Ways to say it
| Hindi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| आदमी | ādmī | /ɑːd̪.miː/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
| पुरुष | puruṣ | /pʊ.ɾʊʂ/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
| नर | nar | /nəɾ/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
| मानुस | mānus | /mɑː.nʊs/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
| मानस | mānas | /mɑː.nəs/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
| मर्द | mard | /məɾd̪/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
| मानव | mānav | /mɑː.nəʋ/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
| मानुष | mānuṣ | masculine |
The terms for 'man' in Hindi vary significantly depending on whether you are referring to a person's gender, their biological sex or their species.
Which one should you use?
While आदमी is the standard, everyday word for a man, other forms exist for specific contexts. पुरुष is a formal or biological term for a male human. नर is used specifically in a scientific context to denote the sex of an animal (male). मानव refers to the species 'human' or 'humanity' rather than a gendered man, and it is also the name for the genus *Homo*. मर्द is a colloquial term that often carries a connotation of 'manliness' or 'masculinity' rather than being a neutral noun. The forms मानुस and मानस can also function as interjections used to place emphasis upon something or someone.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term Banda is a colloquial way to say 'man' that is particularly common in Mumbai and parts of Maharashtra.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The default form आदमी is pronounced as /ɑːd̪.miː/ in two syllables.
Did you know?
- The formal term पुरुष is the same word used in ancient Vedic texts to describe the cosmic giant from whom the universe was created.
- The Hindi word मानस can refer to something involving the 'mind' or 'intellect' rather than just a person, as it derives from Sanskrit roots relating to the psyche.
- While आदमी refers to a man, it is frequently used in Hindi to mean 'person' regardless of gender in general phrases.
Examples in context
- पुरुष की तरह लड़ो!Fight like a man!This sentence uses पुरुष to show an example of a command.
- क्या वह आदमी या औरत है?Are they a man or a woman?This sentence uses आदमी to ask a question about gender.
- आदमी बहुत स्वार्थी प्राणी है।Man is a selfish being.This sentence uses आदमी to make a general statement about humanity.
- उस पुरुष ने वैज्ञानिकों को प्रेरित किया।That man inspired the scientists.
- यहां कई आदमी हिन्दी बोलते हैं।Many men here speak Hindi.
- जो बन्दा वहां खड़ा है, वह बिलकुल मस्त है।The man standing there is absolutely fine.
- 50 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two neighbors are talking about a person walking by their house.
- आदित्य Adityaवह आदमी कौन है?vah aadmee kaun hai?Who is that man?
- अंजलि Anjaliवह हमारे नए पड़ोसी हैं।vah hamare naye padoshee hain.He is our new neighbor.
- आदित्य Adityaक्या वह आदमी यहीं रहते हैं?kya vah aadmee yahin rahte hain?Does that man live here?
- अंजलि Anjaliहाँ, वह यहीं रहते हैं।haan, vah yahin rahte hain.Yes, he lives here.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “man” translations and entries आदमी, पुरुष, नर, मानुस, मानस, मर्द, मानव, मानुष, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
