The best gift you can give someone is to make them smile. And in India, Hindi compliments are the sure-shot way to do that. So brace yourself and get ready to wow your friends! Today you’ll learn how to praise someone in Hindi as well as the do’s and don’ts in the context of Indian culture.
Table of Contents
- The Do’s and Don’ts of Giving Compliments in Indian Culture
- General Compliments
- On Someone’s Looks
- On Someone’s Work
- On Someone’s Skills
- How to Make Your Compliments Sound More Sincere
- How Do Indians Respond to a Compliment?
- Conclusion
1. The Do’s and Don’ts of Giving Compliments in Indian Culture
1 – Praising Someone of the Same Age Group
When it comes to friends and colleagues of the same age group, Indians mostly keep the best compliments in Hindi for people who are also the same gender. Complimenting someone of the opposite gender is seen as romantic interest or flirting (especially when complimenting on looks!).
For instance, an Indian male would be frank in complimenting his male friend’s dressing sense, fitness, or even hairstyle, but wouldn’t do the same for a female friend. Why? Because that would be seen as flirting or romantic interest.
That being said, things aren’t too strict when praising someone (of the same or opposite gender) on their skills, hard work, or achievements. In fact, it’s normal to compliment people on things like this. So, if you want to learn how to praise someone in Hindi, always be mindful of these cultural points in India.
2 – Being More Vocal on Social Media
In the age of the internet, we see a peculiar trend in the social behavior of Indians: It looks like they’re pretty open and frank while complimenting each other on social media. Whether it’s a picture, selfie, or whatever else, native Indians don’t really hold back on the compliments. Nonetheless, choosing a respectful tone and following social etiquette in India is highly recommended!
3 – Don’t Compliment During the First Meeting. It’s Awkward.
In other cultures, people may find it alluring. But here, in India, we wouldn’t advise you to use Hindi compliments for a girl you’ve just met—or anyone you’ve just met, really—during the first meeting. There are several reasons to back up this suggestion.
First of all, you may come off as someone who wants to familiarize yourself rather quickly. Indians like to take it slow and maintain a formal space until they get to know each other well. Thus, save the praises for the second or third meeting.
2. General Compliments
Now that you’ve learned a great deal about the rules Indians follow to praise someone in Hindi, let’s check out the day-to-day Hindi compliment words for general situations.
1.
| वाह!
(vaah!) |
“Wow!” | You can say this in any ordinary situation, such as having a delicious meal, listening to great poetry, etc. |
2.
| शानदार!
(saaNaDaar!) |
“Superb!” | The word itself is synonymous with the word for “praise” in Hindi. If a friend asks you how his / her outfit looks, you can use this phrase without a worry! |
3.
| क्या बात है!
(kyaa baaT hai!) |
“Fantastic!” | Suppose you see someone’s picture on social media and want to compliment them in a simple way; this is your go-to formula. |
3. On Someone’s Looks
4.
| तुम बहुत अच्छे / अच्छी लग रहे हो / रही हो!
(Tum bahuT acche / acchiii Lag rahe ho / rahii ho!) |
“You look amazing!” | Although it’s only a simple gesture of letting someone know they look nice, please only say this to friends who are the same gender as you.
If you’re a male, say this to a female only if you wish to express your romantic inclination toward her. In that case, it’s one of the most regular Hindi compliments for a girl. |
Cool Look!
5.
| आज तो बहुत जम रहे हो / रही हो!
(aaj To bahuT jam rahe ho / rahii ho!) |
“You’re killing it today!” | Here’s another light-hearted way of complimenting someone’s appearance. |
6.
| ये शर्ट / साड़ी तो तुम पर बहुत अच्छी लग रही है।
(ye sart / saadii To Tum par bahuT acchii Lag rahii hai.) |
“This shirt / saree looks so beautiful on you.” | Impressed by a person’s dressing sense? Don’t hold back, and flatter your friends with this popular Hindi phrase. |
7.
| तुम जब मुस्कुराती हो तो कितनी ख़ूबसूरत लगती हो।
(Tum jab muSkuraaTii ho To kiTaNii khuubaSuuraT LagaTii ho.) |
“You look so pretty when you smile.” | A smile tells a lot about you. It brings out the innocence within us, and such beautiful compliments in Hindi never go out of style. |
8.
| आपकी आँखें कितनी सुंदर हैं।
(aapakii aankhen kiTaNii SunDar hain.) |
“You have such beautiful eyes.” | Eyes are the window to the soul. Mesmerized with those deep eyes and don’t know how to say so? Use this phrase and see the person blush in the blink of an eye. |
9.
