MEANING OF HINDI WORD ARE (अरे):

Hello Readers!

Few days back, one my dear friend came to me for dinner. During conversation I used the word Are (अरे)

Immediately, he asked me “do you know the meaning of Are (अरे)?” I was kind of surprise as he is my friend since my school days and as per my understanding, I think I used the said word too many times in past too but he never objected for same.

I, within a second, replied are kya puchh rahe ho? But he insisted and asked me again “do you know the meaning of Are (अरे)”.

I, like a school guy, answered him “it’s a Hindi word, generally we use when we surprise on something or kind of” and then I gave some examples in Hindi.

Thereafter, he asked me do you thing Are अरे is negative or unpleasant word. Immediately, I replied “are kya bat kar raha hai yar bilkul nahi BIG NO” then he with some confidence asked again “are you sure?”

Thereafter, instead of being school guy, I tried to behave like teacher and asked my friend “yar bhai tu meri Hindi kyo check kar raha hai”?

Then he said, few days back he was in Haryana for his office work. During the conversation with one government official (middle age) there in Haryana, my friend was interrupted and made an objection against my friend for using the word Are( अरे). I asked him further “what he (official) exactly said?” My friend told me that he said to him that “me Aapki pitaji ki umar ka hu mere sath aap Are (अरे) karke bat kyo kar rahe ho”.

And my friend started laughing and yes, for me too, there was no choice, other than laughing together.

As my friend is the nature of very cool and calm and of good behavior. I knew his intention cannot be wrong and I am sure he must have handled the situation well.

But one thing, which I decided, that time, to find out the exact meaning of are (अरे). Next morning, I decided to take the help of Google Ji. 2,40,000 results in .33 seconds was not bad at all.

After going through various dictionary and other sources, I found that the meaning of Are (अरे) includes, oho, o, hey, dear, come on, etc.

Further, we use are (अरे) sometime with words or sometimes without other words, like areeeee, are wah, are yar and so on.

I also discussed the same thing with my other friends too, the reaction was mixed but yes I can say majority of peoples are saying the use of word are (अरे) is ok and normal and it cannot be sound like offensive or unpleasant. At the same time, many were suggesting, people should avoid using Are (अरे) to people who are older to them.

Nonetheless one thing, which I noticed was that the word like are (अरे) is something which people never use intentionally but due to habit only. Therefore, it is crystal clear that if someone using the word are (अरे), it doesn’t mean his intention is bad or he wants to offend other.

However, some time rather than justifying yourself it is better to change your habit, if the same is not public acceptable word. So, next time, if any one use the word are (अरे) don’t think person is trying to insult you or he do not respect you. Just think, same is just due to his habit.

Happy Reading, enjoy reading,