Ways to say it
| Hindi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| उद्दंड | uddaṇḍ | /ʊd̪.d̪əɳɖ/ (Hindi, Standard) |
| बदतमीज़ | badtamīz | /bə.d̪ət̪.miːz/ (Hindi, Standard) /bə.d̪ət̪.miːd͡ʒ/ (Hindi, Standard) |
Both words are used to describe someone who is bad-mannered. बदतमीज़ is the standard way to describe a person lacking manners, while उद्दंड is used for someone exhibiting insolence or arrogant rudeness.
What does it mean word for word?
The word बदतमीज़ is composed of the prefix 'bad' (bad) and 'tamīz' (manners, etiquette or decency), literally meaning 'without manners/etiquette'.
Which one should you use?
बदतमीज़ is the common, everyday term used to describe someone who is rude or ill-mannered. In contrast, उद्दंड is a more formal and literary term often used to describe someone who is specifically insolent or behaves with an air of arrogant rudeness.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective बदतमीज़ is invariable. It does not change its form based on the gender or number of the person being described.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of उद्दंड is /ʊd̪.d̪əɳɖ/ (two syllables).
Did you know?
- The Sanskrit root of उद्दंड refers to a 'staff' or 'cane' used for punishment. The word literally describes someone who has 'risen above' the reach of the cane, meaning they are so insolent they no longer fear punishment.
- The word तमीज़ in बदतमीज़ originally meant 'discernment' or 'the ability to distinguish' in Persian. Being 'rude' in this context is viewed as a failure to distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate behavior.
- In many Hindi-speaking households, calling a child बदतमीज़ is not just a description of their behavior but is often used as a sharp disciplinary rebuke to demand an immediate change in attitude.
Examples in context
- कितने बदतमीज़ हो तुम!How rude of you!This sentence is useful for expressing how rude someone is using the form बदतमीज़.Tatoeba #588547 by minshirui, translation #16444 by CK
- वह बच्चे की बातों का अभद्र रूप से जवाब देता है।He responds rudely to the child's statements.
- वह बहुत उद्दंड लड़का है।vaha bahut uddand larka hai.He is a very rude boy.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rahul and Anjali are discussing a classmate's behavior.
- राहुल Rahulक्या तुमने देखा कि वह कितना उद्दंड था?kya tumne dekha ki vah kitna uddanda tha?Did you see how rude he was?
- अंजलि Anjaliहाँ, उसने बहुत गलत तरीके से बात की।haan, usne bahut galat tarike se baat ki.Yes, he spoke in a very wrong way.
- राहुल Rahulउसे तमीज़ सीखनी चाहिए।use tameez seekhni chahiye.He should learn some manners.
- अंजलि Anjaliमैं भी यही सोच रही थी।main bhi yahi soch rahi thi.I was thinking the same thing.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rude” translations and entries उद्दंड, बदतमीज़, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries उद्दंड, बदतमीज़, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
