Basic Marathi Words for Living in Maharashtra You Must Know

If you’re new to Maharashtra, learning a few basic Marathi words can go a long way. A simple “Namaskar” or “Kasa Aahes?” can instantly make people smile and help you feel more at home. Marathi isn’t just a language; it’s a reflection of the state’s warmth, respect, and everyday life.

Whether you’re in Pune, Mumbai, or Nagpur, knowing these common phrases will make daily conversations smoother and more meaningful. Let’s get started with some basic Marathi words for beginners that you can easily use in your day-to-day life.

Learn Marathi for Daily Conversations – Essential Words & Sentences

Here are some everyday words and phrases that can help you in daily life:

English	Marathi	Usage / Notes
Hello / Greetings	Namaskar (नमस्कार)	You can use this in formal or informal settings
How are you?	Kasa Aahes? (male) / Kashi Aahes? (female)	Gender matters in Marathi address
I am fine	Mi Changla Aahe (male) / Mi Changli Aahe (female)	Or Mi Theek Aahe works too
Yes	Ho (हो)	A simple affirmative
No	Nahi / Nakko (नाही / नाही / नको)	“Nakko” is used for negative commands or requests
Thank you	Dhanyawad (धन्यवाद)	A polite expression of gratitude
Sorry / Excuse me	Maaf Kara (माफ करा)	Works as both an apology and an excuse me
My name is …	Majh Nav ___ Aahe (माझं नाव ___ आहे)	Use this to introduce yourself
What is your name?	Tumcha Nav Kay Aahe? (तुमचं नाव काय आहे?)	Works as both an apology and an excuse.

Cultural Etiquette in Marathi Conversations

Language is more than words; it’s about context, respect, and tone. Here are some etiquette tips to keep in mind:

• Use respectful forms: Marathi has formal and informal “you” or  “Tumhi” (formal) vs “Tu” (informal). With elders or new acquaintances, it’s safer to use tumhi.
  
• Politeness matters: Phrases like “Krupaya” (please) or “Maaf Kara” (excuse me / sorry) go a long way.
  
• Greetings with folded hands: Saying “Namaskar” with folded hands (in the Indian style) is often appreciated.
  
• Mirror tone and pace: When speaking with native Marathi speakers, try to match their speaking pace and tone. Speaking too fast or arrogantly can come off as rude.
  
• Use local expressions: Once you’re comfortable, sprinkling in casual interjections like “Chaan aahe” (That’s great) or “Barobar” (Exactly) can make your speech feel more natural.
  
• Apologise/ask again politely: If you don’t get something, it’s okay to say “Punha Sanga” (Please say again) or “Mala Samajata Nahi” (I don’t understand).

These small gestures show humility and willingness, and people often reciprocate warmly.

Marathi Phrases for Travellers – Essential Expressions for Your Stay

When you’re travelling, these phrases will come in handy in everyday interactions.

• Kuthe aahe …? – Where is …?
  
• Kiti aahe? – How much is it?
  
• Pudhe Chala – Go forward
  
• Dahine Vala – Turn right
  
• Ujave Vala – Turn left
  
• Thamba – Stop
  
• Pani Havhe Aahe – I need water
  
• Shauchalay Kuthe Aahe? – Where is the restroom?
  
• Mala Madat Havhe Aahe – I need help
  
• Mala Samajla Nahi – I did not understand

These phrases let you get around, ask for directions, and manage basic needs.

Common Marathi Phrases for Shopping

Shopping in local markets gets much easier when you know how to speak the local language. Try these:

• Haav Kam Kar – Reduce the price / lower the cost
  
• Doan Ticket Dya – Give me two tickets (or “ticket dya” for “give ticket”)
  
• Kitī Dya? – How much will you give?
  
• Ek Dya – Please give one
  
• Kharaidi Karu – I’ll buy / I want to purchase
  
• Paise Dya – Give money
  
• Thodi Kami Karu Ka? – Can you reduce it a bit?
  
