20 Marathi Phrases You Need for Daily Life in Mumbai
Essential Marathi phrases for navigating Mumbai and Maharashtra — from ordering food to asking directions, with Devanagari script and pronunciation.
Mumbai runs on Marathi. While Hindi and English will get you by in many situations, speaking even a few Marathi phrases transforms how locals interact with you. Shopkeepers smile wider, auto drivers give you fairer rates, and colleagues appreciate the effort. Here are 20 phrases that will make your daily life in Mumbai noticeably smoother.
Greetings and Basics
Start every interaction right. Marathi greetings change based on the gender of the person you are speaking to, so pay attention to the male (m) and female (f) forms.
| Devanagari | Romanized | English |
|---|---|---|
| नमस्कार | Namaskaar | Hello / Greetings |
| कसे आहात? | Kase aahat? | How are you? (to m) |
| कशा आहात? | Kashaa aahat? | How are you? (to f) |
| मी मजेत आहे | Mi majet aahe | I'm doing well |
| धन्यवाद | Dhanyavaad | Thank you |
| कृपया | Krupayaa | Please |
| माफ करा | Maaf karaa | Excuse me / Sorry |
Tip: "Namaskaar" works in every situation — formal meetings, greeting neighbors, or entering a shop. It is more respectful than a casual "Hi" and is universally appreciated in Maharashtra.
Ordering Food
Mumbai's street food is legendary, and ordering in Marathi makes the experience even better.
| Devanagari | Romanized | English |
|---|---|---|
| एक वडा पाव द्या | Ek vada paav dya | Give me one vada pav |
| पाणी द्या | Paani dya | Give me water |
| किती झाले? | Kiti zhaale? | How much is it? |
| तिखट कमी करा | Tikhat kami karaa | Make it less spicy |
| बिल द्या | Bill dya | Give me the bill |
The word द्या (dya) means "give me" and is one of the most useful words you can learn. Pair it with any noun and you can order almost anything: "Ek chai dya" (Give me one tea), "Ek plate misal dya" (Give me one plate of misal).
Getting Around
Navigating Mumbai's auto-rickshaws, taxis, and local trains is a daily reality. These phrases help.
| Devanagari | Romanized | English |
|---|---|---|
| हे कुठे आहे? | He kuthe aahe? | Where is this? |
| स्टेशन कुठे आहे? | Station kuthe aahe? | Where is the station? |
| मीटरने चला | Meter-ne chalaa | Go by meter |
| उजवीकडे | Ujvikade | To the right |
| डावीकडे | Daavikade | To the left |
| थांबा | Thaambaa | Stop |
"Meter-ne chalaa" is essential for auto-rickshaw rides. It politely but firmly tells the driver to use the meter rather than quoting a flat fare.
Numbers You Will Use Daily
Knowing numbers helps with prices, addresses, and platform numbers at train stations.
| Devanagari | Romanized | English |
|---|---|---|
| एक | Ek | One |
| दोन | Don | Two |
| तीन | Teen | Three |
| पाच | Paach | Five |
| दहा | Dahaa | Ten |
| शंभर | Shambhar | Hundred |
Polite Expressions That Go a Long Way
Two more phrases round out your essential toolkit:
- होय (Hoy) — Yes
- नाही (Naahi) — No
These are different from Hindi's "Haan" and "Nahin," and using the Marathi forms shows respect for the local language.
Putting It Into Practice
The best way to learn these phrases is to use them immediately. Tomorrow morning, greet your local chai vendor with "Namaskaar" and order with "Ek chai dya." You will notice the difference in how people respond to you.
Marathi is a rich language with a literary tradition spanning over a thousand years. These 20 phrases are just the beginning — but they are the foundation that makes everything else easier. Start here, stay consistent, and Mumbai will feel like home faster than you expect.
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