कल
kal/kəl/
The Hindi word for "tomorrow" is कल (kal).
कल is an adverb used to refer to the day after the present day. It can also function as a noun to mean the day after the present day.
Meaning: on the day after the present day (adv)
Which one should you use?
The word कल is context-dependent. It can mean either "tomorrow" or "yesterday" depending on the tense of the verb used in the sentence.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In parts of North India, the informal phrase aane wala kal is used to mean "tomorrow".
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When used with future tense verbs, कल refers to "tomorrow".
How do you pronounce it?
kal
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers may struggle with the ambiguity of कल, but in Hindi, the verb tense clarifies whether the speaker means tomorrow or yesterday.
Did you know?
- Depending on the context, कल can also be used to refer to a 'machine' or 'piece of machinery' in Hindi.
- The roots of कल reach back to the ancient Sanskrit word कल्य, which refers to 'dawn'.
- While कल is the standard word, Hindi uses different specific terms for 'the day after tomorrow' and 'the day before yesterday' to resolve the ambiguity.
Examples in context
- टॉम कल आ रहा है ना?Tom is arriving tomorrow, isn't he?This sentence shows how to use कल in a question about arriving.Tatoeba #9960117 by anushka, translation #7205657 by CK
- कल?Tomorrow?This example shows how to use कल as a standalone question.Tatoeba #11371103 by Sorcien, translation #7910309 by adiante19
- वह कल आएगा क्या?Will he come tomorrow?This sentence demonstrates using कल with a future tense verb to ask about someone coming.Tatoeba #3216279 by anubhav93, translation #453389 by saasmath
- मुझे कल मिलना है।I have a meeting tomorrow.
- ट्रेन कल सुबह आएगी।The train will arrive tomorrow morning.
- कल राष्ट्रीय अवकाश है।Tomorrow is a national holiday.
- कल मिलते हैं।Let's meet tomorrow.
- मैं काम कल पूरा कर दूंगा।I'll complete the work tomorrow.
- कल का मौसम सुहावना होगा।Tomorrow's weather will be pleasant.
- फिल्म कल ही रिलीज़ होगी।The movie will release tomorrow.
- हम कल ही अपनी छुट्टियों के लिए निकल रहे हैं।We're leaving for our vacation tomorrow.
- 78 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Anjali and Amit are discussing a meeting time.
- अंजलि Anjaliहम कल मिल सकते हैं?Hum kal mil sakte hain?Can we meet tomorrow?
- अमित Amitहाँ, कल दोपहर को मिलते हैं।Haan, kal dopahar ko milte hain.Yes, let's meet tomorrow afternoon.
- अंजलि Anjaliठीक है, कल मिलते हैं।Theek hai, kal milte hain.Okay, see you tomorrow.
- अमित Amitठीक है, अलविदा!Theek hai, alvida!Okay, goodbye!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tomorrow” translations and entries कल, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries कल, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
