हल
hal/ɦəl/masculine
The English word plough is translated into Hindi as हल (hal). Wiktionary also lists नांगल (nāṅgal).
Meaning: device pulled through the ground (noun)
Ways to say it
| Hindi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| हल | hal | /ɦəl/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
| नांगल | nāṅgal | masculine |
हल refers to a device pulled through the ground. To express the action of using a plough on soil to prepare for planting, use the verb phrase हल चलाना.
What does it mean word for word?
The verbal form हल चलाना is composed of the noun हल (plough) and the verb chalana (to move or operate), literally meaning 'to move the plough'.
Which one should you use?
While हल refers to the entire plough, नांगल is a technical term that specifically refers to the ploughshare or the cutting part of the plough.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb 'to plough' is expressed as the compound verb phrase हल चलाना, which literally means 'to move/operate the plough'.
How do you pronounce it?
The word हल is pronounced as /ɦəl/ (hal).
Did you know?
- In Hindi, the word हल is a homonym. While it means 'plough' in a farming context, it also means 'solution' when referring to a problem or a puzzle.
- The technical term नांगल for a ploughshare likely has roots in the Dravidian language family, linking it to words in Tamil and Telugu.
- In Indian culture, the हल is often used as a symbol of the agrarian identity and the hardworking nature of the farmer.
Examples in context
- खेती हल के बिना कैसे हो सकती है?How can farming be done with the plough?
- पुराना हल बहुत भारी है।puraana hal bahut bhaari hai.The old plough is very heavy.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at farming equipment in a village.
- पूजा Poojaक्या तुम्हें यह हल पसंद आया?kya tumhe yeh hal pasand aaya?Did you like this plough?
- राहुल Rahulहाँ, यह हल बहुत मजबूत है।haan, yeh hal bahut mazboot hai.Yes, this plough is very strong.
- पूजा Poojaराहुल, क्या हम इसे ले लें?rahul, kya hum ise le lein?Rahul, shall we take it?
- राहुल Rahulठीक है, चलो इसे खरीदते हैं।theek hai, chalo ise khareedte hain.Okay, let's buy it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “plough” translations and entries हल, नांगल, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries नांगल, हल, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
