Not only in Hindi, but in any language, you can’t have basic conversations without saying things like:
- one minute
- tomorrow
- last week
- next month
Time is a lot more important than we think.
The good news is that you can use English words in case you are stuck. Once you learn the core words, you can handle most daily situations.
Bookmark this page to come back and practice time units in Hindi. This is one of the most important concepts to master – so spend time with it.
Seconds, Minutes, and Hours in Hindi
Second = second
Hindi speakers often just say second in casual speech. The more formal version, pal, is very rarely used, unless you are translating Bollywood movie lyrics.
Minute = minute
Yes, it’s the same word.
Example:
Do minute = two minutes
Colloquial note – Culturally, when someone says do minute (two minutes), or paanch minute (ten minutes), they are likely not being very precise. All they are saying is “soon.”
If you ask someone when they are going to arrive and if they say do minute, they are likely telling you soon. Make sure to follow up twice or thrice to get an exact time. This is completely normal and not rude.
Hour = ghanta
Example:
Ek ghante baad milte hain
Let’s meet after one hour
Colloquial note – ghanta also has a negative meaning in the modern day. If ghanta is used without any numeric unit, it is used similar to the English expression “No way!” as in it’s not possible. You’ll get the hang of it once you hear this enough. If you don’t get it now, that is completely okay.
Day and Night
Now let’s move to daily time units.
Day = din
Night = raat
Examples:
- Kal din bahut busy tha
Yesterday was very busy - Raat ko call karna
Call at night
Today, Tomorrow, Yesterday (Important!)
This is where things get a little confusing.
Aaj = today
Kal = yesterday OR tomorrow
Yes, kal means both yesterday and tomorrow.
Context tells you which one.
Example:
Kal milte hain
Let’s meet tomorrow
Kal main busy tha
I was busy yesterday
Hindi speakers understand this naturally from context. That said, if you want to make a riddle in Hindi, this is the best place to get started!
Week, Month, Year
Now let’s zoom out.
Week = hafta
Example:
Agle hafta milte hain
Let’s meet next week
Month = mahina
Example:
Is mahine ka plan kya hai
What’s the plan for this month
Year = saal
Example:
Is saal bahut change hua
A lot changed this year
Morning, Afternoon, Evening, Night
Morning = subah
Example:
Subah milte hain
Let’s meet in the morning
Afternoon = dopahar
Example:
Dopahar mein call karna
Call in the afternoon
Evening = shaam
Example:
Shaam ko free ho
Are you free in the evening
Night = raat
Example:
Raat ko mat aana
Don’t come at night
How to Ask “What Time Is It?”
Let’s now get to forming questions based on what we learned.
The formal translation of time is samay, but you don’t need to use it. Most people just say time in everyday conversation.
Example:
Kya time hua hai
What time is it?
Kitne baje hain
What time is it?
Common Daily Time Phrases
Here are some other phrases you’ll hear constantly:
- Abhi = now
- Abhi tak = until now
- Jaldi = soon
- Der se = late
- Abhi aata hoon = coming now
- Thodi der mein = in a little while
These are actually far more common than precise time durations.
Quick Summary (Save This)
Here are the most important time units in Hindi:
- Second = second
- Minute = minute
- Hour = ghanta
- Day = din
- Night = raat
- Today = aaj
- Yesterday / Tomorrow = kal
- Week = hafta
- Month = mahina
- Year = saal
If you know these, you can manage most daily conversations about time.
We’ll be starting to share 5 minute exercises for Hindi conversations based on the above sentences. If you would like to receive these, subscribe here –
If you liked reading this, check out our other guides on simple Hindi phrases