Meaning
Asking people to stay apart.
Cultural Background
During the 'Pandharpur Wari', millions of devotees (Warkaris) walk together. Volunteers use 'Gardi karu naka' to ensure the elderly can walk safely. In Mumbai, space is a luxury. 'Gardi karu naka' is often a desperate plea when a train is over-capacity. At the buffet line, elders often use this phrase to maintain decorum among hungry guests. The Maharashtra government used this phrase in every radio and TV ad to promote social distancing.
Use 'Krupaya'
Always add 'Krupaya' (Please) at the start if you want to sound like a polite traveler rather than an angry official.
Singular vs Plural
Never say 'Gardi karu naka' to your best friend if they are just standing too close; it sounds too formal. Use 'Nako' instead.
Meaning
Asking people to stay apart.
Use 'Krupaya'
Always add 'Krupaya' (Please) at the start if you want to sound like a polite traveler rather than an angry official.
Singular vs Plural
Never say 'Gardi karu naka' to your best friend if they are just standing too close; it sounds too formal. Use 'Nako' instead.
The Mumbai Local
On a train, this phrase is often ignored unless said with great authority. Watch how the locals use their body language with the phrase.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct negative imperative form.
कृपया इथे ______ करू नका.
'Gardi' is the correct word for 'crowd'.
Which of these is the most formal way to ask a group not to crowd?
Choose the best option:
'Naka' is the formal/plural ending.
Complete the dialogue at the bus stop.
Conductor: 'दारात उभे राहू नका, आत चला!' Passenger: 'आत खूप गर्दी आहे.' Conductor: 'अहो, ______ नका, जागा होईल.'
The conductor is telling them not to crowd the entrance.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Where would you most likely hear 'कृपया सोशल डिस्टन्सिंग पाळा, गर्दी करू नका'?
This is a formal health-related instruction.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesकृपया इथे ______ करू नका.
'Gardi' is the correct word for 'crowd'.
Choose the best option:
'Naka' is the formal/plural ending.
Conductor: 'दारात उभे राहू नका, आत चला!' Passenger: 'आत खूप गर्दी आहे.' Conductor: 'अहो, ______ नका, जागा होईल.'
The conductor is telling them not to crowd the entrance.
Where would you most likely hear 'कृपया सोशल डिस्टन्सिंग पाळा, गर्दी करू नका'?
This is a formal health-related instruction.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it is a standard formal request. However, your tone of voice matters. A calm tone is a request; a loud tone is a command.
It's better to use 'Gondhal karu naka' (Don't make noise/chaos) for a noisy group.
'Nako' is informal/singular. 'Naka' is formal/plural. Always use 'naka' for a crowd.
Use 'गर्दी टाळा' (Gardi tala). It is more concise for written signs.
Yes, but it has Persian roots. It is used in Marathi, Hindi, and Gujarati.
Only if people are literally crowding the interview room! Otherwise, it's not a common professional phrase.
Say 'ढकलून नका' (Dhaklu naka) or 'धक्का देऊ नका' (Dhakka deu naka).
In Mumbai, people just say 'Ae, gardi nako!' (Hey, no crowd!).
In negative commands, the verb takes the 'u' ending (karu) before 'naka'.
Yes, especially during village fairs (Jatra) and festivals.
Related Phrases
गर्दी टाळा
similarAvoid crowds
बाजूला व्हा
specialized formMove aside
रांगेत उभे राहा
builds onStand in a queue
गोंधळ करू नका
similarDon't make a noise/chaos
शांतता राखा
contrastMaintain silence
