Ways to say it
| Hindi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| समुद्र | samudra | /sə.mʊd̪.ɾᵊ/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
| समुंदर | samundar | ||
| सागर | sāgar | /sɑː.ɡəɾ/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
| अम्बुधि | ambudhi | masculine | |
| बहर | bahar | /bə.ɦəɾ/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
| दरिया | dariyā | /d̪ə.ɾɪ.jɑː/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
| दरया | daryā | feminine |
All provided forms of 'sea' refer to a large body of water.
Which one should you use?
While समुद्र is the standard formal term, समुंदर is the colloquial version used in everyday speech. The term सागर is used in poetic or highly formal settings. The forms दरिया and दरया typically refer to a river or a large body of water in poetic contexts rather than the sea itself.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
समुद्र is a formal word commonly found in textbooks, news and literature. In contrast, समुंदर is the more common, colloquial version used in everyday spoken Hindi. सागर is used in a poetic register, such as in songs or spiritual contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the coastal states of western India, the Arabian Sea is called अरब सागर. In the eastern coastal regions of India, the Bay of Bengal is known as बंगाल की खाड़ी.
How does it change in a sentence?
All forms of 'sea' listed here are masculine nouns, which means they require masculine adjectives and verbs in a sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
The word समुद्र is pronounced as samudra (three syllables).
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using दरिया to mean 'sea'. This word more commonly refers to a river or a large body of water in poetic speech.
Did you know?
- The word बहर is often used in Urdu-influenced Hindi poetry to denote the sea, but it also refers to the 'meter' or rhythm of a poem.
- The word अम्बुधि is a highly specialized term for the 'sea' that literally translates to 'container of water' in Sanskrit-derived compounds.
- In many Hindi songs and Bollywood films, the word समुंदर is preferred over समुद्र because its softer, more rhythmic sound fits the melodic flow of the lyrics better.
Examples in context
- सागर में द्वीप हैं।There are islands in the sea.This sentence demonstrates the use of सागर to describe islands in the sea.Tatoeba #3718846 by taro, translation #3663249 by shekitten
- समुंदर में मछलियां हैं।There are fish in the sea.This sentence shows समुंदर being used to describe fish in the sea.Tatoeba #3786680 by sabretou, translation #3719059 by Jesse
- बिल समुंदर के पास रहता है।Bill lives near the sea.This sentence uses समुंदर to indicate someone living near the sea.Tatoeba #465600 by minshirui, translation #34521 by CN
- मेरा दिल सागर की तरह विशाल है।My heart is as vast as the sea.
- सागर का दृश्य अद्वितीय है।The view of the sea is unparalleled.
- चलो, हम समुंदर के किनारे घूमने चलें।Let's go for a stroll along the sea.
- कल समुंदर में स्नोर्कल करेंगे।Tomorrow, we will go snorkeling in the sea.
- गोवा अरब सागर के किनारे स्थित है।Goa is located on the shores of the Arabian Sea.
- पूर्वी भारत में बंगाल की खाड़ी स्थित है।The Bay of Bengal is located in eastern India.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rahul and Pooja are looking at a photo of a vacation.
- राहुल Rahulयह समुद्र बहुत सुंदर लग रहा है।Yah samudr bahut sundar lag raha hai.This sea looks very beautiful.
- पूजा Poojaहाँ, यहाँ का पानी बहुत नीला है।Haan, yahan ka paani bahut neela hai.Yes, the water here is very blue.
- राहुल Rahulक्या तुम समुद्र में तैरना चाहती हो?Kya tum samudr mein tairna chahti ho?Do you want to swim in the sea?
- पूजा Poojaनहीं, मुझे डर लगता है।Nahin, mujhe dar lagta hai.No, I am afraid.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sea” translations and entries समुद्र, सागर, बहर, दरिया, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
