120 common English mistakes Hindi speakers make

reschedule · समय बदलना

"Prepone" is only used in India. Elsewhere say "move it earlier" or "bring it forward".

Can we reschedule the call to 5 pm?
क्या हम कॉल का समय बदलकर शाम 5 बजे कर सकते हैं?

reply · जवाब देना

Reply TO someone. Outside India, "revert" means go back to an old state, not reply.

Please reply to my email by tonight.
कृपया आज रात तक मेरे ईमेल का जवाब दें।

too · ज़रूरत से ज़्यादा

Too = more than you want. Too good is an Indian-English slip; say really good.

This bag is too heavy for me.
यह बैग मेरे लिए ज़रूरत से ज़्यादा भारी है।

mention · ज़िक्र करना

No "about": mention something, not mention about something. "Don't mention it" means you're welcome.

She mentioned your name.
उसने तुम्हारा ज़िक्र किया।

discuss · चर्चा करना

No "about" here either: discuss the plan, not discuss about the plan.

Let's discuss the plan tomorrow.
कल योजना पर चर्चा करते हैं।

although · हालाँकि

Don't add "but": "Although it rained, we went", not "Although it rained, but we went".

Although it was raining, we went out.
हालाँकि बारिश हो रही थी, फिर भी हम बाहर गए।

rather · के बजाय

I'd rather = I would prefer. No "to" after it: I'd rather go, not I'd rather to go.

I'd rather stay home tonight.
आज रात मैं बाहर जाने के बजाय घर पर रहूँगा।

avoid · बचना

Use -ing after it: avoid eating, not avoid to eat.

I try to avoid junk food.
मैं जंक फ़ूड से बचने की कोशिश करता हूँ।

despite · के बावजूद

No of after it: despite the rain, not despite of the rain.

We had fun despite the rain.
बारिश के बावजूद हमने मज़े किए।

look forward to · उत्सुकता से इंतज़ार करना

Use -ing after it: look forward to seeing, not to see.

I look forward to seeing you.
मैं तुमसे मिलने का बेसब्री से इंतज़ार कर रहा हूँ।

ask · पूछना

No to after it: ask your teacher, not ask to your teacher.

Can I ask you something?
क्या मैं तुमसे कुछ पूछ सकता हूँ?

agree · सहमत होना

Say I agree, not I am agree.

I agree with you.
मैं तुमसे सहमत हूँ।

let · करने देना

No to after let: let me go, not let me to go.

Let me pay this time.
इस बार मुझे पैसे देने दो।

never · कभी नहीं

Don't add not: I never go, not I never don't go.

I've never been to London.
मैं कभी लंदन नहीं गया।

excited · उत्साहित

Excited ABOUT something. "I'm exciting" means you make other people excited.

I'm so excited about the trip.
मैं इस यात्रा को लेकर बहुत उत्साहित हूँ।

borrow · उधार लेना

You borrow FROM someone. Pair it with lend: you lend TO someone.

Can I borrow your charger?
क्या मैं तुम्हारा चार्जर थोड़ी देर के लिए ले सकता हूँ?

recommend · सिफ़ारिश करना

One c, double m. Recommend something TO someone.

Can you recommend a good book?
क्या तुम कोई अच्छी किताब बता सकते हो?

proud · गर्वित

Proud OF someone, not proud on someone.

I'm really proud of you.
मुझे तुम पर बहुत गर्व है।

apologise · माफ़ी माँगना

British spelling with s. Apologise TO someone FOR something.

I want to apologise for yesterday.
मैं कल के लिए माफ़ी माँगना चाहता हूँ।

explain · समझाना

Explain something TO someone: explain it to me, not explain me.

Can you explain this question again?
क्या तुम यह सवाल फिर से समझा सकते हो?

prefer · ज़्यादा पसंद करना

Prefer A TO B, not prefer A than B.

I prefer tea to coffee.
मुझे कॉफ़ी से ज़्यादा चाय पसंद है।

similar · मिलता-जुलता

Similar TO, not similar with.

Our phones are very similar.
हमारे फ़ोन काफ़ी मिलते-जुलते हैं।

get along · अच्छी बनना

Get along WITH someone. British English also says get on with.

