दुकान बंद है

Using this phrase is incredibly easy. You just state it as a fact. If you walk up to a grocery store at midnight, you say it. If you are telling a friend not to bother going to the mall, you use it. You can also turn it into a question. Just raise your pitch at the end: Dukan band hai? This means 'Is the shop closed?' It is a perfect starter phrase for any beginner.

Use it whenever you encounter a locked door at a business. It works for tiny street stalls and massive shopping malls. It is great for texting a friend who is running errands. Use it when you are hungry and the local dhaba is shut. It is also useful in professional settings when discussing logistics. If a supplier's warehouse is shut, this is what you say. It is practical and saves everyone a wasted trip.

Do not use this for people or relationships. If a friend is being 'closed off,' this phrase won't work. It is strictly for physical establishments. Also, do not use it for 'stopping' an activity. For example, don't use it to say 'stop talking.' That requires different verbs. It is specifically for the status of a business. Using it for a person might make you sound like they are a building!

In India, shop timings can be quite fluid. Many shops close for a few hours in the afternoon for a nap. This is especially true in smaller towns or during hot summers. You might find a shop 'band' at 2:00 PM but open at 5:00 PM. Also, many markets have a fixed 'weekly off' day. In Delhi, different areas close on different days. One market might be band on Monday, another on Tuesday. It is a local rhythm you quickly learn to dance to.

If you want to be more specific, you can add time. Dukan abhi band hai means 'The shop is closed right now.' If you want to say it will close soon, say Dukan band hone wali hai. If you want to sound more polite in a formal setting, you might hear Karyalay band hai for 'The office is closed.' However, dukan is the king of everyday conversation. Even big showrooms are often called dukan in casual chat.