रास्ता भूल गए

You can use it as a factual statement or a question. If you are lost, say Main raasta bhool gaya (for men). If you are teasing a friend who finally visited, say Raasta bhool gaye? Use it to break the ice after a long absence. It turns a potentially awkward silence into a warm, funny moment. It is like saying, 'Look who finally showed up!'

Use it when you are actually lost and need help. It is perfect for asking a stranger for directions. Use it when an old friend calls or visits after months. It works great in family gatherings. If your cousin finally visits, this is your go-to line. Use it in casual office settings when a colleague from another floor drops by. It is a great way to show you missed someone.

Avoid using it in very high-stakes professional meetings. Do not use it if someone was absent due to a tragedy. If a friend was in the hospital, this joke will fall flat. It might sound insensitive in those cases. Also, do not use it with a complete stranger in a sarcastic way. They might take it literally and try to give you a map. Keep the humor for people you know at least slightly.

Indian culture places a huge value on 'Mehmaan-nawaazi' or hospitality. Visiting people at their homes is a core part of social life. When you don't visit, it is noticed. This phrase became a polite way to complain about someone's absence. It avoids sounding accusatory or angry. Instead, it frames the absence as a funny mistake. It is a staple in Bollywood movies when an old friend reappears.

You will often hear Raasta bhatak gaye? which is more poetic. Another version is Aaj idhar ka raasta kaise yaad aa gaya? This means 'How did you remember the way here today?' It is a bit more sarcastic but still friendly. For a more formal touch, you might hear Aap raasta bhool gaye lagta hai. This adds a layer of polite distance while still making the same point.