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🇮🇳 Magahi #67 Most Spoken Language (25M speakers)

Magahi — Indo-Aryan language of the Magadh region with SOV order and a rich folk tradition

Indo-Aryan • Eastern Zone (Magadhan) • Devanagari • SOV • Non-tonal

Number Of Speakers (est.)
~12.7 Million (2011 census count). Many more speakers may be recorded under Hindi in official contexts.
Eastern India
Magadh Region
Everyday Use
Where It Is Spoken
Mainly in Bihar (especially around Patna and Gaya) and Jharkhand, with smaller communities in West Bengal, parts of Odisha, and the Terai region of Nepal.
Bihar
Jharkhand
Nepal Terai
Family / Branch
Indo-European → Indo-Iranian → Indo-Aryan → Eastern Zone (Magadhan) → Magahi
Indo-Aryan
Magadhan Group
Writing System
Today, Magahi is most often written in Devanagari. Historically it was widely written in Kaithi. In some areas, it has also appeared in Bengali and Odia scripts.
Devanagari
Kaithi (Historic)
Regional Scripts
Word Order
Default word order is SOV (Subject–Object–Verb). Postpositions are common, and verbs usually come last in simple clauses.
SOV
Postpositions
ISO Codes
ISO 639-3: mag • Glottocode: maga1260
Language ID
Cataloging
What Makes Magahi Distinct

Magahi is closely tied to the Magadh cultural area and traces its name to older Magadhan forms of speech.
In everyday conversation, it is known for clear verb-final structure, expressive particles, and a strong oral tradition.
The language is widely used at home and in local life, even when formal settings prefer Hindi.

Sound System Highlights
  • Retroflex consonants: Sounds made with the tongue curled back (common in Indo-Aryan languages).
  • Aspiration contrast: Many stops come in pairs like unaspirated vs aspirated (e.g., k vs kh).
  • Nasalization: Nasal vowels appear in speech and are meaningful in many words.
  • Stress: Usually not as strong as in English; rhythm tends to be smooth and even.
Grammar Snapshot
  • SOV clause order: The verb often ends the sentence.
  • Postpositions: Relations are expressed after the noun (similar to “in the house” but structured as “house-in”).
  • Gender: Some agreement patterns exist, but everyday usage often relies more on context than heavy marking.
  • Politeness levels: Pronouns and verb forms can shift depending on respect and familiarity.
  • Aspect emphasis: Ongoing vs completed actions are frequently highlighted through verb forms.
Dialects And Local Variation

Speakers often describe regional varieties such as Northern, Central, and Southern Magahi.
Differences are usually heard in pronunciation, vocabulary, and small grammar preferences rather than core structure.

Common Words And Polite Phrases
Below are widely recognized phrases. Spellings can vary slightly by region and writing convention.
नमस्कार (Namaskār — Hello)
धन्यवाद (Dhan’yavād — Thank you)
कइसन बानी? (Kaisan bānī? — How are you?)
माफ करीं (Māph karīn — Sorry / Excuse me)
Simple Example Sentences
  • हम घर जा हई. (Ham ghar jā hai — I am going home.)
  • रउआँ के नाम का ह? (Rauā̃ ke nām kā ha? — What is your name?)
  • ई किताब हमार ह. (Ī kitāb hamār ha — This book is mine.)
Magahi Sentence Builder (SOV • Noun Phrase • Question)

Use this mini tool to see how Magahi tends to place the verb at the end. It is a learning aid, not a strict grammar checker.





Typical pattern: Subject + Object + Verb. Questions often add a question word and a question ending.

Magahi In Daily Life
Where You Often Hear It
  • Family and neighborhood conversation
  • Local markets and community events
  • Folk songs, storytelling, and stage performances
Common Writing Uses
  • Personal notes and local literature
  • Regional media and cultural publications
  • Education and community initiatives (varies by area)

magahi