साँप
sā̃p/sɑ̃ːp/masculine
The English word "snake" is translated into Hindi as साँप (sā̃p). Wiktionary also lists सर्प (sarp) and नाग (nāg).
Meaning: legless reptile (noun)
Ways to say it
| Hindi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| साँप | sā̃p | /sɑ̃ːp/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
| सर्प | sarp | /səɾp/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
| नाग | nāg | /nɑːɡ/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
All three forms refer to a legless reptile. The standard term साँप can also be used metaphorically to describe a person who is treacherous or deceitful, much like the English usage.
Which one should you use?
साँप is the common, everyday word for a snake. सर्प is a more formal or scientific term. नाग is used in literary or mythological contexts, often specifically referring to a cobra or a divine serpent.
How does it change in a sentence?
All provided forms are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is sā̃p.
Did you know?
- While साँप describes the animal, the term नागिन refers specifically to a female snake and is a popular trope in Bollywood films for a shape-shifting revenge spirit.
- The word नाग is used in the name of the festival नाग पंचमी, where people offer milk to snakes and draw images of them on walls to avoid being bitten.
- In Indian mythology, the term नाग does not just mean a reptile, but refers to a class of semi-divine beings that can take human form.
Examples in context
- साँप ज़िंदा है या मुरदा?Is the snake alive or dead?This sentence is useful for checking if the साँप is alive or dead.Tatoeba #10068377 by sabretou, translation #49936 by CK
- तुम साँप हो।You're a snake.This sentence uses साँप to metaphorically call someone a snake.Tatoeba #13690368 by sabretou, translation #12424380 by Miktsoanit
- वह एक विषाक्त साँप है।That is a venomous snake.
- पेड़ के पास एक काला साँप है।ped ke paas ek kala saanap hai.There is a black snake near the tree.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Neha and Vikas are walking in a park.
- नेहा Nehaविकास, देखो वहाँ एक साँप है!Vikas, dekho vahan ek saanp hai!Vikas, look, there is a snake there!
- विकास Vikasकहाँ है? मुझे नहीं दिख रहा।Kahan hai? Mujhe nahi dikh raha.Where is it? I can't see it.
- नेहा Nehaवह घास के पीछे है।Vah ghaas ke peeche hai.It is behind the grass.
- विकास Vikasचलो यहाँ से जल्दी दूर चलते हैं।Chalo yahan se jaldi door chalte hain.Let's move away from here quickly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “snake” translations and entries साँप, सर्प, नाग, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
