Do you want to learn how to speak Hindi but don’t know where to start?
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
Perhaps we won’t tell you the big secret – the best way to learn Hindi depends on your needs and goals, after all.
However, our learning tips can make your study routine much more effective as well as enjoyable.
Learning Hindi may seem like an impossible task, but mastering the basics is actually easier than you think. You just need to have the right approach.
10 Best Ways to Learn Hindi
So, is Hindi hard to learn?
Well, it’s definitely not one of the easiest foreign languages to learn. It has a different writing system and tricky grammar rules.
But every language has its challenges. And if you have a reliable learning source, a good study plan, and strong motivation, you’ll undoubtedly achieve your goals.
1. Make a Plan
Setting clear goals should be the first step of your learning journey.
Try to set realistic, short-term goals. That way, you’ll be able to track your progress more easily.
And you’ll feel more organized and accomplished.
One thing is for sure: learning Hindi will help you improve your organizational skills.
Self-discipline is important, especially if you want to learn how to speak Hindi on your own.
But even if you decided to take traditional Hindi classes, you should practice Hindi by yourself too.
First of all, you need to make a good study plan based on your goals, needs, and learning habits.
You also need to create a comfortable study environment.
All right, even if your room doesn’t look like this, you can still find a peaceful corner to focus on your daily goal.
After all, you shouldn’t spend hours studying Hindi. It’s better to take regular, bite-sized lessons. That’s how you’ll be able to memorize everything properly.
Remember: consistency is the key. And if you want to be consistent, you shouldn’t have an extreme study routine that will leave you feeling stressed and overwhelmed.
Take it easy – and make it a part of your daily routine.
2. Use a Hindi language app
Using an app to learn Hindi is arguably the best way to fit language learning into your daily life.
Hindi learning apps are portable and, therefore, incredibly convenient and practical.
Imagine learning new Hindi words on the go – while you’re commuting, walking your dog, or jogging.
Some apps are designed to help you learn in an easy and effective way.
On the other note, the best apps to learn Hindi are well-structured and thorough.
For example, Rocket Hindi by Rocket Languages can help you improve all the main language skills: speaking, writing, listening and reading.
It’s a whole package.
Plus, it will provide you with valuable cultural insights.
Language-learning apps will make your learning process more fun and versatile.
Some of them feature games, quizzes, and challenges.
And others will completely immerse you in the language. You can even learn Hindi in virtual reality.
More importantly, apps like Rocket Hindi use speech recognition technology, adaptive algorithms, and modern study tools. They will adjust to your needs and learning habits and they will help you get on the right track.
It’s never been easier to learn a new language. You can do it anytime, anywhere.
And you can do it while you’re having fun.
However, there are some elements of the Hindi language that you need to approach in a standard way.
There are no shortcuts to mastering the Hindi alphabet.
3. Learn Devanagari
Hindi is written in Devanagari script.
It’s written from left to right, so in that way, it’s the same as English.
But everything else is quite different.
Devanagari writing system is a combination of syllabary and alphabet.
But luckily, it’s very phonetic. Each letter has its own sound and Hindi words are pronounced exactly as they are written.
There are 36 consonants and 12 vowels. You should learn the vowels first as they lead to consonants.
Find the videos on how to pronounce the vowels and practice as much as you can.
Once you learn how to speak Hindi, writing will be easier.
Learning how to speak and write is equally important.
If you’re planning to visit India, you can’t use transliteration tools all the time. You need to be able how to read the Devanagari script.
And you will get used to it. Learning a new writing system always requires dedication and practice.
So, don’t rush, and you’ll become comfortable with the Hindi alphabet sooner than you think.
4. Use flashcards
If you’re wondering how to learn Hindi fast, you need to explore different language hacks.
You have many online study tools and memory aids at your disposal.
And flashcards are probably the most popular.
Vocabulary flashcards are two-sided note cards used for improving memory. You can use a flashcard app or download Hindi vocabulary flashcards.
Or, even better, you can create your own set of flashcards.
Either way, a flashcard is a simple and handy tool.
If you’re just starting out, focus on commonly-used words.
You don’t need to bother with complex words for now.
If you’re planning to visit India, learn practical vocab useful for traveling. Learn how to order a drink or how to ask for directions.
As you progress, you’ll start to expand your vocabulary. It’s easier when you’re already familiar with commonly-used words and basic grammar concepts.
You should also take advantage of loan words. Colloquial Hindi uses a bunch of loan words.
But there are also some words that English borrowed from Hindi.
For example, veranda comes from the Hindi Varanda (the porch style) and it’s actually also used in many other languages (like Slavic languages.)
But Varanda is also related to the Spanish baranda (meaning railing) and it most likely entered Hindi via Portuguese explorers of India. It’s amazing to see how everything is connected.
Anyway, the point of our long digression is the fact that you can expand your vocabulary if you make a list of loan words and words connected to your native language or English.
5. Watch Hindi TV
When you learn basic Hindi grammar and vocabulary, you should try to surround yourself with the language as much as you can.
And one of the easiest ways to do that is by watching Hindi movies and TV shows.
There’s a lot of Hindi content on Netflix.
Find something easy-going for starters and watch it with subtitles. By listening to casual conversations, you’ll pick up new words and learn how to pronounce them correctly.
If you don’t know some words, write them down and look them up in a dictionary.
And if you feel quite overwhelmed, pick only one word per minute. So, if you watch a 30-minute episode, you’re supposed to have 30 words on your list.
