Archive for 'Hindi Language'
Increasing Word Choice and Meaning with Synonyms Posted by Nitya on Apr 15, 2018
I was working with some adult English learners last week. As in every class, there are the early-finishers and this class was no exception. While the rest of the class was working on learning the names of objects in a department store, I put the early finisher to a challenge — to use the newly-acquired…
Holi Hai! Posted by Rachael on Apr 10, 2018
In honor of the increasingly popular festival, Holi (होली), now celebrated worldwide, I’ve dedicated this blog to the subject. Although Holi typically occurs in late February to early March, or the month of Phalgun (फाल्गुन) according to the Vikram Samvat Hindu calendar, it’s better late than never to talk about this popular and exuberant festival!…
If … Then. Conditional Statements/Clauses Posted by Nitya on Mar 30, 2018
Conditional clauses convey the dependence of one event upon another. Why should you learn conditional clauses in Hindi? Well, when you are in a new place, things don’t always go as planned. Instead of keeping your host waiting, it’s good to convey the “if” and “when” in your plan. Here are some common and useful…
The use of Metaphors, Similes in Hindi using References to Nature Posted by Nitya on Mar 20, 2018
Songs from Hindi cinema are filled with metaphors, and many of these are derived from nature. Newfound love नया प्यार (nayaa pyaar) is compared to the first rain पहली बारिश (pehli baarish) of the season. Loneliness तन्हाई (tanhaai) is likened to the desert रेगिस्तान (registaan). Impending trouble or sorrow दुःख-दर्द (dukh-dard) hangs overhead like rain clouds मेघ (megh). Youth जवानी (jawaani)…
Shivrani Devi Premchand: A Shadow on The Stage Posted by Rachael on Mar 14, 2018
Most people familiar with Hindi literature (साहित्य/saahitya, masc. noun) readily recall the literary (साहित्यिक/saahityik) giant Munshi Premchand (or, Dhanpat Rai Shrivastav); yet, despite her contributions to Hindi literature and the Indian Independence movement, his wife Shivrani Devi, is much less renowned. Similarly, one of Premchand’s sons, Amrit Rai, composed a monumental biography (जीवनी/jeevani, fem. noun, or जीवन-चरित/jeevan charit…
An Indian Breakfast Posted by Nitya on Mar 10, 2018
Families begin their day with a hot beverage like tea, coffee, or milk, and a substantial breakfast that keeps you satiated until lunch time . Especially for school-going children, this is important since the practice of “snack time” in the mid-morning isn’t very commonly observed. When I was in school, my breakfast would comprise a…
Sridevi (1963-2018): In Memoriam Posted by Rachael on Feb 28, 2018
On February 24th, 2018, the Hindi film industry and the citizens of India lost one of their brightest stars and most lovable personas: the actress (अभिनेत्री/abhinetri, fem. noun) Sridevi passed away (गुज़र जाना/guzar jaanaa) in Dubai while visiting for her nephew’s wedding. Once they learned of her passing, people in every corner of the globe…