लोहा
lohā/loː.ɦɑː/
In Hindi, iron is लोहा (lohā).
The word लोहा refers to the chemical element or the metal itself.
Meaning: to pass an iron over clothing (verb)
Which one should you use?
While लोहा (lohā) is the name for the metal, you should use different words if you are referring to the household appliance or the act of smoothing clothes. The physical tool is called इस्त्री (istrī), and the action of ironing clothing is expressed as इस्त्री करना (istrī karnā).
How do you pronounce it?
lohā (/loː.ɦɑː/). The word has 2 syllables.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use लोहा to mean the act of ironing clothes. Instead, use the verb phrase इस्त्री करना (istrī karnā) for the action and इस्त्री (istrī) for the appliance.
Did you know?
- In Hindi, the phrase लोहा मानना (lohā mānnā) literally means 'to accept the iron' but is used idiomatically to mean acknowledging someone's superior skill or strength.
- The Sanskrit root for लोहा (lohā) is related to the concept of 'redness', which makes sense because of the reddish tint of rust.
- Despite लोहा (lohā) being the common word for the metal, the word is often used metaphorically in Hindi to describe someone with a very strong or stubborn personality.
Examples in context
- लोहा सोने से सख्त होता है।Iron is harder than gold.This sentence demonstrates a comparison of hardness between लोहा and gold.Tatoeba #485948 by minshirui, translation #278744 by CK
- लोहा एक बहुत उपयोगी धातु है।Iron is a very useful metal.This sentence describes the utility of the metal लोहा.Tatoeba #484088 by minshirui, translation #454066 by saasmath
- लोहा सोने से ज़्यादा उपयोगी होता है।Iron is more useful than gold.This sentence compares the usefulness of लोहा to gold.Tatoeba #3783633 by sabretou, translation #663999 by bluepie88
Example conversation
Pooja and Rahul are getting ready for a party.
- पूजा Poojaराहुल, क्या तुमने अपनी शर्ट पर लोहा किया?Rahul, kya tumne apni shirt par loha kiya?Rahul, did you iron your shirt?
- राहुल Rahulनहीं, मैं अभी करता हूँ।Nahi, main abhi karta hoon.No, I will do it now.
- पूजा Poojaजल्दी करो, हमें निकलना है।Jaldi karo, humein nikalna hai.Hurry up, we have to leave.
- राहुल Rahulठीक है, बस दो मिनट दो।Thik hai, bas do minute do.Okay, just give me two minutes.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry लोहा, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries लोहा, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