I get along well with my flatmates.
मेरी अपने फ़्लैटमेट्स से अच्छी बनती है।

it depends · यह इस पर निर्भर है

It depends ON something, not depends of.

Are you coming? It depends on the weather.
क्या तुम आ रहे हो? यह मौसम पर निर्भर है।

spend · ख़र्च करना

Spend money ON something. Also for time: spend time with friends.

I spend too much on food.
मैं खाने पर बहुत ज़्यादा ख़र्च करता हूँ।

arrive · पहुँचना

Arrive AT a place or IN a city. Never arrive to.

What time does your train arrive?
तुम्हारी ट्रेन कितने बजे पहुँचती है?

wait · इंतज़ार करना

Wait FOR someone, not wait someone.

Wait for me, I'm coming.
मेरा इंतज़ार करो, मैं आ रहा हूँ।

advice · सलाह

No plural: some advice, a piece of advice. The verb is spelled with s: to advise.

Can I give you some advice?
क्या मैं तुम्हें एक सलाह दूँ?

experience · अनुभव

As a skill it has no plural: some experience. As an event it does: a strange experience.

Do you have any work experience?
क्या तुम्हें काम का कोई अनुभव है?

information · जानकारी

No plural: information, never informations.

Thanks for the information.
जानकारी के लिए धन्यवाद।

knowledge · ज्ञान

The k is silent. No plural.

She has great knowledge of music.
उसे संगीत का बहुत ज्ञान है।

luggage · सामान

No plural: some luggage, never luggages.

My luggage is too heavy.
मेरा सामान बहुत भारी है।

people · लोग

Already plural: people are, never peoples.

There were so many people at the concert.
कॉन्सर्ट में बहुत सारे लोग थे।

money · पैसा

No plural: some money, never moneys.

I don't have much money right now.
अभी मेरे पास ज़्यादा पैसे नहीं हैं।

homework · गृहकार्य

No plural: homework, never homeworks. You do homework.

I haven't done my homework yet.
मैंने अभी तक अपना होमवर्क नहीं किया।

bored · ऊबा हुआ

I'm bored = how I feel. I'm boring = I make other people bored!

I'm bored, let's go out.
मैं ऊब गया हूँ, चलो बाहर चलते हैं।

embarrassed · शर्मिंदा

Embarrassed = how you feel. Embarrassing = the thing that caused it. Spelled with double r and double s.

I was so embarrassed when I tripped.
जब मैं लड़खड़ाया तो मुझे बहुत शर्मिंदगी हुई।

confused · उलझन में

Confused = how you feel. Confusing = the thing that causes it.

I'm confused about the homework.
होमवर्क को लेकर मैं उलझन में हूँ।

appointment · मिलने का तय समय

For formal meetings. With friends, say "plans": I have plans tonight.

I have a doctor's appointment at 4.
मेरा 4 बजे डॉक्टर के पास जाने का समय तय है।

opportunity · अवसर

Take an opportunity, or miss one. "Chance" is the casual word.

This internship is a great opportunity.
यह इंटर्नशिप एक बढ़िया अवसर है।

cheap · सस्ता

Cheap can sound like low quality. Affordable sounds nicer.

The food here is cheap and good.
यहाँ का खाना सस्ता और अच्छा है।

therefore · इसलिए

Quite formal. In speech people usually say so.

It's raining, therefore the match is off.
बारिश हो रही है, इसलिए मैच रद्द है।

of course · बिल्कुल

Friendly for yes, but as a reply to a simple question it can sound like the answer was obvious.

Of course you can come.
बिल्कुल, तुम आ सकते हो।

cheers · शुक्रिया (बोलचाल)

Casual British thanks. Also said when you raise your glasses together.

Cheers for the lift, mate.
लिफ़्ट के लिए शुक्रिया, यार।

mate · यार

Very common British word for a friend. Friendly and casual.

Thanks, mate, I owe you one.
थैंक्स यार, तुम्हारा एहसान रहा।

want · चाहना

I want water can sound rude. Say Could I have some water, please?

Do you want some tea?
क्या तुम्हें थोड़ी चाय चाहिए?

honest · ईमानदार

The h is silent, so it's AN honest person, not A honest person.

