Hamari Boli is a large video collection with native speakers modeling common Hindi conversation strategies. Explore the videos and learn from a wide range of native speakers how they approach various common conversational situations.
This section explores methods of saying hello and goodbye in a variety of contexts. The first set of answers presents an informal, predominantly urban register while the second provides a more comprehensive analysis that encompasses more formal contexts. Further questions deal with the difference between namaste and namaskar, alternatives for saying goodbye, and salutations in written letters.
This section explores the various uses of jii in spoken conversation. The question of when to use first or last names, and how to attach jii to them, is also addressed. Further questions deal with changes in the use of jii in contexts such as the university classroom or while addressing women.
This section tackles the complex issue of how and when to use tuu, tum, and aap in Hindi-Urdu. The first set of responses represent the opinions of native, mostly younger, speakers; the second presents in-depth responses by scholars and teachers of Hindi-Urdu. The appropriateness of tuu is addressed in further questions, as is ‘incorrect’ phrasing such as ‘Aap…ho‘.