Namaskar
What it means
A respectful greeting made with palms joined before the chest.
Reach for it when naming a respectful South Asian greeting or the joined-palms gesture
The host welcomed each visitor with a warm namaskar.
Words to choose between 5
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| warm | |
| formal |
|
| literary |
-
everyday
Fits when the general act of welcome is enough
Careful Greeting omits the gesture and cultural setting.
-
everyday
Fits when the familiar related greeting fits the setting
Careful Usage and regional preference are not identical.
-
warm
Fits when hospitality toward an arrival is central
Careful Welcome is broader than respectful acknowledgment.
-
formal
salutation
Fits when ceremonial or written acknowledgment is intended
Careful Salutation need not involve joined palms.
-
literary
obeisance
Fits when a marked gesture of deference is meant
Careful Obeisance implies submission more strongly.
Opposites 3
- dismissal
- insult
- snub
Common phrases 3
-
offer namaskar
The guide paused to offer namaskar before entering the shrine.
-
respectful namaskar
A respectful namaskar opened the interfaith gathering.
-
namaskar gesture
Her namaskar gesture quietly acknowledged every elder.
Usage notes
Keep in mind
Namaskar and namaste overlap, but regional, linguistic, and religious usage varies.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Updated