खेलना
khelnā/kʰeːl.nɑː/
In Hindi, the English verb 'play' is expressed as खेलना (khelnā).
The verb खेलना is used to describe acting in a manner such that one has fun.
Meaning: act in a manner such that one has fun (verb)
Which one should you use?
While खेलना is the verb 'to play', the noun खेल refers to the game or the act of play itself. If you are referring to a 'play' in the sense of a theatrical performance or drama, use नाटक instead of खेल.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb खेलना changes its ending in the present habitual tense based on the subject: use खेलता for a masculine singular subject and खेलती for a feminine singular subject.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is khelnā. The IPA is /kʰeːl.nɑː/.
Did you know?
- The word खेलना is part of a linguistic chain that includes the Romani word khelel, connecting Hindi to the language of the Romani people.
- While खेलना means 'to play', the word खेल can also refer to a 'trick' or 'scheme' when used in a metaphorical sense.
- The phrase खेल खत्म ('game over') is often used in daily conversation to signify that a situation is permanently settled or a plan has failed.
Examples in context
- बच्चे टॉम के साथ नहीं खेलना चाहते।The children don't want to play with Tom.This sentence shows how to use खेलना regarding children's desires.Tatoeba #11380943 by PrasantaHembram, translation #11229920 by Ergulis
- बच्चे खेलना चाहते हैं।Kids want to play.This sentence uses खेलना to express what kids want to do.Tatoeba #3625159 by sabretou, translation #1615373 by marcelostockle
- यहाँ बेसबॉल खेलना मना है।You are not supposed to play baseball here.This sentence uses खेलना to state a prohibition on playing baseball.Tatoeba #476356 by minshirui, translation #61860 by CK
- वे फुटबॉल खेल रहे हैं।They are playing football.
- वे नाटक में प्रदर्शन कर रहे हैं।They are performing in a play.
- मैं वॉलीबॉल खेल रहा हूँ।I am playing volleyball.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Aditya and Anjali are talking about their children.
- आदित्य Adityaबच्चे अब कहाँ खेलना चाहते हैं?Bacche ab kahan khelna chahte hain?Where do the children want to play now?
- अंजलि Anjaliवे बगीचे में खेलना चाहते हैं।Ve bagiche mein khelna chahte hain.They want to play in the garden.
- आदित्य Adityaक्या वे बाहर खेलना पसंद करते हैं?Kya ve baahar khelna pasand karte hain?Do they like playing outside?
- अंजलि Anjaliहाँ, उन्हें बाहर खेलना बहुत पसंद है।Haan, unhe baahar khelna bahut pasand hai.Yes, they love playing outside.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “play” translations and entries खेलना, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries खेलना, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