To be honest, I didn't like the film.
सच कहूँ तो, मुझे फ़िल्म पसंद नहीं आई।

schedule · कार्यक्रम

British: SHED-yool. American: SKED-jool. Both are correct.

What's your schedule this week?
इस हफ़्ते तुम्हारा क्या कार्यक्रम है?

comfortable · आरामदायक

Usually said in three syllables: KUMF-tuh-bul.

These shoes are really comfortable.
ये जूते सच में बहुत आरामदायक हैं।

quiet · शांत

Quiet (KWY-ut) = no noise. Quite (KWYT) = fairly. Easy to mix up.

The library is nice and quiet.
लाइब्रेरी अच्छी और शांत है।

close · बंद करना

The verb ends in a z sound. Close with an s sound means near.

Please close the door.
कृपया दरवाज़ा बंद करो।

mean · मतलब होना

Past: meant, said MENT. Also an adjective for unkind: don't be mean.

What does this word mean?
इस शब्द का मतलब क्या है?

hour · घंटा

The h is silent, so it's an hour, not a hour.

The film is two hours long.
फ़िल्म दो घंटे लंबी है।

lend · उधार देना

Lend = give for a while. Past tense: lent. "Can you borrow me…" is wrong; say "Can you lend me…".

Could you lend me 500 rupees?
क्या तुम मुझे 500 रुपये उधार दे सकते हो?

deadline · आख़िरी तारीख़

Meet a deadline = finish on time. Miss a deadline = finish late.

The deadline for the form is Friday.
फ़ॉर्म भरने की आख़िरी तारीख़ शुक्रवार है।

lonely · अकेलापन महसूस करता हुआ

Alone = by yourself. Lonely = sad because you are alone.

I felt lonely in the new city.
नए शहर में मुझे अकेलापन महसूस हुआ।

sleepy · उनींदा

Sleepy = you want to sleep. Tired = you have no energy.

I always feel sleepy after lunch.
दोपहर के खाने के बाद मुझे हमेशा नींद आती है।

remind · याद दिलाना

Remind = make someone remember. Remember = keep it in your own mind.

Remind me to buy milk.
मुझे दूध ख़रीदना याद दिला देना।

queue · क़तार

British word for a line of people. To queue = to wait in line.

There's a long queue at the ticket counter.
टिकट काउंटर पर लंबी क़तार है।

weather · मौसम

Weather = rain, sun, wind. Whether = if. They sound the same.

The weather is lovely today.
आज मौसम बहुत सुहाना है।

maybe · हो सकता है

Maybe (one word) = perhaps. May be (two words) is a verb: it may be true.

Maybe we can meet on Sunday.
हो सकता है हम रविवार को मिल सकें।

bring · लाना

Bring = towards the speaker. Past: brought, not bringed.

Can you bring some snacks?
क्या तुम कुछ स्नैक्स ला सकते हो?

hear · सुनाई देना

Listen = you try. Hear = the sound just reaches you.

Can you hear me now?
क्या तुम्हें अब मेरी आवाज़ सुनाई दे रही है?

wake up · नींद से जागना

Wake up = open your eyes. Get up = get out of bed.

I wake up at seven every day.
मैं रोज़ सात बजे जागता हूँ।

make · बनाना

Make = create: make a cake, make a mistake, make friends.

I'll make some pasta.
मैं थोड़ा पास्ता बनाऊँगा।

do · करना

Do = tasks and jobs: do homework, do the dishes, do your best.

I'll do the dishes later.
मैं बर्तन बाद में धो दूँगा।

teach · सिखाना

Learn = get knowledge. Teach = give it. Not he learned me.

Can you teach me this dance?
क्या तुम मुझे यह डांस सिखा सकते हो?

pretty · ख़ूबसूरत

Also means fairly: pretty good = quite good.

Your dress is really pretty.
तुम्हारी ड्रेस सच में बहुत ख़ूबसूरत है।

funny · मज़ेदार

Funny = makes you laugh. Fun = enjoyable: the party was fun.

He's so funny in real life.
वह असल ज़िंदगी में बहुत मज़ेदार है।

every · हर

Every day (two words) = daily. Everyday (one word) = normal: everyday clothes.

