B1 Collocation Neutral 3 min de lectura

बहस करना

to debate

Literalmente: to do (karnā) argument/debate (bahas)

Use this phrase for any verbal disagreement, from professional meetings to spicy family dinner arguments.

En 15 segundos

  • Used for both formal debates and informal everyday arguments.
  • Always use 'se' to indicate who you are debating with.
  • Implies a clash of opinions or a verbal disagreement.

Significado

Think of it as a verbal tug-of-war where two people exchange different opinions. It can range from a polite, intellectual debate to a heated argument over who left the lights on.

Ejemplos clave

3 de 6
1

At a restaurant with a friend

खाने के बिल पर बहस मत करो, मैं पैसे दे दूँगा।

Don't argue over the food bill, I will pay.

🤝
2

In a professional meeting

हमें इस मुद्दे पर और बहस करने की ज़रूरत है।

We need to debate this issue further.

💼
3

Texting a stubborn sibling

तुम हमेशा हर बात पर बहस क्यों करते हो?

Why do you always argue about everything?

😊
🌍

Contexto cultural

In Indian culture, debating is often a sign of closeness and intellectual engagement rather than hostility. The concept of 'The Argumentative Indian' highlights how public discourse and disagreement are central to the country's social and political fabric. From village squares to high-end cafes, a spirited 'bahas' is a common sight.

💡

The 'Se' Secret

Always remember that 'bahas' is directed at someone using 'se'. If you forget it, the sentence sounds like you are debating 'to' them, which is incorrect.

⚠️

Bahas vs. Jhagda

Be careful! 'Bahas' is verbal. If things get physical or very nasty, locals will call it 'jhagda' (fight). Don't use 'bahas' if someone is throwing chairs!

En 15 segundos

  • Used for both formal debates and informal everyday arguments.
  • Always use 'se' to indicate who you are debating with.
  • Implies a clash of opinions or a verbal disagreement.

What It Means

बहस करना is your go-to phrase for any situation involving a clash of ideas. In English, we distinguish between 'debating' and 'arguing,' but in Hindi, this phrase covers both. It captures the energy of two minds colliding. It is not just talking; it is defending a point of view. You might use it for a formal competition or a spicy dinner table disagreement.

How To Use It

You usually pair this phrase with the postposition से (se), which means 'with.' For example, if you are arguing with a friend, you say दोस्त से बहस करना. The verb करना changes based on the tense and the person. If you want to tell someone to stop, you say बहस मत करो. It is a very active phrase. It implies a back-and-forth exchange that is currently happening.

When To Use It

Use it when you see a lively discussion turning into a disagreement. It is perfect for describing news anchors shouting on TV. You can use it at work when colleagues can't agree on a project. It is also very common in domestic settings. Use it when you are explaining why you are late because you were 'debating' the price with a rickshaw driver. It fits anywhere opinions are being traded like currency.

When NOT To Use It

Avoid using this if the situation has turned into a physical fight. For that, use लड़ाई करना (laḍāī karnā). Also, do not use it for a peaceful, collaborative brainstorm. If everyone agrees and is just talking, use चर्चा करना (charchā karnā) instead. बहस implies a certain level of friction or opposition. Don't use it if you are just having a quiet heart-to-heart conversation.

Cultural Background

India has a long, rich history of philosophical debate called शास्त्रार्थ (Shastrartha). Ancient scholars would travel miles just to have a बहस on logic and spirituality. Today, this love for talk has evolved into a national pastime. You will see people having intense debates over tea (chai pe charcha). It is rarely seen as rude; it is seen as being engaged and passionate. Indians generally value a person who can hold their own in a verbal duel.

Common Variations

You will often hear बेफालतू की बहस (befāltū kī bahas), which means a 'useless argument.' Another common one is लंबी बहस (lambī bahas) for a long-winded debate. If someone is being stubborn, you might say they are बहसबाज़ (bahasbāz), meaning an argumentative person. Sometimes people use तर्क-वितर्क (tark-vitark) in very formal or academic writing. However, in daily life, बहस करना remains the undisputed king of expressions.

