How Are You In Marathi: 5+ Ways To Greet People Politely - ling-app.com

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Connecting with locals is one of the best parts of travelling. In Maharashtra, learning how to say how are you in Marathi is a great way to show respect for the Marathi culture and start meaningful conversations.

Whether you’re exploring the streets of Mumbai or relaxing in Goa, a simple greeting like “Kasa aahes?” or “Kashi aahes?” will help you make authentic connections.

In this article, you’ll learn how to start a conversation in Marathi by asking about how someone is doing.

“How are you?” is the second most common greeting after “hello”, isn’t it? May it be a friend you met after a long time or someone you met for the first time, this greeting has always been a great conversation starter.

Maharashtrians love to meet new people, and the first thing they ask after saying hello in Marathi is, Kase Aahaat? (कसे आहात?), which means how are you in Marathi.

So, if you’re visiting Maharashtra in India, you have to learn this phrase to have more meaningful relationships with the locals!

The phrase "How are you" written with yellow tiles on a blue background

Different Ways Of Asking How Are You In Marathi

The Marathi grammar has a gender-verb agreement; hence, when you form a sentence while speaking, you form it in the Subject-Object-Verb format. The noun or pronoun generally is in agreement with the verb. Hence, the phrase how are you in Marathi varies from person to person.

While learning to speak Marathi, it is essential to know the formal and informal pronouns that you must use in different situations and with people.

You can use the second person pronoun Tu (तू) for addressing someone younger than or the same age as you.

  • Tu kasa aahes (तू कसा आहेस) – is used for the male gender.
  • Tu kashi aahes (तू कशी आहेस) – is used for the female gender.

When addressing an elderly person, you should use the formal you pronoun, Tumhi (तुम्ही).

  • Tumhi kase aahat? (तुम्ही कसे आहात?) – for the male gender.
  • Tumhi kasha aahat? (तुम्ही कशा आहात?) – for the female gender.

But there’s a twist to this. Even if a person is older than you, you can still address them as ‘Tu’ by adding a relationship address such as Tai, Dada, Kaka, Kaku, Mama, Mami, Mavshi, and Aatya for those who are your close relatives. It is absolutely fine to say, “Tai, tu kashi aahes?” (ताई, तू कशी आहेस) to your close circle.

Let’s Get A Little Informal With How Are You In Marathi

There is more than one way to say how you are in Marathi. We have just learned the usual, formal way to say it, but let’s learn some more colloquial and little informal ways to say how are you in Marathi.

When you’re travelling in Maharashtra, you come across people from different regions of Maharashtra who may not speak the same kind of Marathi as you. They might ask how you are in a different way.

Someone might ask you, Kay Mhanta/Mhantos/Mhantes? (काय म्हणता/म्हणतोस/म्हणतेस?) on the streets of Pune, or Bara Aahe Ka, Pavhna? (बरं आहे का, पाव्हणं?), somewhere in the Marathwada region, or you might be asked Kasa Kay, Bara Aahe Ka? (कसं काय, बरं आहे का?) anywhere in the interiors of Maharashtra.

All of these greetings translate to the same thing: “How are you?”, but they have different connotations because of the emotions involved in them. These greetings can make you feel more at home and feel wanted in a place where you might feel awkward!

Now that you have learned these phrases, you can easily use them anywhere, I mean anywhere in Maharashtra. You can use these while talking on the phone or on the streets, which will just add a personal touch to the greeting.

How To Respond To How Are You In Marathi

We know this greeting starts a conversation, but an actual conversation begins when you know how to respond to a question. There are many ways in which you can respond to how are you in Marathi.

  • I’m fine. – Mi Bara/Bari Aahe (मी बरा/बरी आहे) or Mi Thik Aahe (मी ठीक आहे).
    This is the most common response, as Maharashtrians like to downplay their status a bit.
  • I’m good. – Mi Chaangla/Chaangli Aahe (मी चांगला/चांगली आहे).
    There’s another phrase you can use – Mi Chhan aahe (मी छान आहे) which is more gender neutral.
  • I’m happy. – Mi Majet Aahe (मी मजेत आहे).
    Use this when you want to say, “I’m really happy”. The word Majet could also be translated as pleasant, joyful, feeling good, etc.

The last response is a bit colloquial and used around the state and its interiors. Again, a recent addition to the list, but a fun way of replying: Nivant Aahe (निवांत आहे), meaning absolutely free or at leisure, relaxed, laid back. So many connotations to this one. you can use this for a native-like impression.

A family photo of Marathi people

What’s More About These Greetings?

This question, is not just a formality. For us Maharashtrians, it is an emotion. An emotion of belongingness and friendship, of strengthening relationships. I think it’s a universal emotion. This question can be asked anywhere to anyone.

Be it on a phone conversation, or an actual meet-up, or even talking to strangers. You always start with a humble Namaskar and ask “How are you?.” You can then continue with the conversation.

Be very polite and smiling while asking this question. You never know; they might share their life story with you next in your long journey.

The greetings which we just read can be used for personal and commercial purposes both. You go to a bank, or a ticket house to get a train ticket, you can greet the supervisors with one of these phrases, or you meet a government official, you can start the conversation with this.

Remember to respond politely, too. Maharashtrians love gentle gestures with warm smiles. Keep smiling!

