गर्म पानी

You can use it as a standalone request. If you are at a restaurant, just say गर्म पानी दीजिए (Please give hot water). If you are at a friend's house, you might ask क्या गर्म पानी मिलेगा? (Can I get some hot water?). It is very flexible. You can use it for drinking, cleaning, or bathing. It works as both a subject and an object in your sentences.

Use it when you are feeling under the weather. Many Indians believe गर्म पानी cures almost everything. Use it during the winter months when tap water is freezing. It is perfect for when you want to make tea or coffee. You will also use it at hotels to check if the geyser is working. If your throat is sore, this phrase is your best friend.

Do not use this to mean you are in trouble. In English, we say someone is "in hot water." In Hindi, that idiom does not exist. If you say you are in गर्म पानी, people will think you are literally in a tub. Also, if the water is just slightly warm, use गुनगुना पानी instead. गर्म implies a higher temperature that might actually be quite hot.

In India, गर्म पानी is more than just a temperature choice. It is a central part of Ayurvedic health practices. Many people start their day with a glass of it to boost digestion. It is also a sign of care. If you visit a home while sick, they will offer it immediately. During the monsoon, drinking boiled गर्म पानी is a common safety measure against illness.

You might hear तेज़ गर्म पानी for very hot water. If you want lukewarm water, say गुनगुना पानी. In some regions, you might hear ताता पाणी in a more colloquial or dialect-influenced setting. However, गर्म पानी is the gold standard across India. It is understood by everyone, everywhere, from Delhi to Mumbai.