If you’re looking to expand your Hindi vocabulary and learn how to express the concept of ‘before,’ you’ve come to the right place! Whether you want to communicate formally or informally, we’ll explore various ways to convey this term in Hindi, along with useful tips and examples to help you grasp its usage more easily.
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say ‘Before’ in Hindi
Vocabulary used in formal Hindi differs from its informal counterpart. Here are some formal ways to express ‘before’ in Hindi:
- Pehle: This is the most common and straightforward way to say ‘before’ in Hindi. It can be used in various contexts and is widely understood by native speakers. For example:
Pehle mujhe rest karne do. (Let me rest before.)
Pehle se: When emphasizing that something has been done ‘before,’ you can use this phrase. It adds emphasis to the action or event that occurred earlier. For instance:
Tum pehle se hi yahan ho? (You were already here before?)
Pehle ki tarah: When expressing that something was done ‘like before,’ this phrase fits perfectly. It emphasizes similarity to previous actions or states. For example:
Mera dost pehle ki tarah masti kar raha hai. (My friend is having fun just like before.)
Pahle waale samay mein: While discussing something that took place ‘in the old days’ or ‘in the past,’ you can use this phrase. It adds a touch of formality to the narration. For instance:
Pahle waale samay mein yahaan pe jungle tha. (In the old days, there used to be a forest here before.)
Informal Ways to Say ‘Before’ in Hindi
Conversational Hindi often incorporates distinct expressions for conveying various ideas, including ‘before.’ Here are some informal ways to express this term:
- Pehle se hi: Similar to the formal version, this phrase denotes that something has been done ‘before.’ However, in informal conversations, it is more commonly used. For example:
Mujhe pehle se hi pata tha ki tum aisa hi karoge. (I already knew you’d do this before.)
Pehle jaisa: When emphasizing the desire for something to be as it was ‘before,’ this phrase is used in casual conversations. It reflects a sense of nostalgia or longing for the past. For instance:
Mujhe yahaan sab pehle jaisa hi pasand hai. (I like everything here just like before.)
Faltu mein: Used more informally, this phrase conveys doing something ‘for no reason’ or ‘unnecessarily’ before engaging in a subsequent action. It showcases a casual or carefree attitude. For example:
Tu wahan faltu mein ghoom raha tha. (You were wandering around there for no reason before.)
Regional Variations
Hindi, being a diverse language, may have variations in different regions. While the formal and informal ways mentioned above are widely understood across the Hindi-speaking regions, there might be subtle differences within specific dialects. To ensure better comprehension, it’s advisable to stick to the conventional expressions shared earlier.
Conclusion
Mastering the usage of ‘before’ in Hindi requires familiarity with both formal and informal expressions. By incorporating vocabulary like pehle, pehle se, pahle ki tarah, pahle wale samay mein in formal contexts, and pehle se hi, pehle jaisa, faltu mein in informal conversations, you can effectively convey the concept of ‘before’ when speaking Hindi.