| तुम दुनिया की सबसे हंसीन औरत हो।
(Tum DuNiyaa kii SabaSe hanSiiN auraT ho.) |
“You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” | Well, trust me, no matter what part of the world you live in, this phrase is sure to melt any woman’s heart. So, why not charm your dream girl in Hindi? |
10.
| आप वाक़ई बेहद ख़ूबसूरत हैं।
(aap vaaqaii behaD khuubaSuuraT hain.) |
“You are really extremely gorgeous.” | Another simple yet elegant way of praising a man or woman in a romantic way. Honestly, it’s still considered one of the best compliments in Hindi. |
4. On Someone’s Work
11.
| बहुत बढ़िया!
(bahuT badhiyaa!) |
“Well done!” | This is a popular phrase that can be used in any situation. |
12.
| शाबाश, बहुत अच्छा काम किया!
(saabaas! bahuT acchaa kaam kiyaa!) |
“Bravo! You did great!” | People who have completed their tasks perfectly would love to hear this from others. |
13.
| ये काफ़ी अच्छा आईडिया है।
(ye kaafii acchaa aaiidiyaa hai.) |
“That’s an amazing idea.” | This is generally said when a person gives us a great idea to tackle a tricky situation. |
14.
| तुमने वाक़ई बहुत अच्छी स्पीच दी।
(TumaNe vaaqaii bahuT achhii Spiic Dii.) |
“It was a really good speech.” | Maybe you have a friend saying a few words onstage to motivate the whole team. Boost their confidence with this compliment in Hindi. |
15.
| वाह, आपने तो मीटिंग में कमाल कर दिया!
(vaah, aapaNe To miiting men kamaaL kar Diyaa!) |
“You literally stole the show at the meeting!” | This is a great way to acknowledge your colleague’s efforts and skills during an office meeting or conference. |
Praising Someone’s Efforts
16.
| तुम हर रोज़ दफ़्तर वक़्त पर कैसे पहुंच जाती हो!
(Tum har roz DafTar vaqT par kaiSe pahunc jaaTii ho!) |
“How do you manage to reach the office right on time every day?” | We always have that one person in our office who, no matter what, arrives on time. Well, this and similar Hindi compliments can make the other person feel good about themselves and deepen your friendship. |
17.
| मैंने तुम्हें कभी देर से आते नहीं देखा।
(main Ne Tumhen kabhii Der Se aaTe Nahiin Dekhaa) |
“I’ve never seen you coming late to work.” | Here’s a different way of appreciating someone’s punctuality. Go for it and see the magic for yourself. |
5. On Someone’s Skills
He is an Excellent Cook
18.
| तुम तो ज़बरदस्त खाना बनाते हो!
(Tum To zabaraDaST khaaNaa baNaaTe ho!) |
“Your cooking is mindblowing!” | At a colleague’s house for dinner? Well, make their day by appreciating their efforts and cooking skills with this phrase. Traditionally, what would’ve been considered the best compliment for a woman in Hindi is now widely used for men, too. |
19.
| आपकी लिखावट का जवाब नहीं।
(aapakii Likhaavat kaa javaab Nahiiin.) |
“Your handwriting is remarkable.” | In today’s era of typing and chat rooms, good handwriting is becoming a rarity. This phrase is a simple and beautiful way to express your appreciation for someone’s good handwriting. |
20.
| आपने इतनी अच्छी पेंटिंग बनाना कहाँ से सीखा?
(aapaNe iTaNii achhii peNting baNaaNaa kahaan Se Siikhaa?) |
“Where did you learn to paint so well?” | What might look like a question is merely an expression of wonderment. It’s just a way of saying how speechless you are! |
21.
| तुम कितना सुरीला गाती हो।
(Tum kiTaNaa SuriiLaa gaaTii ho.) |
“You sing so melodiously.” | You’re at a party with your friends and one of them happens to sing there. In that case, you can pamper him / her with this compliment in Hindi. |
22.
| तुम फ़ोटोज़ बहुत अच्छी खींचती हो।
(Tum fotoz bahuT acchii khiincaTii ho.) |
“You’re really good at taking pictures.” | We all have that one friend taking amazing pictures for us at small gatherings, ceremonies, picnics, and office parties. It’s time to return the favor and spoil them with Hindi compliments. |
23..
| तुम तो एकदम बढ़िया हिंदी बोल लेते हो।
(Tum To ekaDam badhiyaa hiNDii boL LeTe ho.) |
“You speak Hindi so fluently!” | In India, Hindi is spoken only in a few states. So, if you catch a non-Hindi native speaking like a pro, then this would be a well-deserved compliment for them. |
6. How to Make Your Compliments Sound More Sincere
Genuine praise can give anyone butterflies in the stomach, while a fake compliment does just the opposite. It wrecks the whole mood. And believe us, people can easily sense if you really mean it or not!
