a as in the English word “father” i as in the English word “bid” ī as in the English word “speed” u as in the English word “put” ū as in the English word “mule” e as in the English word “men” ai as in the English word “hi” o as in the English word “top” au as in the English word “plough” â as in the English word “fur” ô as in the English word “food”
g (ગ) always sounds like the hard “g” in the English word “guy” ñ (ઞ) sounds like the “ñ” in the Spanish word “Español” d (દ) sounds like the “d” in the English word “dream” or saying a d sound while putting your tongue on your front teeth. However, ḍ (ડ) sounds like the “th” in the English word “that. "
ch (ચ) as in the English word “child” chh (છ) has two “h” sounds, like saying the “ch” followed by the “h” in the English words “church house” ph (ફ) sounds like the “p” followed by the “h” in the English words “tap him. " Unlike in English, this blend does not produce an “f” sound. gh (ઘ) sounds like the “r” in the French phrase “au revoir” or like the combination of “bug him” jh (ઝ) can sound like the z in “zebra”, or like the j and h in “taj house dh (ધ) sounds like the “d” in the English word door. However, ḍh (ઢ) sounds closer to the “th” in the English words “brother” or “the”.
When greeting a Gujarati Muslim, “salaam” (સલામ) may be more appropriate. [6] X Research source
With people your age and younger, or people you know well, you can say “Tame kem chho?” Many Gujarati people will shorten this to “Kem chho (કેમ છો)?” To reply, say “mane saru chhe” (મને સારુ છે; formal) or “hu maja ma chhu” (હુ મજા મા છુ; informal).
To reply, say “maru naam” followed by your name, then “chhe. " Don’t worry about trying to translate your name into Gujarati. For example, if your name was Adam, you would say “Maru naam Adam chhe. "
Semeye śhum chhe? (What time is it?) Teme ā kerī śheko mene medede? (Can you help me?) Keṭelī chhe? (How much is this?) Teme imgueliśhe vāte? (Do you speak English?)
maaf karjo (excuse me/pardon) manne maaf karo (sorry) dhanyavaad (thank you) aabhar (formal thank you) tamaarūṃ svaagata cha (reply to thank you)
You can also repeat “namaste,” since this word is used both as a greeting and a farewell.
The Times of India has many trending Gujarati music videos available at https://timesofindia. indiatimes. com/videos/entertainment/music/gujarati. Your favorite music streaming service may also have Gujarati playlists or channels that you can listen to.
Unscripted television shows and videos are typically better for learning a language than scripted films and shows. With a script, you won’t get as good of an idea of how normal people regularly talk and carry on a conversation.
Language exchange websites typically connect you with a native Gujarati speaker who wants to learn English or another language you’re fluent in. They help you with your Gujarati and in exchange, you help them with their English. Most of these websites are free, although you may be able to get premium services for a monthly fee. You can also find tutors online who will talk to you in one-on-one video sessions. You’ll typically pay an hourly rate for these tutors, although many are reasonably priced.
You can find vocabulary lists for free online. For example, an extensive vocabulary list is available at https://www. ocr. org. uk/Images/70104-vocabulary-list. pdf. Once you’ve memorized the names for objects, you can move to adjectives and verbs. For example, you might learn the Gujarati words for colors by labeling multiple objects with the Gujarati word for their color.
If you live in the US or the UK, you may find large populations of Gujarati speakers living near you. For example, there is a large community of Gujarati speakers in Blackburn in the UK. [16] X Research source The best way to become fluent in any language is to immerse yourself in the target language environment.
