10 Hindi Words That Are Now Part Of Oxford Dictionary

Zee Media Bureau
Sep 13, 2023

Chai

A ubiquitous beverage in India, chai has become a popular drink worldwide. The word ‘chai’ is derived from the Hindi word for tea.

Jugaad

The dictionary describes the word as "a flexible approach to problem-solving that uses limited resources in an innovative way".

Namaste

In the Oxford Dictionary, ‘Namaste’ is defined as “a respectful greeting or farewell with the palms pressed together and fingers pointing upwards, used by Hindus and others in India and South Asia.”

Guru

In the Oxford Dictionary, 'guru' is defined as “a spiritual teacher or guide from India, often a Hindu or Sikh.”

Papadum

In the Oxford Dictionary, ‘papadum’ is defined as “a thin, crisp Indian bread made from lentil flour and often served as an appetizer.”

Bapu

In the Oxford Dictionary, ‘Bapu’ is defined as “a title of respect given in India to Mahatma Gandhi."

Bhai

In the Oxford Dictionary, ‘bhai’ is defined as “a brother or a close male friend, especially in Indian English.”

Natak

In the Oxford Dictionary, ‘natak’ is defined as “a drama or play, especially one performed in India.”

Dadagiri

The Oxford dictionary translates the meaning of this word to "the act of using strength and power to frighten or hurt weaker people."

Chamcha

This one is everyone's favourite, it's a very regularly used Hindi word and has been described by the dictionary as "a person who tries too hard to please somebody, especially somebody who is important".

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