बूढ़ा
būṛhā/buː.ɽʱɑː/masculine
The English phrase 'old man' is translated into Hindi as बूढ़ा (būṛhā). It is also spelled शैख़ (śaix). Wiktionary also lists शेख़ (śex).
Meaning: elderly man (noun)
Ways to say it
| Hindi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| बूढ़ा | būṛhā | /buː.ɽʱɑː/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
| शेख़ | śex | /ʃeːx/ (Hindi, Standard) /ʃeːkʰ/ (Hindi, Standard) |
masculine |
| शैख़ | śaix | /ʃɛːx/ (Hindi, Standard) /ʃɛːkʰ/ (Hindi, Standard) |
masculine, alternative form |
The term बूढ़ा primarily functions as an adjective meaning 'old', but it is commonly used as a noun to mean 'an old man' in many contexts. To be more explicit and avoid any ambiguity, the phrase बूढ़ा आदमी is used to specifically mean 'old man'.
Which one should you use?
Other forms like शेख़ and its alternative spelling शैख़ are also present in the language.
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine form of the adjective used to describe an old woman is बूढ़ी. When referring to multiple old men or when the word is used in an oblique case (for example, before a postposition), use the form बूढ़े.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of बूढ़ा is /buː.ɽʱɑː/. It has two syllables.
Did you know?
- In many South Asian cultures, calling someone बूढ़ा can be perceived as much more blunt or even slightly disrespectful compared to the more formal and honorific versions used for elders.
- The word बूढ़ा shares a common ancestor with the Sanskrit word वृद्ध, which means 'grown' or 'increased' in addition to 'old'.
- While बूढ़ा is the common term, शेख़ is borrowed from Arabic via Persian and specifically refers to a leader or a learned elder in a religious context.
Examples in context
- वह बूढ़ा आदमी आँखें बंद करके कुरसी में बैठा था।The old man sat in the chair with his eyes closed.This sentence is useful for seeing how बूढ़ा describes a man sitting in a chair.Tatoeba #491883 by minshirui, translation #43408 by CK
- मैं बूढ़ा हूँ।I'm an old man.This sentence is useful for expressing that one is an old man using बूढ़ा.Tatoeba #4099593 by sabretou, translation #1306715 by CK
- एक बूढ़ा आदमी पेड़ की छाया में आराम कर रहा था।An old man was resting in the shade of the tree.This sentence is useful for describing an old man resting in the shade using बूढ़ा.Tatoeba #483807 by minshirui, translation #413018 by CK
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Amit and Anjali are watching people in a park.
- अमित Amitवह बूढ़ा आदमी पार्क में टहल रहा है।voh boodha aadmi park mein tahal raha hai.That old man is walking in the park.
- अंजलि Anjaliहाँ, वह बहुत धीरे चल रहा है।haan, voh bahut dheere chal raha hai.Yes, he is walking very slowly.
- अमित Amitक्या वह बूढ़ा आदमी आपका पड़ोसी है?kya voh boodha aadmi aapka padosi hai?Is that old man your neighbor?
- अंजलि Anjaliनहीं, वह यहाँ का रहने वाला नहीं है।nahin, voh yahan ka rahne wala nahin hai.No, he does not live here.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “old man” translations and entries बूढ़ा, शेख़, शैख़, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries बूढ़ा, शेख़, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