Learn to pronounce everything well. Even if you can’t, keep trying, you’ll get there! People are helpful and co-operative, they try to understand your efforts.

How Do You Say How Are You In Marathi?

In Marathi, you can say Tumhi kase aahat? (तुम्ही कसे आहात?) when speaking formally or to someone older. If you’re speaking informally to a friend or someone younger, you can say Tumi kase aahat? (तुम्ही कसे आहात?).

Another casual option is Kasa ahes? (कसा आहेस?) for a male or Kashi ahes? (कशी आहेस?) for a female.

Vocabulary Table

Here’s a vocabulary table with different ways to say how are you in Marathi, based on what you have learned so far in this article.

EnglishMarathiTransliteration
How are you? (Informal, Male)तू कसा आहेस?Tu Kasa Aahes?
How are you? (Informal, Female)तू कशी आहेस?Tu Kashi Aahes?
How are you? (Formal, Male)तुम्ही कसे आहात?Tumhi Kase Aahat?
How are you? (Formal, Female)तुम्ही कशा आहात?Tumhi Kasha Aahat?
How are you? (Casual)काय म्हणता/म्हणतोस/म्हणतेस?Kay Mhanta/Mhantos/Mhantes?
How are you? (Regional, Marathwada)बरं आहे का, पाव्हणं?Bara Aahe Ka, Pavhna?
How are you? (Regional, Interior Maharashtra)कसं काय, बरं आहे का?Kasa Kay, Bara Aahe Ka?
Bustling Mumbai street

Tips For Starting A Conversation With Locals In Marathi

  1. Master the Basics First: Before you embark on your adventures, take a few minutes each day to learn some essential Marathi phrases. Start with greetings like Namaskar (नमस्कार) for Hello and Kasa aahes? (कसा आहेस?) or Kashi aahes? (कशी आहेस?) for how are you in Marathi. Knowing these small phrases will instantly connect you with locals and enhance your experience.
  2. Respect Local Etiquette: In Maharashtra, greetings go beyond words. When you ask someone, Kasa aahes? (कसा आहेस?) or Kashi aahes? (कशी आहेस?), always say it with a smile. This gesture shows you respect the Marathi culture and are genuinely interested in their well-being, making you feel more at home.
  3. Use Formal Greetings for Older Locals: When addressing someone older, it’s respectful to use
    formal pronouns like Tumhi (तुम्ही). For example, Tumhi kase aahat? (तुम्ही कसे आहात?) is the correct formal greeting. This shows your understanding of local customs and helps you form better connections with elders.
  4. Engage in Casual Conversations: Don’t be afraid to use informal greetings with friends or people your age! Tu kasa aahes? (तू कसा आहेस?) or Tu kashi aahes? (तू कशी आहेस?) will help you sound more natural and friendly. It’s a great icebreaker when meeting new people.
  5. Learn Regional Variations: Maharashtra has diverse regions, and each one has its own way of asking “How are you?” For example, in Marathwada, you might hear Bara Aahe Ka, Pavhna? (बरं आहे का, पाव्हणं?) or Kasa Kay, Bara Aahe Ka? (कसं काय, बरं आहे का?). Don’t hesitate to learn these local versions – they’ll give you a more authentic connection with the locals and make your travel experience more personal.
  6. Be Mindful of Body Language: In Marathi culture, body language matters. When greeting someone, a slight bow of the head or a respectful nod can complement your verbal greeting. This shows you’re engaging respectfully with the local customs, even if you’re still learning the language.

Frequently Asked Questions About How Are You In Marathi

1. How To Say “How Are You” In Marathi To A Girl?

You should say Tu Kashi Aahes? (तू कशी आहेस?) to a girl in Marathi.

2. How Do Marathis Greet Each Other?

Maharashtrians often start by saying hello in Marathi: Namaskar (नमस्कार) and then greet each other by saying Kay Mhanta? Kasa Kay? (काय म्हणता, कसं काय?) or Kase Aaahat? (कसे आहात?) in Marathi.

3. What Is “Tu Kasa Aahes” In English?

The translation of Tu Kasa Aahes in English is “How are you?” asked to a man or a boy.

Wrapping Up

As humans, we’ve always strived to make great connections with fellow humans, and language has always played a huge role in it. When learning any new language, we try to learn the basics to start small talk or break the ice with someone.

Asking how are you in Marathi is an ice-breaking question we try to learn in every language initially. Marathi has different ways of asking, formal and informal, and their equally formal and informal responses.

We’ve tried capturing the essence of it in this article while also learning about the basic grammar and pronunciation of using these. Do learn these and use them next time you travel or make a new Marathi friend!

Master The Marathi Language!

Ready to take your travels to the next level? Learning Marathi with Ling will not only open up doors to authentic conversations with locals, but it’ll also deepen your understanding of the culture you’re exploring.

Whether you’re navigating a bustling street market in Mumbai or chatting with a local guide in Goa, speaking Marathi will make your journey richer and more rewarding.

Ling’s on-the-go lessons are perfect for travellers; they are easy, quick, and tailored to travellers by teaching real-life and useful phrases. The best part is that Ling is focused on teaching less popular languages and more difficult languages, such as South Asian and Eastern European languages!

Start using the Ling app and make your travels truly unforgettable!