Hindi vs. Marathi — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 30, 2024
Hindi, widely spoken in northern India, uses the Devanagari script and is an official language of India, while Marathi, predominant in Maharashtra, also uses Devanagari but has distinct linguistic features and vocabulary.
Difference Between Hindi and Marathi
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Hindi is one of the primary languages of India, spoken by millions as their first language, particularly in the northern regions. On the other hand, Marathi is the official language of the state of Maharashtra and parts of neighboring states.
Both languages employ the Devanagari script, but their phonetics, vocabulary, and grammar exhibit unique characteristics. Whereas Marathi has several dialects that influence its pronunciation and usage, Hindi is somewhat more standardized across its speakers.
Linguistically, Hindi is part of the Central Indo-Aryan language group, making it closely related to Urdu and Punjabi. Marathi, while also Indo-Aryan, has a more southern influence, sharing features with Konkani and Kannada.
Hindi has a significant influence from Persian and Arabic due to historical interactions, reflected in its vocabulary. In contrast, Marathi has been influenced by Sanskrit and also has a notable number of words from Maratha and other local languages.
In terms of script, while both use Devanagari, Marathi utilizes additional characters and has some script variations to accommodate phonetic differences from Hindi.
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Comparison Chart
Geographical Dominance
Northern India
Maharashtra and parts of neighboring states
Script
Devanagari
Devanagari, with additional characters
Language Family
Central Indo-Aryan
Southern Indo-Aryan
Vocabulary
Influenced by Persian and Arabic
Strong Sanskrit influence, local languages
Linguistic Influence
Related to Urdu and Punjabi
Shares features with Konkani and Kannada
Compare with Definitions
Hindi
Official language of India, used widely in the north.
She delivered her speech in fluent Hindi.
Marathi
Also uses Devanagari script with specific adaptations.
Marathi newspapers use additional characters.
Hindi
Rich in Persian and Arabic vocabulary.
Many Hindi words are derived from Persian origins.
Marathi
Official language of Maharashtra.
Marathi is predominantly spoken in Mumbai and Pune.
Hindi
Standardized across various regions.
Standard Hindi is used in education and government.
Marathi
Influenced by Sanskrit and local languages.
Marathi vocabulary includes many Sanskrit words.
Hindi
Uses Devanagari script.
Hindi script is taught from the primary level in schools.
Marathi
Related to Konkani and Kannada.
Marathi shares linguistic traits with other languages of the western region.
Hindi
Closely related to Urdu.
Hindi and Urdu speakers can easily understand each other.
Marathi
Diverse dialects across regions.
The Marathi spoken in coastal regions differs from that in the interior.
Hindi
Hindi (Devanagari: हिन्दी, IAST/ISO 15919: Hindī), or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi (Devanagari: मानक हिन्दी, IAST/ISO 15919: Mānak Hindī), is an Indo-Aryan language spoken chiefly in India. Hindi has been described as a standardised and Sanskritised register of the Hindustani language, which itself is based primarily on the Khariboli dialect of Delhi and neighbouring areas of Northern India.
Marathi
The principal Indic language of Maharashtra.
Hindi
An Indic language of northern India, derived from Sanskrit and written in the Devanagari script. It is the fourth most widely spoken language in the world, with more than 250 million people speaking it as their first language.
Marathi
A Sanskritic language of western India, prob. descended from the Maharastri Prakrit, spoken by the Marathas and neighboring peoples. It has an abundant literature dating from the 13th century. It has a book alphabet nearly the same as Devanagari and a cursive script translation between the Devanagari and the Gujarati.
Hindi
Relating to Hindi.
Marathi
An Indic language; the state language of Maharashtra in west central India; written in the Devanagari script
Hindi
A group of vernacular Indic dialects spoken in northern India.
Hindi
The literary and official language of northern India that is based on these dialects. It is written in Devanagari and uses Sanskrit as a resource language.
Hindi
The name given by Europeans to that form of the Hindustani language which is chiefly spoken by native Hindus. In employs the Devanagari character, in which Sanskrit is written.
Hindi
The most widely spoken of modern Indic vernaculars; spoken mostly in the north of India; along with English it is the official language of India; usually written in Devanagari script
Hindi
Of or relating to or supporting Hinduism;
The Hindu faith
Common Curiosities
What is the primary difference between Hindi and Marathi?
The primary difference lies in their linguistic roots and regional dominance—Hindi in northern India and Marathi in Maharashtra.
Can Hindi and Marathi speakers understand each other?
While they may understand some parts due to shared script and some vocabulary, full comprehension is not guaranteed due to distinct linguistic features.
What are the influences on Hindi vocabulary?
Hindi vocabulary is significantly influenced by Persian and Arabic, due to historical interactions.
Are Hindi and Marathi written in the same script?
Yes, both are written in the Devanagari script, though Marathi incorporates additional characters.
Is Marathi only spoken in Maharashtra?
Primarily, yes, but it is also spoken in some regions of neighboring states like Goa, Karnataka, and Gujarat.
What role does Sanskrit play in Marathi?
Sanskrit has a strong influence on Marathi, especially in its vocabulary and formal registers.
What are some cultural contributions of Marathi?
Marathi has a rich literary tradition and vibrant film industry, known as Marathi cinema.
How does the Hindi film industry influence the Hindi language?
Bollywood, based in Mumbai, has a major influence on modern Hindi, especially in terms of popular vocabulary and expressions.
How are Hindi and Marathi taught in schools?
Hindi is often a mandatory language in schools across northern India, while Marathi is compulsory in schools in Maharashtra.
Are there any political implications of language use between Hindi and Marathi?
Yes, language politics is prominent in regions where language identity aligns closely with political and cultural nationalism, affecting both Hindi and Marathi speakers.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
