लड़का
ladkaeveryday
The everyday word for "boy" is लड़का (ladka). Parents and elders also call a boy बेटा (beta), which literally means son, and बालक (baalak) is the formal word.
Meaning: young male child (noun)
Ways to say it
| Indian | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| लड़का | ladka | everyday |
| बालक | baalak | formal |
| बेटा | beta | affectionate, son |
लड़का (ladka) is the plain word for a boy or a young man. The plural is लड़के (ladke).
Which one should you use?
बेटा (beta) is warm and is used even for boys who are not your own children. बालक (baalak) appears in books, notices and speeches.
How does it change in a sentence?
A girl is लड़की (ladki), so the pair is लड़का (ladka) and लड़की (ladki).
Did you know?
- In Hindi, calling an unknown young boy बेटा (beta) is considered kind rather than rude.
Examples in context
- वह लड़का स्कूल जा रहा है।Vah ladka school ja raha hai.That boy is going to school.
- बेटा, इधर आओ।Beta, idhar aao.Son, come here.
Example conversation
A shopkeeper in Jaipur talks to a small boy who has come in with his mother.
- Dukaandaarबेटा, तुम्हें क्या चाहिए?Beta, tumhein kya chaahiye?Son, what do you need?
- Ladkaएक पेन चाहिए।Ek pen chaahiye.I need a pen.
- Dukaandaarयह लो, बीस रुपये।Yah lo, bees rupaye.Here you go, twenty rupees.
