Ways to say it
| Hindi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| वैज्ञानिक | vaijñānik | /ʋɛːd͡ʒ.nɑː.nɪk/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
| विज्ञानी | vijñānī | /ʋɪd͡ʒ.nɑː.niː/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
Both वैज्ञानिक and विज्ञानी are used to refer to individuals whose activities make use of the scientific method. These terms can encompass both male and female scientists.
What does it mean word for word?
The word वैज्ञानिक is derived from 'विज्ञान' (science) and functions as both the noun 'scientist' and the adjective 'scientific'.
Which one should you use?
वैज्ञानिक is the more formal and standard term used in academic, journalistic and official contexts. विज्ञानी is a common synonym often used to denote someone who is an expert or a person of science.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of वैज्ञानिक is वैज्ञानिकों when used with postpositions. However, the word may remain unchanged in many other contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ʋɛːdʒ.nɑː.nɪk/ (vaijñānik). It has 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- In many academic circles in India, the English word 'scientist' is actually more common in daily speech than the Hindi term वैज्ञानिक.
- The root word विज्ञान combines वि meaning 'special' and ज्ञान meaning 'knowledge'. This suggests that a scientist is not just someone with knowledge, but someone with a 'specialized' or 'discerned' kind of knowledge.
- The word वैज्ञानिक is borrowed from Sanskrit, the liturgical language of India, which gives the term a level of prestige and formality when used in speech.
Examples in context
- टॉम प्रथम श्रेणी के वैज्ञानिक हैं।Tom is a first-rate scientist.This sentence is useful for describing a high-quality scientist using वैज्ञानिक.Tatoeba #11381095 by PrasantaHembram, translation #11235266 by sundown
- वोह एक वैज्ञानिक न ही है, पर हमारा दोस्त जरूर है |He's not a scientist, but he is our friend.This sentence is useful for using वैज्ञानिक in a negative context to identify someone's profession.Tatoeba #1005718 by thevikas, translation #481573 by FeuDRenais
- मेरे पिता वैज्ञानिक हैं।My father is a scientist.This sentence is useful for identifying a father's profession using वैज्ञानिक.
- पहले केवल वैज्ञानिक ही जानते थे कि पृथ्वी का आकार कितना है।Previously, only scientists knew the size of the earth.
- विज्ञानी ने यह खोज शुरू की है।The scientist has started this research.
- क्या तुम वैज्ञानिक हो?Are you a scientist?
Example conversation
Priya and Rahul are talking about Rahul's career goals.
- प्रिया Priyaराहुल, तुम बड़े होकर क्या बनना चाहते हो?Rahul, tum bade hokar kya banna chahte ho?Rahul, what do you want to be when you grow up?
- राहुल Rahulमैं एक महान वैज्ञानिक बनना चाहता हूँ।Main ek mahaan vaigyanik banna chahta hoon.I want to become a great scientist.
- प्रिया Priyaयह तो बहुत अच्छी बात है!Yeh toh bahut achhi baat hai!That is a very good thing!
- राहुल Rahulहाँ, मुझे विज्ञान बहुत पसंद है।Haan, mujhe vigyaan bahut pasand hai.Yes, I like science very much.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “scientist” translations and entries वैज्ञानिक, विज्ञानी, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries विज्ञानी, वैज्ञानिक, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
