लड़का
laṛkā/ləɽ.kɑː/masculine
The Hindi word for boy is लड़का (laṛkā). Wiktionary also lists बच्चा (baccā).
Meaning: male child (noun)
Ways to say it
| Hindi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| लड़का | laṛkā | /ləɽ.kɑː/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
| बच्चा | baccā | /bət̪.t͡ʃɑː/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
लड़का is used specifically to refer to a male child or boy. In a more general or playful sense, the term बच्चा is often used to mean 'child' or 'kid' when referring to young boys affectionately.
Which one should you use?
लड़का is a specific term for a boy, whereas बच्चा is a more general term meaning 'child' or 'baby' that can be used gender-neutrally unless the context specifies otherwise. बच्चा is used more frequently than लड़का when speaking about young children in a general sense.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of लड़का is लड़के. When the word is followed by a postposition like 'को' or 'ने', you should use the oblique plural form लड़कों.
How do you pronounce it?
laṛkā (/ləɽ.kɑː/)
Did you know?
- The word लड़का is related to the Sanskrit word for a 'dancing boy', suggesting a historical link between youth and movement.
- In many Indian households, बच्चा is used to address anyone much younger than the speaker, regardless of whether they are still a child.
Examples in context
- यह लड़का मुझे एक आँख नहीं भाता।I do not like this boy at all.This sentence shows how to use लड़का to express a lack of liking.
- यह लड़का इतना लंबा नहीं है जितनी उसकी बहन है।This boy is not as tall as his sister.This sentence uses लड़का to make a comparison of height.
- वह लड़का कौन है?Who's that boy?This sentence uses लड़का to ask a question about someone's identity.Tatoeba #4265724 by Dianochka, translation #2270555 by _undertoad
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Priya and Vikas are looking at children in a park.
- प्रिया Priyaवहाँ एक लड़का दौड़ रहा है।vahān ek larka dauṛ rahā hai.A boy is running there.
- विकास Vikasहाँ, वह बहुत तेज़ दौड़ रहा है।hā̃, vah bahut tez dauṛ rahā hai.Yes, he is running very fast.
- प्रिया Priyaक्या वह लड़का आपका बेटा है?kya vah larka āpkā beṭā hai?Is that boy your son?
- विकास Vikasनहीं, वह मेरा भतीजा है।nahī̃, vah merā bhatījā hai.No, he is my nephew.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “boy” translations and entries लड़का, बच्चा, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries बच्चा, लड़का, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0, Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
