chalo
Hindi चलो — literally "let's go" or "come on" — but in South Asian English it is one of the most flexible code-switching words there is.
Definitions
Hindi चलो — literally "let's go" or "come on" — but in South Asian English it is one of the most flexible code-switching words there is. Depending on tone it can mean "let's leave now", "okay then", "fine, whatever", "very well" or "alright, moving on". Often used to politely close a phone call ("chalo, talk to you later") or to wrap up an awkward conversation by accepting an outcome ("chalo, what to do"). Common across Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi speakers and a near-universal feature of desi English.
Chalo, the meeting is over — let us go for chai and discuss what really happened.
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Other words near "chalo" (C)
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Related terms
Semantically related
- accha69%
Hindi: literally "good" or "okay." Functions as "I see," "really?," "alright," depending on intonation. The Swiss Army knife of Indian English.
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(British India, slang) Keep quiet.
- bakchodi64%
(India, slang) idle or worthless chatter.
- dekho63%
Hindi imperative देखो meaning "look" or "see here". In South Asian English it functions as an attention-getter that pulls a listener into the speaker's perspective before they make their point — closer to "look here" or "you see" than literal "look at this". Common in conversational openers ("Dekho, the thing is...") where the speaker is about to lay out their position or correct a misunderstanding. Slightly softer than the English "look" because it carries the Hindi register of patient explanation rather than command.
- lah63%
The Singaporean and Malaysian English particle par excellence, derived from Hokkien and Malay. Tacked onto the end of a sentence to soften a statement, signal casual rapport, mark mild emphasis, or confirm what has just been said. Tone of voice changes its meaning: a falling "lah" is reassuring ("don't worry lah"), a flat "lah" is matter-of-fact ("cannot lah"), a rising "lah" can be impatient ("just do it lah"). Examples: "Eat already lah, don't wait for me." "Come lah, the show is starting." "I told you lah, it's in the kitchen." Considered the single most recognisable feature of Singlish.