Ways to say it
| Hindi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| नाव | nāv | /nɑːʋ/ (Hindi, Standard) /nɑː.oː/ (Hindi, Standard) |
feminine |
| नौका | naukā | /nɔː.kɑː/ (Hindi, Standard) | feminine |
| डोँगी | ḍõgī | /ɖõː.ɡiː/ (Hindi, Standard) | feminine |
| डोँगा | ḍõgā | /ɖõː.ɡɑː/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
| बेड़ा | beṛā | /beː.ɽɑː/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
| कश्ती | kaśtī | /kəʃ.t̪iː/ (Hindi, Standard) | feminine |
In Hindi, several words are used to describe a water craft, ranging from common everyday terms to specific types like rafts or fleets. While नाव is the standard term for a boat, other words may be used depending on whether you are speaking formally, writing poetry or referring to a specific type of vessel.
Which one should you use?
नाव is the most common, everyday word for a boat used in general conversation. In contrast, नौका is a more formal or literary term often found in news, literature or formal writing. For a more poetic or musical tone, the Persian-origin word कश्ती is frequently used in songs and poetry. Finally, बेड़ा refers specifically to a raft or a fleet of boats.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the common word नाव with a postposition, the plural form becomes नावों (for example, 'boats in the river').
How do you pronounce it?
The word नाव is pronounced /nɑːʋ/.
Did you know?
- The common Hindi word नाव is a distant linguistic relative of the Spanish word 'nave' and the Ancient Greek word 'naûs'.
- While नाव is the general term, डोँगा specifically refers to a type of dugout canoe carved from a single tree trunk.
Examples in context
- नाव के सफ़र में कार से ज़्यादा समय लगता है.Traveling by boat takes longer than going by car.This sentence is useful for comparing travel times by नाव.Tatoeba #884503 by thevikas, translation #273403 by CK
- हम नाव में नदी को पार करेंगे।We'll cross the river in a boat.This sentence is useful for describing crossing a river in a नाव.Tatoeba #3216570 by anubhav93, translation #248289 by CK
- एक पढ़ा-लिखा दंभी व्यक्ति नाव में सवार हुआ।An arrogant educated person got into a boat.This sentence is useful for describing someone boarding a नाव.Tatoeba #2654558 by gauravjiii, translation #2654560 by gauravjiii
- कृपया नौका का सहारा लें।Please take the help of the boat.
- वहाँ नाव चल रही थी।A boat was sailing there.
- उसने कश्ती में सवारी की।He/She rode in a boat.
Example conversation
At a lake during a vacation.
- पूजा Poojaविकास, देखो वह नाव कितनी बड़ी है!Vikaas, dekho vah naav kitnee badee hai!Vikas, look how big that boat is!
- विकास Vikasहाँ पूजा, वह बहुत मज़बूत लग रही है।Haan Pooja, vah bahut mazaboot lag rahee hai.Yes Pooja, it looks very strong.
- पूजा Poojaक्या हम उस नाव में बैठ सकते हैं?Kya ham us naav mein baith sakate hain?Can we sit in that boat?
- विकास Vikasचलो, देखते हैं कि क्या वह खाली है।Chalo, dekhte hain ki kya vah khaalee hai.Let's see if it is empty.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “boat” translations and entries नाव, नौका, डोँगी, डोँगा, बेड़ा, कश्ती, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries डोँगा, डोँगी, नाव, नौका, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
