मेरी बात सुनो
merī bāt suno
To say "listen to me" in Hindi, you use मेरी बात सुनो (merī bāt suno).
This phrase is used as a request or command for someone to pay attention to what the speaker is saying. Instead of listening directly to the person, you are asking them to listen to the subject or the words being spoken.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'Listen to my word' or 'Listen to my matter'.
Which one should you use?
In English, you listen to a person ('me'), but in Hindi, you listen to the 'word' or 'matter' (बात) that the person is saying.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb changes to reflect your relationship with the listener. Use मेरी बात सुनो for the standard/neutral imperative. Use the form मेरी बात सुन when speaking to very close friends, children or people younger than you. To make the command more polite or respectful, change the verb ending from suno to suniye, resulting in मेरी बात सुनिए.
How do you pronounce it?
merī bāt suno
Did you know?
- The root of बात can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root *wert-, which is also the ancestor of the English word 'word'.
- When someone says मेरी बात सुनो in a heated argument, it can function as a warning to stop the other person from interrupting.
- When using this phrase, your choice of verb ending is a social signal. Using सुनिए instead of सुनो is not just about being polite, but about acknowledging a specific social hierarchy between you and the listener.
Examples in context
- बस मेरी बात सुनो।Just listen to me.Tatoeba #4011223 by sabretou, translation #3392995 by CK
- मेरी बात सुनो, टॉम।Listen to me, Tom.Tatoeba #4033854 by sabretou, translation #2648474 by CK
Example conversation
Neha is trying to explain something important to Vikas during a busy walk.
- नेहा Nehaविकास, मेरी बात सुनो।vikas, merī baat suno.Vikas, listen to me.
- विकास Vikasहाँ नेहा, मैं सुन रहा हूँ।hā̃ nehā, maĩ sun rahā hū̃.Yes Neha, I am listening.
- नेहा Nehaयह बहुत ज़रूरी है।yah bahut zarūrī hai.This is very important.
- विकास Vikasठीक है, बताओ क्या हुआ?ṭhīk hai, batāo kyā huā?Okay, tell me what happened?
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries बात, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
