नाक बंद है

You use this phrase just like a physical description. You can say it about yourself or someone else. If you are talking about yourself, you say Meri naak band hai. The word meri means 'my'. If you want to ask someone else, you just change the tone. It is a very flexible phrase. You don't need complex grammar to make this work.

Use it when you are feeling under the weather. It is perfect for a doctor's visit. Use it with your boss to explain why you sound like a tuba. It is great for declining a spicy meal. You can even use it when complaining about pollution. If you are texting a friend to cancel plans, this is your go-to excuse.

Don't use this if your nose is actually bleeding. That is a different phrase entirely. Also, avoid using it metaphorically for 'being busy'. In English, we say we are 'up to our necks'. In Hindi, naak band hai is strictly about your respiratory system. Using it to mean 'I am busy' will just get you a box of tissues.

In India, seasonal changes bring 'Sardi-Zukaam' (cold and cough). People take their nose health very seriously. You will often hear grandmothers suggesting 'Steam' or 'Ginger tea' the moment you say this. It is a phrase that triggers immediate sympathy and unsolicited medical advice. It is a very 'human' expression that breaks the ice in any conversation.

You might hear Naak jaam hai. This uses the word jaam which means 'jammed' like a traffic jam. It is a bit more informal and punchy. Another one is Zukaam ho gaya hai which means 'I have caught a cold'. But for the specific feeling of a stuffy nose, naak band hai remains the undisputed king of phrases.