I go to the gym every day.
मैं हर दिन जिम जाता हूँ।

quite · काफ़ी हद तक

In British English quite often means fairly, not very. Quite good = okay.

The exam was quite easy.
परीक्षा काफ़ी आसान थी।

holiday · छुट्टी

British for vacation. Go on holiday = travel for fun.

We're going on holiday in May.
हम मई में छुट्टियों पर जा रहे हैं।

trip · सैर-सपाटा

Trip = the whole visit. Journey = the travelling part.

We're planning a trip to Goa.
हम गोवा घूमने जाने का प्लान बना रहे हैं।

parents · माता-पिता

Parents = mum and dad only. Relatives = aunts, uncles, cousins.

My parents are visiting next week.
मेरे माता-पिता अगले हफ़्ते आ रहे हैं।

confident · आत्मविश्वासी

Confident is how you are; confidence is the thing you have. I feel confident. I have confidence.

She sounds confident in interviews.
वह इंटरव्यू में आत्मविश्वासी लगती है।

doubt · शक

A doubt means you think something may not be true. To ask something in class, say "I have a question", not "I have a doubt".

I doubt he'll come on time.
मुझे शक है कि वह समय पर आएगा।

suggest · सुझाव देना

Say "I suggest leaving early" or "I suggest we leave". Not "I suggest you to leave".

I suggest we leave early.
मेरा सुझाव है कि हम जल्दी निकलें।

available · उपलब्ध

Works for people (free to talk) and things (in stock): Is this size available?

Are you available for a quick call?
क्या तुम एक छोटी सी कॉल के लिए उपलब्ध हो?

afford · ख़र्च उठा पाना

Almost always with can or can't: can afford, can't afford.

I can't afford a new phone right now.
मैं अभी नया फ़ोन नहीं ख़रीद सकता।

awkward · अटपटा

For moments that feel uncomfortable. Very common in everyday talk.

There was an awkward silence.
एक अटपटी सी चुप्पी छा गई।

improve · सुधारना

The noun is improvement: a big improvement.

My English is improving every day.
मेरी अंग्रेज़ी रोज़ सुधर रही है।

actually · असल में

Used to correct something or add a surprise. It doesn't mean "currently".

Actually, I've changed my mind.
असल में, मेरा इरादा बदल गया है।

eventually · आख़िरकार

Means "in the end, after a while". It doesn't mean "maybe".

He eventually found his keys.
आख़िरकार उसे अपनी चाबियाँ मिल गईं।

cancel · रद्द करना

British spelling doubles the l: cancelled, cancelling.

They cancelled the concert.
उन्होंने कॉन्सर्ट रद्द कर दिया।

realise · एहसास होना

British spelling with s. American: realize.

I didn't realise it was so late.
मुझे एहसास ही नहीं हुआ कि इतनी देर हो गई।

earn · कमाना

You earn money by working. You win a prize or a game.

She earns good money now.
वह अब अच्छे पैसे कमाती है।

hire · नौकरी पर रखना

In Britain it also means rent for a short time: hire a car.

The café is hiring new staff.
कैफ़े नए स्टाफ़ को नौकरी पर रख रहा है।

mistake · ग़लती

You make a mistake, not do a mistake.

Sorry, my mistake.
माफ़ करना, मेरी ग़लती है।

stranger · अजनबी

A stranger is a person you don't know. Strange means weird.

Don't share your address with strangers.
अजनबियों को अपना पता मत बताओ।

medicine · दवा

You take medicine, not eat medicine.

Did you take your medicine?
क्या तुमने अपनी दवा ली?

sorry · माफ़ कीजिए

Also used to ask someone to repeat: Sorry? means What did you say?

Sorry, I'm running late.
माफ़ करना, मुझे देर हो रही है।

excuse me · ज़रा सुनिए

Use it to get attention or to get past someone. Say sorry after a mistake.

Excuse me, is this seat free?
ज़रा सुनिए, क्या यह सीट ख़ाली है?

lose · हारना

Also means you can't find something: I lost my keys. Loose (not tight) is a different word.

We lost the game again.
हम फिर से गेम हार गए।

tell · बताना

Tell someone something. Say something to someone. Never say me.

