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Hindostani

Hindostani

9.9
An older form of Hindi people spoke around Delhi to talk across northern India
  • noun
  • /hɪnˈdoʊstɑːni/
  • UK
translation icon : hindostaní
  • Hindostani was commonly spoken in the markets of Delhi during the 19th century.

Examples

  • The poet wrote in Hindostani to reach a wider audience across northern India.

  • Some classic songs from old Indian films were sung in Hindostani rather than modern Hindi.

  • The Hindostani language has a rich literary tradition.

  • Many people in northern India speak Hindostani.

  • Hindostani was a widely used lingua franca among traders in northern India during the 19th century.

  • Many Bollywood films featured songs sung in Hindostani, showcasing its cultural significance.

  • To communicate effectively with diverse groups, he chose to speak in Hindostani at the gathering.

Synonyms

Hindoostani
vsHindostani
  • Archaic
9.9

A form of Hindi spoken around Delhi and used as a common language in northern India

is the historical speech form itself rather than just an old name
Hindoostani language
vsHindostani
  • UK
9.9

An old form of Hindi spoken around Delhi that led to modern Hindi and Urdu

is a historical form used widely around Delhi as a regional lingua franca
Hindostani language
vsHindostani
  • UK
9.2

A form of Hindi spoken around Delhi and northern India that came before modern Hindi and Urdu

is the historical speech used mainly around Delhi as a northern lingua franca
Hindustani language
vsHindostani
6.3

A language spoken around Delhi that is the base of modern Hindi and Urdu

is the older speech form around Delhi used broadly for intergroup communication
Hindustani
vsHindostani
8.2

A form of Hindi and Urdu spoken mainly in northern India

is a historical form rather than the present-day combined speech variety

Compounds

A form of Hindi spoken around Delhi and northern India that came before modern Hindi and Urdu

Surface Forms

Hindostani singular
Hindostanis plural

Etymology

Hindostani comes from the place name Hindustan, which originally meant 'land of the Hindus' in Persian, and the ending -i means 'from' or 'of'. So Hindostani literally means 'from Hindustan' and was used for the common northern Indian language that people from different groups could understand.