Ways to say it
| Hindi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| सप्ताह | saptāh | /səp.t̪ɑːɦ/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
| हफ़्ता | haftā | /ɦəf.t̪ɑː/ (Hindi, Standard) /ɦəpʰ.t̪ɑː/ (Hindi, Standard) |
masculine |
Both terms refer to a period of seven days. You can use the prefix Ek before either term to express the phrase 'one week'. To indicate that something will occur after a certain number of weeks, you can place the word baad after the term for week. For example, hafte ke mangalvaar is used to mean 'Tuesday of the week'.
Which one should you use?
The term सप्ताह is the more formal or standard term, whereas हफ़्ता is a common, colloquial term used in everyday conversation.
Is it said differently in some regions?
सप्ताह is common in regions such as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both words are masculine nouns. When using them with postpositions (such as 'for' or 'in'), they change to their plural forms: सप्ताहों for सप्ताह and हफ़्तों for हफ़्ता. Additionally, the adjective form for 'weekly' is साप्ताहिक.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is saptāh.
Did you know?
- In many parts of India, the term हफ़्ता can also be used in slang to refer to a weekly bribe or 'protection money' paid to officials.
- The two different words for week, सप्ताह and हफ़्ता, are actually 'doublets', meaning they are distant linguistic cousins that both trace back to the same ancient Indo-European root for 'seven'.
- The formal term सप्ताह is a compound of the Sanskrit words for 'seven' and 'day'.
Examples in context
- हड़ताल एक सप्ताह चली।The strike lasted one week.This sentence is useful for describing the duration of a strike using सप्ताह.
- एक सप्ताह में सात दिन होते हैं।There are seven days in one week.This sentence is useful for stating the number of days in one सप्ताह.
- मैं और एक हफ़्ता नहीं रुक सकता।I can't wait another week.This sentence is useful for expressing inability to wait another हफ़्ता.Tatoeba #4081332 by sabretou, translation #1955100 by CK
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Priya and Rahul are discussing a vacation plan.
- प्रिया Priyaहम अगले सप्ताह घूमने जाएँगे।Hum agle saptāh ghūmne jāēṅgē.We will go for a trip next week.
- राहुल Rahulक्या आप एक सप्ताह के लिए जा रही हैं?Kyā āp ek saptāh kē liē jā rahī hēn?Are you going for one week?
- प्रिया Priyaहाँ, एक सप्ताह काफी होगा।Hān, ek saptāh kāfī hōgā.Yes, one week will be enough.
- राहुल Rahulठीक है, मैं भी तैयारी करता हूँ।Ṭhīk hai, main bhī taiyārī kartā hūn.Okay, I will also prepare.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “week” translations and entries सप्ताह, हफ़्ता, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries सप्ताह, हफ़्ता, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0, Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
