What countries use namaste as a greeting?

Namaste! This is one word that you would often hear in India, and must therefore understand and learn by heart if you’re planning a visit to the country. Well, not just in India, it is spoken in nearby countries like Nepal, Bangladesh and some other south and southeastern parts of Asia as well.

What is a proper greeting in India?

In many parts of India and during formal occasions, it is common for people to greet with the traditional Hindu greeting of “Namaste” (‘I greet the divine within you’). A common gesture when greeting is pressing the palms together with the fingertips facing upwards (i.e. in a prayer position).

Is namaste only a greeting?

But the use and meaning have evolved. Today, among Hindi speakers throughout the world, namaste is a simple greeting to say hello. It’s often used in more formal situations, like when addressing someone older or someone you don’t know well. But that’s all it means — hello.

How is namaste used in India?

Namaste – is the traditional way of greeting people that has been in practice for so long across most local traditions of the Indian heritage. To greet someone in this fashion, you just have to join both the palms together in a worshipful pose and say ‘Namaste’.

What is considered offensive in India?

Feet and shoes are considered dirty. Do not step over a person sitting or lying on the floor, as it is offensive. Never touch anything with your feet, and don’t point the bottom of your feet at religious altars or toward people. To avoid this, sit cross-legged or kneel on the floor while in a temple or holy place.

Is namaste Indian or Hindu?

Religious and secular culture come together in the increasing use of namaste (pronounced \NAH-muh-stay\) in English: the term is associated with both Hinduism and yoga. The word comes from Sanskrit and literally means “bowing to you” or “I bow to you,” and is used as a greeting.

Is namaste a greeting or a goodbye?

In Hindi and a number of other languages derived from Sanskrit, namaste is basically a respectful way of saying hello and also goodbye. Today, namaste has been adopted into the English language, along with other words from non-English sources. Many words, when borrowed, keep their spelling but acquire new meanings.

What does the Spanish word namaste mean?

It translate to something like “The light within me wishes peace and happiness to the light within you.” Generally, we do this with our hands pressed together and do a little bow toward the person we are greeting or saying goodbye to.

How to greet people in India?

Namaste is a common greeting in India. Young and old use this salutation when they meet as well as while bidding goodbye. Usually, young greets the older people with Namaste. As a foreign tourist visiting India, you can greet anyone with Namaste and a sweet smile.

How do Indians greet each other with Namaste?

Indians greet each other with namaste. The two palms are placed together in front of the chest and the head bows whilst saying the word namaste. This greeting is for all – people younger than us, of our own age, those older than friends, even strangers and us. which namaskaram is one.

What is the meaning of Namaste in English?

Namaste (/ˈnɑːməsteɪ/, Devanagari: नमस्ते, Hindi: [nəməsteː] ( listen)), sometimes spoken as Namaskar, Namaskaram is a respectful form of greeting in Hindu custom, found on the Indian subcontinent mainly in India and Nepal. People greet each other in India with a namaste. .

What is the difference between Namaste and Goodbye in Hindi?

Hence it can be said that “Namaste” is primary word used almost through out the country to greet the people. Further Goodbye (aka bye in general) is used when the people are departing after a good conversation/ meeting. Goodbye is not an Hindi language word, but then too has gained popularity throughout India.