Looking for Bangla words and phrases for Bangladesh? Five that help immediately are ধন্যবাদ (dhonnobad) for thank you, মাফ করবেন (maf korben) for excuse me or sorry, কেমন আছেন? (kemon achhen?) for how are you, এটার দাম কত? (etar dam koto?) for how much is this, and শৌচাগার কোথায়? (shouchagar kothay?) for where is the restroom.
This practical guide teaches 50 useful Bangla words and expressions with Bengali script, approximate romanisation, English meanings and the situations in which you will use them. The groups progress from greeting someone to asking for clarification, ordering food, using local transport, reading everyday signs and finding essential services. The aim is to make the language usable in real life, not to collect words with no clear purpose.
Bangla is the state language of Bangladesh, but Bangladesh has regional speech varieties and other community languages. Bangla is also spoken outside Bangladesh, including across parts of India, and everyday vocabulary and accents can vary. This guide favours broadly understandable Bangladeshi Bangla. When pronunciation, a food allergy, medical instructions or legal matters are important, show the original writing and obtain qualified help rather than relying solely on memorised phrases.
Quick answer: eight phrases to learn immediately
- How are you? (polite): কেমন আছেন? — kemon achhen?
- Thank you: ধন্যবাদ — dhonnobad
- Excuse me / sorry: মাফ করবেন — maf korben
- I did not understand: বুঝতে পারিনি — bujhte parini
- Speak slowly: আস্তে বলুন — aste bolun
- How much is this?: এটার দাম কত? — etar dam koto?
- Where?: কোথায়? — kothay?
- Where is the toilet?: শৌচাগার কোথায়? — shouchagar kothay?
Find what you need: 50 essential phrases · Real examples · Mistakes · Four-week practice · FAQs.
How Bangla (Bengali) works in everyday life
Bangla, Bengali and Bangladesh are related words, not interchangeable concepts
Bangla is the language name commonly used in Bangladesh; English-language sources often call the language Bengali. Bangladesh is a country with a Bangla-speaking majority and other languages, while Bengali is also spoken by many people in India. Bangladesh’s Constitution, Article 3, identifies Bangla as the state language. Do not mistake a country’s population for one uniform accent or one identical cultural experience.
A different writing system
Bangla uses the Bengali script, in which consonants and vowel signs combine. The script is not the same as Hindi’s Devanagari or Urdu’s Perso-Arabic script. An English-letter transcription gives you only a rough sound. Practice recognising familiar words such as পানি (water), রাস্তা (road), হাসপাতাল (hospital) and ধন্যবাদ (thanks) in their original writing.
Respectful pronouns change the sentence
Bangla has levels of address. আপনি (apni) is a common respectful ‘you’, তুমি (tumi) is familiar, and তুই (tui) is very informal and can be inappropriate outside intimate relationships. Verb endings may change with the pronoun, so using কেমন আছেন? with someone you do not know is generally a safer first choice than the casual equivalent.
Different greetings can be appropriate in different communities
Bangla speakers may use নমস্কার (nomoshkar), আসসালামু আলাইকুম (assalamu alaikum), or another form of greeting depending on community and context. Rather than treating any one greeting as universal, listen to the person and respond respectfully. A neutral phone greeting হ্যালো is also common.
Bangladeshi pronunciation varies
Dhaka speech and speech from other districts are not identical. Some vowel sounds and everyday words differ, and English-letter spellings may represent them inconsistently. The romanisations in this guide are approximate; native Bangladeshi audio is better for stress, rhythm and the sounds of the original script.
The difference between food preference and safety
Knowing ঝাল কম (less spicy) helps you request less chilli. It does not mean food is free of peanuts, milk, fish, wheat or another allergen. Give a specific written ingredient and confirm preparation and cross-contact directly.
50 essential Bangla (Bengali) words and phrases with English meanings
Read the word in its original script before looking at the pronunciation cue. Each entry includes an English meaning and a practical situation. Learn a group, practise a small dialogue and return for the next group. Romanisation cannot replace accurate listening.