Notas de uso

This phrase is incredibly versatile and sits right in the middle of the formality scale. The main 'gotcha' is ensuring you use the correct postposition 'se' for the person you are arguing with.

💡

The 'Se' Secret

Always remember that 'bahas' is directed at someone using 'se'. If you forget it, the sentence sounds like you are debating 'to' them, which is incorrect.

⚠️

Bahas vs. Jhagda

Be careful! 'Bahas' is verbal. If things get physical or very nasty, locals will call it 'jhagda' (fight). Don't use 'bahas' if someone is throwing chairs!

💬

The Tea Stall Debate

In India, 'Chai pe bahas' (debate over tea) is a legitimate social activity. It's how people bond, solve world problems, and pass time.

Ejemplos

6
#1 At a restaurant with a friend
🤝

खाने के बिल पर बहस मत करो, मैं पैसे दे दूँगा।

Don't argue over the food bill, I will pay.

A common friendly gesture in India where people 'argue' to pay.

#2 In a professional meeting
💼

हमें इस मुद्दे पर और बहस करने की ज़रूरत है।

We need to debate this issue further.

Here it takes on a professional 'deliberation' tone.

#3 Texting a stubborn sibling
😊

तुम हमेशा हर बात पर बहस क्यों करते हो?

Why do you always argue about everything?

Expressing annoyance in a casual, relatable way.

#4 A humorous observation about TV
😄

न्यूज़ चैनल पर सब बस बहस कर रहे हैं, कोई सुन नहीं रहा।

Everyone is just arguing on the news channel; nobody is listening.

A funny but true observation about modern media.

#5 An emotional moment with a partner
💭

मैं तुमसे बहस नहीं करना चाहती, बस मेरी बात सुनो।

I don't want to argue with you, just listen to me.

Used to de-escalate tension in a relationship.

#6 A teacher to students
👔

कल हम पर्यावरण के विषय पर बहस करेंगे।

Tomorrow we will debate the topic of environment.

Formal classroom setting for an organized debate.

Ponte a prueba

Choose the correct postposition to complete the sentence.

मुझ ___ बहस मत करो।

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: से

In Hindi, you argue 'with' someone using the postposition 'से' (se).

Select the correct verb form for 'We are debating'.

हम इस विषय पर ___ कर रहे हैं।

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: बहस

'बहस' (bahas) specifically means debate/argument in this context.

🎉 Puntuación: /2

Ayudas visuales

Formality of 'Bahas Karna'

Informal

Arguing with a sibling over a remote.

Bhai se bahas mat kar.

Neutral

Discussing a topic with a friend.

Chalo is par bahas karte hain.

Formal

A structured debate in a parliament or court.

Sadan mein bahas hui.

Where to use 'Bahas Karna'

बहस करना
📺

News Channel

Panelists shouting at each other.

🛍️

Street Market

Bargaining with a vendor.

🎓

Classroom

Students debating a historical event.

🍽️

Dinner Table

Family members disagreeing on a movie.

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

Not at all! It can mean a healthy, intellectual debate like स्कूल में बहस प्रतियोगिता (a debate competition in school).

You can say कृपया मुझसे बहस न करें (Kripya mujhse bahas na karein) to keep it formal and polite.

चर्चा (charcha) is a general discussion where everyone might agree, while बहस (bahas) implies a difference of opinion.

Yes! If you are haggling over a price, you can say दाम पर बहस करना (arguing over the price).

It is neutral. It works in a courtroom (अदालत में बहस) as well as in a kitchen.

It is a noun for someone who loves to argue. It's like calling someone 'argumentative' or a 'debater'.

You would say हमारी लंबी बहस हुई (Hamari lambi bahas hui).

Yes, बहस is a noun. For example, यह बहस बेकार है means 'This debate is useless'.

People often use चिक-चिक करना (chik-chik karna) for petty, annoying nagging or arguing.

The opposite would be सहमत होना (sahmat hona), which means 'to agree'.

Frases relacionadas

तर्क करना

लड़ाई करना

चर्चा करना

मुकाबला करना

¿Te ha servido?
¡No hay comentarios todavía. Sé el primero en compartir tus ideas!

Empieza a aprender idiomas gratis

Empieza Gratis