Marathi Glossary: Essential Words & Meanings

Oct 29, 2025 by Admin 45 views

Hey guys! Learning a new language can be super fun, but let's be real, it can also be a bit of a challenge, right? Especially when you stumble upon words you've never heard before. If you're diving into Marathi, one of the oldest and richest languages in India, you're in for a treat! But to make your journey smoother, I’ve put together a Marathi glossary filled with essential words and their meanings. Think of this as your handy cheat sheet to understanding Marathi better. Let's get started!

Basic Greetings and Phrases

When you're first starting out with Marathi, mastering the greetings and basic phrases is super important. It's like laying the foundation for building a house. These phrases are the first impression you make, and they can open doors to deeper conversations and connections. In this Marathi glossary, let's break down some of the most common and useful greetings and phrases you'll want to have in your back pocket.

Greetings

नमस्कार (Namaskar): This is your go-to greeting, suitable for pretty much any situation. It’s like the "Hello" or "Hi" of Marathi. You can use it when meeting someone for the first time, greeting elders, or even answering the phone. It’s polite, respectful, and widely understood. Plus, it comes with a gesture of joining your palms together, which adds a nice touch of respect.
शुभ सकाळ (Shubh Sakal): This means "Good Morning." Use it to greet people in the morning until about noon. It’s a cheerful way to start the day and show respect for the person you're greeting. The word "शुभ" (Shubh) means good or auspicious, and "सकाळ" (Sakal) means morning.
शुभ दुपार (Shubh Dupar): This translates to "Good Afternoon." You'd use this from noon until around 4 or 5 PM. Just like "Shubh Sakal," it's a polite and friendly way to acknowledge someone during the afternoon hours. It shows you're mindful of the time of day and adds a touch of warmth to your interaction.
शुभ संध्याकाळ (Shubh Sandhyakal): Meaning "Good Evening," this is perfect for greeting people from late afternoon until night. As the day winds down, using this greeting can create a pleasant and welcoming atmosphere. "संध्याकाळ" (Sandhyakal) refers to the evening, making it clear and appropriate for the time of day.
शुभ रात्री (Shubh Ratri): This means "Good Night." Use it when you're saying goodbye in the evening or before someone goes to sleep. It’s a gentle and caring way to end a conversation and wish someone well as they rest. It implies a sense of closure and good wishes for the night ahead.

Basic Phrases

कसे आहात? (Kase Aahat?): This means "How are you?" It’s a fundamental phrase for starting a conversation and showing that you care about the other person's well-being. Remember that in Marathi, like many languages, showing personal interest is highly valued. If you're talking to someone younger or a close friend, you might use the more informal "कसा आहेस? (Kasa Aahes?) for males or "कशी आहेस? (Kashi Aahes?) for females."
मी ठीक आहे (Mi Thik Aahe): This translates to "I am fine" or "I am good." It’s the standard response when someone asks you how you are. It's simple, direct, and universally understood. You can also add "धन्यवाद (Dhanyavad)" which means "Thank you" to show your appreciation for their concern.
तुमचे नाव काय आहे? (Tumche Naav Kay Aahe?): This means "What is your name?" It’s an essential phrase for getting to know someone. This is the more formal way to ask someone their name. If you're speaking to someone younger or a friend, you can use the informal version: "तुझं नाव काय आहे? ( Tuzha Naav Kay Aahe?) for males and "तुझं नाव काय आहे? (Tujhi Naav Kay Aahe?) for females."
माझे नाव ... आहे (Maze Naav ... Aahe): This means "My name is…" Fill in the blank with your name. It’s a straightforward way to introduce yourself after asking someone their name. It completes the basic exchange and helps establish a personal connection.
भेटून आनंद झाला (Bhetun Anand Zhala): This means "Nice to meet you." It’s a polite and friendly way to end the introduction. It shows that you’re pleased to have met the person and leaves a positive impression. It’s a great way to wrap up the initial conversation on a good note.

Common Nouns

Alright, let's dive into some common nouns in our Marathi glossary. Nouns are the building blocks of any language. They're the words we use to name people, places, things, and ideas. Knowing a good range of nouns will seriously boost your ability to understand and speak Marathi. So, let's get familiar with some essential ones!

People

माणूस (Manus): This simply means "person" or "human being." It’s a fundamental noun you’ll hear frequently. Understanding this word is crucial as it's used in countless contexts. Whether you're describing someone or referring to people in general, "माणूस" is your go-to term.
स्त्री (Stri): This means "woman." It's a straightforward and respectful way to refer to a female. Knowing this term is important for gender-specific conversations and descriptions. It's used in various contexts, from everyday conversations to more formal settings.
पुरुष (Purush): Meaning "man," this is the counterpart to "स्त्री." It's used to refer to a male and is equally important to know. Just like "स्त्री," understanding "पुरुष" helps you navigate conversations that involve gender distinctions.
मुलगा (Mulga): This translates to "boy." It's used to refer to a young male. This word is commonly used in family settings, schools, and general conversations about children. It’s a basic term that’s easy to remember and use.
मुलगी (Mulgi): This means "girl." It refers to a young female. Similar to "मुलगा," it's a common word in contexts involving children and families. Knowing both terms allows you to accurately describe young people in your conversations.

Places

घर (Ghar): This means "house" or "home." It’s one of the most basic and important nouns you'll learn. "घर" represents a place of dwelling, comfort, and family. It’s a word you’ll encounter in daily conversations and descriptions of where people live.
शाळा (Shala): This translates to "school." It's the place where children and students go to learn. Understanding this word is important for discussions about education and learning. It’s a common noun that you’ll hear in the context of children's activities and academic life.
शहर (Shahar): This means "city." It refers to a large and populated urban area. Knowing this word is crucial for talking about different locations and urban living. It’s used when discussing travel, geography, and demographics.
गाव (Gav): Meaning "village," this refers to a smaller, rural settlement. It's the opposite of "शहर" and is important for understanding different types of communities. This word is often used in discussions about rural life and agriculture.
देश (Desh): This means "country." It refers to a nation or a sovereign state. Understanding this term is essential for talking about geography, politics, and international relations. It’s a fundamental noun in discussions about global affairs.

