Hindi

[ hin-dee ]

noun

1. the most widely spoken of the modern Indic vernaculars, especially its best-known variety, Western Hindi.
2. a literary language derived from Hindustani, used by Hindus.

Hindi

/ ˈhɪndɪ /

noun

1. a language or group of dialects of N central India. It belongs to the Indic branch of the Indo-European family and is closely related to Urdu See also Hindustani
2. a formal literary dialect of this language, the official language of India, usually written in Nagari script
3. a person whose native language is Hindi

Word History and Origins

Origin of Hindi¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; from Hindi, Urdu, equivalent to Persian Hind, Hindu (compare Sanskrit Sindhu “river,” specifically the Indus river, with the extended sense “region of the Indus; Sind”) + -ī a suffix indicating relationship or origin; replacing Hinduee, from Persian Hinduī; Sind

Word History and Origins

Origin of Hindi¹

C18: from Hindi hindī, from Hind India, from Old Persian Hindu the river Indus

Example Sentences

"This decision will change many things - courts will have to see whether legal processes were followed while carrying out these demolitions," senior Supreme Court lawyer CU Singh told BBC Hindi.

From BBC

A lawyer acting for the eight accused told BBC Hindi that they were acquitted because “no evidence was found against them”.

From BBC

Last year, the BBC ended its Arabic, Persian and Hindi radio services, among others, as part of a plan to save £28.5m a year.

From BBC

Several residents told BBC Hindi that there was a big market for illegally mined diamonds - but the exact figures of the trade are unknown.

From BBC

When the news reached the family, it felt like “the suffocation of 56 years had suddenly evaporated”, Mr Thomas told BBC Hindi.

From BBC