away, let me breathe some air It is used when you want to warn a person by telling him to go away from the scene
अबे साले abey sāle hello friend, listen Casual way of calling when other friend is not ready for something.
थकेला thakelā a weak person कमज़ोर (kamzor) used for a person who is not energetic or seems dull most of the time
हरी पत्ती harī pattī money पैसा (paisā) हरी पत्ती means green note, directly referring to the now demonetized 500 rupee note, which was green in colour
चूरन cūran Lie झूठ (jhūṭh)
टालिया / टकल्या ṭāliyā / taklyā Bald गंजा (gan̄jā) From Marathi/Hindi टकला (bald)
पेटी peṭī One Lakh Rupees एक लाख रुपये (ek lākh rupaye) One hundred thousand rupees
खोका khokā One Crore Rupees एक करोड़ रुपये (ek karoṛ rupaye) Ten million rupees
तिजोरी tijorī 50 Crore or equivalent to 500 million INR. पचास करोड़ रुपये (pachaas karoṛ rupaye) 500 million rupees
भिडू bhiḍu Friend दोस्त (dost), यार (yār) From marathi भिडू, meaning a player in sports
बकरी bakrī Smartphone (with a touchscreen) स्मार्टफोन (smārṭphōn) literally means goat
भैंस bhaĩs Laptop computer लैपटॉप (laipṭŏp), सुवाह्य संगणक (suvāhya saṅgaṇak) literally means buffalo
हाथी hāthī Desktop computer संगणक (saṅgaṇak) literally means elephant
सुमड़ी में sumaṛī mẽ Incognito or secret चुपके से (cupkē sē) Local slang, means to something without making any noise
बोल बच्चन bol baccan Talk बातचीत (bātcīt) Generally means a disparaging address to talkative person, indicating that the content of his talk is previously known and so is uninteresting (Boring out of predictability, repetitive or tedious) and perhaps empty talk.
झोल jhol Scam घपला (ghaplā), घोटाला (ghoṭālā) Generally means scam. Sometimes can be used for arranagement (as in "झोल करना")
कीड़ा kīṛā Pest कीड़ा (keeda) A trouble or nuisance maker.
Fund / Pant To steal, scam चोरी (corī) Generally refers to a small robbery.
रे, बंटाई re, baṇṭāī Hey! हे (he) Attention grabber in conversation with another.
कटिंग kaṭiṅg Half cup of Tea आधी ग्लास चाय (ādhī glāsa cāya)
डब्बा डालना ḍabbā ḍālanā to use the bathroom for pooping टॉयलेट हो के आता हूँ (toilet hoke aata hun) 'I'm going to the toilet'.
मूत मारना, धार मारना mūt mārnā, dhār mārnā to go pee मूत्र विसर्जन करना (mūtra visarjan karnā) Literally give out urine.
घुंघरू सलमान ghuṅgharū salamāna Curly haired घुंगराले बालवाला (ghuṅgarālē bālvālā) घुंघरू (ghuṅgharū) refers to a curly haired guy.[8]
ऑफ हो जाना, टपक जाना ŏph ho jānā, ṭapaka jānā To Die/ Died मर गया (Mar gaya) E.g.: Mera dost off ho gaya = My friend died.
खर्चा-पानी kharcā-pānī Bribe/Pocket Money and To beat रिश्वत (riśvat) and मारना (mārnā) E.g.: कोपचे में दूँ क्या खर्चा-पानी = Do you want me to beat you in a corner.
रापचिक rāpcik Looking Hot सुन्दर (sundar) E.g.: Aaj bahut Rapchik lag rahi hai tu
चाप्टर chaaptar Cunning / Shrewd चालाक E.g. बहुत चैप्टर है वो, उसे कम मत समझो. He is quite cunning. Do not underestimate him.
हटेला haṭēlā Highly Stubborn हठी, अड़ियल (अगर जिद पर आ गया तो कुछ भी कर डालेगा) उससे पंगा मत लो, हटेला है वो. Don't take issues with him, he is quite stubborn and can lose his balance.
पानचाट pāncāṭ useless, unworthy फालतु, बकवास From Marathi पाणचट (pāṇcaṭ) meaning "watered down"

मेरा नया फोन एकदम पानचाट है.

हफ्ता haphtā protection money, bribe रिश्वत (riśvat), घूस (ghūs), रंगदारी(raṅgdārī) Literally means a week, denoting protection money to be paid every week. Can also mean one time bribe.
बिंदास bindaas Relaxed, laid-back निर्भय, निडर बंदा बिंदास है भिडू. (That dude is chill man.)
भन्कस bhankas useless talk/activity बेकार From Marathi भंकस
पेहली फुर्सत में निकल pehli fursat mein nikal get out at first sight तुरंत जाने को कहना
कंटाल Kantal Bored उबाऊ from Marathi word कंटळा(kanṭal̤ā) meaning boredom

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Dialects of Hindi". Archived from the original on 27 June 2013. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
  2. ^ a b Shapiro, Michael C.; Schiffman, Harold F. (1981). Language and Society in South Asia. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 209. ISBN 9788120826076.
  3. ^ University of Kerala. Dept. of Linguistics (1974), International journal of Dravidian linguistics, Volume 3, Dept. of Linguistics, Univ. of Kerala., 1974, ... In the case of Bombay Hindi, the predominant substratum structure is that of Marathi, a language which is structurally quite close of Hindi ...
  4. ^ See 'The Language Detail' in Shoma A. Chatterji's paper, The Culturespecific Use of Sound in India Cinema, presented in 1999.
  5. ^ The Hindu newspaper, 11 May 2007. Chronicles of the City. Read online[usurped].
  6. ^ DNA, Verbal assault of Bambaiya Hindi, 12 December 2006. Read online.
  7. ^ Indian Express, 10 August 2005, 'Bindaas' finds its way to the Oxford Dictionary. Read online Archived 24 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine.
  8. ^ Mid-Day newspaper, 5 May 2005. Diary. Read online.