लालची
lālcī/lɑːl.t͡ʃiː/
The English word "greedy" is translated into Hindi as लालची (lālcī) or लोभी.
Meaning: having greed, consumed by selfish desires (adj)
Ways to say it
| Hindi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| लालची | lālcī | /lɑːl.t͡ʃiː/ (Hindi, Standard) |
| लोभी | lobhī | /loː.bʱiː/ (Hindi, Standard) |
Both forms are adjectives used to describe someone who is having greed or is consumed by selfish desires.
What does it mean word for word?
The adjective लालची is derived from the noun लालच, which means "greed".
Which one should you use?
The form लोभी is more formal and literary than the common word लालची.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /lɑːl.tʃiː/. It has 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- The term लालच can be used as a noun to mean 'bait' or 'temptation'. If someone is given a लालच, they are being lured by a reward, not necessarily being described as a greedy person themselves.
- In Hindi, the phrase लालच बुरी बला है means 'greed is a terrible calamity'. This common proverb is used as a warning to children and is a cultural staple across North India.
- In many Indian folk tales, the concept of लोभ is treated as a spiritual poison. This makes the formal term लोभी carry a much heavier moral weight than the English word 'greedy' typically does in casual conversation.
Examples in context
- क्या ओसाकावासी लालची होते हैं?Are Osakans greedy?This sentence is useful for asking a question about whether a group of people is लालची.Tatoeba #4063411 by sabretou, translation #1771749 by Scott
- टॉम लालची था।Tom was greedy.This sentence is useful for describing someone who was लालची.Tatoeba #4010410 by sabretou, translation #3171141 by CK
- राम बहुत लालाची है।Ram is very greedy.
- वह बहुत लालची आदमी है।vah bahut lā lachī ādmī hai.He is a very greedy man.
Example conversation
Pooja and Amit are discussing a greedy colleague.
- पूजा Poojaअमित, क्या तुम्हें लगता है कि वह लालची है?Amit, kyā tumhē̃ lagtā hai ki vah lālchī hai?Amit, do you think he is greedy?
- अमित Amitहाँ, वह हमेशा ज़्यादा चाहता है।hā̃, vah hamēshā zyādā chāhtā hai.Yes, he always wants more.
- पूजा Poojaवह कभी दूसरों की मदद नहीं करता।vah kabhī dūsrō̃ kī madad nahī̃ kartā.He never helps others.
- अमित Amitलालची लोग ऐसे ही होते हैं।lālchī lōg aisē hī hōtē haĩ.Greedy people are just like that.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “greedy” translations and entries लालची, लोभी, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
