उठ जाओ

You use this phrase as a gentle or firm command. Simply say it when the sun is up. If you are waking a child, say it softly. If your roommate is late for work, say it louder. You can add jaldi (quickly) to make it jaldi uth jao. This adds a sense of urgency to the morning routine.

Use this every single morning with people you know. It works perfectly for family members and close friends. It is great for texting a friend who is oversleeping. You can also use it if someone is literally sitting down. In that case, it means "stand up" rather than "wake up."

Do not use this with your boss or elders. It is too direct for people who deserve high respect. For them, use the polite version uth jaiye. Avoid saying it to a stranger sleeping on a train. That might be seen as quite rude or intrusive. Also, do not use it if someone is already awake and standing.

In Indian households, waking up early is often seen as a virtue. Many parents use uth jao as a daily mantra. It is often followed by mentions of tea or breakfast. There is a cultural emphasis on 'Brahma Muhurta' (the early morning hours). Waking up then is considered spiritually beneficial. So, uth jao is often the first thing many Indians hear.

If you want to be very polite, use uth jaiye. For a very close friend or younger sibling, use uth ja. To ask "did you wake up?", say uth gaye?. If you want to say "I woke up," use main uth gaya. Each variation changes the vibe from a command to a question or statement.