Professional Conduct: What to Avoid in the Workplace
In today’s competitive world, mastering English is crucial for professional success. However, knowing which phrases to avoid in a business environment is equally important.
This blog provides a comprehensive list of phrases that you should not use while speaking in a company or workplace. Whether you are a seasoned professional or just starting your career, this blog will help you communicate more effectively and professionally. Enroll in a professional English course to refine your skills further and ensure you’re always making the right impression. Read on to discover how to elevate your professional language.
Speak with confidence, succeed with clarity!
Words to Avoid for Professional Success in the Workplace
“Here are the words related to workplace communication to steer clear of for more effective interactions.”
- Dude
Hindi Meaning: दोस्त
English Meaning: Friend, buddy
Example: Instead of saying “Dude, can you send me that report?” say “Can you please send me that report?”
- Chill
Hindi Meaning: आराम करना
English Meaning: Relax, take it easy
Example: Instead of saying “Let’s chill after the meeting,” say “Let’s discuss this after the meeting.”
- Freaking
Hindi Meaning: बहुत
English Meaning: Very, extremely (often used for emphasis)
Example: Instead of saying “This project is freaking amazing,” say “This project is very impressive.”
- Anyways
Hindi Meaning: वैसे भी
English Meaning: Regardless, in any case
Example: Instead of saying “Anyways, we should move on,” say “Regardless, we should move on.”
- Stuff
Hindi Meaning: चीज़ें
English Meaning: Items, materials, tasks
Example: Instead of saying “I have a lot of stuff to do,” say “I have many tasks to complete.”
- Bossy
Hindi Meaning: हुक्म चलाने वाला
English Meaning: Domineering, overbearing
Example: Instead of saying “She’s so bossy,” say “She tends to be very directive.”
- Kids
Hindi Meaning: बच्चे
English Meaning: Children
Example: Instead of saying “I have to pick up my kids,” say “I have to pick up my children.”
- Cool
Hindi Meaning: बढ़िया
English Meaning: Great, excellent
Example: Instead of saying “That’s cool,” say “That’s excellent.”
- Kinda
Hindi Meaning: थोड़ा
English Meaning: Kind of, somewhat
Example: Instead of saying “I’m kinda busy,” say “I’m somewhat busy.”
- Gig
Hindi Meaning: काम
English Meaning: Job, task
Example: Instead of saying “I’ve got a new gig,” say “I’ve got a new job.”
- Gonna
Hindi Meaning: करने वाला हूं
English Meaning: Going to
Example: Instead of saying “I’m gonna finish this,” say “I’m going to finish this.”
- Wanna
Hindi Meaning: चाहना
English Meaning: Want to
Example: Instead of saying “I wanna leave early,” say “I want to leave early.”
- Whatever
Hindi Meaning: कुछ भी
English Meaning: Anything, regardless
Example: Instead of saying “Do whatever you want,” say “Do anything you prefer.”
- Nope
Hindi Meaning: नहीं
English Meaning: No
Example: Instead of saying “Nope, I can’t do it,” say “No, I can’t do it.”
- ASAP
Hindi Meaning: जल्द से जल्द
English Meaning: As soon as possible
Example: Instead of saying “Send this to me ASAP,” say “Send this to me as soon as possible.”
- Literally
Hindi Meaning: सचमुच
English Meaning: Actually, really
Example: Instead of saying “I’m literally exhausted,” say “I’m really exhausted.”
- Hangout
Hindi Meaning: मिलना-जुलना
English Meaning: Meet up, get together
Example: Instead of saying “Let’s hang out after work,” say “Let’s meet up after work.”
- Fancy
Hindi Meaning: शानदार
English Meaning: Elaborate, high-end
Example: Instead of saying “That’s a fancy plan,” say “That’s an elaborate plan.”
- Cheap
Hindi Meaning: सस्ता
English Meaning: Inexpensive, low-cost
Example: Instead of saying “That’s cheap,” say “That’s low-cost.”
