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Hindi blessings and good wishes: 4 phrases with pronunciation

Blessings are one place where the formal Sanskritised vocabulary really is what people say out loud. शुभकामनाएँ and बधाई हो are not bookish here, they are standard, including in text messages. This is the opposite of the greetings category, where the formal word stays on the page.

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“God bless you” in Hindi

भगवान आपका भला करे

Bhagwan aapka bhala kare

“God bless you” in Hindi is भगवान आपका भला करे, pronounced Bhagwan aapka bhala kare. Literally "may God do good to you". Muslims say अल्लाह आपका भला करे. This is said as thanks for a kindness, not after a sneeze.

Example sentences

  • God bless you, thank you so much.

    भगवान आपका भला करे, बहुत धन्यवाद।

    Bhagwan aapka bhala kare, bahut dhanyavaad.

  • May God keep you happy.

    भगवान आपको खुश रखे।

    Bhagwan aapko khush rakhe.

Common mistake

Unlike English, there is no equivalent said after someone sneezes. Sneezes usually pass without comment.

“May God protect you” in Hindi

भगवान तुम्हारी रक्षा करे

Bhagwan tumhari raksha kare

“May God protect you” in Hindi is भगवान तुम्हारी रक्षा करे, pronounced Bhagwan tumhari raksha kare. Said when someone sets out on a journey or faces something difficult. करे is the subjunctive — the form used for wishes and blessings throughout Hindi.

Example sentences

  • May God protect you on your journey.

    भगवान तुम्हारी रक्षा करे।

    Bhagwan tumhari raksha kare.

  • Stay safe, my child.

    सुरक्षित रहना, बेटा।

    Surakshit rehna, beta.

“Rest in peace” in Hindi

आत्मा को शांति मिले

Aatma ko shanti mile

“Rest in peace” in Hindi is आत्मा को शांति मिले, pronounced Aatma ko shanti mile. Literally "may the soul find peace". ॐ शांति (Om Shanti) is the shorter form seen constantly in condolence messages.

Example sentences

  • May his soul rest in peace.

    उनकी आत्मा को शांति मिले।

    Unki aatma ko shanti mile.

  • Deepest condolences to the family.

    परिवार के प्रति गहरी संवेदना।

    Parivaar ke prati gehri samvedna.

“Stay happy” in Hindi

खुश रहो

Khush raho

“Stay happy” in Hindi is खुश रहो, pronounced Khush raho. A blessing an elder gives a younger person, often in reply to being greeted respectfully. खुश रहिए for someone senior.

Example sentences

  • Stay happy and healthy.

    खुश रहो और स्वस्थ रहो।

    Khush raho aur swasth raho.

  • May you always be happy.

    हमेशा खुश रहो।

    Hamesha khush raho.

The grammar behind these phrases