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Photo by Ravi Sharma
Delhi, oh Delhi! It’s not just a city; it’s a melting pot of Indian culture and traditions. It’s what makes the city so special and different from the rest of India. Exploring it is a whole new experience, especially when you start picking up on Delhi slang words, which is a perfect blend of affection and a touch of wildness. If you’re not from the city, you might find Delhi slang language a bit strange at first, but hey, that’s just how we roll!
Living in Delhi means you’ve got your own set of slang that’s totally different from other cities. There’s also a notable difference between Mumbai vs Delhi slang. So, if you’re visiting the capital, you’d better get familiar with their lingo. And remember, when you’re traveling, the best way to immerse yourself in a new place is to embrace the local slang and language. Here are 7 common phrases that no true Delhiite can have conversations without. If you’re from Delhi or have lots of friends from there who have taught you the slang, you’ll definitely recognize these!
1Jugaad
Photo by Dibakar Roy
Karle Jugaad karle, karle koi jugaad! Have you seen Fukrey? The song Jugaad is like the anthem for Delhiites. Jugaad, a famous Delhi slang, is the key to making things happen, like sneaking into a club or finishing a project just before the deadline. While the rest of the world relies on hope, Delhiites rely on jugaad.
It’s all about finding creative ways to get things done, even if it’s a bit hacky, like making a DIY Band-Aid when you’re travelling without one. With jugaad, we can make anything happen, whether it’s getting into college or scoring a job. Remember that time you had to MacGyver a solution because you didn’t have the right tools? That’s jugaad right there. It’s all about finding quick fixes and solutions to any problem. We’ve got jugaad everywhere, from passport offices to pubs, essentially anywhere there is a queue.
2Chep
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English speakers might refer to someone who is clingy and doesn’t understand the concept of personal space as a leech or barnacle, but Delhiites call them a ‘chep.’ They’re like a sticky fevicol jodd that just won’t let go. It’s like when you’re on the metro, and someone keeps bumping into you even though they don’t have to.
Basically, a chep is someone who overstays their welcome and just won’t give you any space. If someone is always hanging around, stuck to you like glue, and trying to talk to you when you don’t want to, they are a chep.
3Kaand
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A kaand is a not-so-good situation. Delhiites often use it when they have created a problem and need help getting out of it or when they hear about a kaand someone else is responsible for. If there’s some theatrics going on that you want to check out, you might say, “Let’s go to the other block; I hear there’s some drama going on over there.” And if things start going south, we call it a kaand. So next time you’re in Delhi, try to stir away from any kaands.
4Goa Chalte Hai!
Photo by Aditya Rathod
Not exactly a Delhi slang, but this phrase or the prospect of this trip is something every Delhiite must’ve pondered at least once in their lives. This endless moping of ‘Goa chalte hai’ usually starts in college and may take up to three to four financial years for it to actually happen. There’s always that one person in the group who always wants to make this plan come alive and will slip this phrase into every conversation, with grand ambitions to dance it off on the beaches of Goa. Then there are those who spend their entire lives organizing this trip just to ultimately reach the pearly gates of heaven without even getting to sniff the Goa airport.
But how can you blame them? Goa is every party lover’s paradise, after all. You can check out this guide if you are also planning your next trip to Goa and don’t want to be stuck in this endless loop of ‘Goa chalte hai.’
5Kya Scene Hai?
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The one question, though, to which no one ever seems to have an answer is ‘Kya scene hai?’ But spoiler alert! There’s NEVER a new ‘scene.’ This question is discussed endlessly in the group chat without any real “scenes” being created. The question is posed in the hopes of coming up with a new plan just to end up doing the same thing over and over again.
6Gedi Maarna
Photo by Roberto Lee Cortes
In Delhi slang, ‘Let’s roam around’ is called ‘gedi maarna.’ You might’ve also heard this phrase in Punjabi songs. Delhiites favorite time for ‘gedi maarna’ is usually when they have a ton of pending assignments, projects, and exams piling up.
7Bhassad
Photo by Siavash Ghanbari
Stuck in traffic? Bhassad. Problem with parents? Bhassad. Relationship troubles? Bhassad. Any kind of chaos, mess, or unpleasant situation can unanimously be referred to as Bhassad in Delhi. You can think of it more as an emergency siren than a slang. So, next time your friend says to you, ‘Bhassad ho gayi yaar,’ you better take them seriously.
If you live in Delhi, you probably already use these slangs in your everyday chitchat. And, if you’re exploring Delhi, get ready to be amazed by how Delhiites express love and friendliness through their local lingo, and follow @things2doindelhi for more such findings!
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