Hindi
10 Hindi swear words you'll actually hear
A traveller's shortlist of Hindi expletives, insults and exclamations — what they mean, and how strong they are.
Every language swears differently. This guide collects 10 Hindi expressions you're genuinely likely to hear — from mild exclamations to properly strong stuff — and explains what each one actually means, not just its dictionary translation.
Burn Ratings are an approximate, cross-language heuristic. Context, region, tone and who's speaking all change how a word lands. Treat these as a guide, not gospel.
- चूतिया 4/5 · Strong
chutiya
It's a strong insult aimed at someone, calling them a fool or an arsehole. It's not just a light jab; it carries significant weight.
Full entry → - कुत्ता 3/5 · Vulgar
kutta
It means 'dog' in a literal sense, but as an insult, it refers to a contemptible person. It's a way to demean someone, suggesting they are lowly or base.
Full entry → - हरामी 3/5 · Vulgar
harami
It's an insult aimed at someone, calling them a bastard or a scoundrel. The literal meaning refers to an illegitimate person, which carries a stigma.
Full entry → - गांड 4/5 · Strong
gaand
It's a vulgar term for buttocks, often used in a derogatory way. It refers specifically to someone's backside.
Full entry → - बकचोद 3/5 · Vulgar
bakchod
It's a vulgar insult for someone who talks a lot of nonsense or bullshit. Essentially, it's calling someone a fool or an idiot for their words.
Full entry → - भूतनी के 2/5 · Coarse
bhootni ke
This is a comic or mildly rude way to address someone, literally translating to 'of a female ghost.'
Full entry → - टट्टी 2/5 · Coarse
tatti
Literally “excrement”. This is a coarse or childish term for poo, but it can also refer to something bad or unpleasant. It's not particularly strong in its usage.
Full entry → - साला 3/5 · Vulgar
saala
It’s used as an insult or emphatic address, similar to calling someone a bastard. While it literally means 'wife's brother,' the context is where the rudeness comes in.
Full entry → - बकवास 2/5 · Coarse
bakvaas
It means nonsense or rubbish. It's a colloquial term commonly used in casual conversation.
Full entry → - मुँह में ले 4/5 · Strong
munh mein le
Literally “take it in the mouth”. It's a sexualized command that suggests taking something in the mouth, often implying oral sex.
Full entry →