Master Desi Lingo: 14 Hindi Gen Z Phrases That Are Totally 'Bindaas'

Hindi Slang 101: Gen Z Edition – 14 Must-Know Phrases to Level Up Your Hindi Game

Think you’ve mastered Hindi because you can say “Namaste” and “Shukriya”? Well, if you want to keep up with the fast-paced world of Indian Gen Z, you’ve gotta dive deeper into the slang game. The youth in India have their own language, packed with slang that’s fresh, quirky, and heavily influenced by memes, Bollywood, and the internet. From the bustling streets of Mumbai to the endless scroll of Instagram, Hindi Gen Z slang is on a whole new level.

Ready to talk like a true Gen Z desi? We’ve got you covered with 14 must-know Hindi slang phrases that’ll instantly boost your street cred. Whether you’re chatting with friends or scrolling through Indian memes, these words will keep you in the loop. Let’s dive into the latest lingo that’s trending among India’s Gen Z!

1. "Scene Kya Hai?"

This phrase literally means "What’s the scene?" and is used to ask what’s happening or what the plan is. It’s the perfect slang to throw into a conversation when you’re checking in on plans with friends or trying to figure out what's going down.

Pronunciation: “Seen kya hey”
How to use it: "Hey, what’s the plan for tonight?"
In short: Use this phrase to casually ask about someone’s plans or what's happening.

2. "Bindaas"

Bindaas is a word used to describe someone who’s super chill, carefree, and confident. If you’re living life without any stress or worries, you’re living the bindaas life. It’s a great compliment, especially for those who live in the moment and don’t let anything faze them.

Pronunciation: “Bin-daas”
How to use it: "She’s so confident and carefree—total bindaas vibes!"
In short: Use bindaas to describe someone who’s totally chill and relaxed.

3. "Jhakaas"

This is old-school Mumbai slang that Gen Z has revived. Jhakaas means “awesome” or “super cool.” If something is absolutely amazing, it’s jhakaas. You’ll hear this a lot in casual conversations, especially in Bollywood movies.

Pronunciation: “Jha-kaas”
How to use it: "That movie was jhakaas!"
In short: When something is really cool or impressive, call it jhakaas.

4. "Fattu"

Fattu is a playful term used to describe someone who’s scared or a bit of a coward. It’s used humorously to tease friends who are too scared to do something daring or risky. It’s like calling someone a "chicken" in English, but with more flair.

Pronunciation: “Fah-too”
How to use it: "Don’t be a fattu, just ask her out!"
In short: Use fattu to tease someone who’s too scared to take a chance.

5. "Launda/Laundi"

These slang terms mean "guy" (launda) or "girl" (laundi) but are often used in a playful or teasing manner. Gen Z uses it to refer to their friends, especially when they’re up to something mischievous.

Pronunciation: “Lawn-da/Lawn-dee”
How to use it: "What’s that launda up to these days?"
In short: Use launda or laundi to refer to friends in a light-hearted, playful way.

6. "Bohot Hard"

This is Gen Z’s way of saying something is incredibly cool or intense. You’ll hear this phrase a lot when someone is hyping up a situation, a person, or even a performance. It’s the ultimate way to say “wow” in modern Hindi slang.

Pronunciation: “Boh-hot hard”
How to use it: "That performance was bohot hard!"
In short: When something’s seriously impressive or cool, say it’s bohot hard.

7. "Chill Maar"

If someone is getting too stressed or overreacting, just tell them to chill maar—it means "relax" or "take it easy." It’s the Hindi Gen Z equivalent of “chill out,” and it’s used all the time when someone needs to calm down and stop worrying.

Pronunciation: “Chill maar”
How to use it: "Don’t worry, chill maar, everything will be fine."
In short: Use chill maar to tell someone to relax and take it easy.

8. "Bakchod"

A bakchod is someone who talks nonsense or jokes around too much. It’s used to describe someone who loves to gossip or mess around without being serious. While it can be used playfully, it can also be used to call someone out for being too talkative or annoying.

Pronunciation: “Buck-chod”
How to use it: "He’s such a bakchod, always joking around."
In short: Use bakchod to describe someone who’s constantly joking or talking nonsense.

9. "Ghanta"

Literally meaning “bell,” ghanta is used sarcastically to mean “yeah, right” or “as if.” It’s the perfect word to use when you don’t believe something or when someone is exaggerating. It adds a bit of attitude to any conversation.

Pronunciation: “Ghan-ta”
How to use it: "You think you’re going to ace that test? Ghanta!"
In short: Use ghanta to sarcastically dismiss something or call out someone’s exaggeration.

10. "Jugaad"

Jugaad is a term that describes a clever or creative solution to a problem. It’s all about thinking outside the box and finding quick, makeshift ways to get things done. Indian Gen Z loves this word because it captures that resourceful, street-smart attitude.

Pronunciation: “Joo-gahd”
How to use it: "We don’t have the right tools, but we’ll figure it out with some jugaad."
In short: Use jugaad when you come up with a clever, on-the-spot solution.

11. "Pataka"

Pataka literally means "firecracker," but in slang, it’s used to describe someone who’s fiery, bold, and attractive. It’s a compliment for someone who’s full of energy and confidence, often used to describe someone who’s both stylish and fierce.

Pronunciation: “Pah-tah-kah”
How to use it: "She’s a total pataka—always turning heads."
In short: Use pataka to describe someone who's bold, fierce, and attractive.

12. "Kaand"

Kaand is a word used to describe a scandal, drama, or a big mess. It’s often used to refer to situations that escalate quickly and create a lot of gossip. Whether it’s a celebrity scandal or a personal drama, kaand covers it all.

Pronunciation: “Kaan-d”
How to use it: "Did you hear about the kaand at the party last night?"
In short: Use kaand to describe a chaotic situation or a big drama.

13. "Panga"

If you’re taking on a challenge or picking a fight, you’re getting into a panga. It’s often used to describe someone who’s getting involved in trouble or stirring up conflict. It can also be used more casually to describe taking a risk or being bold.

Pronunciation: “Pung-ah”
How to use it: "Don’t take a panga with him, he’s not worth it."
In short: Use panga when talking about getting into trouble or taking risks.

14. "Totta"

Totta is Gen Z’s fun way to describe someone who's a heartthrob or super attractive. It’s used to refer to someone who’s good-looking and charismatic, often in a flirty way.

Pronunciation: “Tot-tah”
How to use it: "That guy is such a totta!"
In short: Use totta to describe someone who’s a total heartthrob.

Now that you’ve learned these 14 Hindi Gen Z slang words, you’re ready to chat like a true desi! Whether you’re scrolling through Indian TikTok, catching up on Bollywood movies, or chatting with friends, these phrases will keep you sounding trendy and in-the-know. From calling something jhakaas when it’s amazing to telling a friend to chill maar, you’ll easily slip into the cool crowd. So go out there, start using these words, and show off your new slang skills!

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