Start with the Hindi basics in minutes a day
Hindi uses the Devanagari script (e.g., अ, आ, क, म), which is phonetic: most letters sound the same every time. If the script feels new, begin with sound before spelling. Hear a letter, say it, then look at it. That way, your ears lead your eyes.
Focus on clarity, not speed. Hindi has retroflex sounds (ṭ/ḍ) made with the tongue curled slightly back; English doesn’t. Listen, copy slowly, and smile—your mouth relaxes and sound improves. Even 10–15 minutes a day adds up fast.
Start with simple conversation blocks: greeting, name, where you’re from, thank you, please. These basics cover most polite exchanges and build confidence quickly.
- Vowels first: a (अ), aa (आ), i (इ), ee (ई), u (उ), oo (ऊ).
- Consonant pairs: t vs. ṭ; d vs. ḍ; n vs. ṇ (retroflex = curled tongue).
- Stress is light; each syllable gets similar weight.
- Practice aloud: record yourself for two minutes and compare.
Must‑know phrases for beginners
These everyday lines help you start speaking immediately. Use English, Hindi, and a simple transliteration so you can learn fast now and refine later. Repeat each phrase five times, then try it in a short role-play.
Politeness matters in Hindi. Start formal (aap) until invited to be informal (tum).
- Hello: Namaste (नमस्ते) — nah-mas-teh
- Thank you: Shukriya (शुक्रिया) — shook-ree-yaa
- Please: Kripya (कृपया) — krip-ya
- Yes/No: Haan (हाँ) / Nahin (नहीं) — haan / na-heen
- My name is…: Mera naam … hai (मेरा नाम … है)
- How are you? (formal): Aap kaise hain? (आप कैसे हैं?)
- I’m fine: Main theek hoon (मैं ठीक हूँ)
- Where is …?: … kahan hai? (… कहाँ है?)
Numbers, time, and days of the week
Numbers 0–10: shunya, ek, do, teen, chaar, paanch, chhe, saat, aath, nau, das. Practice by counting items around you. For minutes and hours, say: kitne baje? (What time is it?), pandrah minute (15 minutes), aadha ghanta (half an hour).
Learn the days to plan study sessions and everyday activities. Capitalization is not used the same way as in English; focus on sound and rhythm.
- Monday: Somvaar (सोमवार)
- Tuesday: Mangalvaar (मंगलवार)
- Wednesday: Budhvaar (बुधवार)
- Thursday: Guruvaar (गुरुवार)
- Friday: Shukravaar (शुक्रवार)
- Saturday: Shanivaar (शनिवार)
- Sunday: Ravivaar (रविवार)
A free 14‑day study plan (15 minutes/day)
Consistency beats cramming. This two‑week plan takes just 15 minutes a day. If you have more time, double the reps, not the content. Use a timer so you stay focused and finish strong.
Tip: Speak out loud. Reading silently builds recognition; speaking builds real skills.
- Day 1: Vowels (अ–औ); listen, repeat, write once.
- Day 2: Key consonants; focus on t/ṭ, d/ḍ minimal pairs.
- Day 3: Greetings and names; introduce yourself.
- Day 4: Yes/no, please/thank you; short Q&A.
- Day 5: Numbers 0–10; count objects near you.
- Day 6: Days of the week; plan a pretend schedule.
- Day 7: Review all; two‑minute self‑recording.
- Day 8: This/that (ye/vo), here/there (yahan/wahan).
- Day 9: Where?/Who?/What? (kahan/kaun/kya).
- Day 10: Present tense with hai/hain; simple sentences.
- Day 11: Polite requests: kripya…, kya aap…?
- Day 12: Directions: seedha, daayen, baayen, paas.
- Day 13: Time phrases: abhi, aaj, kal (yesterday/tomorrow).
- Day 14: Role‑play a 2‑minute chat using all topics.
Free resources, PDFs, and the right book
You can learn a lot with free materials. Many beginner courses, printable charts, and graded readers are available as PDF. Start with an alphabet chart, a phrase list, and a short workbook. Keep everything in one folder so review stays simple.
When you’re ready for a book, pick a beginner‑friendly option with audio and exercises. A concise phrasebook helps on the go; a structured textbook guides you step by step. Use both: phrasebook for quick wins, book for steady progress.
- Search terms: “Hindi alphabet chart PDF free”, “Hindi beginners workbook PDF”.
- Public‑domain/official texts: look for school board (NCERT) Hindi books PDF.
- Open courses: community‑made Hindi basics PDFs and decks (flashcards).
- Audio first: any resource with clear native recordings.
- One notebook for all: keep new words, days, and mini‑dialogs together.
FAQ
- Can beginners learn the basics of Hindi in 14 days?
- Yes—if you focus on high‑frequency phrases and sounds for 15 minutes daily. In two weeks you can greet, introduce yourself, ask simple questions, use numbers 0–10, and say the days. Fluency takes longer, but the basics come fast with consistency.
- Do I need Devanagari, or can I start with a transliteration PDF?
- Start anywhere you’ll be consistent. A transliteration PDF is fine for day one. Add Devanagari within the first week so sound and script grow together. Even 5 minutes tracing letters helps you read signs and use any Hindi book later.
- What free PDFs or books should I look for?
- Search for “Hindi alphabet PDF free”, “Hindi beginners workbook PDF”, and school board (NCERT) Hindi books. Choose a PDF with audio links if possible. For print, pick a beginner book that includes dialogues, slow audio, and short practice tasks.
- How many minutes a day should I study to see progress?
- Fifteen focused minutes daily beats a long session once a week. Do 10 minutes of listening and speaking, then 5 minutes of quick review. If you have more time, repeat the same blocks rather than jumping to new content.
- Will one book teach me all of Hindi?
- No single book covers all. Use a beginner book for structure, plus free PDFs for extra drills, and real audio for listening. Rotate: book lesson, phrase review, two‑minute speaking practice. This blend keeps you moving without overwhelm.