महिला
mahilā/mə.ɦɪ.lɑː/
The Hindi word for lady is महिला (mahilā).
महिला is used to refer to a woman in a polite or respectful manner.
Meaning: polite: woman (noun)
Which one should you use?
While महिला translates to 'lady' or 'woman' in a polite sense, it is a more formal option than the common everyday word औरत.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
महिला is a formal term for lady. In contrast, the word औरत is the most common and everyday way to say 'woman' in spoken Hindi, while the word स्त्री is a more formal or literary way to say 'woman' compared to महिला.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural oblique form of महिला is महिलाओं, which is used when the word is followed by a postposition.
Did you know?
- In many Hindi-speaking households, it is considered more respectful to avoid using any direct noun for 'woman' and instead use kinship terms like दीदी for 'elder sister' or आंटी for 'aunt'.
- While महिला is polite, the common word औरत can be perceived as reductive or slightly derogatory depending on the speaker's tone and social class.
- The word महिला has its roots in Sanskrit, an ancient language that serves as the liturgical and classical foundation for many modern Indo-Aryan languages.
Examples in context
- वह इस महिला की गाड़ी में बैठने में मदद कर रहा है।He is helping this lady enter her car.This sentence shows how to use महिला when describing someone helping a lady into a car.Tatoeba #2078022 by minshirui, translation #4910161 by yashtib1995
- मिसेस शर्मा कहाँ रहती हैं?Where does Mrs. Sharma live?
- ये महिला बहुत संवेदनशील है।This lady is very empathetic.
- वह एक बहुत दयालु महिला है।vaha ek bahut dayalu mahila hai.She is a very kind lady.
- क्या आप उस महिला को जानते हैं?kya aap us mahila ko jaante hain?Do you know that lady?
Example conversation
Anjali and Rahul are at a social gathering.
- अंजलि Anjaliक्या आपने उस महिला से बात की?kya aapne us mahila se baat ki?Did you talk to that lady?
- राहुल Rahulनहीं, मैं उनसे मिला नहीं।nahin, main unse mila nahin.No, I haven't met her.
- अंजलि Anjaliवह महिला बहुत अच्छी है।vaha mahila bahut achhi hai.That lady is very nice.
- राहुल Rahulठीक है, मैं उनसे मिलूँगा।thik hai, main unse milunga.Okay, I will meet her.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry महिला, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries महिला, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
