Marathi daily life & culture

Written by: authorship not independently recorded. Maintained by Prakash. Reviewed by: not recorded. Updated: legacy editorial date unknown. Editorial policy and corrections.

Draft: not yet reviewed by a native speaker. Existing availability and indexing are preserved by owner instruction; that is not an editorial approval. Suggest a correction.

🔊 Tap any speaker button to hear the words on this page spoken. Too fast or slow? Use the speed button at the bottom-right of the page.

The Marathi phrases of everyday life, plus the culture that makes them make sense.

Daily phrases

English	Hindi	Marathi	Say it
I don't understand	मैं नहीं समझा	मला समजले नाही	malā samajle nāhī
I want water	मुझे पानी चाहिए	मला पाणी पाहिजे	malā pāṇī pāhije
	पाहिजे (want/need) always works this way: मला X पाहिजे
Speak slowly, please	धीरे बोलिए	हळू बोला	haḷū bolā
What is this called?	इसे क्या कहते हैं?	याला काय म्हणतात?	yālā kāy mhaṇtāt?
I am learning Marathi	मैं मराठी सीख रहा हूँ	मी मराठी शिकतोय	mī marāṭhī śiktoy
	A woman says शिकतेय (śiktey)
Where are you from?	आप कहाँ से हैं?	तुम्ही कुठले?	tumhī kuṭhle?
My name is ...	मेरा नाम ... है	माझे नाव ... आहे	mājhe nāv ... āhe
Nice to meet you	आपसे मिलकर खुशी हुई	तुम्हाला भेटून आनंद झाला	tumhālā bheṭūn ānand jhālā

Culture in five words

गणेशोत्सव (Gaṇeśotsav) — Mumbai's ten-day Ganpati festival (Aug–Sep) — drums, dancing processions and modaks. Shout गणपती बाप्पा मोरया with the crowd and you're family.
गुढी पाडवा (Guḍhī Pāḍvā) — Marathi New Year in spring — a decorated gudhi flag flies outside every house, and the new almanac year begins.
वारी (Wārī) — The barefoot pilgrimage to Pandharpur — lakhs walk for weeks singing abhangas. Maharashtra's moving heart; join even one day of it.
लावणी (Lāvaṇī) — Fiery folk music and dance — fast drums, quicker wit. One live show teaches your ear more rhythm than a month of tapes.
मिसळ पाव (misaḷ pāv) — Sprouted-bean curry crowned with farsan, mopped up with pav — Kolhapur's is famously incendiary. Order दही (curd) on the side if you're cautious.