Ways to say it
| Hindi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| दर्द | dard | /d̪əɾd̪/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
| पीड़ा | pīṛā | /piː.ɽɑː/ (Hindi, Standard) | feminine |
| व्यथा | vyathā | /ʋjə.t̪ʰɑː/ (Hindi, Standard) | feminine |
The terms are used to describe bodily suffering or an ache. To express the idea of "to have a pain" or "it hurts", Hindi speakers typically use the construction दर्द होना (pain to happen).
Which one should you use?
दर्द is the most common and versatile word for physical or emotional pain used in everyday conversation. पीड़ा is a more formal or literary term for suffering, often used in medical or poetic contexts. व्यथा is a highly formal, literary term that specifically emphasizes deep emotional or mental anguish rather than physical ache.
How does it change in a sentence?
दर्द is a masculine noun, so adjectives describing it must be in the masculine form, such as बड़ा दर्द (big pain). In contrast, पीड़ा is a feminine noun, so adjectives describing it must be in the feminine form, such as गहरी पीड़ा (deep pain).
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of दर्द is /d̪əɾd̪/.
Did you know?
- The formal word पीड़ा is a doublet of the word पीर, which in certain contexts refers to a spiritual teacher or saint.
- In Hindi poetry and music, दर्द is often romanticized as a necessary part of love and longing rather than something to be avoided.
- While दर्द is used for a simple headache, if you use the word व्यथा to describe a small physical scratch, you might sound like a character in an epic poem or a tragic play.
Examples in context
- आपको दर्द सहना ही पड़ेगा।You must endure the pain.This sentence shows how to use दर्द to express the necessity of enduring pain.Tatoeba #2070065 by sabretou, translation #278313 by CK
- यह दवाई दर्द को दूर कर देगी।This medicine will take the pain away.This sentence demonstrates how to use दर्द when discussing medicine removing pain.Tatoeba #505048 by minshirui, translation #56582 by CK
- क्या आपको पेट में दर्द महसूस हो रहा है?Do you feel any pain in your stomach?This sentence illustrates a question using दर्द to ask about experiencing pain in a specific body part.Tatoeba #691650 by minshirui, translation #28160 by CK
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Aditya and Neha are talking in the living room.
- आदित्य Adityaक्या तुम्हें सिर में दर्द है?Kya tumhe sir mein dard hai?Do you have a headache?
- नेहा Nehaहाँ, बहुत तेज़ दर्द हो रहा है।Haan, bahut tez dard ho raha hai.Yes, it is aching very badly.
- आदित्य Adityaक्या मैं तुम्हारे लिए दवाई लाऊं?Kya main tumhare liye dawai laoon?Should I bring medicine for you?
- नेहा Nehaनहीं, बस थोड़ा आराम चाहिए।Nahi, bas thoda aaraam chahiye.No, I just need some rest.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pain” translations and entries दर्द, पीड़ा, व्यथा, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries दर्द, पीड़ा, व्यथा, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