Greetings, introductions and courtesy — phrases 1–10
| # | Original writing | Romanisation (approx.) | English meaning | Useful situation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | স্বাগতম | shagotom | Welcome | Receive a guest |
| 2 | নমস্কার | nomoshkar | Hello / respectful greeting in some communities | Open a greeting |
| 3 | আসসালামু আলাইকুম | assalamu alaikum | Peace be upon you | Begin a customary Muslim greeting |
| 4 | ওয়ালাইকুমুস সালাম | wa alaikumussalam | And peace be upon you | Reply to the greeting |
| 5 | কেমন আছেন? | kemon achhen? | How are you? (polite) | Ask about someone |
| 6 | আমি ভালো আছি | ami bhalo achhi | I am fine | Answer a greeting |
| 7 | ধন্যবাদ | dhonnobad | Thank you | Express gratitude |
| 8 | অনেক ধন্যবাদ | onek dhonnobad | Thank you very much | Express stronger thanks |
| 9 | মাফ করবেন | maf korben | Excuse me / sorry | Get attention or apologise |
| 10 | ভালো থাকবেন | bhalo thakben | Stay well (respectful) | Say goodbye kindly |
A greeting, a response and a courteous farewell are worth learning together. The social sequence helps you recall the words naturally.
Questions and keeping a conversation going — phrases 11–20
| # | Original writing | Romanisation (approx.) | English meaning | Useful situation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | আপনি কি ইংরেজি বলতে পারেন? | apni ki ingreji bolte paren? | Can you speak English? (polite) | Find a shared language |
| 12 | আমি বাংলা একটু বুঝি | ami bangla ektu bujhi | I understand a little Bangla | Explain your language level |
| 13 | বুঝতে পারিনি | bujhte parini | I did not understand | Ask for clarification |
| 14 | আস্তে বলুন | aste bolun | Please speak slowly | Follow a fast answer |
| 15 | আবার বলুন | abar bolun | Please say it again | Request repetition |
| 16 | এটা কী? | eta ki? | What is this? | Identify an object |
| 17 | কোথায়? | kothay? | Where? | Find a place |
| 18 | এটার দাম কত? | etar dam koto? | How much is this? | Ask the price |
| 19 | একটু সাহায্য করবেন? | ektu shahajjo korben? | Could you help a little? | Request assistance |
| 20 | লিখে দেবেন? | likhe deben? | Could you write it down? | Confirm an important detail |
These phrases help when a person replies faster than you can follow. Clarifying a misunderstanding is part of competent communication.
Food, shopping and paying — phrases 21–30
| # | Original writing | Romanisation (approx.) | English meaning | Useful situation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | পানি | pani | Water (common in Bangladesh) | Request drinking water |
| 22 | ভাত | bhat | Cooked rice | Discuss a meal |
| 23 | চা | cha | Tea | Order tea |
| 24 | কফি | kofi | Coffee | Order coffee |
| 25 | খাবার | khabar | Food | Discuss eating |
| 26 | মেনু | menu | Menu | Ask about food choices |
| 27 | এটা দিন | eta din | Please give me this | Point to an item |
| 28 | ঝাল কম | jhal kom | Less spicy | State a preference |
| 29 | বিলটা দিন | bilta din | The bill, please | Ask to pay |
| 30 | আমার …-এ অ্যালার্জি আছে | amar …-e allergy achhe | I am allergic to … | Specify the exact allergen |
An item and a clear request work together. For food allergies and medical concerns, the specific ingredient and preparation need direct confirmation.
Rickshaws, roads and signs — phrases 31–40
| # | Original writing | Romanisation (approx.) | English meaning | Useful situation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | স্টেশন | station | Station | Find public transport |
| 32 | ট্রেন | tren | Train | Discuss railway travel |
| 33 | বাস | bas | Bus | Find bus transport |
| 34 | রিকশা | riksha | Rickshaw | Discuss local transport |
| 35 | টিকিট | tikit | Ticket | Ask about fares |
| 36 | রাস্তা | rasta | Road / street | Read an address |
| 37 | প্রবেশ | probesh | Entrance / entry | Read an entry sign |
| 38 | বাহির | bahir | Outside / outward | Understand a direction or sign |
| 39 | বাম | bam | Left | Follow a direction |
| 40 | ডান | dan | Right | Follow a direction |
Recognising signs helps with navigation, but always confirm real-world route information where accuracy matters.
