Are you moving to Ahmedabad or anywhere in Gujarat for work or higher education and want to learn Gujarati? While I’m sure you will enjoy the vibrant culture, delicious food, entrepreneurial energy and all the opportunities the city has to offer, there will also be this feeling that you cannot understand this new language being spoken all around you. From auto drivers to shopkeepers to landlords, everyone around you speaks Gujarati, and you are wondering how to learn Gujarati – at least enough spoken Gujarati to get by.
The good news is that learning Gujarati is not too difficult with the right guidance! And that’s exactly what I’m here to do for you today. This article will give you the 30 most essential survival Gujarati phrases every newcomer to Ahmedabad must know. These phrases will make your life easier and help you navigate the city right from Day 1!
Furthermore, Ahmedabad runs on a mix of Gujarati, Hindi and English, not pure Gujarati, and that’s how we’ve designed these essential Gujarati phrases too – not pure textbook Gujarati, but natural sentences that you can actually speak with local Gujaratis.
So come, Aavo aavo (આવો આવો), let’s get started!
30 Essential Survival Gujarati Phrases
1. Kem cho? (કેમ છો?) – How are you?
Probably the most famous Gujarati phrase. “Kem cho?” means “How are you?” and is used everywhere – with shopkeepers, neighbours, colleagues, auto drivers, and even strangers.
Example: “Kem cho bhai?”, “Kem cho kaka?”
2. Shu chhe? (શું છે?) – What’s happening?
One of the most common Gujarati expressions you will hear. This is the equivalent of What’s up or What’s happening?
Example: “Bhai, shu chhe?”
3. Karo (કરો) – Do
The most powerful Gujarati word for survival! Add karo to any English word to turn it into Gujarati.
Example: “Discount karo”, “Wait karo”, “Bill karo”, “Email karo”, “Call karo”, “Exchange karo”, “Repair karo”, “Adjust karo”.
4. Ketlu? (કેટલું?) – How much?
Pronounced Ke-tlu.
Perfect for shopping, autos, and local travel.
Example: “Kaka, bisleri water bottle ketlu?”
5. Majama? (મજામાં?) – Are you well?
A very commonly used Gujarati follow-up to “Kem cho?”. “Majama?” roughly means “All good?” or “Doing well?”
Example: “Kem cho? Majama?”
6. Hu saaro chhu (હું સારું છું) – I am fine
Standard reply to I am fine in Gujarati
Example: “Hu saaro chhu, aabhar.”
7. Tamaru naam shu chhe? (તમારું નામ શું છે?) – What is your name
Important sentence in any language, don’t you think? Especially when you’re in a new city meeting new people.
Example: “Tamaru naam shu chhe madam?”
8. Maru naam Mukesh chhe (મારું નામ મુકેશ છે) – My name is Mukesh
Replace Mukesh with your own name.
Example: “Maru naam Ritu chhe. Hu fresher chhu.”
9. Lo (લો) – Take
Universal word for giving something, including giving directions.
To an auto driver: “Left lo, right lo, next signal.”
Or at a shop: “5 rupiya change lo, sir.”
10. Aapo (આપો) – Give
Very useful while shopping or at a restaurant.
Example: “Dhokla aapo”
11. Aavajo (આવજો) – Goodbye
Aavajo means something like “come back later”, because in Gujarati it is considered better to say you will return rather than say a direct goodbye.
Example: “Thik chhe, aavajo!”
12. Shu (શું) – What
Useful for clarifications.
Example: “Shu problem chhe kaka?”
13. Kya (ક્યાં) – Where
Very useful for directions.
Example: “Uncle, metro station kya chhe?”
14. Aavo aavo (આવો આવો) – Please Come in, or Welcome
Means “Please come”, but often used like “Welcome”.
Example: “Aavo aavo… jamva aavo!” (Come, come have food!)
15. Ubha raho (ઉભા રહો) – Stop / Wait
To stop an auto or bus. Or if someone is asking you to wait.
Example: “Bhai, ubha raho.”
16. Haan (હા) – Yes
Standard way to say “Yes” in Gujarati
Example: “Haan, Gpay thai gayu.”
17. Naa (ના) – No
Standard way to say “No” in Gujarati
Example: “Samosa naa, dhokla aapo.”
18. Joiye (જોઈએ) – Want
Useful when talking to the waiter
Example: “Extra rotli joiye”
19. Nathi joiye (નથી જોઈએ) – Don’t want
Example: “1 chai, sugar nathi joiye.”
