9 Unique Hindi Words You Will Never Find in English

By Rajni Pandey | September 13, 2024

Jootha has no exact English equivalent. The closest is "ort," meaning food scraps, but this doesn't capture the cultural significance of impurity and unsuitability for sharing in Indian customs.

Image Credit: Moneycontrol

Jootha

Jugaad refers to a creative, resourceful fix or hack using limited resources. While "workaround" or "hack" might come close, neither captures the ingenuity and cultural significance of jugaad in India.

Image Credit: Moneycontrol

Jugaad

Jigyasa refers to a deep, intellectual curiosity, far beyond the simple term "curiosity" in English. It conveys a hunger for knowledge that involves philosophical and thoughtful inquiry.

Image Credit: Moneycontrol

Jigyasa

Moksh has no direct English counterpart. It is often translated as "liberation," but it carries a deeper spiritual meaning in Hinduism—freedom from the cycle of birth and death (samsara).

Image Credit: Moneycontrol

Moksh

Jijivisha is the intense will to live and thrive, even in adversity. "Will to live" comes close but doesn’t fully express the depth of this life-affirming desire in Hindi.

Image Credit: Moneycontrol

Jijivisha

Viraha has no exact English translation. It refers to the deep, often painful longing caused by separation from a loved one, and the emotional growth that occurs in absence.

Image Credit: Moneycontrol

Viraha

Ghamasan can’t be directly translated into English. It refers to a fierce, chaotic battle, implying a level of destruction and intensity that goes beyond words like "struggle" or "conflict."

Image Credit: Moneycontrol

Ghamasan

Rakhi is a symbolic thread tied by a sister on her brother’s wrist during Raksha Bandhan. There's no English equivalent, as it represents a unique bond of protection, love, and duty in Indian culture.

Image Credit: Moneycontrol

Rakhi

Kanyadaan doesn't have a direct English translation. While "giving away the bride" is close, it fails to capture the deep religious and cultural significance of entrusting a daughter in marriage.

Image Credit: Moneycontrol

Kanyadaan