- Jerk
Hindi Meaning: बदतमीज़
English Meaning: Rude person, unpleasant person
Example: Instead of saying “He’s a jerk,” say “He’s unpleasant.”
- Booze
Hindi Meaning: शराब
English Meaning: Alcohol, drink
Example: Instead of saying “Let’s get some booze,” say “Let’s get a drink.”
- Slacking
Hindi Meaning: ढीला पड़ना
English Meaning: Not working hard, being lazy
Example: Instead of saying “Stop slacking,” say “Please stay focused.”
- Wacko
Hindi Meaning: पागल
English Meaning: Crazy, irrational
Example: Instead of saying “That’s wacko,” say “That’s irrational.”
- Trash
Hindi Meaning: कचरा
English Meaning: Garbage, rubbish
Example: Instead of saying “That’s trash,” say “That’s rubbish.”
- Zonked
Hindi Meaning: थका हुआ
English Meaning: Exhausted, very tired
Example: Instead of saying “I’m zonked,” say “I’m very tired.”
- Janky
Hindi Meaning: घटिया
English Meaning: Poor quality, substandard
Example: Instead of saying “This is janky,” say “This is substandard.”
- Ripped off
Hindi Meaning: ठगा गया
English Meaning: Overcharged, cheated
Example: Instead of saying “I got ripped off,” say “I was overcharged.”
- Grumpy
Hindi Meaning: चिड़चिड़ा
English Meaning: Irritable, in a bad mood
Example: Instead of saying “He’s grumpy,” say “He’s irritable.”
- Cheesy
Hindi Meaning: सस्ता
English Meaning: Tacky, cheap
Example: Instead of saying “That’s cheesy,” say “That’s tacky.”
- Geek
Hindi Meaning: गीक
English Meaning: Enthusiast, expert (in a specific field)
Example: Instead of saying “He’s a computer geek,” say “He’s a computer enthusiast.”
- Lousy
Hindi Meaning: घटिया
English Meaning: Poor, substandard
Example: Instead of saying “That’s a lousy excuse,” say “That’s a poor excuse.”
- Nuts
Hindi Meaning: पागल
English Meaning: Crazy, insane
Example: Instead of saying “That’s nuts,” say “That’s insane.”
- Goof off
Hindi Meaning: समय बर्बाद करना
English Meaning: Waste time, be unproductive
Example: Instead of saying “Stop goofing off,” say “Please focus on your work.”
- Bonkers
Hindi Meaning: पागल
English Meaning: Crazy, mad
Example: Instead of saying “That’s bonkers,” say “That’s mad.”
- Slob
Hindi Meaning: गंदा आदमी
English Meaning: Messy person, unkempt
Example: Instead of saying “He’s a slob,” say “He’s messy.”
- Hilarious
Hindi Meaning: बेहद मज़ेदार
English Meaning: Very funny, amusing
Example: Instead of saying “That’s hilarious,” say “That’s very funny.”
- Bummer
Hindi Meaning: निराशा
English Meaning: Disappointment, letdown
Example: Instead of saying “That’s a bummer,” say “That’s a disappointment.”
- Phony
Hindi Meaning: नकली
English Meaning: Fake, insincere
Example: Instead of saying “He’s phony,” say “He’s insincere.”
- Hyper
Hindi Meaning: अति उत्तेजित
English Meaning: Overexcited, energetic
Example: Instead of saying “He’s hyper,” say “He’s very energetic.”
- Crappy
Hindi Meaning: घटिया
English Meaning: Poor quality, bad
Example: Instead of saying “That’s a crappy idea,” say “That’s a poor idea.”
- Jumpy
Hindi Meaning: चौंकने वाला
English Meaning: Nervous, easily startled
Example: Instead of saying “I’m jumpy today,” say “I’m nervous today.”
