Basic Words

1. ହଁ

   han

   Yes

   Usage

   The basic yes. Often enough on its own to keep a transaction moving

2. ନା

   naa

   No

   Usage

   The basic no. Pair it with a head shake to make refusal unmistakable

3. ଦୟାକରି

   dayaakari

   Please

   Usage

   Add it to any request, including when you order by pointing at something

4. ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ

   dhanyabaad

   Thank you

   Usage

   For anything you receive or any help you get. The single most-used word of a trip

5. ଶୁଣନ୍ତୁ

   shunantu

   Excuse me

   Usage

   To get a stranger's or staff member's attention, or to squeeze past someone

6. କ୍ଷମା କରନ୍ତୁ

   kshamaa karantu

   Sorry

   Usage

   An actual apology after bumping into someone or making a mistake, not for getting attention

7. ଠିକ ଅଛି

   thika achhi

   It's OK / I'm fine

   Usage

   Both "no harm done" when someone apologises and a soft "no thanks" to an offer

8. ମୁଁ ବୁଝିପାରୁ ନାହିଁ

   mun bujhipaaru naahin

   I don't understand

   Usage

   When you did not follow what was said. It usually prompts the other person to rephrase

9. ବୁଝିଲି

   bujhili

   I understand

   Usage

   Confirms the explanation landed. Clearer than just nodding

10. ହୋଇଗଲା

    hoigalaa

    I'm finished / Done

    Usage

    Signals a meal, payment or procedure is complete — also used to have plates cleared

11. ଦୟାକରି ଅପେକ୍ଷା କରନ୍ତୁ

    dayaakari apekshaa karantu

    Please wait

    Usage

    To ask someone to hold on while you dig out luggage or paperwork

12. ଏକ ମିନିଟ୍

    eka minit

    Just a moment

    Usage

    A lighter, shorter hold-on for a brief pause at a till or before a photo

13. ଜଣେ ବୟସ୍କ

    jane bayaska

    One adult, please

    Usage

    For ticket desks and entrances where adult and child prices differ

14. ମୋର ବୁକିଂ ନାହିଁ

    mora booking naahin

    I don't have a reservation

    Usage

    The first thing to say when walking into a restaurant or hotel without booking

15. ମୋର ବୁକିଂ ଅଛି

    mora booking achhi

    I have a reservation

    Usage

    Say it on arrival, then give your name to speed things up

16. ମୋତେ ସାହାଯ୍ୟ କରନ୍ତୁ

    mote saahaajya karantu

    Please help me

    Usage

    For trouble or an emergency. It is fine to say this loudly

17. ଆଉ ଥରେ କୁହନ୍ତୁ

    aau thare kuhantu

    Once more, please

    Usage

    When you missed what was said — handy for prices and room numbers

18. ଧୀରେ କୁହନ୍ତୁ

    dhire kuhantu

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    When the speed is the problem. Works well combined with "once more"

19. ମୁଁ ଟିକେ କହିପାରେ

    mun tike kahipaare

    I speak a little

    Usage

    Sets expectations early so the other person switches to simpler wording

20. ଆପଣ ଇଂରାଜୀ କୁହନ୍ତି କି?

    aapana ingaraaji kuhanti ki?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Your fallback when communication stalls. Usually works at hotels and airports

    Grammar Note

    Use ଆପଣ (aapana) with strangers; ତୁମେ (tume) is for people you know.

21. ଏହା

    ehaa

    This

    Usage

    One word for pointing at something near you to order or confirm it

22. ତାହା

    taahaa

    That

    Usage

    Odia splits only near (ଏହା) from far (ତାହା); it has no separate mid-distance form

23. ଏଠାରେ

    ethaare

    Here

    Usage

    One word for marking where you want to get out or meet

24. ସେଠାରେ

    sethaare

    There

    Usage

    For a place away from you; Odia has only one word for 'there'

25. ମୁଁ

    mun

    I / me

    Usage

    The word for yourself; use it while pointing at your own chest

26. ଆପଣ

    aapana

    You (polite)

    Usage

    The polite second person for strangers; ତୁମେ is for people you know

27. ଏକାଠି

    ekaathi

    Together

    Usage

    Says you are with someone, or that things should be handled as one

28. ତୁରନ୍ତ

    turanta

    Right now

    Usage

    Signals urgency; useful in medical and transport situations

29. ଜଣେ

    jane

    One person

    Usage

    States a headcount; ଜଣ is the counter used for people

30. ଦୁଇ ଜଣ

    dui jana

    Two people

    Usage

    For giving a headcount at a restaurant or ticket window

31. ତିନି ଜଣ

    tini jana

    Three people

    Usage

    For giving a headcount at a restaurant or ticket window

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