Whenever we change places, we find that the words and their meanings change from place to place. Same with the English language, students going to the USA observe some changes in words and their usage. The following is a simple dictionary for translating between American English and Indian English. With the help of this word list, you can easily communicate with local people in the USA.
(In Indian English – In American English)
Cold drink — Soda pop
Coriander — Cilantro
Cafe (“kayf”) — Cafe (“kaf-ay'”)
Curd — Yogurt
Filter coffee — Brewed coffee
News-Coffee — Instant coffee
French beans — Snow peas
Milk powder — Cream
Jelly — Gelatin
Hotel — Restaurant
Ladyfingers – Okra
Garam masala — Curry
Toffee — Hard candy
Small pastries — Cakes
Biscuit — Cookies/Wafers/Crackers
Brinjal — Eggplant
(Potato) wafers — (Potato) chips
Bun – Biscuit
Groundnuts – Peanuts
Finger chips — French fries
[/tab] [tab title=”Education”](In Indian English – In American English)
Private school — Private school (tuition charged)
Public school — Public school (free)
College – School
School — High school
2nd standard — 2nd grade
University — School
Invigilator – Proctor
High marks — Good grades
Canteen — Cafeteria
(In Indian English – In American English)
Half-pant – Shorts
Windcheater — Windbreaker
[/tab] [tab title=”Transportation”](In Indian English – In American English)
Boot, Nikky — Trunk of a car
Traffic signal — Traffic light
Petrol pump – Gas station
Bonnet — Hood of a car
Footpath – Sidewalk
Petrol — Gas
Take a lift — Get a ride
Zebra Crossing — Crosswalk
Cycle – Bike
Motorcycle — Motorbike
[/tab] [tab title=”Other”](In Indian English – In American English)
American Football (rugby?) – Football
Football — Soccer
Ltd. — Inc.
Solid — Substantial
Goggles – Sunglasses
Two-in-One — Boom box
Guesthouse – Motel
Toilet — Restroom
Cell – Battery
Note — Bill
Rubber – Eraser
Torch — Flashlight
Dustbin — Trash can
Condom — Rubber
Mess Dorm – Cafeteria
Beggar — Panhandler
Lift – Elevator
Restaurant bill — Restaurant check
Pram — Stroller
(In Indian English – In American English)
To submit — To turn in
To post (a letter) — To mail (a letter)
Straight-away — Right away
To be out of station — To be out of town
Bunk school — Skip class
Anticlockwise — Counterclockwise
Fainted — Passed out
Passed out — Graduated
The line is engaged — It’s busy / I got a busy tone
Ring up (someone) — Call up (someone)
Give the car some race — Speed up the car
Push the accelerator — Step on the gas
Let’s push off — Let’s go
Get down (from a bus) — Get off (of a bus)
Convince someone — Talk someone into
Let’s make a move — Let’s go
Standing from a constituency — Running for an election
Black money — Tax-free, undeclared income
How are you? — How are you doing?
Issue a book (from the library) — Check out a book (from the library)
Too good – Cool
How is everything? — How is it going?
[/tab] [/tabs]