- Bored
Hindi Meaning: ऊब
English Meaning: Uninterested, disinterested
Example: Instead of saying “I’m bored with this task,” say “I’m uninterested in this task.”
- Wicked
Hindi Meaning: भयानक
English Meaning: Evil, impressive (slang)
Example: Instead of saying “That’s wicked,” say “That’s impressive.”
- Cranky
Hindi Meaning: चिड़चिड़ा
English Meaning: Irritable, bad-tempered
Example: Instead of saying “He’s cranky,” say “He’s irritable.”
- Weird
Hindi Meaning: अजीब
English Meaning: Strange, unusual
Example: Instead of saying “That’s weird,” say “That’s unusual.”
- Lazy
Hindi Meaning: आलसी
English Meaning: Unmotivated, inactive
Example: Instead of saying “He’s lazy,” say “He’s unmotivated.”
- Flaky
Hindi Meaning: अस्थिर
English Meaning: Unreliable, inconsistent
Example: Instead of saying “He’s flaky,” say “He’s unreliable.”
- Gross
Hindi Meaning: घिनौना
English Meaning: Disgusting, unpleasant
Example: Instead of saying “That’s gross,” say “That’s unpleasant.”
- Yucky
Hindi Meaning: घिनौना
English Meaning: Disgusting, unappetizing
Example: Instead of saying “This food is yucky,” say “This food is unappetizing.”
- Bizarre
Hindi Meaning: अजीब
English Meaning: Strange, unusual
Example: Instead of saying “That’s bizarre,” say “That’s unusual.”
- Busted
Hindi Meaning: पकड़ा गया
English Meaning: Caught, discovered
Example: Instead of saying “He got busted,” say “He was caught.”
- Jitters
Hindi Meaning: घबराहट
English Meaning: Nervousness, anxiety
Example: Instead of saying “I have the jitters,” say “I’m feeling nervous.”
- Gobbledygook
Hindi Meaning: जटिल भाषा
English Meaning: Nonsense, confusing language
Example: Instead of saying “This document is gobbledygook,” say “This document is confusing.”
- Flub
Hindi Meaning: गलती
English Meaning: Mistake, error
Example: Instead of saying “I flubbed the presentation,” say “I made a mistake in the presentation.”
- Nag
Hindi Meaning: तंग करना
English Meaning: Complain persistently
Example: Instead of saying “Stop nagging me,” say “Please stop complaining persistently.”
- Mooch
Hindi Meaning: मुफ्तखोर
English Meaning: Freeloader, scrounger
Example: Instead of saying “He’s mooch,” say “He’s a freeloader.”
- Peep
Hindi Meaning: देखना
English Meaning: Look, glance
Example: Instead of saying “Take a peep at this,” say “Take a look at this.”
- Smarty-pants
Hindi Meaning: चालाक
English Meaning: Know-it-all
Example: Instead of saying “Don’t be a smarty-pants,” say “Don’t be a know-it-all.”
- Nerd
Hindi Meaning: पढ़ाकू
English Meaning: Intellectual, geek
Example: Instead of saying “He’s a nerd,” say “He’s very intellectual.”
- Rant
Hindi Meaning: चिल्लाना
English Meaning: Loud complaint, tirade
Example: Instead of saying “She went on a rant,” say “She gave a loud complaint.”
- Blow off
Hindi Meaning: टालना
English Meaning: Ignore, disregard
Example: Instead of saying “He blew off the meeting,” say “He ignored the meeting.”
- Clueless
Hindi Meaning: बेखबर
English Meaning: Uninformed, ignorant
Example: Instead of saying “He’s clueless,” say “He’s uninformed.”
- Zany
Hindi Meaning: सनकी
English Meaning: Eccentric, quirky
Example: Instead of saying “That’s zany,” say “That’s eccentric.”
- Dumbfounded
Hindi Meaning: हक्का-बक्का
English Meaning: Amazed, speechless
Example: Instead of saying “I was dumbfounded,” say “I was amazed.”
