रात
rāt/ɾɑːt̪/feminine
The English word "night" is translated into Hindi as रात (rāt). Wiktionary also lists रात्रि (rātri) and रात्र (rātra).
Meaning: period between sunset and sunrise (noun)
Ways to say it
| Hindi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| रात | rāt | /ɾɑːt̪/ (Hindi, Standard) | feminine |
| रात्रि | rātri | /ɾɑːt̪.ɾiː/ (Hindi, Standard) | feminine |
| रात्र | rātra | feminine | |
| राति | rāti | feminine | |
| निशा | niśā | /nɪ.ʃɑː/ (Hindi, Standard) | feminine |
| रैन | rain | /ɾɛːn/ (Hindi, Standard) | feminine |
| यामिका | yāmikā | /jɑː.mɪ.kɑː/ (Hindi, Standard) | feminine |
| यामिनी | yāminī | /jɑː.mɪ.niː/ (Hindi, Standard) | feminine |
| शर्वरी | śarvarī | /ʃəɾ.ʋə.ɾiː/ (Hindi, Standard) | feminine |
| रजनी | rajnī | /ɾəd͡ʒ.niː/ (Hindi, Standard) | feminine |
The term refers to the period between sunset and sunrise. To indicate that an action lasted the entire duration of the night, use the word रातभर.
Which one should you use?
While रात is the most common and widely used term, रात्रि is a more formal or literary version of the word. Additionally, रात्रि can be used as a short form for the expression "good night".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase शुभ रात्रि is the formal way to say "good night" in Hindi. Note that संध्या refers specifically to the period between evening and nightfall rather than the night itself.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of रात is रातें.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is rāt.
Did you know?
- The word रात shares a distant linguistic ancestor with the English word 'night', as both can be traced back to the same Proto-Indo-European roots.
- Hindi has an unusually high number of synonyms for 'night' like निशा, रजनी and शर्वरी, which are often used in poetry to create a specific mood.
- The word रैन is an archaic form of 'night' that persists today primarily in folk songs and rural dialects rather than standard conversation.
Examples in context
- कल उसने रातभर पढ़ाई की।Last night, he studied all night long.This sentence shows how to use रात to describe an action happening all night long.Tatoeba #12394447 by Saumya, translation #296889 by AlanF_US
- मुझे रात भर काम करने की आदत है।I'm used to working all night.This sentence demonstrates using रात to describe a habit of working throughout the night.Tatoeba #9012788 by simranbansal, translation #259591 by CK
- टॉम ने पूरी रात एक शब्द भी नहीं बोला।Tom didn't speak a word all night long.This sentence uses रात to describe the duration of an event lasting all night long.Tatoeba #12403607 by Saumya, translation #4638973 by corbinjurgens
- यहां रात के समय विश्राम करना बहुत महत्वपूर्ण है।It is important to rest during the night.
- 70 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Anjali and Rahul are talking about their sleeping schedule.
- अंजलि Anjaliक्या आज रात तुम बाहर जाओगे?Kya aaj raat tum baahar jaoge?Will you go out tonight?
- राहुल Rahulनहीं, मुझे रात को जल्दी सोना है।Nahin, mujhe raat ko jaldi sona hai.No, I have to sleep early at night.
- अंजलि Anjaliठीक है, अच्छी नींद लेना।Thik hai, achhi neend lena.Okay, sleep well.
- राहुल Rahulशुक्रिया, शुभ रात्रि!Shukriya, shubh raatri!Thank you, good night!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “night” translations and entries रात, रात्रि, निशा, रैन, यामिका, यामिनी, शर्वरी, रजनी, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries रात, रात्रि, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
