चक्कर आना

Grammatically, this phrase uses the indirect construction. You don't 'do' the dizziness; it happens to you. You must use the postposition को (ko) with the person feeling dizzy. For example, instead of saying 'I am dizzy,' you say मुझे चक्कर आ रहे हैं (To me, circles are coming). You can use it in the singular चक्कर आ रहा है or plural चक्कर आ रहे हैं. The plural version often sounds more natural when the feeling is intense.

Use this when you are feeling unwell or dehydrated. It is very common during the scorching Indian summers. If you are at a doctor's office, this is the exact phrase you need. You can also use it figuratively. If you see a massive bill at a restaurant or a confusing math problem, you can say it to show you are overwhelmed. It’s great for texting a friend when you've had too much coffee or too little sleep.

Don't use this to mean you are 'confused' in a logical sense. If you don't understand a map, use उलझन (uljhan) or समझ नहीं आ रहा. Also, while it can describe the effect of alcohol, it doesn't mean 'drunk.' For that, use नशा (nasha). Avoid using it if you just mean you are 'spinning' physically, like dancing. That would be घूमना (ghoomna).

In India, the heat is a major part of life. चक्कर आना is a daily reality for many during the 'Loo' (hot summer winds). You will also see this constantly in Bollywood movies. Whenever a character hears shocking news—like a secret twin or a lost fortune—they often clutch their head and experience चक्कर. It’s the classic precursor to a dramatic faint on a velvet sofa.

You might hear सिर घूमना (sir ghoomna), which literally means 'head spinning.' Another one is चकरा जाना (chakra jaana), which is more about being completely stunned or confounded by something. If you want to sound a bit more formal in a medical context, you might hear भ्रम (bhram), but stick to चक्कर आना for 99% of your daily interactions.