वाई-फ़ाई है?

Simply say the name of the thing you want, followed by है?. Raise your pitch slightly at the end to make it a question. You do not need complex grammar or long sentences. In Hindi, word order is flexible, but keeping it short is best. If you want to be more polite, add क्या (kya) at the beginning. But usually, वाई-फ़ाई है? works perfectly on its own.

Use it the moment you walk into a cafe or hotel. It is great for checking connectivity at a friend's house. Use it when your mobile data fails you in a crowded mall. It is a survival phrase for the digital age. You can even use it while pointing at your phone screen. Most people will understand exactly what you need immediately.

Do not use this in very traditional or religious settings. Asking for Wi-Fi at a temple might seem a bit disrespectful. Avoid using it if someone is in the middle of a serious conversation. It can feel a bit rude to interrupt a deep talk for internet. Also, do not use it if there are clearly no routers around. You might get a sarcastic laugh in a remote village.

India has seen a massive digital revolution in the last decade. Almost every urban shop or cafe now offers some form of connectivity. The word 'Wi-Fi' is used universally across all Indian languages. You do not need to find a 'pure' Hindi word for it. In fact, using a technical Hindi term might confuse people more. It is a bridge between the traditional and the modern world.

If you want to ask for the password, say पासवर्ड क्या है?. To ask if the Wi-Fi is free, say फ्री है?. If the connection is slow, you might say वाई-फ़ाई बहुत स्लो है. If you are feeling extra polite, try क्या यहाँ वाई-फ़ाई है?. These small additions help you navigate different social levels with ease.