Namaste (/ˈnɑːməsteɪ/, Devanagari: नमस्ते, Hindi pronunciation: [nəməsteː] (About this soundlisten)), sometimes spoken as Namaskar and Namaskaram, is a customary Hindu greeting. In the contemporary era, it is found on the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and among the Hindu diaspora worldwide. It is used both for greeting and leave-taking. Namaste is usually spoken with a slight bow and hands pressed together, palms touching and fingers pointing upwards, thumbs close to the chest. This gesture is called Añjali Mudrā or Pranamasana.
In Hinduism, it means "I bow to the divine in you". Namaste may also be spoken without the gesture or the namaste gesture performed wordlessly.