कहना
kahnā/kəɦ.nɑː/
The Hindi verb for say is कहना (kahnā). It means to communicate something in words, with the focus on what is said.
कहना is used for saying words or a message, such as saying thank you or saying something to someone. The person spoken to takes को, as in say to Tom.
Meaning: to communicate verbally or in writing (verb)
Which one should you use?
कहना means to say, focusing on the content of the speech, while बोलना (bolnā) means to speak, focusing on the act of talking or the language being spoken. Bolna is also a versatile choice in informal settings.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the present tense a masculine singular subject takes कहता है and a feminine singular subject कहती है. The past tense form is कहा (kahā). The future form कहेंगे (kahenge) is used for masculine plural subjects or to show respect to one person.
How do you pronounce it?
Say it as kahnā, IPA /kəɦ.nɑː/, in two syllables. The h is voiced and breathy.
Did you know?
- Depending on the social hierarchy, the verb कहना changes its form to show respect, effectively acting as a grammar-based social signal to the listener.
- The word कहना is a linguistic relative of the Sinhalese word කියනවා ('kiyanawā'), showing how the verb traveled and evolved across different South Asian languages.
- Because Hindi uses gendered verb endings for कहना, the form of the verb reveals the gender of the speaker even if the speaker is not mentioned in the sentence.
Examples in context
- मैं टॉम को धन्यवाद कहना चाहता हूं।I want to say thank you to Tom.धन्यवाद कहना means to say thank you.Tatoeba #8889342 by simranbansal, translation #5788622 by CK
- वह उसको क्या कहने वाला है?What is he about to say to him?कहने वाला है means is about to say.
- बिना सोचे कुछ मत कहना।Don't say anything without thinking.मत कहना is a gentle way to say do not say.Tatoeba #2072504 by sabretou, translation #1392707 by CM
- कृपया बताएंPlease tell me.
- वह कहते हैं किThey say that.
- तू क्या बोल रहा है?What are you saying?
- तेरे दोस्त लोग कहते हैं किYour friends say that.
- उन्होंने बताया कि कल बारिश होगी।They said it will rain tomorrow.
- वह बोल रहा है कि मैं अब आ रहा हूँ।He is saying that I am coming now.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Neha and Amit are discussing a secret.
- नेहा Nehaअमित, तुम्हें यह बात किसी से नहीं कहना।Amit, tumhein yeh baat kisi se nahi kehna.Amit, you must not say this to anyone.
- अमित Amitमैं समझ गया, मैं कुछ नहीं कहूँगा।Main samajh gaya, main kuch nahi kahunga.I understand, I will not say anything.
- नेहा Nehaसच में? तुम वादा करते हो?Sach mein? Tum vaada karte ho?Really? Do you promise?
- अमित Amitहाँ, मैं वादा करता हूँ कि कुछ नहीं कहना।Haan, main vaada karta hoon ki kuch nahi kehna.Yes, I promise not to say anything.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry कहना, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries कहना, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
