Diwali is the festival of lights, and it is one of the best times of year to share Hindi with your child. Hindi words are everywhere: on sweet boxes, in greetings from family, and in the stories told while the diyas are lit.
Below are 20 Diwali words in Hindi for kids, each with Hindi script (Devanagari), an easy pronunciation guide and the English meaning. The pronunciation uses simple English sounds, and the capital letters show which part of the word to stress.
You don’t need to speak Hindi fluently to teach these. Pick three or four words, use them during the celebrations, and add more as your child gets comfortable.
Hindi | Word | Say it like | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
दिवाली | Diwali | dih-VAA-lee | The festival of lights |
दीपावली | Deepavali | dee-PAA-vuh-lee | “Row of lamps”, another name for Diwali |
त्योहार | Tyohaar | tyoh-HAAR | Festival |
दीया | Diya | DEE-yaa | Small clay oil lamp |
रोशनी | Roshni | ROHSH-nee | Light |
मोमबत्ती | Mombatti | mohm-BUT-tee | Candle |
रंगोली | Rangoli | rung-GO-lee | Colourful pattern made on the floor |
फूल | Phool | PHOOL | Flower |
मिठाई | Mithai | mih-TAI (rhymes with “pie”) | Sweets |
लड्डू | Laddoo | LUD-doo | Round sweet, a Diwali favourite |
पटाखे | Patakhe | puh-TAA-khay | Firecrackers |
फुलझड़ी | Phuljhadi | PHOOL-jhuh-ree | Sparkler |
तोहफ़ा | Tohfa | TOH-faa | Gift |
नए कपड़े | Naye kapde | NUH-yay KUP-ray | New clothes |
सफ़ाई | Safaai | suh-FAA-ee | Cleaning (homes are cleaned before Diwali) |
पूजा | Puja | POO-jaa | Prayer |
लक्ष्मी | Lakshmi | LUCK-shmee | Goddess of wealth and good fortune |
परिवार | Parivaar | puh-ree-VAAR | Family |
दोस्त | Dost | DOHST (rhymes with “most”) | Friend |
खुशी | Khushi | KHOO-shee | Happiness |
The words your child learns during Diwali stick best when they keep hearing Hindi in the weeks after. A few minutes a day is enough.
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The games are calm and unhurried, so they work well as a quiet wind-down after a busy day of celebrations.
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What does Diwali mean in Hindi? Diwali comes from “Deepavali”, which means “row of lamps”. It refers to the diyas lit in homes during the festival.
What is a diya? A diya (दीया) is a small clay lamp filled with oil or ghee and lit during Diwali. For young children, battery tea lights are a safe alternative.
What age can kids start learning Hindi words? Children can start hearing and repeating simple Hindi words from age 2 or 3. Short, everyday words like diya, phool and mithai are a good place to start.
What are the easiest Diwali words for toddlers? Diya, phool, mithai and laddoo. They are short, easy to say, and your child will see them throughout the festival.