- Schmooze
Hindi Meaning: मक्खन लगाना
English Meaning: Chat, network
Example: Instead of saying “He’s good at schmoozing,” say “He’s good at networking.”
- Snooze
Hindi Meaning: सोना
English Meaning: Sleep, nap
Example: Instead of saying “I need a snooze,” say “I need a nap.”
- Gripe
Hindi Meaning: शिकायत करना
English Meaning: Complain
Example: Instead of saying “Stop griping,” say “Stop complaining.”
- Spaz
Hindi Meaning: अनाड़ी
English Meaning: Clumsy person
Example: Instead of saying “Don’t be a spaz,” say “Don’t be clumsy.”
- Blabbermouth
Hindi Meaning: बकबक करने वाला
English Meaning: Talkative person
Example: Instead of saying “He’s a blabbermouth,” say “He’s very talkative.”
- Nasty
Hindi Meaning: गंदा
English Meaning: Unpleasant, offensive
Example: Instead of saying “That’s nasty,” say “That’s unpleasant.”
- Fuddy-duddy
Hindi Meaning: पुराने ख्यालात का
English Meaning: Old-fashioned, conservative
Example: Instead of saying “He’s a fuddy-duddy,” say “He’s old-fashioned.”
- Nitpick
Hindi Meaning: नुक्स निकालना
English Meaning: Find fault, criticize
Example: Instead of saying “Stop nitpicking,” say “Stop finding fault.”
- Bawl
Hindi Meaning: चिल्लाना
English Meaning: Cry loudly, shout
Example: Instead of saying “She bawled her eyes out,” say “She cried loudly.”
- Twisted
Hindi Meaning: विकृत
English Meaning: Distorted, strange
Example: Instead of saying “That’s twisted,” say “That’s strange.”
- Dweeb
Hindi Meaning: गीक
English Meaning: Nerd, geek
Example: Instead of saying “He’s a dweeb,” say “He’s a geek.”
- Hobo
Hindi Meaning: भिखारी
English Meaning: Homeless person
Example: Instead of saying “He looks like a hobo,” say “He looks homeless.”
- Punk
Hindi Meaning: बदमाश
English Meaning: Troublemaker
Example: Instead of saying “He’s a punk,” say “He’s a troublemaker.”
- Whiny
Hindi Meaning: शिकायत करने वाला
English Meaning: Complaining, whining
Example: Instead of saying “Stop being whiny,” say “Stop complaining.”
- Wimpy
Hindi Meaning: कमजोर
English Meaning: Weak, timid
Example: Instead of saying “Don’t be wimpy,” say “Don’t be timid.”
- Ditzy
Hindi Meaning: बेवकूफ
English Meaning: Silly, scatterbrained
Example: Instead of saying “She’s ditzy,” say “She’s scatterbrained.”
- Shady
Hindi Meaning: संदिग्ध
English Meaning: Suspicious, untrustworthy
Example: Instead of saying “That deal is shady,” say “That deal is suspicious.”
- Corny
Hindi Meaning: भावुक
English Meaning: Sentimental, cliché
Example: Instead of saying “That’s corny,” say “That’s cliché.”
Phrases You Should Not Use While Speaking in a Company or workplace
“Here are the phrases related to workplace communication to steer clear of for more effective interactions.”
- What’s up?
Hindi Meaning: क्या चल रहा है?
English Meaning: Casual greeting often used among friends
Example: Instead of saying “What’s up?” say “How are you?”
- You guys
Hindi Meaning: तुम लोग
English Meaning: Informal way to address a group
Example: Instead of saying “You guys did a great job,” say “Everyone did a great job.”
- No problem
Hindi Meaning: कोई बात नहीं
English Meaning: Informal way to say “You’re welcome”
Example: Instead of saying “No problem,” say “You’re welcome.”
