Ways to say it
| Hindi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| बैग | baig | /bɛːɡ/ (Hindi, Standard) /bæ(ː)ɡ/ |
masculine |
| झोला | jholā | /d͡ʒʱoː.lɑː/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
| थैला | thailā | /t̪ʰɛː.lɑː/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
| थैली | thailī | /t̪ʰɛː.liː/ (Hindi, Standard) | feminine |
The various Hindi terms for bag are used to distinguish between the size, material and type of the container.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on the specific type of bag: झोला specifically implies a bag made of cloth or a larger sack, often used for carrying groceries or heavy items. थैली is typically used for smaller bags, such as a small pouch or a plastic shopping bag, whereas थैला refers to a larger bag. बैग is used for any type of bag, including backpacks and handbags.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
बैग is an English loanword that is very common in modern urban Hindi and is commonly used in informal Hindi to refer to a bag.
How does it change in a sentence?
झोला is a masculine noun and requires masculine verb agreements and adjectives. थैली is a feminine noun and requires feminine verb agreements and adjectives.
How do you pronounce it?
The loanword बैग is pronounced like /bɛːɡ/ (baig).
Did you know?
- The term झोलाछाप uses the word for bag to describe a fake doctor who carries a bag but has no medical degree.
- The word झोला is often associated with activists and intellectuals in India, as carrying a cloth 'jhola' is a symbol of simplicity and social consciousness.
- The word थैला has roots reaching back to ancient Sanskrit and Prakrit, making it thousands of years older than the English word 'bag'.
Examples in context
- थैली में क्या था?What was in that bag?This sentence is useful for asking about the contents of a थैली.Tatoeba #10633805 by sabretou, translation #9388401 by Amastan
- उसने अपनी बैग खोली।He opened his bag.This sentence is useful for describing the action of opening a बैग.Tatoeba #13688009 by sabretou, translation #7385691 by CH
- टॉम को अपनी थैली नहीं मिल रही।Tom can't find his bag.This sentence is useful for stating that someone cannot find their थैली.Tatoeba #3786411 by sabretou, translation #1026781 by CK
- उसका पर्स वहीं पड़ा हुआ है।Her purse is lying there.
- उसने मेरी थैली चुराई है।He stole my bag.
- मेरे पास एक बैग है।I have a bag.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Aditya and Pooja are at the grocery store.
- पूजा Poojaक्या तुम्हारे पास एक बैग है?Kya tumhare paas ek bag hai?Do you have a bag?
- आदित्य Adityaहाँ, मेरा बैग गाड़ी में है।Haan, mera bag gaadi mein hai.Yes, my bag is in the car.
- पूजा Poojaठीक है, मैं उसे ले आती हूँ।Theek hai, main use le aati hoon.Okay, I will go get it.
- आदित्य Adityaधन्यवाद, पूजा।Dhanyavaad, Pooja.Thank you, Pooja.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bag” translations and entries बैग, झोला, थैला, थैली, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries थैला, थैली, बैग, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
