उत्तर
uttar/ʊt̪.t̪əɾ/masculine
The English word 'answer' can be translated into Hindi as उत्तर (uttar) or जवाब.
Meaning: response (noun)
Ways to say it
| Hindi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| उत्तर | uttar | /ʊt̪.t̪əɾ/ (Hindi, Standard) /uːt̪.t̪əɾ/ (Hindi, Standard) |
masculine |
| जवाब | javāb | /d͡ʒə.ʋɑːb/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
Both forms are nouns used to denote a response or a reply. In formal discussions or debates, the term Pratipaksh can also be used specifically to mean a counter-argument or response.
Which one should you use?
जवाब is the more common term in everyday spoken Hindi and is of Persian origin. In contrast, उत्तर is of Sanskrit origin and is the preferred term in formal, academic or literary contexts.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To turn the nouns into the verb 'to answer' or 'to give an answer', you must add the auxiliary verb 'देना' (to give). This results in the verbal phrases जवाब देना or उत्तर देना. Both nouns are masculine.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of उत्तर is uttar.
Did you know?
- In common parlance, the phrase जवाब देना can be used as a euphemism for taking revenge or 'settling the score' with someone.
- While उत्तर is the standard word for 'answer', it also means 'north' and 'later' or 'subsequent' in Sanskrit-derived contexts.
- In certain poetic contexts, जवाब can refer to a musical response in a call-and-response pattern during a classical performance.
Examples in context
- यदि ब्रह्माण्ड एक उत्तर है, तो प्रश्न क्या है?If the universe is an answer, what is the question?This sentence uses उत्तर to express the concept of an answer in a philosophical context.Tatoeba #12403518 by Saumya, translation #1666224 by al_ex_an_der
- आपका जवाब क्या है?What's your answer?This sentence uses जवाब to ask for a person's answer.Tatoeba #3620581 by sabretou, translation #680216 by Source_VOA
- उनका जवाब "हाँ" है।Their answer is yes.This sentence uses जवाब to state what a specific answer is.Tatoeba #3638922 by sabretou, translation #3402524 by CK
- 53 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Neha and Amit are discussing a test result.
- नेहा Nehaअमित, क्या आपको सही उत्तर मिला?Amit, kya aapko sahi uttar mila?Amit, did you get the correct answer?
- अमित Amitनहीं, मेरा उत्तर गलत था।Nahi, mera uttar galat tha.No, my answer was wrong.
- नेहा Nehaपर यह उत्तर तो बहुत आसान था।Par yeh uttar toh bahut aasaan tha.But this answer was very easy.
- अमित Amitहाँ, मैंने जल्दबाजी में गलती की।Haan, maine jaldbaazi mein galti ki.Yes, I made a mistake in a hurry.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “answer” translations and entries उत्तर, जवाब, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