- Lame excuse
Hindi Meaning: बेकार बहाना
English Meaning: Weak or unconvincing excuse
Example: Instead of saying “That’s a lame excuse,” say “That’s a weak excuse.”
- I don’t care
Hindi Meaning: मुझे परवाह नहीं
English Meaning: Indifference or lack of concern
Example: Instead of saying “I don’t care,” say “It doesn’t matter to me.”
- Screw up
Hindi Meaning: गड़बड़ करना
English Meaning: Make a serious mistake
Example: Instead of saying “I screwed up,” say “I made a mistake.”
- Shut up
Hindi Meaning: चुप हो जाओ
English Meaning: Telling someone to be quiet in a rude manner
Example: Instead of saying “Shut up,” say “Please be quiet.”
- My bad
Hindi Meaning: मेरी गलती
English Meaning: Informal way to admit fault
Example: Instead of saying “My bad,” say “My mistake.”
- You bet
Hindi Meaning: जरूर
English Meaning: Informal way to agree
Example: Instead of saying “You bet,” say “Certainly.”
- Butt in
Hindi Meaning: दखल देना
English Meaning: Interrupt a conversation rudely
Example: Instead of saying “Don’t butt in,” say “Please don’t interrupt.”
- Let’s wrap it up
Hindi Meaning: इसे समाप्त करें
English Meaning: Finish or conclude
Example: Instead of saying “Let’s wrap it up,” say “Let’s finish it.”
- Get lost
Hindi Meaning: दूर हो जाओ
English Meaning: Rudely telling someone to leave
Example: Instead of saying “Get lost,” say “Please go away.”
- Cut it out
Hindi Meaning: बंद करो
English Meaning: Stop doing that (often used with annoyance)
Example: Instead of saying “Cut it out,” say “Please stop it.”
- Big deal
Hindi Meaning: बड़ी बात
English Meaning: Something important or significant
Example: Instead of saying “It’s a big deal,” say “It’s an important matter.”
- It sucks
Hindi Meaning: यह बेकार है
English Meaning: It’s very bad or unpleasant
Example: Instead of saying “This sucks,” say “This is bad.”
- Beat it
Hindi Meaning: चले जाओ
English Meaning: Go away immediately (rude)
Example: Instead of saying “Beat it,” say “Please leave.”
- Deal with it
Hindi Meaning: इसे स्वीकार करो
English Meaning: Handle or accept it
Example: Instead of saying “Deal with it,” say “Please accept it.”
- I’m broke
Hindi Meaning: मैं कंगाल हूँ
English Meaning: I have no money
Example: Instead of saying “I’m broke,” say “I have no money.”
- I’m starving
Hindi Meaning: मैं भूखा हूँ
English Meaning: I’m very hungry
Example: Instead of saying “I’m starving,” say “I’m very hungry.”
- Give me a break
Hindi Meaning: मुझे एक मौका दो
English Meaning: Allow me some respite
Example: Instead of saying “Give me a break,” say “Allow me some respite.”
- I’ll take a rain check
Hindi Meaning: मैं बाद में कोशिश करूंगा
English Meaning: I’ll do it later
Example: Instead of saying “I’ll take a rain check,” say “I’ll do it later.”
- It’s a no-brainer
Hindi Meaning: यह आसान है
English Meaning: An obvious decision or choice
Example: Instead of saying “It’s a no-brainer,” say “It’s an obvious decision.”
- Have a blast
Hindi Meaning: मज़े करो
English Meaning: Have a great time
Example: Instead of saying “Have a blast,” say “Have a great time.”
10 Tips- What to Avoid in Professional Communication
- Avoid Overusing Informal Language: Using slang or overly casual language can make you appear unprofessional. Stick to formal greetings and vocabulary in a professional setting.
Example: Instead of “Hey guys,” say “Hello everyone.”
- Don’t Interrupt Others: Interrupting colleagues during meetings or discussions is considered rude and can disrupt the flow of conversation.
