वेळ
veḷ/ʋeɭ̆/
The English word 'time' is translated into Marathi as वेळ (veḷ).
वेळ is used to refer to the measurement of a quantity of time, such as a duration or a specific moment.
Meaning: measurement of a quantity of time (noun)
Which one should you use?
While वेळ refers to a specific moment or a duration, the word काळ is used for abstract concepts such as an 'era', a 'period' or a grammatical 'tense'.
How does it change in a sentence?
By adding the locative case suffix '-त' to वेळ, you create the form वेळेत, which means 'in time' or 'at the time'.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is veḷ. The sound /e/ is similar to the Scottish m[ay]. The sound /ɭ̆/ is similar to be[ll].
Did you know?
- While वेळ means 'time', it is also used to describe the 'tide' or the shoreline in its older Sanskrit roots.
- In some traditional contexts, वेळ refers specifically to the 'auspicious moment' chosen for a wedding or ceremony, known as a 'muhurta'.
- The word वेळ is a linguistic relative shared across several South Indian languages, including வேளை in Tamil and వేళ in Telugu.
Examples in context
- मला थोडा वेळ दे.Give me some time.This sentence is useful for asking someone to give you some of their time using वेळ.Tatoeba #3720456 by sabretou, translation #3151496 by CK
- मला अजून वेळ दे.Give me more time.This sentence is useful for asking someone to give you more of their time using वेळ.Tatoeba #4011119 by sabretou, translation #3151516 by CK
- वेळ झाला आहे का?Is it time?This sentence is useful for asking if a certain time has arrived using वेळ.Tatoeba #4438427 by sabretou, translation #2248473 by CK
- 562 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rohan and Sayali are discussing their meeting schedule.
- रोहन Rohanसायली, तुला किती वेळ लागेल?Sayali, tula kiti vel lagel?Sayali, how much time will you take?
- सायली Sayaliमला फक्त पाच मिनिटे वेळ हवा आहे.Mala phakta pach minute vel hava ahe.I just need five minutes of time.
- रोहन Rohanठीक आहे, आपण वेळेवर भेटूया.Thik ahe, apan velevar bhetuya.Okay, let's meet on time.
- सायली Sayaliहो, मी लवकर येईल.Ho, mi lavkar yeil.Yes, I will come early.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry वेळ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries वेळ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