Essential services and everyday needs — phrases 41–50
| # | Original writing | Romanisation (approx.) | English meaning | Useful situation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | শৌচাগার | shouchagar | Toilet / restroom (formal) | Find facilities |
| 42 | টয়লেট | toilet | Toilet (common borrowed term) | Ask where facilities are |
| 43 | হাসপাতাল | hashpatal | Hospital | Find medical care |
| 44 | ফার্মেসি | pharmesi | Pharmacy | Find medicines |
| 45 | পুলিশ | pulish | Police | Ask for official help |
| 46 | টাকা | taka | Money / the Bangladeshi currency | Discuss a price |
| 47 | নগদ | nogod | Cash | Discuss payment |
| 48 | খোলা | khola | Open | Read a sign |
| 49 | বন্ধ | bondho | Closed | Read a sign |
| 50 | বুকিং | booking | Booking / reservation | Discuss an arrangement |
Keep these final words available as written text. Sometimes showing an accurate word is easier than guessing its pronunciation.
Real-life Bangla (Bengali) conversations you can reuse
Read an example, hide the translation and reconstruct the exchange. Then change one item, place or question so the language becomes flexible. These are illustrative dialogues: speakers may reply using local forms, a different level of formality or a different language.
Greeting someone respectfully
- You: কেমন আছেন? (Kemon achhen?) — How are you? (polite).
- Other person: ভালো আছি. (Bhalo achhi.) — I am well.
- You: ধন্যবাদ. (Dhonnobad.) — Thank you.
- You: ভালো থাকবেন. (Bhalo thakben.) — Stay well.
The form of ‘you’ is important. This dialogue uses a respectful question; with a friend, speakers may choose a different pronoun and verb form. Listen to the language others use before switching to an informal style.
Asking a price at a shop
- You: মাফ করবেন, এটার দাম কত? (Maf korben, etar dam koto?) — Excuse me, how much is this?
- Seller: একশ টাকা. (Eksho taka.) — One hundred taka.
- You: ধন্যবাদ. (Dhonnobad.) — Thank you.
Learn numbers alongside price questions. A fast answer may be hard to understand; ask the seller to display or write the number if it matters. টাকা is also the name of Bangladesh’s currency.
Finding the correct road
- You: মাফ করবেন, স্টেশন কোথায়? (Maf korben, station kothay?) — Excuse me, where is the station?
- Helper: ডানে. (Dane.) — On the right.
- You: ধন্যবাদ. (Dhonnobad.) — Thank you.
The basic word ডান means right; ডানে is a directional form. The same applies to বাম and বামে. A vocabulary list gives you the building block, while a sentence shows how the form can change.
When you cannot understand the explanation
- You: বুঝতে পারিনি. (Bujhte parini.) — I did not understand.
- You: আস্তে বলুন. (Aste bolun.) — Please speak slowly.
- You: আবার বলুন. (Abar bolun.) — Please say it again.
- You: লিখে দেবেন? (Likhe deben?) — Could you write it down?
These are four linked tools. The purpose is to get a reliable response, not just to demonstrate language knowledge. A written address, time or price may prevent a misunderstanding.
Asking about ingredients
- You: ঝাল কম. (Jhal kom.) — Less spicy.
- You: আমার …-এ অ্যালার্জি আছে. (Amar …-e allergy achhe.) — I am allergic to …
- You: Show the precise ingredient in Bangla writing and ask for confirmation.
A food preference and an allergy are different situations. Confirm the actual dish, sauces, ingredients, cooking surfaces and cross-contact with the person preparing it.
Common vocabulary mistakes and how to fix them
- Do not assume Bangla and Hindi have identical scripts or pronunciation. Both are Indo-Aryan languages, but their writing and everyday expressions differ.
- Do not treat Bangladesh as linguistically uniform. Regional Bangla varieties and other community languages exist.
- Do not use তুই when speaking to an unfamiliar adult; it can be inappropriate. আপনি is a common respectful starting point.
- Do not assume a greeting used in one community is mandatory for everyone. Choose respectfully according to the person and setting.