Example: Wait for your turn to speak and use phrases like “If I may add…” or “Excuse me, I would like to say…”
- Avoid Negative Body Language: Non-verbal cues such as rolling your eyes, crossing your arms, or sighing can convey disinterest or disrespect.
Example: Maintain eye contact, nod to show understanding, and keep an open posture.
- Don’t Use Filler Words: Words like “um,” “like,” and “you know” can make you seem unprepared or uncertain.
Example: Practice speaking clearly and pause briefly to collect your thoughts instead of using fillers.
- Avoid Gossiping: Speaking ill of colleagues can create a toxic work environment and damage your reputation.
Example: Focus on constructive conversations and maintain professionalism at all times.
- Don’t Over-Commit: Saying “yes” to every request can lead to burnout and reduce the quality of your work.
Example: Learn to prioritize tasks and say “I’ll need to check my schedule” or “Can we discuss deadlines?”
- Avoid Being Late: Punctuality shows respect for others’ time and enhances your reliability.
Example: Plan to arrive a few minutes early for meetings and appointments.
- Don’t Ignore Feedback: Constructive criticism is essential for growth. Ignoring feedback can hinder your development.
Example: Listen actively to feedback, ask questions for clarity, and implement suggestions.
- Avoid Being Unprepared: Coming to meetings or presentations without preparation can waste time and reflect poorly on you.
Example: Always review your notes and materials beforehand and be ready to contribute.
- Don’t Forget to Follow Up: Failing to follow up on tasks or communications can lead to misunderstandings and missed opportunities.
Example: Send follow-up emails after meetings to summarize actions and confirm responsibilities.
By keeping these tips in mind, you can ensure that your professional communication is effective, respectful, and conducive to a positive work environment.
FAQs on Workplace Etiquette and Professional Conduct
- Why is it important to avoid gossiping at work?
Answer: Gossiping can create a negative atmosphere, damage relationships, and erode trust among colleagues. It can also lead to misunderstandings and harm the overall productivity and morale of the team.
- What should I avoid discussing with colleagues?
Answer: Avoid discussing sensitive topics such as politics, religion, personal finances, or health issues unless they are directly relevant to work tasks or projects. These discussions can easily lead to disagreements and discomfort among coworkers.
- Should I share confidential information with coworkers?
Answer: No, you should always respect confidentiality agreements and company policies regarding sensitive information. Sharing confidential details without authorization can lead to legal consequences and breach of trust.
- How should I handle disagreements with coworkers?
Answer: Disagreements should be addressed calmly and professionally. Avoid escalating conflicts or resorting to personal attacks. Focus on finding a resolution through respectful dialogue and compromise.
- Can humor be inappropriate in the workplace?
Answer: Yes, humor should be used carefully to avoid offending others. Jokes that are racist, or otherwise discriminatory are unacceptable and can lead to disciplinary action. It’s best to keep humor inclusive and respectful.
- How should I handle personal phone calls or social media use at work?
Answer: Personal phone calls and social media use should be kept to a minimum during work hours. They can be distracting and affect productivity. Use breaks or designated personal time for such activities.
- Should I discuss my salary or compensation with coworkers?
Answer: It’s generally not recommended to discuss salary or compensation details with coworkers, as it can create tension and misunderstandings. Such discussions are best left to be confidential between the employee and HR or management.
- What should I do if I witness inappropriate behavior in the workplace?
Answer: Report any inappropriate behavior, such as harassment or discrimination, to HR or a trusted supervisor. It’s important to uphold a safe and respectful work environment for everyone.
Conclusion
Mastering professional communication involves more than just vocabulary—it’s about using language that reflects your professionalism and competence. By avoiding these common phrases and choosing your words thoughtfully, you can elevate your professional image and enhance your career prospects. For continuous improvement, consider enrolling in a spoken English classes to refine your skills and confidently navigate any business conversation.
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