Things

पुस्तक (Pustak): This means "book." It’s a staple for anyone learning a language. Books are a key source of knowledge and entertainment. This word is commonly used in discussions about reading, education, and literature.
टेबल (Table): Borrowed from English, this word is widely used and understood in Marathi. It refers to a flat surface used for working or dining. Knowing this word is useful in everyday conversations about furniture and household items.
खुर्ची (Khurchi): This means "chair." It's another common household item. Understanding this word is helpful when describing furniture arrangements or discussing seating.
पेन (Pen): Also borrowed from English, this word is commonly used for a writing instrument. While Marathi has its own word for pen, “लेखणी (Lekhani),” "पेन" is widely accepted and used in everyday conversations.
मोबाइल (Mobile): Another English loanword, this refers to a mobile phone. In today's world, this word is universally understood and used frequently. It’s an essential term for discussing communication and technology.

Common Verbs

Okay, let's move on to verbs in this Marathi glossary. Verbs are the action words in a sentence. They tell us what someone or something is doing. If nouns are the building blocks, verbs are the mortar that holds everything together. Knowing common verbs is essential for forming sentences and expressing your thoughts effectively. So, let's get cracking!

Action Verbs

करणे (Karne): This means "to do" or "to make." It’s one of the most versatile verbs in Marathi. You can use it in a wide variety of contexts. Whether you're talking about doing homework, making food, or performing a task, "करणे" is your go-to verb.
खाणे (Khane): This translates to "to eat." It’s a fundamental verb for talking about food and meals. Knowing this verb is essential for everyday conversations about what you're eating or what you want to eat.
पिणे (Pine): Meaning "to drink," this is another essential verb for daily life. It's used when talking about beverages and staying hydrated. Whether you're drinking water, tea, or juice, "पिणे" is the verb you'll use.
जाणे (Jane): This means "to go." It's a crucial verb for talking about movement and travel. Whether you're going to school, work, or a friend's house, "जाणे" is the verb you'll need.
येणे (Yene): This translates to "to come." It's the opposite of "जाणे" and is equally important. Whether you're coming home, to a party, or to a meeting, "येणे" is the verb to use.

Helping Verbs

आहे (Aahe): This means "is." It’s a form of the verb "to be" and is used to state facts or describe things. This verb is essential for constructing basic sentences. It helps to connect the subject with its description or state.
होणे (Hone): This means "to be" or "to become." It's another form of the verb "to be" but implies a change or transformation. This verb is used when something is becoming something else or when describing a process.
असणे (Asne): This means "to have." It's used to indicate possession. It's crucial for expressing ownership or availability.

Adjectives and Adverbs

Now, let's explore adjectives and adverbs in our Marathi glossary. Adjectives are words that describe nouns, adding detail and color to your language. Adverbs, on the other hand, describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, giving more information about how, when, where, or to what extent something is done. Mastering these parts of speech will make your Marathi much more vivid and expressive. Let’s jump in!

Adjectives

चांगला (Changla): This means "good" or "nice." It’s a versatile adjective used to describe something positive. Whether you're describing a good book, a nice person, or a pleasant day, "चांगला" is a great word to use.
मोठा (Motha): This translates to "big" or "large." It’s used to describe the size of something. Whether you're talking about a big house, a large city, or a significant event, "मोठा" is the adjective you'll need.
लहान (Lahan): Meaning "small" or "little," this is the opposite of "मोठा." It's used to describe something of a smaller size. Whether you're talking about a small car, a little village, or a minor issue, "लहान" is the appropriate adjective.
नवीन (Navin): This means "new." It’s used to describe something that is recently made or acquired. Whether you're talking about a new phone, a new job, or a new experience, "नवीन" is the adjective to use.
जुना (Juna): This translates to "old." It’s the opposite of "नवीन" and is used to describe something that is aged or has been around for a long time. Whether you're talking about an old house, an old friend, or an old tradition, "जुना" is the appropriate adjective.

Adverbs

लवकर (Lavkar): This means "early" or "soon." It’s used to describe when something happens in relation to a specific time. Whether you're talking about arriving early, finishing soon, or starting early, "लवकर" is the adverb you'll need.
उशिरा (Ushira): This translates to "late." It’s the opposite of "लवकर" and describes something happening behind schedule. Whether you're talking about arriving late, finishing late, or starting late, "उशिरा" is the adverb to use.
हळू (Halu): Meaning "slowly" or "softly," this is used to describe the pace or intensity of an action. Whether you're talking about walking slowly, speaking softly, or working slowly, "हळू" is the adverb to use.
जोरजोरात (Jorjorat): This means "loudly" or "forcefully." It’s used to describe the intensity of an action. Whether you're talking about shouting loudly, hitting forcefully, or working hard, "जोरजोरात" is the adverb to use.
खूप (Khoop): This translates to "very" or "much." It’s used to intensify adjectives or adverbs. Whether you're saying something is very good, much better, or very fast, "खूप" is the adverb you'll need.

Wrapping Up!

So, there you have it, folks! A comprehensive Marathi glossary to get you started on your language-learning journey. Remember, learning a new language takes time and practice, but with this glossary in hand, you're well-equipped to understand and speak Marathi more confidently. Keep practicing, keep exploring, and most importantly, have fun with it! शु भेच्छा! (Shubhechha! – Best wishes!)