• Baghū Shakata Ka? – Can I see it?

Using Marathi in conversations while shopping often draws a friendlier response, and sometimes sellers may even give you a better deal because they see that you are trying.

Health and Emergency Phrases in Marathi

These are critical when things go wrong or you need assistance:

• Madat Kara! – Help!
  
• Doktor Aahes Ka? – Is there a doctor?
  
• Mala Dard Ahe – I am in pain
  
• Mala Angat Ahe – I feel nauseous
  
• Mala Bhook Lagli Aahe – I am hungry
  
• Mala Pani Havhe Aahe – I need water
  
• Aag Lagli Aahe – There’s fire
  
• Police Bula – Call the police
  
• Aai Va Vaidhya Bula – Call mother/doctor

Having these in your pocket (and maybe saving the Marathi spelling in your phone) can really help in urgent situations.

Marathi Greetings and Responses – Everyday Expressions

Greeting people and responding politely is the foundation of conversation:

• Namaskar – Hello / Greetings
  
• Kasa Aahes? / Kashi Aahes? – How are you?
  
• Mi Changla/Changli Aahe – I am good
  
• Dhanyawad – Thank you
  
• Punha Bhetuya – See you again
  
• Shubha Divas – Good day
  
• Shubha Ratri – Good night

People love it when someone tries to greet them in their own language — it sets a friendly tone right away.

Useful Marathi Words for Travel and Directions

Knowing directional terms and travel‑related words makes movement easier:

• Pudhe – Forward
  
• Maga – Back / Behind
  
• Aapla / Apan – We / Our
  
• Saral – Straight
  
• Agdi / Thodi – Exactly / A little
  
• Darwaja – Door
  
• Marg / Panth – Path / Road
  
• Stahan (Sthanak) – Station / Stop
  
• Bus / Bus Stand – Bus / Bus Stand
  
• Vahan – Vehicle
  
• Rail / Train – रेल / Train
  
• Jethe – Where

This helps when navigating roads, trains, bus stations, or simply finding your way around a city.

Numbers in Marathi – Learn Counting Easily

Numbers are essential — for prices, time, bus routes, etc. Here’s a quick guide:

Number	Marathi	Pronunciation Hint
1	Ek (एक)	“Ay-k”
2	Don (दोन)	“Dohn”
3	Teen (तीन)	“Teen”
4	Char (चार)	“Chaar”
5	Pach (पाच)	“Paach”
6	Saha (सहा)	“Sa‑ha”
7	Saat (सात)	“Saat”
8	Aath (आठ)	“Aath”
9	Nau (नऊ)	“Now”
10	Daha / Dahaa (दहा)	“Da-haa”

Once you know up to 10, you can combine them for higher numbers (e.g. doh-pach for 25, etc.). Preply’s guide also shows numbers with usage in time and counting.

Marathi Numbers, Dates, and Time Expressions

Beyond basic counting, here are some time and date expressions:

• Kiti Vajle? – What time is it?
  
• Saat Vajle – It’s seven o’clock
  
• Vajtil / Vajle – Will be / Has passed
  
• Aaj – Today
  
• Kal – Tomorrow (or Yesterday, depending on context)
  
• Parat – Again / Re‑
  
• Divas – Day
  
• Raatri / Ratri – Night
  
• Mahina – Month
  
• Varsha – Year

When you get comfortable, you can say things like:
“Aaj saat vajle aahet” — It is 7 o’clock today.

Marathi Food & Drink Vocabulary – Words for Eating Out

Dining out is one of the best ways to practice new vocabulary. Some helpful words and phrases:

• Jevan / Khau – Food / Eat
  
• Pani – Water
  
• Chaha – Tea
  
• Kofi / Coffee – Coffee
  
• Doodh – Milk
  
• Bhaji – Vegetable dish
  
• Bhat – Rice
  
• Roti / Bhakri – Flatbread
  
• Shak / Shaak – Vegetable curry
  
• Goad – Sweet
  
• Tikhhat / Tikhat – Spicy
  
• Mala Bhook Lagli Aahe – I am hungry
  
• Jeval Tayyar Aahe Ka? – Is the food ready?
  