Compliments open the doors to those tender corners of the heart, but learning the best Hindi compliments isn’t enough. Thus, it becomes quite important to make your praises sound authentic and heartfelt. After all, you don’t want to leave any stone unturned, do you?
To be honest, the best compliments in Hindi, or any language for that matter, are those which are felt from within. So, what are the things that instantly add life to a compliment and make someone blush and giggle?
Let’s check out these simple yet magical tips to take the game up a notch with the best compliment lines in Hindi.
1 – Confidence
Great dressing sense and looks are all in vain if your tone, body language, and conviction aren’t doing you justice. Now that you’ve learned the best Hindi compliments, make sure that whenever you’re initiating a conversation or complimenting someone, you’re giving off an energetic vibe full of confidence.
2 – Eye Contact
Avoiding eye contact not only makes us look timid, but it can also make a person question our honesty. As much as possible, maintain a healthy amount of eye contact and infuse your praises with that self-confidence.
3 – Keep it Simple
Simplicity is the key to winning someone’s heart, so putting too much effort into a compliment isn’t necessary. When feelings are pure, words are just a means to communicate those feelings.
4 – The Little Things Matter
Stating the obvious has worked for no one. Do you really wanna make them feel the magic of your words? Pay attention to the details. Bring up something that maybe no one else has noticed, and put it in the most beautiful way possible.
5 – Say it as You Mean it!
You know what? Vibes and senses can’t be measured, but they never lie to us. So, if your words are empty, it’s better to save your time and drop the idea of going forward. A compliment can only work wonders when it comes right from the bottom of your heart!
This is just one aspect to learn about giving compliments in Hindi culture. Now, we’ll see what to expect after offering your praise in Hindi.
7. How Do Indians Respond to a Compliment?
Before we begin, how many of you remember the word for “compliment” in Hindi? Try to think! Okay, okay, it’s not that easy, we agree. It’s तारीफ़ (Taariif) or प्रशंसा (prasaNSaa).
Well, there are all kinds of reactions. Some people will blush, some will be quite thrilled, and some may just respond with a simple “Thank you.” To save you the time and all the confusion (thanks to the cultural differences!), we’ll show you what you can expect in response after giving compliments in India.
1 – Blush, Blush, Blush!
Sometimes, words can’t do justice to our emotions. That being said, from aunties to the pretty girls, and not to forget the uncles and little kiddos, the first and most natural response to a compliment will definitely show on their cheeks! 🙂
That’s right. That pink glow and blushing all over their face is enough to tell you how pleased they are.
2 – They Feel it!
Did you see the person shying away and trying to hide their smile? Pat yourself on the back and know that you’ve done your job well. Remember, Indians may not be quite vocal about it, but compliments do make them happy. To top it off, if a non-native goes to the length of praising them in Hindi, they’ll be over the moon. Really.
3 – Be Ready to Get a Compliment Back!
Have you just been praised right after giving a compliment? You might wonder if it was real or out of sheer courtesy! Well, there’s a 50-50 chance that either scenario is true. Moreover, it’s not so black-and-white, either. Sometimes, people don’t know how to respond and they compliment you back. Often, they really have been impressed and didn’t know when to say it until you took the lead. All in all, it’s not that big a deal.
4 – What if Nothing Happens?
In India, people may shy away and blush. It’s just a gesture that happens in response to feeling appreciated. Some may even be frank and say “Thank you.” While lots of folks will clearly express their joy, don’t be disheartened if things don’t turn out as you imagined.
8. Conclusion
That was all from our side on how to compliment people in Hindi. For more content and better access, sign up for an account on HindiPod101.com.
Did you enjoy this lesson? Which complimenting phrase is your favorite? If you feel stuck because you can’t remember a word, you can jump in and use our free online dictionary.
Cultural differences play a vital role in the way we interact with each other. Indian culture is unique in its own way. Which of the Indian do’s and don’ts look appealing to you? Let us know in the comment box below.
If there’s anything else that you’d like us to cover, don’t hesitate to get in touch, because we love to hear from you!
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