बकवास
bakvās/bək.ʋɑːs/feminine
The English word "nonsense" is translated into Hindi as बकवास (bakvās).
बकवास is used to refer to meaningless words or rubbish. In common conversation, it is often used as an exclamation to express disbelief or annoyance. Other ways to express nonsense include the informal term Ulta Pulta, which describes something chaotic or disorganized and Khichdi, which is used metaphorically to describe a nonsensical hodgepodge of ideas.
Meaning: meaningless words (noun)
Which one should you use?
While बकवास is the standard term for nonsense or rubbish, the formal term Anarthak is used to mean "meaningless" or "without purpose."
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun बकवास is feminine, which means any adjectives that modify it must also be in the feminine form.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /bək.ʋɑːs/. It has two syllables.
Did you know?
- The term Ulta Pulta for nonsense or chaos literally translates to 'upside down' or 'overturned' in English.
- The formal term Anarthak is constructed from a meaning 'not' and arth meaning 'meaning'. This reflects the logical, mathematical structure of Sanskrit-derived formal Hindi.
- In some regional dialects of India, calling something बकवास can be more offensive than simply saying it is 'wrong', as it directly attacks the speaker's intelligence.
Examples in context
- तुम बकवास मत करो!Don't speak nonsense!This sentence is useful for telling someone not to speak nonsense using बकवास.Tatoeba #485978 by minshirui, translation #485979 by minshirui
- यह क्या बकवास है?What is this nonsense?This sentence is useful for asking what this nonsense is using बकवास.Tatoeba #498214 by minshirui, translation #482376 by adjusting
- बकवास बंद करो!Stop this nonsense!This sentence is useful for telling someone to stop this nonsense using बकवास.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Amit and Pooja are discussing a very strange news report.
- पूजा Poojaयह खबर पूरी तरह से बकवास है।Yeh khabar poori tarah se bakwaas hai.This news is complete nonsense.
- अमित Amitहाँ, यह बहुत ही बकवास बात है।Haan, yeh bahut hi bakwaas baat hai.Yes, it is a very nonsensical thing.
- पूजा Poojaअमित, क्या तुम्हें इस पर विश्वास है?Amit, kya tumhein is par vishwas hai?Amit, do you believe this?
- अमित Amitबिल्कुल नहीं, यह सिर्फ बकवास है।Bilkul nahi, yeh sirf bakwaas hai.Not at all, it is just nonsense.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nonsense” translations and entries बकवास, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
