बेटा
beṭāeveryday, Hindi
In Hindi a son is बेटा (beṭā). The formal word is पुत्र (putra). A daughter is बेटी (beṭī). It is also called लड़का (laṛkā).
Meaning: a male child (noun)
Ways to say it
| Indian | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| बेटा | beṭā | everyday, Hindi |
| पुत्र | putra | formal, Sanskrit origin |
| लड़का | laṛkā | boy, general |
Parents also call a younger boy बेटा as a term of affection, even if he is not their own son, as in बेटा, इधर आओ (beṭā, idhar āo).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
पुत्र is used in books, formal documents and ceremonies. The word लड़का means any boy, not specifically a son.
Did you know?
- बेटा is a warm word that elders use for almost any younger person, a custom common across north India.
Examples in context
- मेरा बेटा स्कूल जा रहा है।Merā beṭā skūl jā rahā hai.My son is going to school.
- बेटा, खाना खा लो।Beṭā, khānā khā lo.Son, have your meal.
Example conversation
Two neighbors, Usha and Meena, chat at their gate in Ludhiana.
- Ushaआपका बेटा कितने साल का है?Āpkā beṭā kitne sāl kā hai?How old is your son?
- Meenaदस साल का, पाँचवीं में पढ़ता है।Das sāl kā, pānchvīn mein paṛhtā hai.Ten years old, he is in fifth grade.
- Ushaबहुत अच्छा।Bahut achchhā.Very nice.
