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Glite Dictionary
Hindustani language

Hindustani language

6.3
A language spoken around Delhi that is the base of modern Hindi and Urdu
  • noun
translation icon : idioma hindustaní
  • Many Bollywood films are made in Hindustani language to appeal to both Hindi and Urdu speakers.

Examples

  • The Hindustani language has a rich history.

  • He studied the Hindustani language to better understand the shared culture of India and Pakistan.

  • The Hindustani language was widely used in North India during the Mughal period.

  • Many people in Delhi speak the Hindustani language.

  • The Hindustani language has evolved into two distinct forms: Hindi and Urdu.

  • Many Bollywood songs are sung in the Hindustani language, appealing to a wide audience.

  • In Delhi, the Hindustani language is commonly spoken in everyday conversations.

Synonyms

Hindustani
vsHindustani language
8.2

A form of Hindi and Urdu spoken mainly in northern India

is the historical variety originally spoken there rather than the modern form
Hindostani language
vsHindustani language
  • UK
9.2

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

is the historical variety that serves as the direct basis for both standards
Hindoostani language
vsHindustani language
  • UK
9.9

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

is the historical variety spoken around Delhi that underlies both modern standards
Hindostani
vsHindustani language
  • UK
9.9

An older form of Hindi people spoke around Delhi to talk across northern India

is the historical variety serving as the basis for standard Hindi and Urdu
Hindoostani
vsHindustani language
  • Archaic
9.9

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

is the historical variety that forms the basis of modern Hindi and Urdu

Surface Forms

Hindustani language singular
Hindustani languages plural

Morphology

Hindustani + language

The phrase is fully compositional: 'Hindustani' names the specific variety and 'language' denotes a linguistic system, so 'Hindustani language' straightforwardly refers to that language variety. The 'X language' naming pattern is cross-linguistically common and follows standard noun+modifier composition, making it immediately understandable to a B1 learner who knows both constituents.

Etymology

Hindustani language grew around Delhi where people from many places met and needed a common way to talk. They mixed local words with Persian and Arabic words to make a shared speech that later became the base for modern 'Hindi' and 'Urdu', so the name refers to that common, mixed language.