The 7-Day Bangla Challenge: Learn to Greet, Eat, and Chat
Think you can start learning Bangla (Bengali) in just one week?
Challenge accepted.
Whether you’re visiting Bangladesh soon, reconnecting with family, or just curious about this beautiful language, this 7-day mini self-study plan will teach you the basics like greetings, food phrases, small talk, and confidence.
At Bangla Institute, we believe in small, steady wins. In just seven days, you’ll know enough Bangla to greet someone politely, order food, and hold short conversations. Let’s go!
Day 1: Learn to Say Hello (and Goodbye)
Start with greetings and polite expressions, the easiest way to connect.
English | Bangla (Pronunciation) | Bengali Script |
Hello / Hi | Salam | সালাম |
How are you? | Kemon acho? | কেমন আছো? |
I’m fine | Bhalo achi | ভালো আছি |
Thank you | Dhonnobad | ধন্যবাদ |
Goodbye | Biday | বিদায় |
Tip: Try greeting yourself in the mirror, as tone and warmth matter more than perfection.
Day 2: Learn to Eat in Bangla
Food is central to Bengali culture. Today, master essential food words.
English | Bangla (Pronunciation) | Bengali Script |
Rice | Bhaat | ভাত |
Water | Pani | পানি |
Fish | Maachh | মাছ |
Chicken | Murgi | মুরগি |
I’m hungry | Amar khudha peyeche | আমার ক্ষুধা পেয়েছে |
This is delicious! | Eta khub moja! | এটা খুব মজা! |
Try this: Watch a Bangladeshi food vlog on YouTube and repeat the food names out loud.
Day 3: Start Small Talk
Learn phrases to start and continue a friendly chat.
English | Bangla (Pronunciation) | Bengali Script |
What’s your name? | Tomar naam ki? | তোমার নাম কি? |
My name is [Name]. | Amar naam [Name]. | আমার নাম [Name]। |
Where are you from? | Tumi kothay theko? | তুমি কোথায় থাকো? |
Nice to meet you | Tomake dekhe bhalo laglo | তোমাকে দেখে ভালো লাগলো |
See you later | Pore dekha hobe | পরে দেখা হবে |
Tip: Record yourself saying these lines. Hearing your voice helps build confidence.
Day 4: Learn Everyday Essentials
Time for daily-life vocabulary you’ll actually use.
English | Bangla (Pronunciation) | Bengali Script |
Yes / No | Hae / Na | হ্যাঁ / না |
Please | Doya kore | দয়া করে |
Sorry | Dukkhito / Sorry | দুঃখিত / সরি |
What time is it? | Koyta bajey? | কয়টা বাজে? |
I don’t understand | Ami bujhte parchi na | আমি বুঝতে পারছি না |
Where is the bathroom? | Bathroom kothay? | বাথরুম কোথায়? |
Practice scenario: Pretend you’re asking for directions or ordering tea at a café.
Day 5: Learn to Shop and Count
Bengalis love bargaining — time to count and buy like a pro.
Numbers 1–10:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
Ek | Dui | Tin | Char | Paach | Chhoy | Shaat | Aat | Noy | Dosh |
Shopping phrases:
English | Bangla (Pronunciation) | Bengali Script |
How much is this? | Eta koto taka? | এটা কত টাকা? |
Too expensive! | Khub dami! | খুব দামী! |
Make it a little cheaper | Ektu kom din | একটু কম দিন |
I’ll take it | Ami eta nebo | আমি এটা নেবো |
Tip: Use paper money (or sticky notes) and role-play a bazaar scene!
Day 6: Learn to Express Yourself
Learn simple emotional phrases — this makes your Bangla sound real.
English | Bangla (Pronunciation) | Bengali Script |
I’m happy | Ami khushi | আমি খুশি |
I’m tired | Ami klanto | আমি ক্লান্ত |
I like it | Amar bhalo legeche | আমার ভালো লেগেছে |
I don’t like it | Amar bhalo lage ni | আমার ভালো লাগে নি |
It’s okay | Thik ache | ঠিক আছে |
Bonus challenge: Try forming short sentences:
Ami khushi, karon ami Bangla shikchhi! → “I’m happy because I’m learning Bangla!”
Day 7: Chat Like a Local
Now combine everything, greet, eat, and chat naturally!
Sample conversation:
A: Salam! Kaemon acho?
B: Bhalo achi. Tumi kemon?
A: Ami bhalo. Amar khudha peyeche, cholo bhaat khai!
B: Eta khub moja! Dhonnobad!
Translation:
A: Hello! How are you?
B: I’m good. You?
A: I’m fine. I’m hungry, let’s eat rice!
B: This is delicious! Thank you!
Pro tip: Keep using small phrases in your daily routine. Label things around your home — bari (home), boi (book), pani (water) — to make vocabulary stick.
You Did It!
In just one week, you’ve learned how to:
- Greet people politely
- Order food confidently
- Shop and count
- Start conversations
- Express yourself naturally
That’s the foundation of real communication and you did it!
Want to Keep Going?
You’ve mastered the basics now take the next step with Bangla Institute’s one-on-one online Bangla lessons.
Our teachers make Bangla fun and flexible, with personalized courses for:
- Adults and beginners who want conversational fluency.
- Children learning their heritage language.
- Travelers or professionals working with Bengali speakers.
Learn Bangla your way, one week at a time, one conversation at a time.
Want to Explore More?
Bangla Institute is dedicated to providing Bangla education worldwide, sharing the beauty of Bangladesh’s language, culture, and history. Curious to learn more about Bangladesh? Our special Bangladesh Studies course dives deep into the country’s history, culture, ethnic diversity, and much more—perfect for those with a passion for exploration!
At Bangla Institute, we make language learning personal and effective through:
- One-on-one online Bangla lessons
- Courses for adults and children
- Reading & Writing Bangla
- Speaking & Listening practice
- Cultural lessons in Bangladesh Studies
Check out our Adult Reading & Writing, Speaking & Listening as well as Children Reading & Writing plus Speaking & Listening courses, we even offer a special Sylheti dialect course for anyone wishing to learn that specific niche.
So why wait? The Bangla language journey awaits you! Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on our courses and events!
