कांच
kānch
The English word glass translates to Hindi as कांच (kānch).
In Hindi, the word कांच refers specifically to the material glass. If you want to refer to a drinking vessel, such as a glass used for water or juice, you should use other terms.
Meaning: drinking vessel (noun)
Which one should you use?
While कांच means the substance glass (the material), the loanword ग्लास is used to refer specifically to a drinking glass. Additionally, Gilaas is an informal way to say glass.
How do you pronounce it?
kānch
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use कांच to mean a drinking glass. However, in Hindi, कांच refers to the substance glass. Use ग्लास instead when talking about a drinking vessel.
Did you know?
- Steel glasses are far more common for daily water consumption in India than the material कांच, which is often reserved for guests or specific drinks.
- In many Indian households, the term ग्लास is used for drinking vessels regardless of the material, meaning it could refer to a vessel made of steel or plastic.
- The word शीशा used for glass is a loanword from Persian, showing the deep historical influence of Persian on Hindi vocabulary.
Examples in context
- दूध कांच की बोतलों में बेचा गया।Milk was sold in glass bottles.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use कांच when referring to the material.Tatoeba #3788754 by RadiumCat, translation #3788752 by Hybrid
- मैंने उसे गिलास में पानी पिलाया। (Maine use gilās mein pānī pilāyā.)I gave him water in a glass.
- रात को जब मैं प्यासा था, मैंने एक गिलास पानी पिया। (Raat ko jab main pyāsā thā, maine ek gilās pānī piyā.)When I was thirsty at night, I drank a glass of water.
Example conversation
Priya and Vikas are in the kitchen.
- प्रिया Priyaविकास, क्या मुझे एक कांच मिल सकता है?Vikas, kya mujhe ek kaanch mil sakta hai?Vikas, can I get a glass?
- विकास Vikasहाँ प्रिया, वे अलमारी में रखे हैं।haan Priya, ve almaari mein rakhe hain.Yes Priya, they are kept in the cupboard.
- प्रिया Priyaठीक है, मैं एक कांच ले लेती हूँ।theek hai, main ek kaanch le leti hoon.Okay, I will take a glass.
- विकास Vikasसावधानी से लेना!saavdhani se lena!Take it carefully!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
