In this language learning lesson, we will talk in Hindi about having dinner. Since the language is Hindi, we will look at things from the perspective of a Hindi-speaking family. The cuisine will be Indian, and as Indian cuisine is too extensively and regionally varied to be considered in totality here, we will hypothetically eat what I like.
Just so you know, some of the regional types of Indian cuisines are -
- Maharastrian
- Konkani
- Gujarati
- Punjabi
- South Indian
- Bengali
- Assamese
- Manipuri
- Arunachali
Most Indian people eat with their hands. They use the right hand to eat, and use the left to pick up a glass or utensil. Most modern Indians, especially in the cities, dine at a dining table, but in the olden days they would sit down on the floor on wooden boards or rugs and used patravalis as plates. A patravali is made from banana leaves, palas leaves, muthla leaves, jackfruit leaves or teak leaves. Patravalis are still used on ceremonial occasions and in some regional hotels. More eco-friendly than plastic, steel or glass plates, if you think about it. In the olden days, the supplies for your dinner would come from the shops wrapped up in leaves too.
C'mon, dinner's ready - Chalo, khana tayar hain.
Sit down - Baith jao.
I'm hungry - Mujhe bhook lagi hai.
What will you eat? - Tum kya khaoge? (informal) / Aap kya khaoge? (formal)
What's for dinner? - Khane may kya hai?
Today we have made Hyderabadi biryani - Aaj humne Hyderabadi biryani banayi hain.
And there is also rice, roti, sambhar, paratha, vegetables, salad, pakoda, papad, pickle, curd, buttermilk and lassi - Aur chawal, roti, sambhar, paratha, sabzi, raita, pakoda, papad, aachar, chutney, dahi, tak, lassi bhi hain.
Do you like sweet dishes? - Tumko mithai pasand hai? (informal) / Aapko mithai pasand hai? (formal)
There is also mango juice, jalebi, rasgulla, gulab jamun, shrikhand, barfi and laddoos - Aam-ras, jalebi, rasgulla, gulab jamun, shrikhand, barfi aur laddoo bhi hain.
I was also going to make Momos, but I didn't have the time - Main Momos bhi bananay wali thi, lekin mujhe wakt nahi mila.
Tomorrow I'm going to make South Indian food - dosa-sambhar and wada-sambhar - I particularly like Iddiyappam - Kal main Dakshin Bharatiya khana bananay wali hoon -dosa-sambhar aur wada-sambhar - mujhe Idiyappam khas pasand hai.
What will you have? - Tum kya logay? (informal) / Aap kya logay? (formal)
What else will you have? - Tum aur kya logay? (informal) / Aap aur kya logay? (formal)
Would you like some more? - Tumko aur chahiye? / Tumhe aur chahiye? (informal) / Aapko aur chahiye? (formal)
Do you want water? - Tumko pani chahiye? (informal) / Aapko pani chahiye? (formal)
Move your glass here - Glass yahan karo