नमस्ते
Hindi
Etymology
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From Sanskrit नमस्ते (namaste), from नमस् (námas, “bow, obeisance, reverential salutation”) and ते (te, “to you”). नमस् (namas) can be traced back to Proto-Indo-Iranian *namas (“to bow”).
Pronunciation
Interjection
- A salutation; a greeting used for most purposes including hello, good morning/afternoon, and goodbye
Usage notes
नमस्ते (namaste) is a secular greeting but it can also be seen by some as a Hindu greeting. Sikh speakers in formal situations may prefer to use सत श्री अकाल (sat śrī akāl) when greeting other Sikhs, and Muslim speakers employ सलाम अलैकुम (salām alaikum) when greeting other Muslims. It is often considered gracious to greet someone in their religion’s greeting.
In modern Hindi urban usage, the English hi and hello are also common.
Synonyms
- सत श्री अकाल (sat śrī akāl)
- सलाम अलैकुम (salām alaikum)
Noun
नमस्ते • (namaste) f (Urdu spelling نمستے)
- greeting, salutation, an instance of the interjection namaste
References
- McGregor, Ronald Stuart (1993) “नमस्ते”, in The Oxford Hindi-English Dictionary, London: Oxford University Press
Nepali
Interjection
- A salutation; a greeting used for most purposes including hello, good morning/afternoon, and goodbye
See also
- नमस्कार [namaskār]
Sanskrit
Etymology
From नमस् (námas, “a bow, obeisance”) + ते (te, “to you”).
Pronunciation
Interjection
नमस्ते • (namaste)