American Language

People who come to the USA from India rarely have difficulty in communicating with Americans, because most speak fluent English or have received their education in English. However, Indians speak British English, and there are many differences between British English and American English. 

Therefore, if you are not familiar with correct words, there may be some confusion while communicating. Sometimes, the spelling of the words may be the same but they are pronounced differently. For example, “schedule” is pronounced “skedule,” “route” is pronounced “raut,” and “vitamin” is pronounced “vaitamin.”

If the person you’re speaking with is having a hard time understanding, you may hear phrases like “pardon me,” “come again,” “I didn’t get you,” or “I’m sorry?” 

The following dictionary helps you translate Indian English to American English. Words are given by categories; within each category, they are listed alphabetically.

Clothing
Indian English	American English
Braces	Suspenders
Half-pant	Shorts
Half sleeves	Short sleeves
Handbag	Purse, Pocketbook, Change purse
Jumper	Sweater
Ladders (in stockings)	Runs
Neckerchief	Scarf
Overcoat (light)	Topcoat, Coat, Jacket
Overcoat (heavy)	Overcoat, Coat
Oversize	Extra large
Petticoat	Slip
Pinafore dress	Jumper
Polo-neck sweater	Turtle-neck sweater
Purse	Wallet
Sanitary towel	Sanitary napkin, pad
Sports shoes	Sneakers, Athletic shoes, Running shoes
Suspenders	Garters
Swim costume	Swim suit
Swim trunks	Swim suit
Tights	Panty hose
Trial room	Fitting room
Trousers	Trousers, Pants, Slacks
Vest	Under shirt
Waistcoat	Vest
Waist petticoat	Half slip
Wind cheater	Wind breaker

Education
Indian English	American English
3rd standard	3rd grade
Be a student	Take a class
Canteen	Cafeteria
College	School
Higher Secondary School	High School
Invigilator	Proctor
Marks	Grades
Mark sheet	Grade card
Primary school	Elementary school
Private school	Public school (free)
Public school	Private school (tuition charged)
Secondary School	Junior High School
Take a class	Teach a class
University	School

Food
Indian English	American English
Biscuit	Cookie (if sweet), Cracker (if salty)
Brinjal	Eggplant
Brown bread	Whole wheat bread
Bun	Biscuit
Cafe (“kayf”)	Cafe (“kaf-ay'”)
Capsicum	Bell pepper
Chocolate, Lollipop, Sweet, Toffee	Candy
Cold drink	Soda
Coriander	Cilantro
Curd	Yogurt
Dry grapes	Raisins
Filter coffee	Brewed coffee
Finger chips	French fries
French beans	Snow peas
Garam masala	Curry
Groundnuts	Peanuts
Hotel	Restaurant (only for eating) Hotel (for staying and/or eating)
Jelly	Gelatin
Milk powder	Cream
Nes-coffee	Instant coffee
Lady fingers	Okra
(Potato) wafers	(Potato) chips
Saccrine	Artificial sweetener
Soft drink	Soda
Small pastries	Lady fingers
Soda	Club soda
Tomato sauce	Ketchup (tomato sauce is less sweet)

Other
Indian English	American English
Aerial (for TV)	Antenna
All year	All year or year-round
American football (similar to Rugby in UK)	Football
At weekends	On weekends
Autumn	Fall
Barrister	Trial lawyer
Basin	Bowl (basin means bathroom sink)
Bath	Shower (when you fill tub and sit to wash, it is a bath)
Beggar	Panhandler
Bookstall	Newsstand
Bucket	Bucket or pail
Camp bed	Cot or roll-away
Chewing Gum	Gum
Cell	Battery
Cinema	Movie theater
Clever	Smart or bright
Cooling glass	Sunglasses
Colony	Neighborhood
Creche	Daycare
Cricket (a game)	Cricket (an insect)
Curriculum-vitae or Bio-data	Resume
Current	Electricity
Current account	Checking account
Deposit account	Savings account
Diary	Journal
District or Taluk	County
Doctor	Doctor or Physician
Dustbin	Trash can
Earth wire	Ground wire
Flat	Apartment (“flats” mean shoes without high heels)
Ex-serviceman	Veteran
Football	Soccer
Hoarding	Billboard
Hotel	Restaurant
Gang	Mob
Garage	Garage, Shop, Service station
Garbage	Trash
Garden	Yard
Give test	Take test
Goods	Freight
Goods wagon	Freight car, Container
Gramophone	Phonograph, Turntable, Record player
Grill	Broil
Guest house	Motel
Gum	Glue
Goggles	Sunglasses
IBM-Compatible	IBM-Clone
Inflammable	Flammable
Jug	Pitcher
Kiosk	Booth
Lawyer	Lawyer or Attorney
Lift	Elevator
Ltd.	Inc.
Main city area	Downtown (most of the time), Uptown
Mate	Friend (“mate” is used only for spouse)
Mess	Dorm cafeteria
Mixee	Mixer
Multi-storey	High-rise, Skyscraper
Nice	Nice, Cool
Operation theatre	Operating room
Perks	Perks, Fringe benefits, Benefits, Employment benefits
Photograph	Picture
Picture	Movie
Plot of land	Lot
Policeman	Policeman, Cop, Police officer
Porter	Doorman
Nappies	Diapers
Notepad	Notepad, Scratchpad
Ordinary share	Common stock
Pack of cards	Deck of cards
Paisa	Penny, One cent
Past performance	Track record
Pin code, postal code	ZIP code
Point, Powerpoint	Outlet, Electrical outlet
Postbox	Mailbox (for home/apartment)Postbox (for rented box located in post office)
Pram Perambulator	Stroller
Promenade	Boardwalk
Race course	Race track, The track
Queue	Line
Restaurant bill	Restaurant check
Rs. 20 Note	$20 Bill
Rubber	Eraser (“rubber” is the slang for condom!)
Snap	Picture
Solicitor	Lawyer, Attorney
Solid	Substantial
Spectacles	Glasses
Suitcase	Suitcase, Baggage, Bag
Switchboard	Power strip (“switchboard” is for a telephone operator)
Tap	Faucet
Talkies	Movie theater
Tea towel	Dish towel
Timber	Timber, Lumber
Tin (of food)	Can
To dispatch	To ship
To fix	To install
Toilet	Restroom
Torch	Flashlight
To repair	To fix
Trade union	Labor union
Transistor	Radio
Two-in-One	Boom box
Washing clothes	Doing laundry

