व्यस्त
vyast/ʋjəst̪/
The English word 'busy' is translated into Hindi as व्यस्त (vyast). Wiktionary also lists मसरूफ़ (masrūf) and मशग़ूल (maśġūl).
Meaning: engaged or preoccupied (adj)
Ways to say it
| Hindi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| व्यस्त | vyast | /ʋjəst̪/ (Hindi, Standard) |
| मसरूफ़ | masrūf | /məs.ɾuːf/ (Hindi, Standard) /məs.ɾuːpʰ/ (Hindi, Standard) |
| मशग़ूल | maśġūl | /məʃ.ɣuːl/ (Hindi, Standard) /məʃ.ɡuːl/ (Hindi, Standard) |
The word is used to describe someone who is engaged or preoccupied.
Which one should you use?
While व्यस्त is the standard Hindi word, मशग़ूल and मसरूफ़ are rare, formal synonyms derived from Urdu.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
व्यस्त is a common and general way to express being busy. In more formal settings, you may encounter the Urdu-derived forms मशग़ूल or मसरूफ़. In informal, everyday Hindi conversations, it is also very common to use the borrowed English word बिजी.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective व्यस्त is invariant, meaning it does not change its form based on gender or number.
How do you pronounce it?
vyast
Did you know?
- The word व्यस्त originates from the Sanskrit root meaning 'displaced' or 'out of place'. To be 'busy' in this context is conceptually similar to being 'thrown out of' one's normal routine.
- In social settings, saying मैं व्यस्त हूँ 'I am busy' can sometimes be perceived as too blunt. People often add a reason or use a softer phrase to avoid sounding dismissive.
- The word मशग़ूल carries a connotation of being 'absorbed' or 'engrossed' in something, whereas व्यस्त is a more general term for having a lot to do.
Examples in context
- वह अपने काम में व्यस्त रहता है।He keeps himself busy with work.This sentence shows how to describe someone being busy with work using व्यस्त.
- व्यस्त लग रहे हो।You look busy.This sentence uses व्यस्त to describe someone appearing busy.Tatoeba #2040787 by sabretou, translation #68945 by CK
- मैं बहुत व्यस्त हूँ।I'm very busy.This sentence uses व्यस्त to express that the speaker is very busy.Tatoeba #588539 by minshirui, translation #433991 by CK
- मैं व्यापारी हूँ और मेरा दिन हर वक्त व्यस्त रहता है।I am a businessman and my day is always busy.
- क्या तू आज बिजी है?Are you busy today?
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Amit is calling Neha to ask if she can talk.
- नेहा Nehaअमित, क्या आप व्यस्त हैं?Amit, kya aap vyast hain?Amit, are you busy?
- अमित Amitनहीं नेहा, मैं अभी व्यस्त नहीं हूँ।Nahi Neha, main abhi vyast nahi hoon.No Neha, I am not busy right now.
- नेहा Nehaक्या हम बात कर सकते हैं?Kya hum baat kar sakte hain?Can we talk?
- अमित Amitहाँ, ज़रूर, बताइए।Haan, zaroor, bataiye.Yes, sure, tell me.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “busy” translations and entries व्यस्त, मसरूफ़, मशग़ूल, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries मशग़ूल, मसरूफ़, व्यस्त, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0, Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
