Ways to say it
| Hindi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| पढ़ना | paṛhnā | /pəɽʱ.nɑː/ (Hindi, Standard) |
| सीखना | sīkhnā | /siːkʰ.nɑː/ (Hindi, Standard) |
| पढ़ाई करना | paṛhāī karnā |
The verb 'study' can be expressed through various forms depending on whether you are focusing on reading, learning a skill or conducting academic research. The noun पढ़ाई refers to the general activity of studying or one's education. If you need to refer to a room in a house intended for reading and writing, use the term अध्ययन कक्ष.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase पढ़ाई करना is a compound verb where पढ़ाई (studies) is paired with करना (to do) to mean 'to study'.
Which one should you use?
While पढ़ना literally means 'to read', it is the most common way to express 'to study' in everyday conversation. If you want to focus specifically on the acquisition of a skill, such as a language or a craft, use सीखना. For formal, academic, scientific or literary contexts, use अध्ययन करना.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the continuous action of studying, use the present continuous form पढ़ रहा है (for masculine singular) or पढ़ रही है (for feminine singular).
How do you pronounce it?
The word पढ़ना is pronounced /pəɽʱ.nɑː/ and has two syllables.
Did you know?
- In traditional Indian education, the act of पढ़ना was historically tied to oral recitation and memorization rather than silent reading of a book.
- The Hindi word पढ़ना descends from the Sanskrit root पृथ् 'pṛth', which originally relates to the act of dividing or distinguishing, reflecting the analytical nature of study.
- While पढ़ना means 'to read' or 'to study', using it in the causative form पढ़ाना changes the meaning entirely to 'to teach'.
Examples in context
- ब्रिटिशकाल में अँग्रेज़ अधिकारी अपने खाली समय में राजा-महाराजाओं के बारे में अध्ययन करते, प्राचीन साम्राज्यों की खोज करते, विस्मृत लिपियों को पुनः पढ़ना सीखते और गड़ी हुई सभ्यताओं को खोद निकालते थे और आजकल के मंत्रिवर अपने कार्यालय में बैठे हुए भी ट्विटर पर धींगामुश्ती करते हैं।During the British era, British officers in their free time would study about kings and emperors, discover ancient empires, decipher forgotten scripts and dig up buried civilizations, whereas ministers nowadays would scuffle on Twitter during their office hours.This sentence describes a historical context involving the use of पढ़ना.Tatoeba #12395930 by Saumya, translation #12395933 by Saumya
- सामी को पढ़ना था।Sami wanted to study.This sentence shows the use of पढ़ना to express a desire to study.Tatoeba #13688213 by sabretou, translation #6386139 by OsoHombre
- टॉम को पढ़ाई करना पसंद है।Tom likes to study.This sentence demonstrates the use of पढ़ाई करना to express a preference for studying.Tatoeba #13690348 by sabretou, translation #8286922 by Hybrid
- मैं अध्ययन कर रहा हूँ।I am studying.
- उसने काफी पढ़ाई की है।He has studied a lot.
- मैं आज रात कुछ पढ़ने वाला हूँ।I will be doing some studying tonight.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their exam preparations at a cafe.
- अंजलि Anjaliक्या तुम परीक्षा के लिए पढ़ रहे हो?Kya tum pariksha ke liye padh rahe ho?Are you studying for the exam?
- राहुल Rahulहाँ, मैं अभी बहुत पढ़ना चाहता हूँ।Haan, main abhi bahut padhna chahta hoon.Yes, I want to study a lot right now.
- अंजलि Anjaliराहुल, तुम्हें थोड़ा आराम भी करना चाहिए।Rahul, tumhe thoda aaraam bhi karna chahiye.Rahul, you should also rest a little.
- राहुल Rahulठीक है, अंजलि।Thik hai, Anjali.Okay, Anjali.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “study” translations and entries पढ़ना, सीखना, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries करना, पढ़ना, पढ़ाई, सीखना, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