20. Aagal chalo (આગળ ચાલો) – Go ahead
Keep this word in mind when traveling in public transport or queues.
Example: “Aagal chalo, aagal chalo!”
21. Khabar nathi (ખબર નથી) – I don’t know
Example: “New to Ahmedabad. Gujarati khabar nathi.”
22. Hu Gujarati shikhis rahyo chhu (હું ગુજરાતી શીખી રહ્યો છું) – I am learning Gujarati
Example: “Hu Gujarati shikhis rahyo chhu.”
People love hearing this!
23. Hu Delhi no chhu / Hu Delhi ni chhu (હું દિલ્હીના છું) – I am from Delhi
Replace Delhi with your hometown. Use “no” if you’re a boy, and “ni” if you’re a girl.
Example: “Hu Kolkata no chhu.”
24. Kaam (કામ) – Work
Useful word that means “work” as the noun or verb.
Example: “Hu Google ma kaam karu chhu” (“I work at Google”)
25. Jaldi (જલદી) – Haste
You’ll hear this everywhere.
Example: “Arre, jaldi naa karo”.
26. Baka (બકા) – Buddy/ Friend
Quintessential loving term of address used for friends in Ahmedabad, meaning “buddy” or “dear”.
Example: “Baka, Amdavadno vibe alag chhe!”
27. Paani (પાણી) – Water
Always good to know the word for water in any new place you visit.
Example: “1 glass paani aapo”
28. Ahiya (અહીં) – Here ; Tya (ત્યાં) – There
Important for directions. “ahiya” and “tya” are siblings, just like here and there.
Example: “Bhai, ahiya right, tya left.”
29. Chalo (ચાલો) – Let’s go
You’ll hear this often around lunch break or at the end of office hours
Example: “Chalo, canteen chaliye!”
30. Aabhar (આભાર) – Thank you
This word is simple and widely used. “Aabhar” means “Thank you” in Gujarati and works perfectly in all situations.
Quick Recap: Learn Gujarati Survival Phrase List
| Sl no | English Phrase | Gujarati Phrase |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | How are you? | Kem cho? (કેમ છો?) |
| 2 | What’s happening? | Shu chhe? (શું છે?) |
| 3 | Do | Karo (કરો) |
| 4 | How much? | Ketlu? (કેટલું?) |
| 5 | Are you well? | Majama? (મજામાં?) |
| 6 | I am fine | Hu saaro chhu (હું સારું છું) |
| 7 | What is your name? | Tamaru naam shu chhe? (તમારું નામ શું છે?) |
| 8 | My name is Mukesh | Maru naam Mukesh chhe (મારું નામ મુકેશ છે) |
| 9 | Take | Lo (લો) |
| 10 | Give | Aapo (આપો) |
| 11 | Goodbye | Aavajo (આવજો) |
| 12 | What | Shu (શું) |
| 13 | Where | Kya (ક્યાં) |
| 14 | Please come / Welcome | Aavo aavo (આવો આવો) |
| 15 | Stop / Wait | Ubha raho (ઉભા રહો) |
| 16 | Yes | Haan (હા) |
| 17 | No | Naa (ના) |
| 18 | Want | Joiye (જોઈએ) |
| 19 | Don’t want | Nathi joiye (નથી જોઈએ) |
| 20 | Go ahead | Aagal chalo (આગળ ચાલો) |
| 21 | I don’t know | Khabar nathi (ખબર નથી) |
| 22 | I am learning Gujarati | Hu Gujarati shikhis rahyo chhu (હું ગુજરાતી શીખી રહ્યો છું) |
| 23 | I am from Delhi | Hu Delhi no / Delhi ni chhu (હું દિલ્હીના / દિલ્હીની છું) |
| 24 | Work | Kaam (કામ) |
| 25 | Haste | Jaldi (જલદી) |
| 26 | Friend/Buddy | Baka (બકા) |
| 27 | Water | Paani (પાણી) |
| 28 | Here / There | Ahiya / Tya (અહીં / ત્યાં) |
| 29 | Let’s go | Chalo (ચાલો) |
| 30 | Thank you | Aabhar (આભાર) |
Want to Learn Gujarati Properly in 30 Days?
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https://www.udemy.com/course/learn-gujarati
If you want to practice and learn Gujarati words for free, check out Bhashafy’s free Gujarati vocabulary tool:
Bhashafy Gujarati Vocabulary Tool.
Aabhar, and good luck in your Gujarati learning!
