सफ़ेद
safed/sə.feːd̪/
The English word white is translated into Hindi as सफ़ेद (safed) or श्वेत. If unsure, use सफ़ेद.
Meaning: color (noun)
Ways to say it
| Hindi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| सफ़ेद | safed | /sə.feːd̪/ (Hindi, Standard) /sə.pʰeːd̪/ (Hindi, Standard) |
| श्वेत | śvet | /ʃʋeːt̪/ (Hindi, Standard) |
Both terms refer to the color white. सफ़ेद is used as a noun to name the color and as an adjective to describe objects that are bright and colourless.
Which one should you use?
सफ़ेद is the common, everyday word used in standard conversation. श्वेत is a more formal, Sanskrit-derived word typically found in literature or poetic contexts.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as an adjective, सफ़ेद is invariant, meaning it does not change its form to agree with the gender or number of the noun it modifies.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /sə.feːd̪/ (safed). It has two syllables.
Did you know?
- While white is often associated with purity in the West, सफ़ेद is the traditional color of mourning in Hindu culture and is worn at funerals.
- The formal term श्वेत shares a common ancestor with the English word 'white', illustrating how deeply connected these distant languages are.
- In poetic or highly formal Hindi, you might encounter श्वेत used to describe something pure or sacred, such as a 'white' soul or 'white' consciousness.
Examples in context
- मैंने एक लाल कार और सफ़ेद कार देखी. लाल कार सफ़ेद कार से दिखने में ज़्यादा अच्छी थी.I saw a red car and a white one. The red one was nicer looking than the white one.This sentence shows how to use सफ़ेद to describe a car.Tatoeba #882196 by thevikas, translation #760574 by CK
- उस वृद्ध की दाढ़ी सम्पूर्ण रूप से श्वेत है।That old man's beard is completely white.This sentence demonstrates the use of the formal term श्वेत to describe a beard.
- वह फूल सफ़ेद है।That flower is white.This sentence shows the use of सफ़ेद to describe a flower.Tatoeba #10049555 by sabretou, translation #10048556 by Silja
- मेरी कमीज़ सफेद है।My shirt is white.
- मेरा घर श्वेत रंग का है।My house is of white color.
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rahul and Anjali are discussing a new shirt.
- राहुल Rahulक्या तुम्हें यह सफ़ेद शर्ट पसंद है?Kya tumhein yeh safed shirt pasand hai?Do you like this white shirt?
- अंजलि Anjaliहाँ, सफ़ेद रंग तुम पर बहुत अच्छा लगता है।Haan, safed rang tum par bahut achha lagta hai.Yes, white color looks very good on you.
- राहुल Rahulक्या मैं इसे खरीद लूँ?Kya main ise khareed loon?Should I buy it?
- अंजलि Anjaliहाँ, यह बिल्कुल सही है।Haan, yeh bilkul sahi hai.Yes, it is perfect.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “white” translations and entries सफ़ेद, श्वेत, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries श्वेत, सफ़ेद, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
