Shopping and bargaining can be both an exciting and challenging experience when you’re in a foreign country. If you’re in Maharashtra, India, and you want to dive into the local culture, learning a few Marathi phrases can be incredibly helpful. Marathi, the official language of Maharashtra, is spoken by over 83 million people. By using some key phrases, you can not only make your shopping experience smoother but also build a connection with the locals. Here are some essential Marathi phrases that can help you navigate through shopping and bargaining with ease.
Basic Greetings and Polite Expressions
Before you start shopping, it’s essential to know some basic greetings and polite expressions. These phrases will help you start conversations on a positive note.
– **Hello**: नमस्कार (Namaskar)
– **Good morning**: शुभ प्रभात (Shubh prabhat)
– **Good evening**: शुभ संध्याकाळ (Shubh sandhyakaal)
– **Please**: कृपया (Kripaya)
– **Thank you**: धन्यवाद (Dhanyavaad)
– **Yes**: हो (Ho)
– **No**: नाही (Nahi)
– **Excuse me**: माफ करा (Maaf kara)
– **Sorry**: सॉरी (Sorry)
Common Shopping Phrases
When you are out shopping, you’ll need to know how to ask for various items and understand the responses. Here are some commonly used phrases:
– **How much is this?**: हे कितीला आहे? (He kitila aahe?)
– **I want to buy this.**: मला हे घ्यायचं आहे. (Mala he ghyaaych aahe.)
– **Do you have this in a different color/size?**: हे वेगळ्या रंगात/आकारात आहे का? (He veglya rangat/akaraat aahe ka?)
– **Can I try this on?**: मी हे घालून बघू शकतो का? (Mi he ghaalun baghu shakto ka?) [for males]
– **Can I try this on?**: मी हे घालून बघू शकते का? (Mi he ghaalun baghu shakte ka?) [for females]
– **I am just looking.**: मी फक्त बघतो आहे. (Mi fakt baghto aahe.) [for males]
– **I am just looking.**: मी फक्त बघते आहे. (Mi fakt baghte aahe.) [for females]
– **Where is the trial room?**: ट्रायल रूम कुठे आहे? (Trial room kuthe aahe?)
– **Do you accept credit cards?**: तुम्ही क्रेडिट कार्ड स्वीकारता का? (Tumhi credit card sweekarta ka?)
– **Can you gift wrap this?**: तुम्ही हे गिफ्ट रॅप करू शकता का? (Tumhi he gift wrap karu shakata ka?)
Bargaining Phrases
Bargaining is a common practice in many markets across Maharashtra. Learning these phrases can help you negotiate better deals:
– **Is there any discount?**: काही सवलत आहे का? (Kahi sawalat aahe ka?)
– **This is too expensive.**: हे खूप महाग आहे. (He khup mahag aahe.)
– **Can you reduce the price?**: तुम्ही किंमत कमी करू शकता का? (Tumhi kimat kami karu shaktaa ka?)
– **What is your final price?**: तुमची शेवटची किंमत काय आहे? (Tumchi shevat chi kimat kay aahe?)
– **I will buy it if you reduce the price.**: तुम्ही किंमत कमी केली तर मी हे घेईन. (Tumhi kimat kami keli tar mi he gheein.)
– **I saw this cheaper somewhere else.**: मला हे दुसरीकडे स्वस्तात पाहिलं. (Mala he dusarikade swastaat pahile.)
– **I don’t want it.**: मला हे नको आहे. (Mala he nako aahe.)
Specific Items and Categories
When shopping, you might need to ask for specific items. Here are some common categories and items you might look for:
Clothing and Accessories
– **Shirt**: शर्ट (Shirt)
– **Pants**: पॅन्ट (Pant)
– **Dress**: ड्रेस (Dress)
– **Shoes**: बूट (Boot)
– **Belt**: पट्टा (Patta)
– **Jewelry**: दागिने (Dagine)
Groceries and Food Items
– **Vegetables**: भाजीपाला (Bhaajipala)
– **Fruits**: फळे (Phale)
– **Rice**: तांदूळ (Tandul)
– **Spices**: मसाले (Masale)
– **Milk**: दूध (Dudh)
– **Bread**: पाव (Pav)
Electronics
– **Mobile Phone**: मोबाइल फोन (Mobile phone)
– **Laptop**: लॅपटॉप (Laptop)
– **Television**: टेलिव्हिजन (Television)
– **Headphones**: हेडफोन (Headphone)
– **Camera**: कॅमेरा (Camera)
Paying and Finalizing the Purchase
Once you’ve selected your items and bargained to your satisfaction, it’s time to finalize the purchase. Here are some phrases that can help:
– **I will take it.**: मी हे घेईन. (Mi he gheein.)
– **Can you give me a receipt?**: तुम्ही मला पावती देऊ शकता का? (Tumhi mala pavati deu shaktaa ka?)
– **Where do I pay?**: मी पैसे कुठे देऊ? (Mi paise kuthe deu?)
– **Keep the change.**: उरलेले पैसे ठेवा. (Urlele paise theva.)
– **Do you have a bag?**: तुमच्याकडे पिशवी आहे का? (Tumchyakade pishavi aahe ka?)
– **Please pack this.**: कृपया हे पॅक करा. (Kripaya he pack kara.)
Understanding Responses
It’s one thing to ask questions, but it’s equally important to understand the responses. Here are some common replies you might hear:
– **Yes, we have it.**: होय, आमच्याकडे आहे. (Hoy, aamchyakade aahe.)
– **No, we don’t have it.**: नाही, आमच्याकडे नाही. (Nahi, aamchyakade nahi.)
– **This is the last piece.**: हे शेवटचे तुकडे आहे. (He shevatche tukade aahe.)
– **We don’t accept credit cards.**: आम्ही क्रेडिट कार्ड स्वीकारत नाही. (Aamhi credit card sweekarat nahi.)
– **The trial room is over there.**: ट्रायल रूम तिकडे आहे. (Trial room tikade aahe.)
Building Rapport with Shopkeepers
Building a good rapport with shopkeepers can make your shopping experience more enjoyable and sometimes even help you get better deals. Here are some phrases to help you connect:
– **How are you?**: तुम्ही कसे आहात? (Tumhi kase aahat?)
– **Your shop is very nice.**: तुमचे दुकान खूप छान आहे. (Tumche dukan khup chhan aahe.)
– **I like this place.**: मला हे ठिकाण आवडले. (Mala he thikan aavadale.)
– **You are very kind.**: तुम्ही खूप चांगले आहात. (Tumhi khup changale aahat.)
Practice Makes Perfect
The key to mastering these phrases is practice. Try to use them as often as possible when you’re out shopping. Don’t worry if you make mistakes; locals will appreciate your effort to speak their language and will often help you improve.
Conclusion
Learning these Marathi phrases for shopping and bargaining can significantly enhance your experience in Maharashtra. Whether you’re buying clothes, groceries, or electronics, these phrases will help you communicate more effectively and confidently. So the next time you find yourself in a bustling market in Mumbai or Pune, don’t hesitate to use these phrases and enjoy the vibrant shopping culture of Maharashtra. Happy shopping!
