Ways to say it
| Hindi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| इमारत | imārat | /ɪ.mɑː.ɾət̪/ (Hindi, Standard) | feminine |
| भवन | bhavan | /bʱə.ʋən/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
| निर्माण | nirmāṇ | /nɪɾ.mɑːɳ/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
The term for 'building' depends on whether you are referring to a physical structure or the act of building itself. Use terms for a physical structure to describe a closed structure with walls and a roof, while use terms for the act of building to describe the process of construction.
Which one should you use?
इमारत is the most common word used for a physical building in everyday speech. In contrast, भवन is a more formal or grand term, often used for significant or large structures like government buildings or monuments. While the other two refer to the structure itself, निर्माण refers specifically to the process of construction or the act of building.
How does it change in a sentence?
इमारत is a feminine noun, so adjectives and verbs describing it must agree in gender. भवन and निर्माण are both masculine nouns, meaning adjectives and verbs describing them must agree in gender.
How do you pronounce it?
imārat
Did you know?
- The common word for building, इमारत, is actually a linguistic traveler from Arabic via Persian. It shares a root with the Arabic word for 'command' or 'order', suggesting a connection to things that are established or ordered.
- The word भवन comes from the Sanskrit root for 'becoming' or 'existing', linking the idea of a building to the act of coming into existence.
- In many Indian languages, including Marathi, you will find the word इमारत used similarly to Hindi. This shows how Persian-derived architectural terms spread across the subcontinent through historical trade and administration.
Examples in context
- नए इमारत का निर्माण हो रहा है यहाँ।A new building is being constructed here.This sentence shows how to use निर्माण to describe the process of construction.
- एक भूकंप ने वह इमारत तबाह कर दी।An earthquake destroyed the building.This sentence demonstrates the use of इमारत for a physical structure.Tatoeba #3625240 by sabretou, translation #680680 by Source_VOA
- यहां से एम्पायर स्टेट भवन दिखता है।You can see the Empire State Building from here.This sentence uses भवन to refer to a specific large building.Tatoeba #2079356 by sabretou, translation #1476552 by Spamster
- कृपया उस निर्माण को देखें जो हाल ही में सम्पन्न हुआ है।Please observe the building that was recently completed.
- यह बिल्डिंग बहुत सुंदर दिख रही है।This building looks very beautiful.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Priya and Aditya are walking through a city.
- प्रिया Priyaआदित्य, देखो वह बड़ी इमारत कितनी सुंदर है!āditya, dekho vah baṛī imarat kitnī sundar hai!Aditya, look how beautiful that large building is!
- आदित्य Adityaहाँ प्रिया, वह बहुत प्रभावशाली है।hāñ priyā, vah bahut prabhāvshālī hai.Yes Priya, it is very impressive.
- प्रिया Priyaक्या तुम्हें पता है कि यह इमारत क्या है?kyā tumhe patā hai ki yah imarat kyā hai?Do you know what this building is?
- आदित्य Adityaशायद यह एक पुराना संग्रहालय है।shāyad yah ek purānā sangrahalay hai.Maybe it is an old museum.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “building” translations and entries इमारत, भवन, निर्माण, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries इमारत, निर्माण, भवन, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0, Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
