पूछना
pūchnā/puːt͡ʃʰ.nɑː/
The English verb ask is translated into Hindi as पूछना (pūchnā).
The term is used specifically when you want to request an answer.
Meaning: request an answer (verb)
Which one should you use?
In Hindi, पूछना (pūchnā) is used for asking questions, whereas माँगना (māṅgnā) is used for asking for/requesting physical objects or favors.
How does it change in a sentence?
The past tense of पूछना is पूछा, and the future tense is पूछेगा.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /puːtʃʰ.nɑː/ (pūchnā).
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use पूछना (pūchnā) when they mean to request an object, but they should use माँगना (māṅgnā) instead.
Did you know?
- The word पूछना shares a common ancestor with the German verb 'forschen', which means to research or investigate.
- While पूछना is the standard verb for asking, the word पूछ can also refer to a 'tail' in some contexts, though this is a distinct linguistic path.
Examples in context
- मैं टॉम से एक सवाल पूछना चाहूँगी।I'd just like to ask Tom one question.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to ask a specific person a question using पूछना.Tatoeba #8876356 by simranbansal, translation #1934844 by CK
- मैं उससे पूछना भूल गया।I forgot to ask him.This sentence is useful for describing a forgotten intention to ask someone something using पूछना.Tatoeba #485550 by minshirui, translation #354494 by plover
- तुम मुझसे क्या पूछना चाहते हो?What is it you want to ask me?This sentence is useful for asking what someone wants to ask using पूछना.Tatoeba #2040190 by sabretou, translation #2014044 by CK
- आप कृपया मुझसे पूछ सकते हैं?Can you please ask me?
- क्या आप मुझसे एक प्रश्न पूछ सकते हैं?Can you ask me a question?
- क्या मैं आपसे एक सवाल पूछ सकता हूँ?Can I ask you a question?
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Puja and Aditya are at a train station.
- पूजा Poojaआदित्य, क्या मैं आपसे कुछ पूछना चाहती हूँ?Aditya, kya main aapse kuch poochna chahti hoon?Aditya, do I want to ask you something?
- आदित्य Adityaहाँ पूजा, पूछो क्या बात है।Haan Puja, poocho kya baat hai.Yes Puja, ask what it is.
- पूजा Poojaक्या हमें प्लेटफॉर्म के बारे में पूछना चाहिए?Kya humein platform ke baare mein poochna chahiye?Should we ask about the platform?
- आदित्य Adityaहाँ, चलो उस गार्ड से पूछना पड़ता है।Haan, chalo us guard se poochna padta hai.Yes, come on, we have to ask that guard.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ask” translations and entries पूछना, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries पूछना, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
