Hindi · Food & Drink
"Water" in Hindi: पानी
पानीpaani
पानी (paani) is water, and it is masculine. Ask for ek gilaas paani (a glass of water) almost anywhere. Cold water is thanda paani; bottled water is bottled paani or mineral water in mixed Hindi-English.
At a roadside stall
भैया, एक ठंडा पानी दीजिए।bhaiya, ek thanda paani deejiye.
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How to pronounce पानी
Say it
PAA-ni
/pɑːniː/
Paani is PAA-ni with a long first aa and a short final i. The p is plain, without a puff. Final long ई becomes a short i sound in this familiar spelling.
"Water" in Hindi: quick reference
| Hindi | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| पानीpaani | water The default word at home, in shops, and in restaurants. | The default word at home, in shops, and in restaurants. |
| ठंडा पानीthanda paani | cold water What you ask for on a hot day. | What you ask for on a hot day. |
| गर्म पानीgaram paani | hot water For tea prep, bathing, or when someone is unwell. | For tea prep, bathing, or when someone is unwell. |
| बोतल का पानीbotal ka paani | bottled water Clear request when you want sealed bottled water. | Clear request when you want sealed bottled water. |
| पानी पिलानाpaani pilaana | to give someone water to drink Hosts say paani pilaaiye when offering a drink. | Hosts say paani pilaaiye when offering a drink. |
How to use पानी in real life
- 1At a roadside stall
भैया, एक ठंडा पानी दीजिए।
bhaiya, ek thanda paani deejiye.
Brother, one cold water please.
Thanda paani often means a sealed cold bottle at stalls.
- 2As a guest arrives
पहले पानी पी लीजिए, फिर बात करते हैं।
pehla paani pee leejiye, phir baat karte hain.
Drink some water first, then we'll talk.
Offering water is the first hospitality step in many homes.
- 3In a restaurant
टेबल पर पानी रख दीजिए।
table par paani rakh deejiye.
Please put water on the table.
Many places bring a jug; asking is still fine.
Mistakes English speakers make with पानी
Incorrect: Paani achhi hai.
Correct: Paani achha hai. / Paani thanda hai.
Paani is masculine, so adjectives take masculine forms like achha and thanda.
Incorrect: Mujhe water do only
Correct: Mujhe paani deejiye.
English works in tourist spots, but paani deejiye is understood everywhere.
Good to know
Guests are almost always offered water before tea or snacks. Tap water habits vary by city; many travelers stick to sealed bottles. Saying paani after a spicy bite is normal, and hosts watch your glass carefully.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Ordering drinks at a small cafe
ChatPal
आप क्या लेंगे, चाय या पानी?
aap kya lenge, chaai ya paani?
What will you have, tea or water?
You
पहले एक ठंडा पानी दीजिए।
pehla ek thanda paani deejiye.
Please give a cold water first.
ChatPal
बोतल का पानी ठीक रहेगा?
botal ka paani theek rahega?
Will bottled water be okay?
You
हाँ, पानी की बोतल ला दीजिए।
haan, paani ki botal laa deejiye.
Yes, please bring a water bottle.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Water" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Water" in Hindi
Is paani masculine?
Yes. Say thanda paani and paani aa gaya, using masculine agreement.
How do I ask for a glass of water?
Say ek gilaas paani deejiye. It works in homes, trains, and restaurants.
What is jal?
Jal is a Sanskrit-origin word for water, heard in formal or religious speech. Daily talk uses paani.
How do I say I'm thirsty?
Say mujhe pyaas lagi hai, or simply paani chaahiye.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
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- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