After a while, you’ll be able to understand quite a lot. When you reach that point, watch something without subtitles. Even if you don’t get everything, you’ll guess things from context.
Exploring Hindi TV and Bollywood will increase your comprehension but it will also bring you closer to Indian culture.
6. Listen to Indian music and podcasts
Bollywood isn’t only about movies – all right, it used to be known as Bombay cinema, but music also plays a vital role in Hindi-language movies.
Try to find a song you like and pay attention to the lyrics.
Besides Bollywood music, there are so many other genres to explore; from Hindustani music to Indian pop music.
After all, India is a vast and diverse country.
But if you want to improve your listening skills as well as expand your vocabulary, you should listen to Indian podcasts.
You can listen to in-depth conversations on politics, art, philosophy, and basically anything you want.
There are also podcasts based on serialized story-telling of ancient mythology.
If you’re a beginner, start with something simple and familiar and focus on repetitive words.
You’ll expand your vocabulary, increase your comprehension, and learn a lot about different topics.
If you want to work on your pronunciation too, try to repeat certain words and sentences. Speak in a clear, loud voice.
Mimicking natural conversations and native speakers can be very helpful. In fact, it’s the only way to practice by yourself.
If you listen to Indian podcasts and music on a regular basis, you’ll get used to the rhythm, intonation, and natural flow of the Hindi language – and that will bring you closer to fluency.
7. Read a lot
Don’t forget about improving your reading skills.
It will take a while until you can read Devanagari with ease, and the only way to reach that point is to read a lot.
Pick up Indian magazines and newspapers.
You can also read online Hindi texts and articles.
It’s normal to read slowly at first. As you progress, you’ll be able to read anything you want.
And when you reach a certain level, you can try to read a book in Hindi. Start with something familiar and work your way up to new books and Indian authors.
Apart from expanding your vocabulary and improving your reading skills, you’ll learn how to guess words from context.
Contextual learning is very important. It’s always better to see a new word in context than simply try to memorize word lists and translations.
That’s a more natural way of learning a new language.
And even if you don’t understand everything, it doesn’t matter.
The thing is, you’ll never going to know every word in a dictionary. Even a native speaker doesn’t know that.
So, read as much as you can and don’t let strange words discourage you.
8. Talk to native speakers
The fastest way to learn Hindi is probably to partake in an immersion language program.
Immersion language programs usually last for a few weeks and they completely immerse you in the language. The language of instruction and communication is Hindi, so you’re forced to speak Hindi right away.
Plus, students have a chance to meet native speakers. And talking to native speakers will improve your speaking skills significantly.
But even if you don’t have a chance to visit India, you can find a way to get in touch with a native speaker.
There are many websites that can help you out, for instance.
You can find a language partner. And on a language exchange website, you can find a native speaker who will help you with your Hindi lessons and you can teach them your native language or English.
Either way, it’s absolutely crucial to use the language.
Well, you want to learn Hindi because you want to be able to communicate, right?
So, don’t be afraid to make a mistake and talk to native speakers from the very start.
9. Find an online tutor
If you want to bring your skills to the next level, finding an online teacher would be a great idea.
Even if you don’t want to take virtual Hindi lessons, you can take them occasionally. Or, you can contact a teacher and ask for advice and corrections.
The thing is, if you want to reach proficiency levels, you can’t do it by yourself.
Yes, you can learn basic grammar and vocabulary with the help of online resources.
But if you want to become a fluent speaker, you need to learn and get feedback from a real teacher.
And you need guidance.
Also, online tutoring is often less expensive than hiring a private teacher.
Plus, it’s definitely more convenient. You can learn from the comfort of your home, and you can focus on what you really want.
Your online tutor will create a study plan based on your abilities, goals, and needs.
Moreover, they will motivate you to move forward and push yourself.
You just need to find a good teacher, but we believe that’s not going to be a problem.
10. Be consistent
Hindi might seem intimidating to some people. But that’s mostly due to its different writing system – at first glance, the Hindi alphabet looks very confusing.
But the Devanagari script isn’t as complicated as it looks. And it’s quite beautiful too.
The only important thing is to practice regularly.
Read as much as you can, listen to Indian podcasts, and watch Hindi TV. All of that will help you improve your pronunciation, vocabulary, and overall comprehension of the language.
But your primary learning source is also essential. Find a program that suits your learning style and make a good study plan.
And stick to it.
You probably know all about consistency and persistence. And it’s sometimes easier said than done.
But if you set realistic goals and take bite-sized Hindi lessons, you’ll develop good learning habits.
But it’s normal to feel discouraged from time to time.
When you feel like you’re simply not good at languages, take a step back and do a quick progress review.
And remind yourself of all the reasons you want to learn Hindi.
Do you want to travel to India and meet local people?
Are you fascinated by Indian culture, art, and history?
Or do you want to gain another skill and increase your job opportunities?
Whatever your reason is, you won’t regret it. The only danger of learning Hindi is that you’ll broaden your horizons, improve your cognitive and communication skills, and fall in love with languages even more.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are many ways you can make your Hindi learning journey more productive.
But you should also make it fun and enjoyable.
Learning languages isn’t only about word lists and grammar rules.
It’s also about immersion.
Therefore, try to surround yourself with Hindi – listen to music, watch a movie in Hindi, and read Indian news. It’s very simple.
But you should also take advantage of online resources.
Use a Hindi learning app, play online games, or join an online community of Hindi learners.
Learning how to speak Hindi can be daunting, but it can also be very interesting. It’s up to you to decide.
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