When visiting local markets in Maharashtra, India, knowing some Marathi can greatly enhance your shopping experience. Marathi is the official language of Maharashtra and is widely spoken in cities such as Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, and Nashik. Whether you’re exploring bustling bazaars, quaint village markets, or modern shopping centers, having a grasp of common Marathi vocabulary can help you communicate more effectively and build rapport with local vendors.
In this article, we will cover essential Marathi vocabulary that will come in handy when navigating local markets. From greetings and common phrases to specific terms for fruits, vegetables, spices, and bargaining, this guide aims to provide you with a useful toolkit for your market adventures.
Greetings and Common Phrases
Before diving into specific market-related vocabulary, it’s important to familiarize yourself with some basic greetings and common phrases in Marathi. These will help you initiate conversations and show respect to the vendors.
1. **Namaskar** (नमस्कार) – Hello
2. **Kasa aahe?** (कसा आहे?) – How are you? (to a male)
3. **Kashi aahe?** (कशी आहे?) – How are you? (to a female)
4. **Mi thik aahe.** (मी ठीक आहे.) – I am fine.
5. **Dhanyavaad** (धन्यवाद) – Thank you
6. **Kripaya** (कृपया) – Please
7. **Ho** (हो) – Yes
8. **Nahi** (नाही) – No
9. **Mala maaf kara.** (मला माफ करा.) – Excuse me / I’m sorry
10. **Kay mhanto?** (काय म्हणतो?) – What do you say?
Basic Shopping Vocabulary
When you’re at a market, you’ll need to know some essential words and phrases related to shopping. Here are some terms that will be particularly useful:
1. **Bajar** (बाजार) – Market
2. **Bhav** (भाव) – Price
3. **Swasta** (स्वस्त) – Cheap
4. **Mahag** (महाग) – Expensive
5. **Nava** (नवीन) – New
6. **Jun** (जुने) – Old
7. **Vatav** (वाटाव) – Bargain
8. **Kiti** (किती) – How much?
9. **To** (तो) – That (masculine)
10. **Ti** (ती) – That (feminine)
11. **He** (हे) – This
12. **Kharedi** (खरेदी) – Purchase
13. **Vikri** (विक्री) – Sale
14. **Kay hava ahe?** (काय हवं आहे?) – What do you want?
15. **Mala hava ahe** (मला हवं आहे) – I want
Numbers
Knowing numbers is crucial for understanding prices and quantities. Here are the Marathi numbers from 1 to 10:
1. **Eka** (एक) – One
2. **Don** (दोन) – Two
3. **Tin** (तीन) – Three
4. **Char** (चार) – Four
5. **Panch** (पाच) – Five
6. **Saha** (सहा) – Six
7. **Sat** (सात) – Seven
8. **Aath** (आठ) – Eight
9. **Nau** (नऊ) – Nine
10. **Dah** (दहा) – Ten
For higher numbers, you can combine these basics, such as:
– **Ekvis** (एकवीस) – Twenty-one (21)
– **Panchvis** (पंचवीस) – Twenty-five (25)
– **Thevis** (तीस) – Thirty (30)
– **Ekashe** (शंभर) – One Hundred (100)
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are a significant part of any market. Here are some common ones you might encounter:
Fruits
1. **Safarchand** (सफरचंद) – Apple
2. **Kel** (केळ) – Banana
3. **Santra** (संत्रा) – Orange
4. **Ananas** (अननस) – Pineapple
5. **Draakshe** (द्राक्षे) – Grapes
6. **Peru** (पेरू) – Guava
7. **Papaya** (पपई) – Papaya
8. **Mosambi** (मोसंबी) – Sweet lime
9. **Sitaphal** (सीताफळ) – Custard Apple
10. **Kharbuja** (खरबूज) – Melon
Vegetables
1. **Batata** (बटाटा) – Potato
2. **Kanda** (कांदा) – Onion
3. **Tamatar** (टमाटर) – Tomato
4. **Bhopala** (भोपळा) – Pumpkin
5. **Bhendi** (भेंडी) – Okra
6. **Gajar** (गाजर) – Carrot
7. **Kobi** (कोबी) – Cabbage
8. **Matar** (मटर) – Peas
9. **Palak** (पालक) – Spinach
10. **Vangi** (वांगी) – Brinjal
Spices and Other Essentials
Indian markets are renowned for their wide variety of spices. Knowing the Marathi names for these can be particularly helpful:
1. **Masale** (मसाले) – Spices
2. **Halad** (हळद) – Turmeric
3. **Mirchi** (मिरची) – Chili
4. **Jeera** (जिरे) – Cumin
5. **Dhaniya** (धने) – Coriander
6. **Adrak** (आद्रक) – Ginger
7. **Lasan** (लसूण) – Garlic
8. **Lavang** (लवंग) – Clove
9. **Dalchini** (दालचिनी) – Cinnamon
10. **Elaichi** (एलाईची) – Cardamom
Bargaining Phrases
Bargaining is a common practice in many local markets in Maharashtra. Here are some useful phrases to help you negotiate better:
1. **Bhav kami kara.** (भाव कमी करा.) – Reduce the price.
2. **Khup mahag aahe.** (खूप महाग आहे.) – It’s too expensive.
3. **Shevat ka bhav?** (शेवट का भाव?) – What’s the final price?
4. **Ajun kami kara na.** (अजून कमी करा ना.) – Please reduce it further.
5. **Te swasta dya.** (ते स्वस्त द्या.) – Give it cheaply.
6. **Mala ha bhav patto.** (मला हा भाव पटतो.) – I agree with this price.
7. **Aadhi bhav patav.** (आधी भाव पटव.) – Fix the price first.
8. **Mala chhan bhav dya.** (मला छान भाव द्या.) – Give me a good price.
9. **Kharidari karaychi aahe.** (खरेदी करायची आहे.) – I want to buy.
10. **Nahi tar…** (नाही तर…) – If not…
Other Useful Phrases
Aside from the basics, here are some additional phrases that might come in handy during your market visits:
1. **Kharedechi list ahe.** (खरेदीची लिस्ट आहे.) – I have a shopping list.
2. **Krupaya mala madat kara.** (कृपया मला मदत करा.) – Please help me.
3. **Mala bagh dakhva.** (मला बघ दाखवा.) – Show me the bag.
4. **Krupaya mala te pan dakhva.** (कृपया मला ते पण दाखवा.) – Please show me that too.
5. **He changla ahe ka?** (हे चांगलं आहे का?) – Is this good?
6. **He kiti divas tikel?** (हे किती दिवस टिकेल?) – How long will this last?
7. **Mala he nahi pahije.** (मला हे नाही पाहिजे.) – I don’t want this.
8. **Aajun kahi ahe ka?** (अजून काही आहे का?) – Is there anything else?
9. **Mala anek prakar hava.** (मला अनेक प्रकार हवा.) – I want various types.
10. **He changla distay.** (हे चांगलं दिसतंय.) – This looks good.
Conclusion
Learning some basic Marathi vocabulary can significantly enhance your experience when visiting local markets in Maharashtra. Not only will it help you in purchasing the items you need, but it will also allow you to interact more meaningfully with local vendors and immerse yourself in the local culture. Practice these words and phrases, and you’ll find that your market visits become more enjoyable and rewarding. Happy shopping!
