Ways to say it
| Hindi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| भूत | bhūt | /bʱuːt̪/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
| आत्मा | ātmā | /ɑːt̪.mɑː/ (Hindi, Standard) | feminine |
| प्रेत | pret | /pɾeːt̪/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
| छाया | chāyā | /t͡ʃʰɑː.jɑː/ (Hindi, Standard) | feminine |
| रूह | rūh | /ɾuːɦ/ (Hindi, Standard) | feminine |
| पिशाच | piśāc | /pɪ.ʃɑːt͡ʃ/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
| वेताल | vetāl | masculine |
In Hindi, several words can describe a spirit or a ghost depending on the nuance you wish to convey. भूत is the most common word used in everyday conversation to describe a ghost or a haunting presence. While भूत refers to a ghost or a potentially malevolent spirit, other terms like आत्मा or रूह refer to the soul or spirit in a more neutral or poetic sense.
Which one should you use?
The terms available in Hindi differ significantly in tone and meaning. भूत (bhūt) refers to a ghost and is often associated with scary or malevolent spirits. In contrast, आत्मा (ātmā) refers to a soul and is a much more neutral or positive, polite term. For a more poetic or musical context, रूह (rūh) is used to mean spirit or soul. If you are looking for a formal way to say ghost, you may use प्रेत (pret). The rare and formal term पिशाच (piśāc) is more specific, referring to a malevolent spirit or a flesh-eating demon. Other forms include छाया (chāyā) and वेताल (vetāl).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
भूत is the common, everyday term. प्रेत is a formal way to refer to a ghost, while पिशाच is a formal and rare literary term used for a malevolent spirit or demon. रूह is a poetic term often found in songs.
How does it change in a sentence?
भूत is a masculine noun and requires masculine adjectives and verbs. Conversely, आत्मा is a feminine noun and requires feminine adjectives and verbs.
How do you pronounce it?
bhūt
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be aware that भूत is a homonym in Hindi. Depending on the context, it can also mean 'past' (as in the past tense or the past).
Did you know?
Examples in context
- कभी कोई भूत देखा है?Have you ever seen a ghost?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has ever seen a भूत.Tatoeba #3699867 by sabretou, translation #2644125 by CK
- वो एक प्रेत की तरह दिखाई दिया।He/She appeared like a ghost.
- भूतों की वजह से मुझे डर लगता है।I am scared because of the ghosts.
- वह आत्मा शांति के लिए तरस रही है।That soul is longing for peace.
- उस पिशाच ने उन्हें अंधविश्वास में फंसा दिया।That ghost trapped them in superstition.
- रात को भूत-प्रेत की आवाज़ें सुनाई देती हैं।Ghostly sounds can be heard at night.
- पुराने महल में एक भूत रहता है।puraane mahal mein ek bhoot rahta hai.A ghost lives in the old palace.
- क्या तुमने रात में भूत देखा?kya tumne raat mein bhoot dekha?Did you see a ghost at night?
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
अंजलि और राहुल रात को डरावनी फिल्म देख रहे हैं।
- अंजलि Anjaliराहुल, क्या तुम्हें भूत से डर लगता है?Rahul, kya tumhe bhoot se dar lagta hai?Rahul, are you afraid of ghosts?
- राहुल Rahulनहीं अंजलि, मुझे भूत पर विश्वास नहीं है।nahin Anjali, mujhe bhoot par vishwas nahin hai.No Anjali, I don't believe in ghosts.
- अंजलि Anjaliलेकिन इस कहानी में एक भूत है।lekin is kahaani mein ek bhoot hai.But there is a ghost in this story.
- राहुल Rahulवह तो बस एक कहानी है।vah to bas ek kahaani hai.That is just a story.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ghost” translations and entries भूत, आत्मा, प्रेत, छाया, रूह, पिशाच, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries आत्मा, छाया, प्रेत, भूत, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