Pronunciation Difference
Indian English	American English
Carolina	Carolaina
Regional	Riganal
Schedule	Skedul
Semi	Semai
Vitamin	Vaitamin

Shopping
Indian English	American English
Bill	Check
Carrier bag	Shopping bag
Chemist	Drugstore, Pharmacy
Cotton (reel of)	Thread
Cotton wool	Absorbent cotton
Dispensary	Drugstore, Pharmacy
Drawing pins	Thumb tacks
Expensive stores	Upscale stores
Hair slide	Barrette
Jumble sale	Garage sale, Yard sale
Line of open shops, shopping center	Strip mall (“strip club” has a totally different meaning)
Material (by yard)	Fabric
Provision store	Grocery store
Provision store man	Grocer
Shop	Shop, Store
Shop assistant	Salesclerk
Shopping center	Mall
Vegetable store	Grocery store

Spelling Difference
Indian English	American English
Cheque	Check
Centre	Center
Colour	Color
Dialled	Dialed
Grey	Gray
Jewellery	Jewelry
Labour	Labor
Omelette	Omelet
Programme	Program
Theatre	Theater
Travelling	Traveling

Telephone
Indian English	American English
Charge call	Collect call
Directory	Phone book
Personal call	Person-to-person
Put the phone down	Hang up, Disconnect
Mobile Phone	Cell Phone
Reverse the charges	Collect call
STD code	Area code
STD/PCO	Public phone, Pay phone
Telephone call	Phone call, Call
To ring up	To call/to give
To telephone	Buzz
Trunk call	Long distance call

Theater
Indian English	American English
Dress circle	Mezzanine
Houseful	Full house
Gallery	Balcony
Stalls	Orchestra
Upper Circle	First balcony

Transportation
Indian English	American English
Accelerate the car	Step on the gas
Air hostess	Flight attendant
Bonnet	Hood
Boot, dicky	Trunk
Car accelerator	Gas pedal
Car parking	Parking lot
Caravan	Trailer or RV (recreational vehicle)
Coach	Bus
Cycle	Bike
Diesel	Fuel
Footpath	Sidewalk
Flyover	Overpass
Gear stick	Stick shift
Highway	Freeway, Expressway, Interstate
Lorry	Truck
Motorcycle	Motor bike
Motor ways	Freeways
Mudguard/wing	Motor bike
Number plate	License plate
Overbridge	Overpass
Pavement	Sidewalk
Petrol	Gas
Petrol pump	Gas station
Punctured tire	Flat tire
Railtrack	Railroad
Return ticket	Round trip
Silencer	Muffler (a “silencer” is used to quiet the sound of a gun)
Signal	Signal, Traffic light
Single ticket	One-way ticket
Take a lift	Get a ride
Taxi	Taxi, Cab
Traffic signal	Traffic light
Tram	Streetcar
Underbridge	Underpass
Underground	Subway
Windscreen	Windshield
Zebra Crossing	Crosswalk

Technology
Indian English	American English
Net	Internet
Site	Web site
Mail	Email
Post	Mail
@ in email address = ‘at the rate’	@ in email address = ‘at’

Idioms
Indian English	American English
A place to park	Driveway
A place to drive	Parkway
Anti clockwise	Counter-clockwise
Black money	Tax free, Undeclared income
Bunk school	Skip class
Convince someone	Talk someone into
Dismissed (from job)	Fired (from job, for fault of employee) Laid off (from job, for no fault of employee)
Fainted	Passed out
Get down (from a bus)	Get off (of a bus)
Give the car some race	Speed up the car
How is everything?	How is it going?
How are you?	How are you doing?
I am angry at you	I am mad at you
Indian	Indian – Native American East Indian – Person from India
Intimate	Inform
Issue a book (from the library)	Check out a book (from the library)
Join duty	Report for work
Let’s make a move	Let’s go
Let’s push off	Let’s go
Mess up	Screw up
Passed out	Graduated
Push the accelerator	Step on the gas
Ring up (someone)	Call up (someone)
Sleep in the afternoon	Nap
Standing from a constituency	Running for an election
Straight-away	Right away
The line is engaged	It’s busy / I got a busy tone
To appear in (give) a test	To take a test
To be out of station	To be out of town
Too good	Cool
To post (a letter)	To mail (a letter)
To submit	To turn in
Very Close Relations	Intimate relations
Washing up machine	Dishwasher
Wash up	Do the dishes
Wash your hands	Wash up
What is time?	Do you have the time?