लेना
lenā/leː.nɑː/
To take in Hindi is लेना (lenā).
लेना means to get hold of something or to receive it from someone. Beyond its basic meaning, it is frequently used as an auxiliary verb in compound verbs to indicate the completion of an action.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form लेना is the infinitive, which can be used to express 'to take' or to form compound verbs. In the masculine singular present tense, it changes to लेता है. To express that someone has taken something in the past, use the past participle form लिया.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of लेना is lenā.
Did you know?
- In Hindi, लेना can be paired with another verb to signal that an action was performed for one's own benefit, a nuance English lacks.
- The word लेना is a linguistic mirror to देना, meaning 'to give', and evolved to match its structure over time.
- The word comes from the Sanskrit root लभते, which focuses more on the concept of 'acquiring' or 'attaining' than just the physical act of grabbing.
Examples in context
- बैंक से ऋण लेना पड़ेगा।I'll have to take a loan from the bank.This sentence is useful for expressing the necessity of taking a loan.
- आज वह स्कूल से छुट्टी लेना चाहता है।He wants to take a holiday from school today.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to take a holiday.
- मैं गाड़ी देख लेता हूँ, मगर ख़रीदता नहीं।I take a look at the car, but do not buy it.This sentence is useful for expressing the act of taking a look at something.
- लीजिए यह किताब।Please take this book.
- कृपया कॉफ़ी कप उठा लीजिए।Please take the coffee cup.
- इसे ले लो।Take this.
- यहाँ से पेन लेलो।Take the pen from here.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Aditya is handing a book to Neha.
- आदित्य Adityaनेहा, यह किताब ले लो।Neha, yeh kitaab le lo.Neha, take this book.
- नेहा Nehaठीक है, मैं इसे ले लेती हूँ।Theek hai, main ise le leti hoon.Okay, I'll take it.
- आदित्य Adityaक्या तुमने अपनी पेन लेना भूल गए?Kya tumne apni pen lena bhool gaye?Did you forget to take your pen?
- नेहा Nehaहाँ, मैं उसे अभी ले लेती हूँ।Haan, main use abhi le leti hoon.Yes, I will take it now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry लेना, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries लेना, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
