नटखट
naṭkhaṭ/nəʈ.kʰəʈ/
The Hindi word for naughty is नटखट (naṭkhaṭ).
The adjective नटखट is typically used in a playful or affectionate way to describe children's mischief, rather than to describe serious moral wrongdoing.
Meaning: bad, tending to misbehave or act badly (adj)
Which one should you use?
While नटखट implies playful mischief, the word बदमाश is used for someone who is actually troublesome, wicked or a troublemaker.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective नटखट is invariant in gender and number, meaning it does not change whether the subject is masculine, feminine, singular or plural.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /nəʈ.kʰəʈ/ (naṭkhaṭ). It has 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- The Hindu god Krishna is famously described as नटखट in folklore because of his playful habit of stealing butter from the neighbors.
- The root of नटखट may be linked to the sound of a knock, specifically the word खट which represents a tapping or knocking sound.
- In a way that differs from English, calling a child नटखट can actually function as a compliment to their cleverness or wit.
Examples in context
- मैं नटखट बच्चों को बर्दाश्त नहीं कर सकता।I cannot tolerate naughty children.This sentence shows how to use नटखट when talking about children.Tatoeba #463382 by minshirui, translation #463383 by minshirui
- वो बच्चा बहुत नटखट है।That child is very naughty.
- वह बहुत नटखट बच्चा है।vah bahut natkhat baccha hai.He is a very naughty child.
- बंदर बहुत नटखट है।bandar bahut natkhat hai.The monkey is very naughty.
Example conversation
Amit and Pooja are watching a small child play in the park.
- अमित Amitयह बच्चा बहुत नटखट है।yah baccha bahut natkhat hai.This child is very naughty.
- पूजा Poojaहाँ, अमित, वह बहुत शरारती है।haan, amit, vah bahut shararati hai.Yes, Amit, he is very mischievous.
- अमित Amitक्या वह हमेशा ऐसा ही रहता है?kya vah hamesha aisa hi rahta hai?Is he always like this?
- पूजा Poojaहाँ, वह बहुत नटखट है।haan, vah bahut natkhat hai.Yes, he is very naughty.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “naughty” translations and entries नटखट, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries नटखट, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