- Do not confuse ঝাল কম (less spicy) with a medically safe meal. Confirm allergens and preparation directly.
- Do not ignore the original script. It can be more reliable to show written Bangla than a guessed pronunciation.
- Do not guess a price, address or appointment from a fast reply. Ask for repetition or written confirmation.
Four weeks to move from a word list to real communication
Vocabulary becomes powerful when a word connects to a sound, its written form, a social situation and a real action. Build a small area of confident use before expanding. Repeatedly reading the table is not the same as retrieving a phrase during a conversation.
- Week 1 — essential social words: Learn the eight quick answers and the first ten words. Practise a greeting, a thank-you and a farewell in three imagined situations, and compare your pronunciation with a native recording.
- Week 2 — questions and repairs: Learn how to ask where something is, request a slower explanation and say you did not understand. Make a short conversation for a shop, a street and an appointment.
- Week 3 — food, prices and directions: Learn the two middle vocabulary groups. Practise with a menu, a sign or a map. Change the item or location without needing to memorise a completely new script.
- Week 4 — daily services and flexible recall: Learn the final group and create ten original dialogues. Cover the English column and test all fifty words. Review the missed ones after one day, three days and a week.
A word means more when you can use it in the world
Imagine the word for a station in Bangladesh. Its definition tells you what the place is. Its script helps you recognise a sign. Its spoken form lets you ask a question. A real journey adds a location, a route, a ticket and the possibility that you misunderstood an answer. These connections make the vocabulary meaningful and memorable.
Similarly, a polite ‘you’ form is not simply another dictionary item. It changes how a listener receives your question. An authentic conversation contains relationship, intention, tone, time and place. By noticing these dimensions, you learn why a phrase works instead of only what it translates to.
Test yourself: can you use the words without a script?
Cover the translations and try five small tasks: greet a stranger, ask a price, find a restroom, request repetition and thank the person who helped you. If any step is uncertain, practise that particular phrase again. Then repeat the tasks in a different setting, such as a workplace instead of a shop. Transfer to a new situation is a better measure of vocabulary mastery than memorising the list in order.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say thank you in Bangla?
ধন্যবাদ (dhonnobad) means thank you. অনেক ধন্যবাদ means thank you very much.
How do you ask how someone is in Bangla?
কেমন আছেন? (kemon achhen?) is a polite way to ask ‘How are you?’.
How do you say excuse me in Bangla?
মাফ করবেন (maf korben) is useful for excuse me or sorry in a polite exchange.
How do you ask how much something costs?
এটার দাম কত? (etar dam koto?) means ‘How much is this?’
How do you ask where the toilet is?
শৌচাগার কোথায়? (shouchagar kothay?) is a formal expression. The borrowed word টয়লেট is also commonly understood.
Is Bangla the official language of Bangladesh?
Article 3 of Bangladesh’s Constitution names Bangla as the state language.
Is Bengali the same as Bangla?
Bengali is the common English name for the language called Bangla. Regional speech and varieties still differ.
What is the difference between apni and tumi?
আপনি (apni) is respectful, while তুমি (tumi) is familiar. Verb forms change with the level of address.
Can I use these phrases outside Dhaka?
Most are broadly understandable, but local vocabulary and pronunciation can vary across Bangladesh.
What should I study after 50 Bangla words?
Learn the script, numbers, respectful verb forms, practical listening and everyday conversational patterns.
Continue reading with eduKate
Choose a country guide for background, a language-learning guide for systematic study or the companion articles for comparisons across languages. The purpose is to return to the exact information you need rather than read unrelated material.
- Everything About Bangladesh
- How to Learn Bengali Quickly and Correctly
- Vocabulary for Pakistan | Urdu phrases
- Vocabulary for Egypt | Egyptian Arabic
- Vocabulary for Pakistan | Urdu
Sources and accuracy
The linked language and official legal resources informed the original selection and explanations. Regional variation, pronunciation and register matter; romanisation is approximate. For medical, allergy, legal, money or travel-safety decisions, confirm exact information and seek professional help where necessary.
- Omniglot: Useful Bengali phrases, script and audio
- Bangladesh Constitution, Article 3: Bangla as the state language
Reviewed: 6 November 2026.