Ways to say it
| Hindi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| धैर्य | dhairya | /d̪ʱɛːɾ.jᵊ/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
| सहन | sahan | /səɦn/ (Hindi, Standard) /sə.ɦən/ (Hindi, Standard) |
masculine |
| धीरज | dhīraj | /d̪ʱiː.ɾəd͡ʒ/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
The word refers to the quality of being patient. You can express the act of having patience using the verb phrase धैर्य रखना. To convey a sense of patience through the ability to tolerate or endure something with resilience, you may use the word सहनशीलता.
Which one should you use?
While several forms exist, they differ primarily in register. धैर्य is the most formal and literary way to express the concept. In contrast, धीरज is a more common, everyday word used in spoken conversation. The word सहन is also a masculine form, and सब्र is a formal term used for patience.
How does it change in a sentence?
To turn the noun धैर्य into the adjective "patient", you add the suffix –वान to create धैर्यवान.
How do you pronounce it?
dhairya is pronounced /d̪ʱɛːɾ.jᵊ/ and consists of 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- The word सब्र used for patience is not native to Hindi but is borrowed from Arabic via Persian. It is often used in a spiritual or fatalistic context, implying a patient acceptance of God's will.
- While धैर्य translates to 'patience', it is closely linked to the concept of 'courage' in its Sanskrit roots. In ancient contexts, being patient was seen not as a passive wait but as an active form of bravery.
- The suffix वान used to create धैर्यवान is a productive morpheme in Hindi used to turn abstract qualities into descriptions of people, similar to how 'full of' works in English.
Examples in context
- वह स्वयं धैर्य की प्रतिमा था.He was patience itself.This sentence uses धैर्य to describe someone as the embodiment of patience.Tatoeba #2056543 by RadiumCat, translation #301355 by aandrusiak
- प्रकृति की गति अपनाएं: उसका रहस्य है धीरज।Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.This sentence uses धीरज to describe patience as a secret of nature.Tatoeba #2655139 by gauravjiii, translation #2655140 by gauravjiii
- धैर्य रखो, सभी समस्याओं का समाधान मिलेगा।Be patient, solutions will be found for all problems.
- काम पूरा हो जाएगा, बस धैर्य रखो।The work will be completed, just be patient.
- काम पूरा करने के लिए बहुत धैर्य चाहिए।Kaam poora karne ke liye bahut dhairya chahiye.It takes a lot of patience to complete the work.
Example conversation
Neha is advising Amit while he waits for a job response.
- नेहा Nehaअमित, थोड़ा धैर्य रखो।Amit, thoda dhairya rakho.Amit, have some patience.
- अमित Amitपर मुझे जवाब का इंतज़ार है।Par mujhe jawab ka intezaar hai.But I am waiting for the answer.
- नेहा Nehaअच्छी चीज़ों में समय लगता है।Achhi cheezon mein samay lagta hai.Good things take time.
- अमित Amitठीक है, मैं कोशिश करूँगा।Theek hai, main koshish karoonga.Okay, I will try.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “patience” translations and entries धैर्य, सहन, धीरज, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
