यानी (yaanii)
conjunction
A single-sense discourse connector meaning 'that is (to say)' or 'meaning' -- used to restate, clarify, or explain what was just said.
Sense
1
:
that is to say; in other words
conjunction
Synonyms: मतलब (matlab), अर्थात (arthaat, formal)
Frequency: high
Cultural Note: You will hear यानी (yaanii) constantly in explanations -- someone gives a technical term or a tricky phrase, then pauses and says यानी (yaanii, 'that is to say') before rephrasing it in simpler words. It is the verbal equivalent of a comma followed by 'i.e.' in English, and Delhi speakers use it very naturally to bridge formal and casual registers in the same sentence.
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners often reach for 'मतलब' (matlab) instead, which is fine in casual speech, but यानी (yaanii) sits comfortably in both spoken and slightly more careful/explanatory speech, so it is worth actively practicing rather than defaulting only to मतलब (matlab). 2) यानी (yaanii) introduces a restatement or clarification of what was just said -- it does not mean 'therefore' or 'so' (that sense belongs to इसलिए islie), a mix-up some learners make since both can loosely translate as 'so' in casual English.
Sample Sentences:
वह मेरा मौसेरा भाई है, यानी मेरी मौसी का बेटा।
He is my cousin, that is, my aunt's son.
(vah meraa mauseraa bhaaii hai, yaanii merii mausii kaa betaa।)
यह काम कठिन है, यानी इसमें बहुत मेहनत लगेगी।
This work is difficult, meaning it will take a lot of effort.
(yah kaam kathin hai, yaanii ismen bahut mehnat lagegii।)
बजट सीमित है, यानी हमें खर्च कम करना होगा।
The budget is limited, that is to say, we will have to cut expenses.
(bajat siimit hai, yaanii hamen kharch kam karnaa hogaa।)
वह मुझसे नाराज़ थी, यानी उसने मुझसे बात नहीं की।
She was upset with me, that is, she didn't talk to me.
(vah mujhse naaraaz thii, yaanii usne mujhse baat nahiin kii।)
अगर तुम समय पर नहीं पहुँचे, यानी देर हो गई, तो हम शुरू नहीं करेंगे।
If you don't arrive on time, that is, if it gets late, then we won't start.
(agar tum samay par nahiin pahunche, yaanii der ho gaii, to ham shuroo nahiin karenge।)
अगर वह होता, यानी अगर उसने साथ दिया होता, तो हम जीत जाते।
If he had been there, that is, if he had supported us, we would have won.
(agar vah hotaa, yaanii agar usne saath diyaa hotaa, to ham jiit jaate।)
कृपया अपना पूरा पता दें, यानी मकान नंबर, गली और शहर भी लिखें।
Please give your full address, that is, also write the house number, street, and city.
(kripyaa apnaa pooraa pataa den, yaanii makaan nambar, galii aur shahar bhii likhen।)
यह प्रक्रिया स्वचालित है, यानी इसमें किसी इंसान की ज़रूरत नहीं होती।
This process is automatic, that is, it doesn't require any human involvement.
(yah prakriyaa svachaalit hai, yaanii ismen kisii insaan kii zaroorat nahiin hotii।)
मामला अदालत में सुलझाया गया, यानी दोनों पक्षों ने समझौता किया।
The matter was resolved in court, that is, both parties reached a settlement.
(maamlaa adaalat men suljhaayaa gayaa, yaanii donon pakshon ne samjhautaa kiyaa।)
शायद वह कल आए, यानी हो सकता है परसों तक टल जाए।
Maybe he'll come tomorrow, that is, it might even get pushed to the day after.
(shaayad vah kal aae, yaanii ho saktaa hai parson tak tal jaae।)