Tell me about your day.
मुझे अपने दिन के बारे में बताओ।

speak · बोलना

Use speak for languages: speak English, not talk English.

Do you speak Hindi?
क्या तुम हिंदी बोलते हो?

miss · याद आना

Also means to be too late for something: I missed the bus.

I miss you so much.
मुझे तुम्हारी बहुत याद आती है।

enjoy · मज़े लेना

Needs an object: enjoy the party, enjoy yourself. Not just we enjoyed.

Enjoy your holiday.
अपनी छुट्टियों के मज़े लो।

wish · काश

Use a past form after it: I wish I had, I wish I could.

I wish I could come.
काश मैं आ पाता।

cool · मस्त

Also means slightly cold: a cool evening.

Your new jacket looks so cool.
तुम्हारी नई जैकेट बहुत मस्त लग रही है।

late · देर से

Lately means recently, not late.

Sorry I'm late.
माफ़ करना, मुझे देर हो गई।

lovely · बहुत प्यारा

Very British. Used for people, weather, food, almost anything nice.

Thanks, that's lovely of you.
शुक्रिया, यह तुम्हारी बहुत प्यारी बात है।

brilliant · शानदार

In British English it often just means great, not only very clever.

Brilliant, thanks for sorting that out.
शानदार, इसे संभालने के लिए शुक्रिया।

free · मुफ़्त

Also means not busy: are you free tonight?

The museum is free on Sundays.
रविवार को म्यूज़ियम मुफ़्त है।

sick · बीमार

In British English feel sick often means you might vomit. Ill means unwell.

I feel sick today.
आज मेरी तबीयत ठीक नहीं है।

tall · लंबे क़द का

Tall for people and buildings. Long for hair, roads and time.

My brother is really tall.
मेरा भाई बहुत लंबा है।

because · क्योंकि

Because + a sentence: because it rained. Because of + a noun: because of the rain.

I'm late because of the traffic.
मैं ट्रैफ़िक की वजह से लेट हूँ।

there · वहाँ

Don't mix up there, their (belongs to them) and they're (they are).

I'll be there in ten minutes.
मैं दस मिनट में वहाँ पहुँच जाऊँगा।

tomorrow · कल (आने वाला)

Hindi कल means both days. English splits it: tomorrow is next, yesterday is past.

I have an exam tomorrow.
कल मेरी परीक्षा है।

whose · किसका

Don't mix it up with who's, which means who is. Same sound.

Whose bag is this?
यह किसका बैग है?

how much · कितना

How much for things you can't count, like money. How many for things you can count.

How much is this?
यह कितने का है?

since · तब से

Since + a starting point: since Monday. For + a length of time: for two days.

I've known her since school.
मैं उसे स्कूल के समय से जानता हूँ।

mum · मम्मी

British spelling. American English says mom.

My mum makes the best food.
मेरी मम्मी सबसे अच्छा खाना बनाती हैं।

flatmate · साथ रहने वाला

British word. A roommate usually shares your bedroom.

My flatmate always eats my food.
मेरा फ़्लैटमेट हमेशा मेरा खाना खा जाता है।

home · घर

No to before home: go home, get home.

I'm going home now.
मैं अब घर जा रहा हूँ।

toilet · शौचालय

In Britain ask for the toilet or the loo. Washroom is rarely used.

Excuse me, where's the toilet?
माफ़ कीजिए, टॉयलेट कहाँ है?

bill · बिल (हिसाब)

British people say the bill. Americans say the check.

Can we have the bill, please?
क्या हमें बिल मिल सकता है?

photo · तस्वीर

You take a photo, not click a photo.

Can you take a photo of us?
क्या तुम हमारी एक तस्वीर ले सकते हो?

glasses · चश्मा

Always plural: my glasses are, a pair of glasses.

I can't see without my glasses.
मैं अपने चश्मे के बिना देख नहीं सकता।

hurt · दुखना

The past is also hurt. It can also mean upset someone: you hurt my feelings.

Ouch, that really hurts.
आह, इससे सच में दर्द हो रहा है।

worse · और बुरा

Bad, worse, worst. Never say more worse.

The traffic is worse today.
आज ट्रैफ़िक और भी बुरा है।