Ways to say it
| Hindi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| बरतन | bartan | /bəɾ.t̪ən/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
| मटका | maṭkā | /məʈ.kɑː/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
| पतीला | patīlā | /pə.t̪iː.lɑː/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
बरतन is a collective term for all kitchen utensils and cookware, so it is the safe word when you just mean a pot or vessel. When you mean the specific pot on the stove, पतीला is the more precise word.
Which one should you use?
बरतन is general. पतीला refers specifically to a metal pot or saucepan used for cooking liquids or stews. मटका specifically refers to a pot made of clay, typically used for storing water or making buttermilk.
How does it change in a sentence?
All three words are masculine nouns. In the plural, followed by a postposition such as mein (in) or ko (to), bartan becomes बर्तनों (bartano).
How do you pronounce it?
Say it as bartan, IPA /bəɾ.t̪ən/, in two syllables. The r is a light tap and the t is dental, with the tongue against the upper teeth.
When do people say it?
Clay pots like the मटका keep water cool, which is why they are still common in many Indian homes in summer.
Did you know?
- In many Indian cultures, breaking a मटका (maṭkā) is a symbolic part of various rituals and celebrations to mark a new beginning.
- The word मटका comes from the Sanskrit word मृदा, which means 'earth' or 'clay'.
- When talking about cleaning the kitchen, the word बरतन is often used as a verb-object pair to mean 'doing the dishes', similar to how 'plates' is used in English.
Examples in context
- पतीले में दो कटे हुए हरी मिर्चें डालोPut two sliced green peppers into the pot.पतीले में means into the pot, with the word for pot in its oblique form.
- महाराष्ट्रा में हंडी बड़ी प्रचलित है।Handi is very popular in Maharashtra.
- मेज पर एक बरतन रखा है।mej par ek bartan rakha hai.A vessel is kept on the table.
- क्या आपने नया बरतन खरीदा?kya aapne naya bartan kharida?Did you buy a new vessel?
Example conversation
Amit and Priya are cleaning up in the kitchen.
- प्रिया Priyaअमित, क्या तुम बरतन धो सकते हो?Amit, kya tum bartan dho sakte ho?Amit, can you wash the pots?
- अमित Amitहाँ प्रिया, मैं अभी करता हूँ।Haan Priya, main abhi karta hoon.Yes Priya, I will do it now.
- प्रिया Priyaसावधानी से धोना, यह नया बरतन है।Saavdhani se dhona, yeh naya bartan hai.Wash it carefully, this is a new pot.
- अमित Amitठीक है, मैं ध्यान रखूँगा।Theek hai, main dhyaan rakhunga.Okay, I will be careful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pot” translations and entries बरतन, मटका, पतीला, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries पतीला, मटका, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