• Kitī Zali? – How much did it cost?
  
• Thoda Kami Karu Ka? – Can you reduce a bit?

Ordering in Marathi often gains positive reactions — people appreciate the effort.

Marathi Pronunciation Tips and Practice Exercises

Pronunciation is often what makes you sound more natural (or not). Here are tips + exercises:

Tips

1. Listen & mimic natives — Use podcasts, songs, or YouTube and repeat what you hear exactly.
   
2. Note retroflex vs dental — Marathi has sounds (ṭ, ḍ, ṇ) that don’t exist in English. Tongue placement matters.
   
3. Pay attention to nasalisation (anusvara / anunasika) — The “ँ” or “ं” marks affect how you pronounce vowels.
   
4. Record yourself — Play back and compare with native speakers.
   
5. Practice minimal pairs — Words that differ by one sound, and train your ear (e.g. kha vs ka).
   
6. Don’t rush — Speaking slower with correct sounds is better than fast but unclear.

Exercises

• Shadowing: Play a short Marathi audio clip. Try copying exactly as you hear it, word for word, with the same timing and tone.
  
• Minimal Pair Drills: Pick pairs of similar-sounding words (e.g. kasa vs kashi, mi vs me) and repeat them alternately.
  
• Fill-in-the‑blank dialogues: Create mini dialogues and leave blanks for new words you’re learning, then fill them in later.
  
• Daily use: Choose 2–3 new words each day, and consciously use them in speech or notes (even mentally).

Resources and Daily Practice Tips to Learn Marathi

To go from basic to confident conversations, here are useful habits and resources:

• Language Tutors / Classes: Platforms like Preply offer structured lessons and feedback.
  
• Use flashcards (physical or apps like Anki) to repeatedly test vocabulary.
  
• Label your surroundings: Stick notes around your room with Marathi names (e.g., Darwaja for door, Mej / Table).
  
• Watch Marathi media: Films, TV shows, YouTube — even if you don’t understand everything, listening helps internalise sounds.
  
• Language exchange / speak with natives: Try casual conversations with Marathi speakers. Mistakes are part of the process.
  
• Keep a mini-diary: Write 2–3 sentences daily in Marathi (with help), even simple ones like “Aaj changla divas hota.”
  
• Use spaced repetition: Review old words while introducing new ones, so you don’t forget.
  
• Audio listening before bed: Even passive listening can help your brain pick up patterns.
  
• Join communities/forums: Ask native speakers for corrections, tips, or mini challenges.

The key is consistency — even 10–20 minutes every day can make a big difference over weeks.

Integrate Marathi into Your Daily Life

Learning Marathi doesn’t require perfection. It just takes a little effort, consistency, and curiosity. With these basic words and phrases, you can start having real conversations and navigate daily life in Maharashtra more easily. Whether you’re ordering food, greeting a neighbour, or asking for help, using Marathi helps build connection and respect. Don’t worry about making mistakes. Locals appreciate your willingness to learn. Start small, speak often, and let Marathi gradually become a natural part of your day. The more you use it, the more confident and welcomed you’ll feel.

FAQs

Q. Can I learn Marathi even if I don’t know any Indian language?  

Yes, you can! Marathi has a logical structure, and starting with basic phrases makes it easy for beginners.

Q. How long does it take to learn basic Marathi?  

With daily practice, you can start using simple phrases in just 2 to 3 weeks.

Q. Do I need to learn the Marathi script to speak it?  

Not at first. You can start speaking using English transliterations and learn the script gradually if needed.

Q. Is Marathi very different from Hindi? 

It shares similarities in grammar and some vocabulary, but pronunciation and usage are different.

Q. What’s the best way to practice Marathi daily? 

Use common phrases in real conversations, label items at home, and listen to Marathi shows or YouTube channels.