OoruLearn Bengali: survival phrases for Kolkata
Bengali, or Bangla, is the language of West Bengal and of everyday life in Kolkata. These are the phrases newcomers use most: greetings, talking to taxi and auto drivers, asking directions, ordering food, shopping and getting help. Each one is written the way it sounds, so there is no script to learn.
One-line survival kit
If you learn only five lines, make it these:
- Ami Bangla bolte pari na: I don't speak Bengali
- Apni English bolen?: Do you speak English?
- Eta koto?: How much is this?
- Ekhane namabo: I'll get off here
- Amake ektu shahajjo korun: Please help me
Basic Politeness
| English | Bengali (say it like this) |
|---|---|
| Hello (respectful) | Nomoshkar |
| Thank you | Dhonnobad |
| Yes | Haan |
| No | Na |
| Okay | Accha / Thik achhe |
| Sorry / Excuse me | Maaf korben |
| Please say that again | Abar bolun |
| I don't understand | Bujhte parchhi na |
| I know a little Bengali | Ami ektu ektu Bangla jani |
Asking Directions
| English | Bengali (say it like this) |
|---|---|
| Where is this? | Eta kothay? |
| Where is [place]? | [place] kothay? |
| How far? | Koto dur? |
| Go straight | Shoja jaan |
| Left side | Baan dike |
| Right side | Daan dike |
| Here / There | Ekhane / Okhane |
| Where does this bus go? | Ei bus ta kothay jabe? |
Taxi / Auto / Metro
| English | Bengali (say it like this) |
|---|---|
| Will you go to [place]? | [place] jaaben? |
| How much will you charge? | Koto neben? |
| Too much | Onek beshi |
| Reduce it a little | Ektu kom korun |
| Please go by the meter | Meter-e cholun |
| I'll get off here | Ekhane namabo |
| Stop here | Ekhane thamun |
| Slowly, please | Aste cholun |
Ordering Food
| English | Bengali (say it like this) |
|---|---|
| I want this | Amar eta chai |
| What is this? | Eta ki? |
| Less spicy | Jhaal kom |
| Water | Jol |
| One more | Aar ekta |
| That's enough | Byas |
| Bill please | Bill ta din |
| It's wonderful! | Darun hoyechhe! |
| Fish / Sweets | Maachh / Mishti |
Shopping
| English | Bengali (say it like this) |
|---|---|
| How much is this? | Eta koto? |
| Give me one / two | Ekta din / Duto din |
| Please pack it | Pack kore din |
| Do you have change? | Khuchro achhe? |
| Can I pay by UPI? | UPI cholbe? |
Emergency / Help
| English | Bengali (say it like this) |
|---|---|
| Help! | Bachao! |
| Please help me | Amake shahajjo korun |
| Call the police | Police dakun |
| Where is the hospital? | Hospital kothay? |
| I am lost | Ami rasta haariye felechhi |
| I need a doctor | Amar daktar dorkar |
Small Talk
| English | Bengali (say it like this) |
|---|---|
| How are you? | Kemon achhen? |
| I'm fine | Bhalo achhi |
| What's your name? | Apnar naam ki? |
| My name is… | Amar naam… |
| Where are you from? (lit. where is your home?) | Apnar bari kothay? |
| Let's go | Cholo |
| See you later | Pore dekha hobe |
Kolkata Words
| English | Bengali (say it like this) |
|---|---|
| Long, unhurried chat with friends | Adda |
| Elder brother / sister: the polite way to address people | Dada / Didi |
| Neighbourhood | Para |
| Eating well (lit. worship of the stomach) | Pet pujo |
| Wonderful | Darun |
| Spicy puffed rice snack | Jhalmuri |
Cultural tip
Kolkata runs on warmth and conversation. Call people dada or didi, use "apni" with anyone you don't know, and don't be surprised if asking for directions turns into a ten-minute chat. Bengalis are proud of their language, and even a few words are noticed and appreciated.
Bengali questions people ask
How do you say thank you in Bengali?
"Dhonnobad" is thank you in Bengali. In everyday Kolkata conversation many people simply say "thank you".
How do you say hello in Bengali?
"Nomoshkar" is the respectful greeting. "Kemon achhen?" asks how someone is, and "Bhalo achhi" means I'm fine.
How do I say "I don't speak Bengali"?
Say "Ami Bangla bolte pari na", and add "Apni English bolen?" to ask whether the person speaks English.
How do you talk to a taxi driver in Bengali?
"[place] jaaben?" asks whether the driver will go there, and "Koto neben?" asks how much he will charge. "Ekhane namabo" means I'll get off here.
What is adda?
Adda is Kolkata's favourite pastime: long, unhurried conversation with friends over tea, about everything and nothing. The Indian Coffee House on College Street is its most famous home.
Do people in Kolkata speak Hindi?
Many do, especially in shops and markets and among taxi drivers, and English is common in offices. Bengali still opens doors: people warm up quickly when you try even a few words.
More in our guides: our Kolkata city guide and Pet Pujo, our Kolkata food guide.