Ways to say it
| Hindi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| आईना | āīnā | /ɑː.iː.nɑː/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
| दर्पण | darpaṇ | /d̪əɾ.pəɳ/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
| शीशा | śīśā | /ʃiː.ʃɑː/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
| आरसी | ārsī | /ɑːɾ.siː/ (Hindi, Standard) | feminine |
The word आईना is used to refer to a smooth reflecting surface. It is the most common term used in everyday conversation, as well as in songs and poetry. The related verb प्रतिबिंबित करना means to reflect as in a mirror.
Which one should you use?
While आईना is the standard term, दर्पण is a more formal or literary term for mirror compared to the common word आईना. Additionally, शीशा is often used colloquially to refer to a mirror, though it literally means glass. The form आरसी is a feminine version of the word.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word आईना changes to its oblique form, आईने, when it is followed by a postposition such as में (in) or का (of). All forms provided are masculine, except for the feminine आरसी.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of आईना is /ɑː.iː.nɑː/.
Did you know?
- The word शीशा is a Persian loanword that has a distant relative in the Tamil word சீசா.
- In Hindi poetry and songs, आईना is frequently used as a metaphor for truth or self-reflection rather than just a physical object.
Examples in context
- ज़िंदगी एक आईना है!Life is a mirror!This sentence uses आईना to express a metaphorical statement about life.Tatoeba #4083676 by sabretou, translation #1439225 by shekitten
- मेरे पास एक आईना है।I have a mirror.
- तेरे कमरे में एक दर्पण है क्या?Do you have a mirror in your room?
- मेज पर एक आईना रखा है।mej par ek āīnā rakhā hai.A mirror is kept on the table.
- क्या तुमने नया आईना देखा?kyā tumne nayā āīnā dekhā?Did you see the new mirror?
Example conversation
Pooja and Amit are getting ready in the bathroom.
- पूजा Poojaअमित, आईना कहाँ है?Amit, āīnā kahā̃ hai?Amit, where is the mirror?
- अमित Amitवह दीवार पर लगा है।Vah dīvār par lagā hai.It is on the wall.
- पूजा Poojaमुझे आईना नहीं दिख रहा।Mujhe āīnā nahī̃ dikh rahā.I can't see the mirror.
- अमित Amitअब अपने सामने देखो, पूजा।Ab apne sāmne dekho, Pooja.Now look in front of you, Pooja.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mirror” translations and entries आईना, दर्पण, शीशा, आरसी, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries आईना, आरसी, दर्पण, शीशा, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
