Three Words for You

Hindi has three words for “you.” Tu is for people one is very close to, for small children and for gods. It can also sound contemptuous. Tum is for friends, colleagues and relatives. Aap carries the highest respect. It is the form for elders, seniors and anyone met for the first time.

The World Atlas of Language Structures, citing a 1963 grammar, also lists tum for people of lower status, such as servants. Respect can be added to a name as well. The suffix ji, as in Alisha ji, does this.

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