While having a Bengali translator on your visit to Bangladesh is probably not in the cards, it’s helpful to know some of the most basic words and phrases for your visit. Here are some of the most common to help you get around the country.
Kuthay? – Where?
Rimi Kuthay? – Where is Rimi?
Farmacy kuthay? – Where is the pharmacy?
Ami jani na – I don’t know.
Ki korchen? – What are you doing?
Boi porchi – I’m reading books/a book.
Amar khudha legeche – I am hungry.
Ekhon – Now.
Apni k? – Who are you?
Ami jani – I know.
Koyta baje? – What time is it?
10 ta baje – It’s 10 o’clock.
Eta ekta boi – This is a book.
Oita ki? – What is that?
Apnar nam ki? – What’s your name?
Eta ki? – What is this?
Ami ekjon daktar – I’m a doctor.
Kokhon? – When?
K? – Who?
Aam ti chuto – The mango is small.
Apni ki koren? – What do you do?
Ki? – What?
Oita ekta kolom – That is a pen.
Amar nam Ayesha – My name is Ayesha.
Ami Ayesha – I’m Ayesha.
Kano? – Why?
Boro – Big
Ami osustho – I’m ill.
Kemon? – How?
Kivabe? – How?
Chuto – Small
Kathal ti boro – The jackfruit is big.
Ami temaki pochondo kori – I like you.
Ami vat khai – I eat rice.
Se vat khay – He/She eats rice.
Ami mangso pochondo kori na – I don’t like meat.
Tara vat khay – They eat rice.
Ami mach pochondo kori – I like fish.
Ami tumake valobashi – I love you.
Apnar boyos koto – How old are you?
Amar boyos 25 bochor – I’m 25 years old.
Ami Bangla bolte pari – I can speak Bengali.
Ami Bangla bolte pari na – I can’t speak Bengali.