Hindu vs. Hindi — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 26, 2023
Hindu refers to a follower of Hinduism or someone from a specific cultural group, while Hindi is a language spoken primarily in India.
Difference Between Hindu and Hindi
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Key Differences
Hindu pertains to a person who practices Hinduism, which is one of the world's oldest religions, encompassing a rich tapestry of beliefs, rituals, and philosophies. Hindi, on the other hand, is the name of a language predominantly spoken in northern and central India.
While Hindu reflects on spiritual beliefs and cultural practices associated with Hinduism, Hindi simply refers to a linguistic system. The two terms, although related to India, serve different contexts and should not be interchanged.
Hindu identity is often deeply rooted in religious practices, ancient scriptures, and a vast pantheon of gods and goddesses. Hindi, in contrast, is a mode of communication, with its own set of grammatical rules, vocabulary, and script.
A Hindu might partake in rituals, celebrate festivals, and visit temples dedicated to various deities. Someone speaking Hindi might just be using the language for daily conversation, irrespective of their religious beliefs or affiliations.
It's essential to understand that while many Hindus speak Hindi, not all Hindi speakers are Hindus. Religion and language can sometimes intersect, but they remain distinct entities.
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Comparison Chart
Type
Religious/Cultural
Linguistic
Refers to
A follower of Hinduism
A language spoken in India
Script
Not applicable (Hinduism has sacred texts)
Devanagari
Geographic Concentration
Primarily in India and Nepal
Predominantly Northern and Central India
Example
Festivals like Diwali
Literature like Ramcharitmanas
Compare with Definitions
Hindu
Of or relating to the majority population in India practicing Hinduism.
The city had a significant Hindu population.
Hindi
An Indo-Aryan language spoken mainly in Northern India.
She taught Hindi at the local university.
Hindu
Pertaining to Hinduism or its practices and beliefs.
The Hindu rituals are diverse and symbolic.
Hindi
Using the Devanagari script for writing.
The signboard was written in Hindi.
Hindu
A person who follows the religion of Hinduism.
The Hindu temple was decorated for the festival of Diwali.
Hindi
Of or relating to the literature, art, and culture of Hindi-speaking regions.
The Hindi poetry session was well-attended.
Hindu
Relating to the historical and cultural traditions of Hindus.
The art exhibit showcased Hindu sculptures from ancient India.
Hindi
Pertaining to the linguistic and grammatical structures of the Hindi language.
He studied the intricacies of Hindi syntax.
Hindu
Someone originating from the Indian subcontinent, irrespective of religious belief.
As a Hindu, he felt a deep connection to the land of his ancestors.
Hindi
Referring to the culture and traditions associated with Hindi speakers.
The movie was a classic of Hindi cinema.
Hindu
Of or relating to Hinduism.
Hindi
Hindi (Devanagari: हिन्दी, IAST/ISO 15919: Hindī), or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi (Devanagari: मानक हिन्दी, IAST/ISO 15919: Mānak Hindī), is an Indo-Aryan language spoken chiefly in India. Hindi has been described as a standardised and Sanskritised register of the Hindustani language, which itself is based primarily on the Khariboli dialect of Delhi and neighbouring areas of Northern India.
Hindu
Of or relating to the Hindus and their culture.
Hindi
An Indic language of northern India, derived from Sanskrit and written in the Devanagari script. It is the fourth most widely spoken language in the world, with more than 250 million people speaking it as their first language.
Hindu
An adherent of Hinduism.
Hindi
Relating to Hindi.
Hindu
Same as Hindoo. This is now the more commonly used spelling.
Hindi
A group of vernacular Indic dialects spoken in northern India.
Hindu
A native or inhabitant of Hindustan or India
Hindi
The literary and official language of northern India that is based on these dialects. It is written in Devanagari and uses Sanskrit as a resource language.
Hindu
A person who adheres to Hinduism
Hindi
The name given by Europeans to that form of the Hindustani language which is chiefly spoken by native Hindus. In employs the Devanagari character, in which Sanskrit is written.
Hindu
Of or relating to or supporting Hinduism;
The Hindu faith
Hindi
The most widely spoken of modern Indic vernaculars; spoken mostly in the north of India; along with English it is the official language of India; usually written in Devanagari script
Hindi
Of or relating to or supporting Hinduism;
The Hindu faith
Common Curiosities
Is Hindi a language or a religious practice?
Hindi is a language.
Which refers to a religion, Hindu or Hindi?
Hindu refers to a religion.
Can a person be a Hindu but not speak Hindi?
Yes, a person can be a Hindu and not speak Hindi.
Is every Hindi speaker a Hindu?
No, not every Hindi speaker is a Hindu.
Can you name a festival associated with Hindu culture?
Yes, Diwali is a major festival in Hindu culture.
How many people speak Hindi worldwide?
Hindi is spoken by over 340 million people worldwide.
Do all religious texts of Hindus come in Hindi?
No, many Hindu religious texts are originally in Sanskrit, but many have been translated to Hindi.
Is Bollywood cinema mostly in Hindi?
Yes, Bollywood primarily produces movies in Hindi.
What script is used to write Hindi?
The Devanagari script is used to write Hindi.
Is the Bhagavad Gita written in Hindi?
The Bhagavad Gita is originally in Sanskrit, but there are translations in Hindi.
Which country has the most significant number of Hindus?
India has the most significant number of Hindus.
Can a person be of Hindu origin but follow a different religion?
Yes, a person can be of Hindu origin but follow a different religion.
Is Hindi spoken only in India?
While predominantly spoken in India, Hindi is also spoken in some parts of Nepal, Fiji, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname, and Mauritius.
What's the main scripture of Hinduism?
The Vedas are considered the foremost scriptures of Hinduism.
Are there regional variations in the Hindi language?
Yes, there are several dialects and regional variations of Hindi.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
