तारीफ करना

You usually need the connector ki (of). For example, 'I praised him' becomes Maine uski taarif ki. It is a feminine noun. This means the verb karna changes to ki or karti in many tenses. Don't let the grammar scare you. Just remember you are 'doing' the act of praising.

Use it at a dinner party for the host's cooking. Use it at work when a colleague crushes a presentation. It is perfect for texting a friend who posted a great selfie. If you see something you like, taarif is your best friend. It builds bridges and makes people smile instantly.

Avoid using it if you are being sarcastic. Hindi speakers value sincerity. If you overdo it, it might feel like makkhan lagana (applying butter/flattery). Don't use it for inanimate objects unless you are personifying them. You usually praise people, their efforts, or their creations.

In South Asian culture, giving and receiving praise is an art. There is a deep tradition of poetry (Shayari) centered around taarif. It is not just about being polite. It is about acknowledging someone's 'shaan' or grace. Even a simple compliment is seen as a gesture of respect.

You might hear shabaashi dena for praising a job well done. For poetic or high-level praise, people use prashansa karna. If someone is fishing for compliments, we say they are 'bhookha' (hungry) for taarif. Keep it simple with taarif for 90% of your daily life.