घोटाला
ghoṭālā/ɡʱoː.ʈɑː.lɑː/
The English word "scam" is translated into Hindi as घोटाला (ghoṭālā).
घोटाला is typically used to refer to large-scale financial scams, political scandals or systemic corruption rather than a small-scale individual trick.
Meaning: fraudulent deal (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
ghoṭālā
Did you know?
- In informal speech, a person who orchestrates a घोटाला might be called a जालसाज़, which literally translates to a 'weaver of nets'.
- The word घोटाला actually comes from Marathi, not from Sanskrit or Hindi roots.
- In Hindi, the word घोटाला can also describe a chaotic mess or a muddle, not just a financial crime.
Examples in context
- उसने मुझे धोखा दिया, मेरे पैसे ग़ायब हो गए।He scammed me, and my money disappeared.
- यह एक बड़ा घोटाला है।yah ek bada ghotala hai.This is a big scam.
- बैंक घोटाला बहुत बड़ा था।bank ghotala bahut bada tha.The bank scam was very large.
- क्या यह कोई घोटाला है?kya yah koi ghotala hai?Is this some kind of scam?
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a suspicious investment offer.
- नेहा Nehaविकास, क्या तुमने यह स्कीम देखी?Vikas, kya tumne yeh scheme dekhi?Vikas, did you see this scheme?
- विकास Vikasहाँ, यह एक घोटाला लगता है।Haan, yeh ek ghotala lagta hai.Yes, it looks like a scam.
- नेहा Nehaमुझे भी यही लग रहा था।Mujhe bhi yahi lag raha tha.I was thinking the same thing.
- विकास Vikasसावधान रहो, पैसे मत देना।Saavdhan raho, paise mat dena.Be careful, don't give any money.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry घोटाला, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries घोटाला, CC BY-SA 4.0.
