Hindi
/ˈhɪn.di/noun
The Indo-Aryan language of northern India, and by extension related to Hindi-speaking culture.
Did you know?Hindi ultimately traces back to the Sanskrit name for the Indus River region, showing how a place name can become a language label over centuries of political and cultural change.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Persian
Old Persian
Hinduš
“The land around the Indus River”
Classical Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sindhu
“The Indus River; a river, stream, or body of water”
Medieval Persian
Persian
Hindī
“Of or from India; Indian”
16th–18th Century
Hindustani
Hindī
“The language of North India and the Delhi region”
Modern English
English
Hindi
“The standard modern Indo-Aryan language of northern India”