थोड़ा
thoṛā/t̪ʰoː.ɽɑː/
In Hindi, the phrase for "little bit" is थोड़ा (thoṛā).
For further emphasis on a very small or negligible amount, you can use the phrase थोड़ा सा, where adding the particle सा creates the meaning "a tiny bit".
Meaning: Translations (noun)
Which one should you use?
While थोड़ा means a little bit, it is the opposite of बहुत, which means "a lot" or "much".
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the word changes depending on the noun it modifies. Use थोड़ी when modifying a feminine noun, and use थोड़े when modifying masculine plural nouns or when using the oblique case. The default form is थोड़ा.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /t̪ʰoː.ɽɑː/. The two syllables are romanized as thoṛā.
Did you know?
- The word थोड़ा descends from the Sanskrit word स्तो॒क, which specifically referred to 'a drop'.
- In Hindi, थोड़ा is often used as a social 'softener' to make a direct request or command sound more polite and less aggressive.
- While it primarily denotes quantity, थोड़ा is frequently used as a temporal marker to mean 'a short while' when talking about time.
Examples in context
- थोड़ा और नमक डाल दोगे?How about adding a little bit more salt?This sentence is useful for asking if someone can add a little bit of थोड़ा more salt.Tatoeba #498191 by minshirui, translation #31563 by CK
- आप थोड़ा धीरे बोल सकते हैं क्या?Could you please speak a little bit more slowly?This sentence is useful for asking if someone can speak a little bit more slowly using थोड़ा.Tatoeba #446697 by minshirui, translation #31566 by CK
- थोड़ी सी खुशीThodi si khushi
- मुझे थोड़ा-थोड़ा हिंदी आती हैMujhe thoda-thoda Hindi aati hai
- मुझे थोड़ा पानी चाहिए।Mujhe thoda paani chahiye.I want a little bit of water.
Example conversation
Aditya and Anjali are sharing a snack at a cafe.
- आदित्य Adityaक्या तुम्हें थोड़ा बिस्किट चाहिए?Kya tumhe thoda biscuit chahiye?Do you want a little bit of biscuit?
- अंजलि Anjaliहाँ, मुझे थोड़ा चाहिए।Haan, mujhe thoda chahiye.Yes, I want a little bit.
- आदित्य Adityaठीक है, यह लो।Thik hai, yeh lo.Okay, here you go.
- अंजलि Anjaliशुक्रिया, आदित्य।Shukriya, Aditya.Thank you, Aditya.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry थोड़ा, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries थोड़ा, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
